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 categorized 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 Organization (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.

It’s easy to get confused between an intolerance to lactose, a component of cow’s milk, and an allergy to milk. Both are fairly common, but each has a different body response and therefore needs a different approach to treatment. We’ll take you through the key differences, so you know the signs to spot if you or someone you know shows symptoms and will give you advice on what to do.

Food allergies are on the rise and can cause a great deal of alarm, particularly to parents. How do you know if you or your child has an allergy? Let's take you through the most common food allergies and how you can spot the signs. An allergy to a particular component in food prompts the immune system to go into overdrive, causing symptoms in the gut, skin, and airways. Food allergies are common in young children, but most grow out of these as their immune system develops. Reactions vary from mild to severe. They may be as common as affecting one in 10 adults, and up to half of these were reported to have had a severe reaction, according to one study.

The FODMAP diet helps people who have stomach problems like bloating, gas, and pain after eating. It is especially helpful for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is a common stomach issue. The diet works by cutting out certain foods that can cause these problems. Many people feel better when they know which foods make their symptoms worse.

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, improving cardiovascular performance, and helping 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 emphasizing the transformative power of lifestyle adjustments, this narrative aims to shed light on the multifaceted journey towards effective and sustainable weight management.

Vitamin D is essential for strong bones, teeth, and healthy muscles and has many other benefits to keep you in tip-top health. We can get it from sunny summer days and some food. It’s easy to become deficient, so we need to take supplements in the darker months or depending on our ethnicity. Let’s take you through why it’s important and how you can boost levels.

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 of options from each food group will ensure you get most of the nutrients you need. Aim for fruits and vegetables to form half of your intake, and get at least five different types per day to maximize vitamin intake. Starchy carbohydrates should form a fourth of your intake, including pasta, rice, bread, and potatoes – pick wholegrain options for optimal vitamin and fiber content. The remaining fourth of your intake should come from plant-based proteins.

It’s common to experience a lack of appetite at various points in life, and this often leads to shedding a few pounds. Times of extreme emotional stress, bereavement, or illnesses such as flu or gastroenteritis are common reasons. But it can cause alarm if you can’t see a reason for it, and it can be distressing to feel clothes becoming baggy or have people commenting. Worries can be parked in two camps: firstly, how much weight you’ve lost and the risk of malnutrition, and secondly, whether there is any serious medical condition causing the weight loss.

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 undertaken 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.

Many medications do contain lactose. Read below for specific information for those who have lactose intolerance.