WINES FOR THAT GLOWING SKIN !

The indigenous wines that are made from everything ranging from saunf (fennel seeds),kesar (saffron), strawberry, cardamom, rose and orange are fast making its way into beauty salons and how! Beauty therapists in Jaipur are using these wines to give their clients a glowing skin, and those getting the facials seem to love the effect!

Beauty expert Sabeljeet Singh has been using aromatic heritage wines sourced from wine makers in and around Jaipur to give facials to her clients. “Nothing can beat the glow of heritage wine facials. They have a purely herbal base and cure infections. They bring out clear, unblemished skin that has a pink tinge to it. I mix almond for dry skin and aloe vera for oily and acne prone skin while giving the message. This enhances the skin softening properties of the wine multifold,” says Sabaljeet.

“Gape wine rules the roost since it contains polyphenols, a very effective anti-oxidant and resveratrol that fight against free radicals, bacteria and fungi,” adds Sabaljeet.

Pinky Ahuja who has been regularly getting wine facial done at a city based clinic says, “I was quite curious to know how wines can work wonders for the skin. I got it done once and just loved the results. Wine gave an instant glow to the skin and also made my skin look clearer. I make sure I get a wine facial done every time I have to attend a party.”

Aroma therapist Hitendra Chhabra has an interesting story to share about his discovery of heritage wines as a beauty product. A girl who had accidentally spilled some wine on her hand came to Hitendra with a little itching on her skin. While treating the skin, Chhabra noticed that her skin was glistening.

Hitendra wondered what effect wine could have on the skin and researched on wine treatments being carried out in some countries. To his surprise he found that wine has a magical effect on the skin. Now Hitendra uses wine made of saunf (fennel seeds), kesar (saffron), strawberry, cardamom, rose and orange which he sources from Jaipur while he imports grape wine from other countries.

CHOCOLATES FOR WEIGHT LOSS !

To compare the effects of dark and milk chocolate on both appetite and subsequent calorie intake, 16 young and healthy men of normal weight who all liked both dark and milk chocolate took part in a so-called crossover experiment. This meant that they reported for two separate sessions, the first time testing the dark chocolate, and the second time the milk chocolate.

They had all fasted for 12 hours beforehand and were offered 100g of chocolate, which they consumed in the course of 15 minutes. The calorific content was virtually the same for the milk and dark chocolate.

During the following 5 hours, participants were asked to register their appetite every half hour, i.e. their hunger, satiety, craving for special foods and how they liked the chocolate.

Two and a half hours after eating the chocolate, participants were offered pizza ad lib. They were instructed to eat until they felt comfortably satiated. After the meal, the individuals' calorie intake was registered.

The results were significant. The calorie intake at the subsequent meal where they could eat as much pizza as they liked was 15 per cent lower when they had eaten dark chocolate beforehand.

The participants also stated that the plain chocolate made them feel less like eating sweet, salty or fatty foods.

So apart from providing people with the healthier fatty acids and many antioxidants, dark chocolate can now also help us steer clear of all the sweet, salty and fattening Christmas foods, the researchers said.

ARE YOU ON A SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE !

Warning about the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle,an expert said that diseases like Obesity and Diabetes have become a serious health concern across age groups. "About four-five crore Indians suffer from obesity and Diabetes followed by USA and Russia," Director of Vuk Vrhovac, University Clinic for Diabetes, University of Zagreb, Croatia, Professor Zeljko Metelko said while delivering a lecture on 'Diabetes - B Cell Significance and Implications' here last night. Sedentary lifestyles and genetic influences have turned health profiles so worse that obesity and diabetes have become serious problems of not just the old but even the youth and adolescents, the professor said after receiving the Yalamachuili Diabetes Foundations's 'Gold Medal Oration Award'. Unlike certain diseases, obesity and diabetes were not limited only to developing countries and coordinated efforts were required at a global level to tackle the situation, he said adding very little had been done in the past twenty years. Presenting a grim picture of the days to come, Metelko said that until there was a thrust on awareness and preventive measures with a committed political will the entire world would be at the brink of a catastrophe in the next twenty years.

NUTS PROTECT FROM HEART DISEASE !

Spanish researchers found that adding nuts worked better than boosting the olive oil in a typical Mediterranean diet. Both regimens cut the heart risks known as metabolic syndrome in more people than a low-fat diet did.

"What's most surprising is they found substantial metabolic benefits in the absence of calorie reduction or weight loss," said JoAnn Manson, chief of preventive medicine

at Harvard's Brigham and Women's Hospital.

In the study, the people who improved most were told to eat about three whole walnuts, seven or eight whole hazelnuts and seven or eight whole almonds. They didn't lose weight, on average, but more of them succeeded in reducing belly fat and improving their cholesterol and blood pressure.

Manson, who wasn't involved in the study, cautioned that adding nuts to a western diet — one packed with too
many calories and junk food — could lead to weight gain and more health risks.

"But using nuts to replace a snack of chips or crackers is a very favorable change to make in your diet," Manson cautioned.

The American Heart Association says that over 50 million Americans have metabolic syndrome, a combination of health risks, such as high blood pressure and abdominal obesity.

Nuts help people feel full while also increasing the body's ability to burn fat, said lead author Jordi Salas-Salvado of the University of Rovira i Virgili in Reus, Spain.

"Nuts could have an effect on metabolic syndrome by multiple mechanisms," Salas-Salvado said. Nuts are rich in anti-inflammatory substances, such as fiber, and antioxidants such as vitamin E. They are high in unsaturated fat, a healthier fat known to lower blood triglycerides and increase good cholesterol.

DO VITAMINS HELP IN CASES OF CANCER ?

Some 15,000 men aged 50 and older participated in a study, which included an eight-year follow-up period, but neither vitamin appeared to appreciably reduce their cancer risk, according to the studies appearing in the January 7 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The findings are disappointing news for the more than half of American adults take vitamin supplements -- many in the hope of warding off illness. They appear to refute earlier observational studies that linked use of Vitamin E and C with reduced risk of certain forms of cancers, including cancer of the prostate. One of the two studies -- the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) -- found that vitamin E or selenium supplements, whether taken alone or in combination, appear not to reduce the risk of prostate cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. "It may be time to give up the idea that the protective influence on prostate cancer risk can be emulated by isolated dietary molecules given alone or in combination to middle-aged and older men," Peter Gann of the University of Illinois at Chicago reflected in a JAMA editorial. SELECT researchers studied the supplements' effects over seven years on some 35,533 men, aged 50 years or older. The researchers said that "large-scale, randomised trials" still must be conducted on the use of vitamin supplements and cancer.

CANCER- THE DEADLY KILLER !

Rising tobacco use in developing countries is believed to be a huge reason for the shift, particularly in China and India, where 40 per cent of the world's smokers now live. So is better diagnosing of cancer, along with the downward trend in infectious diseases that used to be the world's leading killers. Cancer diagnoses around the world have steadily been rising and are expected to hit 12 million this year. Global cancer deaths are expected to reach 7 million, according to the new report by the World Health Organisation. An annual rise of 1 per cent in cases and deaths is expected - with even larger increases in China, Russia and India. That means new cancer cases will likely mushroom to 27 million annually by 2030, with deaths hitting 17 million. Underlying all this is an expected expansion of the world's population - there will be more people around to get cancer. The report was released yesterday by WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer at a news conference with officials from the American Cancer Society, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, Susan G Komen for the Cure and the National Cancer Institute of Mexico. The "unprecedented" gathering of organisations is an attempt to draw attention to the global threat of cancer, which isn't recognised as a major, growing health problem in some developing countries, said John Seffrin, the cancer society's Chief Executive Officer. The organisations are issuing a call to action, asking the US government to help fund cervical cancer vaccinations and to ratify an international tobacco control treaty.

OBESITY LEADS TO HIGHER HEART RATE !

High resting heart rates may be linked to the development of obesity and diabetes, a Japanese study shows. Heart rate is regulated by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), a network of neurons in the body operating without conscious thought.

It is also believed to affect the large intestine, blood vessels, pupil dilation, perspiration and blood pressure. In an article published in the American Journal of Hypertension, researchers in Japan said people with resting heart rates of over 80 beats per minute had higher odds of developing insulin resistance, diabetes and cardiovascular problems.

The project was one of the first studies to assess the impact of higher heart rates on the body's metabolism. It involved 614 participants who were followed over a period of 20 years.

The participants were divided into four groups: those with heart beat rates of fewer than 60, 60-69, 70-79 and over 80. Compared to those with heart rates of under 60, those who had rates of more than 80 were 1.34 times more likely to be obese, 1.2 times more likely to develop insulin resistance and 4.39 times more likely to end up diabetic.

"These findings provide a mechanism that might explain how obesity and the SNS are linked. This may, in turn, increase understanding of their causal role in the development of heart attack and stroke, the leading causes of death worldwide," the researchers said in a statement.

The researchers believe that excessive nerve activities may lead to obesity because they lower the amount of fat burn in the body.

SUNLIGHT IS GOOD FOR YOU !

A few minutes of daily sunlight can help your body make much of the vitamin D it needs. Is that bad for your skin as you age? Not if you don’t overdo it, many experts say, and the payoff could be huge.

More than half of all women are thought to be deficient in vitamin D, and the latest evidence from Johns Hopkins University confirms that failing to get enough boosts your risk of death by 26%.

That’s why it’s probably worth getting your levels checked with a simple blood test. If you’re low, eat more D–rich foods: dairy, fish like salmon and tuna, and fortified cereals and orange juice. Talk to your doctor about supplements too.

YOGA FOR GOOD HEALTH !

Although the yoga we know today is practised mainly for its health benefits, it is rooted in Hindu religious principles some 5,000 years old. Derived from the Sanskrit word for "union", the term yoga refers to far more than exercise. In fact, it encompasses a variety of disciplines designed to ultimately bring its practitioners closer to God. Dynana yoga, for instance, seeks union through meditation, while jnana yoga entails the study of scriptures and karma yoga calls for selfless service to God and mankind.

The exercises we now call simply "yoga" are actually hatha yoga, a discipline intended to prepare the body for the pursuit of union with the divine while raising the practitioner's awareness of creation to a higher, keener state. Through controlled breathing, prescribed postures (called asanas), and meditation, hatha yoga seeks to enhance the prana, or life force, that resides in the body and achieve a state of balance and harmony between body and mind. Each of these three disciplines contributes to the search for union in its own unique way:

Breathing: The life force prana is believed to enter the body through the breath, and much of hatha yoga is concerned with helping you control your breathing properly. Shallow, hurried breathing is believed to inhibit the life force, and affect mind and body adversely. Deep, slow breathing is encouraged.

Postures: Some yoga postures are intended to stretch and strengthen muscles, others to improve posture and work the skeletal system, while others aim to compress and relax the organs and nerves. The underlying purpose is to perfect the body, making it a worthy host for the soul.

Meditation: Meditation supplements and reinforces the disciplines of hatha yoga, focusing the mind and relaxing the body. Closely linked with focused breathing, it aims to produce a quiet, calm frame of mind. Many people find that it reduces stress and increases energy. The interplay of this and the other two facets of hatha yoga, and the quiet, considered repetition of each, is considered key to achieving yoga's benefits.

TEA CAN HELP FIGHT DIABETES !

Camomile tea 'can help keep diabetes under control'

It has long been used to soothe frayed nerves and guarantee a good night's sleep.

But drinking camomile tea could also help keep diabetes under control, scientists claim.

Research suggests the drink lowers blood sugar levels and can help prevent complications arising from the condition, including blindness, kidney disease, and nerve and circulatory damage.

Research suggests that camomile tea lowers blood sugar levels and can help prevent complications arising from diabetes

Researcher Professor Robert Nash said: 'It is quite fascinating, it seems to be doing a lot of different things all at once.'

The study looked at the effects of the tea on the health of rats with Type 2 diabetes.

Those who suffer from the disease do not make enough of the hormone insulin and so are unable to regulate properly the amount of sugar in their blood.

The rats given an extract similar to camomile tea for three weeks saw the amount of sugar in their blood fall by a quarter, the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry reports.

The researchers say that, taken with meals each day, the tea may also protect against hyperglycaemia - a potentially fatal condition caused by very high blood sugar levels.

The researchers, from Aberystwyth University in Wales and the University of Toyama in Japan, claim the findings could lead to the development of camomile-based drugs to treat the disease.

But Dr Victoria King, of Diabetes UK, said: 'This study was carried out on rats with diabetes during a 21-day period.

'More research would be needed before we can come to any firm conclusions about the role camomile tea plays in fighting diabetes-related complications.

'Diabetes UK wouldn't recommend people with diabetes increase their camomile tea intake just yet.'

The tea, which is made from the fragrant flowers and leaves of the camomile plant, was used for medicinal purposes in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome.

Although in modern times it is often used for relaxation purposes, other studies have shown it helps fight off colds and eases menstrual cramps.

Scientists also claim that the herbal tea helps boost the immune system, making it easier to ward off infections, and to relieve aches and pains.

More than 2.3million Britons suffer from the disease, with most developing Type 2 diabetes in middle age.

SLEEPING WITH KIDS !

Co-sleeping: Will sharing a bed with your children kill your marriage?

To some parents it's the most natural thing in the world, to others it's a horrible prospect. It's a debate that divides parents: should you allow your young children to share your bed? Some say it makes a family closer, others that it kills a couple's intimacy. Here, two women who have tried it give their very different opinions.

No - says Victoria Lambert

Writer Victoria Lambert, 43, who lives in South London with her husband Nick and three-year-old daughter Rowena...

Sweet dreams: Victoria Lambert and three-year-old daughter Rowena. Victoria is happy to 'co-sleep' with her toddler until she is ready for her own space

The early nights get to you. Not to mention being left with a foot-wide stretch of bed to sleep in.

Equally frustrating is the temperature: three humans in a bed radiate enough heat to rival a furnace.

Despite all this, I wouldn't give up co-sleeping with my husband and daughter Rowena, not for all the long nights of uninterrupted solo sleep you could offer me.

Sharing your bed with your children is one of the most natural and healthy practices, and no childcare guru or super-nanny could convince me otherwise.

Choosing to co-sleep - not just letting junior climb into bed halfway through the night - is as old as time.

Yet during the Victorian era, with its obsession over modesty and insistence that children should be kept at arm's length to encourage independence, combined with the emergence of a middle class who could afford homes with more than one bedroom, British children stopped sleeping with their parents.

Yes - says Emma Cunningham

Emma Cunningham, 28, lives with her husband, James, 30, a salesman, in Peterborough. They have three children, aged four, two and one...

One night this week, I'd barely been in bed for ten minutes when I heard the familiar patter of two-year-old Keira's tiny feet across the landing.

Sure enough, she slipped into bed beside me and snuggled back to sleep against my body.

Sounds blissful, doesn't it? But the reality is that every time this happens, my heart sinks.

I know I'll have another night of disturbed sleep followed by a blazing row with my husband the next morning.

As selfish as it sounds, I rue the day I let my children into our bed.

The arrival of Keira will quickly be followed by the appearance of my other two children, who fidget and kick James and me to the edge of the mattress.

Far from improving family life and bringing us closer, co-sleeping has caused ructions within our marriage and has left us, literally, divided by our children.

We never imagined co-sleeping would ruin our lives like this.

In fact, after the birth of our eldest son, James and I were enthusiastic supporters of sharing our bed with our children.

We felt it was natural, healthy and would make them secure, protected and loved. How wrong we were.

Despite the warnings of well-meaning family and friends, we thought we knew better.

As we marvelled at this tiny, perfect, fragile creature we had created, we agreed neither of us could bear being apart from him for a minute longer than we had to.

PILL FOR ECZEMA !

One-a-day pill could end eczema misery for 100,000 sufferers

Eczema causes inflamed itchy cracks on the skin

Patients with severe eczema of the hands could benefit from a once-a-day pill.

The condition, which causes inflamed cracks in the skin, affects 250,000 Britons. For many sufferers conventional steroid creams have no effect.

But the vitamin A-based drug Toctino cleared the problem in almost half of adults treated in a six-month trial.

More than 1,000 men and women with chronic hand eczema were tested in five UK hospitals and others in Europe and Canada.

One third were given a dummy capsule once a day, while the remainder took two different strengths of the drug.

Almost half taking the higher strength - and 28 per cent of the lower strength group - had clear or almost clear hands after 24 weeks. Only 17 per cent of the 'dummy' group responded.

Around one-third of those responding relapsed in the six months after the trial. Further treatment was successful for 80 per cent of these.

Study investigator Dr Adam Haworth, a consultant dermatologist at St Mary's Hospital, Portsmouth, said: 'Chronic hand eczema is severely disabling for patients and often difficult to treat.

'This new oral treatment, which is proven to be effective in clearing hand eczema and well tolerated, is a great addition to our formulary and will help us manage this difficult problem.'

Margaret Cox, chief executive of the National Eczema Society charity, said 'People who have chronic hand eczema are severely disadvantaged since they are unable to use their hands normally.

'This can lead to them taking time off work or even leaving their job altogether. Also, since the eczema is in a highly visible area - the hands - many patients experience embarrassment and low self esteem.

'Anything that can help treat the symptoms of this painful and distressing condition will be welcomed by chronic hand eczema sufferers.'

Because the drug - like other retinoids - causes birth defects it cannot be taken by women of childbearing age unless strict pregnancy testing and prevention methods are followed.

The drug, made by Swiss company Basilea Pharmaceutica, costs £400 for a month's supply.

SUPERMARKET DENTIST !

Sainsbury's launches Britain's first supermarket dentist... and it's open seven days a week

A dentist has filled a cavity in the market by opening a surgery in a Sainsbury's store.

And with some treatment prices undercutting the NHS, the new practice, which offers everything from a check-up and polish to a root canal filling, has been swamped with patients eager to register.

Sainsbury's agreed to the pilot scheme in Sale, Greater Manchester, because there are thousands of patients who want to register with an NHS dentist but cannot find a surgery willing to take on new clients. Other surgeries are expected to open at stores around the country.

Enlarge

Open wide: Dr Lance Knight examines a patient at the first dental surgery inside a Sainsbury's store in Sale, Greater Manchester

Dr Lance Knight, who runs the practice, says it promises shoppers professional and cost-effective treatments seven days a week.

The dentist, who already runs several private surgeries in Manchester, said he was acting in response to demands for competitively priced treatment.

'We're simplifying the pricing structure so people know what the costs will be and we're keeping the cost similar to NHS prices so we're relying on local people to support us, but from the feedback we've had so far we think this could revolutionise dentistry in this country.'

New contracts were brought in by the Government in 2006 which essentially capped the fees dentists could charge patients for treatment.

Many dentists decided to go private as a direct result leading to a massive shortage of NHS dentists nationwide.

The dental crisis led to massive queues of would-be patients stretching down the streets every time a new NHS dentist decided to open up a surgery.

NEW VACCINE FOR BREAST CANCER

New vaccine 'could prevent breast cancer tumours growing'

Life-saver: A jab to beat breast cancer is being developed by scientists

A jab to beat breast cancer is being developed by scientists.

In tests, not only did it completely eradicate a particularly fast-growing form of the disease, it also stopped tumours occurring in the first place.

Giving it to healthy young women could prevent more than 13,000 cases of breast cancer a year and save thousands of lives, the scientists claim.

Researcher Professor Wei-Zen Wei said: 'The greatest power of vaccination is protection against initial cancer development and that is our ultimate goal.'

The vaccine, which is still in the early stages of development, fights tumours with extra-high levels of the HER2 receptor protein on their surface.

Genes containing the blueprint for the protein are injected into the body, where they start making it in high quantities.

This triggers the immune system to attack existing tumours or equip itself to stop future ones.

The HER2-positive type of cancer accounts for up to 30 per cent of the 45,000 cases of breast cancer that occur in Britain each year.

Although it can be treated by drugs such as Herceptin, they do not work in all cases. Tumours can also become resistant to treatment.

In mice, the jab destroyed all tumours it was tested on --including those resistant to current drugs, the journal Cancer Research reports.

Professor Wei, of the Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit in the U.S., said: 'This may be the answer for women with these tumours who become resistant to the current therapies.

'The vaccine could potentially eliminate the need to even use these therapies.

BOOST YOUR BONES !

Steroidscan be a problem for bones, although usually only when taken in prolonged and high doses - as is often the case with severe asthmatics.

Encourage your son to talk to his GP about medication to rebuild lost bone, as there are effective drugs available.

Calcium is vital - good sources are cheese, yoghurt and milk. Calcium is also found in fortified soya milk, tofu, fortified orange juice and cereals (but watch the sugar content of these last two), nuts (especially almonds), dried fruits such as figs and apricots and leafy green vegetables.

You also need Vitamin D to absorb calcium - sunshine is our greatest source, but foods include liver, egg yolks, fortified breakfast cereals (check labels) and yoghurt.

As for the 'no no's', keep saturated fat and salt intake down, as bones don't like too much of either. Here are some calcium-rich meals.

GUILTY ABOUT EATING MEAT ?

Every Tuesday, Britain's leading nutritionist explains how to eat your way to health. This week Jane explains why, if you're considering giving up meat for health reasons, it's not as simple as 'meat is bad'...

The vilification of meat reached new heights last week when carnivores were effectively told they were destroying the planet.

Meat production puts more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than transport, said Rajendra Pachauri, the man who chairs the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

He said meat-eaters should go without meat one day a week if they want to help tackle climate change. I'm sure many people were astonished to learn that eating meat could be so bad for the environment (blame the clearing of forests to create grazing pasture, and the methane produced by cattle in their breath and manure).

High steaks? Last year, the World Cancer Research Fund said we should eat no more than 500g of meat per week because of its link to diseases such as cancer

This would have been enough to put some people off their steak - if they hadn't already given it up because of other worries about meat.

Last year, the World Cancer Research Fund said we should limit our consumption to 500g a week because of its link to diseases such as cancer.

Scary stuff, but if you're considering giving up meat for health reasons, it's important to look closely at the real science rather than the headlines; it's not as simple as 'meat is bad'.

Some scientific studies have shown a slight increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease associated with high red meat intake, but most of these studies involved all sorts of meat.

They didn't take into account the enormous difference between living on fatty, low-meat-content, pro-cessed foods (such as cheap sausages, pates, burgers, pies) and eating a simply cooked lean steak, say.

For not all meats are equal when it comes to health risks - indeed, lean red meat is positively good for you. It's a message that no one's really promoting: I've come across many people, particularly mums, who are frightened of feeding their children red meat because it will clog up their arteries.

In fact, every food can be made 'bad' for us - a deep-fried banana can be dripping in fat, yet the banana gets away without being lambasted!

Certainly, eating fatty meat, which contains saturated fats, will increase the risk of developing heart disease.

However, lean steak contains ' healthier' fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids which can reduce cholesterol and the risk of heart disease.

Red meat contains other nutrients, such as omega-3s - yes, the ones we're always told to get from oily fish! - B vitamins and selenium, all good for the heart.

Meat is also a great source of protein - adults need this for energy, children also need it for growth. Red meat is by far the best source of easily absorbed iron (for healthy blood).

Cancer, especially of the bowel, is often linked to red meat, but we need to be careful about blaming specific foods for such a complex condition - especially as some people develop bowel cancer despite never eating meat.

Interestingly, the average daily intake of red and processed meat in the UK is still below the amount thought to increase the risk of bowel cancer. Indeed, while the incidence of this cancer in the UK has increased, red meat intake has actually declined.

Of course, this doesn't mean you should eat too much meat; there are studies that show those who eat a lot (around 160g a day) of red and processed meats are more likely to develop it.

But we need to acknowledge the benefits of lean red meat - we never hear enough of this sort of good news.

TREATMENT OF ACNE !

Dr Martin Scurr has been treating patients for more than 30 years and is one of the country's leading GPs. Here he tackles acne and waking up at night to pass water...

My daughter has acne and has taken the contraceptive Pill Marvelon since she was 15 to combat it. Now aged 24 and fearing for her fertility, she has come off it - only for her acne to return with a vengeance.

What alternatives does she have when over-the-counter treatments have no effect? Cathy Brazier, Barkingside, Essex.

Dr Scurr says... Acne is caused by overactive sebaceous glands in the skin on the face, chest and back.

They produce the oily secretion that makes skin waterproof and flexible; if they produce too much, the excess oil (or sebum) builds up in the pores, causing spots and blackheads.

Bacteria that thrive on the sebum break it down into fatty acids - this leads to the characteristic redness and swelling.

Acne is usually caused by changes in the levels of male hormones (even women have these)

Acne is usually the result of changes in the levels of male hormones (even women have these, albeit in small amounts).

It is not caused by poor hygiene or dietary factors, although a healthy diet is important when trying to encourage healing and a better complexion.

Oral contraceptives are useful for treating acne in female patients. One of the best is a combination containing the anti-male hormone drug cyproterone (which blocks the action of male hormones in the skin), such as Dianette.

It's odd that Marvelon has helped your daughter in the past; it's not one of the cyproterone combinations and can make spots worse because it contains a particular type of progestogen.

Many women worry that long spells on the contraceptive Pill might lead to infertility, as it prevents the release of an egg from the ovaries each month.

However, I can assure you that Pill-related infertility is a myth. It's true that some women do fail to ovulate for some months after stopping the Pill; it may take some time for the pituitary gland in the brain to tell the ovaries to stimulate egg production.

But the delay is not permanent.

And if a woman is keen to become pregnant quickly, there is medication such as clomiphene that can speed up the process.

The nearest thing to a cure for acne is a drug called retinoic acid, or Ro-Accutane.

However, this potentially toxic drug that must be used within strict safety guidelines.

For this reason it must be prescribed by a dermatologist rather than a GP, so your daughter would need to be referred.

There are two reasons why Ro-Accutane treatment may be stopped: the drug can sometimes cause liver damage (which is reversed once you stop taking it) and greatly elevated cholesterol levels.

However, liver function and cholesterol levels are monitored before and during treatment to prevent this.

As worrying, the drug causes severe damage to a foetus, so the specialist will insist on contraception being used for four to six months before the woman starts the treatment and for a month afterwards. Usually this will be the Pill.

Don't be alarmed - properly used, retinoic acid is a highly successful treatment for acne.

And by 'properly used' I mean supervised by experts who prescribe it regularly, as there have been cases of depression and, in rare instances, suicide. But with all these caveats, I still think this is a good treatment.

DON'T LOWER YOUR FERTILITY !

How beer, wine, coffee and nuts can ALL 'lower a man's fertility'

Beer, wine, coffee and nuts all contain high levels of chemicals linked to male infertility, a study has found.

The bar-room drinks and snacks are loaded with phytoestrogens - naturally-occurring plant compounds implicated in falling sperm counts.

Instant coffee powder, Brazil nuts, peanuts, brown ale and red wine scored particularly highly for the chemicals, the analysis, carried out at by the Medical Research Council in Cambridge, found.

Beer contains high levels of chemicals linked to infertility

Researcher Dr Gunter Kuhnle said the study showed the compounds are found in more foods and drinks then previously thought.

'The data we have collected has enabled us to put together an accurate table of which foods contain the highest levels of phytoestrogens,' he added.

Phytoestrogens, which also occur in high amounts in soya, have been linked to fertility problems in livestock.

And a study published earlier this summer linked soya to dwindling sperm counts in men.

Men who regularly ate small amounts of tofu or soya meat or dairy substitutes had lower sperm concentrations than those who didn't.

Low sperm count is known to make it harder for a man to conceive.

It is thought that phytoestrogens called isoflavones, which mimic the female sex hormone oestrogen, are behind the effect.

The latest study measured levels of isoflavones and a second type of oestrogen-like chemicals called lignans.

But it did not speculate on whether the levels found could affect health or fertility.

Dr Kuhnle, of the MRC Dunn Human Nutrition Unit in Cambridge, said: 'The data we have collected has enabled us to put together an accurate table of which foods contain the highest levels of phytoestrogens, so we can look at the effect of long-term exposure, and work out what the safe levels are likely to be for humans.'

However, the effects of phytoestrogens are not all bad, with some studies suggesting they can ease the symptoms of the menopause, as well as protect against cancer and heart disease.

Reporting the Cambridge results, New Scientist says: 'Studies on the health effects of phytoestrogens have painted a mixed and muddled picture.

'Some have hinted that the compounds protect against cancer, heart disease and the side-effects of the menopause, while others have linked high levels to an increased risk of breast cancer and male infertility.

'Still others have documented no link between phytoestrogens and those same ailments.

'So snack at your own risk - or reward.'

TINY HEARING AID !

A newly launched over-the-counter device could help thousands of people with mild to moderate hearing loss.

The jelly-bean-sized gadget is designed to help boost the sound of speech only - it is being targeted at people who struggle to hear what's being said in crowded places (such as in meetings or at parties) or on the TV.

Traditional hearing aids are programmed to suit each person's hearing and work by magnifying the range of everyday sounds; they're usually worn all the time.

Hearing aids have improved since the Fifties, and the new HearPlus, which could help those with mild to moderate hearing loss, is the size of a jelly bean

The new device - the HearPlus - helps only with sounds produced in high frequencies, such as speech (low frequency sounds, such as road traffic noise or music, do not get amplified).

And unlike conventional aids, the HearPlus is not worn permanently; it is popped in when conversation becomes difficult to follow.

Age-related hearing loss affects half of people over the age of 60. But many begin to suffer problems in their 40s or 50s.

It usually sets in with the death of tiny 'hair' cells in the inner ear as a result of ageing.

These cells play a crucial role in transmitting sounds through the auditory nerve to the brain. But once they die, they cannot be replaced.

It's estimated that sufferers wait an average of 15 years before seeking help, partly because of the stigma of wearing a permanent hearing aid.

The first warning sign is often missing occasional sounds rather than whole sentences.

That's because some of the first sounds to disappear are the higher-pitched consonants, which give intelligibility to speech.

Vowels, on the other hand, can still be heard clearly and the brain tries to cope by filling in the gaps.

Many people first experience difficulty in understanding women and children, who tend to have higher pitched voices. Deeper male voices are easier to cope with.

Now, the High Street chemist Boots has teamed up with David Ormerod Hearing Centres to provide the HearPlus as a solution.

Although the device - which is placed in the ear - is sold over-the-counter, a hearing test is carried out first. If there are signs of severe hearing loss, the customer is told to see their GP.

But if the problem is mild to moderate, the HearPlus can be used. A tiny microphone picks up incoming acoustic sounds and sends them to a processor that converts them into a digital signal.

This signal is then manipulated in such a way that it amplifies 'softer' highfrequency sounds but dampens down lowfrequency sounds. Once the sound has been processed, it travels through a soft silicone dome that fits snugly into the ear canal - and on to the brain.

The Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) said it was important that anyone concerned about their hearing has it checked properly before using an over-thecounter device.

'If anyone is worried about their hearing, RNID would advise they talk to their GP as a first step,' says spokeswoman Philippa Palmer.

'Problems with hearing could have a number of causes and people need to get that checked out first so they know the appropriate course of treatment.'

• Hearplus costs £149 and is available in branches of Boots from today.

CONTROL PANTS GIVE BACK PAIN ?

Could control pants give you back pain? Experts fear 'body sculpting' undies could cause long-term damage

Bridget Jones swore by them; pop temptress Kylie Minogue recently paid special tribute to them.

Now, thanks to style makeover gurus Trinny and Susannah, and more recently Gok Wan, millions of British women have also discovered the joys of control pants.

At Marks & Spencer alone, a million items of Magicwear - as its control range is known - are sold every year.

Bridget Jones swore by them, but experts believe 'miracle cure' underwear could be bad for women

It's one of the company's biggest sellers, a spokesperson confirmed.

But some experts now believe that 'miracle cure' support underwear could be bad for women.

This is because pot bellies and 'muffin tops' - where a woman's stomach spills over her waistband - are often the result of weak abdominal muscles, which are linked to back problems, incontinence and even prolapse of the womb.

Furthermore, by hiding behind their control pants, women aren't tackling an even more serious problem: their excessive weight, which puts them at higher risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.

As Neville Rigby, director of public policy at the International Obesity Taskforce, explains: 'We are sleepwalking towards an epidemic of obesity and all the health complications that go with it.

'While I sympathise with anyone who wants to improve their shape by wearing these control undergarments, it is not going to solve the real problem - their weight. This is easier to tackle at the outset, rather than kidding yourself and ending up obese.'

The problem is that while Trinny and Susannah might choose to use control pants to look good on the red carpet, they do not need them in everyday life because they are already honed and toned.

Trinny has been doing Pilates for years. And, unlike many of the women on their show, neither woman is overweight.

British women are now the fattest in Europe, with 23 per cent officially classed as obese.

Expanding market

Obese women are 60 per cent more likely to die of breast cancer and twice as likely to die from cancer of the womb or gullet than their slimmer counterparts.

In addition, nearly 35 per cent of British women are overweight, meaning they are storing up health problems for the future.

As women's waists and behinds have spread, the market for underwear to hold everything in has also expanded.

The women of this nation have been lulled into being 'proud' of their obese bodies by a growing army of (thin) fashion gurus brandishing control knickers in increasingly enormous sizes. (Gok, as well as Trinny and Susannah, has control under-wear ranges.)

At Marks & Spencer, which has 16 styles and colours of control wear, from waist cinchers to thigh slimmers and all-over body control, the most popular is the plain trouser knicker (£14).

'There are no seams and it's very comfortable, so a lot of people wear it every day,' said a spokesperson.

But physiotherapist Maxine Rodriguez says: 'Wearing them every day is the problem. Our bodies have a natural "corset" of muscles stretching from the back to the abdominal area. This area is what personal trainers like to call "the core".'

Good muscle tone in this area pulls in and supports the tummy - poor tone leads to an unsightly 'muffin' bulge.

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'Weak muscles in the tummy mean weak muscles in the back. Control pants are hiding the problem.'

THE NEW WONDER DRUGS !

From rose hips for joints to blackberries for lung cancer - wild plants are being harnessed for new wonder drugs

They're bursting with health benefits, require no prescription and cost nothing. Research shows that Britain's hedgerow plants are full of vitamins and antioxidants. Furthermore, scientists are investigating their uses as medicines for a host of conditions, including cancer and high blood pressure.

Scientists are looking into the use of berries as medicines for a host of conditions

AND A WARNING...

Make sure you have identified the correct plant, berry and leaf. Some are toxic. Do not self-medicate without seeking medical advice, especially if you have a diagnosed condition or are taking medication.

WONDER DRUGS - HOPS

HOPS

Plant with heartshaped leaves with serrated edges, and pendant-like whitish flowers.

Contain: Hops are high in bitter substances, known as humulone and lupulone, which stimulate the appetite.

What's new: German researchers found that time spent in total sleep and deep sleep was 10 per cent greater in people taking a mix of hops and the herb valerian. It is thought that the relaxing effects are down to a compound in hops called dimethylvinyl carbinol.

A study at Howard University in America showed that hops also have an antiviral effect, while research at the Chinese Academy of Sciences showed that compounds in hops may work against HIV-1 infection.

At home: Put some hops in a pillow to combat insomnia.

WONDER DRUGS - ELDERBERRIES

ELDERBERRIES

Also known as the English grape, elderberry is abundant in hedgerows, where the blue-black fruits hang in large clusters in late summer and early autumn.

Contain: Rich in antioxidant compounds called anthocyanins, which have been shown to help treat diabetes and ulcers. May have antiviral and antibacterial effects.

What's new: Anthocyanins in elderberry boost the immune system by increasing levels of cytokines - key compounds in the immune system defences. Anthocyanins may also help prevent obesity and diabetes, according to American research.

A study at the University of Graz in Austria showed that an extract made from elderberry lowers levels of bad cholesterol.

At home: Use elderberry cordial for a cold. Put berries in a saucepan, add a little water and cook until juice runs out. Strain off the juice, add 1lb of sugar for every pint of juice, and then boil until it is thick syrup before bottling.

Tip: When picking elderberries, use a fork to get them off the stalks to stop the fruit breaking up.

WONDER DRUGS - NETTLES

NETTLES

Found in, around and under all hedgerows. September is the last month to harvest the leaves, as after this they wither.

Contain: Formic acid, an antibacterial, which is one of the key ingredients responsible for the stinging feeling on contact. Also contain the neurotransmitter serotonin, and histamine, which is involved in the immune system response.

What's new: A study at Exeter and Plymouth universities shows that nettles may ease the pain of osteoarthritis of the knee. Serotonin and histamine in the nettles might block the pain signals.

At home: Make nettle tea for joint problems. Pour boiling water over a handful of fresh leaves in a warm tea pot. Leave for five minutes before straining and drinking.

Tip: A sprig of nettles in the kitchen is a traditional way to keep flies away.

WONDER DRUGS - BILBERRIES

BILBERRIES

Small, dark blue fruits (smaller than blackcurrants) found on bushes that grow to around 18 inches on heathland and moors. Related to the blueberry and can be eaten raw.

Contain: High levels of vitamin C and chemicals known as anthocyanosides - plant pigments that work as antioxidants and may help to prevent or reverse damage to cells in conditions such as heart disease, cancer and age-related eye conditions. Also contains tannins - an anti-inflammatory.

What's new: A study at the University of Cincinnati is testing whether a juice made from the berries boosts memory in older people. In research similar to the blackberry study, researchers are also looking at the use of a compound found in bilberries for lung cancer in women.

At home: Bilberry tea is a traditional therapy for sore throats. Pour a cup of boiling water onto three teaspoons of crushed berries, leave for ten minutes, strain and drink.

Tip: Jam could be good for night vision, too. During World War II, British fighter pilots were reported to have improved night-time vision after eating bilberry jam.

WONDER DRUGS - HAWTHORN

HAWTHORN

Part of the rose family and a common sight in hedgerows, its small red berries (the size of a pea) taste similar to sweet potato. Can be used to make drinks, syrups and jelly.

Contains: Flavonoids and oligomeric procyanidins, which have antioxidant effects.

What's new: Hawthorn extract (900mg/day) as a supplement taken for two months was as effective as low doses of captropril, a leading heart medication, in improving symptoms of heart failure, say researchers at Maryland University in America.

Hawthorn berries have been shown to combat chest pain in angina sufferers, and lower cholesterol.

Hawthorn leaves and fruit have also been found to be effective for high blood pressure in a group of patients with type 2 diabetes.

A study at the Institute for Medicinal Plants Research in Belgrade found hawthorn leaves and fruit to be a potent anti-inflammatory.

'There is extremely good evidence for hawthorn and congestive heart failure,' says Professor Ernst. 'You should not self-medicate, but it is an approved medication in Germany.'

At home: Make hawthorn syrup as a tonic. Simmer one part hawthorn fruit in three parts water until the mixture is reduced by half. Add sugar to taste. Great on pancakes.

Tip: The leaves, which have a nutty flavour, can be eaten raw in salads.