A Kayak Pinic

There are plenty of enticing scenic spots in North Cornwall but none so as off the coast of Port Quinn paddling in a kayak. On days when the sea is at rest and the sun is high, the pleasures know no bounds.
Port Quinn is a former fishing settlement now consisting of four National Trust holiday cottages and one or two houses girded around an easily approached cove, ideal for canoeists, fishermen, snorkelers, stunning cliff walks, and the like. It's just down the road from Port Isaac, the more famous village. The former community of Port Quinn has a sad history, known by some as 'the village that died' after the entire male population disappeared mysteriously in the 19th century, all of which adds a mystical charm – the stock and trade of many Cornish villages!

A picnic seemed in order so Randi and I headed off on a perfect day when the wind had dropped to less than 1 mph and the sea resembled a pane of glass. Around the headland of Port Quinn, Doyden Point, there are some beautiful almost inaccessible beaches such as Lundy Beach and one or two other sandy spots, only accessible by sea vessels.

We paddled our way around the cliffs, with a variety of birdlife in the sky and on the sea’s surface to entertain us, as well as a plucky fisherman poised precariously half-way down a cliff and a couple of actual cliff climbers. We thought that the cliff climbers could have taken a leaf or two out of the fisherman’s book who seemed to have descended to his spot without the use of guide ropes! Fishermen are like that aren't they? Real mountain goats! In Cornwall we lose some every year, especially the tourists who don't beware the 'seventh wave!' The first six follow the same pattern of ebb and flow but the seventh metaphorically breaks the rule.

We arrived at our ‘secret beach’ only to find that a tour of kayakers had beaten us to it! A couple of hours later we arrived back at Port Quinn after an amazing kayak trip, to be recommended to all holidaying in this majestic part of the world.

SOLGAR CELADRIN - THE ALTERNATIVE ...TO JOINT DAMAGE

 The number of people suffering from some form of joint pain is increasing. Within the UK alone a shocking 206 million working days are lost each year due to joint health related conditions, and this can be due to anything from arthritis to sports injuries.

At Elixir we have found remarkable success in treating these problems with a fatty acid called Celadrin.

The potential applications of Celadrin would include:

- Aches and pains
- Sprains and bruises
- Osteo/rheumatoid arthritis
- Backache
- Fibromyalgia
- Psoriasis, and any other inflammatory conditions.

Celadrin is a natural anti-inflammatory able to penetrate cell membranes, and as a result the production of inflammatory compounds is inhibited. It is ideal for anyone needing an instant anti-inflammatory as it becomes effective within 30 minutes – which is good news if you have a twisted ankle! Also, it has been shown in trials to be four times more effective than fish oils, so it works out cheaper for long term effective pain relief.

It is no wonder people have said it is at present the most unique and helpful product that has immediate effect to tackle joint and sports injury pain, whilst others call it the finest recovery that money can buy, working quicker than any anti-inflammatory on the market.

Sport is of course notoriously tough on joints, especially knees. The majority of athletes and sports enthusiasts therefore see it as a must to maintain joint health and flexibility in order to aid performance and minimise discomfort, and to make sure they are able to carry on for as many years as possible.

Many athletes will already be taking glucosamine sulfate, as this stimulates the manufacture of cartilage compounds which gives a cushioning effect on the joints, helping repair all that wear and tear. The ideal combination to go with the structural benefits of glucosamine sulfate is Celadrin. This is because of Celadrin’s uniquely potent anti-inflammatory effect, which reduces pain and swelling, resulting in improved joint mobility.

As an added bonus, there are no contraindications or drug interactions with Celadrin, so it can be used by anyone regardless of other medical conditions.

To buy Celadrin, click on the links above or visit us at Elixir Health Foods. If you wish to speak to a customer advisor you can telephone us on 01208 814500 for further information.

Randi Henderson
Elixir HealthFoods

A Ride on the Backroads...

I'm constantly reminded of my good fortune when I take to my mountain bike and hit the hills behind my house in North Cornwall. On a Cornish summer's day life doesn't get much better. The little country roads are inviting with the variety of flora growing simply beside the trail and around stone hedges which disappear under luxuriant greenery. Wild garlic, nettle and dock leaves, scabious, tormentil, buttercups, foxgloves, campions, the timeless fern all abound but what I like most is the heady smell of moist soil and moss evoked by the summer heat. The dappled sunlight rains through the canopy of trees producing cavorting fairies on the ashphalt. Its good to tour the back roads, despite the fact that British hedges obscure the view of the fields and countyside behind. Sometimes the simple pleasures outweigh all the gold in the world - alas, summer's don't last long in Cornwall...or so it seems!

THE ALTERNATIVE TO ...PAINFUL JOINTS

More people seem to suffer with troublesome joints than just about anything else we see at Elixir, whether it is due to arthritis, wear and tear, sports injuries or a variety of other reasons. This is not something which is exclusive to old age, it can strike at just about any age. However, despite the many reasons behind the problematic joints, there is one remedy which seems to have the magical ability to sort most people out – glucosamine.

How does it work?
Glucosamine is used by the joints to repair, strengthen and improve the integrity of the cartilage, in addition to creating more lubricating fluid in the joints. Over the years there have been numerous clinical trials which have shown glucosamine’s ability to relieve symptoms associated with arthritis as well as initiating joint repair, including reduction of pain and inflammation. Also, the compounds found in glucosamine are important in the repair of bone tissue, whether through fracture or age-related bone loss.

What else can be done?
All arthritic joints are low in sulphur, compared to healthy joints. MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane, since you ask!) is the most concentrated source of sulphur compound available, and plays many roles in the body’s organs and systems. As sulphur is necessary for the production of new cells, it is essential for connective tissue repair, as well as making and maintaining hair, nails and skin. The anti-inflammatory action of MSM also help reduce pain in the joints.

Chondroitin is closely related to glucosamine, and the two are often seen together in the same supplement. Evidence suggests that chondroitin helps the cartilage to attract and hold onto fluids (which improves the shock-absorbing properties of cartilage, making it more ‘springy’), and inhibits enzymes which damage joint tissue.

How do I take all that?
If that seems a lot to swallow, you may choose to take it all together in one supplement. The important thing to remember is that you must start off on a strong enough dosage to make a difference, and that means preferably 1500mg of glucosamine per day until you feel an improvement. You can then reduce the strength to 1000mg per day as a maintenance dosage. Bear in mind that any repair job is not going to be instant, so you may have to wait a month or two or even three before you see results! The good news is that it just keeps on improving once you have started taking it, as the repair gets stronger and stronger.

There are numerous brands on the market, and some of these are infinitely better than others. If you would like us to guide you through the maze of tablets, capsules, liquids and even vegetarian versions to ensure you get a good quality product which will give good results, please come and see us at Elixir or contact us at Elixirhealth.co.uk for orders or further information. We may not be able to get you running the London Marathon next year, but who knows – there’s always the Olympics in 2012!

By Randi Henderson