Health and Welfare

Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are mental health conditions that have some common traits and some key differences. Differences include the symptoms a person experiences. Bipolar disorder causes shifts in mood, energy level, and thinking. Schizophrenia causes a person to appear to lose touch with reality. People with bipolar disorder may experience episodes of mania and depression, often with periods of relative stability occurring in between. Individuals with schizophrenia experience symptoms […]

Could taking cocoa extract supplements daily prevent age-related heart disease? In a new study, researchers examined whether cocoa extract supplements have an impact on age-related inflammation, which is linked to heart disease and other chronic illnesses. The researchers found that 500 mg of daily cocoa extract supplements slowed increases in a key marker of inflammation. These benefits were strongest in individuals with higher baseline or existing inflammation at the start. […]

A new study has linked several artificial sweeteners to a decline in cognition. Low-calorie sweeteners and sugar substitutes such as aspartame, saccharin, and xylitol have been used since the early 1900s. Past studies show there may be potential health risks including cognitive issues, to using sugar substitutes. A new study provides more evidence suggesting a correlation between sugar substitute use and cognitive decline. Low-calorie sweeteners and sugar substitutes have been […]

In today’s modern world, as consumers we are used to supermarkets having a wide range of fruit and vegetables on shelf throughout the year. On the one hand, many of these are imported and not necessarily in season in our country at that time. So read the label, to make sure it’s grown in South Africa. The other side of the coin is that agricultural developments and farming practices are […]

3-5 cups of coffee a day - linked to longer life, lower diabetes risk  A recent review gives an overview of coffee’s health benefits, considering the most recent data. For most, moderate coffee intake offers health benefits, including decreased mortality and decreased risk for some diseases like cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. There are still factors to consider, such as caffeine intake during pregnancy and decaffeinated drink. More research […]

Macular Degeneration is a painless medical condition affecting vision. As the macula, which is part of the retina, degenerates, vision deteriorates in the centre of the visual field, often leading to blindness. It more frequently occurs in older individuals, though mild symptoms may be present even before the condition is severe enough to provoke a medical investigation. If detected early on, treatment and contingency measures slow the progression of this […]

Is cucumber good for your kidneys? The truth that saved me. Written by Lisa Macdony The Kidney-Cucumber Connection  Cucumbers aren’t just crunchy water sticks. They’re kidney superheroes disguised as salad ingredients. Here’s what makes them so powerful: 1. Hydration Powerhouse Your kidneys LOVE water. Dehydration is one of the worst things you can do to them. Cucumbers are 96% water, making them one of the most hydrating foods on the […]

In our Medical Myths series, we approach medical misinformation head on. Using expert insight and peer reviewed research to wrestle fact from fiction, MNT brings clarity to the myth riddled world of health journalism. Addressing the ‘inevitabilities’ of ageing: What is fact and what is myth? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “between 2000 and 2050, the proportion of the world’s population over 60 years will double from about […]

Living circumstances change for people as they, age and very often this, plus the loss of friends and family leads to people withdrawing from others on a social level. When this occurs, it is so easy to become negative and dejected. Often this leads to people visiting the doctor known as Dr Me or Dr Myself for a diagnosis and too often this means a conclusion that I make to […]