All articles tagged with #life and style
The Times investigates the rise of at‑home testosterone testing and TRT, warning that testing testosterone in isolation can mislead and drive unnecessary treatment. It urges comprehensive medical evaluation by a clinician, morning blood tests, and lifestyle changes before considering TRT, noting its higher costs and potential health risks.
Facing a life-threatening illness, Bella Younger and her partner Ben chose a no-frills Mallorca wedding last summer to declare their love, a decision that accompanied a brutal medical battle and, after months of struggle, led to Ben entering remission and the family rebuilding their life together.
New Health Foundation data shows middle-class women aged 30–50 are the dominant private-prescription users of weight‑loss injections like Ozempic and Mounjaro, prompting debate over affordability, ethics, and long-term health effects as researchers highlight side effects and a growing class divide in obesity treatment.
Resistant starch is a beneficial, under‑the‑radar fibre that feeds gut microbes and helps lower cholesterol, manage blood sugar, and curb appetite. The Times explains how to boost it in everyday foods: cook and then cool starch‑heavy items like pasta, potatoes and rice; enjoy overnight oats; opt for underripe bananas; include pulses and chickpea pasta; and even freeze and reheat bread to raise resistant starch. Citing studies on cancer risk reduction, weight loss, and improved insulin sensitivity, the piece also advises aiming for about 30g of total fibre daily, gradually increasing intake to avoid bloating, and consulting a dietitian if IBS symptoms arise. It also covers safe rice cooling to prevent toxins.
The Times’ feature on Gail’s shows a chicken sandwich topping 1,000 calories (about 1,067 kcal for Gail’s Smoked Chicken Caesar Club), prompting comparisons with rivals like Pret and M&S. A nutritionist cautions that weight management hinges on overall balance and satiety, not a single high-calorie meal, while the piece also highlights lower-calorie Gail’s options (often under 500 kcal) and the value of fiber and protein in meals.
A Lancet review suggests statins are generally well tolerated, easing concerns about memory loss or sleep disturbances. About 10 million in the UK take statins, mainly for primary prevention, but benefits depend on baseline cardiovascular risk. NICE estimates that at a 10% 10-year risk, 40 strokes or heart attacks could be prevented per 1,000 people over 10 years; numbers needed to treat vary (roughly 200 people for five years to prevent one heart attack in primary prevention, about 300 to prevent one stroke, with better figures for secondary prevention). The article emphasizes that diet and lifestyle remain crucial and that statins are risk reducers, not a substitute for healthy habits. It also notes tools like QRisk to estimate personal risk, though those estimates have limitations.
Experts outline six practical strategies to cut common workout injuries: mix cardio, strength and mobility; see a physio even when not injured; strengthen the glutes; increase load gradually; address muscular imbalances; and use short “movement snacks” to stay primed.
Tracy King recounts being reassured by a charming breast surgeon, only to learn Ian Paterson carried out unnecessary operations on hundreds of women; after his conviction, she joined others in a long fight for accountability and systemic reform.
A Times nutrition expert links libido to overall health and recommends a Mediterranean-style diet rich in omega-3s, plant proteins, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats like avocado and olive oil to improve hormones and blood flow; it also advises limiting refined carbs and red meat, highlights zinc and B vitamins, and notes midlife and menopausal considerations for women while stressing that consistency matters more than any single meal.
Lucy Cavendish spends seven nights at Lanserhof Lans near Innsbruck to trial a bespoke 'Ozempic generation' health programme for people on weight‑loss drugs, undergoing fasting, blood work, scans and therapies while keeping a tight schedule of wellness activities; she has already lost weight on Mounjaro and leaves encouraged by the programme’s focus on long‑term metabolic health, despite a hefty price tag and intensive regime.
A Lancet-backed study of about 135,000 adults found that a daily ten-minute walk can cut the risk of dying early by around 15%, with additional gains from small daily tweaks such as taking stairs and reducing sitting time; researchers caution the findings are observational and do not prove causation.