Healthy Eating
Overeating is something that many of us will have experienced at one time or another. This phenomenon can, of course, be down to plentiful supply of appetising food, but it can also have a physiological and/or biochemical root too. One cause of overeating is ‘hypoglycaemic’ or low blood sugar. When blood sugar levels drop to […]
Nutrients and Supplements
Sitting in medical practice brings me in contact with people with a wide variety of symptoms and condition, though some things are commoner than others. One of the most common conditions I see is irritable bowel syndrome. This gut condition, characterised by one or more symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, bloating, wind, constipation and/or diarrhoea, […]
Cholesterol and Statins
Over recent weeks there has been a flurry of research that has challenged the notion that lower levels of cholesterol are always better. In particular, there is evidence linking lower cholesterol levels with an increased risk of cancer (see here, here and here for more on this). In the light of this, it seems reasonable […]
Healthy Eating
The omega-3 fats found in oily fish such as mackerel, herring, sardine and salmon appear to have broad-ranging benefits, particularly with regard to the health of the cardiovascular system and brain. Omega-3 fats in fish come in two principle forms: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). While these fats can be found abundantly in […]
Nutrients and Supplements
Perhaps compared to many other doctors, I take the view that conventional medicine is less effective and more hazardous than we are generally led to believe. But I most certainly don’t dismiss it. There is no doubt in my mind that things can be done with conventional medicine that other forms of therapy cannot do. […]
Nutrients and Supplements
Arnica is perhaps one of the best known homeopathic remedies, and is generally recommended when there has been some trauma to the body. Arnica is often advised, say, after someone has had a fall to reduce pain and swelling. And another occasion where it might be advised is after surgery. In a recent study the […]
Nutrients and Supplements
Macular degeneration is the most common cause of blindness in the elderly. And sufferers of this condition in England had some welcome news this week when the barring from use of a drug used to treat this condition (Lucentis) by National Health Service (NHS) doctors was reversed. This means that doctors in the state medical […]
Nutrients and Supplements
Back in November one of my blogs focused on the phenomenon of generalised body pain and vitamin D deficiency. The blog was based on my experience in practice of usually female patients, but it was also triggered by a chance conversation I had had very recently with a general practitioner here in the UK who […]
Nutrients and Supplements
Last Wednesday I wrote about the role that vitamin C may have in the treatment of cancer. Of course vitamin C may have other potential benefits for the body too, and is sometimes said to be a useful remedy for the common cold in high doses. Another nutrient that has some reputation for potential benefit […]
Nutrients and Supplements
The idea that vitamin C might offer potential in the treatment of cancer has been around for some decades. Perhaps the person whose name is most linked with this concept is the late Linus Pauling. With his death, it seemed that interest in his ideas died a bit of a death too. However, some scientists […]