Anxiety – Music

Calm relaxation music helps reduce stress, anxiety, pain and insomnia. Many studies demonstrate music can also help reduce stress associated with surgery, operations and dental procedures. Music therapy can even help deal with mental health problems such as schizophrenia. Meghani N, Tracy MF, Hadidi NN, Lindquist R. Part I: The Effects of Music for the […]

Stress- work

We spend so much of our time at work that it is important we are happy and feel supported. Research demonstrates that work related stress can be a cause of anxiety, depression, burnout and even suicidal thoughts. Allison Milner, Katrina Witt, Anthony D LaMontagne, Isabelle Niedhammer. Review. Psychosocial job stressors and suicidality: a meta-analysis and […]

Irritable Bowel Syndrome – probiotics

Probiotics such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Saccharomyces, found in yoghurt, kefir and other sources, are beneficial gut bacteria that are effective for IBS, acute infectious diarrhoea, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, Clostridium difficile- associated diarrhea, hepatic encephalopathy, ulcerative colitis and functional gastrointestinal disorders. Wilkins T, Sequoia J. Probiotics for Gastrointestinal Conditions: A Summary of the Evidence. Am Fam […]

Migraines & Headaches – food triggers

Triggers for headaches and migraines include stress the day before onset, dehydration, poor posture, lack of exercise, chemicals and poor sleep. Food &/or alcohol especially red wine and beer, chocolate, caffeine, dairy products e.g. aged cheese, food preservatives with nitrates and nitrites, MSG and artificial sweeteners such as aspartame may also trigger migraines and headaches […]

Cancer – alcohol

A large body of research demonstrates alcohol consumption of greater than 2 standard drinks per day can increase the risk of cancer such as breast, prostate, bowel, stomach, oesophageal, liver and mouth cancer. So the message is avoid drinking daily alcohol and if you do, no more than 2 standard drinks per day. A standard […]

Gingivitis – turmeric

A small preliminary trial suggests turmeric may help treat and prevent gingivitis, a common condition also known as inflammation of the gums. Turmeric is often used for its anti-inflammatory action such as arthritis so this is exciting news that it may also help with diseases of the mouth. More research is needed. Stoyell KA, et […]

Dementia – lithium

Lithium is a natural mineral but is toxic to the body when consumed in high doses. This study found very small micro-levels of lithium added to drinking water may reduce the risk of developing dementia later in life, although more studies are need. Lars Vedel Kessing, MD, DMSc; Thomas Alexander Gerds, MSc, PhD; Nikoline Nygård Knudsen, MSc; et al. Association of […]

Dementia – poor cognition – alcohol

Studies have identified high alcohol consumption to be a significant risk of poor cognitive performance, mental function, memory and brain damage. This study found even moderate drinking of 14-21 units [5 large glasses of wine or 4 pints of beer] per week in men or women over a 30 year period could cause brain damage […]

Cardiovascular disease – coffee benefits after heart attack

Drinking 2-4 cups daily of either decaffeinated or caffeinated coffee after a heart attack may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease or ischaemic heart disease according to this study: Laura H van Dongen, Famke JM Mölenberg, Sabita S Soedamah-Muthu, Daan Kromhout, and Johanna M Geleijnse. Coffee consumption after myocardial infarction and risk of cardiovascular mortality: […]