Cenacle Treatment Centre

Can tai chi chuan help my diabetes

A recent research team have been able to observe a significant improvement in the causative factors associated in Type 2 Diabetes.

This improvement came with an introduction of gentle exercise in the form of Tai Chi, an ancient Chinese practise.

A significant reduction in the production of glycated haemoglobin ( produced when excess blood sugar combines with the oxygen transporter in red blood cells.) was demonstrated after a 12 week programme of Tai Chi was attended .

There was also an improvement of immune response and a reduction in immune suppression.

Tai Chi chuan combines deep breathing and relaxation with gentle movement.

This is a brilliant demonstration of how introduction of of relaxation techniques can have a significant impact on your health.

reducing risk of osteoporosis

Impact activity reduces the risk of osteoporosis. When you do any impact activity (especially on the lower limbs) the body accumulates more minerals into the bones therefore increasing bone density. Moderate impact activity once a week can be enough to stave off the effects of osteoporosis, along with a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. For more information ask Dave Brownley a question.

Fit or Fat – what are we feeding our children?

The current rise in obesity is not only affecting the adult population but also children – our future generation.
Parents are predominantly responsible for ensuring children receive well-balanced, nourishing diets but their choice is often easily influenced by the media - advertising fast, convenient foods – often high in saturated fat, salt and sugar.

The other major input into a child’s diet is the school canteen. The recent work of Jamie Oliver has done much to improve school dinners – swapping ready made foods of poor nutritional value e.g. chicken nuggets /beefburgers/chips – for the home made equivalent, baked potatoes, vegetables and fruit.

However, as highlighted by the BBC last week both parents and schools are fighting against the many take-aways, fast food outlets and sweetshops located near schools with tourist areas and inner cities faring the worst. Many pupils are opting to spend their dinner money in these unhealthy venues with dangerous consequences – notably an increase in obesity, diabetes, poor academic performance, early heart disease and dental disease.

how to prevent hayfever

Herbal remedies can help improve the immunity from hay fever, lowering the frequency or onset of symptoms.

They can also give relief from, and decrease the severity of symptoms, in particular the irritated eyes, nose and throat.

This is done with a series of remedies that can be used as required

How do I know if I’m allergic?

An allergic reaction is the response of the immune system when the body encounters something that it doesn’t recognise or can’t cope with. There are several stages of allergic reaction with the most severe – the Type 1 – being life-threatening.

Many people however suffer from lower-grade but constant reactions that might give rise to a number of symptoms, eg:
- asthma, hay fever, rhinitis, sinusitis
- bloating, excess wind, IBS, cramping, diarrhoea
- poor concentration, hyperactivity, depression, insomnia
- weight issues, headaches, migraine, joint pain
- eczema, rashes, breakouts

If you suffer from any of these then it might be worthwhile having an allergy test. You can request this from your GP and may get a referral to a specialist who might conduct either a scratch or a blood test. You can also try kinesiology, which uses a muscle-test technique with no blood or needles.
For more info on the HK allergy test see: http://www.hk4health.co.uk/allergies.htm
For more information about allergy testing or more advice about kinesiology ask a question

The Delia Dilemma……….Fresh vs Convenience

The current TV showing of Delia Smith’s new cookery programme, ‘Cheat’s Guide to Cooking’ could have a potentially damaging effect on our health. At a time when we are being encouraged to cook using fresh ingredients, does it not seem a backwards step that a former, well respected figure in the cookery series circles is encouraging the nation to revert to convenience foods to prepare quick meals? Foods such as tinned mince and high fat ready whipped cream are amongst the foods she is cooking with. Many of these foods contain additives, preservatives, high saturated fat, sugar and salt content. These can be potentially damaging to our health and are not encouraging healthy eating – a complete contrast to the work of Jamie Oliver who is working hard to promote use of fresh ingredients both in the home and school environment.

Society is confused enough by messages published in the media and on our TV screens. This latest cookery series is at risk of compounding that confusion.

For further information about healthy eating and for advice on preparing quick, healthy meals contact Nutritional Therapist Hazel Lambourne

Testimonial

Name : Nicki Brown

The birth of my first child had been an un-expectedly bad experience, which had left me with many fears for the birth of my second child.

My main concern was that I had previously felt a total lack of control and had felt completely overwhelmed by the whole experience.

EFT was suggested to me by Amanda Kinane, as a non-invasive technique used to clear away any residual negativity and also any past circumstances that may have been contributing to my state of mind.

Although I was dubious at first, never having tried any sort of therapy, Amanda was very approachable in allowing me to give it a try. She was very forthcoming about the history of EFT and its growing acceptance as a form of therapy in the Uk. Also she was able to relate how many different problems, fears and concerns the treatment could be adapted to beyond my own case. I found this very reasuring and was more than willing to give the therapy a chance.

Ten tips for eating healthily

1. Prepare fresh food wherever possible and minimise the intake of convenience foods and artificial additives

2. Eat plenty of complex carbohydrate foods e.g wholegrain cereals, breads, brown rice, wholemeal pasta, oats, rye. Minimise intake of simple carbohydrates e.g. white bread and bakery products, white pasta, rice and sugar including sweets and chocolate

3. Eat at least five portions of fruit each day.

4. Drink at least six to eight glasses of filtered water daily and minimise intake of tea and coffee to two to three cups a day.

5. Eat red meat ( beef pork lamb) no more than once a week. Choose lean white meat (chicken and turkey) instead.

6. Eat fish, especially oily fish e.g. salmon, sardines herring mackerel, two to three times each week.

Water, Water Everywhere?

Most people still don't drink enough water! You should be aiming for at least 2-3 litres a day. Water is very important in the body as it is essential for many functions. These include absorption of nutrients into the body, keeping blood pressure regulated, and using fat as an energy source. Increasing your water intake can improve your skin, help you keep more alert, and increase your concentration to name but a few. Don't worry about over watering your body as the kidneys can easily handle up to 12 litres of water a day. So simply put, Drink More, Live Better! For more information contact Dave Brownley at The Fitness Works.

Babies – natural born yogis?

At first the idea of babies performing yoga can seem quite unusual and perhaps a little odd. Although it is true babies cannot perform physical postures independently or practice meditation they do naturally possess many yogic attributes that can take adults years to master.

Deep Yogic Breathing (i.e. from the abdomen)
If you watch a baby breathing you will see the whole of the abdomen rising and falling with each in breath and out breath not just the chest, and so enabling air to be brought into the lowest part of the lungs. Most adults in comparison breathe quite shallowly and only use a fraction of their lung capacity. Deep yogic breathing is simple to learn and so effective at calming and relaxing - yet adults have to be taught this while babies do this instinctively.