Femininezone - The Online Magazine for Intelligent Women

Welcome to the Health Zone

What can we say – without good health, you have nothing. This is a wide ranging Zone covering everything from nutrition, the latest medical findings, supplements and alternative therapies. Lots of information from experts, and personal case-studies too.

....... Co-editor Helen.

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Check out the individual articles that are listed below.

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The subject of the balance of Ogema 3 along side Omega 6 is a hot topic right now. We try to add a few facts and figures to the debate,

According to a recent survey, sight and hearing are the two senses that we care most about and would be least willing to sacrifice. Whilst deterioration in sight is immediately noticeable and easily correctable, hearing is not. Shaun Thornborough advised us how best to protect our ears over the long-term.

A recent report linked high blood sugar levels with cancer in women. But, how do we go about making sure we maintain healthy blood sugar levels? Professor Martin Wiseman, Medical and Scientific Advisor for World Cancer Research Fund, gives his top five tips.

Non-surgical face lifts seemed to be mentioned all over the place, but what exactly are they? In this fascinating article, Sally Wilson a renowned therapist gives us the run down on the wide range of non-invasive techniques that can do wonders for your face and body.

Most of us would agree that we would like to cut down on all the chemicals that we use in our every day lives – but the reality is, it’s so much easier to reach for the same old household products as you whiz around the supermarket. Janey Lee Grace is here to rescue us from our bad ways, and show us how to be more eco-friendly. However, as a busy working mother of four young children, she knows that we haven’t all got loads of time (and money) for this kind of thing. In this great article, she explains how we can all easily change our habits for the good. So girls, there’s no excuses now!

Recently labelled as 'more serious than global warming', the issue of child obesity is as acute as adult obesity. Jamie Oliver has grabbed the nation’s attention with his series ‘School Dinners’, but the majority of children still don’t buy into it. How do we make healthy eating appealing and fun to children? Angela Falaschi a nutritionist at the Hale Clinic is doing exactly that with fantastic results.

Considering a detox diet. Beware - evidence suggests that it might actually make you look worse by ruining your smile. That’s why expert nutritionist Suzy Grant and and Dr Henry Clover have created a new approach towards healthy eating that is specifically designed to protect your teeth, as well as keep you trim. In this article they give you their top tips which are packed with nutrient-rich ideas to give your body a boost.

Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD for short, is one of those miserable conditions which affects a surprising number of people. Here Dr. Reval Sukkhu takes a look at this illness which often goes undiagnosed.

The normal association of ‘Thai massage’, inevitably revolves around the colourful Bangkok nightlife, complete with parlours offering extra services. This could not be further from the reality of an ancient art with its roots firmly embedded in spirituality of the Buddhist philosophy. In this article, expert Ana Benedict explains all about it and the benefits.

Peyronie’s Disease. Not many sufferers talk about it. Yet it’s reported to affect one in every hundred men[1] It’s a common cause of erectile dysfunction – and whilst it obviously affects men physically, the disease can also take a huge emotional and psychological toll on their partners. A man is likely to be scared when he first notices an unusual curvature or pain in his erect penis. This article will explain Peyronie’s disease; how it might be treated, and how women can support their partners through its stages.

Many women are on a permanent diet. Here fitness expert Nash Jocic explains why women are going wrong, and what kind of regime they should be aiming for. In order to survive, every living organism needs a constant supply of nutrients.

Garry Trainer is a leading osteopath and acupuncturist and has a particular understanding of back pain in women. Here he gives some facts and figures which give a fascinating insight into the scale of the problem.

Many of us have felt a bit embarrassed about talking to a doctor at some point. However, if this becomes a habit, some potentially serious conditions can be left untreated. Dr Catherine Laraman from TalktoaDoctor.co.uk explains why there really is nothing to fear.

This is a short article, just to give us all a reminder, about how to keep sensible limits on our drinking. Ten Top Tips on having a great night out without regretting it the next morning

This very special article is written by Ben Palmer whose wife died of an infection following the birth of her second child. Known for hundreds of years as ‘childbed fever’ it is a condition which is easily treated if the symptoms are picked up in time. Sadly in Jessica’s case, this never happened.

Eating disorders are on the increase and are very distressing for all concerned. In this article Physician, Dr. Reval Sukkhu, helps us understand Bulimia Nervosa.

This article caught our eye, not only because we think it’s a great food which not enough people know about, but also because of the passion of the men who’re producing it. Here, Duncan Farrington tells us all about his cold pressed rapeseed oil and the benefits of this often derided crop.

Only 1% of women know that older women - those 80 or older - have the greatest risk of developing breast cancer according to new research*. Worryingly, the research also found that 56% of women wrongly believed that age does not affect breast cancer risk.

Feminine Zone reader Ann Overton kindly agreed to tell us about her recent visit to award-winning hairdresser Anita Cox, who told her about the special work she is doing with women who have experienced hair loss after chemotherapy. A fascinating and inspiring article.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse is one of those things that you may not have heard of until you have it, and then you realise just how many other women have this problem. Here Christina Anné of Cook Women's Health explains what the condition is and how you can recover from it.

Janey Lee Grace is a presenter on Radio 2, author of number one best selling book Imperfectly Natural Woman. She is fast becoming known as the ‘queen of recommendations’ for all things holistic and green. Here in a specially adapted extract from Imperfectly Natural Woman, Janey challenges us to think again about our ‘god given monthlies’.

We thought we should publish something about the perils of alcohol. Do you realize how much you’re actually drinking, how fattening it is and how dangerous it is? This interesting piece is part of the Government’s ‘Know your Limits’ campaign.

CANCER (even in the absence of Ovaries) THIS IS A MUST TO READ TO THE END. An Eye Opener on Ovarian Cancer. I hope you all take the time to read this and pass it on to all you can. Send this to the women in your life that you care about.

Complacency, shame & undetected symptoms are among the key reasons why middle-aged European males neglect to seek medical help when experiencing prostate ailments.Gentlemen (and your ladies) PLEASE read this article & become informed! Too many men are becoming victims of this disease.

Homeopathic practitioner, Vicky Eggleston (RSHom), explains what Homeopathy in particular is all about, and what you might expect if you went to her for advice and treatment.

Jeanne Carter tells us of her teams pioneering work with new techniques that are being developed which will preserve a woman’s fertility whilst at the same time curing her of the cancer.

With increasing numbers of women choosing to start a family in their thirties and forties, miscarriage is an increasingly common problem. If you’ve suffered the pain & sadness of a miscarriage, knowing when to try again can be a difficult to broach. Here Sarah Ewing explains how facing your fears about the future are big hurdles, but not insurmountable ones.

The menopause is one of those traditional ‘unsexy’ subjects. But Michelle Morris Gluth thinks that it is actually an incredible period in a woman’s life. Here she gives us her ideas on what menopause is actually all about.

The menopause is a complicated issue and one that isn’t dealt with particularly well by many medical professionals, let alone their strident receptionists. Claire Yeats tells us or her experience.

Teenage pregnancy and Chlamydia rates continue to soar in women under 25.

If you just read this headline and thought “Thank God I’m not affected by that sort of thing”, think again.

PMS can be a monthly curse on women (and their families). Charlene Hutsebaut believes that relief from this unpleasant condition is within the power of most women. By paying attention to diet and exercise, most of the symptoms will diminish. Ignore this at your peril!

Smoking is by far the most damaging vice, killing thousands of us, and causing hideous health problems. Some of us still love a ciggie with a glass of wine, or dare we say it, after sex. The movies still portrayed it as a sexy activity. Barbara Ford-Hammond points out, smoking is anything but sexy. Read on, and give up!

In this moving article Marcelle Perks talks of her own experiences, and also speaks to Professor Lesley Regan who is one of the world’s leading experts in miscarriage.

Mary Lunnen was diagnosed with cervical cancer 10 years ago, and she wrote a book, not only about her own experiences but those of other women suffering from the condition as well. Here, Mary talks about some of her feelings ten years on.

Unless we’re much mistaken, most women view this time in a very negative way, not to mention how it is perceived by society. Dr Daphne Stevens takes a fresh look at this period in women’s lives, and gives us a very positive take.

Osteoporosis - Are you at risk? Emma Butler, of the National Osteoporosis Society gives us the low down on the disease and what can be done to prevent it and treat it.

One in three women over the age of 50 will suffer from osteoporosis – a truly dreadful figure. Dr Daphne Stevens gives a personal account of how she took a very positive approach to keeping one step-ahead of this debilitating condition.

Did you know that Aspargus has quite a history, a host of health benefits and is also thought to be an aphrodisiac? Read on.

For an invaluable list of organisations.