While long-term economic growth is undoubtedly good for a nation's health, there is evidence that short-term economic downturns can actually help to boost our health.
One study, published in 2000, found that a 1% rise in unemployment reduced the death rate by 0.5%. That same research also revealed that during a recession, people cut back on smoking, alcohol and eating out.
Fear of unemployment also means we are likely to do more exercise, visit the doctor and generally take better care of ourselves.
Adults are supposed to do at least 30 minutes of light exercise four to five times a week - but can exerting ourselves actually lead to health problems?
The answer is a resounding yes, it can. For one thing, research has shown that a growing number of people are exercising too much, not exercising properly (which can lead to joint problems later in life) or feeling excessively guilty if they miss a workout.
A study out of Canberra even found that an obsession with exercise can raise a person's risk of developing an eating disorder. We should all work out regularly - just make sure you do it properly. It is well worth booking in an hour or more with a personal trainer to set you on the right track.
We take them for granted and can take them every time we feel a tiny niggle - but everyday painkillers can pose a serious risk to your health if you misunderstand or misuse them.
Paracetamol, for example, has been linked with liver damage, while high doses of aspirin threaten the stomach and kidneys and ibuprofen could raise the risk of heart disease in some patients.
Always check with your pharmacist or doctor to make sure anything you take is safe and does not interfere with medication you already use.
First of all - it's not good to be fat. People who are overweight or obese are at a much greater risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes and a legion of other potentially life-threatening conditions.
However, there is evidence which suggests body fat can - occasionally - insulate you from illness.
A Danish research team claims that men and women with thighs over 60cm in circumference have a lower risk of heart disease and premature death.
It is thought that those of us with narrow thighs may not have enough muscle to properly deal with insulin.
Is there any drug with more stigma attached to it than thalidomide? Calamitously given to pregnant women in the 1950s and 60s to cure morning sickness, the drug caused deformities and long-term health problems in thousands of unfortunate individuals in what has been called the biggest medical tragedy of all time.
However, did you know that thalidomide is still being used today? It is not, obviously, given to pregnant women, but it has been used to treat leprosy and tuberculosis, while tests are ongoing to discover its effectiveness against HIV and some forms of cancer.
Too much alcohol can lead to heart disease, depression, cancer and - in the most extreme cases, death.
But cutting out alcohol completely means you may be depriving yourself of some surprising health benefits. Moderate consumption of alcohol is known to reduce the risk of conditions such as heart disease.
Red wine, for example, contains antioxidants, which attack disease-causing free radicals, while gin was recently linked in one study to the prevention of arthritis. Just remember not to overdo things!
We use it to makes us prettier, but make-up could in fact do your looks more harm than good. According to a recent survey, one in four women put their health and looks at risk by using out-of-date beauty products.
One of the most commonly overused items is mascara (well, it's not cheap, is it?); 92% of women surveyed by the College of Optometrists said they keep their mascara for longer than six months, despite the fact that it is a breeding ground for bacteria and can lead to, irony of ironies, an unsightly eye infection.
Our cupboards may well be full of anti-bacterial sprays and other cleaning agents that keep our homes sparkling clean, but did you know that a little bit of dirt is in fact thought to be good for our immune system?
The huge upsurge in cases of asthma in developed countries in recent years, for example, is thought to be partly due to the high standards of hygiene, spotless food and high number of cleaning products used in our homes.
Exposure to certain infections during childhood is thought to be particularly beneficial. They are believed to help prevent a number of allergic reactions in adulthood as the immune system learns how to deal with foreign invaders in childhood.
While long-term economic growth is undoubtedly good for a nation's health, there is evidence that short-term economic downturns can actually help to boost our health.
One study, published in 2000, found that a 1% rise in unemployment reduced the death rate by 0.5%. That same research also revealed that during a recession, people cut back on smoking, alcohol and eating out.
Fear of unemployment also means we are likely to do more exercise, visit the doctor and generally take better care of ourselves.
Adults are supposed to do at least 30 minutes of light exercise four to five times a week - but can exerting ourselves actually lead to health problems?
The answer is a resounding yes, it can. For one thing, research has shown that a growing number of people are exercising too much, not exercising properly (which can lead to joint problems later in life) or feeling excessively guilty if they miss a workout.
A study out of Canberra even found that an obsession with exercise can raise a person's risk of developing an eating disorder. We should all work out regularly - just make sure you do it properly. It is well worth booking in an hour or more with a personal trainer to set you on the right track.
We take them for granted and can take them every time we feel a tiny niggle - but everyday painkillers can pose a serious risk to your health if you misunderstand or misuse them.
Paracetamol, for example, has been linked with liver damage, while high doses of aspirin threaten the stomach and kidneys and ibuprofen could raise the risk of heart disease in some patients.
Always check with your pharmacist or doctor to make sure anything you take is safe and does not interfere with medication you already use.
First of all - it's not good to be fat. People who are overweight or obese are at a much greater risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes and a legion of other potentially life-threatening conditions.
However, there is evidence which suggests body fat can - occasionally - insulate you from illness.
A Danish research team claims that men and women with thighs over 60cm in circumference have a lower risk of heart disease and premature death.
It is thought that those of us with narrow thighs may not have enough muscle to properly deal with insulin.
Is there any drug with more stigma attached to it than thalidomide? Calamitously given to pregnant women in the 1950s and 60s to cure morning sickness, the drug caused deformities and long-term health problems in thousands of unfortunate individuals in what has been called the biggest medical tragedy of all time.
However, did you know that thalidomide is still being used today? It is not, obviously, given to pregnant women, but it has been used to treat leprosy and tuberculosis, while tests are ongoing to discover its effectiveness against HIV and some forms of cancer.
Too much alcohol can lead to heart disease, depression, cancer and - in the most extreme cases, death.
But cutting out alcohol completely means you may be depriving yourself of some surprising health benefits. Moderate consumption of alcohol is known to reduce the risk of conditions such as heart disease.
Red wine, for example, contains antioxidants, which attack disease-causing free radicals, while gin was recently linked in one study to the prevention of arthritis. Just remember not to overdo things!
We use it to makes us prettier, but make-up could in fact do your looks more harm than good. According to a recent survey, one in four women put their health and looks at risk by using out-of-date beauty products.
One of the most commonly overused items is mascara (well, it's not cheap, is it?); 92% of women surveyed by the College of Optometrists said they keep their mascara for longer than six months, despite the fact that it is a breeding ground for bacteria and can lead to, irony of ironies, an unsightly eye infection.
Our cupboards may well be full of anti-bacterial sprays and other cleaning agents that keep our homes sparkling clean, but did you know that a little bit of dirt is in fact thought to be good for our immune system?
The huge upsurge in cases of asthma in developed countries in recent years, for example, is thought to be partly due to the high standards of hygiene, spotless food and high number of cleaning products used in our homes.
Exposure to certain infections during childhood is thought to be particularly beneficial. They are believed to help prevent a number of allergic reactions in adulthood as the immune system learns how to deal with foreign invaders in childhood.
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1 comment:
I enjoyed reading this blog Hunny, very much! This is so true! H from work is one of those over achievers and she is sick all the time. Yes, she f'ing annoys me! As you know I work out, but only 3 - 4 times a week now. I am careful what I put in my body too! xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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