Healthy Interests

Top 10 Symptoms of Hypothermia

Published October 24th, 2011 | Last updated March 21st, 2012

Every year in the UK between 25–30,000 deaths are linked to cold weather. Keeping warm is a real concern for the elderly at this time of year and a number of steps can be taken to prevent hypothermia.

Does curry bring on labour?

Published October 14th, 2011 | Last updated June 22nd, 2012

The scientific evidence on the theory that curry induces labour is sparse to say the least. Numerous methods of inducing labour have been suggested over the years but do they have any basis in fact or are they all a coincidence?

Protein shakes – to drink or not to drink?

Published October 7th, 2011 | Last updated April 4th, 2012

Both athletes and bodybuilders require a greater intake of proteinCompounds that form the structure of muscles and other tissues in the body, as well as comprising enzymes and hormones. than other non-active people. How much is enough? What is the best method of acquiring the right amount of protein? Protein shakes have been criticised as expensive, unnecessary for most people and at risk of contamination with dangerous, and illegal, substances. What is the best way to maintain a healthy diet while performing at the peak of one’s ability?

Cholesterol: famously found in fatty foods

Published September 30th, 2011 | Last updated May 8th, 2012

I certainly discovered something new about cholesterolA substance present in many tissues and an important constituent of cell membranes although high concentrations of a certain type of cholesterol in the blood are unhealthy. and healthy eating last week during National Cholesterol Week. For example, did you know that cholesterol is needed to manufacture vitaminEssential substances that cannot be produced by the body and so must be acquired from the diet. D and sex hormones? Too much cholesterol, however, can be very damaging to your health and results in heart disease, strokeAny sudden neurological problem caused by a bleed or a clot in a blood vessel. and circulatory disease.

Stress and social networking leads to rise in teen alcoholics

Published September 23rd, 2011 | Last updated September 30th, 2011

Research suggests that children of alcoholics are more likely to consume alcohol after stressful events than their contemporaries with healthy parents. The chance of a child becoming a heavy drinker is also increased as the size of their social networks grow.

Walk your way to a healthier, happier lifestyle this National Walking Month

Published May 4th, 2011 | Last updated September 30th, 2011

This May, two national walking organisations are teaming up to urge people across the UK to leave their cars at home and take to the streets as part of the first National Walking Month.

Walking is the cheapest, simplest and one of the most effective forms of exercise that a person can do. Walking for just half an hour each morning can transform your fitness levels, reduce stressRelating to injury or concern. and anxiety, and vastly improve your concentration levels for the day ahead. It's easy, it's affordable and it works.

Simple invention relieves pain caused to hands by crutches

Published April 15th, 2011 | Last updated March 20th, 2012

Anyone who, through injury or disability, is unfortunate enough to rely on crutches to get around will be all too familiar with the extreme pain that normal crutch grips can cause to the hands. Frequently, people who have suffered an injury say that the pain caused by the broken ankle or torn ligaments is nothing compared to the pain caused by the subsequent use of crutches. This was the experience of engineer Chris Slack, who explains here how a rugby injury led to the invention of a simple device that allows standard crutches to be modified to prevent painful and blistered hands.

Get outdoors with the National Trust – it’s good for your health

Published February 24th, 2011 | Last updated September 30th, 2011

In light of growing evidence suggesting that people are happier if they have a connection with nature, the National Trust has announced a major shift in its focus as it aims to help more people to enjoy the great outdoors by focusing on walking, cycling and camping. The charity, which is often narrowly and wrongly associated only with country houses, will promote a range of activities that take place on the land it looks after, including walking, mountain biking, kayaking, surfing and camping, with over a thousand summer events aimed at helping children to get closer to nature. A recent survey commissioned by the National Trust as part of an inquiry into public access and enjoyment of the outdoors revealed that 80 per cent of the happiest people in the UK said they have a strong connection with nature, compared with just 37 per cent of the unhappiest.* This follows on from research that has revealed that even small doses of outdoor exercise can have a positive effect on mental health.**

Gardening - healthy food and good exercise - it's been proven

Published November 23rd, 2010 | Last updated September 30th, 2011

People who have an allotment, especially those aged over 60, tend to be significantly healthier than those who do not. Researchers writing in the journal Environmental Health and looking at people with allotments have shown that the small gardens were associated with increased levels of physical activity at all ages, and improved health and well-being in more elderly people.

Agnes van den Berg, from Wageningen University and Research Centre, the Netherlands, worked with a team of researchers to carry out a study into the health benefits of allotment gardening. She said, “Taken together, our findings provide the first direct empirical evidence for health benefits of allotment gardens. Having an allotment garden may promote an active life-style and contribute to healthy aging”.

Heavier people are better at 'smelling' food

Published November 15th, 2010 | Last updated September 30th, 2011

People who have a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) have a greater sense of smell when it comes to food, a new study has found. It is the first study ever to examine the relationship between Body Mass Index and our sense of smell when hungry and full. The research by Dr Lorenzo Stafford, of the University of Portsmouth's Department of Psychology, is published in the latest issue of Chemical Senses.

Dr Stafford set out to study if being hungry or full had an impact on people's ability to distinguish smells. He found that people have a heightened sense of smell to non-food odours when they are hungry but, paradoxically, participants were better at smelling food odours after eating. When the results were analysed further, he found that compared to those with a low BMI, people with higher BMI had a poorer sense of smell for non-food odours and greater sensitivity to the smell of food.