LOOKING GOOD

Family Health with

Jenna Evans

LAST MONTH we had a little tour of our eyes, so now we'll take a peek at a few of the most helpful supplements to support our precious peepers.

Carotenoids – Colourful pigments found in fruit and veg with noted antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. There are hundreds of different carotenoids but only two are found in the retina – lutein and zeaxanthin. They concentrate in the macula, an area rich in photoreceptive cells and responsible for out central vision. These nutrients, especially lutein, can be found in pretty much every eye formula and may be helpful for macular degeneration, cataracts and even glaucoma. These anti-oxidants help protect our eyes from damage including from the blue light from digital devices. Green leafy vegetables, bilberries/blueberries, pumpkins, squash and sweet potatoes are useful food sources of these eye loving carotenoids. Goji berries also contain lutein and zeaxanthin and have positioned themselves as a veritable superfood over the years. A small study earlier this year highlighted the protective effects of goji berry consumption against macular degeneration and sight loss.

Herbal helpers – Eyebright & Ginkgo are two powerful herbs for eye health. Ginkgo helps improve blood flow to the periphery e.g. our heads and therefore eyes. For this reason it may help promote removal of waste, give antioxidant protection and be involved in the regulation of eye pressure. Eyebright on the other hand really comes into its own where there is eye irritation and inflammation – think hayfever, styes and conjunctivitis. You can take Eyebright as a herbal tincture and homeopathic remedy but one of my favourite ways to use it would be in a compress or eyebath. You could blend it with other great eye soothers such as chamomile and black tea.

Minerals – Two important minerals for eye health are zinc and selenium. There are enzymatic reactions in the eye essential for sight that involve zinc and selenium provides more antioxidant protection.

Vitamins – Some research has associated raised homocysteine levels with an increased risk of eye disease (as well as cancer, heart disease and dementia). Certain members of the B Complex such as B6, B12 and folate can help lower these levels. Vitamins A, C & E provide yet more antioxidant protection.

Drops & Sprays – We have a little collection of topical eye products instore, from super soothers for dry eyes, through anti-histamine hayfever sprays to my favourite multi purpose MSM and zinc drops. MSM increases the permeability of the cells, improving nutrient flow. It may help with intraocular pressure (glaucoma) and floaters. Natural Vision Therapy/The Bates Method – Named after an ophthalmologist who stopped prescribing glasses to his patients when he noticed their vision was just getting progressively worse. His decades of experience and research culminated in the book Perfect Sight Without Glasses published in 1912. This method includes exercises and special pinhole glasses to help prevent the deterioration - and promote the reversal - of common sight problems such as short sightedness, long sightedness and astigmatism. Check out www.thebatesmethod.com for more information.

Lastly, I have some ebooks on eye health. If you would like a copy emailed to you, do let me know! As always, please pop into Ceres for more information and support.

Men’s mental health

In England, around 1 in 4 men will have a common mental health problem such as depression, anxiety, panic disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) during their lifetime. Statistics show that three times as many men as women die by suicide and that men aged 45-49 have the highest suicide rates in the UK. Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50. Men are less likely to access mental health services than women: only 36% of referrals to the NHS are for men.

Some men find it difficult to seek help for any kind of emotional distress, and those who don’t feel able to talk openly about their emotions might be less able to recognise the signs and to reach out for support or talk to friends and family, sometimes using harmful coping methods such as drugs or alcohol.

However, men will access help that is meaningful and engaging and easy to access. Sometimes men’s sheds provide a great space for men to get together, doing and making something practical and finding companionship. There are Sheds across the area – to find your local one go to https:// menssheds.org.uk/find-a-shed/ or call 0300 772 9626.

Stepladder is a part of Open Mental Health Somerset and works with communities, groups and organisations across Somerset to find new ways for men to connect, support each other and get help when they need it. To find out more go to the website www.secondstep.co.uk/stepladder or email stepladdersomerset@secondstep.co.uk or call Somerset Mindline which is available 24/7 for more information or if you need to talk on 0800 138 1692

The Open Mental Health Alliance brings together all the mental health support services in Somerset – you can visit the website here - https://open mentalhealth.org.uk/ or call the Somerset Mindline number above.

If you are in crisis and need immediate support, please dial 999 or call the free Samaritans Helpline on 116123.

For more information about Wellbeing in South Somerset visit www.wellbeingsouthsomerset.org.

© Jenna Evans 2022

•Jenna is a Holistic Health Coach and creator of bespoke beauty products. She can be found on Facebook at ‘Alchemical Beauty UK’. Jenna is also a multi-award winning Product Advisor at Ceres Natural Foods, Yeovil. To make an appointment, please pop in or call 01935 428791 for details. Always check with a health professional before making any dramatic changes to your diet and lifestyle or starting a new supplement, especially with any existing health conditions.

5 steps to prevent hayfever ruining a good night sleep

With warmer weather on the horizon and the pollen count set to increase, hayfever sufferers across the nation are struggling to get a good night’s sleep.

Hayfever symptoms tend to be worse at night and can be triggered by dust mites and mould found in your bedding or mattress, which makes sleeping that little bit harder. Not only that, but if you dry your bedding outside, pollen can seep into the fibres and aggravate your allergies further. According to experts, there are a few simple steps you can take to improve symptoms.

Silentnight’s resident Sleep Expert, Hannah Shore, said: “Choosing hypoallergenic bedding is the first step hayfever sufferers looking to improve their sleep should take. This is because it is specially designed to reduce the chance of an allergic reaction at night.

“It’s important to also be mindful of your sleeping position. When nasal passages become inflamed and your sinuses don’t drain properly, it becomes difficult to breathe through your nose and can cause nasal congestion, sneezing and watery eyes which will keep you awake. By using a high pillow to prop your head up, your sinuses will be kept more open through the night.

“Closing doors and windows before you go to bed will also help keep allergens outside and at bay. Showering before bed also helps wash away the pollen, so be sure to do this each night before hitting the hay.

“For those sufferers looking to invest in their sleep, an air purifier may be the answer. Clearing your bedroom of common household allergies, they’re a sure-fire win for a better night’s sleep.”

Why do some suffer regular pain while others stay well?

What is the difference? An unresolved, old injury? A combination of current circumstances? Mendip Chiropractic have found all sorts of reasons. Specialising in identifying the issues that prevent you returning to normal, pain-free happiness. Because once identified, these can very often be resolved, so that you can enjoy things again rather than just ‘get by’. “People come and see us for all sorts of body pain and problems, not just back pain. We work hard to resolve the causes, rather than treat the symptom. Wrist pain for example is often given the name carpal tunnel syndrome –but the cause might come from a neck problem. Solving the cause can be more effective than treating the symptoms” Dr Ben Gait DC BSc MChiro, Doctor of Chiropractic and Afferentology specialist. Mendip Chiropractic, Shepton Mallet.

Take advantage of the July promotion at Ward & Sibley of Yeovil, to have your precious rings checked.

WARD & SIBLEY

The Jewellers of Yeovil

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FREE clean & setting check on gemstone rings (ends 31/07/2022)

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THE CASKET, 103 MIDDLE STREET, YEOVIL Tel: 01935 474065