Picture the scene: you smash an egg-white omelet for breakfast, wash it down with a turmeric latte, then hit the gym for a 30-minute HIIT sesh – all before you get to work. Would you then sit at your desk and gorge on a bag of Wotsits, two Snickers bars and a can of Coke? Of course not but all this putting-in-the-hard-work-followed-by-a-quite-dramatic undoing is what’s happening with your skin. You meticulously cleanse tone and moisturize, then smother it with make-up that – most likely – isn’t caring for your face.
‘In the past, foundation didn’t let skin function normally,’ says Debbie Thomas, celebrity skin and laser expert. ‘Skin needs to breathe, and old formulations suffocated it. Most foundations contained inflammatory and comedogenic ingredients, which caused congestion, blockages, and blackheads. On the surface, skin looked healthy, but underneath it was suffering.’
However, before you swear off base make-up and go barefaced for good, know this: the number of beauty products that claim to care for your skin has rocketed in the past two years. Formulations are now lighter and less comedogenic than ever.
In fact, half of foundation sales growth last year came from those with moisturizing benefits, and a further 22% from oil-control foundations; products with anti-ageing promises were up 6.5% and SPF-enriched formulas were up 53%*.
Therefore, the figures look good but is this simply a fad? Not if Jamie Kern Lima, founder of skin-loving make-up brands IT Cosmetics, has anything to do with it. She suffers from rosacea and hyperpigmentation, and found it hard to locate products that made her skin look healthier. Therefore, she assembled a team of dermatologists and surgeons to create a skincare/make-up fusion range that today is worth around £960 million. ‘I wanted to provide formulations that start their life as skincare – with clinically tested ingredients like hydrolyzed collagen, niacin, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, peptides and antioxidants – then infuse them with quality color or coverage,’ says Kern Lima.
The future of science-backed formulations is looking bright. Holistic lifestyle brand Dr. Hauschka launched a color line earlier this year that’s 100% natural and infused with skin-loving plant oils. ‘People are concerned about the chemicals found in traditional make-up getting into their systems through their skin,’ says Tara O’Rourke, a master skin therapist for Dr. Hauschka. ‘Research suggests that they are harmful for skin and general health, and consumers are starting to listen.’
Want your make-up to love your skin as much as you do? Read on for your personalized skin prescription.
Hyper Pigmentation Prescription - IT Cosmetics Full Coverage SPF50+CC Cream
This is a full-coverage sun protection with vitamins A, B, C, and E to shield skin against the elements. Want more? It also has niacinamide to even out skin tone.
Tired Skin Prescription - Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation
Wake up your skin with a blend of vitamins that provide an anti-fatigue effect. It’ll be radiant and even for up to 16 hours.
Blemished Skin Prescription - Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Cushion Compact SPF35
The cushion compact is infused with caffeine and pink silk tree extract to enliven flagging skin. Use as much coverage as you need.
Ageing Skin Prescription – Dr. Hauschka Foundation
The witch hazel and bark are rich in stabilizing substances that support the skin’s natural functions and keep it lightly hydrated. Thanks very much.
Dull Skin Prescription - Aveda Inner Light Tinted Moisturizer SPF15
This is a dewy coverage with a 25% moisture boost on application. It’s lightweight, too, and infused with tourmaline, which will boost your skin’s radiance by a fifth. You’ll be glowing.
Reactive Skin Prescription - Bare Minerals Original SPF15 Foundation
Looks like powder; glides on like cream. Moreover, its minerals reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles over time. We’ll grab two, thanks.
How to choose a new sunny-weather scent for a hot sweet smell?
The smells of summer are unmistakably heady: freshly applied sun cream, salty sea air, bin bags gently steaming in the city heat. The same goes for fragrance; some will smell extra delicious in hot temperatures, some not so much. You just need to know how to choose the right one for you, more importantly than you might think – for the weather.
‘Hotter climates will affect the behavior of perfume when it’s sprayed on to the skin,’ explains Roja Dove, world-renowned fragrance specialist and perfumer. ‘The warmer the climate, the warmer the body becomes. The increased blood circulation heats the skin, which causes the scent to dissipate faster – and the upside of this is that the fragrance becomes intensified.’
The downside of this increased dissipation, though, is that the initial notes that prompted you to buy the fragrance when you tested it in the shop become rather fleeting.
THE EVOLUTION OF A SCENT
‘The first bloom of scent from a freshly applied fragrance is dominated by “top notes,”’ says Will Andrews, director and technical expert of fragrance communication at Coty. ‘Lightweight and volatile, these are usually fresh and citrusy or sweeter floral notes – they set the scene. When the weather is hot, they are gone after 30 minutes. Once evaporated, the “dry down” phase of the fragrance comes through, which is a combination of the heart and base notes. This is the true scent profile you will live with from day to day and you can therefore make a reliable selection based on this.’
Scents fall into three camps – and whether you’re a fan of chypre (we’re talking warm, dry and woody), oriental (spicy and musky) or floral (does what it says on the tin), high temperatures will make your fragrance develop more quickly and could change your scent of choice.
So, how exactly are you supposed to know which one to splurge on when the temperature starts to rise? ‘There is no universal language of fragrance in any culture, which means that descriptions for perfume often resort to metaphor in order to articulate odor character,’ explains Andrews. ‘This frequently falls short of accurately describing the smell of the fragrance.’ You can research the perfumes that sound nice all you like, but smell is one sense that can’t be digitized: you can’t accurately shop for scent online. You have to actually get out there and smell it. In. Real. Life.
‘The best time to shop for fragrance is when you’re hungry, ideally in your lunch hour or early evening, before you eat a meal,’ says Andrews. ‘Your sense of smell becomes heightened when you’re hungry, since you’re effectively hunting down the next meal, and this means you’ll be more discerning when it comes to choosing between fragrances.’
TESTING TRICKS
Already have a signature scent? Don’t spritz before you hit the stores. Skin needs to remain odor-neutral to test accurately those new fragrances. Once you’re in the shop, your nose will tire after smelling three freshly sprayed scents. ‘The alcohol content works like an anesthetic,’ explains Dove. ‘Smelling the perfume on paper after the alcohol has evaporated is the only sane way to test a fragrance. Spray a few scents on blotter cards, taking note of the names, and smell them away from the alcohol-heavy air of the perfumery.’
Now wait. ‘Hold off for 30 minutes until making a decision on which are your favorites,’ advises Andrews. This time delay is necessary to see how the fragrance evaporates and evolves into the heart and base notes once applied. Next, go back to the shop and apply the fragrances you selected one by one to your skin to see how they combine with your natural pheromones (those chemicals emitted by the skin that affect how a perfume will smell on you – and whether your crush will fancy you too). As for where to put them? ‘The back of your hand and the wrist are ideal,’ says Andrews. Moreover, don’t worry about ‘breaking’ fragrance molecules by rubbing your wrists together. ‘It’s impossible,’ says Andrews. ‘The worst it can do is warm it up and make it develop into the heart note more quickly, as it would in a hotter climate.’ Turns out it’s a good thing to do.
Right, now you know what to look for and how to look for it. So stop reading, get out there, and sniff out your new hot weather fragrance. We can almost smell summer from here.
Floral
1. Giorgio Armani Sì Rose Signature 50ml
A sensual blend of green Rose de Mai and exotic Turkish rose.
2. Givenchy Live Irrésistible 75ml
Sexy, spicy, and fruity top notes transform into a sweet rose bouquet.
3. Miu Miu L’Eau Bleue 50ml
Green notes and white flowers; like summer in the country.
4. Dior J’Adore in Joy 50ml
This is a fruity floral with a salty tang that evokes a walk on the beach.
5. Byredo Kabuki Fragrance Blanche 7ml
This is a scented powder with a brush applicator. White florals dry down into a violet heart.
Chypre
1. Jo Malone Oolong Tea 75ml
This is soft notes of cocoa, almond, and oolong with a smoky inflection.
2. Paco Rabanne Olympéa Intense 80ml
Orange blossom, warm amber, salt, and vanilla evoke a day on a tropical beach.
3. Tory Burch Love Relentlessly 100ml
Subtle, spiced pink pepper and orris evolve into warming patchouli and amber.
4. CK All 100ml
Energizing bergamot, mandarin and grapefruit turn into clean notes of lilyflore and rhubarb.
5. Dolce & Gabbana Velvet Cypress 50ml
Herbal, woody, and citrus notes transport you to a Mediterranean garden.
Oriental
1. Valentino Valentina Blush 50ml
Mouthwatering notes of praline, strawberry and blackberry musk – yep, smells good enough to eat.
2. Prada Olfactories Dark Light 100ml
This is a warm ambery, woody oriental, with notes of musk and Madagascar vanilla.
3. Hugo Boss The Scent For Her 50ml
Honeyed peaches and green freesia dry down into sexy, warm notes of floral osmanthus.
4. Atelier Cologne Clémentine California 100ml
Like day turning to night, the initial sunny notes of mandarin develop into pepper, star anise, and sandalwood.
5. Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess 50ml
This is a warming blend of herbal bergamot, amber, white flowers, and creamy coconut.
‘Hotter climates will affect the behavior of perfume when it’s sprayed on to the skin,’ explains Roja Dove, world-renowned fragrance specialist and perfumer. ‘The warmer the climate, the warmer the body becomes. The increased blood circulation heats the skin, which causes the scent to dissipate faster – and the upside of this is that the fragrance becomes intensified.’
The downside of this increased dissipation, though, is that the initial notes that prompted you to buy the fragrance when you tested it in the shop become rather fleeting.
THE EVOLUTION OF A SCENT
‘The first bloom of scent from a freshly applied fragrance is dominated by “top notes,”’ says Will Andrews, director and technical expert of fragrance communication at Coty. ‘Lightweight and volatile, these are usually fresh and citrusy or sweeter floral notes – they set the scene. When the weather is hot, they are gone after 30 minutes. Once evaporated, the “dry down” phase of the fragrance comes through, which is a combination of the heart and base notes. This is the true scent profile you will live with from day to day and you can therefore make a reliable selection based on this.’
Scents fall into three camps – and whether you’re a fan of chypre (we’re talking warm, dry and woody), oriental (spicy and musky) or floral (does what it says on the tin), high temperatures will make your fragrance develop more quickly and could change your scent of choice.
So, how exactly are you supposed to know which one to splurge on when the temperature starts to rise? ‘There is no universal language of fragrance in any culture, which means that descriptions for perfume often resort to metaphor in order to articulate odor character,’ explains Andrews. ‘This frequently falls short of accurately describing the smell of the fragrance.’ You can research the perfumes that sound nice all you like, but smell is one sense that can’t be digitized: you can’t accurately shop for scent online. You have to actually get out there and smell it. In. Real. Life.
‘The best time to shop for fragrance is when you’re hungry, ideally in your lunch hour or early evening, before you eat a meal,’ says Andrews. ‘Your sense of smell becomes heightened when you’re hungry, since you’re effectively hunting down the next meal, and this means you’ll be more discerning when it comes to choosing between fragrances.’
TESTING TRICKS
Already have a signature scent? Don’t spritz before you hit the stores. Skin needs to remain odor-neutral to test accurately those new fragrances. Once you’re in the shop, your nose will tire after smelling three freshly sprayed scents. ‘The alcohol content works like an anesthetic,’ explains Dove. ‘Smelling the perfume on paper after the alcohol has evaporated is the only sane way to test a fragrance. Spray a few scents on blotter cards, taking note of the names, and smell them away from the alcohol-heavy air of the perfumery.’
Now wait. ‘Hold off for 30 minutes until making a decision on which are your favorites,’ advises Andrews. This time delay is necessary to see how the fragrance evaporates and evolves into the heart and base notes once applied. Next, go back to the shop and apply the fragrances you selected one by one to your skin to see how they combine with your natural pheromones (those chemicals emitted by the skin that affect how a perfume will smell on you – and whether your crush will fancy you too). As for where to put them? ‘The back of your hand and the wrist are ideal,’ says Andrews. Moreover, don’t worry about ‘breaking’ fragrance molecules by rubbing your wrists together. ‘It’s impossible,’ says Andrews. ‘The worst it can do is warm it up and make it develop into the heart note more quickly, as it would in a hotter climate.’ Turns out it’s a good thing to do.
Right, now you know what to look for and how to look for it. So stop reading, get out there, and sniff out your new hot weather fragrance. We can almost smell summer from here.
Floral
1. Giorgio Armani Sì Rose Signature 50ml
A sensual blend of green Rose de Mai and exotic Turkish rose.
2. Givenchy Live Irrésistible 75ml
Sexy, spicy, and fruity top notes transform into a sweet rose bouquet.
3. Miu Miu L’Eau Bleue 50ml
Green notes and white flowers; like summer in the country.
4. Dior J’Adore in Joy 50ml
This is a fruity floral with a salty tang that evokes a walk on the beach.
5. Byredo Kabuki Fragrance Blanche 7ml
This is a scented powder with a brush applicator. White florals dry down into a violet heart.
Chypre
1. Jo Malone Oolong Tea 75ml
This is soft notes of cocoa, almond, and oolong with a smoky inflection.
2. Paco Rabanne Olympéa Intense 80ml
Orange blossom, warm amber, salt, and vanilla evoke a day on a tropical beach.
3. Tory Burch Love Relentlessly 100ml
Subtle, spiced pink pepper and orris evolve into warming patchouli and amber.
4. CK All 100ml
Energizing bergamot, mandarin and grapefruit turn into clean notes of lilyflore and rhubarb.
5. Dolce & Gabbana Velvet Cypress 50ml
Herbal, woody, and citrus notes transport you to a Mediterranean garden.
Oriental
1. Valentino Valentina Blush 50ml
Mouthwatering notes of praline, strawberry and blackberry musk – yep, smells good enough to eat.
2. Prada Olfactories Dark Light 100ml
This is a warm ambery, woody oriental, with notes of musk and Madagascar vanilla.
3. Hugo Boss The Scent For Her 50ml
Honeyed peaches and green freesia dry down into sexy, warm notes of floral osmanthus.
4. Atelier Cologne Clémentine California 100ml
Like day turning to night, the initial sunny notes of mandarin develop into pepper, star anise, and sandalwood.
5. Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess 50ml
This is a warming blend of herbal bergamot, amber, white flowers, and creamy coconut.
The Top 5 Wellness apps as of August 2017
SOOTHE
Book a rubdown via the app, between 8am and midnight, and a licensed massage therapist (you pick the gender and specialty – think: Swedish, deep tissue, sports or prenatal) hightails it to your home with a portable massage table, calming tunes and aromatic oils. So far, the service is only available in London, but coverage is expanding throughout the UK.
‘Summoning a masseuse to my door like a Saturday night chow mein is my idea of heaven. She didn’t judge the mountain of washing I moved aside to make room and, after she set the mood with music and a couple of my lamps, she worked her magic, and then left me to relax in front of the TV. Bliss.’
PUSH DOCTOR
When you can’t get a GP appointment and it’s not serious enough for A&E, this service lets you talk face-to-face with a doctor – seven days a week, 7am-10pm. They’ll ask questions and, via a video call, look at visual clues to diagnose you and provide medical advice.
‘Fill in your personal details and you’ll get an appointment in a matter of minutes – I waited just six for mine. It did feel strange that I could see my doctor was sitting in his bedroom throughout the consultation, but this is a great service if you struggle to get seen during surgery hours.’
VISION TEST
Take the in-app eye tests (which involve holding your phone at arm’s length, completing those exercises you usually do at the optician and answering some multiple choice questions), then receive a score, plus a diagnosis of anything that might be wrong, with a note to visit your optician if you’ve failed any of the sections.
‘This is a useful preliminary test if you feel like you might need glasses, but don’t want to commit to an appointment. It gave me a rough indication of how good my eyes were, but the results don’t feel definitive (and depend on the length of your arm), so you’ll likely want to go to the optician to be sure.’
BABYLON THERAPIST
After registering via the app, you can book a mental health consultation straight away. Choose whether you’d prefer counselling or CBT, select which specialist you’d like to speak to and pick a phone or video appointment – which, depending on availability, should take place within a few days.
‘Great for people with anxiety or depression, the app provides support via a counselor, your local GP or the Samaritans. It let me collate data and monitor my heart rate and sleep patterns to give an overall view of my health and highlight any negative patterns to be aware of.’
NUTRITIONIST
Take a snap of your dish, upload it to the app and a dietitian will send feedback on where you dined well, and where you didn’t: ‘The avocado on your taco adds healthy fats that will keep you full for longer – nice! In the future, choose soft corn tortillas and you can save up to 100 calories per taco.’ Moreover, the ‘Find My Restaurant’ feature will identify eateries nearby that fit your criteria.
‘There’s no hiding with this one – the expert sees everything you eat in a day, including the portion size. It’s a bit time-consuming to load but, because the feedback you receive is personalized and constructive, it’s worth the effort if you’re serious about overcoming any bad eating habits.’
Book a rubdown via the app, between 8am and midnight, and a licensed massage therapist (you pick the gender and specialty – think: Swedish, deep tissue, sports or prenatal) hightails it to your home with a portable massage table, calming tunes and aromatic oils. So far, the service is only available in London, but coverage is expanding throughout the UK.
‘Summoning a masseuse to my door like a Saturday night chow mein is my idea of heaven. She didn’t judge the mountain of washing I moved aside to make room and, after she set the mood with music and a couple of my lamps, she worked her magic, and then left me to relax in front of the TV. Bliss.’
PUSH DOCTOR
When you can’t get a GP appointment and it’s not serious enough for A&E, this service lets you talk face-to-face with a doctor – seven days a week, 7am-10pm. They’ll ask questions and, via a video call, look at visual clues to diagnose you and provide medical advice.
‘Fill in your personal details and you’ll get an appointment in a matter of minutes – I waited just six for mine. It did feel strange that I could see my doctor was sitting in his bedroom throughout the consultation, but this is a great service if you struggle to get seen during surgery hours.’
VISION TEST
Take the in-app eye tests (which involve holding your phone at arm’s length, completing those exercises you usually do at the optician and answering some multiple choice questions), then receive a score, plus a diagnosis of anything that might be wrong, with a note to visit your optician if you’ve failed any of the sections.
‘This is a useful preliminary test if you feel like you might need glasses, but don’t want to commit to an appointment. It gave me a rough indication of how good my eyes were, but the results don’t feel definitive (and depend on the length of your arm), so you’ll likely want to go to the optician to be sure.’
BABYLON THERAPIST
After registering via the app, you can book a mental health consultation straight away. Choose whether you’d prefer counselling or CBT, select which specialist you’d like to speak to and pick a phone or video appointment – which, depending on availability, should take place within a few days.
‘Great for people with anxiety or depression, the app provides support via a counselor, your local GP or the Samaritans. It let me collate data and monitor my heart rate and sleep patterns to give an overall view of my health and highlight any negative patterns to be aware of.’
NUTRITIONIST
Take a snap of your dish, upload it to the app and a dietitian will send feedback on where you dined well, and where you didn’t: ‘The avocado on your taco adds healthy fats that will keep you full for longer – nice! In the future, choose soft corn tortillas and you can save up to 100 calories per taco.’ Moreover, the ‘Find My Restaurant’ feature will identify eateries nearby that fit your criteria.
‘There’s no hiding with this one – the expert sees everything you eat in a day, including the portion size. It’s a bit time-consuming to load but, because the feedback you receive is personalized and constructive, it’s worth the effort if you’re serious about overcoming any bad eating habits.’
How to Prevent Colds and Flu during rainy seasons
Here are top five cold and flu fighting tips for rainy seasons served hot for you:
1. Keep Clean
Good hygiene is important in reducing the duration of a cold and flu. It also helps to prevent them from spreading to others. Be sure to cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing and wash your hands regularly.
2. Stay Hydrated
Remaining hydrated is key, particularly when you feel the onset of a cold or flu. Drink plenty of water throughout its duration. Water is great for temperature regulation and reducing congestion.
3. Keep Moving
Exercise may be beneficial to break up congestion. However, it is important to listen to your body and exercise at a low to moderate level. Do not exercise if you have symptoms such as a cough, fever or muscle aches. If you have any pre-existing heart conditions or lung conditions such as asthma, avoid exercise. Be sure to seek personalized medical advice from a health professional before exercising when unwell.
4. Sleep Well
Sleep is important for a healthy immune system. Aim to reach 8 hours of quality sleep each night. If unwell, aim for more. Listen to your body to meet its demands. Good sleep patterns decrease your chances of catching a cold, as well as assisting in the recovery. If you're having trouble sleeping due to congestion, try taking a warm shower before bed, and using a humidifier to add moisture to the air.
5. Treat it Right
Treat your cold symptomatically. Cold and flu can be caused by either bacteria or virus. A viral cold or flu can’t treated with antibiotics. If your symptoms consist of fever, sore throat, or congestion, seek medical advice from your pharmacist or doctor.
Here are some popular cold and flu medicines in the Philippines:
1. Keep Clean
Good hygiene is important in reducing the duration of a cold and flu. It also helps to prevent them from spreading to others. Be sure to cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing and wash your hands regularly.
2. Stay Hydrated
Remaining hydrated is key, particularly when you feel the onset of a cold or flu. Drink plenty of water throughout its duration. Water is great for temperature regulation and reducing congestion.
3. Keep Moving
Exercise may be beneficial to break up congestion. However, it is important to listen to your body and exercise at a low to moderate level. Do not exercise if you have symptoms such as a cough, fever or muscle aches. If you have any pre-existing heart conditions or lung conditions such as asthma, avoid exercise. Be sure to seek personalized medical advice from a health professional before exercising when unwell.
4. Sleep Well
Sleep is important for a healthy immune system. Aim to reach 8 hours of quality sleep each night. If unwell, aim for more. Listen to your body to meet its demands. Good sleep patterns decrease your chances of catching a cold, as well as assisting in the recovery. If you're having trouble sleeping due to congestion, try taking a warm shower before bed, and using a humidifier to add moisture to the air.
5. Treat it Right
Treat your cold symptomatically. Cold and flu can be caused by either bacteria or virus. A viral cold or flu can’t treated with antibiotics. If your symptoms consist of fever, sore throat, or congestion, seek medical advice from your pharmacist or doctor.
Here are some popular cold and flu medicines in the Philippines:
Super Supplements for body boost this rainy season
Meet the health aisle’s hottest sidekicks, the extra support that can give your body a boost and help you have your best rainy season ever.
TURMERIC
Turmeric is a golden colored Indian spice, which has been used in curries for thousands of years. However, the popularity of this spice has been rising due to the discovery of its powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and antioxidant effects. While researchers haven’t yet determined how much we need to consume to achieve health benefits, turmeric shows promise in helping to reduce our risk of conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, heart disease and cancer.
FIBER
The average adult needs 2535 grams of fiber each day to maintain a healthy digestive system. Unfortunately, many people are no longer meeting their fiber requirements. In addition to assisting with healthy digestion, fiber has also been found to assist with glucose regulation, weight loss, and achieving healthy cholesterol levels in some people.
PROBIOTICS
Our gut contains approximately 100 trillion microorganisms, such as bacteria, yeasts and fungi, some of which are beneficial for our health, and of course, some of which can make us sick. Probiotics are live good bacteria, which can be taken to improve the balance of good bacteria in our body. They can be found in foods such as yoghurt, kombucha, and sauerkraut, but can also be consumed as a powder or capsule. Increasing our body’s balance of good bacteria has been found to improve digestion, prevent disease, and boost immunity.
MATCHA
Matcha tea is a young, delicate tealeaf, which is high in antioxidants, amino acids, and chlorophyll. One of the best-known amino acids in matcha is L-theanine, which is believed to assist with relaxation. Matcha also contains approximately three times more catechins than green tea. Catechins are a compound, which helps to increase thermogenesis, and may assist with weight loss.
CRANBERRY
Cranberries are rich in flavonoids, which are a type of antioxidant that may help to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. However, cranberries (and high dose cranberry supplements in particular), are best known for helping to prevent urinary tract infections. Cranberries contain a powerful compound called proanthocyanidin, which interferes with the ability of bacteria to adhere to the bladder wall, therefore reducing your risk of infection.
MAGNESIUM
Magnesium is a mineral, which our body needs in minute quantities to perform a range of functions including, strengthen bones, assist with muscle function, and maintain fluid balance. It’s found in a variety of foods, so true deficiency is rare. However, magnesium supplements have been found to be beneficial for people who experience cramps and those who are malnourished. Additionally, new research suggests that magnesium may be beneficial for treating tinnitus.
TURMERIC
Turmeric is a golden colored Indian spice, which has been used in curries for thousands of years. However, the popularity of this spice has been rising due to the discovery of its powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and antioxidant effects. While researchers haven’t yet determined how much we need to consume to achieve health benefits, turmeric shows promise in helping to reduce our risk of conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, heart disease and cancer.
FIBER
The average adult needs 2535 grams of fiber each day to maintain a healthy digestive system. Unfortunately, many people are no longer meeting their fiber requirements. In addition to assisting with healthy digestion, fiber has also been found to assist with glucose regulation, weight loss, and achieving healthy cholesterol levels in some people.
PROBIOTICS
Our gut contains approximately 100 trillion microorganisms, such as bacteria, yeasts and fungi, some of which are beneficial for our health, and of course, some of which can make us sick. Probiotics are live good bacteria, which can be taken to improve the balance of good bacteria in our body. They can be found in foods such as yoghurt, kombucha, and sauerkraut, but can also be consumed as a powder or capsule. Increasing our body’s balance of good bacteria has been found to improve digestion, prevent disease, and boost immunity.
MATCHA
Matcha tea is a young, delicate tealeaf, which is high in antioxidants, amino acids, and chlorophyll. One of the best-known amino acids in matcha is L-theanine, which is believed to assist with relaxation. Matcha also contains approximately three times more catechins than green tea. Catechins are a compound, which helps to increase thermogenesis, and may assist with weight loss.
CRANBERRY
Cranberries are rich in flavonoids, which are a type of antioxidant that may help to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. However, cranberries (and high dose cranberry supplements in particular), are best known for helping to prevent urinary tract infections. Cranberries contain a powerful compound called proanthocyanidin, which interferes with the ability of bacteria to adhere to the bladder wall, therefore reducing your risk of infection.
MAGNESIUM
Magnesium is a mineral, which our body needs in minute quantities to perform a range of functions including, strengthen bones, assist with muscle function, and maintain fluid balance. It’s found in a variety of foods, so true deficiency is rare. However, magnesium supplements have been found to be beneficial for people who experience cramps and those who are malnourished. Additionally, new research suggests that magnesium may be beneficial for treating tinnitus.
How to take care of your eyes?
Losing your vision as you get older is unavoidable. Any sudden loss of vision should be investigated urgently, but there are causes of gradual vision loss, which need to be taken cared of.
A sure sign of getting older is that you wish your arms were longer so that you could focus on the fine print. This condition, called presbyopia, is caused by loss of flexibility of the lens in your eye, affecting your ability to focus on objects close to you. The usual way of dealing with this is to wear prescription glasses for reading and close work, but there are some surgical procedures, such as replacement of the lens with an artificial multifocal lens.
Know your eyes
Your eyes are a complex organ, made up of different parts.
Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD)
You may experience blurred or distorted central vision, difficulty reading or driving, or reduction in color perception. A combined supplement containing zinc, copper, vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, and zeaxanthin may be prescribed. ARMD is described medically as “wet” or “dry” type. Wet ARMD can be treated with injections of Lucentis directly into the eye, or laser procedures to prevent progression of the disease.
There are a number of other age-related eye conditions, which can cause your vision to decline. Some of these are treatable, so don’t just accept that it is an inevitable part of ageing.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness. It is a condition, which leads to increased fluid pressure in your eye, damaging the optic nerve. Risk increases if you have a family history. One in eight people will develop glaucoma, but half of the people with glaucoma in Australia do not know they have it, so regular testing is essential, as you get older. Glaucoma can be controlled with eye drops and may need laser surgery.
Cataracts
Cataracts are opaque areas in the lens of your eye. The risk increases if you smoke; you have diabetes or take cortisone medication in the long-term. Lenses affected by cataracts can be removed and replaced with artificial lenses.
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is the damage caused to the retina by poorly managed diabetes. Only 50 per cent of Australians with diabetes have a regular eye examination. Careful management of diabetes with monitoring of blood sugar levels and eye health, diet, exercise and prescribed medication is important in the prevention of vision loss.
Dry eye syndrome
As you get older, your eyes can produce fewer tears. It’s particularly common in women after menopause It may be a side-effect of some medications. Dry eye syndrome causes a tired, scratchy, stinging, or irritated feeling. It can also result in intermittent blurring of vision. It’s not possible to “cure” this condition but it can be managed with drops or gels to replace tear production.
Looking after your eyes
The good vision diet
A sure sign of getting older is that you wish your arms were longer so that you could focus on the fine print. This condition, called presbyopia, is caused by loss of flexibility of the lens in your eye, affecting your ability to focus on objects close to you. The usual way of dealing with this is to wear prescription glasses for reading and close work, but there are some surgical procedures, such as replacement of the lens with an artificial multifocal lens.
Know your eyes
Your eyes are a complex organ, made up of different parts.
Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD)
You may experience blurred or distorted central vision, difficulty reading or driving, or reduction in color perception. A combined supplement containing zinc, copper, vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, and zeaxanthin may be prescribed. ARMD is described medically as “wet” or “dry” type. Wet ARMD can be treated with injections of Lucentis directly into the eye, or laser procedures to prevent progression of the disease.
There are a number of other age-related eye conditions, which can cause your vision to decline. Some of these are treatable, so don’t just accept that it is an inevitable part of ageing.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness. It is a condition, which leads to increased fluid pressure in your eye, damaging the optic nerve. Risk increases if you have a family history. One in eight people will develop glaucoma, but half of the people with glaucoma in Australia do not know they have it, so regular testing is essential, as you get older. Glaucoma can be controlled with eye drops and may need laser surgery.
Cataracts
Cataracts are opaque areas in the lens of your eye. The risk increases if you smoke; you have diabetes or take cortisone medication in the long-term. Lenses affected by cataracts can be removed and replaced with artificial lenses.
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is the damage caused to the retina by poorly managed diabetes. Only 50 per cent of Australians with diabetes have a regular eye examination. Careful management of diabetes with monitoring of blood sugar levels and eye health, diet, exercise and prescribed medication is important in the prevention of vision loss.
Dry eye syndrome
As you get older, your eyes can produce fewer tears. It’s particularly common in women after menopause It may be a side-effect of some medications. Dry eye syndrome causes a tired, scratchy, stinging, or irritated feeling. It can also result in intermittent blurring of vision. It’s not possible to “cure” this condition but it can be managed with drops or gels to replace tear production.
Looking after your eyes
- Avoid injury. If your work or sporting activity involves potential injury to your eyes, take eye protection seriously and wear protective glasses or goggles (as pictured above).
- Wear sunglasses when you are outdoors to give you protection against damage to your eyes caused by ultraviolet radiation from sun and reflected glare.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking increases the risk of many eye diseases, such as ARMD.
- Check your blood pressure and make lifestyle changes or take prescribed medication to keep your blood pressure in the normal range.
- Have eye checks regularly as part of your general health checks, especially as you get older and if you have conditions such as glaucoma or diabetes in the family. You can see an optometrist for eye checks. If you have existing eye disease or you are at high risk, you should see an ophthalmologist (a medical eye specialist). You can make an appointment with an optometrist directly, or your GP can refer you to an ophthalmologist.
The good vision diet
- Choose low-fat foods. If you have high cholesterol, work on getting it down.
- A higher intake of foods rich in certain carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin, which give plants their orange, red or yellow color) may lower the risk of developing advanced or exudative (wet) macular degeneration. Foods rich in carotenoids include egg yolk, kiwifruit, zucchini, spinach, peas, honeydew melon, Brussels sprouts, green beans, apples, corn, grapes, pumpkin, capsicum, cucumber, orange juice, celery, green onions, broccoli and mango.
- A high intake of Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids can reduce the incidence of cataract and adequate protein in your diet helps to reduce the risk of one type of cataract.
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