PDF - Jan de Vries

W I T H
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‘Naturally the best since 1955’
ISSUE 28 • AUTUMN/WINTER 08
Jan de Vries Best Foot Forward
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“If you truly love
Nature, you will find
beauty everywhere.”
Van Gogh
How your feet influence your health
Jan de Vries
When thinking about general health, it is most unlikely
that our thoughts would immediately include our feet. In
the feet, however, we find all the hormonal reflexes. Using
manipulation of certain pressure points in the feet we can
stimulate or relax the secretions of these hormonal glands.
On my travels all over the world I have seen methods used
that have been applied and tested by earlier civilisations
and massage or palpations that serve to balance the energy
in the human body.
E
very gland and organ in the body
has a terminal nerve ending in the
extremities – the feet, the fingers,
and the face. The body may be considered
as an electro-magnetic field through which
power can flow freely only if the nerve
endings are functioning properly. Massage
serves to unblock and stimulate these
nerve endings. This helps each gland and
organ to function correctly.
The Feet Can Tell
Back in the Sixties I was invited to visit some
distant relatives of my wife. The gentlemen
concerned had travelled throughout the world
and at the end of our visit he handed me a little
book called The Feet Can Tell and extracted my
promise that I would read it with an open mind
and great attention. He told me about things
he had learned using reflexes in the feet – in
other words, what is now called reflexology –
and I do not doubt that I must have appeared
sceptical to his claims. I did read the book
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and went back to visit him again, because I
wanted to hear all that he could tell me about
this form of therapy. Since then I have followed
the developments of reflexology with great
interest. Some time after that first introduction
I attended a medical conference where I met
several people who lectured on the subject.
In my work as an acupuncturist I obviously
deal with pressure points and energy balance
and therefore I followed these lectures with
fascination.
Energising the Endocrine Glands
Soon, I realised that such methods greatly
serve to stimulate the endocrine glands and
that by massaging or palpating specific areas
of the feet, somewhere in the body, energy
will result. The endocrine glands themselves
have an energy – subject to vibration – and
these glands represent balance in the body.
As physical activity depends greatly on body
energy, the endocrine glands clearly play a
tremendous role.
The Secret of Endocrine Balancing
Before applying any pressure in a foot massage, in order to transform
energy from the feet into balanced energy, one should always check
first whether the feet are tender. If there is any tenderness in the feet,
then gently comfort them before proceeding. Then, with the left hand
under the foot and the right hand on top of it, relax for a while – for
at least two minutes. This is a way to re-energise and it will make
one feel considerably better. A good indication of this is the fact that
after completing this exercise the pain of tender feet will mostly have
disappeared. This simple exercise is preparation for palpation with the
thumbs for different sensitive areas in the feet. You can do this yourself
but it is better if another person is willing to do it for you.
The secret of endocrine balancing is to bring into play the qualities
of body energy. The best method is that in which one uses the thumb of
each hand for the contact, the thumb being the most important part of
the hand for polar energy. Everyone can help themselves, but it is also
possible to help others to restore the endocrine balance. This method
is also called zone therapy and the zones can reach the very important
centres of life – the shakras – to improve the body energy balance. Great
benefits can be obtained by using these simple manipulations.
It would be useful if we could walk barefoot more often, especially
in the sand on the beach where we are forced to use the muscles in our
feet to a much larger extent than when we are wearing shoes. We could
even go barefoot in the snow. This may sound like a chilly experience,
but I once spent Christmas and New Year in Switzerland and I was told
by my hosts that it would bring good luck for the New Year if I walked
around outside in bare feet through the snow immediately after midnight
on New Year’s Eve. We all took up the challenge and found it a most
exhilarating experience. The feet tingle and one feels very much alive. As
to the promise that it brings good luck, I am not too sure, but it certainly
makes one feel good!
By all means let us give the reflexes of the feet a little bit of a push at
times, because we tend to overlook the fact that we owe so much to them.
Unfortunately, the feet are only appreciated when we are experiencing
some problems with them. Chilblains are a sure sign that we have been
pampering ourselves too much and have taken insufficient care of our
feet. If you feel that walking barefoot is too drastic for comfort, you may
decide to have a cold footbath instead. Another way to stimulate your feet
and to help your reflexes is with gentle massage. This becomes a form of
aromatherapy if you use some Hypericum perforatum oil. This may be an
old fashioned remedy, but let me assure you that it has a very beneficial
effect on tired feet. A few drops of St John’s Wort Oil may also be mixed
with some lemon juice and you will soon feel the refreshing action of this
combination.
I have mentioned chilblains, but even with problems such as skin
eruptions caused by ringworm, hot and cold footbaths are of great help.
When snow stamping or walking barefoot, use some St John’s Wort Oil for
aftercare of the feet. It is also advisable to add some bicarbonate of soda
to a hot footbath, or some thyme or hayflowers. You will soon discover
how refreshing these can be.
Before going to bed at night follow the same procedure. The
important thing to remember about this exercise is that it should be done
for a minimum of sixty days if you wish to feel the full benefit. You may
think that this exercise is too simple to be beneficial, but do not let its
simplicity deceive you.
Take Heed of your Feet
Good foot exercises and proper care of the feet are always important
because the feet are really very good indicators of how the body feels
as a whole. When people complain of tired feet this often means that
somewhere in the body something is out of balance. The sooner that such
signals are understood and heeded, the sooner this can be remedied. It
really is quite something that certain reflexes in the feet can warn us the
specific organs in the body are in danger and need attention. Once the
reflexes in the feet have been studied, one can easily find out from these
reflexes whether the cause of the problem lies in the liver, thyroid, kidneys
or other organ.
All this goes to show how much our feet deserve our good care
and attention. Do give them the occasional gentle massage or work on
the reflexes by pressing the pressure points. Use some fragrant oil in
a footbath and enjoy the relaxation that ensues. So often, the feet are
regarded as the ugly parts of our anatomy, yet what would we do without
them? Like so many things, we will hardly appreciate them until they let
us down. The balance of your body is totally reliant on your feet, as people
who have been unfortunate enough to lose a foot will be able to tell you.
The feet also contain a wealth of acupuncture points as well as the
pressure points that are so important for the endocrine system. Through
these points we are able to influence the energy throughout the whole
body, carrying it to the various glands and organs.
Much of the responsibility for our health rests on our own shoulders
and it is in our own interest to pay heed to the indicators. I often remind
patients of the words of Dr Osler, a man with an admirable medical
background: “When the nerves of the eyes and feet are properly
understood, there will be less need for surgical intervention.”
W I T H
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JDV Diary Dates
RADIO/TELEVISION PROGRAMMES
July – December 2008.
Radio Programmes:
Garlic: the blood pressure regulator
F
ew of us do not associate heart health with the use of
garlic as a supplement or simply used regularly in the
diet. Indeed, garlic features highly in French and other
Mediterranean diets all of which have their place in a healthy
heart lifestyle. But just how effective is garlic when it comes
to helping those with elevated blood pressure? The answer
looks to be quite good, with the drop in blood pressure in some
cases being as good as one would expect from treatment with
commonly used drugs such as beta blockers, and ACE-inhibitors.
However, the cautious scientists underpin this impressive finding
with the comment that they “have yet to establish whether garlic
supplements are as effective as prescribed medicines when used
for many years.” Despite this, the evidence is accumulating in
garlic’s favour especially when we keep in mind its established
long and safe history in traditional herbal medicine.
The present interest in garlic and its potential as a natural blood
pressure regulator came following the publication of a reliable research
paper that analysed the results pooled from 11 previous garlic studies.
All these studies showed that garlic reduced blood pressure more
than placebo (a tablet containing an inert, non active, substance) in
people with high blood pressure. These studies only compared garlic
to placebo pills, not other medications directly, and the use of garlic in
the studies lasted 12 to 23 weeks.
One of the key points of interest in this pooled analysis was
the fact that garlic appeared to reduce the blood pressure of those
suffering from high blood pressure significantly more than in those
with normal blood pressures. Further analysis showed that the higher
the blood pressure at the start of the study, the more it dropped with
the use of a garlic preparation. Despite this news, people should not
stop taking prescribed medication for blood pressure in favour of just
taking garlic supplements, but there would be no harm in taking
garlic if you can’t tolerate conventional drugs or alongside existing
blood pressure medication. However, those on blood thinning drugs
such as warfarin should consult their doctor first.
Monday 27th October
Monday 24th November
Monday 22nd December
AYR HOSPITAL RADIO 12 NOON – 12.15
Monday 10th November
Monday 8th December
RADIO LONDON 10.30 P.M. – 11.30 P.M (EVENING)
Tuesday 21st October
Tuesday 18th November
Tuesday 16th December
RADIO FORTH 2 (1548 A.M)
10.00 – 11.00 PM NIGHT TIME PROGRAMME
Tuesday 28th October
Tuesday 25th November
Tuesday 23rd December
RADIO U105 (RADIO BELFAST)
12.20 – 12.50 (AFTERNOON)
Television Appearances:
RTE DUBLIN, THE AFTERNOON SHOW
In this issue:
Best Foot Forward - How your feet can influence your health
Research News
Scotland and Switzerland link up
What to do when ‘Statins’ just don’t suit you
Recipes from the Vegetarian Society
Feed your bones
Focus on Garlic
Back Issues Available
Questions and Answers
Letters
Circulatory Difficulties
In cases where foot problems occur as a result of circulation difficulties,
I can wholeheartedly recommend the following treatment, which I
learnt about in the Far East. This exercise should be done each morning
after waking up and each night before retiring. Place a basin of cold
water beside the bed and keep a towel handy. Before getting up in the
morning, place both feet into the water. After the count of ten move both
feet from the basin onto the towel and dab them dry. Now exercise the
toes as if trying to pick up a marble. Repeat this exercise between ten
and thirty times.
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RESEARCH NEWS
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Monday 3rd November 2008
Monday 1st December 2008
Page 1-2
Page 3-5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8-9
Page 10-11
Page 12
Page 13
Page 14
Page 15
W I T H
Monday 5th January 2009
Monday 2nd February 2009
Monday 2nd March 2009
Monday 30th March 2009
Monday 27th April 2009
Monday 25th May 2009
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3
JAN DE VRIES HEALTHCARE CENTRES
expect, those sitting on the heated seat recorded significantly higher
temperatures. This may be important to fertility when one considers
that the optimal temperature for sperm production lies between 35
to 36ºC and the heated seat group were recording temperatures in
the region of 37.9 to 38.6ºC! The lead researcher concluded that
this increase “could be enough to damage sperm production” and
suggests that the frequent use of a heated car seat represents an
additional heat stress factor to that which is present by merely
sitting for long periods. Armed with this information, men who are
experiencing subfertility may wish to consider switching off their car
seat heating if they have to drive for long periods.
TROON
Auchenkyle, Southwood Road, Troon, Ayrshire, KA10 7EL.
Telephone: 01292 311 414
EDINBURGH
45 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3HP.
Telephone: 0131 558 7000
GLASGOW
116 Blythswood Street, Glasgow, G2 4EG.
Telephone: 0141 572 1134
DUBLIN
45 Upper Drumcondra Road (corner of Home Farm Road),
Dublin 9, Ireland.
Telephone: (01) 797 8716
ABBOTTS OF LEIGH
56 Railway Road, Leigh, Lancs, WN7 4AR.
Telephone: 01942 671 766
To give your toddler a head start –
simply feed good food!
D
E
iet forming the basis for good health is at the core of
all complementary medicine disciplines but with so
many mixed messages coming from all angles it can
sometimes be difficult to know what to do for the best.
A recently publicised study now appears to confirm what
most have suspected for a long time; feeding developing children
a healthy diet in their early years improved their ability to progress
and flourish at school compared to those who ate a predominantly
junk food diet. The study concentrated on children at Key Stage
1 and 2, using the results from these national tests as a guide to
educational progress. By following the outcomes of pregnancies
and the children since 1991 and analysing the results from dietary
questionnaires over this period scientists were able to determine
that those children who ate a junk food diet high in sweets, crisps
and chicken nuggets were 10% more likely to be falling behind at
school between the ages of 6 and 10. The study also compensated for
factors known to affect performance at school such as low income
and poor housing.
This new research reinforces the importance of diet in early
childhood and the basic need for natural food from the start of life
and throughout pregnancy. The study was published in the Journal
of Epidemiology and Community Health.
Turn off your Mobile
xtended exposure to the radiation of a mobile phone,
even when not in use, can cause headaches and disrupt
the body’s ability to enter deep sleep, according to a
study conducted by researchers from Wayne State University
in the United States and the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden,
and published in the peer-reviewed online journal Progress in
Electromagnetics Research Symposium.
Researchers conducted an experiment on 36 women and 35
men, of whom 22 and 16, respectively, had previously reported
symptoms that they blamed on use of mobile phones. The remaining
33 participants had not reported any symptoms.
All participants were screened carefully by doctors to make
sure that they had no underlying medical condition that might
interfere with the results. They were all recruited specifically for
the current study.
During two different sessions, the participants were exposed
either to real or sham radiation for three hours, but were not told
which they had been exposed to. The radiation was equivalent to
that emitted by a mobile phone, giving an average exposure of 1.4
watts per kilogram. It included simulations of a phone being both
in use and inactive but still turned on. Researchers collected data on
the participants before, during and after each exposure.
Upon questioning after the exposure, neither the radiation nor
the control group was able to guess which group they were in any
more accurately than by chance.
Participants took longer to reach stage 3 sleep when exposed to
radiation than when exposed to sham radiation, and stayed in stage
4 sleep for a shorter time. These stages of deep sleep are believed to
play an important role in helping the body recover from everyday
stresses.
Participants who had not previously reported any symptoms
were also more likely to report experiencing headaches while being
exposed to real radiation than to sham radiation.
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FRAMAR HEALTHCARE CENTRE
595 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7GS, Northern Ireland.
Telephone: 028 90 681018
GRAMPIAN HEALTH FOODS
34 Market Street, Aberdeen, AB11 5PL.
Telephone: 01224 590 886
HADLEY WOOD HEALTHCARE CENTRE
28 Crescent West, Hadley Wood, Barnet,Herts, EN4 0EJ.
Telephone: 020 8441 8352
PRESTON HEALTH FOOD STORES
26 Guildhall Street, Preston, PR1 3NU.
Telephone: 01772 257617
WHEELTON HEALTHCARE CENTRE
11A Dalton Court (just off Junction 4 of the M65)
Commercial Road, Darwen, BB3 0DG.
Tel: 01254 777 977
JAN DE VRIES HEALTH & DIET CENTRES
DUMFRIES
10 Church Crescent, Dumfries • Telephone: 01387 270 760
GLASGOW
29 Clarence Drive, Glasgow, G12 9QN • Telephone: 0141 339 0345
LARGS
1 Tron Place, Largs • Telephone: 01475 689 123
PRESTWICK
33 Main Street, Prestwick • Telephone: 01292 471 429
STEWARTON
1 Avenue Square, Stewarton • Telephone: 01560 486890
STRANRAER
52 Hanover Street, Stranraer • Telephone: 01776 704 702
TROON
6 Church Street, Troon • Telephone: 01292 310344
Turn off those heated seats chaps!
n issue 26 of In Touch we delved into the beneficial
part acupuncture can play in improving the outcome of
infertility treatment. From the interest and response to this
feature we at In Touch felt you would be interested in the latest
findings regarding lifestyle factors that may have a profound
effect on fertility – and this time its firmly aimed at the men!
The research came out in the August issue of the medical
journal Fertility and Sterility and followed 30 healthy male
volunteers with no previous history of fertility problems.
For many years there have been numerous urban legends
surrounding the idea that raising the temperature of the scrotum
adversely affects sperm production and fertility. Car fan heaters and
overly warm underwear or trousers have all been implicated at some
time. This study, carried out in Germany, looks to be the first that
actually sets out to discover a definitive answer once and for all.
The men were either exposed to a heated or non-heated car
seat for 90 minutes during which time the scrotal temperature was
electronically measured and logged every minute. As one would
J A N
JAN DE VRIES AFFILIATED CENTRES
New Applications for Essential Oils
The application of essential oils in aromatherapy massage is now
widely accepted but their use as internal remedies is now becoming
recognised. Essential oils are powerful and complex agents. Some
estimates indicate that they can be up to 100 times more powerful
than conventional herbal extracts. To put this into perspective, it
takes 4,000 kg of rose petals and over 8,000 kg of Lemon Balm
leaves to produce just 1 kg of their respective essential oil. In order
to purify essential oils for internal use special analytical techniques
have to be used. These so-called “ChemoTyped” oils can then be
safely incorporated into food supplements. One such preparation,
simply called Oléocap Formula 1, contains the ChemoType essential
oil derived from Oregano. This powerful antiseptic oil can be used
over a course of 5 days to ease those irritating throat and nasal
problems so common around the changes of season. This formula
is just one out of a new range now being used in our clinics.
W I T H
www.jandevrieshealth.co.uk
ORDER LINE: 01292 317 670
HELPLINE: 01292 318 846
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What to do when
Scotland and
Switzerland link up
Recently the staff from the Prestwick and
Stranraer shops were invited to the A.Vogel
factory in Switzerland.
Staff from Stranraer and Prestwick enjoying the views and hospitality in Switzerland
Manufacturers of traditional herbal remedies and creams according to Mr Abbotts
original recipes since 1910.For our mail order list of products please contact us on
01942 671766
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The association between heart disease and cholesterol has enjoyed a long and sometimes
rather volatile relationship. Without doubt, those with certain genetic defects causing
their cholesterol to rocket into double figures have a predisposition to clogged arteries and
heart disease well before their time but controversy rages on regarding the true impact of
cholesterol on coronary artery disease; does simply reducing the cholesterol level really play
such an important role when offset against the growing list of side effects experienced by
users of cholesterol lowering drugs known as statins.
A
O
n arriving the girls were shown around factory. On that
particular day they were cutting Hypericum and it was
brought straight into the building where it was macerated,
mixed with alcohol and the girls saw the first processes that
involved it being made into a tincture. They were also shown
some of the over 100 quality control checks’ that are done before
any of the products are released. They also got the opportunity to
walk through the fields where most of the plants are grown and
afterwards enjoyed a lovely healthy lunch in the greenhouse.
The next day they went to the clinic of Alfred Vogel in Teufen and
were shown where Jan de Vries learnt most of his skills from Alfred Vogel
himself. Jan de Vries is the only reported pupil that Alfred ever taught they say it is because only he could match the work pace of Alfred. Also
at Teufen they experienced the magic of the garden at the clinic which is
carefully tended by Remo Vetter and his wife, Francis. In the afternoon
the group were taken on a mountain walk which ended in afternoon tea
in a traditional Swiss farm restaurant.
6
‘Statins’
just don’t suit you?
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number of recent studies have thrown a shroud of confusion
over the whole cholesterol issue. In a large study involving
over 1800 people with existing arterial disease just lowering
their bad cholesterol (LDL) for 4 years made no difference to the
progression of the disease. However, what did become apparent
was that 105 unexpected cases of cancer occurred in the drug
treated group compared to 70 cases in the non-drug treated group.
To date, no one can confidently point a finger at the drug as a
trigger for the cancer cases but it does raise suspicion that needs
further investigation. The drug being tested was a combination of
simvastatin and ezeimibe known as Inegy.
Other less serious but now well documented side effects from statin
therapy include muscle pain and weakness (myopathy) and damage
to the liver. Some experts dismiss these side effects as rare and not
significant compared to their effectiveness in lowering cholesterol but
if simply lowering the cholesterol is not the main issue could thousands
of statin users be exposing themselves to unnecessary side effects and
misery. Interestingly, Professor Beatrice Golomb of the University of
California San Diego agrees. She found that muscle symptoms are far
from rare with statin drugs. Professor Golomb comments that “there’s
a multibillion-dollar industry ensuring that you hear all the good
things about statins, but no interest group ensuring that you hear
the other side.” On her research based web site, www.statineffects.com,
Professor Golomb outlines why she is particularly concerned with the
effect of statins on moods and memory describing how “it’s common
to find patients on the drugs who report trouble finding the right word
or forgetting what task they are supposed to be doing.” Supporting this
alternative view on cholesterol is the Danish physician and cholesterol
expert Dr Uffe Ravnskov who also publishes a cholesterol information
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web site that can be found at www.ravnskov.nu. Dr Ravnskov commented
in the British Medical Journal that two of the big statin trials deliberately
excluded patients who had suffered side-effects in pre-trial tests, and
then claimed that the number of side-effects reported was low.
However we can’t avoid the fact that heart disease is a real problem
in the UK. The British Heart Foundation state that collectively, heart and
circulatory diseases cause more than a third (36%) of all deaths in the
UK, accounting for over 208,000 deaths each year. With statistics like
this being circulated and our obsession with cholesterol levels it comes
as no surprise that the food supplement products known as Red Yeast
Rice (RYR) hit the headlines. The news that a 600mg dose of RYR taken
morning and evening significantly reduced blood fats (lowering total
cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL) while raising the healthy cholesterol
levels known as HDL was just what the growing army of statin intolerant
people wanted to hear. The study (published in the June 2008 issue of
the American Journal of Cardiology) involves some 5000 people over a
time period of four and a half years. What was even more interesting was
the fact that all those in the study had suffered a previous heart attack
and were taken off all conventional drugs before starting the RYR trial.
Unlike the study involving the drug combination mentioned at the start
of this feature the RYR intake group demonstrated a reduction in disease
reoccurrence and no associated side effects.
For those wishing to try a RYR product consider Red Yeast Rice Gold,
a certified organic food supplement known to be free from impurities. It
is not recommended that you combine RYR with statin drugs. It would
make sense to avoid Grapefruit juice since this may increase the risk of
side effects and avoid St Johns wort since this may reduce the effectiveness
of RYR. Because there are no studies to the contrary, the use of RYR
products during pregnancy and breast feeding is not recommended.
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7
Roast Pumpkin and
Swiss Chard Risotto
Ingredients
Method
Recipes
Another selection of delicious
recipes from the Vegetarian Society.
Sweetly spiced carrot and
walnut steamed puds
1. Prepare steamer to hold 8 ramekins
2. Sift flour, bicarbonate of soda, and spices together.
3. Rub in the margarine until the mixture is very fine.
4. Add remaining ingredients, adding enough soya milk to give a
soft consistency. Do not over-stir otherwise the mixture will be very
heavy.
5. Divide mixture between 8 ramekins. Cover with squares of baking
parchment and secure with elastic bands.
6. Steam for 35-40 minutes until the top is firm to the touch. Allow to
cool for 5 minutes in the ramekins before turning out.
7. Grill the pineapple slices.
8. Ease a knife round th edges of each pudding, lifting the base as you
go, and turn out onto warmed plates.
9. Decorate each pud with a slice of grilled pineapple and a cherry,
sprinkle with toasted flaked almonds, castor sugar and a dusting of
spice.
10. Garnish with a sprig of mint. Serve with soya cream or custard.
Spinach, Almond and
Red Wine Pie with Peperonata
Pudding • Serves 8 vegan
Ingredients
Note: the peperonata needs to be made the day before.
Serves 4 • Vegan
200g self raising flour
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp mixed spice
85g vegan margarine
100g granulated sugar
25g desiccated coconut
40g finely chopped walnuts
1 large orange, finely grated zest only
225g carrots, peeled and finely grated
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp vegetarian sherry
150ml soya milk
To serve
8 pineapple rings
8 glace cherries (check for E120 or cochineal)
25g flaked almonds, toasted
castor sugar
few pinches mixed spice
8 sprigs of mint
soya cream/custard
8
Preparation time: 30 mins
Cooking time: 1½ hours (+ chilling overnight) if using fresh
ingredients, or ¾ hour
600g fresh vine tomatoes, peeled (or use ½ x 400g canned tomatoes)
3tbs olive oil
2 red peppers, sliced
1tbs sugar
4 fat cloves garlic, crushed
500g fresh spinach, washed and drained (or use 300g frozen chopped
spinach, defrosted)
1medium onion, finely chopped
75g white breadcrumbs
100g ground almonds
3- 4tsp low salt stock powder
3 – 4tbs vegetarian red wine
Season to taste
Method
1. Firstly, make the peperonata. Remove the seeds from the tomatoes,
chop the flesh and put into a saucepan. Put over a low heat until the
tomatoes begin to give off their juice. Bring to the boil and simmer
until they are reduced by half. (Alternatively, use ½ a can of peeled
plum tomatoes, drained and chopped. No need to cook)
2. Heat 1tbs oil in a medium to large pan and cook the sliced peppers
gently for 3 – 4 minutes, stirring all the time, until the peppers are
beginning to soften. Add half the garlic and continue cooking and
stirring for another 30 seconds. Add the cooked tomatoes (or the
canned tomatoes) and the sugar. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
Season well with salt and pepper to taste. Cool and refrigerate
overnight.
3. Preheat the oven to 200C / 400F / Gas mark 6. Grease and line a 20cm
square tin with baking parchment. Roughly chop the spinach and
put into a large saucepan. Cover with a lid and cook until the spinach
has wilted. Cool. Line a large sieve with two layers of kitchen paper
and put in the spinach. Top with another piece of kitchen paper and
press to extract as much liquid as you can. You should be left with a
small ball of spinach. If using frozen spinach, just defrost and press
through a sieve in the same way.
4. Saute the onion and the rest of the garlic in the remaining olive oil
until softened but not coloured. In a bowl, mix together the onion
and garlic, the spinach and all the remaining ingredients. Stir well
to make a moist mixture, adding a little water if it seems rather dry.
Season to taste with a little salt (if needed) and lots of pepper. Pile
into the prepared dish and cover tightly with a piece of foil. Bake for
about 20 minutes, removing the foil lid for the last 5 minutes.
5. Reheat the peperonata and serve with the spinach pie.
Can be vegan* • Serves 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
600g pumpkin
4 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp maple syrup
A pinch cinnamon powder
50g blanched almonds, chopped
225g trimmed leek, finely chopped
250g Arborio or Carnaroli risotto rice
100ml vegetarian dry white wine
900ml-1litre light vegetable stock
150g Swiss chard (leaves only) roughly shredded
1½ tbsp single cream or soya cream*
Season to taste
To serve
A squeezelemon juice to taste
Method
Heat oven to Gas 5/ 190C/ 375F
1. Cut the pumpkin into quarters, peel and de-seed. Then cut into thick
slices/segments (approx 12-15cm) and place in a roasting pan. Mix
together 2 tbsp oil, maple syrup and cinnamon and drizzle over the
pumpkin. Roast for 25-30 minutes until tender, take out of the oven
and cut into large dice.
2. In a small frying pan heat 1 tsp oil and lightly toast the almonds until
golden. Set aside.
3. Heat the remaining oil in a large frying pan and sauté the leek until
soft. Add the rice and stir until the grains are well coated and slightly
golden. Pour in the wine and stir until it is absorbed.
4. Add one ladle of hot stock and simmer until absorbed. Repeat. After
10 minutes add the chard and let wilt. Continue to add stock at
intervals and cook until absorbed into the rice (you may not need all
the stock). Season well with salt and pepper.
5. Once rice is tender but still very slightly al dente, add the cream and
cook for a further minute before adding the pumpkin. Remove from
heat, cover and rest for 2 minutes. When ready to serve sprinkle over
the roasted almonds and a squeeze of lemon juice.
This recipe is one of twelve mouth-watering, monthly recipes, included in
Season to Taste a collection of recipes using seasonal and locally sourced
produce and is available free of charge by calling 0161 925 2000.
© The Vegetarian Society 2004
(recipe created by the Cordon Vert cookery school)
For more information visit www.vegsoc.org
W I T H
J A N
D E
V R I E S
W I T H
J A N
D E
V R I E S
9
T
Feed your
bones
Did you know that you get a new skeleton
every eight years? Just like your skin, bone
is a living tissue and is constantly being
renewed and replaced. Our commonly
held view is that bone is a hard brittle
material that does not change needs to
be revisited in light of ongoing research
into bone health and the new ways it can
be improved and influenced.
10
W I T H
J A N
D E
V R I E S
he fact that bone is an incredibly changeable tissue explains
how it is able to adapt to different stresses placed upon it.
Indeed its very shape and thickness can alter in response to
different stimuli. For example, a professional tennis player will
place so much stress through his right arm bones that in time
the bone cells become more active and remodel the architecture
of the forearm bones making them thicker and stronger.The
skeleton’s ability to change and adapt is a key factor in maintaining
bone health and an equally important aspect in certain diseases.
This has been dramatically illustrated in certain extreme
environments. Studies performed by NASA clearly show that space flight
had severe complications on the skeleton. Due to the weightless nature
of the body in space, gravity cannot act on the skeleton, with an end
result of a rapid thinning and weakening of bone. Otherwise ultrafit
Astronauts develop osteoporosis, the thin bone disease commonly
associated with older or menopausal women! Interestingly, this is
no news to the Russians who have been working with manned space
stations for years. The Russian Cosmonauts routinely take vitamin K
supplements. This nutrient is known to boost bone health by stimulating
the growth of the bone proteins needed to support the calcium and other
minerals found in the skeleton. Vitamin K has only relatively recently
become a hot topic in the osteoporosis world outside Russia. Despite it’s
potential interaction with blood thinning drugs such as warfarin (those
on blood thinners should avoid vitamin K) vitamin K is a very safe
and well tolerated nutrient. Studies indicate that taking certain forms
of vitamin K are associated with a 77% reduced risk of hip fracture
and a 60% reduction in vertebral fractures. The mechanism behind
this dramatic finding appears to involve the bone protein osteocalcin.
Without a good framework to act as a guide minerals simply cannot
bind on to strengthen the bones.
Feeding the bones
Bones demand feeding in a special way for a lifetime of optimal health.
Certain dietary factors are known to have a bad effect on bone health
and may actually increase your risk of developing thin bones in later
life. Processed foods, excessive sugar, alcohol, fizzy drinks, cigarettes,
coffee all can have a detrimental effect on the bones. Many pre-made
ready meals come loaded with added salt. Salt has the effect of making
food tasty but the extra salt (sodium) not only plays havoc with your
blood pressure and fluid balance but it can also increase the calcium loss
significantly. Estimates have this loss in the region of 52grams of calcium
if your sodium intake jumps from 1000mg per day to 4000mg. Eating a
healthy and balanced diet is such a common phrase we tend to forget
how important it is to tissues we don’t normally think about; be honest,
when was the last time you thought about the health of your hip bone?
When it comes to foods there is a great deal of controversy. Many
authorities list milk and dairy products as key sources of calcium needed
for healthy bones while some raise the worry that dairy derived calcium
may actually have a detrimental effect on the skeleton. Protein is another
potential point of confusion. We need adequate protein for bone to make
the basic scaffolding onto which minerals are deposited. High protein
intakes, however, are associated with an increased loss of calcium from
the body. Beans and pulses may offer a solution in this situation. A 100g
portion of beans (dry weight) has a neutral effect on calcium balance
while a similar amount of animal derived protein may cause a loss of
calcium from the body. Increasing your intake of beans and pulses will
boost your protein intake and have no adverse effect on calcium balance.
To reassure you though, a moderate intake of animal products, as part of
a balanced diet, will not cause a drastic enough loss when offset against
the additional calcium intake of that meal; most balanced diets offset
losses with the gains.
W I T H
J A N
While we are on the subject of absorbing calcium it would be a good
idea to mention the importance of vitamin D, or specifically vitamin D3.
Acting in a hormone-like way, this key vitamin not only boosts the immune
system’s ability to keep us fit and well, it plays a pivotal part in the absorption
of calcium from the gut. Many of us simply don’t get enough vitamin D3
from sunlight exposure and there is a negligible amount on offer from
the diet. Contrary to the commonly accepted idea, milk offers no vitamin
D. This confusion may have originally come from America where milk is
fortified with added vitamin D, but this is not the case in the UK. Taking
extra vitamin D3 would appear to be the answer for all of us, especially over
the dark winter months.
To appreciate how important it is to keep bones well fed it is worth
understanding how the nutritional needs change with age. During infancy
our bodies are very efficient at absorbing calcium, especially from breast
milk. A baby can absorb 66% of the available calcium from breast milk
compared to less than a 40% absorbency rate from infant formula milk.
During childhood (between one and ten years of age) the efficiency of
calcium absorbency reduces to about 35%, but by adolescence it rises
again to 40% to match the growth spurts associated with this phase of life.
Crash diets and eating fads can seriously reduce the nutrient intake over
this crucial phase of skeletal development. By the time adulthood is reached
much of the final skeletal form is set. The peak bone mass is achieved by 35
years of age. Calcium absorption reduces slightly to about 30%. Adulthood
also brings with it other natural diversions as far as calcium goes. It has
been suggested that during the first three months of pregnancy, maternal
bone density reduces as well as during lactation. During the menopause a
complex interaction between hormones, calcium and other trace elements
occur. Increasing calcium alone appears to be pointless. There are in fact
22 nutrients associated with the maintenance of optimal bone health. All
must be in the correct balance for the benefit to be seen.
When it comes to exercise it is the load bearing, bone-stressing
forms that boost strength. Keep those fit astronauts in mind. Take away
gravity and you take away the stimulus for bone health. If you don’t feel
that your joints are up to a pounding workout there are other options.
Consider balance exercises, such as Tai Chi that can strengthen your legs
and challenge your balance, and can decrease your risk of falls. There
are also postural exercises that can improve your posture and reduce
rounded or “sloping” shoulders to help you decrease the risk of fractures,
especially in the spine. Finally, there are a range of functional exercises
designed to improve how well you move to help you in everyday activities
and decrease your risk of falls and fractures. For example, if you have
trouble getting up from a chair or climbing stairs, you should do these
activities as exercises, simply try standing up and sitting down several
times until you are tired – it’s a start! There is a growing interest in both
Yoga and Pilates. Both these methods can also improve strength, balance
and flexibility; however people with low bone density or osteoporosis
should avoid certain positions to prevent fractures.
All in all, there is a lot you can do to protect and build your bone
health.
• Eat well and choose from a variety of foods.
• Move towards a more vegetarian style of eating and rely less on
meats for protein.
• Stop smoking and curb any regular excessive alcohol intake.
• Start an exercise plan aimed at loading bones or improving
posture and balance.
• Take extra vitamin D3 along with a good all-round bone
nutrient such as OsteoPrime or Skeletal Factors.
• If you think your bones may be at risk get a heel scan or bone
density scan to be on the safe side.
D E
V R I E S
11
Back Issues Available
Winter 05
Cold and Flu
Amalgam – The Debate
Gout – it’s no laughing matter
Feverfew – Nature’s Migraine Fighter
If you have missed an issue, some previous issues are still available for
£1.30 for one copy and £1.25 for each additional copy.
Summer 08
Mind Energy
Dropping the pounds could cut your cancer risk
Food additives and hyperactivity
The Breast Solution Feeding your baby the natural way
What is it about
Garlic?
What is it about garlic that makes it so good for us. For countless centuries garlic has
been listed and quoted as a health promoting agent by generations of healers, herbalists,
naturopaths and now, even conventional doctors are recommending it!
G
arlic is a member of the onion family of vegetables and
just like onions it contains powerful oils that give food a
characteristic flavour. Its ability to spice meals up probably
explains why the onion family has featured so highly in traditional
diets and recipes for so long. Studies into the effects of diet on
health now confirm that onions and garlic can promote heart
health, benefit blood pressure and reduce inflammation, a key
feature of so many degenerative diseases. A common report from
regular garlic users is its apparent ability to help keep the body
free of opportunistic infections such as the common cold. This
may be partly due to garlic’s effect on the immune system and
partly due to its “cleansing” effect on the respiratory system. Many
of the oils in garlic have antimicrobial actions that may keep our
lungs and nasal passages free from bugs.
Diet also appears to be playing an important role in other
degenerative problems. Several reliable medical studies now confirm
that following the so-called Mediterranean diet, which includes the
liberal use of onions and garlic, reduces the incidence of conditions such
as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. What’s more, those following
such a diet were, on average, 9% less likely to die young! So, we return to
our initial question; what is it in garlic that makes it so good for us?
To start with, garlic contains many organic compounds that
have been the focus of intensive study for many years. However, one
compound has always emerged as a key player in garlic’s ability to
support circulatory and general health. It is the most biologically active
ingredient in garlic and the cause of garlic’s characteristic odour. The
twist comes in the fact that this substance is not present in the intact
12
W I T H
J A N
garlic bulb, it is only present when the bulb is crushed and an enzyme
is released that converts an inert ingredient found in the garlic bulb
into this active substance known as allicin. For those interested, the
chemistry goes like this; when the garlic bulb is crushed, Alliin (the
inert, non active substance found in the garlic bulb) is converted by
the enzyme allinase (released during the crushing process) into allicin
(the key active compound). It’s easy to do this at home, sniff an intact
garlic bulb and it is odourless. Crush it and the smell emerges almost
immediately, that’s the effect of the enzyme on the alliin. With the
identification that allicin is the key agent, science soon made the links
between heart health and garlic. Spin off research also discovered that
the immune system benefits from allicin along with the lining of the
digestive tract and bowels.
For those who don’t like garlic or wish to avoid the odour on the
breath, supplements are the obvious answer but choosing the right one
can be a task in itself. Do you opt for garlic oil capsules, freeze dried
garlic tablets, odourless preparations or aged garlic? And this is just the
start. If you are looking for a simple, easy to take tablet that guarantees
the allicin content and is odour free then Garlinase is your product of
choice. Its enteric coating protects the ingredients from the acid levels
of the stomach ensuring that no odour is detected on the breath. Being
made from fresh garlic the alliin and allinase are preserved until the
tablet is digested after which the key reaction occurs resulting in allicin
being produced and released slowly within the gut. This preparation
delivers the key agent and eliminates the odour in one! For those who
like garlic, there is no substitute for the crushed ingredient added to
food or the use of a good quality oil based capsule.
D E
V R I E S
Summer 05
Natural healing – Wouldn’t it be wonderful of the
human body could heal itself
without artificial aid….
Water Not all drinks carry the same health benefits…
Taking the sting out of cystitis
Travel – risks and preventions considered
Vitamin D – The sunshine vitamin
Winter 07
Energy in the Hands
Ageing Gracefully
Music as a Therapy
An Olive a day keeps the doctor away
Focus on Cherries
Spring 05
Stress, tension and relaxation
Can magnetic bracelets really help arthritis?
Ulcers – More than just an acid stomach…
Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) – Nutrient in focus
Autumn 07
Breathe Easy
Is it me or my ME?
Beating Stress
Treating the knee – Naturally
Focus on Clown’s Mustard to ease bloating and wind
Back issues are available from our mail order department:
Write to: Summer 07
Energy in Sound
Electromagnetic Radiation: A real threat or just
another fad
Health In the Sun - The Vitamin D Connection
Spice up your brain
Focus on Yerba Mate
Mail Order Dept.
Jan de Vries Healthcare,
Southwood Road,
Troon, Ayrshire KA10 7EL.
Tel 01292 317 670
e-mail [email protected]
HELPLINE
Our helpline can offer help and support over a wide range of health
issues or give advice on specific products or services we offer.
Winter 06
Healthy Eating
Taking the Sting out of Shingles
A Fishy Problem
Herb in Focus – Ivy Fenugreek – A Spice with a Secret
Please phone :
01292 318 846
Autumn 06
Air congestion
All washed out
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and one of our friendly members of staff will be able to help you!
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Summer 06
Visualisation and Outlook
Summer is Coming, but for some this is a
mixed blessing
Piles
Rhodiola – A little Lift for Life
Gardening – is it good for you?
Spring 06
Cleansing the Organism
Detox
Holocaust Experience
Head lice
Ginkgo biloba – and ancient remedy with modern applications
W I T H
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D E
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13
&Answers
Questions
I have been suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome
(IBS) for the past couple of years. I have to go to the toilet
several times a day and I experience a lot of pain in my
lower stomach, which is unbearable. I have had several
tests done by my GP and he has prescribed a few things for
me to take. Is there anything you could suggest that would
be of further help?
The main contributory factors for irritable bowel syndrome are diet and stress.
In these cases breathing and relaxation exercises can relieve the stress. Jealousy,
divorce, emotional upsets, relationship or financial problems can all cause this
problem to flare-up quickly. Many IBS sufferers experience wheat and dairy
produce intolerances and improvement is often noticed after eliminating these
possible culprits from the diet. In addition, all acidic foods such as citrus fruits,
any pork produce, vinegar, rhubarb and tomatoes should be avoided also.
Remedies such as Centaurium, Acidophilus Pearls and Bowel Essence are
excellent for bringing the condition under control. For those with cramps and
bloating I also suggest taking a Clowns Mustard extract. See issue Autumn O7 of
In Touch for more details.
Q
Ever since a viral infection that had me coughing all night
I have started to suffer from insomnia. I just can’t get over
to sleep and if I do I just wake in the early hours of the
morning and can’t get back to sleep. Is there any natural
non addictive sleeping aid can try?
Sleep is a mysterious phase of the daily life. We all take it for granted unless it
starts to cause us problems and it then becomes an all-consuming passion to
re-gain it! One of the safest and effective sleep aids I have come across in recent
years is the Welsh grass extract known as Asphalia. The dried and milled leaves
contain a natural source of melatonin, a known sleep-regulating compound.
The great thing about Asphalia is its non-addictive and sleep-regulating effect.
Many other sleep aids just sedate the brain. You don’t get real sleep, just a state
of sedation. During real sleep the brain dips into the state of deep sleep known
as REM sleep. If you don’t achieve this level of sleep you don’t wake refreshed.
Asphalia appears to help the body gets its sleep pattern back to normal and
re-gain access to the REM phase. It is safe and effective at just one capsule half
an hour before bed. But give it a good 5-7 days to take effect. Because of its grass
extract basis those asthmatics that are sensitive to grass should avoid using it to
be on the safe side.
Q
After a recent visit to the dentist I have become worried
about all the toxic metals that may be circulating in my
body. My dentist assures me that there is no cause to be
concerned but I would be happier if I underwent a detox
for heavy metals’, what do you recommend?
When it comes to toxic metal accumulations I feel most people could benefit
from an annual detox. If you consider how much pollution we are all exposed to
on a daily basis, especially those of us who live in cities, it understandably makes
you worry about the extra toxic burden dental mercury can have on our health.
Probably the most effective heavy metal chelating agent is the organic compound
called humifulvate. This substance is derived from peat deposits dating back
some 3000 years. Regular readers of In Touch may recall an article I did on this
substance in issue Summer 08 so I won’t say much more than take one capsule
(75mg) a day for 30 days and consider repeating this detox on an annual basis.
One word of warning, because humifulvate is such a powerful binding agent
don’t take other health supplements or prescribed drugs 3 hours before or after
taking it. This includes the oral contraceptive pill.
Q
14
W I T H
J A N
My son is 20 years old and suffers very badly from
pimples and spots. He has been prescribed antibiotics
from his doctor, which cleared things up slightly but not
completely and they are beginning to reoccur again.
Perhaps you could suggest something that might help?
There are two common kinds of acne; acne vulgaris and acne rosacea. Firstly,
it is essential to have a sensible diet incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables
for both Acne rosacea and Acne vulgaris. Colouring and preservatives in food
can easily be responsible for triggering off many food allergies, which manifest
themselves as skin problems. In particular these foods are essential, because
the body requires adequate supplies of vitamins A, D and E to maintain the
health of the skin. Acidic foods lead to a build up of acids and toxins within
the body and these in turn can aggravate or exacerbate skin problems. These
acidic foods would include citrus foods, pork products, tomatoes and vinegars.
I would also advise my patients to cut down on coffee, tea and chocolates.
Remedies such as Derma Klear (formally Akne Zyme) from Enzymatic
Therapy can be very effective, as is Echinaforce to help clear bacterial
infection. My book “Skin Diseases” will provide further details on acne.
Letters
Q
Can you suggest anything for my children aged 3 years
and 5 years of age to help them fight off coughs and colds
throughout the winter months. They are not keen on
taking tablets so do you have anything in liquid form?
Yes, there is a remedy called Echinacea Complex for children, which would be
very helpful. This is a fresh herbal preparation derived from the combination
of Echinacea purpurea herb and root, and Plantago lanceolata. For a child
between the ages of 2-5 years I would recommend a dose of 5 drops, 2 or 3
times a day in a little water or fruit juice. If congestion is an issue make up a
mixture of 5 drops Echinacea with 5 drops of Ivy Thyme complex in a little
juice or water. Give this morning and evening.
Q
I have been suffering from an overuse strain at the elbow.
I have been told it’s tennis elbow and to rest it and use
an anti-inflammatory cream but my skin is so sensitive
and becomes irritated very easily. Can you recommend a
cream that is gentle but effective?
Many of the creams available from your doctor or pharmacy contain strong
drugs that can irritate the skin. For years I have been recommending an
effective natural alternative preparation called Traumeel cream. It contains a
special mixture of Arnica, Calendula, Symphytum and Hamamelis along with
some homeopathic ingredients that help control inflammation and stimulate
healing. I would suggest using this cream a good 3-4 times a day and consider
getting some acupuncture therapy to complement it.
Q
My husband suffers dreadfully from indigestion and a lack
of appetite following an operation that he had two years
ago. We read that Centaurium was good for digestive
problems. Do you think this would be appropriate for
my husband or can you recommend something else?
Indeed the remedy Centaurium would be an appropriate remedy for your
husband to take and I would suggest a dose of 15 drops, 3 times a day in a little
water before meals. Ideally this should be sipped and held in the mouth before
swallowing. Centaurium is a stomach bitter, which is used to help improve
digestion and enhance the appetite. For extra support I also find the use of a
protein splitting enzyme, such as ProtaZyme, to be of real help. Many times,
as we age, the acid and enzyme levels reduce to a point where digestion falls
well below par. The use of enzyme replacement therapy can quickly rectify
this situation.
Q
D E
V R I E S
Dear Jan
Dear Jan,
I would like to thank you
for having given me you
r time and expertise in you
clinic in Belfast. I found
r
your advice very sound
an
d very useful; and I wis
you every success and pe
h
ace and joy.
your helpline. It is a
In Touch Club and also
the
for
u
yo
nk
tha
big
Just a
rstanding – the service
ays so caring and unde
alw
are
y
the
d
an
ver
life-sa
are being given. So well
ns for all the awards you
tio
ula
rat
ng
Co
t.
en
ell
is exc
to the entire world for
are a shining example
You
.
do
you
all
for
ved
deser
your work.
LK
KN
Belfast
Dear Jan
Dear Mr de Vries
On behalf of the trustees and small staff team at the Falkland Heritage
Trust, I want to thank you very deeply for your contribution and inspiration
last night.
I personally very much enjoyed your warm presentation and great passion
for the potential of the natural world and encouragement of people to play
their own part in improving their health and living better lives.
The additional, and secondary, gift of generous funds to help out our work
of Stewardship, locally and nationally is both enormously welcome and
very helpful at this time.
I hope you got home safely and awoke with your usual enthusiasm for
the world.
With warm regards
NS
Dear Jan
do not want
r time last week. I really
you
for
ch
mu
so
you
nk
feel a different
I would like to tha
ve the change in me, I
lie
be
ot
nn
ca
I
t
bu
n,
so much for
to speak too soo
it continues. Thank you
pe
ho
I
f.
sel
old
my
to
person! Well back
taking care of me.
JG
Dear Jan,
Once again your expertise has confounded the medical men and allowed me
to participate in this arduous tour along the Mediterranean Coast without
pain and without a walking stick.
Many thanks
GR
Dear Mr de Vries
A small note of thank
s and appreciation to
you, for all the help an
acupuncture you gave me
d
. To walk, without consta
nt pain – wonderful. Th
of course, helped me ha
is
ve a lovely holiday in Ca
nada.
Again, my sincere thank
s and good wishes to you
.
JB
Ayrshire
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO WRITE TO
‘IN TOUCH WITH JAN DE VRIES’
PLEASE SEND YOUR ARTICLE OR LETTER TO:
JDV ‘IN TOUCH’, SOUTHWOOD ROAD,
TROON, AYRSHIRE, KA10 7EL.
W I T H
J A N
This is once again to say thank you for the treatment you gave me when I
came to see you in February. It has worked so well. My pain has gone, and I
feel so much better in myself.
I am writing this to you from India, where it is warming up my body.
Once again, thank you for your caring kindness to me.
JB
Dear Jan,
Thank you. Thank you
for showing the kindness
and genuine concern tha
you have and really he
t
lping me. When I first
wrote you a letter abou
problems I was unsure
t my
whether you would even
read it, but when I saw
you said you had studie
you,
d it and was really concer
ned. That letter was abou
seven pages of problems
t
; the story is completely
different now.
The first time I saw you
in Blackburn I could ha
rdly move because of spa
in my back. I just about
sms
made it out of the clinic
without crying in pain,
I stood by the car for ab
then
out twenty minutes becau
se I just couldn’t move.
That was the last major
flare up I have had.
After getting worse for ne
arly four years the supple
ments you gave me really
calmed me down. You sho
wed genuine concern an
d said that you wanted
help so I came down to
to
Troon for a week. Yourse
lf and all the staff were
helpful. I felt much better
very
after my time in Troon.
I started the diet in you
r book about arthritis an
d I must say this has be
a major contribution to
en
my feeling better. I’ve fou
nd my nails seem bette
after this too.
r
Now after seeing you in
Dublin today I can’t believ
e that I am so much bet
after only a little over thr
ter
ee months. You even loo
ked happy with my progre
which shows how much
ss
you care about your patie
nts.
I have always tried to kee
p positive but after deter
iorating so much last yea
it was getting difficult.
r
But thanks to you I can
’t believe how quickly I
improved. I’m so glad
have
I wrote to you before sta
rting the drugs from the
doctor. I haven’t taken an
y painkillers for months,
my aches and pains have
greatly improved. I can
breath deeper and witho
ut pain, I can move abou
much more freely, I don’t
t
get so tired, I haven’t ha
d spasms for months, I can
exercise properly, I’m no
t stiff in the mornings an
d the best thing for my wif
is I’m a happier person
e
to live with!
In fact we’ve booked to
go on our first skiing ho
liday! Hopefully I won’t
to see you too soon after
need
this!
When I visit you, people
always ask me to ask you
questions for them, so mu
so that I forget my own.
ch
But you always take the
time to answer question
from others too.
s
I’ve seen how busy you are
yet you seem to find tim
e for people, I noticed you
pushing a lady in a wheel
chair to the car park an
d saying goodbye.
My wife and I are truly gra
teful for helping us. No do
ubt we will see you again
it truly is reassuring to kn
,
ow you are able to help.
Thank you once again for
all you have done for us.
Yours sincerely
MB
D E
V R I E S
15
In touch club
W I T H
J A N
D E
V R I E S
Dear Member
Everyone at Jan de Vries Healthcare is delighted and humbled by the continuing rise in members of our “In Touch” club and I do hope
that you enjoy, and indeed benefit from, the articles and offers in the newsletter.
There is no need to enquire about re-subscribing – you will automatically be sent the information at the appropriate time but if you
have friends who would like to join us, please feel free to use the form below.
Once again, many thanks for your continued support.
Wishing you the very best of health.
Security No*:
* (The last 3 digits along the signature strip on the back of the card).
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