What Is A Fart Walk And Why Is It So Good For Ageing?

Posted on 02/08/2025 by Boris Clair

The benefits of walking are pretty undeniable.

A simple stroll can “improve cardiovascular health by strengthening the heart, thereby helping circulation, lower[ing] blood pressure, [and] helping in the prevention of heart disease and stroke,” Matthew Nolan, a chief instructor at Barry’s in New York City, previously told HuffPost.

It’s even been linked to lower dementia risk.

But in a recent Instagram Reel, Dr Tim Tiutan – a physician and assistant professor – signed off on the idea of adding some, er, gas to your evening wander too.

Stitching a video in which author and creator of the hashtag #fartwalks Mairyln Smith said she and her husband go for “fart walks” after dinner to help them “age beautifully,” the doctor helped us to “look into the science of fart walks.”

Yup, ‘fart walking’ really is good for us

Walking can help to improve “intestinal motility” Dr Tiutan said, meaning it can banish both gas and constipation.

But Smith explained that “the main reason we do fart walks is because by walking… we are helping reduce our chances of developing type 2 diabetes… as you age, especially after 40, you have a bigger chance of developing type 2 diabetes.”

The National Institutes of Health puts the age at which type 2 diabetes risk rises a little younger, at 35. Diabetes UK says that walking may help us to regulate insulin better.

A 2016 study involving people with type 2 diabetes found that 10 minutes of “light” walking following each meal did a better job of managing participants’ blood sugar than walking for 30 minutes at any one time.

That’s partly why a likely gassy (thanks to the “intestinal motility”) post-dinner walk may be better for you than you might think.

Exercise of any kind prevents “large spikes in blood sugar,” the doctor agreed (it can lower your blood glucose for up to 24 hours after completion).

The practice may lower your cancer risk, too

Walking “also lowers our cancer risk,” Dr Tiutan continued.

Professor Amy Berrington, Leader of the Institute for Cancer Research [ICR]’s Clinical Cancer Epidemiology Group, said: “There is strong evidence that getting enough physical activity is linked to a lower risk of many types of cancer in both men and women.”

Cancer.gov says we should aim roughly for 150-300 minutes per week of moderately paced walking.

So perhaps I shouldn’t have been as surprised as I initally was to hear Dr Tiutan say, “I totally support fart walks.”

Your Meal Deal Might Be Raising Your Risk Of Lung Cancer, Study Warns

Posted on 30/07/2025 by Boris Clair

Eating ultra-processed food (UPFs) has already been linked to 32 harmful effects to health, including a raised risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and early death.

Now, another study has linked a higher intake of ultra-processed food to an increased risk of lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world. It’s the third most common cancer in the UK, with around 49,000 people diagnosed each year.

Previous research has noted a “significant association” between intake of UPF and the risk of several cancers, including colorectal, breast and pancreatic cancer.

Here’s what you need to know about the latest study.

First up, what is ultra-processed food?

Ultra-processed food typically undergoes multiple processing steps and contains long lists of additives and preservatives. It’s often ready-to-eat or heat.

Examples include ham, mass-produced bread, cereal, crisps and biscuits.

It’s thought more than half of the typical British daily diet is made up of ultra-processed food. But not all of these foods are terrible news – yoghurt and high-fibre cereals, for instance, can form a part of a healthy diet.

There is however a clear link emerging between negative health outcomes and diets high in UPF.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) noted “we still don’t know whether it is because these foods are unhealthy because of how they are made, or if it’s because a large majority of processed foods are high in calories, saturated fat, salt and sugar”.

UPF intake also increases the risk of weight gain, overweight and obesity, which is the second biggest cause of cancer in the UK.

As high consumption has already been linked to a heightened risk of several health conditions, researchers wanted to know if this might also include lung cancer.

What did the new lung cancer study find?

Researchers used data from the US Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trials, involving 155,000 participants aged 55–74.

Cancer diagnoses were tracked until the end of 2009 and cancer deaths until the end of 2018.

Some 101,732 people (50,187 men and 51,545 women; average age 62) who completed a Food Frequency questionnaire on their dietary habits on entry to the trials were included in the study.

Foods were categorised as: unprocessed or minimally-processed; containing processed culinary ingredients; processed; and ultra-processed.

The three types of UPF that featured the most were lunch meat (11%), diet or caffeinated soft drinks (just over 7%) and decaffeinated soft drinks (nearly 7%).

Over a period of 12 years, 1,706 new cases of lung cancer were diagnosed, including 1,473 (86%) cases of non-small cell lung cancer and 233 (14%) of small cell lung cancer.

After accounting for factors including smoking and overall diet quality, researchers discovered participants who ate a diet high in UPF were 41% more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer than those who ate the least UPF.

Specifically, they were 37% more likely to be diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer and 44% more likely to be diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. The findings were shared in the respiratory journal, Thorax.

The study has major limitations

The study is observational, so no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect.

The researchers also acknowledged they weren’t able to factor in smoking intensity (worth noting given smoking is the main cause of lung cancer) and dietary information was collected once, so couldn’t account for changes over time.

In response to the study, Professor Sam Hare, consultant chest radiologist at the Royal Free London NHS Trust, said: “A quarter of lung cancer cases occur in non-smokers so we do need research exploring whether other factors are associated with lung cancer. We also know immunity is linked to cancer biology so it is a good idea to do research into factors like diet.”

Yet he said more work is needed to establish direct causation between UPFs and lung cancer.

“Crucially, whilst the study does make some adjustments for smoking status, the amount of smoking is not factored in, which is known to be directly related to lung cancer development,” he said.

“Dietary habits also change considerably over the course of such long term studies. As such, it is difficult to directly conclude that lung cancer is related to the level of UPF consumption alone given it was only declared at the start of the study.”

Professor Tom Sanders, an expert in nutrition at King’s College London, also noted the smoking link, and added: “Unhealthy diets often go hand in hand with smoking habit and low socioeconomic status. But there appears to be no plausible mechanism to explain why ultra-processed food should affect risk of lung cancer.”

Should you cut out UPFs?

The study’s researchers suggested limiting consumption of ultra-processed food may help curb the global toll of lung cancer.

Supermarkets are home to thousands of UPF products, which can make it really hard to know where to turn during your weekly food shop. Often, these are the most affordable products, too.

The British Heart Foundation previously advised: “Instead of trying to completely cut out these foods, think about the balance in your diet.

“Make sure that there are minimally processed foods in there too – eat fruit and vegetables with your meals and drink water instead of sugary drinks – and try to fit in time over the week for home cooking.”

Whole grains, fruit, and vegetables could help protect against cancer, so it’s certainly worth trying to add more of these to your trolley if you can.

This Handwriting Change May Be An Early Sign Of Parkinson’s

Posted on 25/07/2025 by Boris Clair

Parkinson’s disease, the condition Ozzy Osborne was diagnosed with roughly five years before his death, affects about 153,000 people in the UK at the moment.

It is a progressive neurological disease. While there is no single, outright cure for it yet, the NHS says therapies like medication and physiotherapy can minimise its symptoms for many.

But sadly, the condition is often misdiagnosed, even though early diagnosis can be very beneficial.

That’s why organisations like Parkinson’s UK champion better, earlier diagnoses, and hope one day for a single test that can accurately spot the disease as soon as possible.

In the meantime, however, they’ve shared early signs of the condition; one of which involves changes to your handwriting.

How is handwriting linked to Parkinson’s?

Parkinson’s UK says that noticing smaller handwriting over time is one potential early sign.

This is called micrographia, and could affect as many as 50-60% of people living with Parkinson’s, though the numbers are not settled.

“You may notice the way you write words on a page has changed, such as letter sizes are smaller and the words are crowded together,” the charity shared.

A 2022 paper suggested that the handwriting change may precede other motor symptoms of Parkinson’s, like tremors.

Parkinson’s is not the only cause of handwriting changes – it’s been linked to other neurological changes, while Parkinson’s UK says “writing can change as you get older, if you have stiff hands or fingers or poor vision” – but it may be worth seeing your doctor about it, especially if it comes with other symptoms.

What are the other early symptoms of Parkinson’s?

According to Parkinson’s UK, having a single early symptom doesn’t mean you’ve got the disorder.

But “if you have more than one sign, you should consider making an appointment to talk to your doctor,” they wrote.

Aside from micographia, the other possible symptoms they listed were:

Tremors. Shaking in your finger, thumb, hand, or chin while at rest is a common early symptom.
Loss of smell, especially for strongly-scented foods like bananas, liquorice, and gherkins.
Moving a lot in your sleep, especially if you start acting out your dreams or thrashing around a lot.
Trouble with movement or walking. You might find your arms don’t swing as much as they used to when you walk, that your limbs or stiff, that your shoulders of hips feel tight, or that your feet feel “stuck to the floor.”
Constipation. This can be normal, but it can persist with Parkinson’s.
Developing a soft, low voice that others might describe as hoarse or breathy and which might sound quieter than usual.
’Facial masking,′ or a sad or angry expression on your face that happens regardless of your mood.
Dizziness or fainting, for instance, when getting up out of a chair – this can be linked to low blood pressure, which is associated with Parkinson’s.
Stooping or hunching over, especially if this is new for you.

So THAT’s Why You Keep Waking Up At 3AM

Posted on 21/07/2025 by Boris Clair

Even though I have insomnia, my issue doesn’t actually lie in getting to sleep.

Nope – I nod off just fine. My problem is staying in dreamland; more often than not, I wake up at 3am and simply cannot get back to sleep.

There are things I’ve learned to do to cope with the problem. “Clock blocking”, refusing to stay in bed for more than 20 minutes, and (paradoxically) willing myself to stay awake have all been effective at getting me back to sleep.

But given that almost a third of us wake up in the middle of the night at least three times a week – and that multiple friends had cited 3am as their most common early rising hour – I thought I’d ask Dr Seeta Shah from PANDA London if there’s anything “special” about that time.

Here’s what she told us…

Why do I always wake up at 3am?

“Waking up around 3am is a surprisingly common experience,” Dr Shah confirmed.

This, she said, could be down to a mixture of biological and lifestyle factors, like your body’s natural sleep cycle.

“During a typical night’s sleep, we go through multiple 90-minute cycles that include different stages of sleep, from light to deep and REM sleep,” the doctor said.

“Around 3am, most people are transitioning between cycles, and the sleep tends to be lighter at this point. That makes us more susceptible to waking, especially if there are external disturbances such as noise, light, temperature changes or even the need to use the loo.”

Then, she said, there’s a hormonal component. “In the early hours of the morning, the body begins to increase its production of cortisol, the ‘stress hormone,’ in preparation for waking,” she explained.

“This natural rise in cortisol, combined with a dip in melatonin (the sleep hormone), can make the body more alert and prone to waking around this time.”

Cortisol usually dips to a low at around midnight and slowly rises thereafter.

“If you’re feeling anxious or have an active mind, this early-morning wakefulness can quickly turn into prolonged sleeplessness,” Dr Shah told us.

How can I stop waking up at 3am?

“Lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption, late-night screen use, inconsistent bedtimes, and even blood sugar dips can all contribute to waking at this hour,” the doctor explained.

If you suspect this may be the cause of your early morning wake-ups, consider changing your habits and seeing how it affects your kip.

But “if waking at 3am becomes a regular pattern, it’s worth examining both physical and mental health, as well as evening habits, to identify and address any underlying causes,” Dr Shah cautioned.

The NHS said that if poor sleep is affecting your day-to-day life and causing you distress, you should speak to your GP about it.

This Low-Impact Exercise May Land You 2 Extra Hours Of Sleep

Posted on 17/07/2025 by Boris Clair

Though exercising too close to your bedtime may actually harm your sleep more than it helps, the NHS says that getting enough movement in your day is key to consistently good slumber.

Johns Hopkins Medicine writes that we don’t actually know why physical activity helps you snooze. It might be because working out releases “happy chemicals”, endorphins, or because it raises your body’s core temperature, they suggest.

A half-hour of exercise is linked to better sleep that same night, nonetheless.

And now, a new review has been published in the journal BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine that has named the low-impact exercise that could improve the sleep of insomniacs like me by almost two hours.

Yoga might give you two hours of extra sleep

The scientists looked at 22 previous randomised controlled trials involving over 1,300 people with insomnia.

They found that while cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) was helpful for managing the condition, so too was exercise.

“Among the various modalities examined, yoga, Tai Chi, and walking or jogging appear to be particularly effective,” they wrote.

Not only did yoga improve sleep time by just under two hours on average, but it also helped participants to nod off half an hour earlier than usual.

The review found that the positive sleep effects of Tai Chi and CBT combined may last for as long as two years for people with insomnia, while those associated with aerobic activity or aerobic activity with strength training seemed to last for seven months.

Of the activities included in the research, though, yoga won out in sheer added minutes of kip.

The scientists encouraged more research into the topic

As we mentioned above, the relationship between sleep and exercise is still not fully understood.

Perhaps that’s why this study didn’t recommend an exact amount of yoga or time at which to do it.

“To confirm and extend these findings, future research should prioritise large-scale, high-quality RCTs with standardised intervention protocols,” they wrote in their paper.

The more data we have, the more exercise and sleep scientists can rest easy (sorry….).

This Blinking Trick Could Help You Fall Asleep In Just 60 Seconds

Posted on 16/07/2025 by Boris Clair

I struggle to get to sleep at the best of times, an issue the recent onslaught of heatwaves hasn’t helped.

All the ‘pink noise’, delayed bedtimes, and even electricity changes have helped somewhat. But I’m always on the lookout for new tips – especially those that involve minimal effort.

Luckily, TikToker Helena Kennedy shared one of those in a recent clip, in which she revealed tips from her psychiatrist that helped her to defeat insomnia.

One of them involved blinking for a solid minute. So, we thought we’d find out whether it works.

How can blinking help you get to sleep?

Kennedy claimed blinking fast for 60 seconds means your eyes “get tired and trick your brain into sleep mode”.

A 2013 study found that blinking gives your brain a temporary “reset”, while 2017 research suggests blinking is treated “like a tiny nap” by your brain. It can decrease time perception by as much as 50-70%, researchers found.

But does that mean blinking will serve as a fast pass to the land of nod?

Well, speaking to Bustle, Livvi DiCicco, a sleep science coach with Sleepopolis, said it might, mostly because it serves as a distraction, which can be helpful if you’re lying in bed awake for more than 30 minutes.

Additionally, the expert said it can help to mimic your body’s natural sleeping cues, which may help your brain to realise it’s time to switch off.

How else can I get to sleep?

Morning light is uniquely helpful for orienting your body clock, which some researchers suggest is more important than actual sleeping hours for feeling reset. Therefore, going on a morning walk may help to get your Circadian rhythm in order.

Some studies suggest there could be some serious benefits to “clock blocking”, or refusing to look at the time when you get up in the middle of the night (I also swear by this trick).

And in a previous interview, sleep expert Dr Nerina Ramlakhan from Oak Tree Mobility told me “there’s a form of insomnia… called ‘orthosomia’, a term for the obsession with getting a good night’s sleep”.

In other words, try not to panic too much about your kip; it might paradoxically hurt you more than it helps.

The Washing Machine Temperature A Doctor ‘Doesn’t See The Point In’

Posted on 15/07/2025 by Boris Clair

You might already know that overloading your washing machine drum dooms your clothes to longer-lasting dampness – but did you know it could also shorten your appliance’s lifespan?

Additionally, Lenor says we should consider shaking our clothes before bunging them into the dryer, as that helps to “extract surplus water and damp”.

And apparently, the temperature at which you set your washing machine matters much more than we think, according to doctor and broadcaster Dr Xand van Tulleken.

Speaking on BBC Morning Live, he said he doesn’t “see the point” in one setting in particular, as it neither kills off germs nor saves you much money.

Here’s the most “useless” washing machine temperature

Dr van Tulleken started off by saying that 90°C is usually a bit excessive, as it “almost boils” your clothes.

Though it does “kill” germs, the doctor joked that “whatever’s happened” to garments that need that extreme a heat setting likely means they need to be binned anyway.

If your household has an infection like Norovirus, Dr Van Tulleken stated you’ll probably be best off washing on a 60°C cycle.

Then he added, “personally, I don’t see the point in 40°C… it’s too hot to be cheap, and it’s too cold to kill [germs]”.

The NHS has advised patients who spend time in hospital to wear clothes that can be washed at 60°C to avoid spreading bacteria like Clostridium difficile (C.diff).

Any lower, and the germs will likely survive.

But what if I’m not sick?

Most of the time, if you’re not unwell, 60°C is excessive.

But even then, Dr van Tulleken (and consumer advocacy publication Which?) say 40°C isn’t ideal.

30°C “gets the job done,” the doctor shared (Which? found that on average, switching from 40°C to 30°C saved 38% energy, or about £24 a year).

Personally, though, the doctor is a “20°C guy for everything” except his workout clothes.

Which? wrote that this saves 62% energy or £39 a year compared to 40°C; they recommend washing at either 20°C or 30°C where possible.

Though this may leave your washing machine drum a little less boil-wash-clean than higher temps, that’s resolved by simply running “a monthly hot maintenance wash (60°C with the machine empty and washing machine cleaner in the detergent tray)”.

RSD May Be ‘Common’ With ADHD – Here Are Its Symptoms

Posted on 13/07/2025 by Boris Clair

Rejection-sensitive dysphoria, or RSD, is not an officially recognised diagnosis, the Cleveland Clinic says. But it is sometimes used in connection with formal diagnoses, like ADHD.

“This condition is linked to ADHD and experts suspect it happens due to differences in brain structure,” the Cleveland Clinic adds.

ADHD resource ADDITUDE calls RSD a “common ADHD trait”, though experts are in disagreement about whether it’s a trait or side effect. Nonetheless, a 2024 paper suggested a strong relationship between the two.

So, what exactly is RSD?

RSD is an extreme sensitivity to feelings of rejection. The term’s last word, “dysphoria”, comes from an Ancient Greek word meaning “uncomfortable” or “hard to bear”.

Cleveland Clinic says: “While rejection is something people usually don’t like, the negative feelings that come with RSD are stronger and can be harder to manage or both.

“People with RSD are also more likely to interpret vague interactions as rejection and may find it difficult to control their reactions.”

For those with RSD, something which might be a throwaway comment for one person can come across as a hostile, hurtful insult.

It may be linked to issues with emotional regulation, which neurodivergent people and those with personality disorders might struggle with more.

What are the signs of RSD?

People-pleasing, overreacting to perceived rejection, and struggling to interpret vague or neutral interactions as anything other than bad are common signs, the Cleveland Clinic says.

Feeling easily embarrassed or self-conscious, having low self-esteem, avoiding projects or tasks that include a risk of failure, and being preoccupied with perfection can also be symptoms.

It may be passed down genetically.

NHS Devon Partnership Trust writes that while “people with ADHD might identify with the definition of RSD… it won’t be given as a diagnosis in the UK”.

But while you are unlikely to receive a formal RSD diagnosis, you should speak to a doctor if you’re experiencing persistent difficulties with: attention, mood, focus, sensory processing, social interactions, or learning that disrupt your day-to-day life.

According to private medical centre, the Dr Jenni Clinic, talking therapies and emotional regulation techniques might help manage RSD. Some ADHD medications can also support emotional regulation, “reducing the intensity of RSD symptoms”.

I Love ‘Fibremaxxing’ – But Does A Dietitian Think It’s A Good Idea?

Posted on 10/07/2025 by Boris Clair

You probably shouldn’t stick to the social media-beloved carnivore diet, heart health experts say – it may end up raising your “bad” LDL cholesterol.

But what about “fibremaxxing,” a recent TikTok obsession which sees some creators eat more fibre in their breakfast than most people eat in an entire day?

I’ve been on the fibre bandwagon for a long time. It’s linked to lower bowel cancer, dementia, and heart disease risk, but 90% of us fail to hit the recommended 30g a day.

Those stats have encouraged me to get 24g of the nutrient in before dinner and devise a breakfast recipe that contains half your daily intake (I suppose I, too, am a fibremaxxer).

Am I in the right, though? Though many of us lack the crucial carb, can “fibremaxxing” go too far?

My "fibremaxxed" breakfast — My “fibremaxxed” breakfast

Most of us really could benefit from “fibremaxxing”

Registered dietitian Brea Lofton from Lumen shared that “most adults in Western countries really consume far less fibre than the general recommendation.”

On average, she said, adults hit 20-15g a day (as little as half the recommended amount).

“The gap in fibre can contribute to higher risks of cardiometabolic diseases, like type 2 diabetes, obesity, and even heart disease,” the dietitian added.

Oats, brown rice, legumes, beans, wholegrain versions of foods like pasta and bread, and fruits and veggies can all provide a fibre boost.

But the expert gave a word of caution; you should up your intake slowly, particularly if you didn’t eat much fibre before “maxxing” it.

Too much too soon can lead to “bloating, gas, cramping, constipation or diarrhoea, and nutrient malabsorption,” Lofton said.

“Diarrhoea and constipation can occur depending on the type of fibre, in addition to how much water an individual is drinking, and malabsorption can occur when consuming excessive amounts of fibre over a significant span of time.”

This might be especially noticeable for those boosting their fibre through fortified food or supplements, which she suggested “may not provide the same microbial benefits as whole foods.”

Upping your fibre isn’t for everyone, either

Though in general, more of us should eat more fibre, Lofton stated that older people, those with IBS, people in the post-surgery period, and chronically ill individuals might want to consult a doctor before eating more fibre.

Feelings of fullness when you haven’t eaten much, a bloated, gassy, or “upset” stomach can all reveal you’re doing too much, too soon.

This happens because “the extra bulk and water absorption properties of fibre can cause intestinal muscles to contract more than usual, sometimes leading to cramping or discomfort,” regardless of your health status.

“The overall message is that fibre is foundational, but more isn’t always better,” Lofton concluded.

This Is The Worst Position To Sleep In If Heartburn Wakes You Up At 3AM

Posted on 04/07/2025 by Boris Clair

As someone with insomnia, I struggle to get to sleep in the first place. I’m not alone – 21% of us find it hard to nod off at least once a week.

So when we do finally reach dreamland, it’s pretty unpleasant to be yanked out of it by heartburn or indigestion.

One paper called nighttime heartburn an “under-appreciated clinical problem that impacts sleep and daytime function” among adults with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Meanwhile, some researchers think indigestion and acid reflux create a vicious cycle; they affect your sleep, which may in turn increase your risk of indigestion, and so on.

Though you should see a GP if you have indigestion often, if it comes alongside other symptoms (like iron deficiency anaemia, pain, trouble swallowing, and weight loss), doctors like GI surgeon Dr Karan Rajan say that sleeping on one side over another may help for one-off cases.

Don’t sleep on your right side

Your stomach is not a perfectly balanced or symmetrical organ.

Instead, it’s curved, with much of its bulk (which contains the acid that causes indigestion and heartburn) lying on the left-hand side.

That bend means that it’s harder for stomach acid to make its way into your oesophagus because it’s got a steeper curve to climb than your more gently sloping right-hand side.

Per the Gastrointestinal Society: “Due to gravity, the shape of the stomach, and the angle of the connection between it and the oesophagus, sleeping on your left side can greatly reduce reflux.”

“By the same principle, if you lie on your right-hand side, at this point the stomach and its contents are slightly higher than the lowest of your sphincter,” Dr Karan Rajan agreed.

That means “more chance of reflux back into the oesophagus,” which creates that horrid indigestion burn.

What else can I do to reduce the risk of nighttime indigestion?

The NHS says that indigestion is common and is usually “not a sign of anything more serious… you can treat it yourself.”

Solutions can include cutting down on coffee, tea, and booze, raising your stomach above your head when you sleep and avoiding eating closer than thre to four hours before bedtime.

Skip spicy, fatty foods if you’re struggling with indigestion, don’t smoke, and speak to your pharmacist about getting over-the-counter treatments if needed.

The health service adds you should see a GP if you:

keep getting indigestion
are in severe pain
have lost a lot of weight without meaning to
have difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
keep being sick
have iron deficiency anaemia
feel like you have a lump in your stomach
have bloody vomit or poo.

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