We set goals to ‘tone up’ or ‘get lean’, but to avoid looking like a long-distance runner, we need to maintain our muscle mass while losing body fat. Let’s be honest!Eat enough protein, but not too muchGo easy on the carbs Consider fastingLift heavy weightsPrioritise recovery & sleep Let’s be […]
Turning a dull meal into something deliciously irresistible, food additives work by bringing out flavour, adding texture and changing appearance of our food, from colour to consistency. It’s easy to understand why food additives are used. Why should we care?Which food additives are harmful?Food additives that cause cancer Why should […]
While some say ‘tiger stripes’ should be proudly worn after giving birth, it’s understandable that most mums-to-be desperately search the web for answers on how to prevent stretch marks. Various lotions and oils promise the world claiming to protect your skin, but do they actually work? How do stretchmarks form?How […]
It wasn’t until sailors frequently died out at sea on long trips due to scurvy, that we fully understood why vitamin C is so good for our skin.Scurvy is a condition caused by a vitamin C deficiency. As vitamin C is needed for making collagen, a key component in connective […]
From hay fever to eczema, allergic reactions can be difficult to control, especially if you are sensitive to inhalant allergens such as pollen or animal dander. While avoiding allergens is ideal, if this is not always possible, you may benefit from supplements such as quercetin to reduce the severity of […]
From natural food aphrodisiacs to sexual performance enhancing medication, there’s a lot out there promising to boost libido. Today’s spotlight is on Icariin, a flavonoid and active ingredient found in the Epimedium herb, often marketed as ‘Horny Goat Weed’. What’s the evidence?How does it work?How to take horny goat weedHorny […]
Have you ever found yourself in a tantalising situation within a dream, only to realise you are in fact dreaming and have control of your actions? If so, you have been lucid dreaming. This state of dreaming can be quite a thrill, and to be able to control and remember […]
An uncomfortable feeling in your gut after eating, cramping, wind and bouts of diarrhoea are all signs of food intolerance, but it’s not always as simple as identifying an offending food and cutting it out of your diet. How well we break down our food from chewing to digestive enzyme […]
We all want a magic pill to reverse the signs of ageing on our skin, but maybe there is something flamingos know that we aren’t so clued up on! Every new superfood claims to have a record level of antioxidants to guard against free radicals, but what does this mean […]
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a term used to describe a collection of digestive complaints including bloating, constipation, diarrhoea and cramping, but with no known disease, therefore inflammatory conditions such as ulcers ruled out. The symptoms of IBS are often believed to be a result of food intolerances and bacterial […]
Used for hundreds of years as a natural relaxant, kava kava is well known for its anti-anxiety and sedating effects, often compared to feelings of being tipsy on alcohol. Traditionally drank as kava kava tea, this herb is now available in concentrated tablet form to maximise the dosage and calming […]
While we strive to get more protein to build muscle, we often turn to protein powders and BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids). Do we really need these supplements, should we also be considering the types of protein we are eating, and is more actually better? The top 3 amino acids for […]
It’s no surprise that gloomy dark days and lack of sunshine may put us in a low mood, but for some this can develop further into Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Considered to be a form of depression, SAD may also be associated with anxiety and fatigue. Vitamin D and depressionAre […]
From LSD to hot chocolate, there’s a wide range of brain enhancing chemicals naturally occurring in nature which can physically change the way our brains process information. What’s the magic pill to give us razor sharp focus with a memory like an elephant? There’s a lot out there and the […]
Stressful days, racing minds and difficultly nodding off at night are all too common, but what is it that actually keeps us awake? Stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline are the main culprits, keeping us on edge when we should be winding down ready for a restful night’s sleep. […]
Known as the beauty elixir, collagen is the glue that holds our skin together as the main component of connective tissues. Collagen works its magic alongside elastin to keep skin bouncy and taut, so it’s no wonder we want more! As collagen production reduces as early as our mid […]
