Author Archives: Editor

Cactus extract mops up dietary fat

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London: A unique cactus extract, with clinically proven fat binding qualities, can remove up to 28% of undigested fat (up to 150 calories) from a standard meal.

Launched today, this is the first in a new class of weight management products and could be the natural answer to prescription drugs such as Xenical, without some of the unpleasant side effects. Obesity has trebled in the UK since the 1980’s – more than half of all adults are now either overweight or obese.

The Department of Health forecasts that more than 12m adults and one million children will be obese by 2010 if no action is taken.However, studies have shown that a reduction of just 5-10% of body weight can alleviate weight related health
problems such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Dr Adam Carey, leading nutritionist, comments: “Being overweight has a huge impact on our health, yet levels of obesity continue to escalate and we are failing to do anything about it. This new treatment, called Liposinol, could provide a kick start for those who find it hard take control of their weight.”

Taken after food, Liposinol™, made of non-soluble and soluble fibres, immediately attaches to fats in the stomach and in a secondary action forms a gel-like protection around the primary interaction. This creates a fat-fibre complex that is too large to be absorbed in the small intestine, allowing the fat to pass naturally through the body, protected from being broken down by pancreatic lipase or pH changes.

Dr Carey adds“Ideally people need to adopt a healthy lifestyle with plenty of exercise and a balanced diet, however, we need to recognise that many people find it hard to take that first step. Liposinol could provide some initial support by binding dietary fat, decreasing food cravings, suppressing appetite and reducing blood cholesterol.”

Liposinol is clinically proven and has been registered in the EU as a licensed medical product for the treatment of obesity, weight management and the reduction of blood cholesterol. The active ingredient is UK Vegetarian Society approved and certified organic by France Ecocert. Liposinol comes in packs of 48 and retails for £19.95. 1-2 tablets are taken with a main meal and up to 8 tablets can be taken per day. Available from independent health food stores, Superdrug and Holland & Barrett. Find more information online at www.liposinol.com
1 Pilot Clinical Study on Fat Binding – Data on File 2 Forecasting Obesity to 2010. Survey Report Prepared for the DoH, July
2006.

Drug may reverse liver damage even in alcoholics

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Newcastle: Scientists have discovered a drug that could prevent liver disease, even in alcoholics.

Tests on the drug, Sulphasalazine, which is currently used to treat inflammatory bowel disease, found that it also prevented scarring of the liver and even reversed liver damage.

Professor Christopher Day, a liver specialist from Newcastle University in Britain who led the research, said Sulphasalazine could provide an alternative to liver transplants.

“This drug is not a finite resource. You are not stealing it from someone else, which is always a worry in public opinion,” said Professor Day said. “People are dying on the transplant list.”

Until now, cirrhosis of the liver, usually caused by alcohol abuse, is considered incurable and the only option for patients in the final stages of liver disease is a liver transplant.

Many patients die waiting for a transplant and there is a lack of desire to give organs to those who are ill through self abuse.

The researchers have tested the drug on animals and human trials are expected to begin in Britain next year.

The drug will initially be given to heavy drinkers who have given up alcohol too late for their liver to recover naturally.

If this proves successful, the medicine will also be prescribed to alcoholics who continue to drink but show a determination to fight their addiction by reducing intake.

Sulphasalazine may also relieve the ethical dilemma of giving donated livers to people whose illness was self-inflicted through excessive consumption of alcohol or poor diet and obesity.

Professor Jones said 10 to 15 per cent of people on the waiting list for a liver transplant were heavy drinkers.

“It’s a very tough decision for the doctors, if, for example they are faced with a 45-year-old man with a young family who’s a heavy drinker. If you say no to the transplant, they will die.

“It would be revolutionary if this drug could reverse the liver damage so you wouldn’t need to do a transplant or, better yet, prevent the damage in the first place.”

10 Ways to Save your Husband’s Life

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London: New research1 to coincide with World Heart Day 2006 finds men in midlife still taking HEALTH risks: 45% of men would wait until they were ill before taking action and changing their lifestyle and behaviour; Wives and partners could be the key to better health and longer life for men.

The inequality in life expectancy between men and women is growing wider
and men are falling behind at a faster pace than ever. In 1940 women outlived men by 4.4 years – today the average is nearly seven.2

The biggest cause of premature death in men is heart disease, despite being one of the most easily treated and, therefore, preventable causes of death. New research1 from healthcare company McNeil Ltd. highlights men’s risk taking attitudes as they enter mid-life.

Particularly relevant for World Heart Day 2006 (24th September) is the important role men identify for wives and partners in helping them change engrained and often life threatening behaviour.

Men’s behaviours and attitudes are threatening their health and happiness? Midlife does not seem to have affected men’s ambition with 60% of men over 45 feeling they still had much to achieve, while nearly a third clearly stated feeling excited about entering a new stage of their lives.

Life is still good with 43% of the men surveyed claiming they had had sex in the last seven days! Men considered the biggest priority for their health over the next 20 years was keeping mentally capable, staying out of hospital and being
there for their kids. 45% of men would only be prompted into improving their health and changing unhealthy behaviour by becoming ill first – the idea of preventing potential problems through diet and behaviour is an anathema.

One third of men over 45 never exercise and 13% are perfectly happy
with the fact they are unfit and overweight – and as a consequence at
increased risk of heart attack. A quarter of men over 45 drink more than the weekly allowance of 21 units and over half were on some sort of medication, indicating a clear need for men to re-evaluate their health and lifestyle choices.

“The biggest killer of men is heart disease and too many men are dying from
this condition by failing to tackle their risks,” said Dr. Mike Ingram, GP and men’s health specialist.

“The risk of heart disease increases with age- while men might covet a sports car or motorbike during their ‘menoporsche’, if they want to enjoy a long and active life they need to focus more on reducing their risk factors for heart disease such as smoking, blood pressure and cholesterol.

Regardless of where you start, reduction of cholesterol through diet and the proven effectiveness of statins will reduce risk. “ Key to a healthy heart is wives and partners The research highlighted how wives and partners were regarded by men as key to becoming more proactive with their health. Men ranked their wives and partners as equal to GPs in prompting changes towards healthier behaviour.

“Considering men spend more time with their wives and partners than their local GP, there is clearly a role and responsibility for them to motivate the men in their lives to look after their health,” said Dr Mike Ingram.

“If men are going to enjoy the increasing trend of a healthy old age then changing risky behaviour as they reach their “male menopause” is the key. Time after time I see men at my surgery whose attendance has been due to their wives concerns. I know that their motivation and support will help change their behaviour and even avoid an untimely and premature death.”

McNeil Ltd., manufacturers of Zocor Heart Pro®, the over-the-counter pill that effectively reduces cholesterol, recommends the following 10 simple ways that wives and partners could actually help to save their husband’s
life.

Ten Ways to Save Your Husbands Life:
1. Know the warning signs : Changes in bowel or bladder habits; Recurrent chest pain; Unexplained weight loss or gain; Extreme fatigue; Ensure that he makes a GP appointment if he has any of these symptoms

2. Does he know his blood pressure? High blood pressure damages the blood vessels, heart and kidneys

3. Encourage him to check himself out with routine testicular checks.

4. Promote a healthy diet – encourage him to eat a healthy, low fat diet with at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day

5. Stop smoking – Create a new routine and rewards for milestones. NHS Quitline
recommends using nicotine replacement therapy at the same time as cutting
down on cigarettes, as it improves success.

6. Exercise regularly – give him encouragement, time and space to take exercise, or make it part of the family regime – little and often to start with

7. Reduce alcohol intake – do you know how much he drinks at home in the week – probably you won’t – show him the cans and bottles from a single week’s recycling if he is getting through more than 10 pints a week.

8. Be realistic about weight: be honest with your husband or partner
about whether he needs to lose weight and how much he needs to lose. The best way to do this is to follow a healthy low fat diet and regular gentle
exercise.

9. Reduce his cholesterol – get him to have his cholesterol levels checked and take appropriate steps to reduce it. If he is over 45 ask your pharmacist if he should take an OTC statin.

Be Patient – the goal of taking a more active role in men’s health care is to
get your husband to take better care of himself, and to get the next generation of men to start building good habits. A small change can make
a big difference.

Heart attack is the single biggest cause of premature death in the UK and will account for 1 in 4 male deaths each year4. Raised cholesterol is a key risk factor for heart attack in men over 45. There is an estimated 8.8 million of people who are considered at moderate risk of a heart attack (10-15% chance) in the next 10 years3. While many in this group will be below the threshold that would make them eligible for prescription statins, the single most effective product that you can buy to reduce cholesterol before it becomes a problem is an over the counter statin from the pharmacist.

Zocor Heart-Pro® contains simvastatin, always read the leaflet. Consult
your pharmacist for advice. Zocor Heart-Pro® is suitable for men aged 55 or over. In addition it is suitable for men aged between 45 and 54, or women aged 55 or over if they have a one or more of the following risk factors: a family history of heart disease, smoke (current or within last 5 years), are overweight, or
have a family origin from South Asia. References: 1. TNS Onlinebus conducted 183 interviews with men aged 45-64 on 24th-27th August 2006 2. “19 Ways the Save Your Husband’s Life” By Armin Brott 3. Ipsos RSL Consumer Survey amongst 612 UK adults. July 2004. 4. British Heart Foundations Statistical Database. 2003.

Follicles grown in new baldness cure

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London: A new treatment for baldness, in which a patient’s own hair follicles are cultured in a laboratory and reinjected into the scalp, is being tested on UK patients.

The treatment is being developed by Manchester-based Intercytex, with the help of £1.9m cash from the British government.

The procedure works by collecting the stronger hair follicles at the back of the head and reproducing them. After eight weeks there should be millions of cells but because several injections would be required it is thought that the procedure will not necessarily be viable in restoring whole heads of hair.

As well as lotions, creams and pills there are advanced surgical procedures such as follicular unit transplant, in which healthy hair follicles are grated from the side of the head to bald areas. But this is very expensive, requires several operations and takes many hours to carry out.

The potential market for a baldness cure is huge – 40% of men aged over 50 are afected.

The most daunting part of the procedure is that a typical bare pate would need about 1,000 injections to establish enough new hair follicles. Each injection would penetrate just 3mm into the skin and would be done under local anaesthetic.

The procedure has been tested on seven volunteers at the Farjo Medical Centre, a commercial hair restoration clinic. The first volunteers received injections of hair follicle cells into small patches on their scalps. The number of hairs in the treated area increased from 250 before the treatment to 316 after.

Dr Bessam Farjo said the trials at this clinic indicated that the new procedure would be faster and cheaper than current surgical methods.

Accupressure can relieve stress-related diseases

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San Francisco: Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) has been successfully addressing physical illness by getting to the true cause of illness — unresolved emotional issues like anger, fear and hostility. This is done without lengthy psychotherapy or medications. When unresolved negative emotions are neutralized with this needle free acupuncture technique, symptoms associated with asthma, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, and even cancer tend to subside or disappear, often permanently.

EFT was initially developed to accelerate and improve the psychotherapy process. Soon EFT users were reporting that addressing their emotional issues resulted in a reduction in their physical symptoms. Thousands of case studies have shown an 80% success rate and it often works when nothing else will. It can be learned freely by downloading the EFT Manual at www.emofree.com

Harvard researchers recently published findings from a study that explored the link between anger and hostility and lung function. Even at the beginning of the study, men with the highest anger and hostility ratings had the poorest lung function, and their condition deteriorated over the period of the study.

According to Dr Paul Lehrer, one of the authors of the study, “Stress-related factors are known to depress immune function and increase susceptibility to, or exacerbate a host of diseases and disorders,” he said. “Indeed, it is hard to find a disease for which emotion or stress plays absolutely no part in symptom severity, frequency, or intensity of flare-ups.”

The scientists did not know how unresolved negative emotions contribute to the physical deterioration of the lungs but expect that this question will be the topic of another study.

Dr. Eric Robins, a medical doctor who uses EFT with his patients offers a possible explanation … and a simple solution. “At least 85% of medical problems are physical manifestations of how stress, anxiety and past traumas are held in and processed by the body. Stress and negative emotions are frequently stored in the smooth muscles that function automatically, without our conscious control. If people store tension in the smooth muscles of the blood vessels going to the head, we might call this a migraine headache. If they store tension in the smooth muscles of the air passages of the lungs we might call that asthma. The best technique to address these issues and to clear them out of the body is EFT.”

Gary Craig, the Stanford-trained engineer who developed EFT, recommends that researchers who are exploring the link between emotion and physical illness become familiar with EFT. “We have filmed more than 120 hours of EFT demonstrations where people are addressing their emotional issues and measurably improving their physical conditions,” says Craig. “This collection, which is available from the EFT website, includes forty hours of people using EFT to address symptoms associated with serious diseases like prostate cancer, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis and diabetes.

“EFT is a simple solution,” says Craig, “that many health professionals are incorporating into their regular practice. Surgeons use EFT to avoid unnecessary surgery, chiropractors use EFT to correct misalignments and therapists use EFT to avoid lengthy and costly psychotherapy sessions. And every day people are using EFT to address their own physical and emotional issues.”

Over 350,000 people have downloaded Craig’s free training manual and another 10,000 download it each month. Known as The EFT Manual, it has been translated by volunteer practitioners into nine languages. The EFT website is the fifth most actively visited natural health site in the world.

The EFT Manual gives anyone all the basics so they can apply it right away. It can be freely downloaded at… www.emofree.com

Nurse can I see the wine list?

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London: UK hospitals are used to being criticised for the food and drink they serve. However, at the renowned King Edward VII’s private hospital (pictured right) in London patients benefit from the introduction of a fine wine list on a par with the finest restaurants.

Berry Bros. & Rudd, the fine wine merchants in St. James’s Street, London has developed a list of fine wines and Champagnes to compliment the sophisticated menus on offer to patients at King Edward VII’s Hospital.

King Edward’s chief executive Clive Bath says:

“It made sense to us that the most exclusive private hospital in London should get together with London’s best wine merchant to provide our patients with a serious choice of wines. And of course good wine drunk in moderation has been shown to have health giving properties.”

Simon Berry, chairman of Berry Bros. & Rudd says:

“For over 300 years, Berrys’ has supplied fine wine to wine lovers, royal families, actors, celebrities and politicians. It seems entirely appropriate that patients recovering from illness or an operation should be able to benefit from the pleasure of fine wine too.”

This isn’t the first time Berrys’ has supplied wine to the King Edward VII’s Hospital. The hospital’s operating theatre entry for 11 May 1917 recorded that surgeon Mr Clayton Green and his anaesthetist Dr Powell used Berrys’ Champagne as an anaesthetic during an operation. The procedure investigated a haemorrhage, following amputation of the right arm of a young Second Lieutenant of the Essex Regiment wounded in France.

Patient care has indeed come a long way since 1917!

40% of over 55s at risk of leaving no inheritance

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London: Investment advisors Fidelity International, warn that nearly half of Briton’s approaching retirement age plan to use their other forms of savings to supplement their pension but the vast majority could risk using it all up before they die.

Those who will use their savings to maintain their lifestyle once they finish working will live increasingly longer and therefore many underestimate precisely how much of their savings they will use up.

Fidelity International’s findings showed that nearly three-quarters (70 per cent) of over 55s had no idea how much of their savings they would withdraw to support them through their retirement years.

“People approaching retirement have yet to fully grasp the implications of increased longevity,” said Simon Fraser, president of institutional business at Fidelity.

“People could find themselves in retirement for up to 35 years, almost as long as they spent in their working lives.”

Mr Fraser cautioned against underestimating how much of their savings the older generation would use as burning out all of their investments could mean falling back on state and company pension benefits right when expenses will likely increase due to the need for greater care.

The skinny on functional foods

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London: How do you identify reliable probiotics? What benefits do they offer? How can they help the immune system in its constant battle against infection and allergy? Is there really any evidence to indicate that taking probiotics is associated with a reduced cancer risk? And how will the forthcoming EU regulations help clarify probiotic claims for the consumer?

A panel of experts explained all today, reviewing the latest available evidence on probiotics at Yakult’s science symposium at the Institute of Physics, London.

Tom MacDonald, Professor of Immunology at Barts & the London School of Medicine, commented “The gut contains most of the immune cells in the body, so drinking probiotics gives the immune system a boost to prevent infections and allergies”

“There is a lot of evidence from studies on cell cultures and in animals that probiotics, prebiotics and combinations of the two can exert anticancer effects. Until recently, there has been little work conducted in humans,” said Professor Ian Rowland, University of Ulster.

But a new paper, soon to be published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, reports a study conducted as part of the European Union funded ‘SYNCAN’ Project. In this investigation, volunteers were fed a mixture of pro and prebiotics, or placebo, for eight weeks and a wide range of indicators of colon cancer risk were measured.

“Those subjects on the pro and prebiotics had less DNA damage and a lower rate of cell proliferation in biopsies taken from their colons. This feeding of pro and prebiotics also saw improvements in certain characteristics of faeces samples that may indicate reduced cancer risk.

“Whilst this evidence is not definitive, the study does suggest that the extensive data showing anticancer activity from experiments in animals and isolated cells may apply to humans, and that more studies in human volunteers are warranted,” said Professor Rowland

Experts reviewed the effects of probiotics on a range of disorders, including IBS, gastroenteritis, infections, eczema, allergies, cancers and other clinical conditions.

Catherine Collins, Chief Dietitian, St. George’s Hospital, London said the challenge facing dietitians today was to help people understand which probiotic to choose, dependent on their health condition.

“Generic recommendation of probiotics is irrelevant as different bacterial strains exhibit different effects on human health, and the effectiveness of one species or strain cannot be inferred from another.”

Commenting on why probiotic ‘shots’ had been embraced so enthusiastically by the British consumer, for example, she added that the probiotic industry “…has created public awareness of the link between probiotics and their potential ability to alleviate common intestinal conditions such as bloating, constipation and diarrhoea.

Prof David Richardson (DPR Nutrition) explained how the forthcoming EU health claims regulation should help reduce consumer confusion about functional foods. For the first time, this will allow probiotics to make claims to reduce the risk of disease when substantiated by generally accepted scientific evidence.

Nanoceuticals – the latest science attacks wrinkles, cellulite and ageing hair

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Nanoceuticals are the latest and most potent new anti-ageing treatments for skin, body and hair. They use nanoparticles – particles that are 100,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair – to deliver highly concentrated ingredients beneath the skin with greater affect.

The small size of these particles changes their qualities making them super-absorbable. So even though many of the ingredients are not necessarily new and already found in dietary supplements and creams such as Vitamin C Ester, Vitamin E, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Acetyl L-Carnitine, Co Enzyme Q10, DMAE (dimethyaminoethanol) and Idebendone, a man-made substance which claims to be the most powerful anti-oxidant in existence – their effect on the skin is far more potent.

Their increased effectiveness means that many women are avoiding cosmetic surgery in their 40s and opting for preventative and restorative treatments. The success of these new creams is their ability to work at a cellular level, making them more efficient at preventing and repairing the damage caused by free radicals, the unstable molecules, that ravage cells and cause age-related damage through pollution, smoking, sunbathing, poor diet, alcohol and stress.

The secret of keeping your skin at its best whatever your age is two take a two-pronged approach by using these topical creams and lotions to prevent damage and combining this with a diet containing a high-level of antioxidents both from food and supplements.

Both L’Oreal and Estee Lauder have already launched high end mass market products that incorporate this technology. One of the most exciting products recently launched on the UK market is a new product for hair called Tanagra, which was developed in Brazil and reverses damage caused by age and misuse. It uses nanotechnology to impregnate the hair shaft with nanoparticles of keratin, which is lost from damaged or ageing hair. The keratin is “locked” into the hair shaft by a heat process. The end result is an amazing head of shiny hair, even for blondes, which lasts for several months.

These are some of the latest treatments to arrive on the market:

Leorex

This range of products contains a patented ingredient called Nano-Silica which lifts wrinkles by a non-chemical, purely physical process. After application there is both a short-term and long-term effect on lines. The nano-particles form on and below the skin, supporting the collagen and encouraging new collagen growth. The particles also scavenge the damaging free radicals in the skin and prevent new wrinkles from developing. There are a number of products in this range but the most potent is Leorex Hypallergenic Wrinkles Nano-Relief, which costs £75. The full starter kit costs £140. Available by mail order and selected salons 08700 117563 (from the UK)

Dr Denese Instant Wrinkle Press

Another top notch product from Dr Denese of New York which tightens wrinkles within minutes of application with a freezing affect. It also helps minimize dark undereye circles with “nanopeptides” and is applied under all other creams and over them throughout the day if necessary. It contains Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3 as well as Gamma Amino Butyric Acid which is the ‘exclusive inhibitor peptide factor’ Instant Wrinkle Press costs £44.95 for 15ml and is available from Dr Denese on 0870 1900 003 or online at www.drdenese.co.uk

Tanagra – for shiny, glossy hair repair

This one-hour treatment uses nanomolecular keratin particles so small that you could fit millions onto a pinhead.The keratin is misted into the hair shaft then the nanomolecules are locked into the hair with another mist. The result is beautiful, soft and silky hair with an incredible shine. Up to three treatments may be needed each one increasing the amount of keratin in the hair and top up treatments every few months are recommended. It works on all kinds of hair but the most dramatic results are seen in extremely damaged or porous hair.An added bonus is that colour treated hair stays more vibrant and takes colour better. Costs from £50 per treatment www.tanagra4hair.com

Dermaglow

The Dermaglow Pro-Peptide Instant Wrinkle Eraser is another product that freezes wrinkles instantly and last up to 24 hours. Within minutes a reassuring tightening sensation is accompanied by a 50-90% visible reduction in lines and wrinkles. Created by Canadian Pharmacist Calvin Davies this formulation contains Palmitoyl Oligopeptide which works to regenerate the skins upper layers by stimulating collagen. GABA prevents the nerve endings in the skin from causing lines and wrinkles by relaxing facial muscles. Hyaluronic Acid, the ingredient used in many anti aging injectables, fixes moisture on the skins surface, preserving suppleness, elasticity and tone without the needle. The active ingredients are delivered using nanospheres. Costs £75 0800 328 7612 www.dermaglow.co.uk

Valmont Anti Wrinkle Factor

Made in Switzerland this cream has a lovely smell and texture that the skin loves and becomes immediately radiant and soft on the first application. It is created by Valmont together with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and uses ingredients and delivery systems to plump wrinkles from the inside out. It is made in three “strengths” to combat wrinkles of different ages. Factor1 is preventative and for women in their 30s and costs £119 ; Factor 2 targets the start of sagging for women in their 40s and costs £133 and Factor 3 is aimed at the countering the effects of the menopause in the 50s and costs £147. Key ingredients include Triple DNA, RNA and rice and soy peptides. Available from the Valmont counter in Selfridges, Oxford Street, W1.

Gatineau with nanosphares and collaspheres

This new range is aimed at combination skin where some patches are dry, some oily or a bit of both. The cleanser cleans without stripping and moisturises without greasing, thanks to sebum regulating agents and self-adjusting moisturisers. But the big breakthrough, which is the very latest in enzyme technology, is Gatineau’s Self Regulating Complex of nanospheres and collaspheres. These are tiny molecules containing rebalancing and nourishing ingredients respectively, so ingredients like green tea extract to help reduce shine, while hyaluronic acid moisturises, and vitamins provide healing and have antioxidant powers. The Primrose Gel Make-Up Removercontains hyaluronic acid to recondition and moisturise dry areas. Costs £17 for 250m. The Nasturtium Toner is £17 for 250ml. The Day Emulsion – is an ‘intelligent’ day cream that adjusts itself according to the skin’s needs, is £36.25 for 50ml. The Night Cream has nourishing collaspheres, plus revitalising vitamins A, E and F, for longer-term hydration and is £42.50 for 50m. The Tonimasque Cream Mask is softening and moisturising. Blackheads and impurities are gently drawn out, the complexion is clarified and skin texture evened and toned and £22 for 75ml. Available at selected beauty salons nationwide, QVC The Shopping Channel, on-line at www.thebeautyroom.com and by mail order. For nearest stockist and mail order details, readers should call 0800 731 5805.

SACHY ‘HAPPY SKIN’

From Fake Bake the brand famed for their professional self-tanning products are two new anti-ageing products, a tinted and non-tinted moisturiser which work with peptides. SACHY which means ‘happy skin’ in Japanese, and uses a dual action formula works on the surface of the skin treating wrinkles, helps refine scars, improve stretch marks and treat sun damage. SACHY product can be used under make-up whilst the product with tint (which suits all skin tones) will offer coverage and deliver a smooth and velvety finish to the skin. SACHY can also be used on the arms and legs for a beautiful, vibrant finish. Sachy contains three natural botanical butters Shea, Cocoa and Mango which moisturise whilst it’s natural organic oils, almond and sesame oils nourish and tone. Sweet Almond protein helps firm skin. The blend also uses six powerful anti-oxidants which help kill free radicals that are damaging to the skin: Vitamins A, C, and E plus Phyllanthus Embilica Extract, daisy flower and the most powerful on the market, green tea. SACHY is available from Harvey Nichols £35 for the concentrated wrinkle cream and £75 for the larger tinted version. Call 0870 054 4455 or go to www.fakebake.co.uk

SkinGenuity Body Perfecting Formula

A nano solution for cellulite uses Ethosome particles to deliver the fat busters to target cellulite. In clinical trials this cream visibly reduced the appearance of cellulite by up to 80% within 56 days. The active ingredients includes: Bupleurum chinensis extract to stimulate fat metabolism and remove cellular waste and toxins; Caffeine to stimulate fat metabolism and help reduce skin puffiness; Coenzyme A to activate the breakdown of fatty acids; Grapefruit extract an antioxidant rich in AHAs to promote rapid cell turnover and smoothe the skin; Gingko Biloba extract to stimulate lymphatic drainage, which improves the removal of impuritiesThe non-greasy, cooling gel sinks into the skin immediately without having to massage it in and allows you to get dressed straight away. Costs £89.50 (200ml) is available from by mail order online at www.physonics.com or on 0870 067 3396.

Liquorice trials in prostate cancer

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New York: Men with prostate cancer are taking part in a medical trial to see whether liquorice has the power to help stop tumour growth.

Around 50 men are taking part in the trial in which they will take dailycapsules along with other medication as part of the research at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

Phytonutrients have already been shown to be powerful antioxidants in the body and it is thought that liquorice acts in a similar way.

Don’t let your past kill your future – get tested at Britain’s first private patient gene clinic

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London: Genetic screening reveals a vital part of our life story: the part that was unknown until the discovery of the human genome – that is all the genes in each individual cell responsible for life. Now for the first time with genetic testing you can discover which genes you have been handed down – those responsible for protecting your body and which ones have the potential to harm you.

The aim of genetic testing is to foresee and with medical intervention prevent the “envelope of diseases” that may dispose certain individuals to debilitating and or life threatening illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes and Alzheimer’s.

GeneticHealth is the first clinic in the UK – based in London’s Harley Street, to offer the latest scientific testing, analysis and medical intervention to prevent and protect individuals from the life-threatening diseases and illnesses they may have inherited.

The basis of GeneticHealth’s gene testing is a swab taken from the patient’s mouth which is used to analyse 45 genes that are clinically proven to have an effect on the way humans age and our resistance to age-related diseases. These are technically known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and, in particular, will tell you if you are prone to:

• Heart and cardiovascular disease
• Stroke
• Cancer
• Osteoporosis
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Inflammation

Patients receive a 50-page report which examines in detail the state of their health, and includes a detailed results analysis and interpretation by our genetic doctors. Afterwards the client receives a medical consultation in which allows them to understand the implications of their individual genetic profile and what can be done to change their risk profile. GeneticHealth provides the opportunity for tailor made strategies to be developed to minimizing the risk of many of the diseases covered by the genetic analysis, especially cardiovascular disease. Your bespoke medical intervention programme is created with you by GeneticHealth’s medical experts.

The clinic’s Medical Director, Dr Paul Jenkins comments:

“I am convinced that the advent of effective genetic analysis will become increasingly relevant to individuals and clinicians seeking to minimise the burden of age-related diseases. For the first time, we are able to more accurately determine and individuals overall risk profile for many diseases by combining their genetic risk to that of lifestyle and environmental influences. Such an approach has enormous implications for healthcare and disease prevention in the 21st century.”

The results of the test are the basis for bespoke medical intervention including nutrition and other advice/therapies from the clinic’s experts. There are seven genetic tests to chose from and range in price from £180 to £825.

The clinic’s expert analytical team of medical experts and scientists in the field of genetics and healthy ageing includes:

• Dr Paul Jenkins MA, BChir, MD, FRCP – Reader in Endocrine Oncology, Honorary Consultant Physician, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, Queen Mary School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of London. He is Medical Advisor of the European Scanning Centre, which is one of only two centres in the UK to use an Electron Beam CT (EBCT) scanner. He leads an active research team and has published over 60 research papers in the field of hormones and genetic actions in the human body. He has a special interest in the role of genetics in disease prevention and ageing.

• Professor Stephen Bustin, BA,PhD – Professor of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Queen Mary University of London. Stephen is a leading researcher in the genetic determinants of colonic cancer.

• Dr Lynette Yong, MAm MBBSm FRCSm LF Hom – Dr Yong studied medicine at Cambridge University and at St Mary’s Hospital, London. She completed her surgical fellowship in London with the Royal College of Surgeons of England. She has a special interest in the application of genetic analysis to the prescribing of hormones for men and women.

Patient information can be obtained by calling +44(0) 870 043 5551 email: info@genetic-health.co.uk

GeneticHealth is a clinically led company, based at 68 Harley Street, London W1, run by world-renowned doctors and genetic scientists. www.genetic-health.co.uk

Slow release pill for gum disease and bad breath

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New York: A plastic coated pill that treats bad breath and gum disease through a slow release mechanism is being developed in the US.

The pill would be implanted in the mouth and release drugs including salicylic acid to kill germs and bacteria.

Gum and peridontal disease are a major cause of ill health and scientists below maybe linked to heart and cardiovascular disease. Periodontal disease can also lead to loss of teeth as the gums shrink.

Prostate Cancer Now

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Prostate Cancer Now is a web site offering the lastest information and advice on humane therapies – www.prostatecancernow.org

Magic box for SAD sufferers

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Sufferers of Seasonal Affective Disorder, depression caused by a lack of sunlight in winter months can be treated with a new gadget that emits a powerful light.

The new “Litebook” is small enough to put onto a desk and needs to be used for only 15 minutes daily to be effective.

The condition which may affect as many as 1 in 50 people is common in winter because there is less sunlight to stimulate the part of the brain which controls mood, appetite and sleep.

Due to be launched in the UK this month, it costs £149.99. For more information, call 0845 456 7040

Insulin spray improves memory in Alzheimer’s

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New York: Memory loss in people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease can be reduced with a new nasal spray containing the hormone insulin.

Tests on US patients with the spray showed that insulin which is absorbed into the bloodstream acted as a memory booster.

Insulin is also injected by diabetes to normalise their blood suger levels and scientists now believe that diabetes and Alzheimer’s may be linked.

Currrently there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, a distressing disease in which the brain’s message centre is disrupted by the build up of plaques causing memory loss. Increasing numbers of people are suffering worldwide.

The spray has been developed by US firm Kurze Technology which carried out tests on 24 Alzheimer’s patients. Half were given the spray and half a placebo over a period of six months.

Those on the hormone saw a 20 per cent improvement during memory tests whilst the other had no improvement.

Osteoarthritis may signal faster “biological ageing”

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London: Osteoarthritis, the degenerative inflammatory bone disease, may be a sign of faster “biological ageing,” suggests research published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

The finds resulted from a study of 1100 people, aged between 30 and 79. Most of them were female twins who were evaluated by the Twin Reserach and Epidemiology Unit and Kings College London.

X-rays of both hands were taken of all participants to check for signs of osteoarthritis and a blood sample was taken to assess “biological ageing” in white cell DNA.

Biological ageing is likely to be reflected by the gradual shortening of telomeres, the length of DNA which caps the tips of chromosomes. A host of factors make them shorten over time, including insufficient repair of the damage caused by oxygen free radicals (oxidative stress).

Oxygen free radicals are the unstable molecules produced as a by-product of normal bodily processes, as well as external factors, such as tobacco, alcohol, and sunlight.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, with the hands being one of the sites most often affected. Its frequency rises dramatically with age, but it is still not known exactly what causes it.

Unsurprisingly, the findings showed that white cell telomere lengths were associated with chronological age. The older a person was, the shorter they were.

But among the 160 people with hand osteoarthritis, the telomere length was significantly shorter than among those without the disease, even after taking account of influential factors, such as obesity, age, sex, and smoking.

All those with hand osteoarthritis were over 50, and the amount of telomere shortening was equivalent to that accrued over 11 years in healthy people (178 base pairs).

Telomere length was also significantly associated with the severity of osteoarthritis. The more severe the disease, the shorter was the telomere length.

The authors suggest that both the ageing process and osteoarthritis share biological factors in common, including oxidative stress and low level chronic inflammation.

Beauty fixes to turn back the clock

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London:The popularity of cosmetic surgery continues to grow. Aside from the medical risk that these invasive procedures pose – and many do go wrong – do we really want to loose our personalities in the process?

We only have to look at the celebrity exponents of cosmetic procedures such as Joan Rivers, Anne Robinson, Cher, Dolly Parton, Jackie Stallone and the hideous looking “Bride of Wildenstein” to be convinced that cosmetic surgery should be the beauty treatment of last resort.

These days there are ever more sophisticated alternatives to cosmetic surgery utilising natural substances found in the human body, including collagen, hyaluronic acid, our own fat and cells, substantially decreasing the likelihood of nasty avoid allergic reactions, such as actress Leslie Ash’s infamous“trout pout”. There are also lasers and radio frequency treatments which stimulate the production of collagen, plumping out the skin. One of the most exciting new anti-ageing treatments for the face is Isolagen, in which a patient’s own cells are cultivated and reinjected into lines and wrinkles. Another is Thermage in which radio frequency is used to stimulate new collagen. The only downside to natural treatments is that they are financially high maintenance because the effects eventually wear off and regular treatments may be need to keep the effects.

There are now several clinics offering these treatments in the City so it is possible to have a lunch-time beauty fix. Although these procedures are usually non-invasive, they should still be carried out by a qualified medical doctor or by a nurse under the supervision of a doctor. Always ask about qualifications and inspect their public/professional liability insurance certificate so that you will at least have financial redress should anything go wrong. Also check if they are registered with the Healthcare Commission, although this is voluntary at the moment it does demonstrate a commitment to professional ethics.

Bioskin Jetting

BioSkinJetting is one of the newest non-surgical procedures and ideal for wrinkles and frown lines. A microprobe is used to separate the wrinkle from the underlying skin which stimulates the growth of new collagen fibres, plumping and firming the skin. Each treatment lasts between 15 to 40 minutes and can be taken individually or as part of a package. A 15 minute treatment for a forehead wrinkle would cost between £35 and £55 and a 40 minute treatment for say lines around the mouth of eyes is about £75-£100. A bonus is that the facial muscles can move freely and are not ‘frozen’, making the overall impression much more natural, yet younger looking.
Practitioner: Chandra Curniff at Elite Beauty Services, Suite 511, 5th Floor, 5 St Helen Place, Bishopsgate, London EC3 T: 020 7686 7234. Information: www.skinbysterex.com

Botox

Botox was first used to treat medical neurological conditions, such as facial spasms. In cosmetic treatments highly diluted doses are injected into the muscle causing it to relax, which softens lines and contours. The most popular areas to have treated are crow’s-feet, forehead lines, neck muscles, the corners of the mouth and upper lip lines. Several injections are usually needed at specific sites and may take a few days to take effect and lasts for about three months. Costs from £200 for each area treated.
Practitioners: Dr John Moran, 30A Wimpole Street, W1. T: 020 7935 4870 doctor@hmc-holistic.demon.co.uk; City SkinKlinic, 12 Brushfield Street,E1. TL 020 7655 6920, email info@cityskinklinic.co.uk

Evolence

Evolence is a new collagen-based injectable filler which lasts for 12 months or more. Evolence uses organically sourced collagen, which is purified and transformed to accurately mimic human collagen. Evolence is injected into wrinkles, such as nasiolabial folds, where it binds naturally with the skin. Treatment costs about £450 per injectable syringe. Practioners: City SkinKlinic, 12 Brushfield Street,E1. TL 020 7655 6920, email info@cityskinklinic.co.uk
Further information at www.evolence.com.

Fat Grafting

Fat is taken from different parts of the body – bottom, hips or thighs, processed in a centrifuge and reinserted into creases, lips and and ageing hands that need plumping. Although there may be some swelling and bruising, there is likely to be no allergic reaction. The results last between a few months and several years. The treatment costs from £2,000 for an entire face. Practitioners: The London Clinic of Dermatology, 60 Grove End Road, NW8 T: +44 (0)20 7266 8200;Dr Andrew Markey, The Lister Hospital, Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1 T: 44 (0)20 7730 1219.

Lasers and Light rejuvenation

There are two kinds of lasers: ablative laser that will give you a peel and burn off surface layers of skin and a non-ablative laser to give a form of face-lift, minimising wrinkles, increasing collagen production and tightening skin. Intense pulsed light (IPL) is used in hair removal and to treat pigmentation, thread veins, rosacea, acne and wrinkles. IPL and non-ablative laser treatment usually require no downtime, although there may be some redness. Ablative laser treatments can leave darkened areas for 7-10 days. Skin photorejuvenation costs from £300 for each facial treatment and £150 for each facial vein treatment. Practitioners: City SkinKlinic, 12 Bushfield Street, E1, T: 020 7755 6920,
email info@cityskinklinic.co.uk

Mesolift

In this treatment the skin receives intense multiple injections of rejuvenating vitamins. It can be used in conjunction with other skin treatments such as Botox. Mesotherapy is a similar treatment for sculpting the body and removing cellulite.

Practitioners: City SkinKlinic, 12 Bushfield Street, E1, TL 020 7655 6920 info@cityskinklinic.co.uk; Dr Georges Roman, Devonshire Medical Chambers, W1, T: +44(0)20 7323 2123

Peels

A chemical solution is applied to the cleaned skin and left on for a specified period of time to make the skin smoother and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. . Light peels require no downtime and can be done in a lunch hour. Deeper peels will result in flaking or peeling and will require a week to heal. Peels From £100 depending on the type and amount of treatment needed. Practitioners: Dr Penelope Tympanidis, 19 Wimpole Street, W1; 020 7462 0030, www.renascence.co.uk

Restylane

Restylane is a synthetic filler containing hyaluronic acid, a naturally occuring substance in the body and is free of animal proteins. Restylane is used in different thicknesses for treating different problems – fine lines and wrinkles, creases and folds and adding definition. It lasts about two years during which time it gradually breaks down. Several treatments may be required across a two month period, followed by top sessions. It costs from £270 for a 1ml syringe a session and several are required in the first two months followed by top up sessions. Practitioners: City SkinKlinic, 12 Brushfield Street, London E1. T: 020 7655 6920, emailinfo@cityskinklinic.co.ukCosmedics, Reaqua Spa, 12 Gravel Lane, E1 and The Gentry Salon, Canary Wharf, E14 T: 020 7386 0464

Roll-CIT

Thisnew treatment is the result of work by South African cosmetic surgeon Des Fernandes. The skin is rejuvenated using a roller which creates tiny pin pricks all over the area being treated stimulating the formation of new collagen. As well as the face the procedure which is carried out under sedation and local anaesthetic, it can also be used on the body. For example, on stretch marks on the abdomen and sagging arms. The procedure takes about one hour, slightly longer for both arms. Costs vary but about £1,000 for the face and between £500-£1,000 for the body. A mini Roll-CIT can also be bought for home treatment. For more information on the Roll-CIT procedure telephone 020 8450 2020 and www.vivida.co.za Practitioner: Dr Lucy Glancey, Glancey Medical Aesthetics, Grove Farm, Grove Hill, Langham, Essex, 0870 458 5483
email: info@glanceymedical.co.uk
www.glanceymedical.co.uk

Sculptra(Newfill)

Sculptra is made from crystalised poly L-lactic acid and is used to treat sunken cheeks and sculpt features such as the cheek or chin. Injected into the skin it stimulates new collagen production, plumping out nearby areas which may have sagged because of ageing. There can be some swelling following treatment but this usually goes after two days. Three treatments up to six weeks apart are recommended and the result lasts for two years. It costs from £300 a treatment.
Practitioners: London: Cosmedics, Reaqua Spa, 12 Gravel Lane, E1 and The Gentry Salon, Canary Wharf, T: 020 7386 0464

Thermage

THERMAGE:

Thermage® uses radio frequency energy to heat the collagen and elastin below the dermis causing a tightening effect and stimulating new collagen growth. It is used for full face treatments as well as arms, tummy, eyes and legs. Results will vary from patient to patient. Some patients see an immediate response whilst most others may take up to 6 months, after just one treatment. It can be used to tighten tissue anywhere on the body. Prices will vary according to what you are having treated and generally start at approx. £1500.

Practitoners: Dr Nicholas Lowe, Cranley Clinic in London T: + 44(0)20 7499 3223
email: cranleyuk@aol.com
Further information at www.thermage-treatment.co.uk

Threadlift

Threadlift is used to treat mildly sagging facial skin and uses a barbed medical thread which is inserted under the skin. The barbs lie flat in insertion and are then pulled in the opposite direction, hooking into the facial tissue, lifting the skin. The threads are left in place and there may be some swelling but after a few months the skin will have lifted. Patients, it is claimed, achieve between 30 and 70% of the result of a surgical face lift. It costs from £1,000. Practitioner: Dr Lucy Glancey, Glancey Medical Aesthetics, Grove Farm, Grove Hill, Langham, Essex. T: 0870 458 5483.
email: info@glanceymedical.co.uk
www.glanceymedical.co.uk

Get the snappy Hollywood smile!

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London: The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD), the not-for-profit organisation and leading educational entity for the advancement and ethical delivery of cosmetic dentistry, today highlighted a new procedure: the ‘snap-on’ smile, which transforms the look of teeth without injections or drilling.

America’s latest fashion accessory, the ‘Snap-On’ smile allows people to decide on the appearance of their teeth – including the choice of a particular celeb smile, such as Tom Cruise’s or Angelina Jolie’s. The procedure particularly benefits people whose teeth may be crooked or discoloured, but cannot face or afford extensive dental treatment.

Dr Phillip Lewis, dentist and BACD member pioneering the treatment said: “This procedure became rapidly very popular in America due to its simplicity and relative low cost. It is not a substitute for the thorough and more permanent results of veneers and crowns – but the Snap-On smile can give a really pleasing instant smile enhancement without any discomfort.”

The Snap-On smile fits over people’s natural teeth and comes in the colour of their choice – whether in their natural shade or any number of degrees whiter. They last for years and can be put on and taken off at will, and people can eat and drink with them on.

Former teenage model Chloe Lewis and her boyfriend Daz Blackbrook have just become the first people in the UK to receive the Snap-On smile. Chloe chose a ‘Sarah-Jessica Parker’ look while her boyfriend went for a more masculine set.

Chloe says: “I’m really delighted with my new smile but one’s not enough! I want to be able to change my smile to suit my mood. It’s just deciding who I want to look like next…”

To produce the new smile, an impression is taken of the patient’s mouth, and the final product is fitted after 3 weeks. They cost between £950 for just upper or lower, and £1,500 for both – extremely cost-effective when compared to traditional cosmetic ‘smile makeovers’ which can cost tens of thousands of pounds.

Dr. Phillip Lewis, who runs a private dental practice on the Isle of Wight: “Ideal for weddings, job interviews, or just wanting to emulate a celebrity, the Snap-On smile provides instant aesthetic results, whether you’re a teenager looking for a cool accessory or a grandparent fed up with stained teeth.”

To find a reputable dentist who will offer the Snap-On Smile via the BACD website www.bacd.com

About the BACD

The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry is a not-for-profit, inclusive organisation for the advancement and ethical delivery of cosmetic dentistry, open to all dental professionals including dental technicians and hygienists. Their aim is to create a dynamic, active group of members from all areas of the dental team. The BACD, which has over 400 members, is affiliated with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the world’s largest organisation for cosmetic dental professionals

Public unaware of gum health

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New York: US consumers named having “whiter teeth” or a “better smile” most often when asked to list the benefits of practicing good oral hygiene, despite a growing body of evidence that suggests that the gum disease gingivitis, if allowed to progress to periodontitis (advanced gum disease), may increase one’s risk for broader health problems over time.

There are several explanations for a possible causal relationship between oral health and overall health. The scientific community is still exploring and debating this potential connection, examining the role of germs that cause periodontitis (advanced gum disease), chronic inflammation of the gums resulting from periodontitis, genetics and lifestyle habits, such as smoking.

Nearly 100 percent of dental professionals (98 percent) and physicians (91 percent) indicate that they believe that there is a link between oral health and overall health, and many are already trying to educate consumers about the mouth-body association. In fact, 65 percent of physicians and 94 percent of dental professionals surveyed reported that they are discussing the association between poor oral health and broader health problems with at least some of their patients.

The makers of Listerine this week launched a print advertising campaign to help educate consumers on the association between oral health and overall health as well as to remind consumers of the benefits of a twice-daily rinse with Listerine Antiseptic.

“It’s great to see that physicians as well as dentists are informing their patients about this emerging science, but we also need to take it a step further by recommending immediate actions that our patients can take to make a difference,” says nationally recognized dentist Dr. Gregg Lituchy, a pioneer in the dental health field. “My patients appreciate it when I can recommend simple ways to achieve improvement in their oral care. For example, in addition to regular visits to the dentist, twice-daily brushing and once-daily flossing, I recommend rinsing with Listerine for 30 seconds twice a day, which has been shown to reduce significantly more plaque and gingivitis when added to brushing and flossing. That’s a small time commitment, but a big win.”

In addition, physicians should encourage their patients to make regular visits to their dental professional so that they may detect early any oral health problems, which can be a sign of other health problems.

While more than 80 percent of consumers surveyed reported brushing their teeth two or more times a day, only 56 percent said they regularly floss and 60 percent use an antiseptic mouthrinse such as Listerine(R) Antiseptic.

Dental professionals surveyed named gum diseases (gingivitis and periodontitis) more frequently than cavities when asked to list the most common oral health issues their patients face.

More about the mouth-body connection

There are several possible explanations for the link between oral health and overall health. One theory involves the germs that cause advanced gum disease (periodontitis). Another theory points to the potential effects of chronic inflammation of the gums caused by advanced gum disease. In any event, genetics or bad habits, such as smoking, may increase the chances of both poor oral health and poor overall health.

“The connection between poor oral health and broader health problems is not yet completely understood. We do know, however, that periodontitis is a bacterial infection, characterized in part by inflammation of the gums,” says William Meggs, M.D., author of The Inflammation Cure and professor and chief of the Division of Toxicology, and vice chair for Clinical Affairs for the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University School of Medicine in Greenville, North Carolina. “Many experts believe that inflammation, in the mouth and elsewhere in the body, is a common thread linking a broad range of health problems.”

While the nature of the link is not yet fully understood and no cause-and-effect relationship has been established, what has been shown is that some sort of an association exists between oral health and overall health, and that both dental professionals and physicians agree that it is a good idea to maintain the health of your mouth, including your gums.

About the Surveys

The surveys, with a focus on the association between oral health and overall health, were conducted in May 2006, interviewing a nationwide sample of 1,001 U.S. adults 18 years of age and older and 301 medical doctors and 303 dentists. Data for the total sample were weighted to be representative of the total U.S. adult population on the basis of region, age within gender, education, household income, and race/ethnicity. The surveys were sponsored by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, makers of Listerine Antiseptic.

About Plaque and Gum Disease

Plaque, a soft, sticky film of bacteria, is directly responsible for the development of gingivitis, an early and reversible form of gum disease. When the bacteria that cause plaque stick to the teeth and gum tissue and multiply, the tissue becomes infected and inflamed, and the gums become red, swollen and sometimes bleed easily. More than half of Americans have some form of gingivitis, but because it’s painless, many people don’t realize they have it.

If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to the advanced gum disease periodontitis, which when left untreated can lead to eventual tooth loss. Periodontitis also is difficult to detect, because it is often painless. Up to 15 percent of adults will experience the severe form of this disease. The best way to determine whether or not you have gingivitis or periodontitis is to see your dentist.

About Listerine

Listerine Antiseptic is the number one dentist-recommended brand of mouthrinse and the only major brand name over-the-counter mouthrinse that carries the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. Made by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, Listerine contains a fixed combination of four essential oils and is clinically proven to kill germs that cause bad breath and to help prevent or reduce plaque and gingivitis. Listerine is not indicated for the treatment of periodontitis. To learn more about Listerine Mouthwash and to further explore the mouth-body connection, visit http://www.listerine.com

About Pfizer

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures and markets leading prescription medicines for humans and animals and many of the world’s best-known consumer products. The Consumer Healthcare division of Pfizer, headquartered in Morris Plains, New Jersey, is the world’s second-largest consumer healthcare company, with a portfolio of market-leading brands that also includes Purell(R), Neosporin(R), Benadryl(R), Sudafed(R), Visine(R), and Rogaine(R).

How to get luscious lips

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London: Actress Angelina Jolie has them. So does star Scarlett Johansson, and virtually every young actress, model and wannabe. The “them” are full and luscious lips which men seem to find irresistable. So what is it about big lips that the male species finds so mesmerizing and sexy? The answer, according to anthropologists, is than women with larger lips, eyes and small noses are supposedly awash with the female hormone oestrogen, and therefore at the peak of their fertility, thus provoking a mating response.

Whatever the reason soft fulsome lips are undoubtedly appealing and one of the focal points for intimate engagement between the sexes. Unfortunately, many of us, take the time to make the best of them. So how do youmaximize your pouting potential?

The first is to give up smoking. The No 1 turn-off for kissable lips in men and women is cigarette smoking. The UK Government’s anti-smoking campaign www.uglysmoking.info uses delightful phrases such as “minging teeth” to describe the effect bad breath and nicotine-stained teeth have on other people.

Smoking depletes skin of oxygen and produces an enzyme that breaks down the collagen in the skin – this means it looses elasticity. It prematurely ages skin by between 10 and 20 years and increases wrinkling by three times, particularly around the eyes and mouth, stains the teeth and causes gum disease and tooth loss.

Its official: Smoking does make you less attractive to the opposite sex:

According to a survey by the NHS Smoking Helpline, which asked over 1,000 men and women aged 18-35 for their views on smoking:

• Nearly half of men associated smoking with wrinkles, bad skin, and less enjoyable kissing
• Over two-thirds of young men and women, and over half of smokers, say smoking reduces sexual attractiveness
• Three-quarters said smoking became more unattractive to the opposite sex during 2004 – and predicted the decline will continue in 2005
• Nearly half of smokers said they’d quit to improve their sex appeal

Dr Bav Shergill of the British Association of Dermatologists says: “Giving up smoking is the cheapest and best way to improve skin quality and vitality. Many of us spend a small fortune on moisturisers and make-up to make sure we look our best. Smoking completely undermines such efforts – it gives a sallow complexion, adds years to your face and degrades collagen, making skin less elastic. Giving up smoking can not only add years to your life, it also adds years to your appearance and can help stop premature aging before it’s too late.”

Jane Marsh, a dermatological expert at the Skin Health Spa in London’s Wigmore Street says: “From the age of thirty fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth begin to show. Smokers may find that they begin even earlier than that.

“Vertical lines feathering upwards are a real give-away, they also affect the application of lipstick as the colour tends to ‘bleed’ into the lines, leaving a smudged effect. The perfect lips should ideally be the same size, and slightly plump with a defined vermilion border. It is a fact that the blood flow increases to the lips with sexual arousal, making them redder. This is why women have traditionally applied red lipstick.”

To get your lips looking the very best, Jane recommends a combination of aesthetic treatments such as micro-dermabrasion, laser and a natural filler to plump out the lips and give volume. The Swedish company Q Med has recently launched Restylane Lipp containing natural hyaluronic acid, a precursor to collagen, for giving you the perfect volume lip. There are also a number of over the counter lip plumpers that give you the bee-stung look in minutes.

Having teeth whitened is a quick way to get an instant improvement to the way your mouth looks. London dentist Dr Phil Stemmer is a tooth whitening specialist and numbers among his clients many celebrities such as Judge Law, Laura Bailey, Patsy Kensit, Sadie Frost and others. But he also sees many people who have lost their self-esteem as a result of stained and mis-shapen teeth.

“I see many patients whose teeth are not naturally very white or that have become stained because of a lot of different things such as wine, tea and coffee. One of the most popular treatments to put this right is tooth whitening which can lift the colour of the teeth by several shades. Chipped and mis-shapen teeth can be corrected with veneers which are very effective.”

Aesthetics for Lips
Micro-dermabrasion

A mechanical exfoliator gently removes superficial layers of skin, removing damaged cells and fine lines. As a result new skin and collagen are encouraged. This can be carried out around the mouth area alone or as a full facial treatment. Costs from $100

The N-lite is a non invasive laser treatment for the removal or reduction in the appearance of lines and wrinkles as well as scarring. The laser light penetrates the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, stimulating the growth of new collagen and plumping out lines. Costs from $1,200 for a course of three.

Restylane Lipp

Recently added to the Restylane range of aesthetics, this treatment is uses advanced non-animal hyaluronic acid gel and is designed specifically to create beautifully shaped lips. Restylane Lipp gives lips a natural fullness and a more sensuous look, leaving lips soft to touch. Also boosts the skin’s hydration system to lift and smooth away fine lines, creating a natural fullness. This has the additional benefit of hydrating the lips and improving their condition. Also creates volume and can be used to simply plump lip edges into a cupid’s bow. Costs in the region of $800.

Sexual relationship expert Tracey Cox, author of Superflirt, recommends the following techniques to make the most of your lips on Valentine’s Day:

Step 1. Double up on the smiles: Smiling is contagious and it’s the quickest, most subtle way to show interest without looking desperate. Greet them with a broad, friendly grin which shows all your teeth.

Step 2. Look at their mouth loads: The more we’re attracted to someone, the more time we spend looking at their mouth. It’s a very, very sexy gesture because the person can’t help but think “I wonder if they’re imagining what it would be like to kiss me?”

Step 3. Put a pen in your mouth or stroke your lips: If you’ve got great teeth, you’re effectively pointing to one of your best assets. Plus you’re sending a pseudosexual signal because mouths are an erotic zone.

Step 4. Use the killer threesome: Combine a smile, leaning forward and a touch and you’ve sent the clearest signal you find them attractive.

Interesting Kissing Facts

– The average person spends 336 hours of his or her life kissing. At an approximate length of one minute each, that’s 20,160 kisses in a lifetime!

– About 30 muscles work very actively during the renowned French kiss: twelve of them control the movements of lips and eleven muscles are responsible for the tongue.

– The longest kiss ever lasted for 17 days, 10 hours and 30 minutes. The record can be found in the Guinness Book of World Records, although the kissing couple had to be hospitalised with severe exhaustion. When they recovered, they never met each other again.

– The average person burns off 26 calories in a one-minute passionate kiss.

– People who kiss their partner every morning take fewer sick days from work, have fewer car accidents on their way to work and live about five years longer.

-Kissing can release hormones and endorphins that relieve stress, lower blood pressure and make us feel younger

-The bacteria in our mouths protects us against other bacteria coming in – good news as scientists believe that over five million bacteria pass between you and your partner in just one passionate kiss!

-Kissing can help fight tooth decay. Kissing increases your mouth’s production of saliva and saliva helps clean your mouth aiding prevention of tooth decay.

Home treats for lips

MegaLips by Dr Denese of New York – bigger, beautiful lips instantly

MegaLips is a unique dual-action lip-plumping cream proven to provide both immediate and long-term lip enhancement. Tactive ingredient, a derivative of the chilli family, stimulates blood flow to the lips, helping to redefine lip border and giving fuller lips within 10-15 minutes after application. Lasts for two hours. Costs £17.95 and is available from Dr Denese on 0870 1900 003 or online at www.drdenese.co.uk

Yon-Ka Le Baume – anti-ageing for lips

From France, using the highest quality ingredients, including essential oils and minerals are two rescue remedies for lips that contain the antioxidant lycopene found in tomatoes and protects the lips against harsh environmental elements and help delay the appearance of unsightly fine lines. Baume Levres City – for daily comfort and natural lips. Costs £17.00 and Baume Levres SPF 10 – to protect lips against sun damage whilst giving them a lovely burgundy colour costs £17.00
Stockists on 0207 518 8370 and website is www.yonka.com

Autograph Illusions Plumping Lip Base

A moisturising and plumping lip base which is applied at least three times a day to see a noticeable increase in lip volume. It contains a patented ingredient called Sepilift which plumps and firms the lips, together with a conditioning combo of mango butter and grapeseed oil. It can be worn under lipstick or on its own for a really natural looking tint. Optical diffusers help soften the appearance of surface imperfections. It also comes in a handy easy-to-use pen. Costs £11 from Marks & Spencer

Alpha-H Hydra Nutrience for Lips and Eyes

This is a light-weight enriched cream that nourishes, protects and smoothes the delicate eye and lip area. It has a combination of hydrating ingredients that protect against the environment including essential oils of apricot, jojoba, evening primrose and rosehip and vitamins A, E, F, H and B Complex and herbal soothers such as Chamomile and Eyebright. Suitable for al skin types. Alpha-H Hydra Nutrience costs £39.00 and is available from Harrods and www.HQHair.com

Transformulas Lip Volume Lip Gloss and Lip Volume

Lip VolumeLip Gloss comes in two colours, Scrumptious Chocolate which releases a rich deep iridescent golden glow of colour, and Alluring Cherry, which enhances the lips with a rosy blush. It works by stimulating natural collagen production and contains the natural ingredients Cera Alba (bees wax), Vitamin E, Avocado Oil, Macadamia Nut Oil, Soya Oil and Camomile. Costs £19.95. For stockists and mail order: 0161 947 8888 or visit the web site www.transformulas.com

Jason Natural Cosmetics Toothpastes and Mouthwashes

These natural alternatives for oral care include natural advanced formulas which are non-flouride, chalk free, power whitening and breath freshening. There are four flavours:PowerSmile – Peppermint;.Sea Fresh – Deep Sea Spearmint; Healthy Mouth – Tea Tree, Clove & Cinnamon and NutriSmile – Citrus & Spice. Toothpaste is £ 4.95 and Mouthwashes£5.99 and available at health and natural food stores. For Stockist and Mail-order call 08450 725 825.

Line and Seal Cosmetic Pencils from Semi-Permanent Make-up artist Debra Robson Lawrence

For lasting perfection, leading semi-permanent makeup artist, Debra Robson Lawrence has introduced Line and Seal Cosmetic Pencil’s. These miracle pencils are clinically proven to provide 24 hour saying power for eyes and brows and 12 hours of pouting potential for lips. Debra also carries out several semi-permanent treatments to eliminate the need for liners and lipsticks. Cosmetic pencils are £10. For more information contact 0845 230 2021 or www.permanent-makeup.com

Pro Peptide Lip Plumpers from Dermaglow

From Canada, the Dermaglow Lip Plumpers is a lip plumper that stimulates collagen production, thickening the epidermis by regenerating the skin’s upper layers resulting in thicker, plumper lips. Comes in a number of colours, Café Latte, Bordeaux, bronze and pink. Costs £19.99 . Available in salons for stockists and online at www.dermaglow.co.uk

Prepout from Medik8

Prepout increases lip volume instantly, however maximum results over for 30 days. Increases lip size and definition and reduces surface folds. Costs £27 stockists or mail order 0845 673 2222 or visit www.medik8.comto order online.

P8N8 Multi Vita Lip Volume Contour Moisture

A lip moisturizer that stimulates collagen to define the lips and make them smoother and firmer. With continued use there is a marked decrease in wrinkles with improved hydration and enhancement of the 3d effects of the lip. Stops feathering of your lipstick and can also be used as an emergency hydration treatment around the eyes. Costs £33.00
Available on-line at www.p8n8.co.uk or ring 0845 193 0194.

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Lipbalm

This moisturising lipbalm protects gets the impact of the weather and uses 100 pure cocoa butter enriched with vitamin E and a SPF 15 sunscreen.The secret of Cocoa Butter is its melting point – which is just below body temperature. Once applied, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula lip balm deeply hydrates to result in lips that are supple and soft.
Costs £1.59 and is available from Boots, Superdrug, Selfridges and independent chemists.

Liquorice Balm

Made of natural ingredients this lip balm can be worn at all times and has a cold-sore fighting ingredient, glycyrrhizic acid (GA). GA specifically targets the genes that are required to maintain the virus in its latent state by interfering with the production of special proteins that feed the infected cells. Recent research published in the US Journal of Clinical Investigation in March this year has shown that liquorice actually has the ability, in some cases, to eradicate the cold sore virus which lies dormant in between outbreaks.Liquorice Balm costs £10.99 for 30ml and is available from the Skin Shop on 0871 871 9975 or online at www.skinshop.co.uk

Mastic Gum

This natural chewing gum made from a natural resin taken from Pistacia Lentiscus Tree from the Greek island of Chios, helps fight bad breath, particularly that caused by mouth ulcers. It works by decreasing acidity and attacks foreign organisms such as H. pylori by disrupting their energy production and then rupturing their cells. It is also an antiseptic and significantly reduces plaque and gingival index and so is helpful for general oral hygiene. It costs £14.99 for 25 pellets and is available from Skin Shop. Call: 0871 871 9975 or visit www.skinshop.co.uk

All Mouth Breathe Freshening Essence

All Mouth is sugar free, concentrated formula that contains the natural extracts such as peppermint and parsley, for soothing and sanitizing the mouth. A few drops of this essence will freshen the breath, enliven the senses and make you totally kissable this Valentines.£4.50 from Harrods, Selfridges. Stockist details call 01903 719429 www.templespa.com

Contacts:
Quit smoking:
www.uglysmoking.info
www.givingupsmoking.co.uk
www.ash.org.uk

Aesthetics
Restylane Information Line 0800 015 5548. www.restylane.co.uk and practioners: Fiona and Marie Aesthetics, 30 Devonshire Street, London W1 tel 020 7908 3773; Jane Marsh at the Skin Health Spa, 87 Wigmore Street, London W1 tel 020 7935 3366
Cosmetic Dentistry
Contact: Dr Phil Stemmer, Conan Doyle House, 2 Devonshire Place, W1. T: 020 7935 0407 www.drphilstemmer.co.ukor www.freshbreath.co.uk

Hormone melatonin may protect gums from disease

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Salivary melatonin may play an important role in maintaining periodontal health, according to a new study published in the Journal of Periodontology.

This is one of the first attempts to examine the influence of salivary melatonin upon periodontal disease, an inflammation that destroys the tissues and bone that support the teeth.

Researchers found that melatonin, a hormone created by the pineal gland, may be able to protect the oral cavity against free radicals produced by inflammatory diseases. Melatonin has strong antioxidant effects that can protect cells against inflammatory processes and oxidative damage. Melatonin supplements are commonly promoted to ease jet lag and hasten sleep.

Patients with higher salivary and melatonin ratios had lower community periodontal index (CPI). CPI is the score used to assess periodontal status. This finding suggests that the melatonin may fight against infection and inflammation possibly due to its antioxidant, anti-aging and immunoenhancing ability.

It was also observed that older patients had lower saliva volumes and melatonin ratios and higher CPI scores compared to younger patients with increased salivary and melatonin levels and decreased CPI scores.

“Further research is required to fully explain the relationship between melatonin and its influence on periodontal health,” said Kenneth A. Krebs, DMD and AAP president.. “Until we know more, it’s important for people to talk to their dental professional about the state of their periodontal health. Periodontal disease and dental decay are the primary causes of adult tooth loss.”

UK diabetes figures soar

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London: The number of people suffering from diabetes continues to rise, according to new figures from Britain’s National Health Service. And the epidemic of obesity is to blame say officials.

The numbers suffering from the disease in England has increased by 124,000 in a year to 1.89 million. The total figure is estimated at 2.1 million – compared with just 1.4 million a decade ago. The statistics are based on figures from doctors.

More than a fifth of men and women, and one in 15 schoolchildren, are now classed as obese.

Doctors have long warned this represents a health crisis because being overweight is a major trigger for Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the condition.

The World Health Organisation recently estimated that by 2015 diabetes could be killing 41,000 Britons a year – a 25 per cent rise on the current total of around 33,000.

Experts said the latest rise in cases proves that action must be taken to improve our lifestyles.

Diabetes occurs when the body loses the ability to process blood sugar, leading to dangerously high levels which can damage organs.

Type 1 develops at a young age, while Type 2 typically occurs in later life. However, high obesity levels mean Type 2 is increasingly developing at younger ages and now makes up an estimated 75 per cent of cases. They represent an increase in prevalence of diabetes from 3.3 to 3.6 per cent of the population.

The Black Country and North-East London had the highest rates of diabetes at 4.1 per cent of their populations. The lowest rate was in the Thames Valley, at 2.9 per cent.

Scottish venture to sell stem cells to cure diseases

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Edinburgh: A £2m collaboration to help find treatments for diseases such as diabetes and leukaemia has been launched in Scotland.

The Roslin Cells Centre claims it will be the first in Europe to develop human stem cell lines to be sold worldwide for testing drugs and developing new medicines.

The stem cell lines will be created from donated eggs and embryos.

These will then be sold on a non-profit basis to academics and commercial companies.

The development has been unveiled by the Roslin Institute, Scottish Enterprise, Edinburgh University and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service.

Preparatory work on the project has been under way for about three months.

By selling stem cell lines without intellectual property rights, it should be easier and quicker to test and develop medicines.

Although some groups believe using human embryo stem cells is wrong, supporters argue the project will position Scotland as a world leader and attract more investment and employment in the area of medical science.

The centre will also act as the first step in a supply chain to support the development of the wider stem cell sector in Scotland, providing cells that can be used by academics, NHS Scotland and commercial companies.

Dr Paul De Sousa, project manager for the Roslin Cells Centre, said: “This approach will provide huge benefits to academics and companies already working in the stem cell field or seeking to enter it.”

Neil Francis, deputy chief executive of Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian, said: “As well as having huge potential to make significant breakthroughs in the treatment of some of the most debilitating diseases, the stem cell sector has the potential to become one of the key drivers of Scotland’s knowledge economy.

“The Roslin Cells Centre is an important step in establishing a strong commercial sector based on Scotland’s existing world class scientific strengths.”

Professor Harry Griffin, director of the Roslin Institute, added: “This new initiative represents a key step in the drive to deliver safe and effective stem cell therapies.”

Dr Angela Wilson, director of research at Diabetes UK said the investment would hopefully move things closer to finding new treatments for people with diabetes.

She added: “However, there are still significant obstacles that will need to be overcome before this is possible. Any transplanted cells will need to behave like our own body’s cells producing insulin in response to changes in blood glucose levels.”

The Church of Scotland said it supported the move.

Dr Donald Bruce, director of the Kirk’s ethics and technology unit, said: “Broadly speaking we agree with this centre and making stem cells that are of therapeutic quality available and that it’s being done on a not-for-profit basis.”

However, he stressed the need for ethical control and for couples donating embryos or eggs to be kept fully informed.

A spokesman for the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland said it believed human beings should “never be used as a means to an end”.

He added: “The use of persons at the embryo stage is not acceptable for it violates their individual human rights, integrity and dignity.

“Furthermore, clear research indicates the successful and moral use of stems cells found in adults or placenta. Humanity is not here to serve science but science is here to serve humanity.”

Heavy industry link to lung cancer

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Newcastle: Living close to heavy industry may increase the risk of developing lung cancer, says a report published in the UK by the University of Newcastle.

Over 200 women under the age of 80 with primary lung cancer were compared with 339 healthy women matched for age and sex in Teeside, north east England.

Rates of lung cancer among women are high in this particular area of England, where heavy industry expanded rapidly throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and where poverty and deprivation are common.

By 1945, Billingham on Teeside was the larges single chemical production complex in the world, and houses for the workforce were built as close as possible to the industrial sites.

All the study participants were interviewed at length about their lives, including full histories of where they had lived, their employment, as well as their smoking habits, and exposure to second hand smoke.

The distances from heavy industry sites were grouped into three zones: less than 5 km (zone A) away; 5 to 10 km away (Zone B); and more than 10 km away (Zone C) .

The average length of time that all participants had lived in the area was over 55 years.

After taking account of smoking and other factors likely to influence the results, the data showed that women who had lived in zone A for more than 25 years were almost twice as likely to develop lung cancer as those who had not lived there.

The findings are broadly consistent with those of other studies, say the authors, who suggest that the impact of air pollution on the development of lung cancer warrants further study.

Women given liver transplants outlive male recipients by about four years

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Birmingham: Female liver transplant recipients outlive men given the same procedure by an average of 4.5 years, suggests UK research to be published in the medical journal Gut.

And while younger people tend to live longest of all, they also stand to lose more years of their life compared with those who have not had liver transplants, the research shows.

The research team assessed the life expectancy and years of life lost of 2702 people who had received a liver transplant between 1985 and 2003, and who had survived more than six months afterwards.

The information was taken from the National Transplant Database, held by UK Transplant, and compared with that from healthy people matched for age and sex.

The analysis showed that, on average, after reaching the critical six month period, survival time for liver transplant recipients was 22 years compared with 29 years for the general population.

The life expectancy of male liver transplant recipients was 18 years compared with 26 years for women.

This compares with 27 years for men and 31 years for women in the general population, equating to twice as many years of life lost for male transplant recipients compared with their female counterparts.

Those aged between 17 and 34 had the highest life expectancy of 28 years after a liver transplant. But this compares with a life expectancy of 51 years for their peers in the general population.

Transplant recipients with primary liver disease fared significantly better than those undergoing the procedure because of hepatitis C infection, cirrhosis, or cancer.

The authors note that while one year survival rates have increased over time, death rates beyond this period have remained more or less the same.

They attribute this to the types of patients undergoing the procedure, who now include older, sicker patients, as well as the use of more “marginal” livers.