Bunch of beetroot on a dark background

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 in the news, five items comprising:

  • Omega-3 fatty acids can play a supportive role on muscle healing and regeneration.
  • Purple vegetables and tubers may have a protective role against type 2 diabetes.
  • Probiotics may support against menopause-related disease.
  • Time restricted eating can have a beneficial effect on brain function and offers a promising preventative approach to cognitive decline.
  • The Mediterranean diet is associated with a decreased risk of dementia.

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Last updated on 3rd January 2024 by cytoffice

Making the menopause a positive experience. Two senior women at the beach enjoying a walk.

Menopause – boosting mood and busting stress during menopause and perimenopause

The menopause is defined as the cessation of menstruation. The term menopause is often used incorrectly – menopause means a woman’s last menstrual period. Climacteric describes the gradual changes and symptoms which occur as the production of hormones, and ovarian function, diminishes. In the UK, the average age for a woman affected by the menopause is 51. However, women can begin to experience changes to their physiology for up to 10 years before the menopause, this period is known as perimenopause.

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Last updated on 3rd January 2024 by cytoffice

Girls having fun in meadow, walking and holding hands not affected by hay fever

Hay fever – natural nutrients support

Spring has sprung, the days are getting longer, daffodils are blooming and many of us are hoping for a beautiful summer. But for the millions of hay fever sufferers in the UK, the season of sneezing, runny noses and itchy eyes is just around the corner, and for many, this range of debilitating symptoms can have a very real impact on everyday life.

Seasonal allergic rhinitis, or “hay fever” occurs when your body identifies pollen as a threat and launches an inappropriate immune response to this normally harmless substance. While hay fever frequently begins at a young age, it can affect both adults and children, affecting an estimated 10-15% of children and 26% of adults in the UK – equating to around 16 million of us – with a 2020 study suggesting that the figure could actually be as high as 49% of adults.1,2

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Last updated on 3rd January 2024 by cytoffice

Women's joint health : mature women stretching

Women’s joint health: can collagen help?

As we age it is common for individuals to experience joint issues due to wear and tear over a lifetime as well as an increase in inflammation. Musculoskeletal pain, arthralgia and arthritis are all more common in women, and their frequency increases with age. In some, a decline in women’s joint health appears to be associated with the onset of menopause.1

As menopause is a time when activity and mental health is essential to wellbeing, it is an important time to support joint health and reduce pain in order to both ameliorate symptoms and maintain movement. This blog looks at collagen as a therapeutic support for joints which may be considered during menopause to support joint health, wellness and exercise.

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Last updated on 24th April 2024 by cytoffice

Image of happy senior man and woman dancing in their kitchen for blog on sarcopenia

Sarcopenia – a cornerstone of ageing in men (and women)

The word sarcopenia comes from sarx meaning “flesh” and penia meaning “loss”, hence it is a term describing muscle loss. It is well documented that ageing is associated with muscle loss. This is both a double edge sword and a vicious cycle. When considering longevity, muscle has been referred to as the “Anti-ageing God.”

Muscle plays an essential role in maintaining wellness as we age, but as we age muscle mass declines. At the same time as muscle loss, we get an increase in adipose tissue, further contributing to loss of lean body mass percentage and subsequent physiological dysfunctions (discussed later). If muscle can be maintained more effectively throughout life and particularly in older generations, it can support healthy ageing and longevity. This blog discusses the importance of muscle health and how it can be maintained.

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Last updated on 3rd January 2024 by cytoffice

CoQ10 blog | Woman paddleboarding in the morning

CoQ10 – forms, functions and latest research

Coenzyme Q10 (commonly referred to as CoQ10) is a member of the ubiquinone family of compounds and is an important vitamin-like substance that is found in virtually all cell membranes, including mitochondrial membranes. Although CoQ10 is naturally produced by the body, levels decline with age and while a certain amount can be found in food, the amount generally is not enough to significantly increase levels.

In this week’s blog we will take a look at it’s important functions and how these relate to our health, the latest research, and steps we can take to increase levels in the body. Continue reading  ▶

Last updated on 8th February 2023 by cytoffice