The College of Medicine, a social prescribing pioneer, is delighted to announce that the second annual Social Prescribing Day will take place on March 12th 2020. In 2019, the very first Social Prescribing Day took place on March 14th, and…
Obituary: The College of Medicine pays tribute to former Head of Communications Pat Goodall
Posted by Dr Michael Dixon, College of Medicine Chair ‘It is with great sadness that we have to report that Pat Goodall died over Christmas. She was Head of Communications for the College of Medicine in its early years and, for…
Curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, could ‘halt tumour development’, major study says
New scientific research has found that a common compound found in the spice turmeric could stop cancerous tumours from growing further. A study, carried out by academics at Temple University in Philadelphia, and published in the Nutrients journal, found the…
Brisk daily walk lowers odds of getting seven types of cancer, new research finds
Walking briskly for just 20 minutes a day or enjoying a leisurely cycle ride could help stave off seven types of cancer, according to a new US study. Research carried out by the American Cancer Society found that exercising moderately…
Charity that’s planted one million trees says turning urban areas into ‘edible playgrounds’ can help avert climate crisis
A charity dedicated to planting trees in inner city areas says encouraging children to connect with nature from an early age is key to helping to halt climate change. Trees for Cities, which was founded in 1993, creates allotments for…
HRH The Prince of Wales is announced as College of Medicine Patron
The College of Medicine is delighted to announce that we’ve received Royal Patronage from HRH The Prince of Wales. College of Medicine Chair, Dr Michael Dixon, said: ‘This is a great honour and will support us as an organisation committed to taking…
Propolis, made by bees to protect hives, could help lower blood pressure, a new study suggests
The naturally antiseptic waxy material that bees produce to waterproof their hives could have health benefits for humans, according to new ongoing research. Propolis, which offers a hive protection from predators and bad weather and is made from bee saliva,…
A healthy lifestyle could help cancer survivors to counter increased risk of heart problems, say experts
One in ten survivors of cancer are dying of illnesses associated with heart disease, according to a new US study. Research published in the European Heart Journal studied three million cancer patients over 40 years. The results suggests that more…
Keto diet could help trap flu virus before it spreads, Yale study finds
The keto diet, often hailed as an effective way of helping patients with diabetes type 2 manage their condition, could also be a useful ally in preventing flu, a new study has ‘unexpectedly’ found. In research conducted by trainees and…
Poor sleep leaves us more likely to crave unhealthy food, says US study
Sleep deprivation makes it harder to resist unhealthy foods, according to a new US study. Researchers at Northwestern University, Chicago, found that not getting enough sleep sparks production of the hormones endocannabinoids, which affect food cravings and how smells are…
Technology such as fitness trackers can provide better health insights for doctors, research finds
Taking note of daily fitness levels via trackers including an Apple Watch or a Fitbit could potentially help doctors diagnose serious conditions in patients, according to new research. Researchers at Intermountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City said the data provided…
Salt should carry similar health warnings to cigarette packets, say experts
Salt cellars should come with clear health warnings on them to help prevent people from consuming too much, a group of doctors is advising. The medical experts say consumers should be warned via labelling on salt shakers bought in supermarkets…
European Congress for Integrative Medicine to be held in London in 2020
The European Congress on Integrative Medicine will be hosted in London in 2020, it has been announced. It is the first time the long-established event, which offers a forum to facilitate the advancement of healthcare that combines conventional medicine with evidence…
Short bursts of activity are beneficial to health, say updated guidelines
Partaking in just a few minutes of exercise can still benefit health, new guidelines in the UK state. It was previously recommended that at least ten minutes of exercise was needed to have any positive impact on health. However, the…
Positive thinkers live longer because they’re better at ‘bouncing back’, new study says
Being optimistic could extend life, according to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Looking on the bright side could even help people achieve “exceptional longevity”, reaching 85 or older. The research, carried out…
Omega-3 fats offer ‘zero benefit’ for type 2 diabetes, says research
People with type 2 diabetes get little or no benefit from taking fish oil supplements, new research says. A study, commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) and published by the British Medical Journal, took in data from 83 trials…
Poor sleep can ‘increase risk of heart failure, coronary artery disease and strokes’
People who consistently struggle to sleep well could be at a higher risk of heart failure, strokes and coronary artery disease, according to new research. Scientists at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden studied data on the sleep patterns of 1.3million…
New research finds herbal tea beneficial for thyroid and liver function
A new paper by the University of the West of England (UWE) and herbal well-being company Pukka Herbs has reviewed available clinical evidence and shows that drinking herbal teas are beneficial for a range of health conditions. In a review…
Bacteria found in the gut of top athletes could improve physical performance
New research has suggested that high performance athletes have different biomes to those who exercise more moderately or not at all. A special type of gut bacteria, veillonella, was found in the digestive microbiomes of elite athletes and scientists believe…
UK’s growing opiate crisis: How do GPs find a safer solution for people in pain?
An article in February this year in The Sunday Times highlighted the dramatic increase in the use of opioids, with addiction rates – including overdoses and deaths – surging in line with a huge rise in the number of painkillers…
Obesity increases risk of disease and early death ‘significantly’, says new research
The impact on health of being overweight has been highlighted in a major new study, with Public Health England calling for ‘sustained action’ to tackle obesity going forward. The research, which will be presented at the European Congress on Obesity…
UK’s top supermarkets ‘misleading shoppers’ on healthy food, investigation finds
The UK’s leading supermarkets – including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons – are marketing some products as ‘healthy choices’ to shoppers when they’re laden with bad fats, sugar and salt, a new investigation has claimed. BBC Radio 5 Live sent researchers…
‘It’s social prescription at its best’: College of Medicine joins Duchess of Cornwall at Lambeth Food Co-op
WATCH VIDEO: The College of Medicine’s Chair Dr Michael Dixon has praised a community-led food co-operative in Lambeth, calling the project ‘social prescription at its very beginning and very best’. Dr Dixon joined HRH Duchess of Cornwall in the London…
College of Medicine welcomes NHS link workers plan
An army of advisers will be recruited to help patients live fitter, healthier lives and combat anxiety, loneliness and depression under plans to ramp up social prescribing set to be launched by NHS England this week. Around half of GP…
Could exercise reverse dementia? Study finds activity hormone may protect brain
Cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer’s could be helped by a hormone that is naturally released during exercise, according to a study in Brazil and the US. Scientists researched the effects of irisin, a protein emitted by the body during…
