Breakspear Medical

20/11/2025

🦠 Early flu season alert: what you need to know

This year's flu season has arrived earlier than usual, with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reporting increased influenza activity across the UK.

The current situation, according to NHS publications:
• A drifted strain of Influenza A(H3N2) is predominating this season
• Flu activity is already circulating in the community earlier than typical
• A&E attendances and hospital admissions are rising, particularly amongst older adults

What is a "drifted strain"?

Flu viruses naturally mutate over time, making small changes to their surface proteins. When these changes accumulate, the virus "drifts" and may look different enough that our immune systems don't recognise it as well. This is why flu vaccines are updated each year.

How this affects you

A(H3N2) predominance is associated with higher rates of severe illness and complications, particularly in elderly populations, compared to other flu strains.

Even with drifted strains, the flu jab provides important protection against severe disease. All eligible groups, including those with underlying health conditions and healthcare workers, should get their 2025/26 seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible.

Understanding flu vaccines

Each year, the flu vaccine is updated to best match the strains of influenza expected to circulate. Because flu viruses mutate frequently, the effectiveness of the flu vaccine can vary each year. Vaccines are designed to provide protection against multiple flu strains circulating this winter, and even when strains drift, vaccination significantly reduces the risk of severe outcomes.

💉 If you're in an eligible group, which includes 65+, pregnant, young children, or those who have underlying health conditions, consider booking your flu jab today. If you're eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you can:

• contact your GP surgery to book an appointment
• book a free NHS flu vaccination appointment at a pharmacy online
• find a pharmacy that offers free NHS flu vaccination where you can walk-in and get vaccinated without an appointment (if you're aged 18 or over)

Our upcoming Tuesday blog post will share tips on how to boost your immune system.

04/11/2025

You finish a healthy lunch and within an hour, fatigue sets in. You experience brain fog and feel completely drained. To try to fix this, you try eliminating "bad" foods, take some new supplements, and try to establish better sleep habits. These changes help briefly and then symptoms return. Again, you're exhausted, bloated and frustrated.

Understanding the Load Phenomenon

Your body has a threshold above which symptoms occur. This threshold isn't fixed; it's lowered by stress, infection, poor sleep and cumulative exposure to environmental factors including foods, chemicals, fragrances and pollutants.

When these factors accumulate, they create a "load" that exceeds your individual threshold, triggering chronic symptoms. Even if you address one factor (such as diet), other unidentified sensitivities may be keeping you above that threshold.

You need a different approach

At Breakspear Medical, we use comprehensive allergy/sensitivity testing and treatment called Low-Dose Immunotherapy (LDI) to identify your specific triggers and help retrain your immune system. With over 500 different food and environmental allergens available for testing, we can create a personalised treatment plan to help lighten your load.

Learn more about the Load Phenomenon on our website: https://www.breakspearmedical.com/patient-information/the-load-phenomenon/

Arrange a consultation with a member of our Clinical Team to discuss your specific symptoms and receive a personalised treatment plan.

Our bodies have a limit. When we get too much stress, sickness, and not enough sleep, our limit goes lower. Environmental things, such as polluted air or contaminated water, can also move us closer to reaching our limit. The impact of our lifestyle and environment negatively affecting our health is....

28/10/2025

Recent research from the University of Tartu Institute of Genomics has revealed that commonly prescribed medications, including antibiotics, antidepressants and beta-blockers, may influence the gut microbiome for years after treatment ends.

The study analysed stool samples and prescription records from over 2,500 participants. Researchers found that the effects of these medications on gut bacterial composition were detectable several years after use, with the study identifying both carryover and additive effects on the gut microbiome.

According to Dr Oliver Aasmets, lead author of the study, "Most microbiome studies only consider current medications, but our results show that past drug use can be just as important as it is a surprisingly strong factor in explaining individual microbiome differences."

These findings highlight the importance of accounting for long-term medication usage history when assessing disease-microbiome associations. At Breakspear Medical, it is our aim to support the body when using medications. For example, if antibiotics are prescribed, supplements to help the healthy gut fauna recover will be recommended and we will advise on how to avoid the side affects associated with different types of medications.

Checkout the study:

This is the first study using detailed retrospective medication usage data from electronic health records to systematically assess the long-term effects of medication usage on the gut microbiome. We identified carryover and additive effects on the gut microbiome for a range of antibiotics and non-an...

23/10/2025

Near-infrared light is important for health

We offer sessions on our IRATHERM®1000 hyperthermia bed, which uses near-infrared light to gently warm the body's core temperature. The IRATHERM® helps with detoxification, and also provides the healing effects of near-infrared light.

The near-infrared light can help rebuild damaged mitochondria inside cells. People with infections, such as Lyme disease or viruses, often have damaged mitochondria.

The IRATHERM® uses warming and near-infrared light to both treat infections and revive the body's own energy factories.

Learn more about hyperthermia:

Want to learn more about this revolutionary way to sweat and breathe out toxins & boost your immune system? Watch this video and visit our website: https://...

21/10/2025

Struggling with environmental sensitivities, brain fog, or low energy?

The answer might be simpler than you think as it's part of your biology.

New research shows that near-infrared light:
✓ Regenerates your cellular powerhouses (mitochondria)
✓ Supports nervous system healing
✓ Improves brain blood flow and cognitive function
✓ Addresses the root causes of chemical sensitivities

At Breakspear Medical, we're using this science to help patients reclaim their health with IRATHERM® hyperthermia therapy.

Learn how light therapy could transform your healing journey by reading our latest blog:

Discover how near-infrared light therapy regenerates mitochondria, supports brain function, and treats environmental illness.

17/10/2025

New research reveals the hidden burden of food allergies

Living with food allergies takes a real toll on mental health, particularly for women.

According to new research:
● Women are hit hardest. Female adults and caregivers report significantly more psychological distress than men when managing food allergies.
● Multiple allergies cause more stress. The more food allergies and symptoms someone has, the greater their psychological burden.
● Geography contributes. People in the UK, Australia, Canada and Brazil reported more distress than those in mainland Europe or the US.

At Breakspear Medical, we've been specialising in allergy and environmental medicine for over 40 years. We can confirm what this research shows, as the majority of our patients are women who are dealing with food intolerances and sensitivities.

If you or someone you know is struggling with the physical and mental burden of food allergies, know that treatment and support is available at Breakspear Medical.

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/symptom-and-allergy-load-drives-food-allergy-distress-2025a1000fvb?ecd=mkm_ret_250930_mscpmrk_allergy_top-content_etid7753549&uac=123568HG&impID=7753549

A multinational survey links symptom burden, allergy count, and adrenaline autoinjector prescription to more types of food allergy distress.

16/10/2025

🥑 Feed your brain the right fats

Did you know your brain is nearly 60% fat? And now we know it can use fat as fuel!

New research from the University of Queensland and University of Helsinki reveals that neurons don't just rely on sugar. They can burn fats to power your thoughts, movements and memories. This means the fats you eat matter more than ever for brain health.

Essential fats are vital because your body can't make them itself. They form the structure of all cell walls and myelin (the protective sheath around nerve cells). Your brain particularly needs omega-3 fatty acids, such as DHA for nerve cell flexibility and neurotransmission, which is the very process that allows brain cells to communicate.

Here are some brain-loving fats to include in your diet:
● Omega-3s: oily fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines), flaxseeds, h**pseeds, walnuts
● Healthy oils: flaxseed oil, h**p oil, avocado oil, olive oil
● Omega-6s: pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, evening primrose oil
● Monounsaturated fats: avocados, almonds, Brazil nuts

Because your brain works 24/7, give it the premium fuel it deserves!

Would you like to learn more about the science behind fats and brain function? Check out the groundbreaking research: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/healthier-world/fats-fuel-brain-breakthrough-treating-metabolic-brain-disorders

Did you know your brain can run on fat? Exciting new research has revealed that neurons in the brain can use fats as fuel—powering our thoughts, movements, and memories. This surprising discovery opens the door to new treatments for devastating brain disorders.

09/10/2025

Do you know the difference between processed and ultra-processed foods? 😮

A recent survey of over 2,000 people revealed big gaps in our understanding of processed foods and how it is affecting the health choices that we make every day.

• Most people can't identify which processed foods are actually unhealthy.
• Only 28% recognised processed meat products as problematic.
• Many think ALL processed foods are bad, which they're not.
• Only 1% of the surveyed people correctly identified processed meat as increasing Type 2 diabetes risk.

Not all processing is harmful. For example, pasteurised milk, frozen vegetables, and tinned beans are all processed and perfectly fine to eat. The real concern is ultra-processed foods, which are loaded with additives, saturated fat, salt, colourings and sugar.

Some ultra-processed foods, such as wholemeal bread and baked beans, can be part of a healthy diet!

To help you understand UPFs and give some guidelines for a healthy diet, we've created a new blog on good food choices.

Learn how to:
✅ spot the difference between helpful and harmful processed foods
✅ read food labels & make informed choices at the supermarket
✅ build a healthier plate without eliminating all convenience foods

Read our blog now 👉 https://www.breakspearmedical.com/understand-processed-foods-healthy-eating-guide/

07/10/2025

Do you know what "processed foods" really are? 🤔

BIG NEWS: According to BBC News, from 1 November 2025, England is banning price promotions on unhealthy food and drink, including "buy one, get one free" deals in supermarkets and larger shops. Ministers say it's a crucial step in tackling obesity, particularly in children. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c89d54gv44qo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

But here's the question: do we actually know which foods are unhealthy?

Recent research reveals most people are surprisingly confused and it's affecting our health.

The facts:

• not all processing is bad (for example, pasteurised milk, frozen veg are processed)
• ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are the concern. Junk foods, such as crisps, sweetened drinks, processed meats are UPFs.
• some UPFs, such as wholemeal bread & baked beans, can be part of a healthy diet

According to a recent study, people are confused about what is an unhealthy processed food. Only 28%of those people questioned identified processed meat as unhealthy, despite links to diabetes, heart disease & bowel cancer.

With new regulations coming into force, now's the perfect time to become informed. Understanding what makes food unhealthy helps you make better choices, whether a part of a money-saving promotion or not.

More on how to navigate processed foods and eat healthily in our Thursday blog.

Crisps, sweets, chocolate and fizzy drinks will be covered by restrictions starting in England.

02/10/2025

Turn up the heat on restoring your health with our revolutionary piece of medical equipment that safely heats your body's core temperature and supports mitochondrial health through near infrared light exposure.

Our IRATHERM can help make you sweat out pollutants and it can kill bacteria, viruses and chronic infections, as well as boosting mitochondria to increase your energy.

Check out our blog and watch Jean Monro's video to learn more about our IRATHERM® and what it can do for you.

Turn up the heat on restoring your health with our revolutionary IRATHERM® that uses near infrared lamps to safely heat your body's core temperature. In this v

30/09/2025

Understanding mitochondrial health

We're sharing this recent comprehensive article on mitochondrial dysfunction because understanding how our cellular "powerhouses" work is crucial for anyone interested in health and wellness.

Mitochondria play a vital role in energy production, and when they don't function optimally, it can affect everything from daily energy levels to long-term health. This piece explores the connections between mitochondrial function and various health conditions, and discusses emerging approaches.

We encourage you to read with a critical eye and discuss any health concerns with qualified healthcare professionals.

In our next post, we'll share how our IRATHERM hyperthermia bed's infrared light energizes the mitochondria, leading to more available energy, as well as other benefits.

Explore how PBM addresses mitochondrial dysfunction — restoring cellular energy, reducing oxidative stress, and supporting brain health

25/09/2025

Exciting news for the Lyme Community!

We'd like to share that Lyme Disease UK has received a "National Lottery Community Fund Award" to continue their vital LDUK Connect support webinars.

✨ Next session: Friday 26th September, 7:00pm-8:30pm (GMT+1)

These free monthly online gatherings, facilitated by patient advocate Morven-May MacCallum, offer a safe space for those affected by Lyme disease to connect, share experiences, and support one another.💚

Find out more about this supportive Lyme Community: https://lymediseaseuk.com/national-lottery-community-fund-award-for-lduk-connect/

We were recently delighted to receive a National Lottery Community Fund Award for LDUK Connect, a series of free monthly support webinars for the Lyme disease community and their loved ones