Taking a multivitamin every day could reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s or dementia. It slows cognitive decline by up to 60 percent, which represents nearly two years of healthy brain functioning. These improvements were achieved by taking a supplement every day for just three years, say researchers from the Wake Forest University School of […]
Manuka honey is a great wound healer—and it can even combat a lethal lung infection that’s resistant to powerful antibiotics, researchers have discovered. Its antimicrobial qualities kill bacterial infections that have become immune to antibiotics—and that includes the bacteria Mycobacterium abscessus, which can infect people with lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis. A […]
As we get older, we might start to slow up. But we need to keep moving, even when we reach our eighties, researchers say. Octogenarians should be walking for around 10 minutes day, or an hour or so a week, which can help add a few extra years to their life, researchers from the Inje […]
You should be taking nutritional supplements if you’re on prescription medication—most drugs will drain your body of essential micronutrients that can prolong the disease and affect your quality of life. Researchers have discovered that: Oral contraceptives deplete a woman’s levels of all the B vitamins (B6, B12 and B9) Proton pump inhibitors (antacids for indigestion) […]
People wanting to lose weight should limit the time they eat to an eight-hour window. The ideal is to have breakfast at 7am and eat your last meal as early as 3pm, say researchers from the University of Alabama. When it’s combined with a calorie-controlled diet, people can lose as much as a stone (6.3 […]
Breast is best—and that’s especially true when it comes to feeding a ‘preemie’. Premature babies who are fed breast milk are healthier than those given formula, say researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Breastmilk helps the baby’s developing gut and allows it to absorb nutrients better. In particular, they have higher levels […]
Taking very high doses of B12 supplements lowers anxiety in a month. People who take 100mg of the vitamin—a level that’s 75 times greater than the RDA—report lower anxiety and even a reduction in their depression, say researchers from the University of Reading in the UK. The vitamin supports GABA, a neurotransmitter that blocks impulses […]
Having a spiritual belief keeps you healthy. People with religious and spiritual beliefs will live longer, and are less likely to get ill, suffer from depression or become suicidal. And if they do get ill, their symptoms won’t be as severe as someone with no religious beliefs, and they’ll recover quicker. A person’s spiritual beliefs […]
Cannabis therapies for pain relief have often been described as ‘the hippie’s disappointment’ because the psychoactive chemical that gets people high has been removed. But using the whole cannabis plant—including THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)—can be effective in relieving short-term pain, researchers from Oregon Health and Science University have discovered. But it comes at a cost. The whole […]
Taking a walk is one of the best ways to counter osteoarthritis knee pain. Regular walkers are 40 percent less likely to suffer ongoing and new knee pain, say researchers from Baylor College of Medicine. Walking is particularly helpful for those who suffer only occasional pain from their arthritis, but even those who have constant […]
Patients should be given aromatherapy treatment before surgery. It halves the risk of post-op painkillers such as opioids, new research has found. Lavender and peppermint are the best oils to use, say researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, who monitored 350 patients before they had hip replacement surgery. Aromatherapy helps relax the patient; people who […]
Recurring UTIs (urinary tract infections) have nothing to do with poor hygiene, despite what your doctor may say—it’s because you have poor gut health. Doctors will routinely hand a woman another course of antibiotics, and suggest she improve on her hygiene—but the drugs are the worst thing to take and will make another infection inevitable. […]
Spending just one hour less sitting in a chair every day can help reduce your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Most people don’t even get close to achieving the recommended two-and-a-half hours of moderate intensity exercise—such as brisk walking, water aerobics, dancing or gardening—every week, and so swapping sitting for even an […]
Vitamin E is vital for helping boost your immune system—and it’s an essential nutrient if you’re fighting cancer. The nutrient blocks tumours from spreading and primes our ‘killer’ T cells to fight the cancer. It’s important to take vitamin E supplements if you’re using immunotherapy to fight your cancer, say researchers from the University of […]
It’s been practised for around 130 years—and it’s finally been acknowledged that osteopathy can help ease muscular pain. A review has concluded there is “promising evidence” the therapy can help relieve acute and chronic low back pain, neck pain and general pain. Researchers from the School of Osteopathy in Turin discovered that 55 trials into […]
If you have a spiritual or religious belief, you are much less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. And having these beliefs is especially important if you’ve suffered from heart disease. People recovering from heart failure are more likely to suffer a sense of hopelessness and isolation—but having a belief in something bigger can […]
Eating an avocado several times a week is good for your heart. People who eat two or more avocados every week are 16 percent less likely to develop cardiovascular disease (CVD) and they also reduce their chances of coronary heart disease by 21 percent compared to those who never ate the fruit. And those […]
Eating cranberries every day is good for your heart—and you could start seeing a difference inside a month. The fruit improves the health of your arteries and enhances blood flow, say researchers from King’s College London. People who eat half a cup (100g/3.55 ozs) of cranberries every day have improved heart and blood flow function, […]
Where you live matters almost as much as how you live when it comes to reducing your risk of a stroke. People who live close to some green space are 16 percent less likely to suffer an ischaemic stroke, the most common type that happens when a blood clot blocks an artery in the brain. […]
Pet owners see a slower cognitive decline after they reach the age of 65, a new study has found. The benefits were greatest in those who have had a dog or cat for at least five years. Researchers from the University of Michigan medical center tracked the health and mental capabilities of 1,369 people with […]
Eating a Mediterranean diet—and cutting back on red meat and processed food—could protect you from dementia and general cognitive decline as you get older. The diet is high in polyphenols, plant-based molecules that researchers believe can protect against dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers from the Ben-Gurion University have tested various diets—including two types of Mediterranean […]
People who went through a programme to improve their psychological outlook reported fewer sick days afterwards, proving the adage that a healthy mind really does lead to a healthy body. Researchers at the University of Virginia recruited 155 healthy adults either into a psychological wellbeing course or put them on a wait list. The 12-week […]
Drinking up to five cups of tea a day can lower your risk of stroke and dementia. People who drink that amount of tea—or make up the amount with a couple of cups of coffee—reduce their risk by up to 32 percent compared to non-drinkers. Those who drink up to three cups of coffee or […]
Staying hydrated is good for your heart. Drinking up to 3 litres (5 pints) of liquids every day reduces your chances of heart failure – and probably an awful lot more besides. Few people nearly drink enough liquid every day – but it’s an essential fuel for the heart’s pumping mechanism. Our ideal liquid intake […]
Stressed out? Then eat more fruit and vegetables – they’re a great natural de-stressor, a new study has found. People who eat the equivalent of at least four cups of fruit and vegetables every day consistently record 10% lower stress scores than people eating half that amount. The foods are rich in vitamins, flavonoids and […]
Forgetful? A little gentle exercise every day can help improve your memory. Light workouts create new connections in the areas of the brain, such as the hippocampus, that are responsible for memory. Exercise, such as walking, yoga and tai chi, may not make you sweat, but it is making a difference to your brain, say researchers […]
Warnings about staying out of the sun may have been overdone. ‘Safe sun’ advice has overstated the cancer risk and underplayed the vital importance of vitamin D, which sunlight stimulates. The policy is based on data that was produced 30 years ago—which even then was considered controversial—and so it’s time to recalculate the risks and benefits […]
Worried about depression in these lockdown times? Wake up an hour earlier every day and you’ll reduce your risk. In fact, having one less hour of shut eye in the morning lowers your chances of major depression by as much as 23 percent, researchers have discovered. It’s been known for some time that there’s a […]
Restricting the time that you eat to within an eight to 10-hour window every day can help you manage chronic health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. Time-restricted eating is a form of intermittent fasting that works with our own body clock, and can help regulate chronic diseases. Our genes, hormones and metabolism rise […]
Women should take up dancing after menopause—it’s one of the best exercises to keep the weight off and stay healthy. Going to a dance class three times a week also improves bone health, and reduces the risk of osteoporosis, a common problem after menopause. Researchers from the North American Menopause Society tracked the health of […]
Drinking dairy milk can cause breast cancer. The chances could increase by as much as 80 percent if you’re drinking two to three cups of milk everyday. Even drinking just a quarter of a cup of milk every day raises the risk my 30 percent, a team from Loma Linda University in California has discovered, […]
When you retire from work, make sure you have another big challenge to tackle – and that seems particularly true if you’re a woman. Women are more likely to suffer from mental decline if they don’t replace their job with something just as challenging when they retire. Men don’t seem to be affected anywhere near […]
Oranges and tangerines contain a molecule that combats obesity. The compound also reduces levels of insulin resistance – one of the first stages of type 2 diabetes – and fats in the blood that can cause heart disease. The ‘miracle molecule’ is nobiletin – but even after studying it for over a decade, researchers from […]
Holistic vet Rohini Sathish has a host of surgery-free options for dogs with lipomas. Q. Our 10-year-old female spaniel, Magi, has a couple of fatty tumors on her body just under the skin. Our vet called them lipomas. We are not keen on surgery, but one of them is quite large. Can you suggest any […]
If you aren't sleeping well, be kinder to you gut. Eating prebiotics such as yoghurt, sauerkraut or kimchi before bedtime could help overcome your insomnia. Compounds in prebiotics help restore both REM (rapid eye movement) and non-REM sleep. The foods feed the bugs in our gut that communicate with the brain and influence the quality […]
Irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation) is usually treated with powerful drugs or a pacemaker - but sufferers can control the problem by taking up yoga, a new study has discovered. The exercise can halve the number of distressing episodes and lower blood pressure readings, making it as effective as drugs such as anticoagulant and anti-arrythmia […]
Menopause is defined as the end of menstruation and its onset is determined after a woman has not had a period in twelve months. Once a woman reaches menopause, she no longer ovulates, her ovaries produce less oestrogen, and she is unable to become pregnant. Menopause can occur naturally or be induced by the surgical […]
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, or ME, has such strange physical manifestations—everything from severe and unexplained physical and mental fatigue to memory loss, nervous system problems and even flu-like symptoms—that some scientists go as far as to label it the twenty-first century polio. For a swathe of the medical profession, what […]
A Covid-19 infection can be serious for anyone who is obese or has one of four chronic health problems—and this trumps age. A poor diet of processed food and drink is the single biggest factor to determine the severity of a Covid-19 infection. People who are obese represent 30 percent of cases that need emergency […]
Chinese calligraphy has been around for centuries as a form of artistic expression, but can it be used further to heal people? Mayur Shah, Certified Master Teacher & Healer of the Tao Academy, discusses his health journey with Tao Calligraphy and how it's improved his life. One day I started passing blood in my urine. […]
The solution to pain, stress and other health problems is a simple self-help tapping technique, says Nick Ortner Nick Ortner is CEO of The Tapping Solution, a company dedicated to bringing a natural healing method known as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), or ‘tapping,’ into the mainstream through books, online programs and The Tapping Solution App. […]
Discover the life-changing powers of forgiveness and Tao Calligraphy with David Lusch David Lusch is a Certified Master Teacher trained by Master Zhi Gang Sha, a Tao Grandmaster, healer, teacher, doctor of Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, grandmaster of several Asian arts and the author of 26 books (including 11 New York Times bestsellers). […]
Be fit and fabulous after 50 with Debra Atkinson’s personalized programs and top tips Fitness guru and founder and CEO of Flipping 50, Debra Atkinson helps women in menopause and beyond get and keep the energy and vitality they want, need and deserve for the second half of their lives. She works with women around […]
Could this energy therapy be the answer to chronic pain? A new study by German medical device company Rayonex Biomedical GmbH shows that bioresonance according to Paul Schmidt, a type of energy medicine, is a safe and effective treatment for chronic pain. The Rayocomp PS 1000 polar 4.0 device was put to the test in […]
Discover the secrets to strong, healthy bones with integrative health coach Margie Bissinger For over 25 years, physical therapist, integrative health coach, and happiness trainer Margie Bissinger has been helping people with osteoporosis strengthen their bones through natural approaches including exercise, whole foods, supplements and relaxation techniques. She is the author of Osteoporosis: An Exercise […]
Bipolar disorder—once known as manic depression—is a serious mental condition. Bryan Hubbard discusses the potential cause. The alarming highs and lows associated with the problem are controlled by powerful drugs, but neuroscientists are at a loss as to what is actually going on. Most assume it’s a genetic problem, and some believe it could be […]
Maintaining our balance and posture as we age depends on keeping the brain “awake” to movement patterns. Anat Baniel discusses. Matt, a 63-year-old businessman, came to me because of deteriorating balance that was compromising his ability to participate fully in life. A simple task like walking from his car to a nearby restaurant was challenging. […]
There aren’t too many successes being reported in the COVID-19 saga, but every so often you come across a hero who is actually getting somewhere. One of these heroes is Dr. David Brownstein. Brownstein is a board-certified family physician and assistant professor, a noted practitioner of holistic medicine and the medical director of the Center […]
Rebecca Cotterall developed the first symptoms of CFS at 13. Unable to continue her normal life, she had to stop attending school and gravely reduce her social interactions. After a lucky chance, Rebecca met Dr. Sarah Myhill who helped turn her life around. Rebecca was a top-grade student and a keen swimmer who had no […]
A team of doctors in Colorado have pioneered a procedure that avoids joint replacements. Behind an unassuming doorway in an industrial park housing a Walmart and cookie-cutter office blocks lies a small clinic with a decidedly immodest goal: to transform all of orthopaedic medicine simply by tapping into the healing force within the patient's own […]
