Hestia Group News

Adopting just a couple of elements of the Mediterranean diet could cut the risk of cancer by 12%, say scientists. A study of 26,000 Greek people found just using more olive oil alone cut the risk by 9%. The diet, reports the British Journal of Cancer, also includes higher amounts of fruits, vegetables, cereals, and less red meat. A separate study found adding broccoli to meals might help men vulnerable to prostate cancer cut their risk.
 
The Mediterranean diet came under scrutiny after researchers noticed lower rates of illnesses such as heart disease in countries such as Spain, Greece and cyprus. They noticed that people living there generally ate more vegetables and fish, less red meat, cooked in olive oil and drank moderate amounts of alcohol. The latest study is one of the largest yet to look at the potential impact on cancer of the various parts of this diet.

Researchers from Harvard University persuaded thousands of Greek people of various ages to record their food intake over an eight-year-period. Their adherence to the Mediterranean diet was ranked using a scoring system, and the group with the worst score compared with those who followed a couple of aspects of the diet, and those who followed it the most closely.

The biggest effect they found - a 9% reduction in risk - was achieved simply by eating more “unsaturated” fats such as olive oil. But just two changes - eating less red meat, and more peas, beans and lentils, cut the risk of cancer by 12%.

Dr Dimitrios Trichopoulos, who led the study, said: “Adjusting one’s overall dietary habits towards the traditional Mediterranean pattern had an important effect.” Sara Hiom, from Cancer Research UK, said the research highlighted the importance of a healthy balanced diet. “It shows there are a number of things you can do, and there is no one ’superfood’ that can stop you developing the disease.”

The other study suggesting that food had the power to prevent cancer came from the Institute of Food Research in Norwich. Scientists compared the effects of adding 400 grams of broccoli or peas a week to the diet of men at high risk of prostate cancer - and in the case of broccoli found differences in the activity of genes in the prostate which other studies have linked to cancer.

Their findings raised the possibility that broccoli, or other “cruciferous” vegetables, such as cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, could help prevent or slow down the disease, particularly if the man had a particular gene variant - GSTM1. Professor Richard Mithen, who led the research, published in the Public Library of Science journal, said: “Eating two or three portions of cruciferous vegetables per week, and maybe a few more if you lack the GSTM1 gene - should be encouraged.”

Professor Karol Sikora, medical director of CancerPartnersUK, said the study was the first time in a properly controlled clinical trial that broccoli had been shown to change the expression of specific genes in the prostate gland. “Although the observation period was too short and the numbers too small to show that the incidence of cancer actually fell, it is the first clear demonstration that broccoli and presumably other cruciferous vegetables may well reduce cancer risk.”
This article was reported on BBC news, 2nd July 08.

Naturally a big concern or factor when deciding to move abroad or buy a holiday home in the sun is the medical service and Health Care in the Country… cyprus health care is of a high standard which is acknowledged by the World Health Organisation and because infectious diseases and epidemics throughout the country are so low, foreign nationals entering cyprus are not required to have any vaccinations.  Life expectancy for the population is around at 75 years for men and 80 years for women – that’s a bit higher than the UK?..

cyprus gives priority to its health care system and actively promotes preventive medicine. Many of the medical professionals have trained abroad, with a good number graduating from the UK.  The low cost of consultations and care, together with short waiting lists make cyprus an attractive destination for treatment.

State run hospitals are located in all the major cities, these ‘General Hospitals’ are in Polis, Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca, Nicosia and Paralimni… and smaller government-run hospitals and clinics are present in other areas of the country. There are also a large number of private hospitals and clinics most of which have excellent equipment and facilities.

Anyone who has paid regular social security contributions in another EU country for two full years prior to coming to cyprus is entitled to public health cover for a limited period from the date of their last contribution. Social security form E106 must be obtained from the social security authorities in your home country and presented to your local Social Insurance office in cyprus.  The European Health Insurance Card (E.H.I.C) is now being used throughout Europe for reciprocal health care. This is available free of charge from the NHS in the UK.

Retirees living in cyprus and receiving a state pension from another EU country are entitled to free or subsidised state healthcare (dependant upon income). You will need to obtain the necessary forms from your home country and submit them to any general hospital with your application for a cyprus medical card.  You should contact the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), Medical Benefits Section to acquire the necessary forms.

If you are under state pension age you will need to take out private health insurance, which offers a wider choice of medical practitioners and hospitals. If you already have private health insurance in another country, you may be able to extend it to cover you in cyprus; however, this may not be the most economical alternative.  There are a great many insurance companies out there, both Cypriot and International and it pays to shop around and get at least three quotes.  Many schemes will have an excess and the amount should be carefully considered.  Check whether the insurance company will deal directly with the hospital when paying the fees and carefully scrutinize exactly what the insurance company will pay for and what is excluded.

The benefits of health care in cyprus can be great in that you may be able to walk in to a hospital or clinic and get a same day appointment to see a specialist and leave only around 35 euros worse off, but with a diagnosis and medication!

Are you fed up with waiting months to get an appointment with your dentist?  Do you feel you that you might have to take out a mortgage to pay for the cost of restorative treatment?  Would you like a brighter smile but just know that it isn’t in your budget?  Then consider dentistry in cyprus; some of the advantages are:
  
* Significant savings – pricing is a fraction of that in the UK
* Excellent high-tech treatment in superb facilities
* Combined with a vacation to allay any trauma and promote healing and a healthier, more beautiful smile.

cyprus is within easy reach of the UK and has an impressive number of quality dental facilities, making it an ideal destination for those seeking restorative or cosmetic dental treatments.  The huge difference in the cost of treatment is amazing; for example, Nicosia Dental Polyclinic charges around £150 for laser whitening, whereas in a British private clinic, the cost can vary between £300 and £700!  Many clinics offer treatment/holiday packages to really tailor to your needs.  Maintenance and restorative treatments are of course available throughout the country but some of the most popular procedures offered by the cosmetic dental clinics in cyprus include
  
* Teeth Bleaching
* Porcelain Laminate Veneers
* Porcelain Crowns
* Porcelain Fused to Metal Crowns
* Inlay and Outlay

With all this on offer and a truly beautiful country to explore, try cyprus for your next holiday and consider some dental treatment?
Nicosia is the capital of cyprus and is home to some of the best dental practices in the country and Europe.  Popular cosmetic dental clinics are also situated in the other major towns of Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos.

cyprus does not have its own medical university, and a large proportion of Cypriot dentists qualify in Athens, UK or US after a 6 year degree course.  Many of the Athens graduates then choose to study in Europe or US for their 3 year post grad specialist courses. This ensures you’ll have no confusion over the work carried out as they all speak English very well.

The cyprus Ministry of Health is in charge of monitoring, assessing and approving all dental practices and clinics in cyprus and the rules and regulations are upheld by the two main member organisations, The cyprus Dental Council and The cyprus Dental Association.

If you feel the need to get away from the stresses and strains of life, to ‘exit stage left’ and run far away from the daily grind, then come to cyprus for a well deserved relaxing holiday, find a spa and pamper yourself!

cyprus offers you a wonderful location for relaxation and rejuvenation and is host to a plethora of top class hotels with magnificent spas.  There is so much on offer in the variety of treatments available; you will be thoroughly spoilt for choice.

There are fabulous treatments to be had in most of the island’s resorts and below are some suggestions for you.  The toughest part will be deciding which one to go to or maybe try them all!

The Adams Beach Hotel in agia napa offers some unusual and enticing treatments such as a Deluxe Chocolate Body Wrap, a Deluxe Coffee Body Wrap, a Milk Bath and a Red Grape bath.  Or treat yourself to a massage in all its variations - you choose aromatherapy massage, asiaroma harmonizing massage, Indian head massage or the popular hot stone massage.

The St. Raphael Resort Spa in Limassol offers all types of spa treatments using Thalgo products. On the menu are the usual massages such as hot-stone and Indian head together with relaxing massages, luxury manicures and pedicures, facials and face treatments, body treatments, body wraps, eye treatments, reflexology, anti-cellulite treatments and ultra toning.  All these are available for men and women.

Between Limassol and Paphos you can find two excellent spa facilities.  The Columbia Beach Resort Spa at Pissouri offers you numerous therapies for relaxation and revitalisation using the ever popular Molton Brown products, together with Phytomer, a brand which uses plants and minerals from the ocean.  Among the myriad of available treatments, Columbia have developed specialist therapies for mothers-to-be and men so nobody need feel left out of a pampering session!

‘The Retreat’ at the Aphrodite Hills Resort, set in a stunning location overlooking Aphrodite’s Rock, has everything for total serenity and tranquility.  This includes a traditional Hammam or Turkish Bath and if you opt for the full Hammam experience you can expect steam bathing, a loofah scrub and a full body soap massage, performed on a heated marble plinth – guaranteed to give deep muscle relaxation.  Specialist services here offer a hair spa and a couples programme to enjoy with a friend or partner and performed in the Thai Suite.

In Paphos, The Amathus Beach Hotel seems to offer just about everything previously mentioned on this page and more.  Here you can receive Reiki Healing, have a Reflexology massage, try Shiatsu and experience a good range of treatments geared to sun exposure.  The Golden Dream tanning preparation treatment not only looks good but makes you feel good and also prepares the skin for further exposure to the sun.  In harmony with this is the Sunset Treatment which soothes away burning sensations and helps repair any damage.

Also in Paphos is the Thalassa Hotel with its’ wonderful sunset views over Coral Bay.  This delightfully intimate hotel houses the Anagenisis, the first holistic spa on magical cyprus.  The philosophy is to treat the person as a whole, with therapies that soothe the mind, body and soul.  This is achieved through the therapies, the wonderful cuisine and their health and fitness facilities, creating a complete haven of relaxation and rejuvenation.

For a get-away-from-it-all experience, your ideal destination would be The Anassa Hotel, quietly nestling below the Akamas just beyond Latchi on the way to Aphrodite’s Baths and in an exclusive and tranquil setting.  Anassa’s entirely upgraded, newly-designed lifestyle spa, Thalassa Spa, also involves a holistic approach to wellbeing, together with The Organic Pharmacy’s 100% natural product line.  Holistic and therapeutic lifestyle consulting, acupuncture, spa cuisine and natural treatments using local produce are all here fro you to enjoy. 

Go on, you know you want to – pamper yourself!..

International travel is a pursuit enjoyed by many millions of people for a variety of reasons – typically a break from the regular home / work routine that enables us to pay for our holidays in the first place. There is little doubt that travel broadens the mind and takes us beyond horizons which only a few decades ago would have seemed out of reach. The purpose of travel has also shifted to meet the demands and expectations of what is more of a ‘free market’ and greater consumer awareness of how people can spend their money to meet their lifestyle inclinations. Continue Reading »

Traveling and staying away from the UK should be an enjoyable experience – and most times it probably will be. In some ways the preparation for the journey is all part of the excitement of leaving normal domestic comforts and getting ready for a well deserved break or the challenge of making a new home in a different country.

For some it will be a few weeks away and for others it may be the upheaval of creating fresh roots in a new land. In the UK, there is an increase in the number of people who effectively ‘split the difference’ by spending extended periods in their second home abroad or returning to their favourite rental villa or apartment. 

Buying foreign Currency and making Car hire Continue Reading »