Hot hot heat

Grenada is currently experiencing some very warm weather, so Sally (our esteemed Spa Director) thought it wise to share some tips on keeping cool during this time. Very wise Sally, very wise.

• Reduce calorie intake, eat less fats and proteins, eat more carbohydrates eg  fruit and vegetables
• Avoid mid-day sun
• Wear light clothing, light colours are good because they reflect the sun, dark clothing absorbs the sun
• Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day, take time out to drink liquids even if you are not thirsty – avoid alcohol though!
• Eating melons is a good way to increase your fluid intake, Water Melons and Cantaloupe contain a significant amount of water
• Make sure your drinks don’t have sugar in them
• Eat small meals rather than large ones, digestion adds to body heat
• Replace potassium and salt lost through sweat, citrus fruits and bananas are good sources of potassium
• Avoid alcoholic beverages, they act as a diuretic, resulting in faster water loss
• Take cool showers, water removes extra body heat 25 times faster than cool air
• Avoid heavy physical activity

Peter Pan eats a lot of fish

Some recommendations which you can do now:

1. Substitute fish for meat as often as possible. Fish contains oils that may prevent a heart attack
2. Use fish oils and olive oils in salads and cooking. Research has shown that these oils lower cholesterol
3. Substitute vegetables for meat and dairy products
4. Increase your intake of food high in beta carotene such as carrots, spinach, broccoli and cantaloupe – these may help to prevent cancer
5. Stay on basic low-fat diet which may prevent heart disease
6. Keep your calorific intake and weight low to help slow ageing
7. Eat more foods high in Vitamin C (citrus fruits, green vegetables, green peppers etc)
8. Eat food high in Vitamin E (vegetable oils and grains), zinc (pumpkin seeds) and selenium (bran, tuna fish)
9. Substitute hard water for soft water. Also, use a charcoal filter to help eliminate chlorine from the water
10. Don’t smoke

Ten old fashioned rules

1. Get 7 – 8 hours sleep every night
2. Eat three well balanced meals  per day
3. Eat bulk food and mineral and vitamin enriched foods daily
4. Cut down on sugary foods and chemically treated foods
5. Get sunshine and fresh air each day if possible
6. Drink a few glasses of fresh water each day
7. Do not smoke, stay away from people who do smoke
8. Avoid alcoholic drinks except rarely and even then only in moderation
9. Exercise naturally every day, walking, swimming or gardening are good
10. Use laughter to banish anxiety and fear, let every day be joyous.

What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the force of the blood against artery walls which carry blood through the body. Blood pressure is measured using two numbers. The first number is your systolic pressure. This is the large number. It measures the force of your bood against artery walls when the heart has contracted and is gushing blood through the body. Think of the systolic pressure as a garden hose measuring the force in your arteries when the water is turned on. The second number measures the diastolic pressure. This is the force of the blood against the arteries when the heart is resting between beats.. Think of the diastolic number as measuring the pressure in your arteries when the garden hose is turned off. So, if your blood pressure is 140/70, it means that your blood is exerting 140 pounds of pressure against your artery walls when your heart contracts and 70 pounds of pressure when your heart rests. Normal blood pressure is around 120/80 –

High Blood Pressure: most doctors would consider 140/90 to be high. High blood pressure has been called the silent disease since it very often has no symptoms. However, over time the excessive force exerted on the artery walls may damage the arteries, kidneys, heart and brain, leading to heart attacks or strokes.

The specific cause of High blood pressure is not known, but doctors know what makes it worse. Too much salt in the diet, being overweight, lack of exercise and emotional stress may worsen the situation. As a safeguard, have your blood pressure checked regularly.

Janet felt sure that someone had spiked her drink with alcohol

Another of our Spa Director’s many health and well-being pearls of wisdom.

Hangovers

Hangovers are basically caused by manufacturing by-products in alcohol beverages called congeners. Whisky has a large amount of congeners as do brandy, rum and red wine which means they’ll generally cause the worst hangovers. Vodka and Gin have the fewest congeners.

Getting rid of a Hangover – Sauerkraut juice mixed with tomato juice (in equal parts) is one of the best cures for a hangover. [ed. yum, sounds delicious]

Vitamin C minimizes the adverse effects of alcohol. A study showed that Vitamin C speeds up the exit of alcohol from the body and shortens the length of time of a hangover.

If you know you are going out drinking then it is advisable to take Milk Thistle before you go out, this will help to protect the liver.

Mushies!

Continuing our Spa Director’s series of health and well-being pearls of wisdom.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms are a valuable health food – low in calories, high in vegetable proteins, iron, zinc, fibre, essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals. In particular, most mushrooms provide good amounts of Vitamin C and the B Vitamins, as well as the mineral calcium. Three species of mushroom in particular, have demonstrated phenomenal healing potential: maitake, shiitake and reishi.

These medicinal mushrooms have been shown to boost heart health, lower the risk of cancer, promote immune function, ward off viruses, bacteria and fungus, reduce inflammation, combat allergies, help balance blood sugar levels and support the body’s detoxification mechanisms.

Computer Eye Strain

Eye strain caused by using a computer is very common, causing symptoms such as headache, blurred vision and burning sensation in your eyes. To help avoid these problems:

• Position yourself about 22 inches from the screen, the screen should be at eye level
• Get rid of glare reflecting off your computer screen
• Blink your eyes periodically
• Take scheduled breaks from the computer
• Have your eyes examined to make sure you do not need spectacles and to make sure you have the proper prescription.

Beetroot

The health benefits of this vegetable, which belongs to the same family as Spinach and Chard, are varied and include its stimulating effects on your liver’s detoxification processes. It is one of the great cleansers and immune strengtheners, having a beneficial effect on your entire system. Beetroot is good for your heart too as it contains soluble fibre which can help to reduce high blood cholesterol levels. It also contains the phytochemicals. Carotenoids and flavenoids, which help prevent LDL – ‘bad’ cholesterol from being oxidized and deposited in the arteries.

Benefits of bananas

Bananas are an excellent source of Vitamin C and Vitamin B6, dietary fibre, manganese and potassium. Potassium is necessary for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function. A banana a day can help to prevent high blood pressure and protect against atherosclerosis because an average banana contains 467 mg of potassium. It may also help to promote bone health, has an antacid effect that protects the stomach against ulcers and as they are an unusually rich fruit source of protein, their energising qualities make them a good fruit to have for breakfast.