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Health
Humans give more viruses to animals than they give us, study finds
Some of the deadliest diseases to stalk humankind have come from pathogens that jumped from animals to people. The virus that causes AIDS, for example, crossed over from chimpanzees. And many experts believe the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic flowed from bats. But, as a new study shows, this… Read
A Tokyo dietitian's top picks for healthy Japanese convenience store snacks
Upon entering a konbini (convenience store) in Japan, it’s easy to think that this is the last place you’d find something healthy to eat. Traversing the narrow aisles with endless varieties of packaged snacks, sweets and drinks, many of my patients or friends who come to visit tell me that… Read
I want to eat healthily. So why do I crave sugar, salt and carbs?
We all want to eat healthily, especially as we reset our health goals at the start of a new year. But sometimes these plans are sabotaged by powerful cravings for sweet, salty or carb-heavy foods. So why do you crave these foods when you’re trying to improve your diet or… Read
How much weight do you actually need to lose? It might be a lot less than you think
If you’re one of the those people whose New Year’s resolution involved losing weight, it’s likely you’re now contemplating what weight-loss goal you should actually be working toward. But type “setting a weight loss goal” into any online search engine and you’ll likely be left with more questions than answers. Sure,… Read
People in the world’s ‘blue zones’ live longer – their diet could hold the key to why
Aging is an inevitable part of life, which may explain our strong fascination with the quest for longevity. The allure of eternal youth drives a multi-billion pound industry ranging from anti-aging products, supplements and diets for those hoping to extend their lifespan. If you look back to the turn of the 20th century, average life expectancy in the UK… Read
What does weight-inclusive health care mean?
Weight-inclusive health care means a focus on better health with no weight loss required. This includes practices such as eating for overall well-being rather than for the number of calories. It may also include prioritizing activities to reduce stress, avoiding smoking, drinking less alcohol and striving to be physically active in… Read
Loneliness is a major public health problem – and young people are bearing the brunt of it
Writing in the Week, journalist Theara Coleman has declared 2023 “the year of the loneliness epidemic”. In May, the U.S. surgeon general, Vivek Murthy, said loneliness posed a public health risk on a par with smoking and drinking. “It’s like hunger or thirst,” Murthy said. “It’s a feeling the body sends us when… Read
AI can already diagnose depression better than a doctor and tell you which treatment is best
Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionize the way we diagnose and treat illness. It could be particularly helpful for depression because it could make more accurate diagnoses and determine which treatments are more likely to work. Some 20% of us will have depression at least once in our lifetimes. Around the… Read
Is it OK to take antidepressants while pregnant?
Mental health conditions including anxiety and depression are among the most common disorders affecting women during pregnancy and after birth. Evidence shows mental health conditions in pregnancy increase the risk of complications for the mother and baby. However, there is some stigma around taking antidepressants while pregnant or breastfeeding. So how should women decide whether or not to take… Read
From COVID to gastro, why are cruise ships such hotbeds of infection?
Dual outbreaks of gastro and COVID on the Grand Princess cruise ship that docked in Adelaide, Australia, have now been declared over by the doctor on board. A spokesperson for Princess Cruises, which operates the ship, said a number of passengers had presented with symptoms on a previous voyage. But the ship has since been… Read
