Here's how Elle Macpherson, 50 - wife and mother, supermodel and businesswoman - stays fit, well (and radiant)... 'About two years ago a bunch of stuff was bothering me about my health and wellbeing. My sense of vitality had diminished, my get-up-and-go had gone, and I had lost the feeling of being inspired.

I know my body pretty well and I was eating the foods that used to work for me – plus taking supplements – but I didn’t feel nourished and I could tell I wasn’t absorbing the nutrients. It was hard to find the energy to do sport and when I played tennis my wrist and elbow ached. Jet lag affected me much more, I was moody, and although I moisturised my skin at night it was dry in the morning.

I thought, ‘I’m 48 and entering a new phase so I need to do everything I can to look after myself.’ A friend recommended Dr Simone Laubscher, a conventionally trained doctor and nutrition expert who practises integrated medicine in London (www.rejuv.co.uk).

Simone made it simple: I stopped taking all the supplements and switched to an alkaline diet, the opposite of an acid-forming one, which, she explained, leads to inflammation, causing pain and ill health. For me that meant one espresso in the morning not three, only one protein meal a day, no red meat, lots of vegetables, particularly greens, and plenty of still water – I haven’t drunk alcohol for 11 years.

As my body cleaned up, the problems started fading away. I had more vitality, my skin wasn’t dry, I stopped craving sugar, my mood stabilised, everything became more balanced and smooth. I got out of bed with no aches and pains. A welcome by-product was losing weight round my middle. I felt optimistic and energised again.

I also took a super-greens powder that Simone recommended. Then we started making a special recipe for me. My Australian business partner Andrea Bux and I had been working on a similar project, so we combined resources to make the optimum organic super-greens supplement – The Super Elixir. As well as an array of greens, it includes a probiotic blend and Siberian ginseng. I’m certain that, in tandem with the alkaline diet, taking it daily is responsible for helping me feel vibrant again.

We call it a beauty product because I believe inner health reflects our outside beauty. It works for all of us, from my 13-year-old stepdaughter, to me at 50 – and my husband [Jeffrey Soffer, a lawyer], who says he craves sugar less and works out more effectively. It is an investment but it’s cheaper than a good face cream.

Getting to this age is a gift. My view is that wisdom is sexy. For my birthday the children gave me a pillow saying ‘I am 18 with 32 years of experience’ – I laughed so hard.

The Super Elixir costs £98 for 300g in a glass caddy, £62 for a refill, and £39 for a 150g trial pack, from www.welleco.com and in store exclusively at Selfridges London, Birmingham and Manchester

For more information about alkaline diets read...

Honestly Healthy for Life by Natasha Corrett and Vicki Edgson (Jacqui Small, £25) outlines the principles of alkaline eating and gives more than 100 recipes

The Alkaline Cure by Dr Stephan Domenig (Modern Books, £14.99) of the world-famous Mayr Clinic offers a 14-day diet and anti-ageing plan.

 

KNOW THE MINI-STROKE SYMPTOMS

A recent survey of people who had a mini-stroke or TIA (transient ischaemic attack) found nearly half did not know they had had a stroke, often dismissing it as ‘a funny turn’. In fact, a TIA is an important warning sign of the risk of a more serious stroke.

Symptoms may include one or more of the following: facial droop, arm weakness or speech problems. Less common mini-stroke symptoms can also include confusion, visual problems, vertigo or loss of coordination.

Typically, mini-stroke symptoms appear suddenly but, unlike stroke indicators, they are fleeting and last no longer than 24 hours.

The National Stroke Association believes thousands of more serious strokes could be prevented every year if people recognise the signs of a TIA and seek medical help urgently and immediately. National Stroke Association, www.stroke.org/helpline: 0303-303 310