Posts tagged “Health”

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The ticking health time bomb, Glyphospate, aka Roundup

Posted on 11th March 2015 at 07:30

In the first part of this occasional series, we focussed on antibiotics and the most common – but least recognised – source of them. The food we eat.

Today we keep the spotlight on food, but from a slightly different perspective. The chemicals conventional farmers rely on to produce it.

The farming we’re familiar with today – large fields of identikit crops – is a very recent phenomenon, dating back to the 1940’s and 1950’s. It relies heavily on chemicals – generically known as pesticides – to address every threat a crop may to face. Weeds competing for space and resources. Insects damaging or eating it. Plant diseases affecting yield or making the crop unsaleable.

Is sugar really public enemy number one?

Posted on 4th March 2015 at 07:30

Over recent years, sugar has been portrayed as public enemy number one. More addictive than cocaine. Linked to many health problems, particularly the increase in diabetes and insulin resistance in children and young adults. To be avoided at all costs.

But is it really that simple? If you‘re a regular reader of this blog, you won’t be surprised to hear that the answer is no (!); so let’s take a closer look at sugar.

We love asking people questions about things they take for granted. Watching their faces as they think about something for the first time.

Are you happy right now?

Posted on 25th February 2015 at 07:30

It’s interesting how often this topic comes up with clients. And, here on the blog too.

It seems that there are so many reasons not to be happy these days. Not only in the papers or news. Just watch your favourite soap opera. Or listen to the conversations going on around you.

Added to this, there’s our very English affliction. The belief that it’s perfectly acceptable to be miserable now in the expectation that when X happens in the future – whatever X is – then we’ll suddenly be happy. Whether it be the latest must have gadget, a new house, losing weight or the love of your life.

Have you fallen for the milk myth?

Posted on 18th February 2015 at 07:30

Milk is such an integral part of most people’s diets, it almost feels like heresy to ask whether it really is a good thing for us. And, interestingly, we have exactly that response from some patients when we ask this question.

However that’s exactly what we’re going to do this week. So, get ready for a different take on our obsession with all things dairy.

Let’s go back to the beginning and ask a couple of really easy questions.

The ticking health time bomb, Antibiotics

Posted on 28th January 2015 at 07:30

Scarcely a day seems to go past without some reference to the latest health concern in the press. Diabetes. Obesity. Cholesterol. High blood pressure. ADHD. Sadly these are just a few examples. The list is a long one and getting longer by the day.

Whichever problem is under the spotlight, the process seems to be the same. Experts are tasked with pinpointing THE cause.

Treatments and medications are specifically developed for it. Lobby and patient groups are set up to bring it to people’s attention.

And in all this minutiae, the bigger picture is missed. The common links running through so many of our modern health problems.

Is what we experience in our day to day lives just the tip of the iceberg?

Posted on 21st January 2015 at 07:30

We’ve always loved bizarre facts and snippets of information, particularly if they fly in the face of accepted wisdom. Even better if they get the old grey cells working as well.

Some relate to the world around us. Others are health related. But our favourite are those about how our minds work. Or, in some cases, don’t work (!).

And, even more so, people’s reactions to these new insights. Into what goes on between their ears. Well, not always between their ears, but that’s definitely a subject for another day!

What fascinates us is that people tend to assume they know exactly what’s going on in their heads. And that they are fully in control of it. Oh, and it’s the same for everyone.

Do coughs and sneezes really spread diseases?

Posted on 14th January 2015 at 07:30

As traditional as the Christmas festivities, breaking of new year’s resolutions (!) and January blues; is the upswing in coughs and colds as soon as everyone gets back to their normal routine.

Every January, around this time, we hear people making the same comments over and over again. About all the bugs doing the rounds. How generous people are in passing them on. And how bugs are “lurking out there” – wherever “there” is – just waiting to get them.

Happy New Year and welcome to the first post of 2015

Posted on 7th January 2015 at 07:30

As traditional as the December madness – eat, drink and be merry – are the New Year resolutions. Usually made during those heady days between Christmas and New Year, each year we set ourselves long lists of things we’re definitely NOT going to do this year. Drink. Smoke. Eat junk food. Drink coffee. Vegetate on the sofa. And so the list goes on.

Have you ever stopped to wonder why these annual good intentions are always about what we’re NOT going to do? About the things we’re going to deny ourselves.

What a way to start a new year. Is it any wonder that the beginning of January feels so miserable?

Or that few New Year resolutions last any longer than 12th night? It’s already gone by the way, in case you’d missed it…

Surely there must be a better way to start a bright shiny new year.

Having a happy - and stress free (!) - Christmas

Posted on 17th December 2014 at 07:30

Whether you love or hate Christmas (!), this time of year is traditionally stressful, as everyone puts on their rose tinted spectacles in an attempt to create the “perfect Christmas.”

Add to this the heady mix of unrealistic expectations – fuelled by all the hype in the media for the last few months – relatives you only see once a year and overindulgence. Sadly the results are often far too predictable.

If we’ve been here many times before, why do we allow the same scenes to continue to be replayed year after year?

Electricity and its hidden impact on our health

Posted on 10th December 2014 at 07:30

There’s no doubt that the switching on of the first light bulb by Thomas Edison — in 1879, we’re reliably informed (!) —completely transformed our world forever. Our love affair with all things electrical quickly followed.

In the last twenty years or so wireless technology has come to the forefront, with an estimated 50 million mobile phones in the UK and wi fi now available in most public places.

Alongside this has come an increasing number of reports of the risks posed by modern technology. Many of these have taken the form of lurid stories in the press — particularly the tabloids — but there has also been a growing body of research which is hard to ignore.

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