Brain and Behaviour
Whilst most would-be mums will be cognisant of folic acid’s role in the prevention of birth defects such as spina bifida, they may be less familiar with other dietary factors that can influence the development of their unborn child. For instance, evidence suggests that certain nutritional elements found in fish can contribute to the healthy […]
Healthy Eating
The prospect of stripping off and revealing our true selves on the beach or by the pool this summer will inevitably have some of us taking steps to shed some excess weight. I notice that one tabloid newspaper is spearheading a resurgence of the Atkins diet in the form of a plan specifically targeting those […]
Brain and Behaviour
It seems that not a week goes by without scientists identifying some gene or other that is believed to play a critical role in our susceptibility to a specific illness or condition. Recently, for instance, researchers in Italy announced that they had found a gene that is involved in the normal production of serotonin – […]
Healthy Eating
While nutritional medicine has enjoyed growing acceptance amongst doctors over the last decade or so, certain factions within the medical establishment remain somewhat sceptical about the health benefits naturally-oriented approaches may offer. An example of this appeared in last month’s edition of the title Food Technology, in the form of an article entitled ‘Detox Diets […]
Healthy Eating
I welcome the opportunity the summer weather occasionally to let the caveman out in me through the stoking up of the barbecue for the cooking of flesh-based foods. I believe this particular form of alfresco eating appeals to my most basic instincts, but am also aware that it is not without risk: it is well […]
Brain and Behaviour
While pregnancy and the life it creates is a wonderful thing, it can also be a significant nutritional drain on the mother. One nutrient that pregnancy can leave a woman short on is iron, and I was interested to read a report recently regarding the impact of this mineral has on the bonding of new […]
Healthy Eating
While a good evening meal can send us to bed in a satisfied and contented state, it can also be that our last supper may make it’s presence felt later in the form of acid indigestion and heartburn. A recent study in the American medical journal Chest has revealed that one factor that appears to […]
Healthy Eating
I was interested to read recently of a recently developed diagnostic tool for doctors – the artificial nose. Scientists at Strathclyde University have come up with a device that has the ability to detect odours characteristic of a variety of medical conditions. Learning of this new-fangled gadget reminded me of a story my mother once […]
Food and Medical Politics
The bulk of the evidence shows that popping of vitamin and mineral pills is generally safe and has the potential to benefit the body. However, despite this, stories do occasionally surface which suggest that nutritional supplements are, at best, useless, and at worst, may actually increase our susceptibility to illness. My experience is that the […]
Healthy Eating
Red meat has almost certainly featured in the human diet for a large portion of our evolution, and its primal nature is one reason why I believe this food can assume some place within a ‘healthy’ diet of today. However, I am well aware that red meat is usually viewed as distinctly unhealthy fare, and […]