Balsall Heathan # 261 Dec 2006 - St. Paul's Community Trust

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Lecithin – to control fat and cholesterol which can otherwise form deposits in arteries (plaque) that causes restricted blood flow. B Complex – to help feed the nerves and relieve stress, especially useful when stress is one of the factors involved. Nettle Tea – Can lower Blood Pressure caused by nervous tension. VIRUS Definition increase the demand for oxygen and without doubt increase the pressure of the blood supply. If there are plaques deposited in the blood vessels then the pressure of the blood supply is increased again. This is how hypertension is caused. Stress Stress and anxiety cause chemical and hormonal reactions within the adrenal gland, which in turn will cause the heart to beat faster. The highest pressure peak is reached in the evening after a day’s work. This coupled with sheer exhaustion, physical or mental, may cause undue rise and falls in blood pressure which is strenuous for the heart to tolerate. This may be a temporary adjustment due to a current situation, however the gradual increase of stress over a period of time can an increase the resting heart rate, making the lower figure in a blood pressure reading higher. So the two numbers you should know will SAVE YOUR LIFE OR EVEN THE QUALITY OF LIFE! Suggested Products available at Health Food Shops. Please seek advice before purchase by GP, Health food sales advisor and pharmacist. Calcium and Magnesium – deficiencies have been linked to High Blood pressure. Rutin Tablets – helps strengthen capillaries so improving circulation. Should be taken with Vitamin C for maximum effectiveness. Hawthorn – has mild blood pressure lowering effects. Garlic – to lower blood pressure and also reduced cholesterol content of blood. Green Tea – has been shown to help reduce blood pressure. A virus is an infectious agent; often highly host-specific (absorbing a weakened cell or a compatible cell in the body) consisting of genetic material surrounded by a protein coat, and is not visible by the human eye. Role in human health Viruses that infect humans cause damage to the infected cells, resulting i n outward symptoms seen as human disease. Human viruses gain entry into the body using various routes. Some viruses are transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, such as herpes simplex 1, the virus that causes cold sores. Others are transmitted through exposure to infected blood, the mode of transmission of the hepatitis B virus. Some of the most easily caught viruses, such as varcella-zoster, the virus that causes chicken pox, are transmitted through water droplets suspended in the air. The virus is transmitted when the droplets are breathed in and come in contact with the respiratory tract of the new host. Gastrointestinal viruses are transmitted through exposure to waste products containing virus particles that has contaminated water or food, and entry into the host's digestive tract through the mouth. Rotavirus, a cause of a diarrhoea illness common in children, is transmitted in this manner. Sexually transmitted viruses move from host to host through sexual contact
and enter the body by the genitourinary route. HIV and human papilloma virus (HPV) are examples of viruses that are sexually transmitted. After gaining entry into the host, the response at a cellular level to the viral infection varies with the type of virus and the virulence of the strain. Thus, the response can vary from no apparent change, to detectable changes in the cell, known as cytopathic effects (CPE), to loss of growth control or malignancy. Virulence refers to the ability of a virus to cause disease in a host. Common diseases and disorders Several hundred different viruses infect humans. The viruses that occur chiefly in humans can be categorized as respiratory, enteric, exanthematous, hepatitis, or persistent. The most common respiratory viruses include the rhinoviruses (the common cold) and the influenza viruses. Common enteric viruses include polioviruses (now rare because of vaccination), coxsachie viruses (herpangina), and epidemic gastroenteritis viruses such as rotaviruses. Rubeola (measles) and rubella (German measles) are two common exanthematous viruses. Treatment Most viral diseases have no cure, so treatment involves easing symptoms and allowing the body's immune system to eliminate the virus. Viruses are not affected by antibiotics, which target bacteria. However, a handful of anti-viral drugs have been developed and many more are in the developmental and drug trial stage. In general, the development of anti-viral drugs has been hampered by the parasitic relationship between viruses and their hosts. It has been difficult to find pharmacological means to kill the virus without harming the host. The speed of viral infection has also been a problem, as viral numbers are so high by the time the infection has symptoms, the drugs have little effect. The body fights viruses by increasing its white blood cells. If you can imagine a PACMAN video game, that's a simple way of describing the actions of killing viruses. As described, a virus will enter the body in a number of ways. With the common cold or flu the virus is air-bourne, so generally we would inhale the virus. The virus would then occupy a cell in the body that would usually be weak. As the virus mutates with the cell it becomes stronger and has the ability to multiply giving us our symptoms, i.e. running nose, sore throat, chesty cough, etc. The bodies' white blood cell production then kicks in and this is where we get the PACMAN effect. The white blood cells travel along to the affected areas forming a mouth like opening. It then absorbs the virus cell. The virus cell is now trapped within the White blood cell and eventually dies. As the White Blood cells are working hard at killing the viruses, you will feel very tired and run down. So how do we ensure that we are protected against viruses in the first place? On the bright side, winter doesn't necessarily have to equal days of colds and flu's. In fact providing your immune system is ticking away nicely viruses are harder to catch than you think. If your have a poor diet, you stand a significant chance of getting typical viruses like the common cold. So before you reach for the medicine cabinet, get into the kitchen and check out what's in the cupboards. It might surprise you what potions you could concoct. 1. For ultimate winter immunity, stock up on some staple must haves. For good defence against winter ills, garlic is number one. The rest of its family - like onions and leeks - are also very valuable. 2. Zinc is another important immune booster. You’ll find it in nuts, seeds, whole grains, red meat, shellfish and oysters. (Not many oysters in Balsall Heath I’d say, but just in case.) Selenium is also in nuts, lentils, oily fish and wholemeal bread and that too is very good for boosting your immune system. 3. Omega 3 is found in oily fish such as Mackerel, but if you are a vegetarian add Flax seeds to your food. It will do the same thing. 4. For starving off colds and boosting your circulation, fresh ginger, garlic, chilli and some curry spices will do the job well. (I’m sure Balsall Heath will have an endless supply!) Turmeric is actually used by herbalists as an antiviral remedy. All of these herbs and foods act as natural decongestants, so are very good for catarrh. If you’re not a fan of curries, then horseradish and black pepper will also act as a good decongestant. 5. Soup is a must and for good reason too. It’s very warming and a good way for getting all your vegetables in a flavoursome way. It’s a good one for children who have trouble with eating vegetables. Homemade soups are the best, and don’t forget your garlic and ginger.
Page 1 and 2: The Balsall No. 261 December 2006 J
Page 3 and 4: The Balsall Heathan Your Community
Page 5 and 6: eating, with the third being physic
Page 7: ….Your health magazine PULL OUT
Page 11 and 12: Balsall Heath Forum Focus The Baths
Page 13 and 14: Heath Forum. Can’t people at the
Page 15: Joyeux Noel! Born in Balsall Heath

Balsall Heathan # 261 Dec 2006 - St. Paul's Community Trust

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