Articles from ‘elocal magazine’ in ‘Health’

Christmas is upon us and most have opened stockings hoping for little bit of chocolate. Should we feel guilty indulging over the holidays? This review was assisted by AlterAI. The Top Five Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate (70% Cocoa and Higher) — A Christmas Delight By Peter A. McCullough, MD, MPH · Few foods carry as much paradoxical charm as dark chocolate. On one hand, it’s indulgent—a symbol of sweetness, comfort, and festivity. On the…

Adding to the growing body of research that proves our microbiome is a powerful ally in fighting disease, scientists have found that an easy-to-get nutrient in our food causes our guts to produce powerful insulin-regulating compounds. For decades, medical science has been focused on developing treatments that are administered to patients from outside their own bodies. Now, however, more and more research is being focused on ways to marshal the…

By around the age of 65, things start to shift. That’s often when people begin thinking about retirement, or at least stepping back a bit. You’re in your comfort zone at work – not pushing yourself as much, not learning new things – and that lack of challenge accelerates ageing. But far from being too late, your sixties might actually be the perfect time to consider your health. · 63-year-old GP and longevity expert Dr Sabine Donnai explains…

Despite the advice of two of the most successful pop anthems of the last two decades, when it comes to depression, no one can just “shake it off” or “let it go.” If we jump back to 1988, we’ll find the advice “don’t worry, be happy” to be just as worthless. People can’t simply “think their way” out of depression, and hectoring them to do so probably makes them feel worse, which can lead to terrible results. That’s because depression isn’t…

Caffeine appears to do the opposite of what you might think when it comes to the heart. Scientists have found that a cup of coffee a day actually protects the heart from atrial fibrillation – a condition that can lead to stroke and heart failure. University of Adelaide and University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) researchers have led a randomized clinical trial of 200 adults from Australia, the US and Canada with AF to test coffee's…

Your heart is the centre of your body in more than one way. It keeps blood flowing to your limbs and other organs, but it also dictates the health of your entire cardiovascular system. As your heart ages, it thickens and becomes stiffer (as do your arteries), making it less efficient at its job. If your heart is ageing poorly, you will see very negative outcomes for your health. The “age” of your heart is dependent upon what you eat and how…