Sam Cope's Heath & Fitness Blog - People.co.uk

Hollywood's Latest Craze: Acai Berry

2012-08-09T14:31:26Z

The acai berry perhaps first received recognition on Oprah Winfrey's show when she included it on her list of top 10 super foods. It's since been linked to everyone from surfing icon Kelly Slater to Brad Pitt who apparently used it to slim down to 5% body fat for a recent film role. Here we explore why this native berry of Central and South America has received such great reviews and look into its various health benefits.

Boosts the immune system?
One health benefit of the acai berry that is cited time and again is its immune boosting properties. This is because it's a great source of vitamins and minerals like selenium, vitamin A and chemical compounds known as antioxidants and anthocyanins that all help to fight off disease and rid the body of harmful toxins. Specifically high levels of vitamin A and selenium have been shown to increase white blood cells in the body which are responsible for attacking 'foreign' invaders, whilst its anti-oxidant properties help to prevent harmful free radicals from damaging the body by causing premature aging or in the worst case scenario cancer.

Improves skin?
Another reason acai berries are the favourite food amongst Hollywood's elite at the moment is because of its skin enhancing properties. Containing high levels of zinc it helps proper functioning of the enzymes which are required by the body to repair skin wounds and reduce stubborn acne outbreaks, lessen stretch marks, improve dandruff and even eradicate white spots on the fingernails. Also again the vitamin A content helps skin to retain its natural moisture which produces glowing skin without the appearance of dry patches, psoriasis and even wrinkling.

Helps the body lose fat?
Lastly there's a lot of speculation as to whether acai berries help you lose weight. Whilst it's true it doesn't in the traditional sense of increasing the metabolism like caffeine, acai berries are found to be a great source of omega 3 which has been shown in studies to 'up-regulate' mitochondrial activity. The mitochondria are basically the powerhouses of the cells and by ensuring they are running efficiently you also ensure your body can burn fat efficiently. Also as we've discovered they are very nutrient dense which is perhaps why many celebrities will include them in their diet if they are restricting their food intake. Because whilst reducing your food intake is obviously important to losing weight, it can also cause your metabolism to slow down if your body doesn't receive the right nutrients. But by consuming nutrient dense foods like acai berries you can counteract this negative aspect of dieting and increase the amount of fat your body is able to lose.

The good news is you don't have to be a Hollywood A-lister or live in the amazon to include acai berries in your diet, high concentration acai berry extract is available from www.myvitamins.com, 30 capsules for £2.99 or visit twitter: @MyvitaminsUK for more vitamin and mineral advice, tips and discussions.

Worried mums pack teens off on holiday with suncare, painkillers...and contraception

2012-08-09T11:58:49Z

20% of parents ensure their teenagers pack contraception when jetting off unsupervised

New research commissioned by Sainsbury's Pharmacy reveals the extent to which mums worry as their teenagers jet off alone on their first parent free summer holiday, with one third of the 2,000 parents of teenagers polled revealing that they had succumbed to teen tantrums to allow their children go away under 18.

However, given the choice, 79% of parents thought the most appropriate age for them to venture abroad without a parent was 18 or over.

A major cause for parental concern is health with the research indicating that 69% of parents do not trust their teenagers to pack basic pharmacy essentials, or be able to cope with common holiday ailments like sun burn, mosquito bites or diarrhoea.

Mums across the country say their teenage children aren't able to cope with even the simplest of holiday complaints. Although 70% think their teenager would know how to treat a hangover, half think they wouldn't know what to do if they developed sun stroke and 20% don't think their kids could deal with diarrhoea. Only a third think that their son or daughter could handle a rash and one in five think that their teen wouldn't know how to treat a mosquito bite.

The survey also revealed the items mums feel most important to pack in their teens' suitcases. Unsurprisingly, they rate suncream as the number one item for their teens to take away, with aftersun a close second. However, contraception and concerns about teenagers' sexual health and potential unplanned pregnancies also appears high on the agenda with almost 20% of parents ensuring their teenagers pack contraception.

1. Suncream
2. Aftersun
3. Aspirin
4. Contraception
5. Mosquito repellent
6. Antiseptic cream
7. Allergy treatments
8. Plasters
9. Imodium

As a result, half of mums (50%) have admitted to pulling together an entire first aid kit of holiday pharmacy essentials in the past. Two thirds (63%) of mums say they are prepared to spend up to £25 on holiday health items for peace of mind, while one in ten are willing to spend over £40 and 3% are willing to spend over £100 to make sure their child is properly stocked up.

Sainsbury's is currently seven months into The Wells Challenge, a year long pharmacy initiative to get more people talking to their pharmacists to improve their health and wellbeing. 10 families across the country - all with the surname Wells - have been tasked to improve their health over 12 months with the help of their local Sainsbury's pharmacist.

As health can make or break a holiday, Sainsbury's Pharmacy has put together a list of Teen Trip Tips. Before zipping their suitcase closed, teenagers are urged to use this checklist to ensure they have packed the pharmacy essentials they will need for their trip:

Travel medicines including painkillers and products to treat diarrhoea, insect bites, travel sickness, sunburn and infection. Alcohol gel sanitizer is also very useful.

A first aid kit with antiseptic (wipes/spray/cream), plasters, bandages, tweezers and scissors.

Insect spray or other mosquito repellent to assist protect you against uncomfortable bites.

Sunscreen to help protect against excessive exposure to harmful UV rays. Speak to your pharmacist about your skin type and they will advise you on the range of SPF's you will need for your trip.

Pack any daily medication you may need to take.

Contraception to safeguard your sexual health and protect you from an unplanned pregnancy.

Make sure you have travel insurance and also pack proof of any health insurance policy you belong to.

It is also advisable to leave copies of all travel details such as accommodation, airlines, passport, insurance etc with a family member at home.

Lastly, ensure you have received any appropriate malaria prophylaxis (depending on travel destination) and vaccinations necessary for your trip and carry an up to date international vaccination card.

Suspension training just got a lot more interesting

2012-07-26T14:14:45Z

Having used the Human Trainer for the past few months I'm pleased to say that I've definitely made progress.

Where I once would shake like a leaf doing every exercise I'm now much more proficient, even attempting handstand push-ups. I'm still really impressed by the simplicity of the design but was beginning to find that some of the exercises were becoming a little like going through the motions.

It's almost like the friendly chaps at the Physical Company, the UK distributors of the Human Trainer, had read my mind when they sent me the latest attachments to try. These consisted of a pair of ab straps, a rotational pulley and the most anticipated attachment, a pair of gymnastics rings.

These new attachments immediately made an impact. Doing alternate chest presses with the rotational pulley was a challenge and my trademark shaking had returned. This attachment added an extra element of instability and allowed me to work both sides of the body independently.

Next up was the ab straps and my new favourite ab exercise; knee ins and leg raises, much like the movement a pole vaulter makes when clearing the bar. The straps allow many different ab exercises to be performed, opening up so many more combinations in each workout.

I was really keen to get my hands on a pair of gymnastics rings and master the muscle up; a chin up followed by a dip. It sounds simple but getting the right hand grip and making the transition from one exercise to the next is a challenge that still eludes me. That said, I really enjoy doing ring dips, as well as a push-up to dip combo where you jump your feet from the front to the back with each move.

I continue to be impressed by the Human Trainer. The concept is simple yet allows such great flexibility in terms of the number and type of exercises that can be performed. The new attachments continue to apply the same winning concept. The only disappointing thing is that I didn't invent it!

The Human Trainer and the various attachments are available from www.physicalcompany.co.uk, priced from £149.99

4 best pieces of home workout kit

2012-06-29T15:06:10Z

I recently came across a sofa that doubles as a piece of workout equipment which got me thinking about the most effective means of keeping fit at home. The Panorama carpet includes a footrest that can be used for yoga postures such as the bow pose, an arced mat for sit-ups and a base which can be used for push-ups and step ups.

While the Panorama is unlikely to make it into every living room, exercising at home appeals to many people. The lure of the living room may be even greater since 2012's summer of sport has officially started with the Euros, Wimbledon and the Olympics one after the other.

In case anyone is struggling with the moral dilemma of choosing between the gym or the big match I've devised a list of my top at-home workout kit, allowing you to combine your love of sport and exercise by working out in front of the TV.Panorama transform your living room from lounge to workout session in seconds. The footrest section can be bent to an upside-down V so you can stretch out your back in a bow pose, and the soft mat can turn into a small arc to help you do sit-ups. The ends of the carpet are normally pushed up as seating, but you can put these aside for lateral push-ups on the base.

Panorama transform your living room from lounge to workout session in seconds. The footrest section can be bent to an upside-down V so you can stretch out your back in a bow pose, and the soft mat can turn into a small arc to help you do sit-ups. The ends of the carpet are normally pushed up as seating, but you can put these aside for lateral push-ups on the base.

Skipping Rope £7.50
Granted, you'll need a big living room and unless you live on the ground floor, understanding neighbours but skipping is one of the best home cardio workouts. Try 30-60secs of skipping alternated with marching on the spot. Repeat this 10-15 times for a great CV workout. Once you're comfortable with the basic technique, try to master a few tricks to increase the challenge.

Human Trainer £149.99
This simple piece of fitness allows you to strengthen and tone your whole body using just your bodyweight. There are lots of different exercises to try so you'll never get bored of working out. Since the straps are free to move in any direction, each exercise really challenges the core and the small stabiliser muscles around the joints, helping you achieve greater results.

BOSU £88.99
The BOSU is highly versatile; it can be used as a balance trainer to develop body awareness and stability; you can jump on to it or from it to develop power; and it can be used to sit or lay on to perform weights exercises.

Adjustable Dumbbells £111.99
Everyone can benefit from including some form of strength training in their workout. Dumbbells are the best choice for a home gym as they take up minimal space and can be easily adjusted for various different exercises. You can perform scores of different moves to strengthen and tone the whole body.

All products available from www.physicalcompany.co.uk

Flash your knickers for Ovarian Cancer Action

2012-06-29T15:01:06Z

In the UK, ovarian cancer kills a woman every two hours. Ovarian Cancer Action the UK's leading ovarian cancer charity, wants people all over the nation to flash their knickers for action against ovarian cancer. This year's 'Walkathong' will take place on Sunday 1st July at the Ashridge Estate, Herts at 8am.

After experiencing the symptoms of ovarian cancer at the early stages, Cary Cochrane, age 45, had successful treatment. On discovering that many women in the UK were not as lucky and were more likely to die due to late diagnosis, Cary became determined to ensure that all women know the symptoms in order to get treated as soon as possible; and so Walkathong was born, a cheeky but important event to raise awareness of this horrible disease and funds for Ovarian Cancer Action.

Ovarian Cancer Action is working hard to ensure women in the future don't die of ovarian cancer by funding research and running awareness campaigns. Almost 7,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the UK each year and 90% of women will survive five years with diagnosis in the earliest stage.

However, UK women are more likely than other European women to be diagnosed when the cancer has spread because of lack of awareness of the symptoms - making it harder to treat. So we're asking the nation to support this excellent cause, grab some Walkathong knickers and get involved.

The Walkathong is a sponsored walk where men, women, and children wear specially designed teal knickers over their clothes. It's cheeky, it's fun and with your help aims to aid thousands of women in Britain.

But people all over the world are getting involved by making donations and ordering a pair of specially branded knickers. Walkathong knickers have been spotted across the globe in support at the Sydney Opera House, the Empire State Building in New York, at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, in Beijing, Qatar and the Caribbean.

To donate to Ovarian Cancer Action click here

National Tea Week

2012-06-29T13:16:09Z

Boutique tea brand, Bellevue, has revived National Tea Week in the UK. The week will take place from 2 - 8 July 2012.

It is well known that Britain is a nation of tea lovers and with over 165 millions cups being drunk every day Brits don't need much encouragement to drink more tea. So the aim of the week will be to get everyone to widen their tea horizons and try different varieties. From the healing and hayfever prevention powers of Rooibos to the soothing and fragrant Darjeeling or flavonoid rich Green, there is a variety to suit every taste.

With over 30 years experience in the industry, tea expert, Mike Jones of Bellevue wants to get the great British public more enthused about their morning cuppa or afternoon tea break. "Tea consumers tend to stay loyal to a particular brew. We would like to encourage them to take the opportunity to try something new from the vast range of teas which are now available."

There will be lots of media promotion going on to support the Week and encourage trial and purchase of something a little different on the tea bag front in the weekly shopping basket.

Eating Disorder Behaviors and Weight Concerns are Common in Women Over 50

2012-06-29T13:12:45Z

Eating disorders are commonly seen as an issue faced by teenagers and young women, but a new study reveals that age is no barrier to disordered eating. In women aged 50 and over, 3.5% report binge eating, nearly 8% report purging, and more than 70% are trying to lose weight. The study published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders revealed that 62% of women claimed that their weight or shape negatively impacted on their life.

The researchers, led by Dr Cynthia Bulik, Director of the University of North Carolina Eating Disorders Program, reached 1,849 women from across the USA participating in the Gender and Body Image Study (GABI) with a survey titled, 'Body Image in Women 50 and Over - Tell Us What You Think and Feel.'

"We know very little about how women aged 50 and above feel about their bodies," said Bulik. "An unfortunate assumption is that they 'grow out of' body dissatisfaction and eating disorders, but no one has really bothered to ask. Since most research focuses on younger women, our goal was to capture the concerns of women in this age range to inform future research and service planning."

The average age of the participants was 59, while 92% were white. More than a quarter, 27%, were obese, 29% were overweight, 42% were normal weight and 2% were underweight.

Results revealed that eating disorder symptoms were common. About 8% of women reported purging in the last five years and 3.5% reported binge eating in the last month. These behaviors were most prevalent in women in their early 50s, but also occurred in women over 75.

When it came to weight issues, 36% of the women reported spending at least half their time in the last five years dieting, 41% checked their body daily and 40% weighed themselves a couple of times a week or more.

62% of women claimed that their weight or shape negatively impacted their life, 79% said that it affected their self-perception and 64% said that they thought about it daily.

The women reported resorting to a variety of unhealthy methods to change their body, including diet pills (7.5%), excessive exercise (7%), diuretics (2.5%), laxatives (2%) and vomiting (1%).

Two-thirds, 66%, were unhappy with their overall appearance and this was highest when it came to their stomach, 84%, and shape, 73%.

To read more on the study click here.

Cancer Research UK's night time walking marathon SHINE returns for 2012

2012-06-29T12:38:49Z

CANCER Research UK's Shine night-time walking marathon returns to London and Manchester this September.

The charity is urging men and women to join together with friends and family and sign up now to help raise vital funds to beat all types of cancer.

Set to take place on Saturday 29th September, Shine London 2012 will bring together thousands of men and women at Battersea Power Station to take part in an illuminated night-time walk through the capital.

Walkers can choose between a full and half marathon, with both routes taking in some of London's most treasured and iconic landmarks including the London Eye, St Paul's Cathedral, and the Houses of Parliament.

Shine Manchester 2012 will take place on Saturday 8th September. Starting at the iconic Old Trafford Football Stadium, both the half and full marathon routes will pass key landmarks of Manchester Cathedral, Victoria train station and the home of Coronation Street, Granada Studios.

The full marathon route will also take walkers pass the Manchester City stadium and Cancer Research UK's Paterson Institute.

Participants in Shine will have the unique opportunity to choose to have the funds they raise support research into one of twelve specific types of cancer including breast, lung and prostate cancer or all types of cancer.

Everyone taking part in the event will be given a back sign to dedicate their walk in memory or in celebration of loved ones or include messages of hope for the future.
John Tasker, head of events at Cancer Research UK, said: "We're thrilled that Shine is returning to London and Manchester for 2012.

"We are inviting thousands of men and women to take steps to beat cancer by taking part in Shine 2012. On the night we want our supporters to illuminate themselves with light to symbolise bringing hope to the darkness of cancer.

"The Shine experience is unique and inspiring; participants can choose to walk a half or full marathon and which cancer to fundraise for.

"Joining together in this exhilarating event is a brilliant way to make a difference, bring light."

The Shine London and Shine Manchester events are open to all men and women aged over 13. Friends, family and colleagues are invited to sign up now and get in training for this incredible experience. Sign up now at www.shinewalk.org

Royal Society of Medicine conference highlights tomato benefits

2012-06-06T12:12:53Z

Lycopene, the natural red pigment found in tomatoes, has been found to increase skin protection as seen by a reduction in skin redness and less sunburnt DNA damage.

Professor Mark Birch-Machin from Newcastle University will share the latest research on the protective effects of lycopene at an international gathering of experts in the field of nutrition and health at the Royal Society of Medicine in London today, Thursday 7 June.

Annually, there are 100,000 new cases of skin cancer in the UK and the rate of increase in skin cancer incidence is the greatest compared to other cancers in Europe. Over the last five years, more people have died of skin cancer in the UK than in Australia.

Every time you go out in the sun you add another layer of sunburnt DNA and a tower of damage builds up in your skin. Our defence system can be enhanced by antioxidants. Skin health and DNA damage can be affected by melanin, intake of lycopene, sun screen and lifestyle.

In Professor Birch-Machin's latest study, 20 women received a diet rich in processed tomatoes or a low tomato diet for 12 weeks. Volunteers on the lycopene diet had increased skin protection, as seen by a reduction in skin redness and less sunburnt DNA damage. Lycopene could have an important role in helping to reduce the inflammatory response of the skin to UV damage, including wrinkling.

Lycopene is present in all red fruits and vegetables, but its concentrations are highest in tomatoes and it becomes more readily available and biologically active when it comes from processed tomatoes.

At today's one-day Royal Society of Medicine meeting, which is supported by Heinz, other leading international scientists from the US, Canada, and Europe will share their latest work on tomatoes and health.

Studies on 28 volunteers following high and low tomato diets for 6 weeks found that blood pressure in men and women was significantly lower in those with elevated blood pressure. The results suggest a potentially important protective role of tomatoes in reducing heart disease risk.

Dr Leticia Rao from St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada will share her work at today's meeting on the positive association between lycopene and bone health. Osteoporosis results in increasing fracture risk affecting one in two women and one in five men over 50 years. There is now evidence that lycopene may have a positive effect on bone formation and can inhibit bone resorption which can lead to osteoporosis.

Historically, consuming tomatoes as part of a healthy balanced diet has been associated with maintaining good health and preventing disease. Today's Royal Society of Medicine conference on tomatoes and the potent natural antioxidant lycopene is highlighting new areas for future research.

Rowing tips

2012-06-01T11:27:40Z

Terry O'Neill, fitness consultant at Concept2 provides his top tips on rowing and an exercise guide on how to adopt the correct technique to gain the best results from a rowing programme.

1) Introduction

Always warm up, cool down and stretch thoroughly before and after each training session.

Take time to develop the correct technique before increasing training intensity
When beginning an exercise programme don't overdo it; start slowly and build up gradually.

Drink plenty of water during and after exercise. Don't wait until you are thirsty.
Keep a training log to help set realistic goals and targets and plan future programmes of work.

2) Include stretching in your warm up

Stretching is an essential part of any workout. It promotes the elasticity of the muscles, ensuring they are capable of performing the training tasks you set them. However, before doing any stretching it is important to warm the muscles up.

3) Technique

The correct technique is essential for gaining the best results from your rowing programme. The effort that you put into refining your technique during the early stages will improve both your performance and enjoyment of the exercise. Illustrated below are the two phases of the rowing stroke - The Recovery and The Drive that blend together into one fluid movement.

The Finish

Lean back slightly, legs flat, handle drawn to the body.
Forearms horizontal.

Arms extend, body rocks forward

The arms are relaxed and extended fully.
The body rocks forward from the hips.

The Slide

After the arms have fully extended and the body rocked forward, slide forward maintaining arm and body position.

The Drive - Full Slide - The beginning

Shins vertical with body pressed up to the legs.
The arms are straight and relaxed.
The position should not feel uncomfortable.

The start of The Drive

The legs push down and the body begins to lever back.

The Drive continued

The legs continue to push as the body levers back.
The arms remain straight.

The body stops levering back

The arms draw the handle past the knees and then strongly to the body, returning to the Finish position.
Legs flat.
Forearms horizontal.

The Finish

Lean back slightly, legs flat, handle drawn to the body.
Forearms horizontal.
You are now ready to take the next stroke.

Calcium - make sure you get your fix of this essential mineral

2012-05-25T14:39:50Z

Vitamins and minerals are essential for life performing a variety of functions in the body, helping to maintain the health of vital organs such as the brain and heart as well as blood vessels and nervous system.

Vitamins and minerals work together to maintain our health and the body cannot function without them. In fact a vitamin or mineral deficiency will almost certainly lead to poor health. One of these minerals is calcium. Many overlook the importance of including it into their daily diet - this is a mistake!

Calcium is an essential mineral. It is the most abundant mineral in the body and is found in some foods, particularly dairy (eg, milk, yogurt and cheese) and bony fish such as sardines.

Green vegetables such as spinach, kale and broccoli also contain some calcium but it less easily absorbed and hence poorly available to the body.

Calcium is also available as a food supplement, and is often taken in combination with vitamin D - which is known to improve calcium absorption.

More than 99% of the body's calcium is stored in the bones and teeth where calcium has an crucial structural role - the body needs calcium to maintain strong, hard bones.

The remaining 1% of the body's calcium is found in the blood where it has other actions, such as maintaining the structure of the body's cells, blood clotting, muscle contraction, nerve transmission, enzyme activation and hormone function.

When taking the above into consideration it is not hard to see why calcium is indeed and essential.

The UK recommended intake for calcium is 700mg daily for adult men and women (aged 19-50+ years) whilst 11-18 year old females should aim at 800mg and 11-18 year old males 1000mg. Children (aged 1-10 years) should consume between 350-550mg depending on their age.

According to the latest National Diet and Nutrition Survey, intakes in some adult members of both sexes can be as low as 300mg daily. 11% of 11-18 year old girls have a calcium intake below the Lower Reference Nutrient Intake (LRNI) of 480mg daily, a level at which deficiency is likely.

Bones need plenty of calcium throughout the years of childhood and adolescence and will reach a peak for strength and calcium content when a person is in his/her late twenties. After that, bones slowly lose calcium, but people can help reduce these losses by consuming sufficient levels of calcium throughout adulthood as well as by remaining physically active, particularly weight-bearing exercise such as walking and running.

FACTS

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends calcium supplementation for the secondary prevention of osteoporotic fractures.

Calcium supplementation (1200mg daily for three menstrual cycles) has been shown to be effective in reducing premenstrual pain in a recent trial.

In another trial, calcium (1336mg daily), when given with manganese, reduced menstrual pain and undesirable behavioural symptoms.

A further trial showed that calcium (1000mg daily) reduced both premenstrual and menstrual symptom scores, and there was a significant effect of calcium on menstrual pain.

Make sure you get your recommended intake of this essential vitamin and reap the immense benefits of a calcium rich diet!

Fight the sag! Keep your curves perky

2012-05-25T11:31:34Z

Whether you're a world famous superstar or a busy mum of four there's no escaping that once we leave our early twenties things start to pecome a little less pert!

Whilst diet and exercise can do their bit in helping to prevent our bum and boobs turning south and cellulite forming, it can only get us so far. Whilst some decide to go under the knife to hault the effects of gravity, the beauty company, Beyond Organic, think they've found a more natural and safe way...

Beyond Organic's Boob & Butt Pick Me Up is a blend of 12 powerful oils and herbs, but as the company name suggests, the product goes beyond just being a natural organic remedy and each of its ingredients has been picked for their benefits that to help halt our bums and boobs aging.

Included is the herb Lady's Mantle, which research has shown is particular effective in inhibiting enzymes call elastases and collagenases, which are responsible for breaking down the elastin and the collagen in the skin - proteins that keep our skin strong.
Yarrow, a flowering plant, has been seen in recent published studies to help skin stay young and taught.

Green tea is included as it is known to be contain something called theobromine, which is thought to be able to help combat cellulite.

Horse Chestnut is similarly thought to help combat cellulite and is used to boost circulation and thus thought to be able to help carry away toxins than can accumulate under the skin.

The oil is easy to apply and contains no parabens, chemicals or other nasties, just natural effective ingredients to help keep your curvy bits perky.

Boob & Butt Pick Me Up is available from beyondorganicskincare.com and costs just £15.90.

Global Guideline could help to improve dietary intakes of whole grain in young people

2012-05-25T11:25:51Z

Whole grain intake among European children and teenagers falls woefully below recommendations, according to new research presented at the Whole Grain Summit 2012, in Minneapolis, USA.

Researchers from the Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin, examined a range of whole grain consumption data from a variety of different countries, looking at the types and amounts of foods eaten containing whole grain.

The data showed that, despite the growing body of evidence on the positive benefits of including whole grain in the diet, intake levels still fall below the 48g/day recommendation - in the absence of a global recommendation for whole grain consumption, the US recommendation of 48g/day of whole grain is widely used as a benchmark.

The research presented, which included data from national food surveys undertaken in Ireland, showed that ready to eat breakfast cereals made with whole grains were by far the main contributors to whole grains in the diets of the under 17 year olds.

CPW nutritionist Brigid McKevith commenting on the findings said, "Similar to children in Ireland, children in the U.K. also have low intakes of whole grain. Average individual intake in children and teenagers is only 13g per day and a quarter do not consume any whole grain at all."

The researchers at the Whole Grain Summit concluded that consumers are potentially unaware of how much whole grain should be included in the diet and that a global guideline could provide further guidance.

School Catering MD attacks poor policing of nutritional guidelines

2012-05-18T15:30:23Z

Over 90% of Maintained Schools are almost certainly in breach, says Cucina boss Steve Quinn, an experienced food professional with 26 years in food and catering.

Quinn, who is Managing Director of school catering company Cucina, which operates 37 school and academy restaurants, each with its own trained chef, has launched an attack on the way that the current nutritional guidelines are being enforced in schools, stating that in his opinion, around 90% of all schools were in breach of mandatory standards.

Responding to the conclusions of a recent study by The School Food Trust that 9 out of 10 academies that were selling at least one of the high sugar/salt/fat snack foods outlawed by the current nutritional guidelines for maintained schools, Mr Quinn said:

"I know that many are in breach of the guidelines. But what is being done? Nothing that I can see.That needs to change right now."

Mr Quinn also called for a complete revision of the guidelines, saying: "Let's stop shooting from the hip and engage in some smarter thinking here.

"Why, for instance, are schools allowed to serve spaghetti bolognese each day, but burgers only once a fortnight? The nutritional value of any food item depends on the quality of its ingredients. Our menus undergo careful nutritional analysis and I can state for a fact that the burgers we sell - with the ingredients we put in them - are just as high in nutritional value as our spaghetti bolognese."

Mr Quinn added that under-enforcement of the mandatory guidelines threatened to undo much of the good work that had been done by his and other companies in improving nutrition in schools. He further stated that he hoped Jamie Oliver and Education Minister Michael Gove would look to use the work of leading school food companies in dealing with these important issues.

Is your smile at risk?

2012-05-18T13:08:54Z

As a nation we spend just £5 each week on health2 and it's getting worse. Between 2005 and 2010, weekly household spend in the UK on health has declined by 25 per cent.

Our reluctance to invest in our health is particularly evident in relation to our oral health with millions of people continuing to run the risk of tooth decay, fillings, tooth loss and even worse. Despite major improvements in the nation's oral health over the past few decades, the UK's leading oral health charity is hoping to remind everyone during National Smile Month that putting your smile at risk is just not worth it.

A perfect smile is one of the symbols of today's image obsessed culture. All the evidence suggests that celebrities are right to make their gleaming smiles a priority and fundamental to the success of their careers, relationships, personality and attraction.

A recent UK survey indicated that a 'smile' topped a poll of the most important physical features for attraction. The poll indicated that a smile was rated highly by 56 per cent of respondents, closely followed by faces (53 per cent) and eyes (51 per cent). Dress sense, body shape, hair and height were also measured, with the latter bringing up the rear on 25 per cent.

However, despite the importance of their smiles, the oral health habits of millions of people leave much to be desired. Government statistics show that a quarter of all adults have not visited a dentist in the past two years and a similar number only brush their teeth once a day. Little wonder then that the UK has some alarming oral health statistics:

• Over four-fifths of the population have at least one filling.
• 6 per cent of adults have no natural teeth.
• 19 per cent of adults have full or partial dentures.
• 31 per cent of adults have tooth decay.
• Three in every ten adults suffer from regular dental pain.

Poor oral health doesn't just cause problems inside the mouth. General health is also at risk too, as studies continue to associate poor oral health with serious health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, strokes, pneumonia, premature babies and other major conditions.

To help educate and remind the public each year about their oral health, the British Dental Health Foundation organises National Smile Month. The campaign is supported by thousands of dental and health professionals and aims to encourage everyone to follow three simple rules essential for great oral health:

• Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste;
• Cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks;
• Visit your dentist regularly, as often as they recommend.

To find out more about National Smile Month 2012, visit www.smilemonth.org