While living in Australia, we hear from a very young age the message of Slip Slop Slap, a message from the Cancer Council to help prevent the damaging effects from the hot Aussie sun. However, is this really the answer to living a healthy lifestyle???

We spend so much money on Organic or healthy food, vitamin supplements and remedial treatments, but avoiding the sun may actually be doing us more harm than good. There has been much research released of late relating to the benefits of sun exposure for getting adequate Vitamin D and all the associated health benefits and disease prevention.

We are all aware that Vitamin D assists Calcium absorption and is beneficial in treating and preventing Ostroporosis. However, we are now becoming aware of some of the other health benefits of Vitamin D supplements and Vitamin D from the sun. Some of these benefits include reduced risk for MS (Multiple Sclerosis), reduced risk for Prostate and Colon cancers and reduced risk for high blood pressure and diabetes. Is it really possible that we Australians, with all the sun we get, could Vitanmin D deficiency really be the key to preventing some of our most common health complaints?!

It is recommended that to get optimal Vitamin D levels from the sun that we are exposed to direct sun light for 5-10mins per day on as much bare skin as possible, including arms, legs, belly and back and the best time to do this is between the hours of 10am and 3pm. This is great in theory but how often to we make the effort to get out of the office on our lunch break? And if we were to get our sun time do we Slip Slop Slap? If so, we are preventing ourselves from actually getting our Vitamin D levels up due to reduced skin exposure and sunscreens that block the sun rays from actually doing their job.

So what else can we do about it? Well supplementation is a great substitute and can be essential for correcting a deficiency, especially for high risk individuals. It is necessary to get between 200-600IU of Vitamin D per day just to prevent a deficiency, 800-1000IU per day for reducing fracture risk, and between 3000-5000IU daily for at least 1 month to correct a mild deficiency. Are You getting enough???

Bioceuticals D3 drops forte and Vitamin D3 capsules are two fantastic products to help you get the Vitamin D that your body needs. Take one drop or one capsule daily to prevent vitamin D deficiency whilst you enjoy 5-10 mins of direct sunlight daily, or 3-5 drops or capsules for at least one month to correct deficiency.

Not all multivitamins are made the same, and in the past few month there has been a lot of negative media attention directed at multivitamins. So are multivitamins actually good for you? Do they work? and which one best suits my family's needs?

In order to determine is multivitamins actually give you any therapeutic benefits, we first need to establish the fact that not all multivitamins are made to an equal quality and standard. The quality and quantity of ingredients a differ greatly between brands and since there are so many different brands available on the market it does make it hard for us to choose the best ones, especially when every company will tell you that theirs is the best. Let me share with you my two basic tips for choosing a multivitamin that is high quality and quantity so you too can ensure you are getting the best value for money multivitamin.

Firstly, it is important to ensure that the company has used natural forms of vitamins not synthetic. The easiest vitamin to look at here is Vitamin E which in its Natural form is also known as D Alpha Tocopherol. If it is listed as this name you are one step closer to the best multi for you. However, the synthetic form of Vitamin E is DL Alpha Tocopherol (notice its DL not L like the natural one - the easiest way to remember is that DL Does Less) and if this is used then it is likely that they have used other synthetic vitamins in there as well. The reason natural is better than synthetic is because the body will recognise it more effectively and you will get upto three times better absorption which means better results.

My second and final tip for buying a good multivitamin is to look at the quantity of ingredients, without compromising on the quality. This does however mean spending a little more on your multi to ensure that you are going to get maximum absorption and results for you money. The easiest thing to look at in a multi to judge whether or not it contains high enough amounts of the listed ingredients is to look at the B Vitamin levels. The B Vitamins are all required in different amounts so if your multi contains for example 50mg of each of them then it is not a balanced formula and won't be the best you can get. Also, if they are present in different amounts but these amounts are only 3mg or 5mg then it is far too low a dose and won't give you any benefits. You need to make sure that your B Vitamin levels are at lease 30mg and upto 100mg or even 150mg each.

So are multivitamins any good and do they work? In short yes they do, provided you get a good one. Sometimes however, you may not notice a huge improvement in your energy levels until they day the you forget to take it and wonder why you are so tired. The basic reason for taking a multi is because the essential vitamins and minerals that the body needs to perform every day functions such as energy production, correct sleep and detoxification are not always available from our food. This is due to common mineral deficiencies in the soil that our vegies are grown in and the sprays and pesticides which are used during the process of growing our food which has been proven to deplete the body of many essential nutrients. For this reason, as well as our high stress lifestyles, it is important to supplement our diet with all the essentials to ensure that we are still meeting our body's basic needs.

At Wave Health we offer several types of Vitamin and Mineral supplements, so there is something there for everyone. For the little ones we have our Multi Care for Kids which is a delicious Orange flavoured powder specially designed for children from 2 to 12 years. From 12 years and over, provided they can swallow pills, teens can use the Family Multivitamins or the Men's and Women's formulas. For a good value multivitamin that the whole family can use, we have the Family Multivitamin and Mineral. This is a high potency supplement suitable for anyone over 12 years. We also carry the Femme Essentials Multivitamin and Mineral and Male Essentials Multivitamin and Mineral for those who prefer to take something a little more specialised.

Special for July 2011 ONLY - 10% OFF all multivitamins (enter discount code MV10 when placing order)

Free shipping on all orders over $200 to anywhere in Australia ($10 postage on all orders under $200 anywhere is Australia)

Purchase 10 or more of any single product and we will send you an extra one FREE of charge.

Did you know that every cell and tissue in our body has the ability to tell us a story... A story of our health!

The developments in the medical industry are amazing. We have so many new technologies such as tests and scans that our ancestors could never have even dreamed of. However, when all this technology fails and the medical minds struggle to find out what is actually wrong with us where can we turn?

Well the good news is that you have the answer right in the palm of your hand... well if you flip it over and look at the tops of your fingers at least. Your nails can tell a lot about your health. Likewise your skin, your iris and your tongue. All these aspects of your body will hold vital clues as to what is going on in your body, it just takes a trained eye to notice.

Your iris, nails, skin and tongue will reflect the body's health status and represent the mineral status of the body. So no matter how complicated your health condition, the answer is simple... Look at what the body is telling you and give it what it needs. This is where the Celloid Minerals come in handy.

Celloid Minerals are the foundation of health and are the body's building blocks for creating the right environment for the body to heal itself. It comes back to the basic theory of giving the body the basic tools such as a good diet, clean water, fresh air and sunshine and the body then has everything it needs to maintain life. If we can correct any mineral deficiencies in the body, based on what the tissues of the body are telling us that it is needing, then we have all the right tools to help bring about a positive change and promote health and wellbeing.

It's simple really!

To learn more about how our Naturopaths can help you with Celloid Minerals please visit our site.

Well anyone who was watching A Current Affair last night would be quite amazed and intrigued with the amazing testimonials on some really and truly fantastic natural therapies for pain, inflammation, joint stiffness and arthritis as well as for scar treatment and wound healing. But I bet what you are really wondering is do these products actually work?

Here is the good news... for once TV is actually right! In my 8 years of retail work in pharmacy and health food stores I have seen for myself how amazing these treatments actually are and I am really excited to see some great natural products be advertised for once. In today's blog I'm going to give you a little more information about some of the products featured on last night’s edition of A Current Affair and give you some great tips on where to get these products, how to use them and what else they are good for.

To start with I'd like to talk briefly about my favourite... Coconut Oil! Coconuts have to be one of nature’s most understated super foods around. They contain vital minerals which are essential for health and proper hydration which can be consumed from the water or juice inside the coconut. The cold pressed coconut oil also contains many therapeutic benefits itself. It is the only saturated fat that I would ever recommend to my patients and has numerous therapeutic uses which include weight loss benefits, thermogenic actions, it is protective on the heart and cardiovascular system and has been useful in the treatment of joint pain associated with arthritis, low thyroid function, digestive disorders and numerous other conditions.

The research and testimonials available for the different treatment mechanisms of coconut oil is endless. It can be used to treat topical skin conditions or joint pain by applying it to the skin, it can also be used to treat numerous conditions by being taken orally and is one of the safest cooking oils you will find. From my personal experience, it also makes a great alternative to using oil, butter or other such fats in cooking and baking. Coconut oil is also great for massage and its rich coconut aroma takes you away from this world and lets your mind drift off to a sunny island beach somewhere where you can just get away and enjoy the relaxation of your massage for an hour or so whilst the oil is repairing, hydrating and soothing the skin. I personally use warm coconut oil in my Hot Stone Massage and find it to be one of the best massage oils and my clients just love it.

Another use for coconut oil is as a hair mask or treatment. Whether you leave it in your hair for an hour or even overnight, your hair will be repaired, nourished and hydrated from root to tip. I recommend using the brand Banaban for internal, external or cooking purposes. I find it to be of a very high quality standard and it is a very affordable price at approximately $20.00 for a 1L container. They also offer a certified organic coconut oil in a glass jar for those who are a little more health conscious. Banaban coconut oil is currently available in various sizes from most health food stores and bulk food stores. To take it internally you can just drink it straight off the spoon at about a tablespoon or two per day, you can apply it topically to the skin undiluted, likewise to the hair, or even use it in cooking or baking in the same amount that you would have used butter, margarine, olive oil or other oils or fats. Try it for yourself. You will love it!

Next I would like to give you a little more information on Paw Paw. This is another amazing food which has many health benefits when eaten or when applied to the skin. This nutrient rich fruit contains high levels of antioxidant vitamins such as Vitamin A and C as well as essential minerals including Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium and Iron. Paw Paw also contains enzymes which assist digestion so not only is Paw Paw easily digested alone, but when eaten alongside other foods it will assist the enzymatic breakdown, digestion and absorption of other foods and their nutrients.

When taken internally, Paw Paw will assist in almost every digestive disorder or discomfort imaginable including indigestion, burping, gas, stomach ulcers, poor assimilation of nutrients from the digestive tract, diarrhoea, constipation and more. It is also useful for treating skin conditions because it has blood purifying actions and contains various vitamins and minerals which are essential for skin repair. Paw Paw also helps to tighten and and smooth the skin so these actions coupled with its antioxidant properties make it useful as an anti-ageing food. Paw Paw enzyme supplements are available for purchase through health food stores for assisting digestion. These are best taken with meals to assist digestion and absorption of nutrients from your meals and reduce digestive upsets such as bloating and indigestion. Nature's Sunshine is a very reliable brand and has been around for a long time. They offer a product call Papaya Mint Chewable Tablets. A bottle of 70 chewable tablets will cost you around $15.00.

Paw Paw can also be found in several topical creams and ointments. Paw Paw salve is an ointment based product which is often used for dry and chapped lips. It is soothing and healing and protects sore dry lips from further wind damage on a cold winter day. It can also be used to treat cuts and abrasions to the skin, eczema and dermatitis, fungal skin conditions and is great for children and babies for nappy rash. Look for the bright yellow jar with the green wrighting. It comes in a small tube or a 100g jar and retails for around $10.00. This brand is much lower in preservative than other comparable products on the market and does not contain petroleum based ingredients like others such as Lucas Paw Paw ointment which is in the dark red jar. Make sure you get the right one!

Another trusted brand of Paw Paw creams is Only Payaya. They do everything from anti-ageing skin serums to moisturisers and cleansers, to shampoo, conditioner and body wash. Their products are great and have helped many people with all sorts of conditions including acne, dermatitis, joint pain and stiffness, wrinkles, sensitive and irritated skin, infected wounds and more. These products are available from health food stores and you can purchase them all individually with costs ranging from $13.00 to $40.00. They also have a starter pack available which is travel sizes of most of their range. This starter pack retails for around $35.00 which is excellent value and allows you to try the whole range.

Well I hope you have found this information useful and feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions or comments. I would love to hear from you. Also, if you found this blog on our website and would like to recieve our free newsletter with all our latest and greatest health news, products specials and service updates please sign up today. 

Until next time... Stay well and healthy!

Want some tips for how to stay slim this summer?

Need some help to budge those last few winter kilos?

Thinking of making some new years resolutions for 2011?

Well I'm here to help!!!

I know all to well how easy it is to over-indulge over the christmas and new years break... been there... done that!!! I also know how hard it is to be motivated to stay strict to diet changes at this time of year. But I also know how rewarding it is to set health and fitness goals and stick to them even when it means being the odd one out at the office christmas party or family gathering.

Weight loss is often as simple as energy in vs energy out. Therefore, if you plan on eating a few extra treats over the holiday season than you normally would, then it's important to remember to increase your energy output too. So whether you decide to join the kids this year when they head outside for games in the yard or pool, join a gym or even going for a walk or bike ride, it is important to ensure that your energy output matches your energy imput.

Another quick tip is to remember that just because you can eat something doesn't mean that you should. There is nothing stopping you from having that second or third helping of christmas dinner... but there is nothing forcing you to either. Moderation is the key! Be strong! You will feel so much better for it! Don't put all your hard work and efforts for the year to waste by letting yourself go this christmas and new years! BE STRONG!!!!