Health Noise

Why maintaining even some fitness routine is important   (First published on: Maverick Life/Daily Maverick:  28 April 2020) The benefits of exercise are well-known: it builds immunity as well as improves our general sense of well-being by reducing anxiety. And even during lockdown, it’s worth trying to keep working out. But what effect could a drop in our fitness regime have on the overall goals we had achieved? Research suggests that exercise is not only associated with overall physical health but also improves mental health. In the USA a Lancet survey conducted between 2011 and 2015 among 2.1 million individuals over 18 years, found that those who did moderate exercise three to five time per week were 43.2% less likely to suffer from anxiety and depression compared to those who did not exercise. Professor Ross Tucker a Cape Town-based sport scientist, recently spoke about the benefits of detraining or diminished training during lockdown in an online prese...

End diet derangement syndrome Confused about which diet to follow? Tired of contradictory advice? One approach seems to have the thumbs-up from most experts.  By Iza Trengove Trying—and failing—to shift those extra kilos, no matter how hard you try? Some experts now say that your brain simply has its own sense of what your body weight should be, and programs the body to return to this “set point”, no matter how much exercise we do or what diet we follow.  Needless to say, these experts have advice about how to coach your brain and body to accept a new “set point”.  This new (and discouraging) concept joins the plethora of contradictory and confusing diets out there, contributing to the feeling that the decks are unfairly stacked against the poor dieter.  Some say the key is to count calories and eat six small meals day. Others insist a high-fat low-carbohydrate (HFLC ) diet is the ultimate weight loss strategy. And then there is the bunny-hugging...

Statins, the famous cholesterol lowering drug, continues to fuel controversy. This medication - which is taken to prevent heart attacks and strokes - is among the most widely prescribed medication in the United States. But some experts, writing for the British Medical Journal, say it can do more harm than good. And others believe it causes problems in the bedroom. Associate Professor Dirk Blom, who’s the division head of Lipidology at the University of Cape Town and Head of the Lipid Clinic at Groote Schuur Hospital gives the facts. Professor Blom’s personal research interests include genetic disorders of lipoprotein metabolism. He has published in multiple peer-reviewed journals including The Lancet, the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of Clinical Lipidology.   What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a soft fatty molecule made by all animals. It is a member of the sterol family. Although plants also produce sterols, they cannot make cholesterol. Cholester...

Cannabis is set to become a booming industry in South Africa. It is estimated that the global Cannabis market is worth $150bn. Supporters claim it is a healthy alternative to chronic pain medication and is proven to reduce nausea in cancer patients and Parkinson symptoms. But what is real and what is rumour? Earlier this month I asked  Shelley McGee , a pharmacist and full-time researcher with the South African Medical Association (SAMA) for her personal views on the advantages and disadvantages of using Cannabis to treat chronic pain.  I also spoke to  Dr Russel Raath , a specialist anaesthetist who, for the past twelve years, has treated many chronic pain sufferers at his pain management clinic in Pretoria.  In addition, 2019 Comrades winner  Gerda Steyn talks about her phenomenal record breaking win and her plans for the future. Dr Russel Raath:   Specialist anaesthesiologist and pain management specialist: Ja...