Nutrition - Free Fitness Library
It's official - Chocolate is good for you!
Scientific studies have shown that chocolate helps to make a person more clear headed and tranquil. In recent trials, before eating any chocolate, volunteers registered a mean score of 3 on the dull/clearheaded scale (the higher the figure, the more clearheaded). After 3 standard size milk chocolate pieces, clear headedness rose by around 30% to a score of 4, but after a fourth piece, dropped slightly to just below four. When testing tranquillity, the score before any chocolate was 2.5 on the troubled/tranquillity scale (the higher the score, the more tranquil). After 2 pieces of chocolate the score had risen to 3.4 and after 4 pieces the score had risen even further to 3.8. In the chocaholics league 32% of women eat chocolate to relax compared to only 20% of men. (Source: ARISE)
PAYING MORE FOR LESS
Wouldn't you know, those naughty food manufacturers are at it again! In a recent report published by the Food Commission it was revealed that in a survey of reduced and low fat foods in leading supermarkets, it was found that manufacturers were charging up to 40% more for lower fat equivalent products and were failing to provide a wider range of lower fat foods. Come on guys, eating healthily is tough enough as it is, don't price us out of our good intentions!! Slapped wrists go to the following manufacturers; Walls 'Too Good To Be True' ice cream was 27% more expensive that Walls Gino Ginelli ice cream; Tesco Healthy Eating burgers were 32% more expensive than their regular beef burgers; McVities Light Kraka Wheat was 33% more expensive that their regular Kraka Wheat; Findus Lean Cuisine chicken and pasta was 40% more expensive than Findus regular Chicken Lasagne.
SPOT ON THE LANDSCAPE
Fact: 80% of all teenagers are affected by acne at some time. What manufacturers tend to forget is that although they may be less virulent, spots don't necessarily disappear in your 20's and 30's. So there's good news from the stalwart Body Shop who have developed a new range of products to combat zits. The range is made from the oil of the Australian native shrub Melaleuca Alternifolia, commonly known as 'Tea Tree', used for centuries by the Aborigines as a skin treatment. Tea Tree is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, deep cleansing and soothing and is an ideal treatment for oily, problem or blemished skin. The wide range of Tea Tree treatments include a Facial Wash, Soap, Freshener, Body Wash, Blemish Stick and TeaZone with prices starting as from £1.50.
EXERCISE NUMBERS DWINDLING
Frequent fitness participation (twice a week or more) in the U.S has
declined from am all time high of 41 million in 1991 to 32 million in
1993, according to a reserach report just released by the NSGA. Non
participants went up from 65 million to 73 million. Occasional participants
increased about 3% to 60 million. This returns levels to their 1987
and 1989 participation rates. Some basic trends remain the same; women
lead men in participation by about 5% and high income households have
a slightly higher participation.
(Source: Fitness Market Advisor/Forza 071 488 9488)
BREAST CANCER FEARS CONDEMN WOMEN TO OSTEOPOROSIS
Unfounded fears that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increases the risk of breast cancer are stopping women taking effective action to protect their bones from osteoporosis according to a new booklet published by the National Osteoporosis Society (NOS). Only 10% of women take HRT after the menopause despite the fact that without it 1 in 3 of them will suffer painful, often crippling fractures and 15,000 will die prematurely each year as a result of fragile bones. Research has shown that when taken for up to 10 years (the period of time recommended for bone protection) HRT does not increase the risk of breast cancer. As well as reducing the risk of Osteoporosis by 60%, HRT also reduces the risk of heart disease by 50%. For a copy of the booklet please send a cheque for £1.40 to Dept BC, National Osteoporosis Society, PO Box 10, Radstock, Bath, BA3 3YB.
SNOW SKATING
From the guys who brought you Rollerblade comes a new sporting concept
called Sled Dogs... snow skating. The product is similar to an in-line
skate except that it has a ski on the bottom rather than wheels. The
packaging, concept and style is very well executed and was a show stealer
at NSGA. In part this is due to the efforts of two Sled Dogs executives,
former Rollerblade CEO John Sundet and former Rollerblade marketing
whiz Mary Horwath. Sled Dogs is the product brand name for Snowrunner
Inc. which went public earlier this year.
(Source: Fitness Market Advisor/Forza 071 488 9488)
EXERCISE VIDEOS: EDITOR'S CHOICE FOR '95
Congratulations to Tamilee Webb, Daryl Preston and Michael King for producing some great videos for 1995. In the past few months I have seen review copies of dozens of exercise videos. Few of them offer the expertise, motivation and enjoyment to be found in my recommended viewing titles. Look out for; Tamilee Webb's "Building Tighter Assets", a complete workout using step, low impact aerobics and hand weights available from all good video stockists; Michael King's "Soul Step"; Daryl Preston's "Power Step 3" and the Michael King and Daryl Preston's joint presentation title "Hi-Lo Classic Workout" available from Equipped Fitness, for further details 0784 477 466.
FOOT POWER
Reflexology, practised for thousands of years in some parts of the world is now becoming widely acknowledged i n the UK, and at last a home alternative has been launched. The Elit foot massage mat is a discovery resulting from extensive research into the East European health and fitness culture, where it has been widely and successfully used in hospitals and homes for more than 50 years. Use of the circular rubber mat, with it's specially designed domed profile of protruding nodules, stimulates the reflex points in the feet, which relate to corresponding parts of the body. Use of the mat for a few minutes a day will help improve blood circulation, relieve stress and normalise the whole body system, The mat should not replace the diagnostic function of the reflexologist, but it offers a unique, effective means of self treatment at home. The Elit Foot Massage Mat is available from Elit UK, retail price £19.99 (inc. p&p).
For further details contact 01625 582 326.