Bathtime?

This look familiar to anyone?

Here at Scruff, some of our four-legged friends willingly dive into rivers, ponds or puddles but not into the warm soapy stuff. Bad news considering the weather has made our mutts muddier than ever.
Fear not though, we have just the stuff for the bath-shy dog- Happytails Instant Bath Spray. Think dry shampoo for your pet. The spray deodorises and disinfects after a walk, leaving them smelling like kiwi and melons- ideal.  What's more, it is better than half price this month for only £6.25!

Just click here to find out more.

Mars seeks deep-fried disclaimer

Chocolate manufacturer Mars is seeking a disclaimer to distance itself from the famous deep-fried Mars bar.

The dish is said to have originated 20 years ago at The Carron Fish Bar in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, which advertises itself as the "birthplace of the world famous deep-fried Mars bar".

But Mars say they are seeking a menu disclaimer to make clear they do not endorse or authorise the fatty snack, which is covered in chip-shop batter and cooked in a deep fat fryer.

The company said it goes against its commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles and a letter has been sent to the company's owners.

Each serving of the chip-shop treat is said to be high in calories and saturated fat. It has become a well-known Scottish stereotype and is often referred to as one of the country's other national dishes, after haggis.

Plans to bid for EU protected geographical status, similar to that of the Arbroath Smokie, have been dropped.

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A Mars spokeswoman said: "We are really flattered that customers of Carron Fish Bar like our product so much that it has now become a flagship product for the store. No application for a protected geographical indication has been filed to date.

"Should an application be filed, unfortunately, we wouldn't be able to support it, as deep-frying one of our products would go against our commitment to promoting healthy, active lifestyles."

Lorraine Watson, who runs the The Carron Fish Bar with her husband Charlie, told The Scotsman newspaper that the shop sold between 100 and 150 deep-fried Mars bars a week, 70% of which were to visitors to the town.

She said: "We are quite happy to put a disclaimer on the main menu for the shop because I don't want any reason for them to come back and try some sort of court action against me."

Article from West Lothian Courier

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Fatty foods not for you?  Have a browse at Natural Figure's Probiotic and Superfoods to help boost your internal health!

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Providing Health Services Worldwide for the Most Underserved

What if you could help 200 million people worldwide who suffer needlessly from chronic pain and disease, blindness and hearing loss, shortened life span, and other health conditions? That's what we do everyday!

Healthy Athletes

At more than 1.2 million free health screenings in more than 100 countries, the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program has offered health services and information to athletes in dire need. In the process, Special Olympics has become the largest global public health organization dedicated to serving people with intellectual disabilities.

Miracles at Every Turn

Moise Ahoussimou, a poor West African boy with an intellectual disability and next to no vision, is one example. While volunteering at Healthy Athletes, a doctor realized Moise had been blinded by cataracts. He was referred for a simple operation, and Moise left his appointment with restored sight. He saw his father for the first time. “I can see." He grabbed his father’s hand. “Hey! Dad, I didn’t know you are that tall!”

Miracles like Moise’s happen at every screening. A volunteer dentist from California, USA saved athlete Dustin Plunkett's life by finding his mouth cancer. Mariam Zakhary of Egypt, fitted with a hearing aid, heard her language and her coach for the first time in her life. Stories like Mariam’s are inspiring nations like Egypt to expand their offerings to athletes. All Special Olympics Egypt athletes now receive medical exams and follow-up care.

At the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, Greece, thousands of athletes were screened by health care professionals who volunteered their time for more than a week. Photo by Adam Nurkiewicz

  

Seven Health Areas

Healthy Athletes currently offers health screenings in seven areas: Fit Feet (podiatry), FUNfitness (physical therapy), Health Promotion (better health and well-being), Healthy Hearing (audiology), MedFest (sports physical exam), Opening Eyes (vision) and Special Smiles (dentistry).

Officially launched in 1997, Healthy Athletes organizes its events in a welcoming, fun environment. Its screenings educate athletes on healthy lifestyle choices and identify problems that may need additional follow-up.

 

Did You Know?

• Despite a mistaken belief that people with intellectual disabilities receive the same or better health care than others, they typically receive sub-standard care, or virtually no health care at all.
• Health Athletes has the world's largest database of health data for people with intellectual disabilities.
• Through Healthy Athletes, more than 100,000 health care professionals have been trained to treat people with intellectual disabilities. These health care professionals provide improved care to millions.
• Special Olympics has given out more than 90,000 pairs of prescription eyeglasses to athletes who needed them.

Article from Special Olympics.  "Founded in 1968, Special Olympics.. provide[s] year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community." 

Visit the Special Olympics website now.

Did you know Natural Figure offers a range of Brainchild Nutritionals products?

Spectrum Support I Part A Vitamins

Brainchild liquid nutritional supplements are designed to support the needs of children and adults facing neuro-environmental health issues such as autistic disorders, ADD/HD and environmental toxicities.  Want to know more, visit the BrainChild website now.

To browse products instore, visit Natural Figure's webstore now. 

 

How to get an Olympian body

So you want to look like an Olympic athlete? First you need to think about what kind of Olympian you want to be. And what kind of body shape you are now.

By Andrew Hooper (MSN news) 

© Bob Thomas/Getty Images

You could be petite, like Olga Kaniskina, the Olympic 20 km race walking champion from Russia, who is 5 ft 2 ins (160 cm) tall and weighs a mere 43 kg (6 st 11 lbs / 95 lbs).

You’re a bit bigger than Olga? Then train to become a weightlifter, like Germany’s Matthias Steiner, whose 183 cm (6 ft) frame weighed 140 kg (22 st / 308 lbs) when he won the 105 kg+ category gold medal at Beijing 2008.

Some athletes are born for their sport, like American swimmer Michael Phelps. His 201 cm (6 ft 7 ins) “wing span”, disproportionate to his 1.93 cm (6ft 4 ins) height, plus his long torso and relatively short legs make him perfect for the pool.

Not all world beaters are so suited to their sport, however. Usain Bolt, at 196 cm (6 ft 5 ins), is slightly taller than Phelps, too tall to be a sprinter, according to conventional wisdom. But that hasn’t stopped him becoming a triple Olympic champion and world record holder.

Whatever your size and shape, to get your Olympian body you’ll need to train like your life depends on it. It doesn’t matter even if you have a day job – many competitors at London 2012 also have careers outside their sport.

Britain’s Olympic kayaking champion Tim Brabants is a fully qualified medical doctor and has to secure sponsorship so that he can take time off to train for major events. Typically, his day consists of 5-6 hours of training, split into three sections.

Starting at 7am, each day he practises on the water for two hours. That’s followed by running or swimming sessions to improve his aerobic fitness; then comes a 90-minute gym session to work on strength, endurance and core muscles. There’s little time to rest – Brabants takes only one day off training each fortnight.

Perhaps you can achieve your Olympian body in a less explosive sport, with less intensive training. Take archery, for example. What do you need apart from good concentration and visual skills? You need specific weight training to help strengthen and improve stability in the arms and shoulders.

British archery team member Naomi Folkard has explained that a high level of aerobic fitness helps maintain a low heart-rate during competition. That means regular 8-km runs and plenty of gym work. “If I compete against somebody who doesn't do aerobic fitness work, I know I have the advantage,” she says.

Age should (almost) be no barrier between you and your Olympian body. The incredible Jeannie Longo, who won road cycling gold for France at the 1996 Atlanta Games, came 24th in the Beijing event – at the age of 49.

For women, even a baby bump needn’t be a handicap. Norwegian distance runner Ingrid Kristiansen, fourth in the 1984 marathon in Los Angeles, famously ran competitively during the first five months of her pregnancy without knowing she was expecting a child.

Not sure of your ideal weight? Sailor Ben Ainslie put on 15 kg when he switched from competing in Laser at Sydney 2000 to the Finn class in Athens four years later. The result? Gold both times, which shows that heavier doesn’t necessarily mean slower.

Ainslie has achieved two Olympian bodies. You can definitely manage one. 

Need a little help or boost with your exercising regime to shift those stubborn pounds, browse Natural Figure's weight management products.  

Natural Figure's weight management products. 

Zyme Prime - a customer's opinion

Digestive enzyme - Zyme Prime

 "I hadn't used digestive enzymes before so wanted one which gave me good protein support, but even more so, for carbohydrates: I find all carbs cause me gut problems - I have an auto-immune disease - and I can't tolerate gluten.  These looked as if they had a reasonable level of potency in each tablet and a balance of enzymes which - from doing research - looked as if they would suit my needs.

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Zyme Prime - Helps with digesting food and from suffering certain food problems

I started taking 1 tablet with each meal and have built up to what I now find suits me: 1 breakfast, 2 lunch, 2-3 dinner (according to the type of carbs).  The pills have definitely helped me and I've bought more as a result: although I am usually as bloated as before, my 'midriff' is far less uncomfortable and there are times when I don't have any discomfort and, occasionally, I've not been bloated at all when I wake up - an amazing event for me!  You do need to experiment with what is right for you and to think about the food you're eating them with or you can 'overdose' and find you need the loo rather quickly, but it doesn't take long to find what's best and I'd certainly recommend them."

Review send in by Carolyn.

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We at Natural Woman would love to hear from you, so if there's a specific product that works for you, and you would like to share it with everyone else, post a note to us on this site, or send us an email now! 

Patch-It: better than placebo in alleviating swelling and ache in the lower legs and feet?

It's now official, open and clinically tested, Patch It is better than placebo in alleviating swelling and aching in the lower legs and feet!  Published in the DoverPress Open Access Medical Journal, a trial was made testing the Patch It patches against another placebo.  Highlights from the study trial -  

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The background of the trial: 

Existing therapeutic measures for swelling, aching and discomfort in the lower limbs, which include compression stockings and leg elevation, are difficult to use and inconvenient. Patch It^®, a proprietary herbomineral patch is an easy-to-use alternative therapy. This trial was conducted to compare it's efficacy against that of a placebo in swollen and aching lower legs and feet.

Conclusion: Patch It had greater efficacy than the placebo in alleviating recurring swelling and aching in the legs and feet, and is well tolerated.

 
Click here to get the read the full clinical trial.  

Authors: Shakeel, A, Hui HK, Patil CS et al.  April 2012 Volume 2012:4 Pages 21-29.   DoverPress Open Access Medical Journal.  

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Flower Power

Written by Olessa Pindak for Natural Health mag

We all know the amazing power of flowers. We bring bouquets to hospitals to help friends get well. We deliver roses to express our love. We fill vases on tables to upgrade a special occasion. Unfailingly, blossoms boost our spirits and sometimes even our health. A 2006 Harvard University study showed that people who had fresh flowers in their home felt less worried and had fewer periods of anxiety or depression.

Flowers can also strengthen your skin. "Many floral extracts have antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties," says Rainer W. Bussmann, Ph.D., head of the William L. Brown Center for Plant Genetic Resources at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, Mo. To protect their delicate blooms from harsh elements (like strong sunlight, bugs, and bacteria), flowers have compounds in their petals, leaves, or seeds that help restore and nurture life, says Bussman. And those same compounds can protect your skin. Bring some floral extracts into your life and enjoy flowers year-round. Floral extracts can uplift, soften, and strengthen your skin.

Image	Flower Power
	Rose Rose essential oil is one of the most precious in the world: To obtain a single kilogram, it takes three to four tons of roses, says Cindy Angerhofer, director of botanical research for Aveda. Used traditionally as a tonic for improving circulation, rose oil has soothing and antioxidant benefits great for aging skin.
	Orchid Orchid oil is extracted from cultivated orchids. Often considered the "perfect plant" for the skin, says Min–Wei Christine Lee, M.D., cosmetic dermatologic surgeon in Walnut Creek, Calif., the orchid moisturizes, boosts skin immunity, reduces fine lines, and soothes. It also has skin–fortifying minerals like calcium, magnesium, and zinc. And it's an antioxidant to boot.
	Geranium Essential oils are taken from the leaves, not the flowers, of the geranium. Known for its toning, anti–inflammatory, and antimicrobial strengths, geranium can also help relax tight muscles.
	Lavender The word lavender comes from the Latin word lavar, meaning "to wash." Long before the antimicrobial properties of lavender were discovered, it was used in solutions for bathing and housecleaning, says Angerhofer. It also works as a calming ingredient in aromatherapy and has deodorizing and soothing effects on the skin.
	Sunflower The seed oil of sunflowers is rich in vitamin E and fatty acids, which help repair, calm, and soften the skin. In Native American cultures, sunflower seed oil was often applied to help cure skin woes.

Breast cancer death rate drops over 10pc in five years

The proportion of women dying from breast cancer has dropped by more than 10 per cent in five years thanks to better treatment for the disease, say scientists. 

Breast cancers sufferers to be denied drug that may extend their lives Photo: GETTY

 The researchers, who looked at cancer rates across Europe, found death rates from the disease in Britain have dropped so much they are now "similar - or even slightly lower - than those in France and Germany".

The situation is a radical change from a decade ago, when they were the highest out of six major European countries: the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Poland.

Cancer charities welcomed the figures, reported today in the journal Annals of Oncology.

Dr Rachel Greig, of the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: "Whilst we know breast cancer incidence is on the increase, it's reassuring to see positive indications that the rate of breast cancer deaths could decrease in 2012.

"At Breakthrough we know better awareness and treatment are leading to more people than ever surviving the disease.

"However, 12,000 women are still dying every year in the UK so we must continue to invest in research and education and women must continue to be breast aware."

Catherine Thomson, head of statistical information at Cancer Research UK, said the study, like others, "shos that generally death rates from cancer in the UK are predicted to fall".

Italian and Swiss researchers who looked at World Health Organisation (WHO) data found the breast cancer death rate in Britain was 18.39 per 100,000 women in 2007, but was predicted to fall to 15.95 per 100,000 in 2012, a fall of 13 per cent. Europewide, the fall is only predicted to be 9.0 per cent.

Better treatment, rather than screening, appears to be the principal driving force behind the rapid declines, they concluded, after finding the death rate had dropped faster in the under 50s.

Professor Carlo La Vecchia, one of the study leaders from the University of Milan, said: "The fact that there will be substantial falls in deaths from breast cancer, not only in middle age, but also in the young, indicates that important advancements in treatment and management are playing a major role in the decline in death rates, rather than mammographic screening, which is usually restricted to women aged 50 to 70 in most European countries.

"In general, many important risk factors for breast cancer, including menstrual and reproductive factors, physical activity and obesity, have not changed favourably, and breast cancer incidence has probably not gone down, yet deaths from the disease are declining."

Labour invested heavily to increase the number of cancer doctors, reduce the length of time patients waited to be seen, and improve the availability of treatments such as highly-targeted radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Although British women with breast cancer now have a better chance of beating the disease than before, the country still lags behind the European average. The breast cancer death rate across 27 EU countries examined is predicted to be 14.85 per 100,000 in 2012.

Spain tops the league, with fewer than 12 per 100,000 in the population predicted to die of the disease.
Diane Abbott, the Shadow Health Minister, said of the reduction in British deaths: "I obviously welcome this decline, which happened under Labour. It is also a tribute to the campaigners who raised awareness of breast cancer."

She added: "It's one of the many aspects of health that improved under Labour."

A Department of Health spokesman said: "This study reflects advancements in cancer services, but our survival rates still lag behind comparable countries".

"That's why we are investing more than £750 million to make sure people are diagnosed with cancer earlier and have better access to the latest treatments.

"Through our investment and modernisation of the NHS, our aim is to save 5,000 more lives every year by 2015 - closing the gap in cancer survival between us and the best-performing countries in the world."

Article written by Stephen Adams, Medical Correspondent for The Telegraph

Liv breast self-exam kit

 

 

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Liv breast self-exam kit 

How to beat smelly feet

It's not just athletes that are prone to foot odour - it can happen to the best of us. Here's how to prevent the problem occurring and curing it if it does.

Paul Burns-Diigital Vision-Getty Images

A South Korean clothing company has created a pair of trainers with Xylitol - the same ingredient used in chewing gum to freshen your breath - woven into the fabric. The bad news? The shoes in question cost over £200. Fighting foot odour shouldn't cost the earth, so we've spoken to the experts to get their top tips for fresh feet.

What is foot odour?
First, the basics. If your feet smell like a fine French cheese that's been left out in the sun, the root cause is likely to be an excess of moisture.

"Foot odour is generally caused by excessive moisture which then leads to increased bacteria levels," explains expert podiatrist Margaret Dabbs.

"Factors such as shoe and sock material, activity levels, climate and the person's propensity to sweat can all affect odour levels. Hygiene levels can also affect foot odour but ultimately every individual is different."

The science of sweat
Don't think you're safe just because your feet don't smell, either - the sweat that can eventually cause foot odour doesn't actually have an odour.

"The sweat itself is actually odourless but it creates a perfect environment for bacteria and fungal spores to grow and produce bad-smelling substances," says Andrew Mawhinney, Lloyds Pharmacy pharmacist. "If men have hairy feet, this can increase the likelihood of problems with foot odour as the bad-smelling bacteria have more surface area on which they can grow."

Grandma Vine Foot Balm

The powder problem
So what are the solutions? Foot powders are popular choices when it comes to fighting foot odour, but Margaret Dabbs suggests steering clear.

"We generally don't recommend foot powders as in the presence of excess moisture the powder itself can become wet and turn into a paste-like substance," warns Margaret. "Powders can also mask the presence of various skin infections and can lead to an increased tendency to soft corns known as heloma molle."

To spray or not to spray
While the right foot or shoe spray can help, many sprays work by simply covering up the smell - great if you're hoping to quickly mask the odour of your stinky shoes moments before a hot date, but not so great in the long term.

"If the foot spray doesn't contain an antiperspirant it will simply mask the odour and not address the underlying cause of excess moisture," warns Margaret Dabbs.

Oil me up
Margaret Dabbs suggests slathering on a natural oil - such as Australian organic emu oil - which will avoid irritating skin and provide long lasting hydration while fighting bacteria.

"This type of oil is easily absorbed into the skin's dermal layers, has low irritability (as low as water) and anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties, which will leave skin feeling hydrated, smooth and illuminated," explains Margaret.

Go natural
When it comes to socks, try to avoid synthetic materials which will trap sweat and prevent air circulating around the foot.

"We recommend wearing socks made from natural fibres in order to absorb excess moisture," says Margaret Dabbs. "Additionally, anyone suffering from foot odour should be washing their feet twice daily and changing their socks twice a day."

Swap your shoes
While it's normal to change your socks once a day (we hope), many people underestimate the importance of swapping our shoes. "We recommend alternating shoes daily so that they have the opportunity to air out and won't become moist," says Margaret Dabbs.

Age, exercise and odour
As you get older, foot odour should become less of a problem, although if you're a fitness fanatic, you're generally more at risk from conditions such as athlete's foot, which can lead to an increase in odour-producing bacteria.

"Generally teenage boys are more prone to foot odour due to varying hormone levels and also increased activity levels and the associated footwear requirements," says Margaret Dabbs. "People who have higher levels of perspiration are more prone to bacterial and fungal infections such as tinea pedis or athlete's foot - a fungal infection which can make foot odour worse."

Patch-It Detox - removing toxins from your body

Foot fetish
Finding the perfect shoe isn't just about style - shoes that are too small or made from the wrong material can all contribute to foot odour.

"Wearing the wrong shoes can make your feet smell worse so it's important that you choose shoes which allow your feet to breathe," says Andrew Mawhinney. "Shoes which are made from man-made materials like plastic are particularly bad at increasing the amount of sweat produced as they don't allow them to breathe, so for this reason leather shoes are ideal."

Don't scrap the socks
Finally, wearing shoes without socks is never a good look, but when it comes to preventing food odour, it's an absolute no-no. "Wearing shoes without socks can also make your feet sweat more and make foot odour worse, so you should always wear socks with your shoes," says Andrew Mawhinney.

Keep your cool
Studies have shown that higher stress levels can lead to foot odour, due to increased sweat production. It's also thought that a diet high in refined carbohydrates can contribute to foot odour, as refined carbohydrates can feed the bacteria which can cause foot odour. Try to pack plenty of protein, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates into your diet.

So there you have it - foot odour can be a problem, but if you follow this advice, it needn't be.

Article from MSN Him

 Inco Silk Medicare Serum

Dogs are a woman's best friend too! Female pet owners more likely to meet recommended activity levels during pregnancy

Researchers have proved that dogs are an unlikely ally for pregnant women - showing that expecting mothers who own one are more physically active than those who don't. 

Joint research found that the pet commonly known as 'man's best friend' can be significant in keeping pregnant women fit and healthy.

Through brisk walking, an obvious side-effect of owning a dog, pregnant women were around 50 per cent more likely to achieve the recommended 30 minutes activity per day.

Pregnant paws: An international research team has found that dog walking is an effective way for pregnant women to achieve 30min of exercise a day

 

There is growing concern about the health risks connected to gaining excess weight during pregnancy, for both mother and child. Some studies have linked maternal obesity to childhood obesity.

The research studied the health and lifestyles of more than 11,000 pregnant women in the UK - using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children.

By helping pregnant women stay active, dog walking could form part of an effective strategy for managing weight gain during pregnancy.

Vested interest: Dr Sandra McCune, of the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, with her own best friend Winston

 

Dr Sandra McCune, research programme manager at the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, said: 'We are increasingly seeing that exercising with a dog can lead to improved motivation and effectiveness.

'As a low-risk exercise, dog walking can help women who may otherwise find it hard to meet their exercise targets, keep active and fit during pregnancy. 

'Together with a balanced diet, it could therefore help towards ensuring a healthy pregnancy.'

The research was conducted in collaboration with the University of Liverpool, University of Bristol and University of South Carolina and theWaltham Centre.

Article and photos from the Daily Mail Online

Ethical Beauty

Animal Testing

The cosmetic industry uses thirteen types of tests which may potentially use animals. These are:

• eye irritancy
• skin irritancy
• skin penetration
• skin sensitisation
• phototoxicity and photosensitisation - skin reactions to chemicals brought on by exposure to the light
• mutagenicity - the chemical capacity to cause permanent alteration of the genetic material within living cells
• acute and chronic toxicity
• carcinogenicity
• reproductive toxicity
• teratogenicity - the capability of producing foetal malformation
• finished product safety evaluation
• 
  

Many of these tests have been conducted upon guinea pigs and rabbits and often the responses to the tests have been quantitatively and qualitatively different than in humans. For example, in the Draize eye test, chemicals are dropped into the eyes of immobilised albino rabbits. Although it has been in use for over four decades, the predictions of the Draize test do not correlate well with human experience. This is shown by the fact that out of 281 cases of accidental splashing of household products into people's eyes that were compared with Draize rabbit eye test predictions for the same products, there were differences between human and rabbit responses of up to 250-fold. The Draize test exaggerates irritant effects, and accurately predicts human responses less than 50% of the time.


Alternative Methods
The UK banned animal testing for cosmetics in 1998 and in November 2002 the European Union voted on a ban animal testing for cosmetics which will come into practice around 2009. Countries such as the USA and Japan are still a long way from ending animal testing for cosmetics.

Cruelty-Free Cosmetics

It is not always easy to distinguish which brands are cruelty-free and which are not because many companies do not clearly label their products, and some companies make ambiguous statements when referring to theirs. For example, a bottle of shampoo claiming "this product has not been tested on animals," may not be telling the full story. While the finished product may not have been tested on animals, some of the ingredient may have been.

Fair Trade

Another justifiable concern that you may have about your green personal care products is where they have been produced and that the producers and suppliers, particularly if they are in developing countries, have not been exploited. The Fairtrade Foundation has developed certification to ensure that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are protected.

Producers that supply Fairtrade products are inspected and certified by the international certification body Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO). They receive a minimum price that covers the cost of sustainable production and also an extra premium that is invested in social or economic development projects. Fairtrade Labelling was created in the Netherlands in the late 1980s. Today the FLO co-ordinates Fairtrade Labelling in 20 counties including the UK.

You will recognise certified products because they carry the FAIRTRADE mark. This is their consumer label which guarantees that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a better deal.

Article from Safe Cosmetics.  

Shop with peace of mind knowing that Natural Figure does everything to ensure that our products are part of ethical trading.  

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Living outside the hearing world

For several years cochlear implants have offered some deaf people the chance to have a "sensation of sound". So why would some deaf teenagers choose not to have the implant even if they had the option?

The issue of cochlear implants and efforts to "cure" deafness is a very sensitive subject among the 19,600 deaf teenagers in the UK.

Indeed, many young deaf people are proud of deaf culture.

"I never hear anything, I'm fully deaf. With hearing aids all I could hear was beeps and I thought what's that? So I took them off. I never use them. What's the point?" says 19-year-old Sara Kendall.

Sara and her boyfriend Asher Woodman-Worrell live with Sara's mother and brother in Nottingham. Everyone in the family is profoundly deaf. As Sara and Asher cannot hear or speak, they live in a totally silent world.
"I'm very strongly in the deaf world," says Sara. "I'm passionate about it. I can't imagine myself outside of that world. No thanks. I'm happy where I am, because my parents brought me up deaf."

Even though it might improve her hearing, no one in Sara's family has ever considered being fitted with a cochlear implant - a surgically implanted electronic device that can improve hearing by stimulating the auditory nerve. Although an implant cannot restore hearing to normal it does give the sensation of sounds.
In the operation, a surgeon creates a small space on the surface of the skull where the electronics are placed. From here an electrode carries signals down into the inner ear.

Cochlear implants are not suitable for all deaf people and those considering the surgery have to undertake in-depth hearing, speech and language, educational and psychological assessments. Around 500 adults, aged between 15 and 59, receive cochlear implants in the UK each year.

But some deaf families do not agree with the procedure and are defiant about remaining in the deaf world. Sara and her family consider themselves to be very much part of the deaf community and proud of their deaf culture.

"I don't like to see children suffer because it's not right. I think cochlear implants look awful attached to the side of your head… I'd rather they look normal," says Julie Kendall, Sara's mother.

For Sara, however, it is not just a case of what the implant looks like, but how it would impact on her sense of identity.

"Personally [I] thank God I don't have a cochlear implant because I wouldn't know where I belong, in the deaf world or the hearing world," says Sara. "I know I'm in the deaf world, that's it, but with a cochlear I'd feel in between."

"It's offensive to think you can fix it," she suggests. "You can't fix it. If you're born deaf, you're deaf, that's it."
Asher also finds any suggestion that a cochlear implant might help intrusive.

"We find it offensive when people come in and say, 'oh we can change you into a hearing person', that's why cochlear implants are a really sensitive issue for us."

The term "big D-deaf" is sometimes used to refer to those who identify themselves as culturally deaf, and have a very strong deaf identity. Tyron Woolfe, deputy director of children and young people at the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) says deaf culture is extremely varied.

"Deaf teenagers are just like other young people, with diverse interests and social lives. Each deaf young person's experience of deaf culture is different," says Woolfe, "but we do know that being able to meet other deaf young people is very important to many of the deaf teenagers and children we work with."

The decision to not explore the option of a cochlear implant is a matter of personal choice says Woolfe.
"Every deaf child is different and it is important that there is a range of provision to meet the diverse needs and preferences of deaf children.

Photo: SPL

"A cochlear implant is just one option - it would not benefit all deaf children and young people. Suitability can depend on a child's level and type of deafness.


"Cochlear implants, whether unilateral or bilateral, don't make deaf children hearing children. They improve access to sound, but they don't replace hearing."

Nineteen-year-old Meghan Durno would like to hear more and maintain a connection with both the hearing and deaf world.

She has been profoundly deaf all her life and had her first hearing aid when she was three months old. She grew up in a deaf family and her mother as well as her sister and grandparents all inherited their deafness.

Meghan decided to have a cochlear implant fitted, but the operation was not without risk as the procedure is most successful when performed on the ear with the best hearing. After surgery, a patient waits four weeks before the implant can be switched on as the area needs to be given time to heal.

During this time Meghan started studying for a veterinary nursing degree at Edinburgh Napier University and had to rely purely on lip reading, which made it difficult for her to understand exactly what her lecturers were saying.

"When I went into the lecture theatre, I just switched off because the lady that was standing there started pacing up and down and talking and I couldn't understand what was being said, so I just looked at the notes," says Meghan.

"I do feel sad sometimes, not so much that I can't hear right now, but knowing that I'll never be able to hear what hearing people hear, but I don't get down about it, I know no different."

After her cochlear implant operation Meghan could identify different noises

Once the implant was switched on, Meghan's brain took time to recognise new sounds, but she very quickly discovered noises that she has never heard before, like the piercing sound of a baby crying and the sound of birds singing.

"With the implant, I'm able to hear little things I never knew existed," says Meghan. "Like when you rub your hands together, I never knew that made a sound."

"I was lying down one time and I heard a noise and I was like what's that and I realised it was my own breathing… I've amazed myself with what I can hear, and amazed a piece of machinery can help you hear."

Life as a deaf teenager

• Research conducted in 2009 found many deaf children and young people view their deafness positively and see it as central to their identity
• Many deaf teens attend SenCity, a multi-sensory club night which has a vibrating dance floor and taste sensations, while aroma jockeys mix scents to match the music
• Ninety percent of deaf young people are born to hearing parents

By Lucy Wallis for BBC News

Seven ways sex is good for your health

A Valentine's day guide

© Yuri Arcurs - Fotolia.com

Don’t worry about the calories in those Valentine's Day chocolates – a proper celebration in the bedroom can help keep you in shape.

In fact, sex can benefit your health in many ways. Here are seven reasons to give and get a little love – not just this special day, but any time.

Good for the heart

Sex is good for your heart. Like any physical exertion, sex is a form of cardio-exercise, which gets your heart pumping faster and helps it stay in shape. What's more, studies have shown that men who have sex two or more times per week cut their risk of a fatal heart attack by half.

Helps you lose weight 

Like any form of exercise, sex helps you lose weight. Having sex for 30 minutes can burn off 85 calories. To put that in perspective: 15 minutes on the treadmill could burn up to 200 calories; 42 of these half-hour sessions, then, could shave a pound off your weight.

Boosts your immune system

While it's possible to contract a wide range of diseases, both from sex and from simple contact with others, safe sex between healthy partners can make you better equipped to fight illness.

Those who have sex once or twice a week have been shown to have higher levels of immunoglobulin A or IgA, an antibody which helps protect you from respiratory diseases like the cold and flu.

Don’t go overboard, though – in studies, those who had sex three or more times a week had the lowest levels of antibodies.

Reduces the risk of prostate cancer

For younger men, sex reduces the risk of prostate cancer. Researchers have found that men in their 20s who had five or more ejaculations per week were one third less likely to develop the cancer in later life. Although they found no such correlation for older men, you could try to prove them wrong.

Relieves stress

There's a medical explanation for the mood boost sex gives you. The brain releases endorphins during and after sex, and these neurotransmitters create a feeling of euphoria while masking the negative effects of stress.

Researchers have also found that sex lowers your blood pressure, which is good for your health and allows you to better keep your cool in stressful situations.

It relieves pain

Endorphins and lower blood pressure also mean that sex relieves pain. Endorphins are released during sex because of the heightened levels of the hormone oxytocin in your body. This has been known to alleviate arthritic and menstrual pain, among other things. Lower blood pressure can also help relieve migraines.

It helps you sleep

In addition to relieving stress and pain, the oxytocin generated during sex helps you sleep better. Sex relaxes you, promoting deeper, more restful sleep. What more do you need?

Article from Yahoo Lifestyle


For added, and safe sex, Natural Figure recommends:

Yes (Organic) lubricants and Fair Squared Fair trade condoms

Articles of interest:

Yes Lubricants

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Healthy food obsession sparks rise in new eating disorder

Fixation with healthy eating can be sign of serious psychological disorder.

Orthorexia nervosa sufferers like to focus on 'righteous' eating and have rigid rules about avoiding certain foods. Photograph: Getty

Eating disorder charities are reporting a rise in the number of people suffering from a serious psychological condition characterised by an obsession with healthy eating.

The condition, orthorexia nervosa, affects equal numbers of men and women, but sufferers tend to be aged over 30, middle-class and well-educated.

The condition was named by a Californian doctor, Steven Bratman, in 1997, and is described as a "fixation on righteous eating". Until a few years ago, there were so few sufferers that doctors usually included them under the catch-all label of "Ednos" – eating disorders not otherwise recognised. Now, experts say, orthorexics take up such a significant proportion of the Ednos group that they should be treated separately.

"I am definitely seeing significantly more orthorexics than just a few years ago," said Ursula Philpot, chair of the British Dietetic Association's mental health group. "Other eating disorders focus on quantity of food but orthorexics can be overweight or look normal. They are solely concerned with the quality of the food they put in their bodies, refining and restricting their diets according to their personal understanding of which foods are truly 'pure'."

Orthorexics commonly have rigid rules around eating. Refusing to touch sugar, salt, caffeine, alcohol, wheat, gluten, yeast, soya, corn and dairy foods is just the start of their diet restrictions. Any foods that have come into contact with pesticides, herbicides or contain artificial additives are also out.

The obsession about which foods are "good" and which are "bad" means orthorexics can end up malnourished. Their dietary restrictions commonly cause sufferers to feel proud of their "virtuous" behaviour even if it means that eating becomes so stressful their personal relationships can come under pressure and they become socially isolated.

"The issues underlying orthorexia are often the same as anorexia and the two conditions can overlap but orthorexia is very definitely a distinct disorder," said Philpot. "Those most susceptible are middle-class, well-educated people who read about food scares in the papers, research them on the internet, and have the time and money to source what they believe to be purer alternatives."

Deanne Jade, founder of the National Centre for Eating Disorders, said: "There is a fine line between people who think they are taking care of themselves by manipulating their diet and those who have orthorexia. I see people around me who have no idea they have this disorder. I see it in my practice and I see it among my friends and colleagues."

Jade believes the condition is on the increase because "modern society has lost its way with food". She said: "It's everywhere, from the people who think it's normal if their friends stop eating entire food groups, to the trainers in the gym who [promote] certain foods to enhance performance, to the proliferation of nutritionists, dieticians and naturopaths [who believe in curing problems through entirely natural methods such as sunlight and massage].

"And just look in the bookshops – all the diets that advise eating according to your blood type or metabolic rate. This is all grist for the mill to those looking for proof to confirm or encourage their anxieties around food."

Article by Amelia Hill

For The Observer

Green tea found to reduce levels of “bad” cholesterol

Green tea, both the beverage and the supplement form, can reduce levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol, according to a recent US study (1).

The meta-analysis, published last month in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, analysed 20 randomised controlled trials.

Each of the 20 trials measured the effects of either green tea itself, or capsules containing green tea compounds called catechins. Each participant was given either a daily green tea supplement or drink, or else a placebo capsule or drink.

In total, the trails involved a total of 1,415 adults with raised cholesterol levels. Each of the trials lasted between three and six months. Green tea was found to reduce the trial participants’ total cholesterol and ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol by 5-6 more points than placebo drinks or capsules.

It is thought that the catechin compounds in green tea work to lower cholesterol levels by reducing its absorption in the gut.

Further research is needed in order to determine the optimal dose of green tea compounds. Senior researcher Olivia Phung also added that green tea is not a substitute for prescribed medication, but suggests that “adding green tea to your diet could be one way to further improve cholesterol numbers”.

It is also important to note that green tea and its extracts contain caffeine, which some people may need to avoid.

Overall, the study indicates that the use of herbal supplements such as green tea is one strategy to lower cholesterol, alongside medication and lifestyle changes.

Other strategies include reducing levels of saturated fat in your diet, such as fatty meats, and baked goods such as biscuits, pastries and cakes. Saturated fats should be replaced by healthy fats such as those present in nuts, seeds, avocado and oily fish.

Taking regular exercise can also reduce levels of LDL cholesterol, and reducing alcohol intake can lower both LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

To learn more about the causes, treatment and prevention of high cholesterol, visit the British Heart Foundation website.

Written by Nadia Mason, BSc MBANT NTCC CNHC

For Body Kind blog

References

(1.) Phung OJ, et al. Green Tea Catechins Decrease Total and Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, November 2011. 111(11): 1720-1729.

(2.) Image courtesy of dem10