As we head into autumn and winter, the nights are drawing in and the temperatures are dropping…. as are our vitamin D levels. Ensuring optimal levels of nutrients to support a healthy immune system can protect us against the colds and flu that are so common at this time of year, and vitamin D is undoubtedly one of the most important nutrients for immune health.

Over the last decade, the conception rates for women over the age of 40 have increased by almost 20% in England and Wales. Indeed, while overall pregnancy rates in the UK seem to be declining, women over 40 are bucking the trend and the number of pregnancies in this group have more than doubled since 1990. According to the Office for National Statistics, this increase may be due to women prioritising their careers or engaging in further education, as well as the rising costs of having children

Staying well hydrated is one of the best healthy habits you can adopt to support your overall health and wellbeing, despite often being overlooked. Water is essential for life and involved in virtually every function in the human body – in fact, an adult human is roughly 60% water! 

Many adults report experiencing an afternoon slump mid-to-late afternoon, often lasting until the end of the day, which can affect productivity and feelings of well-being. But why do so many people experience this lull in energy at this time? 

While we typically associate bugs and colds with the darker, colder winter months, this summer, in the UK, we are seeing a rise in illnesses.

Certain strains of Covid, whooping cough, as well as the flu and nasty sickness bugs are all doing the rounds, so it is now as important as ever to support a healthy immune system so you can enjoy a healthy, happy summer.

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.