High cholesterol levels pose a grave danger to your heart. The good news is that these seven easy — and inexpensive — natural methods are very effective at cutting cholesterol. Swap spreads Studies show that plant sterols lower total cholesterol levels by six percent and LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol by up to 14 percent. They’re found […]

Ginseng has long been revered as a whole-body tonic, and it has a well-deserved reputation as a restorative for use during convalescence as well as helping boost immune function and beat stress. However, new research from Nashville’s Vanderbilt University, reported in the American Journal of Epidemiology, indicates it may have another very important benefit — […]

A recent report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics is highlighting a new trend in overweight and obesity — many people who are overweight do not perceive themselves that way. It may be that we are so used to seeing larger people, especially on reality TV shows, that carrying a few extra kilos doesn’t seem […]

While your waist measurement, also known as waist circumference, is a simple measure of your changing shape, it is not the be all and end all of body composition. A better approach if you’re looking to trim down and reduce body fat stores is skinfolds.

Can you pinch an inch? When the weight starts to drop off it’s more than likely you’ll have a gut feeling about it, literally. Chances are that your clothes will feel a little looser and you may need to tighten a few notches on your belt. While your waist measurement, also known as waist circumference, […]

By Judy Davie **”Since I started taking the pill I’ve gained quite a bit of weight. What can I do to keep it under control?” — Diana** A number of contraceptive pills do affect weight gain, either by slowing the metabolism or increasing the appetite. It’s not dissimilar to menopause where hormonal changes — through […]

By Michaela Ryan When women feel ill, they know the doctor’s office is the best place to be. Men know the same thing, but they’ll often suffer in silence rather than ask for help. This reluctance to visit the doctor could mean serious health risks, so if your man is going to great lengths to […]

By Judy Davie **”What’s the difference between an allergy and an intolerance?” — Justine** An allergy is an immune response causing a serious, sometimes fatal, reaction, usually involving inflammation and the restriction of airways. Typical food allergens include gluten, nuts, dairy and shellfish. An intolerance is when a substance may cause an adverse reaction, such […]

By Jo McKinnon When you have a toddler, your world tends to move at their dawdling pace. Here’s how to keep active when things slow down. It may sound strange, but life can slow down when you have a toddler. Where once you could strap your bub in a pram and stride out for an […]

By Judy Davie Is your body missing out on important nutrients? There are ways to spot the warning signs. If your answers are “sometimes”, “often” or “most of the time” to the majority of questions in each section, you should consider increasing your intake of foods rich in the deficient vitamin. If you answer “most […]