Coyne, who has a Masters degree in Science and Nutrition, is a consultant to health and wellness company OTC Pharma International and is based at OTC Pharma SA in Cape Town. She has worked in nutrition for a decade, developing healthy eating plans and assisting South Africans achieve optimum health and wellness.

Coyne’s “eco diet” is the result of years of work in healthy and sustainable weight loss. It is eco friendly in that it advocates mostly organic and a high percentage of natural and raw food and natural supplementation. In addition to slimming, it’s aimed at:
• Increasing energy
• Decreasing stress
• Reducing signs of ageing
• A mind/body connection, i.e. feeling good and looking amazing

Coyne explains that weight loss is simple: eat less and move more, “the law of thermodynamics always applies.”

She says most diets are aimed at reducing calorie intake. “Ideally, though, we should lose fat and maintain lean body mass and this requires a different macro-nutrient ratio altogether, coupled with some resistance exercise.

“So, the right ratios of nutrients and not food per se are important. I believe the body looks for nutrients not calories in order to function optimally. We also don’t want the result of all out hard work to be only weight loss. We want to feel good, look good, have a great sex drive, more energy, great skin and hair, a strong immune system, a positive outlook, zest for life and to be able to sustain whatever we are doing. “

Coyne says the eco diet is aimed at long term results and embraces a lifestyle change rather than a quick fix. She explains that a holistic approach to nutrition and lifestyle begins with eliminating toxic foods form the diet, feeding the body the correct food in order to eliminate long term toxic and chemical build up “and supporting this process with cutting edge nutrition and supplements which then create the internal environment to get your body lean through the correct nutritional and exercise regime.”

Coyne explains that the more natural, fresh and whole the food consumed, the better it is for the waistline, and for overall health and wellness.
“The cleaner you eat, the leaner and healthier you’ll be. When we eat food in its natural state, or whole foods, we automatically eat less as they are less calorie dense. Here I mean lean proteins, fruit, an abundance of vegetables, some whole grains and essential fats.”

“The fastest and quickest way to looking good is to be healthy from within. I am a strong believer in the link between what we put in our body and how we look. There is scientific evidence that the food we eat alters our body and brain chemistry, our mood and even our addictions, especially when food is laced with chemicals, sugars and hormones.”

Coyne says that if organic food is not available, choose hormone-free food.

“At at least half of your diet should comprise raw fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds. The rest should comprise lean, hormone-free protein sources, mainly fish. Wholegrains like quinoa are great but stay away from the overly processed and refined wholegrains, including bread or anything with wheat! Remember: natural, unprocessed food is nutrient dense. Processed food is calorie dense. Your body looks for nutrients and not calories, so make sure you feed it correctly!”

As for exercise, Coyne says diet contributes to 90% of results. “There is no need for endless hours of exercise. Your nutrition is the key to fat loss and exercise sculpts your body, the most effective being well performed resistance training.”

With regards to supplements, Coyne favours Spirulina. “I swear by it and believe it’s an extremely important supplement. I like research and real human clinical trials and there’s plenty of this relating to Spirulina. Make sure that the supplement you take does what it claims!”

For Coyne’s full philosophy and details of the eco diet Click here

Contact Vanessa Coyne on 086 199 8880 or Lauren Wileman on 021 785 3683.

Vanessa’s top 10 health tips:

• Balance your blood sugar levels – stay away from stimulants and sugar
• Eat food in its natural and whole state – avoid over processed food. Your body doesn’t know what to do with it – keep it clean and lean all the way.
• After 3 pm, make veggies your carbs – have oatmeal, rye bread, brown rice, sweet potatoes, fruit, and quinoa early in the day and salads and steamed vegetables later in the day
• Eat good fat, especially Omega-3 rich foods
• Keep your dinner lean – protein and greens
• Always eat balanced snacks and meals – eating wholesome carbs, protein and fat in every meal keeps your blood sugar levels from spiking and crashing. This controls energy levels and keeps cravings at bay.
• Eat & drink food for the soul – in moderation
• Drink water – stay away from chemical artificial drinks
• Don’t forget to sleep – 7-8 hours at least!
• Focus on resistance training 3-4 times a week and don’t forget: walking is one of the best forms of cardio you can do!

The Eco Diet – two options:

Intermediate lifestyle plan (Option 1):

Upon waking: Hot water and the juice of ½ a lemon with 5 Spirulina tablets
Breakfast: ½ cup rolled oats with some berries or grated apple with cinnamon and a little honey or: 1 chopped apple or pear, 15 Almonds (raw with skins), 100g fat-free, plain yogurt or cottage cheese add some cinnamon, or: 1 slice rye, some fresh tomato and a boiled egg or some cottage cheese.
Lunch: 5 Spirulina tablets, grilled or baked fish or tinned tuna. A large mixed salad including vegetables, 1 tablespoon cold-pressed olive oil, or quinoa, or sweet potato with a large raw salad and some vegetables.
Snack: Hummus and veggies, or apple with 15 raw almonds, or a tablespoon of sugar-free natural peanut butter.
Dinner: Large raw salad and cooked vegetables with 120g of a lean protein (ostrich, fish, chicken, or an egg white omelette with vegetables), add 1 tablespoon of cold pressed olive oil.
Salad tips: Get creative. Make up combinations that suit you. These can change from day to day or remain the same. Try combinations and lots of colours, eat an abundance of veggies, select leafy plants such as lettuce, spinach, romaine, watercress, rocket etc. Also chose green vegetables such as broccoli, green beans, bell peppers, red onion, mushrooms, cucumber, onions, raw carrots, tomatoes , pumpkin. Go wild and have fun!

Advanced lifestyle plan (Option 2)

Upon waking: Hot water and lemon. Add ginger for a boost, but this is optional.
8am: 5 Spirulina tablets, papaya and lemon with raw almonds (a handful), or a vegetable juice with carrot, apple, celery, parsley and beetroot or a combination thereof with raw almonds.
Noon: 5 Spirulina tablets, big, raw salad with rocket, romaine or butter lettuce, avocado, tomato, carrots, with either grilled chicken breast or some grilled fish or tuna in brine. Optional: add olive oil and lemon juice.
3pm: Vegetable juice if you didn’t have one earlier, or some fresh fruit (1 type only) with some raw almonds. Optional: frozen blueberries and strawberries with the almonds, or some apple and natural, unsalted no sugar peanut butter.
6:30pm: Lots of steamed or baked veggies (green beans, beetroot, pumpkin, butternut, broccoli, mushrooms, any of the green veg). Add either another protein source (fish, or chicken or ostrich) or a starch like quinoa or a sweet potato.
• Note: this is a cleansing plan. It yields the greatest results and if followed diligently will result in an increase in energy and vitality, will assist in reaching your ideal body weight, a reduction in cellulite, improved skin tone and overall health and well being. You may need to transition into this way of life, so if you feel you would do better with option 1 start there and work your way towards this way of eating.

Carlo Odermatt, homeopath, author and lecturer at the School of Natural Medicine in Baar and Carla Wullschleger, a homeopath and pharmacist with particular focus on acute conditions, will present seminars around the country on homeopathy, the development of homeopathic remedies and how it can be used sustainably to treat various conditions, in particular, problems affecting the throat, nose, ear and eyes.

First developed in Germany in the late 18th century, homeopathy is a system of healing based on the “principle of similar”, i.e. disease can be cured by a substance that produces similar symptoms in healthy people. Homeopathy works in harmony with the immune system and stimulates the body’s own defence system and healing powers.

It is now an essential part of commonly practised forms of treatment and will continue to grow in importance, Odermatt said.

“Six out of seven published quantitative meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials (RCT) on specific indications, found a significant difference between patients treated with placebo versus homeopathy. All the published, non-randomized cohort studies of the last 10 years show that homeopathic treatment is equivalent or superior to conventional treatment and has fewer side-effects,” said Odermatt, who is also a developer and researcher at Similasan, one of Switzerland’s leading homeopathic companies.

Odermatt has more than 25 years experience in classical homeopathy and is also a specialist in over-the counter-homeopathy. He says both complement each other. “For health professionals with limited experience in homeopathy as well as for self-medication, finished products combining several homeopathic remedies are the best choice for treating acute health problems, whereas classical homeopathy is ideal for treating chronic, recurrent conditions”.

“Homeopathy can actually cure chronic diseases. Mainstream medicine only provides treatment for the symptoms of many chronic diseases and is thus unable to provide a sustainable cure for the problem. The underlying disease worsens, and the situation is further exacerbated by the side effects of the medications,” Odermatt added.

Odermatt says complementary medicine, including homeopathy, is becoming increasingly popular and in some countries, such as India, homeopathy is an essential part of commonly practised forms of treatment. “Since 1973, homeopathy has stood on equal terms with other systems of healing in India by law and is state-subsidized. Homeopathy is also part of the public health system in Brazil,” he added.

Odermatt believes homeopathy and conventional medicine can work together. “I am convinced that both systems are needed and that they could mutually help each other. Depending on the type of disease, homeopathy and allopathy are complementary.”

“This is demonstrated, for instance, by the randomized study (RCT) on severe sepsis1 where homeopathy was used in addition to mainstream medicine. In the group of patients in which mainstream medicine and homeopathy were applied, about 75% of the patients survived whereas in the group using mainstream medicine and placebo globules only 50% survived (Frass M et al. Homeopathy 2005; 94:75-80).”

Carlo Odermatt ’s and Carla Wullschleger’s 10-day seminar tour of the health trade, public and media in SA will provide further insight into the above-mentioned issues and the latest developments in the world of homeopathy with particular focus on eyes. They will present seminars in Jhb, Pta, PE, Cape Town and Dbn from 13 – 21 September.

For bookings and enquiries, contact 011 469-1642

See www.otcpharma.co.za and www.similasan-sa.co.za

For media enquiries, call Craig Doonan on 083 463 1827

Issued by:
Leap Communications
021 785 3683
083 463 1827
info@leapcommunications.co.za

Thank you once again to our sponsor, Speedo and sub sponsors Marcus Rohrer Spirulina, Similasan homeopathic range and Medi-Clinic.

Best regards
The organising team
Leap Communications
021 785 3683

The swim marked the launch of the International Ice Swimming Association (IISA) by veteran extreme cold water swimmer Ram Barkai. The swim was also aligned with the World Cup’s 1Goal campaign and celebrated Nelson Mandela’s 92nd birthday.

Six of the 25 swam a mile while 19 completed 600m in what is believed to have been the most extreme conditions ever swum in Africa. The mile participants became the first members of the International Ice Swimming Association (IISA) which requires a minimum of a mile swim in water sub 5C with no swimming aids and wearing only a pair of goggles, a Speedo costume and a cap.

The mile swimmers were Ram Barkai, Theodore Yach, Andrew Chin, Ryan Stramrood, Kieron Palframan and Toks Viviers. They were all awarded an IISA Red Jacket.

The nineteen 600m participants were veteran cold water swimmers, many of whom have completed the arduous 7.5km annual Cadiz Freedom Swim from Robben Island to Blouberg which is regarded as extreme due to the Atlantic temperature of about 13C.

Among them was 18 year old Henko Roukema who said afterwards: “I must have a red jacket. Next year, I am going for the mile!”

South Africa and Cape Town in particular, is becoming synonymous for extreme swimming. South African swimmers are also well known for their high success rate in completing the English Channel and in other extreme swimming events here and around the world.

The dam’s water temperature plummeted to 2-3C early on Saturday but rose to a “warm” 4C when the swim took place thanks to the Karoo winter sun.

“This event was to Fraserburg, what the world cup was for Cape Town” said Ronel le Roux, who, together with her husband Herman, is setting up a new school in the town. The swim raised R10 000 for the school, Destiny Academy, Fraserburg.

“Where ever we go to swim, we try to leave something behind for the community that so kindly hosts us. It was very, very cold but we all made it and we feel honoured to be able to have been able to do something for this rural community,” said Barkai, who is also the CEO of Cadiz, founder of the IISA and founder of the world famous Cadiz Freedom Swim.

Swimmers families made the five hour trip to Fraserburg while townsfolk and farmers from all around the Karoo came to watch. Speedo, the main sponsor, together with Leap Communications organised what all swimmers described as one of the most professional and safest events they had ever participated in. The swim was a first of its kind in the world.

Yach, who is sponsored by Marcus Rohrer Spirulina and who recently completed an 30km ultra swim from Three Anchor Bay in Cape Town around Robben Island and back, described the swim as the hardest he had ever undertaken said, “For me it was beyond the outer limits of my ability, I am glad I have done it, but wild horses are going to be needed to drag me to anything close to this again. This re-defines extreme.”

Head of Speedo SA, Stuart Hopwood said the event was the first of its kind in the world and it proved that committed athletes could push the boundaries through careful preparation and by applying their minds. “This is a world first. Never before have so many people swum such distances in one event at water temperatures below 5C. It was a phenomenal achievement by all and Speedo is proud to have helped these brave swimmers push the limits while at the same time raise R10 000 for a much needed new school in this rural community.”

All swimmers were medically screened and cleared before and after the event by a Medi-Clinic team of specialized doctors and nurses.

Additional sponsors were super multi-nutrient Marcus Rohrer Spirulina and the Similasan homeopathic range of health products.

Issued by:
Leap Communications
021 785 3683
info@leapcommunications.co.za
www.leapcommunications.co.za

For further details: contact:

• Event organizer: Craig Doonan on 021 785 3683 or 083 463 1827
• Speedo: Nicola Heimann on 082 527 6654

For a range of high res pics, click here
Click here for the six mile swimmers’ biogs…

Venter, 24, one of South Africa’s top open water swimmers led the record field of almost 280 swimmers. Water temperatures ranged from 11 to 13 degrees. After reaching the beach, Venter came sprinting through the finish line, where he was met by Justice Minister Jeff Radebe. He took home first prize of R15 000.

Venter’s winning time was 1hr48, well ahead of surprise second placed Phillip Chappel, 49in a time of 2:05. Third was Sarah Key, 18, in a time of 2:08 – the first woman
home. Second woman was Lisa Cowling, 16, followed by Rebecca Newson, 28.

A total of 326 swimmers started and 298 completed the arduous course which some described as one of the toughest races in its nine year history. The swim raises funds for disabled learners at Vista Nova School. Over R100 000 was raised.

Cadiz CEO, Ram Barkai, 52, who completed the race in 3hr19, described the swim as an overwhelming success but said it was a “tough and deceiving race”.

“We started in a water temperature of 13 which dropped to about 11 which affected a lot of swimmers. Then there was a very strong current and big swell near the end in which some swimmers became nauseous and disorientated. So it was very tough.”

Ultra Swimmer Theodore Yach, 52, who was sponsored by Marcus Rohrer Spirulina and who swam a time of 2:50 said afterwards: “If anyone doubted before that this was an extreme race, they don’t now!”

Shark attack survivor Achmat Hassiem, 27, who lost a foot four years ago, finished 21st in a time of 2:40 said only “this race was really, really cold”.

The Western Cape government and Marcus Rohrer Spirulina were part sponsors and Premier Helen Zille said her government was pleased “to be able to contribute to this high profile swimming race, which attracts top local and international swimmers and, which helps build the Western Cape’s reputation as a major sporting destination.”

Call Craig Doonan on 084 951 7526 or 083 463 1827
Issued on behalf of Cadiz Financial Services Group by:

Craig Doonan
Leap Communications
info@leapcommunications.co.za
083-463-1827
(021) 785-3683
www.leapcommunications.co.za

All the latest news in the run up to the Cadiz Freedom Swim 2010

Cadiz Freedom Swim Final Update

Cadiz Freedom Swim Update 4

Cadiz Freedom Swim Update 3

Cadiz Freedom Swim Update 2

Cadiz Freedom Swim Update 1

Recognised worldwide for his work in reconstructive vaginal therapy, Dr Miklos is Director of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery at the Atlanta Centre for Laparoscopic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Vaginal Surgery in the US.

He currently runs a successful clinical and academic practice, performing surgery on approximately 500 patients a year, and has some of the largest published surgical series in the world on minimally invasive and cosmetic vaginal surgical technique.

Dr Miklos is also an internationally recognised lecturer, scientist, surgeon, author and entrepreneur, specialising in sexual wellness.

About one in 10 men will experience recurring impotence problems at some point and in South Africa, among other countries, Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is a sensitive issue, not often discussed openly.

Impotence and ED – the inability to achieve (or inconsistent) erection — are also the source of great anxiety, much of which can be alleviated through knowledge, information and communication.

ED is also known to cause emotional and relationship problems and can lead to diminished self esteem. It has many causes, most of which are treatable. An alternative to pharmaceuticals, many of which have negative side effects, new natural products have recently proven to help overcome ED for many thousands of men.

Low libido, another familiar sex-related topic, is more common among women than men with an estimated 40% of females experiencing a lack of sex drive for significant periods compared to about 30% of men.

Female libido is much more complex than male libido which is largely physically rooted. Female sex-drive, however, can be influenced by a number of factors, both physical and emotional.

Dr Miklos will discuss these and other issues in presentations to the health trade and health industry during his four-day tour to Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town. He is being hosted by OTC PHARMA SA which produces and markets a range of high quality health products, most comprising natural active ingredients.

Dr Miklos is also an entrepreneur and his new company, RockHard Laboratories, is dedicated to developing natural herbal supplements including Rock Hard Weekend, a natural sexual enhancer for men which has achieved great success in the US and which is currently being launched in South Africa.

Dr Miklos is a past member of the board of directors for the American Urogynecology Society and the editorial advisory board for the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopy. He is a member of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, Society of Gynecologic Surgeons, American Urogynecology Associates and the American Academy of Cosmetic surgery.

He has authored more than 150 scientific papers, book chapters and scientific abstracts. He has co-authored a text on Vaginal Rejuvenation and Aesthetic Vaginal Surgery which was published in 2006.

For more information, contact: Kevin Coyne, MD of OTC PHARMA SA on: 0861-998880.

 Click here for a thumbnail head-and-shoulders pic of Dr John R. Miklos

 Click here for a high resolution head-and-shoulders pic of Dr John R. Miklos

Through pledges and donations to his challenge, Yach, 51, raised over R100 000 for the Cadiz Open Water Swimming Development Fund which assists disadvantaged swimmers.

Wearing only a regulation costume, cap and goggles, and totally exposed to the elements for 10hrs39, Yach was fortunate to experience unusually warm Atlantic water temperatures of 16 degrees C and higher and almost ideal sea and weather conditions.

But he encountered swarms of jellyfish and was stung intermittently throughout the swim, including on his face. He was also prodded by an unfriendly dolphin soon after the 6:36am start.

“This dolphin arrived and gave me a firm nudge in my ribs. Then I was stung by jellyfish about 40 times on my face, under my arms, even in my costume.”

Six hours into the swim, his left shoulder seized up and he had to re-configure his stroke to avoid agonising pain. At the same time he was confronted by a north westerly wind and water chop which made the going particularly tough for two hours, until he rounded the island and headed for home with the wind from behind.

His perseverance paid off and Yach said afterwards he was on an “emotional high” adding: “it was all worth it”.

Ahead of the ultra swim, Peter Bales, chairman of the Cape Long Distance Swimming Association, described Yach’s goal as one of the most extreme challenges of its kind and “very, very difficult by any standards”.

Yach holds the record for the most Robben Island crossings (54), is a regular participant in the annual extreme 7.5km Cadiz Freedom Swim between Robben Island and Blouberg, and successfully crossed the English Channel in 1996 in 14h25.

Photographs of the swim and donations to the development fund can be made through the Facebook Group: Theodore Yach Ultra Swim, or by calling 083-463-1827.
See:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=154967951992#/group.php?gid=154967951992&v=info

Click here to download high res photographs of Theodore Yach (this will be updated throughout Sunday afternoon with pics of the swim):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/leapcommunications/sets/72157622534749098/

For further information, pics or an interview with Yach, contact Craig Doonan on 083-463-1827