What is the low-FODMAP diet? The low-FODMAP diet is a structured eating plan that helps people with digestive issues like bloating, gas, stomach pain, and diarrhoea. It limits certain short-chain carbohydrates, known as FODMAPs, which some people have trouble absorbing. Monash University researchers identified these carbohydrates and created the food lists used by clinicians today. monashfodmap.com How does the diet work? The diet has three stages. First is the elimination phase, which lasts about 4 to 6 weeks and removes most high-FODMAP foods to check if symptoms get better. Next is the reintroduction phase, where you add back one FODMAP group at a time to see which foods cause issues. The final stage is personalisation, where you create a balanced long-term diet that includes as many foods as you can tolerate, only avoiding those that trigger symptoms. Working with a dietitian during these stages helps improve results and keeps you safe. nhs.uk.

What Is the FODMAP Diet? The FODMAP diet is a structured eating plan designed to help individuals who experience digestive discomfort after meals. Common symptoms include bloating, gas, abdominal pain, or diarrhoea. This diet is particularly beneficial for individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a common condition characterized by increased sensitivity in the digestive tract. The goal of the FODMAP diet is not long-term restriction, but to identify which foods trigger symptoms and which are well-tolerated. What Does “FODMAP” Mean? FODMAP is an acronym for specific types of carbohydrates that can be difficult for some individuals to digest. FODMAP stands for: Fermentable Oligosaccharides Disaccharides Monosaccharides And Polyols When these carbohydrates are not properly digested, they can produce gas and draw excess water into the intestines, leading to bloating, cramps, pain, and diarrhoea.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a treatment that helps women manage menopause symptoms, like hot flashes, mood swings, and bone health issues. HRT can improve life during menopause, but it may slightly raise the risk of breast cancer. Knowing how HRT affects breast cancer risk helps women make smart choices for their health. What is HRT? HRT replaces oestrogen, a hormone that drops during menopause. This drop can cause symptoms like night sweats and mood changes. HRT helps balance hormones and relieves these symptoms. Types of HRT: Oestrogen-only HRT: Usually for women who have had their womb removed. Using it with an intact womb can raise the risk of womb cancer. Combined HRT: Has both oestrogen and progestogen. For women with a womb, it lowers womb cancer risk but may slightly raise breast cancer risk more than oestrogen-only HRT. Localised HRT: Creams, rings, or pessaries used in the vagina for dryness. It does not affect the whole body. HRT and Breast Cancer Risk Some studies show that combined HRT can slightly increase breast cancer risk, especially if used for a long time. Risk factors include: Type of HRT: Combined HRT has a higher risk; localised HRT does not. Duration: Using HRT for longer periods, especially combined HRT, can increase the risk. Regular check-ins with your doctor are recommended. Personal/family history: If you or your family have had breast cancer, the risk may be higher. Most research indicates that the risk returns to normal within five years of stopping HRT. Many women still find that HRT improves their quality of life. Factors That Affect Breast Cancer Risk Age: Starting HRT closer to menopause is associated with lower risks. Starting later can increase risk. Family history: Women with a family history of breast cancer should talk to their doctor. Lifestyle: Smoking, alcohol, and being overweight raise breast cancer risk. Healthy habits help lower risk. Duration of use: Short-term use (under five years) has less impact; more prolonged use may increase risk.

Collagen is a protein that is very important for your body. It helps keep your skin, hair, nails, muscles, and joints strong and flexible. As you get older, your body makes less collagen, which can lead to wrinkles, thinner hair, and joint pain. Many people use collagen supplements and beauty products, hoping to look younger and feel better. This article explains what collagen is, how it works, the different types, and whether supplements really help. It also shares natural ways to boost your body’s collagen and clears up common myths.

Weight training is a form of exercise that is proven to help reduce stress and increase cardiovascular output. Weight training is a way to achieve different targets such as gaining muscle, increasing cardiovascular performance, and helping to lose weight. However, for someone new to the exercise, this can be a minefield.

Losing weight can be extremely challenging for some people. Even with a change in diet and increased exercise, they may still struggle to lose it. In scenarios like this, weight loss medication could be the answer. Different prescription weight loss drugs are available, but you may be wondering how effective they actually are and which one is right for you. In this guide, we explore your options with weight loss mediation.

Losing weight isn't just about watching the numbers on the scale drop. It's a transformative journey that takes you through physical and emotional landscapes. From discussing the role of medications like Orlistat and Wegovy to emphasising the transformative power of lifestyle adjustments, this narrative aims to shed light on the multifaceted journey towards effective and sustainable weight management.

Wegovy is a weight loss drug that can be used to treat people who are obese or are overweight with other medical conditions. In this article, we explain what Wegovy is, who it is suitable for, how it works and possible side effects.

A vegan diet avoids all products made from animals, including meat, fish, dairy, and eggs. Vegans eat only plants – vegetables, grains, nuts, and fruits – and food made from plants. You may have religious, ethical, or lifestyle reasons for this choice. A varied diet with plenty from each food group will ensure you get most of the nutrients you need. Aim for fruit and vegetables to form a third of your intake, and get at least five different types per day to maximise vitamin intake. Starchy carbohydrates should form another third, including pasta, rice, bread, and potatoes – pick wholegrain options for optimal vitamin and fibre content.

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition causing high blood sugar levels (glucose). Unlike type 1 diabetes, where the body doesn't produce insulin, type 2 diabetes occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn't produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. According to Diabetes UK, over 4.9 million people in the UK have been diagnosed with diabetes, with approximately 90% of them having Type 2 diabetes. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of type 2 diabetes, including its risk factors, causes, symptoms, treatments, stages, differences from type 1 diabetes, prognosis, and when to seek medical attention. Diabetes represents a significant burden on the healthcare system in the UK, with the NHS spending approximately £10 billion per year on diabetes-related care, accounting for around 10% of its annual budget. The majority of this expenditure is preventable.

You’re familiar with intermittent fasting, but have you heard of OMAD+B? Consisting of one meal per day plus breakfast, you get all the advantages of intermittent fasting, but delivered in a sustainable, manageable way. So you’re on a mission to build a leaner, meaner you? But feel overwhelmed with all the fad diets and science? The simple OMAD+B could be just the answer. Say no to hunger pangs and the temptation to indulge. Say yes to saving time and money, say yes to needing a new closet of clothes, say yes to losing weight and keeping it off.

In both the UK and the USA, as well as globally in general, obesity is a serious public health issue. Nearly two-thirds of adults in the UK are categorised as overweight, with more than a quarter being classed obese, according to the NHS Digital. In the USA, more than 70% of adults are overweight or obese. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that since 1975, the prevalence of obesity has almost tripled globally, with more than 1.9 billion persons worldwide being overweight in 2016: more than 650 million of them were obese. An increased risk of various prevalent diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers, is linked to being overweight or obese. According to research, being overweight also increased a person's risk of developing COVID-19 complications and was associated with a higher risk of developing serious disease and death from COVID-19.