Health And Beauty

IMPROVING YOUR CHOLESTEROL PROFILE Hands

Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion and

Education at Heart Research UK shares her healthy tips to improve your cholesterol profile.

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There are two main types of cholesterol, LDL, sometimes termed ‘bad’ cholesterol, and HDL sometimes termed as good cholesterol. The reality is that we do need some of both types of cholesterol, but the incorrect balance can be harmful. When LDL cholesterol builds up in the arteries, it can contribute to plaque formation, whilst HDL cholesterol removes harmful cholesterol from the bloodstream. With this in mind, here are some tips for creating a healthy cholesterol profile. YOUR FAMILY HEALTH & BEAUTY FOR YOUCalming Hand Gel £1.50 from Primark Soothe your palms with this calming hand gel fragranced with essential oils, including orange blossom and chamomile Need to see a Doctor? flower.

INCREASE FIBRE INTAKE

Fibre, particularly the type found in porridge oats and whole grains, known as beta-glucan, helps to reduce LDL cholesterol levels.

GO PLANT-BASED

Diets higher in vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, and pulses are healthier for the heart than animal-derived alternatives that are high in saturated fats such as meats, cheeses and processed snacks such as biscuits. EAT GOOD FATS

Unsaturated fats, particularly when swapped for saturated fats, can help to increase your HDL cholesterol levels. Excellent sources of good fats include oily fish such as salmon and mackerel, extra virgin olive oil and avocados.

Rhubarb Hand Stonegate Medical have you covered Six Days a Week Wash

EXERCISE REGULARLY £5.99 from TK Maxx This rhubarb and rosescented hand wash is enriched with Vitamin E York’s Independent Private GP Clinic Aerobic exercise such as running or and essential oils. It’s also cycling will help to increase levels vegan friendly. of HDL in the blood, especially when performed for more than 150 minutes each week. Orange Blossom and Local Doctors AVOID HIGH ALCOHOL Rose hand wash £10 from Oliver Bonas GP Consultations starting from 20 minutes CONSUMPTION Alcohol can increase the amount of fat in the blood and lower HDL cholesterol, therefore drinking less than 14 units per week is recommended. This beautiful bottle of hand wash hits stores in August. Not only will your hands smell great, but the packaging lends itself to any trendy bathroom. Consultation fee includes private prescription & referral

Need to see a Doctor?

Stonegate Medical have you covered Six Days a Week York’s Independent Private GP Clinic

Local Doctors GP Consultations starting from 20 minutes Consultation fee includes private prescription & referral

• Private GP Appointments • Minor Surgery • Children’s Medicine • Consultant Led Care • Medical Aesthetics • Health Screening inc. Work & Travel • Doctor Led Earwax Removal • Psychology & Psychotherapy • Dietitian & Nutrition • Physiotherapy • & much more…..

stonegatemedical.co.uk 01904 631815

COVID-19 safe • Full PPE worn at all times • Online hygiene certificate 20 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE Call Sarah 01904 750360 / 07814 486011

GNVQ qualified - with Salon experience. Member of G.P. B.T.

Have you thought about having acupuncture?

NICE guidelines now recommend having acupuncture treatment for sufferers of chronic pain, including; arthritis, migraines/headaches, back and neck pain.

We offer low cost acupuncture treatment in our well established teaching clinic.

(Appointments Monday – Saturday)

Also our new community multi-bed acupuncture clinic, offers very low cost treatment (£12 per session, Mondays only)

Northern College of Acupuncture

Call reception on 01904 343305 or visit www.nca.ac.uk/theclinics

Sally Duffin

Reg Nutritional Therapist CNHC & Nutritionist MBANT

Summer is the season for herbs. Chives, sage, lemon balm, lovage, rosemary, fennel, mint, lavender: all these herbs are putting on strong growth at the moment, and make delicious additions to meals and drinks.

The message to include more diversity in our diets has never been stronger. Eating a diverse range of fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, pulses, herbs, and spices is shown to support the balance of friendly microbes that live in the gut – also known as the gut microbiota. These bugs play an important role in every aspect of health, from immunity and mental wellbeing to weight balance and skin health. Adding different types of herbs to meals is a simple and easy way to improve diversity and enjoy a host of powerful plant nutrients too. It’s not just the leaves of these plants that can be eaten, many have edible flowers too. Chive and lavender flowers are popular for using in salads and baking. Being a member of the allium family, chives are a source of quercetin, a compound that works alongside vitamin C and can help manage hayfever symptoms. Lavender is often used in nighttime tea blends for its relaxing properties. It combines well with lemon balm, another relaxing herb, used in herbal medicine to manage anxiety. Adding lemon balm and mint leaves to cool water is a great way to liven up regular drinking water and refresh you throughout the day. Sally Duffin is a Clinic Supervisor at NCA’s Nutrition Teaching Clinic. The Nutrition Clinic offers personalised nutrition advice at a low cost to help support your health and wellbeing. The Monday clinic is currently running online and will be available for in-person appointments from the end of June. For bookings and more information call 01904 343305.

Telephone +44 (0)1904 343305

Northern College of Acupuncture

61 Micklegate, York, YO1 6LJ

www.nca.ac.uk