Eczema…during Corona

Suffering with itchy, inflamed skin? Eczema is no fun, and it may be linked to asthma and hay fever.

Springtime and stress (especially at the worlds current heightened levels!) are a bad combination for eczema.

Other triggers: washing powders, paint, shampoos, house dust, animal fur, soaps perfumes... all of which we are in contact with non-stop during the house bound, isolation times.

Specific individual food intolerances, gut issues such as leaky gut and deficient immune system may also be involved in eczema.

What to avoid:
Dairy, citrus, chocolate, alcohol, gluten, peanuts, tomatoes, coffee/tea, pesticides, preservatives and food colourings

What helps:
Calendula - helps clear and control chronic cases; works well with aloe Vera and Manuka honey
Evening Primrose oil - clears redness and prevents skin damage; better to combine with flax seeds or fish oils
Licorice root - effective in creams
Probiotics - helps also with gut issues
Vit E - 400IU daily shows significant improvements
Zinc - eczema sufferers are usually deficient, 20mg daily is effective
Vit A - helps skin healing (check my post on vit A)
Nettle - helps with itching via it’s anti-histamine effect
Reduce stress - try yoga/meditation/ tai chi and exercise but make sure not to sweat too much

At the moment we are at war against Covid19, let’s not suffer more and try to resolve our own health issues. I hope this post is helpful to you.. love and peace

Vitamin A… during Corona

Eating all your leafy green veg, carrots, sweet potatoes...? Getting enough Vitamin A?

Not necessarily.

All these vegetables are beta carotenes, sources of pro vitamin A.
A problem could be however, that your intestines are not converting them to vitamin A? Perhaps due to genetic characteristics, or the enzyme responsible for the conversion is not working efficiently.

The food sources of vitamin A are liver, kidney, eggs and dairy produce but there could still be a deficiency if your diet is inadequate, for example if you are vegan, or due to zinc, vitamin C/E and protein deficiencies.

Deficiency signs are impaired growth, weight loss, eye problems (dry eyes, inflammation and might blindness), acne, and reduced resistance to infection.
Vitamin A is important for the immune system and so particularly relevant during these corona times. Deficient people have a higher risk of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. There’s a catch 22 here, because vitamin A levels also get depleted during the course of such an infection.

Eating too much beta carotene doesn’t necessarily increase Vit A levels, but when you do eat them make sure to have them combined with a bit of fat, protein, zinc and vits C and E.

Should we all be rushing to get vitamin A supplements then? Not necessarily, smokers or even ex smokers should be very careful as for them, vit A supplements increase lung cancer risk. Also supplementation is not recommended during pregnancy due to higher risk of birth defects. Most importantly, toxicity at high doses can be quite serious.

I must admit, I am an ex smoker but I gave in and took vit A supplements for a month, due to my uveitis. I felt great on it but fear got the better of me and I’ve now stopped taking it.

Never smoked, not pregnant and feel deficient? Give it a go and try @cytoplan_ Vitamin A retinol palmitate for one month only, one tablet daily.

By the way, most multi vitamins contain an amount of 1500-5000 IU and this will be sufficient for most.

Exercise…during Corona

I love science and when there is scientific evidence about an aspect of health, I feel it’s worth writing about it.
This week’s @newscientist New - yes I love this magazine too, tells us that strength training, twice a week, will add years to our lives.

Years back, the emphasis was on aerobic exercise but today weight training seems to trump it, with the following benefits:
- Increasing our metabolic rate, burning calories for long after we finish the training
- Reducing body fat and cholesterol levels
- Glucose control and improving insulin sensitivity, hence great for diabetes type 2
- Lowers blood pressure and risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer
- Helps maintain and build denser bones
Combine that with walks every day and you are a winner!

However..if you suffer, like me, with an autoimmune condition, be very, very careful. I am currently in the midst of the most severe uveitis attack I’ve ever had; in the past when I have had milder attacks, corticosteroids for a month with long walks every day would do the trick. For my current attack however, the course of steroids is going to take months. So, I still go for my daily walks but I have now added 20mins of weight training or yoga a couple of times per week.
We are all individuals and we need to work out our own triggers, and we all need to rest, sleep well, meditate, avoid our own food intolerances, and most importantly eliminate all physical, emotional and spiritual stresses.

An autoimmune attack during Corona lockdown is obviously not ideal, so we all have to do our best to avoid a flare up, and to manage them as best as we can if they happen! To all other sufferers, my prayers are also with you!

Dirty Dozen and Clean 15…during Corona

I have always tried to eat fresh organic produce where I can. During these tricky times however, it’s harder to find & infinitely more expensive!
But there is still something we can do to promote our own healthy eating. Every year the Environmental Working Group (EWG) publishes the list of the fruit and veg with the least pesticides: the Clean 15, and the worst ones, the Dirty Dozen. The analysis is done every year and the lists vary from year to year. Obviously not every fruit and veg is tested but the following list, a general one that seems to be consistent year after year, may allow you to make healthier choices.

Dirty Dozen: Apples, Celery, Grapes, Strawberries, Nectarines, Spinach, Blueberries, Potatoes, Onions, Kale, Pear, Cherries, Lettuce, Bell Peppers, cucumber

Clean 15: Onions, Cabbage, Asparagus, Watermelon, Cantaloupe Melon, Mangos, Papaya, Cauliflower, Eggplant, Avocado, Kiwi, Sweet Potato, Sweet Corn, Mushrooms, Plums

Of course, fruit and veg are always better than processed food but if you have a choice try to buy more from the Clean 15. Every little bit helps for healthy living during these restricted times. Hope this is helpful, with love and a virtual hug to you all

Ashwagandha.... and Corona

Haven’t heard of Ashwagandha? Read on, you might be pleased to learn about this herb.

Ayurvedic Medicine has been using Ashwagandha, known as Indian ginseng, for thousands of years. Recently, it has been gathering momentum in the West thanks to it’s many amazing benefits:

Stress, physical and mental - very effective for even chronic stress and it’s related issues such as insomnia, anxiety, palpitations and headaches
Arthritis - works as an anti-inflammatory, best combined with turmeric for pain release
Anaemia - evidence from human studies shows that it increases red blood cells and iron levels
Fatigue - helps boost energy levels, especially if the fatigue is related to nerves
Memory and Ageing - benefits the brain and slows down the effects of ageing, such as improved sexual performance

There are no significant side effects with Ashwagandha at low dosages.

Recently, it has been shown that Covid 19 attacks red blood cells and affects iron levels negatively; and aren’t we all stressed now, during these surreal times? Try organic Ashwagandha root powder, about 1000mg daily. Give it a go!

Vitamin C…and Corona

Vit C is probably the most widely used supplement everywhere in the world, and it is very much ‘en vogue’ at the moment!

Does Vit C help us protect against Corona? Let’s have a closer look. Vit C is a water soluble anti-oxidant. It is antibacterial, antiviral, protects cells in the body from oxidative stress and is an effective immune booster.

What conditions does Vitamin C help:
Cancer - protects against DNA damage
Cardiovascular disease - prevents LDL oxidation and helps reduce high blood pressure
Viruses/infections, beneficial from the common cold, to Herpes Simplex Virus.. it is helpful for various bacterial infections as it supports healthy white blood cells functioning.
Osteoporosis/ osteoarthritis - prevents cartilage loss, looks after bone health, and has anti-inflammatory effects
Periodontal disease - deficiency of vit C causes gum inflammation
Auto-immune conditions - has significant anti-inflammatory properties
Macular degeneration/cataracts/glaucoma - works well with zinc and Vit E

Stress reduces Vit C levels in our body so in stressful times.. like now.. it helps to supplement. 500mg daily is the general recommendation but when necessary can go up to 2000mg. Virtually no side effects but in excess can cause diarrhoea. If acidity upsets the stomach, Ester-C or buffered Vit C are preferable.

Be aware that Vit C helps regenerate Vit E levels in the body so for a general immune boosting effect take them together... no better time than now!

Nettle Tea

... not really for Corona, but very useful!
In Europe and Asia, stinging nettles have long been used for medicinal purposes. Though this plant may look threatening, it has remarkable benefits:

Rich in vits A, B, C and K, and in minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium and phosphorus, nettle is considered as a ‘blood builder’, it helps with anaemia. Also thanks to its silica content, it improves hair health.

Considered as a ‘spring tonic’ thanks to its detoxification/diuretic effect, it removes toxins from the kidneys and helps with oedema.

Freeze dried nettles are amazing for hay fever (allergic rhinitis); start with 2 capsules 3x day, reduce as improvements are felt.
For me, nettle’s most significant benefit is its anti-inflammatory effect. This plant has been used very successfully to reduce pain associated with arthritis, sciatic pain, tendonitis, and as it also reduces uric acid build up, nettle helps with gout.

Nettle root is a popular remedy for an enlarged prostate, a common ailment with older men, and the associated symptoms such as urination problems.

There are no known significant side effects with Nettle but be aware that it may cause a severe allergic reaction for some and may interact with blood thinners and diuretics.

So yes, not many uses for the Covid 19 but may be very useful during isolation. Just enjoy 1-2 cups of nettle tea a day and see some of its benefits.

Diarrhoea...during Corona

Diarrhoea has many causes, from bacteria, food poisoning, food intolerance...to Crohn’s disease. However, one cause is of special importance during Corona and that is fear/anxiety. This is due to the connection between our gut and our brain, known as gut-brain axis. The obvious remedies are relaxation and meditation however, for most of us this is very difficult during isolation. So here is some nutritional help.. foods to avoid: alcohol, coffee, all sugars like lactose and sorbitol, salads, honey, apricots, sesame seeds and oils.

Remedies:
Drink plenty of water and remain hydrated!
Rice milk/broth (or simply drink the water that the rice has been cooked in once it’s cooled). Barley water, if not gluten sensitivity,
aduki beans,
boiled carrots,
oats, great for the nervous system, fennel and camomile tea.
Fresh vegetable soup with a little bit of ginger,
grate one peeled apple and let it brown before eating,
buckwheat, which strengthens the intestines.

Helpful extras:
Probiotics, especially after antibiotics - for preventing harmful bugs accumulating in the gut and to boost the immune system.
Ginger - useful for what is called “cold diarrhoea” in Chinese medicine, that is diarrhoea accompanied by chills.
Cinnamon.
Bilberry extract - recommended for acute diarrhoea
Green tea - historical natural remedy, the L-theanine in it calms the nerves.
Overall small meals are beneficial and all foods should be well-chewed.
Walking in nature if you can manage it whilst in isolation.
Try meditation techniques and group therapies offered online.
Try to get hold of Bach Flower remedies.

We will get through these difficult times so let’s hang in there!

Gingko Biloba... and Corona

A very useful herb with so many benefits...Gingko helps reduce airway inflammation and improves lung function. Very appropriate for today’s crazy condition!
Amazing for high blood pressure, again great during these Corona times. Gingko’s most useful effect with plenty of scientific evidence behind it is for memory loss and therefore for Alzheimer’s; it helps with concentration, anecdotal evidence exists for attention deficit disorder (ADD). Of course Gingkos ability to increase circulation is not just to the brain but also to the extremities such as the hands and feet, and is therefore great for Raynaud’s disease. It also improves circulation to the erectile tissue therefore helping with impotence.
If you suffer with ringing in the ears, tinnitus due to poor circulation and insufficient blood reaching the inner ear, it’s worth trying this amazing herb.
Another proven benefit of Gingko is that it works as an anti depressant.
Last but not least, Gingko helps with serious conditions effecting the vision, such as, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and chronic open-angle glaucoma.
@solgar Gingko supplements are my favourite. You will start to see the benefit after 8 weeks with 120-140mg daily. Be aware, Gingko is a blood thinner and if any side effects such as headache, dizziness or gastro discomfort just reduce the dosage.
I just love Gingko!

Vitamin E…and Corona

Why is Vit E important to write about? Because there is such confusion about it!

A special report in the New Scientist says that taking small daily doses of Vit E may rejuvenate our immune cells. However, some earlier studies suggest that Vit E supplementation may be toxic.

What do we know about Vit E:It is an amazing anti-oxidant, It prevents cholesterol, it’s great for cardiovascular health, it reduces the risks of Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, cancer, eye diseases such as macular degeneration, rheumatoid arthritis, muscle inflammation, diabetes and even helps with depression. 

It’s most important benefit is with respect to upper respiratory infection, especially for over 65s. HOW we need that today, during these extraordinary times!!!

But we need to be careful. When choosing a supplement we have to make sure it contains both tocopherols and tocotrienols, because they work best when they are together and in foods they appear together. Most studies with negative results concentrated on one aspect of Vit E; and the toxicity only arises at very high doses!
Also Vit E works synergistically with Vit C and CoQ10. Cytoplan 50+ has all 3.

Natural food sources include sunflower and pumpkin seeds, almonds, mango, kiwi and avocados.

Be aware that Vit E is a blood thinner so precautions are needed with medications and before an operation.

New Scientist concludes Vit E may help our immune system and at low doses certainly won’t harm us!

Asthma…and Corona

Diagnosis of asthma requires symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, difficulty breathing and tightness of chest... yes quite similar to Corona!
However, the contributory factors are very different. They include pollution, pesticides, aerobic exercise, pollen, allergens such as dust mites, moulds and certain foods, and cigarette smoke...
There is no better time than now, in isolation, to work out those triggers for you!

Some foods which can exacerbate asthma symptoms include: dairy, gluten, chocolate, dried fruits, tomatoes, food additives, animal foods and salt

Beneficial foods: fresh fruits especially those high in vit C like mango and berries, avoid citrus fruits as they can be allergens
Oily fish, twice a week
Whole grains, such as brown rice, oats
Lentils, onions, garlic, avocados;

Chlorophyll and Vit A rich foods, such as spirulina, apricots, carrots, leafy green vegs and pumpkin

Helpful supplements:  
Vits C, D, B6, B12 ( best check status with a blood test)
Quercetin - 150mg before each meal
Gingko biloba (my favourite is Solgar)
Pre- and probiotics

Useful extras:
Green tea
Aloe Vera
Exercise lungs with Ultra Breathe Lung exerciser
Learn Buteyko breathing technique

Try all these while you are stuck at home, you will be soo happy when normality returns. Good luck!

Negative Emotions…and Corona

Watching the news, reading everything on social media... worry, anxiety, fear, even panic attacks set in; not surprising really. Worse still these negative emotions play havoc with our immune system and our immune system is the one thing we want to keep healthy at the moment! 

Here is some practical help:
Exercise - the most important, just go for a walk in nature, every morning, early, practice deep breathing, say your gratitude, then when you come home, do some yoga/stretches
Practice meditation - can’t? Join Jay Shetty half hour meditation on the net, for a quick and easy start

Eliminate caffeine, alcohol, sugar and refined carbs from your diet
Enjoy calming foods, such as porridge, brown rice, cabbage, lettuce, bananas, pumpkin seeds and turmeric

Botanicals - ginseng has amazing anti-anxiety properties but it is heating, so I would recommend Ashwagandha, 125-500mg daily, for 3 months max

Take a supplement containing Vits C, B6, D3, K2, zinc and Magnesium. I like MAG365

Enjoy a calming evening drink like camomile, valerian, vervain, or lemon balm (my favourite)

Remember, our minds play an important part in our immune system; enjoy laughter when you can, make fun of our sad state of affairs: we are laughable! Months ago, if there was a science fiction film depicting our present situation, most of us wouldn’t have watched it, thinking it was too stupid!!!

Vegetables…and Corona

We all know that vegetables are good for us; but during these extraordinary times some are more beneficial. Following my last post here is a list of mainly cooling ones that provide the best protection and relief:

Broccoli - rich in Vits C and Bs; great for sore throat, cook it lightly to get its chlorophyll content and its anti-inflammatory benefits
Bok Choy - rich in Vits A, E and beta carotene; immune booster
Celery - great for heat conditions; add a little lemon juice to celery juice for fever and high blood pressure

Cucumber - counteracts toxins, moistens the lungs, helps with sore throat and with depressionCarrots - benefits the lungs, very alkaline forming so great for tonsillitis, protects against cancer; (boiling helps with diarrhoea)
Garlic - though warming, has amazing anti- viral properties

Lettuce - relaxes our nerves, soothes our anxiety, contains chlorophyll, vits A and C
Pumpkin - clears mucus from lungs and great for bronchitis
Radish - moistens the lungs, prevents viruses

Turnip - relieves coughing, helps detoxify the body

Raw or cooked lightly is best to keep the nutrients; if making a large soup, freeze the remains, do not keep in the fridge longer than one, max 2 days
Combine vegetables with whole grains for maximising the healing and soothing effects
Remember all vegetables are beneficial; the above list is just for those needing special help, (I guess that’s all of us)... during Corona

Lungs…and Corona

During these extraordinary times the most important organ to protect and strengthen has got to be the lungs!
In general, all the immune boosting supplements will be great for the lungs:
Zinc - 20mg a day
Vit C - 500 mg up to 4x day
Vit A and E - start low and build up to the recommended dosages on the bottles; these not to be taken long term, max for 2 months and no Vit A for a smoker (present and past)

The most worrying symptoms with Corona are fever, dry cough and shortness of breath. In Chinese medicine this is ‘heat congesting the lungs’.

Remedies:
Keep hydrated, plenty of room temp filtered water
Cooling soups with rice and barley
Vegetables: cabbage, cauliflower, carrot, pumpkin and radish
Seaweeds (soaked) such as Wakame and Nori
Fruits: pear, strawberries, peach and cantaloupe melon

Avoid all warming foods such as alcohol, coffee, lamb, onion, ginger, fennel and cinnamon.

Let’s add Western medicine remedies too:
Raw Manuka honey - antiseptic to coat the throat
Warm salt water gargling - daily
Garlic, though heating is very useful to inhibit viruses

To reduce respiratory congestion:
Expectorants - such as Licorice, South African Geranium, Ivy; all available in powdered form
Salt pipes, humidifiers
Bromelain - available as tablets

To reduce fever:
Vinegar soaked cloth applied to head, armpits and groin area; smelly I accept but very effective.

We need all the help we can get so please don’t overlook these remedies and very important breath deeply when walking in the woods,

While we are still allowed!

Hay fever...and Corona: not fun!

You are in isolation and have a little window for going out to get fresh air. You start sneezing, coughing, eyes get itchy, watery, red.. and everyone runs away from you? You even start questioning yourself....hayfever.. or Corona?

How you can help yourself?

What you need to avoid:
Dairy - mucous forming
Sugar - lowers immune function
Allergic foods - be aware of your intolerances

High histamine foods - eat freshly cooked foods. Those that have been left for long periods of time contain more histamine which worsens your allergic response.. avoid re heating last nights leftovers! 

What helps;
Bee pollen - for energy, vitality and endurance, it’s the best remedy for hay fever
Nettle - effective treatment, pill or tea form, start slow, build up to 2 capsules 3x dayQuercetin - natural anti-histamine, best food sources are garlic and onions, or in pill form 400mg 3x day
Micro algae - such as wakame or arame  immune enhancing, allergy clearing
Probiotics - daily, to boost immune system
Citrus seed extract - potent antibiotic, offers great protection to the immune system, make sure to find a clean and pure product

You are in luck because these remedies are also helpful for viruses such as Corona.

For prevention, start these 1-2 months before the hay fever season.
Hopefully this year will be an exception and you won’t suffer with hay fever.

Oats…protection against Corona?


During these extraordinary times, we need all the help we can get to keep healthy, mentally and physically. In that respect, oats are important as they restore our nervous system while giving us strength and energy.

Oats are warming and soothing for digestion.
They are a good source of protein and can be obtained gluten free.

They contain:
Zinc - amazing for our immune system

Magnesium - benefits the heart, sleep, energy and nervous system

Silicon - great for bones

Phosphorus and vit B1 - good for brain and nerve health 

Fibre (beta-glucan) - aids in diabetes and for heart health

Molybdenum - prevents harmful toxins accumulating

Biotin - good for the hair, skin and nails

During these challenging times, we need to strengthen our immune system and keep away the contagion. For these, oat water can help us - simmer 2,5 tbs of oat flakes in 1 litre of water for at least 2 hours, then drink it warm throughout the day.

in short, have oats one way or another every day.. at least until the world is a safer place.

Auto-immune..'in times of Corona'

Hello my friends, those of you, like me, who are struggling with auto-immune conditions and worrying about catching THE virus as well.
Yes, we have a problem.. and a half!Our immune system is already on overtime and if we boost it more to avoid Corona, we might be encouraging an auto-immune attack. This is even more of a problem for those of us that have been using immune suppressants! 

What we can do:
Probiotics, every day without fail
Vit D3, 1000-2000IU/day, with K2
Magnesium, 400mg/day
Zinc,  10-20mg/dayFor Vit C, it’s safer to get it from food, mainly from vegetables such as, kale, broccoli and leafy greens

De-stress, whether via meditation or with walks in the park
Exercise at least an hour at home or outside

Sleep 7-8 hours
And maybe a little light at the end of the tunnel: French and American scientists are hopeful with anti malaria drug, Hydroychloroquine, which, guess what?, not contraindicated for us! In fact, it is already being used for Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Extraordinary times! Good luck to the world!

Corona Virus

I can not be on Instagram and not write about Corona, even though, like everyone else, I am learning as I go along.
What I do know however is that fear or anxiety ruins our immune system.
Today’s The Times newspaper says ‘anxiety is viral but we don’t have to catch it’. How true is that!
Of course we have to do our best, self isolating, social distancing and boosting our immunity. These we know, but we should also learn from the Italian spirit: singing from our balconies, joking, laughing at ourselves, smiling to each other..and why not?
Life should be fun and we can make it fun! We can also let Corona bring out the best in us; we can offer help to those who need it most, to those who are less fortunate than ourselves.
Last but not least, a little nutritional immune support:
Best foods are those rich in quercetin, such as broccoli, apples, grapes, green tea, leafy vegetables, olives
Best supplements: Zinc, vitamin C and D
Stay away from anti- inflammatories, corticosteroids and other immune suppressants
And very importantly, take this opportunity to stop smoking!
Love Peace and Kindness

Broccoli

We all know that broccoli and good health go hand in hand, but what is broccoli actually good for?
Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable, therefore has anti-inflammatory benefits, especially for heart health, and of course great for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, PCOS (see my previous post on PCOS).
It promotes digestive health, thanks to it’s high fibre; and protects the stomach lining and so therefore helps with gastritis.
I love broccoli for its benefits to vision health and eye inflammation, thanks to it’s high vitamin A, lutein and zeaxanthin levels.
Is your skin sun damaged? Broccoli helps counteract that.
Worried about cancer? The research shows significant reduction of cancer risk especially that of breast and colon, with regular broccoli consumption.
In Chinese medicine, Broccoli is seen as cooling and having pungent and bitter flavours; therefore helps with damp and heat conditions such as red eyes, cysts and oedema.
Avoid large amounts of broccoli in thyroid deficiency cases.
Do not overcook broccoli. In fact the best way to preserve its nutrients, especially its chlorophyll, is to steam its stems (with red onions and garlic, if so desired) for 2 mins, then add the florets and steam for another 4 mins... just delicious!

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a hormonal imbalance, affecting around 20% of women of reproductive age. Main features include irregular periods, excess level of male hormones, enlarged ovaries containing many follicles, infertility, weight gain, hair loss from the head but excess bodily hair, acne and oily skin.
Insulin resistance seems to play a large role. This makes it difficult to regulate blood sugar levels. Inflammation is also present as the body tries to heal itself.
Natural remedies:
Diet rich in unrefined carbs, oily fish, vegetables and pulses
Avoid dairy, alcohol, caffeine, added sugar, saturated/trans fats
Eating little and often to regulate blood sugar
Combination supplement containing vitamins C, D, multi B, Zinc, Magnesium and Manganese
Probiotics
Chromium together with Biotin and cinnamon to balance sugar levels
Green tea to control male hormones and inflammation
Milk Thistle to improve liver function
Co Q10 to build energy from carbs
Diindolymethane (DIM) to help with oestrogen dominance, acne, and weight loss
My favourite is DIM @nutriadvancedltd
Extras: loosing weight, stress reduction, acupuncture, regulating sleep.. and enjoying life. These do work, have a go!