Osteoarthritis is a progressive and degenerative joint disease. It causes a great deal of pain and disability for millions of people. It commonly affects older people and we used to think it was caused by wear and tear. But, scientists now think there might be other causes. One such cause involves a link between gut […]
Healthy Ageing
Can eating mushrooms reduce dementia risk and save your brain?
The number of people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease is expected to rise at an alarming rate. Currently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) believes there are 50 million people around the world with dementia. But this number is expected to triple in the next thirty years. Yet scientists believe that we can reduce our risk […]
Antibiotics and heart health
A recent study published in the European Heart Journal suggests a significant association between antibiotic use and an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. As the authors point out, previous studies have reported similar results. However, this particular study added some new details as it focussed on antibiotic use by women only and participants were assessed […]
Sniffing out Alzheimer’s disease
Scientists have discovered that one of the earliest symptoms related to the development of Alzheimer’s disease is a problem with the sense of smell. The number of people with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia, is increasing rapidly. It is one of the most dreaded of diseases and yet modern medicine seems […]
Can gardening reverse cognitive decline?
We know that genetics can play an important role in the risk of developing certain forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Well, we can’t do anything about our genes. But, are there other modifiable factors that might help us avoid this life changing disease? Or, even reverse the mild cognitive impairment that precedes such […]
Meditation for brain preservation
We have an ageing population in the UK. This means the proportion of older people is increasing. While living longer might be desirable, it is true that many older people have a decline in brain function. In fact, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is a major cause of death in the UK. This fact highlights the […]
Citicoline – a potential supplement for preventing glaucoma
A natural compound made in the body has approval by the EU as a dietary supplement. The supplement is known as Citicoline. Though it is also called cytidine-5-diphosphocholine (or CDP-choline). Citicoline is important because scientists say it may help to prevent damage to retinal ganglion cells. These are a type of nerve cell at the back of the […]
Alzheimers disease and iron intake
Alzheimer’s disease was first described in 1906. It was little known at the time and did not even enter medical textbooks until decades later. So, how come this disease is at epidemic proportions and now a leading cause of death in the UK? We know that certain genes can predispose some people to have an […]
Is your statin increasing your risk of diabetes?
Statins are a group of pharmaceutical drugs that reduce the level of LDL cholesterol in the blood. Your doctor might recommend you take a statin if you suffer from, or might develop cardiovascular disease in the future. Yet, this study found that some statins can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 46%. This […]
Alzheimer’s disease – is fibre good for the brain?
Dementia is now the leading cause of death in England, ahead of cancer and heart disease. Yet, while many people might know someone that has survived cancer, how many people with Alzheimer’s disease do you know that have got better, or even improved? Currently conventional medicine has no treatment for Alzheimers disease that does anything […]
Is a daily low dose aspirin a good idea?
A daily, low dose aspirin tablet is a popular option among people hoping to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease. In fact, studies support the prophylactic use of aspirin as a simple and cheap way to prevent recurrent heart attacks and stroke. But, does that mean everyone should take a daily low dose aspirin? Findings […]
Can dietary change reduce bone loss in osteoporosis?
The Mediterranean diet is widely considered the healthiest diet and is recommended for the prevention of chronic disease. In this new study, in which over a thousand elderly Europeans took part, researchers wanted to know if eating a Mediterranean diet made a difference to markers of inflammation in elderly people. They also checked if a […]
Cholesterol and the over 60s
For decades people have been told to reduce their intake of cholesterol. Yet, this fatty substance has many important functions in the human body. In fact, scientists say that it is vital for good health. Yet your doctor may say that having high total cholesterol is not healthy. And, it may be a main cause of […]
Nigella sativa and osteoarthritis of the knee
Osteoarthritis is a painful degenerative disorder of the joints. It often affects the knees since these joints are weight-bearing and prone to wear and tear. As an acupuncturist and herbalist, people ask me about arthritic pain, especially osteoarthritis of the knee. I know that the pain of arthritic knees or other joint pain can be […]
Best herbal remedies to heal skin ulcers
A venous leg ulcer is a chronic wound. These can take months to heal. They are painful and may itch. If you have a skin ulcer, the surrounding skin can swell and you can feel unwell. Having a chronic leg ulcer can have a dramatic impact on your quality of life. Yet conventional medicine offers […]
How to prevent gallbladder sludge and gallstones with diet and lifestyle
In Western countries, gallbladder sludge and gallstones are common phenomena. In fact, 10% of the population may have gallbladder sludge or gallstones. We don’t know for sure, as these conditions often don’t cause any significant symptoms. This means many people are unaware they have a potential problem with a build-up of sludge in the gallbladder. […]
How to lower cholesterol naturally with food as medicine
Cholesterol is a fatty substance in the body that is vital for health. It is so important to normal body functioning that the body can make its own cholesterol. In fact, if we eat less cholesterol the body makes more in the liver. However, for some people, if cholesterol in the bloodstream is too high, […]
Should you have the annual flu vaccination?
During autumn in the UK, more than 10 million people receive the flu vaccinations. At around £16 per vaccination, this is a substantial cost to the NHS. If the vaccine were effective, this might be a worthy expenditure. Yet, Public Health England admits that the vaccine may be ineffective for many. What is flu? Flu, […]
Are there any high blood pressure symptoms?
High blood pressure is also known as hypertension. A condition that increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, vascular dementia and kidney failure. Yet, there are around 5 million people in the UK that may be unaware they have it. This is because there are virtually no high blood pressure symptoms. This is why high […]
8 natural alternatives to NSAIDs
NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are back in the news. A British Medical Journal article says all NSAIDs increase heart attack risk. The report also states that the risk is highest in the first month of use and higher doses. Of course, the danger for an individual may be small. Yet, it is still bad news […]
