Ask Ali
Alison Cullen is a Nutritional Therapist with a special interest in Phytotherapy.
Ali will endeavour to give the best advice based on the information provided. However, it is always advisable to have a face-to-face consultation with a doctor or health care practitioner to obtain a diagnosis of any health matter which is concerning you.
QI am very concerned to avoid getting swine flu, as I find that colds and flu tend to go to my lungs very easily. What can I take to help myself?
ASupport your immune system by eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and drinking at least 1.5 litres of still, plain water daily, away from food. Take extra vitamin C if you live or work in an area of poor air quality. Follow all the advice on hand hygiene, and limit your intake of refined sugar, caffeine and alcohol.
Echinacea has a history of use for the prevention and treatment of colds and influenza-type infections. Many people, including myself, take it daily to support their immune function. The only contraindications are allergy to the daisy family or use of immunesuppressant medication.
QI find that I am constipated quite a bit of the time, which is uncomfortable. What can I do to move things on?
A Drink at least 2 litres of still, plain water daily. Drink it throughout the day, but try to avoid drinking more than a very small amount 20 minutes either side of food, as this will dilute the digestive enzymes and reduce the effectiveness of digestion. Try to keep coffee out of the diet completely and don’t have more than two cups of regular tea per day, as these often have a negative effect on gut transit time.
Once you have established your water intake, start taking 1 teaspoonful of finely ground psyllium husks, in a large glass of preferably warm water, first thing in the morning (at least 20 minutes before breakfast). This is often all that’s needed to start a better bowel function, but you can up it to 2 teaspoonfuls if you find it necessary. In some stubborn cases, something stronger such as a linseed-based laxative will be needed—but if you try this then go with a very low dose to start with because it’s very effective!
In the meantime, chew your food really well and make sure that you are relaxing when eating, rather than eating on the run, or typing with one hand whilst cramming in a sandwich with the other! If you are stressed whilst eating, the adrenalin you produce will switch off your digestive system.
QI visited my doctor because I had a swollen leg and throbbing or uncomfortable feeling for a month or so. He said it’s varicose veins, and told me to wear support stockings. I called at the health store and they recommended Venaforce Horse Chestnut GR* tablets. Are they all right? And can you give me any other advice?
AVenaforce is a traditional herbal medicinal product for use in the relief of symptoms associated with varicose veins, exclusively based upon long-standing use as a traditional remedy. Always read the leaflet.
Take one Venaforce tablet twice a day immediately after food, to help deal with the discomfort and pain. If your symptoms persist for more than two weeks or your condition worsens then you should see your doctor.
Spend 20 minutes daily lying with your feet raised above the level of your heart (on the bed with your feet on a pillow or on the sofa with your feet on the arm of the sofa, or on the floor with your legs up against the wall). Don’t cross your legs when you’re sitting down, and try to take a brisk 20-minute walk daily. If you’re sitting for a long period of time, flex your feet (pulling your toes back up away from the floor) to exercise the calf muscle. This helps to get the blood back up the leg and take the pressure off the veins. *gastro-resistant
Ask Ali about any health issue you feel she can help with, email her at ali@healthywaymagazine.com or write to Healthy Way, PO Box 8308, Irvine, Ayrshire KA11 5YF with a return address. Please keep letters as succinct as possible. Alison is a qualified Nutritional Therapist with an interest in Phytotherapy. Ali will endeavour to give the best advice based on the information provided. However, it is always advisable to have a face-to-face consultation with a doctor or health care practitioner to obtain a diagnosis of any health matter which is concerning you.
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