I am a middle-aged woman with fair Celtic skin. In the past 10 years I have developed brown patches, about the size of 20p pieces, on my face. How can I get rid of these marks?
Brenda Noone
The body is constantly under attack from damaging, destructive molecules called free radicals that are continuously formed in the body. The damage caused can form a debris called lipofuscin that may accumulate in the skin, and it is this process that causes the brown blemishes sometimes referred to as age spots. Sun exposure increases the rate of free-radical production, so protecting your face from strong, direct sunlight with a wide-brimmed hat, and also using sun-blocking cream, may help.
Free radicals in the body are neutralised by anti-oxidant nutrients such as beta-carotene, vitamins A, C, and E, and the mineral selenium. You would almost certainly benefit in the long term by taking a good anti-oxidant formulation such as Microcell NutriGuard Plus. This may help to promote the breakdown of the harmful lipofuscin. Microcell NutriGuard Plus can be ordered on 0121 433 3727.
Like it or not, none of us is getting any younger. And while the passage of time may bring with it desirable qualities such as wisdom and maturity, its effects on our physical health are generally less desirable.
The ageing process takes it toll on the body, upping our chances of succumbing to all manner of unpleasant symptoms and ailments. One condition to which we can be prone as we age is arthritis. Wear and tear of cartilage tissue in the joints can give rise to a condition called osteoarthritis, which usually manifests as pain and stiffness in major weight-bearing joints such as the hips, knees and spine.
Compared to heavyweight conditions like heart disease and cancer, osteoarthritis gets scant attention. Yet, while it may not kill, even a relatively minor problem with it can be a major issue: a painful hip or dodgy knee may cause considerable discomfort, and can quite easily put the mockers on our ability to enjoy full, active lives.
Conventional medical treatment for osteoarthritis centres around the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen. While NSAIDs can often quell the pain that is typical of osteoarthritis, they are not without risk. NSAIDs are caustic to the lining of the gut, and can sometimes induce potentially life-threatening bleeding there. Plus, taking NSAIDs hastens the rate of joint degeneration in osteoarthritis, worsening prognosis in the long term. Fortunately, viable alternatives do exist.
The pain and stiffness that accompanies arthritis is essentially the result of a process known as inflammation. Certain foods, namely red meat, dairy products, and processed and fried foods tend to encourage inflammation in the body, and sufferers of osteoarthritis should give such foods a wide berth. At the same time, it may help to increase consumption of foods known to have natural anti-inflammatory action in the body. The omega-3 fats found in oily fish (eg, salmon, trout, mackerel, herring and sardines) and walnuts seem to be important in this respect. Another useful natural agent for osteoarthritis is ginger, which has been shown to reduce the production of inflammatory substances in the body. Ginger tea, made by steeping some freshly grated, chopped or sliced root ginger in hot water for five or 10 minutes, makes an ideal brew for sufferers of osteoarthritis.
In recent years, several studies have looked at the effect of the nutritional agent glucosamine sulphate in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Glucosamine is an essential building block in the manufacture of cartilage tissue, and is believed to help regenerate damaged joint tissue. Some studies show that glucosamine sulphate can be very effective in combating osteoarthritis, and is as good as commonly used NSAIDs at relieving symptoms such as pain and stiffness. Unlike NSAIDs, glucosamine almost certainly helps to preserve joint health, and its use is not associated with problems like bleeding in the gut. Glucosamine sulphate can be found in health food stores. The normal recommended dose is 500 mg, three times a day, though lower doses may work for mild cases. Good results can normally be expected within three months or so.
Most of us have got the message that eating breakfast is important for healthy nutrition, and cereals are a popular choice. But are some cereals better for us than others?
Research published in the Journal of Family Practice compared the effects of eating oat or wheat-based cereals in individuals with high blood pressure over a three-month period. Seventy-three per cent of those eating an oat cereal were able to reduce their blood-pressure medication, compared to 43 per cent of those consuming cereal made from wheat. Also, the oat-eaters experienced a significant drop in their cholesterol levels, while those eating wheat-based cereal did not.
This suggests that, in health terms, oat-based cereals have the edge, and represent good breakfast-time choices for the majority of us.
If you have any issues you would like Dr John Briffa to address in this column, please contact him by email on john.briffa@observer.co.uk. Please note that Dr Briffa cannot enter into any personal correspondence.
