CHEMICALS IN COSMETICS LINKED TO OBESITY?

Story below is from the Daily Mail.

I honestly don't know where they get these stories 

FACT: Cosmetics, ie. make-up, fake tan CANNOT pass through the skin it's impossible if this was the case they would no longer be licensed as cosmetics but would have to be licensed as medication.

FACT: Only medications, e.g. topical steroids, patch delivered such as HRT etc. and essential oils can permeate the skin.

FACT: Obesity is caused by taking in too much fuel i.e. food and not expending it as energy i.e. exercise

X = Food Y = Exercise Z = Obesity N = Normal Healthy weight

X + Y = N

X - Y = Z

It's as simple as that.

CHEMICALS IN COSMETICS LINKED TO OBESITY I DON'T THINK SO

Chemical in fake tan and make-up is linked to obesity and diabetes

• Phthalates are widely used in a range of cosmetics
• Study finds link to weight gain and insulin resistance

A study found that a chemical commonly used in cosmetics can increase the risk of obesity

A chemical used in make-up and self tanning lotions has been linked to obesity.

Scientists found that those who were exposed to phthalates, colourless man-made substances included in a variety of common consumer products, were more prone to weight gain.

And subjects with even 'modest' levels of the substance in their bloodstream were twice as likely to develop diabetes.

One billion tons of phthalates are produced worldwide each year and they have been widely used as gelling agents in cosmetics, cleaning products and to make plastic bottles for more than half a century.

But now mounting evidence suggests they could have a negative health impact, promptingthe body to store more belly fat and become resistant to insulin as they disrupt the hormone balance.

Lead researcher Monica Lind, associate professor of environmental medicine at Uppsala University in Sweden, said: 'Those pollutants containing phthalates are making people obese and now we find they could get diabetes. These products need to be tested.

'Many are used in body products, like face creams, fake tan, make up and perfumes. Not only does the packaging contain them, but they are absorbed into the body and bloodstream through the skin.

'In perfume, we inhale the phthalates that are used to delay the scent and increase the lifetime of the perfume.'

Data from 1,000 people aged over 70 was looked at during the study and in total 119 had diabetes while 88 of them had a history of the condition.

After taking into account factors that are known to cause type 2 diabetes, including obesity, smoking and high cholesterol, they found people with higher levels of phthalates in their blood were more likely to develop insulin resistance. 

It is thought that in men phthalates have an anti-testosterone capacity linked to weigh gain, while in women they disrupt the hormone balance similar to those that might occur during the menopause or at puberty.

Phthalates crept into widespread use over the last several decades because of their beneficial chemical properties (picture shows the general chemical structure)

It is unclear which products contain the chemicals, as in many countries don't require them to be listed as ingredients, but it is known that perfumes and hair products, such as hairspray and mousse, are the worst offenders.

A spokesperson from Campaign for Safe Cosmetics said: 'Phthalates are found in about 70 per cent of fragrance containing personal care products (that's everything from perfume and cologne to fragrance-containing shampoos and deodorants). 

'They are not listed on labels because fragrance is considered a trade secret so companies don't have to disclose what's in it.'

Dr Paula Baillie-Hamilton, author of Stop the 21st Century Killing You and a researcher on human metabolism who has studied the connection between chemicals and obesity at the University of Stirling, is convinced that the abundance of chemical calories in our lives is the reason why so many people are getting fatter despite dieting and exercising more.

‘It’s a theory that was poo-pooed a decade ago but which has become a new field of medicine in itself,’ says Dr Baillie-Hamilton. 

WHAT ARE PHTHALATES AND WHAT COSMETICS CAN YOU FIND IT IN?

• They are a synthetic chemicals which disrupt hormones in the body
• They have been shown to damage the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive systems in animal studies, and increase the risk of obesity
• They can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled
• Cosmetic manufacturers use phthalates because they cling to the skin and nails to give perfumes, hair gels and nail polishes more staying power
• The Not Too Pretty report in 2002  was released by the non-profit environmental body The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics consumer to raise awareness about the dangers of phthalates 
• It is unclear which products contain phthalates because they are not labelled on packaging but 70 per cent of fragrance cosmetics such as soaps and perfumes contain high levels 
• Many countries don't require the chemicals to be listed under ingredients

In 2003 the European Union passed legislation banning some phthalates in cosmetics and has kept three phthalates out of toys since 1999.

Johanna Congleton, a senior scientist  from the Environmental Working Group, a U.S. environmental organisation, said the study gives further reason for the cosmetics industry to ban the use of phthalates completely.

She said; 'The implications of this study enforce the notion that environmental chemicals can act as 'obesogens' and alter biological functions involved in fat metabolism, which can influence body weight.

'Avoiding exposure is a good precautionary measure, and consumer product manufacturers should phase out the use of these compounds.' 

However Dr Iain Frame, Director of Research at Diabetes UK raised concerns over the recent study and the sample selected.

He said: 'This paper attempts to link the presence of phthalates in the bloodstream and the presence of Type 2 diabetes in an elderly population.

'It is a difficult area to research and this study was based on a relatively small number of white adults over 70 years old. 

'It shows an association between some metabolites, which are breakdown products, and the presence of Type 2 diabetes, but does not show that their presence causes Type 2 diabetes.

'We would be concerned if the reporting of this study diluted the very simple and evidence-based message that limiting the amount of calories in your diet and being regularly physically active is the best way of maintaining a healthy weight and so reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes.'

Following the publication of the findings in the journal Diabetes Care, Prof Lind added:'Although our results need to be confirmed in more studies, they do support the hypothesis that certain environmental chemicals can contribute to the development of diabetes.

'Consumers should ask for labelling. As it is now It's impossible know which products contain the chemical. We should also ask for better regulation.

'There's lots of also lots of other health problems (asthma, allergy, obesity, reproduction problem etc) which has been shown to be linked to the phthalates. 

'We now know enough to regulate these chemicals. In general all chemicals should be tested for safety before they go on the market not afterwards.'

Maggie Brown (Author)

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FRUIT AND VEGETABLES MAKES YOU MORE ATTRACTIVE

The article below is from Yahoo, and this is not new and this has been well known for years, apart from the carotenoids, found in orange and yellow fruit and vegetables, the added minerals and vitamins and especially the anti oxidant vitamins A, C and E can only benefit our skin as these fight free radicals as these facilitate ageing.

Fruit and veg makes you more attractive

Boosts skin tone within weeks

© Elenathewise - Fotolia.com

Eating more fruit and vegetables can make you more attractive within weeks, by giving your skin a healthy glow, according to a new study.

Researchers from the University of St Andrews say they hope the findings will encourage more people to eat their five-a-day by appealing to their vanity instead of highlighting the health benefits of fruit and vegetables.

The study, published in the journal PLoS One, looked at the effect of eating carotenoids, the orangey-red pigments found in many fruits and vegetables, on skin tone.

Some 35 students were questioned about their fruit and vegetable consumption over a six week period. They were

also told not to use fake tan, make up or sunbeds during this time.

Eating just two extra portions of fruit and vegetables a day created a 'detectable change in skin tone' within the six weeks, the researchers said.

At the same time, the researchers measured how big a change in skin colour needs to occur before it is noticed by others.

Ross Whitehead, a researcher at the school of psychology said: "People who eat more fruit and vegetables have a 'golden' skin tone that looks healthy and attractive.

"Our latest research finds that even small improvements in diet produces visible benefits to skin colour. We were very surprised by how quick the changes were."

The researchers said that larger or more prolonged dietary changes are likely to make the skin look increasingly healthy over time.

Mr Whithead added: "Most of us know we should eat plenty of fruit and veg, yet we are not sufficiently motivated to actually go ahead and eat a healthy diet.

"Government strategies aimed at improving diet typically only offer information about why a healthy diet is good for us. These strategies have, so far, had no real impact on the nation's eating habits.

"We hope that highlighting the rapidly achievable benefits of a healthy diet on our attractiveness will be a stronger incentive for people to eat more healthily. Knowing you are going to look more attractive in a few weeks may be more persuasive than the promise of health benefits later in life."

Professor David Perrett, who worked on the study concluded: "Although skin colour varies markedly across the world, we find similar effects across different cultures - for Asians and Europeans alike a good diet is associated with an attractive skin tone. The message that a good diet improves skin colour could improve health across the globe."

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CHARLATAN NUTRITIONISTS

Story below from the Daily Mail, it's clearly there are a lot of charlatans in this field and why I support professional registers, its this sort of treatment that gives Complementary therapy a bad name. The clue is in the name 'Complementary' complementary to orthodox medicine and should not be instead of. The golden rule is, "If you feel unwell your first stop should be your general practioner" he will have all your health records, nor should you stop taking any prescribed medication, if someone other than your GP suggests it. As for nutritional suppliments if you are eating a balanced diet you should not require them as the body assimilates nutrients much better in natural food stuffs than in suppliments as often the case where for zinc to work it needs vitamin C etc. Besides if you depend on suppliments you miss out on all the other health benefits like the fiber and trace elements also essential for health. If you are concerned about your diet your GP can give you details of a qualified dietitian nor should you rely or substitute suppliments for a balanced diet, a balanced diet comes first. Besides self prescribing suppliments can be dangerous as some like Vitamin A are stored in the liver and are toxic if overdosed, others all you'll achieve is expensive urine as Vitamin B and C have to be eaten daily and cannot be stored so the excess is passed as urine and Vitamin C is very acidic and you are more likely to end up having very stinging urine if you take copious amounts of it with high dose suppliments.

As for the charlatans, having been in the complementary field myself I have come across them, one highly well known one asked me to come and work in his practice. I turned him down. He was certainly fleecing the public given that all the treatment rooms had chandeliers hanging from every treatment room and he kept a large stock of dubious suppliments that kept his till ringing after a two minute consultation.

Referring to the article below a so called nutritionist cannot diagnose anaemia without taking a sample of blood and sending it away for laboratory analysis. When I ran my clinic I liaised with patient's doctor as that is how is should be. It's time these regulations were tightened up. This does not mean there is no place for complementary therapists, far from it as they do a valuable job assisting and being complementary to doctors. It's taken a long time and a lot of hard work to gain respect from doctors I don't like seeing this destroyed by egocentric charlatans. 

They ignore alarming symptoms, rely on risibly absurd tests - and charge you a small fortune: The nutrition therapists who put your health at risk

The therapist peered at my tongue.

‘Should I be worried about bowel cancer?’ I asked her.

I’d told her about my changed bowel habits over the past six months, weight loss, fatigue and dark stools.



Last month an alarming report by the consumer organisation Which? highlighted the risks posed by rogue nutritionists

All are classic symptoms of bowel cancer that, to a GP, would flag up the need for further investigation. I’d even mentioned that my father had died of the disease.

But the therapist seemed unconcerned: ‘Oh, you don’t need to worry about having cancer,’ she said.

‘I can tell you’re quite well. You’d be much better off thinking about changes you can make to your diet to help you prevent cancer.’ She recommended I cut out sugar (‘because cancers feed on sugar’) to reduce my risk.

We were in the dining room of her home in a leafy Home Counties village.

A sign outside said she was ‘a specialist in food intolerance’. Certificates boasting her many qualifications, including a ‘diploma in holistic nutritional practice’ and her affiliation with ‘the Federation of Nutritional Therapy Practitioners’, covered her sideboard.


I’d found her after an internet search of local nutritional therapists. But she seemed little interested in hearing about my digestive complaints: instead, she gave me an ‘electrical food intolerance test’.

This involved my holding a metal rod attached to a machine as the therapist dropped tiny glass vials containing potential allergens (such as foods and chemicals) into a slot in the device.

She then touched the end of my finger with a metal pen to create a circuit.

The variations in the ‘bleep’ the machine made would apparently help her pinpoint my intolerances and nutritional deficiencies.

I suffer from hayfever and cannot tolerate milk. The machine, however, failed to spot any reaction to pollen or lactose.

Instead, I was told to stop eating prawns and tomatoes — both of which I eat happily.

I was also low in iron and omega-6 fatty acids, the therapist insisted. And a clear pink patch on one side of my tongue indicated my spleen was under undue pressure.

The therapist went to a bookcase packed with supplements and made her selection (she urged me not to bother with cheap supplements from supermarkets).

She recommended probiotics and aloe vera juice to improve my gut health, B vitamins and iron — at a total cost of £60 for one month’s supply (on top of her £60 consultation fee).



Good nutrition is being seen as an increasingly important tool in medicine

‘It might be worth you having a chat with your GP,’ she then added. Not, however, to be screened for possible cancer, but to check my hormones for signs of the peri-menopause (I’m 47).

‘Fluctuating oestrogen levels can affect the bowels,’ she said.

The next day I went to see another therapist whose advert in the local paper said she was trained to offer nutritional advice.

As I lay on the treatment couch in a tiny bedroom of her house, I saw that as with the previous therapist, her wall was covered in framed certificates including a ‘Kinesiology Federation Approved Certificate in Nutrition’.

I repeated my list of bowel cancer symptoms but she, too, seemed unconcerned.

‘Muscle testing’, she announced, would identify the cause of my problems.

Muscle testing seemed a uniquely brilliant diagnostic tool, requiring the therapist simply to push against my forearm to measure ‘resistance’ as she read out a list of possible physical and emotional problems.

She spent another ten minutes with her hands resting on my abdomen to channel ‘powerful universal energy’, then released my body of the many ‘fears’ she said were blocking my energy channels by standing beside me with her hand on my forehead while I silently repeated phrases such as ‘fear of pain’.

A loud yawn (hers, not mine) indicated each time the channel had been successfully cleared.

At the end of the 90-minute session, my body had instructed her it would take two sessions (at £50 a session) a month apart to restore me to health.

But in fact, I wasn’t ill at all: I’d booked these appointments as part of an investigation into the world of nutritional therapists. The picture that emerged was deeply worrying.

There is no doubt that good nutrition is being seen as an increasingly important tool in medicine, with researchers studying the impact of certain foods on a range of conditions including arthritis, Crohn’s disease, dementia, high blood pressure and even multiple sclerosis.

To the lay person, it seems common sense that food would play a key role in health and illness, but it’s not something a GP will typically discuss.

This is one reason why increasing numbers appear to be seeking the help of nutritional therapists.

You have to pay, of course, but many people take comfort from the fact that a nutritional therapist will spend 60 to 90 minutes with you asking about every aspect of your health, and will come up with natural solutions.

But how good are nutritional therapists? And how safe?

In one shocking case, Dawn Page from Wantage, Oxon, was left permanently brain damaged after following a diet recommended by a nutritional therapist.

She’d been advised to drink six pints of water a day as a ‘detox’ to lose weight, and ended up with hyponatraemia (the medical name for a water overdose).

The same therapist gave lectures claiming she’d successfully treated a case of thyroid cancer through diet and a compress of urine and castor oil.

Last month an alarming report by the consumer organisation Which? highlighted the risks posed by rogue nutritionists. It sent undercover researchers with real medical conditions to 15 different nutritional therapists and found the advice given was dangerously poor in many cases.

One Which? researcher who’d been struggling to conceive was diagnosed with ‘bowel toxicity’ and a ‘leathery bowel’ — meaningless terms in medical understanding.

A researcher who had breast cancer was told to delay the surgery and treatment recommended by her oncologist in favour of a sugar-free diet.

All but one of the 15 therapists offered either potentially dangerous or misleading advice.

These are hardly isolated examples, says Catherine Collins, principal dietician at St George’s Hospital, Tooting, South-West London, who was involved in the Which? report.

‘As dieticians, we are seeing increasing numbers of patients having problems as a result of advice given to them by nutritionists and nutritional therapists,’ she said

When I asked Dr Rachel Pryke, who speaks on nutrition and health for the Royal College of GPs, to look at the advice I’d been given by just two nutritional therapists, she was shocked.

Not only were the diagnostic ‘tools’ they used highly dubious, but their diagnoses were entirely invalid, she said.

‘Your actual allergies they missed; nor would we typically attribute bowel symptoms to fluctuating oestrogen levels; and low iron levels should be explored,’ she said.

Indeed, low iron could be a sign of anaemia, which can be linked to bowel cancer, among other things.

The problem is that anyone can set themselves up to offer nutritional advice, and trying to find the legitimate practitioners is a bewildering process.

The wide variety of practitioners offering nutritional advice is astonishing, and it doesn’t help that they use so many different terms to describe what they do.

At the authoritative end of the spectrum there are dieticians. This is a legal term and only someone who’s taken a recognised four-year university degree or a postgraduate diploma in nutrition and dietetics is allowed to use the title.

Then there are the nutritionists with university degrees in nutrition and postgraduate qualifications similar to those gained by NHS dieticians.

They tend to belong to one of the government-approved ‘voluntary registers’, which insist on certain qualifications, character references and insurance, and can therefore offer the public a degree of reassurance.

For instance, a registered nutritionist (with the government-approved Association for Nutritionists) must have an approved university degree or postgraduate course with the emphasis on ‘evidence-based nutrition science’.

Then there are nutritional therapists. These may have a degree or diploma in nutritional therapy.

Qualified nutritional therapists can register with BANT (the government-approved British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy), and although registering is less rigorous than for dieticians or registered nutritionists, it does involve passing an assessment of their qualifications, character and insurance status.

However, all of the therapists highlighted by Which? were BANT members.

‘The evidence-based distinction between nutritionists and nutritional therapists is important,’ says Dr George Grimble, a biochemist from the Centre of Gastroenterology and Nutrition at University College London.

‘Evidence-based means scientifically proven, and scientific studies are what tell you whether something works or not, and whether it could do any harm.’

At the other end of the nutrition advice spectrum are the ‘lifestyle nutritionists’ who put their faith in unproven methods of diagnosis such as iridology (the study of the iris), muscle testing and tongue analysis.

And as the Which? report highlighted, therapists often use these tests to market supplements costing up to £70 a month.

One online correspondence course I found boasted you could call yourself a ‘qualified nutrition consultant’ after 80 hours of study, which could be completed in ‘as little as two weeks’.

This wouldn’t qualify you to join one of the recognised registers, but there would be nothing to stop you setting up your own nutrition consultancy.

‘The big danger is that people see the word “nutritionist” and assume that the practitioner is qualified,’ says Dr Pryke.

Catherine Collins likens it to ‘playing Russian roulette with your health’.

‘You could get someone who knows what they’re doing, or someone who is one textbook ahead of you and has just trained over a weekend,’ she warns.

It really is hit and miss, as I discovered when I took myself to a third nutritional therapist — this time one I’d heard about through a friend.

She boasted a three-year diploma in naturopathic nutrition from the College of Naturopathic Medicine, and BANT registration.

When I revealed my ‘symptoms’ and fears, she asked further questions. (Did I have pain? Had I seen blood in my stools? Had I been trying to lose weight?)

But then she said she didn’t see any red flag signs of cancer — ‘so I don’t think there’s any need for you to be referred to your GP’.

She said my tongue (which with another nutritional therapist had registered ‘spleen dysfunction’) showed my liver to be ‘struggling’.

Her written report suggested my changed bowel movements might be ‘steatorrhea’ caused by an insufficiency of pancreatic enzymes. She recommended a ‘liver detox diet’ (lots of fruit and veg, and no wheat, dairy, sugar, caffeine or processed foods).

While the line of questioning was reassuring, says Dr Pryke, if steatorrhea (fatty stools) was a problem, it should be mentioned to a GP. She also said a diet that removed whole food groups was worrying.

But then I hit lucky with my fourth visit. My fictitious symptoms clearly alarmed the London-based BANT-affiliated practitioner I contacted.

When I called to make an appointment, she refused to see me until I’d seen my GP first.

‘It’s free — and that’s what they’re there for,’ she said.

So what if you do want to talk to an expert about nutrition? Dr Pryke recommends anyone with health concerns talk to their GP or check out the NHS Choices website first.

When we contacted BANT, a spokesperson said: ‘BANT recognises that nutritional therapy is not a protected term, and as such anyone can call themselves a nutritional therapist.

‘Regardless of the Which? article, BANT is still confident to recommend that anyone wishing to investigate the potential of nutritional therapy should consult a BANT practitioner.’

The spokesman added that BANT is regularly called upon to submit evidence to Government committees and work groups: ‘In December 2011, BANT submitted evidence to the House of Commons Health Select Committee inquiry into education, training and workforce planning within the health sector.

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successful weight loss

As you know I aim to enlighten and educate on this blog and this time of year is the time where we all tend to decide to eat healthy. You may not believe it but when you get into healthy eating after a few weeks you will feel so much better, if you do binge on junk food, you will feel so uncomfortable you won't want to do it again, it soon becomes a habit

Article below from the Daily Mail

Foods that fight stress

Changing your diet to overcome anxiety is the first step to successful weight loss

The Christmas holidays may have been full of cheer, but there’s no doubt that the effort and expense involved can leave our stress levels sky high.
We all react to it in different ways, but there is mounting evidence that one of the most insidious side-effects of chronic stress is an infuriating inability to lose weight.
And the way your body deals with stress could provide the clues that can help you become calmer and slimmer, explains nutritional therapist and TV diet expert Charlotte Watts, who has written a ground-breaking book on the issue.

Beat the bulge: Understanding your stress type will help you lose weight

Perhaps you are someone who collapses in a tearful heap. Or maybe you fret over endless lists, while others go down with every passing cough and cold.
Not only does feeling stressed and tired cause us to look for an instant energy fix (often found in high-calorie or high carbohydrate foods) but it also makes any excess weight we are carrying harder to lose. 


Excess stress hormones in the body encourage fat storage, especially that hard-to-shift type around the middle.
Most diets are doomed to fail if you are stressed. But eating and lifestyle changes can tackle how you react to stress, according to the new book The De-stress Diet.

Take the quiz below to pinpoint your stress type. If you answer yes to three or more questions in any section, that could be your problem. Just follow the expert advice for a slimmer, calmer, healthier 2012.

BLOATED AND STRESSED

• Do you often feel bloated after eating?
• Do you have irritable bowel syndrome-type symptoms that get worse when you are stressed?
• Do you have food sensitivities?
• Have you been on long-term steroid medications, anti-inflammatories and/ or antibiotics?
• Are you prone to headaches?
• Is your diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates?

If this is your stress type, many of your problems are caused by insufficient beneficial bacteria in your gut, triggering sugar cravings and digestive problems such as IBS and weight gain.
WHAT TO DO: Increase your intake of natural prebiotics, which help promote good bacteria. They are found in veg (particularly Jerusalem artichokes, chicory, bananas, garlic, onions and leeks) or use supplements. Take digestive enzyme capsules at the start of each meal (around £9 for 100 from health stores) to help your body break down food.
Chew everything properly and wait an hour after eating protein before having fruit as it can cause gut fermentation and gas.
Cut down on sugars, alcohol and caffeine, which can reduce levels of beneficial bacteria and lead to gas, poor immunity and yeast overgrowth (candida).
Eat slowly and chew thoroughly to give your digestion the best chance to work effectively. Get tested for food intolerances (dairy, eggs, fish and grains) as low levels of beneficial bacteria in the gut can make it over-sensitive.

WIRED AND STRESSED

• Do you feel on constant alert?
• Do you react quickly to stressful events?
• Do you struggle to relax?
• Do you feel under pressure to take charge of things?
• Do you feel increasingly unable to cope?
• Are you prone to mood swings or have a tendency towards irritability?

This is one of the most common stress types, and is particularly harmful in the long term because it wears out our physical and mental systems. The adrenal glands (which control many stress hormones) are on  overload, triggering raised appetite and food cravings.
WHAT TO DO: Make sure you are getting all your nutrients by eating protein with every meal (eggs, meat or fish), healthy fats and plenty of vegetables. 
Consider taking supplements containing zinc, iron, B vitamins, vitamin C, iodine and magnesium, commonly lost from the body during the stress response. 

Nutrients needed: Eating more fruit and veg will help those who are wired and stressed

Don’t ignore tiredness: unwind in the evenings and try a few minutes of slow breathing each morning or before bed. Slow down your exercise regime. Avoid anything competitive so there is no stressful need to achieve.

COLD AND STRESSED

• Do you often complain of feeling cold when others are warm?
• Do you have poor circulation and are prone to fluid retention?
• Is your hair thinning and are you losing the edges of your eyebrows?
• Do you often find it difficult to concentrate?
• Do you have less and less energy?
• Do you have a hoarse voice?
• Do you wake up unrefreshed?

These symptoms are often signs that stress is causing your thyroid gland (which controls metabolism) to under-perform. It’s your body’s way of slowing you down to conserve energy. This makes weight loss harder than ever.
WHAT TO DO: Balance your blood sugar levels to keep energy constant by eating less sugar and refined carbohydrates, and eating protein and good fats with each meal. Cut back on alcohol and coffee. Don’t skimp on exercise — it stimulates sluggish thyroid glands.
Try yoga. Head-down poses encourage blood flow and the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the thyroid gland.

Stretch: Head down yoga positions encourage blood flow

Protein and leafy greens contain an amino acid called tyrosine, which helps the thyroid produce thyroxine which re-invigorates the metabolism.
Avoid raw cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and kale as they can interfere with thyroid function.
Eat warming foods such as chilli, ginger, green tea, turmeric, cider vinegar, horseradish and wasabi to warm you up.
Consider taking the thyroid- stimulating nutrients iron, zinc, copper, selenium and iodine (found in mackerel, cod, shellfish and seaweeds).

ILL AND STRESSED

• Are you prone to hay fever, asthma, eczema, arthritis or psoriasis?
• Do you get frequent ear, nose and throat infections?
• Do you have a tendency to fluid retention and weight fluctuations?
• Are you prone to headaches?
• Have you been on long-term steroid medications, anti-inflammatories and/or antibiotics?
• Is your diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates?
• Do you have osteoporosis, heart disease or joint problems?

These symptoms could be  signs that your immune system is on overdrive. This saps energy,  and suppresses the appetite- satisfaction hormones ghrelin and leptin, making weight loss particularly difficult.
WHAT TO DO: Reduce your intake of sugar to cut down the harmful inflammatory reactions it may be causing in your body.
Boost your intake of foods rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, beta- carotene (found in fresh, brightly coloured fruit and vegetables), as well as the beneficial bioflavonoids and polyphenols found in spices, tea, green tea and garlic (as well as red wine and dark chocolate).
Increase your fruit and vegetable intake to ensure you don’t get dehydrated (because they contain potassium and sugars, they  help the water they contain enter cells more easily than just drink-ing water).
Low levels of omega 3 in the diet can lead to inflammation, making eczema, asthma, dermatitis, hay fever, migraines and arthritis worse — stress exacerbates the effect. An omega 3 supplement may help.
Weight training is a must to strengthen bones and maintain healthy joint lubrication. Avoid hard cardiovascular workouts  and choose gentle jogging or walking instead.

HORMONAL AND STRESSED

• Do you get PMS or have a history of menstrual problems?
• Do you have fibroids, endometriosis or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?
• Do you get pre-menstrual or ovulation sugar cravings?
• Do you get hormonal phases of irritability, crying and/or negative thoughts?
• Do you have menopausal symptoms?
• Do you have fertility issues?
• Have you used hormonal contraception (the Pill, IUD or implant) for years?

Affecting women only, this body type thrives on stress hormones interacting with oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone, skewing the delicate balance your hormonal system needs to function well and leading to weight gain typically on the bottom, hips and thighs.
WHAT TO DO: Reduce your alcohol consumption as it can raise circulating oestrogen and may worsen PMS.
Organic meat, eggs and dairy products tend to be lower in growth hormones, which may disrupt your hormone balance.
Eat a little fermented soy in the form of soy sauce, tamari, miso  and tempeh — the Chinese and Japanese have found this can  help regulate the balance of  female hormones.
Eat plenty of fibre to ensure effective elimination of excess hormones via the bowel (constipation may cause hormones  and toxins to be re-absorbed into the body).
Exercise every day — it is a crucial physical process that increases hormone balance by boosting circulation and detoxification.

TIRED AND STRESSED

• Do you wake up feeling weary?
• Do you have energy dips?
• Do you rely on sugar or caffeine to perk you up?
• Do you feel fuzzy-headed?
• Are you exhausted by evening?
• Do you sleep badly?
• Do you get fluid retention?

If you’ve been a ‘wired’ stress type for a while, you can easily become a tired type, which can result in crashes that leave you unable to function without unhealthy sugar or stimulants.

Energy boost: Tired and stressed people should eat more red meat, fish and eggs, spinach and watercress

WHAT TO DO: Swap external energy fixes such as sugar, coffee, alcohol and cigarettes for a multivitamin and mineral supplement to boost iron, B and C vitamins and magnesium.
Eat more red meat, fish and eggs, spinach and watercress (all rich in
iron) and poultry, milk, tofu and mushrooms (for vitamin B12).
Get more fluid by increasing fruit and veg intake and exercise to
reduce stress hormones.

DEMOTIVATED AND STRESSED

• Do you often feel as if you can’t be bothered to do anything?
• Do you have a tendency to depression?
• Do you use sugar and refined carbohydrates for comfort?
• Do you have late-night binges or over-eating sessions?
• Do you sleep badly?
• Are you prone to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

Don’t blame lack of willpower — stress has depleted the feelgood hormones serotonin and dopamine.
Low levels are linked to depression, and make you susceptible to junk food cravings as your body searches for a quick fix boost.
WHAT TO DO: Take an Omega-3 supplement to increase receptiveness
to serotonin and dopamine. Eat protein with every meal to ensure a consistent supply of energy to the brain to maintain a healthy mood.
Replenish probiotic gut bacteria with bio-yogurt and cut back on sugar. Take a magnesium supplement. Exercise outdoors. Laugh, listen to music, socialise, have sex: natural opioids are produced in response to these natural highs.

Extracted from The De-stress Diet by Charlotte Watts and Anna Magee, published by Hay House on January 7 at £12.99. © Charlotte Watts and Anna Magee 2012. To order a copy for £10 (P&P free), tel: 0843 382 0000.

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THE BENEFITS TO YOUR HEALTH FROM PINEAPPLE

I was sitting after dinner drinking fresh pineapple juice which prompted me to blog about the health benefits of Pineapple. I drink it not just because I love the taste, it is incredibly healthy and is crammed full of nutrients, flavonoids and anti free radicals (free radicals are what age you ladies). It is also a natural anti inflammatory and brilliant at soothing the digestive system after gastro enteritis, I can personally vouch for this. If you don't like the flavour it makes an excellent face mask dissolving dead skin cells to reveal fresh healthy skin layers. Anyway below are some facts

Health benefits of Pineapple fruit


• Fresh pineapple is storehouse of many health promoting compounds, minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimum health, like calcium, potassium, fiber and vitamin C.

• The fruit is low in calories (provides only 50 cal per 100 g), contains no saturated fats or cholesterol; but rich source of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber like pectin.

• Pineapple fruit contains a proteolytic enzyme bromelain that digests food by breaking down protein. Bromelain also has anti-inflammatory, anti-clotting and anti-cancer properties. Regular consumption of at least one-half cup daily fresh pineapple can relieve joint pain is recognized in osteoarthritis. In Germany, bromelain is approved as a drug because it is considered post-injury to reduce inflammation and swelling. Studies have shown that consumption of pineapple regularly helps fight against arthritis, indigestion and worm infestation.

• Fresh pineapple is an excellent source of antioxidant vitamin; vitamin C. It is required for the collagen synthesis in the body. Collagen is the main structural protein in the body required for maintaining the integrity of blood vessels, skin, organs, and bones. Regular consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps body protect from scurvy; develop resistance against infectious agents (boosts immunity) and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the body. One of the benefits of pineapple is to help build healthy bones. Pineapple is rich in manganese, a mineral that is needed for the body to build bone and connective tissue. Just one cup of pineapple provides 73 percent of the daily recommended amount of manganese. The benefits of pineapple can affect bone growth in young people and strengthening of bones in the elderly. Gums hold your teeth in place and the teeth will be in poor condition if you have unhealthy gums. By eating pineapple, you strengthen the gums for many years later. The benefits of pineapple when you have a cold or cough are the same as the benefits of orange juice. Bromelain found in pineapples, has been found to help suppress coughs and loosen mucus. Bromelain has proven beneficial for upper respiratory tract infections such as sinusitis and bronchitis. Bromelain helps reduce inflammation of the nose and break up mucus in the nose, sinuses and respiratory areas.

• It also contains good amount Vitamin A (provides 58 IU per 100 g) and beta-carotene levels. These compounds are known to have antioxidant properties. Vitamin A is also required maintaining healthy mucus membranes, skin and essential for vision. Studies have suggested that consumption of natural fruits rich in flavonoids helps body to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers. Pineapple contains more beta carotene is good for the eyes and vision. Studies show that eating three or more servings of pineapple a day can lower the chance to get macular degeneration associated with age, a major cause of vision loss in older people.

• In addition, this fruit is rich in B-complex group of vitamins like folates, thiamin, pyridoxine, riboflavin and minerals like copper, manganese and potassium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids, helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Pineapple can help reduce the risk of blood clots, thereby also preventing the occurrence of heart problems. Copper is helpful cofactor for red blood cell synthesis. Manganese is a co-factor for the enzyme superoxide dismutase, which is a very powerful free radical scavenger.

TABLE OF NUTRIENTS IN PINEAPPLE

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TACKLE YOUR MOOD AS WELL AS YOUR GROWING WAISTLINE

This is not a new idea, those of us involved in nutrition have been well aware of this for years, but if it helps get the facts out there, then its good. The trouble is a diet that is high in refined sugars causes havoc with our blood sugar levels and its this that instigates type 2 Diabetes later in life. When you eat a snack or meal high in refined sugars the amount of sugar gets into the blood stream after being converted into glucose via the digestive system. To enable the glucose to reach the cells and give the body's cells energy, the pancreas has to produce Insulin, Insulin is the catalyst, the key to allow sugar entry into the cells. Now the body is constantly trying to achieve homoeostasis, a balance a lot of sugar means a lot of insulin needs to be produced by the pancreas and if we eat a lot of refined sugars over a period of years this has a detrimental effect on the Pancreas. In time you will gain weight too and for the poor Pancreas this means more work. The other effect with refined sugars is peaking in the blood stream, there is a surge of Insulin to enable the sugar to enter the cells, this Insulin causes a trough  and whats often apparent is a feeling of tiredness and sometimes shaking. On the other hand eating complex carbohydrates and unrefined sugars, they are released much slower into the blood stream, so there is not this sudden rush of Insulin and no tiredness and weakness. This peaking and troughing in the blood stream leads to mood swings and a craving for sugary foods and makes it difficult to stick to a weight loss plan. 

We need adequate vitamins especially the B complex group for nerve function and Thiamine which is one of this group for energy release. Vitamin B is also water soluble so has to be eaten daily as it cannot be stored by the body and easily destroyed by over cooking and processing. Our bodies also use more Vitamin B in times of stress. The Brain especially needs adequate levels of Omega 3 Fish oils, so a good balanced diet is essential in order for it to function correctly, Processed foods lack adequate nutrition, so if you find yourself getting that tired lagging feeling around late afternoon your first thought should be to have a good look at your diet.

Anybody who has tried a quick fix weight reduction diet will know how grumpy it can make themselves feel and how often its driven them to cravings for sweet sugary foods and chocolate. By taking care to balance your diet by eating good fats, such as fish oils and olive oil, whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables, you will lose the weight and you will achieve your goal rather than give in to those sugar cravings

The Happiness Diet: How a new weight-loss plan promises to tackle your mood as well as your waistline

We all know that a diet high in fat, sugar and processed food is bad for our waistlines.
But according to a new book, it is also making us depressed.
Authors of The Happiness Diet believe that what we eat can affect mood as much as it does weight.

Brain food: Authors of The Happiness Diet believe that what we eat can affect our mood as much as it does our weight

Drew Ramsey, a clinical psychiatrist at Columbia University, and health writer Tyler Graham say that eating the right food is 'the foundation of good mental health'.

They point out that rates of both obesity and depression have doubled in the last decade, and blame the rise on the Standard American Diet, or the SAD Diet.

'Your brain is made of food, and the right foods are the foundation of good mental health'

A weight-loss plan that simply cuts fat and calories is a recipe for failure, they say, and without natural mood-boosters such as magnesium, vitamin B12 and conjugated linoleic acid, we are less likely to feel happy and therefore successful.
Instead, a diet rich in 'good' fats, like olive oil, whole grains, vegetables and quality meat can benefit both out minds and our waistlines because, by feeling more satisfied, one will lose weight effortlessly.
Dr Ramsey told Today.com: 'Focusing on getting skinny by eating a low-fat, low-calorie diet, fails for most people.

The Happiness Diet: You can't feel your best if you starve the brain, say Tyler Graham and Drew Ramsey

'Your brain is made of food, and the right foods are the foundation of good mental health. You can't feel your best if you starve the brain.'
They also counter the argument that the food they recommend is too expensive for those on a budget.
'The biggest myth out there is that eating right is expensive,' Dr Ramsey said, explaining that ordering a weekly seasonal box of produce from community-supported agriculture programmes can actually cut your weekly grocery spend.
But there's nothing wrong in investing in your health if you do need to spend more, Mr Graham added.
A century ago, people spent far more on food than they do now, because they had different priorities.
'Your brain is made out of food,' he said, echoing his co-author. 'What's more important, having 200 cable channels or feeding your brain the nutrients it needs?'

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WHY THIS DOES NOT SURPRISE ME (ANTIOXIDANT VITAMINS AND MINERALS)

FOODS RICH IN SELENIUM

To me this is not news nutritionists and dietitians have known this for donkey ages, it stands to reason. It's a message us in the industry have been trying to get across for so long and it's pretty basic. The problem lies in peoples' diet these days and the cause of many a problem, too many people have come to rely on fast foods and processed convience foods. I say processed convience foods because nature has its own convience foods, salads and fruit and many vegetables don't take long to prepare and these are rich in these vitamins and minerals. Does the problem lie with peoples' parents these days? or does it stem from the education system that food and nutrition doesn't focus so much in schools? but then why should it? Personally I feel parents' have a duty to educate their children to why it's important to eat a well balanced diet.

If you tell a child or anyone for that matter, to do something or not do something, especially when it comes to eating 'greens' they are going to rebel, especially small children as they are born with a sweet palate, so education should start at an early age. Tell them as they grow up what nutrients do for our bodies, children are like little sponges they absorb facts and it will stay with them. If you say they must eat them without saying why, they will stubbornly refuse and that goes for educating adults as well.

Over cooking can also destroy vitamins, especially the water soluble ones such as  the B complex and Vit C, so steaming and microwaving, which don't use much water are idea. Frozen vegetables often contain more vitamins as they deteriorate rapidly after harvesting, whereby vegetables harvested for the frozen market must be picked and frozen straight away so the vitamin content is preserved.

Minerals are elements that originate in the soil and cannot be created by living things, such as plants and animals. Yet plants, animals and humans need minerals in order to be healthy. Plants absorb minerals from the soil, and animals get their minerals from the plants or other animals they eat. Most of the minerals in the human diet come directly from plants, such as fruits and vegetables, or indirectly from animal sources. Minerals may also be present in your drinking water, but this depends on where you live, and what kind of water you drink (bottled, tap). Minerals from plant sources may also vary from place to place, because the mineral content of the soil varies according to the location in which the plant was grown.

 Selenium
Men need 70 mcgs/day.
Women need 55 mcgs/day.

• Selenium is a part of several enzymes necessary for the body to properly function. Generally, selenium functions as an antioxidant that works in conjunction with vitamin E.
• Selenium deficiency is rare in humans.
• Most fruits contain a small amount of selenium, but dates have a significant amount. 
Bananas 
Breadfruit 
Guava 
Lychee 
Mango 
Passionfruit 
Pomegranate 
Watermelon
• Vegetables: 
Asparagus 
Brussels Sprouts 
French Beans 
Lima Beans 
Mushrooms 
Parsnip 
Peas 
Spirulina
• Most nuts contain selenium, but the following nuts have a significant amount: 
Amaranth 
Barley 
Brazil Nuts 
Buckwheat 
Cashews 
Coconut 
Rye 
Wheat - Durum 
Wheat - Hard Red
• Meat and Proteins: 
Beef 
Cheddar Cheese 
Chicken Breast 
Chicken (dark meat) 
Eggs 
Anchovies 
Caviar 
Cod 
Herring 
Perch 
Pollock 
Salmon 
Sardines 
Tuna 
Lamb 
Pork 
Soy Beans 
Turkey Breast 
Turkey Bacon 
Veal 
Turkey Leg 
Roast Duck 
Hamburger 
Bacon 
Ground Turkey
• Most legumes are a good source of Selenium but these are the highest. 
Black Eye Peas 
Fava Beans 
Garbanzo Beans 
Lima Beans 
Mung Beans 
Navy Beans 
Pigeon Beans 
Pinto Beans 
Soy Beans 
Winged Beans

ZINC
Men need 15 mgs/day.
Women should get 12 mg/day.
Children need 10 to 15 mg/day.

• Vegetarians need about 50 percent more zinc in their diet than meat eaters.
• This metal is important in a number of key activities, ranging from protein and carbohydrate metabolism to the immune system, wound healing, growth and vision.
• Severe deficiency can contribute to stunted growth. Deficiency can sometimes be seen in white spots on the fingernails. (Though not always as damage to the matrix, the growing area under the cuticle area, can also cause these white spots)
• Most fruits contain a small amount of zinc, but the following have a significant amount: 
Avocado 
Blackberries 
Dates 
Loganberries 
Pomegranate 
Raspberries
• Vegetables:
Amaranth leaves 
Asparagus 
Bamboo Shoots 
Brussels Sprouts 
Corn 
French Beans 
Lima Beans 
Okra 
Peas 
Potatoes 
Pumpkin 
Spirulina 
Swiss Chard
• Most nuts have some zinc, but these have a significant amount: 
Buckwheat 
Cashews 
Oats 
Pine Nuts/Pignolias 
Pumpkin Seeds 
Rye 
Sunflower Seeds 
Wheat - Durum 
Wheat - Hard Red 
Wheat - Hard White
• Meat and Proteins: 
Beef 
Cheddar Cheese 
Chicken Breast 
Chicken (dark meat) 
Eggs 
Catfish 
Herring 
Sardines 
Lamb 
Pork 
Soy Beans 
Turkey Breast 
Turkey Bacon 
Veal 
Yogurt 
Turkey Leg 
Lowfat Yogurt 
Roast Duck 
Hamburger 
Bacon 
Beef Sausage 
Beef Jerky 
Hot Dog (Beef) 
Ground Turkey 
Ground Chicken
• Most legumes are a good source of Magnesium but these are the highest 
Adzuki Beans 
Black Beans 
Black Eye Peas 
Fava Beans 
Edamame 
Garbanzo Beans 
Kidney Beans 
Navy Beans 
Soy Beans 
Split Peas 
White Beans 
Winged Beans

Vitamins are organic food substances found only in living things, i.e. plants and animals. They are essential for our bodies to function properly, for growth, energy and for our general well-being. With very few exceptions the human body cannot manufacture or synthesize vitamins. They must be supplied in our diet or in man-made dietary supplements. Some people believe that vitamins can replace food, but that is incorrect. In fact, vitamins cannot be assimilated without also ingesting food. That is why it is best to take them with a meal. Synthetic vitamin supplements can be of varying quality, so it is a good idea to get your supplements from a reliable source. 

Vitamin A
10,000 IU/day (plant-derived) for adult males.
8,000 for adult females - 12,000 if lactating.
4,000 for children ages 1-3
5,000 for children ages 4-6
7,000 for children ages 7-10

• Vitamin A helps cell reproduction. It also stimulates immunity and is needed for formation of some hormones. Vitamin A helps vision and promotes bone growth, tooth development, and helps maintain healthy skin, hair, and mucous membranes. It has been shown to be an effective preventive against measles.
• Deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin, poor bone growth, and weak tooth enamel.
• Alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and retinol are all versions of Vitamin A.
• Most fruits contain vitamin A, but the following fruits have a significant amount: 
Cantaloupes 
Grapefruit 
Guava 
Mango 
Papaya 
Passionfruit 
Tomatoes 
Watermelon
• Amaranth Leaves 
Bok Choy 
Broccoli 
Brussels Sprouts 
Butternut Squash 
Carrots 
Chinese Broccoli 
Chinese Cabbage 
Kale 
Leeks 
Peas 
Pumpkin 
Rapini 
Spinach 
Squash - summer 
Squash - winter 
Sweet Potato 
Swiss Chard
• Chestnuts 
Pecans 
Pistachios
• Cheddar Cheese 
Cream Cheese 
Cows Milk 
Whipping Cream 
Eggs 
Tuna 
Goat Milk 
Goat Cheese 
Sour Cream
• Most legumes do not contain a significant amount of Vitamin A

Vitamin C
60 mg for adults - 70 mg for women who are pregnant and 95 for those lactating.
Children need between 45 and 50 mg

• Vitamin C is one of the most important of all vitamins. It plays a significant role as an antioxidant, thereby protecting body tissue from the damage of oxidation. Antioxidants act to protect your cells against the effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging by-products of the body’s metabolism. Free radicals can cause cell damage that may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Vitamin C has also been found by scientists to be an effective antiviral agent.
• Black Currants 
Breadfruit 
Grapefruit 
Guava 
Kiwi 
Lychee 
Mango 
Mulberries 
Orange 
Papaya 
Passionfruit 
Pineapple 
Strawberries
• Amaranth Leaves 
Bok Choy 
Broccoli 
Brussels Sprouts 
Butternut Squash 
Green Pepper 
Kale 
Swiss Chard
• Other than 
Chestnuts, most nuts do not contain a significant amount of vitamin C.
• Cod 
Perch 
Goat Milk 
Soy Beans 
Lowfat Yogurt
• Other than Edamame, most legumes do not contain a significant amount of vitamin C.

Vitamin E
30 IU for most adults. Children need between 6-11 mg/day. (1 IU is equal to approximately .75 mg)
Note: some researchers and medical experts believe that with all of the positive studies using higher doses of vitamin E, this daily recommended intake is not high enough.

• Like vitamin C, vitamin E plays a significant role as an antioxidant, thereby protecting body tissue from the damage of oxidation. It is important in the formation of red blood cells and the use of vitamin K. Many women also use it to help minimize the appearance of wrinkles, and mothers use it to help heal minor wounds without scarring, as it is valued for its ability to soothe and heal broken or stressed skin tissue.
• Avocado 
Blackberries 
Black Currants 
Blueberries 
Boysenberries 
Breadfruit 
Cranberries 
Guava 
Kiwi 
Loganberries 
Mango 
Mulberries 
Nectarine 
Papaya 
Peach 
Pomegranate 
Raspberries
• Butternut Squash 
Parsnip 
Potatoes 
Pumpkin 
Spirulina 
Swiss Chard 
Taro
• Almonds 
Filberts/Hazelnuts 
Pine Nuts/Pignolias 
Sunflower Seeds
• Eggs 
Herring 
Sardines 
Turkey Bacon
• Edamame 
Pinto Beans

Article below from the Daily Mail

Could a simple pill costing 30p a day be the answer to getting pregnant?

               

Pregnant: The new pill helped 60 per cent of women conceive

A 30p multi-vitamin pill could more than double a woman’s chance of having a baby, according to a study.

It found that 60 per cent of those taking the supplements while undergoing IVF became pregnant compared to just a quarter who did not take them.

Researchers say the pills contain nutrients that may boost fertility such as vitamins A, C and E, zinc and selenium, that are often absent from our diets.


The study carried out at University College London involved 56 women aged 18 to 40, who had all tried unsuccessfully to fall pregnant using IVF for at least a year.

Half were given a multi-nutrient pill to take every day and the other half given folic acid pills to take daily.

The micronutrient pill also contained folic acid which prevents birth defects and has also been shown to help boost fertility.

The team found that 60 per cent of women taking the multi-nutrients fell pregnant, and did not miscarry in the first three months when it is most common.

This compared to 25 per cent of women in the group taking folic acid who were still pregnant after three months.

The study published in the journal Reproductive Biomedicine also found that women taking the micronutrients needed far fewer attempts to become pregnant.

Of those who fell pregnant, 75 per cent conceived in the first course of IVF.

By comparison just 18 per cent of those on folic acid who became pregnant did so after the first IVF course.




The study carried out at University College London, pictured, involved 56 women aged 18 to 40, who had all tried unsuccessfully to fall pregnant using IVF

The particular pill, Vitabiotics Pregnacare-Conception,contains folic acid, vitamin B, vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin C, zinc, selenium and some antioxidants.

It costs just over £10 over the counter for a month’s supply.

Lead researcher Dr Rina Agrawal said: 'The implications of this study are far reaching as they suggest that prenatal micronutrient supplementation in women undergoing ovulation induction improve pregnancy rates.


Vitabiotics Pregnacare-Conception,contains folic acid, vitamin B, vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin C, zinc, selenium and some antioxidants

'There is a large body of evidence establishing the relationship between placental development, foetal growth, pregnancy outcomes and adequate nutrition, particularly vitamin intake.'

But other scientists pointed out that the study was very small so the results should not be taken too seriously.

Dr Allan Pacey who specialises in fertility at the University of Sheffield said: 'The influence of nutrition on our fertility is of general interest to the public and professionals, but there are relatively few studies which have examined this systematically and few which have shown direct benefits of taking supplements to enhance things.'

'Therefore, on the face of it, this study is interesting but we should acknowledge that this is a relatively small number of patients and the study would need to be repeated in a larger trial before we could be certain of the results.'

A woman’s fertility is known to be affected by a number of factors including her age, weight, alcohol consumption, whether she smokes.

High levels of stress and even drinking too much coffee have also been shown to reduce the chances of falling pregnant.

Maggie Brown (Author)

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