Way back in the 70s and 80s certain drugs became known as “mother’s little helpers”. They were tranquilisers and were seen as the answer to women’s anxiety. They were prescribed in their millions. Only much later was it found they … Read More
Poor sleep patterns linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, says new research
The more we understand about sleep the more important we realise it is. We now know that disturbed sleep is linked to many serious conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease and stroke to name but a few. To that list we … Read More
Social media has teens on the brink of a ‘major mental health crisis’
We know from rafts of research that isolation is bad for us. It’s associated with a clutch of diseases including depression, high blood pressure and heart disease. And yet teenagers pursue isolation, not in the sense of having no family or … Read More
‘It’s high time we considered sugar a poison and did everything we can to avoid it’
American doctor Robert Lustig is a devoted campaigner who wants to change our view of sugar. He believes sugar is toxic and we should get rid of it. He argues the rise in obesity over the past 30 years is … Read More
Young children not looking at their mum may be a clue to whether they’ll develop autism
My new granddaughter was seen by a doctor for her six-week check recently. As she lay on a table the doctor clicked his fingers and moved them slowly from her left to her right. She followed his fingers with her … Read More
Active dads cut risk of children growing up obese by a third
I’ve always been keen on dads. Children really need them. There’s loads of research showing they’re crucial for the long-term wellbeing of their children. And recently my interest in dads has soared as one of my sons has had his … Read More
The foods that are fab for lifting your spirits have been revealed – and are delicious
Most people realise that what we eat can make us feel unhappy. But is the opposite true? Can eating so-called happy foods give us a lift? In mulling over that puzzler I remember the first time I learned that turkey was a mood enhancer … Read More
Beer can cut the risk of having a stroke and developing heart disease
We’ve all heard about the health benefits of tea, coffee, chocolate, red wine, some only half true, but what would you say if you heard that beer – the cause of unhealthy beer belly – could be good for you? Pull the … Read More
It’s possible to snack but remain on track with healthy alternatives
We all find it difficult to resist snacking – crisps in the office drawer, biscuits in the car, chocolate watching the telly. So much so that we’re now officially a nation of snackers and, boy, it’s bad for our health. … Read More
HIV-positive men can safely father children with sperm washing technique
I lived through the worst of the AIDS epidemic, starting in the early 1980s in San Francisco. I knew friends who succumbed in front of my eyes and now it’s hard to imagine the hysteria that surrounded the illness. Well, … Read More