“An ‘exercise pill’ mimicking the effects of a gym workout could prevent Alzheimer’s disease,” the Daily Mirror reports. The “pill” is actually a reference to a protein called irisin. Irisin has been dubbed the “exercise hormone” because previous research found it’s released from muscles in response to physical activity. Researchers wanted to see if irisin,
“No evidence of sugar substitutes’ health benefits, finds study,” reports The Guardian. Researchers carried out the biggest review yet of evidence looking at the effects of sweeteners on health (researchers used the term non-sugar sweeteners or NSS). Non-sugar sweeteners include artificially-synthesized sweeteners such as saccharine and natural non-calorie sweeteners such as steviol. Non-sugar sweeteners have
“Christmas and New Year are bad for your cholesterol: Levels are 20% higher after the festive period,” reports the Mail Online. Scientists in Denmark tested the cholesterol levels of more than 25,000 Danes, as part of an ongoing health study, and looked at seasonal variations in the results. They found average levels of total cholesterol
“Banning sweets at supermarket checkouts ‘works’,” reports BBC News. Arrays of sweets, chocolate and crisps at supermarket checkouts has long been blamed for prompting impulse buys, and for children pestering parents while they wait in the queue. In recent years, some supermarkets have introduced policies to remove these unhealthy snacks from the checkout area. However,
“Swimming, walking or lifting weights in the gym ‘treats high blood pressure as well as drugs’,” reports the Mail Online. High blood pressure (also called hypertension) is common among older people and can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Many people take one or more medicines to keep blood pressure under control. Researchers
“Even one night without sleep leads people to view junk food more favourably, research suggests,” The Guardian reports. A small study wanted to find out if not sleeping enough made people hungrier and more likely to eat junk food compared with people who slept normally. The researchers carried out a series of tests on 32
“Regular weighing at home and simple tips to curb excess eating and drinking can prevent people from piling on the pounds at Christmas,” reports ITV News. Researchers say most people put on a small amount of weight each year, and that much of this weight gain happens over the Christmas holiday period. The British Dietary
“Crosswords do not prevent dementia but can make your brain sharper to start off with,” reports the Mail Online. The question of whether doing puzzles and problem-solving activities can stave off mental decline in older age is often debated. This study of 498 people born in Scotland in 1936 found people who enjoyed intellectually stimulating
“Increasing statin dose could prevent thousands of heart attacks and strokes a year,” The Daily Telegraph reports. Statins are medicines that help lower cholesterol levels and are used as a preventative treatment in people thought to have an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as a heart attack or stroke. However, before everyone taking a
“Hypnosis is twice as effective at relieving agonising symptoms of IBS than other methods,” reports the Mail Online. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition in which people get repeated episodes of stomach pain and discomfort, along with bowel problems such as diarrhoea and constipation. Some people get relief from lifestyle and diet changes
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