Health

By Michaela Ryan Is it okay to keep exercising when you have a cold? What about the flu? With winter bugs going around, it’s important to know how to alter your training if you do cop a germ or two.

Last month we looked at the pros and cons of the popular sports supplement carnitine and this month we delve deeper into amino acid land. Branched chain amino acids, valine, leucine and isoleucine are also popular supplements, but what are they and do they really work? What are BCAAs? Unlike other amino acids, the branched […]

Foods, vitamins and herbs keep your eyes healthy, help prevent vision-threatening diseases, and ease daily strain — the kind that comes from working on a computer or driving. See for yourself. Put a rainbow on your plate Free radicals (unstable oxygen molecules that harm cells) ramp up your risk of getting the most common eye […]

Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) is a herb that’s attracting attention in health research circles as a smart choice for better brain power. It’s long been a staple of Ayurveda — the traditional medicine practised in India — where it has been used to treat anxiety, depression, and mental illness. According to a report in Alternative Medicine […]

Whether you want to lose a little or a lot of weight, there are three things that can guarantee your long-term success: a healthy relationship with food, an active lifestyle and a balanced approach to living.

By Michaela Ryan Cycling is a great way to kill two birds with one stone — you can exercise while getting from A to B. Even taking into account the cost of your bike and gear, it’s usually cheaper than public transport or driving. It’s often quicker, too!

By Michaela Ryan Did you know there’s no muscle in your breasts? Skin actually provides the main support. And there’s also some support from fine, hair-like ligaments called Cooper’s ligaments. “The breasts are not very well supported for the amount of activity we want to do,” says Deirdre McGhee, sports physiotherapist and lecturer in functional […]

If you spend a large part of your life sitting at a desk, it makes sense to ensure that it’s safe and comfortable. These stress relieving ideas should make deskwork a breeze. Keep it clean The average desk harbours 400 times more bacteria than an office toilet seat. Disinfect germ-laden troublespots like phones regularly. Ease […]

Doctors tend to be reluctant to encourage alcohol consumption and when they do, it’s usually red wine that gets the tick of approval. However, a growing number of research papers indicate that perhaps beer is the better option when it comes to adding up disease-fighting benefits. For example, Japanese scientists have found that antioxidants in […]

By Michaela Ryan Designer snow gear, perfect technique and a super fit body … A lot of people don’t step foot near a ski slope because they don’t have all — or any — of these things. But here are some ways for regular people to plan a snow holiday that’s affordable and fun. Squats […]