Left-handedness runs in our family. Way back when I had my children, left-handedness carried a stigma. Children were encouraged to “change hands”. Some were even forced to write right-handed. I’ve always felt the opposite. I treasure left-handedness as special. Recently researchers have … Read More
Worrying rise of bowel cancer among young
Here’s a puzzle. Bowel cancer, usually a disease of advancing age, is occurring in younger and younger people. Why should this be? Cases are rising among adults under 50 in nearly all countries studied. The exception is Japan. It has … Read More
Yoga helps heart operation patients live longer
Yoga is a discipline I’ve long been a fan of, and I practise sun salutations several times a week. I know it does me good and now I have to add another benefit – it could be a life saver … Read More
Stress in pregnancy affects child’s brain
These days I’d have thought being stressed is a condition of any pregnancy. New research, however, shows women who become stressed during pregnancy are at greater risk of having children with a personality disorder. That makes me wonder how many … Read More
Mindfulness is such a great stressbuster
Mindfulness is a word of our times but how many people know what it means? And even fewer would know how to practise it. So what exactly is it? I try to use mindfulness when I can, in a very simple form … Read More
Early blood test may help to tackle lung cancer
Early diagnosis is key to survival from cancer – allowing quicker treatment, better outcomes and fewer deaths. This is especially true for lung cancer. About 47,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer in the UK every year, 41,000 of who … Read More
Portugal has decriminalised drug use and it’s proved a big success
Portugal sets an example we could all learn from. Drugs aren’t legal in Portugal but drug users aren’t treated as criminals. In 2001, possessing up to 10 days’ supply of any drugs, including heroin, became a civil rather than a criminal … Read More
Cooking and washing up could lessen the risk of early death
Standing up at my desk with my laptop on a trestle means I stand for several hours a day. I’m not sure that it does me any good, but tell you what, it’s better than sitting at a desk. Too … Read More
Vegetarians have a higher risk of having a stroke
You might think vegetarians, since they don’t eat meat, are automatically healthier than meat-eaters. Not necessarily so according to new research reported in the British Medical Journal. The study shows vegetarians have a higher risk of stroke but a lower … Read More
Irregular sleep could be bad for metabolism
Recently I wrote about how too little sleep disrupted the body’s internal clock which upsets our metabolism. Now a new study suggests that even if we’re getting enough sleep in terms of hours, irregular sleep can also send it haywire. … Read More