Is your glass half-empty or half-full? How you answer this age-old question may reflect your outlook on life, your attitude toward yourself, and whether you're an optimist or a pessimist. If the thoughts, which run through your head, are mostly negative, your outlook on life is more likely to be pessimistic. If your thoughts are mostly positive, you're likely to be an optimist — someone who practises positive thinking.

While we all know that negative feelings can eventually damage our health, most of us don’t appreciate that a positive attitude can significantly improve our health and make us feel brighter with renewed vitality. Changing your attitude to a more positive one is one of the most valuable things you can do to control your health outcomes. Your immune system will be boosted; you’ll make better life choices and what’s more, your social life will improve, as others will enjoy your company more!

It's unclear why people who engage in positive thinking experience these health benefits. One theory is that having a positive outlook enables you to cope better with stressful situations, which reduces the harmful health effects of stress on your body. It is also thought that positive and optimistic people live healthier lifestyles engaging in more physical activity, following a healthier diet, and having reduced rates of smoking and alcohol consumption.

If you don’t have anything to lose by maintaining a positive attitude, and all the good health to gain, then why not change to adopting an optimistic spirit? At the very least, you’ll be happier; more contented; and be able to handle most things that life throws at you.

Remember that we are only as ‘old’ as we think we are. We all know that we feel the same inside as we did when we were in our twenties. However, what we have now is the wisdom to change our mind-set for our own benefits as well as for the benefit of our immediate family, friends, and members of our community. It is about adopting a mind-set that says we can do anything we put our minds to no matter now old we are and no matter what our circumstances are.

A good start is to tell yourself that it is up to you to add some regular exercise into your life. Do something, which you know you will be able to maintain. Be realistic in your choice of exercise and give yourself some variety as well as some rewards. The benefits will be astounding! You’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that they include: a clearer mind; diminished stress; more energy; improved cardiovascular function; a better posture; improved sleep; improved muscular function; a healthier appetite; better body image; and an overall feeling of being in control of your health. You can start to own your ‘own health outcomes’. You will stop feeling as though you are a victim and be aware that you can make significant improvements to your health and you’ll quickly regain the ‘spring in your step’ wondering why you have let your physical health lapse so much in the past!

If we are going to accomplish anything, we need to have control over our thoughts, actions, behaviours and our belief systems. Being negative doesn’t solve anything but certainly stops us from accomplishing our goals.

I believe what keeps us ‘young’ is a feeling of contentment with how we are living our daily lives and consequently the life choices we are making. It helps to be able to dream and plan as we work on projects—large or small. Being active in our everyday lives is not just about ‘doing’ it is also about ‘being’. It means ‘being’ a better person, ‘being’ ready to learn, ‘being’ ready to grow and ‘being’ ready to live a longer life!

Aside from being more active, you can become a more positive person by changing the way you communicate. Listen to yourself the next time you are talking about your life and see how many negative ways you talk about yourself or your circumstances. Listen to your responses to greetings. When greeted by ‘how are you doing’ do you say “not bad’ or ‘could be better’ OR do you answer with a more positive phrase such as ‘great thanks, and how are you?’ or ‘couldn’t be better!’  Make a commitment to change your language to a more positive expression and you will soon find that you will be happier, healthier and have much more energy as a result.

Another little trick you should practise until it becomes natural for you is to always try to turn a bad situation into a good situation by saying to yourself: ‘Well this is really terrible but I can find a solution and I can survive this’
and if it is possible, try to look outwards not inwards.

Obviously, with the dreadful floods here in Queensland, Australia during the past couple of weeks, we are all thinking of the poor victims and sending our heart felt love and sympathy to all affected. We all know many people in dreadful situations and of course for them to feel positive is not a reality. However, for those of us who are able to offer any kind of help and support, our positive attitude will help them to start their long roads to recovery.

If you want to know more about how you can become a more positive thinker by increasing your daily activity, contact your local physio and ask if you can join an Actively Ageing Program.

If you suffer from back pain, you are far from being alone. Four out of five adults experience the symptoms of low back pain at least once in their lifetime. Your back is a complex structure made up of 33 vertebrae, over 30 muscles, numerous ligaments, joints, and inter-vertebral discs. Any of these anatomical structures can cause discomfort if injured or adversely affected and the pain can be truly debilitating.

Common causes of back pain involve disease or injury to the muscles, bones, and/or nerves of the spine. Pain arising from abnormalities of organs within the abdomen, pelvis, or chest may also be felt in the back. For this reason, it is very important to have a professional medical assessment prior to undergoing any treatment.

Muscular tears or strains are the cause of most back pain. This happens when an unexpected force, twist, or pull is applied to one or several of the muscles in your back. As a result, several tears occur in the muscle. These muscular tears or strains cause pain felt in the back. 

Ligamentous tears or strains are another common cause of back pain. These occur when the ligaments of your back are stretched more than they were designed to be. Sprains often occur along with muscular strains.

Herniated or prolapsed discs result in back pain by compressing your spinal nerves where they exit the spinal column. Incorrect lifting where the disc has taken the load of the lift can cause these injuries. This happens when the core stabilizers are not switched on and results in a radiating pain, which is felt at the site of injury and along the course of the affected nerve. Sciatica, for example, is a type of this type of pain.

Spinal Stenosis is another cause of back pain. It occurs more commonly in people over 50 years old. The term refers to a narrowing of the spinal canal. Spinal stenosis has many causes including thickened ligaments along the spinal canal, bony spurs, and enlarged joint cartilage from arthritic changes. This condition often results in back pain, which is worse with extended periods of weight bearing or walking, and there is usually a large amount of radiating pain down through the buttocks and into the legs. Surgery is sometimes necessary to correct this disorder.

Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is a condition caused by the gradual deterioration of the discs between the vertebrae of the spine. The degeneration of the disc that occurs in Degenerative Disc Disease is also referred to as spondylosis.

Spinal Osteoarthritis affects the joints of the spine. As with spinal stenosis, it is found more commonly in people over 50 years of age. Osteoarthritis of the spine occurs when there are degenerative changes in the discs between the vertebrae. Without this cartilaginous cushion, our bones begin to rub against each other. As this disorder progresses your bones develop spurs and your ligaments become thick and it is this process, which leads to spinal stenosis as described above.

Facet Joint Osteoarthritis occurs when there is a breakdown of cartilage between the facet joints, which are located on the sides of the vertebra. Facet joint osteoarthritis causes pain, stiffness, and a loss of mobility in your back. This results in inflammation, swelling and stiffness which in turn causes chronic back pain especially with movement.

Osteoporosis is a common cause of back pain especially in women. It is a disease characterized by progressive loss of bone density and occurs when bones lose minerals, such as calcium, more quickly than the body can replace them, leading to a loss of bone thickness (bone mass or density). This results in thinning of bone tissue making one more susceptible to fractures, or broken bones. The bones of your spine are especially affected in this disorder. Injury from falls, lifting of heavy objects, or even the force of sneezing can result in painful vertebral compression fractures. Osteoporosis usually has no signs or symptoms until a fracture happens - this is why osteoporosis is often called the 'silent disease'.

Fibromyalgia is another common cause of chronic back pain. It is a rheumatic condition characterized by widespread soft tissue pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and the presence of evenly distributed areas of tenderness. It is diagnosed according to the number (& places) of symptoms presenting and is a name given to a collection of  these symptoms and it seems to make the body’s pain perception system oversensitive to pain. There is no cure but symptoms can be managed.

As you can see, there are so many possible reasons as to why you might be suffering from the pain in your back so it is important to have it checked out by your physiotherapist.  It is comforting to know that it is usually not due to any serious disease. Most episodes of back pain get better with conservative treatment which must be followed through to the end --- according to your physio’s advice.

If your back pain is not the result of an injury like whiplash, a nasty fall or accident, it is probably caused through back strain; exerting undue pressure on your back muscles.  This can be due to:

• Incorrect footwear.
• Bad posture.
• Being Overweight --- just a 4kgs of extra weight puts pressure on our backs. In some ways it is worse because the strain is constant.
• Being Dehydrated --- dries out your spinal discs, muscles and tendons, making them less flexible or supple than they should be.
• Being Stressed! Sometimes back pain is a psychosomatic response to stress.
• Poor core stability (previous article)
• Poor overall body muscle tone

Treatment

Back pain is a symptom, thus treatment needs to focus on the underlying cause of the problem to alleviate the symptoms as much as possible and to reduce the likelihood of symptom recurrence.

Your Actively Ageing Physiotherapist will be best equipped to help you with your back pain and will be diligent about referring you on to appropriate specialists if needs be.

On the whole, you will be guided through an appropriate treatment program right through to the point where you have regained the strength and mobility required to ward off further recurrences.
As you will be told, sleeping with a pillow between your knees while lying on one side may increase comfort. Another good sleeping position is lying on your back with a pillow under your knees.

You will definitely need to build core strength, as this is critical in trunk control and reducing the effects of back pain.

You will be advised and taught how to exercise specifically for your condition so that you can return to normal activities and work.

Take a look at the 'Buy Now’ Page for our generous Christmas offer to all subscribers.

Make some small hand weights (1/4 or 1/2 kilo) and use them everyday as you do either the Actively Ageing TV & Kettle exercises or the Men’s Secret Shed exercises in the comfort of your home / shed. You’ll be amazed at how strong you’ll become!

Mostolder people are well aware that they need regular aerobic exercise, such as walking, swimming, or running, to strengthen their heart and lungs and tone their bodies, but many dismiss resistance training as an activity predominantly for the young or the vain.

However, it is an extremely important type of exercise for substantially slowing, and even reversing, the declines in muscle mass, bone density, and strength which were once considered inevitable consequences of ageing. Unlike aerobic, or endurance exercise, which improve cardiovascular fitness and require moving large muscle groups repeatedly against gravity, weights provide so much resistance that muscles gain strength from only a certain number of repetitions.

You shouldn't experience pain while lifting weights, but it is normal to feel some soreness starting 24 hours after the exercise and lasting for the next 24 hours. Your muscles are challenged by the resistance of a weight causing some of their tissue to break down. As they heal, they gradually increase in strength and size. Although you should be working your muscles until they are fatigued, common sense will dictate when it's time to stop. If you feel joint or nerve pain, or are putting undue strain on any part of your body, you're probably going overboard and can harm yourself. Remember that you need expert instruction on any new exercise, particularly when using any specialized equipment, so follow my advice when considering starting a new resistance program and visit your nearest Actively Ageing Physio as seen on our website.

What is Resistance Training?

The most common form of resistance training involves the use of free weights or machines to provide resistance.  However, you can also gain similar benefits by exercising in water as the water provides the resistance.  Clinical Pilates and the use of resistance bands or tubing have increased in popularity over the past decade and is an efficient way to provide resistance exercise without the need of actual weights.  The rationale behind the use of these is that they increase their resistance the more they are stretched.  This ensures that you experience adequate resistance throughout the entire repetition.

The goal with using weights is to lift a weight, which is heavy enough to achieve 10 to 15 repetitions per session before your muscles become fatigued.

How Does Resistance Training Increase Muscle Density?

As mentioned in a previous Newsletter, as we age we generally lose muscle strength and density. This reduction in muscle strength and associated weakness means that as we become older we are more likely to have problems carrying out our daily activities and are more likely to fall.

Anecdotally, the two most problematic consequences of ageing include muscle mass loss and rapid body fat increase. In adulthood, the average basal metabolic rate (BMR) declines 2 - 3 % per decade. Increased body fat is typically the result of declining metabolic rate, muscle mass loss and lowered physical activity level.

However, this loss in strength is attributed to the decrease in our daily physical activity. Unlike other structures in the body such as bones, which are best developed at younger ages, muscle is just as adaptive as we get older as it was when we were young. In fact, neural adaptations occur rapidly and strength gains can occur as early as the second week of exercise. 

Limiting muscle mass loss and increasing BMR are the most powerful benefits of participating in a regular resistance-training program.

How Does Resistance Training Improve Balance?

A strong core is absolutely vital for maintaining balance. Whether you realize it or not, you hardly make a move without engaging your core musculature. In general, the core muscles run the length of the trunk and torso, and when they contract they stabilize your spine, pelvis and shoulder girdles to create a solid base of support. With this stability, you are then able to generate powerful movements of the extremities. Whilst the muscles in the limbs produce movement, it is the job of the core to oppose undesired secondary movement and maintain balance and stability no matter what position your body is in.

As we age, we have a higher risk of falling. The primary cause being that our muscles are weaker and we may have balance problems.  Muscle strength is extremely important in correcting balance during activities of daily living, no matter what intensity.  As a result, if you have insufficient strength to correct your position then you are more likely to fall.  It is critical to improve or maintain balance so that your risk of falling is kept to a minimum.  As we all know, we have to minimize the risk of falling at all costs because the consequences of falling can be catastrophic!

How Does Resistance Training Improve ‘Brain Health?’

Resistance training is not only good for building stronger muscles; it is good for your brain too.  It has been suggested that resistance training enhances both brain structure and function, while minimizing cognitive decline and impaired mobility by increasing the levels of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).  BDNF prevents nerve damage and stimulates the growth of new nerve tissue. While most human nerve cells are formed prior to birth, there are a small number of stem cells that can develop into new nerve cells when stimulated by the BDNF. Diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease involve loss of nerve cells and boosting BDNF through resistance exercise training could help to prevent or slow down progression of these diseases.

How Does Resistance Training Improve Bone Mineral Density?

As we age, our bone density progressively decreases.  The most prominent consequence of this bone degeneration is osteoporosis.  Osteoporosis is a major issue in our society and is a determining factor in quality of life  (see previous newsletter). While everyone is at risk of developing osteoporosis, postmenopausal women are particularly prone because they lack the hormone, oestrogen. A consequence of this loss of bone mineral density and muscle mass is an increased risk of falling.

Muscle density has been shown to contribute to the rate of bone density reduction. This is because a person with more muscle mass has typically exposed their bones to greater loads, thus inhibiting the degeneration process.  For this reason, the importance of employing strength training as a means of preserving as well as increasing muscle mass and strength in more sedentary older individuals should be realized.  The effects of resistance training can slow down typical age-related declines in bone health by maintaining or increasing bone mineral density and total bone mineral content.

To sum up!

Try adding some level of resistance training into your weekly routine. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you’ll start to see improvements and your overall health will improve significantly making you feel a whole lot healthier with improved vitality.

Visit your nearest Actively Ageing Physiotherapist, as seen on our website, for the most appropriate professional advice to get you started on some resistance training at a level to suit your current ability and strength.

Gently massage a thick moisturising cream into your feet each night, and then place a pair of cotton socks on for bed. This ensures your feet retain as much moisture as possible and keeps them looking and feeling young!  

Foot Health

Your foot is a biological masterpiece. Its strong, flexible, functional design enables it to do its job well and without complaint --- if you take care of it and don’t take it for granted.

Your foot can be compared with a finely tuned racing car whose function dictates their design and structure. Like the racing car, the human foot is complex, containing within its relatively small size, 26 bones, 33 joints, and a network of more than 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments, to say nothing of blood vessels and nerves.

The components of your feet work together, sharing the tremendous pressures of daily living. For example, an average day of walking brings a force equal to several hundred tons to bear on the feet. This helps explain why your feet are more subject to injury than any other part of your body.

Women have about four times as many foot problems as men. As you can probably guess, high-heeled, narrow shoes are often the culprit.

Although genetics can often be blamed, when it comes to sore feet many of our ailments are caused by:

• inappropriate footwear
• inactivity
• injury (often caused by shoes and socks or stockings that don't fit well)
• illnesses such as diabetes or circulatory problems
• the effects of ageing.

Even a small problem with your feet can make walking difficult and painful and your enthusiasm for exercise will wane. So taking care of your feet is important for many different aspects of your overall health.

Tips for Maintaining Healthy Feet

Wash your feet every day.

• Wash your feet in warm (not hot) water every day.
• Dry your feet well. Be sure to dry between our toes.
• Massage your feet after bathing to encourage the circulation.

Check your feet every day.

• Examine your feet and toes every day for cuts, blisters, red spots, bruises and swelling.
• Use a mirror to check the bottoms of you feet or ask a family member for help if you have trouble seeing.
• If you have diabetes, consult regularly with your health care team to keep your blood sugar within a good range.
• Keep the skin soft and smooth.
• Apply a thin coat of good moisture retention cream containing UREA over the tops and bottoms of your feet but not between your toes.

Shoes and socks

• Wear good specifically designed running/walking shoes.
• Choose comfortable shoes which fit well. 
• Wear soft cotton or woollen socks to protect and cushion your feet.

Constant weight-bearing over the years may cause your feet to spread and flatten, especially across the front part and middle of your foot. You may find that you need a wider and longer shoe as you age. Be sure the shoe fits before you wear it!

Keep the blood flowing to your feet.

• Put your feet up when sitting.
• Have a foot massage regularly and massage your feet yourself whenever you can.
• Exercise by wiggling your toes and moving your ankles up and down and around for 4 to 5 minutes, 2 to 3 times per day.
• Don't cross your legs for long periods of time.
• Don't smoke.

Get started now.

• Begin taking good care of your feet today.
• Set a time every day to check your feet.
• Be good to your feet and they will be good to you.

Some Common Foot Problems

1. Bunions

Bunions can be inherited, or caused by wearing shoes which are too narrow in the forefoot. Sometimes bunions are a sign of developing arthritis in older people. A bunion is a structural anomaly of the bones and the joint between your foot and big toe, and it may be very painful.

• Wear shoes with plenty of toe room. If your shoe is not shaped like a healthy foot, don't wear it.
• Avoid high heels.
• Go barefoot as much as possible especially on soft surfaces. This reduces pressure on the big toe.
• Buy custom-made shoes if your doctor advises it. Shoes can be designed to help properly position the big toe.
• Ask your doctor about special bunion pads and dressings available by prescription to protect your toes from shoe pressure. You can also buy bunion pads at the drugstore.
• Elevate your foot and ice your big toeif the bunion is red and sore. Put the ice on for 20 minutes,every hour, until the bunion feels less painful. Do not apply ice directly; always use an ice pack, ice bag or compress.
• Visit your Physio for an orthotic prescription to correct your foot function.
• If the pain is persistent and worsening with time, consult your doctor about medication and the possibility of bunion surgery to correct foot deformities.

2. Hammertoe

ms are acquired, and shoes or stockings which cramp the toes may be a factor. Hammertoe is a contracture (bending) of one or both joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth (little) toes. This abnormal bending can put pressure on the toe when wearing shoes, causing problems to develop.

Hammertoes usually start out as mild deformities and get progressively worse over time. In the earlier stages, hammertoes are flexible and the symptoms can often be managed with non-invasive measures. But if left untreated, hammertoes can become more rigid and will not respond to non-surgical treatment.

Because of the progressive nature of hammertoes, they should receive early attention. Hammertoes never get better without some kind of intervention.

A number of non-surgical measures can be undertaken:

• Padding corns and calluses.
• Changes in footwear. Avoid shoes with pointed toes, shoes that are too short, or shoes with high heels – conditions that can force your toe against the front of the shoe. Instead, choose comfortable shoes with a deep, roomy toe box and heels no higher than 5 cm.
• Orthotic devices. A custom orthotic device placed in your shoe may help control the muscle/tendon imbalance.
• Injection therapy. Corticosteroidinjections are sometimes used to ease pain and inflammation caused by hammertoe.
• Medications. Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be recommended to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Splinting/strapping. Splints or small straps may be applied by the surgeon to realign the bent toe.
• In some cases, usually when the hammertoe has become more rigid and painful, or when an open sore has developed, surgery is needed.

3. Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the wear-and-tear condition that many of us develop as we age. Our joints simply get worn-out. This condition often affects the joints in the feet. Some of the factors that further the odds of developing osteoarthritis in your feet are: age, trauma or injury to the joints in your feet, obesity, cystic changes, joint narrowing, bone spurs and cartilage destruction.

• Exercise. Regular exercise such as walking and strength training helps to strengthen the muscles around your joints and potentially stimulate cartilage growth.
• Diet. Vitamin D and calcium are recommended for maintaining strong bones. The recommended daily dose of calcium is 1000-1200mg and an appropriate dose of vitamin D is 400 IU each day.
• Heat. Hot soaks and paraffin application may help to relieve your pain.
• Orthotic devices. These are used to improve the function and mobility of your joints or to support, align, prevent or correct problems. Splints or braces may also be useful to realign and redistribute your body weight.
• Over the counter medications. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) help to alleviate your arthritic pain and inflammation. Glucosamine and chondroitin are natural substances found in our joints. When taken in tablet form, they can slow the progression of osteoarthritis and act as anti-inflammatory agents.

4. Poor Circulation

Poor circulation can cause some very unpleasant symptoms.  Your feet are the "outer reaches" of your circulatory system—so cold temperatures, pressure, inactivity or smoking can restrict the circulation of blood to them. The signs of poor circulation are persistent, unusual feelings of cold, numbness, tingling, burning or fatigue in your feet and legs. Other symptoms may include discolouration, dry skin, absence of hair on your feet or legs, or cramping or tightness in your leg muscles when walking. Poor circulation is most commonly caused by a progressive blocking of the arteries in your leg (athersclerosis). Diabetics are more likely to develop poor circulation to the feet. Other risk factors for developing poor circulation include a lack of physical activity, smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Treatment for Poor Circulation

• See your Doctor to identify the cause so that treatment can be arranged. That way there is less potential to damage to your circulatory system.
• Elevate your legs while lying down and sitting--- several times a day.
• Use a TENS machine ---a medical device designed to stimulate muscle contractions and improve blood circulation.
• Reduce salt intake. Change to a Celtic sea salt but limit your salt intake to ¼ teaspoon a day (unless you are sweating a lot).
• Increase your daily activity. Exercise your legs to help pump fluid from your legs back to your heart.
• Medication. Talk to your doctor to find out about possible medications or complimentary therapies which may be helpful for you.
• Maintain a healthy weight   If you are overweight, aim to lose weight slowly and eat a healthy balanced diet.

Special Foot Care for Diabetics

Diabetes can affect your blood circulation. It can also lessen the feeling in your feet. Therefore Diabetics are especially vulnerable to foot problems. People with diabetes should be sure to keep their feet warm, to wear non-restrictive shoes, and to always wear shoes in order to protect the feet. Checking daily for redness, cuts and cracks can prevent them from developing into a more serious problem.

If you have diabetes, see your doctor about even the most simple foot problems. Avoid cutting corns or calluses and using any remedy containing salicylic acid (an ingredient listed on labels of certain corn remedies, with a warning against its use by diabetics). Trim toenails carefully to avoid breaking the skin or producing an ingrown toenail.

Salt is a vital substance for the survival of all living creatures, particularly humans. Water and salt regulate the water content of your body. Water itself regulates the water content of the interior of the cells by working its way into all of the cells it reaches. It has to get there to cleanse and extract the toxic wastes of cell metabolisms. Salt forces some water to stay outside the cells ---balancing the amount of water outside the cells. There are two ‘oceans’ of water in the body; one ‘ocean’ is held inside the cells of the body, and the other ‘ocean’ is held outside the cells. When water is available to get inside the cells freely, it is filtered from the outside salty ‘ocean’ and injected into the cells which are being overworked despite their water shortage. This is the reason why in severe dehydration we develop peripheral oedema and retain water when we don’t drink enough water. The brain commands an increase in salt and water retention by the kidneys. 


Initially, the process of water filtration and its delivery into the cells is more efficient at night when your body is horizontal. In this position, the collected fluid, which mostly pools in your legs, does not have to fight the force of gravity to get into your circulation. If reliance of this process of hydration of some cells continues for long, your lungs begin to get waterlogged at night and breathing becomes difficult. You will need more pillows to sit upright to sleep. This condition is the consequence of dehydration. However, you have to be careful not to overload your system by drinking too much water. Increases in water intake should be slow and spread out until your urine production begins to increase at the same rate at which you drink water.

Good health depends on a most delicate balance between the volume of these oceans, and this balance is achieved by salt – preferably sea salt.


We often hear bad press about salt, and indeed table salt which is refined, is not the ideal form of salt for our bodies.  What our bodies really need is natural pure salt.  Taking the wrong type of salt can be detrimental to our health. 

In fact, without the right kind of salt, your body can encounter many different problems.  Is it any wonder then, by eating table salt, your body is actually being deprived of the real salt and minerals?  Here's only a small list of what can happen when your body lacks proper salt:
    •    High blood pressure
    •    Accelerated ageing cellular degeneration
    •    Respiratory and blood sugar problems
    •    Liver failure, kidney problems, adrenal exhaustion
    •    Heart muscles tire and lacerate

Refers to naturally moist salt harvested from the Atlantic seawater off the coast of Brittany, France.  This type of salt is harvested using the Celtic method of wooden rakes allowing no metal to touch the salt.

It is naturally air and sun-dried in clay ponds and gathered with wooden tools to preserve its living enzymes.  Because it is unrefined, it contains all of the 84 beneficial live elements found in sea water, with no chemical and preservatives nor any other additives.

Minerals and Trace Elements Found in Celtic Sea Salt

Among the live minerals and trace elements found in Celtic sea salt are iodine, iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium and zinc.  The 84 trace minerals provide the necessary nutrients and protect your body from the harshness of sodium chloride which we consume from commercial salt.
 
The appropriate magnesium content ensures that unused sodium is quickly and completely eliminated from your body through your kidneys---to prevent harm. 

Water is one of the most essential components of your body. Water regulates your body temperature, cushions and protects your vital organs, and aids your digestive system. It comprises 75% of all of your muscle tissue and about 10 % of all of your fatty tissue and also acts within each and every cell in your body to transport nutrients and dispel waste.  Because water constitutes more than half of the composition of your entire body, it is impossible to sustain life for more than  a maximum of 7 days without it.

Necessary to the healthy function of all of your internal organs, water must be consumed to replace the amount lost each day during basic activities. It is recommended that women consume 2 litres daily and men consume 3 litres. This consumption can be through various beverages (80%) or in food (20%). Active people need even more, particularly if they’re exercising in hot weather. You can meet your body’s water needs over the course of a day through a variety of fluids and foods including juices, healthy smoothies, tea,  soups, fruits and vegetables however, the most efficient  commodity is of course WATER.

In one hour of exercise your body can lose more than 1 litre of water, depending on exercise intensity and air temperature. If there is not enough water for your body to cool itself through perspiration, you will enter into a state of dehydration.

In a dehydrated state your body is unable to cool itself efficiently, leading to heat exhaustion and possibly heat stroke. Without an adequate supply of water your body will lack energy and you may develop muscle cramps and headaches. 

To prevent dehydration, you must drink before, during and after any form of exercise and more importantly, consistently throughout the day.
Don’t wait for signs of thirst to appear. Thirst is a signal that your body is already dehydrated. It is important to drink more than thirst demands and to continue to drink throughout the day. You don’t have to carry a bottle of water with you but you should at least have a strategy whereby you drink something like a glass of water every time you leave your house or maybe a half a glass every time you get up from your chair.

One way to check your hydration level is to monitor your urine. It should be plentiful and pale yellow unless you are taking supplements or medications, which will darken the colour for several hours after consumption. If you have a good understanding of the state of your body’s functioning, you will know if you have entered into a state of dehydration. However, don’t wait for signs to appear as it will mean that you have already done some damage!

As you may know, the various tissues and organs of your body are composed of between 75% and 95% water. For example, your brain is made up of 90% water!

This water is used as a way of transporting nutrients and other substances throughout your body. The splitting of the water molecule is one of the ways which your body creates energy in the form of ATP for organic functions.

Transmission of nerve impulses and neurotransmitters is heavily dependent on water. Water also holds the cell membranes together allowing greater efficiency of proteins and enzymes.

Every 24 hours your body recycles the equivalent of 40,000 glasses of water to maintain your normal physiological functions. Within this process, your body becomes short of about 6-10 glasses of water every day. This deficit must be supplied to the body each day. Your body needs upwards of half its weight in grams of water per day - a minimum of 8 glasses.

As far as your body’s chemistry is concerned, water and fluid are two different things. Coffee, tea, soft drinks, alcohol and milk all act differently from water and are not necessarily hydrating. Also, caffeine and caffeine-like substances can ultimately dehydrate your body as they cause you to urinate more than the volume of the water contained in the beverage.
Alcohol causes your kidneys to flush out water and is thus ultimately dehydrating.

Beverages are not the only way of hydrating your body. Foods are also responsible for this essential process. Foods can be divided up into two basic groups regarding their hydrating qualities. The first group is made up of concentrated foods and this includes all proteins, fats and starches. Examples of concentrated foods are bread, meat, cheese, fish, eggs, tofu, pasta, nuts, seeds and beans.

The second food group is watery foods such as fruit and vegetables. Clearly they vary in the amount of water they contain. Fruit like watermelon has a much greater percentage of water in it than an apple. Likewise a squash has more water in it than a potato.
It has been suggested by some nutritionists that the ideal proportion of watery foods to concentrated foods should be 80% watery foods to 20% concentrated foods. Even if you were to narrow this margin considerably to 60% watery foods to 40% concentrated foods it is still drastically different from a typical Australian diet.