Do I need to go gluten-free?
In recent years, following a gluten-free diet has become increasingly popular in Western countries. In the United States for example, the estimated population adhering to a gluten-free diet without celiac …
Fasting and health
Fasting is defined as ingesting minimal or no food during a limited period time, forcing the body to use exclusively its energy reserves without endangering health [1]. During the month …
Healing eczema
Eczema, or Atopic dermatitis, is a chronic or recurring inflammatory skin disease that affects both children and adults. It usually begins in childhood and can last until adulthood, or even …
Quch! I sprained my ankle!
Ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries of the lower leg. A simple misstep can twist the ankle unnaturally, damage the ligaments in the ankle, causing swelling and …
Iron deficiency anaemia and vegetarian diet
Iron is an essential nutrient that the human body cannot do without. It is needed by the body to synthesize haemoglobin (red blood cell) as well as myoglobin (iron-binding protein …
Take the right magnesium supplement to relieve night cramps
A recent news article on Channel New Asia reported that “Magnesium may not ease nighttime leg cramps” [1] has prompted me to write on this topic to provide a more …
Traveller’s diarrhoea: Natural remedies for prevention and self-treatment
I have just returned from India after a two-week stay in Bihar, one of the least developed state in this South Asian country [1]. Like many travellers from more developed …
Everyone needs probiotics
Do you know that the digestive tract is colonised by 10 trillion living microorganisms with the combined weight of 1-2kg? How do we ensure that these living microorganisms are not …
Essential oils and cancer treatment support
Essential oils are the concentrated water-insoluble oily liquids produced naturally by plants. They are also called volatile oils since they are easily evaporated through steam distillation and usually have strong …
Virgin coconut oil: Potential health benefits and controversies
Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is growing in popularity. It can now be found on the shelves of most health food stores and in the health foods section of major supermarkets. …