Table of contents for Annual 2018 in Longevity Magazine

The functional-medicine model is an individualised, patient-centred, science-based approach that empowers patients and practitioners to work together to address the underlying causes of disease and promote optimum wellness. It requires a detailed understanding of each patient’s genetic, biochemical individuality and lifestyle factors, and directs personalised treatment plans that lead to improved patient outcomes. Taking into account toxicologies from the environment and detoxification of the human organism is critical in our approach. It might sound like an oversimplification, but most chronic disease states – such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, autoimmunity, Alzheimer dementia and other dementia states – have an underlying deficiency (mineral, vitamin, hormone, fatty acid or amino acid) or an underlying toxicity state. In integrative medicine, we are focused on achieving vitality as well as organ reserve. Traditional Western…

According to the Real Self US Aesthetics Interest Survey of 2018, four out of five Americans report wanting to change at least one part of their bodies. The main motivations for having a cosmetic treatment are “to improve self-esteem/confidence”(43%) and “to look as good as I feel” (34%). A Top concerns among those who would consider a cosmetic procedure are cost and fear of complications or bad results. CHOOSE THE RIGHT PROCEDURE FOR YOU The Internet provides the public with valuable information about plastic surgery. These days, patients are so much more informed about procedures than before. But there are two problems: the information on the Internet is not verified, and some of it is real rubbish. And, as a patient, you can read a lot and still not always…

2018 has been a year of deep uncertainty and despair for many South Africans. This has been reflected in a deepening crisis in mental health that was brought to our attention in the wake of the suicides of prominent individuals in our society. We cannot deny that mental health is the most urgent health crisis of our times. On one level, society has become more conscious of health and wellbeing, but the rising statistics for burnout, anxiety, depression and chronic disease are reflecting a different picture. Superficial attempts and quick-fix coping strategies are not sustainable, as they merely keep us functioning at a base level. To shift our habitual patterns of behaviour, we need to begin by recognising these patterns as they arise. Only then can we start applying the…

A significant increase in life-span has been achieved in the last 100 years. A corresponding increase in health-span, defined as the maintenance of full function as near as possible to the end of life, will be the next goal in life sciences and medicine. A significant increase in healthspan is most likely only possible with customised or improved personalised medicine and individualised treatments. Such an approach has the potential to modify therapies to achieve the best response and highest safety margin, thereby ensuring better patient care and more sustainable treatment results. This also applies to medical skincare. The primary effort towards personalised treatments will be through a comprehensive and holistic diagnosis, accomplished by means of a multifactorial assessment, assessing intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Over past decades, much evidence has emerged…

Graceful and agile, Kitty Phetla lives and breathes ballet. Quite simply, it’s been an integral part of her life since the age of nine, and her hope is for others to see it the same way, here at home and throughout the continent. “While ballet has been made more accessible, certainly in the last 10 years, I would like to see the art form being considered as a career possibility. Perhaps South Africans are not as informed that it is a job, and that one can earn a salary from it every month,” she says. Fortunately, no one is better primed to create and drive such awareness than Kitty, who was named one of the recipients of the prestigious 2019 Standard Bank Young Artists (SBYA) Awards, an accolade she cherishes,…

1 DIGESTIVE HEALTH METAGENICS ULTRAFLORA This probiotic formula boosts digestive health by encouraging a healthy gut, and also boosts your immune system. – Longevity Editorial PRICE: R242 WHERE TO BUY: www.wellnesswarehouse.com 2 DETOX AND CLEANSING LARGAVITA NADPLUS+ COMPLEX This is the first nutriceutical that has a wide range of anti-aging benefits. It contains 19 highly active ingredients that offer detox and antioxidant benefits. – Dr Deepa Parbhoo PRICE: R799 WHERE TO BUY: www.largavita.co.za 3 PROBIOTICS ENTIRO TABLETS The Entiro probiotic covers your entire stomach, restoring, maintaining and balancing intestinal flora. The balance between good and bad stomach flora can be disturbed by factors such as stress, poor diet, travel, illness and antibiotic use, and can result in diarrhoea, bloating, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome or a weakened immune system. A unique…

Surgical TREATMENT 1 BREAST AUGMENTATION BY MEANS OF ERGONOMIC SILICONE IMPLANTS WITH OR WITHOUT FAT GRAFTING Ergonomic implants deliver results that are very natural. By adding fat grafting to the procedure, one can obtain the required breast size with a smaller implant. – Dr Nicolette Landman PRICE: R45 000 - R55 000 Surgical TREATMENT 2 ADIPOLASER FACELIFT: THE “NATURAL” STEM-CELL SCARLESS FACELIFT A youthful face is a face with beautiful soft curves, created by perfectly placed volume and a radiant skin. And to achieve a totally rejuvenating effect, it is of utmost importance to correct both volume and skin quality. The Adipolaser technique is one of my top procedures, as it allows for a scarless facelift that rejuvenates and regenerates the facial tissues, so that we can achieve the most…

Look up EMS training and you’ll find it hailed by one lean and lithe celebrity after the other, including Heidi Klum, Elizabeth Hurley and, locally, Melinda Bam. But can you really replace your five-times-a-week, hour-long gym sessions with 20 minutes of electronic muscle stimulation and simple resistance movements? As it turns out – depending on what you want to achieve – you may be able to do just that. I was excited to test out BODYTEC’s EMS training for a couple of weeks. WHAT IS BODYTEC? The technology involves electro muscle stimulation (EMS), which allows for 90% of your muscles to be activated through electric impulses. When you then practise traditional, low-impact exercises, your muscles contract at a much higher intensity. The result is an intense, full-body workout, the effects…

OUT WITH THE OLD, in with the new Beauty trends have been around for years – from Hollywood glamour in the 1940s to bold hair and statement eyes in the 1980s. Celebrity stylists in the fashion, film and music industries play a powerful role in determining these trends. However, the one thing they wouldn’t have been able to predict is that millennials would disrupt the market completely. Although there are different opinions around what this generation of young adults is going to give back to society, there are a few things they are showing older generations how to do better. Millennials, by nature, want to separate themselves from the crowd; they appreciate individuality and find beauty solutions that work specifically for them. This means they will stop following mainstream trends, and…

one Don’t stretch Christmas celebrations out for several weeks – stick to a day or two for indulging only. two Don’t forget to count alcohol when you are adding up your kilojoule intake. three Don’t have a second helping at Christmas functions. four Don’t pile your plate too high. five Fill up on salad, and have just small portions of creamy dishes, meat, and only a taste of dessert. six Make the most of the long days and plan outdoor activities such as walking, cricket, soccer, tennis or swimming at the beach. seven During school holidays, organise your children so you don’t miss out on your usual exercise routine. eight Get a pedometer and track your steps to make sure you reach the recommended 10 000 a day. nine Aim…

Stress has become a normal part of life; it affects people of all ages, genders, races and circumstances. And while we all cope differently with it, there is no way to avoid it completely. Stress is also not always a negative thing; it can sometimes provide the motivation and focus we need to help us overcome a difficult situation or task. However, when stress becomes chronic, it will have negative effects on our physical and mental health. Countless studies show that excess stress can cause real physical symptoms such as headaches, upset stomach, increased blood pressure, chest pain and trouble sleeping. That’s not to mention its role in mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. In the workplace, we are often exposed to a number stressors on a daily basis.…

You can’t always control what life throws at you, but you can control how you respond to it. How often have we heard this mantra? But what does it really mean to have the capacity to manage the challenges that arise in your life? Many people will tell you this capacity is called emotional intelligence. While this may be true to some extent, an important quality in controlling your reaction to adversity – a quality that is often overlooked – is mental resilience. Marilyn Davis-Shulman, a clinical psychologist in Johannesburg, explains that mental resilience is the defining variable that distinguishes people who can go through very stressful episodes, experience the consequent/appropriate emotions, make meaning of what they have been through, and emerge stronger and wiser. “Moreover, afterwards they are not…

Sean has a BComm and a BAcc from the University of the Witwatersrand. He worked just over 20 years for an American sales and marketing company focusing on the building of private-label brands for retailers. During this time, he managed business in South Africa, Mexico, Germany, the Czech Republic, the US, Angola and Kenya. At the end of 2014, he left the corporate world to focus on a combination of entrepreneurship and service. Giving back – To this end he has a small strategic consulting company, a business incubator, and spends some of his time as a volunteer ambassador at Rise Against Hunger Africa and a mentor at the National Youth Development Agency. Three key words that describe Sean are strategic, maximiser and relator. Sean is a qualified yoga and…

While your chosen sunscreen brand probably does a fairly good job of protecting your skin from the harmful effects of the sun, it may well be toxic to the environment. Indeed, key public officers in Hawaii spent the better part of 2017 debating and lobbying for a ban on certain sunscreen brands. The brands in question contain a UV-filtering ingredient called oxybenzone. THE LINK BETWEEN OXYBENZONE, SUNSCREEN AND CORAL REEFS According to various published media sources and respected scientific journals, even in tiny quantities, the ingredient oxybenzone can poison the algae that symbiotically support the coral reefs in oceans. These invertebrate animals in turn support the algae gardens that photosynthesise food from sunlight. This process provides 90% of the coral’s food. Most of us are probably unaware that the residue…

▪ Sadhna Makka Sadhna Makka is the national training manager for Marine Spa Distributors. She has been working in the cosmetics and spa industry for eight years. She is passionate about the industry and has been exposed to life at sea. ▪ Dr Melanie Lambrechts Dr Melanie Lambrechts is a GPSI in aesthetics, with eight years of experience in the industry. She is the founder of The Centre of Wellness, which specialises in skin rejuvenation and integrative medicine. She also lectures for various medical academies and brands on aesthetic medicine, and has written numerous articles for industry magazines and online platforms. ▪ Dr Nicolette Landman Qualified as both a plastic/reconstructive and general surgeon, based in Pretoria, Dr Nicolette Landman has a special interest in cosmetic surgery, body-contouring procedures, skin-cancer surgery,…

Two-thirds of deaths globally are as a result of the decisions we make in our everyday lives – simple decisions about what we eat, what we drink and how physically active we are. And while these may seem simple, they are key determinants of the quality and quantity of our lives. The world of technology and big data are two industries that are revolutionising our lives. The way we travel to work, the way we order our food, the way we book our holidays and the way we communicate with our friends are fundamentally different from what they were just a few years ago. The impact that technology and data analytics are having on healthcare is no different. Technologies as wide-ranging as genomics, mobile apps, cutting-edge targeted medicines, and wearable…

D Only a few are gifted genetically with amazing skin; the rest of us have to put in the time and effort to reap the rewards. Luckily, with the rate at which medical science is developing, healthy, glowing and vibrant skin is now an option for everyone. But with so many treatments available on the market, it’s hard to know where to start. Personalised skincare is a must. Personalised skincare treatments and regimes take into account that everyone’s skin is different and has different needs. Realising how important this is is the easy part; finding the right treatments and selecting where to have them done is a little more difficult. Here are some guidelines for ensuring the most positive outcomes when selecting a centre, clinic or medical practice: 1. The…

Personalised healthcare is an inevitability. The speed with which our ability to gather data and apply it in different areas means that it’s only a matter of time before you can receive a diagnosis based on your very specific DNA, family health history, nutrition predispositions and sensitivities. That’s a far cry from the rather general prescriptions we are used to receiving, where the greatest consideration is often how medication will interact with other preparations you’re already taking. It will certainly change the way we treat illness – and that’s a good thing, isn’t it? But wait. Before you answer that question, answer this one: If I were to tell you that you are always kind, never spiteful, always happy, never sad, always positive, never negative, would you agree? I’m sure…

Are you living your dream life? Do you feel as if your life is a grand adventure? Does your money support the goals you have for your life? Your life has everything to do with you and what resonates with you; it’s about your dreams. It’s about allocating your money – and your time – to things that are important to you. Your journey is an individual one, with twists and turns, ups and downs, but most of all, it should also be filled with things that make you happy. Your money should be structured in such a way as to enable the life you envision for yourself. Most of us really are just too busy doing things – so busy that we don’t have time left to enjoy things.…

This is Longevity’s Best in Aging Survey: Personalised Beauty and Aesthetics Edition. The comprehensive and digitally-driven assessment was completed voluntarily by several local general practitioners, dermatologists, medical industry professionals and experienced beauty industry experts. The objective was for each participant to identify the products, treatments and services they deem to be the best in healthy aging and aesthetic personalisation. This is not an awards project, but a review of what the industry experts who participated deem to be most innovative, cost-effective and results-driven in their respective categories. The survey is divided into five main Best in Aging categories: Products, Supplements, Non-Invasive Treatments, Cosmetic Surgeries and Spa Treatments. Each category has been evaluated according to these criteria: Longevity received over 300 reviews by around 30 industry professionals. Not all of the…

When it comes to the top beauty trends that women desire, the one that always wins is youthful, flawless skin. However, when you suffer from skin that shows signs of aging, flawless skin may seem a fallacy. Thankfully, younger-looking skin, whatever your age, is well within your grasp. Environ, one of the world’s most renowned and loved professional skincare brands, built on science, beauty and care, has launched its most targeted approach to dealing with the specific conditions of aging, sensitive and dry skin, through the Focus Care Range. Once again, Environ pushes the boundaries of science with this range, which contains powerful formulations and intelligent ingredient combinations, with the aim of future-proofing skin. The Focus Care stable consists of three ranges: Focus Care™ Youth+ (aging skin), Moisture+ (dry skin)…

TOP choice: The Saxon Spa SAXON HIMALAYAN SIGNATURE JOURNEY The Saxon Spa makes me feel as if I have stepped into a luxurious spa in Europe. It sums up perfection for me. There is a perfect combination of African chic and pure tranquillity. The spa has many signature treatments that you can choose from, and delicious spa cuisine. – Jessica Vicente This treatment combines a full-body scrub, which exfoliates the skin and improves blood circulation, with a deep granite massage, which loosens tense muscles. The treatment ends with a cold rose quartz crystal that relieves and heals muscular inflammation. – Dr Anushka Reddy THE LASER BEAUTIQUE CINDERELLA OR PRINCE CHARMING NEAR INFRARED FACIAL The Cinderella facials works on two levels: they are results-driven anti-aging treatments that will allow you to…

To suggest that dealing with my oily skin is easy would be a lie. Aside from ensuring that my bag contains enough blotting paper to last me through the day, there is also the fear that the extra oil on my face will lead to breakouts. Although adolescence is far behind me, I do still suffer from acne, and efforts to treat it can increase the risk of scarring and pigmentation. In fact, some of the products marketed for my skin concerns actually contain high levels of toxic ingredients that can permanently damage dark skin. One, in particular, is hydroquinone, which not only can increase hyperpigmentation, but can also cause hormonal issues. Thus, in the hope of safely addressing my oily, acne-prone dark skin, I visited Dr P Aesthetic Lifestyle…

WHAT IS ECO-BIOLOGY? At first, the concept seemed vexing. The> best way I could understand and describe it in layman’s terms is that it is an integrated approach to aging, based on researching how humans interact at a cellular level and adapt to their environment. It encourages science to collaborate and connect all the data, and integrate it, to help provide better therapies and outcomes for health and longevity. The idea behind eco-biology has evolved over many years of work, passion and collaboration between the MedILS’s authoritative leader, molecular biologist, scientist and programme director of the Eco-Biology Summit Miroslav Radman, and the charismatic founder of NAOS, Jean-Noël Thorel. Established over a decade ago, the institute was the first in Europe dedicated to the biology of aging and age-related diseases. Indeed,…

We are entering a generation where individuals want to know that they’re getting more value with the scent they choose to buy, and that it’s personalised in some way. And with some of the releases we’ve seen recently, it seems fragrance houses are embracing these new consumer demands in a big way. Here are some of the exciting fragrance trends we predict in 2019: 1 Need for green Not only are individuals looking for fragrances with fresher constructs that have a more natural feel, but there is also a demand for scscents that are eco-friendly and have a social message behind them. The desire to choose fragrances with botanical or light floral notes shows an underlying desire to grow and connect with the essentials, and lead a healthier life overall.…

The demand for plastic and reconstructive surgeries grows year-on-year. In fact, according to the American Society for Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the number of cosmetic procedures conducted annually has increased by a staggering 115% since 2000. Many individuals are feeling more comfortable with the idea of surgery, and studies are showing that much of this has to do with how surgery aids individuals in improving their self-esteem. One particular study, published in Clinical Psychological Science in 2013, showed that individuals who undergo a little nip-tuck have an improved enjoyment of life and physical satisfaction. And as the look-good, feel-good trend keeps growing, individuals are becoming more open to discussing and approaching topics such as cosmetic treatments and surgery. Dr Vivien Jandera, president of the Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons…

As a child enjoying family holidays at the coast, I remember very clearly the moments I hated most of any day spent on the beach: when my mother would summon me for the periodic reapplication of sunscreen. Pretending I didn’t hear the summons wouldn’t do – it was a job she took very seriously. A This particular sunscreen was a thick and sometimes sticky white formula that would be smeared over my face, shoulders, neck, and then down, all the way to my legs and feet. Mom won no popularity contests for it, but she couldn’t care less. My sisters and I would obediently apply sunscreen or suffer the consequences. And Mom was right. Studies have shown that sun exposure is not just responsible for burns, sun allergy and damage…

1 CONTROL: Studies show that workers who believe they have a great deal of responsibility but little control or decision-making power in their jobs are at increased risk of cardiovascular illnesses. 2 COMMUNICATION: Workplace tension often results from poor communication, which in turn increases job stress. 3 CONFIDENCE IN YOUR COMPETENCE: Are you concerned about your ability to perform well? Job insecurity is a major source of stress for many people. 4 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Feeling uncertain about what your duties are, how they may be changing, or what your department’s or organisation’s goals are can lead to stress. Assuming additional responsibilities in your job can also be stressful. 5 SUPPORT: Feeling unsupported by your co-workers may make it harder to resolve other problems at work that are causing you…

• A positive mindset and a firm belief that a constructive solution can be found; • Healthy awareness of your thoughts and self-regulation of your emotions; • A determination to keep going through hardship; • A healthy self-awareness – listening to your body and destressing regularly; • Understanding your own personal critical limit – this is when you need a time-out; and • Being kind to yourself. While the human spirit is inherently resilient, it is important that we are aware of what our minds can achieve, and believe in the fact that we will emerge from challenges stronger and more able to withstand adversity.…

Aquarius JANUARY 20 – FEBRUARY 18 There’s a lunar eclipse on 21 January, which signifies endings and new beginnings. You may experience some significant psychological or emotional changes. Use this opportunity to revise your approach to health and wellness. You have a preference for the unusual, so fly a power kite, go hot-air-ballooning or hang-gliding. Engage in social activities that involve exercise or meditation. You are a humanitarian, so do a fun run for an animal shelter or an old-age home. Your mental health is important and you have a sensitive nervous system, so eat foods that support it. Foods that are rich in magnesium and B vitamins include nuts and seeds, legumes such as chickpeas, lentils and beans, and fish such as salmon, mackerel and tuna. Avocado, bananas, spinach…

Not all sunscreens contain oxybenzone. Chemical sunscreens, which are absorbed into the skin, usually do (sometimes listed as benzophenone-3) and they are the ones Hawaii is considering banning. They work by absorbing the sun’s rays. Mineral sunscreens, which usually contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, work differently; they physically reflect the sun’s rays. You can take steps to protect yourself and your family: • Avoid products containing oxybenzone, benzophenone-3 and retinyl palmitate if you’re concerned about potentially toxic chemicals; • Use a sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15 and a maximum of SPF 50; • Make sure labels list UVA and UVB (or broad-spectrum protection); • Choose cream preparations rather than spray sunscreens. Creams or lotions are more evenly distributed on the skin and therefore offer better protection. It’s…

Many of us have woken up after a night of too much fun and wished that someone or something out there would just restore our body and make us feel like new. Some think they have the answer in the form of intravenous (IV) vitamin therapy. Celebrities such as Rihanna, Madonna and Simon Cowell have also reportedly received vitamins this way. BUT WHAT IS IV VITAMIN THERAPY? Intravenous vitamin therapy is a method of administering vitamins and minerals into the bloodstream. Clinics offering this kind of therapy claim that vitamin injections boost your energy levels, stimulate the immune system, and help with stress and sleep problems. They also recommend it for a wide range of conditions, including cancer, hypertension, asthma or depression. Apparently, the formula of vitamins is customised according…

Beginning his career in 1990 in Cape Town at the three-star Tulbagh Protea Hotel, David Higgs has grown into one of South Africa’s most awarded and internationally acclaimed chefs. He previously worked at the Central One Restaurant at Radisson Blu Gautrain and The Saxon Hotel, before becoming a founding partner of Marble and Saint Restaurants. Moreover, he also started his own cooking school in Cape Town, The Higgs School of Good Cooking, in 2000 and he is currently a judge on the hit local reality show My Kitchen Rules SA on M-Net. With an almost 20-year career in cooking and cuisine, David has transformed his passion about local cooking into his debut book Mile 8: A book about cooking. Asparagus with sunflower seeds and caramelised buttermilk Asparagus does need to…

Recently, leading health and life services company Discovery South Africa launched a bank – one based on behavioural science. It’s a world first and shows that there is a changing consciousness towards assisting people to live longer and better. Adrian Gore, one of the country’s most respected CEOs (recent winner of a Sunday Times Business Times Lifetime Achievement Award), said it is a fact that your health is directly related to financial wealth. “People who manage their health well manage their money well.” And while this is great, and indeed scientific advancement has brought cures to diseases that previously wiped out generations, on the whole today, we may be living longer, but many are not living healthier. We live in an age when cancer is rampant and afflicting people at…

In the field of genomics, we love the saying “You’re what your grandmother ate”, as it pretty much sums up the idea that genetic variations have a hereditary tale. If you make poor choices throughout a lifetime, such as smoking, excessive drinking, chronic stress, poor diet, no exercise and toxic exposure, this will add significant pressure on a specific gene or SNP (pronounced “snip”), causing it to mutate. But if all members of a species have the same set of genes, how can there be genetic variation? Each gene that can currently be tested and is well-researched in term of its biological function can have various alleles. Some alleles, or genetic variations, have no impact on the way that gene expresses itself and encodes. However, some alleles can have a…

To maintain and improve the health of your skin, an effective skincare regimen should contain three fundamental elements: prevention, protection and correction. The right products to choose should be designed to prevent future damage, protect healthy skin and correct previous damage. Plus, they should be backed by science. When looking at prevention, good skincare habits are paramount. We are noticing an increased interest in protecting the skin and maintaining its health from early adolescence, which is a great first step. Moisturisers, cleansers and scrubs are still trending, while healthy eating and less smoking are quickly catching up. However, there is no one-size-fits-all. Each product used should be chosen according to your skin type and the needs of your skin. Over time, regardless of lifestyle, our skin begins to change. Signs…

Damage to our cells starts already before we are born. But due to environmental cell damage, aging is accelerated from the third decade, and we start to see the signs of aging in our skin long before we see it in our heart and brain. This is the reason why the anti-aging industry, over the past few decades, has bombarded us with products promising to restore our youth. The anti-aging industry today is worth more than $250 billion, and is still growing. Scientists, however, have looked further than a “magic potion” to find the “eternal fountain of youth”, by studying small groups of individuals that seem to live longer and healthier lives than others. In Sardinia, statistics show that one in 600 people make it to the age of 100…

MOISTURISER NEOSTRATA BIONIC FACE CREAM Tried and trusted for many years, NeoStrata Bionic Face Cream is an emollient, advanced anti-aging cream that provides intense hydration and smoother skin without irritation, while reducing redness. So, if you struggle with dry, sensitive skin, NeoStrata’s Bionic Face Cream is the answer. – Dr Janine Olivier PRICE: R679 WHERE TO BUY: www.dermastore.co.za FILORGA SKIN ABSOLUTE DAY This is a pure-white marshmallow-textured cream that offers not only anti-aging treatment, but also DNA protection. Interestingly, it works with light exposure that is transformed into energy for our skin cells. I am addicted to this one. – Dr Riekie Smit PRICE: R1 970 WHERE TO BUY: www.clicks.co.za LAMELLE DERMAHEAL ULTRA RENEWAL CREAM This product has both retinol and growth factors in it, as well as powerful antioxidants,…

T For years, foundation has been as important a staple in a makeup kit as red lipstick. But finding the right shade, the one specifically suited to your skin tone, has often proved difficult. You may have found yourself purchasing two foundations, which you would later blend together, or one that was close enough to you skin tone, trusting that it would not leave an ashy residue. Of course, neither option is ideal. Fortunately, following in the footsteps of Fenty Beauty, over the past two years brands have acknowledged the predicament South African women face daily, and have released a range of foundation products to cater to the very different skin tones of South African women. The Sorbet Group, which recently debuted 92 foundations with 28 shades – based on…

When it comes to anti-aging treatments, subtle efficiency is what we should be looking for. As we get older, it can start to feel as if what we see when we look in the mirror no longer reflects how we feel inside. Because of angry frown lines and negative mouth edges, we can easily look unhappy, tired and depressed. That’s where the Centre of Wellness steps in. Rather than aiming for “anti-aging” only, it believes in modifying the parts of the face creating these negative impressions. Frown lines are softened, hard mouth edges are filled in and lifted, and in time you appear younger, fresher, kinder, happier – and, ultimately, more beautiful. Located in the heart of Sandton, the Centre of Wellness and its clinic are owned and run by…

• ALMONDS In nut form or milk, almonds should be a daily staple. • AVOCADOS High in good fats, avos are also importantly full of potassium, which helps to counter anxiety, irritability, depression and tension. • BANANAS These also provide a potassium boost, although they are more calorie-dense. • BLUEBERRIES You can eat them until you are blue in the face. A rich source of vitamin C, blueberries have high levels of anthocyanin. This boosts circulation, reduces the risk of heart disease and lowers cholesterol. • CHAMOMILE Chamomile tea has been known for centuries as a bedtime soother. Drunk regularly, chamomile can also help to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety; it relaxes muscles and has a sedative effect on the central nervous system. • CARROTS A lot of our stress…

I sit at the coalface of human dissatisfaction. Every day I meet people who are highly stressed, overwhelmed and disconnected. But while people arrive in my space confused and depleted, I can help to instil a little curiosity and hope, lighting a path through their pain to self-realisation and strength. Daily we witness tremendous hardship taking place globally, and yet we seem consumed with our own discomfort. I have started to view this period as The Age of Truth − a period of illumination, if we are brave enough to pursue it. After all, great advances have been made in understanding the human brain, our health and our connection to others. Have you noticed the recent exposure of government corruption, warmongering, big pharma, the global financial house of cards and…

It’s not often that I get to have the last word, so I’m going to make the most of it, by challenging you to become more mindful in 2019 and to truly live in the moment. So, what does it mean to be more mindful? Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where you are and what you’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around you. While mindfulness is something we all naturally possess (believe it or not), it’s more readily available to us when we practise on a daily basis. It helps us put some space between ourselves and our reactions, breaking down our conditioned responses. Whenever you bring awareness to what you’re directly experiencing via your senses, or…