Child behaviour directly relates to nutrition

Many a parent will comment on their child having ‘bounced off the walls’ or being ‘hyper’ after a bout of sugary sweets or drinks, and so it is common knowledge that at some level food influences behaviour. But how many of us realise the extent to which our children’s daily functionality, as well as development, is shaped by what they ingest?

Balanced nutrition is crucial during childhood to support normal growth and cognitive development. When children are fed unhealthy foods, it isn’t just a one off moment of bad behaviour at a party that is the issue; having researched into a range of information the basics detail that sugar, trans fats, artificial additives, colouring and preservatives, are all negative contributors to our overall health and behaviour. Excessive intake over an extended period of time of any of these ‘foods’ can lead to developmental difficulties, being directly linked to ADHD, anxiety, hyperactivity, aggression, headaches, depression, cognitive delay, and sleep problems. This occurs due to the constant disruption of chemicals affecting the reward-related regions in the brain. However, even in the short-term significant behavioural effects can be noted. Take this study made in the UK on a selection of regular children aged between 5-9 years old. They were split into two groups:

• Group one was fed healthy options such as apple slices, carrot sticks, sandwiches, hummus, etc. and was given water to drink.
• Group two received sadly typical party fair: sweets, potato chips, juices and soda, all with high sugar content, artificial colouring, preservatives, and other additives.

The children’s ability to follow instruction, concentrate, and remember information was then measured as they played party games, and their actions were carefully recorded.

 It wasn’t only how they behaved that was remarkably different. The healthy food group did 48% better in the games overall; that’s a huge improvement in performance indicating that their food intake rapidly and directly affected their abilities as well as their mood. According Dr. David Schab, a psychiatrist at Columbia University Medical Centre, behavioural problems in children improve when artificial colours, additives, etc, are removed from their diets and worsen when they are reintroduced, it is that simple.

What is clear from this is that children not only behave better but concentrate better, follow instructions better, and remember more when they eat healthier food. All fundamental building blocks of the learning process and vital for success at school.

Speaking of school, it is clear that no parent would want to hear that their child is aggressive or even violent, has tantrums, runs wild, and is therefore continuously being reprimanded for their disruptive and unruly behaviour. Children who refuse to listen and follow instruction, or can’t focus or concentrate long enough to do so will get used to receiving negative feedback, which in turn is a negative start to life proving difficult for the child as well as their family and teachers. Tragically, in some serious cases, kids who are simply reacting to what they are being fed end up taking unnecessary prescription drugs or are sent to special schools. This is obviously not a desirable situation so following a few simple ideals by changing a child’s diet to benefit their health and overall wellbeing seems like the obvious solution. So why do so many of us still consider handing out sweets, sugary drinks, fast food, etc. a ‘treat’? Surely it is the opposite in fact?

Unfortunately a lot of families around the world have little choice but to opt for the cheaper, processed options as fresh fruit and vegetables prove more expensive than an ironically named ‘happy’ meal. Those who do have a choice are often uninformed that their child’s diet could be the cause of their unruliness. Therefore education and raising awareness is paramount.

To summarise, we need to assume a predominantly plant-based diet, eat healthy fats, whole grains, proteins, fibre, drink plenty of water, exercise and sleep well (a lack of iron and zinc has also been noted in kids with behavioural difficulties) in order to maintain overall good health; both physical and mental. We should avoid sugar, processed foods, refined foods, additives, colouring, excess of dairy products, preservatives, trans fats, and sugary drinks to prevent any negative mood or behaviour patterns emerging.

If your child still suffers perhaps they have an allergy to something and so it may be necessary to involve a nutritionist, allergist or specialist to pinpoint the cause of the reaction. All of this should be considered prior to any child being diagnosed with a disorder and put on medication.

Pushing for good nutrition is essential for the welfare of future generations. Good gut health equals good mental and physical health…so let’s go with our gut and feed the children well.

Online Diploma Course in Child & Adolescent Nutrition

Here at the School of Natural Health Sciences we offer a distance learning diploma course comprised of 10 lessons in Child & Adolescent Nutrition. The course provides an in-depth introduction to the theory behind child nutrition, covering the nutrient needs throughout childhood, from newborn to adolescents up to the age of 19 years, and offers practical advice on food preparation, maintaining a healthy weight and encouraging physical activity. The course is a ‘stand alone’ programme aimed at all students/therapists wishing to obtain greater knowledge in child nutrition. Visit the enrolment page for more information.

• View our A-Z listing of Holistic Therapies, there are over 60 to choose from!
• Our courses are recognised in 26 countries worldwide, visit our accreditation page
• See our Special Offers this month – you could get yourself a free course!
• Contact us with any questions, we’d be delighted to help

The post Child behaviour directly relates to nutrition appeared first on SNHS - School of Natural Health Sciences.

from SNHS – School of Natural Health Sciences http://bit.ly/2vAGyzW

Obesity: A briefing for Complementary Therapists

by Antony J. Edwards ND MD(MA)Psychotherapy FRCP(MA) FBIH MANM

1. Introduction

Obesity has become an increasing and important medical problem. That problem is still growing to what may well be described as epidemic proportions. It is a multifaceted health issue because of the many factors involved. Those factors are behavioural, biological and environmental.

The medical study of obesity is called bariatrics which is a branch of medicine that deals with the control and treatment of obesity and allied diseases. At the root of the overweight and obesity problem is the simple fact of energy imbalance. Simply put, weight gain results from consuming more calories than one expends.

The object of this paper is to brief complementary therapists on the nature of overweight and obesity and its corresponding medical and social problems. It also suggests that complementary therapists have an important role to play in combating the problem at a local and personal level.

2. What is the definition of Obesity?

Overweight and obesity: Abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health.

A common index of “weight for height” that is used to classify overweight and obesity in adults is the Body Mass Index (BMI). It is defined as a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of his height in meters (kg/m2).

In terms of BMI, the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) definition is:

• a BMI greater than or equal to 25 is overweight
• a BMI greater than or equal to 30 is obesity

BMI provides the most useful population-level measure of overweight and obesity as it is the same for both sexes and for all ages of adults. The important point to understand is that it should only be considered a rough guide as it may not correspond to the same degree of fatness in different individuals.

Whilst BMI is a useful tool, it is really only a simple two-parameter measurement. It does not consider the other factors involved in the measurement of obesity. It is an obvious fact, by the very nature of the calculation, that BMI is unable to differentiate between fat and muscle. Muscle tends to be heavier than fat and can tip more toned individuals into overweight status even if their actual fat levels are quite low.

The BMI value does not take into consideration places where the body retains and distributes fat. Visceral fat, that is to say fat distributed around the abdomen, is more harmful than fat that is simply sitting under the skin. Visceral fat develops in muscle tissue and around organs such as the liver. By releasing certain hormones and other agents, it disrupts the body’s ability to balance its energy needs.

It is perfectly possible for even relatively thin people to have high levels of visceral fat. This means that such people might be considered healthy by BMI measurement standards but, because of the fat distribution, the possibility exists that they could be incurring a higher risk of developing the type of health problems that
are related to weigh gain.

Consequently, when considering a patient’s BMI we should also give some consideration to their waist circumference. This may be used as a simple measure of body fatness.

Adult waist circumference cut points are:

• Increased risk of health problems: Men≥ 94cm Women ≥ 80cm
• Greatly increased risk of health problems: Men ≥ 102cm Women ≥ 88cm

Waist to hip ratio examines fat distribution and, in practice, is used less frequently, given the established links between waist circumference alone and health risk. The conclusion here is that BMI has its limitations but the knowledge gained from it may be improved with the additional consideration of waist measurement.

3. What are the causes of obesity?

A failure to balance one’s energy

A lack of energy balance is the most probable cause of overweight and obesity. Energy balance means that ENERGY IN must equal ENERGY OUT.

ENERGY IN is the amount of energy, measured in joules or calories, that is obtained from food and drink.

ENERGY OUT is the amount of energy that the body uses for activities that are life-maintaining such as breathing, digesting, and generally running the body machine. We can call these INTERNAL ACTIVITIES. Added to these are the EXTERNAL ACTIVITIES such as walking, running and physically working.

Thus:

ENERGY OUT = ENERGY FOR INTERNAL ACTIVITIES + ENERGY FOR EXTERNAL ACTIVITIES.

We can perhaps make this clearer by writing it as:

ENERGY IN = CALORIES (OR JOULES) IN

ENERGY OUT = CALORIES FOR INTERNAL ACTIVITIES + CALORIES FOR EXTERNAL ACTIVITIES.

To maintain a healthy weight, energy IN and OUT does not have to balance exactly every day of the week. It is the maintenance of a balance over time that enables the body to operate at a healthy weight.

We can sum this up in the following manner:

CALORIES IN = CALORIES OUT = WEIGHT BALANCE

CALORIES IN > CALORIES OUT = WEIGHT GAIN

CALORIES IN < CALORIES OUT = WEIGHT LOSS

Overweight and obesity happen slowly over time when the body takes in more calories than it actually uses.

An Inactive Lifestyle

Most people are not, generally speaking, very physically active. One of the reasons for this is that many people work very hard and relax by spending a lot of time in front of TVs and computers or using what leisure time they have engaging in hobbies that tend to be passive rather than active.

There are other reasons for not being active. These include over reliance on cars instead of walking or cycling and fewer physical demands at work or at home because of the use of modern technology. For children there may be a lack of physical education periods in schools.

Inactive people will have the tendency to gradually gain weight because of the simple fact that they do not burn sufficient energy to achieve the balance discussed earlier. It is not just weight increase that is the problem. From weight increase comes the added risk of heart disease, increased blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, colon cancer and a plethora of other health risks.

Environmental Issues

Modern working practices, market forces and the urban environment are not conducive of a healthy lifestyle. The problem here is that they conspire together to encourage overweight and obesity. The way in which the modern environment is structured can show the way in which this interaction works against health.

For example:

• Working life. Long working hours coupled with the time spent commuting does not provide sufficient time for active leisure pursuits.
• Lack of open spaces and parks in the urban area for play and other healthy sporting activities.
• High cost of gymnasia and swimming pools are off-putting to people on low incomes.
• The fashion for large or ‘supersized’ food portions encouraged by TV advertising, and particularly by ‘fast food’ chain restaurants. These large meals and snacks can easily feed two or more people. Here we can easily understand what will be the result of too much energy being taken in without a corresponding  balance of activity energy out.
• Failure to understand the necessity to consume a balanced diet, not just of calories but of all the other necessary nutrients required for a healthy body. This is an educational failure. It is not any lack of access to healthy foodstuffs that is the problem; it is that the majority of people have no understanding of the importance of consuming a wide rage of fresh fruits and fresh vegetables.
• Food advertising. Commercial television stations bombard the viewing-public with advertising for food products. In what appears to be a significant number of TV advertisements, children are the targets of advertising for high sugar, high calorie and high fat content manufactured products. There is only one object for these advertisements and that is to encourage the viewer to buy these unsuitable foodstuffs.

Genetics and Health Conditions

Studies have shown that genes do have a strong influence on a person’s weight. Overweight and obesity tend to run in families.

Genetic considerations may affect the amount of fat the body stores and where this extra fat is stored. Families also share the same food and they may also share similar physical activity profiles. Children tend to adopt the habits of their parents. Clearly a link may be seen to exist between an individual’s genetic profile and the family environment.

Children’s habits and lifestyles are forged by their interaction with the family group. Therefore, parents who are overweight, inactive and who eat high-calorie foods will provide encouragement for the children to become overweight as well.

The only way around this is for the family to adopt good healthy food and physical activity habits. If this is done, the obesity risk to both parents and children is reduced. It must be understood, however, that to make these necessary life-style changes properly requires a basic understanding of nutrition and health.

Medical Conditions

It also needs to be understood that there are medical conditions that can lead to overweight and obesity.

These can include:

• Hypothyroidism. This is a condition where the thyroid gland produces too little thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone regulates our metabolism. Too little hormone slows the metabolism and often causes weight gain. A hormone level test can reveal if this is the case.
• Cushing’s syndrome. This condition (also known as hypercortisolism) results when the adrenal glands on top of each kidney produce an excess amount of a steroid hormone called cortisol. Cortisol regulates a wide range of processes throughout the body including metabolism and the immune response. It also has a very important role in helping the body respond to stress. The syndrome can also develop if a person takes high doses of certain medicines, such as prednisone, for long periods. Prednisone is a potent anti-inflammatory prescription medication used to treat inflammatory types of arthritis and other conditions. One side effect is that it can lead to a build-up of fat. This occurs characteristically in areas such as the face, the upper back, and the abdomen.
• Psychological Considerations. Some people with depression develop a tendency to overeat which can lead to obesity because of the resulting failure of the energy balance. There is also the problem of addictions. Examples include people who love chocolate, sweetened coffee or tea, peanut butter, sweetened cereals, a sugary doughnut or sweet roll. Items such as these are consumed at intervals throughout the day.
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects about 5–10 percent of women of childbearing age. Women who have PCOS often are obese, have excess hair growth, and have reproductive problems and other health issues. These problems are caused by the high levels of hormones called androgens.

Certain medicines may cause a gain in weight. These medicines include some corticosteroids, antidepressants and seizure medicines. These medicines can increase the appetite, slow the rate at which the body burns calories or cause water retention in the body. All of these factors can lead to weight gain.

Additional conditions leading to weight increase

Lack of Sleep

A growing body of research suggests that there is a link between how much people sleep and how much they weigh. In general, children and adults who get too little sleep tend to weigh more than those who get enough sleep. People who sleep fewer hours have a tendency to eat foods that are higher in calories and carbohydrates. Here again is a clear path leading to weight gain, and obesity.

In one particular study researchers followed roughly 60,000 women for 16 years, asking them about their weight, sleep habits, diet and other aspects of their lifestyle.  At the start of the study, all of the women were healthy and none were obese; 16 years later, women who slept 5 hours or less per night had a 15 percent higher risk of becoming obese, compared to women who slept 7 hours per night. Short sleepers also had 30 percent higher risk of gaining 30 pounds over the course of the study, compared to women who got 7 hours of sleep per night.

There are several possible ways that sleep deprivation could increase the chances of becoming obese. It would appear that sleep-deprivation can lead to people being too tired to undertake any form of physical exercise.

This decreases the ‘energy out’ side of the weight balance equation. The other aspect of sleep deprivation is that people who do not get their sufficient amount of sleep have a tendency to take in more calories than those who do. The reason for this is, because they are awake for a longer period of time, they have more opportunities to eat.  Furthermore, lack of sleep disrupts the balance of key hormones that control appetite so sleep-deprived people may be hungrier than those who get enough rest each night.

Sleep enables the body to maintain a healthy balance of the hormones that cause feelings of hunger (ghrelin) or feelings of repletion (leptin). With sleep deprivation, the level of ghrelin goes up and the level of leptin goes down. The result of this is that the pangs of hunger are felt more at this time than when well-rested.

Another aspect of lack of sleep is that it has an effect on how the body reacts to insulin (the hormone that controls the level of blood glucose). A lack of sleep results in a higher than normal blood sugar level. A continuation of this condition  may increase the risk of becoming diabetic.

Age

As the body ages muscle is lost. The amount of loss depends upon the level of physical activity. The effect of muscle loss is to reduce the rate at which the body is able to burn energy. As we have seen from the energy balance equations above, if calorie intake (energy in) is not reduced as one ages then the result will be weight gain.

The middle life weight gain experienced mainly by women is mainly due to aging coupled with a failure to regulate and adjust one’s  lifestyle. Menopause also plays a role in female weight gain.  There can be a gain of some 2.5 kilograms the result being an increase in fat around the waist.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, it is normal for women to gain weight in order to support the foetus’ growth and development. The majority of women find it hard to lose weight after giving birth and, coupled with a failure to change poor dietary habits and inactivity, may lead to overweight or obesity. If the situation is not taken in hand the effect will be magnified after further pregnancies.

Sugar

Sugar does play a role in this but perhaps not to the extent that some commentators might think. Many fruit drinks (‘energy drinks’) contain a high degree of added sugar. Quite obviously, excessive consumption of such drinks will lead to weight increase if the consumption is not followed by physical exercise.

Once again, as has been already noted above, it is the energy balance that is important. The majority of human beings have what has often been described as a ‘sweet tooth’. This leads to the high consumption of manufactured food products that contain excessive amounts of sugar. One has only to walk around a supermarket in order to see the vast range of sugar-loaded products on offer. Again, it is the failure to maintain the body’s correct energy balance that causes weight increase and leads to obesity.

4. The growth of obesity in adults and children

 

Figure 1

 

The growth of obesity in England amongst men and women may be observed in Figure 1.  Furthermore, these graphs, coupled with more recent studies, make the point that there is an obesity epidemic in England that shows no signs of abating anytime soon. An alarming picture indeed!

 

Source:  Official Website of the Prevalence of Obesity in Australia

Figure 2

 

Figure 3

 

A similar trend for the growth of obesity in children may be seen in Figure 3. Again, as with the adult statistics indicated in Figures 1 and 2, the epidemic extends itself to children and also appears to show no sign of abating. The increasing slope of the graph towards 2020 in Figure 3 should be a particular point for concern. It has been established that the problem starts early in life. A survey carried out by Mother & Baby magazine in 2004 revealed that 9 out of 10 toddlers eat what may fairly be described as junk food, with chocolate, biscuits, crisps, fish fingers, chips, cake and chicken nuggets appearing in children’s top 10 favourite foods.

5. The social implications of obesity

The negative effects of both overweight and obesity cannot be over emphasised. These effects have enormous implications for the provision of health services and for the economy in general.

A person who is obese or overweight increases the risk of developing a range of serious diseases, including heart disease and cancers. The impact of obesity on the health of adults is now well-understood. However, as we have seen above in Figure 3, the rising levels of childhood obesity has consequences for the physical and mental health of children and young people both today and for the foreseeable future.

It is clear and obvious that obesity is related to the development of long-term health conditions. The large percentage of the populace to whom this applies is already placing demands on health related services.

Overweight and obesity and their associated health problems have a significant economic impact on both the nations health services as well as upon the local authorities. Obesity has not only direct health care costs but it has enormous financial implications for the whole economy such as the  loss of productivity due to absenteeism, certified medical incapacity and thus the increased burden on the state’s resources.

6. The financial burden of obesity

Based upon the work carried out by various government agencies it can be clearly seen that the nation cannot afford to underestimate the cost of overweight and obesity. The direct costs to the National Health Service (NHS) for treating conditions of overweight, obesity, and related morbidity in England are estimated to have ranged from £479.3 million in 1998 to £4.2 billion in 2007. Note that these are direct costs. Estimates of the indirect costs, that is to say those costs arising from the impact of obesity on the wider economy as mentioned above over the same time period, ranged between £2.6 billion and £15.8 billion.

For the years 2006 and 2007, obesity and obesity-related illness was estimated to have cost £148 million in inpatient stays in England. In Scotland, the total societal cost of obesity and overweight in the years 2007 and 2008 was estimated to be between £600 million and £1.4 billion. It is further estimated that the NHS cost may have contributed as much as £312 million to this.

Analytical theoretical projections based upon the solid base of statistics suggest that indirect costs could be as much as £27 billion by 2015.

It is important to understand that different studies have estimated and defined costs differently. It is therefore difficult to interpret trends and to compare cost estimates between studies. This appears to be because of a lack of agreed definition of costs between reporting agencies and authorities. This discrepancy should not influence the arguments about what must be done to tackle overweight and obesity – the financial studies carried out are sufficient indication of a disastrous financial burden on all aspects of national life. This is a problem that is just not going to go away.

To put this into perspective, a major collateral problem to obesity is Type 2 Diabetes. The exact causes of diabetes are still not completely understood but it is known that obesity increases the risk of developing different types of diabetes mellitus.

For type 2 diabetes, this includes being overweight or obese (having a body mass index – BMI – of 30 or greater).

In fact, research indicates that obesity accounts for 80-85% of the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, recent research suggests that obese people are up to 80 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those with a BMI of less than 22. The national cost of medication for the control of diabetes if very high.

Estimates of the annual costs resulting from diabetes in the UK are:

• Cost of absenteeism:           £8.4 billion per annum
• Cost of early retirement:      £6.9 billion per annum
• Cost of social benefits:        £0.152 billion

Note that this just for the treatment of diabetes. No other medical conditions resulting from diabetes are included.

Diabetes is just one condition that can arise from overweight and obesity. It must be remembered that overweight and obesity affects the body in a variety of ways, all of which create the their own related personal health and public financial burdens.

7. Education and the role of the Complementary Therapist

Let us just examine a typical statement made by authorities; in this case the World Health Organisation.

“Curbing the childhood obesity epidemic requires sustained political commitment and the collaboration of many public and private stakeholders.

Governments, International Partners, Civil Society, NGO’s and the Private Sector have vital roles to play in shaping healthy environments and making healthier diet options for children and adolescents affordable and easily accessible. It is therefore WHO’s objective to mobilize these partners and engage them in implementing the Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health.

WHO supports the designation, the implementation, the monitoring and the leadership of actions. A multisectoral approach is essential for sustained progress: it mobilizes the combined energy, resources and expertise of all global stakeholders involved.“

This is all very true but unfortunately it keeps the problem circulating at a high level and does not reach the people on the ground. We can easily see from the graphs, detailing the steadily increasing percentage of population
that is overweight or obese, that “initiatives” so far are ineffectual. I can see that it does not get to the point at which real action can be taken when I see a young mother buy a tin of a brand name fizzy drink and put it in her baby’s milk bottle in order to pacify the child. What is lacking is a grass roots level of education and this is where complementary therapists can make a difference. Nutrition is the fundamental subject in which all complementary therapists need to be educated.

8. Conclusions

The more one studies the problem of overweight and obesity the clearer it becomes that action of more than one level is required.

At national level:

Any anti obesity campaign should focus on creating a social environment that encourages weight loss. This can be done by:

• Compulsory exercise for all children from primary school, through to senior school
• Health-friendly food choices in cafeterias
• Active participation in sport as players

At the individual level:

• Include nutrition in the education of all complementary therapists
• Encourage therapists to take note of their client’s physical condition
• Encourage therapists to provide basic education and basic suggestions

If there are sound government initiatives then they can be reinforced on the personal education level by a veritable army of complementary practitioners.

9. References Consulted

Patel S R, Malhotra A, White DP, Gottlieb DJ, Hu FB. Association between reduced sleep and weight gain in women. Am J Epidemiol.2006; 164:947-54.

Patel S R, Hu F B. Short sleep duration and weight gain: a systematic review. Obesity(Silver Spring). 2008; 16:643-53.

Taveras E M, Gilliman M W, Pena M M, Redline S, Rifas Shiman S L. Chronic Sleep Curtailment and Adiposity. Pediatrics. 2014 Jun;133(6):1013-22.

Department of Health (2009). Cost of obesity to NHS in England.

NICE (2006). Obesity: Guidance on prevention, identification, assessment and management of overweight and obesity in adults and children. Nice Clinical Guideline No 43. London: National Institute for Health and Clinical
Excellence.

Northern Ireland Executive (2008). Obesity time bomb is ticking louder than ever – north and south. Retrieved 12 April 2010 from http://bit.ly/2XZXzzJ.

Reilly, J.J. (2009). Obesity in children and young people. Highlight No 250. London: National Children’s Bureau.

Scottish Government (2010). Preventing overweight and obesity in Scotland: A route map towards healthy weight.

National Audit Office. Tackling Obesity in England. London: The Stationery Office, 2001.

Butland B, Jebb S, Kopelman P, et al. Tackling obesities: future choices – project report (2nd Ed). London: Foresight Programme of the Government Office for Science, 2007. (Accessed 4 November 2010).

Dr Foster Research. Weighing up the burden of obesity: a review by Dr Foster Research. London: Dr Foster Research, 2008. (Accessed 17 May 2010).

The Scottish Government. Preventing Overweight and Obesity in Scotland: A Route Map Towards Healthy Weight. Edinburgh: The Scottish Government, 2010. (Accessed 17 May 2010).

House of Commons Health Committee. Obesity: Third Report of Session 2003/4. London: The Stationery Office, 2004.

 

Copyright (c) A J Edwards 2015

---

About the Author

After retiring from a successful career as a Consulting Naval Architect and Structural Engineer, Tony Edwards devoted his energies to the study of various aspects of complementary medicine. He holds professional
qualifications in Naturopathy, Nutrition, Psychotherapy and Clinical Hypnotherapy.

Now retired from the active practice of complementary medicine, Tony maintains his therapy interests as the author and tutor of many of our Schools Internationally accredited training courses i.e. Clinical Holistic Nutrition, Clinical Hypnotherapy/Psychotherapy, Medical Hypnotherapy, Meridian Psychotherapy, Diabetes Risk Assessment and Meditation.

Tony is a Member of the Association of Natural Medicine, a Fellow of the British Institute of Hypnotherapy and NLP, and a Member of the Nutrition Society. He is a Life Fellow of Medicina Alternativa.

 

Our Course Page

The post Obesity: A briefing for Complementary Therapists appeared first on SNHS - School of Natural Health Sciences.

from SNHS – School of Natural Health Sciences http://bit.ly/2GT2n4q

The rise of Insta-fitness: the top 10 fitness trainers on Instagram

We have seen mountains of health-conscious fads and trends come and go, but since the 2010s hit, fitness is high on mainstream priority, as is social media, giving rise to today’s fitness inspiration being fiercely led by Instagram. It is one of the easiest platforms for a fitness trainer to reach out to the widest audience and be able to connect by way of video, images and stories linking directly back to their own sites, products and programmes. The intention being to create an arena whereby followers can be encouraged to live a healthier lifestyle and reach their own fitness goals.

There are fitness trainers on Instagram who have gained such an incredible number of followers they reach celebrity status, many of whom go on to become entrepreneurs developing their own brands and companies within the industry, not to mention the endorsements they achieve! Whether it be yoga, gym workouts, or a new anachronism which they’ve developed themselves (such as Kayla Insigne’s BBG – ‘bikini body guide’) it is where to turn to see what the latest trends are in the fitness world; the following are the top ten most successful fitness trainers on Instagram, how many followers they have, their net worth and how they’ve become so intensely, globally admired.

1. Kayla Itsines, 25

@kayla_itsines –  11.4 million followers.

Net Worth: (combined with her partner) $428 million!

Kayla Itsines is an Australian fitness trainer who developed a series of ebooks concentrating on BBG – Bikini Body Guides and her fitness platform “Sweat With Kayla” has delivered her to fitness guru status. Since she began her journey in 2008, Kayla has become one of the most influential names in fitness throughout the world selling out stadiums in record time. She is currently 38 weeks pregnant and has continued to document her fitness routine throughout the pregnancy, an encouragement to all those expecting to continue to workout safely. Her Instagram page depicts her personally performing snippets of her workouts, selfies of her, and also real clients of hers who send in before and after pictures of themselves having taken on her fitness programmes. She takes a personal approach ’speaking’ to her followers as though they’re friends, talks about home life, relationships and family as well as training and work life.

2. Rachel Brathen, 28

@yoga_girl – 2.1 million followers.

Net Worth: $1 million.

Yoga and lifestyle is the basis of Rachel’s Instagram page, with photos of herself, her child, different yoga poses, yoga stretches and practices, and general day to day life shots, her page is approachable and informal, fun-loving and friendly. She looks well and is promoting wellness! As well as being a social media yoga guru she has written a New York Times bestseller “Yoga Girl”, bearing the same name as her social media accounts. Rachel is Swedish and based in Aruba.

3. Natalie Jill, 47

@nataliejillfit – 472 thousand followers.

Net Worth: $1 million.

Natalie, founder of Natalie Jill Fitness is a professional fitness trainer; she has a degree in Health and Human Performance and is a Licensed Master Sports Nutritionist and Functional Fitness Trainer. The list of her certification and qualifications goes on; she is one of the most decorated fitness gurus out there! Her Instagram page is fun and friendly mostly about her in action – workouts that is, and posing in outfits but also promoting healthy foods, positive quotes and mindset plus different ways to enjoy your fitness.

4. Lyzabeth Lopez, 38

@lyzabethlopez – 2 million followers

Net Worth: $1 million.

Lyzabeth, award winning master trainer, holistic nutritionist, creator of the hourglass workout is all about booty building. She recently had a child which is fully documented on her instagram page as is her wildly muscular and curvaceous body. Her promise is to help you build the body you want; women of all sizes can cinch their waste, build their curves and transform. Her programs also offer vegan, vegetarian and hypothyroid plans as she uses her holistic nutrition background to help people attain the best diet for them. Her background is Venezuelan, Israeli, Italian and her bubbly personality and passion has gained her a huge following in the health and fitness industry.

5. Simeon Panda, 33

@simeonpanda – 5.1 million followers.

Net Worth – $1 million.

Simeon is a British bodybuilder turned entrepreneur with his own clothing brand and sportswear company. He began lifting at 16 with the desire to increase his slight size and ‘bulk up’. From here his love of bodybuilding developed. He researched into the body’s anatomy and muscle groups and continues his mission to improve his physique. As his strength and knowledge built he felt he wanted to share it and so advises on lifting and diet. His Instagram page is predominantly visuals of him and his body (more often than not wearing his own brands of clothing, or not much at all) lifting or working out in the gym or out and about. His wish is to inspire people to reach their goals and to work at them.

6. Cassey Ho, 32

@blogilates – 1.5 million followers.

Net Worth: $2 million.

Cassey began her fitness instructing life as a Pilates teacher, and via outlets such as Instagram has become an American social media entrepreneur in the fitness world having founded @popflex_active, @poppilatesofficial, @piit28official & @puppiesplanksfest. Her goal is to promote an overall healthy lifestyle and body image as well as maintaining her role as a Pilates instructor.

7. Joe Wicks, 31

@thebodycoach – 2.6 million followers.

Net Worth: 14.5 million GBP.

Joe Wicks, aka ‘The Body Coach’ is a British cook, fitness coach and TV presenter who’s 15 minute meals and short intense High Intensity Interval Training, or HIT for short, workouts shot him to fame. It all began by him posting 15 second long recipe videos on Instagram which led to him publishing a whole range of nutrition and training inspired cookbooks. Joe’s Instagram page depicts some of his personal life, including his first child, recipes, clients’ before and after photos, and workouts.

8. Michelle Lewin, 31

@michelle_lewin –  13.4 million followers.

Net Worth: $4 million.

Michelle Lewin is a Venezuelan body builder. She has gone from working in a local clinic to becoming a huge fitness star; part fitness model, part body-builder, part bikini model you may have seen her on the cover of Sports & Fitness or Iron Man magazines. She focusses on workouts, nutrition, and finding your own plan to suit you and your goals. She also endorses a plethora of products, making her one of the Forbes top ten list of influential fitness women.

9. Emily Skye, 34

@emilyskyefit – 2.4 million followers.

Net Worth: $30 million.

Emily is an Australian fitness guru and healthy lifestyle ambassador who has worked very hard to achieve her own personal fitness having weighed an unhealthy 47kg not so many years ago. She now has an incredible following having turned her life from being an unhappy model to super strong superstar and wishing to share her knowledge, and journey, with the world. Good diet and cardio has turned her life from being an unhealthy, depressed, ‘thin-obsessed’ model to a full power world-renowned fitness star promoting strength and positivity.

10. Jennifer Selter, 25

@jenselter – 12.7 million followers.

Net Worth: $4 million.

Jennifer began her fitness career working the front desk at her local gym. She now runs seven instagram accounts including her personal one which is solely based on photos and videos of her trying out workouts, trying on bikinis, wearing different outfits in different settings around the world. She is now an internet celebrity and fitness model with an insane amount of followers. She is an entrepreneur who gained huge media attention at a young age through the social media platforms.

Become qualified as a Holistic Therapist

Here at the School of Natural Health Sciences we offer 3 courses orientated specifically towards fitness:

• Exercise for Health and Wellness. Although this is a theory course it provides a comprehensive overview of fitness. Students will learn the role of cardiovascular conditioning exercise, the importance of strength training for muscular endurance and stretching for maximising results and reducing injuries. The role of exercise in combating stress is also discussed, with an introduction to the benefits of Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi. 
• Sports Psychology and Dynamics – This course is suitable for both “sports people” and those who wish to work as “sports counsellors”. Some sports psychologists work with professional athletes to improve performance and increase motivation. Others utilise exercise and sports to enhance people’s lives and well-being throughout their entire lifespan. 
• Yoga –  This stand alone course is aimed at students who wish to obtain competence in practising yoga and in working with clients. 

The post The rise of Insta-fitness: the top 10 fitness trainers on Instagram appeared first on SNHS - School of Natural Health Sciences.

from SNHS – School of Natural Health Sciences http://bit.ly/2VzCFdk

Eating sustainably will dramatically reduce your carbon footprint

Earth-Friendly Food. We all want to support our planet’s future and one way we can do this daily is by eating sustainably; this guide contains simple and super-effective methods to help you achieve environmentally considered eating.

I don’t know about you but I am always on the look out for ways to reduce my carbon footprint and make sure I am trying to do the best I can for our planet. I’m not saying I’m anywhere near saintly, but since having children and educating them on the impact human life is having on the environment, my eyes are continuously being opened to the extent of the damage we are causing. If we can alter and be more conscious of the things we all do daily, such as eat, we can become more environmentally considerate whilst making a huge difference. If everybody consciously changed the way they approached food shopping, for example, we could have a positive effect on landfills, ocean hygiene, recycling, the ozone, deforestation, local economy, our health, etc.

We all need take a moment to ask ourselves how we can do our part to cook and eat in a way that will slow down the deterioration of the planet, rather than speed it up. You’ll be happy to know you don’t have to do anything extreme or life-changing in order to eat more sustainably; there are many ways in which we can ensure that our presence here has less of a negative impact, rhythms to fall into which will reduce our carbon footprint whilst providing us with a super healthy diet and giving us our eco-wings!

Packaging: Make yourself allergic to the idea of food that comes in packaging and you’re on the right path. Imagine how much of it ends up in landfill, in the ocean or being burnt and releasing toxic gases into the environment. Fruit and vegetables do not come in packaging as generally they have their own kindly provided by Mother Nature. Bring your own shopping bags, boxes and fruit bags for weighing every time you need to buy food and you’re already saving a huge amount of plastic, paper, styrofoam, cling film, aluminium foil ending up in the wrong places. Try your best to avoid anything that has an unnecessary package. Don’t go for the individually wrapped items. Snacks don’t need to have wrappers, we can pre-make food and package it in our own containers, take a piece of fruit, homemade muesli bars, etc. Make your own staples such as bread, sauces, spreads, granola, etc. sometimes the best option is not necessarily the easiest or quickest one. If we stop committing to convenience and change the way we perceive things, we can begin to congratulate ourselves on our dedication.

Bulk Buy: One excellent way to cut down on packaging is to buy in bulk, bring your own containers (glass and metal if possible) and stock up on dry goods, oils, nuts, seeds, cereals, beans, pulses, legumes, rice, pasta, etc. for the week or month. This also cuts down on the number of times you need to head to the shops.

Don’t eat processed food: A simple life-change, easy for us to say, not as easy to achieve. Once you begin to look into it so much of our diet has processed elements. Fruits, vegetables, and nuts consume a minimal crop acreage at the moment, while a large percent is devoted to cereal grains that are harvested for packaged foods and edible oils, both of which have very low nutritional value. The result is that we’re unknowingly eating a lot of food that’s made mostly from soy and corn, both of which waste a lot of resources to make and take over land that could instead be used for fresh produce. To really avoid this you’ve got to eat a locally grown, seasonal, plant-based diet. Incorporate bulk bought pulses, grains and legumes. The less processed and packaged foods we all eat, the less demand there will be for such products, and hopefully we’ll start to see a lot more land set aside for growing fresh produce that’s going to improve our health.

Seasonal & local foods:  We all need to take the responsibility to eat seasonally. This would change the way the market spins if we all contributed to this. Apples are not in season, so we don’t have apples. Simples. It also teaches a lot about the way food is grown naturally. You’ll also find that you’ll be choosing local produce, thus reducing your carbon footprint even further, as well as the more economical option. Seasonal produce doesn’t require as much artificial help in growing, so you’ll find less pesticides and chemicals, and less human assistance in general. If you’re not sure what’s in season at the moment, take some time to go to your local farmer’s market. There you’ll see first hand what’s seasonal, and you’ll also support local businesses at the same time.

Plant-based diet – Eating vegan as little as one day a week does more for the planet than eating locally sourced foods seven days a week. Going vegan means you cut your carbon footprint in half, since it takes an immense amount of natural resources to mass produce animal products. Even if you don’t commit to being a full time vegan you could make a big difference by eating only plant-based meals just a few days a week. By cutting down on your consumption of animal products, you leave more fresh water available to the planet, you reduce the amount of methane pumped into the atmosphere, and you save precious land from being taken over for animal agriculture. If we all made some minor adjustments to our diet, we could make a pretty big difference. There are plenty of recipes and resources these days to be able to source vegan or plant-based meal ideas. Some have become staple favourites in our household and not for environmental purposes, just because they’re totally delicious! You’re simultaneously doing a big favour to your health by this alteration in diet as a plant-based one is conducive to a super-healthy body and mind.

Fair trade & Organic: These are not just buzz words, it is important to make sure that your money is going towards ethically run organisations that have the environment and humanity in mind; not just profit. It is becoming increasingly difficult to determine whether products are what they claim to be, so you need to look for official stamps and seals of approval when purchasing organic or fair trade. In supporting these we are encouraging better conditions for workers, less pesticides and chemicals being poured all over our foods and earth, and that our food is grown and sourced ethically.

Compost: Wasting food is a big no-no in most homes yet, when we do, the scraps generally get thrown into the bin alongside other waste. These days more and more people are leaning towards making their own compost; a fantastic way to get rid of your leftovers and produce some fertile soil in the process. Decrease your carbon footprint and assist in regeneration! If you don’t have the space or time for making your own there are plenty of places you can deposit your food waste nowadays, get in touch with your local council to find out where and when. You’ll be giving less for your locality to have to manage and producing something beneficial in the process.

Grow your own: Time and space often deter people from growing their own food plants but you can actually achieve a great deal in the smallest of spaces and with actually very little effort, and this is the ultimate way to reduce your carbon footprint,. The rewards are immense and you can incorporate your compost into the process. This is the best way to build a more sustainable relationship with food. If you have little space you could try growing herbs or other plants that can yield crops from a single pot or window box, or join a community garden. Growing your own reduces how much food mileage you imprint on the earth, as well as how many resources are used to get the food to your table.

Avoid single-use plastic: This relates especially to drinking water bottles which have become such a normal part of worldwide every day life; the environmental repercussions are horrendous. Get yourself a refillable bottle – preferably aluminium – and bring your own. You can even get self-filtering bottles now which filter any tap water and make sure it is potable. They may set you back a bit more, but in the long run having avoided the cost of buying individual bottles on a regular basis you may end up saving a fair amount. Incorporate the same mentality when it comes to grabbing a coffee or take away drink and bring your own reusable cup.

Meat responsibly: If you’re going to eat meat on a regular basis then it is essential to make sure that it is responsibly-raised. Not only for your own personal health but the commercial meat production problem is one of the worst things our environment has to suffer. Industrial farm-raised cows, pigs and chickens are brought up in tight and confined quarters, are often pumped full of antibiotics or hormones and most of the time eat diets that are consistent with what’s cheapest rather than what’s best for them. If you choose to purchase solely responsibly-raised meat, you cast your vote for the farmers that are doing things with an earth-conscious and animal rights conscious attitude. And, you know the added bonus? The meat tastes so much better and is so much better for you. The same goes for fish, you need to opt for those that are either farmed or caught sustainably; this is very tricky as there is so much conflicting information, but look into local and regional fishing and find out what your best options are in your area.

Plan ahead: If you plan your meals ahead of time you can reduce the number of visits to the shops thus reducing your carbon footprint. Also cooking larger batches of the same meal and freezing portions for future dinners can save on energy and avoid any waste. Win, win.

What you choose to put on your plate can make the most powerful impact on your personal environmental footprint. Let’s make the changes now.

Featured image: Green Trees From Above by Thomas Lambert, Food Basket by Markus Spiske and Tomatoes by Dan Gold – all on Unsplash

Ethical & Sustainable Eating – Online Diploma Course

Here at the School of Natural Health Sciences we offer an Ethical & Sustainable Eating Course which includes a comprehensive introduction to modern day diets, looks at how we can all make valuable changes in the way we think about food, our appreciation of food, and how we can adapt our current food practices. 

This distance learning diploma course of 10 lessons provides many comprehensive definitions, including the term ‘permaculture’ and the concepts behind designing sustainable, efficient and productive ways of living. Other popular topics discussed include meat consumption and humane farming systems, reducing our meat intake, growing-your-own, creating a sustainable kitchen, and sustainable recipes.

• Visit the Ethical & Sustainable Eating Course page for more information
• Looking for other Holistic Therapy Courses? We have over 60 to choose from!
• Questions? Please do contact us, we’re here to help

The post Eating sustainably will dramatically reduce your carbon footprint appeared first on SNHS - School of Natural Health Sciences.

from SNHS – School of Natural Health Sciences http://bit.ly/2IVFdMc

Sweet potatoes for breakfast? Why not?

Sweet potatoes are often compared to regular potatoes due to them sharing a name, but apart from that they are a completely different vegetable from a different food family! The sweet potato has been sweeping the recipe world by storm for a few years now and with good reason; they are highly nutritious, delicious and extremely versatile. For a plant-based meal the sweet potato can take the lead being a filling and satisfying main component while packing a unique nutritional punch.

Nutrition-wise they are packed with beta-carotene which is what gives the flesh its rich, orange pigment. When ingested with a healthy dose of ‘good fat’ this will convert into vitamin A. We need vitamin A for healthy skin and mucus membranes, our immune system, and good eye health and vision; the sweet potato is an excellent, concentrated source of this.

Beta carotene is an antioxidant; a substance that inhibits the oxidation of other molecules which protects the body from free radicals. Free radicals damage cells through oxidation, this damage can eventually cause several chronic illnesses. Several studies have shown that antioxidants through diet aid our immune system, protect against free radicals, and lower the risk of developing cancer and heart disease.

The sweet potato also contains high levels of vitamin C, B1, B2, and B3 and is low in carbohydrates, high in fibre, as well as plenty of other nutrients which are anti-inflammatory and regulate blood-sugar. In animal studies, reduced inflammation following sweet potato consumption has been shown in brain tissue and nerve tissue throughout the body.

Sweet potatoes, as opposed to their starchier root vegetable cousins, are low in carbohydrates and have the ability to improve blood sugar regulation by significantly increasing Adiponectin in the blood. This is a protein hormone produced by our fat cells which is an important modifier of insulin metabolism.

As well as being exceptionally good for us, sweet potatoes re such a tasty and versatile friend when it comes to the ingredients list in a recipe. They can be added to a plethora of dishes to add flavour and texture but can also stand alone as the main event of a meal. A loaded, baked sweet potato, for example, can provide a ‘super-meal’ if you keep the topping healthy and diverse. Due to it having a naturally sweet taste you can even incorporate the sweet potato into your desserts and even have it for breakfast! The latter being the least common way to utilise the vegetable provoked me to go on the hunt for the best sweet potato breakfast recipes for you; here are a few of my favourites..

Sweet Potato Pancakes

by thekitchn.com

These pancakes have a crispy, caramelised outside and creamy, sweet interior, they’re so easy to make, have barely any ingredients, they’re healthy and perfect for serving with maple syrup or nut butters.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 medium sweet potato, baked and cooled (about 8 ounces of baked sweet potato)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• Pinch of ground cinnamon, optional

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Combine the sweet potato, eggs, salt, and cinnamon in a small blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Alternatively, you can stir the ingredients together in a small bowl with a spoon, but some sweet potato chunks may remain. Set the batter aside to rest while you heat the pan.
2. Heat an 8-inch nonstick pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/4 cup of the batter and cook for 3 minutes — this batter won’t bubble up like traditional pancake batter. Gently flip the pancake with a thin spatula and cook for an additional 3 minutes on the second side.
3. Repeat with remaining batter and serve warm.

Sweet Potato Toasts

by iowagirleats.com

You can put anything you like on top of your sweet potato toast (which you bake in the toaster, yes seriously!) but some mashed avocado, sautéed spinach and a fried egg is one of my favourites!

INGREDIENTS:

(per person)

• 1 small sweet potato, cut lengthwise into 1/4″ slices
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 avocado
• 1 giant handful baby spinach
• garlic salt, seasonings

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Add a sweet potato slice to each toaster slot then toast on high for the longest duration offered by your toaster. Flip and rotate the sweet potato slices then toast again on high and for the longest duration. If the sweet potato slices aren’t tender by this point, flip and rotate once more then toast a third time (might only need half the duration as previous rounds.) Top toasted sweet potato slices with avocado mashed with a little garlic salt then set aside.
2. Meanwhile, place a small skillet over medium-high heat then add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Add baby spinach then season with garlic salt and sauté until tender. Place on top of mashed avocado.
3. Turn heat down to medium then cook eggs to your liking – sunny side up, fried, scrambled, etc – seasoning with the seasoning of your choice (garlic salt and pepper is just fine) Place eggs on top of spinach then serve.

Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowl

by 40aprons.com 

This is by far the healthiest option of the bunch and you can chop and change your toppings as you prefer, choose seasonal fruits and vary the nuts and seeds for example.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 sweet potato, baked and very hot
• 2 eggs, whisked
• 1 ripe banana, peeled
• 1 tablespoon ghee
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• sea salt, to taste

Topping Ideas:

• Fruits – cherries, figs, blueberries, raspberries, banana, sautéed apples
• Dried fruit – dried cherries, raisins, apricots, blueberries, or cranberries
• Nuts – slivered almonds, walnuts, or pecans
• Nut butter – almond butter or sun butter
• Seeds – pepitas, chia seeds, hemp seeds
• Cacao nibs
• Coconut flakes
• Coconut cream
• Coconut butter

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Bake or steam your sweet potato.
2. Make sure your sweet potato is piping hot; if not coming straight out of the oven, reheat it. This step is vital in cooking the whisked egg. Peel sweet potato.
   
3. In a medium bowl, combine sweet potato flesh and whisked eggs. Mash, moving pretty quickly, until the sweet potato is smooth and the mixture is totally combined. Continue mashing until the egg loses its gloss, giving it about 30 seconds to 1 minute to “cook.”
   
4. Add the banana, ghee, cinnamon, and salt and mash again until very smooth. Taste and add more salt or cinnamon, if desired.
   
5. Add toppings and serve.

Study Nutrition online with our diploma courses

Here at the School of Natural Health Sciences we are big on nutrition. We offer eight courses in nutritional topics, all of which lead to a diploma which is accredited in 26 countries. Click on any of the topics to find out more.

• Child & Adolescent Nutrition
• Ethical & Sustainable Eating
• Clinical Nutrition
• Advanced Nutrition
• Nutrition for Age 50 Plus
• Plant-Based Nutrition
• Sport & Exercise Nutrition
• Vegetarian & Vegan Nutrition

View our portfolio of Holistic Health Therapies – we have over 60 courses to choose from

The post Sweet potatoes for breakfast? Why not? appeared first on SNHS - School of Natural Health Sciences.

from SNHS – School of Natural Health Sciences http://bit.ly/2IOA2NY

A new luxury beauty trend: crystal infused creams and potions

Holistic beauty has birthed a new luxury beauty trend: crystal infused creams, balms, makeup and oils, giving way to crystals having an all new moment in the limelight.

The crystal craze is the latest chapter in our centuries-old fascination with the healing power of stones. They have become new-age accessories to the spiritually curious, with people dedicating corners of their homes to their favourite crystals, carrying them in their handbags, their pockets or even their bra! Yes, seriously.

We are just the latest in a long line of civilisations to use the earth’s power for our personal benefit; Indians have always used crystals in Ayurvedic medicine, as have the Chinese, Egyptians and Greeks, the Romans wore garnet and hematite during battle, native Americans incorporated turquoise in their jewellery and belts to aid digestion, just a few examples of crystal use through the ages.

So how do we explain the power of the crystal? Everything in the universe has a specific vibration, including humans. And the earth. And crystals. A crystal literally hold the earth’s DNA, being millions of years old and forming alongside the earth itself. Created from the most ancient minerals, laid down deep underground, subjected to enormous pressure, crystals have evolved with the energies of the earth. Their unique, lattice-like atomic structure means they hold this energy at the core, continuously vibrating at a certain frequency that is unique to each kind of crystal.

For those humans who mindfully engage with these vibrations, crystals can act as a tuning fork, if you like, to recalibrate the mind, body and soul, helping us become more balanced.

The popularity of crystals has reached new heights of late with raising your consciousness having become cool, and a plethora of celebrities swearing by their positive energy and healing benefits.

One particular area we are seeing a huge new wave of followers is within the cosmetic world; lotions, creams, face masks, shampoos and many more products are being infused with crystals and are fast becoming the next big thing.

So what happens when you add the power of a crystal to beauty products? The healing powers of the stones themselves varies, each has different properties and therefore different purposes (see my list at the end for more detail); the main purpose of adding them to cosmetics is to detoxify and heal the skin or, more popularly, add some shine. 

Brazilian Tourmaline, for example, is used in face masks to brighten the complexion, or as the media like to call it; make you glow. Diamond powder is used to create a shimmer in highlighter make up; to make you shine bright like a diamond, literally! Pearlescent lip balms containing amber, amethyst, rose quartz, aventurine and aquamarine promising to give lips a sheen like no other. White sapphire formulated into a smooth and silky cream to minimise pores, fill fine lines and leave behind a crystal complexion. So a lot of the products are mainly utilising crushed crystals to create a radiant glowing effect on the skin. No healing or energy involved here, unless you count the way you feel when you are wearing them.

There is, however, a wide variety of high-end skincare products hitting the shelves which incorporate crystals for their healing properties. Crushed tourmaline, for example, one of the best crystals to work with when it comes to derma-care, claims to aid in detoxification and reinforce collagen when massaged into the skin. 

Rose quartz, known for its gentle, soothing energy to encourage self-love, self-esteem and forgiveness, unconditional love and acceptance, is also one of the main contenders when it comes to beauty products. Supermodel and celebrity Miranda Kerr has developed a range of face oils, mists, cleansers, etc., made using a unique infusion process, having been filtered through rose quartz crystals, intended to encourage a natural renewal process of the skin.

For those who have to suffer pollution on a daily basis there are clay masks infused with malachite and kaolin which detoxify and purify the skin. Another crystal which is known for its calming effect is amethyst, you can find this present in clay masks.

If you’re going to massage some crystal infused serum or cream into your skin, why not apply it using a jade or green aventurine roller? Healers believe that aventurine has the power to absorb electromagnetic pollution created by computers and cell phones, helping you sleep better and wake up with newfound energy.

Those who believe in this process of adding healing energy to a product are reinforcing the idea that when crystals are part of the ingredient mix, they act as a conduit for healing, helping your cells thrive on an energetic level. They allow positive, healing energy to flow into the body, while pushing negative, toxic, disease-causing energy out, thereby curing skin problems at the root.

DIY

To make your own lotion can be as simple as dropping a piece of rose quartz into your favourite moisturiser, or placing a crystal in a jar of carrier oil and leaving it in direct sunlight for 3 or 4 days. This oil will then contain the elemental energy of the stone and can then be used on the skin.

Different crystals have different properties and effects:

This list details what particular crystals are used for within cosmetic use and what effects they claim to have.

Amethyst: Combats EMF (electromagnetic fog), detoxifies, brings down inflammation, calms the skin, soothes acne, itching and other skin irritations.

Malachite: Combats UV damage and free radicals, deep cleanses.

White tourmaline: Revitalises the skin, imparts radiance, anti-ageing, shields against environmental stresses, increases blood flow.

Black tourmaline: Calms stressed or irritated skin.

Moonstone: Soothes sensitive skin, hormonal breakouts, imparts youthful glow, stimulates hair growth.

Jade: Balances combination skin, boosts circulation, shields against environmental stresses.

Ruby: Nourishes ultra-dry skin, detoxifies, heals acne, cleanses the blood.

Turquoise: Combats pollution.

Diamond: Smoothes away wrinkles, strengthens nails.

Rose quartz: Softens fine lines, buffs away dead cells and impurities, calms redness.

Emerald: Deep cleanses, detoxifies, balances combination and irritated skin.

Hematite: Energise tired eyes.

Aquamarine: Soothes eczema and rosacea.

Scolecite: Boosts circulation, relaxes the skin tissues.

Clear quartz: Bring the body into balance, neutralises toxins and electromagnetic smog.

Whether you believe the hype or not is up to you, but look at it this way; most crystal-infused skincare products tend to be ultra-natural, sustainable and hand crafted. So even if you’re not sure about the crystals, you’re probably getting a product that’s clean and made with ingredients that are far better than harsh chemicals and plastics. Why not give it a try and find out for yourself?

Crystal Healing online course 

Here at  the School of Natural Health Sciences we offer a distance learning diploma course in Crystal Healing – the art of laying on stones (crystals and gems) in coordination with the body’s energy pathways. Correct placement of crystals promotes emotional and mental harmony and it is in this state that the body experiences the perfect conditions to heal naturally.

• Visit our Crystal Healing Course page for more information
• Check out our A-Z listing of Holistic Therapy Courses – we have over 60 to choose from!
• Contact us with any questions you may have

The post A new luxury beauty trend: crystal infused creams and potions appeared first on SNHS - School of Natural Health Sciences.

from SNHS – School of Natural Health Sciences http://bit.ly/2IFCshL

A short guide to day-to-day aromatherapy for everyone

How to incorporate aromas into your life to achieve the mood and mindset you need for a healthy balanced body and mind.

Smells and aromas are incredible triggers that can stimulate memories, feelings and emotions. You must have had that feeling of nostalgia in remembering a moment in your life through recognition of a particular smell. I remember once walking past a tree covered in blossom in Spain and mentally flew back to Australia to find the 21 year old me walking down to the beach smelling the frangipani flowers. Not only can it trigger a memory but smell can also unlock feelings and emotions within us which can be an important and useful tool to manage our every day life. We need to experience the minimum amount of stress possible, sleep the best we can, maintain a good diet, get plenty of exercise and stay hydrated in order to keep a good healthy balance in our lives.

Aromatherapy can directly help us to find the correct mindset needed to achieve many things, you’d be surprised how far a smell can go to affect your mood.

The science behind aromatherapy

This is an incredible process which sounds almost other-worldly in its intricacy and delicacy.

Scents are basically molecules floating around in the air. When we breathe in an aroma the tiny molecules travel to the top of the nose where they come in contact with specialised nerve cells called ‘Olfactory cells’. These cells, or receptors, have tiny hairs each of which will only recognise a specific aroma. This process produces nerve impulses which travel to the part of the brain which is most concerned with survival, instincts and emotions. Once the molecules bind to olfactory receptors, the receptor then sends a message to your brain and your brain translates that message into what we think of as a smell. Scientists believe that the activity of the nerve signal passing through this region causes mood change by altering brain chemistry. Amazing isn’t it?

Our olfactory receptors, which can detect about a trillion different molecules, do more than just tell us what our external environment smells like. We actually have olfactory receptors all over our body, which collect and transmit pertinent information to our brain about the inside and outside of our body.

If we actually absorb essential oils this can produce incredible effects to our respiratory system; if the oils travel internally their properties can relieve symptoms which affect our sinuses, throat and chest reducing infection and allergic reactions. Absorption is also possible via the skin due to the molecular structure of essential oils being small enough to travel through the epidermis, reach the dermis and the blood vessels which circulate the blood all over the body.

Most essential oils have antibacterial properties; some are antiviral, anti-fungal and or anti-inflammatory. Essential oils also contain antioxidants which help to prevent cell damage and protect against the build up of toxic waste in skin cells.

Once the constituents of essential oils enter the bloodstream they can be carried to all areas of your body. They reach areas with a good network of blood vessels more quickly; for example, the liver, kidneys and some muscle groups. Scientists are working to identify exactly what the receptors in these locations do. They found that olfactory receptors in the kidneys help to “sniff” blood as it passes through and determine its chemical components. This helps inform decisions about what stays in the bloodstream and what will pass out through the urine.

The majority of essential oil constituents leave the body within hours, mainly through excretion via the kidneys, although their effects can last much longer within the tissues.

How to incorporate aromatherapy into your every day life

To help to maintain a healthy mental and physical balance aromatherapy can play a big part, take a look at the following essential oils and their abilities to affect our mood and wellbeing.

For sleep

Countless scientific studies show how beneficial sleep is to our overall wellness, many say that eight hours of uninterrupted sleep per night is essential to our health. If this is not a simple task for you then there are essential oils which can induce and maintain a peaceful slumber. Ways in which to utilise such oils are in room diffusers – keep one in your bedroom so that you get the benefits all night, put a few drops on a handkerchief or piece of muslin or cotton and keep near you in bed, or keep an open jar of the oil on the nightstand. Do not leave a candle burning all night for obvious fire hazard reasons!

Essential oils that help induce sleep: lavender, vetiver, patchouli, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, chamomile, marjoram, cedar, clary sage, frankincense, rose.

For stress and anxiety relief

Stress is one of the worst byproducts in developments of the modern world, one which we all would be healthier for could we avoid it. There are plenty of aromatic remedies which can alleviate stress and anxiety, you just need to find the one, or combination of oils, that work for you. Keep this blend or oil at hand for moments when you need to find calm and clarity, apply to pressure points at the temples and wrists and feel the tension ease away.

Essential oils for de-stressing: rose, clary sage, frankincense, lavender, bergamot, marjoram, ylang-ylang, lemon, geranium, orange, sandalwood, chamomile, vetiver.

For focus

So you’re sleeping well and able to calm down when you need to but how do you find clarity of mind or need help to clamber out of a midday mental fog? There are oils for that! Take a sniff of the one/s that encourages your mental fatigue to take a hike, help you to recall information and sustain focus. One study shows that sniffing rosemary can increase memory by 75%! Face mists are a great delivery system for instant invigoration or a simple inhalation of your personal blend of oils.

Essential oils for improving concentration: rosemary, basil, peppermint, helichrysum, cedar, vetiver, grapefruit, pine, juniper.

For energy

If you struggle to get yourself motivated in the mornings, or experience a slump in energy during the day, there are some fabulous essential oils to help you alleviate fatigue, and boost your mood and energy levels. Some, such as peppermint oil can even lead to a boost in exercise performance.

Essential oils for energy: lemon, orange, grapefruit, eucalyptus, cinnamon, peppermint, ginger, rosemary, spearmint, black pepper, jasmine.

There are a wide range of products on the market which can dispense the necessary essential oils to you. One of the most effective and convenient being the roller-ball. They’re compact so you can keep them handy at all times, and often already blended for the effects listed above. Room diffusers look great and work the room at all times. Mist sprays to deliver the oils directly to you whilst spritzing simultaneously. Candles are a lovely luxury  and comfort, which, if made 100% natural and organic can double up as a lotion (you can use the melted wax while it is still warm).

Work out which oils work for you and keep a stock of each, figure out the blends which give the desired effect and make your own personalised aromatherapy potions. For this we would advise studying aromatherapy as essential oils come in different strengths and you need to understand the levels, potency and what carrier oils they must be mixed with if they can’t be used alone.

If you’re interested in studying this, take a look at our online course on aromatherapy

Our course is open to both practicing therapists and individuals who have an interest to learn this skill. This distance learning diploma course – accredited in 26 countries worldwide – is comprised of 12 lessons and will lead you step-by-step through the treatment sequence and teach you everything you need to know in order to become a practicing Aromatherapist. 

 

No previous knowledge is required to study the subject – we train our students from beginner to practitioner/therapist level. Visit our Aromatherapy Course page for more information.

 

• View our A-Z Holistic Therapy Courses – we have over 60 subjects to choose from!
• Check out our latest Special Offers we have some great savings for all students
• Contact us with any question you may have, we’d be delighted to help

The post A short guide to day-to-day aromatherapy for everyone appeared first on SNHS - School of Natural Health Sciences.

from SNHS – School of Natural Health Sciences http://bit.ly/2Xe8rcW