Category Archives: Health

Funniest Viral Video Ever? Bear Interrupts Samsung Crew

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Just what you need when you are trying to set up a shoot, a bear joining in on the fun. This video is the funniest video we have seen in a long time.

We all need clean clothes but doing a lot of washes at high temperatures is not good for the environment. Maybe one of the reasons the bear was so interested was that the Ecobubble from Samsung allows washing at 15degrees so uses 70% less energy than a 40degree wash cycle. Not only that but it mixes air and water to create bubbles allowing the detergent to quickly penetrate clothing. This means less energy, a smaller wash cycle and less wear-and-tear to clothing – result. It is advertising at it’s best, so well done Samsung for being entertaining.

http://www.samsung.com/uk/ecobubble/

Sponsored Post.

Government Urges GPs To Cut Pain Relief For Women Giving Birth

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A lot of things make being a woman seem unfair. Periods, unequal pay, the biological clock, having your breasts stared at. But life is unfair and you just get on with your life. I mean, there is only a certain amount of time a person can stress over things, but yesterday I read something that I think is worth stressing over. Whilst reading the March 2013 edition of Easy Living magazine, in an article entitled, ‘How Can That Fit Through There?’, I read the following:

“In August 2012, new guidelines were drawn up for GPs, urging them to encourage mothers-to-be to have a natural labour with as little pain relief as possible in a bid to save the NHS money – given that an epidural costs £200.

Frankly, if the NHS needs to cut things then a women in the worst pain imaginable trying to push a baby through a 10cm hole is not the most humane choice. If men gave birth, would these ‘guidelines’ have been put through? I don’t have children, but I have been in a relationship for three years and it is on my mind whether or not to have them. This piece of information is not encouraging. I doubt any of the taxpayers money was considered when it came to Kate Middleton and her morning sickness (and neither should it).

If women stopped having children the world would stop. We need to be given more respect for the ordeal of being pregnant for nine months and then giving birth. Childcare is also expensive. Maybe this is the governments answer to the population crisis? Anyway, it feels like an attack on women and completely inhumane. If someone gets drunk and falls over do they get pain relief? Yes, and they should. I don’t want to live in a country where a doctor will see someone in pain and not give them pain relief. If the government really wants to save money why don’t they cut the £400 per month food allowance MPs get while families rely on food banks to feed themselves. Or the money to pay their rent and mortgage. Most of the population does not get paid expenses on these things.

We are not ‘all in this together’, some of us have a great deal more pain to bear.

Beat the Winter Blues With Exercise

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Just because you’re confined to being indoors because  the roads are too dangerous for running or cycling in the dark, doesn’t mean you should halt your fitness regime.

 

 

 

At ICON, we know that working out over the winter months can be a challenge but it really doesn’t need to be. Here they share their top five, ultimate workout tips, which are sure to get you motivated.

 

Follow their simple steps to get the best from your workouts and maintain your fitness routines.

 

Tip 1: Winter Weight gain

The winter often leads to winter weight gain. The cold can make us develop extra excuses when it comes to our motivation to exercise.  Plus, many people suffer from mood changes during the winter months and turn to food for comfort.  The bitter truth is that you will only be wearing a big woolly jumper for a few months and soon you will have to face summer clothes again.  Try to maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine during the colder months and getting into shape in the summer will be much easier.

 

Tip 2: Feeling fit and using an indoor training kit

We suggest investing in functional training equipment that you can use in the comfort of your own home. Then you’ll have no excuse to avoid exercise – you won’t have to go to the gym or step outside into minus temperatures.  Plus, the introduction of an exciting new fitness gadget into your life will actually make you want to exercise. We recommend our ICON Health and Fitness range which includes a wide variety of home fitness equipment that will help you through every workout. We especially love their iFit Live™ programme, which is compatible with models from the ProForm and NordicTrack range.  This state of the art software allows you to run anywhere in the world all from the comfort of your own home, thanks to Google Maps™ technology.

 

Tip 3: maintain motivation

If you can imagine attaining your fitness goals, you will soon start to feel more positive, motivated and feel-good endorphins will be released.  As you start to see and feel the results then your motivation will be improved.

 

We suggest setting yourself small realistic goals.  By breaking your goals into smaller, more easily achieved steps, you can work towards your larger long-term goals. Start by walking a mile, then try jogging – build up the distance until you can tackle a marathon!

 

Tip 4: Train like an athlete.

You may not be an athletic hopeful, but adopting the physical and mental approach of an athlete will give you a positive approach to workouts and achieving your goals.

  • Athletes see direct results from their training and you can too. Try treating training as a task at work i.e. something on your to do list that must be completed by the end of the day.
  • Be smart with your exercise choices and get the most out of every workout. Mix your training up and keep your weekly programme varied.
  • Try short sprints, intervals and distance workouts on different days. When you begin to feel the benefits of all your effort then you will become more energised and motivated to continue. Prevent boredom…plan your week with sets, reps, distance and routes to keep your training interesting, challenging and fun.

 

Tip 5: Don’t freeze to feel fit!

As the days become shorter and the nights draw in, remember you can adapt your workout routine so you don’t have to freeze to get fit. Try circuit training in the comfort of your own home, or invest in a static bike or treadmill so you can maintain your cycling or running routine.  We are so impressed by the new ProForm Tour De France Bike. Boasting a 20% motorised incline and decline, Real Road™ resistance technology and iFit Live™ Technology, which is powered by Google Maps™. It has to be the ultimate in cycling workout kit.

 

You can also try booking a ski holiday, and embrace the fact you burn more calories in the cold.  When training outdoors however, make sure you adequately insulate your body and avoid sweat-absorbing material close to the skin and don’t forget a hat!

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust Host Girls’ Night Out For Cervical Cancer Prevention Week

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Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, the UK’s only dedicated cervical cancer charity, supported Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (20-26 January) in style with the ultimate girl’s night out last night. I went along with Frost writer and fellow actress Paola Berta. I had a great chat with sexpert Tracey Cox and uber glamourous showbiz journalist Zoe Griffin. TOWIE’s Lauren Goodger looked amazing in a studded leather jacket and black leggings.

I had an abnormal smear in 2010 so it is a cause that is very close to my heart. Girls’ Night Out host Zoe Griffin and author, Tracey Cox, shared their experiences of cervical cancer and cervical abnormalities with a celebrity audience to raise awareness of this preventable disease and urge more women to attend their cervical screenings.

Over 60 guests, including Embarrassing Bodies’ Dr Dawn Harper, Made in Chelsea’s Lucy Watson and TOWIE’s Lauren Goodger, joined the party. All guests were treated to goody bags with thanks to Lucky Voice, Vita Coco, Butlers in the Buff, Beverly Hills Formula, Walkers Sunbites, Blue Nun, Lauren’s Way and Ferrero Rocher.

Frost’s editor Catherine Balavage is in the pink, third from left.

Every day nine women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and three lives are lost to the disease. Cervical screening can help reduce these numbers and Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust urges more women to attend as statistics show a worrying downward trend in cervical screening uptake. The cervical screening programme saves 5,000 lives each year in the UK yet 20% of women are not attending their test, and for girls aged between 25 and 29 this figure drops significantly to 1 in 3 – a worrying statistic as cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women under 35.

Robert Music, Director of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said: “The focus of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2013 is to raise public awareness by providing information about the causes of the disease and ways to prevent it. With the exception of a dramatic rise in 2009 following Jade Goody’s battle with cervical cancer, since 2002 figures[1] have declined year on year culminating in a 3% drop in screening uptake to 78.6% over the past 10 years. The more we can do to stress the importance of this life saving test the better.

“This year we have also focused on symptoms awareness and early detection as a study[2] we have commissioned shows that women are more likely to seek medical attention with common ailments such as a cough and cold, rather than with symptoms like abnormal bleeding which include bleeding in between periods or after sex.

“Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is thrilled to raise awareness of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week with the help of some friends and I would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners for their support.”

Paola Berta and Catherine Balavage

Author Tracey Cox added: “I was diagnosed with cervical cancer when I was 30 and had two cone biopsies as a result. It was picked up early, so I was lucky. But if I hadn’t been screened, I wouldn’t have made it to 32. It was an incredibly frightening experience and one most women can avoid if they get regular screenings. I’m delighted to be supporting Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust important work in raising awareness and I’m constantly nagging friends to be vigilant about getting screened on a regular basis. It saved my life and it can save yours too.”

Author and celebrity blogger Zoe Griffin of livelikeavip.com said: “I was diagnosed with cervical abnormalities, but early detection meant I could treat the problem. When I opened the envelope giving me the all clear I felt a huge relief. It is essential that people attend their cervical screening test so that, like me, abnormalities can be treated before they turn into cancer.”

Dr Dawn Harper said: “Cervical cancer is a preventable disease thanks to cervical screenings so it’s absolutely vital that women keep up to date with their invitations. There may be nicer ways to spend your time but the test is painless and should only take around five minutes. I would encourage anyone who is overdue their screening to make an appointment now. Don’t put your health at the bottom of your agenda.”

For more information on Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust visit www.jostrust.co.uk

Chill Out On Blue Monday With The Chillbox Greek Frozen Yogurt Giveaway

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With this Monday 21st set to be the most depressing day of the year*,Chillbox Greek frozen yogurt is offering Londoners the opportunity to WIN a delicious delivery of treats to their workplace to beat ‘Blue Monday’ with an exclusive twitter competition #chilledbluemonday.

Running from Thursday 17th to Monday 21st January lucky Londonites only need to retweet a competition tweet from @Chillbox_uk to be in with a chance of winning a supply of Chillbox Greek yogurt for their office.

Winners can choose from a selection of either natural or chocolate frozen yogurt with various endorphin-releasing toppings such as; strawberries, bananas and milk chocolate buttons or for a healthier treat opt for blueberries, nuts and honey.

Don’t let the January blues get your office down this Monday and start spreading the Greek Yogurt news for your chance to receive some frozen treats.

Packet in, in just 7 days

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Packet in, in just 7 days

An innovative online programme to help smokers quit in just 7 days

 

This December saw the launch of a brand new and advanced programme, ‘Let’s Quit’, to help smokers kick their cigarette habit in just one week using a process of online interactive hypnotherapy. The step-by-step programme is the first of its kind and works by sending the customer up to 20 minutes of daily video content which can be streamed on a computer or mobile device.

 

Developed by Hypnotherapist Tim Smale, the programme provides simple, jargon-free content to help the user in their quest to quit smoking painlessly and easily. By communicating a powerful message to their subconscious via clinical hypnosis, Tim allows smokers to face their addiction head on and tackle it from the comfort of their own home.

 

Let’s Quit surveyed the UK public on their smoking habits and 85% of current smokers have tried at one point to kick the habit, with the average smoker having tried three times in their lifetime to quit, but staying smoke-free for only around four months before lighting up again.  Interestingly, lack of willpower is also the number one reason why smokers who have never tried to quit have not done so, believing they are just too addicted to smoking.

 

Hypnotherapist Tim Smale said: “Let’s Quit is perfect for smokers who have tried and failed to quit in the past, as the combination of cognitive behavioural therapy and safe and relaxing hypnosis helps to challenge the negative beliefs about quitting both consciously and unconsciously to make it easy to quit for even the most hardened smoker. It’s also great for those with a busy schedule, as you can watch the 20 minute videos in the comfort of your own home or on your smart phone. I’ve helped over 3000 people quit smoking and I’ve always wanted to reach a wider audience; finding this technology has helped me to do just that”.

 

An ambassador of Let’s Quit’, British model Sophie Anderton said: “I’ve been smoking since I was 14. In the past I’ve managed to quit for a few months – but I found it a horrible experience and smoking became the one vice I could never get rid of. I was also terrified of gaining weight because of my job, but since working with Tim and managing to quit smoking, I’ve actually lost 2lbs because I have so much more energy! It’s amazing”.

 

To find out more information, visit www.letsquit.com or follow Let’s Quit; @Lets_Quit

Top five Detox Friendly Drinks

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Top five Detox Friendly Drinks!

It’s the time of year again when we all contemplate ways to “better” ourselves and kick-start our new, healthy regimes with a detox – ridding ourselves of bad food and bad habits. Alcohol is often the first to go, along with caffeine and fizzy drinks, but have you considered what drinks could be beneficial when detoxing? Here Nutrition expert at Go Coco, Ross Currie, gives us his top five detox friendly drinks:

“Detoxing can be a struggle and often quite limiting. Keeping your fluid levels topped up during this time is vital to help your body rid itself of toxins and to stay hydrated – aiding brain function and helping to keep skin healthy. Aside from water, there are other drinks out there which can be a part of your detox. Here are my top five choices”:

1.       Tea – green, peppermint or ginger. Tea is a natural antioxidant, which protects your body from free radicals, pollutants and aging. Green tea can increase your metabolism, while ginger tea is great for digestion and aiding the absorption of food and peppermint tea

2.       Coconut water – Go Coco comes straight from the young, green coconuts of Thailand and is full of natural Isotonic properties and electrolytes, making them a great choice for rehydrating. It is also packed with vitamins and minerals, including twice as much potassium as a banana which is fantastic for a natural energy boost whilst being low calorie and it also plays an important role in regulating your heartbeat, insulin levels and muscle development.

3.       Fresh or raw pineapple juice – Pineapples contain many vitamins and enzymes that will offer health benefits during a detox, including Bromelain – a natural anti-inflammatory that encourages healthy digestion by helping the body break down proteins, and Thiamine (which belongs to the vitamin B group) which boosts your metabolism by helping your body convert carbohydrates into energy

4.       Lemon water – Lemons are a great source of citric acid, calcium, potassium, magnesium and phosphorous. Drinking fresh lemon juice with water (hot or cold) will benefit your detox on many levels by assisting your digestion, stimulating the liver and cleansing the bloody stream. Try drinking a cup of hot water and lemon first thing, to kick start your system.

5.       Fresh Carrot Juice – As well as containing Vitamin C and A, carrot juice also contains carotenes which are a great anti-oxidant. Carrot juice is also a diuretic and can help to reduce water retention, plus it’s very low in calories.

Top Tips to stop a dental disaster this Christmas

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Food plays a big part in our Christmas celebrations, adding excitement and an excuse to eat our favourite treats! Recent stats from Denplan, the UK’s leading dental payment provider, show that 74 per cent of people consider themselves to have a good diet – but we all over-indulge at Christmas. In fact last year’s dental emergencies peaked for Denplan patients around the festive season, seeing a whopping 1946 claims in January.

To help you avoid any dental pain this Christmas here are some top tips on what to eat, as well as how to deal with a dental emergency, from Denplan’s Chief Dental Officer, Roger Matthews.

“Christmas is a time to enjoy, and we all like to treat ourselves at this time of year, but because we are eating and drinking more than usual, we can put ourselves at risk of damaging our teeth, and the last thing you want is a dental emergency over the festive period. If you do damage a tooth, it’s always best to get it looked at as soon as possible, to avoid further damage or discomfort. Here are my top tips on foods that won’t harm your teeth and which ones to eat with care!”:

Top Five Tooth Friendly Foods

1. Cheese! Christmas isn’t complete without a decent cheeseboard, so as you’re tucking into a chunk of cheddar you’ll be pleased to know that not only is it rich in calcium, which promotes healthy teeth, it also balances out the PH in your mouth which lessens the damaging effects of acid from a festive glass of wine on tooth enamel and helps kill bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease

2. We often have bowls of snacks lying about at Christmas, but instead of opting for crisps, why not opt for nuts instead? Peanuts (unsalted if possible) contain calcium and vitamin D, both vital for oral health as well as your general health. Walnuts, which are often used in puddings and cakes, also contain zinc fibre, folic acid, iron, thiamine, magnesium, vitamin E & B6, potassium and zinc – all of which play an important role in keeping our teeth and gums healthy

3. Christmas lunch is renowned for its abundance of vegetables. Broccoli and carrots in particular are great for your oral health as they contain vitamin A which help strengthens the tooth enamel

4. Crudités will promote good oral health as, because they are eaten raw, they massage your gums, which encourage blood flow, and clean your teeth too

5. The humble turkey provides us with a great source of protein, which is rich in phosphorus. This combines with calcium and vitamin D to make our teeth (and bones). By eating plenty of protein you will help reduce tooth decay and keep your teeth strong and healthy

Top Five Teeth Rotters:

1. Sweets, biscuits and cakes – Although the endless supply of chocolate and puddings it so tempting, try to keep them to a minimum as sugars are a prime cause of the acidic biofilm which causes dental decay. Acid resulting from frequent consumption of refined sugar dissolves the minerals essential for healthy teeth. When you do indulge, its best to have sweets in one go after your meal, rather than picking throughout the day

2. Fizzy drinks – If you like a bit of fizz in your soft drinks or mixers why not opt for soda water. Fizzy drinks are loaded with sugar and even sugar-free or diet drinks are still acidic and in excess can cause tooth enamel to erode away. But, if you can’t resist them, use a straw as this will lessen direct contact with your teeth

3. Processed cereals – Breakfast may not be the most important meal when it comes to the festive season, but if you’re looking to grab something quick and easy to set you up for the day try to avoid processed cereals as you’ll be amazed at how much sugar is hidden in these, much better to opt for porridge or bran based cereals – or, better still eggs! Either clean your teeth before you eat or half an hour after, to avoid damaging your enamel

4. Crisps – Cooked starch breaks down into component sugars – the main enemy for teeth. Why not opt for carbs low on the glycaemic index such as vegetable crisps instead?

5. Wine – We all love a glass of wine or two at Christmas, but white wine can be very acidic and contribute to enamel erosion, try drinking it just at your main meal, as drinking little and often is far worse than drinking once a day. Red wine can also increase the risk of staining, especially if you forget to brush your teeth as often as you should with the distractions of festive fun! If you are drinking red wine, try to remember to leave a gap before you brush your teeth to remove any stains

“However, if you do find yourself unlucky, falling over after a festive night out or cracking your tooth on your favourite Christmas sweets, here’s my step-by-step guide on what to do,” Roger continues:

What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?

Call your dentist immediately and book an emergency appointment, ideally within an hour of the incident as your tooth will have the best chance of surviving the trauma during this time
Handle the knocked out tooth by the crown (the top), not by the root (the pointed part on the bottom) as touching the root can damage cells that are needed to re-attach the tooth to the bone
Gently rinse the tooth in water to remove any dirt, but be careful not to scrub it. It is very important that the tooth doesn’t dry out – if you can, place the clean tooth in your mouth between the cheek and gum to keep it moist. Alternatively, wrap the tooth in a clean cloth and cover it with milk or a salty saline solution (the solution used for contact lenses)
If a baby tooth is knocked out, don’t try to insert it back into the mouth. The patient should be seen as soon as possible to make sure that none of the tooth remains in the mouth

How should I handle a chipped or fractured tooth?

If you fracture a tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water and use an ice pack or cold compress to reduce any swelling. Take ibuprofen, not aspirin, for pain, as this is an anti-inflammatory
Book an appointment to see your dentist at the next most convenient time, depending on how much pain you’re in
Minor fractures and chips can be smoothed out by your dentist with a sandpaper-like disc, while larger ones may be fixed using restorative procedure
Denplan patient, Dawn Schier, added: “One recent Christmas Eve most of one of my teeth fell out. I rang the dentist, who arranged that I could go to the surgery on Christmas morning. He did a wonderful job and I had a lovely Christmas lunch eating all the things that I didn’t think I could. Can you imagine how awful it would have been not to have been able to use Denplan’s services on Christmas day? It temporarily sorted my tooth out and I had a lovely Christmas lunch! I went back after Christmas and had the tooth fixed permanently.”*

Denplan as approximately 1.8 million registered patients whose products include a 24-hour worldwide dental emergency cover. To find out more about how you can be covered this season visit www.denplan.co.uk.**

* All dentists have different emergency opening hours, please check with your practice

** Terms and conditions apply