Today I’ll nail my colours to the mast: I’m not a fan of vitamin supplements. I think vitamins should be taken in foods. But I may have to eat my words because a large study from US Universities Columbia and Harvard suggests that taking a daily … Read More
Alcohol warning as regular use can lead to gout, cataract and ulcers
We know that alcohol is a poison, so we shouldn’t be surprised that it increases the risk of over 60 diseases, including many not thought to be linked to alcohol. Oxford University research has now extended the range of diseases … Read More
New drugs could burn off excess fat and lead to obesity treatments to control diabetes
There’s a race going on to find treatments for obesity and related diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Researchers at the University of East Anglia and the University of Cambridge are at the head of it. We have two kinds of fat … Read More
Premature baby’s brain is affected by what their parents do for a living
We know children brought up in deprived environments generally don’t do as well in life as those who enjoy a more comfortable upbringing. But I confess I was deeply shocked by research showing premature babies from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely … Read More
Blood test boosts chances of cancer detection – and it could save lives
Early diagnosis of cancer is so important, so it’s cheering to hear of a study that could lead to faster treatment – and save lives. It involved a blood test for more than 50 types of cancer, which then correctly … Read More
The stress of working for performance pay can be seriously bad for your health
Should performance-related pay schemes come with a government health warning? A study led by Aberdeen University suggests they should – it found that workers who rely on performance-related pay (PRP) are at a higher risk of chronic stress, heart disease and poor mental health. The study … Read More
Exciting new 12-week programme gives real boost to older people with bad backs
Back pain blights the lives of many people, especially as they get older. So I’m delighted to hear about BOOST – Better Outcomes for Older people with Spinal Trouble – one of the most joined-up projects I’ve come across recently. Exeter … Read More
The never-ending stress of everyday life is slowly crushing our health to a pulp
Given the lives we lead it’s impossible to avoid stress altogether, but up to a point stress can improve our performance. When stress is unremitting, it’s another story. “On short timescales, the stress response restores the body’s balance. Over longer … Read More
Testing twice for bowel cancer increases detection and could be key to saving lives
Now, here’s an interesting one. The detection of bowel cancer is increased to almost 100% by testing for it twice, rather than just once. The simple faecal immunochemical test, or FIT, is used to detect blood in bowel movements that isn’t visible to the … Read More
Nine out of 10 women were never educated about the menopause
The menopause can be hugely disruptive and damaging for women and their families, and cause issues with their work life too – yet there is still a frightening lack of information about what people should expect. In 2019, the Department … Read More