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| VOLUME 2, Issue 1 |
| January 2008 |
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Introducing ...
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| Cathy Morris |
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Cathy is a fully qualified Massage Therapist and Aromatherapist who applies
specific techniques to assist sports injuries, muscular aches and pains. Cathy
is qualified in Pregnancy Massage, Lymphatic Drainage and Aromatherapy Massage.
Cathy will continue her studies this year in Aromatherapy, Soft Tissue Therapy &
Nutrition. Cathy is available Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays til late. |
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Rhiannon Davies |
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Rhiannon joins us on Reception Wednesdays and is working part time and studying
education at Wollongong University. |
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“Research shows that when
dietary cholesterol increases, the natural production of LDL
cholesterol by the body
decreases.”
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Can food containing cholesterol increase my LDL cholesterol?
Research has established that there is no relationship between cholesterol
containing foods in the diet and an increase in blood levels of cholesterol. In
fact research shows that when dietary cholesterol increases the natural
production of LDL cholesterol by the body decreases.
For example fish contain cholesterol, but the presence of Omega-3 fats mean
that fish consumption reduces LDL cholesterol. Eating eggs, which have high
levels of cholesterol are extremely low in saturated fats and therefore has no
effect on LDL cholesterol. Eggs which have long been off the menu are a fabulous
low fat, high protein and vitamin rich food with low calories.
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by Cathy Morris DRM, Aromatherapy Cert IV
 The
Healing Touch of Massage
can be one of the best contributions you can make to
your physical and emotional wellbeing. Massage can be effective in promoting
relaxation, relief from stress, and also for resolving pain and dysfunction.
A good massage is effective for alleviating stress, anxiety, muscular pain and
restriction, poor circulation, high blood pressure, headaches, fluid retention
and poor posture. Studies show that regular massage improved anxiety,
depression, vitality and health.
Massage & Pregnancy
Prenatal massage therapy focuses on the special needs of the mother-to-be.
While providing emotional support and nurturing touch, it also relieves stress
on joints, eases neck and back pain and helps to keep good posture. Pregnancy
massage relaxes and provides flexibility to birthing muscles. Massage can aid
the circulatory and lymphatic systems, which can keep blood flowing to both the
mother and the baby, and reduce fatigue. It stimulates different glands in the
body, which help to stabilize hormone levels, and relieves nervous tension
throughout the body. The fetus can also receive warm, loving touches before he
or she is born. Massage oils with vitamin E included may help with possible
stretching of the skin around the belly. At BWC we use organic macadamia oil
with added vitamin E. Doctors agree that a relaxed mother will be more likely to
have a happier and healthier pregnancy, and perhaps an easier delivery.
Massage & Sports Performance
It is important when exercising or training regularly to relieve the muscular
tension we are building in our bodies from all our hard work. The benefits of
massage for athletes who are looking to improve their physical performance and
increase their competitive edge are valuable. Regular treatments can help ease
muscle aches, sprains and strains, rehabilitation of injuries, increase
flexibility and motion of muscles and aid in releasing restricted and tense soft
tissue. Massage can also be used as a preventative measure for those involved in
sports by helping prepare and condition the muscles for exercise and avoiding
injuries before they occur.
Massage for Stress Management
Everyday stresses in our lives can take a toll on our body and mind. When
stress overwhelms the body, all of the physical processes we should be
undertaking can suffer. Stress not only causes muscular pain, headaches and
emotional effects it can even cause our body to slow down basic metabolic
processes in the body which happen without us even knowing.
Massage and stress management go hand in hand. Physically a massage can ease
muscular tension and headaches associated with stress, but it can also get to
the root of the problem by calming the mind, relieving the nervous tension,
anxiety and pressure.
What is Cholesterol and why is it “Bad” for me?
Cholesterol is produced naturally in the body by the liver and is an
important precursor of hormones. There are different types of cholesterol, among
them, the “Good” cholesterols are HDL’s or High Density Lipoproteins and the
“Bad” cholesterols are LDL’s or Low Density Lipoproteins. A blood test for
cholesterol will give you a reading of your Total Cholesterol and a breakdown of
HDL and LDL cholesterol and Triglycerides. According to the CSIRO reducing your
LDL cholesterol by 10% reduces your risk of heart disease by 25%.
Why is my cholesterol high?
As many as 50% of Australians have high LDL cholesterol. High LDL cholesterol
is likely to be the result of a diet high in saturated fats from animal
products, for example too much red meat, dairy and processed foods and not
enough foods low in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats from vegetables.
There can be a pattern of high cholesterol in families and poor liver function
can also contribute to high LDL cholesterol.
What to do if you have high LDL cholesterol
Lifestyle changes are still the cornerstone in cholesterol reduction and the
risk of heart disease weather you take a statin or not. Taking a statin carries
the risk of liver damage and muscular pain (known as statin myopathy). High
cholesterol is just one of the risk factors for heart disease other risk factors
include; family history, high blood pressure, obesity, high alcohol intake,
stress and smoking.
Research into natural supplements to reduce LDL cholesterol found that
Coenzyme Q10 in high doses was effective, as was increasing your fibre intake or
taking a supplement such as psyllium husks, flaxseeds, barley bran and slippery
elm that reduce absorption of fats in the gut.
Additionally, the herbs Globe Artichoke and St Mary’s Thistle are effective
in reducing LDL cholesterol and are both extremely safe herbs.
The CSIRO is currently researching a type of fat found in plants called a
Sterol. These Sterols are found in low levels in plants, nuts and seeds. The
intention of the research is to evaluate the effect of fortifying foods with
plant sterols such as cereals, breads and yoghurts in the same way that folate
is fortified in foods, with the intention of reducing the incidence of high
cholesterol.
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