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W I T H J A N D E V R I E S ‘Naturally the best since 1955’ ISSUE 37 • AUTUMN/WINTER 2011 Jan de Vries W R I T E S “Nobody will ever be able to deny the great achievements of medical science. We need science, however we should never become slaves of science. Science should serve humanity and not the other way around!” Dr Heede ! STOP PRESS Naeltwh an!d Diet Centre e Jan de VriesenHed at Auchterarder and has op ill be there on Jan de Vries w r 2012. 12th Decembe ls inside). for info (detai op sh e on ph or l in, Cal www.jandevrieshealth.co.uk Working with the natural energy streams of the body Jan de Vries The lessons and discoveries made in history have coloured and influenced many aspects of modern life. Neural Therapy erdinand and Walter Huneke were two brothers who in the year 1925 discovered a new kind of treatment, which since then has cured many thousands of people suffering from severe pain, paralytic symptoms and other health problems. They had a sister, who for many years had suffered from very severe migraine headaches. Both brothers were physicians; they had tried everything in order to help their sister, but nothing changed her condition. One day Ferdinand gave her, by mistake, an intravenous injection which contained an anaesthetic called ‘procaine’; this anaesthetic should never have been injected into a vein. At that moment his sister’s headache disappeared and never came back. After this success both brothers tested the medicament, first on themselves before using it on their patients. They also discovered that the addition of a little caffeine made the injections of procaine even more efficient. In the year 1928 they published their first results in the magazine Medical World under the title “Unknown Remote Action of Local Anaesthetics”. They spent the rest of their lives researching and studying the different healing effects of procaine. Even when procaine was not injected directly in the vein but next to it, the treatment was successful. This proved that the healing was not only achieved via the bloodstream, but also via the nerves. Later Ferdinand and Walter discovered that all illness and healing is controlled by the nervous system. F As nowadays, we are far too sensitive and do not have such a high tolerance of pain, some physicians found similar methods of treatment which are more acceptable to the modern patient. Today’s ‘nasal therapy’ is much gentler than it was in the past. It is done with a thin metal stick wrapped in cotton wool. This is dipped into a mixture of specific essential oils and specific points inside the nose are touched for a very short time. Someone who suffers from a blocked nose or who often has headaches can treat himself in this way by using a little cotton bud and mild mixture of essential oils. This often gives great relief. The nose is a very sensitive and interesting part of the body. On the mucous membrane in all nasal passages, many reflex points can be found and every one of these points corresponds to some inner organ or body region. Often this treatment causes sneezing, which is a very positive reaction. Many people know that the success of acupuncture and reflexology is based on certain energy streams in the body. Everything alive has energy continuously flowing throughout the organism. If at some point in the body this energy flow is interrupted, it can sometimes have serious consequences, which can occur in a completely different part of the body. To be able to understand this, one has to imagine an electrical circuit to which many light bulbs are connected. If one of these light bulbs does not burn any more the fault may be in the light bulb itself, or somewhere else quite a distance away in the wires or in the wall socket. The same applies to the human body. Yet many physicians do not understand that the original cause of pain, inflammation or even some paralytic problems often lies elsewhere in the body. A physician who has had experience with neural therapy has to know about all the possible places in the body of his patient where the energy flow could have been interrupted, and will ask the patient all kinds of questions in order to find this out. The slightest incident could cause a possible disorder. In particular, any scar from a tonsillectomy or an appendix operation, or even a small cut in a finger, can block the energy stream. Often little scars on the hand or in the ears (after an ear infection) in early childhood can be responsible for serious health problems later on. Sometimes scars may be dormant for years and when later they become hard and lose their elasticity, they obstruct the energy flow. This explains why some kinds of paralysis for example develop only gradually. Practitioners of neural therapy treat many different diseases by specific injections in all the places that might be responsible for an obstruction in the energy flow. Procaine or a similar anaesthetic will be injected into the scars with a very fine needle, especially if these scars still hurt a little. It can happen that after such an injection many health problems disappear all of a sudden and at the same time. But most often several treatments and more injections will be needed. There is also ‘segmental therapy’, whereby many small injections are given in a certain section of the skin, which corresponds with the place where the symptoms are. If the problem disappears right away at the time of the first injection, this is called the ‘sekunden phanomen’ (a phenomenon which happens within seconds). This is a real miracle, which only happens once in a while. 2 Neural therapy is a wonderful therapy, which the physician can often use to prevent an operation or cure a disease that did not respond to any other treatment. It is astonishing so few physicians know about this wonderful way of healing, for through it many patients would be spared much suffering and pain. Unknown Reflex Therapies Thousands of years ago, Chinese acupuncture was based on the fact that inner organs and other body parts could be influenced in a stimulating or soothing way through innumerable points on the skin. These points can be found in the outer skin and also in the mucous membranes. We all know or have heard about the reflexology of the feet, whereby pain, cramps and several diseases can be treated. Some of us also may have heard about ear acupuncture. However there are many more ways in which reflexology can be used successfully. In the past, for example in the time of Hippocrates, physicians already knew a great deal about some of the amazing healing effects of the therapy. Their treatments were often painful and patients in our time would hardly be able to tolerate them. Formerly, some physicians, treated patients by using a very thin red-hot iron wire, even in cases of paralysis. With this wire they touched specific points deep in the nose for just a few seconds, so that a tiny part of the mucous membrane was cauterised. The results were remarkable and even some serious health problems were cured. Sneezing Sneezing was used as a therapy for thousands of years. The habit of taking snuff has since gone out of fashion. Sneezing clears the head and makes us think more clearly. It is a natural cleaning process, and although some people think it is bad manners to sneeze in company, it is very good for your health to sneeze once in a while. However, remember to hold a handkerchief before your nose, because bacteria can spread as far as six metres around you when you sneeze. So, please enjoy it, but remember it can be harmful for other people who are in close proximity. In times past, many plants were known that could provoke sneezing, for example sneezewort (also known as sneezeweed) or the root of helliboris. Many indigenous people collected plants and herbs for that purpose, and there are many African tribes who still follow the custom today. Sneezing is still considered to be very healthy in Japan and China. Sneezing improves blood circulation in the head and often helps against muscle cramps and tension. On the head, on the back and near the spinal column there are innumerable reflex points. Another reflex therapy that most physicians have never heard about is the ‘mouth acupuncture’ of Dr Gleditsch. He found that when the acupuncture points in the mouth are touched, they react more or less in the same way as those in the nose. The Chinese also use acupuncture points on the head and in Germany there is a rather new therapy, whereby the anaesthetic injections of neural therapy are combined with homeopathic active substances. One or two millilitres at the most are injected in the most superficial layer of the skin at certain acupuncture points. These specific points correspond with diseased organs or parts of the body. The results are sometimes amazing and the treatment is not painful. Recently acupuncture has become officially recognised by traditional medicine. Let us hope that conventional physicians will try to learn more about these wonderful healing ways. In this issue: Working with the natural energy streams of the body Health News Krill Oil - a big help from little creatures of the deep IBS and the liver – is there a connection? Recipes from The Vegetarian Society Indigestion ‘Greens’ are good for you Back Issues available Questions and Answers Passion, Curiosity & Drive – Interview with Terry Lemerond Page 1-3 Page 3-4 Page 5 Page 6-7 Page 8-9 Page 10-11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 14-15 HEALTH NEWS Liquorice extract may ease hot flushes A recent conference hosted by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine presented the finding from a study that revealed liquorice as a potential therapy for women suffering from hot flushes. The researchers from the University of Southern California gave a liquorice pill to a small group of 51 women for a year and monitored their response. Amazingly, the flushes reduced in frequency from 10 a day to just 2, an improvement of 80%! The improvements also extended to helping night sweating, a common and particularly difficult menopausal symptom to help. However, before you rush for the liquorice be aware that pure liquorice root contains compounds that can elevate blood pressure and cause the body to retain sodium (salt) and lose potassium which may aggravate some heart conditions. The compound, known as glycyrrhizin, is a natural component of all liquorice root products unless it has been removed as part of a purification process. If this has been done the finished product still contains all the other natural ingredients less the troublesome glycyrrhizin and is known simply as DGL-liquorice; the acronym DGL stands for deglycyrrhizinated licorice. This form of liquorice is probably the preferred form if you are considering taking liquorice on a daily basis. T Eat well to get healthy sperm wo studies from America have independently come to the same conclusion; a good diet is important for male reproductive health. The studies observed the effects of diet on the health, size, shape and motility of sperm. After careful analysis of the diets consumed by the men in the study two distinct diet groups were identified. The first group followed the typical Western diet characterized by higher intakes of red meat and refined grains while the second group followed a more prudent diet with higher intakes of fish, vegetables and whole grains. A key discovery from this study was that those men who followed the prudent diet had higher sperm motility and the diets high in meats and associated trans-fatty acids appeared to impact negatively on the sperm concentration levels. It would appear that those attempting conception should consider adopting the ‘prudent’ diet model as part of their pre-conceptual plan. 3 Manuka honey speeds recovery from radiotherapy dermatitis Krill oil T he findings from a study presented at this years European Multidisciplinary Cancer Congress held in Stockholm, Sweden, revealed that sterilized manuka honey (with a UMF rating of 18) is showing a possible role in the prevention of radiation-induced skin inflammation (dermatitis) in breast cancer patients. Manuka honey should display a UMF (unique manuka factor) rating indicating the strength of the honey and its ability to fight infections and ease inflammation. Manuka honey with a UMF between 10-15 appear to have therapeutic properties and are commonly eaten. Those with UMF levels of 16 and over have a very high level of activity. Special sterilized creams are available with this level of UMF. The study looked at women with invasive breast cancer of ductal carcinoma who were undergoing radiotherapy. It is common for women to suffer radiation related dermatitis and it is estimated that between 30-50% of patients will develop a reaction over the course of their radiation treatment. The honey treatment was applied twice a day from day 1 of the radiotherapy and continued for 10 days after the last dose of radiation was given. At the end of the study, the manuka group suffered 58% less dermatitis than those using simple aqueous cream despite the honey therapy being stickier and more messy to apply. Omega-3’s ease joint disease: Fact! I t has become apparent that the developed world suffers from the health issues related to food excess rather than deficiency but this does not always mean that our diets are healthier. Most diets in the developed world are seriously lacking in omega-3 fatty acids, having up to 30 times too much omega-6 and far too little omega-3. Many studies have noted that taking omega-3 will help redress this imbalance and may positively contribute to a range of other health problems such as heart disease and colitis. The latest study carried out by the University of Bristol and funded by Arthritis Research UK now shows, for the first time, that omega-3 found in fish oil could “substantially and significantly” reduce the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis affects around eight million people in the UK, and is caused when the cartilage at the ends of bones wears away and the underlying bone thickens, leading to stiff, painful joints. Currently, there is no effective treatment to slow down disease progression, and treatment is limited to pain relief and ultimately joint replacement. The new research is a big step forward and shows that omega-3 fatty acids, derived from fish oil or flax oil, may help to slow down the progression of osteoarthritis, or even prevent it occurring, confirming anecdotal reports and “old wives’ tales” about the benefits of fish oil for joint health. Despite fish oil being more effective than the flax oil based supplement, for vegetarians flax oil remains a practical and cost effective viable alternative. However, there is a vegetarian and vegan option for those willing to pay a little extra. Known as Opti-3 and derived from algae, this supplement delivers a fish oil comparable profile of ingredients but by-passes the actual fish! We tend to forget that fish first have to eat algae before the oils contained in the algae become incorporated into the fish itself. 4 W I T H IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO WRITE TO ‘IN TOUCH WITH JAN DE VRIES’ PLEASE SEND YOUR ARTICLE OR LETTER TO: JDV ‘IN TOUCH’, SOUTHWOOD ROAD, TROON, AYRSHIRE, KA10 7EL. J A N D E V R I E S F a big help from little creatures of the deep ish oils are making regular headlines but not many people are aware of the health benefits of krill oil. Krill are small shrimp-like creatures that live in the cold Arctic waters. It’s largely thanks to the very high levels of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPFA’s) contained in the krill’s body that they thrive so well in the icy waters of the Arctic. Two fatty acids that belong to the LCPFA group found in especially high concentrations in krill oil are also found in regular fish oils; eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DPA). In addition to this, the EPA and DHA found in krill oil are attached to another special compound called phospholipid (PL). These fatty acids protect cell membranes and maximize their flexibility and fluidity and, being attached to PL, are readily taken up by the brain. Unlike fish oils, krill oil also contains a rich source of potent antioxidants. Studies into the use of krill oil in humans have indicated that the oil may have superior properties in reducing the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and easing the inflammatory aspects of many other conditions. If you follow the health press or health pages in most newspapers I think we all agree that the oils derived from fish offer some great benefits. The fatty compounds are known to deliver a ready supply of health-promoting unsaturated fatty acids such as EPA and DHA that are known to protect the heart, brain and ease inflammation. If, however, you are not a big fish eater then a daily fish oil supplement may be a good idea. For some people the problem with fish oil supplements is an unfortunate fishy odour repeating on the breath. The good news is krill oil can deliver all the fatty acids of fish oil but none of the fishy smell. Analysis of the oil derived from krill shows that the potent antioxidant known as astaxanthin predominates. Astaxanthin helps protect against fatty acid oxidation, one of the processes associated with heart disease. Studies involving krill oil in human health show that in addition to the established heart and brain functions, krill oil appears to offer superior help and protection in cases of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). In a 90 day trial involving 70 women, Krill oil (KO) was compared to fish oil (FO) for its ability to ease many of the commonly reported PMSrelated symptoms. In the study, 2,000 mg of KO or FO were used for the first 30 days and thereafter (for the remaining 60 days) just to use the oils over the 8 days before and first 2 days of their period. One key finding was that none of the KO users had gut upset whereas 64% of the FO users complained of an unpleasant fishy after taste or reflux. Other results indicated that KO & FO eased joint pains and stiffness, breast tenderness, bloating and eased depression and irritability. KO did result in a 50% reduction in overall pain killer use compared to that of a 33% reduction in the FO group. Although 2,000 mg is a large intake of oil it only lasted for one month, after which its use over the menstrual period would appear to be a practical use. Studies have not been performed on a maintenance daily dose of 500 mg which would appear to be a reasonable compromise. Krill oil has also demonstrated some promise in the ongoing battle against high cholesterol levels. Animal studies have shown that krill oil intake is associated with a reduction in both cholesterol and glucose levels. Investigations into the effects of krill oil on inflammation have shown that after just 7 days of using krill oil supplements key markers for inflammation (C-reactive protein) was reduced by almost 20% and by day 30 of the trial this level had dropped by 30%. In general, intakes of krill oil can range from 1000-3000mg per day with a maintenance level of intake at the 500mg level. Krill is a safe supplement with no known toxicity. Some people have reported flatulence and diarrhoea but this may simply reflect intake levels and can be managed with simple dose adjustments. Like all oil based supplements those on anticoagulants need to take care when using Krill oil and should seek the advice of their doctor before starting it. 5 Irritable bowel syndrome and the liver; is there a connection? The symptoms associated with Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can vary widely from person to person and may be very unpredictable in many cases. 6 T o help clarify IBS the spectrum of symptoms have been classified into one of three main categories; where diarrhoea is the key symptom, it is often known as IBSD, where constipation is the key symptom its known as IBS-C and where there is fluctuating bowel habits and a mixture of loose and constipated motions it is known as IBS-M. To some degree this classification helps direct more effective therapy and may help focus dietary and lifestyle management. While all the attention tends to be directed to the bowel, it is important not to neglect the upper digestive tract. After all, the bowels are totally dependant on the upper digestive tract for the quality and consistency of digested matter they receive. In a case of IBS of any type, a poorly processed meal will irritate and inevitably trigger a flare-up of lower bowel discomfort. We have discussed the importance of chewing and digestive acids and enzymes in our feature on indigestion in this issue but in cases of IBS we also need to look a little further and take into consideration the influence of the liver and its ability to speed the digestion of dietary fats and oils as well as regulate the tone of the bowel muscle itself. The liver plays a central role in so many vital bodily processes it is almost impossible to find a body system that does not rely, in some way, on this organ. One of the major liver derived secretions is bile which is continually being produced but stored between meals in the gall bladder where it is slowly dehydrated becoming more concentrated as time passes. When stimulated to contract by the hormonal triggers associated with a meal, the gall bladder squirts a dollop of concentrated bile into the digestive tract just as the partially digested food from that meal passes by. Bile acts as an emulsifier of fats and oils. In other words, bile splits the fats and oil contained in that meal up into smaller and smaller particles. In effect, bile increases the amount of surface area on the fats and oils onto which the key fat digesting enzyme (lipase) can act. This relatively simple aspect of digestive chemistry should process the fatty parts of a meal effectively before the oil and fats reach the lower bowel. If this process is impeded in any way, fatty and oily material hits the lower gut (where it should not be in an unprocessed form) causing havoc within the colon. Anyone who has ever suffered from (or known someone with) gall stones or gall bladder disease will know the problems associated with poorly digested dietary fat; loose oily stools, flatulence, offensively smelling wind and stools, bloating and colicky cramps. For an IBS sufferer, it will not escape their notice that many of the symptoms of severe IBS-D and IBS-M have considerable similarities to gall bladder disease and in some cases the two may actually co-exist. From the functional medicine perspective supporting the entire digestive process from mouth to bowel is essential when managing IBS of any type. As can be seen, an upset anywhere along the course can have implications for the lower bowel which in turn will aggravate a sensitive irritable situation lower down. If we take it for granted that the upper digestive system is working well or is being supported by digestive enzyme therapy, or similar, then the next stage of the process to support will be the liver and gall bladder. One natural remedy, artichoke extract (Cynara scolymus), appears to be especially effective at stimulating bile flow. Eating whole artichokes as part of your diet will help but in cases where there appears to be insufficient bile a simple capsule or two of a standardised artichoke extract may give the bile flow an extra boost at meal times. Stimulating bile flow could ease many of the symptoms associated with impaired fat and oil digestion, which in turn, may ease those related symptoms in a case of IBS. It appears that certain agents contained in the artichoke are responsible for its bile stimulant properties. For interest, these are a group of related natural substances known as caffeylquinic acids. Artichoke contains one key bile stimulant from this group known as chlorogenic acid. In addition to improved fat and oil digestion the increase in bile secretion has been directly related to improved bowel muscle regulation that helps to alleviate bloating and the feeling of fullness. Because artichoke is a food and not a drug it does not attract that much high quality scientific research; who would fund the research? However, back in 2003 a paper was published that looked at the effects of artichoke over a six week period comparing the artichoke extract to that of a dummy (placebo) treatment in 247 patients (ages between 17 – 75) suffering from ‘functional dyspepsia’. Those suffering from the IBS spectrum of conditions commonly experience many of the symptoms; feeling of fullness during and after a meal, bloating, acid reflux (heartburn), flatulence (wind) and nausea experienced by the group patients in the study but those with diagnosed IBS were excluded since the study was aimed at those with functional dyspepsia. In the study, a 320mg preparation (containing the active caffeylquinic acids group of compounds) of artichoke extract was selected and used compared to the placebo. The outcome of this study resulted in a substantial impact on the symptoms compared to the placebo. Interestingly, one year later a group from Reading University published their results, which focused on IBS and the effects of a twomonth course of artichoke extract. Their study showed a significant fall in IBS incidence of 26.4% (p < 0.001) after treatment with artichoke and a shift in usual bowel pattern away from IBS-M (alternating constipation/diarrhoea) toward normal. In summary, it may be worth considering liver and bile flow support when looking to manage IBS naturally in addition to addressing the standard care relating to elimination diets, stress management, digestive enzyme supplements and probiotic use. From the limited published evidence that is available a 320mg dose artichoke extract supplement taken with meals appears to help ease a number of the more distressing IBS related symptoms that can make this such a debilitating condition to live with. JAN DE VRIES HEALTHCARE CENTRES AYR 20 Wellington Square, Ayr KA7 1EZ. Telephone: 01292 270700 GLASGOW 116 Blythswood Street, Glasgow, G2 4EG. Telephone: 0141 572 1134 DUBLIN 45 Upper Drumcondra Road (corner of Home Farm Road), Dublin 9, Ireland. • Telephone: (01) 797 8716 PRESTON THERAPY CENTRE 22 Guildhall Street, Preston, PR1 3NY. Telephone: 01772 253219 EDINBURGH 39 Newington Road, Edinburgh EH9 1QW Telephone: 0131 662 0250 JAN DE VRIES AFFILIATED CENTRES FRAMAR HEALTHCARE CENTRE 595 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7GS, Northern Ireland. Telephone: 028 90 681018 GRAMPIAN HEALTH FOODS 34 Market Street, Aberdeen, AB11 5PL. • Telephone: 01224 590 886 HADLEY WOOD HEALTHCARE CENTRE 28 Crescent West, Hadley Wood, Barnet,Herts, EN4 0EJ. Telephone: 020 8441 8352 JAN DE VRIES HEALTH & DIET CENTRES AUCHTERARDER 125 High Street, Auchterarder PH3 1AA • Tel: 01764 660246 CHORLEY 18 New Market St, Chorley PR7 1DB • 01257 276146 DUMFRIES 10 Church Crescent, Dumfries • Telephone: 01387 270 760 EDINBURGH 39 Newington Road, Edinburgh EH9 1QW Telephone: 0131 662 0250 GLASGOW 29 Clarence Drive, Glasgow, G12 9QN • Telephone: 0141 339 0345 43 Kilmarnock Road, Shawlands, Glasgow G41 3YN Telephone: 0141 632 7429 LARGS 1 Tron Place, Largs • Telephone: 01475 689 123 PRESTON Preston Health Food Stores, 26 Guildhall Street, Preston PR1 3NU • Telephone: 01772 257617 PRESTWICK 33 Main Street, Prestwick • Telephone: 01292 471 429 STRANRAER 52 Hanover Street, Stranraer • Telephone: 01776 704 702 TROON 6 Church Street, Troon • Telephone: 01292 310344 www.jandevrieshealth.co.uk ORDER LINE: 01292 317 670 HELPLINE: 01292 318 846 7 Surprise Chocolate Brownies Makes 16 • Preparation time: 35 mins • Cooking time: 25 mins The surprise in these sweet, moist brownies is that they are egg and dairy-free with only natural sugars, and are packed with goodness! The nuts can be omitted for younger children. Ingredients 225g dates 60g wholemeal flour 2 tsp baking powder 3 tbsp cocoa powder, sieved 100g vegan margarine 1 very ripe banana, mashed 75g pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped (optional) 1 tsp vanilla essence Vegetable oil for greasing Recipes Lasagne with Chestnuts and Peppers Serves 6 Vegetable lasagne is still the most popular vegetarian dish, but unfortunately it is often badly made, consisting of layers of lasagne with tinned tomatoes, onion and a few cubes of courgette in between. This is a more interesting lasagne recipe that uses chestnuts as the basis of the layered sauce. Ingredients 30ml/2tbsp olive oil 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped 1 clove garlic, crushed 100g/4oz mushrooms, chopped ½ red pepper, finely diced ½ green pepper, finely diced 175g/6oz cooked chestnuts (canned or vacuum packed), mashed 15ml/1tbsp tomato puree 2tsp fresh herbs e.g. marjoram or oregano, finely chopped to taste salt and pepper a little red wine (or vegetable stock) 6-8 sheets spinach lasagne 50g/2oz butter 50g/2oz plain white flour 450ml/ ¾ pint milk 100g/4oz vegetarian cheddar cheese, grated 8 Another selection of delicious recipes from the Vegetarian Society. Method 1. Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/gas 5. 2. Heat the oil in a medium sized saucepan and fry the onion for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute. Add the chopped mushrooms and peppers and saute for several minutes. 3. Stir in the mashed chestnuts, tomato puree and herbs. Add a little stock or red wine, but don’t make the mixture too runny. Season to taste and simmer for 2 minutes. Allow to cool. 4. Put half the chestnut mixture in the bottom of a rectangular ovenproof dish. Cover with pieces of lasagne making sure they do not overlap. Repeat the layers. 5. Make a cheese sauce, season to taste, add a little freshly grated nutmeg if desired and pour over the top of the final layer of lasagne. Bake in the preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes until the lasagne has cooked and the sauce is golden brown on top. Method Stage one 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas mark 4. 2. Place the dates in the medium saucepan with just enough water to cover them. Cook over a medium heat for 5 minutes or until soft. 3. Once the dates have cooked, drain off the hot water, and run them under a cold tap to cool. 4. Purée the dates. (A hand blender works well for puréeing). Stage two 1. In the small mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and cocoa powder, then set aside. 2. In the medium mixing bowl, using a fork, cream together the dates and the margarine until light and fluffy. 3. Stir the sifted flour, baking powder and cocoa powder into the date and margarine mixture. 4. Add the banana, nuts (optional) and vanilla essence. Stage three 1. Lightly oil the baking dish, then evenly spread the mixture into it, smoothing the top with a spoon. 2. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until the brownies start to come away from the sides of the dish. 3. Allow to cool in the pan, cut and serve.      Spicy Courgette Soup Serves 4 Ingredients 2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, crushed 1 tsp ground coriander ½ tsp garam masala 4 courgettes, diced 2 carrots, sliced ¼ tsp dry mustard 900ml vegetable stock 1 tbsp tamari salt & freshly ground black pepper Method 1. Heat the oil, add the onion and sauté, then add the garlic, coriander, garam masala and cumin and continue cooking for 2 minutes.  2. Add the courgettes and carrots and sauté until tender.  3. Add the mustard powder and stock, bring to the boil and simmer for 20 minutes. Add the tamari, season to taste, and allow to cool slightly, before pureeing in a food processor or blender.  4. Serve hot with sun-dried tomato ciabatta. © The Vegetarian Society 2004 (recipe created by the Cordon Vert cookery school) For more information visit www.vegsoc.org 9 Indigestion ...or is it? Second to back pain, indigestion must be one of the most common non-specific symptoms around. It crosses most age barriers and generates lots of over-the-counter anti-acids. D o we have to suffer such discomforts and come to rely on pill-popping to enjoy a meal out, or can we do something to sort the problem once and for all? There is a good chance that most people can take control their indigestion using simple lifestyle changes and some natural dietary aids. However, for a few sufferers that may not be so easy because their problem lies in a stomach infection or hernia. The writing is on the wall; but it was written in 400 BC! The ancient Greek Physician, and “father” of modern medicine wrote “Death sits in the bowels; a bad digestion is the root of all evil.” Such words of wisdom and such a long time ago! As our understanding of the inter-relationships between health and the inner workings of our gut unfold, his words could not be surpassed today by a better description describing the co-existence between gut health and our general health and well-being. It is important to keep in mind that from mouth through to “rearend” our digestive system is one long continuous tube that is only interrupted by a few special valves known as sphincters along its tortuous course. Any disruption to the healthy balance of this system can have repercussions for the body in general. Examples of this relationship abound; consider the effects of gall bladder disease. Not only does our digestion of fats suffer but the poorly broken down meal passes into the lower bowel where the high fat content often causes diarrhoea, wind, bloating and a stool that is difficult to flush away! Not a pleasant thought but nor is a gall bladder problem! However, the problems do not stop there. The poor fat digestion has knock-on effects on your vitamin status. Absorption of the fat soluble vitamins such as vitamins A,E,D and K are hampered when the bile flow is less than perfect, but the problems do not stop there. Gall bladder pain can cause severe physical pain including a stabbing pain under the right ribs and even pain felt in the tip of the right shoulder. As you can now see a digestive problem that just affects the small pouch known as the gall bladder can have considerable ripple effects on the healthy functioning of many body systems and body regions. Chew it don’t lose it! One of the simplest but most poorly used indigestion remedy is chewing. We have a set of teeth designed for the job but many of us get far too used 10 to bolting food down eating on the run or rushing a meal in order to move onto the next task. Combine this with other gastric irritants such as strong coffee and it’s fairly easy to appreciate why we so frequently suffer from indigestion. To digest correctly we need the correct balance of acids and enzymes and for these to work properly the meal needs to be broken down well from the start. Chewing breaks up the food, exposing more of it to the actions of enzymes and acids before it is passed onto the next section of the digestive system; the small intestine. are what you digest.” If you have problems digesting a healthy meal you may well have problems absorbing the nutrients that meal contained. It’s interesting that many people who suffer from indigestion that may mimic an excess acid condition may actually be suffering from a digestive acid and enzyme deficiency! The condition is known medically as hypochlorohydria and has been associated with a number of chronic health problems - yet another example of how the digestive system can affect our total well-being. these symptoms by swallowing a handful of chalky tablets you could be fooling yourself that the indigestion is simply due to an “acid” stomach. In most cases of chronic indigestion that appear to be resistant to lifestyle changes and simple remedies it may be important to get screened for the bug known as helicobactera pylori. This is a fairly simple procedure and can involve a breath test and in some cases a blood test. Either way, if the bug is detected it needs eradicating! Liquorice - good for stomachs as well as allsorts that... w o n k u o Did y from one to g ke anythin d Food can ta ss through the gut an a p to rocess three days n gut will p ink a m u h e g a and dr the aver nes of food lent to n to 5 6 d n arou uiva fe; that’s eq during its li lt elephants! 12 adu The simple answer is to chew your food more. Start by setting yourself the task of chewing each mouthful about 25 times. I know this sounds a little excessive but it’s the only way to re-educate yourself to slow down and eat your food not just swallow it! If the problem persists consider more dietary changes such as reducing the fat content of your meals and cut back on the bread and wheat products. If, like many, you love your coffee, think of swapping brands to a low caffeine brand or swap to the coffee alternative called Bambu made by A.Vogel. Enzymes - the key to life Enzymes can be found in all body tissues and are not exclusively involved in the digestive process. Some enzymes control complex biochemical processes while others break down your dinner. From our point of view, digestive enzymes can hold the key to digestive health. Someone once said “you are what you eat” but maybe that needs to be updated to “you problems Common with associated dria ohy hypochlor rders hryoid diso ease T • r dis • Asthma Gall bladde • s sm • Allegrie • Rheumati a e c a s o r e • Acn • Vitilago Dosing up on enzyme supplements are the best answer to this situation. These are formulated to boost digestive function while delivering a balanced combination of food splitting enzymes. When taken during meals, the supplements can effectively accelerate your digestive process and speed the passage through the stomach thus reducing the risk of heartburn and indigestion. Some of the best enzymes are made in America and sold under names such as MegaZyme and Michaels Digestive Enzymes. A special extract of licorice known a deglycyrrhizinated licorice, or DGL for short, has been found to be a highly effective anti-ulcer compound. In a number of clinical studies DGL has been shown to be as effective as traditional over-the-counter products. What’s more DGL contains substances known as flavonoids which have been shown to inhibit the bug helicobactera pylori. DGL also has the unique ability of stimulating the cells that line the stomach to grow and regenerate the protective coating that is commonly damaged in infections and ulcer conditions. Another added bonus is the fact that DGL tastes good too - so long as you like liquorice! that... w o n k u o Did y round a ut contains g y h lt a al e h The 00 individu g ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 K 100,00 for about 1 t n u o c c a t a bacteria th ur body weight! ) (2lb of o Long term heartburn - is there a bug in your system? The once “quacky” concept that bacteria can cause indigestion and ulcers has now become a well-accepted medical problem. It is now understood that the very same bacteria are also responsible for stomach cancer and the malignant changes that affect some long-standing gastric ulcers. The sinister aspect to this bug is the fact that, in the early stages, the only symptom can be indigestion and heartburn! If you react to How to take DCL The standard dosage for DGL in acute cases is two to four 380mg chewable tablets between meals of 20 minutes before food. For more long-term problems you reduce the dose by one tablet. 11 ‘greens’ Scientists confirm are good for you Not that we really need science to tell us that greens and vegetables are good for us but it’s nice to know that the age old advice to ‘eat your greens’ still holds up. Leafy greens are widely recognized as healthy because they contain essential ingredients for ensuring optimum health and wellbeing. T he latest research has now thrown light on the influence these foods have on our intestinal health. It appears that greens deliver a protective factor to certain cells of the immune system. These findings, reported online in the journal Cell, have implications for better understanding the basis of intestinal inflammatory disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and may even offer new opportunities for therapeutic intervention. Scientists at the UK’s Babraham Institute and the Medical Research Council’s National Institute for Medical Research have been working on chemical components of greens found in the cruciferous vegetables like broccoli. Their research has focused on how these compounds regulate the survival of a special type of white blood cell (known as intra-epithelial lymphocytes or IEL’s for short), part of the body’s front-line defence against infections and important in wound repair. The IEL’s live just under the cells that line the digestive tract and play a crucial role in protecting us from disease causing microbes that naturally inhabit the intestine. The research demonstrated that mice fed a diet low in vegetables quickly lose the IEL cells within the intestine. However, a low vegetable diet did not appear to affect other immune cells elsewhere in the body. Despite the low vegetable diet still delivering all other essential vitamins and minerals, around 70-80% of the protective IEL’s simply disappeared within 2-3 weeks! A key discovery that helped to unlock the mystery centered around the discovery of a special receptor on the surface of the IEL cells known as AhR (short for aryl hydrocarbon receptor). A 12 receptor is a special structure on a cell that acts rather like a combination lock. It needs the correct sequence of events to function or influence the function of the cell it is found on. In the case of the IEL’s the receptor is activated by compounds found in vegetables. One such compound is called indole-3-carbinol (or I3C for short) and is found in cabbage, broccoli and mustard. Mice fed a low vegetable diet demonstrated low AhR activity while those on a low vegetable diet but supplemented with I3C maintained normal AhR activity and normal healthy IEL function. Interestingly, population studies have linked a diet low in fruit and vegetables with an increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease with results of the present study providing a molecular basis for the importance of cruciferous vegetable-derived phyto-nutrients as part of a healthy diet. In addition to the influence of IEL cells and intestinal health, the scientists also found that IELs present in the mouse skin crucially depend on the activation of AhR. While the nature of the interactions preserving skin IELs is currently unknown, it may provide a rationale for the reported association between some intestinal and skin disorders, the most frequent of which is psoriasis, as well as diet choices. The bottom line here would appear to be “eat your greens” and possibly to look at supplements that contain a booster of nutrients found in greens such as Garden Veggies made by Nature’s Way. Even though a serving of vegetables should never be replaced by a supplement, using Garden Veggies in addition to your daily diet may help ensure optimal levels of the important health promoting vegetable derived compounds. Back Issues Available If you have missed an issue, some previous issues are still available for £1.30 for one copy and £1.25 for each additional copy. Autumn/Winter 10 Medicine through the ages part Three Rhythm and Blues - Premenstrual Syndrome Water - the stuff of life Getting the point across - An introduction to Chinese Acupuncture Probiotic Confusion Summer 10 Medicine Through The Ages part two Focus on Quercetin Can Food Really Feed Acne Red Meat - Friend or Foe? The Natural Approach to Irritable Bowel Syndrome Is a Vegetarian Diet Healthier? Spring 10 The history of medicine part one You must eat well to heal well Don’t lose your hair Focus on L-Arginine - The key to healthy wound healing Summer 09 Energy In Nutrition Missing links to missing energy A little bit of dairy helps your blood pressure Have you checked your tickover? Focus on ProRibose Spring 09 Energy in Food Smelling Sweet – Natural remedies for bad breath The Puzzle of Sleep Focus on Rosehips Autumn/Winter 08 Best foot forward What to do when Statins don’t suit you Feed your Bones Focus on Garlic Summer 08 Mind Energy Dropping the pounds could cut your cancer risk Food additives and hyperactivity The Breast Solution Feeding your baby the natural way Spring 08 Acupuncture and Fertility Too much of a good thing… Obesity Is beauty more than skin deep? Turning back the clock on depression Winter 07 Energy in the Hands Ageing Gracefully Music as a Therapy An Olive a Day keeps the doctor away Focus on Cherries Summer 07 Energy in Sound Electromagnetic Radiation: A real threat or just another fad Health In the Sun - The Vitamin D Connection Spice up your brain Focus on Yerba Mate Spring 07 What is Innate Energy? A Sticky End to Superbugs Focus on Bilberry Feeding your Skin Winter 06 Healthy Eating Taking the Sting out of Shingles A Fishy Problem Herb in Focus – Ivy Fenugreek – A Spice with a Secret Autumn 06 Air congestion All washed out Baby issues Clear skin Solidago – Some solid advice Summer 06 Visualisation and Outlook Summer is Coming, but for some this is a mixed blessing Piles Rhodiola – A little Lift for Life Gardening – is it good for you? Spring 06 Cleansing the Organism Detox Holocaust Experience Head lice Ginkgo biloba – and ancient remedy with modern applications Winter 05 Cold and Flu Amalgam – The Debate Gout – it’s no laughing matter Feverfew – Nature’s Migraine Fighter Autumn 05 Beware of preservatives Supplements – who needs them? Childhood Hyperactivity – simple suggestions for a complex problem Vitamin B6 – One vitamin, many functions Recipes – provided by the vegetarian society Summer 05 Natural healing – Wouldn’t it be wonderful of the human body could heal itself without artificial aid…. Water - Not all drinks carry the same health benefits… Taking the sting out of cystitis Travel – risks and preventions considered Vitamin D – The sunshine vitamin Spring 05 Stress, tension and relaxation Can magnetic bracelets really help arthritis? Ulcers – More than just an acid stomach… Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) – Nutrient in focus Back issues are available from our mail order department: Write to: Mail Order Dept. Jan de Vries Healthcare, Southwood Road, Troon, Ayrshire KA10 7EL. Tel 01292 317 670 e-mail [email protected] 13 &Answers Questions Can you offer any remedy for muscular cramps. I suffer from these at night and they are starting to disturb my sleep. Calf cramps become more common the older we get. It has been estimated that around 30% of the over 60’s will suffer night cramps and of these, around 40% will experience three or more episodes per week. For such a common problem, apart from the use of quinine tablets from your doctor there is often little on offer to help. However, I have found that the regular use of magnesium oil in a spray form has helped numerous sufferers not only treat their cramps as they occur but even reduce the frequency and prevent recurrent attacks. The spray can be applied directly to the calf and massaged in before bed and used again if the cramps are felt at night. It’s a safe remedy definitely worth a try! Q I have been told that I need to increase my calcium and vitamin D intake but the problem is I have real problems swallowing tablets. Is there a good liquid alternative? You are not alone. Many people find tablets and capsules difficult to swallow. In our clinics we are using a special formula from Webber Naturals,to help get around this problem. This liquid mineral formula is specially designed to support bone health and being in a liquid form it helps facilitate optimum absorption. While many studies focus on calcium’s benefits for bone health, studies have also shown the importance of balancing calcium and phosphorus as well as vitamin D for osteoporosis prevention. The Blueberry Flavour Liquid Calcium plus Vitamin D supplement delivers 1000 mg of calcium in combination with 400 IU of vitamin D3 and 200mg of phosphorus per 30ml dose. I feel this should fulfill your requirements for calcium and vitamin D and it tastes good as well. Q Is there an alternative to using the regular ibuprofen gel for helping to ease the pain in my arthritic knee? My skin becomes irritated with the ibuprofen gel. The best alternative would be Atrogel (Arnica) gel made by A.Vogel. It is a traditional herbal medicinal product for use in the symptomatic relief of muscular aches, pains and stiffness. Atrogel contains extracts from the fresh Arnica flower and packs 500mg of the extract (equivalent to 160mg of the fresh flowers) into 1g of gel. Many users find this natural preparation just as effective as regular ibuprofen gels. I would suggest applying the Atrogel up to 4 times a day for the best results. Q I have been suffering from poor quality hair despite improving my diet. I have seen my doctor who has checked my hormone and iron levels, all of which are normal. Can you suggest something? Hair has a complex growth cycle so it may take some time for your dietary changes to take effect. One nutrient that is often overlooked is known as biotin. This nutrient is sometimes referred to as vitamin H. Biotin is essential for the cellular processes needed for tissue growth. Deficiencies are not common because our gut bacteria make it for us and it is found in the diet. However, sometimes our body needs a boost. I suggest those with unexplained hair loss should try taking 500mcg biotin twice a day for two weeks and continue taking 500mcg just once a day for a further 6 weeks. In many cases this has made a big difference to hair growth and quality. Q 14 Passion, curiosity & drive Discover what lies behind the development of a ground-breaking supplement About Terry Lemerond: Terry Lemerond is a natural health pioneer with over 40 years of experience. He has owned health food stores, founded dietary supplement companies, and formulated over 400 products. Terry and Jan de Vries met many years ago whilst Jan lectured in America. Jan de Vries Healthcare is pleased to be able to incorporate some of Terry’s products within the clinics and they have proven to be very effective. Like Jan, Terry is a published author and appears on radio, television, and is a frequent guest speaker. I f you have ever wondered how natural products are discovered and formulated, I think you will enjoy this interview In Touch had with an old friend of ours, Terry Lemerond. For some time now we have been successfully using Terry’s products to help people suffering from pain and discomfort associated with inflammation. We have seen some great results and thought it would be interesting for our readers to discover the work and background research that goes into the formulation of a natural product such as Terry’s Curacel® supplement. I think you will get a feeling for his passion and attention to detail, all of which are needed when developing unique and ground-breaking health preparations. In Touch: We understand that you have formulated a product Curacel® with impressive antioxidant and inflammatory effects.  How did you discover these ingredients and go about putting them together? Terry: To begin with, I’ve always been a very curious person by nature. I spend several hours poring over medical journals and reading materials on natural health and nutrition in general. It’s one of the starting points I use when formulating any product, and I have to admit I’ve had a bit of experience in that regard, having created around 400 supplemental formulations so far. During my research, I kept seeing a wide range of scientific data on curcumin, and wondered why curcumin was attracting so much attention by scientists around the world. Therefore, I was laying the groundwork for some unique curcumin products long before it exploded in popularity. One important thing I learned is that curcumin is hard to absorb, and so I was determined to find a form that could surmount this challenge. Another problem is that people were confusing curcumin with the plant from which it is extracted—turmeric. A typical turmeric root contains about 2-5% curcumin, so taking an unstandardized, powdered turmeric root product means it is almost impossible to get the very large amounts required to get a beneficial amount of curcumin. Curcumin is a strong antioxidant, which explains why it is important to immune function. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which may explain why it alleviates a variety of conditions, including chronic muscle pain, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, and heart disease. The reason I focus on inflammation is that the body’s inflammatory response is a primary component of most chronic diseases. It begins with a circumstance or set of circumstances that stimulate an overexpression of our body’s own healing mechanisms. For example, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) is an important component of the immune system that helps us kill bacteria, certain fungi, viruses, and parasites, and can even prevent cancer. TNF-a is also an inflammatory cytokine that becomes active during periods of inflammation. In order to fight inflammation, some drugs inhibit TNF-a activity. But this can be dangerous because TNF-a plays an important role in the immune system. So you’ve effectively traded one problem by inducing another. Influencing TNF-a along one pathway can have negative, long-term ramifications along a different pathway. In fact, curcumin is one healing compound that can effectively address all the multiple factors in health conditions from Alzheimer’s disease to arthritis. Everything I’d been reading, every researcher I’ve spoken with, and every bit of clinical data I’d studied over years made me eager to find out more. I contacted some of the leading scientists in the world who have researched curcumin extensively. These same scientists invited me to attend a conference on curcumin in Delhi, India. As a part of that trip, I was invited to visit a turmeric plantation on the border of India and Nepal. It is believed that the soil, climate, and elevation in this part of India are ideal for growing turmeric plants with highly concentrated curcumin compounds. Preliminary research shows that the turmeric grown in this area has a 6 percent to 8 percent level of curcumin, whereas most turmeric has between 2 percent and 3 percent, so it was already an impressive botanical. At the facilities where the curcumin is processed, the passionate scientists who discovered this turmeric were eager to show me how they enhanced their curcumin to be absorbed in the body at a rate 10 times that of standard curcumin by using micronization (reducing to a small particle size) and blending the powder with turmeric essential oils. This piqued my curiosity once again. That’s because as tantalizingly beneficial as curcumin appears from all of the scientific literature, it is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. This is the reason why clinical trials use huge dosages of up to 12 grams daily. They’re just to get even a small amount into the bloodstream. Again, we’re not talking about any toxicity here, but at those high dosage levels cost, comfort and compliance can be a real problem. But the majority of curcumin products on the market are regular formulas, standardized to 95% curcumin. Unfortunately, this formulation is poorly bioavailable, so it doesn’t pass easily from the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream. And much of the curcumin that does reach the bloodstream quickly converts into other compounds. None of this has gone unnoticed, and there have been many attempts to make curcumin more absorbable and have it remain in the bloodstream longer so it can be more beneficial. Some research has focused on adding piperine. But I’d add a word of caution here: it’s important to avoid piperine in long-term treatment because it interferes with almost every prescription drug, increases the absorption of dietary toxins, and can have negative effects on the liver. But the form of curcumin we use in Curacel – the curcumin I was introduced to in India, called BCM-95® – is different. It has been the most successful by micronizing curcumin and adding turmeric essential oils to enhance absorption naturally. In fact, comparison testing shows that this formula has up to 10 times better absorption and blood retention time than standard curcumin extracts. But even more exciting, this specialized extract is being investigated at prestigious research centers for its ability to slow the development of Alzheimer’s disease, and prevent and treat cancer, arthritis, and other painful and debilitating diseases. One thing I’d like to add is that since that initial discovery, I have visited India on numerous occasions. The farmers here use traditional, sustainable methods (natural fertilizers and hand harvesting) to improve the quality of their turmeric crops. They are paid fair-trade wages that they are able to put back into their own communities. In Touch: And what about the other ingredients in Curacel? Terry: Well, aside from BCM-95® curcumin, Curacel™ provides green tea (Camellia sinensis) extract, and resveratrol (from Polygonum cuspidatum) to defend against free-radical damage and support the body’s natural anti-inflammatory response. Green tea extract practically needs no introduction: it’s already well-known for its multiple health benefits. It helps fuel our body’s metabolism, protects the heart and arteries against oxidative stress and inflammation, helps prevent gum disease and decay, keeps our balance of beneficial bacteria in the intestines, and like curcumin, is also being investigated for its ability to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Resveratrol is a strong antioxidant which also plays a role in breast and prostate cancer prevention, as well as cardiovascular disease. It supports healthy aging and weight by working through the SIRT1 pathway, popularly known as the “anti-aging enzyme.” Now, any one of these ingredients on their own is strong, but when you combine them they provide a very powerful cellular defense. In Touch: The ingredients in your product may well be food derived, but are there any problems taking it alongside other medications or are there any health problems where people should avoid it? Terry: None that I am aware of, but of course, if you have specific concerns, check that with your prescribing practitioner. In Touch: What are the top manufacturing issues when it comes to creating safe and efficacious products? How do you overcome them? Terry: Ingredient quality and sourcing is key, as well as quality testing. You have to make sure that everything in the supply chain is top-notch. In the case of BCM-95 curcumin, the incoming raw material is regularly analyzed for contaminants (including heavy metals), in addition to standardization parameters including curcumin content, moisture, and other factors. After extraction, micronization, and blending with turmeric essential oils the potency of the curcumin is verified. But in general, how a botanical or other ingredient is farmed or raised, how it is harvested, what kind of processing it undergoes, how much scientific and clinical testing is behind it – these factors are all considered whenever we formulate any product. It can make things challenging. After all, natural ingredients – even in the controlled settings of farms – are still subject to the whims of nature, but we set a very high bar for our material. Curacel ® is now available throughout all the Jan de Vries clinics, health stores and online at www.jandevrieshealth.co.uk 15 In touch club W I T H J A N D E V R I E S Dear Member Everyone at Jan de Vries Healthcare is delighted and humbled by the continuing rise in members of our “In Touch” club and I do hope that you enjoy, and indeed benefit from, the articles and offers in the newsletter. There is no need to enquire about re-subscribing – you will automatically be sent the information at the appropriate time but if you have friends who would like to join us, please feel free to use the form below. Once again, many thanks for your continued support. Wishing you the very best of health. Security No*: * (The last 3 digits along the signature strip on the back of the card).