Clare Webster Massage Practitioner, Registered Nurse

A good explanation. Please heed the advice. Two key things: social distancing and hand washing.

Coronavirus Explained You've heard about it and are more than likely living under the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. One thing that's been sorely lacking in the media coverage is an explanation of how coronavirus actually affects humans. For more info, watch...

The College of Medicine and Integrated Health

Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Protecting the vulnerable:

Latest advice*
* Official guidance from the UK government, the UK NHS and World Health Organisation

As the latest strain of coronavirus moves through our communities the priority is to follow latest guidelines above to slow down the spread of the infection. Keep reading for some additional science-based suggestions for improving your protection.

We need to repeat agreed advice first: COVID-19 appears to be relatively contagious and there is already evidence that it can be caught before there are symptoms like coughing. This means that as well as airborne transmission it can be transmitted by direct contact. The advice is to wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, or use high alcohol hand gels, (this must be more than 60% – vodka or other drinks are not strong enough for homemade sanitizers – try getting surgical spirit or rubbing alcohol from your pharmacy). Hand cleansing should be after any contact with surfaces other people may have touched and before you touch your face or food. Carefully dispose of tissues and other possibly contagious materials.

What more can we do? So far for over 80% of people who get infected, this strain of coronavirus is relatively mild, especially if you are young and relatively fit. The main care focus should be for people with pre-existing conditions. The data from China indicate that the most risk is for people with heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, lung disease and cancer, who are also usually older. This makes COVID-19 different from flu.

The science is rapidly helping us understand why people in these categories are getting harmed by this virus. We can now see 6 specific ways to increase protection against COVID-19. A key frontline in the defence against this coronavirus appears to be the cells lining the blood vessels (the endothelium): most of the recommendations below will help here. There is also new evidence emerging from Chinese clinicians that COVID-19 dangerously disrupts healthy bowel flora and so weakens the response to the infection: they recommend probiotics to reduce this impact.

These are all generally accepted health measures. However if you are in one of the risk groups above, now is the time to be more proactive. Many of the benefits are seen in a few days.

1. Cut back hard on refined carbohydrates and sugars, fats and alcohol. This will reduce the stress on the endothelial frontline caused by higher blood sugar levels.

2. Make sure your diet is dominated by vegetables, fruit, seeds, nuts, green, black and herbal teas, and other plant foods (see below) They contain polyphenols and other constituents that protect the frontline. You can reward yourself with chocolate containing at least 70% cocoa for more of these!

3. For similar benefits take more spices like turmeric, ginger, cinnamon (use these in cooking, herbal teas or supplements).

4. Step up your exercise, if possible in fresh air.

5. Vitamin D will add to your protection especially if you have high blood pressure, so take in some sunshine too if you can and consider a good supplement.

6. Take probiotics to help maintain our normal gut defences (see below).

(This page is updated daily. New evidence is coming in constantly and a scientific review to support this 6-point plan is almost ready to be shared. Come back to this site in the next few days to see it)

Below are some home remedies with evidence generally for improving defences to respiratory virus infections in general. Although COVID-19 is different, the principle of improving resistance always applies and these approaches should be considered with anyone who is at higher risk. Remedies in red are most likely to be helpful given the new knowledge above.

In the event that you do contract the virus, the remedies we recommend elsewhere on this site to relieve the symptoms of flu and the common cold may also be helpful.

Home remedies with evidence for improving defences against upper respiratory viral infections

(click on each to learn more)

Fruit and vegetables
Mushroom supplements
Probiotics
Vitamin D

Exercise
Relaxation
Vitamin C
Zinc

Very interesting article

Interesting comment piece in this month's from (who's speaking at our October food conference) on how medical schools are not doing enough to equip trainee doctors with the nutrition knowledge they need

Food for thought

Five things I never eat - Sustainable Food Trust Joanna Blythman explains the five foods that she no longer eats, and why, including factory-farmed chicken, farmed salmon and refined vegetable oils.

I am looking forward to seeing many of you again for your massage treatments to complement this beautiful yoga retreat -

“Health is harmony,
a delicate balance and adjustment
between spirit, mind and body”

A time to retreat from the busy world into an oasis of peace and tranquillity in the beautiful setting of Monasterio. An opportunity to experience the essence of Yoga and ways in which each individual can incorporate various practices into their daily lives for the benefit of their health and well being at a body, mind, emotional and soul level.

YOGA RETREAT INCLUDES:
Asana/Posture Work
Breathing Techniques
Pranayama
Guided Meditation
Inspirational Talks
Free Time to walk, swim & relax
Activities will be both indoor & outdoor

Anne-Marie McGlinchey is an inspirational and renowned yoga teacher, spiritual guide and a natural practitioner with over 30 years’ experience in her respective fields. Her teaching is based on ancient tradition that she weaves into her holistic, down to earth philosophy that caters for modern living. Anne-Marie believes that our natural birth right is peace and that we all seek balance, peace, contentment and fulfilment in our lives.

Prices:
€750 sharing twin room
€875 private room
All rooms ensuite
Prices include, 5 nights stay with breakfast, lunch and dinner each day (excl. wine)
Additional night (Friday) available on request
Airport transfer on request at additional charge

Dates:
March 10th – March 15th
September 15th – September 20th

Contact us today to book your spot!

A few weeks ago we received the great news that we would be receiving the funding to keep our little office going for another 6 months.

It has been a pleasure to welcome Amber back to Athens, this time accompanied by San, to stay with us, visit all the projects they support and share with us a bit of their trip to spend some time with the guys in the office.

Thank you so much for supporting us and believing that our project and the wonderful men it serves is worth it. 💙🤗🧡

To see the great work being done by Donate4Refugees and how you can collaborate with them, follow this link:
https://www.donate4refugees.org.uk/donate

DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE
One of the most common areas where we hold tension is in the shoulders, specifically the muscles which hold the scapula (shoulder blade) in place. Our scapulas should move freely like a 'wing' but in many of us, due to both incorrect posture and a build up of stress (which culminates in physical tension), our shoulder blades become 'stuck'. The muscle fibres have, often over long periods of time, shortened and lost flexibility restricting the natural movement. Whilst we continue to function this inflexibility will inevitably lead to neck, shoulder and back problems. Equally as important is the build up of psychological stress within these muscles (muscle cells hold emotional memory), which if unaddressed can lead to other stress related conditions. When both therapist and patient work together using relaxation techniques the deep muscles can be accessed improving function and releasing stress potentially curtailing future ailments