Health (Page 2)

Ground Picture/Shutterstock A decade ago, while working in a women’s prison, I met a young woman whose story would leave an indelible mark on me. She had endured severe abuse at the hands of men, and I was initially concerned that, as a male social worker, my presence might rekindle her trauma. Yet, through careful and considered engagement, we were able to forge a relationship of trust. Jenny* confided in me that heroin had become her refuge – the only respite that quieted the relentless storm of her thoughts. But her dependency had brought dire consequences: the removal of her children and her subsequent imprisonment for possession with intent to supply. Even so, Jenny told me that before she wasContinue Reading

Zaruna/Shutterstock Nasal rinsing or irrigation is an increasingly popular technique to manage hayfever and other irritants in the nose. It involves pouring or squirting a solution into the nose to help wash out microbes, mucus and other debris such as dust or allergens. There are specialised containers called neti pots that are used to pour water into one nostril, allowing it to run out of the other by tilting your head to the side. Water bottles and other specialised sprays pre-filled with saline solution can also be used. But the practice is not without its risks, not least because if not done with sterile water it can introduce germs into the body. A small number of people, especially those withContinue Reading

B. Lenoir/Shutterstock The Princess of Wales released a moving video message on March 22 to address speculation about her health. In it, the future queen disclosed that she’d been diagnosed with cancer following tests conducted after she underwent major abdominal surgery at a clinic in London in January. Catherine explained that she was undergoing “preventative chemotherapy” – but emphasised that her surgery had been successful, and that she was “well” and “getting stronger every day”. The message was the second announcement of a royal family cancer diagnosis in recent weeks. On February 5, Buckingham Palace published a statement that King Charles III had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer, unrelated to the treatment he had been receiving forContinue Reading

Lentils contain resistant starch, which _R bromii_ helps to breakdown. Foodio/ Shutterstock The fascinating human gut bacterium Ruminococcus bromii is one of the ten most common bacterial species found in the colon. This bacterium, first discovered discovered in 1972, plays a unique role in helping to breakdown resistant starch. These are some of the most commonly consumed carbohydrates in our diet, found in foods such as cereal grains, beans, lentils and some fruits (including plantains and green bananas). Without the hard work of R bromii, other cells and bacterial species in our guts might not have the energy they need to function. There are many different Ruminococcus species. Each are very good at degrading different complex carbohydrates, mainly thanks toContinue Reading

Hyaluronic acid is now in many beauty products and cosmetics. TuiPhotoEngineer/ Shutterstock Hyaluronic acid has become a huge buzzword in the beauty industry, with everything from creams and cleansers to shampoos containing it. Often, these products are marketed to consumers with the promise that hyaluronic acid will boost hydration – important for keeping the skin looking its best. Hyaluronic acid is ubiquitous in our organs and tissues, playing a crucial role in the function of our cells and tissues. Hyaluronic acid has been in clinical use for decades, for example, as an injectable between joints to help lubricate cartilage. But at the turn of the century, cosmetic companies began using it as a moisturising ingredient in cosmetic products. Topically, it’sContinue Reading

After her doctor calculated her breast cancer risk, Munn went on to have further tests which ultimately revealed her cancer. Tinseltown/ Shutterstock Actress Olivia Munn recently shared on social media that she had undergone a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with luminal B breast cancer. In an Instagram post, Munn explained how she had been diagnosed with the fast-growing cancer. The actress had initially undergone genetic testing in an effort to be proactive about her health. Munn tested negative for mutations of the BRCA gene, which is associated with a much higher risk of breast cancer. Still, Munn’s doctor decided to calculate her “Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Score” by looking at other factors known to increase risk of the disease.Continue Reading

Rattiya Thongdumhyu/Shutterstock We have all found ourselves in a place we would rather not be, a school reunion, the never-ending work meeting or a distant relative’s wedding reception. In such situations, it is often a good option to make the best of it. Well, this isn’t just the case for people, it is also an occurrence in the world of parasites – those lifeforms that live in and on us. This was the case for Taenia solium, or pig tapeworm which found itself in an unlikely place. A middle-aged man from Florida with a history of migraines went to the doctor as his headaches were becoming worse and weren’t responding to his usual drugs. The 52-year-old was sent for aContinue Reading

_R intestinalis_ makes butyrate from polysaccharides, which are found in starchy foods such as potatoes. Photo Oz/ Shutterstock The hundreds of species of microorganisms that comprise the microbiome all have different, unique roles. One of the important functions that takes place in the gut is the production of short-chain fatty acids. These molecules are derived from the fermentation of polysaccharides (a type of carbohydrate) which are primarily found in starchy foods. These short-chain fatty acids are then used in a range of processes – including providing cells with the energy they need to grow and multiply and enabling communication between the gut and the brain. The gut’s microbes mainly make three short-chain fatty acids: acetate, propionate and butyrate. Together, theseContinue Reading

If at 58, I were to agree to a boxing match with a person half my age, much alarm would be caused. My daughters would burst into tears, my partner would have strong words, and my students would have final confirmation that I had lost the plot. I, however, am not “Iron Mike” Tyson. On July 20, the former heavyweight boxing world champion is due to step into the ring at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, to fight YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. Tyson will be 58, Paul will be 27. Let’s take a look at what will be going on biologically for Iron Mike. Receiving repeated blows to the body can tire a boxer out, and a well-aimed shovel hookContinue Reading

tomertu/Shutterstock Can you pass me the whatchamacallit? It’s right over there next to the thingamajig. Many of us will experience “lethologica”, or difficulty finding words, in everyday life. And it usually becomes more prominent with age. Frequent difficulty finding the right word can signal changes in the brain consistent with the early (“preclinical”) stages of Alzheimer’s disease – before more obvious symptoms emerge. However, a recent study from the University of Toronto suggests that it’s the speed of speech, rather than the difficulty in finding words that is a more accurate indicator of brain health in older adults. The researchers asked 125 healthy adults, aged 18 to 90, to describe a scene in detail. Recordings of these descriptions were subsequentlyContinue Reading