Thursday 23 February 2012

How to beat smelly feet

It's not just athletes that are prone to foot odour - it can happen to the best of us. Here's how to prevent the problem occurring and curing it if it does.

Paul Burns-Diigital Vision-Getty Images

A South Korean clothing company has created a pair of trainers with Xylitol - the same ingredient used in chewing gum to freshen your breath - woven into the fabric. The bad news? The shoes in question cost over £200. Fighting foot odour shouldn't cost the earth, so we've spoken to the experts to get their top tips for fresh feet.

What is foot odour?
First, the basics. If your feet smell like a fine French cheese that's been left out in the sun, the root cause is likely to be an excess of moisture.

"Foot odour is generally caused by excessive moisture which then leads to increased bacteria levels," explains expert podiatrist Margaret Dabbs.

"Factors such as shoe and sock material, activity levels, climate and the person's propensity to sweat can all affect odour levels. Hygiene levels can also affect foot odour but ultimately every individual is different."


The science of sweat
Don't think you're safe just because your feet don't smell, either - the sweat that can eventually cause foot odour doesn't actually have an odour.

"The sweat itself is actually odourless but it creates a perfect environment for bacteria and fungal spores to grow and produce bad-smelling substances," says Andrew Mawhinney, Lloyds Pharmacy pharmacist. "If men have hairy feet, this can increase the likelihood of problems with foot odour as the bad-smelling bacteria have more surface area on which they can grow."



The powder problem
So what are the solutions? Foot powders are popular choices when it comes to fighting foot odour, but Margaret Dabbs suggests steering clear.

"We generally don't recommend foot powders as in the presence of excess moisture the powder itself can become wet and turn into a paste-like substance," warns Margaret. "Powders can also mask the presence of various skin infections and can lead to an increased tendency to soft corns known as heloma molle."

To spray or not to spray
While the right foot or shoe spray can help, many sprays work by simply covering up the smell - great if you're hoping to quickly mask the odour of your stinky shoes moments before a hot date, but not so great in the long term.

"If the foot spray doesn't contain an antiperspirant it will simply mask the odour and not address the underlying cause of excess moisture," warns Margaret Dabbs.

Oil me up
Margaret Dabbs suggests slathering on a natural oil - such as Australian organic emu oil - which will avoid irritating skin and provide long lasting hydration while fighting bacteria.

"This type of oil is easily absorbed into the skin's dermal layers, has low irritability (as low as water) and anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties, which will leave skin feeling hydrated, smooth and illuminated," explains Margaret.

Go natural
When it comes to socks, try to avoid synthetic materials which will trap sweat and prevent air circulating around the foot.

"We recommend wearing socks made from natural fibres in order to absorb excess moisture," says Margaret Dabbs. "Additionally, anyone suffering from foot odour should be washing their feet twice daily and changing their socks twice a day."

Swap your shoes
While it's normal to change your socks once a day (we hope), many people underestimate the importance of swapping our shoes. "We recommend alternating shoes daily so that they have the opportunity to air out and won't become moist," says Margaret Dabbs.

Age, exercise and odour
As you get older, foot odour should become less of a problem, although if you're a fitness fanatic, you're generally more at risk from conditions such as athlete's foot, which can lead to an increase in odour-producing bacteria.

"Generally teenage boys are more prone to foot odour due to varying hormone levels and also increased activity levels and the associated footwear requirements," says Margaret Dabbs. "People who have higher levels of perspiration are more prone to bacterial and fungal infections such as tinea pedis or athlete's foot - a fungal infection which can make foot odour worse."



Foot fetish
Finding the perfect shoe isn't just about style - shoes that are too small or made from the wrong material can all contribute to foot odour.

"Wearing the wrong shoes can make your feet smell worse so it's important that you choose shoes which allow your feet to breathe," says Andrew Mawhinney. "Shoes which are made from man-made materials like plastic are particularly bad at increasing the amount of sweat produced as they don't allow them to breathe, so for this reason leather shoes are ideal."

Don't scrap the socks
Finally, wearing shoes without socks is never a good look, but when it comes to preventing food odour, it's an absolute no-no. "Wearing shoes without socks can also make your feet sweat more and make foot odour worse, so you should always wear socks with your shoes," says Andrew Mawhinney.

Keep your cool
Studies have shown that higher stress levels can lead to foot odour, due to increased sweat production. It's also thought that a diet high in refined carbohydrates can contribute to foot odour, as refined carbohydrates can feed the bacteria which can cause foot odour. Try to pack plenty of protein, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates into your diet.

So there you have it - foot odour can be a problem, but if you follow this advice, it needn't be.

Article from MSN Him






Monday 20 February 2012

Low vitamin D linked to increased risk of diabetes in children


Higher levels of insulin resistance

Obese children with low levels of vitamin D may be more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to research.

A study found that obese children with low levels of vitamin D had higher levels of insulin resistance, a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough of the hormone insulin, which is needed to lower blood sugar levels, or when the body's cells become less responsive to the hormone.

In the study, researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center measured vitamin D levels in 411 obese children and 87 others of a normal weight, aged between six and 16.

They also measured blood sugar levels, insulin levels, blood pressure and body mass index (BMI).

Participants in the study were questioned about their diet including their daily consumption of fizzy drinks, juice and milk, fruits and vegetables, and whether or not they routinely skipped breakfast.

The study found that those who were obese were more than three times more likely to be deficient in vitamin D compared with the non-obese children.

Low vitamin D levels and obesity were also associated with higher degrees of insulin resistance, and other risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

However, the obese children also had more unhealthy diets and were more likely to skip breakfast and consume more fizzy drinks and juices, which could also contribute to low vitamin D levels.

Although the findings suggest a link between vitamin D and type 2 diabetes, it's exact role in the development of the disease is still unclear, the researchers said.

Dr Micah Olson, who led the study, said: "Our study found that obese children with lower vitamin D levels had higher degrees of insulin resistance.

"Although our study cannot prove causation, it does suggest that low vitamin D levels may play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes."

Around 90 per cent of vitamin D is produced by the body when exposed to sunlight. The so-called sunshine vitamin is essential for healthy bones and teeth.

Dietary sources of vitamin D include fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel, eggs and fortified milk and cereal.

Dr Iain Frame, Director of Research at Diabetes UK, said the study, "adds to growing evidence of a link between low levels of vitamin D."

He continued: "The exact causes of vitamin D deficiency and its role in the development of Type 2 diabetes are still unclear.
"Diabetes UK is currently funding research at the University of Glasgow to help establish if people with Type 2 diabetes might benefit from vitamin D supplementation.

"Until we know more, it is not possible to recommend vitamin D supplements to reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes and people should not see this as an easy fix.

"Maintaining a healthy weight by keeping to a healthy diet and undertaking regular physical activity is still the best way to reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes."

The study findings are published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Article taken from Yahoo lifestyle

Friday 17 February 2012

Ethical Beauty

Animal Testing

The cosmetic industry uses thirteen types of tests which may potentially use animals. These are:
  • eye irritancy
  • skin irritancy
  • skin penetration
  • skin sensitisation
  • phototoxicity and photosensitisation - skin reactions to chemicals brought on by exposure to the light
  • mutagenicity - the chemical capacity to cause permanent alteration of the genetic material within living cells
  • acute and chronic toxicity
  • carcinogenicity
  • reproductive toxicity
  • teratogenicity - the capability of producing foetal malformation
  • finished product safety evaluation

Many of these tests have been conducted upon guinea pigs and rabbits and often the responses to the tests have been quantitatively and qualitatively different than in humans. For example, in the Draize eye test, chemicals are dropped into the eyes of immobilised albino rabbits. Although it has been in use for over four decades, the predictions of the Draize test do not correlate well with human experience. This is shown by the fact that out of 281 cases of accidental splashing of household products into people's eyes that were compared with Draize rabbit eye test predictions for the same products, there were differences between human and rabbit responses of up to 250-fold. The Draize test exaggerates irritant effects, and accurately predicts human responses less than 50% of the time.


Alternative Methods
The UK banned animal testing for cosmetics in 1998 and in November 2002 the European Union voted on a ban animal testing for cosmetics which will come into practice around 2009. Countries such as the USA and Japan are still a long way from ending animal testing for cosmetics.



Cruelty-Free Cosmetics

It is not always easy to distinguish which brands are cruelty-free and which are not because many companies do not clearly label their products, and some companies make ambiguous statements when referring to theirs. For example, a bottle of shampoo claiming "this product has not been tested on animals," may not be telling the full story. While the finished product may not have been tested on animals, some of the ingredient may have been.


Fair Trade

Another justifiable concern that you may have about your green personal care products is where they have been produced and that the producers and suppliers, particularly if they are in developing countries, have not been exploited. The Fairtrade Foundation has developed certification to ensure that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are protected.
Producers that supply Fairtrade products are inspected and certified by the international certification body Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO). They receive a minimum price that covers the cost of sustainable production and also an extra premium that is invested in social or economic development projects. Fairtrade Labelling was created in the Netherlands in the late 1980s. Today the FLO co-ordinates Fairtrade Labelling in 20 counties including the UK.
You will recognise certified products because they carry the FAIRTRADE mark. This is their consumer label which guarantees that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a better deal.


Shop with peace of mind knowing that Natural Woman works hard to ensure that our products are part of ethical trading.  So what are you waiting for?





 

Wednesday 15 February 2012

Napiers


Napiers available 
at NW now 
NW are proud to add Napiers skin care products onto our range.  Napiers is one of the UK's leading complementary and natural health care providers, providing a great number of herbal medicines and other natural therapy products. Founded in Edinburgh in 1860, the Napiers company is still up and running with over 150 years of experience behind them!


Continuing with the founder Duncan Napier's vision, “to provide a safe and affordable alternative choice in chemical medicine”, Napiers doesn't just supply hundreds of health and independent stores in the UK, they also export their fantastic herbal products worldwide including Japan, Taiwan, Scandinavia, Cyprus and USA. 

And so Natural Woman are happy to announce that we now sell Napiers creams and gels. With the knowledge that Napiers don't use harmful ingredients, and practise the pharmacovigilance system (the process and science of monitoring the safety of medicines and taking action to reduce the risks and increase the benefits of medicines*), what are you waiting for?  


Napiers Lavender Gel


Soothe away the tension, and calm that mind with Napiers Lavender Gel.  A cooling gel base, this light and soothig gel is ideal for taking the heat out of all kinds of skin conditions.



Rich in Vitamin E and antioxidants, help repair the skin's moisture barrier and reduce the effect of sun and ageing with Napiers Hand Recovery Skin Cream, available at Natural Woman now.  


Wednesday 8 February 2012

Deals of the Week

On top of our specialised Phyto Soya products, and BioCare, Acai Reduce has been added to Natural Woman's Deals of the Week!


Acai Reduce


Acai Reduce


We all want a perfect body, with sexy legs and a firm bum. And for the dedicated out there, Acai Reduce can be your solution!  By curbing your hunger and detoxifying your digestive tract - all with an easy-to-take supplement, kick start your plan to a newer sexier you! 
So why choose Acai Reduce? Many acai berry supplements contain harsh chemicals which are bad for your health. However, expert scientists formulated Acai Reduce to ensure that it's both safe and effective to use.  


                        Browse Deals of the Week at Natural Woman now

Other products still in our Deals of the Week -
(Move your cursor to the product picture to stop the pictures from moving)

Sexy & I know it!

Just a bit of fun from this M&M ad! .. The excuse, Brown M is all Natural!  


Browse natural products at Natural Woman now!

Tuesday 7 February 2012

The rush to the scooter

Photo: Getty Images
Scooters are becoming increasingly popular as people look to cut costs and stretch their budgets, but could the boom spark safety problems?

Scooters were once seen as the preserve of the Mod generation, but today the market is very different to that dominated by Lambrettas and Vespas in the 60s and 70s.

Today there is a complete spectrum with 50cc models at one end and, at the other, powerful beasts in the 600-700cc range. They are scooters on steroids.

The scooter's star is in the ascendancy with new registrations up nearly 12% in 2011. The January 2012 statistics due out soon are expected to continue the trend.

It's easy to speculate on why scooter sales are strong. With the price of fuel remaining stubbornly high and public transport costs rising faster than inflation, the scooter is a very tempting way to get from A-B, particularly in cities where parking is at a premium.

"Some scooters will do more than 100 miles on £5 of petrol so that's a whole week of commuting," says Glen McMahon, from Honda.


Company director Roy Green, 52, from south London, has never ridden a motorcycle of any kind. He's considering buying a scooter to cover the 10 miles between home and office.

"I travel around the UK and overseas and I would also use it to get to and from central London railway stations and the airports," he says while perusing a range of scooters at the Motorcycle Show in London.
"Parking is free and there's no congestion charge."

He's typical of many people switching to scooters - they're not necessarily captivated by the idea of speed or freedom or lifestyle that drives many other motorcyclists. And it's easy to get on a scooter.

Motorcycle licence requirements are complex but all that's required to get on a moped (up to 50cc) or a scooter/motorcycle of up to 125cc is the successful completion of a one-day course called Compulsory Basic Training, better known as the CBT.

Anyone who passed their driving test before 1 February 2001 can ride a moped without L-plates. The CBT is recommended but not required.

Green, who sometimes cycles in London, intends to take his CBT but go no further. Concerns over safety will not stop him.

"Some of my friends have scooters and they've had a tumble at one point or another but nothing serious."



Hardened motorcyclists spend years learning to ride "defensively". They develop a comprehensive awareness of all the potential dangers. Veterans might be concerned that new scooter riders will take a while to develop the same mindset.

Emma Petitt, 41, a sales manager from Brighton, is already riding a 125cc scooter, but is considering a new, bigger model. She is well aware of the dangers faced on city roads.

"When I ride around in Brighton, it terrifies me. Car drivers just don't look."

There is great emphasis at the moment on safety for pedal cyclists, with the Times newspaper launching a major campaign this week. 

But look on any motorcycle forums and you can see the fraught relationship between other road users played out daily. For those on two petrol-driven wheels, the facts are grim.

In the decade to 2010, motorcycles made up just one per cent of road traffic, but their riders accounted for 21% of all fatalities. It is something that lurks in the mind of many bikers.

New riders are making a conscious choice to get on a scooter or motorcycle but safety training is critical, says Peter Baker, deputy editor of Motorcycle News.

"If you want to be safe on a motorcycle, the best armour you could possibly put on yourself is the stuff between your ears. It's to make you road and traffic aware and stop you having an accident in the first place."

The motorcycle industry runs a scheme called Get On, which offers complete novices a free, one-hour taster session at a local training school. Beyond that, police forces around the UK run BikeSafe courses and in London, the Metropolitan Police also runs ScooterSafe days.

London is the UK's scooter capital and is now said to be home to 160,000 motorcycle riders. Since last month, they have been given permanent access to bus lanes on red routes - a blessing to bikers, a curse to some other road users.

"I don't think we quite appreciate the impression we're giving when we're nipping through the traffic, certainly in London, when we're virtually banging wing mirrors with car drivers," observes Sgt Mick Cheeseman, who runs safety courses.

"But on the flip side, drivers are now cocooned in a car that's sold with great safety features and I think that gives everybody a false sense of security."

Photo: Getty Images

A low-speed collision can mean nothing more than scratched paintwork to that cocooned car driver but a serious danger to the unprotected motorcyclist.

And speed is a pivotal factor in the chances of having an accident, notes Cheeseman.

"Being in the right doesn't hurt any less, but if you're going more than 30mph, the chances of your accident being more serious is greatly increased.

"A lot of fatal accidents are around 30-40mph involving motorcyclists when they come off the bike, hit something solid and stopped and of course all the organs are still travelling. It does a lot of damage internally.
"Scooter riders tend to ride a bit madly around London in my opinion but their speeds are relatively low."
Of course, some modern scooters can be powerful beasts. BMW manufactures larger, 600/650cc "Maxi-scooters", which are aimed at longer, motorway commutes and can be used for touring.

But although the newer models are more muscle-bound, many bikers would turn their noses up at them.
"A 'biker' doesn't ride a scooter but that prejudice will be broken down eventually," suggests Tony Jakeman, marketing manager of BMW Motorrad.

For riders who decide to progress to the full test, more changes are afoot next January, when a new, single-part on-road test will be phased in.

This is aimed at reversing the drop in numbers of riders taking the test, which was caused by a move in 2009 to replace local centres with a smaller number of test "super-centres" where off-road manoeuvres could also be assessed.

Craig Carey-Clinch, spokesman for the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCI), said: "People take CBTs, ride on L-plates then don't go further because of this, creating the 'permanent learner class'.
"It's critical that we make the test more available for them. This would improve riding abilities and overall safety."

New registrations, year to Dec 2011

Parked motorcycles
  • Scooters: 32,326 +11.7%
  • Adventure Sport: 10,570 +13.6%
  • Sport Tourers: 5,083 -32.4%
  • Supersport: 12,851 -9.9%
  • Total mopeds, motorcycles (excl. scooters): 61,523 -8.1%
Source: Motorcycle Industry Association

By Mark Coyle for BBC News