Written by Dr Marilyn Glenville PhD

Volume 2 - Issue 12: December 2008

by Dr Marilyn Glenville PhD

About This Issue

Welcome to this December issue of Natural News. We are well and truly into the winter now and it is so important at this time of year to protect ourselves from colds and flu. Last month I covered the benefits of a good night’s sleep and regular exercise and this month you’ll learn how your morning shower, deep breathing and fresh air can boost your immunity. It is important that we do all we can to help ourselves because we are exposed to bacteria and viruses every day and it is only the strength of our immune system that stops us being constantly ill.

It was Louis Pasteur who discovered the antibiotic properties of penicillin. In the early stages of his research, he said, `In order to for you to have a disease you have to have germs'. This encouraged the conventional approach to ‘germs’ and illness. Scientists were determined to find the ‘germs’ responsible, and to get rid of them. But somewhere along the line, these scientists lost sight of the fact that our bodies can do this for themselves. If our bodies are strong and healthy, with our immune systems functioning at optimum level, we are much less likely to become ill, and when we do succumb, we heal that much more quickly. The emphasis clearly needs to be on keeping the body strong, rather than finding shortcuts to health.

Exposure to bacteria will not necessarily cause an infection. There has to be a weakness present in order for this to happen. In other words, it is the body’s ability to fight its own battle that governs whether or not we succumb to illness.

Years after making his original statement, Louis Pasteur backtracked, saying: 'In a state of health, animals are shut off from the invasion of germs ...The microbe is nothing, the terrain is everything’. If the terrain (your body) is healthy, disease cannot take hold. Interestingly, Louis Pasteur’s work is considered to be a turning point in the treatment of disease, but his final message has been largely ignored. Conventional medicine isn’t preventative. Nutritional medicine is. And that is what you are aiming to achieve.

Kind regards

Dr Marilyn Glenville PhD

Table of Contents

Regular features

4 Letter from Marilyn
5 In the news:
Recent progress in the world of health

  • Organic milk is better for you
  • The happiness herb
  • Child asthma linked to 'stressed out' mothers
  • Weekend weight gain?
  • Five steps to a longer life
  • Eating eggs could cut your cholesterol

27 Case Study:
This month’s case study is 30 year old ‘Amy’ – who came to the Clinic to get help with constipation and bloating.

40 Ask Marilyn:
Your questions answered

  • I have been told that I've got bad breath. I clean my teeth regularly but I'm not sure what else I can do.
  • I'm dreading the party season as I'm going through the menopause. Can you suggest anything that can help me deal with hot flushes?

43 Star question:

  • I have been diagnosed with an early menopause and have low bone density. Is it possible to increase bone density or maintain the bone density you have and stop it getting worse?

45 Ingredient spotlight:

  • Sweet potatoes – the health benefits

46 Monthly meal idea:

  • Sweet Potato Cakes

47 Resources

  • Where to find books, supplements, tests and consultations

48 Coming next month


Special Articles

9 Have a healthy Christmas

  • Simple ways to avoid winter weight gain

16 Natural indigestion cures

  • Natural treatments

20 Boosting immunity

  • with lifestyle choices

25 Easing the transition

  • Natural ways to treat menopause-related mood swings and irritability

34 Discovering herbs

  • Aloe Vera

37 Christmas Party

  • Healthy eating tips

Top Tips

15 Pool your resources

  • Check out the whereabouts of your local pool. Swimming builds endurance, boosts muscle strength and doesn't hammer your joints.

28 Power talk

  • 10 minutes talking a day boosts brainpower.

39 Star of Bethlehem

  • If the stress of Christmas is all getting too mych try this star of Bethlehem meditation for seasonal stress.