The Wellness Journal · Blog

Category: Observer Archive

Blog posts from the drbriffa.com archive — same writing, same categories, on the same domain.

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Category: Observer Archive

Why regular eating provides a route to better health and weight loss Healthy Eating

Why regular eating provides a route to better health and weight loss

In previous columns, I have expressed my enthusiasm for frequent feeding. One benefit of spreading out our food intake during the day is that it helps to equalise the body’s biochemistry. Also, by reducing the risk of the appetite running riot, regular ingestion can help quell a tendency to overeat too. Recently, British scientists have […]

February 13, 2005· 3 min read
10 basic tips for ensuring your child gets all they need for healthy growth and development Children's Health

10 basic tips for ensuring your child gets all they need for healthy growth and development

1. Base your child’s diet on natural, unadulterated foods A healthy diet is one based on whole, unprocessed foods such as meat, fish, seafood, eggs, fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils. These ‘primal’ foods have been part of the human diet for extended periods during our evolution, and are therefore the foods to which, […]

February 6, 2005· 4 min read
The health benefits of olive oil Healthy Eating

The health benefits of olive oil

The last decade or two has olive oil has received considerable attention from the nutritional community on account of its heart-healthy properties. The benefits this oil has for us have generally been ascribed to its high content of monounsaturated fat, which studies suggest effects changes in blood fat levels that reduce the risk of cardiovascular […]

January 30, 2005· 3 min read
The health benefits of drinking sparkling (yes, SPARKLING) water Healthy Eating

The health benefits of drinking sparkling (yes, SPARKLING) water

January is typically a time when many of us attempt to purge ourselves of the internal contamination and external baggage stockpiled at the tail end of last year. Those seeking a decent ‘detox’ will generally do well to drink plenty of water, one effect of which is to assist the flushing out of bodily pollutants […]

January 23, 2005· 3 min read
Does folic acid really cause breast cancer? Healthy Eating

Does folic acid really cause breast cancer?

It is well known that taking folic acid around the time of pregnancy helps to defend against developmental disorders known as ‘neural tube defects’ (such as spina bifida). However, the wisdom of this established nutritional practice was recently called into question on the publication of a study which appeared to link folic acid supplementation with […]

January 16, 2005· 3 min read
Dietary approaches for raised uric acid and gout Healthy Eating

Dietary approaches for raised uric acid and gout

The dietary excesses of the festive season are well known to have the capacity to swell our vital statistics, but can leave their mark deeper within the body too. A glut of food and drink can, for instance, boost levels of uric acid – the blood component elevated levels of which can precipitate an attack […]

December 26, 2004· 3 min read
Does saturated fat really ’cause’ heart disease? Healthy Eating

Does saturated fat really ’cause’ heart disease?

Listening to the radio a few days ago, I caught a report which warned of a mince pie shortage this Christmas, as a result of the growing demand for British lard by Eastern European food manufacturers. Given animal fat’s deathly reputation, some may believe that the siphoning off of suet to other parts of the […]

December 19, 2004· 3 min read
Natural approaches to arthritis Healthy Eating

Natural approaches to arthritis

Back in September, the drug company Merck pulled its painkiller Vioxx (rofecoxib) from the market after research revealed it more than doubled risk of heart attack. However, what at first appeared to be a big pharma acting with a degree of corporate responsibility turned sour when evidence came to light which suggests that Merck was […]

December 12, 2004· 3 min read
Why nutritional variety is the spice of life Healthy Eating

Why nutritional variety is the spice of life

Recently, I spent a couple of hours touring Laverstoke Farm – a marvellous 2500 acre organic farm in Hampshire conceived and run by the ex-Formula One king of speed Jodi Scheckter. After a delicious roast lamb lunch, I was packed on my way with a box of organic veg from the farm. I spent the […]

December 5, 2004· 3 min read