Positive Health Online

Celebrating 75 Years of Supporting Wellbeing Practitioners: The Balens Story

In 2025, Balens proudly celebrates 75 years of supporting health and wellbeing professionals. A milestone that reflects not just longevity, but a deep commitment to the complementary therapy sector.

Founded in 1950 by Harry and Lily Balen, Balens began in the entertainment industry, insuring high-profile clients like Eric Idle and Van Morrison. But the business’s future direction changed when their son David experienced a serious illness during his travels in India. His recovery sparked a lifelong interest in health and wellbeing and a shift in the family business that would shape its future.

https://www.balens.co.uk/

David joined the company in 1978, and shortly after, Balens was approached to develop professional liability insurance for non-clinical practitioners. This request marked the beginning of Balens’ journey into the complementary and holistic therapy world, where we now provide specialist insurance for over 3,500 different therapies.

Today, Balens continues to serve tens of thousands of clients in the UK and across Europe, with offices in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands. Even after joining PIB Group in 2022, Balens has continued to be guided by long-standing family involvement, staying true to the core values that shaped the business from the start: care, integrity, and a strong commitment to providing specialist insurance solutions for the wellbeing sector.

To mark this special anniversary year, Balens has launched several celebrations, including the Balens Forest, a sustainable initiative starting with 75 trees planted in the UK. For every new partner or team member, more trees will be planted around the world. It’s a living tribute to the community and the planet we all share.

Complementary therapists have always been a key part of the Balens journey, alongside a wide range of professionals across the wellbeing, health, beauty and fitness sectors. From newly qualified professionals to experienced practitioners, Balens continues to provide specialist cover tailored to your needs. This anniversary is more than a celebration of our past – it’s a renewed commitment to the future of the wellbeing professions and we are proud to champion those who care for others.

Here’s to 75 years of support and many more to come!

Further Information

To find out more about Balens or how we can support you or your business, please visit www.balens.co.uk . You can also contact our friendly team on 01684 893 006 or email info@balens.co.uk  .

Oral Health using Quality-Controlled Seaweed

by Simon Ranger, Founder Seagreens Ltd and the Seaweed Health Foundation

 Regular use of seaweed produced to controlled standards for human nutrition has been shown to improve oral health. Scientific and empirical evidence is that wild Wrack seaweed offers a cumulative, systemic effect on oral bacteriological, dental and periodontal health.

The Seagreens company is an international authority and leading producer of the Wrack species in the British Isles and Nordic region. These species are unusually high in polysaccharides, phlorotannins and comprehensive antioxidants which are effective detoxicants and free radical scavengers.

Polyphenols in Seagreens® are available at some 35,000µg per gram. Among all the minerals and trace elements, iodine is available at up to 800µg per gram and of particular significance in oral health.

Early research studies on Seagreens® from 2008 established the unusual antibacterial properties of these species in reducing bacteriological activity in food preservation. These and other studies have shown their effectiveness especially against gram-negative pathogens and helicobacter pylori in the gastrointestinal tract. Seagreens are highly alkalizing, helping to destabilize and inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria.

https://seagreens.shop/

Polysaccharides (soluble and insoluble dietary fibre) account for 30-40% of nutritional composition in the Wrack species, and contribute to their antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. They play a major role in making Seagreens effective natural prebiotics, significant in the relationship between gut and oral health.

A study at the University of Umeå in Sweden found that Ascophyllum nodosum (Knotted Wrack, used in Seagreens Culinary Ingredient and a similar product for domestic animals) reduced the formation of dental plaque by more than half, supragingival calculus formation, and the occurrence of gingival bleeding. Seagreens information link: Digitala Vetenskapliga Arkivet English.

Following long term successful use in dental practice, Seagreens Food Capsules were endorsed in 2002 by the late President of the British Society for Mercury-Free Dentistry, Dr JG Levenson LDS RCS (Edin), for pre- and post-operative detoxification in amalgam extraction. Seagreens information website link: Levenson Detox Protocol 2003.

Wrack seaweeds are similar in nutrient composition and whilst Seagreens Food Capsules or Food Granules are a unique blend of these and similar species, and may be easiest for daily dietary use, chewing Seagreens Culinary Ingredient or Pelvetia Pieces also helps to get the seaweed into the spaces between the teeth, and any gum cavities which may assist periodontal therapies. This information also applies to animals, and is of particular value on a daily basis in dogs.

Further Information

Please contact Seagreens on Tel: +44 (0)1444 400403; post@seagreens.co.uk   https://seagreens.shop/

The Science of Long-Term Weight Loss

by  Timothy Lohman  and Laurie A. Milliken

Published by Human Kinetics. 2025. Paperback. £70/$89. ISBN-10: ‎1718201125.  

 Exercise for Maintaining Weight Loss

Weight loss and the maintenance of weight loss are situations that require different caloric deficits. While weight loss in the short term seems to be easy to achieve with a large enough deficit, weight loss tends to plateau at about 6 months, and partial or complete regain of weight is common. Exercise may play a larger role in the phase after weight loss than in the weight loss phase itself. Wier and colleagues [1] looked at weight changes over 5 years and found that those who maintained higher physical activity levels had less weight regain in both men and women of all ages (25 to 55 years). It should be stated that, while people who maintain their weight seem to engage in exercise, a causal relationship between exercise levels and weight loss maintenance has not yet been established.[2]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Science-Long-Term-Weight-Loss/dp/1718201125

Exercise Motivation

The failure to achieve a long-term change in physical activity after 18 months of an intervention suggests that the behavioral methods used to increase physical activity (self-monitoring, increasing motivation, relapse training, reinforcement strategies, increases in self-efficacy) are not effective in the long run with many individuals. Both the Jakicic and Jeffery[3, 4] studies demonstrate the benefit of increased physical activity for those who are successful physical activity maintainers. It is essential that new ways be found in order to help a greater percentage of people maintain long-term physical activity changes to accomplish higher physical activity levels. It takes 1 hour or more of daily physical activity to successfully maintain weight loss for many individuals. Other than the continuous care model where the intervention continues after 18 months, novel approaches that will foster long-term weight loss with 1 hour or more of daily physical activity need to be tested as an essential part of the approach.

Maintaining Long-Term Exercise

Maintaining physical activity levels over the long run is critical for sustaining weight loss at any age and for preventing sarcopenia and osteoporosis in the older adult population. In their review article, Brawley, Rejeski, and King[5] found few studies on the effect of long-term sustainability of exercise, particularly in older adults. Sansano-Nadal and colleagues[6] reviewed several strategies to enhance long-term maintenance of physical activity and concluded that the lack of high-quality studies and the failure to design interventions with sustainability in mind have yielded unclear effects of the maintenance of activity beyond 1 year. Lackman and colleagues (2018) presented a personalized and multicomponent approach to increasing physical activity in older adults with a concern for sustainability of behavioral changes. This model will contribute to future studies on developing better approaches to fostering long-term activity levels.

References

1. Wier, L.T., G.W. Ayers, A.S. Jackson, A.C. Rossum, W.S. Poston, and J.P. Foreyt. 2001. “Determining the Amount of Physical Activity Needed for Long-Term Weight Control.” International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders 25 (5): 613-621. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801586.
2. Foright, R.M., D.M. Presby, V.D. Sherk, D. Kahn, L.A. Checkley, E.D. Giles, A. Bergouignan, et al. 2018. “Is Regular Exercise an Effective Strategy for Weight Loss Maintenance?” Physiology and Behavior 188: 86-93.
3. Jakicic, J.M., B.H. Marcus, W. Lang, and C. Janney. 2008. “Effect of Exercise on 24-Month Weight Loss Maintenance in Overweight Women.” Archives of Internal Medicine 168 (14): 1550-1559. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.168.14.1550.
4. Jeffery, R.W., K.M. Kelly, A.J. Rothman, N.E. Sherwood, and K.N. Boutelle. 2004. “The Weight Loss Experience: A Descriptive Analysis.” Annals of Behavioral Medicine 27 (2): 100-106. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=15026294.
5. Brawley, L.R., W.J. Rejeski, and A.C. King. 2003. “Promoting Physical Activity for Older Adults: The Challenges for Changing Behavior.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 25 (3 Suppl 2): 172-183. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0749-3797(03)00182-x.
6. Sansano-Nadal, O., M. Gine-Garriga, J.S. Brach, D.M. Wert, J. Jerez-Roig, M. Guerra-Balic, G. Oviedo, et al. 2019. “Exercise-Based Interventions to Enhance Long-Term Sustainability of Physical Activity in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16 (14). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16142527.

Further Information

The Science of Long-Term Weight Loss is available to purchase on Human Kinetics, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

The Wendy Mills Memorial Bursary

Today marks a year since the very beautiful & wonderful Wendy Mills died.  Wendy touched so many lives, and gave so much to our 4Elements community, not least being co-founder of the company we know today.

https://www.the4elementscompany.com/bursary

Her impact continues to spread in the hearts and minds of many people. It also spreads through the bursary set up in her name. https://www.the4elementscompany.com/bursary  Already the bursary has enabled therapists to attend training that otherwise would have been out of reach.

So the reminder is really two-fold:

• If you, or anyone you know, is struggling to be able to afford training, please do let them know about the Wendy Mills Memorial Bursary .
• Life really is short - and you're in control of your own destiny. From phoning a friend, to embarking on a new adventure, if it's something you'd regret if life was snatched away I invite you to Do That Thing.

And if today or any other day you want to chat about Wendy, you've got my number.

Further Information

Please contact The 4Elements Company Ltd on Tel: 01524 415345; Mob: 07367 064945 https://www.the4elementscompany.com/ 

CNM Wins Prestigious 2025 IHCAN Education Award for Fifth Consecutive Year

The College for Naturopathic Medicine (CNM) is thrilled to announce it has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Integrative Healthcare & Applied Nutrition (IHCAN) Education Award for a fifth consecutive year. This esteemed recognition, determined by a public vote, highlights CNM’s unwavering commitment to excellence in natural health education and training.

https://www.naturopathy-uk.com/

This award marks a significant milestone in the college’s journey. Since its founding, it has consistently provided high-quality, practice-oriented education in natural therapies, helping students build successful careers in the field and ensuring they are equipped to meet the needs of today’s health-conscious society. The recognition from IHCAN underscores the College’s dedication to empowering students with the knowledge and skills needed to make a positive impact on the world.

The IHCAN Education Awards serve as a platform to recognise and celebrate schools that excel in providing practitioners with innovative and thought-leading education, ultimately helping to keep professionals up to date in the field of integrative healthcare and applied nutrition. The winners of the awards were announced in the IHCAN magazine.

This year’s recognition by IHCAN further solidifies CNM’s position as a leader in the field, having earned the award for Best Online Education.

“We are absolutely delighted and honoured to receive this incredible award for the fifth year in a row,” says Hermann Keppler, CNM Principal. “Over the past quarter-century, we have been committed to delivering the highest quality education in natural therapies. This award is a testament to our dedication, and we are excited to build on our success as we shape the future of natural health education.”

The institute has been at the forefront of natural health education since it launched in 1998. Offering a wide range of diploma courses in areas such as Nutritional Therapy, Naturopathy, Herbal Medicine and more, as well as the recently launched BSc (Hons) Nutritional Therapy Degree, validated by the University of Buckingham.

The UK’s leading and award-winning provider, with its flagship college in London and established campuses in major cities across the UK, including Belfast, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Edinburgh, Manchester as well as 3 locations in Ireland. In 2024, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of holistic health education in the UAE, CNM – Institute of Natural Health launched in Dubai.

Further Information

For press information, contact CNM PR Manager Rebecca Panther Hammond on Tel: 0207 580 0439  prmanager@naturopathy-uk.com

For more information about CNM and its programs, visit www.naturopathy-uk.com.

ADHD Nutrition Specialist Unveils New Resource Centre for Support and Recipes

So Nutrition, led by one of the UK’s top specialists in neurodiversity and nutrition, Sarah Osborne, has launched a new resource centre at adhdandnutrition.co.uk to support those with ADHD and help them find balance in their diet and wellbeing.

Around 3.5% of adults and 5% of children in the UK are affected by ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) which is characterised by inattentive and hyperactive traits that can seriously impact quality of life. In particular, impulsivity and emotional regulation challenges can show up in a person’s relationship with food, creating barriers to balanced nutrition.

https://adhdandnutrition.co.uk/

As dietary issues and eating disorders become more prevalent in the UK, Sarah Osborne has become a leading voice for nutrition and neurodiversity. With specialisms in nutrigenomics, ADHD and binge eating, Sarah works with a growing number of clients with a wide variety of challenges related to diet. Sarah Osborne, founder of So Nutrition said: “When my husband and son were both diagnosed with ADHD, I wanted to understand better the correlation between neurodiversity and eating habits, and that’s where the practice began. Since then, I’ve worked with hundreds of clients dealing with some of the common challenges that those with ADHD face when it comes to food.”

These challenges could include binge eating, craving foods high in sugar or fat, skipping meals due to stress, experiencing gut problems and being highly sensitive to certain textures, tastes and smells, to give a few examples.

Sarah continues: “So Nutrition aims to become a go-to resource for ADHD and nutrition, with free advice and recipes as well as a range of courses and coaching to suit different budgets and needs.”

Courses available at adhdandnutrition.co.uk range from self-study to fully guided options on:

• Emotional eating and ADHD, which has various modules to support a journey of self-discovery, emotional regulation and lasting change;
• Women and ADHD, to help manage hormonal fluctuations and ADHD, with specialist courses and events aimed at those going through menopause or perimenopause.

Personalised testing is also available, since a growing body of research suggests that gut health plays a crucial role in mental health, especially in neurodivergent individuals.

So Nutrition’s offering includes a microbiome test that can provide insights into how the digestive system and its bacteria may be influencing a person's brain and overall health. There’s also a package which explores genetic pathways and neurodiversity, offering a nutrigenomic DNA test
to help understand the deep connection between genes, mental health and the body’s responses to stress, nutrition and more.

Rachel Ray approached So Nutrition for support with her adult daughters, who both have ADHD, to see how nutrition could better support their wellbeing.

Rachel said: “We found So Nutrition extremely empathetic, sensitive and supportive, which put my daughters at ease and helped them open up. As a family, we all really appreciate the support, as it can be lonely and confusing navigating the journey of ADHD.”

So Nutrition is also able to offer support, where applicable, through the government’s Access to Work scheme which provides funding for those with physical or mental health conditions or disabilities that are impacting their work life.

Working with a range of partners and charities including ADHD UK, ADHD 360, The Sleep Charity and Get Dopa, So Nutrition has also been recommended by GPs referring patients for support.

Further Information

To view the full range of courses and coaching with So Nutrition visit adhdandnutrition.co.uk

Revelations of a Spiritual Medium  – Jenny Martin’s Transformative Trilogy

Revealing her own spiritual experiences whilst shining a light on the “power of the self”, this book takes readers on a journey of reflection, recognition and ultimately, revelation.

Pulling on the author’s three decades of practice as a spiritual medium, healer, counsellor and teacher, Jenny Martin neither preaches nor instructs. Rather, readers are guided and illuminated by her unflinching honesty and a voice that brims with wisdom, humanity and compassion.

Prompting readers to consider whether they need to reshape themselves from within, Revelations of a Spiritual Medium speaks to everyone curious about life and living – whether on a spiritual path or to those deeply rooted in the process of self-exploration. This book will make you think, meeting you exactly where you are currently by “holding your hand” whilst encouraging you to move forward.

https://jennymartinmedium.com/product/book-3/

Maybe you need to re-configure yourself and your life? This journey of yours is important. You asked for it, so give it your best within the time frame you have here. Understand who you are and experience yourself for; “it is only in the full freedom of your own experiencing, that you gain the wisdom of your connectedness with all that is.”

Prompting readers to consider whether they need to reshape themselves from within, Revelations of a Spiritual Medium speaks to everyone curious about life and living – whether on a spiritual path or to those deeply rooted in the process of self-exploration. This book will make you think, meeting you exactly where you are currently by “holding your hand” whilst encouraging you to move forward.

Maybe you need to re-configure yourself and your life? This journey of yours is important. You asked for it, so give it your best within the time frame you have here. Understand who you are and experience yourself for; “It is only in the full freedom of your own experiencing, that you gain the wisdom of your connectedness with all that is.”

The author says:

“After a long search to find out who I was and where I belonged, what followed was a simply mind-blowing year connecting with my spirit guides on my own at home; I began my work as a spiritual medium.

“Spirit’s teaching always followed putting me to the test so there were experiences galore enriching their meaning as well as their significance. (A Medium’s Tale)

“Moving around from place to place gave me the length and breadth to not only ”split the atom” and multiply my experiences but also, develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Spiritual Laws –“ how they work and how they react with ourselves, our lives and the planet.

“After fifteen years of teaching, there came a surprise suggestion from my spirit guides to record and document the ensuing year’s spiritual development course; thereby making it accessible to all who wanted to learn, progress and hone their skills. (So… You Want To Develop Spiritually?))

Finally, there was important knowledge and understanding that had been left unsaid as well as formidable experiences that I was now ready to share. Like joining the dots, there were still potent gaps missing and pivotal information was needed in order to make holistic sense of who we are and why we are here?

The last of the trilogy provides the tools to help us understand our place in the world, encouraging us to make the best of ourselves as a spirit energy inside a human body. (Revelations of a Spiritual Medium)

About the Author:

Jenny Martin was born in Middlesex and is the middle child of a Jewish family of Dutch descent. At eight years of age, a childhood illness robbed Jenny of most of her hearing leaving her to resort to lip reading. Her mother then died when she was 15 and despite leading life to the fullest, Jenny always felt that she did not “fit in” anywhere.

It wasn’t until Jenny was 45 that her subconscious search for her true identity was revealed.  She was spiritual and mediumistic.

Jenny was taught about spiritual communication, spiritual philosophy and the Spiritual Laws by sitting with her spirit guides on her own for one whole year.  She was told, “You do not need to read books or to go on courses, we will teach you all you need to know. What you call Spiritualism is not a religion but a knowledge.”

And after that, Jenny would be guided by spirit how to teach and help others – which she has done ever since. The books Jenny has written were also spirit driven and are a testament to her incredibly, colourful life, filled with amazing experiences she never thought possible. Each and every one a nugget about us, life and our “raison d’etre.”

We all help one another. This has been Jenny’s way.

Further Information

Published by Melissa Seymour Publishing, Revelations of a Spiritual Medium(ISBN No: 978-0993158155) is available to purchase at JennyMartinMedium.com 

Visionary Psychological Therapist Joins Prestigious Harley Street Clinic

Renata Mikolajczyk-Collinson, a visionary leader in transformational therapy and founder of Phoenix Medical Clinic, is set to bring her expertise to 96 Harley Street. She has been appointed the recommended psychological department therapist at this world-class medical practice in the heart of London’s renowned Harley Street.

Dr Lawrence, the clinic’s owner, expressed great confidence in Renata’s capabilities, stating that she brings more than what’s required to practise at the prestigious clinic. Her appointment marks a significant milestone in her journey of healing and transformation.

A seasoned healthcare professional, Renata’s path to becoming a therapist was shaped by profound personal and professional experiences. She originally established Phoenix Medical Clinic as a private centre covering general practice, dentistry, gynaecology, orthopaedics, and mental health services. However, despite her success in healthcare management, she felt a deep calling to be directly involved in changing lives.

https://www.96harleystreet.co.uk/therapist/renata-mikolajczyk-collinson/

Her transformational journey began following a near-fatal battle with COVID-19. Hospitalised during the early days of the pandemic, she endured severe health complications and witnessed first-hand the devastating effects of the virus. With limited treatment options available at the time, her survival became a testament to resilience and determination. The road to recovery was arduous – her memory and cognitive function had been severely impacted, leaving her desperate for solutions.

Determined to reclaim her mental strength, Renata discovered Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), which ignited a passion for personal transformation. She immersed herself in intensive training, becoming a certified NLP Master Practitioner, Clinical Hypnotherapist, and Life Coach. Further refining her expertise, she trained with global leaders in applied neuroscience and Core Transformation Therapy, a revolutionary method that facilitates profound and lasting change.

Renata’s approach to therapy is groundbreaking. She specializes in helping high achievers, trauma survivors, and individuals seeking deep personal transformation, often achieving results in just a few sessions where traditional therapy has struggled. Her Ultimate Transformational Programme is designed for driven individuals who seek lasting breakthroughs in their lives. Beyond her clinical practice, Renata is deeply committed to supporting women who have experienced intimate partner violence. Through her initiative, Tree of Life Transformational Therapies, she is creating a not only a safe space for everyone who seeks help beyond traditional talking therapy, but also women to heal, with the long-term vision of establishing a charity.

Renata’s expansion to 96 Harley Street is a natural progression in her mission to make transformational therapy more accessible. She brings a wealth of experience, a deep understanding of human resilience, and a results-focused approach that is set to redefine mental health treatment in London.

Further Information

For more information on her Harley Street practice, visit www.96harleystreet.co.uk.

To learn more about Renata in general and the whole spectrum of therapies she offers, visit www.nlp-lifechanges.co.uk.

Media Contact: Please contact Danielle Windecker-Hilton on Tel: 07394 802858;

danielle@sycamorecommunications.co.uk