Health

[SteveH]

As careful as I am, I must admit to be a bit lax with the hand sanitiser ............    this was a good reminder..............

Motorists beware... you maybe picking up more than petrol and a pint of milk next time you fill up at the petrol station. Cold and flu season is on its way and the germs lurking on fuel pump handles could be the source of your next infection.

The start of October begins five months of viruses that leaves many of us feeling under the weather. Scientific evidence points the finger at the humble fuel station pump as a hotbed for potential infection.

“There are certain household objects that can be particularly prone to carrying bugs - such as mobile phones and TV remote controls. But there are a host of other regularly-touched items that fly under the radar when it comes to virus transmission, and one of them is the petrol station fuel pump handle.

“Not many people bother to wear the protective, disposable gloves available on forecourts when filling up. And it’s not uncommon for drivers to nip into the shop to buy a packet of crisps or a sandwich after filling up their tank. But habits like these can leave us vulnerable to becoming unwell when lots of viruses are in circulation."

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/warning-to-car-drivers-over-flu-and-cold-germs-at-the-petrol-pump?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is advising people with a peanut allergy to avoid consuming foods that may contain mustard, because they could be contaminated with peanuts.

Mustard ingredients - including mustard powder or flour - can be found in dips, sauces, salads and pre-packed sandwiches, the FSA said.

It is trying to identify how many products may be affected - around 50 have already been recalled.

Parents of children with a peanut allergy should check the labels of food they are buying and ask restaurants and take-away outlets about foods that might contain mustard, the agency says.

Some of the products............... cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crl8kr1xyxgo

[SteveH]

The food safety watchdog has issued new guidance over caffeine in food supplements after a man died miscalculating the amount he was meant to use.

Personal trainer Tom Mansfield, from Colwyn Bay, Conwy county, died in January 2021 after taking caffeine powder which was equivalent to up to 200 cups of coffee.

Highly-concentrated caffeine supplements can be "extremely potent", the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) warned.

The watchdogs advise people to always follow the dose instructions on the label and use accurate measuring equipment.

Dad-of-two Mr Mansfield tried to weigh a dose of the powder within a range of 60 milligrams to 300 milligrams using a scale that had a weighing range of 2g-5,000g, meaning he ended up consuming several grams.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2kyve4e5go

[SteveH]

Fewer people came forward for their flu vaccine last year and if the same happens again the UK could be in for a worse winter, health officials are warning.

There were at least 18,000 flu-related deaths over the last couple of years, despite being relatively mild flu seasons, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Free flu shots are offered each year by the NHS to people most at risk from getting very sick with flu, also known as influenza.

While uptake among older people in England remained high last year, only one in every three pregnant women got vaccinated. Among people with long-term health conditions, uptake was about four in 10, compared to five in 10 the year before.

Vaccinations for two and three-year-olds were also down slightly, with just over four in every 10 getting protected.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62d8r0nnl6o

[SteveH]

A vaccine, which could potentially save the lives of thousands of elderly people in the UK is being rolled out by the NHS. The jab, which is also being given to women from 28 weeks of pregnancy, tackles the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a common cause of coughs and colds.

A study, by experts at the University of Aberdeen and the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, has looked into the success of the jab, which is being offered to people aged 75 and over. Published in Age & Ageing, the study said evidence suggested a 70% take-up of the vaccine among the older age group could prevent up to 2,800 deaths every year, reports PA.

But what else can you do to fight off viruses as you age?
Dr Johannes Uys, doctor at Broadgate GP said: “As we age, our immune system weakens, primarily due to the thymus reducing its production of immune cells and the diversity of T-cells. This weakened state makes it tougher for older adults to fend off new pathogens.”

READ MORE..... https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/7-easy-ways-to-boost-your-immunity-as-you-get-older?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

In recent weeks I have been trying out some high protein products, to help build muscle  and by coincidence I received the latest podcast news from ZOE Science & Nutrition....................

The truth about protein shakes, according to science | Dr Federica Amati
Protein-rich diets have been popular for some time. Everything from chocolate bars to ice cream promises to be ‘high protein’. Influencers and media outlets seem to rave about the weight loss and muscle building potential of eating a lot of protein.
But when it’s added as an extra ingredient - sometimes with emulsifiers and sugar - is it really helping our muscles grow?
Today, ZOE's Head Nutritionist Dr. Federica Amati reveals the truth about protein bars and shakes, cutting through the marketing noise to find out how useful these products really are.

cont https://link.chtbl.com/dCv8r0ND?lid=9j7efucrsyuv

[SteveH]

Plans for a new chippy have come up against a health board's demands for fruit and veg on the menu.

Betsi Cadwaladr health board wants the proposed takeaway in Morfa Bychan, Gwynedd, to sell a "good selection" of fruit and veg.

It wants the menu to have less fat, salt and sugar and is worried an increase in fast food outlets is "detrimental" to people's health.

It is unclear whether customers would relish the prospect of cod and broccoli on the menu.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce3zwz4025zo

[SteveH]

Covid doubles the risk of a heart attack, stroke or dying up to three years later, warns a new study. The danger is even higher among people with blood types A, B or AB who were infected with the virus compared to those with type O, say scientists.

They reviewed health and genetic data from more than 10,000 British adults aged over 50, including around 8,000 who had tested positive for the Covid-19 virus from February 1 to December 31, 2020, and about 2,000 who tested positive for the virus in hospital in 2020.

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/warning-anyone-who-covid-last-30104071

[SteveH]

Aches, pains and stiffness are often associated with changes in weather, especially when it starts to get nippy outside. But why do we experience joint pain in the autumn and winter –

and what can be done to prevent it?................ https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/joints-hurt-more-in-cold-weather-heres-why-and-what-can-help-you-out?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Our bodies are very good at letting us know all is not well and we're missing vital fuels, but we're maybe not so good at picking up on these often subtle signs. With this in mind the NHS has highlighted red flags that might indicate you're deficient in specific vitamins and nutrients and which foods are best to boost them.

To function properly, our bodies need a wide range of vitamins and there are 13 in particular that are classified as essential. These are: Vitamins A, C, D, E, K, Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Pantothenic acid (B5), Biotin (B7), Pyridoxine (B6), Cobalamin (B12) and Folate (folic acid or B9).

Should you be feeling under the weather your GP can arrange a blood test to test if you're lacking certain vitamins or minerals. That said, there are some tell-tale signs that over-the-counter supplements and a modified diet could resolve.

READ MORE https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/how-to-spot-if-youre-not-getting-enough-of-these-13-essential-vitamins?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

The 8 best things you can do for your health in your 50s and 60s
Generation X are living longer but are more likely to experience serious health problems

People born in the 1960s and 70s are living longer but are in poorer health than previous generations, according to a new study. Unhealthy lifestyle choices, including poor diet, smoking, high stress levels and being sedentary, may have contributed to the decline in health among this demographic.

Research published in the Journals of Gerontology analysed data for more than 100,000 people between 2004 and 2018. The team, from University College London, looked at doctor-diagnosed chronic illnesses, body mass index, records on mobility issues and disability, as well as grip strength and high blood pressure.

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/the-8-best-things-you-can-do-for-your-health-in-your-50s-and-60s?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Cases of the 'winter vomiting bug' norovirus are on the rise across the country - with numbers well up on the same period last year. The most recent weekly figures in the Weekly Surveillance Report for Welsh Government show a 118% rise in cases on the previous week.

Although the total number of confirmed cases remains relatively low at 35 these are only cases that are lab tested. Only a small proportion of community cases are confirmed microbiologically.

MORE..... https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/increase-cases-winter-vomiting-bug-30167638

[SteveH]

Update.........

Consultant Epidemiologist at Public Health Wales, said: “Preventing the spread of norovirus relies on regular and thorough handwashing. We recommend washing hands frequently with soap and warm water, especially after using the toilet and before eating or preparing food.

"Alcohol-based hand sanitisers are not effective against norovirus, so proper handwashing is essential. Additionally, those experiencing symptoms should stay at home for at least 48 hours after symptoms have subsided to prevent further transmission. For further advice on protecting yourself and others from gastrointestinal infections, visit the NHS 111 website.”

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/important-norovirus-tip-cases-winter-30171461

[Ian]

It seems that it's not all alcohol sanitisers that are ineffective, and one enjoyed a very high success rate.  Once I've discovered which one that is, I'll post it in here.

The original comparative study.

[SteveH]

Thanks Ian, A very informative read.