Influence of Media on Health Madelaine Winzer looks at trends in the media and how they may influence consumers. Are they positive or negative?

By Madelaine Winzer

People are naturally inclined to be influenced by those around them and the media they are exposed to, therefore preventing them from digging deeper or exposing themselves to cultures that allow them to form their own beliefs that may or not transform into action. And we could say that is where the problem begins - whether it is to do with glossy fashion magazines selling a lifestyle or the national news bombarding us with the latest updates on coronavirus. However, that would be too easy. Maybe it is society itself?

90s Grunge and Youth Culture It was the decade of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Sound Garden and Screaming Trees. Glossy fashion magazines promoting models one step away from perfection were replaced with models who sported hollowed cheeks, smudged eyeliner and a waif-like figure that gave the impression of not caring about health. It seemed to be positive at first allowing teenagers to be free from the repression of cultural society and be part of a sub-culture that gave them a feeling of belonging.

Boundaries were broken as photographers and brands at the time wanted to connect youth with fashion in a way that blurred the lines between life and art that many people found uncomfortable. Experimentation was on the cards for many young people as they dabbled in the arts and drugs, allowing them to temporarily withdraw from society and their own self-loathing. It was a movement further glamourised by the media with Andrew Groves organising a runway show called Cocaine Nights; white powder covered the runway while the models wore dresses constructed of stainless-steel razor blades.

High-end models headed the trend of heroin chic that was documented by Italian Fashion Photographer, Davide Sorrenti, who died in 1997 from a rare blood disorder, thalassemia. When he died the trend ended too – and he captured it beautifully in all its rawness using the language he knew best, mirroring his pain and telling a story of society at the time. Like anything, it was laced with hypocrisy as Kate Moss lost multi-million pound contracts when she was photographed snorting cocaine. Fitness Becomes Trendy There was now a void to be filled. Britney Spears, Gisele and the iPod touch filled it nicely as media took a new form. Gisele Bundchen graced the cover of Vogue in 1999 as she represented something quite different to the models of the 90s. She represented health and opposed the ideals associated with lifestyles of the grunge era.

Whether the promotion of health is positive or negative depends on the viewer and how it triggers them. Are they inspired or are they filled with insecurity?

It’s an open-ended question. We are, after all, just human with our unique web of experiences spun together which is what makes us who we are. Here and now. It’s time we stopped comparing ourselves to others in the media, or on the street, and say, “Good enough! – I am happy with who I am. I am the one I have to live with”.

It is true that individuals are becoming more sedentary through increased use of technology, and the physical impact of that lifestyle takes its toll on the body causing unwanted tension that stays in the body through lack of self-awareness and lethargy.

Technology made life so easy that we no longer need to walk to the shop to buy groceries or feel the F.Dick knife slice through meat bought from the local butchers. Life in the West is now lacking sensibility as political correctness replaces a genuine response to the automatic question, “how are you?”. People are scared to express themselves in ‘real-life’ as they fear rejection. It’s reflected in the medicine cabinets of people

who are covering up problems they haven’t figured out the answers to because they are alienated from their intuition. And I don’t mean all people, some people have problems they need to manage, but there is a form of therapy out there for everyone to help them take a break. Even if it’s only for an evening, they can pass on the melatonin.

Models aren’t representing the majority of the population and Instagram influencers aren’t living the life they promote, but they are just doing their job just like the rest of us poor stiffs. They help some people and stir feelings of resentment and insecurity in a lot more. We all have different sides to our personality, some that we like and some we wish we didn’t have, and that’s okay. Who says that we have to be happy all the time? Not a happy camper, I guarantee that! Life is no less a struggle with heartache and weariness, than a celebration of those precious moments of genuine connection and pure joy.

Fitness may not be your thing, but it does have positive effects on mental health and physical health.

My Journey with Perfectionism

I won a scholarship to a boarding school at a young age and I was also selected to be part of the British Olympic Talent Squad as I had a couple of National Championships under my belt and was a whizz at maths. My whole life was planned, programmed and predetermined. I would study accountancy at University and train in my spare time. I had this timetable pinned to the back of my door, but that was just part of the Quadrennial plan that was saved on my desktop through Dropbox. I had a food diary, I was weighed in every Monday and, honestly, I was diligent. I wanted to win. I had this unrelenting drive and self-belief that got me out of bed every morning. I didn’t care about fashion or what guys my friends were dating, I had a passion for something that made the sacrifice of a young girl’s wants and needs worth the time and effort.

But like anything with highs come the lows and it came crashing down all at once. A bad bike accident in Hungary involved the death of a guy and that’s when I lost motivation for everything. I think I sat numb through physio with a niggly knee, but deep down that day, I lost a part of myself that I never got back. And there was nobody there to comfort or console me. I was just told to ride my bike. I was 17 at the time and the lack of support from those people - I say ‘people’ because organisations are made up of people who like individuals when they are making money and producing results - but where was the human being that I needed when help was truly needed?

Sure, I am not perfect – who is? - and as I become older I have dabbled in a variety of jobs to see what works for me. Unfortunately, people still identify me as an athlete and are fascinated by my life in the world of sport and indifferent to my life as just another person muddling through.

It was a long time ago, but there are still things I do if I am feeling anxious or need a lift. Sometimes I ride my Steel Italian Frame around Regent’s Park on a Friday morning before work, others times I book myself in for a massage, while sometimes I meet a friend for a margarita in central. I find life is a mix of discipline and pleasure. I guess that I have learned that one must just make sure that you find what’s meaningful for you and don’t waste your time trying to impress people who will never be satisfied.

As people, we love stories as they provide us with empathy and inspiration. Everything we view can be seen as a story whether it is a single shot on Instagram or somebody on Ted giving a talk. What makes certain stories stick in our mind is authenticity and, unfortunately, in this world what we truly want defies logic. Life is messy and we disappoint people along the way. We make mistakes but hopefully, learn from them. We are all works in progress – no plan, no program - and it is wiser to stop thinking about how life should be and just live it as it is. Just remember, online media is there to lure you in. And social media feeds off it. We are mind-fed through algorithms that are brilliantly constructed to fit our needs - only to alienate us from others. Some influencers retain their authenticity while most promote pretty much anything to make money. As individuals we do have the power to control what we swallow and to be empathetic – don’t hesitate to question peoples’ choices or beliefs rather than taking them at face value. Most of all, your own.

Madelaine Winzer is a freelance writer who lives in London. After many years racing internationally as part of the GB Olympic Development Squad for Triathlon, Madelaine continues to have a strong interest in health and wellbeing. She has a degree in Sociology and is constantly developing her skills by attending workshops and courses.

As a medical herbalist, I was consulted by one of Britain’s leading spa’s to develop a range of herbal formulas which may be used by the naturopaths at the spa in conjunction with their nutritional supplements and homeopathy to the support of the health of their patients.

Ideveloped The Naturopath Range, which is made up of tincture complexes covering the most common conditions that a nutritionist or naturopath is likely come across, but the key is that it presents herbal medicine in a way that is safe and easy to prescribe for your patients, making it very convenient for those nutritionists or naturopaths who do not carry a full herbal dispensary but would like a range of 18 herbal tincture formulas at your fingertips to prescribe for your patients.

The Naturopathic Range comes with an easy-to-read support sheet, covering indications, contraindications, herb-drug interactions, and suggested doses, making these herbal formulas safe and easy to use by any nutritionist or naturopath insured to supply herbs to their private patients.

I qualified as a medical herbalist in 1999, and completed an MSc degree in Complementary Therapy Studies in 2001. In 2004 I founded Botanica Medica herbal apothecary because I could see how often the lay person chose the wrong herbs for themselves when they bought at a health shop. The result of this sometimes ranged from pretty dangerous, to completely ineffective, as in the case of the lady using Saw palmetto for her leaky bladder. She was convinced that it would work eventually, but I had to say to her, “My dear, I am afraid that Saw palmetto will never work for you because you don’t have a prostate gland”. My herbal apothecaries provided qualified medical herbalists prescribing professional herbal medicine, quite often over the counter, but always after a brief consultation. During this time, I have also supported naturopaths and nutritionists who want to work with herbs but did not hold their own herbal dispensary.

After nearly two decades, I closed those clinics and now work from my apothecary which is in the middle of my physic garden in the rolling hills of the beautiful South Downs national park in Hampshire. My herbs are grown organically, bathed in clean forest air, the peaceful chatterings of wild birds, and overseen by curious horses peering over the hedge.

As I work within my garden, I am able to keep a close eye on exactly when the herbs need to be harvested. They are carefully collected by hand, and immediately distilled and macerated, ensuring the highest quality of freshness and vitality. These tinctures are then stored in glass demijohns and dispensed as required. The resulting quality is gorgeous.

I don’t sell through my website, the reason being, that I want to talk to each one of my patients and customers to make sure that they are buying the right product for them, so you will need to contact me by telephone or email, or you can register for your practitioner discount by filling out the contact form on my website, and I will call you directly.

For further details about the full range, and to claim your discount, email Jo Dunbar on info@botanicamedica.co.uk or register through the contact page on www.botanicamedica.co.uk

By Giacomo Sandri

Natural supplements and herbderived drugs that support or enhance athletic performance are defined as ergogenics and they often capture the attention of many athletes seeking to optimise their physical achievements. The reason why some athletes heartfully love them is because ergogenic herbs are nontoxic, have no side-effects, and are therefore disregarded as doping substances by the MHRA.

Such supplements are commonly found in health food stores in the form of tablets, drops, beverages or powders and they are usually combined in elaborated formulas alongside a long list of vitamins and minerals.

Nevertheless, there are few herbal ergogenics that can give astonishing performance results just by being consumed on their own. Here is a selection of five popular and well-researched ones that should be in every athlete’s pantry. 1. CORDYCEPS (CORDYCEPS SINENSIS AND CORDYCEPS MILITARIS)

Cordyceps gained popularity in the Western world after the 1993 Olympic games where three women in the Chinese team broke five running world records; when interviewed, they attributed their success to the daily intake of Cordyceps. A decade later, few studies providing evidence of the efficacy of cordyceps started to appear in scientific journals.

A study involving 28 athletes supplementing with a mushroom blend containing Cordyceps showed an outstanding statistical improvement in peak flow, oxygen consumption and time to exhaustion within only three weeks of treatment (1). Another study on elderly athletes aged 50-75 showed a noticeable decrease in lactic acid accumulation and improved optimised oxygen metabolism after 12 weeks of supplementation (2). Moreover, experiments on mice fed with Cordyceps showed an increase in ATP (the body’s energy currency) production and a reduction in free radicals (the toxic byproducts of oxygen metabolism) (4,5).

In conclusion, cordyceps is a valid remedy to support endurance activities due to its ability to improve peak flow and promote energy production.

2. KOREAN GINSENG (PANAX GINSENG)

In Chinese pharmacopoeia, ginseng root is considered one of the ultimate tonics and is used to manage symptoms such as fatigue, low libido, shortness of breath and premature aging. The mighty compounds synthesized by the ginseng plant which have such broad therapeutic applications are saponins called ginsenosides (5); these compounds have cardioprotective, antioxidant, neuroprotective, immunostimulant and hormone-balancing properties (6,7,8). Ginseng is defined as a stimulant tonic, increasing alertness, cognition and physical energy without inducing jittering. Due to these properties, ginseng might have some applications in enhancing physical performance. In support of this statement, a study showed that supplementation of a gram of Korean ginseng for 14 days showed to effectively reduce perceived exertion during anaerobic exercise and the magnitude of pain/soreness post-exercise (9). Unfortunately, a considerable number of trials carried out on ginseng and athletic performance did not provide much evidence of the effectiveness of ginseng as an ergogenic; nevertheless, most of these studies involved short-term supplementation of ginseng, suggesting that relevant benefits might be obtained after sustained supplementation (10).

4.BEETROOT JUICE

Beetroot is not an exotic remedy like the ones aforementioned, but it is still a relevant one to mention due to its effects on the cardiovascular system. Beetroot pulp and juice are high in inorganic nitrates, compounds that when ingested are converted into nitric oxide (NO), a powerful vasodilator (16). Nitric oxide has a direct positive effect on the utilisation of oxygen and glucose from skeletal muscles, enhancing mitochondrial production of ATP (the energy currency) and supporting the contraction-relaxation processes of the muscle (16). Beetroot juice has been proven effective at optimising energetic economy (the use of O2 in relation to distance travelled) in both experienced athletes and untrained individuals; some scientists postulate that long-term use of beetroot juice can stimulate the biogenesis of new mitochondria, the cell’s powerhouses, therefore supporting the performance of endurance athletes (16). In other words, taking beetroot juice a couple of hours before your performance can increase your output power while using the same amount of oxygen. 3.SIBERIAN GINSENG (ELEUTHEROCOCCUS SENTICOSUS)

Siberian ginseng is a close cousin of Korean ginseng and shares many of its benefits; in fact, some say it’s the most well-researched adaptogen for athletic performance (11).

Somewhat like its Korean relative, Siberian ginseng evolved to produce a family of extremely powerful triterpenoid compounds called eleutherosides, which have shown immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antidepressant, anti-fatigue and blood sugar balancing activities (12,13). It is thanks to the eleutherosides that Siberian ginseng is a notorious tonic for the brain, hormones and muscles; animal and human studies have shown that Siberian ginseng boosts motivation, activation and reward neurotransmitters, which could imply quality of performance via neuromuscular pathways (14). Few other studies on athletes demonstrated remarkable improvements on a metabolic level, showing that Siberian ginseng could be effective at promoting lipid and glucose utilisation while decreasing heart rate and improving oxygen uptake during exercise; probably due to these physiological changes, a study showed that Siberian ginseng boosted the endurance of high intensity exercises up to 23% (12,15). Effects of Siberian ginseng have been observed even at small doses such as 800mg a day and no toxicity has been reported in medical literature, making it a safe herbal ally for boosting physical performance.

5 .SIBERIAN GINSENG (ELEUTHEROCOCCUS SENTICOSUS)

Rhodiola, also known by the fascinating name of arctic rose, is an adaptogenic root growing in semi-hostile habitats such as sea cliffs and mountain peaks. Rhodiola is high in antioxidants, mood-enhancing and adaptogenic compounds such as rosavins and salidrosides that are thought to be responsible for the ergogenic properties of this root (17). Results from studies on the effectiveness of Rhodiola for athletic performance are quite remarkable: four weeks use of rhodiola significantly reduced lactic acid in the bloodstream and promoted muscle recovery (18) while ingestion of rhodiola prior to endurance exercise increased performance outcome (19) and post-exercise mood boost (20). Rhodiola proved to be effective at a dosage as low as of 3mg/kg of body mass (20).

The evidence speaks loud and clear about the ergogenic effectiveness of these herbal remedies. In summary: cordyceps improves lung capacity, Korean and Siberian ginseng decrease perceived fatigue, beetroot juice boosts endurance and rhodiola promotes muscle recovery. Although they are not a substitute to a healthy diet or carefully planned exercise regime, they are valuable allies when it comes to running that last mile or lifting that extra weight.

1 PubChem. “Caffeine.” Nih.Gov, PubChem, 2019, pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ compound/caffeine. Accessed 26 May 2020. 2 Layland, Jamie, et al. “Adenosine.” JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions, vol. 7, no. 6, June 2014, pp. 581–591, 10.1016/j.jcin.2014.02.009. Accessed 6 May 2020. 3 “Discovering Chocolate.” Www.Cadbury.Com.Au, 2020, www.cadbury.com. au/About-Chocolate/Discovering-Chocolate.aspx#:~:text=Christopher%20 Columbus%20is%20said%20to. Accessed 5 June 2020. 4 Baggott, Matthew J., et al. “Psychopharmacology of Theobromine in Healthy Volunteers.” Psychopharmacology, vol. 228, no. 1, 19 Feb. 2013, pp. 109–118, 10.1007/s00213-013-3021-0. Accessed 21 Dec. 2019. 5 Mancini, Edele, et al. “Green Tea Effects on Cognition, Mood and Human Brain Function: A Systematic Review.” Phytomedicine, vol. 34, Oct. 2017, pp. 26–37, 10.1016/j.phymed.2017.07.008. Accessed 28 Oct. 2019. 6Fc, Schimpl, et al. “Guarana: Revisiting a Highly Caffeinated Plant From the Amazon.” Journal of Ethnopharma-cology, 28 Oct. 2013, pubmed.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/23981847/. Accessed 29 May 2020. 7 Yoquinto, Luke. “The Truth About Guarana.” Livescience.Com, 30 May 2013, www.livescience.com/36119-truth-guarana.html. 8 Moustakas, Dimitrios, et al. “Guarana Provides Additional Stimulation over Caffeine Alone in the Planarian Model.” PLOS ONE, vol. 10, no. 4, 16 Apr. 2015, p. e0123310, 10.1371/journal.pone.0123310. Accessed 8 Sept. 2019. 9 Lutomski, Piotr, et al. “Health Properties of Yerba Mate.” Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 3 Apr. 2020, 10.26444/aaem/119994. Accessed 6 June 2020. 10 Teeguarden, Ron. The Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs. New York, Warner Books, 2000, pp. 96–110. 11 Leung, Kar, and Alice Wong. “Pharmacology of Ginsenosides: A Literature Review.” Chinese Medicine, vol. 5, no. 1, 2010, p. 20, 10.1186/1749-8546-5-20. Accessed 8 Aug. 2019. 12 Fez Inkwright. FOLK MAGIC AND HEALING: An Unusual History of Everyday Plants. S.L., Liminal 11, 2019, p. 133. 13 Pengelly, Andrew, et al. “Short-Term Study on the Effects of Rosemary on Cognitive Function in an Elderly Population.” Journal of Medicinal Food, vol. 15, no. 1, 2012, pp. 10–7, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21877951, 10.1089/ jmf.2011.0005. Accessed 6 July 2019. 14 Filiptsova, O.V., et al. “The Essential Oil of Rosemary and Its Effect on the Human Image and Numerical Short-Term Memory.” Egyptian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, vol. 4, no. 2, June 2017, pp. 107–111, www.sciencedirect. com/science/article/pii/S2314808X16301890, 10.1016/j.ejbas.2017.04.002. Accessed 7 May 2019. 15 Habtemariam, Solomon. “The Therapeutic Potential of Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis) Diterpenes for Alzheimer’s Disease.” EvidenceBased Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2016, 2016, pp. 1–14, 10.1155/2016/2680409. Accessed 1 Nov. 2019. 16 Ulbricht, Catherine, et al. “An Evidence-Based Systematic Review of Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration.” Journal of Dietary Supplements, vol. 7, no. 4, Nov. 2010, pp. 351–413, 10.3109/19390211.2010.525049. Accessed 4 June 2020. 17 Droy-Lefaix, M. T. “Effect of the Antioxidant Action of Ginkgo Biloba Extract (EGb 761) on Aging and Oxidative Stress.” AGE, vol. 20, no. 3, July 1997, pp. 141–149, 10.1007/s11357-997-0013-1. Accessed 24 Apr. 2019. 18 Frawley, David, and Vasant Lad. The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine. Delhi, Motilal Banarsidass, 2016, p. 170. 19 Puttarak, Panupong, et al. “Effects of Centella Asiatica (L.) Urb. on Cognitive Function and Mood Related Out-comes: A Systematic Review and MetaAnalysis.” Scientific Reports, vol. 7, 6 Sept. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ articles/PMC5587720/, 10.1038/s41598-017-09823-9. Accessed 6 June 2020. 20 Winston, David, and Steven Maimes. Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief. Rochester, Vermont, Healing Arts Press, 2019.

Giacomo Sandri

Giacomo Sandri graduated in Herbal Medicine (BSc Hons) at the University of Lincoln in 2017, and attained a diploma in Holistic massage at the Bristol College of Massage and Bodywork in 2018. He holds certificates in Facial Acupressure, Complete Manual Therapy and FREC3 First Aid. He is also a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalist (NIMH) and Massage Training Institute (MTI). In 2019, he coined the term Naturopathic Massage Therapy, a discipline which combines herbal medicine, nutrition and bodywork to provide a clearer understanding and a tailored deeper treatment to individuals suffering from musculoskeletal and neurological disorders. Giacomo currently practices as a herbalist and massage therapist in Bristol under the business name of Blue Ginkgo offering consultations at the Easton Business Centre and online.