I’ve been really enjoying listening to Medical Matters on Radio 4, they have some really interesting topics. Here are some I would recommend giving a listen (available as Podcasts):

• The First 1000 Days: A Legacy for Life – A three part series exploring how nutrition and environment during the first 1000 days of life have long-lasting effects into adulthood and can even affect the health of future generations.
• Am I Normal? (Tiredness) – Tiredness and fatigue are some of the most common symptoms causing people to visit their doctor, nutritionist or herbalist! This programme explores some of the causes of tiredness.
• Am I Normal? (Immune System) – Find out about how the immune system works and often doesn’t work!

A study into iodine levels throughout the UK has found that more than two-thirds of teenage girls tested are deficient in this important nutrient. The researchers say a large-scale investigation into the iodine status of the entire UK population is now needed to understand the full extent of the problem.
More on this story on the BBC Website, and you can read the WHO report on iodine deficiency in Europe.

This has lead to calls for iodine to be added to table salt in the UK or for increased intake in milk and other dairy products which contain iodine. Another really good source of iodine is seaweed – but how do I eat that you might say! Well, we can buy food grade seaweed from our own doorstep to take in capsules or in granules to add to food in the form of Seagreens Seaweed products. Based in Scotland, Seagreens harvest seaweed from the clean waters of the Outer Hebrides, and their product is becoming very popular as an ingredient in green food supplements, and also as a replacement for salt in processed foods, providing not only iodine but a wide range of other nutrients that are beneficial for health.

GCRM and The Natural Fertility Centre present

An All-Round Approach to Fertility & IVF

Sat 26th March 2011 – Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Ingram St, Glasgow 1.30-4.30pm
Sun 27th March 2011 – Apex Hotel, Grassmarket, Edinburgh 10am-2pm

The Natural Fertility Centre has teamed up with GCRM (Glasgow Centre for Reproductive Medicine) to offer the unique chance to meet and speak with experts in IVF and natural fertility support.

At each event, you will have the opportunity to:

• Listen to a talk by Professor Richard Fleming (Scientific Director at GCRM) about his latest research on the Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH), and talks by other members of his medical team on the GCRM’s approach to IVF and the IVF process.
• Find out how the natural treatment methods on offer at The Natural Fertility Centre could help you improve your fertility, and how they can be used alongside medical fertility treatments.
• Meet the staff from both centres, who will be available to answer your questions and offer advice on the next steps in your fertility journey.

Places are limited so register now for this unique event at www.thenaturalfertilitycentre.com

Sperm quality significantly deteriorated and testicular cancers increased over recent years, a Finnish study says.

Read more on the BBC website

The Department of Health has issued a statement that they will go ahead with the Statutory Regulation of Herbal Practitioners. The debate still rumbles on, with opponents loudly expressing their disapproval.

Statement by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley.

Comments in the Telegraph and surprisingly positive from The Mail.

A review by researchers from the Cochrane Library has found that in couples with male factor infertility or unexplained infertility undergoing fertility treatment, men taking antioxidant supplements were over fourfold more likely than controls to get their partner pregnant and see a successful live birth. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/o/cochrane/clsysrev/articles/CD007411/frame.html

The researchers noted that both sperm motility and concentration increased in those men taking antioxidant supplements. The use of antioxidants is based on the theory that free radicals can cause damage to the DNA in sperm, which is vital for creating an embryo and can result in lowered sperm count, motility or ability to fertilise the egg. Nutrients such as vitamin E and C are know to ‘mop up’ free radicals and therefore protect cells against damage.

I have worked with many men with fertility issues as part of The Natural Fertility Centre, addressing dietary and lifestyle factors that can affect male fertility. For advice on using antioxidants and improving sperm count, motility or quality, please book an appointment at one of my clinics.

The Scottish Government are to announce new guidelines on vitamin D supplementation for pregnant women or those trying to conceive. This further substantiates the latest research on low vitamin D levels in Scotland, and also on the effects of maternal nutrition on a child’s health, both before and after conception.
More on this on the BBC website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-12210896

From January 2011, I’ll be offering Nutrition and Herbs consultations at Room4Health in Leith, Edinburgh.

Combining Nutritional Therapy and Herbal Medicine allows us to work at a deeper level, providing powerful and effective tools to support and improve your health. Some people prefer to focus more on one therapy, whilst many find the benefits of both worthwhile – the choice is yours.

For bookings please contact Room4Health on 0131 553 2646

An interesting pilot scheme has been proposed in Cardiff, offering free supplements to mothers and children – see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/8585433.stm.

This goes against the current dogma of the medical profession that supplements are unnecessary and that you can get everything you need from a balanced diet. If this scheme goes ahead it will be interesting to see what the health statistics for kids health in Cardiff look like in a few years time!

More positive research on the effects of fish oils on mental health – http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8490937.stm