The Health Diva

Just a few months ago, nine-year-old Jenny Grant was using steroid inhalers to control her asthma. Diagnosed asthmatic when she was a toddler, Jenny had used inhalers regularly day and night.

“I just don’t like giving her these chemicals,” explains mum, Sarah. “But she was really very poorly.”

Sarah is delighted with Jenny’s new asthma remedy, a simple extract of pine bark from France called Pycnogenol, as recommended by her local health food shop, after Sarah had read a review of scientific research in the newspaper.

Published in the Journal of Asthma in early 2005, the researchers found that two thirds of asthmatic children managed to come off inhalers after three-month’s supplementation with Pycnogenol. The dosage used in the study was 1mg for every 1lb of body weight.

Jenny has been taking one capsule of Viridian’s Pycnogenol with Grape Seed Extract daily and has noticed immediate results.

The Diva now has a selection of Pycnogenol remedies in her store.

The BBC News (7/7) reports that, according to a study published in the July issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry, “a simple supplement” containing the amino acid N-acetylcysteine “could help treat people with” trichotillomania, “an impulse disorder that manifests in hair-tearing.” People who suffer from trichotillomania have “uncontrollable urges to pluck the hair of the scalp and even eyebrows and lashes, often to the point of baldness.”

For the study, researchers from the University of Minnesota School of Medicine asked a “group of 50 people with trichotillomania…to take part in a 12-week trial of the pill containing the amino acid N-acetylcysteine. Half of the participants “were given the treatment, and the other half a dummy pill.” At study end, the team found that “patients taking the active medication had significantly greater reductions in hair-pulling symptoms than those taking placebo”. Reuters (7/7, Stern) explains that study participants received a starting dose of 1,200 milligrams of N-acetylcysteine daily, which was doubled after a period of six weeks if no improvement took place. At the end of the study, 56 percent of the participants were considered to have had improvement in their condition, compared to the 16 percent of participants taking placebo. Forty-four percent of the participants did not respond to N-acetylcysteine. (more…)

Wendy’s Story

Currently, there are about 1.5 million women in the UK taking some form of HRT to ease symptoms. Not all women can take HRT though. Just such a woman is Wendy, a 44 year old office worker from Cardiff.

Two years ago Wendy began experiencing menopausal symptoms including exhaustion, hot flushes, burning skin and joint aches and pains. She was denied HRT because her mother suffered breast cancer after being on HRT for some years,

In desperation Wendy began trying herbal alternatives to HRT. Wendy discovered a liquid herbal formula developed by Cardiff herbalist Stuart FitzSimmons MNIMHM. The formula is called HerbRT and contains a blend of herbs that provide a full spectrum of phyto-oestrogens.

After just two months taking HerbRT Wendy said:

“After this short time on HerbRT the flushes are reduced, my skin has stopped burning and I’m no longer red in the face! In fact, everything has returned to normal”.

Rather than the ‘hormonal blast’ provided by HRT, the phyto-oestrogens in HerbRT give gentle, natural support, helping the body overcome and adapt to the hormonal changes that occur at the menopause.

HerbRT is avaliable in 100ml (month supply) bottles and costs £24.99.

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By Cheryl Thallon, of Viridian

Vitamins have been big news as the latest wave of European bureaucracy shifts from bananas and crisps to vitamins. Judging from recent news coverage, you’d be forgiven for thinking that vitamins are no longer safe or legal.

The truth is vitamins are as wonderful as ever, and just as necessary.

Some background to the headlines… In order to allow the free sale of vitamins across the European Community, Brussels created the Food Supplements Directive (FSD). Initially, this Directive was widely welcomed, as vitamins and minerals are prescription-only in some EU countries. This new European law opened up these markets to British supplement companies, and was seen as a real opportunity for trade. However, as the detail emerged, those who understood Brussels-speak became increasingly nervous.

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June traditionally kicks off the Summer Wedding season!

The Diva has put together a Healthy Wedding Special. Here are some of her top tips and suggestions to ensure you look and feel your best on your very special day.

Clear Skin

The worst nightmare for a bride is waking up to a huge spot on the morning of her wedding. Reduce your chances by eating a sensible diet, using high quality organic toiletries and cosmetics.

Viridian’s Ultimate Beauty Complex capsules combine key vitamins, minerals and plant nutrients to boost the feel and appearance of healthy skin, hair and nails. For optimum results, team with their 100% Organic Beauty Oil, a rich source essential fatty acids that help to support the underlying structures of skin, hair and nails. Simply drizzle over food for a beauty boost.

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