Columba Colivet looks at the latest news and products to help you live life to the full. 

Wrap up your pain

Thermacare back and neck single-use wraps are a great new way to relieve muscle and joint pain. More effective than the maximum over-the-counter dose of ibuprofen and paracetamol for treating muscular pain, the odourless, self-heating wraps contain small discs that release a gradual low-level heat when exposed to air. They can be worn discreetly for up to eight hours, by day or night, under normal clothing (consult your doctor if you have a medical condition such as diabetes) and provide up to 16 hours of relaxing relief for muscle exertion, arthritis, menstrual pain and sports pain. Each pack, containing two wraps, is £5.99 from your pharmacist. Tel: 0800 169 1700 for local stockists.

Stop germs in their tracks

Two new products are in the shops designed to help stop winter lurgies in the early stages. An instant hand sanitiser is a great way to clean your hands on the go and prevent the spread of colds, flu, food poisoning and MRSA. It's free from alcohol, parabens, fragrance and triclosan, leaving hands smooth with naturally moisturising aloe vera and chamomile lavender. Attractively packaged and available from Waitrose, Tesco, Moto and WH Smith travel shops, £2.99.

With Vicks First Defence micro-gel nasal spray tackle the onset of colds or flu by preventing germs multiplying in the nasal passage before they take hold. Available in a 15ml bottle for £6.99 from your local pharmacy.

Keep that brain sharp

As the UK's population lives longer and stays healthier, the importance of mental health and alertness have been emphasised by Seven Seas who recently launched their latest supplement ProBrain (£9.99) containing fish oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids plus ginkgo biloba to help support healthy brain function. A recent survey by the company showed that 50 was the optimal age when senior moments kicked in, however, respondents said it wasn't their top health worry compared to serious physical illness. One in five play card games like bridge and two out of five take fish oils such as cod liver oil: both are reputed to keep the mind sharp.

Dr Alex Richardson, Senior Research Fellow, University Laboratory of Physiology, Oxford, and Scientific Director of Food and Behaviour Research says: "The scientific evidence that omega-3 fatty acids are critical for brain function as well as heart health is unequivocal. Controlled trials have shown that omega-3 supplementation can improve attention, perception, mood and memory in people with various clinical conditions, and ongoing studies with healthy adults are now looking into prevention."

Edzard Ernst, Director of Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, says: "Ginkgo biloba is one of the best-researched herbal medicines. It is effective for a whole range of conditions and there is plenty of trial data to demonstrate its beneficial effects on brain health."

Your perfect travel companion

The Tiffy Inhaler is dual-purpose: the top section of the product contains a menthol peppermint inhaler to ease winter ailments and motion sickness, while the base pot, of uplifting eucalyptus essential oil, provides bite and sting relief. Available in Moss Pharmacies and Tesco stores or by mail order from www.tiffy.info , price £1.99.

Make mine green no sugar, please

The health-giving qualities of green tea are well-documented and now it is available ready to drink in oriental-style glass bottles. Arizona's range of preservative-free iced green teas include the antioxidant-rich Pomegranate Green Tea, with a heavenly sweet taste for those who want a variation from bottled water. Make a New Year's resolution to swap coffee for green tea, said to help with everything from wrinkles to heart disease. Available in Holland & Barrett for £1.99 or buy a case online at www.arizonabev.co.uk; tel: 0870 351 1718 for mail order.

Healthier snacking British-style

Pioneering organic bakers The Village Bakery continue to evoke community pride in Cumbria with their latest product - an orange and apricot health bar. Low in fat and free from gluten, wheat or dairy ingredients, this chewy fruit bar is a handy snack to keep in your bag. The Village Bakery's range of tasty products cater for almost all dietary needs. Visit www.village-bakery.com for further information.

Chase your fears away

Waiting for a scan on the NHS can take a frustratingly long time but there is a private option. The European Scanning Centre in Harley Street says their service offers a safer alternative to traditional CT scanning with the more advanced Electron Beam Computed Tomography (EBCT) scan, which detects the earliest signs of disease, thus enabling swift treatment where necessary or, in the majority of cases where no illness is detected, it can simply put the patient's mind at ease. The scan produces highly detailed and accurate 3D images of the body in seconds and is less claustrophobic than earlier models. It also requires lower doses of radiation. Patients receive a written report after their scan and a CD of images. For further details: www.europeanscanning.com or telephone the clinic for a brochure on 020 7436 5755.

Realise your ambition.

Do you have a burning ambition or dream to fulfil? Then check out Tena's Zest for Life website (www.tenazestforlife.co.uk ), which seeks to demonstrate why bladder weakness need not put your life on hold. Their online customer information service aims to break down taboos about this common condition, which has been shown to affect one in four women over the age of 35 and, surprisingly, is more common than hayfever or migraine. Tena's website offers practical solutions to living with, and overcoming, bladder weakness through physical exercise and the use of appropriate products. A new bursary programme has been set up that helps men and women to realise their lifetime ambitions, whether it be climbing a mountain or becoming a professional singer. Confidential advice on bladder weakness and helpful leaflets can be obtained from The Continence Foundation helpline on 0845 345 0165 or by email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it