Sunday 22 March 2020

Coronavirus: Advice From Harvard Health


How Long Does Coronavirus Survive on Surfaces?

"A recent study found that the COVID-19 coronavirus can survive up to four hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard, and up to two to three days on plastic and stainless steel. The researchers also found that this virus can hang out as droplets in the air for up to three hours before they fall. But most often they will fall more quickly" [1].


Being a heavy, long-term smoker is likely to put you in a vulnerable position. So be sure to take every possible precaution.


For more important information, please visit:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/coronavirus-resource-center

Reference


[1]. Harvard Health Publishing (2020). "As coronavirus spreads, many questions and some answers." Coronavirus Resource Center.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/coronavirus-resource-center

Wednesday 18 September 2019

“I’D WALK A MILE FOR A CAMEL”!




JOE CAMEL RECRUITS TO FILL THE PLACES OF THOSE WHO DIED OR QUIT

And so it was that in 1987, the desert camel was put out to pasture, and a hip jazzy cartoon character that went by the name of ‘Joe Camel,’ was introduced to a naive audience. - This ‘youtherned’ the brand, and sales to adolescents rocketed sky high as the new recruits filled the places of those who died or quit.

This cool, hump-less creature sent out a powerful message, and was often depicted donning a black leather jacket and sunglasses, often holding a pool cue or sax. Naturally, he was always seen with a fag dangling out of his mouth. - And he even had his own line of ‘Camel Cash,’, which could be collected and saved for an assortment of catalogue goods.

JOE CHEMO

Psychology professor, Scott Plous Ph.D. gave Joe Camel the treatment he deserved, and parodied his cool image - demonstrating how Joe had moved on as he slowly shuffled down a hospital corridor decked out in a blue dressing gown, wheeling a metal stand with its hooked-up intravenous drip. His sunglasses and hair were now gone, and his surname was appropriately changed. Thanks to the US Federal Trade Commission Joe Camel is now banned - but Old Joe has returned to play his part in the upkeep of globalized disease.

For ‘More about Joe’, and other useful resources, visit: www.joechemo.org/about.htm

‘THE INSIDER’ AL PACINO AND RUSSELL CROWE

Touchstone Pictures, 1999

This riveting film exposes the callous, inhuman tactics of ‘Big Tobacco.’ It was nominated for seven Oscars. Russell Crowe plays the part of a courageous scientist working for a major tobacco giant, and Al Pacino acts the role of a ‘60 Minutes’ TV show producer. The degree of power of Big Tobacco with its unethical business practices in a global market swimming with addicts is brought to the fore. Watching this film on DVD is highly recommended, and may well help you on a subconscious level. - Both the film’s producer, Michael Mann, and the screenwriter, Eric Roth, quit smoking as they made the film.

“NOW IT SEEMS IT’S LEGAL!”

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, 2010

This is the famous line in the ‘Greed is Good’ speech by the high rolling stock broker, Gordon Gekko, played by the great Michael Douglas. Just before the film was released, Michael - who has in the past, been a long-term heavy smoker, tragically announced he had advanced throat cancer. Like so many others, Michael started smoking at a time when no one was given the true facts.
Buried knowledge and hundreds of billions in profits have made smokers guaranteed blue chip livestock (the Phillip Morris International website has a ‘Stock Watch’ section - but where is the ‘Death Watch’ section?)






Duncan Bannatyne Takes on British American Tobacco

Image credit: Duncan Bannatyne

British American Tobacco Targeting African Children with Cigarettes


Sunday 17 March 2019

The Winning Way to Quit Smoking - New Edition

Announcing the new edition of The Winning Way To Quit Smoking by Shirley Amy, BSc. This Winning Method unlocks the secrets to quitting smoking for good. It is designed to turn smokers lives around, and make their lives fantastic, healthy and happy. And all they have to do is to reduce their cigarette intake by 10% a month, while they systematically build up their physical and mental strength with cutting-edge holistic supports and suggestions.

New York, NY, September 27, 2018 --(PR.com)-- British Holistic Health Guru, Shirley Amy, BSc., has just brought out a new edition of her cutting-edge book, "The Winning Way to Quit Smoking." Unlike other cessation methods which involve pharmaceutical options that can have dangerous side effects, and do not have a high success rate, The Winning Way method is derived from a natural and holistic foundation. It incorporates health science, and embraces complementary therapy with an accent on regulating the body's processes, and the essential healing of the mind, body and soul.

The guidance readers are given is not just for the period of the Winning Way's method, but for their life after cessation as a non-smoker. This is especially important for long-term and heavy smokers, as various elements they will learn about may help to regenerate their body, and make them less vulnerable to potential diseases.

"The Winning Way To Quit Smoking" Comprises 9 Chapters:

Chapter 1: “I'd Walk a Mile For a Camel.” This opening chapter will allow readers to fully understand that brain events, mental events, and the entire body’s biological functioning are intimately linked to the non-stop merry-go-round which keeps them firmly anchored on the addiction pathway.

Chapter 2: A Hundred Trillion Garbage Cans. This chapter takes an up close and personal look at the alarming cellular damage caused by the non-stop onslaught of toxins which keep smokers in the loop. It examines the knock-on effect to all the body’s tissues and organs and then turns to detoxing - the gateway to optimal health and cessation. There are numerous easy and practical methods to choose from, all of which can be immediately incorporated into the readers' daily routine.

Chapter 3: Health Cuisine. In the spirit of optimum nutrition and tasty food, with referrals to the Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Nutrition, this chapter shows readers countless ways to gradually upgrade their nutritional status with foods they will like, without worrying about counting calories. With recent research indicating that food and food concentrates may be capable of modifying genetic damage, this book sets a precedence for striving for the very best when readers make their food selection. It clearly explains how smoking changes the body’s digestive functioning, and allows readers to work out a program which avoids the helter-skelter blood sugar highs and lows which make smokers yearn for more cigarettes.

Chapter 4: The “S” Factor. This chapter explores the stress cycle created by smoking. It puts the magnifying glass on the stress factors that are typical in today’s society, to see how they impact smokers' psychology and physiology. There is also a brief look into the nervous system which compounds the difficulties and keeps smokers in the groove. A wide range of practical solutions are offered for readers to chose from. These include: various uses of calming and uplifting aromatherapy essences (from inhalation to easy self-administered mini-treatments); relaxation techniques, and so on.

Chapter 5: “Fuhgeddaboutit!” The title of this chapter is geared to enable readers to permanently forget about smoking. It was inspired by the expression of the much loved rogue mafia boss, Tony Soprano, from the fantastic HBO worldwide smash hit "The Sopranos." The chapter's content is designed to build up readers' strength and willpower by getting them to see what they are doing to themselves in ways that they could not have previously imagined.

Chapter 6: The Prep Period. This chapter prepares readers' entry into the "Cutting Down Period." They will be asked to fill in a cigarette dairy, so that they can zoom in on their general smoking pattern. A list of unique things to do to take their mind off smoking when they are feeling vulnerable, is also put forward. A number of natural cessation products which form part of the Winning Way's method are discussed. During this period of time, readers will get in all the supplies they will need, for example: herbal quit smoking patches, Quit Tea, Quit Support, Quit Picks, Rescue Remedy, natural sleeping aids, aromatherapy essences, and a hypnosis CD.

Chapter 7: The Cutting Down Period. Here readers are guided through the ways to successfully achieve gradual cigarette reduction. This process is tailored with clear to follow suggestions, and a long list of things to do when they are feeling the nagging urge to smoke. At this time, the permanent back-up of various Winning Way method mainstays and techniques, along with supporting products, should be firmly in place to help them reach your end goal.

Chapter 8: The Permanent Quit Zone. After graduating from the "Cutting Down Period," and readers are down to zero cigarettes, they will find that the elements of the Winning Way method still remain as a steadfast support for them to tackle any urges to smoke. The wonderful and far reaching results of giving up smoking are listed in detail, and looking after their future health is addressed. There is also a safety net for readers who enter the relapse stage.

Chapter 9: Weighing In! This chapter examines how nicotine suppresses the appetite, and burns up calories quicker than normal. It also allows readers to understand the inevitable changes that cessation brings, and how they can make positive adjustments to their lifestyle to counteract weight gain. It also puts the spotlight on cessation and weight gain studies, evaluates some of the biological and physiological changes that quitters face, and gives guidance on taking positive action through an enjoyable healthy diet, specific supplements, an age old remedy, and moderate exercising.

About the Author

Shirley Amy BSc., is an English Holistic Health Specialist with an avid interest in the areas of Quitting Smoking,Optimum Health, Fitness, and Positive Lifestyle Change. She holds various University and College qualifications in the fields of Health Science, Nutrition, Holistic Therapy and Aromatherapy. She is also certified in Fitness Training. Shirley closely follows the smoking cessation industry, with a view to establishing integrative methods to help people succeed. She holds a particular interest in the key areas of worldwide evidence-based documented research on the effects of smoking and other negative lifestyle factors; this includes the opinions of Leading Scientists and Physicians, some of whom are Noble Prize Winners. This incorporates current cutting-edge research in the fields of: biochemistry, genetics, immunology, and life extension.

Shirley is pioneering and visionary, always abreast of new developments within the ever-changing world of Health Science and Nutritional Medicine. Her inspirational Holistic approach of changing smokers into non-smokers is accessible to everyone. The techniques and information she shares with her readers is clear and easy to follow, giving encouragement and empowerment to move forward and embrace "New Lifestyle Choices."

Shirley’s philosophy is that Feeling Great and Real Health are not just the absence of disease, but a dynamic state of mind and body – and in the case of successful quitters, an individual’s "Feel-Good Factor" where he or she doesn’t have the urge to light up – as they just don’t need to.

Shirley has lived and traveled in various diverse parts of the world. Through these experiences she has had the opportunity to study first hand, various cultures and practices related to holistic health, nutrition, general well-being, aging; and the impact of stress in all its forms, and the different ways that people deal with it. This knowledge has made a huge contribution to her health guru status.

Shirley is also the author of three highly acclaimed Books on Latin-American Dance (under Shirley Ayme), which are studied all over the world. Two have been featured in a Universal Pictures Film.


Monday 17 November 2014

THE EFFECTS OF SMOKING ON THE BODY

Please take a look at this excellent, easy to understand presentation: 
The Effects of Smoking on the Body, sent to me by Ann Pietrangelo:
http://www.healthline.com/health/smoking/effects-on-body

Wednesday 20 November 2013

THE WINNING WAY TO QUIT SMOKING PROTOCOL REVIEW

A big thank you to the fabulous Canadian "Herbal Collective" Magazine for reviewing my latest book: 
"The Winning Way to Quit Smoking"
SEE PAGE 13!

You can also subscribe FREE to this fantastic publication which is full of incredible health tips and advice!


GET YOURS TODAY!
FREE FOR AMAZON PRIME MEMBERS - OR DOWNLOAD THE KINDLE VERSION  OR ORDER THE PRINTED VERSION

QUITTING SMOKING IS A CHANGE IN HABITS, AND A CHANGE IN LIFESTYLE!

"After years in the same old routine we can almost run on autopilot.  We do the same things as yesterday, the day before, and most days before that.  Habits and routines are good for us because they reduce stress - accomplishing tasks from memory rather than active though.  Habits, good or bad, healthy or unhealthy, make up most of our day. If you know how to control your habits, then even a small effort can create big changes in your daily life and health.  The same is true for changing your smoking habit" [1].

"Multiply over ten drags on a cigarette from a pack a day, and you get roughly 250 hand to mouth motions.  Smoking is a ritualized behavior that must be replaced by something productive and healthy.  The trick is using your triggers.  A trigger is an event that causes you to perform some action.  Usually for smokers it is something like morning coffee, traffic, or lunch break that causes them to reach for a pack of cigarettes and light up.  If you want to stop smoking, that means every time you feel the urge for a cigarette, you have to do something else besides smoke, until you create a new habit" [1].

"When smokers generally try to quit - and then fail, it is because they try to give up cigarettes without making changes to their lifestyle and routines.  You can’t just pull out old habits without finding another way to replace the needs that those habits fulfill.  Smoking fulfills needs such as having a few moments alone when you take a smoke break.  But that smoke break can be taken without cigarettes.  You don't need a cigarette to stop what you are doing and sit quietly for a few moments and reflect.  You could just as easily make a cup of herbal tea, and sip on that quietly away from your place of work" [1].

"This method of habit replacement is often called the Substitution Strategy for Quitting Smoking.  First you have to become aware of when you smoke.  Then you will be able to find something different to do in that time.  It is best to pick something healthy like breathing exercises, stretching, eating raw vegetables, drinking herbal tea - like QUIT TEA, or playing brain games.  There are endless possibilities that are healthier than smoking!  If you can stick with doing that for a few weeks or months, you will have created a new habit, and instead of being triggered to smoke, you will be triggered to do something healthy and beneficial. This Substitution Strategy for Quitting Smoking definitely works to recondition the automatic response - and after a period of time, your new response to the same old triggers will feel natural.  Stick with it - it works!" [1].

Matt Bucklin, the author of this article, is the creator of "Quit Tea," which forms part of the protocol in"The Winning Way to Quit Smoking".

Ref: [1]. Bucklin. Matt (2013). The Quit Company.

https://www.amazon.com/quittea


GET YOURS TODAY!
FREE FOR AMAZON PRIME MEMBERS - OR DOWNLOAD THE KINDLE VERSION  FOR AROUND $2.99 OR THE PRINTED VERSION FOR AROUND $5.00

Sunday 13 October 2013

"CROWED UP" - HOW SMOKING AGES YOUR FACE!



Crow’s feet, premature wrinkles, dark circles, pucker lines, prune-like, leathery, dry, thin, dull, shallow, sallow, saggy, grey and yellow – this is the description of the face of a long-term heavy smoker. If your image is not like this yet, then a polluted transformation to fast-track aging could be facing you in the mirror anytime in the future. 

The skin quality of some smokers is a testament to what is happening to their bodies. And whilst cosmetic procedures are available for those who have the funds – just think of the irreparable damage that is done to the body’s cells and organs. Smokers age more rapidly on both the inside and outside; and scientific studies prove that smokers can have rapid aging of the body, particularly their facial skin, which results from poor oxygenation of the tissues and various other related effects. 

The toxins found in cigarette smoke have a devastating impact on the skin, and when skin is exposed to this smoke, free radicals can be generated in a millionth of a second. In large doses these free radicals can break through the membrane that protects the skin’s cells and cause inflammation, visible lines and wrinkles as well as other damage. What most smokers do not realize, is that just like sun damage, it can take many years to reflect on the skin.

Consistently smoking throughout your 20s or 30s can add 10 to 15 years to your looks, and the irony is it may only surface in your 40s. Nicotine and carbon monoxide decreases the circulation to the entire body, including the skin; this forces the blood vessels to narrow in the outer layers which reduces the amount of vital oxygen and nutrients required to keep it healthy and looking good. 

Further, this “looking good” is also dependant on the DNA – the cell’s genetic material which can become jumbled by excessive free radical damage, creating poor unhealthy cell duplication. And this is not the only problem - as people age, they are subject to cell degeneration. So logical thinking would be that if you care about your looks, you should not want to continue to smoke. 


Puffing away and pursing the lips year in and year out creates pucker lines and wrinkles on the upper lip and the surrounding area. Repeated sucking on cigarettes can develop hollow cheeks and squinting in smoke generates crow’s feet around the delicate eye area, where the skin is very thin. 


And because the blood vessels are constricted, the skin's cells do not receive an optimum supply of blood. This means that the skin can lose its robust texture and radiant colour, and that a blue tinge can develop under the eyes. 


Also there seems to be evidence that smoking may activate the genes responsible for a skin enzyme that breaks down collagen. The collagen (which can suffer a 40% drop in production), along with elastin, form the skin’s protein which both support and generate its elasticity. – These can become weakened and permanently damaged through free radical destruction. 


Once the collagen molecules are damaged in this way they become stiff and inflexible (cross-linked), and are unable to slide freely over one another, or spring back when stretched, as in healthy skin. And it is this process that leads to the “wrinkled–up” prematurely-aged look which affects the entire body. 


Smoking also diminishes the body’s supply of vitamin C, zinc, and bioflavonoids, all of which are fundamental to the formation of new collagen. - Taking a good quality collagen supplement is (subject to any contra-indications), highly recommended.


Proper nutrition and waste elimination within the skin’s cells become compromised, muscles weaken, and the firmness of a well-toned defined visage becomes something of the past, until people take positive action, and successfully quit smoking.


Smokers may also suffer with blackheads because the decreased collagen dilates the pores. In smokers and non-smokers alike, the skin’s ability to replace damaged collagen decreases with age; and a poor nutritional status including diets high in glycemic carbohydrates and sugar, UV and other environmental damage, certain age-related hormonal changes and stress, all take their toll. – Smoking heavily adds to the long list of negative factors. 


On a far more hazardous note, smokers are subject to much higher rates of skin cancer than non-smokers, and their skin also takes longer to heal. This is because when the skin is trying to repair itself from a cut, it requires more oxygen and nutrients than it would normally.


The skin’s prime source of nourishment is from the inside, so your nutritional status plays a major role in the condition of your skin. Youthful skin means a healthy well-balanced diet, good absorption capability, lack of toxicity, and maintaining an optimum intake of water, as explained in my book "The Winning Way to Quit Smoking". 


Most of the water that gives the skin a healthful look is deposited in the deep layers of the dermis (the skin or connective tissue just beneath the epidermis which is the skin’s surface); and the hypodermis (the layer of fatty tissue below the dermis). - And just as smokers can be easily recognized, so can insufficient water drinkers. 

MICRODERMABRASION 

This is a popular skin polishing technique which uses micro-particles to remove the top layer of dead skin to give it a smoother, brighter, more youthful appearance. It could even help to remove the yellow stain on smokers’ fingers. It is usually carried out by a dermatologist, registered beauty therapist or a medical beauty specialist. 

The technique is moderate compared with far deeper techniques using dermabrasion which should only be administered by a registered medical physician, with experience in this field. Winter is the best time of year to have a course of treatments, and a sun block must always be applied during that time. 


Antioxidant protection from both the inside and the outside is the way to go with optimum skincare. Nutrition plays a crucial role in minimizing free radical damage, and supplements form an important part of this. 


After the age of 30, there appears to be a sharp decrease in the quantity of ingested vitamins that actually reach the skin, so a healthful diet and supplementation will address this issue. 


A general profile of nutrients, and protein powder, along with an additional supplement of collagen and hyaluronic acid could be of benefit. Note: Always consult you medical physician prior to taking any supplements, as you may have contraindications including certain diseases, be on certain medication, or be pregnant or lactating. 


The topical application of vitamins to nourish the skin through oils, creams, lotions and serums can all be of great benefit in improving and maintaining a fantastic skin. 


It is not necessary to buy the designer labels, where the packaging is frequently more valuable than the product itself. Often, the people spending exorbitant amounts on tubs of designer cream could have had better results if they had applied inexpensive freshly produced organic oil, or used a plain cream and just added a drop of essential oil, such as lavender or patchouli. 


There is now increasing scientific evidence emerging that up to 60% of everything we put on our skin is absorbed into the bloodstream, so try to go for organic products and ones without a plethora of chemical ingredients. 


Using a skin exfoliant at home once a week can help to speed cell turnover, which starts to decrease at a young age. This will assist in keeping the skin in good condition, and will also increase the absorption of moisturisers and oils. During the day a moisturiser with a UVA/UVB filter with the minimum of an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 must be worn all year round if you want to look after and protect your skin. 


The topical application of recommended products include various carrier oils which you can research, and change from time to time, so that your skin doesn’t just get accustomed to one product. 


Sweet Almond oil has a light texture and is easily absorbed – it is however, contraindicated if you suffer from a nut allergy. It is bursting with vitamins, minerals, proteins and glucosides, and is suitable for all skin types. 


Argan oil is also easily absorbed and it is perfect for very dry and damaged skin - it has a superb combination of vitamin E and pro-vitamin A. 


Jojoba oil is balancing, and very good for both dry and oily skin types, and has great anti-inflammatory properties. 


Peach kernel oil is for mature skins. It has a richer texture than sweet almond oil, and is particularly valuable for dry, sensitive skin. 


There are also some wonderful pre-blended oils which include various aromatherapy essences. These blends, which you can make yourself, hydrate and nourish the skin, and may, over time, even help to soften facial lines. 


These blended oils can also give you an emotional sense of sereneness, and help you sleep. When using any oil on the face, the best time to put it on is at night. Avoid applying close to the eye area, and leave it on for up to half an hour, and then blot off any residue with a tissue (this stops it blocking the pores which need to breathe). Oils can of course, be used successfully for whole body.


Heat improves absorption, so apply after a bath for the face, or the body as well if you have not used oil in the bath. Try to always purchase your oils in glass bottles, and store in a cool dry place, away from the sun, and in a safe area away from children. Note: if you suffer from a nut allergy only purchase oils which are not originated from nuts. 


And whilst we are on the subject of aesthetics, it brings us onto the “tobacco smile” – years of tobacco stain build-up which has often left behind the bright healthy smile that smokers have forgotten they had.


Fortunately, there is something that can be done about it – a “Hollywood Smile” can be yours, and it can transform the way you look, and really give you a positive self-image – a new you on your way forward! Many dentists offer this straightforward treatment to recharge your smile. 


This simply involves the application of hydrogen peroxide gel and usually takes about an hour – and after that you will be smiling at everyone! If you want to have further work done, you can go for veneers or crowns. So, you can see the beautiful benefits that quitting will give you on the outside as well as the inside!