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Vitamin D – the ‘sunshine vitamin’ – is a hormone naturally produced from cholesterol when your skin is exposed to sunlight.  What can Vitamin D do for my health? Research studies are uncovering new benefits of Vitamin D all the time. There are many known benefits, with some of the main ones being: Bone strength – strengthens bones and helps prevent osteoporosis and the risk of falls for the elderly Physical strength – strengthens the upper and lower limbs Cancer prevention – some studies have highlighted a reduction in the risk of various types of cancer. One study indicated that 1,100IU per day with calcium...

Found mainly in fish, animals and vegetables, Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are as they suggest – essential to human health. The essential fatty acids we need to be most concerned about, Omega-3 and Omega-6, can be both saturated and unsaturated fats. They cannot be manufactured within the body, so must be obtained from the diet. What Are The Best Food Sources? Omega-3 Omega-6 Oily Fish (eg. mackerel, salmon, sardines) Meat (organic and grass-fed are best) Flaxseed (Linseed) Fish Chia Seeds Egg yolk Hemp Seeds Avocado Nuts (especially walnuts) Nuts (especially walnuts) Leafy green veg Seed and nut oils (eg. avocado, walnut)...

With the weather here in the UK heating up and a forecast for some very hot days ahead, it's vital for our health that we understand the effects of dehydration, and how to stay hydrated. What Causes Dehydration?Dehydration can occur when water intake is less than water loss. Some common causes can be: elevated blood sugar levels – in diabetics or those eating too many processed and sugary foods stress diuretics – tea, coffee, pop, alcohol drugs – including tobacco environmental – air con, pollution, air travel, electrical (VDU, mobiles) sweating – high air temperatures and strenuous exercise diarrhoea vomiting How...

Many of us think about fruit as part of our ‘5 a day’. It’s healthy, great whizzed up for juicing or smoothies, and the more the better… or is it? Fruit is certainly something we should all be eating and contains vital nutrients and antioxidants that form part of a healthy and balanced diet, but on the flip side, fruit contains sugar, and often a significant amount. Although fruit sugars are natural and often in the form of fructose, your body will still process them in a similar way to spoonfuls of refined sugar. How much sugar is in fruit?The table...

Many of us enjoy alcohol, whether it be to unwind at the end of a stressful day or help get in the party mood. The aim of this post is not to say you should stop drinking, but to be educational and arm you with knowledge of the processes alcohol goes through in the body, and even explain how it might do you some good! How Does Alcohol Get Used by the Body?After swallowing, alcohol goes into the stomach and then into the small intestine. Roughly 20% is absorbed by the stomach with the remaining 80% absorbed through the small intestine....