http://www.measurehealth.co.uk/

Measure Health, centinneal medical centre, Centinneal Avenue, Elstree (2025)

Q: What is the address?

Centinneal Medical Centre, Centinneal Avenue

18/06/2025

THE POWER OF FOOD AS MEDICINE - 60 SECONDS OF CRUCIFEROUS VEGETABLES

Cruciferous vegetables are a powerful source of fibre and help to reduce inflammation within the body. Body inflammation can be the starting point for several diseases such as cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

What are cruciferous vegetables?

Examples include:
Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower and Kale

What are the benefits of Cruciferous vegetables in the diet?

* Cruciferous vegetables, when broken down in the body, are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that can help reduce inflammation throughout the body.

* This can be beneficial for overall health and may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases associated with inflammation such as cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes

**Prevention is better than cure- let’s using food as medicine to optimise our health**

07/05/2025

**As we age, our bodies need a smarter approach to exercise.**

It’s not just about burning calories anymore — it’s about staying strong, stable, and mobile for the long run.

That means your weekly routine should include:

- **Strength training** to maintain muscle and bone health

- **Balance & flexibility** work (think yoga or Pilates) to prevent falls and keep joints happy

- **Cardio** to keep your heart and lungs in shape

A balanced approach to exercise, incorporating these three elements helps to reduce the risk of the top three causes of death:

•Cardiovascular disease
•Dementia
• Cancer

Get moving!

29/01/2025

What is our lifetime cancer risk?

Lifetime cancer risk of developing or dying from cancer refers to the chance a person has, over the course of their lifetime of being diagnosed with or dying from cancer.

When I started as a medical student, we were taught that the lifetime risk of developing any type of cancer was 1 in 3; this risk is now 1 in 2.

What are the risk factors for developing cancer?

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of developing a disease. Some risk factors are non-modifiable (i.e we cannot do anything about it e.g. age, family history, genetic risk), and other risk factors are called modifiable i.e we can alter our risk by changing certain behaviours.

It is thought that 4 in 10 cancers are preventable through lifestyle changes.

What are the protective factors against cancer?

Protective factors against developing cancer are:

· Exercise & maintaining a healthy weight- at least 30 mins of moderate exercise, 5 times a week

· Optimal diet- a diet rich in fruit and vegetables

· Not smoking/vaping/using Sh**ha

· No alcohol- drinking alcohol can increase your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, larynx (voice box), liver, and breast. The more you drink, the higher your risk

The Elite Wellbeing Health Screen focuses on these modifiable lifestyle risk factors, allowing us to jointing create a personalised plan to optimise health and aim to minimise cancer risk.

28/01/2025

What is Healthspan vs longevity?

Healthspan focuses on the duration of time a person remains healthy and free from serious disease, whilst longevity refers to the length of time an individual lives.

The goal is not merely to extend life but to enhance the quality of those additional years.

What are the main factors that influence lifespan?

Medical advancements have significantly increased average lifespans. However, these extra years are often accompanied by chronic illnesses e.g. heart disease, cancer, dementia which can significantly decrease quality of life.

Several factors influence healthspan including:

Genetics- family history of certain conditions can put you at higher risk

Lifestyle- regular physical activity, a balanced diet rich in nutrients, not smoking and limiting alcohol intake

Social connection- studies have shown that maintaining strong social connections and having a sense of purpose contribute significantly to a longer and healthier life.

The top three leading causes of death in the UK are:

Heart Disease
Dementia
Cancer

The risk factors are the same for all three: optimising your health by focusing on the lifestyle factors above can significantly lower your risk of developing these conditions and maximising your healthspan

15/01/2025

The Importance of Health Screening in Early Disease Detection**

· Health screenings are one of the most powerful tools we have to detect potential health issues before they develop into serious conditions.
·
1. **Catch Diseases Early**

Many serious conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, often begin silently, showing little to no symptoms in their early stages. Regular health screenings can identify these issues before they progress, allowing for timely intervention.

2. **Increase Treatment Success Rates**

The earlier a condition is detected, the more treatment options are available. For instance, cancers like breast and colon cancer, when caught early, have significantly higher survival rates compared to those diagnosed later.

3. **Prevent Complications**

Screenings don’t just detect existing conditions; they also identify risk factors such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, or prediabetes. Addressing these risks early can prevent complications like heart attacks or kidney disease.

4. **Empower Lifestyle Changes**

Screenings provide valuable insights into your overall health. They offer an opportunity to reassess lifestyle habits, such as diet, exercise, and stress management, empowering you to take proactive steps toward a healthier life.

Health screenings are not just about detecting disease—they’re about prevention and empowerment. By investing in regular check-ups, you take control of your health and ensure a longer, healthier life.

Prevention is always better than cure.

Make your health a priority—schedule your screenings today!

27/11/2024

***WHOLE-BODY MRI SCANNING ***

Benefits of WB MRI Scanning:

· Early detection of cancer can lead to more effective treatment and better outcomes

· Radiation-free

· WB MRI has a high sensitivity which means it is good at detecting cancers that are present even at low disease prevalence

· Peace of mind that comes with knowing you have been screened for cancer

To book a free 15-minute telephone appointment to ask any questions or to book an appointment for a health screen, email clinical@measurehealth.Co.Uk

08/11/2024

Sixty seconds on… THE THYROID GLAND

What is the thyroid gland?

The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the neck which produces a hormone that regulates your metabolism.

What happens if my thyroid gland doesn’t work properly?

As we get older, the thyroid gland may not produce an adequate amount of hormone that our body needs (what we refer to as an ‘underactive’ thyroid gland), and this can cause several symptoms such as tiredness, low mood, weight gain, constipation and hair loss.

Can the thyroid gland also produce too much hormone?

Yes, the thyroid gland can also become ‘overactive’ and produce more hormone than is required. This can be caused by several reasons. Symptoms of an overactive thyoid gland include new-onset anxiety, unexplained weight loss, palpitations and sweating.

What factors increase my risk of having thyoid problems?

Risk factors for thyroid disease include older age, being female, a family history of thyroid disease, having other autoimmune conditions such as coeliac diease or rheumatoid arthritis.

How do I know if my thyroid gland is working correctly?

A simple blood test can check your hormone levels. The blood test can also show if you are at higher risk of having an ‘underactive’ thyroid gland in the future.

If there is an under active thyroid gland, it can be easily treated with a daily tablet to replace the missing hormone and a quick improvement in symptoms.

*A part of the Measure Health Well-man and Well- woman checks the thyroid function is routinely screened for*

04/11/2024

Lifespan vs. Healthspan:

In India “Jeete raho” is a blessing used by elders, which translates to “May you live long”. We often measure life in years, but while medical advancements have increased our average lifespan, they haven’t always extended the quality years we enjoy.

Lifespan is the total years a person lives whereas health-span is how many of those years are lived without serious illness or disability. Unfortunately, many people spend their later years managing chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease, or mobility challenges.

As we understand better the causes of long-term ill-health, we can better focus on health-span. Whereas longevity tends to mean better medical care, healthspan requires more of a pro-active lifestyle approach. In Blue zone communities, which are known for people living beyond a century, they not only have the obvious things like good diet and exercise, but also things like community, relationships, financial health, and a feeling of purpose.

Medical science is making strides in supporting health-span through preventative care and that’s where Measure Health’s screening fits in - identifying risk factors early so interventions can be made to avoid the onset of diseases like dementia, cancer, cardiovascular health, and diabetes.

So may I wish you a long healthspan and hope to be a source of advice to help you get there.

01/10/2024

***DID YOU KNOW?***

After age 30, you begin to lose as much as 3% to 5% of muscle per decade.

· Age-related muscle loss, called sarcopenia, is a natural part of aging.

· Less muscle means greater weakness and less mobility, both of which may increase your risk of falls and fractures.

· Strength training (also known as resistance training) is different than aerobic exercises such as running, cycling, or walking.

· Weightlifting, either with machines or free weights, is one type of resistance training.

· Other types include using medicine balls or resistance bands, or body weight-bearing exercises such as pushups, squats, or yoga.

· Resistance training requires our muscles to contract to lift a heavy object against the pull of gravity which stimulates muscle growth

Everyone, at every age, should be resistance training to maximise longevity and quality of life.

24/09/2024

3 weeks ago, I saw a patient who presented with low back pain. I checked her urine sample which showed a small amount of blood and she was given some antibiotics for a presumed urine infection. I saw her again 2 weeks later to check that the blood in her urine had resolved, however, it was still present. I referred her for a scan and it showed a small kidney cancer.

What are the kidneys?

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist. They’re located behind the abdominal organs, with one kidney on each side of the spine.

The number of kidney cancers diagnosed each year seems to be increasing. One reason for this may be the fact that imaging techniques such as MRI and CT scans are being used more often. These tests may lead to the incidental discovery of more kidney cancers.

Symptoms of kidney cancer

Kidney cancer doesn’t usually cause symptoms at first. In time, signs and symptoms may develop, including:

•Blood in the urine (which may not be visible to the naked eye but picked up on urine dipstick testing).

•Pain in the side or back that doesn’t go away

•Unexplained weight loss

Health screening and acting on symptoms that are not improving are two ways to pick up cancers early. 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime.

17/09/2024

*Why Health Checks for Older Adults Are So Important**

As we age, our health needs become more complex. Older adults often face a variety of health challenges, including managing multiple chronic conditions and medications. Regular health checks become crucial in maintaining a high quality of life and promoting overall well-being.

1. **Managing Multiple Medications**
Older adults are often prescribed several medications to address various health issues, increasing the risk of effects. Health checks provide an opportunity to review current medications, ensure they’re still appropriate (many people are taking medication that they no longer need or that are not of any benefit to them) and adjust dosages or prescriptions if necessary. This review helps prevent potential complications, such as falls or cognitive impairment, caused by medication interactions.

2. **Monitoring for Emerging Health Problems**
With age, the risk of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, or cognitive decline increases. Regular health assessments can help detect these conditions early, making them easier to manage or treat.

3. **Personalized Health Planning**
Health checks provide a valuable opportunity to discuss current health status and plan for the future. This includes setting health goals, making lifestyle recommendations (such as diet, exercise, and social engagement), and discussing preventative measures.

4. **Planning for Future Healthcare Needs**
As part of routine health checks, older adults can also discuss advance care planning. Conversations around preferences for medical interventions, living arrangements, and end-of-life care can help ensure that future healthcare aligns with their values and wishes. This planning provides peace of mind for both the individual and their loved ones.

To book an Older Person’s Health Check, please email clinical@measurehealth.co.uk

10/09/2024

Why is strength training important for both men and women?

1. **Muscle Mass**:
•Strength training builds and maintains muscle mass, which naturally declines with age. Preserving muscle mass improves overall body strength & balance, reducing the risk of falls and injuries, especially in older adults.

2. **Bone Health**:
•Strength training stimulates bone formation and slows the loss of bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

3.**Cardiovascular Health**
Strength training can lower blood pressure, improve circulation, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases by improving heart and blood vessel function.

4. **Brain Health**
Strength training has been shown to lower the risk of dementia.

5. **Enhanced Mental Health**: Strength training has been linked to improved mental health by reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. It also boosts self-esteem and cognitive function.

6. **Insulin Sensitivity**: Regular strength training helps the body use insulin more effectively, improving blood sugar control and reducing the risk of developing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Measure Health

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