Healthwise Clinic Natural Health Blog

The word “obesity” may become less in evidence if a new government initiative takes hold.

Ann Milton, who is England’s public health minister stressed she was speaking in a personal capacity, and said: “If I look in the mirror and think I am obese I think I am less worried [than] if I think I am fat.”

She said too many staff working in the NHS were worried about using the word “fat” , but suggested it could help encourage “personal responsibility”.   Use of the word “obese” when “fat” is the everyday word was presumably taken up so as not to stigmatise people who were overweight As obesity (fatness?) threatens a high proportion of the population including children,  a more proactive approach has been considered necessary.

Interestingly Professor Steve Field, of the Royal College of GPs, said he agreed with Ms Milton and already tried to use the term fat as much as he could.

“I think the term obese medicalises the state. It makes it a third person issue. I think we need to sometimes be more brutal and honest.

“You can be popular by saying the things people want to hear and in the NHS we too often do that when we should be spelling things out clearly.”

But Professor Lindsey Davies, president of the UK Faculty of Public Health, which represents public health professionals, warned against using ‘fat’ when dealing with patients.

“People don’t want to be offensive. There is a lot of stigma to being a fat person.”

She said health professionals started using the term obesity to encourage patients to think about the condition in a different way.

“Obesity is something that happens to people rather than something they are. The language you use all depends on the relationship you have with a patient.

“I would probably be more likely to say something like ‘can we talk about your weight’ rather than obesity, but that is a judgement you make on a patient-by-patient basis.”

I know from personal experience it was when the scales tipped a lot in the wrong direction, and the waistband was  just too tight that I got motivated to do something about weight.  It can take a lot of discipline to undo the comfort food / trigger patterns.  I certainly noticed the unbelievable amounts of chocolate available on sale when at the supermarket checkout, or when buying petrol.  After a while though the eating patterns get reestablished, and temptation is easier to resist.

About one in five adults in the UK is obese, a figure that has tripled since 1980.  One of the danger zones is a large waist contributing to an “apple” shape.  If your waist is around 40 inches and you would like to look sleeker and feel better telephone the clinic 01628 668339 and ask for an appointment with Andrew Loosely. He can tell you what to eat for your particular condition (which is much more accurate than simply your body type) as well as help you plan your diet to suit the season.  What you eat in summer is different from the appropriate food during other seasons.  As well as losing weight you get the maximum all-round health benefit.

And the best way to keep the weight off?  Enjoy healthy food, take gentle exercise, avoid stress and have a happy life!

Related articles

• Use fat instead of obese – minister (bbc.co.uk)

Hay fever symptoms are usually worse in early summer.  But if you asked the 6 million hay fever sufferers in the UK what the cause is, very few would say it is the horse chestnut tree.

The obvious first answer is hay, but when people realise they have not been near hay they think again, and usually say grass seed.

But the surprising truth is that pollen from the horse chestnut tree is the cause of a lot of hay fever in Britain and elsewhere.

The horse chestnut is such a beautiful tree, and means that finer weather is here and it seems almost wrong to think of it being a problem!

Of course in natural medicine, it is not the tree that is the problem, but an imbalance in the body which allows the horse chestnut to cause the symptoms.

The pollen in the flowers is easily blown around by the wind, and once airborne is then inhaled through the nose or mouth.  This can cause symptoms similar to having a cold.  The only difference is that you do not feel as bad as you would with a cold.

Unfortunately there is little you can do to avoid the pollen.  Natural health treatment focuses on expelling the pollen from the body, and soothing the inflammation which can occur in the nose, eyes, and throat.

The use of over-the-counter or prescribed anti-histamines, effectively damp the body’s natural reaction against the pollen.  Although they reduce symptoms in the short-term, they can create a greater imbalance for the future. With these types of medication the body becomes weaker and the energy depletes due to the toxicity of the drugs.

Nature has an array of plants that can be used to help with hay fever. Drugs cause further harm!

Many trees, flowers and grasses can produce hay fever symptoms.  However, the appearance of the horse chestnut flower indicates the start of the season and the most common type of hay fever which occurs in late spring and early summer.

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For some people with a lower immune function pollen in the air causes problems in the form of allergies.

Pollen is only one of many allergens known to us and there are now thousands of people suffering with various allergies every day of the year.

Some of the common symptoms that indicates a reaction to pollen include a runny nose, itchy eyes, puffy skin round the eyes and a general feeling of being unwell.  A reaction to pollen can look the same as a cold. It can be called “hay fever” even if you have been nowhere near hay!

From a natural health perspective, the body’s defensive system are weaker than normal for a substance to cause an allergic reaction,  so we strengthen the body so it can fight against the allergen.

One of the first steps could be to have an allergy test. We use a method that works by assessing the hair and the response within the body when you came into contact with the allergen. The hair stores everything that you come into contact with is stored inside the hair structure, so it can be read in detail.

The results and advice on what to do are given to our clients.

Many allergic reactions can be treated with diet.  If it is diet related treatment can be as simple as just making some dietary changes over a few weeks and the immune system may improve.

If this is not sufficient then it is possible to get excellent results using natural medicine such as herbal medicine and acupuncture to improve the immune system.

There have been many new research projects showing that acupuncture and various herbs greatly improve the number of T cells.  These are responsible for the health of the immune system.

The fine weather seems to be disappearing. Although it was wonderful, from a health point of view it may be a good idea to have a little rest from the sun.

Why do we want a break from the sun when we can’t guarantee we will ever see it again?

Because health problems to do with the heart and circulation are exacerbated if there is too much heat. In Britain we all get very excited when it is fine weather, but we do need some moderation.

You know the saying “Mad Dogs and Englishmen go out in the Mid-day Sun” … implying that the mid-day sun could be harmful. Most European countries have a siesta or rest period inside when the sun is at its height.

Because we can’t guarantee we will get a hot summer most people overindulge. Apart from the obvious problems of sunstroke, sunburn and heat rash, there is the added underlying danger of heart problems and strokes.

As summer is the time to improve the health of your heart, it is also the time when heart problems can escalate. When the weather turns cooler a natural check against the heat of the sun is obtained.

You are still getting all the benefits of the earth’s energy, but with some balance which is better for long term health.

We talk about the “Summer of Love” and we all feel better when the sun is shining, and nature is lush and green.

The earth’s energy is moving towards its peak in the northern hemisphere, and it can improve our health. In fact, having joy in our lives not only makes us feel good but actually does us good. Feeling love is, literally, good for the heart.

So many people are permanently on pills to reduce blood pressure, while the simple answer is to feel happier! We all know that stress causes physical problems, but doctors don’t positively encourage you to enjoy life.

Each season offers the perfect opportunity to improve your health. Summer is the time to look after your heart. The circulation of blood through veins and arteries is improved with a simple cleanse through diet and by feeling good.

The weather is warmer and life feels better. Take time to savour the good things in life. Stop and look at a beautiful view, tell the people you love that you love them, make time to enjoy simple pleasures.

You get the double benefit of more joy in your life, and improving your health and circulation at the same time. What could be more natural?

Happy First of June!

June is the first full month in the summer which is extremely good news for your health. The weather is sunny and joy is the emotion we feel. It is the time of year to feel good.

The earth’s energy is very active now which has a gain for you, too.

Today’s message is all about joy. You can relax and gently let it in.

We are heading towards summer which has an impact on your health and well being.

Health issues for summer are different from the health issues in spring. There are different health problems and health opportunities which become relevant – and therefore – can be treated most effectively during that season.

This is relevant for identifed problems but also for a your attitude.

The aim of natural health is that your body is healthy, and you have a sense of wellbeing.

We can re-balance your energy with acupuncture and herbal medicine to make the changes, but you are the keeper of the key to health.

As we move into summer (as defined by the lunar calendar sytem) Andrew Loosely will be providing tips and hints on what to do for your health during this season.