Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common complaints. It is usually so mild that many people live with it without knowing they have it, but in many cases it can cause severe symptoms and intense pain. IBS has many causes, but most are directly linked to everyday habits, including: The main symptom […]
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The Mediterranean diet benefits not only people with metabolic syndrome but also people with a large waist, high cholesterol or triglycerides, or abnormal blood sugar or blood pressure, according to research published on 15 March 2011 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The analysis combined the results of 50 studies of the […]
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Most people read "fat-free" as "good for you". In fact this is a misjudgement, because we hear so much about the benefits of cutting fat for weight loss and health. Cutting fat out of your diet does not make you lose weight, and cutting it for a long time does the body more harm than […]
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Southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum) is a medicinal herb grown as a strong seasoning with a taste reminiscent of wormwood. It is a medium-sized herb about a metre tall with long, narrow, branching leaves and a lemony scent. Its small yellow flowers open in July and August. The leaves and flowers are used fresh or dried and […]
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A recent study has found that constant exposure to noise at work, together with hearing loss, can cause sleep problems. The study compared the sleep of people in the same workplace, some with hearing loss and some without. One difference between the groups was that those with hearing loss were usually older and had spent […]
Read moreThe Lancet: statins are used to reduce repeat heart problems, but little is known about their effect in people with abnormal liver function. Greek scientists studied 1,600 patients under 75 with heart and blood vessel disease, cholesterol above 2.6 mmol/L and triglycerides below 4.5 mmol/L. All the patients were offered statin treatment. The study found […]
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A new study funded by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has shown that a natural growth factor, IGF-II, helps rats remember and prevents forgetting of shocks and pain. Injected into the memory areas of the brain, it improves long-term memory. Earlier studies had suggested that insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) has a positive […]
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Allergan says its gastric band helps a much wider group of obese people lose weight, according to documents published on Wednesday. Allergan, the biggest maker of Botox (injections for wrinkles), breast implants and other cosmetic products, plans to market its Lap-Band to people who are less obese than current users, which could boost sales. Allergan's […]
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Lab tests alone can't detect cancer: you also need to listen to your body, which tells you when something is wrong. Many strange symptoms are simply ignored. Warning: each of these symptoms can have many causes and is rarely cancer. This list is here to make you careful, not worried. If a symptom worries you, […]
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Latin name: Urtica dioica A herb of the nettle family. Its stinging hairs break off in the skin when touched and release a burning juice that hurts the hand. The plant grows almost everywhere, especially near places where animals urinate. It is a perennial herb found in many countries, originally from Asia and Europe. There […]
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Only a few years ago, a girl wearing trousers was frowned upon; now it is the other way round. And if a man here wore a skirt, as Scotsmen do, what would people in the street say about him? Some Arabic names, such as Issam, Sabah or Nihad, are given to both boys and girls, […]
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This herbal mix can be made at home to freshen the air and fight colds and flu. Ingredients How to use it Pour half a litre of boiling water into a bowl and add the herbs. Hold your head over the bowl, cover it with a towel (as in the picture) and breathe in the […]
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