Selenium is a trace mineral that is essential for human life. We need an adequate level of selenium for the appropriate functioning of a number of selenium-dependent enzymes known as selenoproteins, which play a role in our antioxidant defense, thyroid hormone metabolism and immune response – and therefore are essential for optimal health.

When you hear the term “summer skin” you probably think of a glowing, sun kissed complexion – but for many of us the reality is quite different. Sunlight exposure and hot, dry weather can wreak havoc on our skin, causing dryness and redness. The changing conditions can affect your skin barrier function and increased ultraviolet (UV) light exposure from the sun and accompanying oxidative stress can contribute to longer term skin health issues. As we move into the summer months, now is the time to nourish your skin to protect your summer glow.

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disorder that affects around 2 in 100 people in the UK. While scientists do not know exactly what causes psoriasis, it is thought that both the immune system and genetics play a role in its development. In psoriasis specialised white blood cells of the immune system that usually protect the body from invaders, mount an attack on the body’s own skin cells. 

Jet lag is when our circadian rhythm, which is our body’s internal clock that regulates the sleep-wake cycle becomes out of sync, often after air travel across multiple time zones. Jet lag is very common for those who take long haul flights to a different time zone than the one they started in.

Exercise is one of the best lifestyle habits to adopt for women of all ages and can have beneficial effects on both physical and mental health. Cardiovascular and strength training exercises are commonly recommended together, with the frequency and intensity of these being tweaked as women move through hormonal changes, both across the month and throughout life.  

Stress is a major factor that can have a huge impact on someone’s overall health and wellbeing. In today’s world, perceptions of stress and anxiety are increasing with worries about finances, geopolitical instability, the environment, as well as individual health issues, particularly following the pandemic. In a 2023 survey of 6000 adults in the UK, the Mental Health Foundation identified that nearly three-quarters of the population had felt anxious in the previous 2 weeks, with 6-in-10 stating that this anxiety had interfered with their daily lives. 

Tomatoes are full of an abundance of health promoting compounds including antioxidants, lycopene, beta-carotene and vitamin C and are a staple of one of the healthiest ways of eating – the Mediterranean diet. There is a common myth that tomatoes can contribute to inflammation and worsen arthritis, however so far this is anecdotal, as there is no scientific evidence to date to suggest that tomatoes cause or worsen symptoms of arthritis.

Find out how magnesium can help support women's health during the menopause. For many women, this natural stage in life, which typically affects women between the ages of 45-55, can become a time of physical and emotional discomfort, and common symptoms can include hot flushes, insomnia, mood imbalances and weight gain.

The good news is that consuming a nutrient dense diet with optimal intake of specific nutrients can make a real difference to your health and how you feel. The mineral magnesium is one such nutrient – and here we are going to look at how it can help to support a healthy menopause.

Chocolate comes from the cacao plant, which provides a high level of minerals and antioxidants. In contrast to the cacao rich drinks of the Aztecs and Maya people, commercial milk chocolate today consists of cocoa butter, sugar, milk and a small quantity of cacao. In contrast, dark chocolate has much larger levels of healthful cacao, as well as less milk and sugar. Not all dark chocolate is created equal - solid cocoa content ranges from 47% (sweet dark) to 70%, 75%, or even above 90% for highly dark chocolate – so always check the cocoa content, as the higher the percentage of cocoa, the higher level of nutrients the chocolate is likely to deliver.