December 16, 2018

Sweetened Drinks More Dangerous Than Food?

Sugary drinks cause worse health outcomes than other foods that naturally contain sugar, a new study says. The findings, published this month in the British Medical Journal, found that sugars added to foods such as breakfast cereals, baked goods, sweets and desserts can create a negative affect on a person’s blood glucose and insulin, causing them to react as if they’ve ended a fast. “These findings might help guide recommendations on important food sources of fructose in the prevention and management of diabetes,” John Sievenpiper, the study’s lead author and a researcher in the Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Center of St. […]
December 11, 2018

Could Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Schizophrenia?

An association between being deficient in vitamin D during infancy and the risk of developing schizophrenia later in life was revealed on December 6, 2018 in the journal Scientific Reports. “Much of the attention in schizophrenia research has been focused on modifiable factors early in life with the goal of reducing the burden of this disease,” noted lead researcher John McGrath of Aarhus University and the University of Queensland. “Previous research identified an increased risk of schizophrenia associated with being born in winter or spring and living in a high-latitude country, such as Denmark.” “We hypothesized that low vitamin D levels […]
December 11, 2018

Six Life-Saving Medical Tests for Every Woman

We wonder why we take the most significant of things for granted, and women’s health has been at the center of focus in this matter. With career transformations and attitudinal revolutions, women have progressed enough to take on many roles but have regressed in terms of health. We spoke to doctors to find out which tests are taken most for granted, despite being life-saving. Depression screening Depression is twice as common in women as in men, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). “The priority of a woman is her family, and now work, while health figures last. If there is a […]
November 27, 2018

Seven Ways To Improve Your Lung Capacity

Breathing exercises, physical activity and vitamin D help your respiratory system. If that doesn’t work, you can indulge your inner musician. Stop smoking You knew it was coming. Smoking damages the lungs, causing all sorts of problems, from lung cancer to respiratory disease. And it definitely affects your lung capacity. We have all seen the comparisons between healthy lungs and smokers’ lungs – according to the NHS, your lung capacity will have improved by at least 10% nine months after you quit smoking. Consume enough vitamin D A study released this year found that higher vitamin D levels were associated […]
November 18, 2018

One In Three Women At Risk of Osteoporosis

Bone health is important for overall health and quality of life and according to a rheumatology specialist at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). Knowing the bone health status, especially for those aged 50 years and above, is a key way of identifying one’s risk of developing osteoporosis. Dr Samar Al Emadi, Head of HMC’s Rheumatology Division, said anyone who has osteoporosis risk factors should talk to their doctor and seek a bone health assessment. She also recommends increasing their level of physical activity. “Individuals at risk of osteoporosis should aim to exercise for 30 to 40 minutes three to four times each week, doing […]
November 18, 2018

Wheat: The Unhealthy Whole Grain

Flip through your parents’ or grandparents’ family albums and you’re likely to be struck by how thin everyone looks. The women probably wore size-four dresses and the men sported 32-inch waists. Overweight was something measured only by a few pounds; obesity rare. Overweight children? Almost never. Any 42-inch waists? Not here. Two-hundred-pound teenagers? Certainly not. The women of that world didn’t exercise much at all. How many times did you see your mom put on her jogging shoes to go out for a three-mile run? Nowadays I go outdoors on any nice day and see dozens of women jogging, riding their bicycles, […]
November 18, 2018

Liver Recovers Faster On Low-Sugar Diet

Liver damage caused by diet high in fat, sugar and cholesterol may be difficult to reverse even if the diet is generally improved, a new study shows. The damage can also lead to more serious health problems, such as cirrhosis or even cancer, the study says. For more significant liver recovery, the intake of sugar has to come down, probably along with other improvements in diet and exercise, said Donald Jump, a professor at Oregon State University in US. Researchers found that diets low in fat and cholesterol could, in fact, help with weight loss, improved metabolism and health. But, […]