Geoff Brown Acupuncture & Coaching

29/02/2024

Ultra-processed food linked to 32 harmful effects to health, review finds
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/feb/28/ultra-processed-food-32-harmful-effects-health-review

World’s largest review finds direct associations with higher risks of cancer, heart disease and early death

08/02/2024

An alternative to cereal for breakfast
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2024/feb/06/spicy-trini-breakfast-riaz-phillips-vegan-recipe-choka-roti

Roast your veg of choice with onion, garlic, chilli and spices, mash it roughly, then pour over some hot spicy oil and stuff into soft flatbreads for breakfast

07/02/2024

Viruses living in human gut could help regulate stress, study suggests

Research into bacteriophages adds to evidence that gut and brain interactions influence our behaviour

18/01/2024

Can ‘micro-acts of joy’ make you happier?

I’m not naturally overflowing with contentment, and I’m not optimistic that this Californian programme is the answer – but I’m ready to give Big JOY a chance

03/01/2024

The strength secret: how to get seriously fit from scratch – in 12 easy, enjoyable steps

Start with walking in January – then graduate to breathing exercises, circuits and pilates. With a new activity to try each month, you’ll soon improve your flexibility and fitness, without feeling the burn

01/01/2024

100 tiny changes to transform your life: from the one-minute rule to pajama yoga

Want more health and happiness in the year ahead – without having to work too hard? Here are tried and tested tweaks that can lead to big improvements

28/12/2023

Gut microbes may play role in social anxiety disorder, say researchers

Study that involved transplanting people’s microbes into mice may show way to possible therapies, say scientists

25/12/2023

Bolstering our sense of smell may reduce the risk of dementia

Scientists are studying how a decline in our olfactory abilities can signal conditions such as Alzheimer’s

22/12/2023

Human tears contain substance that eases aggression, says study

Sniffing emotional tears from women can cut male aggression by more than 40% and cause changes in brain

18/12/2023

The gut microbiome

It’s often overlooked and left to its own devices, but should you listen to your gut more, or is it listening to you? Here’s what the science says

09/12/2023

The gut-brain connection

There’s a powerful connection between gut health and how we feel. Did you know that your gut health can contribute to brain-based issues like anxiety, depression, and ADHD? Anxiety might be contributing to our gut issues, but there are likely gut issues that are perpetuating anxiety as well.
Maintaining a stable blood sugar level throughout the day is important for mental health as well as physical health. It's needed to produce neurotransmitters like serotonin, noradrenaline, GABA, acetylcholine, and dopamine. These are all important for keeping our mood stable and allowing us to focus. They also help with gut function. The diet Low blood sugar can lead to cravings for sweets after meals, irritability if meals are missed, poor memory, and difficulty losing weight.
If you eat when stressed, anxious or angry the body is not ready for food. Your emotions affect your gut and vice versa. Gut issues can lead to irritability. Research in rats has linked ulcerative colitis with over-excitation of the amygdala, which is the fear center of the brain.
Regular practice of mindfulness, meditation, gratitude, and breathwork can help reduce anxiety and help us to make changes to our gut health.

08/12/2023

22 ways of dealing with your anger

From simmering frustration at minor annoyances to boiling rage at the state of the world, many of us are angry at the moment. Experts offer tips and techniques on how to manage it

07/12/2023

Trash-talking can feel great but is it really bad for you?

Venting can help us bond, but it can also leave a sour taste in your mouth – where is the line, and why do we love doing it?

02/12/2023

Singing to babies is vital to help them learn language, say scientists
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/dec/01/singing-to-babies-is-vital-to-help-them-understand-language-say-scientists

Study finds infants first understand language via rhythm and tone rather than individual sounds

01/11/2023

15 ways to start your day well now the clocks have gone back

From yoga in bed to a bracing cold shower, readers share how they brighten up their mornings as the seasons change and winter approaches

30/10/2023

Why you should exercise in winter. Benefits include reduced SAD (seasonal affective disorder), training in the cold can be beneficial. It can affect the hormones governing appetite regulation.

As the light levels fall and the temperature drops, is it OK to just hunker down and take it easy till spring? Or will that bring on the blues?

27/10/2023

"The authors were able to demonstrate that the frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption and the variety of plants consumed influences the amount of fruit- and vegetable-associated bacteria in the human gut. Early childhood in particular represents a window of opportunity for colonization with plant-associated bacteria. It was also demonstrated that the microorganisms of plant origin have probiotic and health-promoting properties."

Bacterial diversity in the gut plays an important role in human health. The crucial question, however, is where are the sources of this diversity?