Archive

  • Vitamins protect against Alzheimer's

    Most people expect to suffer a degree of decline as they age. Noel Coward said it's "foolish to think that one can ever slam the door in the face of age. Much wiser to be polite and gracious and ask him to lunch in advance". True, there is no point in

  • Weight watching with Judy Citron

    Those of you who are struggling to lose weight will understand exactly what I mean when I say you have a love-hate relationship with food. Your attraction to it is so strong you can't do without it and, at the same time, when you do over-indulge, you

  • Workout: Tone deltoids for shapely shoulders

    "I would like to develop my shoulders a little to get a more toned look without too much bulk. Any tips?" - Ms Donnelly, Storrington We need to focus in on your deltoids, especially the side deltoids. To work these, which will add shoulder width and give

  • An Ofsted childcare inspector calls

    Imagine a situation where there were no national standards.Where, for instance, no one agreed about the weight of a kilo. You could have Lewes insisting it was 1,000 grammes, while Manchester defined it as 1,200, or vice versa. Unthinkable. But there

  • Sneeze into an early summer

    As the days gradually get longer and the weather warmer, the traditional spring sounds are being drowned out by unseasonal sneezing and sniffing. The early arrival of hay fever each year is one of the unforeseen effects of global warming. This is because

  • Weight-watching: Change the tone of your 'self-talk'

    Today, I'd like to share a personal insight with you. Many of you will know what I'm talking about. For this, I need to remind you that for many years I was a yo-yo dieter - I was good at dieting and just as good at bingeing. I'd lose 30lbs then put 35lbs

  • Lewes Council

    It will be all change at Lewes District Council on May 1 with almost half the sitting councillors standing down. The Liberal Democrats have been firmly in control since 1991 but are being pushed hard by the Conservatives in an area where Labour have found

  • Adur Council

    Elections in Adur are always interesting, with nobody quite sure who will hold the balance of power after the ballot papers have been counted. In recent years it has swung from the Liberal Democrats to no overall control and currently to the Conservatives

  • Living each day in severe pain

    A campaign has been launched to raise awareness about the little-known condition cluster headache. Every two years or so, Tom Nash's life becomes a living nightmare. Over a period of about six weeks, the 29-year-old develops excruciatingly-painful headaches

  • Weight watching: Remind yourself of your successes

    So you've slipped up. Picture the scenario: You're on a diet, trying to lose weight slowly but surely, and all was going well until that moment when you just couldn't resist any longer. So you had one biscuit (or whatever is your downfall) and then another

  • Working out: Kick-start reluctant teens

    "My 15-year-old son is a bit reluctant to shape up. He needs to get more active and lose a bit of weight. "How can I persuade him to do this, even though he hates sport at school?" - Mrs D Turner, Arundel Some kids are superfit and active with endless

  • Turning over a new leaf with neem

    The neem tree is a tropical evergreen, related to mahogany. You can tell this tree has a bit of class. In India, neem has been used for more than 4,000 years as a medicine and as a health and beauty aid. The astonishing healing qualities of its seeds,

  • How Sarah's killer was caught

    Sarah Payne placed a tiny milk tooth under her pillow on the evening before she was kidnapped and murdered. It was meant for the tooth fairy. Instead, detectives came to take it. They used DNA extracted from the root to obtain a genetic profile of the

  • Try loving care for tender skin

    When a child is suffering from severe eczema, parents often have to treat them with steroid creams. One woman decided to look for something different. Bedtime used to be a painful and stressful experience for Natalie Balmond and her daughter Lula. The

  • Weight-watching: Take your time to go without seconds

    One of the key tools that helps people lose weight and keep it off for good is slow eating. You've probably heard it before but it's worth repeating because we forget to do it a lot of the time. The main purpose of slow eating is to help you to eat less

  • Sweeteners that leave a sour taste

    You cannot beat a canned diet drink for marketability. An ultrathin body, neverending popularity and material success will supposedly be all yours if you drink cans of diet fizz. It doesn't work like that, of course. In reality, the sweet taste stimulates

  • Weight watching with Judy Citron

    "Comfort eating" is a phrase (and activity) you may be quite familiar with. It is widespread and a common cause of being overweight. By definition, when we comfort eat we are not physically hungry. Instead, we are eating to bury our feelings and unmet

  • Coping with life after a stroke

    Recovering from the effects of a stroke can be a long and difficult process so practical support, medical help and advice is vital. It can take months to regain speech and some form of mobility, with each person affected in a different way. Brighton and

  • Are you paying a high price for salt?

    Salt used to be a prized commodity, especially in hot and humid climates where people sweat a lot and have higher requirement. In India, nearly a century ago, people were forced to pay high prices for the mineral they could easily have collected themselves

  • Foresight's better than hindsight

    Is it just me or has the world gone completely mad? We hear of parents having genetically modified, designer babies. One with a talent for strumming the balalaika perhaps, or one with multicoloured stripes who blends in beautifully with the furniture.

  • Marvellous medleys of crushed fruit

    Ever tried a Liquid Purple Dream or a Sweet Neon Doom? If not, you simply haven't lived. Frothy fruit and vegetable concoctions with elaborate names are becoming increasingly popular as we seek healthy alternatives to canned fizzy drinks and sugary fruit

  • Should you scrub up fruit and veg?

    A few weeks ago, the Food Standards Agency announced it was no longer necessary to wash fruit and vegetables in order to remove pesticides when preparing them for small children. The Pesticide Residues Committee, however, has stated that at least 30 per

  • Is our daily bread making us ill?

    Our eating habits have always been inextricably linked to the state of our health. Take bread, which used to be regarded as the staff of life. About 9,000 years ago in the Middle East, Stone Age man began mixing wild grains with water into thick paste

  • Weight loss as a creative challenge

    One of the funniest articles I ever read about dieting was written some years ago, yet I remember it to this day. I apologise for not being able to give credit to the writer because I don't remember who it was or even in which newspaper I saw it. Even

  • How to cope with high pollen counts

    About 15 million people in Britain suffer from hay fever, an oversensitivity to pollen, spores and moulds. Symptoms range from violent sneezing, stuffy, itchy, runny noses and sometimes sore throat, ears, eyes and head. The culprit is histamine, a natural

  • Exercise can help beat osteoporosis

    In recent articles, I have been covering prevention and managementof osteoporosis, which you may know as brittle-bone condition. This week, I have included a set of exercises that can be used individually or as agroup of exercises in a circuit format.

  • Extracting the truth about mercury

    In 1989, Professor Murray Vimy from the University of Calgary in Canada studied the effects of mercury fillings on sheep. His research team used radioactively-labelled mercury for ease of tracking and found substantial quantities of the element in all

  • Grapefruit seeds wage germ warfare

    The next time you eat a grapefruit, treat it with added respect. I bet you didn't know that the extract from its seeds, pulp and inner rind form a potent antimicrobial which cleans and disinfects virtually everything. Grapefruit seed extract was discovered

  • Weight watching with Judy Citron

    It's January. Here we go again. For how many years now has losing weight been on your list of New Year resolutions? Every year, I expect the process goes something like this: You successfully lose weight for a few days, even a few weeks and then, suddenly

  • Suggesting ways to lead a healthier life

    Anthony Asquith and Mark Tyrell are practising hypnotherapists who have organised a seminar to help people meet their New Year's resolutions. The idea is to provide the help and support the public needs to lose weight and get fit in the months ahead.

  • Identifying the role of diet in autism

    Hippocrates (460-370 BC), the father of medicine, maintained that all diseases begin in the gut. The gut is the gateway to your body, the place where food is broken down into molecules, absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed to cells after waste

  • Weight Watching with Judy Citron

    I'm often asked whether it's better to tell friends and family that you're trying to lose weight or not to tell them. On one hand, if you tell them, they may help you. They may not put the dish of nuts right under your nose or offer to clear the dishes

  • Drawing on ancient tribal wisdom

    IN 1838, the Cherokee Indians were forcibly evicted from their homeland in Georgia after gold was discovered there. They undertook, on foot, an arduous 800-mile journey westwards to Oklahoma. During the six-month ordeal, thousands of Cherokees died, yet

  • Stay warm and cosy this winter

    According to the results of the recent census, Worthing has the highest proportion of people aged 85 and over in England. There are also high elderly populations in Eastbourne, parts of Brighton and Hove and throughout the county. This means there is

  • Quality people need quality foods

    Despite all the resolutions, do you lose out in the power struggle with the wrong kind of food? Our bodies are made from molecules derived from what we eat so, of course, we need food. But why is it that when I reach for an apple, I choose chocolate instead

  • ME finally recognised as a disease

    Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) has finally been given disease status in government report this month. It is a great vindication for sufferers of ME (also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) who have been consistently ridiculed and labelled hypochondriacs

  • Never let it happen again

    The parents of murdered Sarah Payne have called on the Government to ensure other families do not suffer their tragedy. Speaking as their daughter's killer Roy Whiting began a life sentence for murder and kidnap yesterday, Sara and Michael Payne said

  • The humble spud is full of goodness

    National Chip Week will soon be upon us, providing kids with ample excuse to drag their parents into every known junk-food outlet. However, the potato itself, minus excess salt and fat, is a most useful and nutritious vegetable worthy of a closer look

  • Drunkeness cure has roots in China

    There is, I am told, a sure fire way of driving mice to drink. If mice are fed on junk food and subsequently given the choice between drinking water or alcohol, the majority will choose alcohol. If, on the other hand, mice are fed healthy, unprocessed

  • Healing hands that can touch the soul

    Many people suffer from stiff and painful joints but are unhappy about taking too many painkillers to treat it. There is nothing worse than aches and pains that refuse to go away no matter what treatments are tried. More and more people are turning to

  • Are you ready to change?

    As you read this, the festive season should be progressing well with the alcohol flowing and food available in abundance. Many of you may have forgotten about those extra calories or it may be that your subconscious is nagging you into feeling guilty

  • Nothing magical about a good diet

    The magic of entertainment does a wonderful job of transporting us into the world of illusion. Magicians and spin doctors are frequently observed in the medical domain, too. We are told emphatically time and again diet has absolutely nothing to do with

  • How to let your children play to learn

    A happy childhood is the best present parents can give a child, but that depends on more than any one or even two individuals. As social animals, we thrive on the whole "busyness" of being, learning and sharing with others. This is even more true of three

  • Starting the countdown to Christmas

    Now is the time to start your Christmas prepar-ations in earnest. Tell everyone their Christmas cards must have been lost in the post and don't even think about hunting for presents until the day before the event. It is pointless getting worried in advance

  • News from a friendly bug on patrol

    I have decided the survival of the fittest is not a very fair concept. Whoever dreamt that one up should try surviving in the human gut. I am one of around 400 species of tiny microorganisms living inside the human gastro-intestinal tract. In healthy

  • Weight watching, with Judy Citron

    Many people struggling to lose weight say: "I'm just not motivated, I can't do it." Today, I'd like to muse with you on this issue of motivation. What is it? How can you acquire some? The American motivation guru Anthony Robbins suggests we are all motivated

  • Take children to a world of good food

    Hassocks is definitely the place to be. A few weeks ago, went to an open morning at Hassocks Health Centre. It was organised by the local Patient Participation Group, charitable organisation which encourages health education, held in a GP's surgery. The

  • Getting the lowdown on selenium

    I blame Marco Polo for importing fireworks from the Far East. The Chinese invented fireworks by filling bamboo shoots with gunpowder and exploding them in the New Year to ward off evil spirits. Judging by the number of fireworks let off this year, we

  • Garlic: As good as ten mothers

    Garlic, one of the best-known cure-alls, is, according to an old Indian proverb, "as good as ten mothers". But we tend to avoid it in large doses because of the unpleasant odour we emit after eating it. "A nickel will get you on the subway but garlic

  • Juicy fruit for healing and health

    Hurray for good old Christopher Columbus, who discovered and introduced us to a variety of curious fruit and vegetables. In 1493, Columbus stumbled upon a spiky-looking plant on the tropical island of Guadeloupe. One of his crew described it as being

  • Spoonfuls of sugar lead to medicine

    A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down. But does the sugar we eat also contribute to our requirement for medication? The sugar industry would have us believe sugar does not contribute to diabetes, heart disease, obesity, hypoglycaemia or nutrient

  • A design for a healthy teenager

    Designer labels do nothing for me, unfortunately. I have yet to discover how wearing a particular brand name can make me a better person. In fact, considering the prices of designer gear, I hope to pass this little foible on to my offspring before they

  • On the alert for aluminium intake

    Seeing is not necessarily believing in Camelford in Cornwall. Twenty tons of aluminium sulphate were accidentally tipped into the wrong tank in 1988, contaminating the water supply. When people complained of green hair, joint pain, sickness and memory

  • Having his crisps and eating them

    Sir Steven Redgrave is our greatest Olympic hero and I am amazed to see him sharing his glory with Walkers crisps in their latest promotional blitz. After years of living on a shoestring, athletes deserve to cash in. But as the most bankable of them all

  • Summer salads and junk food fixes

    It may be summer time but staying away from junk food isnt easy. Fast food outlets specialise in catering for eyes, nose and taste buds. Therein lies the fastest route to your wallet. Fast food does not cater for your future well-being, say an hour after

  • Balancing the mind and body

    Elaine Gibbons has been working as an acupuncturist for nearly ten years. During that time she has seen her clientele grow until now she is dealing with about 30 patients a week. The use of acupuncture has increased in popularity so much that some GPs

  • The deadly bacteria

    An outbreak of meningitis in East Sussex last month led to thousands of people being given antibiotics as a protection against infection. However, health experts are urging people to keep calm and reminding them the number of cases reported every year

  • A pain in the back

    Whether it's a tweak as you turn your head to talk to a colleague or a more serious injury such as a slipped disc, most people have experienced some sort of back pain. Roughly two out of every five adults will experience such discomfort during the next

  • Get the flu jab while shopping

    The annual UK campaign to urge people to take advantage of an offer of a free flu jab has been launched with the help of former boxer Sir Henry Cooper. GP practices across Sussex will be spending the next couple of months vaccinating thousands of people

  • Calcium intake for healthy bones

    Clients often ask whether their intake of calcium is adequate. Their concern is justified since calcium losses are associated with osteoporosis in one-in-three women and one-in-12 men. Other symptoms include muscle cramps, insomnia, tremors or spasms,

  • Going with the flow of shiatsu

    The only constant in life is change and Sally Goodwin has experienced many over the past few years. When she left her job as communications manager at the Body Shop three years ago, following voluntary redundancy, it was clear some major changes were

  • Yoga can help children relax

    Children today can find themselves under a lot of pressure. Homework, competition with other children, exams, endless after-school activities and over-scheduling all add up. But a possible solution is growing in popularity across Sussex and helping children

  • Put your best foot forward

    The most important piece of advice offered by Kirt Strasburg is to wear the right shoes. Badly-fitting shoes are the cause of the vast majority of problems he deals with at his Worthing-based clinic. He said: "One of the main concerns is the shoes some

  • Be a healthier couch potato

    The Commonwealth Games may be over but watching the event on TV may have prompted some to start on a campaign of healthy eating and exercise. ATHLETICS fans have enjoyed a bumper few weeks this summer with, first, the Commonwealth Games and, more recently

  • A guide to effective training

    Training the right way is not always easy. It can be hard to make a start then maintain or increase the amount of training you do. Another, equally hard, area to consider is how you are training. This week I have included some important dos and don'ts

  • Rother District Council: Con hold

    Conservatives kept their grip in the heart of Rother District Council, winning 13 of the 18 seats in Bexhill. It was as-you-were for the sedate seaside town, which has seen slight ward changes since the last district council election in 1999, as Conservative

  • The right time for a little light exercise

    The combination of more leisure time and an emphasis on keeping fit has brought a huge increase in outdoor activities. You only have to look at any green area outside the city and you will find people hang-gliding, orienteering, riding, biking or even

  • Make sure of a healthy holiday

    Thousands of people in Sussex are heading for the summer sunshine. Here we consider advice from experts on making your holiday safe. Whether you are planning to soak up the sun in Spain, go for a trek in the Himalayas or spend a week closer to home in

  • Stretch to stay supple

    As you are training this week, think about how often, when and why you perform stretches. Flexibility training should not just be a minor part of your training, it should be well planned and thought through. As you may know or realise, you will become

  • Play safe with a proper warm-up

    After two weeks of watching Wimbledon and a month of World Cup football, it is no surprise people are being inspired to get fit. Long summer days and the prospect of holidays on the horizon are also making people think about losing weight before relaxing

  • No morals without sufficient fibre

    In 1972, anthropologist Colin Turnbull wrote an interesting book about an African tribe called the Ik. Originally nomadic hunters, the Ik were forcibly evacuated from their native hunting grounds in Uganda and driven en masse to barren, mountainous areas

  • Get your teeth into early care

    For many people, the idea of a trip to the dentist stirs up disturbing images of drills and fillings. But preventative steps can make the visit less of a traumatic experience. THE message being sent out by dental nurses and dentists in Sussex is: Start

  • Early warning on osteoporosis

    About one in three women and one in 12 men over the age of 50 will develop osteoporosis. The condition can cause crippling problems but, for many people, the first time they find out something wrong is after they break bone. The National Osteoporosis

  • Helping people stay fit for life

    Now June has arrived, a lot of people's thoughts will be turning to getting fit and healthy for the long summer days. For those who want to cover up as little as possible and sun themselves on the beach, it is time to get in a little exercise and watch

  • New test checks hearing earlier

    A new test is being piloted in Sussex which can check a child's hearing at just ten days old. Little Oscar Kirkman-Horne is only a month old but his parents already know his hearing is fine. Ordinarily, they would have had to wait until he was eight months

  • Preparing for The Change

    There is really only one thing you can be sure of in life and that is death, so the saying goes. However, for women, there's something else - the menopause. Whoever you are or whatever you do, you will at some stage in your life (usually between the ages

  • Put your best foot forward

    Our feet carry us the equivalent of five times round the Earth in an average lifetime. In return, we hide them away in shoes and forget about them - until problems develop. Feet problems affect more than a third of the population and when your feet hurt

  • Exercises to put your back into

    Dewi Richards knows first hand the pain and difficulty involved in recovering from a broken back. The keen sportsman was involved in a motorbike accident several years ago and was told by doctors he would never be able to exercise properly again. Mr Richards

  • Getting kids to eat their greens

    At work, the last thing any parent wants is a battle with their child about what they are going to eat. When it comes to a choice between spaghetti hoops greens, it is not difficult guess which one most children will go for. Trying to balance what child

  • North Portslade

    Only one seat in Brighton and Hove has remained consistently Labour during the last 25 years. North Portslade, an isolated area of the city, has always been rather fond of its local councillors. First, there were the Hamiltons, father and son. Now there

  • Moulsecoomb and Bevendean

    The combined ward of Moulsecoomb and Bevendean covers several of Brighton's biggest council estates. It ought to be safe for Labour. Indeed, if the party lost this ward, it would be down to just a handful of seats on an authority it has dominated for

  • Keyworkers can be a parent's lifeline

    Imagine yourself in the position of Alice in Wonderland; reduced in size so all the everyday objects tables, chairs, cup - boards and most of all, people suddenly loom over you in a vast and frightening world. That's the experience of every little three

  • Why we should stand by vitamin C

    Vitamin C came in for another media bashing last week amid claims that high doses of the vitamin could increase the risk of cancer. Poor old vitamin C - allegations are constantly being made by medical science and sensationalised by the Press. Yet we

  • Hollingbury and Stanmer

    Labour will be short of politicians with real experience after the elections because so many top councillors are retiring. The party will be thankful if it wins the new Hollingbury and Stanmer ward where three stalwarts are standing. Tehmtan Framroze,

  • The way forward for Parkinson's

    When the boxer Muhammed Ali lit the Olympic flame in 1996, he proved to the world that you don't need to be perfect in order to be great. For some people, the sight of a champion ravaged by may have been disturbing but, for many, his courage and patience

  • Quality care for children of all ages

    Quality is a word that has been hijacked by the marketing industry - to the point where the only meaning we can safely attribute to it is one of vague approval on the part of the company selling us something. But quality, as it impinges on our children

  • And all because we love chocolate

    I have finally found the man of my dreams and the fact that he owns a chocolate factory has everything to do with it. Chocolate factories, unlike cocoa beans, don't grow on trees and let's face it a girl needs to be practical about her obsessions. Chocolate

  • Physical activities for mind and body

    Remember the cinema stereotype of the child genius clumsy, lacking in confidence and isolated? Yes, it's ridiculous, but there's more than a grain of truth in it. Ask most parents what they really want for their children and they'll say to be happy, healthy

  • Letter: Eastwood just made my day

    I was pleased to see Clint Eastwood and Steven Spielberg were considering making a film of James Bradley's book Flags Of Our Fathers by James Bradley (The Argus, July 13). James's father was one of three survivors of the six men who raised the second

  • Vote for the D.I.N.N.E.R. Party

    And now for another Party Political Broadcast on behalf of the D.I.N.N.E.R. Party ... Don't know who to vote for? The D.I.N.N.E.R.(Dishy Ingredients, No Nagging, Eat to Repair) Party is here to give you straight- forward, no-nonsense answers and pull

  • East Brighton

    The new East Brighton seat should be one of the safest in the city for the ruling Labour Party. As such you might have expected it to field some of its longest-serving figures, such as Councillor Mo Marsh, who now represents Marine ward. But Coun Marsh

  • Subsidised sessions for three-year-olds

    Your schooldays are the best days of your life, they say. But surely the reality is that the best days and the truly formative years are those from birth to four, when the foundations are laid for the rest of your life. That's when a love of learning

  • Letter: Blair's like Maggie

    What a brilliant analysis by Jean Calder of the Blair years. I particularly liked her perceptive debunking of Blair's diatribe against "Sixties liberalism". As she says, the Sixties were a period of great awakening of conscience and freedom of expression

  • Central Hove

    Jenny Barnard-Langston is one of the best known public figures in Brighton and Hove. She cut a dash as mayor and only two years ago she was Tory candidate standing against Ivor Caplin in the general election for Hove. Then she made a well publicised switch

  • Change your food for a better mood

    As silly adverts go, the one I heard on the radio the other day takes the oatcake. It ridicules people who eat healthy snacks and tells them to swallow a multi-vitamin instead. Pill popping, after all, has been the preferred medical treatment since pills

  • Ancient art that applies pressure

    As a practitioner of Shiatsu in the House of Commons, Andrew Staib is used to helping people who are stressed and under a lot of pressure. Now he has extended his practice to treat patients in Sussex. The ancient art of Shiatsu helps people suffering

  • Learning to live with your fears

    Elaine finds it an ordeal to leave her house each day. Every morning she has to stop and count to ten before opening the front door of her home in Crawley to go to work. Elaine, not her real name, suffered from agoraphobia, the fear of open spaces, for

  • Dyslexics helped by space science

    Rupa Anandakumar is one of many people to have a form of dyslexia but she has not let it get in the way of what she wants to do. She is now a therapist working with autistic children. Nicky Woodward is also dyslexic. Having dealt with the condition from

  • Be a role model: Be a sport

    TO succeed in a competitive world, it is increasingly important for children to learn how to set and attain their goals and where better to learn those skills than on the sports field? Of course, top athletes can earn millions from their sport but lessons

  • Caring parents given no choice.

    Isobella Thomas's family is one of 2,000 families who say their lives have been ruined by the MMR vaccine. Her sons Michael, nine, and Terry, seven, developed signs of autism and suffered bowel problems after being inoculated as toddlers. Mrs Thomas,

  • Explore the natural alternatives to HRT

    According to many experts, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is God's gift to woman kind. As it replaces the levels of oestrogen and progesterone that naturally decline in a woman during and after the menopause, causing trouble-some symptoms such as hot

  • Fall in to get fit and healthy

    When it comes to fighting the flab, Gaynor Rose is a real success story. She recently managed to lose more than five stones to reach a target weight of 10st 3lb after attending a slimming club in Portslade. Months of healthy and careful eating mean she

  • Therapy in the computer age

    As the the internet and email continues to be a daily part of people's lives, another idea has been developed which may help the health of many. The phrases email and ecommerce are well known but, now, Steven Lee, from Hove, has come up with the idea

  • Machine eases sufferer's pain

    English literature student and parttime model Alice Friedl has been having pains in her joints since she was ten years old. She was subsequently diagnosed with having rheumatoid arthritis. Now 27, she uses wheelchair but has not let the condition ruin

  • Look the New Year in the eye

    The best way to avoid a hangover is to avoid alcohol altogether but that's no good on New Year's Eve. In an ideal world, everyone has incredible will power and everyone knows when to stop. But this is not an ideal world so the other option is to listen

  • Healing powers of the Dead sea

    The skin disease psoriasis is not contagious, yet it feels like the social equivalent of leprosy. It is a common disorder characterised by unsightly, red, scaly patches produced by a pile-up of skin cells that have replicated too quickly. Little is known

  • Doctor who prefers a holistic approach

    For John McKenna, becoming a doctor was never going to just be about prescribing basic pharmaceutical medicines. After first training as a scientist, he worked in Africa for four years. Following his subsequent medical degree, he was eager to learn about

  • Stop the parade of the pink elephants

    Russians open another bottle of vodka and start again, the Chinese eat oats and peaches and the Scots swear by Irn-Bru. But by far the majority of people across the globe rely on a cup of coffee and the "plink-plink fizz" of products such as Alka Seltzer

  • Time to consider the alternatives

    Kathy Chapman believes it is important people open their minds to alternative therapy. A growing number of residents across the county are becoming increasingly aware of words such as homeopathy, feng shui, reiki and reflexology but are not 100 per cent

  • Wake up to the new breakfast clubs

    One of the dilemmas for parents is balancing work and family commitments. A particular test of this is the school run. While most parents can accommodate this historic mismatch of timing most of the time, even the best-laid plans can break down. Hence

  • Cuddling my son helps me to say goodbye

    Rose Hill rarely suffered morning sickness, passed all her ante-natal checks and was looking forward to becoming a new mum. In a check-up, little more than three weeks before her due date, Rose's GP sent her home, happy with her progress. Within a few

  • Fast track to an emotional cure

    Paul and Val Lynch say they have the p e r f e c t way o f helping people beat their anxieties, phobias and guilt. They both practice the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), described as a psychological version of acupressure, without the needles. It incorporates

  • When nature is no longer natural

    Dear Martina, I was most interested in the recent letter to you from Doug Streeter with information about essential nutrients required for a healthy lifestyle. I am particularly keen to find natural ways of gaining minerals and vitamins, without resorting

  • Say goodbye to the demon weed

    Thirty years ago, smoking was seen as a social thing to do and there weren't many places where it was frowned upon to light up. But information about the health risks involved, not just for the smoker but for the people immediately around them, has led

  • Food for good looking eyes

    At the age of 39, Sharon Charlton found herself able to see clearly for the first time in her life. Born with eyesight problems, Mrs Charlton, from Selsey, had to wait until the cataracts on both her eyes had fully developed before she was able to have

  • Put your feet first for health

    During National Foot Care Week, Siobhan Ryan looks at what steps need to be taken to give feet a clean bill of health In an average lifetime, most people's feet carry them the equivalent of five times around the earth. That's not bad going considering

  • Doctors gave me weeks to live

    After a lifetime of trusting old-fashioned remedies to ward off illnesses, aches and pains, Audrey Parcell thought her body had the healing power to cope with almost any disease. When she started to lose her appetite and feel exhausted all the time she

  • Get smart about fats for kids

    Not for one moment do I imagine that life is easy for our kids. Just consider the stress of being driven to school when you'd far rather walk, or having to put up with politically correct parenting and endless bewildering choices. Do I take up hula hoop

  • Save me from my irritable bowel

    Dear Martina, I am in my early 30s and often suffer from digestive problems. I am bloated and windy most of the time and suffer from constipation and sometimes diarrhoea - there seems to be no particular pattern to this. Could it be due to something I

  • Eat your way to a better shape

    It sounds obvious and straightforward but, for many in Sussex, eating healthily to keep well is not being done. There are several reasons for this, including lack of time and financial constraints. But there is plenty now being done to help people change

  • Discover virtues of soya - the golden bean

    An increasing number of people are favouring vegetable protein in their diets rather than relying solely on animal protein (meat, fish, eggs). You can find vegetable protein in whole grains, beans, pulses, seeds and nuts. Vegetarians should eat a mixture

  • Search for inner peace

    As you move through life, savouring its sweetness as well as rolling with the punches, do you ever wonder what is the purpose of life itself? When you are rewarded in life for your efforts with financial returns, a prestigious post or praise from your

  • Warning on fizzy drinks

    A recent clinical study looked at the damaging effect of fizzy drinks on the bones of teenage girls. Dr Claire McGartland and her team observed that among secondary school children "a high consumption of fizzy drinks by girls during adolescence may lead

  • The herbal alternatives

    Herbal Medicine Awareness Week, organised by The National Institute of Medical Herbalists, runs until September 13. Members of the public will be able to join qualified herbalists on a nationwide series of herb walks this weekend. Our own Brighton expert

  • Soothe those aching legs

    Many men, women and children suffer from aching leg syndrome, which can disturb sleep and make you feel tired and weak. I have seen a number of runners, sportsmen and people whose occupation involves standing for long periods of time suffer from the condition

  • First steps to nursery can be fun

    Do you remember the first day you started school? I remember it well: The pain of feeling totally alone and the humiliation that comes from being observed crying. Well, times have changed now in that most children have learnt to broaden their horizon

  • Cleopatra's little beauty tip

    Latter-day historians will tell you that I, Cleopatra, am no oil painting. And what do they expect from a mother of four with a busy career? It's hard enough fending off challenges to my throne and overseeing lazy Nubian slaves without having to be a

  • Recovering from ME

    Last week, I met up with the ME Society to talk about the holistic management of ME - Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). This is now recognised by the Department of Health as a medical condition. ME or CFS can be extremely debilitating

  • Getting kids into sports

    Last weekend, I participated in the Sports Show 2003 at Earl's Court, London (www.liquidexhibitions.co.uk), a new event encouraging children to take up different sports. What a lovely idea to get some of Britain's top athletes and world champions to mingle

  • Cure your pain with magnets

    A growing number of people with near constant aches and pains are turning to a new type of alternative therapy to help them. Magnotherapy involves using a simple magnetic device which is believed to improve the bloodflow and relieve symptoms. Siobhan

  • The problem with alcohol

    Recent reports in the media reveal that some four million people suffer from alcohol dependence and 4,000 people die of alcohol-related deaths in the UK every year. Throughout the world and since time immemorial, alcohol has held a special position in

  • The power of herbs

    Continuing the theme from last week, let us look at some more rejuvenating herbs everyone can use regularly. Lord Charaka says herbs from the country in which you are born will be in greater in harmony with your body and may work better for you although

  • The wonderful world of flax

    Flaxseed (also called linseed) is one of the oldest cultivated plants on the planet and extremely versatile. Linen woven from the fibrous stalks of flax have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs and at sites in Switzerland dating back to 4000 BC. Its

  • Using herbs for health

    In the Vedic Hindu civilisation, which flourished on the banks of the Indus valley 5,000 years ago, the scholars and the people detoxed and rejuvenated the whole being. They took care of mind, body and spirit - in order to live more than 100 years and

  • Detoxing needs care

    Living under the constant mental, physical and emotional pressures of life today coupled with pollution is causing disease in more people at an earlier age. An increasing number of men in their early 40s are suffering from stress-related heart disease

  • Patterns of behaviour

    Many of you may have heard a recent item on the radio which reported that some men get so upset if their football team loses a game, they suffer a heart attack. Such extreme feelings of disappointment, despair, shock or anger cause a sudden surge of adrenaline

  • New virus is here to stay

    With the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, the Government has warned against travel to Toronto, Hong Kong, Beijing, Guangdong and Shanxi. The Department of Health and the Foreign Office issued new warnings after the World Health Organisation

  • The valuable gift of peace

    Body, mind and soul. Freedom, peace and love. Satyam (truthfulness), ahimsa (non-violence), brahmacharya (self restraint). These have been an intertwined trilogy of human existence from time immemorial. Great civilisations flourished on these lofty principles

  • Natural way to holistic health

    The demand for trained medical herbalists has increased sharply in the past five years. There are now at least 15 in practice in Sussex, treating people who prefer to take natural remedies instead of conventional medicine. Siobhan Ryan looks at the growing

  • A message of love to all

    On my 50th birthday, I want to send a message of love and compassion and prayers and condolences to those suffering the effects of war. Life ends for those families who have lost love ones. It does not matter what else happens in the world, they have

  • D.I.N.N.E.R. party politics

    . . . Or a Party Political Broadcast on behalf of the D.I.N.N.E.R. Party. Isn't it high time the nutritionally undermined had their very own political party? We could call it the Dishy Ingredients, No Nagging, Eat to Repair (D.I.N.N.E.R.) Party. In my

  • Reducing cholesterol

    Last week, I promised I would tell you how to lower your cholesterol naturally. Recently, two of my patients have succeeded in reducing their cholesterol levels by natural means. A 32-year-old woman whose cholesterol was around 7mmols, which is quite

  • The threat of a heart attack

    The focus of the medical and pharmaceutical industry is currently levelled at high cholesterol levels in the blood as one of the main causes of coronary heart disease. It is recognised that one cannot predict the risk of coronary heart disease or heart

  • The way to a healthy heart

    Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the largest killer in UK, according to the latest statistics published by the British Heart Foundation. It accounts for around 125,000 deaths a year; approximately one-in-four deaths in men and one-in-six deaths in women

  • Best advice on Ayurveda

    With Ayurveda and Ayurvedic medicine grabbing the attention of doctors and herbalists in the UK, Ayurvedic herbs are starting to appear in the shops. But I feel I should sound a note of caution. Single Ayurvedic herbs available in UK are only the tip

  • August 3: McGhee says no to Kerekes

    Albion manager Mark McGhee today revealed he will "go with what we've got" up front at Reading on Saturday after abandoning his interest in Serbian trialist Zsombor Kerekes. New signing Maheta Molango is now likely to be partnered by Gary Hart or David

  • Fully-trained in ayurveda

    Shirodhara is an ayurvedic treatment which has become fashionable among therapists in the UK and the West. It is a soothing and appealing therapy in which warm oil or other medicated fluid is allowed to flow on the forehead from a certain height. This

  • Tasty foods for detoxing

    Since the detox season is in full swing and so much is being said about the subject, I thought it would be the right time to put things into perspective. Today, a 24-year-old lady came to see me feeling tired all the time, low in energy and suffering

  • Advice from the experts

    After the cold, depressing winter months, one way to boost your mood and stimulate your energy is to attend the Good Health Show at Birmingham NEC next month. I was invited to give lectures and demonstrations on holistic health and ayurvedic medicine

  • Healing spirit of Christmas

    Christmas is a time to rejoice and let the festive mood heal you. Often, when we are tense and stressed,we forget to rejoice and celebrate our achievements. Most importantly, we forget the immense power of the human body, mind and spirit. Look at the

  • Easing the menopause

    Concerns over an increased risk of cancer when taking hormone replacement therapy have worried many women. Technically speaking, if you are only replacing what your body is not producing, there should not be any increased risk. However, if we believe

  • Letter: Don't trust Cook

    Jean Calder quotes Robin Cook as part of her/Mr Cook's criticism of Tony Blair's participation in the war on Iraq. Yet Robin Cook has so far failed to explain how the invasion of 2003 was any more illegal and unjustified than the bombing campaigns of

  • Supplements for the brain

    Our desired assets in old age are lucid brain function, memory, alertness of mind, healthy use of muscles and joints and a healthy heart and lungs. Is it not worth looking after them from a young age? Dementia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease are

  • Preventing early ageing

    What is the link between your actual age and the inner ageing process? For example, why do some of us look young and others old for their years? Why do some people get early wrinkling of the skin, memory loss or high blood pressure, which are all part

  • Phytonutrients for protection

    According to popular advertising, feeling good in the 21st Century is all about trying to control the way other people perceive us. Projecting the "right" image and "keeping up with the Joneses", however, is stressful. It may be possible to become an

  • The brighter side of life

    Antidepressants are gaining bad press at the moment because of the undesirable side effects they cause. One of my patients brought me a list of side effects she had suffered, including sweats, bad dreams, a fuzzy head and a difficulty with making decisions

  • Warm up those muscles first

    As Wimbledon draws to a close this weekend, tennis courts mostly abandoned for much of the year fill up. Those inspired by the game want to get in to shape for the summer. But any type of exercise, especially if you are not used to it, can lead to injuries

  • Bin the Prozac, it's chocolate time

    Let me tell you, the quickest route to a girl's heart is through her stomach! Forget looks, fame and fortune, a man has to be able to cook. Or willing to go out at strange hours to buy chocolate, the ultimate in sugar replacement therapy. Easter is my

  • The burdens of anxiety

    The upward trend in stress-related conditions such as depression, anxiety, worry and nervous breakdown among our young and middle-aged population is very worrying. A recent report in the media stated that there was a rise in suicide rates among young

  • Addressing cancer fears

    The incidence of cancer continues to rise, in spite of our highly sophisticated health-care system. Some commendable breakthroughs have been achieved in the treatment of some cancers, such as hormone therapy using tamoxifen for breast cancer, Zoladex

  • Keep young and beautiful

    Our body is constantly producing free radicals, supercharged chemicals formed when oxygen and nitric oxide react with our tissue to form unwanted charged molecules. These free radicals cause a chain reaction with our cells and DNA and damage our tissues

  • Exposing a menace in your mouth

    Why was the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland mad? Probably a victim of mercury poisoning because felt hatters used mercury to polish their top hats. You and your dentist could also be at risk, as mercury is one of the most toxic poisons known to man.

  • How to get the right vibe

    Have you ever felt the vibes in your office are unhealthy? That the arrangement of furniture, the direction your windows face, the amount of air, light and space, and the people you come across on a regular basis cause tension, stress and ill health rather

  • Problems of clean living

    Recent research claims frequent bathing can lead to increased incidences of asthma in babies and young children. From my own experience, I believe we are also seeing more skin problems such as eczema in babies and children. The need to survive requires

  • Letter: The Sage of Sussex has been a winner for years

    Like many readers, I shall miss Adam Trimingham's work greatly. I have grown up reading his articles but have not always agreed with his views. Reg Jenkins states "he must be a model of self-discipline" to avoid any accusations of party politics (Letters

  • Making the most of life

    Where is the benefit to our quality of life? This statement, written by Richard White, editor of Southern Business Times, struck me as I opened the page. Nowadays, human values are measured in the value of the stock market and family values on the size

  • Back Technique

    Siobhan Ryan speaks to a woman who is using an old technique to help solve a modern problem. The number of people who spend a lot of their leisure time sitting in front of a computer playing games or surfing the Internet has rapidly increased in the last

  • Attention to detail needed

    BBC Southern Counties Radio programme about children with attention deficit disorder (ADD) highlighted the serious problem such children and their families have with schooling. Children can be labelled as disruptive and non-achievers by heads, teachers

  • De-stress in five minutes

    Why does there seem to be a growing interest among people from all walks of life in spiritual healing and Ayurvedic herbs? The answer is simple. We have allowed our fantasies of modern life to drag us into a highly-demanding workaholic and aspirational

  • Just take a deep breath

    Aromatherapy is one of the most pleasant therapies which can help in a number of ways in one's daily life. In its pure definition, aromatherapy relates to the use of various types of aroma to influence certain areas of the brain in order to produce various

  • How to cope with colitis

    Colitis is a serious bowel problem which can cause diarrhoea, stomach pains or cramps, bleeding and the passage of slime from the rectum. People often lose a lot of weight due to vitamin, protein and other nutritional deficiencies. An acute flare-up with

  • Solving gut problems

    Doctor, do you think I have candida? asked 26-year-old Mary when she came to see me. She had been suffering bloating, bowel upsets, food intolerances and a general feeling of tiredness for two years. She also suffered from recurrent vaginal thrush. The

  • Rejuvenation of immunity

    The bounty of nature never ceases to fascinate me. Again and again I return to nature's herbs for answers to illness. While many modern medicines are essential for serious illnesses, there is often no treatment for things like flu, colds, tiredness, ME

  • Overcoming a fear to speak

    Thousands of people in the UK are forced to radically change their lifestyles and behaviour to cope with the fact they have a stammer. But having the problem does not always mean people have to restrict their lives. Siobhan Ryan speaks to a woman who

  • Healing your inner heart

    Heart disease is the leading cause of mortality in Britain today, accounting for some 235,000 deaths a year. More importantly, angina and shortness of breath relating to heart disease can severely limit the sufferer's physical activities, making life

  • Call in the fat-busters

    My programme for losing and maintaining weight is based on Ayurvedic Panchakarma detoxification of the body. This includes Ayurvedic deep-tissue massage and herbal steam treatment followed by a herbal enema. It also features Ayurvedic herbal formulations

  • Restore your self-esteem

    In some cultures, being fat is taken as a a sign of health and beauty but obesity is fast becoming a major problem in Britain. Ayurveda recommends each individual should maintain his or her own healthy weight balance according to his or her body type.

  • The benefits of milk

    Recent scientific research has shown that milk is a healthy drink which could prevent certain illnesses, including cancer. Milk contains many valuable nutrients including essential proteins and amino acids, carbohydrates, fats, essential fatty acids and

  • Healthy food from India

    Several people have inquired about ayurvedic foods following the recent Radio 4 programme on ayurveda. Indian curries have now become a part of British culture and ayurvedic foods are just around the corner in the natural health market. Few people realise

  • Breathing more easily

    As the temperature of the atmosphere falls, the cold air we breathe has a direct effect on our nasal passages, sinuses and lungs. The body reacts by producing more catarrh and congestion and causes spasm and contraction of the tubules the lungs, resulting

  • A New Year, a new you

    Every New Year brings with it new hope, a new ambition, a new vision for another achievement in life. Perhaps it the curiosity of what the future holds in store for us that becomes the inspiration for new resolution each year. But what is it that makes

  • Approaches to cancer

    New Approaches to Cancer is a charity that was set up some 30 years ago to offer support to cancer patients, carers and healthcare workers. Since then, several charities have been established in the UK to work together on this task. One of the important

  • Isolated in a scary world of their own

    Locked into a place of meaningless noises, incomprehensible shapes and colours; exaggerated perceptions of touch, taste and smell, the world becomes a scary place to be. Children and adults suffering from autism can make little sense of normal codes of

  • Coping with cancer dread

    The National Conference on Cancer 2001 will take place on November 30 at RegentsCollege in London. This unique conference is held every year to bring together leading experts in cancer care, cancer care professionals, patients and carers to share the

  • When work is a burden

    Someone once wrote: "No one ever died of hard work, but people have died of laziness", or something to that effect. In fact, the latter is true and we know that being a couch potato can, in due course, cause obesity, heart disease and diabetes. However

  • Racing: Festival revives memories of racing legends

    It is 54 years this month since Lester Piggott rode his first Brighton winner. Arguably the greatest jockey of all time took Star Of Clubs to victory in 1950 at the age of just 14. Now regulars at the course wonder whether they will see the next legend

  • Ancient recipes for an easy life

    Stress can hit people at any age and is affecting a growing number of people in Sussex. Siobhan Ryan looks at how people's lifestyles affect their health and what they are trying to do to relax After a long and stressful day, most people will try to unwind

  • Exams can be a killer

    This is the time to support teenagers who have just had the results of their A Levels or college courses and are in a dilemma over their future careers. Quite often we, as parents, are unable to judge the hidden anxieties, fears and moods which our children

  • Herbs to remember

    There is so much to do and remember these days, it is little wonder premature memory loss is not uncommon. Many of us find prolonged stress and too much work causing lack of concentration, memory loss and even personality changes. Dramatic alterations

  • Letter: Go underground

    Full marks to Bob Gunnell for putting his finger on the weaknesses in Brighton and Hove City Council's proposals for a Rapid Transport System (RTS). I entirely agree that, in the city centre, the only realistic solution is an underground system (The Argus

  • Basketball: Why Duck turned his back on Bears

    It is the lifestyle of which sports-mad youngsters dream. Being paid a decent wage to play the sport you love, travel and enjoy plenty of leisure time in a buzzing city by the sea. For former Brighton Bears skipper Randy Duck, however, the trappings of

  • Miracle Magnet

    The arrival of summer conjures up images of long evenings and sunshine. But for thousands of allergy sufferers, it can be an annual nightmare. Siobhan Ryan looks at what can be done to relieve the problem. Wasps and bees, nettle rash, prickly heat and

  • The heart of the matter

    "I retired after 27 years of service as a senior cardiologist because I wanted to do something about the nutrition of children in America,". said Dr Harvey Zarren, talking to our group of doctors and therapists. The noble work of this eminent cardiologist

  • McGhee says no to Kerekes

    Albion manager Mark McGhee today revealed he will "go with what we've got" up front at Reading on Saturday after abandoning his interest in Serbian trialist Zsombor Kerekes. New signing Maheta Molango is now likely to be partnered by Gary Hart or David

  • Rottingdean Coastal

    Two of Brighton's most intractable problems are big issues in the new ward of Rottingdean Coastal. It stretches from Saltdean to the fringes of East Brighton, taking in Rottingdean and Ovingdean. There has been great controversy over the possible use

  • Play your role on life's stage

    Relaxing after my first American experience of a most exciting baseball match I found myself reading the book Just A Moment. Relaxing after my first American experience of a most exciting baseball match at the famous Fenway Park; Boston I found myself

  • Regency

    Labour will be looking to retain its hold on this ward, which is right at the centre of the city. Regency has been reduced from three seats to two in a reorganisation of Brighton and Hove's wards. Roy Pennington, who chairs the planning committee, will

  • Black Widow spider found in shed

    Ron Ockwell expected to come across a spider or two while rummaging around the shed in his back garden. But he did not expect to find what he believes to be a member of the infamous Black Widow family. Mr Ockwell spotted the arachnid in his tool box in

  • Mid Sussex District Council - Con hold

    The Liberal Democrats had the last laugh after a marathon count when Ian Dixon was finally declared the winner of East Grinstead Herontye - after the drawing of lots. After an astonishing six recounts he tied with Conservative Edward Belsey on 626 votes

  • A Tooth for an eye

    Five years ago a pioneering eye operation which used a patient's tooth to help restore their sight took place at the Sussex Eye Hospital. Since then, the Brighton medical team responsible has carried out the same technique on 15 more patients in the UK

  • Natural ways to ease skin trouble

    Nearly 2.5 million people in the UK have psoriasis and one-in-eight suffers from eczema. A rise in the number of cases has led to a search for a natural way to treat these painful conditions. Siobhan Ryan speaks to those who think they may have found

  • How to enjoy safe sunshine

    Basking in the glorious sun on the beach in Florida with clear skies and temperatures soaring to 91 degrees is what we all desire as a fantastic holiday experience. Hundreds of holiday-makers from Britain will soon be heading off for sunny destinations

  • Pru to hold on to Egg

    Online bank Egg is to remain under the control of the Prudential after the insurer today called a halt to its seven-month search for a buyer. Prudential received interest from a number of parties for its 79% Egg stake but has now decided it could gain

  • Thousands work overtime for free

    Almost three-quarters of people claim they work more than their contracted hours, according to a survey by internet bank Intelligent Finance. Seventy-three per cent said they worked longer hours than they were supposed to, with half claiming they regularly

  • Fire pay deal talks collapse

    Talks to finalise a deal to end the long-running firefighters' pay dispute appeared to have broken up without agreement and raised the prospect of fresh strikes. Leaders of the Fire Brigades' Union held discussions with local authority employers yesterday

  • Bank posts record profits

    Banking giant HSBC set a new European record for half-year earnings after profits rose 53 per cent to £5.14 billion in the first six months of 2004. The improvement, which was ahead of market expectations, reflects a full contribution from Household,

  • Price-cutting hits airline income

    No-frills airline Ryanair today provided further evidence of the cut-throat conditions in the low fares market by reporting a 6% fall in income per passenger despite record profits. The Dublin-based carrier blamed price-cutting to counter the challenge

  • Top tips for travelling

    With summer in full swing, and elections out of the way, people are off on holiday ! Some will be travelling by car, some by rail, and some flying! Having a break and a great holiday is vital for sanity these days. But travelling in itself can be a bit

  • Patcham

    Patcham is one of those suburban seats which has always seemed safe for the Conservatives in Brighton and Hove. With boundary alterations, it has been greatly extended but should still be a safe bet for the party. The husband-and-wife team of Geoffrey

  • Lewes District Council - Lib Dem hold

    It was a night of ups and downs for the two main parties in the Lewes district but the overall political landscape remained unchanged. With ward boundary changes slashing the number of seats available and almost half the sitting candidates stepping down

  • Taking the strain out of your life

    Hundreds of people throughout Sussex are suffering from long-term niggling injuries that are not life threatening but severely curtail their quality of life. Siobhan Ryan speaks to one such person about the operation that helped to change his life. For

  • Attacking the fat, freeing the mind

    Obesity is costing the NHS at least £2.6 billion a year. Being overweight leads to increased health problems and social isolation. Siobhan Ryan looks at how a change in lifestyle and attitude can help someone lose weight and keep the pounds off. One-in-five

  • Why bears don't get coronaries

    Dr Mathias Rath reveals his pioneering work on the vital function of nutrients and antioxidants. Dr Mathias Rath, in his book Why Animals Do Not Get Heart Attacks..People Do. Reveals his pioneering work on the vital function of nutrients and antioxidants

  • Food for thought

    Foods as obscure as garlic or mushrooms could be stopping you losing weight or fighting off skin or sinus problems. Linsey Wynton tries out a new food intolerance test and wonders whether it is worthwhile. Have you ever wondered if the foods and drinks

  • Learning the art of living

    Do you feel stuck in life? Do you feel unable to untangle yourself from the clutches of work or mental, physical and emotional tensions? Do you suffer from illness which requires more than just prescription of pills? The Art Of Living Foundation is a

  • Not on your knife

    Many people spend hours looking in the mirror worrying about frown or laughter lines appearing on their face. The usual reaction is to use face creams in a bid to get rid of them but there is a simpler and more effective solution available. Siobhan Ryan

  • SINGLE BASKET

    'What I hate most about being single again after 3 years is shopping. Instead of the dulex shopping trolley model, I am back to carrying the sad, single basket. Panic sets in. Everyone will know that I am single. I hide and scurry through the aisles keeping

  • Brittle matters

    People assume that the brittle bone disease osteoporosis only affects elderly people. But signs can show as early as in one's 20s. Siobhan Ryan looks at how tests for the condition are carried out and how people can stop it from developing further. Osteoporosis

  • SINGLE BASKET

    'What I hate most about being single again after 3 years is shopping. Instead of the dulex shopping trolley model, I am back to carrying the sad, single basket. Panic sets in. Everyone will know that I am single. I hide and scurry through the aisles keeping

  • Consortium bids to save West Pier

    Ambitious plans to restore the derelict West Pier have been put forward by a new consortium. The scheme is being suggested at a meeting with Brighton and Hove City Council today. Last week, English Heritage pulled the plug on a proposal to restore the

  • Brighton & Hove: No overall control

    Labour lost control of Brighton and Hove City Council in a night of high drama at the Brighton Centre. When all the votes were counted they were a tantalising four seats away from a majority on the new 54-seat council. The state of the parties is now

  • Reducing the risk factors

    Irregular, heavy, painful or multiple periods are not uncommon in women in England. In India, many young and old women in semi-rural and urban areas prefer to treat any problems of uterine bleeding naturally with Ayurvedic medicine and Yoga. Teenagers

  • Seagulls fans anger at Tory's 'lout' jibe

    A Parliamentary hopeful has offended Albion fans by suggesting Falmer was the best site for a new stadium because it would keep "louts" away from Brighton city centre. The furore over Mike Weatherley's comments came as it emerged police did not make a

  • Keep illness at bay the simple way

    The science of stress management and harnessing the life force of our natural health is called Pranayama. This literally means "to master or control the life force Prana". Ayurvedic medicine and yoga is the science of different forms of breathing exercises

  • Let Zippers show the way

    People recovering from major heart surgery are usually advised to watch their diet and not to overdo things but the benefits of support from others can be limited. Siobhan Ryan speaks to a man who has had surgery and now spends his time helping others

  • Arun District Council: Con hold

    Tories in Arun retained their grip on power as the leaders of the three main opposition parties were toppled in a night of high drama. The Conservatives tightened their grip and stood firm but there was chaos all around. Lib Dem leader John Richards,

  • Adur District Council: Con hold

    The Conservatives are celebrating in Adur after snatching four seats from their rivals. Three of the gains were made at the expense of Labour and one of the council's five Independent seats also fell to the Tories. The biggest blow of the night was the

  • Success out of suffering

    Thousands of people in Sussex are affected by ME or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Siobhan Ryan speaks to an organisation that is dedicated to providing support for sufferers and raising awareness of the condition. About 900 adults and children in the county

  • How to model your self-belief

    Many of you may have watched and heard actress Tracey Shaw; who spoke on TV about her agonising experience with anorexia or eating disorder - and more importantly how she got over it. We also saw how young girls of school age are affected by the body

  • Convict tried to offload blame

    Child sex fiend Russell Bishop tried to blame Roy Whiting for crimes he committed. The Brighton roofer contacted the Sarah Payne inquiry team from prison saying: "I told you I'm innocent." The 35-year-old paedophile was cleared of murdering nine-year-olds

  • Victory in the bulge battle

    A new Department of Health report says that 24 per cent of women in the country will be obese by 2005. Siobhan Ryan speaks to a woman who is about to hold regular counselling and support sessions to help people lose weight. It's the start of another New

  • LCPs are necessary for brain power

    Children have never had it this good. Anything a child could ever want has been extensively researched and catered for. So why are many children not "performing" as well as adults expect them to? Learning disorders such as ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia

  • How to reduce cholesterol fat

    Cholesterol is a type of fat in he body. It deposits itself with other tissue on to he inner lining of our blood vessels and clogs them up, causing heart disease, angina, high blood pressure and stroke. Diet, stress and lack of exercise are the main causes

  • Emotional wellbeing and health

    A woman aged 52 came to see me for a holistic opinion after having suffered from stomach pains for more than a year. She had some heart burn, but her main pain was in the lower stomach. After medical investigations, she had been told she had diverticulitis

  • Dealing with the fall-out

    The break up of a relationship is a traumatic time for the couple involved but the strains and stresses can also have an impact on the health and well-being of any children involved. Siobhan Ryan speaks to a team of workers who help young people get through

  • Ten rules for contentment

    Physical health depends primarily on air, water and diet. Add to this a cheerful heart and a happy mind, and a discipline in life and you have a bouncing radiant health. Professor G T Gursahani has laid out very simple rules of a happy healthy life in

  • Sarah trial: Accused in court

    The man accused of killing eight-year-old Sarah Payne appeared in the dock at Lewes Crown Court today. Mechanic Roy Whiting, 41, formerly of St Augustine Road, Littlehampton, is charged with kidnapping Sarah from a country lane in July last year. Whiting

  • Sarah trial starts again

    A new jury in the Sarah Payne murder case was today sworn in, hours after the trial was halted and the first jury discharged. The hearing was stopped at 11.10am, a day and a half into the prosecution opening of the case against the defendant Roy Whiting

  • Relatives relive Sarah's last moments

    Sarah Payne's family today relived the last moments of their daughter's life, for the second time. Prosecution barrister Timothy Langdale QC outlined details of the kidnap and murder of the eight-year-old schoolgirl to a new jury. Sarah's father, Michael

  • The complexity of depression

    Many of you may have watched the documentary on the television where Fredie Starr, the comedian, and other people talked about their depression. It was commented that 18 million prescriptions for antidepressants are written every year and that the rate

  • Hair led to killer, jury told

    A single blonde hair from Sarah Payne's head proves Roy Whiting was her killer, a court heard. The hair was found on a red sweatshirt seized from Whiting's Fiat Ducato van when he was arrested the day after eight-year-old Sarah disappeared on July 1 last

  • Face of the accused

    This is the man accused of kidnapping eight-year-old Sarah Payne from a Sussex field and murdering her. Mr Justice Curtis made a ruling at Lewes Crown Court allowing the media to show the image of Roy Whiting, 42, formerly of St Augustine Road, Littlehampton

  • Poll shock for ruling parties

    The ruling parties on three Sussex councils have tumbled from power in a night of mixed fortunes and big-name casualties at the polls. Labour lost control of Brighton and Hove, the Tories lost their grip on Horsham and the Lib Dems no longer have a majority

  • Agony that won't go away

    From the day their daughter went missing Sarah's family have rarely been out of the media spotlight. They have had two specially-trained officers assigned to support them and their family. When the blaze of publicity following Whiting's conviction dies

  • Something to keep that system in tune

    Every other person will probably suffer from piles (haemorrhoids) at some point in their lives. Piles are dilated veins just inside the back passage. They are harmless in themselves mostly you don't get any symptoms, but sometimes they can cause irritation

  • Accused 'refused to give answers'

    The man accused of murdering Sarah Payne repeatedly refused to answer detectives' questions after her disappearance and death, a court heard. Roy Whiting, 42, answered "no comment" to almost every question during a series of taped interviews held at Bognor

  • Clothes provide crucial link, jury hears

    Items of clothing alleged to link defendant Roy Whiting to eight-year-old Sarah Payne were identified in court today. Shane Gething told Lewes Crown Court that a red sweatshirt, checked padded shirt and a clown-patterned curtain were in a white van sold

  • Timeline: Roy Whiting on trial

    A day-by-day round-up of the case at Lewes Crown Court. NOVEMBER 13 2001: Sara and Michael Payne pose briefly together for massed ranks of photographers on the court steps, both wearing For Sarah campaign badges, before stepping inside. The day is taken

  • Expert confident of clues

    An independent forensic report reinforced crucial links between schoolgirl Sarah Payne and her alleged killer, a court heard today. Scientist Roger Robson, a forensic specialist since 1978, was asked by the police to compare fibres found in Roy Whiting's

  • Sarah jury will not visit abduction scene

    The jury in the trial of Roy Whiting will not visit the scene where Sarah Payne was abducted. Mr Justice Richard Curtis refused an application by the jury to visit the spot in Kingston Gorse, near Littlehampton, where Sarah was abducted on July 1 last