SPRING 2011
www.awarenesstoday.co.nz
FACING UP FOR
DEPRESSION Mike King joins the fight to shed light on inner demons
WATER WORRIES Is quenching agriculture's thirst and protecting our environment just a dream?
PORTENTS OF DOOM
12 utterly unsustainable systems destined to end...poorly.
PROTECTING KIDS FROM CHEMICALS
5 ways to protect children from toxic horrors in the home
CHEAP & EASY DETOX The quick and simple way to detoxify your body, look younger and be healthier
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2 | Spring 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz
Gary Collins Managing Director
Contents FACING UP FOR
DEPRESSION Mike King joins the fight to shed light on inner demons
WATER WORRIES Is quenching agriculture's thirst and protecting our environment just a dream?
PORTENTS OF DOOM
12 utterly unsustainable systems destined to end...poorly.
PROTECTING KIDS FROM CHEMICALS
5 ways to protect children from toxic horrors in the home
CHEAP & EASY DETOX The quick and simple way to detoxify your body, look younger and be healthier
WIN! News | Events | Life | Health & Wellness | Sustainability | Initiatives | Interviews
www.awarenesstoday.co.nz HEAD OFFICE PO Box 1879
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Twelve utterly unsustainable systems
Five ways to protect children from toxic chemicals
Searching for solutions
Portents of doom
A hot list of items that aren't just going to come unstuck, but are destined to end...badly
Christchurch
MANAGING DIRECTOR Gary Collins
GENERAL MANAGER
Protecting kids
Water worries
Unfortunately, without realising it, countless parents who wouldn't consciously do anything to hurt their youngsters are unwittingly exposing their children to toxic chemicals in the home.
Is quenching agriculture’s thirst and protecting our environment just a dream?
Rebecca Harris
ADMINISTRATION Kylie Moore
ADMIN MANAGER
Kelly Clarke Brenda Wild Kimberley Wells
SALES & ADVERTISING Clive Greenwood
PUBLICATION MANAGER
Lynn Puddy-Greenwood Beth Christoffersen Miranda Hearn Dallas Beckett
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Change is in the air
Cover story
The mechanics of inaction
Facing up for depression
A quarter century after his famous testimony to US Congress about climate change, Dr James Hansen is still desperately worried world leaders have turned a deaf ear
Thanks to high profile campaigns such as that hosted by former All Black John Kirwan, and now Mike King, inner demons that take many of us by surprise are being brought to light. But many are still left unsupported and untreated.
Fax: 0800 555 054
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Feature Sections
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19 Environment
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In this day and age of pre-packaged products, Orokonui Ecosanctuary - Walking health-wise consumers have learnt to be without footprints wary of the contents - but what about the 20 Life packaging itself? Kidney care and your pet 10 Moving it Local Brand Heilala Vanilla finds favour Every one of us needs exercise – but do offshore you know what works best for your age Bringing the field to the forest for and stage? Conservation Week Taking the path less travelled 13 Wonder food Willing Workers On Organic Farms The natural ability of Curcumin Managing early menopause
15 Easy detoxification
The cheapest, fastest, easiest way to detoxify your body, look younger and be healthier
34 Sustainability/Health Culture of Sustainability
35 Health The ABCs of Type 2 Diabetes Handling heavy period pain Losing weight the painless way Getting to grips with immunisation Canterbury Plunket after the quake Varicose Veins Understanding arthritis Hearing Loss
28 Sustainability Using deconstruction to aid reconstruction The solar solution Talking Trash Student eco team takes on the world Sustaintainable partnership
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notes the increasing number of BPA-free signs dotting local supermarkets. Now you’d think this might be a good thing – right? Well… think again.
or drink that has been in contact with materials containing BPA.
Stroll down the aisles of you average supermarket and you’ll see it all the time: people stopped in mid-shop, intensely reading a label. You won’t see it in the fruit and veggie section though. Broccoli doesn’t need government regulations insisting God clearly label its nutritional value and/or any artificial additives. Yes, in this day and age of pre-packaged products health-wise consumers have learnt to be wary of the contents. But what about the packaging itself? Debate has raged for years about the potential dangers of Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used to harden plastics used in, among other things, food and drink packaging like water and infant bottles. The issue is that BPA doesn’t stay locked in polycarbonate plastic. It migrates into food
The reason this is an issue is because BPA is a synthetic estrogen that disrupts normal endocrine function and has been linked to various health effects such as mammary and prostate cancer, genital defects in males, early onset of puberty in females, obesity and even behavior problems. Those with vested interests have launched counter offensives from day one. As far back as May 2003, Plastics New Zealand offered a rebuttal to media reports on the Hunt study, which reported toxic effects on mice from exposure to BPA, stating that “Polycarbonate is totally safe in its common applications as a versatile engineering and packaging material, even when these uses involve long-term food contact”. Despite any debate, facts, figures, sense or nonsense, the consumer always has the final say. And it seems to be a vote against BPA. In her May 2008 op-ed in the New York Times “Hitting the bottle”, Dominique Browning
Since BPA's bad reputation has spread, companies are moving away from its use, only to substitute other chemicals that haven’t been sufficiently tested either. Welcome to the world of Bisphenol B, F, S, polyethersulfone plastic and polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs). “In the few, limited tests conducted outside the United States, BPS shows estrogenic activity - not as strong as BPA, but not a good sign. BPS is now used in the United States to make PES (polyethersulfone) plastic. Some baby bottles marketed as BPA-free use PES plastic. “BPAF is BPAs fluorinated twin. New studies have found BPAF to be an even more potent endocrine disrupter than BPA. Bisphenol B and Bisphenol F are other variants used instead of BPA in various products. In the limited testing done on those chemicals in other countries, scientists found Bisphenol B to be more potent than BPA in stimulating breast cancer cells,” notes Browning. Yet another goodie is PBDE, a family of flameretarding chemicals linked to similar health defects as PBA. Replacing one chemical with a less proven other has all the hallmarks of jumping out of the pan and into the fire.
The point Browning makes in her article is a US regulatory system allowing manufacturers to continue introducing inadequately tested chemicals as, say, a replacement for BPA and get a few years’ use from it before it too becomes subject to health alerts. “By the time we know what those new chemicals do to us, entire generations are affected. We are the guinea pigs,” she states. This begs the obvious question: are we here in good old God’s own getting the run around regarding untested chemicals? Regarding BPA on our shelves, Food Standards Australia New Zealand states that it is “… very aware of and sensitive to the public concerns about the potential adverse health effects of exposure to Bisphenol A, but remains of the opinion that there is no health risk for consumers, including infants, as ongoing testing has revealed that BPA may only be found at extremely low levels in polycarbonate plastic baby bottles and in infant formula. This view on risk is also shared by other international food regulators in Canada, the United States and Europe.” Our Food and Grocery Council’s position is that “The voluntary phase out of the use of BPA in baby bottles during the last few years is in response to consumer preference and demand. This is not an issue about product safety”. Well, that’s a relief… I just wonder what it’s been replaced by?
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Telehealth Pilot p oves p omising through the telehealth technology had improved life expectancy and reduced hospital admissions. The pilot scheme’s results suggest that for people with chronic conditions, the technology can improve quality of life and may have a positive impact on life expectancy.
The results from New Zealand’s first pilot of telehealth technology indicate the system might be one worth sticking with. Telehealth monitors enable patients to take their own vital health measurements, for example lung capacity, blood sugars and blood pressure. These measurements are assessed remotely by nurses so medical teams can detect any changes before they become serious and the patient requires hospitalisation. The results of the pilot suggest that those patients who were remotely monitored
William Hall, who has chronic pulmonary disease and was one of the people who trialled the technology says, “Since I’ve been on telehealth my health has improved dramatically. I got the monitor 12 months ago and if I didn’t have it, I wouldn’t be here today.” During the 12 month pilot, which was run in partnership with Midlands Health Network and the Lakes District Health Board, telehealth monitors were set up in the homes of ten of the 20 Turangi/Taupo patients involved in the trial. These patients had either chronic heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Of the original 10 participants of the nontelehealth group, four died during the pilot, compared to one person in telehealth monitored group. Patients who used
telehealth also noted improved confidence and an ability to manage their conditions.
professionals and the patients themselves,” Mr Venter says.
“I understand my condition more and I know what my body is doing. As a result, I’ve changed my food, sleep more instead of exerting myself, and take regular breaks,” Mr Hall says.
Chronic conditions are the leading cause of hospitalisations in New Zealand. National Health Committee reported that they account for 80 percent of all preventable deaths and are estimated to consume a major proportion of our health care funds.
The telehealth monitored patients also showed significant improvements in their depression levels - a key quality of life measure.
The growing need to provide innovative solutions to support chronic care management in the community is also recognised by chief executive officer of Midlands Health Network, John MacaskillSmith. “The telehealth pilot has enabled us to start to develop an understanding of how technology might contribute to the more effective care of our patients with chronic conditions,” he says.
National integrated care manager for Healthcare of New Zealand, Anton Venter says the pilot’s trends were reinforced by large international studies that prove telehealth has a positive impact on reducing hospital admissions, converting emergency department attendances to planned admissions, and even reducing mortality when compared to other forms of care. “This pilot has proven that the remote monitoring technology can be successfully applied in a New Zealand community to aid in chronic condition management. The local results are really exciting and provide huge potential to change the way these complex conditions are managed both by the medical
Lakes DHB chief executive Cathy Cooney says the findings show that telehealth provides a useful tool for health professionals to incorporate into the overall plan of care they establish with individual patients with chronic conditions. She added that the telehealth monitoring also helps patients have improved understanding of their condition and it supports their self management.
A bad sight fo
SORE EYES
Eye-catching author, TV chef and style maven Peta Mathias has joined forces with Specsavers, to bring into focus a little-known yet harmful problem – the self-diagnosis and treatment of failing eyesight by middle aged Kiwis. Local market research1 has revealed that more than a third of Kiwi specs wearers between the ages of 45 and 64 years are putting their eyesight at risk by self diagnosing their own visual prescription at petrol stations, supermarkets and gift stores around the country using cheap, ready-made reading glasses. The worst offenders are specs wearers aged between 45 and 54 (the age most people first start needing reading glasses) with 42 percent of this group admit to opting for cheap ready readers rather than seeking professional advice from trained optometrist. Long time glasses wearer Peta Mathias says women of her generation are especially guilty of buying into the ready reader craze without thinking of their long term eye health. “Unfortunately I know dozens of women my age who use ready readers. Clearly it’s time for a wakeup call. You’d never dream of doing your own dentistry or panel beat your own
car so why on earth would you think it was sensible or safe to diagnose and treat your own eyesight! It’s ludicrous. “These stats also mean people aren’t having eye tests, and for the more mature people, skipping a regular eye test is particularly hazardous because you run the risk of having more serious health problems not picked up in time to treat them.” Professor Charles McGhee, Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Auckland and Director of the New Zealand National Eye Centre (NZNEC), the largest eye research centre in New Zealand, says that eye health during mid-life years must be a priority particularly as many diseases that have the potential to cause blindness or even death have no symptoms in the early stages and the sufferer may not even be aware they have a problem. “Unfortunately, delays in proper diagnosis create an opportunity for eye conditions or health problems affecting the eye, such as diabetes, glaucoma and age related macular degeneration, to develop and progress. “Although a number of eye diseases can be asymptomatic in early stages, if left
untreated, such diseases can result in serious damage to vision or even complete vision loss. In some rarer cases, potentially lifethreatening conditions that could have been diagnosed with a simple eye test may not be spotted in time for treatment to be effective.” Specsavers New Zealand managing director Graeme Edmond says the results are alarming yet unsurprising, as prior to Specsavers entering the market visiting the optometrist in New Zealand was a prohibitively expensive exercise which deterred many people from getting their eyes tested. “Kiwis have historically paid far too much for glasses, and the cost has definitely been a barrier to seeking proper eye care.
“As a result, many Kiwis are choosing to place their eyes in jeopardy by choosing ready reader glasses over a trip to the optometrist. Specsavers has been working hard to drive down the cost of eye care for Kiwis and we hope that a flow-on effect of this will be improved eye health in New Zealand.” A recent survey of 589 Kiwis who had bought glasses in the previous six months showed that 40 percent of them are replacing their glasses at least every two years, as recommended by optometrists. But around a third (36 percent) are still delaying seeing the optometrist for three years or more, with five percent waiting four years and almost one in 10 people waiting between five and 10 years.
www.awarenesstoday.co.nz Spring 2011 | 5
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Po tents of
DOOM
Twelve unsustainable things that will soon come to a disastrous end on our planet By Mike Adams
If you look around what’s really planet is simply unsustainable. It is a “rape the happening in our world today, there’s an inescapable pattern that curiously emerges: Much of what’s going on is simply unsustainable. It can’t go on for much longer, in other words. And it must collapse due to the laws of economics or physics. Here, I’ve put together a collection of 12 systems that are utterly unsustainable on our planet. Each is scheduled for some sort of collapse or shut down in the coming years. They range from economics to medicine, population and the environment and interestingly, the collapse of just one would have devastating consequences across human civilization. What happens when two, three or ten of these things collapse? This article doesn’t cover the consequences of the collapse of these unsustainable things, we’ll save that for another day.
1) Debt-based banking and economic systems There’s little question that our global fractional reserve banking system is headed for a catastrophic collapse. It’s a system based on debt rather than sound money principles, and the laws of economics dictate that the global multiplication of money and debt is entirely unsustainable.
planet” model that clear-cuts forests to grow GMO soybeans that feed factory cattle which are turned into processed meat.
Even the plant crops grown through conventional agriculture depend on chemical fertilizers from sources that are running out (fossil fuels, phosphate mines, etc.). Furthermore, the mass application of chemical pesticides, fungicides and Monsanto’s Roundup chemicals is destroying the viability of soils while polluting the world’s farms, rivers, streams and oceans. This system is unsustainable. When it collapses, humanity will learn (the hard way) that only sustainable agriculture can sustain human life on our planet.
3) Mass-consumption economies based on ‘buy-it-and-trash-it’ behaviour When children are raised to be good little Americans (or Canadians, or Australians, etc.), they’re taught to consume more stuff. In America, it was even called “patriotic” by former President George Bush. To support your local economy, you’re supposed to go out and buy stuff that you don’t need, then chuck it into the trash after you use it, then go out and buy more!
Virtually the entire first-world economy is based on this idea that people need to consume more stuff, then throw it away, then consume more. That’s what all the corporate advertising is for, to convince people that This system will collapse, and when it they are inadequate unless they buy and does, it will be so large that the economic devastation will be global. Governments have consume more high-priced cars, designer actually made this worse, of course, by bailing jeans, electronic gadgets and throwaway out the dishonest investment institutions that home cleaning supplies. This system is insane. And it cannot continue indefinitely. have made the situation worse. The coming financial collapse will teach humanity some 4) The accelerating loss hard lessons about honest money. When it comes to money, banking and debt, Ron Paul of farming soils has always been right, after all. There’s a great documentary you need to
2) Conventional agriculture and “rape the planet” farming The current agricultural system that feeds the
6 | Spring 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz
see on this called Dirt. (www.DirtTheMovie. org). It explains the value of dirt (soil) and why conventional agriculture methods are destroying the dirt upon which our civilization depends.
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“...fish populations are plummeting across several species.”
No dirt = no food. Get it? And the dirt is disappearing at an alarming rate, thanks to the unsustainable practices of conventional agriculture, with all its tilling, soil destruction, poisons and GMOs. I wonder what the people will plant their seeds in when all the cropland dirt is either dead or gone?
5) The mass poisoning of the oceans and aggressive over-fishing Oceans ecosystems are collapsing. This isn’t some future prediction, it’s happening right now. Ocean acidification is destroying the coral reefs and mollusks all across the globe. At the same time, human civilization treats the oceans as giant planetary toilets into which all the toxic chemicals of modern civilization are flushed: Pharmaceuticals, pesticides, fertilizers, heavy metals, hormonedisrupting chemicals and a whole lot more. Massive fish die-offs are becoming increasingly common and fish populations are plummeting across several species. We are beginning to see the results of mankind’s ongoing poisoning of the oceans.
6) Mass genetic pollution of the planet through GMOs
The DNA of GMO crops is now detectable in soils, foods and water systems. What’s the upshot of all this? It’s a big unknown, of course, and that’s the frightening part: No one before has ever “played God” with the planet, right out in the open, and then observed what happens after a few years (or decades). We are the experiment and no one knows if it might ultimately lead to something like a widespread crop failure or even the alternation of natural web-of-life interactions across multiple ecosystems. And if genetic pollution causes problems, how do you “clean” that pollution? You can’t! Genetic pollution endures. Once crops become infected with GE seeds, it’s all but impossible to eliminate the DNA contamination.
7) The drugs-andsurgery conventional medical system Big Pharma’s days are numbered - based on economics if nothing else. The monopolistic pricing, the deadly side effects and the corrupt operations of the industry make it all utterly non-sustainable.
Big Pharma and the whole chemical approach to medicine is bankrupting companies, cities, states and nations. No nation can It will be the great, dark legacy of our economically survive in the long run if it modern civilization: The widespread genetic keeps spending its money on chemical Big contamination of the planet through the use Pharma sick care schemes. Ultimately, those of GMOs. nations that hope to survive will need to ditch Genetically engineered seeds are spreading Big Pharma and return to natural medicine their altered genetic code all across the world. and preventive nutrition. www.awarenesstoday.co.nz Spring 2011 | 7
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8) Widespread pharmaceutical contamination of the human population and the environment Until the day comes that Big Pharma collapses into ruin, the pharmaceutical pollution of the planet will continue. Right now, pharmaceutical factories in India are dumping untold thousands of litres of dangerous chemical drugs into the waterways there. In the U.S. and Canada alone, the water near every major city is heavily contaminated with pharmaceuticals.
9) Runaway human population growth Here’s the one nobody wants to talk about. But make no mistake: The human population growth we see right now is entirely unsustainable. The availablity of cheap food and fossil fuels over the last century has contributed to an unprecedented population explosion that is now nearing its end. There are only so many acres of farmland, after all, and only so many acre-feet of water to irrigate it. Don’t misinterpret this however, of thinking that I support some sort of population reduction measures a la Bill Gates and his quote about reducing the world population by 10 - 15 percent through the use of vaccines and health care. Unlike some, I don’t believe in killing off human beings just to reduce global population. Rather, it makes more sense to teach sustainable living practices along with good parenting and well-considered parenthood. Strangely, most of the new children brought into the world today are not the result of stable, well-prepared parents choosing to have children, but rather the unintended consequences of casual copulation.
“...thousands of litres of dangerous chemical drugs into the waterways...”
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10) Fossil water consumption for agriculture This is a global issue, affecting India, China, North America, South America and nearly every nation that produces any significant agricultural yields. Fresh water is running out all across the world, and while additional water supplies can always be created through desalination, for example, that’s a very expensive way to replenish the water, and it’s almost entirely dependent on fossil fuels. Even if you could build enough desalination plants to irrigate the world’s croplands, the resulting food prices would still result in mass starvation by those who couldn’t afford the food which might cost ten times the current price. Imagine paying $20 for a loaf of bread and you get the idea of what’s coming.
11) Fossil fuel consumption I realise this is a highly contentious issue, with some people claiming that there’s an “unlimited supply of oil” in our planet because it’s replenishing itself all the time. This idea simply doesn’t square with what we know: The Earth is a finite object, occupying finite space. Inside it can only be a finite amount of fossil fuels. The recharge rate of fossil fuels is on the scale of millions of years, meaning we can’t simply wait around for more fuel to reappear if we use up the current reserves. There is convincing evidence right now that Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil producer, has been lying about its output capacity for at least the last decade. It can’t reach its production targets, and there is reasoned speculation that its own best-producing oil wells are approaching their end. Even if oil remains available for a few more decades, it still becomes increasingly expensive oil, meaning that everything else down the supply chain becomes more expensive, too: Food, fuel, consumer goods, etc. The era of cheap fossil fuels is coming to an end. Although fossil fuels will no doubt be around for several decades more, the cheap stuff is long gone, it seems. The citizens of Earth will soon need to find an alternate way to power their cities, cars and businesses in the 21st century.
12) The widespread destruction of animal habitats Here’s one that drives some people nuts. What? We can’t keep clear-cutting the rainforests to plant genetically engineered soybeans? Not if you want the planet to survive, actually. There’s a delicate web of life on our planet upon which human life ultimately depends. The more animal habitat we destroy, the more it ultimately comes back to haunt us.
to live in balance with nature while still maintaining their freedoms. And that depends on education.
So those are 12 of the biggest things that are entirely unsustainable on our planet right now. Human life depends on most of them.
About the author Mike Adams is a natural health researcher, author and award-winning journalist with a mission to teach personal and planetary health to the public. He has authored and published thousands of articles, interviews, consumers guides, and books on topics like health and the environment, reaching millions of readers with information that is saving lives and improving personal health around the world.
“There’s a delicate web of life on our planet upon which human life ultimately depends.”
In 2010, Adams created NaturalNews TV, a natural living video sharing site featuring thousands of user videos on foods, fitness, green living and more.
Article kindly provided courtesy of NaturalNews.com
The key here is finding ways for people www.awarenesstoday.co.nz Spring 2011 | 9
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MOVING IT By Bridget Gourlay
Every one of us needs exercise. Whether you’re naturally thin, pregnant, or recovering from illness, there’s very few cases where you shouldn’t do some kind of a work-out at all. But everyone’s needs are dependant on their age and stage. Sam Hall, a local fitness guru, has worked with people of all shapes and sizes in his career and he spoke to Bridget Gourlay.
Children
“Children should exercise daily – exercise for them should develop fine motor skill, so games with balls and bats that teach balance and co-ordination are important.” Hall stresses children must see exercise as something fun.
Teenagers
“This is quite a difficult one,” Hall says. “Because co-ordination deteriorates for them for awhile! Don’t make them do exercise which makes them look goofy in front of other teens.” Hall says it’s very important for teens to start base strength training – ie being able to do a certain amount of push-ups and sit-ups and squats. This is called ‘pre-hab’ and if you start this in your teens and continue into your 20s, you’re less likely to get injured throughout your life whatever sport you play or activity you do. Pre-hab also has an aerobic element – for example, you should be able to go for a 20 minute walk without puffing.
20s
“In their 20s, people are often in gyms, or doing social sport. A game of indoor netball a week is not going to maintain strength, so keep going with pre-hab - set yourself five base exercises and never fall below that,” Hall advises.
30s
Believe it or not, this is the age a lot of studies say humans hit their aerobic peak. That’s why so many top marathon runners are in their 30s. So there’s no reason to take a step back from physical activity.
40s
Even though technically you’re past you aerobic peak, people in their 40s can still be very fit – many complete the Coast to Coast. Exercise is important for women at this age as it aids the start of menopause. Weightbearing exercise can prevent osteoporosis in later years. Keep going, because you’ll want to be able to play with the kids or grandkids in your 40s and 50s without doing your back in.”
50s
At this age, there’s an emphasis on social aspects of exercise – there are walking groups, gardening tours and trips overseas which involve a lot of walking. At 50, Hall says it’s common for people to go back to sports they played when they were younger - but there’s a higher risk of injury if they haven’t exercised properly in years. “Work at flexibility – seek advice from physios and personal trainers. If you go all out could get injured very quickly. Prepare your body. But there’s no reason why you can’t play rugby or tennis as long as you’ve got that strength base.”
60s
For people 60 and over, Hall recommends low-impact non weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, cycling and aqua-jogging. “Listen to your body,” he advises. “Niggles are there to tell you something’s not quite right.” But being at retirement age is no reason to give up exercising. Unless a doctor has told you not to, Hall believes you should exercise according to your ability until you die.
Pregnant
First and foremost, Hall stresses, you should always ask your midwife, G.P or specialist if it is ok for you to start or continue an exercise plan. You should check with them before your second and third trimester as well. There are many things which may prevent you exercising as your baby grows such as your blood pressure and weight, your baby’s position and heart rate, and water retention. But if you’ve got the all clear, then light aerobics, walking, pregnancy yoga and swimming are good. Exercise during pregnancy can boost your energy, improve your sleep, reduce constipation and relive back pain. It can also lead to a faster birth and help with post-natal recovery.
After giving birth
Again, Hall says you must be given the all clear from your midwife or doctor before starting back on an exercise routine.
10 | Spring 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz
However, once you are good to go, exercise is a great way of helping you bounce back. Hall recommends taking it slowly and listening to your body instead of throwing yourself back into the intense workout you did prepregnancy.
Recovering from illness
Hall says not to exercise when you are ill – it will take away from your immune system’s efforts. He says it is much more important to rest, eat nutritious food and make sure you are getting the necessary vitamins and antioxidants. When you do recover, Hall recommends listening to your body about how much exercise to do. If it’s only a short walk instead of your usual run, then so be it.
Never exercised before
For people who have never exercised before, Hall says finding a work-out they enjoy is key. “If exercise is a chore, then you’re less likely to do it. There’s so much out there – if you hate running or going to the gym it doesn’t matter.” Again, he recommends pre-hab to prevent injury.
Overweight/obese people
For overweight and obese people, Hall recommends not trying to do what a person with a healthy BMI would do. “For people carrying 30 kilograms of extra weight, a 20 minute session moving and doing squats etc is a big workout. My clients ask me - is that all? But as they get fitter
they can do more. Overweight people need exercise that doesn’t put too much pressure on their knees as this can be really painful. “Bikes are good – such as excer-cycles with big seats. For some of my clients I start them off by walking to the drive and back, and sets of ten going up and down a stair. The body will adapt aerobically and as you lose weight you can do more, which will lose more weight. The Biggest Loser technique doesn’t work in the long term.”
Sam Hall has a Bachelor of Sports Coaching, a Certificate in Fitness Consultancy, and a Les Mills Body Trainer Certificate. He runs his own fitness consultancy ‘Work Ya Bum Off’ which runs private one on one and small group sessions. For more information, visit www.wybo.co.nz
News
5 WAYS f om
to p otect
child en
TOXIC CHEMICALS
Imagine parents who would put their children in danger, placing them in situations that could cause serious health problems and distress such as difficulty breathing or a disruption of their male and female hormones - or even shorten their kids' lives.
- by keeping dust levels down, avoiding plastics, saying no to mercury containing fish, using only green cleaners, and keeping pregnant women and youngsters away from home renovation areas.
"If parents take simple actions in these five We must be talking about psychopaths, right? areas, they can significantly reduce their After all, most moms and dads would do children's exposures to toxins -- and even anything to protect their offspring. save money," Erica Phipps, CPCHE Partnership director, said in a media statement. Unfortunately, without realising it, countless parents who wouldn't consciously do Dust from lead paint and chemicals including anything to hurt their youngsters are pesticide residue can be brought inside unwittingly exposing their children to the home on shoes and clothes, get into dangerous, toxic chemicals in the home. The the air and into the lungs. But frequent wet result could be health problems now and mopping, vacuuming and dusting with a when the youngsters are grown, too. damp cloth can go a long way to keep toxic substances out of the home. In the U.S., for example, the FDA has done little except finally express "concern" over "House dust is a major source of children's the powerful hormone disrupter bisphenol A exposures to toxic substances including lead (BPA), which is found in a host of household which, even at very low levels, is known to be goods, toys and food containers. harmful to the developing brain," Prof. Bruce Lanphear of Simon Fraser University, a worldInstead of feeling helpless in the face of so leading expert on children's environmental many household toxins that can threaten health who serves as an advisor to CPCHE, the health of children, the Canadian said in the media statement. Partnership for Children's Health and Environment (CPCHE), a coalition of Canadian The CPCHE experts also urge parents to go environmental and health experts, has green when you clean. You'll save money, announced it's time for parents to get serious too, by getting rid of toxic chemical cleaners about the potentially dangerous chemicals and switching to simple, non-toxic cleaners found in too many homes. including baking soda and vinegar. And the good news is you can take five simple actions to avoid a chemical-laden home and safeguard your children's health
products have been linked to the disruption of normal hormone function in youngsters. In addition, the CPCHE panel also advises against the use of antibacterial soaps. Renovating your house? The CPCHE says it is crucial to keep pregnant women and children away from areas being renovated to avoid exposure to contaminant-laden renovation dust and toxic fumes from products like paints, caulking and glues. Another important way to protect health: avoid plastic products, especially when it comes to serving and storing food. In fact, the CPCHE warns against using plastic containers or wrap in the microwave, even though the label reads "microwave safe", because chemicals in the plastic can migrate into the food or beverage. The group also calls for eating fresh and frozen foods whenever possible. this will reduce exposure to BPA which is used in the lining of most food and drink cans. BPA is associated with a wide range of health problems, including harming the developing
brain and disruption of endocrine function. PVC, commonly called just plain vinyl, contains a class of chemical plasticizers known as phthalates that should also be avoided, especially by kids. Even though phthalates are now banned from some children's toys, many other vinyl products are still on the market in some bibs, shower curtains and children's raincoats. The safest solution is to throw away older toys and teething rings made of soft plastic. If you serve your youngsters a lot of fish, you may also be serving them mercury, which is toxic to the brain. The CPCHE urges parents to do their homework and only serve varieties of fish that are low in mercury - such as Atlantic mackerel, herring, rainbow trout and wild salmon.
Article kindly provided courtesy of NaturalNews.com
Also important: avoid the use of air "fresheners" and use fragrance-free laundry detergents. Chemical "scents" used in these
Healthy Life Media
www.awarenesstoday.co.nz   Spring 2011 | 11
News
Wate Wo ies It’s the issue which has dominated headlines for years. Without water, the agricultural sector cannot exist. But increasingly the wider public has been worried about the degradation of our waterways.
To tackle this key issue, the Government has forked out $35 million to support the development of irrigation infrastructure. This spending was one of the few outside of health and education in 2011’s bleak, post-earthquake, budget. However, environmentalists say while it is a positive step, it lacks the teeth to deal with noncompliance issues.
What exactly does this funding boost entail? The package comprises; • A National Policy Statement (NPS) on fresh water management to set a consistent, nationwide regulatory framework for setting water quantity and quality limits to govern the allocation and use of freshwater • An Irrigation Acceleration Fund of $35 million over five years to support the development of irrigation infrastructure
proposals to the ‘investment-ready’ prospectus stage which could unlock the economic growth potential of our primary sectors through the development of more efficient and effective water infrastructure, such as storage and distribution
• A Fresh Start for Fresh Water Clean Up Fund to assist councils with historic pollution problems with reprioritised funding of $15 million over two years, and a total clean-up programme commitment of $2,648 million • The Government will also consider in a future Budget investing up to $400 million of equity in water infrastructure schemes. Funding of this Crown investment vehicle is yet to be finalised, but it is expected to be available from 2013/14. The Crown will be a minority partner, investing on commercial terms, to give confidence to capital markets to invest in large scale irrigation schemes. It’s a serious amount of money, but Minister of Agriculture David Carter says it’s worth it. “Well-designed storage and irrigation infrastructure has the potential to deliver significant, sustainable economic growth.” The minster says NZIER research suggests the fund could support 340,000ha of new irrigation, which could boost exports by $1.4 billion a year by 2018, rising to $4 billion a year by 2026. “These initiatives represent a major step in unlocking significant economic potential for New Zealand, having our tradeable sectors growing strongly and delivering on the Government’s economic growth goals,” Carter says. “From an environmental perspective, more reliable access to water will lead to more efficient use of water, and can provide for the replenishment of aquifers and the restoration of stream and river flows. “Irrigators will be required to adhere to good industry practice, both in respect of water use efficiency and land management practices arising from land-use intensification, with sanctions for non-performance,” Carter says. Agricultural industry groups are welcoming it. Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Peter Silcock says the Government’s announcement is a “critical building block” to help the horticulture industry reach its goal of becoming a $10 billion industry by 2020. “The national policy statement is a great first step to seeing more consistency about how water quality and allocation are governed. The current inconsistency and duplication in this area is costing the whole country, including our members,” Silcock says. “New Zealand is a high quality producer of fruit and vegetables and we are known globally for our innovation but none of that is possible without reliable supplies of good quality water.” Fonterra also welcomed the announcement. It praised the $15 million Freshwater Clean
12 | Spring 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz
Up Fund and the combining of existing funds under one umbrella, because this recognises that the questions of water allocation, water storage and reticulation and of water quality went hand-in-hand. “There are community concerns about declining water quality and the need to address legacy issues caused by generations of urban and rural land use. This funding will be welcomed,” Fonterra’s Kelvin Wickham says.
Green grumbles Not everyone is so pleased however. While environmental groups are pleased about the money to clean up waterways, there’s serious concern over the National Policy Statement (NPS). Green Party co-leader Russel Norman says Environment Minister Nick Smith took the “teeth” out of the NPS, by removing the provision from the draft NPS which requires a resource consent, as a discretionary activity, for land use intensification. “This is despite the fact that nearly every report on water quality identifies land use intensification as the main cause of water quality decline in New Zealand. "This Government has taken a sound draft policy and removed the parts that would have made the most progress towards cleaning up our rivers and lakes," Norman says. "The Government has not only disregarded the recommendations of the Board of Inquiry, it has also disregarded the recommendations of the Land and Water Form which comprises 58 diverse stakeholder groups. The Forum recommended that the draft NPS be adopted quickly, and with only minor changes, that would not undermine its strength.” Forest & Bird’s advocacy manager Kevin Hackwell, who was a trustee of the Land and Water Forum agrees. As part of the Forum, he travelled the country canvassing opinions on water quality. “The feedback that we got consistently in those meetings was that the public wants action to introduce consistent national standards. [Without them] we risk losing our unique freshwater biodiversity, and our children may no longer be able to swim and fish in our rivers and lakes. We should also never forget how much our economy relies on clean freshwater.” Gary Taylor of the Environmental Defence Society says the European Union has a directive that requires its member states to achieve "good" water quality and quantifies what "good" means. "If they can do it across Europe with its massive diversity, we can have that kind of specificity here." It seems water standards will be an issue that will remain in the headlines for years to come.
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The natu al ability of Cu cumin The result of a study released in The Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine indicates that curcumin prevents platelet coagulation which can result in a life threatening blood clot.
antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects which provide protection against many of today`s most devastating illnesses.
Curcumin shown to prevent Alzheimer`s disease Researchers have noted that the incidence of Alzheimer`s disease among the elderly Indian population where curry is regularly eaten with most meals is significantly lower than their western counterparts. Curcumin exhibits strong antioxidant properties and is known to cross the crucial blood-brain barrier, where it acts to limit the accumulation of damaging plaque; it also reduces the neuronal response to existing plaque tangles.
Curcumin is one of a small number of super nutrients which has the demonstrated ability to dramatically lower the risk from cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer`s disease and has been shown to influence the storage of body fat by altering fat metabolism. Curcumin is a natural polyphenol which is extracted from curry powder and has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. You can experience a multitude of health benefits by eating the spice in its natural form or by supplementing with a concentrated extract of active curcuminoids.
Curcumin in the fight against Cancer Curcumin has been shown to be a powerful tool in the fight against cancer as it helps to restore immune system function which begins to weaken in many people as a result of decades of poor diet and environmental factors.
Curcumin works to bolster immune function by restoring the function of key immune cells known as CD4 and CD8 T cells. According to a study published in The Journal of Biological Chemistry, curcumin increases the production of proteins which are needed for immune cell proliferation while reducing the development of proteins which destroy immune cells.
Curcumin prevents clogged arteries while lowering heart attack risk Curcumin influences the formation of dangerous coronary artery plaque by lowering levels of systemic inflammation which are known to cause the foamy substance to become unstable and rupture leading to a heart attack. This super nutrient regulates the action of our genes to inhibit the release of chemical messengers through the body in response to stress, poor diet and our environment.
By inhibiting amyloid plaque formation at the synapse where electrical impulses connect different parts of the brain, memory is preserved and symptoms of this devastating disease are minimized or eliminated.
Whether you choose to add curry to your diet or supplement with a concentrated form of this amazing spice, you can be assured of lowered disease risk and improved quality of life.
About the author John Phillip is a health researcher and author who writes regularly on the cutting edge use of diet, lifestyle modifications and targeted supplementation. He is the author of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan', a comprehensive EBook explaining how to use diet, exercise, mind and targeted supplementation to achieve your weight loss goal. Article kindly provided courtesy of NaturalNews.com
Curcumin assists weight management goals Curcumin helps to prevent obesity and assists natural weight loss due to its ability to inhibit the formation of new blood vessels which are required to form new baby fat cells. This polyphenol also influences how the body regulates triglycerides (blood fats) which are then stored as body fat or burned as a source of energy. A study published in The Journal of Nutrition details how curcumin prevents excessive accumulation of triglycerides in the blood and shifts our metabolism away from fat storage. The study authors conclude that curcumin `may have a potential benefit in preventing obesity`. Very few natural nutrients exhibit such a wide array of health benefits as curcumin. Extensive research confirms the powerful www.awarenesstoday.co.nz Spring 2011 | 13
News
CHANGE is Super storms, mega floods, disastrous drought and holes in the ozone layer turn on the news in today’s information age and you’ll be struck with those stories.
Scary stuff. But more than being just a critic, Hansen has a plan.
Global warming might be an accepted fact today, but back in 1988 it was climate scientist Dr James Hansen who brought it to the world’s attention, when he testified to the US Congress about what research was showing.
But, he concedes, not everyone has the foresight for this. “Government and energy departments just assume we can find all fossil fuels and burn them. This year, there’s been an agreement between the US and Canada to build a pipeline to carry tar sands to the Texas. Power plants are still being built and they have a life line of 60-70 years.
Despite criticism and personal attacks, he’s continued this work until today; work which brought him on a speaking tour to New Zealand. Slight, white-haired and gently smiling, when James Hansen visited Christchurch in winter, he addressed a large crowd in a strong American accent, pausing to make the odd joke. But there’s strength behind his grandfatherly smile. Because quarter of a century after his famous testimony, he is just as deeply concerned about climate change; and desperately worried that world leaders today are ignoring it at the expense of future generations.
Today’s situation Since the 1988 testimony, more and more scientific evidence has proved conclusively that climate change is happening. Currently, Dr Hansen says, we are at the tipping point. Serious changes have happened already firstly, there are more storms and fires than before. “The more extensive fires in the Southern USA and in Australia cover more area and burn harder, and that has impact on forests to regenerate themselves because the fires burn so hot they burn the seeds as well as trees. Another effect is the recession of modern glaciers - the Rocky Mountains, the Himlayas. During the dry season the glaciers provide melt water into rivers, when glaciers are gone then rivers will run drier and literally billions of people rely on this [water.] “A third of the species in the ocean rely on coral reefs. Coral reefs are under stress – the warming of the ocean, and the increasing acidity of the ocean, which is harmful to growth of animals which live in shells. The shells will dissolve and they’ll have no place to live. At this stage, we’re at one to two percent eradication per year.”
AIR
in the
By Bridget Gourlay
“We should phase out coal use, which is not impossible at power plants; and we should not develop unconventional fossil fuels like tar sands. Within a couple of centuries CO 2 would decrease and then we could come back sooner to reforest areas.”
“There was realisation in 1980s that we needed to take steps to reduce emissions if we’re going to stabilse climate. [But] after Kyoto, emissions have actually grown faster. There’s a huge gap between rhetoric and reality. Our political leaders will say we have a planet in peril and then not take action.” Within capitalist economies, money talks more than anything. “The fundamental fact is that as long as fossil fuels are the cheapest energy then somebody will burn them and the reason they are cheapest is because they don’t have to pay their cost to society. There’s a tremendous amount of air and water pollution which is primarily due to fossil fuels but that impact on human health is born by taxpayer. They don’t pay for the damage on the environment and the impact that will have on young people and future generations.” How then to make companies go for renewable energy options, often more expensive then burning fossil fuels? Make them pay their true cost. Hansen says a carbon tax is the way to go. He proposes a fee is added to fossil fuel companies at first sale and the money from that is distributed to every legal resident. That way, the person who uses less than average will get more in the dividend – giving them the ability to make changes in their lifestyle, as the fee will rise over time. It will also give incentives to businesses to make the innovations to develop low carbon energies. “That we will be making fossil fuels to pay for their cost and then we can move to the post fossil fuel era without burning them all.”
14 | Spring 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz
A green future
Hansen isn’t a fan of the cap and trade system. Firstly, he thinks it puts too much money and power into big banks. But secondly, he doesn’t think it works. “China and India will never agree to a cap on their economy because they have not caused most of the Co2 increase. The change from 380 to 390 was due mostly to developed countries and they feel they have the right now to develop. “The reason they’d agree to carbon tax is – and China is looking at this – is because they don’t want to go down the same path as the USA has; which is being addicted to fossil fuels and having to protect your supplyline around the world. “It makes much more sense to move to a clean energy future faster and that means you’ve got to make fossil fuels pay for their true cost. They [China] have millions of people who live near the sea so they would suffer more from climate change than others, likewise for India. “They would like to move to cleaner energies and furthermore they would like to develop the technology that they can sell to the rest of the world. China is investing enormously.” It’s a positive note from an otherwise chilling speech. It seems strange that for a world which by and large understands the perilous future a quickly warming planet will make – that indeed has already suffered from climate change’s effects – that we continue to allow fossil fuels to be burned. Dr Hansen sees this paradox too. “The problem is money talks in Washington and around the world and I think our democracies are not working as well as we’d like.”
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easy
DETOXIFICATION By Jane Goldberg
The cheapest, fastest, easiest way to detoxify the whole body, look younger and be healthier
From his little experiment, Jensen came to understand that when these substances are not removed from the skin, they can become backed up in the muscle structure, and can consequently cause a loss of vitality. Jensen became a great advocate for daily dry-skin brushing.
Some years back I heard Bernard Jensen, a great nutritionist and author of over 50 books, tell the story of Samson, "the Saxon Giant." Samson was a weight lifter and wrestler who was brought to the United States by Florenz Zeigfield in the 1920's as one of the featured acts in the Zeigfield Follies.
One of the most wonderful things about our bodies is that its largest organ - the skin -- is on its outside. We can, and do, automatically and continuously both nourish and detoxify our bodies through the skin.
Besides his strength, Samson was also known for his baby-soft skin, a feature that Samson attributed to his daily regimen of dry skin-brushing, and a fact that greatly intrigued Jensen. One year, so the story that Jensen told went, Samson lost the world championship heavyweight weight-lifting contest by just 10 ounces. Jensen was able to find and examine Samson's diaries, and found that Samson had a novel theory explaining his defeat. Samson attributed his loss to the fact that he had neglected to dry-brush his skin for three weeks prior to the contest. Jensen decided to do a little experiment of his own to see why Samson would have reached such an unusual conclusion. Jensen bought a skin brush and stood on brown wrapping paper while he brushed his own body. After enough debris had fallen onto the paper, Jensen sent the material to a lab. The lab found a lot of dead skin, which, of course, was expected. But the lab also found dried catarrh, urea, sodium chloride, sebum and metabolic acid wastes.
The ability of the skin to accept substances and deliver them to the bloodstream is wellknown. The skin serves as a direct link to all the other organs. Contemporary physicians have revived the age-old practice of delivering medicine through the skin. Heart patients use nitroglycerin patches; cigarette smokers try to break their addiction through the use of nicotine patches. So great, in fact, is the ability of the skin to absorb substances that one drop of essential oil placed on the fingertip will show up in hair analysis ten minutes later. The skin's ability to excrete toxins, however, is not as well emphasized. In natural health circles, the skin is referred to as the body's third lung, or third kidney. It aids tremendously in throwing off all toxins from the body. We absorb more impurities, and eliminate more waste through the skin than any other organ in our bodies (including the colon). Two pounds of waste are eliminated every day through the skin. The skin works hand in hand with the kidneys. On hot days, we do a lot of our elimination through our skin, and our kidneys don't have to work as hard. Conversely, on cold days,
our kidneys take over this function of the skin because the skin is not eliminating as much.
enough exercise, the lymphatic fluid gets blocked.
The body organizes itself, in part, through a continuous dance of creating new while simultaneously shedding old, and it does this process especially efficiently with skin cells.
Improper lymphatic drainage is one of the main reasons that so many women are plagued with cellulite. The dimples that form on the thighs and buttocks are due to the accumulation of fats, proteins and other waste products that are not being excreted from the body efficiently. These unwanted products are usually carried out of the body by the lymphatic system.
The skin is often the first place that biological imbalance appears. When the other systems are overloaded in dealing with too many toxins, the skin is utilized as an additional organ of detoxification. Sometimes old cells can cling to the surface of the skin, trapping pathogenic microorganisms like bacteria within; as well new cells are inhibited from breathing. Eruptions, blemishes, odours and colours may appear as the skin tries to do overtime in ridding the body of waste. Skin brushing is especially useful for lymphatic cleansing. Cleansing the lymphatic system is essential because the lymph glands serve as one of the body's primary defense mechanisms. The lymphatic system cleanses out cellular debris that the bloodstream has not been able to take care of, such as viruses, bacteria and dust. The lymphatic system is like the circulatory system: it moves a fluid -- which makes up about 80 percent of total body fluids -- throughout the body. This lymphatic fluid picks up debris as it moves along its path. Normally, excess lymphatic fluid is excreted through the skin, the kidneys and other eliminative organs.
Readers, Healers, Crystals and so much more...
Jensen himself was testimony to his own theory. When he was 88, he appeared at a conference I was attending. He rolled up his shirt sleeves and pulled up his pants legs, showing us the skin on his arms and legs. There was not a single wrinkle, line or blemish anywhere on this man's body that we could see. Jensen, like Samson, attributed the beauty of his skin - its tautness, smoothness and elasticity - to his daily regimen of skin brushing.
About the author:
Unlike the circulatory system which has a pump -- the heart -- to keep the fluid moving, the lymphatic system has nothing to keep the fluid moving other than your own movement. When there is toxicity from improper diet or elimination, clothing worn too tightly, or not
Come and Unwind...
Dry skin brushing helps to kick start the lymphatic system by stimulating the lymph canals, which helps detoxify the blood and reduces the toxic build up that causes cellulite.
Jane G. Goldberg, Ph.D. is a psychoanalyst, author and founder of La Casa Day Spa in New York City. In her specialty of working with cancer patients, Dr. Goldberg has integrated her psychoanalytic work with the field of holistic health. She is also the founder and director of Brainercize, a system of interactive integrative brain exercise classes designed to maximize brain functioning. Article kindly provided courtesy of NaturalNews.com
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Cover Story
FACING UP fo
DEPRESSION By Christopher Banks
Depression, the black dog, the blues… we hear a lot about it these days, thanks to high profile campaigns such as that hosted by former All Black John Kirwan. Research shows it’s a common mental health disorder, and 16 percent of New Zealanders are likely to experience it within their lifetime. Yet despite this growing awareness of depression as something that is within the realm of normal human experience, and with more people willing to talk about their mental health, the consequences of people being left unsupported and untreated can be tragic. Just recently, the father of a 23-year-old man who died in Wellington said at a coroner’s inquest that the family had been aware of their son’s depression, but they had underestimated the impact it was having on his day to day wellbeing. As a 33-year-old man with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, a form of mental illness which includes severe bouts of depression, I can attest to the power of this millstone. The hard part is knowing when to reach out for help – how much pain is too much?
Defining depression can be difficult because each person can experience it differently. Some of the signs listed below some of the time and not be depressed. The important thing is to think about whether feeling this way is different for you, especially if you're experiencing these feelings for increasing periods of time and don't know what to do.
“We live in a country where the male ideal is being the 'strong silent type'. You want to be one of the All Blacks from the moment you get off the breast. The macho archetype actually is totally antiquated and mythical, but it makes it hard to admit that you are in pain. A good friend told me to ‘snap out of it' but you can't flick a switch and just cheer up."
It's important to recognise these signs so that you, or someone you care about, can do something about it. The earlier people take steps to look after their mental health, if they are struggling, the earlier they will start to feel better.
While William found medication useful, he also found joining a men’s group to be a real turning point for him.
The Mental Health Foundation’s Out Of The Blue programme has gathered many stories from real New Zealanders about their battles with depression that are available to view at www.mentalhealth.org.nz. Grant Cooper, who works as a mental health promoter for the Mental Health Foundation in Christchurch, says in his experience working through depression is all about taking little steps.
Depression can affect you at any stage of life, but the most important thing to remember, no matter how bleak it may seem, is that there is a way through it.
For more information visit:
“The first step is sometimes making a cup of tea, and concentrating on achieving that - just taking one achievement at a time. You don't have to try to do everything."
John Kirwan’s Depression campaign:
It's important to learn how to work things through - I have realised the only person that has the answers is me."
www.mentalhealth.org.nz
Having said that, the role of friends and family is as crucial as self-awareness, he says. "It's about acknowledging depression rather than trying to fix it, and understanding what someone is going through.
www.thelowdown.co.nz
"What's helped me is understanding friends and family who have stood by me throughout, and who will just be there, rather than trying to solve things. People need support rather than mothering.
Balance (peer support network):
"If you have depression, don't be too hard on yourself, you are not the illness. If there are things you enjoy, for goodness sake do them as much as you can. Take the pressure off yourself, and give yourself some time." Jo (surname withheld) concurs, revealing that it’s by working together with the people in your life that you can find a path back to wellness. “It was support and love that pulled me through,” she says. “Or, as someone so eloquently put it, "you were the one who pulled yourself out, I just held the rope". Finding a doctor that will listen to you and your needs is also an important part of the process. Feeling you’re able to talk openly about feelings can be another barrier, as “harden up” is something that’s almost built into the New Zealand male psyche, as William (surname withheld) discovered. 16 | Spring 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz
"It was extremely beneficial. Most of the guys there were high achievers, professional types but somewhere along the line the wheels had come off. One guy described it as ‘a container of safety'; I was deeply moved by the workshop."
www.depression.org.nz Mental Health Foundation:
The Lowdown:
Like Minds, Like Mine:
www.likeminds.org.nz www.balance.org.nz Bipolar Bear (blog of the author):
www.bipolarbear.co.nz
Cover Story
Here are some signs to look out for: • Feelings of sadness that don't go away • Persistent low mood or emotional numbness • Losing interest and pleasure in your usual activities • Crying for no apparent reason • Feelings of irritability • Excessive anxiety, agitation or worry • Changes in your sleeping or eating patterns
The Nutters’ club It started as a graveyard slot on radio for Mike King – Sunday night talkback. No one was listening, at least not anyone that wanted to call in. King had a ‘Network’ moment; the scene from the famous Oscar-winning film where newsreader Howard Beale throws aside his notes and urges his audience to throw open their windows and yell, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!” In King’s case, the madness wasn’t anger, it was – well – nuttiness. His own battles with depression, alcohol and drug addiction. And he was tired of keeping his secrets to himself, portraying a picture-perfect public persona that bore little resemblance to the turmoil he was experiencing. So live on air, he said to listeners that if they didn’t call in, he would just start talking to the voices in his own head, voices that told him how worthless, stupid and talentless he was.
"... if they didn’t call in, he would just start talking to the voices in his own head..." The response was extraordinary: the boards lit up, not only with words of encouragement, but with people identifying with the feelings of isolation and hopelessness, and desperate to tell their own stories.
The show has been spun off into a TV show, at one point the second highest-rated programme on Maori Television, and a book of the same name published by Random House.
• Loss of energy, lethargy, extreme tiredness or fatigue • Lack of motivation
The book collected together edited transcripts of some of the show’s guests, and showed the power that personal storytelling has to affect change in people’s lives.
• Reduced interest in sex
Each chapter takes the story of a wildly different New Zealander: man, woman, gay, straight, young and old, famous and everyday; and their sometimes harrowing experiences with depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, drugs, alcohol, and the horrors of New Zealand’s mental health system past and present – including straitjackets and seclusion – and tells us what we’ve wanted to believe all along: That mental illness is a natural part of the human experience, and it is possible to live a fulfilling life in the presence of it without harming yourself or the people around you.
• Feeling guilty for no reason
• Feeling worthless or hopeless
• Poor concentration and forgetfulness • Suicidal thoughts
The Nutters Club sheds light and advice on individual battles with mental distress
With each story comes each person’s unique story of survival and recovery – which means living well in the presence or absence of mental illness. Sometimes the biggest barriers are the ones we put in front of ourselves, and not only does this show recognize that, it provides solutions: “helping Nutters from the inside out”, as it says on the book cover.
About the author: Christopher Banks is the senior communications officer at the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand
That one night of talkback has grown into a nationwide weekly radio show, with the irreverent title The Nutters Club. Hosted by King, the self-described “head nut”, and co-hosted by psychiatrist Dr David Codyre (the “nutcracker”), each week a guest describes their own personal journey with mental distress. King’s gently probing questions bring out the stories, and Codyre’s helpful advice put things in context for listeners trying to make sense of it all.
WIN! To win a copy of 'The Nutters Club' simply email your contact details to promotions@academy.net.nz. Include Nutters Club in the subject line. Competition closes 12 November 2011. www.awarenesstoday.co.nz Spring 2011 | 17
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18 | Spring 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz
Environment Wellness
Walking without
FOOTPRINTS
Environmental sanctuaries represent, arguably, the best of human endeavour. The goal of not just decreasing our environmental impact, but actually reversing it and returning lands to their original state can be difficult, but ultimately, very worthwhile. The Orokonui Ecosanctuary is one such place. The dream is to restore an entire forest ecosystem to its pre-human state. It has become the only place on the mainland South Island of New Zealand where native birds, animals and insects can live a life safe from most introduced pests and predators. Their home is returning to its original, natural state. The key to this is the 8.7km pest-proof fence that encompasses the entire 307 hectares of protected habitat. With pests almost entirely eradicated, this has allowed the Ecosanctuary to reintroduce a number of endangered species. In the 1840s, more than 30 species of native land birds lived around Dunedin and much of the area was clad in dense rainforest with well over 500 species of flowering plants and ferns. While the fence is working wonders, what also makes a pretty good impression is the multi-million dollar visitor and education centre, built into the hillside over Blueskin Bay.
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Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre is a masterpiece of design and construction. The build fell under the umbrella of one of the nation’s most accomplished building companies, Naylor Love Construction. “The $2.3 million development is a showcase of Environmentally Sustainable Design. The Five Green Star building is made up of seven modular units linked by corridors, propped off the ground by timber poles, and covered by a single lightweight atrium,” the company says. It is as effective as it is striking with, as you’d expect from a Five Green Star building with a minimal environmental footprint. The structure won a Sustainable Architecture award at the 2011 New Zealand Architecture Awards.
to the building’s environment and purpose. The clustered container forms with their wafers of rainscreen roofs provide an expandable service and kitchen zone to one side of the central canopy, on the other a successful classroom and resource space. Judging from the extensive planting evident around the building, all will be subsumed into a regenerated bush setting above which the distinctive, crafted atrium will sail.” The property, fence and impressive structure are all playing vital roles in not just protecting our natural heritage, but actively enhancing it for future generations.
Designers Architectural Ecology Ltd says “The function of the facility is celebrated by the architecture, which provides a commanding space overlooking the protected regenerating flora and oriented towards significant landforms”. The building represents the realisation of some ambitious goals; one being re-using shipping containers to support an oversailing building form. Equally impressive are the sustainability initiatives including passive solar design, rainwater harvest and adaptive re-use – all of which support the visitor centre’s wider scope of educating people about conservation. The New Zealand Institute of Architects sums up the structure perfectly. “From a simple brief and modest budget, an astonishingly elegant work of architecture has been produced. The architect, consultants and builders have together responded precisely
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www.awarenesstoday.co.nz Spring 2011 | 19
What you put in your pet’s bowl can affect their life now – and in the future
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20 | Spring 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz
Life | Pets
KIDNEY CARE and you Kidney disease, known as Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) is a diagnosis no one wants to hear for their beloved companion. It is
a cat or dog with kidney disease. The diet for each cat or dog with kidney disease should be tailored to its own specific needs, as indicated by the stage of the disease and the blood and urinalysis test results.
Nutritional supplements
Omega 3 fatty acids from marine fish oil have been shown to slow the progression of kidney disease in a clinical trial with dogs, common health problems by reducing kidney inflammation. Vitamin E is often recommended, along with omega seen in aging pets. While 3, as they act synergistically. B-complex and chronic renal failure is vitamin C are often recommended to help replenish the vitamins lost due to the inability more common in cats, it is of the kidneys to recycle and retain these nutrients in the body. Additionally, potassium often seen in dogs too. supplements may be necessary for some There are two types of renal failure in animals; animals. acute kidney failure results from poisoning or external toxins and chronic kidney failure, a Herbs and nutraceuticals progressive disease most often related to the Both Chinese and western herbs can be declining years in the life of an animal. useful in the beginning stages of kidney As an animal's health begins to deteriorate, diseases. If this option is a potential for its organs slowly stop functioning at normal you, consultation with a holistically trained levels. The function of the kidneys is to filter veterinarian is recommended for proper use out and excrete toxins from the body through of appropriate herbal remedies. the urine. When the kidneys fail to function in the proper way, these toxins build up Emotional support and usually end up damaging the kidneys You should take steps to reduce stress for irreparably. any animal with kidney disease. Flower Most animals do not show signs of kidney essences can be helpful in supporting your failure until about 70 to 75 percent of kidney companion emotionally and aiding in stress function has been lost. If any of these reduction. They are safe to use along with symptoms are apparent in your furry friend, any conventional or alternative treatment for you must get it to your vet urgently: kidney disease. Likewise regular acupuncture is believed to help slow the progression of • Excessive thirst the disease, stimulate the kidneys and boost the overall vitality of the animal.
however, one of the most
• A stiff, arched back • Loss of appetite
• Reduced urine production • Blood in urine. In order to diagnose and determine the extent of the disease, a blood test and urinalysis is needed. After diagnosis of kidney disease is made, the vet will advise you on the best course of action. While in most cases it is incurable, if caught early, the toxins can be eliminated from the body
A quality life
pet
Puppy Pretzels • 1 teaspoon brown sugar • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast • 2/3 cup water • 3/4 cup whole wheat flour • 3 tablespoons soy flour, low fat • 1/4 cup nonfat dry milk • 1 tablespoon dried liver powder • 1 tablespoon bone meal flour • 3/4 teaspoon salt • 1 egg - beaten (1/2 recipe, 1/2 in glaze) • 2 tablespoons cooking oil • 3 tablespoons wheat germ Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Combine dry ingredients. Add half of the beaten egg, oil and yeast-water mixture. Mix well. Knead on a well floured board until dough is firm. Place in oiled bowl, cover and let rise until double in bulk. Shape into pretzels and place on greased cookie sheet. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 15 minutes. Remove and brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with wheat germ. Return to oven and bake at 300 degrees for about 15 minutes until nicely browned and quite firm. Note: You may omit liver powder and bone meal flour if you have difficulty locating them.
The most important consideration when deciding how agressively to treat any disease should be quality of life. Some animals can live comfortably for months or even years after diagnosis of kidney disease, with the right levels of help and support. While you are ultimately the decision maker in the treatment of your companion, your veterinarian is a crucial part of the team and you must always consult with them before commencing any treatment plan.
While it may seem like a death sentence for your companion, there are some things that can be done to keep the animal comfortable and prolong its life. Your veterinarian will advise you on what is best for your pet.
Diet The diet is an important aspect to caring for a pet with kidney disease, as the right diet ensures the kidneys do not have to work too hard. A low-protein, low-phosphorus and/or low-sodium diet may be recommended for
www.awarenesstoday.co.nz Spring 2011 | 21
22 | Spring 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz
Are you looking for that perfect gift for staff or clients? We’ve all had those gifts like wine cooler bags, picnic bags, and even fold out chairs. And yes they’re great, for the 11 days we call summer, and then they’re put away until next summer. However imagine a gift that is used everyday, a gift that people want to use many times a day, a gift that is fantastic for the environment, a gift that can help prevent health problems, and showcases your company’s branding...
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www.awarenesstoday.co.nz Spring 2011 | 23
Life
Heilala Vanilla
hits US shelves
Award-winning New Zealand vanilla company Heilala Vanilla is celebrating sweet success after cracking the tough American market.
The Tauranga-based company has sent its first order of vanilla products to the prestigious US food retail chain, Williams Sonoma, after months of negotiation. This is only the second time a New Zealand food company has secured a contract with Williams Sonoma. The premium retail store has over 200 stores throughout America and Cananda, and is located in high end shopping areas like Beverly Hill’s Rodeo Drive and Madison Ave in New York. Heilala Vanilla director, Jennifer Boggiss says they spent months developing new packaging and labelling to meet Williams Sonoma’s strict criteria. “The US population is the biggest consumers of vanilla in the world so it is a big category in the US market. Williams Sonoma buyers were impressed with the quality of our product, the labelling and brand story,” Boggiss says.
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a farm-to-table lunch to promote healthy eating among children. The Heilala Vanilla beans are grown organically on a plantation in Tonga established nearly 10 years ago in partnership with the local village. The beans are sun-dried in Tonga before being made into extract, paste and syrup at the processing plant in Tauranga. This is the first commercial vanilla production plant in New Zealand. Heilala Vanilla products are sold in retail, food service and food manufacturing in New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and Malaysia and the US.
Heilala Vanilla P O Box 16-078 Bethlehem
Heilala Vanilla secured the deal after making contacts with US food industry “heavy weights” and working closely with New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE) in Los Angeles, who assisted with the negotiation process, terms and pricing. NZTE representative Candice Watson says the deal is a “huge accomplishment”.
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A second shipment of Heilala Vanilla products will soon be bound for Portland, Oregon for distribution to a number of high-end food websites.
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The products will also be available in speciality food retail stores in Seattle and used in New York restaurants Telepan, Little Branch and Blue Hill at Stone Barns, where First Lady Michelle Obama recently held
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24 | Spring 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz
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Life
B inging the
FEILD to the
FOREST The community conservation project Living Legends is bringing the rugby field to the forest in conservation effort of significance.
and with so many people involved in the plantings, they will be enjoyed for years to come.”
The project is coordinating 17 community planting projects throughout New Zealand during Rugby World Cup 2011, with a mission to plant a staggering 85,000 native trees and shrubs nationwide in 2011.
Registered volunteers will receive information on what they need to bring along and further detail about the day.
Each planting project is dedicated to a New Zealand rugby legend. The rugby legends have been selected by the provincial rugby unions and are people who have made a significant contribution to rugby in New Zealand.
one rugby legend. Enter online at www. livinglegends.co.nz and be in to win an adventure escape to Queenstown.
All planting events are free to attend and both locals and overseas visitors of all ages are encouraged to attend. The public can register their interest in taking part in the planting at www.livinglegends.co.nz.
Living Legends is a joint venture of Project Crimson, an environmental charity with 20 years experience in community-based native restoration projects and The Tindall Foundation. Major sponsors are the Department of Conservation and Meridian Energy.
Living Legends project manager Devon McLean says the native trees and shrubs will contribute hugely to conservation in New Zealand.
Living Legends is also part of the Real NZ Festival – a celebration of New Zealand arts, food, wine, heritage, culture, entertainment, business and lifestyle taking part during Rugby World Cup 2011.
“The benefits of an extra 85,000 native plants across the country will be extraordinary,
The Meridian People’s Choice Award invites everyone to nominate their own number
Proud to support Conservation Week Freephone: 0800 109 244 Fax: 03 434 1456 topflite@xtra.co.nz | www.topflite.co.nz
www.awarenesstoday.co.nz Spring 2011 | 25
Life
VOLUNTOURING
The path less t avelled. By Bridget Gourlay
Travelling changes us. The new cultures, languages and maps can be overwhelming and inspiring and frustrating in one dizzying moment. But as people travel, they realise there’s so much more than visiting the tourist sites and lying on a beach. In the face of developing world poverty and environmental degradation, today’s travellers want to do more. That’s where ‘voluntourism’ emerged from. Today’s Kiwi traveller can chose from a host of trips around the world which involve fun and charitable work. Tali Emdin, general manager of the New Zealand World Expeditions office says the company has been advertising its community projects travel options since 2005, although it has been running them for much longer. With World Expeditons, a group travelling through an area such as Nepal can add a 3-5 day community project to their trip, such as conservation work or a help with building a classroom. “All sorts of people do these trips,” Emdin says, “but generally it’s for the time-starved
middle-aged person who only gets 3-4 weeks of annual leave a year. They want an exciting holiday and also to give back. A lot of voluntourism involves taking 3-6 months off. Our smaller projects still give a real sense of achievement for our clients.”
The situation got so dire in Britain, where taking a ‘gap year’ between the ages of 18 and 25 is common, that Volunteer Service Overseas (VSO) issued a statement in 2007 saying most would-be volunteers would be better off backpacking.
For longer trips, more volunteer-focused trips, Habitat for Humanity NZ does two to four week projects to countries usually in Asia or the Pacific. For a two week trip, usually about eight to ten days are working on building a house, school or community centre and the rest of the time is spent exploring the local area, enjoying cultural activities, and travelling around the host country.
Recently, in part to combat this, an organisation called the International Citizen Service (ICS) has been launched in Britain. VSO is coordinating the scheme, which will enable 18 to 22 year-olds to work as volunteers for 10 to 12 weeks in a developing country on projects to improve the lives of the world’s poorest people.
However, not all providers are as reputable as World Expeditions and Habitat for Humanity. Many companies offer expensive placements which sound amazing, but they wind up being scams to take well-meaning people’s money or poorly organised. Some find when they arrive at their placement, there is little work for them to do and the community clearly isn’t benefiting from volunteer’s money or work.
Tali Emdin says when World Expeditions began organising its voluntourism projects it did it in partnership with the local people. “We got into discussion with community leaders – there’s a lot of planning and research involved, some of these projects take 12 months to put together. Often within communities, they decide what needs to be done. We employ locals on our ground operations and they know the areas that need help. Everybody is very comfortable before we embark on these projects.”
World Expeditions ensures a build is sustainable in the long term. “With our community projects the materials are all bought locally, so we’re putting into the economy and things then can be fixed once we’re gone. We employ local staff – if there’s roof work or electrical work they do it and can continue to do it.” The best advice for would-be voluntourists is to research a project thoroughly beforehand. Talk to friends or family who have been on voluntourism trips, or ask an organisation to get an ex-volunteer to phone you so you can talk to them about what the experience was like. Don’t just trust the internet – get a first hand recommendation. For more information visit:
www.worldexpeditions.co.nz www.habitat.org.nz/ www.voluntourism.org www.vsa.org.nz
WWOOFing
Willing Workers On Organic Farms By Bridget Gourlay
In a world where newspaper headlines and scientific research is pointing more and more to the damage chemicals wreck on the environment, the organic movement is becoming mainstream. Once the concern only of hippies, suburban soccer mums and city slickers are searching for organic products and wondering what hormone-pumped chickens and chemicalsodden fruit is doing to our health. In 1971, London secretary Sue Coppard recognised the need to provide access to the countryside to city people like herself to support and learn more about the organic movement. She organised a trial working weekend, which she arranged for four people at a farm in Sussex. The idea caught on. Today, there are thousands of organic farms all over the world which take on Willing Workers On Organic Farms (usually called WWOOFers) every year. Through official websites, volunteers and hosts decide on how long a WWOOFer will stay and what tasks they will do. In exchange, the WWOOFer is given free accommodation, food and a chance to really experience organic rural life.
In 2010, while on a university exchange to Canterbury from America, Lily Alexander spent a week WWOOFing at ‘Gentle World,’ a veganism educational centre just south of Kaitia and another week on an organic farm near Hastings.
living true to their values, from environmental consciousness and self-sufficiency – for example, they used alternative energy to run their refrigerator, dried their laundry outside, used solar panels and were all vegans.”
Overseas options
Lily particularly loved her stay at Gentle So not only do tourists and city folk in New World, where she was made to feel part of the Zealand enjoy getting their hands dirty, but family. there are plenty of opportunities overseas “We had conversations about ethics, too. Kiwis love to travel, so if you want to environmentalism, self-sufficiency, and the spend time in Italy – not just on tourist power of making choices that stay true to buses in Rome – then WWOOFing offers one’s values and bring balance to one’s life. the opportunity to pitch in on an organic It was not only intriguing to talk about these vineyard for a few weeks, or to work at an issues, but they became particularly relevant in light of our first-hand experience at Gentle World,” she enthuses. “They provided us with beautiful vegan meals that came straight from their garden and we were able to drink the pure water from their streams. They also demonstrated how important community was for them as well as
In New Zealand, nearly 3000 listings beckon WWOOFers to organic spots across the country. 26 | Spring 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz
eco-village in Scandinavia, or perhaps a farm in Ireland. It’s not a free holiday, but it’s not thankless work. As Lily says, “It is such a wonderful opportunity to be able to meet new people, see new places, and acquire new skills! To be able to do this abroad on a budget is really lucky and allows the traveller to experience the country in a completely new capacity. I recommend it to anyone that’s interested in getting a first-hand experience that goes beyond the tourist guidebooks.”
Life
Managing
EARLY menopause
Premature ovarian failure (POF) is when the ovaries begin shutting down before the age of 40. It can even occur in teenagers. POF is surprisingly common and occurs in one or two in every 100 women under the age of 40, and one in every 1000 women under the age of 30. It is also becoming more important as women delay having children until later in their lives. Most doctors probably wouldn’t assume a young woman with absent periods is going through POF, so getting a diagnosis can be a lengthy process, which can mean delayed access to health care and fertility treatment, both of which may be needed promptly. The irony is two simple follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and oestrogen level blood tests, done a month apart, would identify this situation and enable a doctor to refer a woman for specialist care.
For most women there is no explanation why their periods stop at such a young age. Some known causes are permanent damage to the ovaries, such as during pelvic surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy (not technically POF, but still a premature menopause experience); autoimmune conditions where the body’s immune system mistakenly damages the ovary; abnormal chromosomes; inherited genes (some women will know of someone else in their family who also had a premature menopause). Menopausal symptoms and long term health need to be managed and HRT is routinely offered to women without a cancer history. The oestrogen protects bone health, controls symptoms and may have a protective effect on heart and brain health. A healthy diet, regular exercise and quitting smoking will also be of great benefit. HRT has had some bad press since some studies a few years ago which showed an increased risk of various health problems
including breast cancer. However, the 30 year old woman replacing oestrogen that is lacking is in a very different situation to the older woman taking it past the time nature intended.
About five to 10 percent of women with POF will get pregnant naturally, but at present, the only reliable fertility treatment is egg donation, whereby donor eggs are fertilised by the partner’s sperm in a test tube and the embryos are implanted into the womb.
There is on-going debate, but current medical opinion is that it is safer for younger women.
Premature menopause is unexpected, unwelcome and interrupts planning of life’s goals. But joining a support group can help you feel less alone and we encourage you to make contact with the New Zealand Early Menopause Support Group via its website
Herbal and nutritional supplements aren’t risk-free either, so the younger menopausal woman must do her own research to decide what she feels comfortable taking based on her symptoms, her medical history and her personal philosophy.
www.earlymenopause.org.nz.
One of the most devastating consequences of a diagnosis of POF or early menopause is the loss of fertility.
Avoiding post menopause f ailty New Zealand women could benefit from taking Vitamin D and calcium to boost bone density and avoid frailty post menopause. Combined supplements of Vitamin D and calcium are effective for increasing the bone mineral density of post-menopausal women, even when calcium intakes are adequate says a study from Finland. The bone mineral density of post menopausal women increased significantly more when they received daily doses of 800 International Units of Vitamin D and 1,000 milligrams of calcium for three years, compared with women who received no intervention. Osteoporosis is a major New Zealand health issue. It affects more than half of women (56 percent) and nearly a third (29 percent) of men over the age of 60. Dr Pamela von Hurst PhD, a Vitamin D research specialist from Massey University says the combination of Vitamin D and calcium has long been recommended to reduce the risk of bone fracture for older people, particularly those at risk of or suffering from osteoporosis.
“Nutrition, physical activity and sun exposure can substantially influence the gain of bone mass and we recommend people ensure an adequate calcium intake and supply of Vitamin D through sun exposure or supplementation.
and brittle bones and the strength lies in the combination of the two nutrients working together. “Even those women eating a balanced healthy diet may need extra supplementation going into the menopausal years.”
“But it should be stressed that by the time we’re post menopausal it’s actually too late to change bone density and young women should follow these recommendations,” says Dr von Hurst. The dual action of the nutrients is complimentary with calcium supporting bone formation and repair while Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. An analysis published online in the British Medical Journal from a study of 70,000 people found that the vitamin-mineral combination significantly reduced fractures by eight percent and hip fractures by 16 percent; the strength lies in the combination. Michelle Palmer, executive director of Natural Products New Zealand, says that taking supplements can assist with ensuring our bones are the strongest they can be when heading into menopause. “Women need to give special attention to their calcium and vitamin D levels to ensure healthy bones post menopause. Inadequate intake of these nutrients before the onset of menopause can lead to lower bone density
Above: Foods containing calcium www.awarenesstoday.co.nz Spring 2011 | 27
Sustainability
USING
DECONSTRUCTION to aid RECONSTRUCTION If ever there was a case study in popular awareness gaining rapid traction, it would be sustainability. As a term, practice and philosophy, sustainability has moved from a niche concept to mainstream mindset at a startling rate. People are today more conscious of the environment and the consequences both their individual and collective actions have on it. While this is good news at an individual level, it is perhaps even better that it’s occurring at a corporate level, as companies actively seek ways to reduce their environmental footprint. One company playing its part is Ward Demolition Ltd. Founded in 1987 by Peter Ward, the company is a pioneer in deconstruction techniques. But it is it’s commitment to environmentally sustainable practices that is today setting industry benchmarks. And as with just about anything, it’s the little things that make a difference. For instance, the Ward Group now ensures trucks are always travelling with full tanks; it not only reduces costs, but decreases their carbon footprint.
Turning the standard perception of what demolition companies do on its head, the Ward Group is approaching demolition as if it’s the first step in sustainable building, opposed to just creating a pile of rubble from a deconstructed structure that is all ‘waste’. The end result is recycled demolished materials can contribute points towards a new structure achieving a Green Star NZ rating. In fact the company is generally on the lookout for novel end-uses for a wide range of recovered and recycled materials. In 2007 alone, Ward Group recycled 250,000 tonnes of concrete.
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Email ultimatetyres@ultimatetyres.co.nz
Pleased to support Ward Demolition 28 | Spring 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz
Because it has similar properties to natural crushed rock aggregates used in concrete, recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) can be used as coarse aggregate in concrete. The end result is that RCA has the potential to be used in the same types of concrete as natural coarse aggregates. It provides a readily available alternative to natural aggregates, particularly where construction is taking place on the site of former construction. “Recycling is a fundamental part of what we do. The ‘reduce, re-use and recycle’ philosophy permeates our thinking and is a driving philosophy behind our business processes. Read more about the use of recycled materials for building projects.” “The Group’s Value Chain illustrates how the group recycles an impressive quantity of waste material from demolition sites. Some of our projects have reached recycling targets of up to 96 percent of salvaged material by weight.”
Ward Group at a glance Founded in 1987 by Peter Ward, the group of companies that operate today under the Ward name are some of the most experienced in the business. Ward also offers consulting services – project management of complex demolition jobs throughout New Zealand and offshore. A mix of qualifications and hands-on experience gives Ward project managers’ unique and comprehensive insights into each and every project, generated from a thorough understanding of the demolition and construction process.
This allows for accurate pricing and combined with the company’s belief in transparent pricing, has earned clients’ respect. “Whether managing a residential or industrial project, our clients benefit from the same expertise – our top people advise and manage jobs of all sizes. Whether managing a residential or industrial project, our clients benefit from the same expertise – our top people advise and manage jobs of all sizes.” Company founder and principal, Peter Ward plays an influential role in the industry. An eminent demolition expert, Peter has been invited to speak at events for organisations, engineering firms, industry associations as well as the 2007 WasteMINZ conference (Waste Management Institute of New Zealand).
Ward Group 13-17 Miami Parade PO Box 12720 Penrose Auckland 1061
Sustainability
SOLAR
SOLUTION
Increasing energy costs are an issue for all society, but a local body initiative is seeking a solution that could bring some relief for us all. The Nelson City Council, Nelson Environment Centre and SolarCity have launched The Solar Promise, a call for councils, central government, individuals and businesses to do what they can to make solar more affordable and help New Zealanders save money and combat climate change and continuing oil depletion. Nine mayors, led by Nelson Mayor Aldo Miccio, held a briefing in Wellington calling for all other mayors and their councils to consider solar options for their communities. Aldo Miccio says that a 2008 feasibility study carried out in partnership with the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA) and SolarCity showed the government’s solar grant alone was not enough to help communities go solar. “The study was clear: families want the immediate cash benefits from solar’s savings, but they need to spread the cost of solar for it to be affordable,” Miccio says. “From these needs, the Solar Saver Scheme was born - an innovative rates-based financing mechanism to help home owners spread the cost of going solar. At the time, the Nelson City Council also chose to waive solar resource consents, to further reduce the barriers to solar. “The Solar Saver Scheme has been a huge success for Nelson,” he says. “In the scheme’s first year Nelson families put more solar
systems on their roofs than the whole of Auckland City, immediately getting up to one week’s free power every month. “We believe the Solar Saver Scheme is a vital policy tool for all councils, to assist their communities to reduce their energy costs, while also helping to maximise the contribution from solar to our nation’s renewable energy target. “The goal of The Solar Promise is to make solar more affordable, and there are many ways that individuals, businesses and local government can support that happening,” he says. “One way is to go to The Solar Promise website and pledge a promise – to encourage your council to put in a Solar Saver Scheme as part of this year’s long term planning process - that is something we can all do easily to help make change. Mayors supporting The Solar Promise include Hastings Mayor, and Local Government New Zealand President, Lawrence Yule, Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown, Marlborough District Mayor Alistair Sowman, Tasman District Mayor Richard Kempthorne, Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull, Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt, Southland District Mayor Frana Cardno and Gore District Mayor Tracy Hicks; and Whanganui Mayor Annette Main.
renewable energy targets, as well as create jobs and reduce energy bills for people living in their community,” he says. “The launch of The Solar Promise comes at a critically important time for the development of solar power in New Zealand, with power prices rising by 74% across the last 10 years and the price of oil at historic highs.
“New Zealand has a world-class solar resource yet only 35,000 New Zealand homes have solar."
Bill Highet, General Manager – Retail, Meridian Energy, says the company supports The Solar Promise as part of its commitment to renewable and sustainable energy.
“If New Zealand was to match the same levels of uptake as Israel then our communities and families would be saving half a billion dollars a year and together we would stop 450 million tonnes of carbon entering the atmosphere every year,” he says.
Solar Promise co-founder Grant Jones, CEO of Nelson Environment Centre (NEC) says “The NEC is committed to help build a more resilient community and economy for future Andrew Booth CEO of New Zealand’s leading generations and this includes more secure, clean and affordable sources of energy. The solar power company says the goal of The Solar Promise is to promote solar and increase Solar Promise is an important step towards achieving this.” uptake to make solar more affordable for all New Zealanders. Mayor Aldo Miccio says The Solar Promise “Few challenges facing our families and communities are more urgent than the rising cost of power for our homes, and the twin crisis of climate change and oil depletion,” Booth says. “New Zealand has a world-class solar resource yet only 35,000 New Zealand homes have solar." “Councils have a central role to play in tackling climate change – and they are well placed to help New Zealand meet its
“When we briefed stakeholders about The Solar Promise, they loved the idea,” Miccio says. “They could see this campaign is not about achieving commercial gains, but is about councils stepping up to show leadership by providing affordable renewable energy options for their citizens. Many businesses are also showing a willingness to step up to promote the uptake of solar.”
campaign has already attracted the support across all sectors: local councils; environmental groups such as Greenpeace, WWF and 350 Aotearoa; industry groups like the Master Plumbers Association of New Zealand, the Sustainable Business Network, the Sustainable Electricity Association of New Zealand (SEANZ), and businesses such as Kiwibank, Ecostore, and the nation’s largest producer of renewable energy, Meridian Energy.
“Electricity is fundamental to our economy and well-being, and new generation is required to meet growing electricity demand,” Highet says. “Meridian believes that solar will play an increasing role in ensuring we are able to meet the renewable energy targets the government has set and we are very pleased to support this campaign.” Also welcoming the support for solar power through The Solar Promise, Nathan Argent of Greenpeace says solar power is proven, reliable, effective and an easy to install technology. “The Solar Promise is a great idea,” says Argent. “Solar allows us all to help fight climate change, and slash our bills, at the same time. By bringing councils and communities together the Solar Promise can help New Zealand to become more energy independent, and move towards a cleaner, smarter energy future.” For more information The Solar Promise or to make a promise go to
www.thesolarpromise.org.nz
www.awarenesstoday.co.nz Spring 2011 | 29
Sustainability
talking
TRASH We live in a world where we are all too aware of what our rubbish is doing to the environment.
It’s common to read headlines about the ‘Great Pacific Garbage Patch’ or about animals that die painfully after mistakenly eating plastic. All this is a shame considering how most of our waste, far from being rubbish, is a resource. In Dunedin, a new state of the art new recycling facility has been serving residents well for the past few months. As well as the new recycling wheelie bins Dunedinites have been using since February, a new facility is hard at work sorting everyone’s recycling and sending them all over the world to be used again. At the Green Island centre, paper and cardboard is generally being sent to the North Island for use in new packaging, glass to Auckland to be made back into bottles and plastics to Christchurch for transformation into pipes. Tins and cans remain with scrap metal merchants in Dunedin.
Kerbside Waste Collection: tion:Kerbside ALTERNATE WEEKS ALTERNATE WEEKS Waste Collection: ALTERNATE WEEKS REDUCE YOUR WASTE REDUCE YOUR WASTE RECYCLE: RECYCLE: RECYCLE: YELLOW BLUE WEEK Recycle BLUE WEEK WEEK plastic bags. Recycle plastic bags.
Clean, unbroken glass bottles and jars.
n, unbroken glass bottles and jars.
lease remove all lids and rinse.
Put unwanted supermarket plastic bags in red wheelie bins at New World and Pak’nSave supermarkets.
Please separate all lids, rinse plastics, tins and cans, and flatten cardboard. The wheelie bin lid must be closed.
Bokashi e Waste Collection: ALTERNATE WEEKS composting.
YOUR WASTE RECYCLE: RECYCLE: For food wastes. SoldREDUCE at DCC Recycle YELLOW BLUE WEEKCustomer Services Centes. plastic bags. Clean, unbroken glass bottles and jars. WEEK REDUCE Please YOUR WASTE remove all lids and rinse.
ALTERNATE WEEKS
Get and your official DCC CLE: Recycle all paper bags at Customer cardboard, rubbish clean rigid Centres, OPSA, 1 – 7,Services tins, cans, WEEKplastics OUSA,foil, supermarkets and aluminium trays,
ss bottles and jars. selected dairies. aerosol cans, plastic bottles, containers and lids. l lids and rinse.
Put unwanted supermarket plastic bags in red wheelie bins at New World and Pak’nSave supermarkets.
Remember:
No garden waste, liquids, paint, ashes or chemicals.
Recycle plastic bags.
Place recycling bins and rubbish bags at the kerb by 7am on your collection day (NOT out before 7pm the Bokashi night before). Take back in by 7pm that evening.
composting.
Put unwanted supermarket plastic bags in red wheelie bins at New World and Pak’nSave supermarkets.
EVERY WEEK: RUBBISH BAGS TERNATE WEEKS Please separate all lids, rinse plastics, tins and cans, and flatten cardboard. The wheelie Recycle plastic bags. Bokashi bin lid must be closed. Put unwanted composting. supermarket Recycle For food wastes. Sold at DCC plastic bagsCentes. in Customer Services plastic bags. red wheelie bins Put unwanted supermarket atplastic Newbags World in red wheelie at New World and andbins Pak’nSave Pak’nSave supermarkets. supermarkets.
REDUCE YOUR WASTE
K
nd jars.
inse.
ember:
For food wastes. Sold at DCC Customer Services Centes.
Bokashi Composting
Visit Rummage Visit Rummage.
bargains – resue and revive! Green Island For foodGreat wastes. Resource Recovery Centre, 9 Brighton Rd, Dunedin. Sold at DCC Phone 488 2467. Customer Services Visit Rummage.
Centres.
Great bargains – resue and Green Green Island Great bargains - rescue andrevive! revive! Resource Recovery Centre, 9 Brighton Rd, Dunedin. Island Resource Recovery Centre, Phone 488 2467. 9 Brighton Rd, Dunedin.Ph 488 2467
Making recycling easier!
Remember: CC waste, liquids,Bokashi rden paint, ashes or chemicals. No garden waste, liquids, paint, ashes or chemicals. Forcomposting. more information call 477 4000 tomer Place recycling bins and rubbish bags at the kerb by recycling bins or and rubbish bags at the kerb by PSA, For visit food wastes. Sold at DCC our website 7am on your collection day (NOT out before 7pm the s and Visit Rummage. on your collectionCustomer dayServices (NOTCentes. out before 7pm the night before). Take back in by 7pm that evening. Great bargains – resue and revive! Green Island s. Resource Recovery Centre, 9 Brighton Rd, Dunedin.
Making recycling easier!
www.dunedin.govt.nz
before). Take back in by 7pm that evening. Phone 488 2467.
EVERY30WEEK: RUBBISH BAGS | Spring 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz
BAGS
s, paint, ashes or chemicals.
d rubbish bags at the kerb by
Making recycling easier!
Put unwanted supermarket plastic bags in red wheelie bins at New World and Pak’nSave supermarkets.
Please remove all lids and rinse.
Recycle all paper and cardboard, clean rigid plastics 1 – 7, tins, cans, aluminium trays, foil, aerosol cans, plastic bottles, containers and lids.
For more information call 477 4000 or visit our website
For more information call 477 4000 or visit our website
Bokashi composting.
“By changing our methodology for collections, we’ve also made a safer operation for the recycling and rubbish collectors as well.”
Paper and cardboard will generally be sent to the North Island for use in . new packaging, glass to Auckland to Dunedin beCity made back into bottles, plastics to Eight years after the introduction of Council Christchurch for transformation into recycling crates, it has upgraded its pipes, and tins and cans are expected system to wheelie bins, split the glass out Visit Rummage. to remain with scrap metal merchants separate bin, Greatinto bargains a – resue and revive! Green Island as well as building Resource Recovery Centre, 9 Brighton Rd, Dunedin. in Dunedin. Phone 488 2467. a state-of-the art sorting centre on
For food wastes. Sold at DCC Customer Services Centes.
Green Island. easier! Making recycling “Markets have grown so we’ve moved with times,” explains the council’s waste manager Ian Featherston. For more information call 477 4000
or visit our website “The new system is a real improvement. The wheelie bins have lids which stops waste from blowing away in the wind, making our streets cleaner.
“The glass is being recycled separately so paper and plastics are not contaminated with it, which was previously downgrading the quality of the recycled product for the local and overseas markets.
The new sorting facility on Green Island is being staffed by Cargill Enterprises employees and has been running since June. So far, all is well. “There haven’t really been any teething problems at all, it ran from day one as expected,” Featherston says.
Sustainability It’s estimated about 25 tonnes of non-glass recyclables each day, up to 500 tonnes a month, will be passing through the new plant. The recycling centre was built on Doug Hall’s Hall Bros land, by another one of his companies, Antzide Properties. Doug Hall has been recycling since the 1980s, before it was mainstream. He remembers starting to reuse crushed building waste on a family farm. “Then people started knocking on my door asking for it,” he recalls. Further down the track, he bought a building in the city and started a recycled shop, recycling all sorts of thing like windows and doors. Soon Hall’s company was pulling concrete, ashphalt and bricks from demolitions and started crushing them. The company owns two concrete crushers, and the machines work all day, every day, turning concrete waste into aggregate for back-fill on construction sites and roading. The Dunedin City Council’s roading contractor has already used thousands of tonnes of it in its work. Wood is another resource which can easily be recycled. The only wood-chipper of its kind in New Zealand was bought by Doug Hall a few years ago, allowing trees and shrubs to be turned into wood chips for dairy farms. This powerful machine chips at an awesome 100 cubic meters an hour.
With a strong track record in recycling and reusing waste, Hall was the obvious man to be part of the new Dunedin recycling centre, an initiative he worked on with Full Circle and EnviroWaste. The recycling centre officially started in June and is being staffed by a busy team from Cargill Enterprises. Dunedin City Council’s waste manager Ian Featherston says the first few months have gone by without a hitch. “There haven’t really been any teething problems at all, it ran from day one as expected,” Featherston says. Doug Hall agrees. “It has been running really well. I’m looking at utilising the building I own next door – for skips coming off building sites and houses. We could turn that building into a place to process that waste.”
Anzide Properties 26 Cresswell Street Dunedin T (03) 477 0181
WHEELIE BINS 80, 120,240 Litre Bins INTRODUCTORY OFFER FIRST 8 EMPTIES FREE (Special Conditions apply)
• Same collection day as Dunedin City Council Services • Sizes, services & payment options to suit all households
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Pleased to be suppliers of high grade aggregate to Hall Bros Transport Ltd www.awarenesstoday.co.nz Spring 2011 | 31
Sustainability
A computer-generated rendering of Victoria University of Wellington's First Light (Courtesy of the Victoria University of Wellington Solar Decathlon team)
Studenttakes EcoonTeam the wo ld A group of kiwi students have become the first finalist ever from the Southern Hemisphere selected to compete in the highly prestigious Solar Decathlon.
Calling themselves the Victoria University of Wellington Solar Decathlon team, the group will venture into the cauldron of international competition for the US Department of Energy event. The Solar Decathlon competition challenges university teams from around the world to design, build and operate solar powered houses that are cost effective, energy efficient and attractive. The New Zealand team entry will compete against university teams from the US, Canada, China and Belgium. The Victoria team’s entry into the competition – the Meridian First Light house – was assembled on Wellington’s waterfront earlier this year to a fantastic public response. More than 20,000 people toured through the house over the 18-day opening period. The house travelled from Wellington to Washington DC over sea and land, taking a month to reach the competition site. The team assembled the house in less than seven days on the National Mall’s West Potomac Park before competing in a series of ten contests.
These contests challenge the teams to run their houses entirely from the energy collected from the sun’s energy.
exterior and interior. A cedar canopy supports the solar array, which produces hot water and generates energy to power the house.
First Light, Victoria University of Wellington's US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 entry, is inspired by the traditional New Zealand holiday home—the ‘Kiwi bach’.
Although First Light is inspired by a vacation home, it is intended as a permanent residence for a couple.
"... inspired by the traditional New Zealand holiday home—the ‘Kiwi bach’."
The house is named First Light because New Zealand is the first place morning light shines at the start of a new day. First Light's design reflects a relaxed lifestyle in which socializing and connecting with the outdoors are central to living. At the heart of the design is a glazed central section that functions as a bridge between
The house provides flexibility to accommodate family and friends through social spaces that can transform to suit the owner and make the most of the natural environment. The design creates multi-functional rooms while keeping practical concerns, such as storage, in mind. Although perfect for a couple, the house can be modified easily to accommodate spontaneous visits from guests. The Design Philosophy with its clean, simple lines and use of natural, low-maintenance materials, First Light puts a contemporary spin on the traditional Kiwi Bach. Weather and climate are intertwined with the design philosophy of the First Light house to encourage an awareness of how to work with a changing climate rather than against it.
Harding Electrical Ltd SERVICING THE WELLINGTON AREA SINCE 1948
Our primary clients are Government entities and leading New Zealand and Australian companies. We advise on significant public and private sector projects throughout the country. As a specialist law firm, we are able to apply market leading expertise on a collaborative and cost-effective basis. BRANZ is an independent and impartial research, testing, consulting and information company providing services and resources for the building industry.
Phone: +64 4 494 8500 Fax: +64 4 494 8501 Email: reception@grclegal.com Web: www.grclegal.com Level 9, Craigs Investment Partners House 36 Customhouse Quay PO Box 25501, Wellington 6146
P 64 4 237 1170 • F 64 4 237 1171
www.branz.co.nz
Pleased to support the First Light project 32 | Spring 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz
Pleased to be of service to the First Light project.
Hamburg Süd. Where the sea is greener. In terms of environmental responsibility, Hamburg Süd is especially proactive. Our ships, equipment and offices are all clean and green. Environmental sustainability Hamburg Süd's on board with it. No matter what. www.hamburgsud-line.com
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www.hardingelectrical.co.nz
Sustainability
GLOBAL
SUSTAINABILITY Partnership BusinessNZ and Landcare Research have partnered with the producer of the world’s most widely used sustainability reporting framework, the Global
The Victoria University of Wellington Solar Decathlon team (Courtesy of Sophie Prebble)
Reporting Initiative (GRI), to provide an accurate and complete sustainability
In addition to being the only entry from the Southern Hemisphere, First Light features are unique in many ways with: • The decking runs not only around the house but also through the center, allowing occupants to effectively live outside during summer and bringing a sense of the outdoors inside during winter • A triple-glazed skylight and large bi-fold doors illuminate the central section of the house • The house is clad in western red cedar using an innovative, detachable cladding system • Custom-built furniture in the living room can transform to accommodate overnight guests.
First Light combines the principles of simplicity and innovation to ensure technology and sustainability complement the way most New Zealanders live. It incorporates: • An interactive energy monitoring system that shows where energy is being used and displays peak energy use, peak energy production, water use, and weather data • An innovative drying cupboard that dries clothes quickly by pumping solar-heated hot water through a heat exchanger • Recycled sheep's wool as insulation.
After competing in Solar Decathlon 2011, First Light will be repacked and returned by ship to New Zealand, where it will begin its second life as a fully functional home. The team would like to monitor the performance of the house with its new owners so it can confirm its performance expectations over time.
reports database for New Zealand. BusinessNZ chief executive Phil O’Reilly says consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact of products and services. “Businesses providing transparent and comparable reporting on how they manage their economic, environmental, social and governance impacts is a valuable way for them to respond to consumers’ concerns and demonstrate their commitment to sustainable development.” Landcare Research chief executive Richard Gordon says “Landcare Research’s association with BusinessNZ and the GRI is seen as a positive step towards establishing an information hub and make available timely and accurate information about sustainability reporting trends in New Zealand, while raising the visibility of New Zealand reporting organisations within New Zealand and internationally.” Phil O’Reilly added that as well as responding to consumer demand, businesses are themselves developing more sustainable and efficient production methods as a way of ensuring long-term profitability and viability. “Joining GRI’s global network of data providers, means we can gain a more accurate global picture of sustainability reporting, compare organizational performance over time, and measure that performance with respect to laws, norms, standards and voluntary initiatives. “This new partnership means we can also contribute to the GRI Framework’s continuous improvement and application worldwide.” The Framework is developed through a consensus-seeking, multi-stakeholder process, with participants drawn from global business, civil society, labour, academic and professional institutions.
Supporting First Light House
Landcare Research will carry out the data collection about reports published in New Zealand, and this will allow BusinessNZ and GRI to maintain and publish a complete and accurate database for New Zealand.
07 855 0272 www.wohc.co.nz
www.awarenesstoday.co.nz Spring 2011 | 33
Health | Sustainability
A cultu e of sustainability “It is a good thing I didn’t know what I know now about the yoghurt business, when I started out 23 years ago”
You can ferment yoghurt in around five hours - most brands do. Cyclops yoghurt is fermented for a minimum of 12 hours. Combined with elevated levels of milk solids it produces yoghurt with high titratable acidity and exceptional pro-biotic bacteria counts.
says Jim Small, founder and CEO of Serra Foods, makers of Cyclops Organic Yoghurt. “Otherwise I might have used my law degree in a more conventional way”.
From the start Cyclops packaging set the standard for durability and ease of reuse. “We have always recycled as much as possible” Small says.
More importantly, not knowing how conventional dairy companies worked meant Cyclops was just naturally different.
A special adhesive on the labels makes them easy to peel off the pots, which can be reused as fantastic, multi-purpose containers.
No one had put yoghurt in clear containers before and certainly no one had taken the trouble to set the yoghurt and then put the flavour on top!
Cyclops has never done ‘me too’ products and continues to innovate. It was first to market with yoghurt ice cream and more recently its new dessert-style yoghurt ‘Bliss by Cyclops’ has topped blind taste comparisons with other ‘gourmet’ yoghurts.
No other company would be crazy enough to make yoghurt out of batch evaporated fresh organic milk – it’s more logical to just add skim milk powder and starch or gelatine to thicken the milk. Jim’s inspiration for his thick natural yoghurt was the fabulous Greek yoghurt he had eaten on his travels. A name from Greek mythology seemed fitting.
PLASTIC FOOD CONTAINER MANUFACTURERS • Specialising in injection moulded food containers. • 70 containers within a range of 40ml - 1 litre. • Specialising in custom packaging. • Common products include: honey, ice cream, yoghurt, oysters, pesto etc...
Pleased to support Serra Natural Foods
It didn’t hurt that it rhymed with ‘plops’ and ‘dollops’ as well. And if you know about the ‘one eyed’ reputation of Cyclops’ home province you will see the hint of an ‘in’ joke Cyclops embraces a human, artisan method of food production. “Using natural and unprocessed ingredients gives subtle daily variations that our people adjust for on a batch-to-batch basis” says Small. The result is a product that doesn’t just satisfy, it delights.
ROSLYN MILL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE 229 KAIKORAI VALLEY ROAD DUNEDIN Phone: 453 0996 • Fax: 4530885 • Cell: 0274535335 • Email: packit@xtra.co.nz
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Proud to be associated with Serra Natural Foods. 34 | Spring 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz
Phone 03 379 1246
At the same time Cyclops Ambrosia, a unique light creamy version of the classic Kiwi dessert, is getting rave responses from customers. Sustainability is an important element of the Cyclops values package. “We calculate the greenhouse gas emissions we produce, and have been purchasing credits to offset emissions since November 2007. Sustainability is central to our business strategy. We are more concerned with the quality of our business than the scale. Bigger is only better if it affords more opportunities for excellence.” Serra Foods commitment to sustainability was recognised when it won the regional and national 2010 Sustainable Business Network mid-sized business Trail-Blazer awards. The company has consistently turned down export business which is based on air-freight. Now it has developed long life systems for fresh yoghurt which allows for low carbon sea-freight transport and is rapidly growing the export side of the business. As Jim Small says, “the culture of sustainability is as important to the business as the exceptional cultured foods we produce.”
Health | Wellness
Risk factor management
The ABCs of
TYPE 2 DIABETES
BREAD | CAKES | BISCUITS | LOAVES MUFFINS | PIZZA BASES | ROLLS BUNS | SNACKS & PREMIXES
Those of you who have done a first aid course will be well aware of the ABC approach to handling a cardiac arrest – Airway, Breathing, Circulation. It’s a simple mnemonic, easy to remember and put into action when the stress is on. However, I think there is also a different ABC approach to successfully looking after the risk factors for someone with diabetes. When I started training as a doctor (and it wasn’t all that long ago, regardless of my greying hair!), health professionals had a very glucocentric approach to care – control of blood glucose levels was the golden rule, and not much else was important. Lifestyle changes and medications which aim to lower blood glucose levels - antihyperglycaemic treatments - are still an important part of the treatment paradigm, and what everyone thinks about when you mention diabetes, but we now know that there are at least a couple of other vital pieces of the puzzle. Blood pressure control is as important as blood glucose control. In the landmark UKPDS study, blood pressure control had a greater effect on outcome than tight blood glucose control, and the benefits were seen sooner after starting on treatment as well. These benefits were clear in terms of reducing damage to both large and small blood vessels, reducing the likelihood of having a heart attack or a stroke, as well as
the risk of developing kidney disease or going blind. This study also showed that you have to work quite hard to get blood pressure down to the target level, and often patients wind up taking a number of different blood pressure tablets. Paying attention to one’s cholesterol level has become more popular not just with advancing knowledge, but also with the advent of more effective treatment options. Statin medications, which reduce cholesterol levels can reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke by 25 percent.
"...someone with type 2 diabetes has around three to four times the risk of these events as someone without diabetes..."
P. (09) 578 1484 E. info@phoenixglutenfree.co.nz www.phoenixglutenfree.co.nz
dietary sources, with the remainder being made in their liver. Although it’s definitely worth changing your diet to more healthy options, this severely limits the amount by which this approach can lower cholesterol. For those of you who were paying attention at the start, there’s another letter in my title mnemonic, which I was sneaking under your radar. Actually, it’s a vital part of the equation, and should be the biggest capital letter in there. Smoking and diabetes make very poor bedfellows, and becoming smoke free is the biggest single thing that someone with diabetes can do to reduce their long-term risk of complications. So there you have it, the simple ABCS of diabetes risk reduction. In the real world it’s never as simple as it looks on paper, but it does give a starting point for action for anyone with diabetes.
How is �our child going at School?
We have all heard the expression “fish is food for the brain”. This is because Fish Oil contains Omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, nutrients that are essential for normal healthy brain function. It is also important to kids as it helps play a key role in proper eye function and a healthy nervous systems.
That’s where Kids Smart comes in!
With 500mg of Fish Oil in each deliciously fruity flavoured, chewable burstlet, it is the easy way to boost your child’s Omega-3 DHA and EPA intake. Great for fussy eaters! LEARNING HEALTHY BRAIN FUNCTION HEALTHY BEHAVIOUR HEALTHY TEMPERAMENT
When you think that someone with type 2 diabetes has around three to four times the risk of these events as someone without diabetes - that’s potentially a huge benefit. For most people, only about 20 percent of the cholesterol in the blood stream comes from
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www.awarenesstoday.co.nz Spring 2011 | 35
Health | Women
HEAVY PERIODS Around one in five New Zealand women will have problems with heavy regular or irregular periods at some time. This can lead to tiredness, weakness and anaemia. There may be large blood clots passed or flooding (a feeling of the period becoming like a heavy flow) with accidents. Symptoms of anaemia including dizziness can lead to needing a blood transfusion. Pain may be an associated symptom with marked cramps and a feeling of faintness.
The main causes A small number of women will have endometrial hyperplasia (abnormal cells in the lining of the womb), or rarely cancer of the lining. The commonest cause of heavy periods is dysfunctional uterine bleeding and is due to imbalances in the hormones that control the periods. More than half of all women with heavy periods have dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Other causes include fibroids (non-cancerous growths that one in three women have in the muscle layer of their uterus), benign polyps
and pe iod pain
in the lining of the womb and adenomyosis (tiny bits of the lining of the womb are inside the muscle layer of the uterus and can cause bleeding and pain).
Where pain is a significant problem then endometriosis may be the cause. This is when areas of the lining of the womb exist outside it as well. This is a little like adenomyosis as above but is called endometriosis.
necessary for diagnosis (the passage of a small telescope through the belly button to look into the pelvis and abdomen).
Non surgical treatments Some of the things to consider before treating a woman for heavy periods include the age of the patient and whether fertility is still needed.
Your doctor will ask questions and undertake an internal examination (and cervical smear if one is due). Following this some blood tests including a test for anaemia and iron levels may be offered as may a pelvic ultrasound scan. You may be referred to a specialist Gynaecologist.
Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Ponstan can be used as can the combined oral contraceptive or ‘pill’. Tranexamic acid such as Cyklokapron is another drug that may help to reduce the amount of menstrual blood loss by half. Drugs can be useful but patients tend to prefer treatments that do not involve taking pills every day.
Sometimes further tests may be needed such as a biopsy of the lining with either a small thin plastic device in the clinic or a test called a hysteroscopy D and C under an anaesthetic. This test involves looking inside the uterus with a thin telescope followed by a biopsy of the lining.
Another option is the Progestagen intrauterine device (Mirena). This is fitted like the traditional IUD but unlike them it usually reduces flow. It has a reservoir of hormone on it that slowly releases into the lining of the womb making it thinner and stopping it developing every month.
If pain is a significant issue and the specialist feels that endometriosis may be a possible cause for this, a laparoscopy may be
Around 85 percent of women report satisfaction and significant improvement with the heaviness and pain. Around one in 10 have it removed because of side effects or failure. It lasts for 5 years and can be fitted in the clinic in many cases. Several of these treatments can also help endometriosis.
Investigations
Iron treatments such as tablets, syrup or injections can often be needed to replace the iron lost because of the loss of blood cells in the periods.
Surgical treatments Endometrial Ablation
• Menstrual problems • Pelvic pain • Management of urinary incontinence and prolapse • Menopause and other hormone management • Advanced laparoscopic techniques for endometriosis • Laparoscopic gynaecology surgery • Gynaecological oncology • Pelvic floor reconstruction • Robotic surgery • Comprehensive obstetric care • Fertility management • Physiotherapy services
This aims to destroy the lining of the womb (endometrium). One of the best types involves a mesh device (Novasure) that is placed inside the uterus with a subsequent electrically generated heat destruction of the lining.
Article supplied by Dr Anil Sharma
Hysterectomy This involves removal of the uterus and can be total (also removes the cervix) or sub-total where the woman preserves her cervix. The uterus can be removed vaginally, abdominally or laparoscopically (through keyhole surgery). These approaches need discussion in detail as they have different advantages and disadvantages. In general terms hysterectomy is a major operation and does involve 2-4 nights stay in hospital and 4-6 weeks for almost full recovery. There are important risks that need to be discussed with prospective patients including the risks of injury to structures and other complications. Despite these concerns, the operation does provide 100 percent treatment in terms of ending periods and is still favoured by many patients despite the existence of the other lower intervention options.
Surgical treatments for endometriosis The laparoscopy test can be combined with keyhole excision of endometriosis at the same time as it is performed and may also be combined with ongoing hormonal treatment with the combined pill or the Mirena device.
Conclusion The modern approache to the treatment of heavy and/or painful periods involves a bewildering array of options which all require careful consideration and discussion. With most families now being busy and the importance that our society places on lifestyle and a return to activity, women often prefer less interventional treatments and therefore deserve informed choice with both the investigation and treatment of heavy periods.
The main advantage is that the procedure can be undertaken as a day case and involves a relatively quick recovery compared to other surgical procedures. A watery bloodstained discharge for a few weeks can be expected as the uterus heals, but significant complications are uncommon. The operation gives satisfactory results in around 9 out of 10 times.
Dr Anil Sharma was brought up in London and trained in England, Wales and New Zealand. His main areas of expertise are pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence in women, heavy periods and endometriosis.
Ph 03 379 0555 | Fax 03 379 5299 | www.oxfordclinic.co.nz 151 Leinster Road | Merivale | Christchurch P.O. Box 3932 | Christchurch 8140 CLINIC HOURS Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm 36 | Spring 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz
Anil is passionate about medical education and is also the Women’s health expert on TVNZ’s Good Morning programme.
Dr Anil Sharma FRCOG FRANZCOG
Level 4, Ascot Central, 7 Ellerslie Racecourse Drive, Remuera Tel 09 520 0745 • Fax 09 520 0743 • www.dranilsharma.co.nz
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STOP LOSING DAYS TO HEAVY PERIODS.
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Ask your doctor about Cyklokapron , the non-hormonal medicine to manage heavy periods. ®
If you experience heavy menstrual bleeding every month, there’s an effective non-hormonal treatment that can reduce blood loss by 33 - 55%.2,3 It’s called Cyklokapron, a tablet that you simply take for the first four days of your menstrual cycle.4 If this sounds like a good way to manage your heavy periods each month, talk to your doctor.
References: 1. Gynaecology Forum Vol 15. No 1, 2010 Ian Milson 2. National Health Committee New Zealand. Guidelines for the management of heavy menstrual bleeding,1998. 3. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). Clinical guideline for heavy menstrual bleeding, 2007. 4. Cyklokapron® Approved Product Information. CYKLOKAPRON (tranexamic acid 500mg) tablets. CYKLOKAPRON (tranexamic acid) is a prescription medicine used to prevent excessive bleeding in patients with: traumatic hyphaema (bleeding into the front part of the eye); blood clotting disorders who are having minor surgery; heavy periods; hereditary angioneurotic oedema (periodic swelling of the throat). Do not take CYKLOKAPRON if you are allergic to tranexamic acid or any of the other ingredients in CYKLOKAPRON tablets, if you are being treated for a stroke, blood clots or if you have problems with colour vision. Caution is needed if you: suffer from blood clots, severe bruising, unexplained irregular periods, have high blood pressure, problems with your heart, liver or kidneys, are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, are breastfeeding or going to have dental work. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea. Serious side effects include unexpected pain, unexpected swelling in your legs or arms, giddiness, skin allergies, changes in eyesight. If you experience these see your doctor. Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell. Use strictly as directed. Consult your doctor to see if CYKLOKAPRON is right for you. CYKLOKAPRON is funded for all of the approved uses above. A pharmacy charge and normal doctor’s fees apply for all prescriptions. Contains 500mg tranexamic acid. Further information on CYKLOKAPRON is available from www.medsafe.govt.nz or Pfizer New Zealand Ltd, PO Box 3998, Auckland. www.pfizer.co.nz. Ph. 0800 736363. TAPS NA5234. P4635 08/11. BCG2-H CYK0001.
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29/08/11 1:28 PM www.awarenesstoday.co.nz Spring 2011 | 37
Health | Weightloss
WEIGHTmade LOSS easy If your weight has ballooned over the winter, it maybe time to take action. If you have a balloon and you put it under the tap and turn the tap on, what happens? The balloon gets bigger and full of water right? Okay so if you made a hole in the balloon the same size as the one that the water is going in, then the water goes in, and then water goes out at the same rate leaving the balloon the same size. So if you turn the tap harder, the balloon cannot get rid of the water as fast as it’s going in, so it gets bigger again. And if you turn the tap down to a trickle the balloon is going to get smaller, right? Okay, your body is the balloon. And food is the water. If you put in more energy than you are using, your body is going to be fat. Food is energy. You can measure it in Kjoules or Kcal (commonly referred to as Calories). This is the very basis for all weight loss. You can do any diet you want, with any gimmicky name - but unless your energy in is less than energy out, you will not lose weight. Understanding this means you can make up your own diets, or even eat whatever you want … so long as you keep the calories in less than the calories out! The average body uses about 2000 calories a day just being alive. That’s without exercise. If you’re overweight then you are going to use
a lot more – maybe up to 3000 to 4000 for the Okay, you should know your BMR; 3500 calories is equivalent to 1lb and 9000 is 1kg fairly obese! in weight. This is when converted to body This is called your BMR. You can work out weight. So if you were to use 2500 calories a your BMR with this following formula: day for your BMR, and sat on your ass all day, and then ate only 1500 calories a day, then in 9 days you would have lost 1kg. (That’s 1000 BMR Formula calories a day deficit for 9 days Women: BMR = 655 + (9.6 x weight in = 9000kcal = 1kg) kilos) + (1.8 x height in cm) – (4.7 x age So it’s not overly hard to live on a calorie in years) controlled diet at all. In fact if you take today’s Men: BMR = 66 + (13.7 x weight in kilos) standard foods, most of them are great until + (5 x height in cm) – (6.8 x age in years) you hit things like mayonnaise (200 kcal a tablespoon) or cakes (about 350-500 kcal Harris Benedict Formula to determine a slice). your total daily calorie needs: multiply your BMR by the appropriate activity factor (be honest with thyself), as follows: 1. If you are sedentary (little or no exercise): Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.2 2. If you are lightly active (light exercise/ sports 1-3 days/week): CalorieCalculation = BMR x 1.375 3. If you are moderatetely active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/ week): Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.55 4. If you are very active (hard exercise/ sports 6-7 days a week): CalorieCalculation = BMR x 1.725 5. If you are extra active (very hard exercise/sports & physical job or 2x training): Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.92
So you can actually eat a pretty filling diet, and still throw in the odd chunky sized chocolate bar (200kcal) and lose weight easily. In fact some days if you had a salad (17kcal a cup) for lunch and ended up having so many spare calories you could have a favorite food and still lose weight. One more key thing to remember - girls, you must eat over 1200 kcal a day. Guys, make it 1800 or more. If you regularly eat under this amount your metabolism is going to go into starvation mode. This will cause everything to slow down and your body to suck in all the food it can. You will not lose any weight whilst your body is in starvation mode. If you find you stop losing weight try upping the calories a bit. Okay, so you can work out your intake and stuff now, that’s great, you can eat KFC and chocolate and still lose weight - fantastic. However, there are some things you want
38 | Spring 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz
to think about still. This may not be entirely what you want to hear either. You got fat for a reason. It may have been personal, or mental, or just because you plain out liked food. That reason has to be dealt with or you will regain the weight. Ideally you want to find how many calories you will burn when you get to your goal weight. It might be say 2000-2500ish. If you eat that number when fat, you will slowly drop down in weight TO that weight. The closer you get the slower it will go – but you will get there. What this will do is teach you how much you should eat, quantity wise. When you get to your goal weight you won’t have to stress about anything major, because it’s not a diet, it’s a way of life. Secondly - sure you may be able to eat KFC and chocolate and lose weight, but seriously, how good is that for your body? How healthy is that? Once in a while no worries, slip in some sort of old favorite. But try and find new lower calorie favorites to replace the old ones. Try slipping in a salad with those nachos, or leaving off the cheese etc… this is the stuff that will end up keeping you going and feeling great and keeping you healthy. Above all, when lack of motivation hits you, think about where you were a few months back. Look at the difference in clothes size. Falling off the wagon for a day, or even a week won’t kill you. But not getting back on potentially could! Take care of yourself and make sure you take time for yourself above all, maybe some pampering.
www.awarenesstoday.co.nz Spring 2011 | 39
TIME FOR YOUR Immunisation NEXT BEST SHOT?
CSL Biotherapies 1/2 adut ccine
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Having your first shot to help protect yourself against HPV*, cervical cancer and genital warts is a great start, but it’s important you get all three shots to get the full benefit of the vaccine.
IF YOUR NEXT SHOT IS DUE
TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR OR NURSE TODAY Human papillomavirus Immunisation does not replace the need for regular cervical smear testing. The cervical cancer vaccine is a Prescription Medicine. Talk to your doctor or nurse about the benefits and possible risks. CSL Biotherapies (NZ) Ltd. Auckland. *Girls born on or after 1 January 1990 (who are aged 9 or older) are eligible for FREE vaccination. GARD-161-08/10. TAPS CH 2713 N1088178
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To older generations of New Zealanders who remember the days of school closures from polio epidemics and children in iron lungs, immunisation was a silver bullet. But as fears faded with immunisation’s success, parents started to question the value of vaccines and whether their child was still at risk from diseases they had no firsthand experience of. You don’t have to look far to get an answer to those questions. During recent months health authorities in Auckland and Waikato have been dealing with a measles outbreak that has disrupted the everyday lives of hundreds of families. At last count there were about 130 confirmed measles cases in the latest outbreaks and 20 hospitalisations so far this year.
protection against 11 serious preventable diseases. Timing is important. New Zealand children start their immunisations at six weeks of age because that’s when babies are most vulnerable to some diseases. Immunisation helps strengthen babies’ and children’s immune systems to fight off germs that can cause diseases. The next immunisations are at three, five and 15 months of age, four and 11 years. Twelve-year-old girls are also offered an immunisation that protects against the most common strains of human papillomavirus that can lead to cervical cancer. Whooping cough is a good example of why it is so important to get your child immunised on time, says David.
“Adults may not know they have this disease and if they cough over a baby, they can pass Most of these measles cases are in it on. It’s one of the most infectious diseases unimmunised children which underscores we know and it can’t be easily treated with just how effective the measles, mumps and antibiotics. Babies who get whooping cough rubella (MMR) vaccine is – about 90 to 95 struggle to breathe and are at high risk of percent of people are protected from measles serious, and sometimes life-threatening, once they are fully immunised, says the complications. Ministry of Health’s Immunisation manager “Most need to be hospitalised. Babies need David Wansbrough. three doses of whooping cough vaccine to MMR is on the National Immunisation be protected against this disease and that’s Schedule, a series of vaccines offered free to why it is given in those first six months of New Zealand children to give them the best their life.” 40 | Spring 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz
The National Immunisation Schedule is reviewed every three years by a group of experts to ensure Kiwi kids are getting the most effective vaccines at the right times to protect them from preventable diseases. This year the schedule was changed to include improved vaccines against pneumococcal disease – an infection that can cause pneumonia, meningitis and serious ear infections. It’s important that parents make an informed decision about immunisation, and that they fully understand the risks and benefits for their child, and their community, when they make that choice. It’s a good idea to talk to your family doctor or practice nurse about immunisation, says David. Parents can also call a free immunisation helpline
0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863) if they have questions or need more information, or they can visit the Ministry of Health website
www.moh.govt.nz/immunisation or the Immunisation Advisory Centre website
www.immune.org.nz
Health | Immunisation
Canterbury Plunket post quake Since 1928 Canterbury Plunket has been based at the old Fire Station building on Oxford Terrace in the middle of Christchurch’s ‘Red Zone’. Unfortunately the beautiful old building is one of many Christchurch building’s on the demolition list due to major damage from the February quake. ”Our staff have temporarily moved into the Plunket Family Centre on Twigger Street, as it is the only building we had ready access to that was able to support the infrastructure of a bustling office. It has meant a fair bit of compromise from everyone and suffice to say, we all know each other a little better now, due to working so closely together!’ says Anne Feld, Plunket’s Canterbury Area Manager. Currently the Area team are planning the future of Canterbury Plunket. They have a huge task ahead of them rebuilding a hub for the team that co-ordinates all of the Plunket services, from Nurses visits to parenting education classes.
“It is important to us that we find our own space and return the Family Centre back to its original use, but we also want to make sure that it doesn’t impact on our services any more than is absolutely necessary. With all the major aftershocks and the recent large dumping of snow, it is a really challenging time” she says. Rachel Wright, Plunket’s Community Services Leader says Plunket relies heavily on donations from businesses and the public to help support families in Christchurch. “We have had large amounts of products donated by Dettol, Huggies and Watties which we have been able to distribute around families in the Eastern suburbs that who are really struggling. We have also been very lucky with donations from the public in the form of toys, winter clothing, blankets and various other goods. It feels great to be able to co-ordinate these donations and make sure they get to the people who really need them.” Plunket is still in need of further donations and is putting a call out to anyone who would like to contribute to their service. There are many ways to help Plunket – from offering your time to offering to purchase car seats for the Canterbury Car Seat Rental Scheme. If you would like to find out more about how you can help, please email Rachel.wright@plunket.org.nz
For more information contact: Kelly Morison Kelly.morison@plunket.org.nz
baby & family photography personal & professional
Immunisation Schedule Footprints Photography T: 021 236 5800 • Auckland based E: kelly.lynch@clear.net.nz W: footprintsphotography.co.nz
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P leased to support P lunket www.awarenesstoday.co.nz Spring 2011 | 41
Health | Varicose Veins
t eatment VARICOSE NOT IN VAIN Some people inherit blonde hair and blue eyes. Some people inherit good bone structure. Others inherit varicose veins. In the genetic grab bag, there are all kinds of booby prizes, but while varicose veins are not the most desirable of familial traits to be passed through the generations, they are at least treatable with good result from the latest technologies. Wellington expert in the field, Dr Henryk Poczwa, whose Vein and Skin Clinic in Mt Victoria has successfully treated many thousands of patients, says increasingly people are choosing non-surgical procedures, to alleviate their vein problems. “Bad veins are essentially a genetic weakness,” says Dr Poczwa who also offers a wide range of appearance medicine and cosmetic procedures. “They are the result of a weakness in the valves in the veins of the leg. They commonly appear in women during or after pregnancy, but in both sexes, can develop from the late teens.
Many of the patients who seek Dr Poczwa’s help are concerned about the look of their ballooned veins. “They want to look good on the golf course or when aqua jogging and of course children can be very cruel, pointing out the veins and commenting that they look ugly.” But apart from being unsightly, varicose veins can ache and they can even be life threatening in that clots can develop from them or, particularly in older people, they can bleed or lead to ulcers, resulting in infections and possible blood poisoning. And yet, they are easy to fix. A walk in walk out procedure. The technique Dr Poczwa recommends to many of his clients is a laser procedure called Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA), along with injection sclerotherapy. This procedure uses laser energy plus a chemical agent to shut down varicose veins. Even huge varicose veins previously thought only suitable for conventional vein surgery can safely and effectively be eliminated, Dr Poczwa says.
pulley draws the laser fibre through the vein with the lasers heat effectively closing the vein down. Circulating blood is then simply re-routed to other healthy veins while the varicose vein is gradually absorbed by the body, much like a large bruise and gradually disappears over a period of time. Ten year studies show an excellent success rate. There is less risk of varicose veins recurring as happens when conventional varicose vein surgery is undertaken.
A tiny scalpel incision is made in the leg and a In most cases the procedure is covered by fibre is inserted into the varicose vein. A small insurance companies.
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474-0053 42 | Spring 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz
Dr Henryk Lorraine Smith DrPoczwa Henryk Dr Poczwa 38 Roxburgh Street, Mt Victoria Wellington. 38 Roxburgh Street, Mt Victoria, Wellington. Telephone: 9391353 1353or or0800 0800 NEW NEWYOU YOU (639 (639 968) 968) Telephone: 939
Date
(Results (Resultsseen seen22½½years yearsafter aftertreatment) treatment)
PHONE NO ARTWORK
Unable to have varicose veinvein treatment thethe above Unable to have varicose treatment above patient elected to have treatment elected to have laser treatment on his fistsurgery sized on his fist sized varicose varicose veins. veins. Dr’s Smith, Fellows Dr’sHenryk HenrykPoczwa Poczwaand andLorraine Peter Freeman, Fellowsof Australasian CollegeCollege of Phlebology (Veins)(Veins) offer EVLA of Australasian of Phlebology (Endovenous Laser Ablation)Laser and UGS (Ultrasound offer EVLA (Endo-Venous Ablation) and Guided Sclerotherapy) for even the largest UGS (Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy) forof varicose byveins. Sothern Cross and even theveins. largest(Covered of varicose (Covered by most private private medical medical insurance). insurance) most
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Health | Varicose Veins
Pain in
GRANDMA'S LEGS
While and estimated 40% of women and 20% of men in their 50s, will have some problems with varicose veins. It is usually the appearance of the veins that initially causes the greatest concern, varicose veins are more than a cosmetic issue, as well as the appearance, many sufferers also experience pain, often an aching or burning sensation; swelling of the legs and a feeling of tiredness or heaviness. In serve cases there maybe skin changes and ulceration and bleeding
Grandma’s Legs: Many of us have memories of having parents who suffered from what was frequently called ‘Bad Legs’. I remember the suffering my mother went through, and how her legs bothered her all the days of her life. Our children complained that they could not give Grandma a ‘proper cuddle’ as they were always cautioned … “Be careful of Grandma’s legs.”
If she was living today the options available to clinicians to treat her legs may have meant that her legs could have been treated more efficiently with better clinical and cosmetic outcomes. The only option presented to her was surgery, and in her case the complications she experienced plagued her for the rest of her life. She endured several surgical treatments and after each went through a long recovery period. I still have visions of her sitting up in bed with her leg propped up waiting for the swelling and the bruising to subside. Today there are several excellent options for treatment, depending on the severity of the troublesome veins.
will get good results with Sclerotherapy (injections). For the bigger veins this is done under ultrasound and is referred to as Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy, or UGS. For suitable patients many clinicians now regard laser as being the best option. Internationally it is now being regarded as the ‘Gold Standard’ for treatment. It has fewer risks than surgery and the long-term results are excellent. The procedure is quick and has minimal interference with normal daily activities. It is not unknown for people to go back to work immediately afterwards. It can be done in the doctor’s rooms under local anaesthetic and most people are delighted with the results.
Surgery is for some people still the best I wish my mother had been able to have had it! option, but for the majority there are now less invasive, highly effective options that give a better cosmetic result. There is now a better understanding of the importance of compression socks and Bill Woodward stockings and many of the ones available are Pharmaceutical Manager comfortable and look like ordinary hose. If the veins need active treatment, many people New Zealand Medical & Scientific
EVLT® is now the option of first choice for many clinicians in New Zealand and around the world. It uses targeted laser energy to seal the vein shut and help you look and feel better. A laser fibre is inserted into the troublesome vein and under local anaesthetic the activated laser fibre is slowly withdrawn sealing off the vein. • Treatment in less than one hour • May be performed in the doctor’s office under local anaesthetic • Up to 98% success rate at five years • Immediate relief of symptoms • An immediate return to normal activities • No general anaesthesia or hospital stay • No unsightly scars To find out if you are suitable for EVLT call 0508 634 103 for the name of the clinic nearest you, or look on www.nzms.co.nz N.B. Like all medical procedures there are benefits and risks. Speak to your doctor/specialist about the risks of treatment.
A division of New Zealand Medical and Scientific Ltd
EVLT® Endovenous Laser Therapy
A minimally invasive treatment that only takes about 45 minutes and lets you resume normal activity immediately after the procedure. 1Min, R.J; Khilnani, N.M.: “Endovenous Laser Ablation of Varicose Veins”. J.Cardiovasc Surg. 2005; 46:395-405
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www.awarenesstoday.co.nz Spring 2011 | 43
Health | Arthritis
ARTHRITIS and
YOU
More than half a million New Zealanders are currently living with arthritis - that’s one in every six people over the age of 15 years. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory arthritis that causes pain and swelling of joints and thickening or pitting of the toenails or fingernails and is one of the over 140 different types of arthritis, affecting the lives of people of all ages. A significant number of people who have psoriasis, which causes red, flaking patches on the skin, also develop arthritis as a result of the skin condition. The exact cause is unknown. Genetics, the immune system, and environmental factors such as infection may all play their roles in causing this type of arthritis. Inflammation in joints can lead to pain, swelling and soreness.
“It wasn’t too bad at first, but my hands kept getting worse and worse. It got to the point where I couldn’t make a fist.
Over time, the muscles and ligaments around the bone, as well as the cartilage and bones themselves, can become inflamed leading to joint deformation in some people.
“After about three months of investigation, my GP thought I might have tendonitis but the pain had moved all over my body not just my wrists. Eventually I went to see a rheumatologist who almost immediately Thirty five year old Tracey McRea from diagnosed me with psoriatic arthritis upon Rotorua was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis hearing that I’d had dry patches of skin most after she started getting intense pain in her of my life.” wrists and thumbs.
Men and woman are equally affected by PsA, which usually first appears in adulthood. Although symptoms may present themselves differently for different people, the skin symptoms usually appear before the joint symptoms – often many years earlier. Arthritis New Zealand chief executive Sandra Kirby says that although medications are an important component for managing psoriatic arthritis, being an active ‘self-manager’ is also essential. “People who take an active role in their healthcare tend to be better informed and may experience less pain and disability, often leading to a better long-term outcome.” Tracey says that while medication is one part of her treatment plan, she has found that keeping a holistic view is essential to successful management. “My doctor has prescribed medication to help with inflammation and I’ve gotten a lot of good information and support from Arthritis New Zealand to develop my treatment plan. “I have to maintain a ‘big picture’ view of my health. Physical exercise is huge part of dealing the chronic pain, as is a healthy diet and emotional support. I’ve got to avoid too much stress, which sends my pain off the charts! The help I’ve gotten from Arthritis New Zealand has been important in learning to manage life and relax when I need to.”
For more information visit Arthritis New Zealand’s website www.arthritis.org. nz or if you have any questions, ring 0800 663 463 Chances are, arthritis affects someone in your family It could surprise you how easy it is to help a half million New Zealanders. On 20-26 September 2011, Arthritis New Zealand will be turning New Zealand orange during our Arthritis Appeal Week — and we need your help! Most families will have a member with arthritis and we are looking for your support. This will be our major fundraising campaign to ensure our awareness campaigns and programmes continue. Helping is as easy as making a donation, becoming a member or even shaking a collection bucket! Or you could host an orange-themed morning tea, set up a cake stand, or sell our beautiful orange gerberas in your workplace! If you would like to make a donation, are keen to volunteer some of your time and get involved with our appeal, or if you want to learn more about arthritis, visit
www.arthritis.org.nz or call 0800 663 463. 44 | Spring 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz
Could your skin rash be psoriatic arthritis?
Abbot Labratories
If you suffer from itchy, red skin as well as sore joints, you could have a condition called psoriatic arthritis.
The good news is that there is a medication called HUMIRA that can effectively treat this condition.1
What is psoriatic arthritis?1 It is a chronic inflammatory disease which occurs when the body’s immune system overproduces a protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) which attacks healthy cells and tissues. This can cause stiffness and swelling in your joints, and an overproduction of skin cells which leads to itchy, red plaques on your skin. If left untreated, psoriatic arthritis can lead to limited movement and joint damage.
How can HUMIRA help?1,2 HUMIRA is a clinically proven treatment that has been shown to help stop the destructive action of the TNF protein. HUMIRA can help bring effective relief by reducing joint inflammation and improving skin symptoms.
Symptoms of early psoriatic arthritis can include:1 • Tender, swollen joints • Red, itchy, flaky skin • Pain and stiffness in the back and neck • Nail changes, for example, nails that become pitted and discoloured • Morning stiffness • General fatigue.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, talk to your doctor today.
HUMIRA is only available by prescription from a rheumatologist.3
Freedom to Live
a
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT HUMIRA Humira is a Prescription Medicine containing 40 mg adalimumab per syringe or pen. It is used for reducing the signs and symptoms and slowing the progression of joint damage in adult patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, including patients with recently diagnosed moderate to severely active disease who have not received methotrexate. It also treats the signs and symptoms of moderate to severe psoriatic arthritis in patients where response to previous disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs has been inadequate. You should not start Humira if you have an infection, including an infection that is only in one place (such as an open cut or sore) or an infection that is in your whole body (such as the ’flu). Tell your doctor if you have a history of recurrent infections or other conditions that increase the risk of infections. Tell your doctor if you live(d) or have travelled to countries where there is more risk for certain kinds of fungal infections (histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, or bastomycosis). These infections may develop or become more severe if you take Humira. Tell your doctor if you have ever had Hepatitis B or been in contact with someone with Hepatitis B. Before starting Humira, your doctor should check you for signs and symptoms of tuberculosis (TB). Tell your doctor if you have ever had TB, or if you have been in close contact with someone with TB. If symptoms of TB (a dry cough that doesn’t go away, weight loss, fever, night sweats), or symptoms of any other infections appear during therapy, tell your doctor immediately. Tell your doctor if you experience any numbness or tingling, or have ever had a disease that affects your nervous system, like multiple sclerosis, or if you experience allergic reactions such as a severe rash, swollen face or difficulty breathing, or if you have liver or kidney problems, or chest pain. Check with your doctor before you receive any vaccine. Tell your doctor if you are taking anakinra or about any other medicines you are taking. You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, become pregnant, or are thinking about becoming pregnant. The most common side effects of Humira are upper respiratory tract infection, headache, rash, urinary tract infection, weakness, injection site pain, injection site reactions, nausea and diarrhoea. Humira is fully subsidised on Specialist Authority for rheumatoid arthrtis and severe psoriatic arthritis – special conditions apply. Medicines have benefits, and some have risks. Always read the Label and use strictly as directed. If symptoms continue, or you have side effects, consult your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. For further advice on your treatment, please discuss with your doctor. Normal doctor’s visit fees apply. Abbott Laboratories NZ Ltd. 4 Pacific Rise, Mt Wellington, Auckland. For further information, please call Freephone 0800 73 72 71. REFERENCES: 1. Abbott Laboratories, HUMIRA Psoriatic Arthritis 2010 http://www.humira.com/psa/ 2. Humira Approved Data Sheet v19. 3. Pharmac Schedule NZ. December 2010;17(3):101-105. a. Humira Approved Data Sheet. ® Registered Trademark. TAPS PP9285. HUM 809-1210-1. THA PAZ001
www.awarenesstoday.co.nz Spring 2011 | 45
Health | Hearing
LOUD AND PROUD
on Loud Shi t Day
Like hundreds of other New Zealand children, Nikita has a hearing loss. And she, like hundreds of other hearing-impaired children, will benefit from funds raised on Loud Shirt Day – Friday September 16. Recently turned three, Nikita was diagnosed as profoundly deaf after newborn hearing screening at Waikato Hospital in 2008. Her mum Kelly was devastated but three years on, there is much more to be hopeful about. Nikita received a cochlear implant at the age of eight months and now listens and speaks at above her chronological age, thanks to significant support from The Hearing House. Mum Kelly spends much of her time “pouring the language” into Nikita and specialised Auditory-Verbal Therapy from The Hearing House’s Waikato Outreach Clinic means that Nikita will attend a mainstream school when she turns five and will do all the usual things that children with normal hearing do – talk on the telephone, dance to her favourite bands and hear mum Kelly say that she loves her. Since 1998 The Hearing House has pioneered the provision of Auditory-Verbal Therapy in New Zealand and continues to change the landscape for hearing-impaired and deaf children by offering even more new programmes. In 2011, for example,
The Hearing House has launched a new mentoring programme for deaf teenagers and also plans to open a South Auckland clinic to better cater for the needs of families from low socio-economic backgrounds and whose primary language may not be English. The Hearing House is one of two charities that benefit from funds raised on Loud Shirt Day - Friday September 16. The other charity, the Southern Cochlear Implant Paediatric Programme, based in Christchurch, helps children in the lower North Island and throughout the South Island. Last year more than 1500 businesses and schools throughout the country took part in Loud Shirt Day, with staff and pupils wearing their most outrageous loud shirts and making a donation to help deaf kids listen and speak. This year Loud Shirt Day is also holding its first ever corporate challenge, encouraging companies to set up a fundraising page on Fundraise Online – which will make it easier for staff to make online donations. Check out www.fundraiseonline.co.nz for more details. To receive your free registration pack, go online to www.loudshirtday.org.nz and fill out the registration form and you’ll be sent a pack containing a banking bag, stickers, posters and a funky shirt-shaped collection box.
46 | Spring 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz
The effects of plastic on the environment are already well documented...but what about the effects of plastic on our bodies? Research is showing that under special circumstances, certain chemicals from plastic bottles and containers are able to leach into the water (or food) held within. One such culprit is a toxic chemical known as Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical with estrogen mimicking effects that is linked to obesity, diabetes, breast cancer and hyperactivity. Another two common toxic chemicals present in plastic bottles are antimony and phthalates. Make a change for the better. Buy stainless steel BPA-free SafeBottles and reduce the impact of plastic on the environment and our bodies.
For more information and to see the full range of SafeBottles, please visit www.safebottles.co.nz or call our friendly team on 0800 777 444 or text SAFE to 244.
www.awarenesstoday.co.nz   Spring 2011 | 47
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