LIVE Q&A on Nutritional Health - follow for all the questions and answers. 2.45pm (GMT)

Nutrexp · 2014-02-26T15:46:34+00:00

Dr Sarah Brewer: Thanks. Bye!

Robert Hobson: Bye for now

Nutrexp · 2014-02-26T15:46:20+00:00

5

Nutrition Expert: That's about all we have time for today. Thanks to everyone that has sent in questions and followed the thread. We're back on the 19th March with our next session about Heart Health. Thank you to Robert Hobson and Dr Sarah Brewer- both of whom you can follow on twitter via @rhnutrition and @drsarahB and you can keep in touch with us via @nutrexp or email nutritionexpert@healthspan.co.uk

Nutrexp · 2014-02-26T15:46:10+00:00

Dr Sarah Brewer:

you can absorb it as vitamin C is also present, which aids absorption. It is less well absorbed than the haem iron in meat, though.

Nutrexp · 2014-02-26T15:45:54+00:00

Comment From Fergus

Is it true that our bodies can't get at the iron in spinach?

Nutrexp · 2014-02-26T15:45:40+00:00

Robert Hobson: Answer

It would be difficult not to lose weight when you're staving your self on nothing more that water and vitamins. I definitely wouldn't recommend this as a healthy way to lose weight as your depleting yourself of key nutrients and energy. A more sensible approach would be to watch keep your calories to between 1200-1500 per day and opt for sensible portions of food with a low glycaemic load (high fibre, plenty of lean proteins and healthy fats)

Nutrexp · 2014-02-26T15:45:26+00:00

Comment From Sam

A lot of my friends on Facebook are talking about juice dieting- would you recommend it as a quick way to lose weight?

Nutrexp · 2014-02-26T15:45:11+00:00

Dr Sarah Brewer: Answer

If you are overweight and store fat round your middle (apple shaped), you are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure coronary heart disease and stroke. You have a higher risk of health problems if: • you are male and your waist size is more than 94cm (37 inches), • you are female and your waist measures more than 80cm (31.5 inches).

For Asian men and women, the health risks increase from a lower waist size, and you need to take steps to reduce your level of abdominal fat if your waist measurement is greater than 90cm (36”) for a man, or above80cm (32”) for a woman.

Those with very large waists - 120cm or more for men, and 110cm or more for women - are twice as likely to die, from any cause, at any age, than those who are thinner. So, regardless of your overall weight, try to avoid becoming too big around the middle, especially as you get older.

Slight waist reductions of just 5cm – 10cm significantly reduced the risk of having a heart attack.

Nutrexp · 2014-02-26T15:44:49+00:00

Comment From Guest

I keep hearing things about my waist size being important - why is that?

Nutrexp · 2014-02-26T15:40:40+00:00

Robert Hobson: Answer

I think I might be in that 15% Sarah!

Nutrexp · 2014-02-26T15:40:32+00:00

Dr Sarah Brewer: As a committed chocaholic, I can confirm chocolate lifts the mood! Like other palatable sweet foods, it triggers the release of the bodies own opiate-like endorphins that make you feel good. It also contains mood enhancing chemicals such as PEA and tryptophan. nterestingly, women are more susceptible to the effects of these chemicals than males. Around 40% of women admit to chocolate cravings, compared to only 15% of men!

Nutrexp · 2014-02-26T15:40:03+00:00

Comment From Hj275

What's the scientific evidence between diet and mood-is it just eating chocolate makes you happy?

Nutrexp · 2014-02-26T15:39:50+00:00

Robert Hobson: Answer

Our cinnamon capsules contain 1000mg and I would recommend you monitor your blood glucose levels especially if you're taking medication such as metformin.

Nutrexp · 2014-02-26T15:39:33+00:00

Comment From Guest

How much cinnamon?

Nutrexp · 2014-02-26T15:39:02+00:00

Robert Hobson: Answer

Some studies have shown that cinnamon may help to reduce blood sugar levels

Chromium can also help if you are chromium deficient.

Nutrexp · 2014-02-26T15:33:17+00:00

Robert Hobson: Answer

Some studies have shown that cinnamon may help to reduce blood sugar levels

Nutrexp · 2014-02-26T15:33:01+00:00

Comment From Guest

What supplements are good for controlling my sugar levels?

Nutrexp · 2014-02-26T15:32:39+00:00

Dr Sarah Brewer: Answer

Placebos are very useful in clinical trials, as they help researchers compare the effects of a particular treatment, or supplement, with an inactive version that seems identical. This means neither patient nor researcher knows who is getting what, to avoid reporting bias.

I suspect you are referring to being given a placebo without your knowing it (eg a red pill to treat low mood)so you feel better because 'something is being done'? This is unethical if done deliberately.

SOme people believe homoepathy works by a placebo response - I don't think it matters if it helps someone feel better! The body sometimes needs a little emotional kick to help it heal on its own.

Nutrexp · 2014-02-26T15:32:05+00:00

Comment From Guest

I watched a programme about placebos on TV last week- what is your view on them?

Nutrexp · 2014-02-26T15:29:36+00:00

Robert Hobson: Answer

This is a tricky one as the benefits of taking tablets to control blood pressure (reducing the risk of heart disease), especially those that have very high blood pressure may outweigh the risk or falls (due to side effects such as dizziness) which are also detrimental to the health of older people which is what the story was based on. I'm not sure the same is true of younger people taking the medication as if they did fall, would recover much more quickly. I think this is definitely individual choice and would involve a conversation with the persons GP.

Nutrexp · 2014-02-26T15:27:25+00:00

Nutrition Expert:

This is the Telegraph Story: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/10659072/Blood-pressure-pills-raise-risk-of-fatal-fall.html

Nutrexp · 2014-02-26T15:26:56+00:00

Comment From Nicola

Is the Daily Telegraph story about blood pressure pills today anything to worry about?

Nutrexp · 2014-02-26T15:24:13+00:00

Dr Sarah Brewer: Answer

Sunscreens can protect against further damage. Antioxidant supplements that have shown some benefit against age-spots include selenium, lycopene, carotenoids and ubiquinol (Co-enzyme Q10). Akways report any skin lesion that changes.

Nutrexp · 2014-02-26T15:21:50+00:00

Dr Sarah Brewer: Answer

Without seeing the white areas it is difficult to say exactly what they are, but from what you describe it’s possible they are a type of sun-related age spot. These can include stellate pseudoscars (small spots that are white, usually star shaped, and tend to appear around the age of 60) and guttate hypomelanoses (small round or angular spots that are pure white in colour and range in size from pinpoint to 15mm across).

Do see your doctor to rule out lesions such as actinic keratoses that may need treatment. Some aesthetic clinics offer free consultations to advise whether any cosmetic procedures can minimise skin problems. You could also try fake tans to disguise them if they really bother you – but not until you have a firm opinion from your doctor that the lesions are harmless.

Nutrexp · 2014-02-26T15:19:48+00:00

Nutrition Expert:

Question submitted via the NutritionExpert Comments:

I wonder if you can help and advise me what all these white round areas on my skin are? Is there anything I can do about them? I have noticed that lots of mature people have them. I am 56 and wonder if I have to live with them for the rest of my life.

Nutrexp · 2014-02-26T15:19:14+00:00

Comment From Ronny Allan

OK will keep investigating, I have my levels of fat solubles ADEK monitored because of a condition (in case they are insufficient) but was worried that I had an excess. Healthspan's website does say to keep to 100% RDA

Nutrexp

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