yourexperts
your health
You asked: “As the mother of a new baby I am feeling very tired and run down at the moment. Do you have any tips for how I can maintain my health and energy levels during this time? Are there any specific vitamins or minerals I should consider taking?” Dr Carrie Ruxton from the Health Supplements Information Service answers: “Pregnancy and birth can deplete iron
You asked: “I have sensitive skin which gets dry and sore during the winter time. Would natural and organic beauty products be kinder to my skin?” Pat Hume, Pravera’s customer advisor, answers: “Natural and organic skincare products can be used all year round, not only during the winter months. The natural ph balance of sensitive skin is disturbed, meaning that the skin needs extra protection and hydration. Using skincare products with mild skin-caring natural ingredients will therefore be kinder to sensitive skin. For your daily routine use a gentle plant-based cleansing milk rather than soap. Instead of a toner use flower water which is milder on the skin, and use a light moisturising cream. Natural and organic skin-friendly products incorporate moisturising ingredients in their formulations which are non-drying on the skin, helping to keep your skin protected and well cared for during the cold winter months. Depending on your sensitivity I would start with fragrance-free skincare products and then progress to ones containing natural essential oils. Make sure you pick a brand that contains purely natural ingredients. The best way to ensure this is to see whether the products have been certified by BDIH, Eco cert or Na true. I recommend Lavera’s Neutral Range and Primavera Calming range.” n Pravera Ltd distribute lavera, Primavera, Alma Win, Monte Bianco, Sodasan, Florascent, Terre, d’Oc and Organyc. Visit www.pravera.co.uk
Star Prize!
Reader Cheryl won this month’s prize: a lavera Neutral Cleansing Foam (RRP £9) and Facial Fluid (RRP £11).
Email your questions to
liz.parry@jhnproductions.co.uk You can also write in with your queries: Your Healthy Living Q&A, Unit 2, Three Hills Farm, Ashdon Road, Bartlow, Cambridgeshire, CB21 4EN. See www.yourhealthyliving.co.uk for terms & conditions. We reserve the right to edit or shorten questions, and regret YHL and our experts cannot reply individually to your health and beauty questions.
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levels, leaving many women feeling low. Lack of sleep, breast-feeding and domestic chores can also sap energy. Good sources of iron include red meat and broccoli but an iron supplement can also help to replace iron stores. Other nutrients which support energy levels include B vitamins (such as folate, niacin, B6 and B12), magnesium and vitamin C. The most effective way to boost these is by taking a daily multivitamin which will also contain vitamin D, an important nutrient for supporting immune function. Iron and multivitamins, when provided at recommended levels, are safe to take while breast-feeding. Other practical tips are to grab an afternoon nap while baby is asleep and ask friends and relatives to help around the house to give you a break. After all, you are already doing a fantastic job simply being a new mum!” n Dr Carrie Ruxton is a registered dietitian and public health nutritionist with more than 20 years experience in nutrition and health. Visit www.hsis.org
You asked: “My friend is encouraging me to try lifting weights in order to tone up and get in shape, but I’m worried that I’ll get bulky and muscly. What is your advice?” Chloe Redmond from InstructorLive answers: “Many women feel daunted about adding weights to their workout routines. There is a concern that they might cause women to bulk up and look manly but this is not the case. One reason is that women have much lower levels of testosterone than men which means they are not naturally designed to build large amounts of muscle mass (and it’s actually extremely difficult to do so!) Weight training has so many benefits, one major advantage being that it adds great shape and tone to your body. Another bonus of using weights is that whilst helping muscle strength, your resting metabolism will also increase which allows you to burn more calories on a day-to-day basis and therefore helps to reduce body fat. Also, weight training will improve bone density, which reduces your risk of osteoporosis. If you are new to using weights, I would recommend that you start by using half a kilogram dumbbells and see how you get on. If you’re finding this weight too easy then this is when you would start to increase the weight. With so many great health benefits, I really believe that weight training is something that should be an essential part of everybody’s fitness routine!” n Chloe Redmond is an instructor with InstructorLive, a live streamed, interactive and on demand fitness and wellbeing platform. Visit www.instructorlive.com
December 2013
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