01438 313320

Summer 18

Fitness | Racquets | Spa

OdysseyHEALTH CLUB & SPA

Benefits of Berberine

Kefir - 5 Things You Didn't Know

Mind & Body Spa Day

Exercise and Ageing

Free 3 Day Guest Pass!

2-4-1 Spa Days!

Your health is not just about fitness - neither are we.

www.odysseyhealthclubs.com

SEARCH: SPECIALIST CARS STEVENAGE

Official Fuel Economy Figures for the MINI Cooper 3-door Hatch with John Cooper Works Sport Pack: Urban 34.0-72.4 mpg (3.9-8.3 l/100km). Extra Urban 54.3-91.1 mpg (3.1-5.2 l/100km). Combined 44.8-83.1 mpg (3.4-6.3 l/100km). CO2 Emissions 147-89 g/km. Figures are obtained in a standardised test cycle. They are intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not be representative of what a user achieves under usual driving conditions.

Specialist Cars Ltd is a credit broker and not a lender.Representative example is for a MINI Select agreement for a MINI Cooper 3-door Hatch with optional John Cooper Works Sport Pack and Chili Red paint, with a contract mileage of 32,000 miles and excess mileage charge of 4.38p per mile. Applies to new vehicles ordered between 29 December 2017 and 31 March 2018 and registered by 30 June 2018 (subject to availability). Retail customers only. *On the road cash price is based on manufacturer’s recommended retail price and includes 3 year MINI Retailer Warranty, MINI Emergency Service, 12 months’ road fund licence, vehicle first registration fee, delivery, number plates and VAT. ^Optional final payment not payable if you opt to return the vehicle at the end of the agreement (vehicle condition, excess mileage and other charges may be payable). Finance available subject to credit acceptance to UK residents aged 18 or over. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. Terms and conditions apply. Offer may be varied, withdrawn or extended at any time. ‘MINI Select’ is a form of hire-purchase agreement provided by MINI Financial Services, Summit ONE, Summit Avenue, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 0FB. You will have a 14 day statutory right to withdraw from the agreement. Specialist Cars Ltd trading as Specialist Cars Stevenage, commonly introduce customers to a selected panel of lenders including MINI Financial Services. We may receive commission or other benefits for introducing you to such lenders. This introduction does not amount to independent financial advice. †Test drive subject to applicant status and availability.

MINI COOPER 3-DOOR HATCH WITH JOHN COOPER WORKS SPORT PACK.

Contact our Brand Manager Ian Taylor on 01438 760303or ian.taylor@specialistcars.co.uk to find out more.

FROM £269 MONTHLY PAYMENTS.

FREE ODYSSEY HEALTH CLUB MEMBERSHIP WITH SPECIALIST CARS STEVENAGE.

14427 Mini Odyssey A5 AD_ART.indd 1 20/02/2018 17:17

Beauty Award Winners!

We are delighted to have won:

Luxury Travel GuideNational Wellness

Spa of the Year

English Hair & Beauty Awards Best Spa in the South East

British Hair & Beauty AwardsBest Day Spa of the Year

Grace GumbleSilver Award for British Hair

& Beauty Awards, Beauty Therapist of the Year

Emily PonteBritish Hair & Beauty Awards Gold Award, Brow Specialist

of the Year

An amazing achievement to have won these awards and it reflects the hardwork and dedication of all the teams at Odyssey to get us this far! A huge thank you and

congratulations to everyone.

Good Luck Ben

Head Chef Ben Rule is sadly leaving us after nearly four

years to start his own venture - a cafe in Ascot. We wish him

every success in the world and would like to thank him

for everything he has achieved at Odyssey. We know he will make a great success of it and look forward to updating you

on his opening and launch.

WelcomeWe have some new joiners to the team;

Front of House - JodieFront of House - JordanFront of House - Taylor

Fitness - KarenSpa - Katie

Register Your Picture To Continue

Booking Online

Cut Off Date - 31st July

The upgrade of the new membership system continues

with your membership photo being a compulsory

requirement for you to access the club and online bookings.

You can add your photo to your profile very easily

through your booking portal and taking a photo on the

device you're using to access it (tablet, phone etc). This needs

to be completed as your previous photo has not been carried across as part of the

migration.

If you are unsure, please speak to main reception who can

guide you through the process.

Odyssey Health Club & Spa, Old Knebworth Lane, Stevenage, SG2 8DU

NEWS

SEARCH: SPECIALIST CARS STEVENAGE

Official Fuel Economy Figures for the MINI Cooper 3-door Hatch with John Cooper Works Sport Pack: Urban 34.0-72.4 mpg (3.9-8.3 l/100km). Extra Urban 54.3-91.1 mpg (3.1-5.2 l/100km). Combined 44.8-83.1 mpg (3.4-6.3 l/100km). CO2 Emissions 147-89 g/km. Figures are obtained in a standardised test cycle. They are intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not be representative of what a user achieves under usual driving conditions.

Specialist Cars Ltd is a credit broker and not a lender.Representative example is for a MINI Select agreement for a MINI Cooper 3-door Hatch with optional John Cooper Works Sport Pack and Chili Red paint, with a contract mileage of 32,000 miles and excess mileage charge of 4.38p per mile. Applies to new vehicles ordered between 29 December 2017 and 31 March 2018 and registered by 30 June 2018 (subject to availability). Retail customers only. *On the road cash price is based on manufacturer’s recommended retail price and includes 3 year MINI Retailer Warranty, MINI Emergency Service, 12 months’ road fund licence, vehicle first registration fee, delivery, number plates and VAT. ^Optional final payment not payable if you opt to return the vehicle at the end of the agreement (vehicle condition, excess mileage and other charges may be payable). Finance available subject to credit acceptance to UK residents aged 18 or over. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. Terms and conditions apply. Offer may be varied, withdrawn or extended at any time. ‘MINI Select’ is a form of hire-purchase agreement provided by MINI Financial Services, Summit ONE, Summit Avenue, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 0FB. You will have a 14 day statutory right to withdraw from the agreement. Specialist Cars Ltd trading as Specialist Cars Stevenage, commonly introduce customers to a selected panel of lenders including MINI Financial Services. We may receive commission or other benefits for introducing you to such lenders. This introduction does not amount to independent financial advice. †Test drive subject to applicant status and availability.

MINI COOPER 3-DOOR HATCH WITH JOHN COOPER WORKS SPORT PACK.

Contact our Brand Manager Ian Taylor on 01438 760303or ian.taylor@specialistcars.co.uk to find out more.

FROM £269 MONTHLY PAYMENTS.

FREE ODYSSEY HEALTH CLUB MEMBERSHIP WITH SPECIALIST CARS STEVENAGE.

14427 Mini Odyssey A5 AD_ART.indd 1 20/02/2018 17:17

Odyssey Mail is created to inspire and help educate you to learn more about your health, food and well-being. It is not meant as a substitute for medical advice or medical treatment. Odyssey Knebworth Ltd and its employees disclaim any and all liability

of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this magazine.

How Financially Fit Are You?

Odyssey member and avid tennis player, Anthony Edwards, is an Independent Financial Adviser and will be hosting a

free seminar on Tuesday 10th July highlighting some of the aspects of our financial health we should be considering as we get older. In this first of two articles in the lead up to the seminar Anthony highlights some key areas of saving for the future.

STOCKS & SHARES INDIVIDUAL SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (ISA’s)

If you’re starting to think about investing, Individual Savings Account (ISAs) could be a good place to start. For many people, one way to invest in stocks and shares is through an ISA. But there’s no substitute for professional financial advice, which is essential to ensure that an assessment of your personal circumstances

and attitude to risk is made before making investment decisions. So whether you’re a novice or an experienced investor, we can help you get the most from your annual ISA allowance.

WRAPPING UP YOUR INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO

A Stocks & Shares ISA is a ‘tax-efficient wrapper’ that can be put around a wide range of different investment solutions. You should be planning on investing for at least five years and be comfortable with the fact that the value of your investments can go both up and down.

There are two ways you can go about investing your Stocks & Shares ISA allowance, whichfor the 2018/19 tax year is £20,000. A tax year runs from 6 April one year to 5 April the following year. You can invest with lump-sum contributions, or you can drip feed your money into the markets on a regular basis. The annual Stocks & Shares ISA allowance is subject to review, and the Government’s favourable treatment of ISAs may change.

You can invest regularly in one of two ways within a Stocks & Shares ISA. You could drip feed your allowance in over time, making ad- hoc contributions, or set up a Direct Debit to make monthly contributions.

One advantage of making regular monthly contributions is that you can adopt a strategy known as ‘pound-cost averaging’ – so as markets invariably fluctuate over time, some of your monthly investments will take advantage of lower asset prices. The effect is that you will smooth out market volatility.

To hold an investment ISA, you must be 18 years or older and resident in the UK for tax purposes. Your yearly Stocks & Shares ISA

Anthony is a keen tennis player at Odyssey

FREESEMINAR

allowance expires at the end of the tax year, and any unused allowance will be lost and can’t be rolled over to the following year. You can only pay into one Stocks & Shares ISA in each tax year, but you can open a new Stocks & Shares ISA with a different provider each year if you want to.

MAKE THE MOST OF THE TAX BENEFITS

You don’t pay Income Tax on the income from your Stocks & Shares ISA – this includes income from dividends and interest. In addition, you don’t pay Capital Gains Tax on the growth of your Stocks & Shares ISA, and it will not have to be declared on your tax return. Depending on your situation, if you’re on the threshold between two Income Tax bands, investing within a Stocks & Shares ISA could keep you in the lower band. It means that your taxable income is lower, though your overall income might be similar to if you’d invested outside the Stocks & Shares ISA.

If you’re over 65, income you receive from investments held within an Stocks & Shares ISA will not erode the higher personal tax allowance you receive, and if you’re a higher rate taxpayer, the dividends and interest from your Stocks & Shares ISA are not included

when you pay the extra tax levied on this income.

Capital Gains Tax is a tax you pay when you sell, give away or otherwise dispose of assets. At its simplest, you pay tax on any profit you get when you sell something you own – for example, your shares.

Understanding where there is downside risk and where there are opportunities Global political risks continue to loom large, but such risks have been part of the investment landscape for decades. The challenge is understanding where there is downside risk and where there are opportunities should the risks materialise. To discuss the investment options available to you, please contact us.

How Financially Fit & Healthy Do You Want To Be In Retirement? Changes to pension rules in recent years mean now could be a good time to revisit your provision for retirement planning. Whether you are in the process of building your pension pot or getting ready to retire being financially fit and healthy in retirement is key in ensuring your money doesn’t run out and you can do all the things that make you happy when you stop working. Anthony is hosting three seminars on Tuesday 10th July at:

09:30, 14:00 & 19:00 Each session will last 45 minutes with a Q&A at the end. The sessions will be very insightful, personable and interactive.

The 1st ever formulation with ELEMIS Smart Drone Peptide Technology, targets areas of the face where stress shows most.

FACE THE FUTURE PRO-COLLAGEN OVERNIGHT MATRIX

The 1st ever formulation with ELEMIS Smart Drone Peptide Technology, targets areas of the face where stress shows most.

FACE THE FUTURE PRO-COLLAGEN OVERNIGHT MATRIX

PRO-COLLAGEN OVERNIGHT MATRIXTHE 1ST EVER PRODUCT with ELEMIS SMART TECHNOLOGY

THE SCIENCE

Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix is powered by SMART DRONE PEPTIDE TECHNOLOGY. Intelligent ‘drones’ contain Tetra and Heptapeptides that are programmed to target specific cells on the skin’s surface. These are combined in the formulation with potent, marine extracts from the Mediterranean, and exclusive blends of Microalgae, discovered in a lake containing 9 times the salt levels of sea water, and Wild Indigo Oligosaccharides. When you drift off to sleep with the sensorial slumber inducing aromatics, the actives go to work. Engineered to give you unparalleled results, this overnight treatment truly delivers.

KEY ACTIVES

DRONE PEPTIDE TECHNOLOGY Helps hydrate skin and helps it appear more plump, smoother and less creased.

SYNERGISTIC MICROALGAE BLEND Helps reduce the look of wrinkles and boosts radiance.

PADINA PAVONICA Anti-ageing, for improved firmness and improved elasticity

WILD INDIGO OLIGOSACCHARIDES Aids in a sense of wellbeing

AROMATIC If you love the Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm this has the same exquisite signature aroma – Geranium, Peppermint, Lavender, Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Ho Wood, Orange, Clove and Lavandin.

*STRESS-INDUCED CHANGES IN SKIN BARRIER FUNCTION IN HEALTHY WOMEN.” ALTEMUS M, RAO B, DHABHAR FS, DING W, GRANSTEIN RD, 2001. *“PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A DECLINE IN THE EPIDERMAL PERMEABILITY BARRIER FUNCTION OF THE HORNY LAYER.”FUKUDA S, BABA S, AKASAKA T., 2015.†INDEPENDENT CLINICAL TRIAL RESULTS 2017

THE NEXT GENERATION OF PRO-COLLAGEN We’ve never been more stressed out and trying to maximize every minute. The sheer pace of life, dealing with family stress, job stress, financial worries, not to mention the digital stress from emails, social media and 24-hour news.

Stress can take a major toll on our skin* causing the breakdown of collagen, enhancing ageing, deteriorating cell turnover and reducing Hyaluronic Acid.**

You aren’t imagining those frown lines cropping up on your forehead, those two lines between your eyebrows, or the little lines caused by squinting your eyes. Not to mention sleep wrinkles. The struggle is real.

This is why ELEMIS, the No.1 luxury British skincare brand created NEW Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix. This is the next generation Pro-Collagen – joining our No.1 performing range.

This is the SMARTEST, most EXCITING and POWERFUL formulation we have created in the history of the brand! Containing an elite force of

wrinkle-smoothing agents, with one single mission: target signs of stress on the skin and deep set wrinkles

NOELLA GABRIEL, ELEMIS CO-FOUNDER

"

"NEW PRO-COLLAGEN OVERNIGHT MATRIX

Launches April 2018 £145/50ml

For more information, please contact: ELEMIS Press OfficeT: +44 (0)20 7907 2750 E: elemispr@elemis.com

@ELEMISELEMIS.COM #ELEMISeveryday

“...this product dramatically improved deep set wrinkles” “...my skin looks less crumpled in the morning” “...I feel the stress on my skin has disappeared after using this product” “...my skin bounced back to life after using this product”

For more information, please contact: ELEMIS Press Office

QUICK BITES

• Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix is the smartest, most powerful cream we’ve ever made.

• This is more than a night cream. This is an elite force of wrinkle-smoothing agents with one single mission: target and reduce signs of stress on your skin, including deep set wrinkles.

• The unique formula glazes over the skin, creating a protective matrix that locks in moisture.

• The results? Skin that looks and feels younger, smoother, relaxed and restored.

• Bottom line: this cream targets areas of your face where stress shows most – and bounces your skin back to life.

100%AGREED*

In 14 DAYS this product is CLINICALLY PROVEN† to

reduce the appearance of wrinkles significantly increase the skin’s ability to bounce back†INDEPENDENT USER TRIALS

Available to purchase at The Odyssey Spa.Quote OdysseyMatrix at time of purchase and receive a FREE GIFT worth over £50

Exercising in Old Age Prevents the Immune System DecliningRegular exercise in older age can prevent the human immune system from declining and protect people against illness, according to a study by King's College London and the University of Birmingham.

A study of amateur, older cyclists found that many had levels of physiological function that would place them at a much younger age, when compared to the general population.

The study, published in the Aging Cell journal, observed 84 male and 41 female cycling enthusiasts – aged 55 to 79 – in order to explore how the ageing process affects the human body and whether specific physiological markers can be used to determine your age.

For the study, Cyclists were recruited to exclude the effects of a sedentary lifestyle, which can aggravate health problems and cause changes

in the body, which might appear to be due to the ageing process.

The men had to be able to cycle 100 km in under 6.5 hours, while the women had to be able to cycle 60 km in 5.5 hours. Smokers, heavy drinkers and those with high blood pressure or other health conditions were excluded from the study.

Participants underwent two days of laboratory testing at King’s College and each participant was given a physiological profile which included a wide range of measures – from cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular and metabolic to endocrine and cognitive functions.

Volunteers’ reflexes, muscle strength, oxygen uptake during exercise and peak explosive cycling power were also determined.

The study showed that loss of muscle mass and strength did not occur in those who exercise regularly. The cyclists also did not increase their body fat or cholesterol levels with age and the men’s testosterone levels also remained high, suggesting that they may have avoided most of the male menopause.

More surprisingly, the study also revealed that the benefits of exercise extend beyond muscle as the cyclists also had an immune system that did not seem to have aged either.

An organ called the thymus, which makes immune cells called T cells, starts to shrink from the age of 20 and makes less T cells. In this study, however, the cyclists’ thymuses were making as many T cells as those of a young person.

The findings come as figures show that less than half of over 65s do enough exercise to stay healthy and more than half of

those aged over 65 suffer from at least two diseases.

"The findings emphasise the fact that the cyclists do not exercise because they are healthy, but that they are healthy because they have been exercising for such a large proportion of their lives," said professor Stephen Harridge, director of the Centre of Human & Aerospace Physiological Sciences at King’s College London.

“Their bodies have been allowed to age optimally, free

from the problems usually caused by inactivity. Remove the activity and their health would likely deteriorate.”

Dr Ross Pollock, lead author of the paper from King’s College London, added: “A sedentary lifestyle causes physiological problems at any age. Hence the confusion as to how much the decline in bodily functions is due to the natural ageing process and how much is due to the combined effects of ageing and inactivity.

“In many models of ageing lifespan is the primary measure, but in human beings this is arguably less important than the consequences of deterioration in health. Healthy life expectancy – our healthspan - is not keeping pace with the average lifespan, and the years we spend with poor health and disabilities in old age are growing.”

Research has shown that training with a partner increases motivation and likelihood of

achieving your exercise goals. Most importantly, having an exercise partner can also make your sessions more fun!

For this edition only we have increased our referral offer to a fantastic £50 allowing you to enjoy everything from Personal Training sessions, Odyssey merchandise, guest passes – perhaps treat yourself or a friend at our fantastic Elemis Spa.

To refer someone to the club and claim your £50, simply speak with or email our membership team or visit the membership section of our website today.

What will you spend the money on?

membership.knebworth@odysseyhealthclubs.com

01438 313320, option 2

£50 FOR YOU TO SPEND

CLUBIN THE

5 Things You May Not Know

About Kefir

On Wednesday Feb 1st 2017, Dr Michael Moseley on the BBC Two television show "Trust Me I’m a

Doctor" unveiled some ground-breaking science, in the form of an experiment to determine whether probiotics can actually alter gut bacteria and improve health.

The overwhelming conclusion was that a little-known probiotic drink called kefir created statistically significant results for gut health.

Since then, everyone has been talking about kefir! But what is it, and what makes it so special?

At Chuckling Goat we’ve been making kefir in the traditional style since 2011. Here are a few things that you may not know about this now scientifically-proven medical miracle food:

1. Kefir is a fermented milk drink made from living kefir grains that originally came from the Caucasus Mountains in Russia. You can’t manufacture a kefir grain –

grains only grow from other grains. NO ONE KNOWS where the first kefir grain came from. A real live mystery!

2. Kefir is similar in taste and consistency to drinking yogurt, but it’s a lot more medically powerful. Yogurt contains “transient bacteria,” that gets killed off by the digestive process. Kefir contains “non-transient bacteria”, that survives the digestive process and re-populates the gut with the good bugs it needs for health.

3. The best base for kefir is goats milk, as cow’s milk is highly allergenic for human beings, and is a known trigger for eczema and other autoimmune conditions.

4. Kefir is helpful for many autoimmune conditions, allergic and inflammatory conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, acne, IBS, asthma, diabetes, Crohn’s and colitis.

5. Always look for kefir made in the traditional style, with real kefir “grains.” Kefir can be made with a powdered sachet, but the result will not be as powerful as the kefir made with grains.Traditionally made goats milk kefir, ready to drink, can be shipped to your door is available from www.chucklinggoat.co.uk.

You can watch a video explaining more about kefir, and how it can help you, here: https://www.chucklinggoat.co.uk/product/the-good-skin-solution/

VITTOGROUP WEIGHT LOSS

Vitto brings together the very latest fat loss information and results into a

brand new group format to let you take control of your health and wellbeing.

This is a FREE group for members and you will see outstanding health benefits as well as fat loss

results by following our simple, but effective food choice programme.

We are seeing some amazing results from group members and not just weight related. A range

of blood markers are seeing positive results and bringing members back from Type II diabetes.

Wednesdays 19:00Join our Facebook Group

Odyssey Vitto

The Mind & Body Spa Day - £65

A spa day like no other!

Enjoy a day of relaxation, meditation and Yoga at The Odyssey Health Club & Spa. Included in your day will be a relaxing ELEMIS back massage, Hatha Yoga, Meditation Class, welcome drink and fresh fruit, buffet lunch, tea & Coffee, full use of our club and wet facilities, robe, towel and slippers to use during your visit.

A day designed to reduce stress, improve sleep and increase vitality!

Available on 16th September 2018

01438 313320

Berberine — a yellow-colored alkaloid compound found in several different plants, including European barberry,

goldenseal, goldthread, Oregon grape and tree turmeric — has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, antidiarrheal, antineoplastic, antidiabetic and immune-enhancing1 properties. It has a long history of use in traditional medicine, including traditional Chinese medicine, and many of its historical uses now have scientific backing.

For example, it's effective against a wide range of bacteria, protozoa and fungi, and is commonly used to treat gastrointestinal issues, including traveler’s diarrhea and that from food poisoning. Having similar mechanisms of action as the drug metformin, berberine can also be used as an oral hypoglycemic for Type 2 diabetics.

As noted by Dr. Michael Murray:

“… I think [berberine] is poised to be the biggest thing in the natural product industry …

Here is why: Berberine has been shown to:• Produce results in clinical trials in

improving Type 2 diabetes on par or better than conventional drugs including metformin.

• Improve blood lipid levels better than statins.

• Lower blood pressure in many subjects as well as any class of antihypertensive medication.

• Improve liver function and promote anti-obesity effects.

• Exert significant beneficial effects on digestive health and the microbiome.

What Makes Berberine Such a Powerful Remedy?

Many of berberine’s health benefits4 have been linked to its ability to activate adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK).5 AMPK is an enzyme inside your body's cells. It’s sometimes referred to as a "metabolic master switch" because it plays an important role in regulating metabolism.

Low AMPK has been linked to insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction, obesity, neurodegeneration and chronic inflammation — all of which lay the groundwork for a wide variety of serious chronic diseases. In an article discussing the clinical uses of berberine for metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes, the Natural Medicine Journal highlights its effect on AMPK:

One way to appreciate berberine's potential is to think of it as having the same effect on a patient as increasing exercise while at the same time restricting calorie intake. Think of the effects of AMPK suppression as similar to those of eating a high-calorie diet while leading a very sedentary lifestyle."

Berberine Helps Ease Anxiety and Depression

A number of studies have demonstrated berberine’s usefulness against anxiety and depression, in part by inhibiting monoamine oxidase, an enzyme that breaks down serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine in your brain. These neurotransmitters play important roles in mood and have been implicated in depression.

An Indian study published in 2008 confirmed berberine has antidepressant effects, reversing

Benefits of Berberine

by Dr Mercola

“behavioral despair” in stressed rats. Interestingly, the effects were not dose-dependent. Even low doses had a beneficial effect. According to the authors:

Berberine Supports Gut Health and Much MoreBerberine has also been shown to support a healthy gastrointestinal tract and microbiome in a number of different ways, and this too can have a beneficial impact on your mood and mental health. There’s ample research showing your gut health plays a very important role in your brain health, and can influence your mood for better or worse. As for improving your gut health, studies have shown berberine helps:

• Prevent diarrhea by delaying the amount of time it takes for food to pass through your small intestine

• Lower your risk of leaky gut• Protect against gut damage caused by high

alcohol consumption• Lower intestinal inflammation caused by

inflammatory cytokines• Preferentially nourish microbes that

produce beneficial short-chain fatty acids, known to have many health benefits

• Improve symptoms of fatty liver disease by normalizing the gut microbiome

• The normalization of gut bacteria also resulted in lower body weight, lower serum levels of lipids, lower glucose and insulin levels, and the normalization of insulin resistance

Drug InteractionsWhile berberine is quite safe and well-tolerated, it may be contraindicated if you’re taking medications. For example, berberine may hinder absorption of tetracycline and other similar antibiotics, rendering them ineffective. Also, because berberine significantly inhibits CYP3A enzymes — enzymes needed

to metabolize most drugs — it can lower the clearance of medications, which in turn can augment their effect. This can lead to overdose, the risks of which will vary depending on the drug in question.

Berberine inhibits CYP3A just like curcumin, which impairs phase 2 detoxification, where your body makes toxins water soluble so they can be excreted. So, this would not be supplements to use during fasting where you have large lipolysis and liberation of stored toxins that need to be metabolized.

CyclingBecause of all its benefits, I have been taking berberine for over two years. However, because it is a potent alkaloid, I believe it needs to be cycled. So, I take it for a week then take a week off. Alternatively, you can skip it on the weekends. The general principle is cycling, just like one does with the ketogenic diet. It is not wise to be continuously ketogenic.

Also, as noted by Murray: “Berberine … enhances the effects of oral hypoglycemic drugs used in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes through its multitude of antidiabetic effects. People on oral hypoglycemic drugs should monitor blood glucose levels if taking berberine and adjust their dosage of their medications as needed and under the care of a medical professional.” I tell virtually everyone taking metformin to switch to berberine as it is far safer.

241 on all SPA DAYS in August

Spend time with a loved one or friend with our most popular Spa Day offer! Enjoy 241 on all Spa Days during the month of August. Excludes our Celebrations Packages.

Ultimate Spa Day ELEMIS BIOTEC Facial ELEMIS Back MassageGELeration Manicure

£156

Tune in to You ELEMIS Power Facial ELEMIS Back Massage

ELEMIS Salt Scrub £114

Superfoods Revitalising ELEMIS Superfood Facial

Phenom Manicure or Pedicure

£97

Blissful CouplesELEMIS Booster Facial ELEMIS Back Massage

£77

Time OutELEMIS Massage

£60

All our Spa Days include full use of the clubs wet facilities, Relaxation Suite, Robe, Towel & Slippers, Lunch, Tea & Coffee and a Glass of Prosecco!

More Spa Days on our

Website

www.odysseyspa.com

Exclusive Members Offer

FREE ELEMIS GIFTWhen you book in for an

ELEMIS Intensely Cleansing Body Scrub Valid between July & September

We Won!

Tiffany Harding-Aucott, Spa Director

We are extremely proud to have won 4 awards in the last few months, with hopefully two more to come. We would like to thank all our clients who took the time to vote for us and most importantly our fantastic spa team Laura, Elise, Alison, Glacy, Deanna, Kate, Grace, Emily, Jordan, Sarah and Stephanie. The awards we have won are a huge recognition of our teams excellence and we are honoured to be selected by Luxury Travel Guide as their winner of National Wellness Spa of the Year, Muddy Stilettos for Best Spa, The English Hair & Beauty Awards for Best Spa in The South East and The British Hair and Beauty Awards for Day Spa of the Year”

WOWWOMEN ON WEIGHTS

If you are in any doubt about the advantages of including weight training in your programme, then hopefully this article will convince you to book a programme review and see your results dramatically improve!

1. Lose Body FatWeight training increases lean muscle increases and therefore raises metabolism. A higher metabolism means that you will burn more calories throughout the day.

2. Gain Strength Without BulkingOne of the most common reasons women avoid weight training is because they are afraid of “bulking.” This is a misconception as it physically cannot happen. Women simply don’t have the testosterone to build muscle like men.

3. Decrease Risk of OsteoporosisWeight training not only strengthens muscles, it also strengthens your bones. Weight training increases bone density, which reduces the risk of fractures and broken bones.

4. Reduce Risk of InjuryWeight training also increases strength in connective tissues and joints. Strong joints, ligaments, and tendons are important to prevent injury and can relieve pain from osteoarthritis.

5. Burn More CaloriesWeight training has been proven to raise your metabolism for up to 24 hours after a workout. The more intense the workout the more calories are burned. After an intense workout there is more Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption, , helping break down fat stores in the body.

6. Reduce Back PainWeight-training will strengthen your back, shoulders, and core, helping to correct bad posture so that you can stand taller, with shoulders back and spine straight. A stronger back and core will also prevent lower back pain

7. Reduce StressExercise and weight-training release endorphins. Endorphins are neurotransmitters that prevent pain, improve mood, and fight depression. An increased in endorphins naturally reduces stress and anxiety.

Active Advantage Signs Tennis Coaching Deal

As part of our relaunch of tennis at the club, we are delighted to announce that we have signed an exclusive coaching arrangement with Guy Thomas' newly formed Active Advantage company.

All group and individual coaching will be operated by Guy and Dan Clegg (below), who joined the team last week and we very much look forward to growing tennis in the club for both beginners and more experienced players.

As Guy says "The feedback from members has already been really positive and we would love to see more players on the courts regardless of ability. We're really looking forward to developing the tennis programme at Odyssey and with a larger coaching team we can be more consistent and offer more variety in our

sessions".

Our weekly group sessions are included in your membership and are shown in the table opposite. If you would like to attend any of the sessions, please reserve your place through the booking portal.

"We would love to see more

players on the courts regardless

of ability."

Day Group Time

Tuesday Beginner Group 18:00 - 19:00

Advanced Group 19:00 - 20:00

Wednesday Social Tennis 11:00 - 12:00

Thursday Beginner Group 18:00 - 19:00

Advanced Group 19:00 - 20:00

Free Group Tennis Programme

About UsGuy was ranked 32 in the world as a junior and competed in all 4 grand slams. He won U16's and U18's nationals at the age of 15 and was Andy Murray's doubles partner as a junior. Guy reached top 1000 in the world and played Davis Cup for GB. He is currently World Number3 in Touch Tennis and World Number 1 in Touch Tennis Doubles.

Dan has been coaching for 11 years, is very passionate and really enjoys seeing all levels improve.Dan has worked within the David Lloyd brand for over 6 years, previously working at Finchley and Hatfield. He has coached two British players to the famous Orange Bowl junior tournament in Miami and enjoys teaching the technical and tactical aspects of the game to players of all ages and abilities. He is an engaging and friendly personality, looking to inspire and motivate members to improve their game

New Chef Matt BrownWith Ben starting his new venture in Ascot (update to follow in the next edition), we would like to introduce Matt Brown, who has taken over the reigns.

Matt, 29, from Stevenage has a passion for cooking from fresh and has previously worked at The Crown in Aston and as a private chef in Val D'Isere. A keen cyclist and footballer Matt is looking to continue the style of menu created by Ben - but with his own twist.

As Matt says "Odyssey has a great reputation locally and I jumped at the opportunity to work in this environment, with the diversity of Vitto, Spa Days and creating dishes members will love.

I look forward to meeting members and getting feedback on the style of dishes they would like to see and incorporating them into forthcoming menus".

Made for Man Spa Day Every man needs time to revive his senses! You can work up a sweat in the gym, take a dip in our swimming pool and relax in our sauna & steam room. Afterwards you will enjoy the following treatments:

ELEMIS Freestyle Deep Tissue Body MassageJESSICA Men’s Pedicure

£90

To Book Call: 01438 313320

Included in our

241 Offer

ELEMIS Skin Expert comes to Odyssey

Come and enjoy an ELEMIS BIOTEC 45min Facial & Skin Lab from ELEMIS’ very own skin expert. Try the products and get advice on the best routine for your skin and you’ll leave with soft, supple skin too.

£30 per personThe cost will be reimbursed against any ELEMIS products purchased on the day. Tuesday 2nd October 2018

New Make-Up Artist

We would like to welcome Professional Make-Up Artist Gemma Lorraine Annis to The Odyssey Spa.

With over ten years experience in the Make-up industry, Gemma trained in 2006 in theatrical and media makeup. After training Gemma went on to be a manager for such brands as Benefit cosmetics and DIOR before becoming a freelance makeup artist. Whilst working freelance Gemma has worked behind the scenes as head MUA on music videos , editorial photo shoots, fashion shows and not forgetting bridal makeup. She also has worked in Lapland , Finland as a Makeup artist for Santa and the elfs.... Her Artistry skills are second to none which are tailored to each client/Job.

Now taking bookings for weddings, special events and make-up lessons!

Please go to our website for more information www.odysseyspa.com

Our Exclusive ELEMIS spa day has been designed to help you relax, unwind and hydrate your skin ready for summer!Included in this offer : ELEMIS Best Foot Forward, ELEMIS Garden of England Back Massage, ELEMIS Superfood Booster Facial, Exclusive ELEMIS Gift, Full use of our club & wet facilities, Robe, Towel & Slippers, lunch, tea & coffee and a glass of Prosecco. 01438 313320

EXCLUSIVE Journey of Relaxation Spa Day £85

EXCLUSIVE OFFERFull Make-Over

£25Excluding Lashes

July - Sept

Get Summer Ready!

A Golden Summer GELeration on Hands GELeration on Feet

Half Leg & Bikini Wax Eye Trio

£103 save £34

Sparkle in the Sun GELeration on Hands GELeration on Feet Elleebana Lash Lift

£90 save £23

Bronzed all Over Jessica Prescriptive Manicure Jessica Half Hour Manicure

Kissed by Mii Spray Tan £60 save £22

To Book 01438 313320www.odysseyspa.com