Clinica Santa Cecilia - NERJA, Spain

02/03/2026

An international study of nearly 2 million people suggests that meat-free diets can help stave off several major cancers — but it also reached some unexpected conclusions.

In what researchers describe as the largest-ever meta-analysis of meatless diets and cancer risk, compared with meat-eaters, vegetarians showed reduced risks for five cancers, including breast, prostate, and pancreatic. That was independent of factors such as physical activity, body weight, smoking habits, alcohol intake, and medical history. https://mdsc.pe/4si6jPZ

02/03/2026

Whether it's dancing 💃🏾, hiking 🥾 , running, playing with your pet 🐶 or gardening 🌱, exploring different options can lead you to something that resonates with you. Don’t give up on trying new activities until you discover what brings you joy.

Have you found the right one yet?

01/03/2026

Want better sleep? 😴

Let your body wind down and give your mind a break from screens, including TVs, computers and smartphones, before bedtime.

28/02/2026

28/02/2026

On the cover of The Lancet:
Editorial — “Robert F Kennedy Jr: 1 year of failure”

Read this and more in the latest issue 👉 http://spkl.io/6183AauAl

22/02/2026

22/02/2026

21/02/2026

A recent BMJ article reviews the current landscape of longevity medicine and its relationship to Lifestyle Medicine 📚

While longevity practitioners are exploring emerging diagnostics, AI tools, and experimental therapies, most remain in early stage and are not yet validated for routine clinical use.

The article emphasises that the strongest evidence for extending healthspan continues to come from structured lifestyle interventions. Sustained improvements in diet, physical activity, sleep, stress management, and social connection consistently support better metabolic, cardiovascular, and cognitive outcomes, and reduce the risk of chronic disease.

Read the full article here: https://www.bmj.com/content/391/bmj.r2536.full?ijkey=ANbvxI1LNe3jBrl&keytype=ref

14/02/2026

This Valentine’s Day, find connection in the quiet moments

Valentine’s Day is often seen as a celebration of romantic love, but for many, it can be a day filled with solitude and self-reflection. While the holiday is synonymous with hearts, flowers, and togetherness, it can also shine a spotlight on feelings of loneliness and emotional distance. However, this day doesn’t have to centre solely on romantic relationships—it can be an opportunity to deepen your connection with yourself and others in meaningful ways.

The quiet weight of loneliness

Loneliness is more than just an emotional experience; it can have significant effects on physical and mental health. Research shows that prolonged loneliness can increase stress levels, weaken the immune system, and even contribute to heart disease or depression. These effects highlight the importance of addressing loneliness, especially if it begins to impact your well-being.

If you feel that loneliness is affecting your sleep, appetite, energy, or overall mental health, don’t hesitate to seek professional support. Speaking with your doctor can provide clarity on how loneliness might be influencing your health and help you access resources, such as counselling or support groups, to guide you toward feeling better.

Redefining love and connections

Love comes in many forms, from the bond shared with family and friends, or animal companions, to the kindness we show ourselves. Valentine’s Day can be an opportunity to celebrate these connections in ways that nurture your mental well-being.

- Reach out: A simple phone call, video chat, or heartfelt message to a friend or family member can foster meaningful connection. Sharing memories, offering support, or expressing gratitude can brighten both your day and theirs.
- Engage locally: Community groups and social clubs are excellent ways to build relationships. Whether it’s volunteering at an animal rescue, or attending a local event, connecting with others can help ease feelings of isolation. And remember: our canine friends in rescue centres want celebrate Valentine’s Day too!

The power of self-love

Self-love is not just a trendy concept—it’s a cornerstone of mental and emotional health. Valentine’s Day offers an opportunity to reflect on how you care for yourself—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

- Create joyful moments: Dedicate time to an activity that brings you happiness. This might include exploring nature, helping others, or treating yourself to something special.
- Practice mindfulness: Journaling, meditation, or simply sitting in a peaceful space can help you process your emotions and bring clarity to your thoughts.

When you invest in self-love, you’re not only caring for yourself but also creating a strong foundation for building connections with others.

Kindness as a source of healing

Small acts of kindness can have a profound impact on both the giver and the receiver. Use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to spread kindness, whether by volunteering, offering help to a neighbour, or sending a thoughtful note to someone who may also feel alone. The ripple effects of kindness can create lasting feelings of connection and purpose.

Valentine’s Day, at its core, is about celebrating love in all its forms. Even in moments of solitude, you can find connections through self-care, meaningful relationships, and acts of compassion. And if loneliness begins to feel overwhelming, remember that your doctor can be an essential ally in helping you understand and address how it’s affecting your health. This Valentine’s Day, take time to nurture yourself and others—because everyone deserves to feel supported, valued, and connected.

René of Anjou, Le mortifiement de vaine plaisance, France ca. 1470 (Cologny, Fondation Martin Bodmer, Cod. Bodmer 144, fol. 3v)

14/02/2026

In honour of St Valentine, the Patron Saint of Love, let’s take a look at how love affects us - body and soul.
Humans have long described the heart as the source of our affections. It started with the ancient Egyptians and the Greeks; Aristotle, for instance, considered the heart to be the origin of all thought and feeling. The heart was seen as the seed of the soul, where our emotions resided; emotions like love or courage.
The heart is cited for many emotions in sonnets (“How do I love thee?”), songs (“My Heart Will Go On,” “Hungry Heart”), and everyday expressions (“heart of gold,” “broken heart”). But when L-O-V-E enters the scene, the old ticker takes all the credit.
Thanks to some scientific serendipity, LOVE actually improves your heart health!
There was an element of truth when, in Silk Stockings, Cole Porter had Ninontcka sing about love “It’s a chemical reaction, that’s all.”
That rush of emotion we connect to our heart actually begins deep in the brain. It starts with a crush which triggers a dopamine pathway deep in the middle of the brain. Dopamine, the "feel-good" neurotransmitter, primes us for the next step: infatuation and obsession. High levels of dopamine suppress serotonin; the same thing that happens in people with obsessive-compulsive disorders. Your brain tells your adrenal gland to release chemicals like adrenaline and norepinephrine. No wonder we often tremble and feel as if our heart is racing when we think about the object of our affection.
The brain really gets us going by releasing oxytocin, "the love hormone”, creating a strong bond. Oxytocin is a neuropeptide secreted by the pituitary gland during times of intimacy, like hugging, kissing and or**sm.
Flooding the body with love hormones does amazing things to our heart and nervous system. Our hearts beat faster and stronger - experiencing short lived spikes that can train your heart to pump blood more efficiently, similar to the way aerobic exercise does (although don’t give up the gym).
Warm, fuzzy feelings of affection stimulate our parasympathetic nervous system, helping us relax. That reduces stress and improves feelings of depression and anxiety. Loving feelings suppress our “fight or flight” sympathetic nervous system, meaning our blood vessels will dilate just a little and our blood pressure will lower. Researchers have found the blood pressure drop is related to sweet silence - the sort of less talking, non-judgemental, emotional supportive environment you have with someone who knows you well. This can be your best friend or your animal companion as well as a romantic partner.
That cascade of love hormones are released when you feel affection for all sorts of things, not just in romantic relationships. The most important and intense relationship for some people could be with their child or children, their parents, or with their animal companion(s). It is not who you love, it is that you love.
The health benefits of animal companions have long been established for both humans and animals including specifically heart-healthy biochemical aspects such as lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides plus increasing exercise, time outdoors and socialization.
An often overlooked way to give you warm, fuzzy feelings to boost mood and ward off depression is volunteering. Research has shown that people who volunteer have lower mortality rates and those with chronic illness feel less pain when helping others.
With so many ways to benefit heart health, don't be afraid to try love.