Table of contents for August 2015 in Longevity Magazine

Increasingly women are putting their health on hold while they pursue their careers for personal, financial and emotional independence. Now don’t get me wrong, I am very supportive of women pursuing active careers in business and, in fact, I feel strongly that we don’t have enough powerful women influencing our economy and society. However, it is a concern that the pursuit of that gilded boardroom chair or large paycheque may come at a high, and often unforeseen, health cost. Due to our modern, fast-paced lifestyles and career goals, more women are delaying having children when they are at their most fertile stage, only to discover that later, when they are ready to start a family, their bodies fail them. According to the Infertility Association of South Africa, one in six…

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1 TECHNOLOGY A SMART APP FOR HEALTH Coach by Cinga is a mobile application for your smartphone that features the psychology of lateral assessment to identify your personality type, understand your wants, needs and preferences, and recommend the right programmes to help you with your diet, exercise, sleep, stress and weight management. The app’s first step is to identify your personality type (the options include “Planner”, “Day Dreamer” and “Explorer”) and determine where you fall on a scale from disciplined to disorderly. Next, it determines where you prioritise your health, and assesses your level of understanding of health issues. It then recommends health, diet and fitness programmes (with instructional videos and support from health coaches), tailored to your personality and preferences. Coach by Cinga targets five integrated areas of health:…

INDUSTRY-SPONSORED RESEARCH Here is my latest roundup of industry-sponsored research producing results or opinions that favour the sponsor’s commercial interests. PROTEIN SUMMIT 2.0: EVALUATING THE ROLE OF PROTEIN IN PUBLIC HEALTH: PROCEEDINGS OF A CONFERENCE HELD IN WASHINGTON, DC, 2 OCTOBER 2013. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION, JUNE 2015 SUPPLEMENT Programme organiser: Shalene McNeill, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and a contractor to The Beef Checkoff. Sponsors: The Beef Checkoff, Dairy Research Institute, Egg Nutrition Center, Global Dairy Platform, Hillshire Brands, National Pork Board My comment: Journal supplements are typically paid for by outside parties – government agencies, foundations, private organisations or food companies. The papers in this supplement discuss various aspects of protein and health. All emphasise the benefits of animal protein in human diets, as might be expected, given…

Our health is governed by our hormones, and throughout our lives, ages and stages, these fluctuate and change. We look at some of the main women’s health concerns and what you can do. Being a woman can be challenging at times – the very thing that gives you the capability of producing life can sometimes impact on your own. This organ, your uterus, is the size of a pear or an avocado, yet is capable of expanding to contain a fully developed baby. For over 40 years, every 28 days, you experience bleeding from the uterine lining – shedding this lining up to 500 times during your lifetime. The British Medical Association reveals that the resultant strains and stresses on your uterus and supporting structures (the ovaries and cervix), during…

There is no empowerment without knowledge (a point completely missed by our government, resulting in disastrous, so-called empowerment deals). Knowledge comes through education. Knowledge is power. On the theme of knowledge, it was an immense privilege to attend a conference in Amsterdam in June, called Celebrating Soil. At this conference it was brought home that education about soil, which is what ultimately sustains humans, consists of understanding it with head, heart and hands. If we approached our education in this threefold manner, we would not be trapped in the reductionist paradigm which results in the blinkerism of academia, the destruction of the environment, more war refugees than at any time since humans have been on earth, a population with cancer rates going parabolic and, finally, having equal amounts of people…

There is nothing nicer in winter than to light a few candles and sink into a relaxing bath. And taking a bath is a natural way to induce sleep. Relaxing in the warm water increases your body temperature. When you cool down afterwards, your brain releases melatonin, triggering a sleep response. Here are some great treats to make this a luxury experience These Jenam Bath Salts are inspired by timeless floral scents. Happy Days by Crisnail Hand & Body Scented Milk is a delicate way to moisturise your skin. [Comfort Zone] Tranquility Oil nourishing aromatic bath and body oil is a combination of natural nourishing oils and an aromatic blend, creating a sensorial experience that leaves you feeling nourished and restored. Creightons Argan Body Creamy Bath, infused with Moroccan argan…

BAKWENA SPA Bakwena Day Spa, situated at the beautiful Velmore Estate Hotel in Erasmia, Pretoria, and Sante Wine Estate in the Western Cape, offer guests a full or half-day of pure indulgence. Your experience starts before you even enter the spa, as you are welcomed by the Bakwena team, to the sounds of drums and joyful singing. Bakwena Spa’s natural surroundings allow you to feel rejuvenated and renewed. Your stresses will melt away with the aroma of lemongrass, which gently infuses the atmosphere. Treatments on offer vary from delux treatments (Cape Town only) to a feet, arm and hand massage, full-body massage, Indian head and neck massage, full-body with hot stone massage, and a relaxation facial (available at both venues). For something different, try the Mr Nibble treatment (fish pedicure).…

The explosion of markets all over South Africa led Dianne Stewart and her daughters, Lissa and Jessica, on a trip around the country in search of the best market food. Each market has its own distinct personality, and provides locals and visitors with relaxed and informal places where family and friends can get together, share a meal and fill their baskets with some of the finest home-made fare and produce South Africa has to offer. Here is a selection of their finds, extracted from Market Food by Dianne Stewart, Jessica Cairns and Lissa Stewart (Bookstorm). OUT TO LUNCH’S PALEO GRANOLA Makes about 20 portions DEBBIE RICH, THE MORNING TRADE, DURBAN One is immediately drawn to the Out to Lunch stand at The Morning Trade market in Durban by the imaginative…

MOVE OF THE MONTH: Standing Splits Celebrity fitness expert and founder of Yogalosophy, Mandy Ingber (www.mandyingber.com), shares her pose of the month: From a forward bend, place both hands on the floor. Raise one leg until hip level; allow the stretch and try to raise your leg higher. Stretch your chest towards the top of your standing leg foot. “Activate energy all the way through the raised leg,” says Ingber. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat on the other side. AN EVENING WITH CHARLIE DoubleTree by Hilton Cape Town, Upper Eastside Hotel, will once again host Charley Boorman at the dinner launch of this year’s Long Way Down journey, which begins and ends in Cape Town. Boorman is a modern-day adventurer, TV presenter, travel writer and actor. Known for his…

6,6 the number of hours on average an adult sleeps per night. 8 OUT OF 10 the number of adults who have some from of sleep difficulty. 61% OF WOMEN & 45% OF MEN wake not feeling rested or refreshed. 57% OF WOMEN & 38% OF MEN have trouble falling asleep. 4,9 the average number of working days missed per year due to sleep-related problems. 2/3 the number of adults who have not told their employers the real reason for missing work.…

For a long time it has been clear that the idea of luxury would have to change. The bling, the shine – it’s gone. In particular, the luxury travel industry, as we thought we knew it, has exhaled. Offering what was once considered a luxurious experience has turned into an overreaching, overpromising folly. A famous designer, some ancient handmade crystal chandeliers, seemingly new décor items from exotic places listed in the Hot Spots List for the year, and a Michelin star were entitlements to applause, awe and even reverie. For some reason the five-star (apparently there is a seven-star too) hotels and resorts felt they gave the guest a full and honest experience that couldn’t be replicated by anyone else. Aside from the marketing that drove all of this, with…

WINNING LETTER GOODBYE DEAR FRIEND I was a very good friend of Bronwen Griffiths, who was featured in Longevity, Edition IV 2014, for being brave and courageous. I say was, as she recently lost her fight (a month ago) against this dreaded disease. But her memory lives on. Brownwen was diagnosed in 2006 with a rare form of cancer, called Insulinoma, which affects the neuroendocrine system. Over the past six years she underwent two major surgeries, a pancreas and liver resection, numerous courses of experimental chemo and brand-new forms of chemo, to name a few. Bronwen was highlighted in the magazine for displaying beauty and strength in hard times and for being an inspiration to us all. Bronwen was probably here with us for much longer than anticipated because of…

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My journey to a lifestyle of health and wellness began when I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue in my 20s. I realised that the first step to improving my situation was to eat in a way that would increase my energy levels and better serve my body. I began to eat healthily. However, I still did not participate in regular exercise until the age of 38, when, in 2011, I decided to start training for the Comrades. 2011 was a challenging year for me; in March I was diagnosed with benign breast cancer and by August both my boys had moved out, leaving me with a serious case of empty-nest syndrome! Both the free time on my hands and my new awareness, however subconscious, of the importance of leading a…

BECOME A REFLECTION OF YOUR OWN POTENTIAL I have worked in a large organisation for the past eight years. Although I have been promoted and given more responsibilities over the years, the salary increases are small and I feel like I am sidelined for the roles I would really like to work in. I am feeling frustrated and despondent. I don’t want to leave, as I enjoy the work that I do and the company itself, but I feel that I might only get the role and salary I would like if I look outside the company. When you would love to negotiate a raise, a promotion, a greater opportunity or a new position within the company that you are working for, just know that if you are not confident…

Training for the gruelling 42km Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, to be held on 20 September, is important, but other areas of preparation are just as crucial, according to nutritional specialist at Vital Health Foods, Andrea du Plessis. She explains that dietary intake can affect an athlete’s training and racing ability. “The biggest impact nutrition can make on your training programme is to help your muscles recover rapidly. This ensures getting the best value out of regular training sessions.” Nutrients for recovery: • Water; • Carbohydrates; • Protein (including the branched chain amino acids); • Electrolytes; • Vitamins; • Minerals; and • Antioxidants. Look out for these key recovery ingredients: • Whey protein, a source of the essential and branched chain amino acids required for muscle recovery; and • Glutamine, an…

What are the latest detox trends and do they work? Each promises the golden “reset button” for youthful looks and sharp minds, but do they all make the cut? DO WE REALLY NEED TO DETOX? The human body is designed to be an efficient self-cleansing unit. Many physicians believe detoxing is a waste of time, but others disagree. “We live in an environment that has evolved faster than our genes could keep up with,” explains Dr Tamara Rabinowitz, functional medicine practitioner at the Melrose Aesthetic Centre in Johannesburg. “Today we are exposed to toxins in our food, cleaning products, cosmetics, air and water, plus our body naturally produces its own waste products. With the increased toxic load of our environment and lifestyle, our resources are spread thin.” Don’t let detoxing…

RICHARD MULHOLLAND IS AN ENTREPRENEUR, SPEAKER AND FATHER. HE OWNS MISSING LINK, A PRESENTATION COMPANY, AND CO-OWNS 21TANKS, A PERSPECTIVE INNOVATION LAB. YOU CAN READ MORE OF HIS RAMBLINGS AT WWW.RICHARDMULHOLLAND.CO.ZA/ OR FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER @RICHMULHOLLAND. Okay, so this month we’re all about detoxing. You know what, though? A little tox never hurt anyone. Detoxing is a great idea, and I certainly believe it has its place. It’s just that sometimes I think we run the risk of detoxing all the flavour out of life, and in life, like food, the best flavour generally comes from the stuff that’s a wee bit bad for you. So, abusing my back-page privileges, I’m going to undo all the good that my colleagues have done this issue. Welcome to Rich’s Re-tox. Let’s…

I was very interested to read your article on 10 Ways To Create a Healthier Workplace (Edition V). I have always wondered how unhealthy our work environment is and, as someone who works behind a desk for the majority of my day, developing back issues has always concerned me. I was very happy to learn that ergonomic furniture is not the only way to solve this issue. Such lovely insights from Dr Riaz Motara! I will definitely be adding more movement into my work routine... and maybe even a few push-ups in between cups of coffee (hopefully my colleagues don’t think that I have lost my mind). Thank you so much, Longevity, for always providing information about how you can cure something the natural way – such a refreshing approach!…

4 WAYS TO AVOID GETTING BORED OF EXERCISE I’m pretty certain that many of you experience some degree of boredom when doing the same activity over and over. This especially applies to exercise, and it’s often the reason why so many people discontinue their exercise regimen. Boredom arrives when a certain activity loses its appeal and is no longer stimulating. It’s also very hard to motivate oneself to carry on or push through the boredom barrier and I have to agree that doing so is pointless. Here we provide four tips to avoid getting bored with exercise. COULD VITAMIN C BE THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH? Celebrities are queuing up for their boost of intravenous (IV) megadose vitamin C. The moment celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow caught on to the skin renewal,…

1 FIGHT CANCER: CITRUS FLAVONOIDS FOUND IN LEMONS MAY HELP TO INHIBIT THE GROWTH OF CANCER CELLS AND ACT AS AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY. 2 ENHANCE CONCENTRATION: STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT INHALING LEMON OIL HELPS TO INCREASE CONCENTRATION. IT CAN THEREFORE BE USED AS A ROOM FRESHENER IN OFFICES TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY. 3 HELP REDUCE FEVER: Drinking hot water, honey and lemon juice has been known to bring down fever. It needs to be repeated every two hours in order to ensure that the condition remains stable. 4 ASSIST IN ANTIOXIDANT ABSORPTION: Add a slice of lemon to your green tea. One study found that citrus increases your body’s ability to absorb the antioxidants in the tea by about 80%. 5 HAIRCARE: Lemon juice has proven itself in the treatment of haircare.…

THE You Docs EXPERT ADVICE Q I know that meditation makes people feel better, happier and calmer, but is there a scientific explanation of why it works? Meditation has been practised in one form or another for as long as recorded history. But it wasn’t until the 20th century that Western societies embraced it and began studying its physical effects. Now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 10% of you meditate at least occasionally (that’s more than 30 million “Oms” in North America alone). We’re great advocates of mindfulness meditation (we both do it daily), and find that it reduces the stress response, refreshes the body, and makes it easier to sort out tasks and thoughts. (For instructions on how to start meditating, visit sharecare.com.)…

It’s late afternoon at the Maslow Hotel in Sandton. The lounge is filled with businessmen and women having meetings, catching up on their emails. The winter sun shines through the windows; a chill hangs in the air. Kerishnie Naiker strides in through the open door, catches my eye, smiles. Dressed all in black with a bright orange shawl draped around her, she still maintains the beauty and regal stance of her former reign as Miss South Africa. The only noticeable difference is rounded evidence of her advanced pregnancy. She has always been small in stature, but there is a strength in her that I haven’t seen before. Our paths have crossed a number of times over the course of our careers. As a fresh-faced junior newspaper reporter, first year on…

LOADSHEDDING FOR KIDS Sitting in the dark can be frustrating when you have kids. However, there are a few tricks you can try: for older kids and teens, a games night by candlelight or touch, and for the younger kids, try the torch scavenger hunt, recommends The Baby Club (www.thebabyclub.co.za). Simply come up with a list of things you know that can be safely found in the dark – then send the kids off hunting with a torch in hand. The first one back with all of the items on the list is the winner. And the best part is you can play this even on those unscheduled blackouts – as you can choose normal household items such as a metal teaspoon, slippers, an apple from the fruit bowl, etc.…

THE POWER OF ROOIBOS Due to the harshness of our climate, South African women of all ethnicities are experiencing the effects of premature aging: fine lines and wrinkles, lack of radiance, hyperpigmentation, and loss of volume and firmness. Antioxidants are believed to be key in helping to slow down the signs of aging. Found in plants and vitamins, antioxidants have been shown to have the capacity to protect against damaging free radicals. These free radicals are created by exposure to environmental stress (such as UV rays, smoke, exhaust fumes and industrial pollutants) and metabolic stress (caused by anxiety, poor diet, lack of rest and illness). Rooibos has long been recognised as a potent source of antioxidants, as it contains aspalathin. The African Extracts Rooibos Skincare range introduces AdvantAGE, a series…

The Melrose Aesthetic Centre, Gauteng, conducts detox, wellness and weight-management programmes. Blood tests and metabolic assessments are used to tailor the programme to your individual needs. These 12-week programs support your metabolic pathway to support weight loss, increase energy levels and improving general health. www.melroseskin.co.za Greenhouse Health, Cape Town, provides a detox process to help cleanse environmental toxins and heavy metals. They specialise in helping those suffering from fatigue, weight issues, hormone and chronic health problems. The four-week cleansing protocol involves specific organic foods and supplements. Intravenous nutrient treatments or chelation are also available. www.greenhousehealth.com Health Renewal Clinics in Gauteng, Durban and Cape Town, offer the 10-day Clear Change detox program to support general wellbeing. This protocol is designed for your individual needs. It is composed of specific foods and…

If sleep is currently not your friend, perhaps you need to look at how your daytime activities are affecting your nighttime shutdown. The US National Sleep Foundation (www.sleepfoundation.org) warns that while not all insomnia is linked to stress, those who are under considerable stress can experience insomnia. The good news is that if your lack of sleep is due to stress, alleviating the stress should help to combat the insomnia. Dr Neil Kavey, director of the Sleep Disorders Center at Columbia University Medical Center in the US, in a report written for the National Sleep Foundation, comments that stress not only makes it difficult for you to fall asleep and stay asleep, but also affects the quality of the sleep you do get. “Stress causes hyperarousal, which can upset the…

TREAT YOURSELF Dash Queen Victoria Hotel Portswood Ridge, V&A Waterfront 021 418 1466 www.queenvictoriahotel.co.za Chef Sam Wasserman has focused her French-inspired menu on the unique flavours of each locally sourced ingredient. “I delight in preparing special dishes using local seasonal produce, so that we always ensure freshness and authentic flavours, and, of course, it is a real passion of mine to design and present a plate beautifully.” The restaurant prides itself on giving the best and freshest ingredients top billing. The Dash menu changes every few weeks, when new ingredients become available. The dining experience is intimate – with only 36 seats, it is rather special. Relax in the bar area and take in impressive views of Table Mountain and the city. LISTEN TO... FOR THE ROCKER IN YOU: TEENAGE…