Nutrients and Supplements
Sunlight and enhanced vitamin D levels are associated with a reduced risk of a wide range of chronic diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS). This condition in characterised by degradation in the fatty coverings of nerves in the brain and spinal column. These fatty coverings are known as ‘myelin sheathes’, and so the process of degradation […]
Exercise and Activity
In my life and work I commonly come across men who are keen on being stronger and more muscular, and will ask about the sort of diet that might help them achieve their ends. Perhaps not surprisingly, I recommend a diet relatively rich in protein, seeing as protein is a major component in muscle. For […]
Men's Health
Infertility is not an insignificant problem, and sperm-related issues play a part in about half of all cases. Low levels or sperm numbers, malformed sperms and sperms that are not mobile enough all can contribute to ‘subfertility’ in men. One factor that is thought can lead to sperm issues is ‘oxidative stress’ – essentially damage […]
Healthy Eating
Generally in practice we’re able to make significant headway with all sorts of people with all sorts of health issues be they a 57 year-old man with type 2 diabetes or a 23 year-old woman with irritable bowel syndrome. And yet, I do inevitably come across patients I don’t seem to be able to help […]
Nutrients and Supplements
As we get older, we can be prone to wasting of muscle tissue (known as sarcopenia). If nothing else, sarcopenia can lead to weakness, which in turn can cause us to be immobile, prone to falls, and increasingly reliant on others for our activities of daily living. One way of preserving muscle bulk as we […]
Brain and Behaviour
While, in my experience, many individuals believe they have quite a degree of control over their physical function as they age, I’m not sure the same can be said for our general attitude to the functioning of the brain. My sense is most individuals believe that how well they maintain their mental faculties as they […]
Brain and Behaviour
Suck the water out of the brain and what’s left is mainly fat. Fat, one could argue, is ‘brain food’, and one particular fat that has received attention with regard to this is DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). DHA is one of the two main types of ‘omega-3’ fat found abundantly in fish such as sardines, mackerel, […]
Cholesterol and Statins
In my regular trawl through on-line newspapers this week I came across this story in the Telegraph (UK). Apparently, death rates in the UK are at a record low. This is, on the surface, a good thing. However, such statistics can belie the fact that while individuals may be living longer, the quality of the […]
Nutrients and Supplements
Sometimes symptoms or medical conditions can have complex causes and cures, but sometimes they’re dead simple. For example, if someone is suffering from a tendency to cramping in their muscles, there’s a pretty good chance they’re low on magnesium and upping magnesium levels in the body will really help to alleviate or even stop their […]
Diabetes/Metabolic Syndrome
Back in December I wrote this post which explored the apparent ability of cinnamon to reduce blood sugar levels, particularly in diabetics. One of the studies mentioned in this post showed that cinnamon added to normal diabetic care led to improved outcomes compared to standard diabetic care alone. While this result was certainly promising, the […]