6 Healthy Old Wives’ Tales That Are Actually True

Grandparents love an old wives’ tale. ‘Starve a fever, feed a cold,’ ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away,’ ‘eat your crusts – they make your hair curly!’ But how many of these are actually true?

We tend to take old wives’ tales with a pinch of salt – it’s only superstition after all.  But how many of us still reach for the chicken soup when we’re feeling unwell?

If you’re unconvinced that your Grandma’s words of wisdom hold any truth, these 6 tales will get you thinking.

Chicken Soup Helps Beat Sickness

They say it’s good for the soul, but can chicken soup really help fight a cold? Dr. Stephen Rennardfrom the University of Nebraska Medical Center believes so.

For centuries, it has been commended for its medicinal properties, without anyone knowing exactly why. Rennard conducted a study that compared the activity of white blood cells against infection, both with and without the presence of chicken soup. He concluded that it’s the anti-inflammatory properties found in chicken soup, which work to support the immune system and relieve cold and flu-like symptoms. 

More traditionally, soup offers the feel-good factor needed to recover from winter bugs. It’s warm and tasty – the perfect comfort food. Soup also keeps you hydrated and helps beat congestion, important factors when fighting a cold.

Carrots Help You See In The Dark

We can’t promise night vision, but this old wives’ tale isn’t as ridiculous as it first seems.  The myth was popularised back in World War II, when the British government published a press release to fool German officials. In it, they convinced readers that the Royal Air Force’s nifty night work was thanks to a high-carrot diet; that the carrots gave them superhuman seeing powers.

Jokes aside, there is some truth in what they said. Carrots are rich in vitamin A; an essential nutrient needed for healthy vision.  It helps protect the surface of the eye, reducing the risk of cataracts, glaucoma and degeneration.

Eating carrots increases your vitamin A intake and can therefore help you to see better in the dark. However, you can only see as much as humanly possible. No amount of carrots will enable you to see perfectly in complete darkness.

An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away

We’ve heard it time and time again, but does it actually mean anything? According to researchers from Cornell's Food Science and Toxicology Department in New York, apples are much more than a bite to eat. In a recent study, they found that one fresh apple contains ‘antioxidant properties equivalent to 1,500 milligrams of vitamin C’ - reaching the upper limit of your recommended daily allowance.

Vitamin C is key to strengthening the immune system, protecting against cardiovascular disease and maintaining a healthy glow. However, many of an apple’s nutrients are found in its skin, so don’t peel if you want to stay fighting fit.

Fish is Brain Food

Rumour is, eating fish can make us smarter – and it’s true.  Oily fish is packed with essential omega-3 fatty acids that promote healthy cognitive function and efficiency, in particular docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). This acid plays a fundamental role in the development of nerve tissue within the brain.

By incorporating oily fish into a balanced diet, you can increase DHA levels and improve your memory/ brain performance over time. For the omega fats to work most effectively, aim to broil or grill the fish.

Parsley Cures Bad Breath

If you’re partial to a coffee or two, you might want to try shopping for parsley – it’s a natural way of dealing with bad breath. Chewing a small handful of the herb helps to neutralise toxins and keep any bad smells at bay.

Alternatively, if you don’t enjoy the taste of parsley, take your pick from other leafy greens, like peppermint and sage. These are also rich in chlorophyll; a compound packed with the anti-inflammatory properties needed to banish bad breath.

High in antioxidants, parsley deodorises the damage left by food and drink – leaving you with lovely, fresh breath that your friends will appreciate.   

Breakfast Is The Most Important Meal Of The Day

Sometimes busy schedules don’t leave us enough time for breakfast – you’re lucky if you grabbed a coffee! But neglecting this first meal of the day can be more damaging to your diet than you realise.

As the name says, breakfast ‘breaks-the-fast,’ providing much-needed nutrients after a long night’s rest. It restores glucose levels, improving focus and concentration, and gives you the carbs needed to work at your best. Ultimately, this meal is a vital source of energy; without it, you’re running on empty.

Instead of having an extra 10 minutes in bed, get up and prepare yourself a healthy, hearty breakfast that sets you up for the day ahead.

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/6-healthy-old-wives-tales-actually-true-090000218.html

Benefits of exercise

Step right up! It's the miracle cure we've all been waiting for.

It can reduce your risk of major illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer by up to 50% and lower your risk of early death by up to 30%.

It’s free, easy to take, has an immediate effect and you don’t need a GP to get some. Its name? Exercise.

Click on the links below to find out if you're doing enough for your age:

• early childhood (under 5 years old)
• young people (5-18 years old)
• adults (19-64 years old)
• older adults (65 and over)

Exercise is the miracle cure we’ve always had, but for too long we’ve neglected to take our recommended dose. Our health is now suffering as a consequence.

This is no snake oil. Whatever your age, there's strong scientific evidence that being physically active can help you lead a healthier and even happier life.

People who do regular activity have a lower risk of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and some cancers.

Research shows that physical activity can also boost self-esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy, as well as reducing your risk of stress, depression, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

“If exercise were a pill, it would be one of the most cost-effective drugs ever invented,” says Dr Nick Cavill, a health promotion consultant.

Health benefits

Given the overwhelming evidence, it seems obvious that we should all be physically active. It's essential if you want to live a healthy and fulfilling life into old age.

"If exercise were a pill, it would be one of the most cost-effective drugs ever invented"

Dr Nick Cavill

It's medically proven that people who do regular physical activity have:

• up to a 35% lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke
• up to a 50% lower risk of type 2 diabetes
• up to a 50% lower risk of colon cancer
• up to a 20% lower risk of breast cancer
• a 30% lower risk of early death
• up to an 83% lower risk of osteoarthritis
• up to a 68% lower risk of hip fracture
• a 30% lower risk of falls (among older adults)
• up to a 30% lower risk of depression
• up to a 30% lower risk of dementia

What counts?

Moderate-intensity aerobic activity means you're working hard enough to raise your heart rate and break a sweat. One way to tell if you're working at a moderate intensity is if you can still talk but you can't sing the words to a song.

Examples of moderate-intensity aerobic activities are:

• walking fast
• water aerobics
• riding a bike on level ground or with few hills
• playing doubles tennis
• pushing a lawn mower

Daily chores such as shopping, cooking or housework don't count towards your 150 minutes. This is because the effort needed to do them isn’t hard enough to get your heart rate up.

A modern problem

People are less active nowadays, partly because technology has made our lives easier. We drive cars or take public transport. Machines wash our clothes. We entertain ourselves in front of a TV or computer screen. Fewer people are doing manual work, and most of us have jobs that involve little physical effort. Work, house chores, shopping and other necessary activities are far less demanding than for previous generations.

We move around less and burn off less energy than people used to. Research suggests that many adults spend more than seven hours a day sitting down, at work, on transport or in their leisure time. People aged over 65 spend 10 hours or more each day sitting or lying down, making them the most sedentary age group. 

Sedentary lifestyles

Inactivity is described by the Department of Health as a “silent killer”. Evidence is emerging that sedentary behaviour, such as sitting or lying down for long periods, is bad for your health.

Not only should you try to raise your activity levels, but you should also reduce the amount of time you and your family spend sitting down.

Common examples of sedentary behaviour include watching TV, using a computer, using the car for short journeys and sitting down to read, talk or listen to music – and such behaviour is thought to increase your risk of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes, as well as weight gain and obesity. 

“Previous generations were active more naturally through work and manual labour, but today we have to find ways of integrating activity into our daily lives,” says Dr Cavill.

Whether it's limiting the time babies spend strapped in their buggies, or encouraging adults to stand up and move frequently, people of all ages need to reduce their sedentary behaviour.

“This means that each of us needs to think about increasing the types of activities that suit our lifestyle and can easily be included in our day,” says Dr Cavill.

Crucially, you can hit your weekly activity target but still be at risk of ill health if you spend the rest of the time sitting or lying down. For tips on building physical activity and exercise into your day, whatever your age, read Get active your way.

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pages/whybeactive.aspx

7 foods that boost your love life

Better sex life food 5: Avocados

Feeling a little too sleepy for sexy time? The endorphins released during sex are a great way to fill yourself with energy but if you simply can’t muster the energy to get started in the first place, an avocado will help you out. The high levels of folic acid in this natural food help to metabolize proteins, which ultimately provide you with a good boost of energy right when you need it.

Better sex life food 6: Celery

Chocolate-dipped strawberries, whipped cream, heart-shaped cupcakes, a stick of celery... The latter food item in the above list might not sound like the mostromantic food to get you in the mood, but it certainly does the job! Celery contains the androsterone hormone, which is released through male perspiration (don’t worry, it’s odourless) and turns women on. Forget the romantic box of chocolates – pass us a stick of celery!

Better sex life food 7: Strawberries

Next time it feels like your sex life is slipping through your fingers, just reach for a handful of strawberries. The high levels of zinc packed into this little fruit boost your energy to help get you in the mood, not to mention the impact it has on regulating testosterone levels and increasing the sperm count in men. In women, the higher the zinc level, the quicker the body prepares itself for sex.

http://www.realbuzz.com/articles/7-foods-that-boost-your-love-life/#pagination-top

How's your gut?

Digestive complaints such as constipation, diarrhoea, heartburn and bloating are very common and usually treatable with lifestyle measures and over-the-counter remedies.

Around 40% of people have at least one digestive symptom at any one time, according to Dr Anton Emmanuel, consultant gastroenterologist at University College Hospital in London.

The most common are:

• abdominal pain
• changes in bowel habit (usually constipation or diarrhoea)
• indigestion
• heartburn

"These are the big four and they’re so common that we take them for granted," said Dr Emmanuel.

"Most digestive problems are to do with lifestyle, the foods we’ve eaten, or stress. Which means that taking steps to change your lifestyle can help, and often prevent, many of these problems," he said. "And there’s a wide choice of pharmacy remedies for heartburn, indigestion and similar problems that are very good for the short-term relief of symptoms."

Some medicines can upset your tummy

Certain medicines that your doctor may have prescribed for you for other health conditions can lead to side effects that may upset your tummy and cause indigestion, diarrhoea or constipation.

Aspirin and medicines used to treat arthritis, known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), should be avoided if you have an ulcer or you get indigestion. Consult your doctor if you rely on these medicines and are also prone to indigestion or ulcers. Paracetamol is a useful alternative.

Certain tranquillisers, painkillers, iron tablets and cough medicines can cause constipation and some people get diarrhoea while taking antibiotics or blood pressure pills.

Always inform your doctor if your prescribed medicines are upsetting your tummy.

Red flag digestive symptoms

Dr Emmanuel warned that although digestive symptoms are usually harmless and often settle down by themselves, they can sometimes persist and be a signal of serious illness.

"People tend to underestimate how serious their symptoms are and that’s frustrating for doctors as we often see patients with gastrointestinal conditions later than we’d like, sometimes only when they’ve had their symptoms for years. If we could see them earlier we could, with treatment, improve their quality of life immensely," he said.

He advised anyone who has taken a pharmacy remedy for a digestive problem for two weeks with no improvement to consult their GP.

He also highlighted five "hardcore" symptoms, which mean you should see a doctor without delay. These symptoms may be an alarm warning of a serious digestive illness:

• a sudden, persistent change in the pattern of how your bowels work
• bleeding from the back passage
• increasing heartburn, indigestion or other stomach pain
• losing weight unexpectedly
• difficulty swallowing

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/digestive-health/Pages/gut-health.aspx

Recovery smoothie

Relax and recover with this juicy smoothie

Relax and enjoy this mix of fruit, fantastic for getting a great amount of your vitamins in one sitting. This juicy combination is not only packed with vitamin A and C but dietary fiber, niacin and potassium too.

It's the perfect drink for a summery daytime pit-stop to get you ready to go, plus it doubles up as a great recovery drink too; the tropical pineapple contains enzymes that help reduce inflammation and swelling and speed up the healing of bruises. So, it's the perfect tonic if you are suffering from injury and want to boost the body's healing process. 

Other swaying factors to entice you into to trying it, is that peaches are known to help make your skin healthier and nectarines have also been known to help with weight loss.

Method

1. Place all of the ingredients into a blender

2. Blend until smooth

3. Pour over ice

Ingredients

• 350ml (1½ cups) pineapple juice
• 1½ fresh nectarines, chopped up into small pieces
• 1½ fresh peaches, chopped up into small pieces

Vital Statistics

Serves: 2
Preparation: 5 minutes
Cooking: N/A
Difficulty: Easy
Good for: Sports injuries and recovery

Calories (kcal): 175
Protein (g): 2.5
Carbs (g): 42.4
Fat (g): 0.8
Fiber (g): 3.3

http://www.realbuzz.com/articles/recovery-smoothie/

10 instant health boosters

Instant ways to boost your health

All too often we set ourselves health challenges that are so big that we rarely achieve them. Why not try some smaller, instant ways to boost your health while you work towards your long term goal? Here are 10 instant health boosters to help you out.

Take time out

Feeling anxious? Nothing boosts your health more quickly when you’re feeling stressed than a well-deserved five minutes dedicated to relaxation and deep breathing. Relaxation techniques are proven to lower your chance of heart disease and lower blood pressure.

Dance

Crank up that radio and start dancing! By putting weight onto your bones, they release more calcium which helps to prevent osteoporosis later in life, not to mention the amount of calories you can burn. You’ll feel great afterwards too!

Get your omega-3s

The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish reduce inflammation, lowering your risk ofheart disease and some forms of cancer. Simply adding some fish into a meal can give you a serious instant health boost.

Treat yourself to cocoa

Not all things that taste good are bad for you! A study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry suggests that treating yourself to a warm mug of cocoa will boost your heart health, brain health and your immune system.

Clean your dashboard

Are you aware of the amount of germs harbouring on your dashboard? Germs love the cold habitat of your dashboard and, because of the air circulation in your car, they stay there for a long time. Don’t let your dashboard turn into a germ’s paradise – give it a good scrub!

Cold shower

While we’ve always associated cold showers with a bad day, it turns out that they can actually chill us out. Cold water urges the brain to release feel-good hormones that beat stress. Less stress = less chance of high blood pressure and heart disease. Don’t make yourself shiver though – just two or three minutes is enough to chill you out.

Kiss

According to research, kissing can get rid of allergies if you do it for at least 30 minutes. This might not be instant, but if it boosts our health then it’s another good excuse for kissing. Pucker up!

Laugh

Laughing allows your brain to release happy hormones and relieve stress. Watch a funny movie or go out for drinks with your friends and you’re sure to get your fix of happy hormones.

Drink lots of water

Yes, we know this one’s a classic but it really is one of the best instant healthboosters. Drinking plenty of water will help prevent urinary infections, improve the condition of your skin, flush your system and keep your kidneys in tip-top condition.

Sit up straight

Poor posture can lead to a curved spine, reduced lung function and shoulder and back pains. It’s not too late to correct the damage caused from slouching in the past though – sit up straight now!

http://www.realbuzz.com/articles/10-instant-health-boosters/

9 Health Mistakes Women Don’t Realise They’re Making

Attention ladies; even if you think you’re a fitness and diet guru, we guarantee you’ll be making some of these health mistakes without even realising it.

Cut out these bad habits and you’ll be healthier before you know it.

Unhealthy friends?

Having unhealthy friends

Who you’re friends with can have a big influence on your health without you even realising.

Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine compared obesity to a virus. When your friends gain weight, you’re more likely to gain weight yourself.

That doesn’t mean you need to ditch your friends as soon as they put on a couple of pounds – study author Dr Nicholas Christakis suggests instead taking cues from your healthier friends.

Only relying on cardio

“I can’t work out with weights because I don’t want to bulk up!” you proclaim as you follow the familiar route to the treadmill for the thousandth time. But is there any truth behind this popular excuse?

In short, no.

Far from bulking you up, building muscle will help you to shed the pounds. Experts estimate that for every pound of muscle you gain, you’ll burn an extra seven -13 calories per day.

Any fears you have of looking like She Hulk can be put to bed. Because of lower levels of testosterone, women don’t bulk up anywhere near as quickly as men.

Overusing social media

We all enjoy a sneaky Facebook stalk every once in a while, but do it too often and you could become depressed, according to researchers in Germany.

They found that overuse of Facebook can pose a serious risk to our mental wellbeing.

Checking out other people’s holiday photos was the major culprit, with one in three study participants reporting that this made them feel depressed or lonely.

Twitter is no better, with a University of Vermont study finding that Twitter users gradually become more stressed and unhappy the more they use the site.

Relying on diet products

When your sweet tooth is crying out for sugar, it can be tempting to turn to sugar-free diet options. Sadly these substitute snacks aren’t as guilt-free as you’ve been led to believe.

In place of sugar, manufacturers will often use nasty artificial alternatives to provide that sweet taste.

Aspartame, commonly found in diet drinks, was found to increase your risk of obesity by 41 per cent in a University of Texas Health Science Centre study.

Psychologists in a separate study at Cornell University observed that phrases like ‘sugar-free’ can subconsciously trigger overeating. In some cases, this meant people ate twice as many calories as they would have done if they opted for the full-sugar version.Don't become fixated on your abs (REX)

Focusing on stomach toning

All too often we become fixated on trying to develop a rock hard stomach by performing endless crunches. If this sounds like you, you’re wasting your time.

Want to know just how useless crunches are? A Men’s Health study found that you’d have to do a staggering 22,000 of them to lose just a pound of fat off your stomach.

If you want to lose weight, focus on high intensity interval training instead.

HIIT increases your metabolic rate for up to 24 hours after you exercise, and boosts fat oxidation.

Wearing high heels too often

Who can resist a pair of killer hills for accentuated legs and an instant confidence boost?

Wear them too frequently however, and your feet won’t be thanking you.

Wearing four-inch heels increases the pressure on your feet by around 30 per cent, leading to damaged tendons, reduced circulation and bone and nerve deterioration.Swap heels for flats occasionally and your feet will thank you (AP)

Not getting enough calcium

A recent survey conducted by Creighton University Medical Centre showed that 85% of women don’t get enough calcium per day, which leads to an increased risk of osteoporosis.

It’s recommended that women between the ages 19 to 50 need a daily calcium intake of 1,000mg.

Topping up on calcium is easy with dairy products like milk and natural yoghurt. If dairy doesn’t agree with you, you’ll also find high levels of calcium in fish such as salmon and sardines and even leafy veg.

Using electronics before bed

That one last game of Candy Crush you squeeze in before you hit the hay could be ruining your sleep pattern, if researchers in Sweden are to be believed.

They observed that people who use mobile phones or tablets directly before going to sleep found it harder to doze off, causing lasting health issues.

As well as displaying signs of insomnia, these pre-sleep tech-addicts suffered from headaches throughout the day.

Eating what your date eats

Next time you’re on a hot date, psychologists suggest you need to spend more time checking what’s on your plate than staring into your partner’s eyes.

University of Birmingham researchers have discovered a link between new relationships and weight gain, particularly in women.

According to their findings, when dining with a new partner you subconsciously mirror their portion sizes, which can lead to weight gain if they eat more than you’re used to.

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/9-health-mistakes-women-don-t-realise-making-090000295.html

Vegetarians have 'poorer quality of life' study claims

 

 

“Vegetarians are 'less healthy and have a lower quality of life than meat-eaters’,'' The Independent reports. A study from Austria suggests there is an association between a vegetarian diet and an increased risk of certain chronic diseases.

But before any meat eating readers start feeling smug, the study provides no proof that vegetarians are in poorer health than meat eaters.

This was an Austrian survey which simply took a group of 330 people put into a general “vegetarian” category (some in this category were not exclusively vegetarian). They were matched with groups of people from three “carnivorous” categories; ranked in terms of total meat consumption.

The groups were then compared on a range of different health and lifestyle measures to see if any differences were observed.

The researchers found various differences; both good and bad.

The “vegetarians” had lower body mass index (BMI) and alcohol intake, but they also had increased prevalence of three chronic diseases: “allergies”, “cancer” and “mental illness”.

The study has numerous limitations, including the cross sectional survey design, where data is taken at a single point in time, so it cannot prove cause and effect.

It could be the case, for example, that people with certain cancers could chose to adopt a vegetarian diet to try and improve their health, rather than a vegetarian diet increasing the risk of developing cancer.

However, as the research included a relatively small sample of only 330 vegetarians, the prevalence of the 18 diseases questioned in this group could differ from another group, meaning these associations with the three diseases could purely be due to chance. 

Overall the decision to follow a vegetarian diet or one containing meat remains a personal lifestyle choice, often based on ethical as well as health reasons.

Staying healthy on a vegetarian diet

It's important to vary what you eat. Some nutrients are found in smaller amounts in vegetarian sources or are less easily absorbed by the body than those in meat or fish.

 

Contrary to popular belief, most vegetarians have enough protein and calcium in their diet (found in dairy products and pulses).

However, if you don't plan your diet properly, you could miss out on essential nutrients. For example, vegetarians need to ensure they get enough iron (found in pulses and dark-green vegetables) and vitamin B12 (found in milk and eggs) in their diets.

 

What did the research involve?

The researchers analysed the diet, health and lifestyle of 15,474 Austrian people aged over 15 years (55% female) who took part in the Austrian Health Interview Survey (AT-HIS) which ran from March 2006 to February 2007. The surveys are carried out every eight years and include a representative sample of the Austrian population (response rate for this survey 63%).

In face-to-face interviews people were asked about socio-demographic characteristics, health related behaviours (including smoking, alcohol and physical activity), BMI, diseases and medical treatments, and also psychological health.

Without a clear definition of the categories being given, people were asked whether they considered their diet to be:

• vegan
• vegetarian including milk and/or eggs
• vegetarian including fish and/or milk/eggs
• carnivorous but rich in fruits and vegetables
• carnivorous but less rich in meat
• carnivorous rich in meat.

 

What were the basic results?

The researchers found that the “vegetarians” had lower BMI (22.9kg/m2) compared to the three other carnivore groups (23.4 in those with less rich meat, 23.5 in those rich in fruit and veg, and 24.9 in those rich in meat). Looking at lifestyle behaviour, vegetarians drank less alcohol, drinking on 2.6 days of the week in the past month than those in the three carnivore groups who drank on 3 to 4.8 days. They didn’t differ on smoking or physical activity.

Looking at health and disease they found that “vegetarians” tended to self-report poorer health and higher levels of functional impairment. They also reported more chronic diseases overall. Looking at specific diseases, those significantly more common among the vegetarians were:

• “allergies” (31% prevalence compared to between 17 and 20% in the different carnivorous groups)
• “cancer” (5% prevalence compared to 1 to 3%)
• “mental illness” (anxiety and depression only: 9% prevalence compared to 4 to 5%)

“Urinary incontinence” was significantly less common in “vegetarians” (2% vs. 3 to 6% in the different carnivorous groups). 

Vegetarians consulted doctors more than those eating a carnivorous diet less rich in meat, but were vaccinated less than all the other carnivore groups. They also made less use of preventative check-ups than those eating a carnivorous diet rich in fruit and vegetables.

They also found that “vegetarians” had a lower quality of life in the domains of “physical health” and “environment” than those consuming a carnivorous diet less rich in meat.

Lower quality of life regarding “social relationships” were also reported in “vegetarians”.

Conclusion

Despite the media headlines, the results from this Austrian cross sectional survey provide no proof that vegetarians are in poorer health than meat eaters.

The study has simply compared a group of people with a “vegetarian” diet with three different groups of people following “carnivorous” diets on a range of different health and lifestyle measures to see if any differences are observed.

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2014/04April/Pages/Vegetarians-have-poorer-quality-of-life-study-claims.aspx

 

Why am I tired all the time?

Feeling exhausted is so common that it has its own acronym, TATT, which stands for ‘tired all the time’.

Dr Rupal Shah, a GP in south London, says tiredness is one of the most common complaints she sees in her surgery. “I see loads and loads of patients who complain of feeling exhausted, even though they’re sleeping well. Often it’s been going on for several months.”

At any given time, one in five people feels unusually tired, and one in 10 have prolonged fatigue, according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Women tend to feel tired more than men.

“It’s unusual to find anything physically wrong. Most of the time, fatigue is linked with mood and the accumulation of lots of little stresses in life,” says Dr Shah.

Dr Shah says she routinely takes a blood test from patients complaining of tiredness to rule out a medical cause, such asanaemia or an underactive thyroid gland.

“There’s more chance of a medical reason for tiredness if there are other symptoms as well, such as heavy periods, weight loss, a change in bowel habits, hair loss, extreme thirst and so on.”

If you want to work out how you became tired in the first place, it can help to think about:

• parts of your life, such as work and family, that might be particularly tiring
• any events that may have triggered your tiredness, for instance, a bereavement or relationship break-up
• how your lifestyle may be making you tired.

Physical causes of tiredness

There are lots of health complaints that can make you feel tired. Not just the well-recognised ones like anaemia and thyroid problems, but also more surprising ailments, such as diabetes and food intolerance.

Read more about the medical causes of tiredness.

Being overweight or underweight can cause tiredness. That’s because your body has to work harder than normal to do everyday activities. If you’re underweight, you have less muscle strength, and you may feel tired more quickly.

Pregnancy, especially in the first 12 weeks, can also sap your energy.

Psychological causes of tiredness

Psychological tiredness is far more common than tiredness that's caused by a physical problem.

One key reason is anxiety, which can cause insomnia and in turn lead to persistent fatigue. A survey by the Mental Health Foundation found that nearly a third of the population are severely sleep-deprived, often because of job and money worries. The Foundation’s report, Sleep Matters, suggests a link between insomnia and low energy levels.

The worries and strains of daily life can be exhausting, even positive events, such as moving house or getting married. And emotional shock, such as bad news, bereavement or the break-up of a relationship, can make you feel drained.

Mental health problems such as depression or anxiety can make you feel more tired. They can also prevent you from getting a proper night's sleep.

If you think your tiredness may be rooted in low mood, try this short audio-guide to dealing with your sleep problems.

Lifestyle causes of tiredness

Tiredness can often be attributed to lifestyle factors, such as drinking too much alcohol, or having a bad diet. If you drink alcohol in the evening, it tends to wake you in the middle of the night. And if you drink a lot regularly, it can make you depressed and affect your sleep. “I’m always surprised to find how often patients who complain of tiredness are drinking far too much,” says Dr Shah.

If you have a disturbed sleep pattern – for instance if you work night shifts, sleep in the day or look after young children – it can be difficult to get a good night’s sleep, and you’ll feel tired during the day.

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/tiredness-and-fatigue/Pages/why-am-I-tired.aspx

5 shocking sex facts

Sex can help you give a great speech

Before you get carried away, we are not suggesting you hop into bed with your boss or sleep with the entire audience. However, having sex can help ease those all too familiar and very dreaded pre-speech nerves. This theory was developed by the psychologist Stuart Brody, who asked 22 women and 22 men to keep sex diaries about their bedroom antics. The group of men and women then had to undertake stressful tasks, like public speaking and mental arithmetic tests. Brody found that the couples who had had penetrative sex were less stressed and their blood pressure levels returned to normal at more speed that the others. Sadly though, those who “did it” alone did not reap the calming benefits, so buddy up before your next big speech.

A couple kissing

The Victorians were filthy

It turns out that the Victorians weren’t the tight-lipped prudes we once imagined. In fact it would seem that the Brits of the nineteenth century were a rather fruity bunch. Not only was this the age that heralded the vibrator as a cure for hysteria, but it also saw a rise in kinky behaviour and tools, such as nipple piercings, pubic wigs and some rather gruesome looking sex chairs. The sauciness doesn’t end there though. Although it is still disputed, it’s thought that the term blow job also derives from this “prudish” period where people would speak about a ‘below job’ and referred to prostitutes as ‘blowsys’.

We kiss to inoculate

Researchers at the University of Leeds believe that humans kiss to inoculate. Women who catch cytomegalovirus typically cannot carry a baby to term. However, if women are exposed to the virus in small doses then they become inoculated. And how can you inoculate against the virus? Why, through swapping saliva of course. Therefore, the brain boxes at the University of Leeds have concluded that we don’t jump into bed with each other straightaway because if we did we might infect women. Therefore we kiss to protect women from catching cytomegalovirus. So pucker up and stay healthy by smooching.

Giving oral is as good as the gym

Sadly girls, giving oral will only benefit you if you’re the giver not the taker. A study has found that pleasuring a guy and swallowing can lower women’s blood pressure and reduce their risk of getting pre-eclampsia. However, if you don’t have the stomach to tackle your man’s area in this way there are other ways you can lower your blood pressure. Another study found that having regular sex with a partner you lived with could lower your diastolic blood pressure, whilst another study found a link between cuddling and reduced blood pressure. So, although you shouldn’t give up on the gym altogether, ladies, it might be worth swapping your sports kit for something a little slinkier once in a while.

Sperm is a great face cream

Although it’s not a great idea to bottle your man stuff and give it to your girl as a present, it turns out that sperm contains protein, which if applied to the face has the same anti-wrinkle benefits as moisturising creams. Apparently the white stuff can tighten skin and give you a little surgery-free facelift. Interestingly, this isn’t the only benefit sperm has to offer. It also contains zinc, magnesium, calcium, potassium and fructose. Plus, if you’re still not convinced that sperm is super, a recent study in Albany found that women who had sex without condoms had fewer signs of depression than women who used condoms or did not have sex at all.

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/5-shocking-sex-facts-090000217.html