Doctor Doctor... Detox & Diet

Your detox & diet questions answered Busy Girl, in quick time...

Q. "How long does it take vitamins to work or have an effect?"

A. Anything up to four weeks, although some improvement may be noticable after a week. It depends whether you are looking to correct a deficiency or simply be more balanced. If correcting a deficiency, results will be seen later.

Q. "I'm dieting like mad - why am I not losing weight?"

A. Are you starving yourself? The body will react to a 'starvation' situation by reducing your metabolism. Make sure you're eating enough calories (at least 1200) & are exercising & drinking water.

Q." I did a detox & now I'm covered in spots - help!"

A. Your body will be releasing toxins following a detox, which may lead to an increase in spots, until the toxins have fully released. Keep eating well & drinking water & it will pass.

Q. "I've stopped eating red meat - do I need a vitamin to balance it out?"

A. Yes, without red meat in your diet, you will be lacking in vitamin B12, which may make you feel lethargic & lacking in energy. See your local health food shop for an effective vitamin food supplement.

Q. "I've been losing weight for the last year & now have flabby arms - how can I get rid of the excess skin?"

A. Get curling Busy Girl! You need to tone the muscle on your arms to get the shape back. Get yourself a small hand weight set & do some tricep & bicep curls every day - 3 repetitions of 12 sets. You'll soon see a difference.

Q. "How can I get rid of the dry skin on the backs of my arms & knees?"

A. Keep baths or showers short & use warm (not hot) water. Try to use as little soap as possible & only on face, armpits & bits if you can. Try mild cleansers like Neutrogena or Dove.Dry your skin thoroughly but gently & pat, DON'T rub. Use a moisturiser daily& drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Q. "Do facials work?"

A. Some of the anti-ageing facials really do offer quite amazing results. A fast-but-good treatment is Clarins Express Face & Eyes which will leave you looking truly radiant in only 40 minutes, for only £29.

More Doctor Doctor coming soon - don't forget, we answer all reader questions so fire away, in the comment box below (contact details not published).