Morning Walks Could Be Better Than Drugs At Lowering Blood Pressure

According to a new study published in the journal Hypertension, just half-an-hour of walking in the morning could be as effective as medication at lowering blood pressure. Researchers at the University of Western Australia found that 30 minutes of walking on a treadmill in the morning improved participants' blood pressure readings for the rest of the day. They say that for some individuals,...

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Radical Parkinson's Treatment Tested in Patients

A radical Parkinson's treatment that delivers a drug directly to the brain has been tested in people. Patients in the trial were either given the drug, which is administered via a "port" in the side of the head, or a dummy treatment (placebo). Both groups showed improved symptoms, meaning it was not clear if the drug was responsible for the benefits. However, scans did find visual...

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'Know Your Cholesterol Like You Know Your Pin Code'

People are being encouraged to know their cholesterol and blood pressure numbers as well as they know their bank Pin code - because it could save their life. These numbers flag up early signs of cardiovascular disease, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Forty health organisations have teamed up to urge more people to go for a routine NHS health check. Doctors should also...

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What Diet is Best for Older Adults?

A new study has revealed that a diet rich in protein and low in calories can help older adults with obesity lose more weight while maintaining muscle mass and improving bone density. Losing weight as an older adult presents some challenges. Older adults often lose bone density and muscle mass when they concentrate on shedding weight. This unwanted bone and muscle loss can result...

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How Exercise Can Counter the Effects of Jet Lag

New research in The Journal of Physiology suggests that exercising at certain times of the day can alter the circadian rhythms, potentially offering a new therapy for jet lag and shift work. Jet lag can lead to insomnia and fatigue, but exercise may help alleviate such disruptions to a person's body clock. Circadian rhythms, which are "physical, mental, and behavioral changes that...

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Psychiatric Care Saved Me Says Richard Coles

Pop star-turned-vicar the Reverend Richard Coles has credited a mental health hospital for saving his life when he was 17. The former Communards keyboard player said he was an inpatient at St Andrew's Healthcare in Northampton when he had an episode of clinical depression. Mr Coles said he was coming to terms with his sexuality and "as a gay man in Kettering in 1978" at the time. The...

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Celebrity Ads for Diet Aids Should Be Banned, Says Top Doctor

Social media companies should ban "damaging" celebrity-endorsed social media ads promoting weight loss aids, England's top doctor has said. Some celebrities with large followings are promoting products such as diet pills and detox teas on social media. Prof Stephen Powis, NHS medical director, argues these products have a damaging effect on the physical and mental health of young people. He...

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Is Breakfast Always a Good Idea?

Breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, but eating it won't help you lose weight, research suggests. Those who ate breakfast consumed 260 more calories per day and gained 1lb more than those who skipped it, a review of previous studies found. But experts say a healthy breakfast can be a good source of calcium and fibre. It has also been shown to improve concentration...

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Dentist 'Unfair' Fines Investigated by Watchdog

The public spending watchdog is to investigate whether hundreds of thousands of people going to the dentist have been unfairly fined. The National Audit Office is holding an inquiry into NHS penalty charges in England - applied to people alleged to be wrongly claiming free treatment. The BBC had revealed many vulnerable people were being fined £100. The British Dental Association...

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