Fertility and the Atkins Diet
So many people are on the Atkins diet that Britain's butchers are on a high. But how healthy is this popular diet that calls carbohydrates 'the enemy'. Various studies have allegedly linked it to sugar diabetes, depression, osteoporosis and breast cancer, but none of these links has been substantially proved. Now comes another study that links it to decreasing a female's chance of having healthy offspring. But the three million Britons on this diet need not be too concerned yet, the study was done on female mice, not humans.
The men in white coats at Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, according to the Daily Telegraph, took a bunch of mice and put half of them on a high protein, low carbohydrate diet similar to the Atkins diet. The other half were given a normal diet - for mice. The half that didn't eat the Atkins-style diet produced much healthier embryos. So much so that the scientist conducting the study actually recommended that women trying to conceive should probably avoid high protein diets such as the Atkins diet. But what goes for mice does not always go for men - or women. As I've often stated in this column, I do not believe in any form of dieting, although I do recommend certain principles in:
Dr Kaplan's Rules of Rational Eating:
Exercise is a vital part of any weight-reducing campaign. Walking, weight training, running, yoga, tai chi and many sports are all excellent thought activities such as yoga and weight training require expert supervision.
Who exercises?
According to The Week, a recent government survey reported the following:
40% of those interviewed had taken no exercise for a month.
Many of the other 60% had hardly exercised but merely gone for a short walk.
Hay Fever: A new cure?
About one in six Britons suffer from this annoying problem making us the worst hit country in Europe. But fear not, hope is at hand according to the Daily Telegraph. A drug called for now, R112 is being researched in California that could have a big impact on hay fever. It comes in the form of a nasal spray that inhibits all the chemicals (eg. histamine) that cause sneezing and watery eyes within 15 seconds! The makers have described the results of initial tests (on humans not mice) as 'spectacular'. The bad news is that it will not become available for prescription until much more comprehensive trials confirm its efficacy and show that it does not have any unacceptable side effects - and that could take up to five years. Watch this space�
Homeopathic tip of the week: Hay fever
Homeopaths do treat hay fever and it's best to consult a homeopath in person to have the best remedy prescribed. Still here are a couple of safe options for you to try.
For hayfever that mainly affects the eyes, Euphrasia 6c one tablet three times a day when your eyes are watering and itchy.
For hayfever that is definitely worse when the pollen count is high, you can try Mixed Grasses and Pollens 30c, one tablet twice a day for a week.
For the long-term treatment of chronic hay fever I recommend a visit to a qualified homeopathic practitioner.
So many people are on the Atkins diet that Britain's butchers are on a high. But how healthy is this popular diet that calls carbohydrates 'the enemy'. Various studies have allegedly linked it to sugar diabetes, depression, osteoporosis and breast cancer, but none of these links has been substantially proved. Now comes another study that links it to decreasing a female's chance of having healthy offspring. But the three million Britons on this diet need not be too concerned yet, the study was done on female mice, not humans.
The men in white coats at Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, according to the Daily Telegraph, took a bunch of mice and put half of them on a high protein, low carbohydrate diet similar to the Atkins diet. The other half were given a normal diet - for mice. The half that didn't eat the Atkins-style diet produced much healthier embryos. So much so that the scientist conducting the study actually recommended that women trying to conceive should probably avoid high protein diets such as the Atkins diet. But what goes for mice does not always go for men - or women. As I've often stated in this column, I do not believe in any form of dieting, although I do recommend certain principles in:
Dr Kaplan's Rules of Rational Eating:
- To maintain a healthy weight only eat when you feel hungry and stop eating while still a little hungry.
- To lose weight, wait a while before immediately appeasing your hunger (except if you are a diabetic or told by a doctor to eat regular small snacks) When you feel hungry and delay eating, you lose weight.
- Eat a mixture of healthy foods such as fruit and vegetables and foods you really enjoy. No food is the enemy. Greed is the enemy.
Exercise is a vital part of any weight-reducing campaign. Walking, weight training, running, yoga, tai chi and many sports are all excellent thought activities such as yoga and weight training require expert supervision.
Who exercises?
According to The Week, a recent government survey reported the following:
40% of those interviewed had taken no exercise for a month.
Many of the other 60% had hardly exercised but merely gone for a short walk.
Hay Fever: A new cure?
About one in six Britons suffer from this annoying problem making us the worst hit country in Europe. But fear not, hope is at hand according to the Daily Telegraph. A drug called for now, R112 is being researched in California that could have a big impact on hay fever. It comes in the form of a nasal spray that inhibits all the chemicals (eg. histamine) that cause sneezing and watery eyes within 15 seconds! The makers have described the results of initial tests (on humans not mice) as 'spectacular'. The bad news is that it will not become available for prescription until much more comprehensive trials confirm its efficacy and show that it does not have any unacceptable side effects - and that could take up to five years. Watch this space�
Homeopathic tip of the week: Hay fever
Homeopaths do treat hay fever and it's best to consult a homeopath in person to have the best remedy prescribed. Still here are a couple of safe options for you to try.
For hayfever that mainly affects the eyes, Euphrasia 6c one tablet three times a day when your eyes are watering and itchy.
For hayfever that is definitely worse when the pollen count is high, you can try Mixed Grasses and Pollens 30c, one tablet twice a day for a week.
For the long-term treatment of chronic hay fever I recommend a visit to a qualified homeopathic practitioner.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment