Talk about health

If you have visited my site or read this blog before, you'll probable have realised that I write a two-page newsletter every two months for my list. It's a straightforward look at some of the things happening in health and includes conventional as well as alternative therapies. This month (July) I have talked about a new drug called Rimonabant for treating obesity.

As usual with new drug launches, the publicity has been carefully choreographed to show it under the best of lights. The media duly complied and presented us with a shining example of yet another wonder drug to cure one of the major problems afflicting the Western world today - overweight people.

The headlines had not a word about any down side, just glowing reports of the success of trials. Patients could lose pounds, many clothes sizes and all their cares about over eating or eating the wrong foods and not having any exercise need worry them no more.

Maybe so, but I listened carefully to a longer report on TV and heard a few words at the end, "When people stopped taking it they put back on all the weight they had lost".

Well now. To me, that's a major downside. Once you start the drug you have to take it for the rest of your life, unless of course, you don't mind regaining the weight you lose. A little research confirmed what I had heard - lifetime medication or ...

From the drug company's point of view it is not a problem. The sales will keep on rising. The pot of gold for these companies is finding a weight-loss drug that really works. The queues would be immense.

From your point of view the picture is not so one sided. Starting on a lifetime of tablet-taking isn't something you want to begin unless you have to. And there is the problem of side effects that maybe have not yet been discovered since the trials lasted only a couple of years - long enough for some medicines but not for medication to be taken for 30, 40 or 50 years or more.

A look at the drug wesites reveals some side effects that are already known, namely depression, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, anxiety and irritability.

And, the two-year weight-loss averaged just 20 pounds or so. Not such a lot for the average slimmer over 24 months.

There may well be a place for this drug for certain people and certain conditions, and the side effects may not be common or severe in most cases. But, I for one just can't seem to be very enthusiastic that this is a breakthrough in controlling excess weight or a wonder drug. It's too soon to condem it. It needs more research and practical results.

You may feel differently. I welcome your comments what ever your point of view.

You can pick up a copy of my free newsletter at http://www.healthexplored.co.uk and signing up. (And you'll get a tips booklet on food and supplements for your trouble.)

Wishing you the best of health.

What do you do when the sun shines? Tear off as many of your clothes as you can to reveal as much flesh as is legal and present your pale body to the sun? Or dash indoors and get the air conditioning or fans working to cool you down?

It always seems that changes in weather in the UK are a surprise. Transport services are disrupted by flakes of snow, autumn leaves, heavy rain and hot sunshine. Now, it's summer and a few days of uninterrupted sun take up major chunks of news reporting.

Many people end up red, in pain and burned. This is despite many campaigns aimed at limiting sunburn and skin cancer. The lure of a tan seems to overcome all inhibitions and health concerns.

We all need at least some sunshine on our skin so we can make vitamin D. Despite what the mainstream medicine says about exposure to sun, getting adequate amounts (about 20 minutes) of natural sunlight every day is essential to your health.

Sunlight, as I've said, causes your body to make vitamin D... This incredible natural healer boosts immunity, strengthens bones, rejuvenates the flesh and body tissues, and increases your resistance to cancers - even SKIN cancer .

And unlike all other vitamins, which can be effectively supplemented, vitamin D requires sunlight for optimum bodily levels.

So, with this in mind, by all means, give yourself a treat and relax in the sun for about 20 minutes without sunscreen. But then, get on some protection in the way of clothes, hat, shade or sunscreens. Don't get burned what ever you do.

A little sun every day will be the best for your health. Too much and you could be in trouble later on. And none at all won't help either.

Make the most of summer, boost your vitamin D and help your general health while you're at it.

Now, where's my sun hat?

Check out what all vitamins can do for your health by claiming a copy of my Guides at http://www.healthexplored.co.uk

I happened to meet an old friend and customer of mine while I was walking the dog the other day. And after the usual pleasantries and enquiring about respective spouses and children the conversation got round to the Cholesterol Report she kindly ordered from me. Although I don't want to blow my own trumpet ... oh well, why not, just this once ... she said she really enjoyed reading it. So far, so good. Then she told me she had given it to her husband and he enjoyed it, too, and thought it was very interesting. So she gave it to friends whom she was staying with, and they read and enjoyed it as well. (Mind you, the thought that the friends could have ordered their own copy did pass fleetingly through my mind - but only fleetingly!)

Naturally, I was flattered. She taught biological sciences for a few years so she has a professional interest in what I have to say, and I'm sure she would criticise it if it was not up to standard.It's always comforting to discover that the hours you put into creating a review of some therapy or condition have not been wasted.

Anyway, the point of this story is that the Cholesterol Report in question is only one of a series of reports and booklets on various complementary therapies, nutrition and reviews of current conventional therapy and alternatives in specific illnesses and conditions. You can review them all at http://www.healthexplored.co.uk . There are articles and previous newsletters at the "Article Archive"

Take a look and post your thoughts and reactions here or through the contact area of the site.

I just received a copy of a booklet produced by Which Magazine called "What's really in your food". It explains something about salt and sugar in processed foods and how manufacturers get round labelling regulations to tell you as little as possible about what you are eating. It goes on to tell you what current regulations are and how they should be adjusted to help you choose the best foods.

Some producers do tell you the truth, but many try to avoid it or conceal it in some way.

I found it an interesting read but for me it was only a small part of the problem. I think we all need to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables, and we need to revise our thinking about what we eat.

It's become a joke these days about how many TV programs are about gardening, cooking and home improvements. They all seem to attract sizeable audiences, and their spin-off books sell well. But, the number of people actually doing their own cooking, gardening or home improvements seems to be falling. What's going on?

Surely, it should be the other way around? But, apparently we sit and watch these programs ... and that's all.

For me, the idea is to get some inspiration from them and go and put it into practise. Get your fresh ingredients, prepare and cook them for yourself, friends and family, and enjoy a great meal.

Then, incorporate these ideas into your everyday meal planning and preparation. The end result is that you enjoy cooking once more, in the knowledge that what you are eating is full of nutrients and helping you keep healthy.

Processed foods, ready meals and the like have too much sugar, salt and fats in them, along with preservatives and E numbers. At least, if you make it yourself, you will know just what you add in the way of salt and sugar and it's unlikely you'll add any of the other things.

I'm not convinced it takes much longer to make a meal from fresh ingredients than it does to heat-up a frozen ready meal. What I am clear about is the significant health benefits of the home prepared foods compared to the doubtful results of fast food consumption.

You can't beat the taste and flavour of fresh fruits just as they are and you don't need to do anything to them - just tuck in!

Discover just how many nutrients your fresh food contains by getting hold of a copy of my FOODS GUIDE at http://www.healthexplored.com . It's one of a collection of guides that explain alternative therapies and nutrition.