HONEY SHOULD BE FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE FOR COUGH RELIEF THIS WINTER
Forget antibiotics – they don’t make much difference to winter cough symptoms, so what’s the answer? New draft guidelines from Public Health England (PHE) and the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) suggest that before contacting our GP we try honey. Cough medicines, containing pelargonium, guaifenesin or dextromethorphan, have also been shown to help soothe symptoms[i].
THE TIMING OF YOUR MEALS CAN IMPACT YOUR BODY FAT
Chrono-nutrition, the idea that when you eat is as important as what you eat, is gaining ground. And now a recent study[ii] suggests it may hold the key to a leaner body. The researchers found that people who delayed their breakfast by 90 minutes and had their final meal of the day 90 minutes earlier than usual lost more than twice as much body fat on average than those in a control group who stuck to their normal meal times. Time to reschedule your day?
EATING THREE SERVINGS OF DAIRY PER DAY CAN SUPPORT YOUR HEART
Cheese and milk may have been off your menu because of their saturated fat content but now it seems in moderation they may actually help protect against heart disease and stroke. So says a recent study[iii] from McMaster University in Canada. Saturated fat may raise LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol levels, but according to the researchers, dairy products also contain nutrients that are good for us including specific amino acids, unsaturated fats, vitamin K1 and K2, calcium, magnesium and potassium.
But as with everything don’t go overboard: “A moderate amount – three servings a day – can protect the heart rather than damage it” says lead researcher Dr Mahshid Dehghan. One serving is equal to 244g of milk or yogurt, a 15g slice of cheese or a teaspoon of butter.
WEAR PINK FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a worldwide campaign to highlight the importance of breast awareness, education and research. Make this the year you show your support throughout the month, but especially on Pink Friday, October 19thth. Wear something pink and join up with colleagues, friends and family and organise a party with pink food and drink to help raise vital funds for breast cancer. For more ideas visit wearitpink.org
[i] www.nice.org.uk/news/article/antibiotics-should-not-be-issued-as-first-line-of-treatment-for-a-cough-says-nice-and-phe
[ii] Press release from University of Surrey Dalitso Njolinjo
d.njolinjo@surrey.ac.uk
[iii] Dehghan M, Mente A, Rangarajan S, et al. Association of dairy intake with cardiovascular disease and mortality in 21 countries from five continents (PURE): a prospective cohort studyThe Lancet. Published online September 11 2018
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