There’s lots of evidence that fasting for short periods (no longer than 24 hours) is good for you. If you fast regularly you have less chance of a heart attack, stroke or cancer. What’s going on here is that fasting gives … Read More
1.2 million dying patients treated when there’s no real benefit
There are a lot of people like me who would not want any heroic measures from doctors as death draws near. We prefer nature to take its course. But so great is pressure from families to keep their loved one … Read More
Aspirin could slash bowel cancer risk by up to a fifth, say scientists
How can a chemical as simple as aspirin have so many medical uses? Beats me, but here’s another. Anyone taking a baby aspirin (75mg tablet) can feel smug because it won’t just keep your blood healthily thin, it will protect you … Read More
Magnets could replace stitches and staples – and revolutionise surgery
Until now a surgeon, when an operation is over, has closed the incision using stitches or staples. Furthermore, a surgeon has often had to “tie off” blood vessels and other structures to stop them bleeding with sutures or a hot … Read More
Daily Mirror – A return to the Marigolden years as surprise BBC hit The real Marigold Hotel is back
When eight celebrity pensioners were sent off to see whether they could get a better retirement in India, it wasn’t obvious that The Real Marigold Hotel had all the makings of a TV hit. But as Miriam Margolyes, Wayne Sleep … Read More
BBC – All-star cast checking into The Real Marigold Hotel for new series and Christmas specials
BBC One announced hit travel documentary series The Real Marigold Hotel will move to the channel when it returns to screens in early 2017. The new cast of famous senior citizens embarking on a journey of a lifetime include entertainer … Read More
Obesity ‘starts in the womb and so does the blueprint for the rest of the baby’s life’
A baby’s experience of growing in its mother’s womb is a life-defining event. All the baby’s vital systems adapt to the environment provided by their mother, and it turns out that it’s a blueprint for the whole of that baby’s … Read More
Why the General Medical Council is cracking down on cosmetic surgery
I lived through the years when cosmetic surgery was new and uncontrolled. This meant mistakes were common, results were unpredictable and many women were left disappointed. Even now, not all surgeons are certificated by the British Association of Aesthetic Surgeons, … Read More
How we can all reach 90 years of age – just like the Queen
The Queen is 90, God bless her, and so are a lot of her subjects. What’s more, they’re healthier, more independent and wiser than ever before. And if we play our cards right, many of us can reach the age … Read More
Obesity crisis is fuelling a rise in amputations linked to diabetes and gangrene
During the years I practised as a hospital doctor I saw only one amputee. He’d had his lower leg amputated for bad circulation worsened by smoking . He wouldn’t give up his Woodbines, though, not even if his other leg … Read More