The Health Diva

Drinking cherry juice can help you sleep an extra 25 minutes a night, a study has found.

The research also found that people who have regularly consume cherry juice have improved quality of sleep.

Researchers from the School of Life Sciences at Northumbria University have found that Montmorency cherry juice significantly increases the levels of melatonin in the body, the hormone which regulates sleep.

Their findings could benefit those who have difficulty sleeping due to insomnia, shift work or jet lag.

In the study, led by Dr Glyn Howatson, 20 healthy volunteers drank a 30ml serving of either tart cherry juice or a placebo juice twice a day for seven days.

Urine samples were collected from all participants before and during the investigation to determine levels of melatonin, a naturally occurring compound that heavily influences the human sleep-wake cycle.

During the study the participants wore an actigraphy watch sensor which monitored their sleep and wake cycles and kept a daily diary on their sleeping patterns.

The researchers found that when participants drank cherry juice for a week there was a significant increase in their urinary melatonin (15-16%) than the control condition and placebo drink samples.

The actigraphy measurements of participants who consumed the cherry juice saw an increase of around 15 minutes to the time spent in bed, 25 minutes in their total sleep time and a 5-6% increase in their ‘sleep efficiency’, a global measure of sleep quality.

Cherry juice drinkers reported less daytime napping time compared to their normal sleeping habits before the study and the napping times of the placebo group.

According to Dr Howatson, this is the first study to show direct evidence that supplementing your diet with a tart Montmorency cherry juice concentrate leads to an increase in circulating melatonin and provides improvements in sleep amongst healthy adults.

Dr Howatson, an exercise physiologist, said: “We were initially interested in the application of tart cherries in recovery from strenuous exercise. Sleep forms a critical component in that recovery process, which is often forgotten.

These results show that tart cherry juice can be used to facilitate sleep in healthy adults and, excitingly, has the potential to be applied as a natural intervention, not only to athletes, but to other populations with insomnia and general disturbed sleep from shift work or jet lag.”

The study’s co-authors are fellow Northumbria University academics Dr Jason Ellis, director of the Centre for Sleep Research, School of Life Sciences PhD students Jamie Tallent and Phillip Bell; Benita Middleton of the Centre for Chronobiology at University of Surrey; and Malachy McHugh of the Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma in Lenox Hill Hospital, New York.

Dr Ellis said: “Although melatonin is available over the counter in other countries, it is not freely available in the UK. What makes these findings exciting is that the melatonin contained in tart cherry juice is sufficient to elicit a healthy sleep response.

“What’s more, these results provide us with more evidence surrounding the relationship between how we sleep and what we consume.”

The Telegraph Nov 1st 2011

Did you know that a regular dose of natural Vitamin D has been demonstrated to be 8 times more effective at protecting us against flu than the normal Flu Vaccine handed out to millions of people a year?

A review of 15 clinical trials published since 1984 has concluded that taking supplements can reduce the length of a cold and help ward off in the first place.  The conclusions of the Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, reviewed existing studies to spot trend missed by looking at them individually, could lead to zinc replacing Vitamin C as the ‘cure’ of choice.

The latest review found that people who took zinc tablet or lozenge while they have a cold are twice as likely to have shed it whithin a week as those who took a placebo.  Children who took zinc tablet once a day for at least five months were also a third less likely to get colds as those who took a placebo.

The scientists concluded; “Evidence shows that zinc is beneficial for the common cold and healthy children and adults.  Pooled results from the trials showed that zinc reduced the duration and severity of common cold symptoms when used therapeutically.

“Zinc also reduced the incidence of the common cold, school absence and antibiotic use in healthy children”

In the two preventive trials, one used 15mg daily dose, while the other used a 10mg dose of zinc sulphate in a tablet. The recommended daily amount is 15mg.

This comes as no suprise to nutritionists, The Diva has been advocating zinc use for many years.

Zinc is one of the most hard working minerals, our body uses zinc in every single process from digestion to healing responces.

The first signs of zinc deficiency are impairment of taste, a poor immune response and skin problems. Other symptoms of zinc deficiency can include hair loss, diarrhoea, fatigue, delayed wound healing, and decreased growth rate and mental development in infants. It is thought that zinc supplementation can help skin conditions such as acne and eczema, prostate problems, anorexia nervosa, alcoholics and those suffering from trauma or post-surgery.

Zinc is present in a wide variety of foods, particularly in association with protein foods. A vegetarian diet often contains less zinc than a meat based diet and so it is important for vegetarians to eat plenty of foods that are rich in this vital mineral.

Good sources for vegetarians include dairy products, beans and lentils, yeast, nuts, seeds and wholegrain cereals. Pumpkin seeds provide one of the most concentrated vegetarian food sources of zinc.

For hopeless romantics and crystal lovers everywhere, our beautiful natural crystal hearts are a delight to receive this valentines day.

Comes in an organza bag with your own special message – you choose the crystal and what to say – we will do the rest.

Stuck for inspiration we think this is particularly beautiful.

i carry your heart with me by ee cummings.

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)….

Now you only have to choose the crystal you prefer! have a look through our crystal heart selection or  below are some of our favorite crystals.

Rose Quartz – Unconditional love, Heals a wounded heart, A fertility crystal, it makes a wonderful marriage blessing stone.

Hematite - is one of the most grounding crystals. It has an energy of calmness, and balance. Know to symbolise male strength and support.

Opalite –  is a man-made delicate milky iridescent stone. This beautiful stone radiates light, love and serenity.

Clear Quartz – is one of the most highly regarded crystals. Clear Quartz symbolises clarity, and purity, offering light and love along your life journey.

Amethyst –  is one of the most powerful calming stones. Offering the gift of peace and serenity.

Poppy Jasper - A stone of energy and courage, offering strength and passion.

Tigers Eye – Can encourage feelings of self-worth and confidence in our own abilities.

Rhodonite - This gemstone vibrates with love. Just holding this gemstone promotes relaxation and brings a sense of well-being.

Carnelian – Its uplifting nature is thought to restore vitality and passion.

Blue Goldstone – The tiny golden flecks sparkling against a dark blue background in blue “goldstone” sets people to dreaming of night skies and the magic that can unfold beneath them.

Lapis Lazuli – Holding Lapis Lazuli is like holding the world in your hands.

Wishing you a very special Valentines Day with love The Diva XOXO

Swine Flu is back and making headlines for all the wrong reasons.

It is very important to remember that the incidence of swine flu is still very rare, So rare that the NHS have not updated their health pages regarding it. Call me a cynic but could this publicity be a ploy to encourage the use of the flu jab, which now includes swine flu vaccine wether you want it or not.

At the height of the swine flu outbreak last year the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported 94,512 cases worldwide, and 429 Deaths worldwide. Whilst any loss of life is tragic, these deaths have largely been individuals with underlying health problems which leaves their immune system more compromised. This rate is constant with the death rate shown with seasonal influenza.

Where complications do occur, they tend to be caused by the virus affecting the lungs. Infections such as pneumonia can develop.

Flu symptoms can include: fever, cough, headache, weakness and fatigue, aching muscles and joints, sore throat, and a runny nose.

Most people who have contracted swine flu recover within a week and do not suffer complications, even without being given antiviral medication.

What can we do to fight back against the the flu? In short, quiet a lot!

Good Nutrition is so important, to ensure adequate antioxidant nutrients, and support the immune system. The key to good nutrition is to Taste the Rainbow’; eat foods of every colour such as blueberries, raspberry, purple sprouting broccoli, purple corn, butternut squash, carrots, and green leafy vegetables.

Seasonal fruits and vegetables have the highest nutrient contact. Nature naturally provides the foods you need at the best time.

Even the most perfect diet can have difficulty meeting our body’s demand for nutrients. We  always recommend a good multi vitamin and mineral, and extra vitamin C to insure our body is getting enough nutrients to deal with the extra demand needed to support your immune system and fight off unwanted viruses!

Herbal remedies have a traditional place to help support the immune system and speed up recovery rates.

My favourite flu busting approach is to begin by taking a herb to stimulate the cells of the immune system itself. A great herb for doing just this is Astragulus, shown to stimulate the immune system and used in traditional Chinese medicine to specifically treat chest and respiratory infections.

To back this up you need to strengthen the lining of the nose, throat, airways and lungs, to ensure bugs cannot penetrate these important but delicate barriers.

My favorite herb for strengthening these vital membranes is Oregon grape. Oregon grape not only strengthens membranes, but has a broad spectrum anti microbial effect, killing bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.

The third arm of our fight back against the bugs is black elder. Black elder has been shown to actually stop viruses from getting inside the cells of the body and replicating. I love Black elder, not only is it a powerful anti-viral herb it is also a wonderful tonic herb being suitable for men, women, children, pregnant women, and the elderly.

Whilst Adults can combine Astragulus, Oregon Grape, and Black Elder.

Children and pregnant women are best sticking to Black Elder alone.

Always check the suitability of any herbal remedy along side any prescription medication you are taking.

So if you are experiencing any flu symptoms, hop into bed, it’s the best place, rest helps stop you spreading your germs, and helps your respiratory tract recover.

Emersion in a cold bath or cold shower can help bring down a tempreture quickly, a maximun five minute dip can quickly bring down an elevated tempreture which is useful when childrens tempretures can so quickly sore. Followed up by a cuddle in a dry fluffy towel can do wonders for the young and old alike.

Drink plenty of fluids, liquorice tea can be particularly soothing for sore throats.

Burning eucalyptus oil in your room can help open airways and relieve stuffy noses, A.Vogel have just launched the Po-Ho oil inhaler stick which combines essential oils  to directly ease congestion.

If you are suffering get well soon with love to you,

The Diva XOXO