Spending time in nature has long been known to ease anxiety. Now a Kansas University study, reported in HortTechnology (18:563-568), proves that plants actually accelerate healing. The study, of 90 patients recovering from an appendectomy, found that those with potted plants in their rooms needed less pain medication, had lower blood pressure and reported experiencing […]

Karyn and Richard Shine wish to make a personal plea to Aussie parents who smoke. “Please don’t smoke near your kids. It’s not fair. You have taken up the habit, but your children haven’t. “If you light up near them, they breathe the smoke as well. You’re putting their health at risk because you choose […]

This anti-aging meal plan will take years off how you look and feel, and it will help you to lose weight. This seven-day plan is loaded with natural anti – inflammatory foods, vitamins and antioxidants that protect and boost your body’s cells at the surface of the skin right through to your internal organs. Day […]

A well planned plant based diet can provide all the essential nutrients required for a healthy, balanced diet while also boasting various health benefits. Including more plant based foods has been found to be beneficial in managing weight and provides protection from common lifestyle diseases, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and some forms […]

Men are usually pretty good at looking after their cars, their families and their mates. But sometimes they need a little more encouragement to look after their own health. So the aim of Men’s Health Week (June 15 – 21) is to raise the level of awareness about men’s medical issues, and encourage our fellas […]

The drug millions of Aussies are taking – what it does for weight, sex and you! More than 12 million anti-depressant scripts a year are prescribed in Australia – and rising. But are we taking mood-enhancing meds too far? Next time you’re at an office lunch, chances are at least one or more of the […]

For many Australians losing weight and maintaining weight is high on their list of priorities. And when it comes to weight, there is a lot of talk about grain foods – including bread, pasta and cereals – and the role they may play in weight gain. But do grains really contribute to weight gain? Or […]

We may not experience it every day of the week, but sometimes our motivation and energy levels can dwindle significantly in the hours after lunch. Why? It has a lot to do with the natural rhythms of our body – we have a biological tendency to hit an energy lull in the afternoon. But it’s […]

Question: Will avoiding carbs after 5pm will help me lose weight? Answer: There is nothing magical about not eating carbs after 5pm – this is an arbitrary cut-off point. A search of the National Library of Medicine Medline database of more than 4800 scientific journals failed to find a single study that lends support to […]

Question: What is beta glucan and why is it good for me? Answer: Beta glucan is a type of soluble fibre. Although it is found in all cereal grains, barley and oats are known to be particularly rich sources. Beta glucan and its benefits for heart health have been studied extensively. It is believed that […]