TEA CAN HELP FIGHT DIABETES !

Camomile tea 'can help keep diabetes under control'

It has long been used to soothe frayed nerves and guarantee a good night's sleep.

But drinking camomile tea could also help keep diabetes under control, scientists claim.

Research suggests the drink lowers blood sugar levels and can help prevent complications arising from the condition, including blindness, kidney disease, and nerve and circulatory damage.

Research suggests that camomile tea lowers blood sugar levels and can help prevent complications arising from diabetes

Researcher Professor Robert Nash said: 'It is quite fascinating, it seems to be doing a lot of different things all at once.'

The study looked at the effects of the tea on the health of rats with Type 2 diabetes.

Those who suffer from the disease do not make enough of the hormone insulin and so are unable to regulate properly the amount of sugar in their blood.

The rats given an extract similar to camomile tea for three weeks saw the amount of sugar in their blood fall by a quarter, the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry reports.

The researchers say that, taken with meals each day, the tea may also protect against hyperglycaemia - a potentially fatal condition caused by very high blood sugar levels.

The researchers, from Aberystwyth University in Wales and the University of Toyama in Japan, claim the findings could lead to the development of camomile-based drugs to treat the disease.

But Dr Victoria King, of Diabetes UK, said: 'This study was carried out on rats with diabetes during a 21-day period.

'More research would be needed before we can come to any firm conclusions about the role camomile tea plays in fighting diabetes-related complications.

'Diabetes UK wouldn't recommend people with diabetes increase their camomile tea intake just yet.'

The tea, which is made from the fragrant flowers and leaves of the camomile plant, was used for medicinal purposes in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome.

Although in modern times it is often used for relaxation purposes, other studies have shown it helps fight off colds and eases menstrual cramps.

Scientists also claim that the herbal tea helps boost the immune system, making it easier to ward off infections, and to relieve aches and pains.

More than 2.3million Britons suffer from the disease, with most developing Type 2 diabetes in middle age.

SLEEPING WITH KIDS !

Co-sleeping: Will sharing a bed with your children kill your marriage?

To some parents it's the most natural thing in the world, to others it's a horrible prospect. It's a debate that divides parents: should you allow your young children to share your bed? Some say it makes a family closer, others that it kills a couple's intimacy. Here, two women who have tried it give their very different opinions.

No - says Victoria Lambert

Writer Victoria Lambert, 43, who lives in South London with her husband Nick and three-year-old daughter Rowena...

Sweet dreams: Victoria Lambert and three-year-old daughter Rowena. Victoria is happy to 'co-sleep' with her toddler until she is ready for her own space

The early nights get to you. Not to mention being left with a foot-wide stretch of bed to sleep in.

Equally frustrating is the temperature: three humans in a bed radiate enough heat to rival a furnace.

Despite all this, I wouldn't give up co-sleeping with my husband and daughter Rowena, not for all the long nights of uninterrupted solo sleep you could offer me.

Sharing your bed with your children is one of the most natural and healthy practices, and no childcare guru or super-nanny could convince me otherwise.

Choosing to co-sleep - not just letting junior climb into bed halfway through the night - is as old as time.

Yet during the Victorian era, with its obsession over modesty and insistence that children should be kept at arm's length to encourage independence, combined with the emergence of a middle class who could afford homes with more than one bedroom, British children stopped sleeping with their parents.

Yes - says Emma Cunningham

Emma Cunningham, 28, lives with her husband, James, 30, a salesman, in Peterborough. They have three children, aged four, two and one...

One night this week, I'd barely been in bed for ten minutes when I heard the familiar patter of two-year-old Keira's tiny feet across the landing.

Sure enough, she slipped into bed beside me and snuggled back to sleep against my body.

Sounds blissful, doesn't it? But the reality is that every time this happens, my heart sinks.

I know I'll have another night of disturbed sleep followed by a blazing row with my husband the next morning.

As selfish as it sounds, I rue the day I let my children into our bed.

The arrival of Keira will quickly be followed by the appearance of my other two children, who fidget and kick James and me to the edge of the mattress.

Far from improving family life and bringing us closer, co-sleeping has caused ructions within our marriage and has left us, literally, divided by our children.

We never imagined co-sleeping would ruin our lives like this.

In fact, after the birth of our eldest son, James and I were enthusiastic supporters of sharing our bed with our children.

We felt it was natural, healthy and would make them secure, protected and loved. How wrong we were.

Despite the warnings of well-meaning family and friends, we thought we knew better.

As we marvelled at this tiny, perfect, fragile creature we had created, we agreed neither of us could bear being apart from him for a minute longer than we had to.

PILL FOR ECZEMA !

One-a-day pill could end eczema misery for 100,000 sufferers

Eczema causes inflamed itchy cracks on the skin

Patients with severe eczema of the hands could benefit from a once-a-day pill.

The condition, which causes inflamed cracks in the skin, affects 250,000 Britons. For many sufferers conventional steroid creams have no effect.

But the vitamin A-based drug Toctino cleared the problem in almost half of adults treated in a six-month trial.

More than 1,000 men and women with chronic hand eczema were tested in five UK hospitals and others in Europe and Canada.

One third were given a dummy capsule once a day, while the remainder took two different strengths of the drug.

Almost half taking the higher strength - and 28 per cent of the lower strength group - had clear or almost clear hands after 24 weeks. Only 17 per cent of the 'dummy' group responded.

Around one-third of those responding relapsed in the six months after the trial. Further treatment was successful for 80 per cent of these.

Study investigator Dr Adam Haworth, a consultant dermatologist at St Mary's Hospital, Portsmouth, said: 'Chronic hand eczema is severely disabling for patients and often difficult to treat.

'This new oral treatment, which is proven to be effective in clearing hand eczema and well tolerated, is a great addition to our formulary and will help us manage this difficult problem.'

Margaret Cox, chief executive of the National Eczema Society charity, said 'People who have chronic hand eczema are severely disadvantaged since they are unable to use their hands normally.

'This can lead to them taking time off work or even leaving their job altogether. Also, since the eczema is in a highly visible area - the hands - many patients experience embarrassment and low self esteem.

'Anything that can help treat the symptoms of this painful and distressing condition will be welcomed by chronic hand eczema sufferers.'

Because the drug - like other retinoids - causes birth defects it cannot be taken by women of childbearing age unless strict pregnancy testing and prevention methods are followed.

The drug, made by Swiss company Basilea Pharmaceutica, costs £400 for a month's supply.

SUPERMARKET DENTIST !

Sainsbury's launches Britain's first supermarket dentist... and it's open seven days a week

A dentist has filled a cavity in the market by opening a surgery in a Sainsbury's store.

And with some treatment prices undercutting the NHS, the new practice, which offers everything from a check-up and polish to a root canal filling, has been swamped with patients eager to register.

Sainsbury's agreed to the pilot scheme in Sale, Greater Manchester, because there are thousands of patients who want to register with an NHS dentist but cannot find a surgery willing to take on new clients. Other surgeries are expected to open at stores around the country.

Enlarge

Open wide: Dr Lance Knight examines a patient at the first dental surgery inside a Sainsbury's store in Sale, Greater Manchester

Dr Lance Knight, who runs the practice, says it promises shoppers professional and cost-effective treatments seven days a week.

The dentist, who already runs several private surgeries in Manchester, said he was acting in response to demands for competitively priced treatment.

'We're simplifying the pricing structure so people know what the costs will be and we're keeping the cost similar to NHS prices so we're relying on local people to support us, but from the feedback we've had so far we think this could revolutionise dentistry in this country.'

New contracts were brought in by the Government in 2006 which essentially capped the fees dentists could charge patients for treatment.

Many dentists decided to go private as a direct result leading to a massive shortage of NHS dentists nationwide.

The dental crisis led to massive queues of would-be patients stretching down the streets every time a new NHS dentist decided to open up a surgery.

NEW VACCINE FOR BREAST CANCER

New vaccine 'could prevent breast cancer tumours growing'

Life-saver: A jab to beat breast cancer is being developed by scientists

A jab to beat breast cancer is being developed by scientists.

In tests, not only did it completely eradicate a particularly fast-growing form of the disease, it also stopped tumours occurring in the first place.

Giving it to healthy young women could prevent more than 13,000 cases of breast cancer a year and save thousands of lives, the scientists claim.

Researcher Professor Wei-Zen Wei said: 'The greatest power of vaccination is protection against initial cancer development and that is our ultimate goal.'

The vaccine, which is still in the early stages of development, fights tumours with extra-high levels of the HER2 receptor protein on their surface.

Genes containing the blueprint for the protein are injected into the body, where they start making it in high quantities.

This triggers the immune system to attack existing tumours or equip itself to stop future ones.

The HER2-positive type of cancer accounts for up to 30 per cent of the 45,000 cases of breast cancer that occur in Britain each year.

Although it can be treated by drugs such as Herceptin, they do not work in all cases. Tumours can also become resistant to treatment.

In mice, the jab destroyed all tumours it was tested on --including those resistant to current drugs, the journal Cancer Research reports.

Professor Wei, of the Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit in the U.S., said: 'This may be the answer for women with these tumours who become resistant to the current therapies.

'The vaccine could potentially eliminate the need to even use these therapies.

BOOST YOUR BONES !

Steroidscan be a problem for bones, although usually only when taken in prolonged and high doses - as is often the case with severe asthmatics.

Encourage your son to talk to his GP about medication to rebuild lost bone, as there are effective drugs available.

Calcium is vital - good sources are cheese, yoghurt and milk. Calcium is also found in fortified soya milk, tofu, fortified orange juice and cereals (but watch the sugar content of these last two), nuts (especially almonds), dried fruits such as figs and apricots and leafy green vegetables.

You also need Vitamin D to absorb calcium - sunshine is our greatest source, but foods include liver, egg yolks, fortified breakfast cereals (check labels) and yoghurt.

As for the 'no no's', keep saturated fat and salt intake down, as bones don't like too much of either. Here are some calcium-rich meals.

GUILTY ABOUT EATING MEAT ?

Every Tuesday, Britain's leading nutritionist explains how to eat your way to health. This week Jane explains why, if you're considering giving up meat for health reasons, it's not as simple as 'meat is bad'...

The vilification of meat reached new heights last week when carnivores were effectively told they were destroying the planet.

Meat production puts more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than transport, said Rajendra Pachauri, the man who chairs the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

He said meat-eaters should go without meat one day a week if they want to help tackle climate change. I'm sure many people were astonished to learn that eating meat could be so bad for the environment (blame the clearing of forests to create grazing pasture, and the methane produced by cattle in their breath and manure).

High steaks? Last year, the World Cancer Research Fund said we should eat no more than 500g of meat per week because of its link to diseases such as cancer

This would have been enough to put some people off their steak - if they hadn't already given it up because of other worries about meat.

Last year, the World Cancer Research Fund said we should limit our consumption to 500g a week because of its link to diseases such as cancer.

Scary stuff, but if you're considering giving up meat for health reasons, it's important to look closely at the real science rather than the headlines; it's not as simple as 'meat is bad'.

Some scientific studies have shown a slight increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease associated with high red meat intake, but most of these studies involved all sorts of meat.

They didn't take into account the enormous difference between living on fatty, low-meat-content, pro-cessed foods (such as cheap sausages, pates, burgers, pies) and eating a simply cooked lean steak, say.

For not all meats are equal when it comes to health risks - indeed, lean red meat is positively good for you. It's a message that no one's really promoting: I've come across many people, particularly mums, who are frightened of feeding their children red meat because it will clog up their arteries.

In fact, every food can be made 'bad' for us - a deep-fried banana can be dripping in fat, yet the banana gets away without being lambasted!

Certainly, eating fatty meat, which contains saturated fats, will increase the risk of developing heart disease.

However, lean steak contains ' healthier' fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids which can reduce cholesterol and the risk of heart disease.

Red meat contains other nutrients, such as omega-3s - yes, the ones we're always told to get from oily fish! - B vitamins and selenium, all good for the heart.

Meat is also a great source of protein - adults need this for energy, children also need it for growth. Red meat is by far the best source of easily absorbed iron (for healthy blood).

Cancer, especially of the bowel, is often linked to red meat, but we need to be careful about blaming specific foods for such a complex condition - especially as some people develop bowel cancer despite never eating meat.

Interestingly, the average daily intake of red and processed meat in the UK is still below the amount thought to increase the risk of bowel cancer. Indeed, while the incidence of this cancer in the UK has increased, red meat intake has actually declined.

Of course, this doesn't mean you should eat too much meat; there are studies that show those who eat a lot (around 160g a day) of red and processed meats are more likely to develop it.

But we need to acknowledge the benefits of lean red meat - we never hear enough of this sort of good news.

TREATMENT OF ACNE !

Dr Martin Scurr has been treating patients for more than 30 years and is one of the country's leading GPs. Here he tackles acne and waking up at night to pass water...

My daughter has acne and has taken the contraceptive Pill Marvelon since she was 15 to combat it. Now aged 24 and fearing for her fertility, she has come off it - only for her acne to return with a vengeance.

What alternatives does she have when over-the-counter treatments have no effect? Cathy Brazier, Barkingside, Essex.

Dr Scurr says... Acne is caused by overactive sebaceous glands in the skin on the face, chest and back.

They produce the oily secretion that makes skin waterproof and flexible; if they produce too much, the excess oil (or sebum) builds up in the pores, causing spots and blackheads.

Bacteria that thrive on the sebum break it down into fatty acids - this leads to the characteristic redness and swelling.

Acne is usually caused by changes in the levels of male hormones (even women have these)

Acne is usually the result of changes in the levels of male hormones (even women have these, albeit in small amounts).

It is not caused by poor hygiene or dietary factors, although a healthy diet is important when trying to encourage healing and a better complexion.

Oral contraceptives are useful for treating acne in female patients. One of the best is a combination containing the anti-male hormone drug cyproterone (which blocks the action of male hormones in the skin), such as Dianette.

It's odd that Marvelon has helped your daughter in the past; it's not one of the cyproterone combinations and can make spots worse because it contains a particular type of progestogen.

Many women worry that long spells on the contraceptive Pill might lead to infertility, as it prevents the release of an egg from the ovaries each month.

However, I can assure you that Pill-related infertility is a myth. It's true that some women do fail to ovulate for some months after stopping the Pill; it may take some time for the pituitary gland in the brain to tell the ovaries to stimulate egg production.

But the delay is not permanent.

And if a woman is keen to become pregnant quickly, there is medication such as clomiphene that can speed up the process.

The nearest thing to a cure for acne is a drug called retinoic acid, or Ro-Accutane.

However, this potentially toxic drug that must be used within strict safety guidelines.

For this reason it must be prescribed by a dermatologist rather than a GP, so your daughter would need to be referred.

There are two reasons why Ro-Accutane treatment may be stopped: the drug can sometimes cause liver damage (which is reversed once you stop taking it) and greatly elevated cholesterol levels.

However, liver function and cholesterol levels are monitored before and during treatment to prevent this.

As worrying, the drug causes severe damage to a foetus, so the specialist will insist on contraception being used for four to six months before the woman starts the treatment and for a month afterwards. Usually this will be the Pill.

Don't be alarmed - properly used, retinoic acid is a highly successful treatment for acne.

And by 'properly used' I mean supervised by experts who prescribe it regularly, as there have been cases of depression and, in rare instances, suicide. But with all these caveats, I still think this is a good treatment.

DON'T LOWER YOUR FERTILITY !

How beer, wine, coffee and nuts can ALL 'lower a man's fertility'

Beer, wine, coffee and nuts all contain high levels of chemicals linked to male infertility, a study has found.

The bar-room drinks and snacks are loaded with phytoestrogens - naturally-occurring plant compounds implicated in falling sperm counts.

Instant coffee powder, Brazil nuts, peanuts, brown ale and red wine scored particularly highly for the chemicals, the analysis, carried out at by the Medical Research Council in Cambridge, found.

Beer contains high levels of chemicals linked to infertility

Researcher Dr Gunter Kuhnle said the study showed the compounds are found in more foods and drinks then previously thought.

'The data we have collected has enabled us to put together an accurate table of which foods contain the highest levels of phytoestrogens,' he added.

Phytoestrogens, which also occur in high amounts in soya, have been linked to fertility problems in livestock.

And a study published earlier this summer linked soya to dwindling sperm counts in men.

Men who regularly ate small amounts of tofu or soya meat or dairy substitutes had lower sperm concentrations than those who didn't.

Low sperm count is known to make it harder for a man to conceive.

It is thought that phytoestrogens called isoflavones, which mimic the female sex hormone oestrogen, are behind the effect.

The latest study measured levels of isoflavones and a second type of oestrogen-like chemicals called lignans.

But it did not speculate on whether the levels found could affect health or fertility.

Dr Kuhnle, of the MRC Dunn Human Nutrition Unit in Cambridge, said: 'The data we have collected has enabled us to put together an accurate table of which foods contain the highest levels of phytoestrogens, so we can look at the effect of long-term exposure, and work out what the safe levels are likely to be for humans.'

However, the effects of phytoestrogens are not all bad, with some studies suggesting they can ease the symptoms of the menopause, as well as protect against cancer and heart disease.

Reporting the Cambridge results, New Scientist says: 'Studies on the health effects of phytoestrogens have painted a mixed and muddled picture.

'Some have hinted that the compounds protect against cancer, heart disease and the side-effects of the menopause, while others have linked high levels to an increased risk of breast cancer and male infertility.

'Still others have documented no link between phytoestrogens and those same ailments.

'So snack at your own risk - or reward.'

TINY HEARING AID !

A newly launched over-the-counter device could help thousands of people with mild to moderate hearing loss.

The jelly-bean-sized gadget is designed to help boost the sound of speech only - it is being targeted at people who struggle to hear what's being said in crowded places (such as in meetings or at parties) or on the TV.

Traditional hearing aids are programmed to suit each person's hearing and work by magnifying the range of everyday sounds; they're usually worn all the time.

Hearing aids have improved since the Fifties, and the new HearPlus, which could help those with mild to moderate hearing loss, is the size of a jelly bean

The new device - the HearPlus - helps only with sounds produced in high frequencies, such as speech (low frequency sounds, such as road traffic noise or music, do not get amplified).

And unlike conventional aids, the HearPlus is not worn permanently; it is popped in when conversation becomes difficult to follow.

Age-related hearing loss affects half of people over the age of 60. But many begin to suffer problems in their 40s or 50s.

It usually sets in with the death of tiny 'hair' cells in the inner ear as a result of ageing.

These cells play a crucial role in transmitting sounds through the auditory nerve to the brain. But once they die, they cannot be replaced.

It's estimated that sufferers wait an average of 15 years before seeking help, partly because of the stigma of wearing a permanent hearing aid.

The first warning sign is often missing occasional sounds rather than whole sentences.

That's because some of the first sounds to disappear are the higher-pitched consonants, which give intelligibility to speech.

Vowels, on the other hand, can still be heard clearly and the brain tries to cope by filling in the gaps.

Many people first experience difficulty in understanding women and children, who tend to have higher pitched voices. Deeper male voices are easier to cope with.

Now, the High Street chemist Boots has teamed up with David Ormerod Hearing Centres to provide the HearPlus as a solution.

Although the device - which is placed in the ear - is sold over-the-counter, a hearing test is carried out first. If there are signs of severe hearing loss, the customer is told to see their GP.

But if the problem is mild to moderate, the HearPlus can be used. A tiny microphone picks up incoming acoustic sounds and sends them to a processor that converts them into a digital signal.

This signal is then manipulated in such a way that it amplifies 'softer' highfrequency sounds but dampens down lowfrequency sounds. Once the sound has been processed, it travels through a soft silicone dome that fits snugly into the ear canal - and on to the brain.

The Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) said it was important that anyone concerned about their hearing has it checked properly before using an over-thecounter device.

'If anyone is worried about their hearing, RNID would advise they talk to their GP as a first step,' says spokeswoman Philippa Palmer.

'Problems with hearing could have a number of causes and people need to get that checked out first so they know the appropriate course of treatment.'

• Hearplus costs £149 and is available in branches of Boots from today.

CONTROL PANTS GIVE BACK PAIN ?

Could control pants give you back pain? Experts fear 'body sculpting' undies could cause long-term damage

Bridget Jones swore by them; pop temptress Kylie Minogue recently paid special tribute to them.

Now, thanks to style makeover gurus Trinny and Susannah, and more recently Gok Wan, millions of British women have also discovered the joys of control pants.

At Marks & Spencer alone, a million items of Magicwear - as its control range is known - are sold every year.

Bridget Jones swore by them, but experts believe 'miracle cure' underwear could be bad for women

It's one of the company's biggest sellers, a spokesperson confirmed.

But some experts now believe that 'miracle cure' support underwear could be bad for women.

This is because pot bellies and 'muffin tops' - where a woman's stomach spills over her waistband - are often the result of weak abdominal muscles, which are linked to back problems, incontinence and even prolapse of the womb.

Furthermore, by hiding behind their control pants, women aren't tackling an even more serious problem: their excessive weight, which puts them at higher risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.

As Neville Rigby, director of public policy at the International Obesity Taskforce, explains: 'We are sleepwalking towards an epidemic of obesity and all the health complications that go with it.

'While I sympathise with anyone who wants to improve their shape by wearing these control undergarments, it is not going to solve the real problem - their weight. This is easier to tackle at the outset, rather than kidding yourself and ending up obese.'

The problem is that while Trinny and Susannah might choose to use control pants to look good on the red carpet, they do not need them in everyday life because they are already honed and toned.

Trinny has been doing Pilates for years. And, unlike many of the women on their show, neither woman is overweight.

British women are now the fattest in Europe, with 23 per cent officially classed as obese.

Expanding market

Obese women are 60 per cent more likely to die of breast cancer and twice as likely to die from cancer of the womb or gullet than their slimmer counterparts.

In addition, nearly 35 per cent of British women are overweight, meaning they are storing up health problems for the future.

As women's waists and behinds have spread, the market for underwear to hold everything in has also expanded.

The women of this nation have been lulled into being 'proud' of their obese bodies by a growing army of (thin) fashion gurus brandishing control knickers in increasingly enormous sizes. (Gok, as well as Trinny and Susannah, has control under-wear ranges.)

At Marks & Spencer, which has 16 styles and colours of control wear, from waist cinchers to thigh slimmers and all-over body control, the most popular is the plain trouser knicker (£14).

'There are no seams and it's very comfortable, so a lot of people wear it every day,' said a spokesperson.

But physiotherapist Maxine Rodriguez says: 'Wearing them every day is the problem. Our bodies have a natural "corset" of muscles stretching from the back to the abdominal area. This area is what personal trainers like to call "the core".'

Good muscle tone in this area pulls in and supports the tummy - poor tone leads to an unsightly 'muffin' bulge.

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'Weak muscles in the tummy mean weak muscles in the back. Control pants are hiding the problem.'

THE NEW WONDER DRUGS !

From rose hips for joints to blackberries for lung cancer - wild plants are being harnessed for new wonder drugs

They're bursting with health benefits, require no prescription and cost nothing. Research shows that Britain's hedgerow plants are full of vitamins and antioxidants. Furthermore, scientists are investigating their uses as medicines for a host of conditions, including cancer and high blood pressure.

Scientists are looking into the use of berries as medicines for a host of conditions

AND A WARNING...

Make sure you have identified the correct plant, berry and leaf. Some are toxic. Do not self-medicate without seeking medical advice, especially if you have a diagnosed condition or are taking medication.

WONDER DRUGS - HOPS

HOPS

Plant with heartshaped leaves with serrated edges, and pendant-like whitish flowers.

Contain: Hops are high in bitter substances, known as humulone and lupulone, which stimulate the appetite.

What's new: German researchers found that time spent in total sleep and deep sleep was 10 per cent greater in people taking a mix of hops and the herb valerian. It is thought that the relaxing effects are down to a compound in hops called dimethylvinyl carbinol.

A study at Howard University in America showed that hops also have an antiviral effect, while research at the Chinese Academy of Sciences showed that compounds in hops may work against HIV-1 infection.

At home: Put some hops in a pillow to combat insomnia.

WONDER DRUGS - ELDERBERRIES

ELDERBERRIES

Also known as the English grape, elderberry is abundant in hedgerows, where the blue-black fruits hang in large clusters in late summer and early autumn.

Contain: Rich in antioxidant compounds called anthocyanins, which have been shown to help treat diabetes and ulcers. May have antiviral and antibacterial effects.

What's new: Anthocyanins in elderberry boost the immune system by increasing levels of cytokines - key compounds in the immune system defences. Anthocyanins may also help prevent obesity and diabetes, according to American research.

A study at the University of Graz in Austria showed that an extract made from elderberry lowers levels of bad cholesterol.

At home: Use elderberry cordial for a cold. Put berries in a saucepan, add a little water and cook until juice runs out. Strain off the juice, add 1lb of sugar for every pint of juice, and then boil until it is thick syrup before bottling.

Tip: When picking elderberries, use a fork to get them off the stalks to stop the fruit breaking up.

WONDER DRUGS - NETTLES

NETTLES

Found in, around and under all hedgerows. September is the last month to harvest the leaves, as after this they wither.

Contain: Formic acid, an antibacterial, which is one of the key ingredients responsible for the stinging feeling on contact. Also contain the neurotransmitter serotonin, and histamine, which is involved in the immune system response.

What's new: A study at Exeter and Plymouth universities shows that nettles may ease the pain of osteoarthritis of the knee. Serotonin and histamine in the nettles might block the pain signals.

At home: Make nettle tea for joint problems. Pour boiling water over a handful of fresh leaves in a warm tea pot. Leave for five minutes before straining and drinking.

Tip: A sprig of nettles in the kitchen is a traditional way to keep flies away.

WONDER DRUGS - BILBERRIES

BILBERRIES

Small, dark blue fruits (smaller than blackcurrants) found on bushes that grow to around 18 inches on heathland and moors. Related to the blueberry and can be eaten raw.

Contain: High levels of vitamin C and chemicals known as anthocyanosides - plant pigments that work as antioxidants and may help to prevent or reverse damage to cells in conditions such as heart disease, cancer and age-related eye conditions. Also contains tannins - an anti-inflammatory.

What's new: A study at the University of Cincinnati is testing whether a juice made from the berries boosts memory in older people. In research similar to the blackberry study, researchers are also looking at the use of a compound found in bilberries for lung cancer in women.

At home: Bilberry tea is a traditional therapy for sore throats. Pour a cup of boiling water onto three teaspoons of crushed berries, leave for ten minutes, strain and drink.

Tip: Jam could be good for night vision, too. During World War II, British fighter pilots were reported to have improved night-time vision after eating bilberry jam.

WONDER DRUGS - HAWTHORN

HAWTHORN

Part of the rose family and a common sight in hedgerows, its small red berries (the size of a pea) taste similar to sweet potato. Can be used to make drinks, syrups and jelly.

Contains: Flavonoids and oligomeric procyanidins, which have antioxidant effects.

What's new: Hawthorn extract (900mg/day) as a supplement taken for two months was as effective as low doses of captropril, a leading heart medication, in improving symptoms of heart failure, say researchers at Maryland University in America.

Hawthorn berries have been shown to combat chest pain in angina sufferers, and lower cholesterol.

Hawthorn leaves and fruit have also been found to be effective for high blood pressure in a group of patients with type 2 diabetes.

A study at the Institute for Medicinal Plants Research in Belgrade found hawthorn leaves and fruit to be a potent anti-inflammatory.

'There is extremely good evidence for hawthorn and congestive heart failure,' says Professor Ernst. 'You should not self-medicate, but it is an approved medication in Germany.'

At home: Make hawthorn syrup as a tonic. Simmer one part hawthorn fruit in three parts water until the mixture is reduced by half. Add sugar to taste. Great on pancakes.

Tip: The leaves, which have a nutty flavour, can be eaten raw in salads.

WONDER DRUGS - BLACKBERRIES

BLACKBERRIES

Hedgebrow berries in fruit from mid August to late September.

Contain: Have one of the highest antioxidant levels of any fruit. Also rich in vitamin C - a half-cup (three handfuls) provides 100 per cent of the recommended daily vitamin C for an adult. The compound that gives blackberries their colour, anthocyanins, is also a potent antioxidant.

What's new: 'Fresh berries are some of the most powerful disease-fighting foods available,' say Oregon

University researchers. Blackberry is being tested for its use against lung cancer in women - scientists have found that the berries could reduce the oestrogen activity which feeds the tumour. Animal studies have shown similar effects.

At home: Best eaten straight off the bramble, but blackberry syrup is a traditional therapy for sore throats.

Bring to the boil three cups of blackberries, one cup of sugar, half a cup of water, grated zest from one lemon, and simmer for 15 minutes while stirring. Strain and cover, and put in the fridge for two weeks.

Tip: The lowest berry, at the tip of the stalk, is the first to ripen and the sweetest and fattest of all.

WONDER DRUGS - SLOES

SLOES

The fruit of the blackthorn bush, it is the ancestor of cultivated plums and the same colour, but smaller and more tart. Prolific in hedgerows now and can be picked until November. Usually too bitter to eat raw.

Contain: Vitamin C, antioxidants.

What's new: Sloes may have an anti-bacterial effect, according to a study at the University of Salford. Polish researchers have found the fruit is high in the antioxidants that have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease.

At home: Sloe syrup has traditionally been used as a tonic to fight flu. Put 4lb of sloes in a pan, cover with boiling water, put on a lid and leave for 24 hours. Drain off the liquid, bring it to the boil and put back over the sloes. Repeat this process. Finally, strain the juice, add 11/2 lb sugar and bring to the boil before bottling.

Tip: If you wait to pick until October or November, or even after the first frosts, sloes are sweeter and juicier.

WONDER DRUGS - HAZELNUTS

HAZELNUTS

Grow in large clusters on hazel in the hedgegrow and turn chocolatebrown when ready. Usually harvested in the last week of September.

Contain: Good source of fibre, manganese, potassium, copper, thiamine, B6 and E, folate and antioxidants. Among nuts, they have the highest levels of monounsaturated fats.

What's new: Oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid in hazelnuts, has been shown to lower bad cholesterol, while arginine, an amino acid, widens blood vessels and improves bloodflow.

Scientists at Hacettepe University in Turkey found that 11/2oz of hazelnuts a day lowers the risk of heart disease.

Men who consumed hazelnuts twice or more in a week had half the risk of dying of heart attack, according to American research.

Hazelnuts may also help fight cancer. Portland University researchers found they contain the chemical paclitaxel, which is the active ingredient in drugs used to treat ovarian and breast cancers.

At home: Can be eaten raw, roasted, fried, boiled or dried. Roasting adds flavour and preserves goodness.

WONDER DRUGS - ROSEHIPS

ROSEHIPS

Orangey-red, oval berries, sometimes as much as an inch long. They're the fruit of the dog rose and found in hedgerows from August until November. Seeds should not be eaten because they can irritate the mouth and stomach.

Contain: One of the richest sources of vitamin C, but also A, D and E, iron, calcium, antioxidants and fatty acids. Rosehip syrup was given to children during World War II for its vitamin C content. One cup of 30 berries contains as much as 40 oranges.

What's new: Powdered rosehip is three times better at reducing the pain of osteoarthritis than paracetamol, according to research at the University of Copenhagen, though just why is unclear. There were also none of the sideeffects associated with conventional painkillers such as constipation, diarrhoea or drowsiness.

'There is now good evidence for rosehips for osteoarthritis from a series of studies,' says Professor Edzard Ernst, professor of complementary medicine at the Peninsula School of Medicine in Exeter and Plymouth.

At home: Make rosehip tea for a cold. Boil one tablespoon of fresh, ripe rosehips in two cups of water for ten to 15 minutes, and then strain, getting rid of any seeds. Traditionally sweetened with cinnamon. Rosehip can also be used to make jellies and syrup.

Tip: Remove hairs from rosehips before use because they can cause irritation - they were used in joke itching powders.

OESTROGEN WONDER SKIN CREAM !

The oestrogen cream that smoothes wrinkles by plumping up skin from the inside

Creams containing a form of oestrogen helped the skin produce more collagen in tests

Scientists have found a natural answer to smoother, more youthful skin - just add oestrogen.

Researchers used the female sex hormone on the skin to stimulate the production of collagen, which makes it appear less wrinkly.

Collagen is used by cosmetic surgeons as a 'filler' to remove fine lines, and is an ingredient in many anti-wrinkle creams.

As it naturally degrades, there is an increase in visible wrinkles on the skin.

But a team from the University of Michigan believe they have found a way to stimulate the body's own production of the chemical.

They made various creams containing oestradiol, a form of oestrogen and applied them to the skin of 70 men and women, with an average age of 75.

After using them every other day for two weeks, the oestrogen-treated skin started producing more collagen, they found.

The hormone was tested on sun-damaged areas such as the face, as well as more protected areas on the hips.

The study showed significantly increased production of collagen on the skin which was protected from the sun.

But it did not affect skin already damaged by the sun, such as the face and hands, suggesting the sun's rays may impede collagen production.

Laure Rittie, who lead the study published in the Archives of Dermatology said she was surprised by the findings.

'It can be beneficial for skin on areas that are not exposed to sunlight.'

EXCESS OF PARCETAMOL !

Taking paracetamol regularly 'triples risk of asthma'

Evidence is growing linking paracetamol to asthma

People who regularly use paracetamol are nearly three times more likely to have asthma than infrequent users, says a new study.

Other painkillers were not linked to the disease, according to the study organised by the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network.

Researchers analysed the frequency of analgesic use in over 500 adults with asthma and 500 healthy people in several European countries.

The findings suggest the risk of asthma symptoms is increased by frequent paracetamol use, at least once a week compared with less often.

More than five million Britons suffer asthma, including 1.4 million children, and the disease causes 70,000 hospital admissions and 1,400 deaths each year.

Some asthmatics choose to take paracetamol out of a range of painkillers available over-the-counter because they have a recognised sensitivity to aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) drugs such as Nurofen.

The latest study was published today in the European Respiratory Journal.

Dr Seif Shaheen from Imperial College London, and one of the authors of the study, said 'Epidemiological evidence is growing that shows a link between paracetamol and asthma.

'Since 2000, several publications have reported this association for instance in the UK and the USA.

'We have also shown that asthma prevalence is higher in children and adults in countries with higher paracetamol sales.

'Considering asthma is a common disease and paracetamol use is frequent, it is now important to find out if the association is really a causal one.'

The researchers believe regular use of paracetamol decreases levels of the antioxidant glutathione, found in the airways and the nose, which protects the lungs from air pollution and tobacco smoke.

It also protects against the harmful effects of free radicals - natural substances found in greater numbers in the lungs of asthmatics because they are generated as part of the inflammatory process.

Leanne Male, Asthma UK’s Assistant Director of Research, said 'Now there is data from across the world suggesting a link between paracetamol use and an increased risk of developing asthma, we need to carry out further studies to identify whether paracetamol actually plays a role in causing the condition.

'This is particularly important because, if proven, it could potentially enable us reduce the number of people developing asthma in a way that other causes, for example genetic factors, may not be as easy to do.'

SHEDDING WEIGHT WITH WATER

Why drinking water to shed weight is a waste of time

Weighty issue: Drinking lots of water does not make you lose weight

Drinking water does not help keep you trim, research shows.

Dieters who down up to eight glasses a day in the hope of slimming could be wasting their time.

They could be better off eating foods rich in water, such as fruit, vegetables, rice, soups and casseroles, the research suggests.

In a study the weight and waist size of more than 1,000 young women was compared with the amount of water they consumed each day - both from drinks and food.

It found no link between water in drinks, including water itself, tea, coffee, soft drinks and fruit juices, and body shape.

But there was a link between water taken in from food, with women who ate the highest quantities of water-rich foods tending to have slightly smaller waists.

They also had a lower body mass index - meaning they were a better weight for their height, the journal Nutrition reports.

The link held firm even when other factors such as the amount of exercise done and whether the woman was dieting were taken into account.

The researchers, from the University of Tokyo, said it was unclear why water in food but not water in drinks should affect weight.

The result could be due to water-rich foods such as fruit, vegetables and rice also being high in fibre.

BREAST CANCER TEST !

£10 test that can pinpoint your breast cancer risk in just one week

Cutting costs: A new £10 test can determine your breast cancer risk

A £10 test for hereditary breast cancer which gives results in a week could soon be ready for use, an expert has said.

One in every 20 women with breast cancer carries cancer-causing mutations in two genes.

At the moment, full genetic sequencing is available for those who think they may have a hereditary risk.

This helps determine each woman's chance of developing the disease - but costs about £1,000 and can take up to 18 weeks.

The latest procedure would allow scientists to focus just on the two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA, cutting costs and time.

The technique uses next-generation sequencing to screen several samples of DNA at a time.

Previously, next-generation technologies were used to scan the entire genetic sequence more quickly.

But today, scientists are hoping to use it to search for gene changes in a fraction of our genetic make-up.

Professor Graham Taylor, of the charity Cancer Research UK, said the advance could reduce costs by up to 99 per cent.

He said: 'It should mean reduced waiting times and that means people can start making decisions about their choices for the future.

'It's what we can do with new technology. It's exciting and promising and it will enable the tests to go ahead more easily than they do at the moment.'

Women who carry a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes have up to an 80 per cent chance of developing cancer.

By determining individual risk, doctors can single out women for extra checks or consider preventive measures.

Professor Taylor, who will report on the advance at the annual meeting of the British Society for Human Genetics at the University of York, said that the latest test would not completely displace existing technology.

'We know that next-generation sequencing technology is incredibly powerful at detecting gene changes in large stretches of DNA.

But we don't yet know how sensitive it is when applied to small regions sequenced in great depth.

'The new technology could be used to provide a quick and easy way to analyse individual genes.

'But until we know more about how accurate it is, the final clinical diagnosis will still require confirmation by conventional methods.'

Professor Marcus Pembrey, chairman of the genetics charity Progress Educational Trust, was 'cautiously optimistic'.

'Of course we should welcome cheaper, accurate genetic testing, but that doesn't make the decision to have such a test any easier or reduce the need for counselling,' he added.

SMOKING POLICE !

Sm

£10 test that can pinpoint your breast cancer risk in just one week

Smokers will soon be stopped and asked to take a breath test to try to shock them into quitting

Smokers will be stopped in the street and asked to take a carbon monoxide test in London's most hard-hitting anti-smoking campaign.

'Smoking police' will target people at betting shops, bus stops and shopping centres to shock them into giving up cigarettes.

They will be asked to breathe into a monitor to show how much carbon monoxide is in their bodies, and could then be signed up to local stop-smoking services and given access to counsellors.

Pro-smoking group Forest described the campaign as a humiliating infringement of civil liberties.

Ealing Primary Care Trust, which is funding the £75,000 scheme, said it could help 2,400 people to give up.

A team of 11 young people have been employed to approach smokers, in a similar way to charity fund-raisers - nicknamed 'chuggers' - who ask passers-by for donations.

Project spokeswoman Fran Pearce admitted: 'They will have to be careful when approaching smokers in case they become aggressive, but we are interested to see how it pans out. If someone says no, they will not pressure them to take the test.'

Project manager Phil Robinson of Ealing Stop Smoking-Service said: 'The law to ban smoking in public places was hugely effective, but since then some focus has been lost.

'We want to put stopping smoking back on the agenda, so 50 per cent of our current activity is about personalising and localising our campaign and taking our message direct to smokers.'

He added: 'We will be focusing on betting shops, transport stops, walk-throughs, shopping centres and leisure areas where most smoking takes place.'

There are 75,000 smokers in Ealing, and it is hoped 7,500 will take the new test, with 2,400 going on to quit completely.

Forest spokesman Neil Rafferty said: 'It shows the authorities think they have a blank cheque to treat smokers how they want - to harass, humiliate and victimise them.

'This is an outrageous abuse of freedom and privacy. It is the health Nazi equivalent of chuggers.'

KEY TO LONGEVITY !

Italy’s most famous Chianti wine infused with a concoction of honey, cherries and secret herbs can be the secret to long life, according to an 18th century recipe. The therapeutic recipe was discovered in an old manuscript discovered in the shelves of Italy’s oldest Tuscany pharmacy in Asciano near Sienna dating back to 1715. "My ancestors left several manuscripts with formulas for digestive drinks, but this one struck me because of its ingredients. I knew it had strong scientific basis," Discovery quoted pharmacist Giovanni De Munari, who found the old recipe. After the discovery, De Munari brewed the beverage, and came up with a "low-calorie, highly digestive alcoholic infusion, which tasted delicious." The key ingredient in the elixir is the Sangiovese grape, which is the soul of Chianti wine. Until the middle of the 19th century, Chianti wine was only made out of Sangiovese grapes; however, around 1850 Baron Bettino Ricasoli codified the formula and included 15 percent of the white grapes like malvasia. "In our recipe, we only have Sangiovese grapes. This is much more like the famous Brunello variety which grows in this area," said De Munari. The elixir''s formula echoes recent studies that credit resveratrol, a compound found in the skins of red grapes and helps in protecting against heart disease and other age-related illnesses. "Researchers are currently investigating whether resveratrol acts like a longevity molecule that mimics the effects of a calorie-restricted diet," De Munari said. "My ancestors may not have known the names of the chemicals, but they knew that red wine, and Chianti in particular, had therapeutic properties," De Munari added.