From sulphur to selenium, calcium to copper, here’s what your body’s made of – and why it matters

In my youth, I spent an unreasonable amount of time questioning why A-level chemistry was a prerequisite for medical school. Why was it as essential as biology? Why did I need to learn about electrons and entropy? The penny finally dropped when my rather brilliant teachers turned my attention towards the periodic table. Every single […]

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Why the magic mushroom anti-ageing claims are overblown

How can we live longer? The eternal question, and one that scientists have long been trying to answer. We know that diet, exercise, and genes play a big role in the ageing process and how long each of us might be alive for. We also know that certain drugs or medicines have the potential to […]

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Champion tennis player Monica Seles has myasthenia gravis – what is it and how does it affect sufferers?

Former tennis star Monica Seles has revealed she has been diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a rare autoimmune condition that affects how the muscles work. The multiple Grand Slam champion says she was actually diagnosed three years ago after experiencing trouble with her vision and weakness in her arms and legs. It is estimated that myasthenia […]

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Can vitamin D supplements really slow ageing, as a recent study suggests?

Vitamin D supplements could help protect the caps on our chromosomes that slow ageing, sparking hopes the sunshine vitamin might keep us healthier for longer, a recent study suggests. The researchers discovered that taking 2,000 IU (international units, a standard measure for vitamins) of vitamin D daily helped maintain telomeres – the tiny structures that […]

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Ultra-processed foods vs minimally processed foods: how can you tell the difference?

Minimally processed foods are whole foods that are altered only to make them safer or easier to prepare. GoodStudio/ Shutterstock If you’ve ever tried to lose weight, you’ve probably been told that cooking your own meals is the way to go. This has been backed up by a recent study, which found that people who […]

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What exactly are you eating? The nutritional ‘dark matter’ in your food

When scientists cracked the human genome in 2003 – sequencing the entire genetic code of a human being – many expected it would unlock the secrets of disease. But genetics explained only about 10% of the risk. The other 90% lies in the environment – and diet plays a huge part. Worldwide, poor diet is […]

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WHO EMRO | Remarks by Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean on the Roundtable on Health Workers’ Education and Training on Antimicrobial Resistance, Manama, Bahrain

05 August 2025 Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, It is a pleasure to join you today for this timely roundtable on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and health workforce education. I thank Dr Saad Alfuhaid, President of the Arabian Gulf University, for bringing us together, and I warmly acknowledge the leadership of Dr Jameela Alsalman, Chair of WHO’s Strategic […]

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UK Record High Dementia Diagnosis Rate as NHS Expands Home-Based Care

LONDON — The NHS has reached a record milestone in dementia care, with 506,549 people now formally diagnosed—up from 490,163 a year ago—reflecting growing awareness, improved access to testing, and a renewed focus on early intervention under the NHS’s 10 Year Health Plan. Dementia remains the UK’s leading cause of death, and timely diagnosis is […]

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What your neck size reveals about your health

Doctors have long relied on measurements like body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratios to assess health risks. However, researchers are increasingly focusing their attention on an unexpected indicator: neck circumference. A thick neck might project strength, like that of heavyweight boxers or rugby players, but studies suggest it could signal a concerning health issue. […]

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WHO EMRO | Remarks by Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean on the certification of Healthy Governorates in Bahrain

06 August 2025 His Excellency Lieutenant General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior Her Excellency Dr Jalila bint El-Sayed Jawad Hassan, Minister of Health The Honourable Shaikh Khalid bin Humood bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Governor of the Capital Governorate The Honourable Hassan Abdullah Mohammed Al Madani, Governor of the Northern Governorate The […]

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