Atopic eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) is an inflammatory condition that affects people of all ages. Image of young black women moisterising her face.

Atopic eczema: causes, triggers and natural treatments

Atopic eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that can affect people of all ages, although most commonly presents in early childhood. It is one of the most common chronic skin diseases, thought to affect up to one-fifth of the population1 and its prevalence is rising, particularly in developed and fast-growing countries.

Our latest blog looks at the underlying causes of this condition, what factors can trigger it and the natural treatments, including nutritional and lifestyle approaches, that may help.

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Last updated on 3rd January 2024 by cytoffice

Getting enough vitamin d to support your immunity is important: father and son fishing with fishing net in river in the autumn sunlight.

Vitamin D and immunity – a review of recent research

Vitamin D plays a critical role in protecting humans from invasive pathogens, reducing the risk of autoimmunity and maintaining optimal health – while low vitamin D levels leave an individual susceptible to infections and developing autoimmunity. This systematic review released last month takes an in depth look into the evidence around vitamin D’s mechanisms and effects on enhancing both innate and acquired immunity – and in this week’s blog we take a closer look at some of the most recent research examining vitamin D’s role in supporting immunity.

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Last updated on 3rd January 2024 by cytoffice

Happy, healthy family of three, in autumn woodland.

Foundations of health part one: probiotics

More than 2000 years ago, Hippocrates suggested that all disease begins in the gut, and modern medicine continues to demonstrate that, very often, this is indeed the case. The gut has many functions central to health including digestion, absorption, immunity, detoxification and elimination. However, many factors of modern living such as stress, poor diet, excess alcohol, illness and antibiotic use, can adversely affect gut health.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that help to keep the digestive system healthy by ameliorating the growth of harmful gut microbes and boosting the number and diversity of beneficial gut microbes. An imbalance of gut microflora may play a key role in the development of some gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders.

Replenishing gut microflora with a multi-strain probiotic supplement offers a simple and effective way to support the gut, and therefore overall health and wellbeing.

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Last updated on 3rd January 2024 by cytoffice

Healthy eating for children: blonde haired toddler girl with a cheeky grin holding broccoli.

Healthy eating for children: overcoming barriers to unhealthy diets

We all want our children to eat healthily but the reality is that there are often multiple barriers to implementing this such as a lack of understanding around healthy eating for children, time constraints, the appeal of unhealthy foods and cost. For instance, a survey carried out this year found that children across Britain are suffering worsening levels of tooth decay, anxiety and stunted growth as the cost of food has risen.1,2

The survey, which was conducted among school nurses from the School and Public Health Nurses Association (SAPHNA) and members of the British Dental Association (BDA) revealed that 65% of the respondents noticed a deterioration in children’s health and wellbeing, which was attributed to the worsening of living standards over the past year. Continue reading  ▶

Last updated on 3rd January 2024 by cytoffice

Long covid recovery: group of multi-ethnic friends hiking in the woods in the summer following.

Long covid recovery: nutritional approaches and interventions  

Long covid is a complex condition which is still being understood. It appears to be characterised by endothelial damage, chronic inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction leading to multiple symptoms, the most prevalent of which include; fatigue, brain fog and shortness of breath. Government statistics currently estimate that 2 million people in the UK are affected by long covid. With many people unable to lead their normal lives due to this debilitating condition and few available therapies for long covid recovery, it is important to consider the pathophysiology of long covid and how dysfunctions that contribute to symptoms can be counterbalanced.

This blog looks at the tangled web of dysfunctions that drive each other following covid infection and highlights potential long covid recovery interventions that may be beneficial for supporting individuals who are experiencing long covid.

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Last updated on 3rd January 2024 by cytoffice

Close up of feet walking on a boardwalk at a summer sunset

In the news – health and nutrition research

In this week’s article we provide a roundup of some of the most recent health and nutrition related articles, which all focus on aspects of healthy ageing. We analyse four items comprising:

  • Dietary flavonoids intake may delay the biological ageing process
  • Vitamin D may reduce inflammation in the ageing population
  • Just 20 minutes of brisk walking can bring mental health benefits
  • Omega-3 fatty acids can contribute to healthy lung function
  • Probiotics have the potential to reduce hypertension

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Last updated on 3rd January 2024 by cytoffice