The Health & Wellbeing Checklist distributed with The Telegraph

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OPTIMISE YOUR HEALTH It is never too late to stay fit, healthy and happy

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EDITOR’S LETTER 13 SECTION

Editor’s letter

Published by

Reclaiming our physical, emotional, and spiritual health ith the days now shorter and darker nights drawing in, it’s not uncommon to lose motivation to stay on top of our health and wellbeing. Jolted by the after-tremors of lockdown, people across the country are unsurprisingly struggling with weight-gain, overindulging, and becoming anxious.

The combination of everyday stresses and spending more time indoors as winter approaches makes it even harder to keep on track of exercise, eating well, and getting enough sleep. But as we face the colder months – it is important that we don’t keep falling into these traps.

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Keeping our health on the agenda should be a priority 365 days a year

a detox

6 How running can protect a midlife brain

Finance Director Rowan Willing Head of Marketing Miguel Chalabardo Editor Laura Forsyth Editorial Assistant Shannon Maher

Even though keeping our health on the agenda should be a priority 365 days a year, with the Covid-19 virus still in circulation along with winter cold and flu infections, it is even more crucial that we look after ourselves physically and mentally. Regardless of our age or fitness levels, this isn’t just

Contents 5 Reset and recharge with

Managing Director James Hurst

Production and Marketing Team Stefanie Ward, Sarah SomertonJones, Katherina Bradshaw, Nicola Charalambous, Nadeem Vadva

about quick-fi x options. Rather, addressing our lifestyle choices and setting ourselves up for the long-term. Time spent winding down over the winter months could be the springboard to make better choices moving forward.

As we get older, getting up to move our body can seem more

11 The potentials of mRNA

14 Give your ‘second brain’

12 The beginner’s guide to

Read more at checklists.co.uk @checklistsocial

vaccine technology

choosing an aesthetic skin clinic

some love

challenging. However, staying active is not only crucial for keeping a steady weight, but for lifting our mood.

While there is so much focus on keeping physically well, this can often lead us to neglect our minds.

Our brains should be treated with the same kindness and care as our bodies though.

So whether it is reconsidering what you consume or discovering new ways to smooth out your stresses, it is imperative to step back and look at the most important thing – you.

Laura Forsyth, editor

Business Development Team Hannah Morgan, Daisy Heyes, Joseph McLaven, Jesse Green, John Fox, Nichola Halle, Kyle Stephenson, Jack Periccos, Emily Neil, Charlotte Ross, Maddie Black Accounts and Administration Team Onitha Antoine, Michael Yabbey, Sharon Warne, Eric van Langenberg, Curtish Haree, Dylane Menga Health and Wellbeing Checklist is published and wholly owned by Hurst Media Company Ltd. Every care is taken in compiling the contents of the publications but the publishers assume no responsibility in the effect arising therefrom. Readers are advised to seek professional advice before acting on any information which is contained in the publication. Hurst Media Company do not accept any liability for views expressed, pictures used or claims made by advertisers.

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2 WELLNESS 4 SECTION

Help slow the progression of short-sightedness to reduce children’s risk of future eye health issues Introducing MiSight® 1 day contact lenses specially designed for children

They are available from Boots Opticians and selected independent opticians.

hat is myopia?

Short-sightedness, clinically known as myopia, affects one in six children in the UK by the age of 151. It typically starts in childhood, affecting children as young as five years old 2 . Myopia usually requires glasses or contact lenses to see distant detail but if left uncorrected, it could impact

LIFESTYLE CHANGES In addition to MiSight ® 1 day contact lenses, making small changes to children’s lifestyles and habits may help to manage myopia.

Specifically, increased time outdoors can help to reduce the development of myopia, with children encouraged to spend at least 80 to 120 minutes outside per day9.

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children’s performance at school, and worsening myopia may also impact long-term eye health if not managed4.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, lockdown restrictions meant children spent more time indoors and behind screens, leading to a substantial increase in myopia (1.4-3 times)5 – potentially putting children’s future eye health at risk.

HELP SLOW THE PROGRESSION OF MYOPIA Recent research from CooperVision, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of contact lenses, showed that many parents expressed concerns about their child’s development, as 80% agree they’re concerned that their child’s short-sightedness may impact them achieving their future potential6.

Over two thirds (69%) of parents were also unaware that anything can be done to help slow the progression of myopia7.

MiSight® 1 day contact lenses with ActivControl® Technology not only correct short-sightedness – they also reduce the progression of myopia in children by 59% on average8†

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Optometrist, Dr Keyur Patel says: “Myopia isn’t just about corrective glasses or lenses – it’s about intervention and management.

MiSight ® 1 day contact lenses are specially designed for children and have been clinically proven to slow the progression of myopia in children by 59%, on average8† – which could help reduce the risk of future eye health issues and enable children to reach their full potential by improving their vision.”

BRILLIANT FUTURES™ WITH MISIGHT® 1 DAY The Brilliant Futures programme provides parents with the knowledge, tools and confidence to address myopia in children, and is centred around MiSight ® 1 day, the fi rst soft contact lens proven to slow the progression of myopia in children8§. The programme is specially designed to maximise the success of slowing down your child’s short-sightedness.

MiSight ® 1 day contact lenses with ActivControl® Technology not only correct short-sightedness – they also reduce the progression of myopia in children by 59% on average8†.

Find out more For more information about myopia and MiSight® 1 day, and to watch a heartwarming film of children sharing their experiences of myopia visit coopervision. co.uk/brilliantfutures

†Over three years, compared to a single vision one-day lens §Compared to a single vision one-day lens [1] Morris T et al. Geographical Variation in Likely Myopia and Environmental Risk Factors.

2020 [2] McCullough SJ et al. Six Year Refractive Change among White Children and Young Adults. 2016.

[3] Zadnick K, et al. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2015.

[4] CooperVision Data. UK ECP webinar. 2019.

[5] Wang J et al. Progression of Myopia in School-Aged Children After Covid-19 Home Confi nement.

[6] Online survey in UK by One Poll 2021; 1,000 parents and 1,000 children 6-12 years.

[7] Online survey in UK by YouGov 2019; 280 myopic parents with children 8-15 years [8] Chamberlain P et al A 3-year Randomized Clinical Trial of MiSight® Lenses for Myopia Control.

[9] Jonas JB et al. IMI prevention of myopia and its progression.

DISCLAIMER: Please check with your eye health professional fi rst before purchasing new contact lenses that haven’t been prescribed.

WELLNESS 5 SECTION 1 3 ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Reset and recharge with a detox Brighter skin, improved sleep and weight loss are some of the many positive effects that can come with a cleanse eeling a bit run down or bloated? It is safe to say that the past few months have taken their toll on all of us. If your healthy • habits have been derailed for whatever reason, leaving you• in extra need of a pick-me-up, a detox could be the answer.

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WHAT IS A DETOX? A detox can be described as • a process in which the body eliminates toxins.

Cleansing yourself can greatly aid in kick-starting weight loss and changing an emotional relationship with food, long-term. It can also help reach specific health goals, whether you want to lose weight or reduce your risk of feeling unwell.

The most popular detox programme is usually a juice detox which refers to a period of three to 10 days when a person’s diet consists mainly of fruit and vegetable juices.

However, it is important to know that this is not about deprivation; the aim is to get more of the good stuff into your body. This way, you can function at your best levels.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU DETOX? While cleansing for a prolonged amount of time is rarely encouraged, the benefits of a oneoff cleanse are ideal if you have a special occasion that you would like to look and feel your best for.

Alana Panton, has previously trained with the celebrity favoured Phuket detox centre The Lifeco.

She offers bespoke programmes and one-to-one coaching at detoxwithalana.com The expert detox coach says: “Committing yourself to a detox and cleansing our body to remove all those accumulated toxic substances chemicals even once a year, for a week would be a great gift to your body. The beginning of each season could be a perfect time too.”

Basically, whenever you think your body and mind need a break and rest, it’s a good time to think about a detox.

WHAT ARE THE PERKS? A detox is believed to have all sorts of positive effects on your body.

Inflammation is reduced, with

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In the Spotlight Daily Chemist by Dr Rani

• better energy levels, skin quality, digestion and sleep reported.

Alana adds: “Many people detox to lose weight quickly, and if correctly done, they can deliver results – the average weight loss is 3 to 8 kilos in seven to 10 days depending on the type of detox.”

A detox can result in changing a person’s emotional relationship with food too, and they learn how to continue losing weight and keep a healthy weight with better lifestyle choices and healthier nutrition. But more importantly, your mind will be a lot more relaxed as you can have a lot more mental clarity.

START NOW Try to cut back on caffeine and eat a light dinner the day before your cleanse, rather than cramming in as much food as possible before it begins.

On the other end, there’s also not much point in binging on huge portions of fatty food and alcohol afterwards. Rather, try to ease onto solid foods again and be mindful of how they make you feel.

You don’t have to miss out on exercise altogether – you may even have more energy as your body isn’t busy digesting your food.

But maybe best to give the intense HIIT session a miss!

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No appointments. No queues. No waiting. With Daily Chemist it takes less than two minutes to order your medicines. Visit dailychemist.com or call 023318 3083 to get started.

Don’t forget to listen to your body as there is no strict way to detox. If you feel that you need to add light meals to your chosen cleanse, then do it. Remember to stick with what feels right and enjoy the benefits.

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Back comfort can be stylish too

The Varier Variable, £329

BackinAction have done the hard work for you with their range of stylish, comfortable ergonomic chairs that are designed to increase comfort and productivity at the same time hat can you do to get away from back discomfort?

The good news is that for a lot of people there is an easy answer, so many of the people who suffer with back discomfort could ease it, improve it or solve it with one small change – more movement. Movement is essential.

It’s the mantra of yogis and physios, Pilates instructors and chiropractors the world over, but

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this is even more basic than that.

Movement doesn’t have to be about the grand gestures, you don’t need to run five miles a day (although exercise is no bad thing) or enrol in a kick-boxing class. It is all about the little movements. The small, tiny ones that you barely notice.

The movements that keep you upright when you walk or stop you from falling when you stand.

For 30 years, specialist retailer BackInAction have sought out beautiful ergonomic furniture that encourages this type of movement; preventing and beating back discomfort.

Lucinda Newbound, director of BackInAction says: “Furniture that nourishes your body aswell as your eyes is our speciality and we get very excited about it. We have products for every age.”

For instance, they pioneered the UK success of the Stokke Tripp Trapp chair, which protects children’s posture from birth through to adulthood. And BackInAction are continuing to bring wonderful products to the UK.

Company director, Lucinda Newbound, thinks the deeply caring and knowledgeable BackInAction staff are key to their success. She says: “None of our staff are on commission, and that’s important. Healthy and beautiful chairs vary in price from hundreds to thousands, so our staffs’ impartial advice is extra valuable.”

One of the things that BackInAction get most excited about is Varier Kneeling chairs.

These are not just any old kneeling

chairs, these make sitting fun, but more importantly they increase comfort and productivity at the same time.

The key to the success of these chairs is movement, forwardsand-backwards, side-to-side, up-and-down – the more movement the better. Combine that with exceptional attention to detail in the angles of the seat, knees and the smooth wooden profi les: you have one of the best chairs in the world.

Furniture that nourishes your body aswell as your eyes is our speciality and we get very excited about it. We have products for every age

This version of kneeling, they call active sitting. Once you achieve active sitting on one of their chairs your core muscles can become stronger and you could fi nd your posture will improve, and joints can become less stiff*. With this improved comfort, you will have more time to focus on the things that matter most.

Find out more Find out more today at backinaction.co.uk – the home of stunning ergonomics.

The Varier Thatsit, £1,049

*SOURCE: The eff ectiveness of a chair intervention in the workplace to reduce musculoskeletal symptoms. A systematic review

by Sjan-Mari van Niekerk et al.

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SECTION 1 4

6 MOBILITY AND CARE ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

How running can protect a midlife brain •

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Regularly jogging is one of the best ways to keep your mind sharp in the long run ome of us could say that chasing the dream of having a six-pack is one of the biggest motives for taking up running. However, there are of course much more important reasons for why you should be pounding the streets or treadmill.

According to research, one of the main factors that running has become so popular is down to the benefits it brings to mental health and wellbeing. In fact, 37%

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of runners surveyed by specialist retailers Runners Need, believe that jogging has been good for their mental health. Meanwhile a quarter admit it boosts their mood and a further third enjoy running as an opportunity to get more fresh air.

ON A HIGH Running can improve energy levels, mood and focus. Exercising outdoors in the natural daylight, preferably in the morning, could help reset our

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body’s natural sleep-wake cycles, that are key in regulating sleep, mood and appetite.

Fuelled by the need for brain power, this could be why since March 2020, 27% of runners aged between 45 and 59 have taken up the sport for the fi rst time. Meanwhile 36% in the same age group got back into running after a long break and a quarter have increased how often they run. The data also shows that on average, midlife runners are running three times a week for 37 minutes, covering 5.3km in distance each time.

Exercising now, as an adult, can help protect your body from heart disease and early death

NEVER TOO LATE Are you a slow starter? Research1 shows that exercising now, as an adult, can help protect your body from heart disease and early death, even if you were inactive when you were younger.

Steve Paterson, product trainer at Runners Need, added: “Many midlifers may be getting into running as you don’t need fancy equipment, the

best hand-eye coordination or to be able to touch your toes.

“All you need is a pair of running shoes and it can be done anytime, anywhere.”

However, it is a high impact sport, so care does need to be given to protect the joints, and older adults are at higher risk of experiencing overuse injuries3.

WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER This means when you’re running in your 40s, 50s and beyond you need to adapt your training. This includes gradually increasing the time and intensity of your runs rather than incorporating any dramatic changes.

The 10% rule is a good guide to follow where you don’t increase your intensity or mileage by more than 10% each week. It is also important to include rest days, strength training and stretching into your weekly workouts, to help keep your body strong and to reduce the risk of injury.

So get ready to self-medicate in one of the healthiest ways possible – with your feet.

SOURCES: 1. Association of Leisure-Time Physical Activity Across the Adult Life Course With All-Cause and Cause-Specifi c Mortality

by Pedro F. Saint-Maurice, PhD1; Diarmuid Coughlan, PhD2,3; Scott P. Kelly, PhD1; et al 2. Regular exercise changes the brain to improve memory, thinking skills by Heidi Godman at Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School 3. An Old Problem: Aging and SkeletalMuscle-Strain Injury, Journal of Sport Rehabilitation by Brent A. Baker

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Inspiring a new generation of empowered and active women V3 Apparel – the first female-focused athletic wear brand – are levelling the playing field for female athletes who were once overlooked by traditional sportswear brands or years, women’s athletic products consisted of overpriced, menswear designs manufactured in smaller sizes and stereotypical feminine colours.

Leading to poorly fitted and poor performing garments which

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ignored the specific needs of women while being anything but motivating to workout.

Research* shows that 39% of females aged between 18 to 55-yearold are not active enough to enjoy the full health benefits of physical activity and the lack of purpose built, affordable activewear has been cited as a contributing barrier to female participation in sport due to the role it plays in compounding existing body image issues.

V3’s latest drop, the Empower seamless range, marks a continuation of their ambition to further women’s activewear

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With a mission dedicated to advancing both the physical and mental performance of the everyday athlete, V3 Apparel design female-focused athletic wear with a unique approach to inspiring confident action and limitless performance through figure enhancing fits, supportive comfort, and innovative fabrics.

V3’s latest drop, the Empower seamless range, marks a continuation of their ambition to further women’s activewear and participation in sport. The limitededition collection is defi ned by its innovative seamless construction and emphasis on providing allsport support in a figure-enhancing silhouette, sure to make you bodyproud regardless of which stage you’re at.

Available in a variety of stunning colour ways to match your personal workout style, these twopiece sets feature a medium-impact sports bra complete with a stay-inplace under-bust band, removable

Find out more padded coverage, and an open racer back sport design to keep you supported, yet moving freely with every run, jump or rep.

Versatile leggings complete the look with a high-rise, nonslip waistband and a non-sheer construction for a distractionfree fit. Ruched ‘scrunch’ details and body contouring work to accentuate your hard work while engineered sweat-wicking seamless fabric ensures you remain cool and dry when your workouts heat up.

Visit v3apparel.com for more details on new releases and connect with a community of over 500,000 athletes across @V3Apparel social channels.

*SOURCE: Gender: At a glance (Sport England, 2021).

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MOBILITY AND SECTION CARE 71 ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

A seamless walk in stylish comfort Discover Simply Feet, the UK’s leading online foot health specialists in stylish, comfortable footwear and footcare solutions ringing the latest innovations, technology and comfort, Simply Feet have 38 years of expertise in podiatry, so your • feet are in expert hands.

Conditions such as diabetes can • cause loss of sensation in your feet, which can increase your risk of developing problems.

Simply Feet’s qualified podiatrist, Michelle Gibson, recommends • you check your feet daily to help spot any signs of trouble before they turn more serious. Start with buying the correct footwear, to help support you in every step.

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These are the most common things to watch out for when shoe shopping. Simply Feet’s exclusive range of Dr Comfort Wool Collection, for ladies and men, ticks all these boxes and more. They have a soft, breathable Merino wool upper which wicks away perspiration and is odour-resistant, with both lace-up and slip-on options, offering you that adjustable comfort and stability.

Whilst shoes are important, you

mustn’t forget their partner, the sock. The right socks are just as important when caring for your feet.

Keep your feet •happy and healthy with Simply Feet •

WHEN BUYING YOUR SOCKS, MICHELLE ADVISES: 1. They should be made of natural fibres such as wool, seaweed, bamboo or cotton as they are less stretchy and less likely to shrink and compress your toes 2. Look for seamless socks as stitching at the toes and heels can rub or break the skin.

Their exclusive Dr Comfort socks are made of natural fibres from bamboo and charcoal, whilst their premium Thought Socks are made from Seacell™ (seaweed) which both absorb odours and have antifungal and antibacterial features.

HERE ARE THREE THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR DURING YOUR NEXT SHOE SHOP: 1. Ensure your shoes are the right fit, with snugness around the heel and wiggle room for the toes 2. Find shoes that are seamless inside with no stitching to prevent rubbing of the skin 3. Choose adjustable fastening, such as straps, laces or Velcro to allow for adaptable comfort.

Find out more For the full range of products suitable for diabetes, visit simplyfeet.co.uk for seamless comfort. For 15% off your Dr Comfort shoes and socks use voucher code DRC15. Visit the website or call 03453 700380 for a complimentary catalogue.

Find them on @SimplyFeet, @simplyfeetuk, or @SimplyFeetUK

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Changing the culture of care Created by experienced care industry professionals, CareMatch is building committed care communities, to help people live their best day, every day areMatch connects people who need care with compatible local care givers who want to be in control of their own work life. CareMatch is transforming the sector, allowing care receivers and care givers to work collaboratively and flexibly to create a new kind of community-driven care.

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Using CareMatch, care receivers have the option to live comfortably and independently in their own homes with the support of visiting or live-in care.

A happy client speaks about their experience with CareMatch, saying: “I wanted to give my heartfelt thanks and appreciation for all that the CareMatch team have given

to my mother’s care over the last few months enabling her to stay in her own home, showing kindness, compassion and patience.

“I also appreciate that I am always kept fully informed, and decisions are made together. This is so important for family members as we journey forward with the care of my mother and her declining dementia. Thank you CareMatch for helping to make this a little easier. You are the best!”

CareMatch is transforming the sector, allowing care receivers and care givers to work collaboratively and flexibly to create a new kind of communitydriven care

Find out more If you or a family member would like to learn more about CareMatch’s services, please visit the website at carematch.ltd You can also find out more becoming part of the care giver network via the website too.

To speak to a member of the team, please call 0330 912 0929 for the care receiver team or 0330 912 7833 for the care giver team. Alternatively you can email at info@carematch.ltd or follow @CarematchLtd @CareMatchLtd

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8 MOBILITY AND CARE ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Beautiful, personalised wood items and gifts

Enjoy the autumn breeze cold sore free

Win a personalised Deluxe Acacia Wood Cheese Board, worth £55!

Enter online at checklists.co.uk/win/cheeseboard he Personalised Deluxe Acacia Wood Cheese and Meat Serving Set is made from Acacia wood and slate and features a variety of cutting implements in a hidden drawer. The board can be personalised and engraved with text and art. The board is large, measuring at 44 x 33 x 5.7 cm. The board has a slate insert and comes with three dip dishes. It provides the ideal server platter for cheeses and meats for dinner parties and entertaining.

The engraving option includes up to three lines of text in a choice of fonts, with optional decorative framing around the text or selected art. The implements include four cheese knives, a cheese fork, six nibble forks, a corkscrew and bottle opener, and two pieces of chalk for writing on the slate.

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lipivir is a lip gel proven to prevent cold sores from appearing, reduce regular outbreaks and ensure normal lips ow the colder months are creeping in, it’s crucial you • stay on top of cold sore outbreaks. External factors • like the weather, increased stress, and a lower immune system are the common

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Cathcart Elliot specialise in footwear, shoe care products and personalised wood items.

Their speciality is Men’s Cedar Wood Shoe-trees and boot trees, which help preserve footwear by keeping

them in shape, allowing them to dry, and removing creases. They are very popular as personalised gifts, along with their extra-long shoehorns which can also be personalised.

Find out more Visit shoe-trees.co.uk to view the full range and find out more.

causes of outbreaks. Make lipivir® your new handbag hero, the neat and compact 2g tube makes it handy and ready to use whenever you need it. Get protected with lipivir® by applying it up to twice a day (once in the morning and once in the evening) to keep you covered at all times. It’s a transparent gel so makes application discreet, allowing lipstick and make-up to be applied shortly after.

WHO report that an estimated 67% of the global population carry the cold sore virus*. Here are some useful tips for keeping them at bay: • DE-STRESS – Meditation, mindful walks, talking to loved ones • SUPERFOODS – Eat nuts, seeds and fruits.

They have nutrients which can boost your immune system, building resistance to

the cold sore virus • LIP-CARE – Apply

lipivir® twice a day but also invest in a good lip balm to keep your lips hydrated.

This autumn, don’t wait for cold sores to appear, prevent them with lipivir®.

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SOURCE: *Globally, an estimated twothirds of the population under 50 are infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (World Health Organization, 2015).

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Discover intravenous glutathione therapy IVBoost therapy is designed to infuse vitamins and minerals directly into the bloodstream, delivering the valuable nutrients your body needs t the IVBoost clinic their unique Mitogive® S-Acetyl Glutathione Intracellular Therapy has an active component developed for IV treatment, that can help boost your health and appearance, while also preventing cellular damage to your body.

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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF INTRAVENOUS GLUTATHIONE THERAPY? Glutathione (GSH) is one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants and fulfi ls many vital protective tasks in the body, ranging from immune defence, nutrient metabolism, DNA repair cell division and cell metabolism.

It helps to neutralise toxins and harmful substances that can have effects in day-to-day life such as air-pollutants, environmental toxins.

At IVBoost, located in the Harley Street Medical area

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in London, their unique Mitogive formulation is released in a more metabolically active state than the more common GSH supplements. At their doctor-led clinic, you will fi nd they often combine Mitogive with other vitamins and nutrients to formulate a unique and bespoke infusion specific to the needs of each patient.

They believe a holistic approach helps to promote wellbeing and overall health.

THEIR INTRAVENOUS INFUSIONS MAY: • Increase energy, concentration, and vitality • Detoxify the entire body down to the cell level • Protect cells and mitochondria from damage • Contribute to the normal function of the immune system.

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The potentials of mRNA vaccine technology While the world came to a stand-still, the healthcare industry raced to produce a vaccine at lightning speed and mRNA technology proved instrumental to the cause he past 18 months have seen daily life turned upside down. People found themselves stuck inside their homes, with only technology to link them to the outside world. Suddenly, we were having doctor’s appointments through a computer screen, and ordering prescriptions through an app.

However, whatever difficulties we were facing in adapting to lockdowns and staying away from loved ones, the healthcare industry was facing the biggest challenge of all.

Now, we are fi nally at a stage where recent innovations in healthcare have led to the development of several vaccines, that have allowed us to tentatively re-enter the outside world. This is the fastest a vaccine has ever been produced and approved for widespread use, and this success has also seen the emergence of an entirely new kind of health innovation – the mRNA vaccine.

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Traditional vaccines are made up of an inactivated dose of the organism that causes the disease in question, encouraging the immune system to respond, without the individual becoming infected.

Meanwhile, the mRNA vaccine is designed to teach the body to

respond to the proteins found in the disease-causing organism, without introducing a deactivated form of the infection into the body. The mRNA vaccine causes the immune cells in the body to produce a foreign protein that would otherwise only be present in the case of infection.

HEALTH INNOVATIONS 11 This then teaches the body to fight off that pathogen in future, so if one were to become into contact with it, the body has an immune response prepared.

There are many clinical trials ongoing for the use of mRNA vaccines on a host of different infectious diseases. Current clinical trials include HIV-1, rabies, and the mosquito-borne Zika virus1.

The Europe-based UniVax project has set out to develop the fi rst universal vaccine against influenza, in the form of the fi rst selfreplicating RNA vaccine.

The aim is to eradicate the need for yearly inactivated flu vaccines, that offer only moderate, short-term protection 2 .

Cancer vaccines can function as a form of immunotherapy, rather than a preventative measure. With this

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form of treatment, a vaccine can help the immune system to fight a present cancer3. mRNA vaccines are also being explored as a potential preventative measure for children at high risk of developing allergies4.

The possibilities, at this early stage, seem endless. mRNA vaccines are very young, and long-term studies and trials will establish exactly what these developments mean for the potential of human health. There is a lot of potential, and the ramifications that this kind of vaccine technology could have on the world are huge. But, of course, as with any new technology, there are also many unknowns.

Additionally, as with anything, it takes time for a new technology to become the norm.

For mRNA vaccines to become part of the mainstream, infrastructures will need to adapt, staff will need to be trained, and vaccine equality issues will certainly have to be addressed.

There have been huge developments, and the future looks brighter for everything from cancers to allergies.

But, for now, we shall proceed with cautious optimism.

SOURCES: 1. RNA vaccines: an introduction (phg foundation, 2021).

2. Project Periodic Report (Univax, 2019).

3. Personalized RNA mutanome vaccines mobilize poly-specifi c therapeutic immunity against cancer, by Ugur Sahin et al.

4. mRNA vaccination as a safe approach for specifi c protection from type I allergy, by Richard Weiss et al.

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12 SPECIALIST CLINICS

The beginner’s guide to choosing an aesthetic skin clinic Whether it is for dental work, dermatology, or diet related – it can be daunting and overwhelming trying to find the right specialist practice to help you look your best reatments like a new sparkling set of straight white teeth can really take years off your face.

However, the ‘tweakment’ trend really making midlifers smile is going skin deep.

Skin aesthetics is one of those things that many of us think is just for celebrities, and most of us are happy to use the traditional approach: a good skincare routine, moisturiser, and makeup.

However, there has been a boom in the over-40s turning to skin aesthetic clinics to refresh their look. Since the lifting of lockdown, UK skin specialists, such as Intrigue Cosmetic Clinic, have noticed up to a 33% uplift in new clients, all of whom are complete injectable beginners and mostly women over 40 years old.

Anti-wrinkle treatments in particular have risen in popularity, with an increase of around 50%

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since the lockdown, and for many, it’s their fi rst step into aesthetics.

WHERE TO START It’s important to know the difference between what is on offer, as injectables usually come under three categories: moisturisers, dermal and anti-wrinkle.

Injectable moisturisers target collagen production and can help hydrate skin without changing muscle movement or the overall face shape. Treatments can last between six to nine months, costing around £400.

Dermal fi llers contain synthetic hyaluronic acid. This, in its natural form, occurs in the body. These are injected into the skin to shape and sculpt the face. Filler can last up to two years and range between £250 to £400 per syringe.

Anti-wrinkle injections weaken muscles, so target frown and fi ne lines. These last between three and

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six months, costing around £300 per treatment.

LESS IS MORE Amish Patel is a Save Face accredited aesthetics practitioner and skincare expert at Intrigue Cosmetic Clinic. He says: “Most of our clients are women in their

mid-30s to 60s, who want to look subtly refreshed. Rather than filling faces with anti-wrinkle injections, dermal fillers can be used to contour the face or fill out sunken areas.”

It is best to start with small tweaks and build up product for a more natural-looking result. After the initial appointment, you can get further improvements in the following weeks.

DO YOUR RESEARCH It is important to ensure that your injector is qualified. It is easy to look them up on the national

register of accredited practitioners, Save Face. Social media can offer a useful way to check out before and after photos. However, be wary of practitioners that use other clinic’s images to pass off as their own, and be prepared to walk if something doesn’t feel right.

Also, try to avoid being lured in by package deals and book a consultation prior to treatments.

This way, you have an opportunity to discuss any concerns. Having any sort of treatment can be a big step, so it’s important to fi nd a trusted injector you feel comfortable with.

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SECTION131 SPECIALIST CLINICS ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE FEATURE

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Counselling and therapy for anxiety

Live your best life and feel beautiful at every age

The House Partnership work to bring about positive change in people’s lives, helping them move towards wellbeing and fulfilment

Do you ever look in the mirror and feel disconnected from the woman you see looking back at you?

he House Partnership are a team of specialist• psychologists providing one-to-one • therapy to help people work through a variety of emotional difficulties.

Anxiety is one of the most common forms of • psychological problem; many will experience anxiety at a clinically significant level at some point in their lives, and will seek therapy to help get through it. Therapy and counselling can help you to develop healthier responses to the tensions and confrontations of modern life.

The House team share a deeply-held belief that positive change is possible for all of their clients. One of the many services they offer is CBT – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. CBT is the most popular form of therapy for a

he looks tired when you feel energetic. She is starting to•show signs of ageing when you feel young and vivacious. She doesn’t draw the flattering compliments and playful glances of years

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past, even though nothing has changed on the inside.

The staff at Olivia Beresford London, they know exactly how it feels.

They were on the same journey some years ago and have since made it their mission to help other women

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links. They have also made the move online, and now offer psychotherapy sessions both in-person and online.

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They use fi nely balanced, proven techniques in a calm and unhurried environment. Every treatment plan they put together addresses multiple aspects of ageing, not just the visible signs. Every recommendation is bespoke and perfectly tailored to your circumstances and lifestyle.

Find out more You deserve to feel your beautiful self every day.

Visit the website at olivia-beresford.com or scan the QR code below to find out more and book your first consultation.

Find out more To find out about the help available to you, please visit thehousepartnership.co.uk and cityaddictions.co.uk

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Get your healthcare delivered Daily chemist is a regulated online independent pharmacy that provides medicines delivery and online doctor prescription services through simple online consultations with their chemists directly eople often neglect their health, especially when it comes to certain conditions. It can be difficult to talk to your GP about these conditions. At Daily Chemist, they can do an easy health checkup and prescribe medications to treat the most common healthcare conditions. This is the modern way to deliver healthcare. Medicines can be prescribed online with next-

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day delivery. No appointments.

No queues. No waiting. It can take less than two minutes to order your medicines.

Daily Chemist ‘s healthcare system is designed to put the patient fi rst. It takes less than two minutes to complete the health questionnaire for your condition or treatment. Their team of highly experienced GPs can then assess your suitability for the treatment and issue an electronic prescription. Their in-house pharmacy team will dispense your chosen medication via your chosen delivery method. This whole process requires less than five minutes of your time and they do the rest of the heavy lifting. In most cases they can deliver the medicines the next working day.

The costs for services like this one can add up quickly and make life more expensive than

you might expect. That’s why at Daily Chemist, you can choose to have your medicines dispensed on the NHS or privately. In fact, they are so confident in their service that if you fi nd the same or equivalent treatment for less elsewhere; they will match the price.

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According to James B. from Sheffield: “Brilliant Service.

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SECTION 15

14 HEALTHY FOOD, DRINK AND NUTRITION ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Give your ‘second brain’ some love!

Did you know that the bond between the brain and the gut is more intense than you realise? f your gut is crying out for help, your mind will inevitably be doing the same. However, according to scientists, by exploring • the relationship between your brain and your stomach, you could• gain the power to use that connection to improve your mental health too.

There are also a few sneaky ‘bad’ foods that as it turns out could just be a myth – which you can read • more about in checklists.co.uk online this week.

other support and comfort. Or destructive – a relationship where both parties seek to control and inhibit the other’s space to grow.”

YOUR ‘SECOND BRAIN’ Hanna Silva is a clinical psychologist and therapeutic programme manager at Flow Neuroscience, that offer a device designed to target depression without medication.

She believes that instead of only engaging in an occasional check-in, the communicative style between the brain and the gut is immense – and wields a lot of power.

Hanna says: “Communication between these two is frequent and endless. You can possess the power to make this connection constructive. Either a relationship where both parties offer each

In a research article titled Gutted!, Thomas Bastiaansen and his colleagues from Harvard University explain how the brain and the gut are connected via the vagus nerve – a link also known as the gut-brain-axis. The gutbrain axis can be thought of as a bidirectional highway with substances constantly travelling back and forth between the head and the stomach.

What you eat will inevitably impact how you think and feel.

Harvard-trained nutritional psychiatrist Dr Uma Naidoo teaches us that 90% of the body’s serotonin

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What you eat will inevitably impact how you think and feel

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receptors are located •in the gut.

Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that stabilises our mood and feelings of wellbeing. So, there is no wonder why some nutritionists and nutritional scientists call the gut ‘the second brain’.

THE BAD NEWS? Hanna explains that you can choose to feed the ‘bad’ bacteria which thrive on sugar, white flour, processed meat, artificial sweeteners, stabilisers and thickeners. When you feed the bad bacteria a high-fat, high-sugar diet, they throw a party in your stomach, causing inflammation in the body.

Inflammation weakens your immune system and increases the risk of depression, leaky gut, panic

anxiety, skin rashes, high blood pressure and many other health problems.

THE GOOD NEWS? By adding fibre to your diet, the ‘good’ bacteria in your gut will thrive. The good bacteria decrease inflammation in the body and can protect your brain from depression, anxiety and many other diseases.

It’s important to remember that good gut bacteria can’t live without fibre. So, it doesn’t matter how much protein you chew – there is no healthy gut environment without vegetables, fruit, legumes, seeds, or whole grains.

Carefully choosing what goes in your mouth, means that you can encourage the better type of

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bacteria to send an endless stream of comfort and support to your brain. So if you are interested in improving your physical and mental health, there’s only one person who has the power to influence the relationship between the brain and the gut. And it’s you!

SOURCES: 1 Gutted! Unraveling the Role of the Microbiome in Major Depressive Disorder by Bastaanssen et al., 2020 2 This is your brain on food by Dr. Uma Naidoo 3 Healthy dietary indices and risk of depressive outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies by Lassale et al., 2019 4 A randomised controlled trial of dietary improvement for adults with major depression (the ‘SMILES’ trial) by N. Jacka et al., 2017

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Three ways to better gut health Digestive issues can be one of the most common and uncomfortable problems that people face artin Cohen, founder of The IBS & Gut Health Clinic, and registered nutritional therapist, talks through three ways to better gut health.

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CHEWING According to Martin: “Digestion starts in the mouth, and in the busy 21st century we can forget how important chewing really is.

Once we swallow, the body takes over, so the more we can do before swallowing the better. Aiming to chew 20 to 30 times per mouthful

starts the digestive process in the best possible way.”

DIVERSITY With digestive symptoms, there is often a lot of fear around food, but aiming to keep the diet as diverse as possible is key for gut health.

Martin says: “We encourage our patients to eat at least 30 different fruits and vegetables each week and a colour of the rainbow each day. This diversity of plant foods supports the benefi cial bacteria in the gut which sets a fi rm foundation for digestive health.”

FIBRE Martin continues: “The amount of fibre in our diet can have a big impact on digestive symptoms. Often, when there’s bloating, cramping and changes in bowel patterns more fibre can potentially lead to discomfort. Finding a personal fibre tolerance may help manage symptoms in the short term.”

ADDRESSING THE UNDERLYING ISSUE “A common story we hear from our patients is that before they decided to attend the clinic, they were restricting foods to try and fi nd the perfect restricted diet to

Aiming to chew 20 to 30 times per mouthful starts the digestive process in the best possible way

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live on forever. Purely to manage symptoms.

“The way the clinic works is different to this. Rather than working to fi nd out what foods someone is reacting to we want to fi nd out why they’re reacting to food in that way. If this underlying imbalance is addressed it’s possible for symptoms to resolve and for the diet to be unrestricted and stress free” says Martin.

TESTIMONIALS One happy client, Richard from Cheshire said: “To cut a long story short within 2 months I am 99% improved and my digestion is better than it has been in years.

I am extremely grateful.”

Another client, Paul from Manchester said: “I’m now experiencing the best gut health I’ve ever known.”

Find out more Take back control of your gut health. The IBS & Gut Health Clinic offer personalised and natural support for digestive imbalances. To book your free consultation with a practitioner, scan the QR code, visit the website at ibsguthealthclinic.co.uk or call 01625 315003.

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