Seasons Greetings 2009...

Hi all, well, for those of you who celebrate Christmas - may I naively wish that all your dreams be fulfilled (although be careful what you wish for...it may come true), and prosperity and health in 2010...

Whatever the original meaning of Christmas, lost or alive and kicking, for me the real opportunity is for a fraternity of friends and family to get together. In this uncertain and fragmented world, I think that the gift of friendship is one of the few, free precious gestures we can make towards each other - to value those we love and enjoy the company of. But isn't getting together, assembling for any length of time increasingly harder to achieve? Interestingly, parts of my family are tucked away in Canada, the United States, South America, China and Europe. But we all began as one tribe in one country of the world. And I'm sure my example is not uncommon.

The winds that blow us hither and thither dilute the family unit, so much so, that you ever wonder if we'll ever, as a race, know what it is to grow up and remain in vaguely the same area as our forefathers, brothers and sisters. Many of us, I know, would not wish that but for others that sense of continuity adds meaning to our lives, our young and elderly.

So, to me, once you look past the religious overtones and the commercial overkill, what does Christmas mean? Well, it's treasuring the ever decreasing opportunities to be with others, share a meal, break open a bottle or two, play games and put the world to right. If you are alone this Christmas, away from loved ones - for whatever reasons - my thoughts go out to you.

Take care, and happy Christmas and New Year everyone!

Nobel Obama - Why?

Can't help wondering if President Obama received the Nobel Prize because he's the fulfilment of Dr King's "dream" of a Black (US President) man rising to the top - or because of his potential to bring peace to warring areas of the world? Maybe it's self-evident...maybe it's not! Whatever the reason, we wish you lots of luck Mr President.

MSM TABLETS AND THE ALTERNATIVE TO...CREAKY JOINTS

Well, I know from the response I have had from this article over the last year that there are a lot of you out there suffering from painful joints. If you are one of the many people who suffer from some form of joint pain, then the fact that there are natural treatments to alleviate or even remove symptoms will be very good news.

There are two major ways in which things can go wrong in the joint:

- The cartilage that should buffer the ends of the joints can be worn away. This is primarily wear and tear damage and can be caused by sporting activities, certain types of work, or being overweight. The ends of the bones then rub painfully together, causing inflammation and pain. Sometimes the bones will eventually fuse together, causing immobility of the joint. This type of damage is usually identified as osteoarthritis.

- The ends of the bones, synovial membrane (the lining of the joint which secretes lubrication), and cartilage can all be attacked by the body’s immune system, if it goes badly wrong and starts mistaking the body’s own tissues as enemies instead of bugs and germs. This is known as an autoimmune disease, and is identified as rheumatoid arthritis.

Dealing with the pain is vital, as untreated pain can cause many other symptoms such as poor sleeping patterns, decreased mobility – and bad temper!

WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT?
At Elixir Health Foods, we have had very good response from people taking MSM for their joints. MSM is the most concentrated source of sulphur available, and actually stands for Methyl Sulphonyl Methane, so you can see why we abbreviate it!

Sulphur is found in most body tissues and approximately half is concentrated in the muscles, skin and bones. However, sulphur concentration in arthritic cartilage has been shown to be about one-third the level found in normal cartilage. In one study, patients with x-ray evidence of degenerative joint disease given MSM had an 82% reduction in pain after six weeks, compared to 18% reduction in those given placebo pills. In fact, they have documented that MSM lessens inflammation, reduces pain, improves blood supply and lowers muscle spasm in inflammation or in any painful condition, such as tennis elbow or carpal tunnel syndrome.

ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

Basically, MSM is extremely safe. It is actually one of the least toxic substances in nature, similar in toxicity to water. However, as MSM can have a beneficial detoxing effect on the body, remember to drink plenty of water whilst taking it.

To buy MSM tablets: click here or on any of the coloured links above.  If you wish to speak to a customer advisor, you an telephone us on 01208 814500 for further information. We're always there to help.

Well, would you believe it, this is the last you will hear from me before Christmas. Doesn’t it come earlier every year? Mind you, it struck me last year that it could have been worse – at least he only had ONE son! On that note, I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a prosperous new year.

By Randi Henderson, Elixir Health Foods

Be kind to your liver this Christmas with Milk Thistle

If you're partying or going clubbing this Festive Season, be kind to your liver and take Milk Thistle to help give it a little support! Customarily, take before and after drinking alcohol, just to rid the liver of some of the toxins that build up. Some people even say it helps with the morning after hangover! Vogel Milk Thistle - Elixirhealth.co.uk.

"Milk Thistle is a large plant with glossy, green, spiky leaves bearing conspicuous white veins. The flowers are large and purple. Milk Thistle seeds have a long history of medicinal use. It was previously used for its bitter properties, but more recently it has been recognised as an excellent remedy for liver complaints.
The main constituent of Milk Thistle appears to be the substance known as silymarin. This has the unique function of being able to act directly on the cells of the liver, producing a liver-protective effect. Silymarin is able to prevent liver cell damage, through stimulating the function and regeneration of liver cells. All these factors are important in overall health, with the liver acting as the most important avenue for the elimination of toxins found within the body." (Herbs for Healthy Living, Alison Cullen)

So the message is...enjoy yourself but don't forget to smile into your liver (according to a Chinese tradition)!