GP Explains The Difference Between Healthy And ‘Pathological’ Ageing

Posted on 12/08/2026 by Boris Clair

You might think that some changes, like memory loss, are inevitable as the years roll by. And that can be true – but serious conditions like dementia, though more common among older people, are not an ordinary part of healthy ageing.

In general, Dominic Greenyer, a private GP at The Health Suite, told HuffPost UK: “Ageing naturally brings some change. People may notice a modest reduction in muscle mass, bone density, cardiovascular fitness, hearing, vision or the speed at which they process information.

“However, severe or rapidly progressing decline should not automatically be dismissed as an inevitable part of getting older.”

Sometimes, people call non-standard deterioration “pathological ageing”. Here, we asked the GP to explain what the term means, as well as the signs you may be experiencing one or the other.

What is pathological ageing?

It’s not a single formal condition, the doctor said.

Instead, pathological ageing describes “deterioration driven or accelerated by disease, rather than the gradual biological changes we would ordinarily expect as a person grows older… [it may] involve illness or damage that significantly affects a person’s function and independence”.

That might include cardiovascular disease, poorly controlled diabetes, osteoporosis, dementia, chronic lung disease, severe frailty or substantial muscle loss.

“One of the dangers of describing every new symptom as ‘just old age’ is that treatable conditions can be missed,” the GP continued.

“Persistent exhaustion, unexplained weight loss, repeated falls, worsening breathlessness, new confusion, significant memory changes or a sudden loss of strength should be properly assessed.”

Older people may be led to believe that “pain, fatigue or loss of mobility is something they simply have to tolerate”; but that’s not always the case.

“The important questions are how quickly the change has happened, whether it is affecting everyday life, and whether an underlying condition may be contributing to it.”

How can I tell pathological ageing from normal ageing?

Dr Greenyer said that healthy ageing doesn’t mean reaching old age without any disease whatsoever. In fact, he considers healthy vs pathological ageing as more of a “spectrum” than separate poles.

“Many people live well with arthritis, high blood pressure or other long-term conditions when these are recognised, treated and properly controlled,” he said.

But a person’s level of functionality matters here.

“Healthy ageing means preserving as much physical capacity, cognitive ability, independence and social engagement as possible. A person may have a diagnosis but still remain active, make their own decisions, maintain relationships and continue doing the things that matter to them,” the GP explained.

“Pathological ageing is more likely to involve decline that is disproportionate, accelerated or driven by disease. It can begin to restrict mobility, memory, resilience and the ability to manage ordinary tasks.”

People can move between pathological and healthy ageing, he added. “Early diagnosis, rehabilitation, better disease control and changes to daily habits can sometimes slow decline and restore a meaningful amount of function.”

Can I decrease my odds of pathological ageing?

Dr Greenyer stressed that lifestyle changes alone can’t guarantee healthy ageing – genes and other factors outside our control can play a part here.

Therefore, he said, “people should never be blamed for illnesses that are not entirely within their control”.

With that said, some habits can make a “significant difference” to how likely we are to age well.

Not smoking “remains one of the most important steps a person can take,” the GP stated, while controlling and monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar can go a long way too.

“Good-quality sleep, meaningful social contact and continuing to challenge the brain are also important,” he said, while depression and hearing loss are often “overlooked” factors that can make ageing well less likely.

Calling regular physical activity “one of the most powerful things we can do.” Dr Grenyer stated that “Aerobic activity supports the heart, lungs and circulation, while strength training helps preserve muscle, bone density, balance and the ability to perform everyday tasks”.

You don’t need to hit the gym every day, either. Brisk walking, cycling, swimming, gardening, carrying shopping and simple resistance exercises can all help, the expert advised, while balance work is great for better ageing (especially among those prone to falls).

Diet is important, as well – “Older adults need sufficient protein to help preserve muscle, alongside vegetables, fruit, wholegrains and sources of healthy fats. People should also pay attention to hydration, as the sensation of thirst can become less reliable with age”.

Lastly, the GP told us that prevention isn’t just about lifestyle choices. Getting vaccines, attending screenings, and seeing your doctor about new concerns matters, too.

“The goal is not to stop ageing, because that is impossible. It is to protect resilience, function and independence for as long as possible, while recognising that it is never too late to make changes that may improve health and quality of life.”

A Doctor Says ‘Stress Sweat’ Smells Different – Here’s How To Spot It

Posted on 07/08/2026 by Boris Clair

Did you know that our eyes make three types of tears – basal tears, which lubricate our peepers, reflex tears, which respond to stressors like onion fumes, and emotional tears?

Well, it turns out our sweat might take different forms depending on whether it comes from stress or a workout.

“When you’re exercising or sitting in a hot environment, your body mainly produces sweat to cool itself down. This comes from eccrine sweat glands, which produce a watery sweat that’s mostly made up of water and salt,” Dr Asiya Maula, a private GP at The Health Suite, told HuffPost UK.

“Stress is different. When you’re anxious, nervous or frightened, your body’s ‘fight or flight’ response kicks in.

“This activates a different type of sweat gland called the apocrine gland, which is found mainly in the armpits and groin.”

How can I tell eccrine vs apocrine sweat apart?

It can be hard to tell them apart, Dr Maula said. But stress, or apocrine, sweat has a different texture: this “contains more proteins and fatty compounds, making it thicker than the sweat produced during exercise”.

Additionally, “stress sweat” might have a more intense odour.

“Stress sweat itself is actually almost odourless when it’s first produced. The stronger smell develops when bacteria naturally living on the skin break down those proteins and fats,” the GP explained.

“That’s why many people notice stress sweat has a much more noticeable odour than the sweat they produce after a run or a gym session”.

Of course, context helps – “If you suddenly notice damp palms before a presentation, sweaty underarms during an important meeting or increased sweating while you’re feeling anxious despite not being physically active, stress is likely to be playing a role.”

But the speed of onset might matter too, Dr Maula said.

“People often describe stress sweat as appearing very suddenly and affecting areas like the palms, soles of the feet and underarms, even when the room isn’t particularly warm.”

What does stress sweat mean?

Well, aside from meaning that you’re – you guessed it – stressed, the doctor said occasional apocrine sweat is nothing to worry about.

But “if you’re finding yourself sweating excessively during everyday situations, or you notice it’s becoming more frequent alongside symptoms such as poor sleep, constant worrying, palpitations or feeling on edge most of the time, it may be a sign that your stress levels are becoming difficult to manage”.

That’s worth speaking to your GP about, she said.

How can I stop stress sweat?

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to stop stress sweat in the moment.

But if you want to try reducing your stress levels overall, Dr Maula said you can try “Regular physical activity, good quality sleep, limiting excessive caffeine, mindfulness techniques and breathing exercises can all help reduce activation of the body’s stress response”.

And, she ended, “For people whose sweating is particularly severe or affecting their quality of life, there are also medical treatments available, so it’s important not to suffer in silence”.

Scientists Found 4 Signs Of The Ideal Pillow For Your Back, Neck, And Sleep

Posted on 06/08/2026 by Boris Clair

Most adult Brits struggle to get a good night’s sleep; as many as 14% of us get by on “dangerously low” levels of shut-eye, regularly catching less than five hours of kip a night.

Meanwhile, about two-thirds of us will experience neck pain at one point or another, while almost 80% of us will get back aches.

Worse, back and neck pain can make your sleep worse, and insomnia may increase your perception of discomfort. Talk about a vicious cycle.

So, it’s a good thing a systematic review of studies has found four pillow qualities that might help with all three.

What should I look for in a pillow?

This research analysed 11 studies, with 309 participants in total. The study authors wanted to evaluate the quality of evidence for the benefits of different pillow materials, heights, shapes, and thermal (heat) properties.

They found “moderate evidence that some of the following pillow parameters could improve sleep quality/spinal alignment, and decrease sleep-related neck pain”.

These include:

Latex material,
A contoured design (a dip in the middle of the pillow with higher sides, especially useful for side sleepers),
A height of 7-11cm for the lower, middle part of the pillow,
A cooling surface.

Latex pillows seemed best at reducing neck pain, while a contoured pillow with a 7-11cm high centre helped to keep sleepers’ spines in alignment.

Meanwhile, cooling pillows have been associated with more deep sleep than their non-cooling counterparts.

The researchers added that people should try to “consider as many of the above-mentioned parameters as possible when choosing a new pillow that fits their individual needs of promoting sleep comfort”.

Which pillows seemed to perform the worst?

Another review of studies found that, generally, feather pillows tend to perform worse than rubber or spring pillows.

And a separate 2011 paper also suggested “feather pillow users provided consistently low reports of pillow comfort and sleep quality”.

But your sleeping position matters here.

For instance, those who sleep on their side might have to put their neck at an uncomfortable angle if they’re using a softer pillow, while front or back sleepers could push their head further out of alignment if using a very stiff one.

That’s why, researchers note, it’s important to factor in your individual comfort level.

Exclusive: ADHD Charity Slams Channel 4 Over ‘The Great ADHD Myth?’ Documentary

Posted on 04/08/2026 by Boris Clair

The charity ADHD UK has penned an open letter to Channel 4 after it shared a new documentary will be aired dubbed ‘The Great ADHD Myth?’, HuffPost UK can exclusively reveal.

The TV channel said the show “seeks to determine whether ADHD [attention deficit hyperactivity disorder] is a genuine neurodevelopmental disorder, or a social construct”.

The show will follow NHS psychiatrist Dr Max Pemberton as he speaks to “a growing number of medical experts who are questioning the conventional narrative around ADHD”.

According to Channel 4’s release, these experts “discuss whether the real problem is the environments in which young people are growing up, as well as the current health and schooling systems not being flexible enough to cater for a wide enough range of personalities and behaviours among children”.

It will also follow a family who “want to see whether holistic lifestyle changes can eliminate one boy’s use of ADHD medication”, a press release seen by HuffPost UK reads.

Dr Max Pemberton, who features in the documentary, said: “As a psychiatrist, I’ve watched ADHD go from a diagnosis that was only occasionally made and after careful assessment, to one that is increasingly demanded and dispensed, and I wanted to understand why.

“There’s no doubt that the people seeking these diagnoses are genuinely struggling; that isn’t in question. What the film asks is whether ADHD is really the best explanation for that struggle and my hope is that we come away with permission to ask better questions about what modern life is doing to all of us.”

Dr Max Pemberton features in ‘The Great ADHD Myth?’ – a new documentary announced by Channel 4.

Backlash against framing of show

Since information about the documentary was publicly shared, some people with ADHD as well as mental health experts have revealed their disappointment over the framing of the show – especially the title.

An open letter to the channel from the CEO and co-founder of ADHD UK, Henry Shelford, seen by HuffPost UK, points out that “the damage of a title like this is done in the listings, in the commentary, before a single frame is broadcast”.

After the documentary details were shared on 29 July, Dr Chris Abbott, chief medical officer at Care ADHD, shared in an email: “Presenting ADHD as potentially no more than a ‘social construct’ is scientifically misleading and risks causing real harm to children, adults and families.”

While Dr Claudia Aymerich, consultant psychiatrist at Berkeley Psychiatrists, is also concerned by the framing, which she said “oversimplifies a far more complex issue and doesn’t reflect where the scientific evidence sits”.

In response to these concerns, a Channel 4 spokesperson told HuffPost UK: “This documentary does not deny the lived experience of those diagnosed with ADHD, but does present the view of an extensive range of senior medical experts – many of whom work or have worked with the NHS or have held presidential roles at professional membership bodies – who seek to question the conventional understanding of ADHD and if it is a neurodevelopmental condition.

“They also ask whether modern living has contributed to a rise in diagnoses, and whether there may be better alternatives for some children than medication.”

ADHD is a real and recognised condition

ADHD is recognised by the World Health Organization, the NHS and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

Dr Aymerich said: “Studies consistently demonstrate differences in brain development and function, particularly in areas relating to attention, executive functioning and impulse control, alongside a strong genetic component.”

And “while modern environments, education systems, increased screen use and lifestyle factors can all influence how symptoms present or how significantly they affect someone’s daily life, they do not negate the existence of ADHD itself”, she added.

In its open letter, ADHD UK highlighted that “this is not a parlour debate. People die” and pointed to UCL-led research using UK health records which showed that adults with diagnosed ADHD have a shorter life expectancy. There was a reduction in life expectancy for men with diagnosed ADHD of between 4.5 and 9 years, and between 6.5 and 11 years for women.

“Having ADHD is tough. Undermining the condition just makes it tougher. When a national broadcaster invites millions to file all of this under ‘myth’, people cancel assessments, parents doubt their children, employers doubt their staff, and lives are put at risk,” said Henry Shelford, who has ADHD.

After a BBC Panorama programme investigating Private ADHD Clinics aired in 2023, ADHD UK surveyed more than 2,200 people with ADHD – 90% suggested stigma had increased because of the programme, and 84% believed it would stop people with symptoms from seeking an assessment.

Dr Aymerich is concerned about how the framing may impact those living with ADHD or currently seeking a diagnosis. “Many patients spend years being told they are lazy, disruptive, disorganised or simply not trying hard enough before finally understanding that there is a recognised medical explanation for the challenges they have experienced throughout their lives,” she said.

“Receiving a diagnosis can be genuinely life-changing because it allows people to access appropriate support and better understand themselves.”

She continued: “When public debate shifts toward questioning whether ADHD is ‘real’, it risks reigniting shame, self-doubt and stigma for those individuals.

“It may also discourage parents from seeking assessments for children who are struggling or make adults question whether they deserve support at all.”

Untreated ADHD is associated with consequences such as poorer educational outcomes, relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, substance misuse and increased risk of accidental injury.

ADHD UK’s letter has called for a review of the title of the show and for the broadcaster to “make clear on screen where contributors’ views sit relative to mainstream clinical consensus”.

It also takes issue with a child being at the centre of an experiment involving replacing medication with lifestyle changes.

In response to this, Channel 4 said “the wellbeing of our contributors was of paramount importance throughout, and the observational study of one child’s medication break was undertaken in consultation with multiple psychiatrists, an independent doctor and the family’s GP”.

The open letter continues: “We are not asking Channel 4 to duck hard questions about ADHD. Waiting lists, service failure and the gulf between need and provision deserve every camera you can point at them. We are asking you to aim at the right target.”

ADHD needs to be further explored, say experts

All of the experts HuffPost UK spoke to stress that ADHD should be discussed in the media. Dr Abbott said: “There’s legitimate discussion to be had about the quality of assessments, inequalities in access, the careful use of medication and the need for holistic support.

“Diagnosis should always follow a comprehensive specialist assessment, and treatment should be individualised rather than reduced to medication alone. But questioning whether ADHD itself is ‘real’ is not a balanced contribution to that debate.”

Dr Aymerich added “there is an important distinction between asking whether we are diagnosing and treating ADHD as effectively as possible and questioning whether the condition itself exists”.

“The first is an essential scientific discussion,” she said. “The second risks undermining decades of clinical evidence and doing unnecessary harm to a patient group that already faces considerable misunderstanding and barriers to accessing care.”

Travel Warning: Taking These Medications Abroad Could Land You In Hot Water

Posted on 01/08/2026 by Boris Clair

If you’re anything like me, you pack half your medicine cupboard before going away on holiday ‘just in case’.

But if you’re planning to venture abroad anytime soon, a pharmacist has warned that common prescription and over-the-counter medicines could result in confiscation, hefty fines, or even arrest in some countries.

So, make sure to do your homework before you travel.

Ian Budd, lead prescribing pharmacist at Chemist4U, said: “Most people don’t think twice about packing their regular medicines for a holiday, because they assume that if something is legal in the UK, it will be legal everywhere else.

“Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Every year, travellers are caught out by medication restrictions they didn’t know existed.

“In some countries, medicines we consider completely routine in the UK can be treated as controlled substances, even when they have been legitimately prescribed by a doctor.”

Medicines to be wary of when packing your suitcase

1. Codeine, and any painkiller containing it (e.g. co-codamol).

This is considered a controlled substance in many countries. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it’s led to confiscation, detention and in some cases, prosecution, said Budd.

2. Diazepam and other benzodiazepines

The medication, used for anxiety and sleep, is restricted in several destinations.

Budd noted that in Singapore, bringing these in without a Controlled Drugs Permit from the Health Sciences Authority “is treated as a drug-import offence, and can carry fines or imprisonment, even with a valid UK prescription”.

3. Pregabalin and gabapentin

These are used for nerve pain and are controlled in the UAE. Without a prescription and a doctor’s letter, they can be confiscated and, in serious cases, lead to arrest.

4. ADHD medicines

Several countries, including Japan, ban amphetamine-based medicines outright, even with a valid foreign prescription.

5. Strong opioid painkillers (e.g. morphine, oxycodone)

Many countries treat these as controlled drugs – without the right documentation, they can be seized, and in some cases, lead to detention or prosecution.

6. Cold and flu remedies containing pseudoephedrine

Some of these are restricted or banned in a handful of countries, including Japan.

What to do before you go away

The pharmacist urged travellers to be aware of the extra steps needed so a routine prescription doesn’t turn into a stressful situation at the border.

“My advice is to check the rules for your destination as soon as you book your trip, rather than the night before you travel,” he said.

“That gives you enough time to speak to your GP or pharmacist, get any paperwork sorted, and travel with confidence.”

The UK government warns that people can be fined or even go to prison if they travel with medicine that is illegal in another country. It advises checking with the embassy of the country you’re going to before you travel – you might require a permit or supporting documentation to take your medication in with you.

For example, travellers must get approval in advance from the UAE Ministry of Health to bring medication – applications are generally processed within five working days.

Budd recommends asking your pharmacist for a short covering letter confirming your name, dosage and how much medicine you’re carrying. This, he said, “is often enough to avoid questions at customs, especially for controlled medicines such as codeine, tramadol or diazepam”.

The pharmacist also recommends keeping medicines in their original packaging when travelling, with the pharmacy label attached, as loose tablets in a pill organiser are hard to identify if you’re stopped at customs.

“Make sure to check any countries you’re passing through, not just your final stop,” added the expert. “These rules apply to layovers too, so check the requirements for any country you’ll pass through, even if you’re not leaving the airport.”

We Should All Be Taking ‘Poop Walks’ – Especially As We Age

Posted on 31/07/2026 by Boris Clair

Here’s a fact that never fails to make me feel more connected to my fellow man: at any given time, about one in seven UK adults is struggling with constipation.

It’s believed to affect twice as many women as men (ladies have a longer colon and more variable hormones), and tends to get worse and is more likely to be chronic as we age.

Experts think that change might be partly down to factors like decreased mobility, drinking less water, slower gut transit time, weaker muscles, certain medications, and a higher likelihood of medical conditions that make getting backed up more probable.

Regardless of its cause, though, there’s lots of research to suggest a relatively simple solution: maybe we should all be trying a poop walk.

Er… what?

We’ve written before about “fart walks,” which involve going for a short stroll after a meal. These have been linked to better blood sugar management and even a lower cancer risk.

And research has shown that walking gets our bowels moving a minute or so after we start, helping to relieve constipation, too.

Speaking to HuffPost UK, Julie Thompson, an Information Manager at digestive system charity Guts UK, said: “One of the roles of the large bowel is to absorb water from the gut contents, so the longer poo stays in the large bowel, the drier it becomes.

“Walking stimulates bowel movements because it increases intestinal motility (increases gut muscle contractions) in people with constipation, decreasing the time it takes for the gut contents to move through.”

She added, “Walking regularly can also improve the variety of the gut microbes, compared with those who are less active, which produces health-related benefits for the large bowel and for wider health.”

How can I take a poop walk?

Thompson told us that it can be hard to work out exactly how far or long we should walk to, er, unclog the pipes.

“Research studies use a wide variety of activity in their publications, so it is difficult to be precise about the combined recommendations, plus there is likely to be some individual variation,” she said.

Still, a little may go a long way. A 2025 paper, which included 21 healthy adults, saw great results after a 20-minute treadmill walk, noting that bowel activity increased pretty much as soon as participants got moving.

And other research from this year, which focused on older adults with Parkinson’s disease, found that increasing participants’ steps by 3,000 daily from their usual baseline “significantly improved constipation” after three months.

Thompson told us that you don’t need to be constipated to take advantage of a poop walk – “the best option is to follow the NHS general guidance on activity, which recommends adults should try to be active every day and aim to do at least 150 minutes of physical activity over a week, through a variety of activities including walking.

“If someone is able to walk, but is not active, it is best to increase the distance gradually,” she added.

Even if you’re not constipated, walking can keep you regular

The NHS says on its site that “A daily walk or run can help you poo more regularly”.

Professor Yohei Otaka, author of a study that found a 20-minute walk improved healthy adults’ gut motility, said, “Walking can serve as an effective, immediate tool for stimulating bowel function.

“The findings also point to potential underlying mechanisms, such as changes in autonomic nervous system activity or reflexes triggered by the body’s natural oscillations during movement.”

Aside from its bowel-based benefits, a 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.

Is Reducing Protein Key To Better Ageing? A Longevity Expert Weighs In

Posted on 31/07/2026 by Boris Clair

Protein is a key nutrient made up of tiny building blocks called amino acids. It provides us with energy, helps the body grow and repair, and is typically found in meat, fish, dairy, eggs, nuts, beans and lentils.

For healthy adults, the recommended daily amount of protein is about 0.75g per kg of body weight, notes the British Heart Foundation, adding that’s about 45g a day for a 60kg woman, and 55g a day for a 75kg man.

The reality is we’re easily consuming that. Helena Gibson-Moore, nutrition scientist for the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF), said people in the UK are, on average, “eating more than enough protein”.

Society has become pretty obsessed with protein, evident in the protein-fortified foods popping up everywhere and popularity of protein-rich ‘carnivore’ and ‘boy kibble’ diets touted by influencers on social media.

While protein is good for you, experts have long cautioned that not all protein is created equal. And now, a new study suggests that less – not more – protein could be key to healthy ageing in people who aren’t as active.

“It’s absolutely crystal clear that there are benefits of protein to muscle growth and exercise response of active individuals,” said study author Dudley Lamming, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“But because most people are relatively sedentary, many people are likely consuming more protein than they actually need, which probably has negative health consequences.”

What did the study reveal?

The review of 350 existing papers on protein restriction and ageing, published in the journal Cell Press Blue, looked into how protein-restricted diets could improve health and promote longevity.

After analysing these studies, researchers suggested cutting protein intake may slow ageing by improving metabolism, changing how cells respond to nutrients, reducing cellular damage, and preserving healthy cell function.

One of the key players believed to be behind this is a hormone called fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), which can increase the body’s energy expenditure, improve blood sugar control, and reduce inflammation.

Researchers said levels of this hormone rise when protein intake is low. They also pointed to studies in mice, which have shown that animals with higher FGF21 levels lived longer than normal mice.

They also noted that consuming too many of a certain type of amino acid could trigger biological processes that promote growth, increasing the risk of obesity, inflammation, and other age-related diseases.

“These studies show that the amount of protein sedentary people are eating today may have negative health consequences, at least at the population level,” Lamming said.

While some people, like pregnant women and some older adults, have higher protein needs, for most sedentary adults, protein-fortified food may not provide the health benefits people expect, researchers added.

Discussing how athletes manage to consume large amounts of protein without developing metabolic diseases, the experts hypothesised that regular exercise may be protective.

Lamming ended: “We probably need to personalise protein recommendations based not just on age, but also on how physically active people are.”

**The protein discussion ‘should consider performance and longevity’**

Responding to the findings, Dr Will Hsu, a longevity expert and chief medical officer of L Nutra Health, who wasn’t involved in the review, told HuffPost UK that much of the conversation around protein is focused on physical performance, maintaining muscle, and preventing frailty.

“These are important goals. Protein is essential for supporting recovery, preserving physical function, and maintaining lean mass, particularly in older adults,” he said. “But the protein discussion should consider two objectives at the same time: performance and longevity.”

He stressed that protein and its amino acids “are not simply building materials, they are also biological signals that activate pathways involved in growth, metabolism, and cellular ageing”.

When we’re young, physically active, recovering from illness, or trying to maintain muscle, these pathways are essential.

However, keeping growth pathways continuously activated through a high protein diet “may not be ideal for long term metabolic health, particularly in someone who is relatively sedentary”, he added.

Protein intake should be personalised and plant-forward

Protein’s effects vary depending on many elements – from the amount consumed, to the food source, to your physical activity levels and age.

“The average person should not read this research and immediately start cutting protein,” said Dr Hsu. “A better question is: How much protein do I need, from which foods, at this point in my life?”

He suggested a sedentary adult who already eats plenty of meat, protein bars, shakes, and protein-fortified foods “probably does not need to keep adding more”.

But replacing some animal protein with beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, and other plant foods “may create a more favourable amino acid balance, while also providing fibre and other protective nutrients”.

This advice would then change for an older adult at risk of muscle loss, an athlete, someone recovering from illness or surgery, or a person losing weight rapidly, he noted.

“For these individuals, adequate protein and resistance exercise are critical for protecting muscle, bone, strength, and independence. Pregnant women and people who are already underweight or frail should also not restrict protein without professional guidance,” he explained.

“This is why one protein recommendation cannot work for everyone. Two people of the same age may need very different amounts based on their muscle mass, activity level, health, and risk of frailty.”

He ended: “Ultimately, the goal is not maximum protein or minimum protein. It is enough high-quality protein to preserve strength and function, without assuming that more is automatically better.

“For many people, that means shifting toward a more plant-forward pattern and personalising protein intake based on age, activity, metabolic health, and muscle needs.”

Chronic Hepatitis B Affects Millions Worldwide – So Why Do People Know So Little About It?

Posted on 28/07/2026 by Boris Clair

Chronic hepatitis B is not something most people think about in their day-to-day lives.¹ But, globally, it remains a major health issue – and one that health leaders say is not improving fast enough.²

Chronic hepatitis B is a long-term liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus, which can increase the risk of developing severe liver damage (cirrhosis) and liver cancer.³ People can become infected with the hepatitis B virus through exposure to infected blood and other bodily fluids.² Most people do not experience any symptoms when initially infected with the hepatitis B virus, and the infection can go unnoticed for many years.²˒³

It is estimated that approximately 240 million people are living with chronic hepatitis B globally.²˒³ Yet despite the burden, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that efforts to eliminate hepatitis B as a public health threat by 2030 are currently off track.²

While tools like vaccinations, testing and treatment already exist, progress has not kept pace with what is possible.²

Challenging a lack of awareness of chronic hepatitis B

Against that backdrop, a new global online survey commissioned and funded by GSK and conducted among 5,000 general public adults across five countries suggests that one of the biggest challenges may be something much simpler: awareness.¹

Despite affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide,² chronic hepatitis B remains out of sight for many.¹ More than eight in 10 adults surveyed say they were either unaware of chronic hepatitis or knew very little about it.¹

The lack of awareness goes beyond simply not recognising the disease name. Many people are unclear on basic facts – from how the virus is prevented (such as through vaccination, and reducing exposure to blood and other bodily fluids that may carry the hepatitis B virus³) and if treatment is available, to how it impacts long-term health.¹

Chronic hepatitis B: a major cancer risk flying under the radar

One of the most striking findings from the survey is the gap between what is known medically about chronic hepatitis B and how it is perceived by the public.¹

Chronic hepatitis B is a leading cause of liver cancer, estimated to be the cause of around half of liver cancer cases globally.²˒⁴ Yet only approximately one in three people in the GSK survey considered it to be a high-risk factor.¹ By comparison, far more people associated lifestyle and environmental risk factors like smoking, alcohol use, obesity and air pollution with cancer.¹ Even among those who are aware of a link between chronic hepatitis B and liver cancer, the scale of the risk is often underestimated. On average, the adults surveyed thought chronic hepatitis B accounted for around a quarter of liver cancer cases, significantly lower than current global estimates.

Why low awareness about chronic hepatitis B can delay action

Low awareness does not just affect what people know. It also shapes how they think and what they do.

Around three in four adults surveyed said they had never been tested for hepatitis B.¹ Among adults who have never been tested, the leading barriers are simply never having considered it and not thinking they were at risk – not active refusal.¹

When something isn’t widely discussed and commonly understood, it can be harder to place in a personal context.

Increasing the visibility of chronic hepatitis B

What makes this issue more striking is that chronic hepatitis B is a disease we know a great deal about and can manage.

Vaccination, testing and treatment for hepatitis B are well established.¹ Yet globally, outcomes are not improving at the pace expected, with low treatment coverage and delayed diagnosis still contributing to rising numbers of deaths.¹

The WHO’s latest assessment suggests that the gap today is less about whether solutions exist, and more about how consistently they are used in practice, and how much priority is given to addressing the condition by healthcare decision makers, including policymakers. Closing that gap may depend, in part, on making the condition feel more visible and more relevant to people’s lives.¹

Making hepatitis B part of the conversation

Chronic hepatitis B is too often overlooked, with consequences that can be serious for individuals, families and communities.¹˒² Greater awareness can help change that.

Breaking the chain starts by breaking the silence. By talking more openly, understanding whether testing may be relevant, and knowing how to help protect yourself and others, we can take an important first step.

Because when something becomes part of the conversation, it becomes easier to recognise when it matters. Talk. Test. Protect.

To learn more about living with chronic hepatitis B, read Natalia’s story on GSK.com.

References:

GSK Global Chronic Hepatitis B Awareness 2026 Survey, data on file.
World Health Organization. Global hepatitis report 2026. Available at:
https://www.who.int/teams/global-hiv-hepatitis-and-stis-programmes/hepatitis/reports/global-hepatitis-report-2026. Last accessed: July 2026.
World Health Organization. Hepatitis B. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b. Last accessed: July 2026.
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The Knee Pain A Surgeon Says Over-40s Should Never Ignore

Posted on 25/07/2026 by Boris Clair

Knee pain affects about a fifth of over-16s, and is more common the older we get.

Per the NHS, it can be caused by everything from strains and twists during exercise to conditions like osteoarthritis (knee osteoarthritis seems to be the most common form of the disease).

According to Dr Syed Nadeem Abbas, a surgeon and regenerative medicine expert from the Knee Pain Clinic, “most knee pain [among over-40s] comes down to wear and tear, and that’s still the most likely explanation.”

However, he says one type of knee pain should always be investigated.

Speak to your doctor about night knee pain

“What tends to get missed is pain that doesn’t follow the usual rules, pain that’s worse at rest than at activity, or wakes someone up at night rather than settling,” the expert said.

“That’s the pattern I’d always want checked properly rather than put down to getting older, because catching anything unusual early makes a real difference to the outcome.”

Knee pain caused by osteoarthritis or overuse tends to ease off at rest, he added.

But issues that get worse at night might very rarely be caused by a bone tumour, he added – indeed the NHS said a possible symptom of bone cancer is if “pain or tenderness in a bone, particularly if it’s worse at night”.

Chondrosarcoma, the most common type of primary bone cancer, is known to affect adults over 40, the surgeon added.

Of course, these symptoms aren’t limited to your knee: common sites include the pelvis (hip), rib cage, arms, shoulder blades, and other parts of your leg.

Why else might I have knee pain at night?

It’s important to remember that primary bone cancer is very uncommon – about 550 people in the UK face it yearly.

Other conditions which can cause nighttime knee pain include:

Rheumatoid arthritis,
Gout,
Tendonitis,
Prepatellar bursitis,
Osgood-Schlatter disease,
Injury, per The Cleveland Clinic.

Dr Abbas added that even vitamin D deficiency might cause unexpected knee pain.

But as orthopaedic surgeon Dr Kim Stearns also told the clinic, “People with healthy knees usually don’t get pain at night. There’s typically a reason, and it can be caused by several conditions.”

Speak to your GP if you have concerns.

A Doctor Saw Something Unusual On A Very Intimate Body Part. She Didn’t Know She Was Saving My Life

Posted on 25/07/2026 by Boris Clair

The appointment with my primary care physician (PCP) was for a routine physical. I expected a clean bill of health. After all, I’d had no issues and was having the physical as part of my New Year’s checklist, along with getting my car’s oil changed and switching out my furnace filter.

I told my doctor I was between gynaecologists because my former OB-GYN hadn’t been able to answer basic questions about the postmenopausal symptoms I’d been having. I asked for a referral, but given it would take four months or longer to see a new OB-GYN, my PCP suggested she could perform a pelvic exam, along with a pap smear and cervical swab, just to get me up-to-date on all routine tests.

As she completed the exam, she asked if I was aware of a large freckle on my labia just outside my vagina. Not being a contortionist, I wasn’t aware of this strangely shaped grey spot that my doctor photographed in order to show me.

It looked like so many other age spots on my arms and legs that have popped up over the years as a result of days in the 1970s sun, before any of us used sunscreen. Still, my doctor suggested I see my dermatologist soon.

At the dermatologist’s office, she also showed little concern, thinking the spot was of no consequence, but should be examined nonetheless.

“I’m 99% sure it’s nothing,” were her exact words as she performed a biopsy of the freckle, slicing it from my skin and placing it in a vial for testing. Taking her cue, I’d nearly forgotten about the whole thing when I received a call on Tuesday morning a week later. Having lived through my late husband’s cancer experience, I knew that no doctor makes an “all clear” phone call at 8am.

I realised, instead, she was going to tell me bad news. And she did.

The cells placed in the vial were melanoma, specifically, a labial or vulvar melanoma. Though I was familiar enough with melanoma to know that, as a pale redhead with previous sun exposure, I should be checked for them annually, I had no idea one could occur literally where “the sun don’t shine”.

My dermatologist explained that the freckle was in situ, meaning in the very beginning stage of becoming cancerous and only involved the top layer of skin. I would need surgery to remove it – something she wasn’t equipped to do.

The next two days were spent ascertaining the seriousness of my diagnosis and finding a surgeon willing to undertake this procedure, which would involve not only removal of the freckle, but also getting clear margins around it.

In the case of a melanoma like this, the surgeon would seek one-centimeter margins, removing a fairly large portion of tissue in the shape of a football from a tight space with many nerve endings and highly sensitive skin. Because of the unusual location and delicacy of the surgery, I spent hours navigating the local healthcare system, as I attempted to find a surgeon who would accept the task.

"I participate in a long-term cancer screening program," the author writes. — “I participate in a long-term cancer screening program,” the author writes.

My dermatologist referred me to gynaecology. In that department, especially without having an established relationship with a doctor, there was no one who would take my case. From there, I was sent to gynaecological oncology within the cancer centre. Several calls there also resulted in no doctors willing to move forward. While I wanted only for this cancerous lesion to be removed from my body, I was instead tossed from department to department as staff tried to determine who was best prepared to perform this unusual procedure.

Finally, I was referred to a melanoma surgeon within the skin cancer department. A nurse phoned on day three and said the surgeon was well-practiced in these types of melanomas and would take my case. She could squeeze me in to meet with her a week later, and scheduled surgery for the week after that. I phoned my children and we made plans for my daughter to travel from Chicago to be with me for my appointment. We had a plan, and I felt better, but I didn’t realise how large a bullet I had just dodged.

Throughout my late husband’s three-year experience with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, we tried to stay away from online searches and rabbit holes. His cancer was understood primarily to affect heavy smokers and drinkers, though he was neither. It was through our own and his doctor’s research that we learned his cancer was caused by the human papilloma virus or HPV. Having that knowledge provided his care team with a more specific approach, one that, though too late to save him, has allowed for better treatment protocols today than existed in 2009.

However, researching a cancer diagnosis can also lead to anxiety rather than calm or focus. Remembering this, I refrained from any internet searches until I met with my new cancer surgeon, a young woman whose matter-of-fact demeanour quickly calmed me. Once in her office, I peppered her with the questions I’d been too afraid to type into a search engine: How did this happen, why had I never heard of melanomas in this location, and, most importantly, what was the long-term prognosis? Her answers were surprising.

Because of their location, labial melanomas are rarely caught at an early stage as mine was. Usually, according to my surgeon, they are not caught until they begin to cause discomfort, bleed or become a large mass. By that time, the melanoma has grown deep into the skin and excision, and removal is more difficult. And because of their location close to many lymph nodes, they can spread aggressively. I looked across the room at my daughter, who had lost her father to cancer when she was just 13, and noticed we had the same shocked look on our faces as we understood the situation: had my diagnosis come later, my outcome could have been completely different.

Nearly 40% of vulvar melanoma patients present with regional or metastatic disease (Stage III or Stage IV) compared to only 13.6% of cutaneous melanoma (those on more common areas like arms, legs, back, etc), which means vulvar melanoma is more likely to have spread via the lymph system by the time the patient presents to the doctor. A patient at Stage III has a five-year survival rate of about 48%. At Stage IV, that drops to a 25% rate of survival. Though vulvar or labial melanomas are rare, they most often occur in older women. And while I was beating myself up for my preteen suntanning, there is no definite connection between vulvar melanomas and sun exposure.

Though melanoma is the sixth most common cancer in women, only 0.2% of 100,000 women per year will be diagnosed with a labial melanoma, which primarily affects white, postmenopausal women in their 60s. The rarity of the diagnosis also means there’s little study of these cancers, though there also appears to be no connection between them and HPV or other STDs. As stated in a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), these melanomas are often asymptomatic and presentation is delayed by that and a lack of easy self-examination.

The author with her late husband Kevin, prior to his cancer diagnosis.

Surgery took over an hour while I was under anaesthesia, and recovery took a few weeks, during which it was important to restrict movement and keep the wound very clean. Pain meds kept the discomfort at bay but didn’t address the lingering worries. In addition to my physical care, I also met with my therapist to continue processing how close I came to a much more serious situation and how I might turn my gratitude into advocating for prevention in others.

Because the freckle on my labia was caught when it was, I was told I have a less than 3% chance of recurrence and no further treatment. My surgeon will check me every six months, and my new dermatologist, who specialises in vulvar cancer, will see me every three months for two years. Provided nothing new is discovered, I’ll return to annual check-ups. But my prognosis is this good only because it was detected so early.

When I returned for a follow-up appointment with my primary care doc, she reminded me that many postmenopausal women skip regular pelvic exams, or are confused about how often they are needed. Instead, they should speak with their doctors about the frequency, which is based on their personal health history, and whether they currently have symptoms.

Just as most dentists now check for oral cancer, doctors other than oncologists can help examine for vulvar cancer. A simple request to a gynaecologist to check the skin for unusual spots during your regular pelvic exam, or a request to the dermatologist to include the vulva during your annual skin checks, are easy ways to possibly detect cancer at an earlier stage.

At my primary care doctor’s office, we hugged, tearing up as the two of us realised what her attention and urging had prevented. Bringing my awareness to a seemingly innocuous spot in an unusual place prevented me from having a terrible and possibly fatal diagnosis. For that I am forever thankful.

Lori Tucker-Sullivan is a writer and educator in Detroit. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, Salon, and others. Her book, “I Can’t Remember if I Cried: Rock Widows on Life, Love and Legacy,” was released in 2024 and profiles widows of her favorite musicians and what they taught her about grief. She is currently at work on a memoir of her marriage bookended by home renovation and her late husband’s cancer diagnosis.

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