Dow Jones Factiva

Topline: Billionaire Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and his wife Lynne announced a $35 million donation to a pair of Bay Area universities Tuesday that will go toward medical research involving the human microbiome, continuing the couple’s penchant for giving to institutions and causes around San Francisco, where Salesforce is based.

* Of the gift, $25 million will go to the University of California San Francisco to open a new UCSF Benioff Center for Microbiome Medicine, which will aim to develop study how to prevent childhood diseases and develop therapies for conditions including asthma, obesity and inflammatory bowel disease,

* $10 million will go to Stanford[http://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2019/08/stanford-launches-major-effort-to-harness-the-microbiome.html] to establish Stanford Microbiome Therapies Initiative.

* The human microbiome—the 100 trillion bacteria that live in the human body—is an emerging field of study that has been linked[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6102370/] to conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, obesity, colon cancer and autism.

Key Background: The Salesforce CEO, who has a net worth that Forbes pegs at $6.1 billion and is known as San Francisco’s unofficial benefactor-in-chief, has so far funneled $200 million into UCSF, including a $30 million donation[https://www.forbes.com/sites/angelauyeung/2019/05/01/marc-benioff-gives-30-million-to-ucsf-for-research-to-solve-homelessness/#6b856fff7888] earlier this year to create the Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, which will work to identify the root causes of homelessness.

He also donated[https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/Benioff-uses-personal-and-corporate-power-to-get-13349594.php] $7.9 million last year to the campaign to support Prop C, a measure to raise taxes on certain San Francisco businesses to fund homeless services. And when San Francisco’s mayor personally asked[https://sf.curbed.com/2018/11/30/18120117/benioffs-bristol-hotel-breed-sro-homeless-housing] Benioff to help secure a facility to use as transitional housing for formerly homeless people, Benioff put up $6.1 million.

Tangent: Benioff isn’t the only tech titan funding microbiome research. The Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative, the philanthropic organization founded by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, is funding a similar, but separate, effort[https://www.czbiohub.org/intercampus-research-programs/].

Antibiotics have long been cited as one of the greatest medical discoveries of the 20th century. And with good reason: when they were first used to treat previously untreatable diseases in the 1960s, like TB and pneumonia, they helped to dramatically decrease death rates.

But in recent years, a slightly more complicated picture has emerged: research suggests they’re being over-prescribed and the NHS is currently trying to limit[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2019/02/27/withholding-antibiotics-over-65s-may-increases-cases-deadly/] the number of antibiotics given by doctors, due to fears of antibiotic resistance.

A new study has thrown light on the issue, finding that when children are prescribed two courses of antibiotics within the space of a year, the second course is 30pc more likely to fail. The researchers behind the study suggested that antibiotic resistance could cause the drop off in efficacy – as could the damage caused on our microbiome by a single course of antibiotics.

The microbiome is a collection of trillions of bacteria, fungi and microbes, which live in the gut and are responsible for everything from the immune system to digestion. “Giving young children unnecessary antibiotics could disrupt the microbiome and mean they are ill more often,” said lead researcher, Dr Oliver van Hecke of the University of Oxford.

365 EOA[https://cf-particle-html.eip.telegraph.co.uk/729ee614-a326-4b21-a6a8-06d75a692ed2.html]

Dr van Hecke's words chime with research done at University College London (UCL) earlier this year, which found that just a single course[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2019/03/22/single-course-antibiotics-may-cause-irreversible-damage-crucial/] of antibiotics can damage the healthy bacteria in the gut for at least a year and possibly even permanently. It is believed that a more diverse microbiome is linked to greater overall health.

“People have known that antibiotics decrease the diversity of microbes in the gut before it recovers, but the model we’ve developed suggests that the disturbance may transition the microbiome to a new composition, perhaps permanently,” said Dr Liam Shaw from the UCL Genetics Institute[https://www.ucl.ac.uk/biosciences/departments/gee/research-centres/genetics-institute], who led the study.

So, how do we marry the positive power of antibiotics – one of medical science's most effective inventions – with the damage they can cause to our microbiomes? And what should parents do when their little ones fall ill with the type of infection that can be easily treated by a course of antibiotics?

“We know that antibiotics can be significant disruptors of gut bacteria,” says nutritionist Amanda Hamilton, author of The G Plan[https://books.telegraph.co.uk/Product/Amanda-Author-Hamilton/The-G-Plan-Diet--Illustrated-Edition/21735722] . “However, I fully appreciate in some instances antibiotics can be life saving and that parents giving them to their children don’t need another guilt stick to beat themselves with."

The good news, says Hamilton, is that "if you or your child is prescribed a course of antibiotics, there’s plenty you can do to offset some of the damage to your gut.”

Firstly, she recommends following gut-healing habits whether you’re on antibiotics or not: “That way, if you have to take them in six months time your gut is in a better place to deal with them.”

So, what are the habits? Firstly, limit stress: "When our bodies are in a low-level fight or flight response on a long-term basis, it’s almost always felt in our digestion," says Hamilton. "Stress has been linked to IBD, IBS, peptic ulcers, reflux, allergies and more and scientists have shown that being under stress reduces the number and diversity of the microbiota.

"It’s worth building some anti-stress practices into daily life like meditation, yoga, exercise and spending time outdoors in nature." Exercise has also been shown to improve gut health.

Five ways to boost your child’s gut health[https://cf-particle-html.eip.telegraph.co.uk/8a59f791-e51d-4385-95f0-8528167cd4d3.html]

Secondly, eat a varied diet: "The Western diet, based as it often is around processed, convenience food and drinks, tends to be limited," says Hamilton. "Surveys have shown that many of us eat as few as six or seven meals on rotation and the majority of us fail to get our five-a-day of fruit and vegetables." To counter this, try Hamilton's top ten gut-friendly foods: garlic, bananas, asparagus, natural yoghurt, fermented vegetables, Jerusalem vegetables, kefir, nuts and seeds, miso and kombucha.

Gut foes, on the other hand, include sugar, refined starchy carbohydrates, processed food, alcohol and saturated fat.

Fermented foods, like kerif and kombucha, feature heavily in The G Plan Diet, thanks to their gut-healing properties: "When we eat fermented vegetables (or pickles), we’re not only ingesting all that fibre, good bacteria and other nutrients, we’re also consuming foods that have already started to break down – so they’re easy on the digestion, too," says Hamilton.

What's an ideal meal after a course of antibiotics? "Try my Shaved Asparagus Salad with poached egg and kimchi asparagus," says Hamilton. "Especially when raw, asparagus is so good for your gut. It contains a special type of fibre called inulin, which is a prebiotic food for your microbiota. If you don’t fancy eating it raw, you can lightly steam it. Boost bacteria levels by adding a spoonful of fermented pickles on the side."

Serves 1

INGREDIENTS:

* 1 bunch of asparagus (you can replace the asparagus with green beans – lightly steam the beans before adding to the salad)

* 1 large handful of baby spinach

* 1 large carrot, grated

* 2 spring onions, chopped

* 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

* Juice of 1⁄2 lemon

* 1 teaspoon wholegrain mustard

* Small handful of sunflower seeds

* Sea salt flakes and pepper, to taste

Optional extras

* 1 poached egg

* 1 tablespoon sauerkraut or kimchi

METHOD:

Break off the tough ends of the asparagus and discard them. ‘Shave’ the asparagus spears thinly using a vegetable peeler, or slice very thinly with a sharp knife and place in a large bowl.

Add the spinach, carrot and spring onions and toss together well.

Place the olive oil, lemon juice and mustard in a small bowl and whisk together, then drizzle over the salad.

Mix well and sprinkle with the sunflower seeds. Serve with a poached egg, and sauerkraut or kimchi on the side, if you like.

To increase the calories add 4 cold pre-cooked new potatoes.

The G Plan Diet by Amanda Hamilton is published by the Octopus Publishing Group (rrp£12.99). To order your copy for £10.99 plus p&p call 0844 871 1514 or visit books.telegraph.co.uk[http://books.telegraph.co.uk/]

365 RHS[https://cf-particle-html.eip.telegraph.co.uk/990040e0-4ca0-4592-af10-b9842ac1af7a.html]

Long-term use of antibiotics after the age of 40 may increase the risk of heart disease in women.

The results of a study, which monitored around 36,000 women for eight years, conducted by Harvard Medical School in the U.S., showed that using the drugs for longer than two months increased the risk of cardiovascular problems by about a third.

The greatest increase — 32 per cent — was seen in women aged 60 and over; for women aged between 40 and 60, the risk increased by 28 per cent.

The researchers, writing in the European Heart Journal, suggested it may be due to antibiotics disrupting gut bacteria, leading to weight gain — a risk factor in heart disease.

© Daily Mail

Mixed spices in normal cooking quantities could help boost immunity and protect against disease, reports the University of California in the U.S.

For two weeks, researchers gave healthy men and women a daily 5g capsule of cinnamon, oregano, ginger, cayenne pepper and black pepper, or a placebo pill.

The results — reported in the journal Nutrients — showed an increase in 'good' bacteria in the gut, including bifidobacterium, which is associated with immunity and reducing inflammation.

The study is the first in humans to show that a mixture of spices at culinary doses affects composition of gut bacteria, according to the researchers.

© Daily Mail

They don’t seem to regret all that time they don’t spend actually riding waves.

In 2013, at the age of 41, I decided to make a career change and become a nurse practitioner. At the time, an advanced case of reactive arthritis often left me unable to walk. The entire time that I was taking prerequisite classes, I was in a mobility scooter, a 35-pound dragonfly of a three-wheeler made by a company called TravelScoot. I also needed a large surgical boot on my foot to help me walk.

I rode that mobility scooter in the sun and through the snow, on the bike path by the Hudson River, from my home in the West Village to the Borough of Manhattan Community College downtown. I rode it through the intestinal maze of the New York City subway system, through tunnels that trapped the heat and cold of the previous day’s weather, up and down elevators that trapped the odor of urine, to New York City College of Technology in Brooklyn. I rode it and rode it and rode it, and wondered if I’d ever walk again.

This isn’t the real me,I wanted to tell the world. This time doesn’t count. When I walk again, that’s when I’ll be real.

Amid the misery, I let myself hope. A physician assistant at my primary-care doctor’s office told me about one of her fellow students, a man with cerebral palsy, who had completed the program and graduated while using a wheelchair. In 2016, I was accepted into a community college nursing program, but then told to come back when I didn’t need a boot, which might mean never.

I continued to ride my scooter and to believe that some school, somewhere, would make a place for me. I didn’t see my future self briskly striding through hospital corridors. I just needed to get through school so that one day I could sit behind a desk at a health center or work in an outpatient clinic. There was plenty of nursing work that could be done just as well in a surgical boot as in a shoe. I could write a prescription, give a vaccine, insert an IUD. I could look a patient in the eye and listen.

In July 2017, I was out of the boot and walking again for the first time in years. My spouse and I were thinking about moving to Australia, so I applied to programs there and was admitted to nursing school at the University of Melbourne. After completing my first semester, I decamped to Sydney for a month. There, I lived in an apartment overlooking Bondi Beach, perhaps the most beloved urban surfing destination in the world.

Day after day, I watched the surfers. I daydreamed about taking a surfing lesson, but my hold on walking felt so recent and unlikely, I didn’t chance it. And in other ways, it already felt like I was surfing. I was surfing on the arthritis medication I had starting taking in spring 2016. I was surfing on the steroid shot I’d gotten in April of 2017. I was surfing on the immuno-modulating probiotics with which I was experimenting. Just as if I were a surfer, any little thing could knock me off my board and back into arthritic misery, back into the boot and scooter I had come to know and loathe.

Watching the surfers, I noticed that the time they spent standing on their boards, riding waves — doing what nonsurfers would call surfing — was minimal compared with the time they spent bobbing around in the water next to the board, generally going nowhere. Even the really good surfers spend far more time off the board than on it.

If you added up the seconds that a good surfer actually spent riding the waves, it would amount to only the smallest fraction of an entire life. Yet surfers are surfers all the time. They are surfers while they are working their crap jobs, daydreaming about surfing. They are surfers when they wake up at 4 in the morning. They are surfers when they walk the board down the hill to Bondi Beach. They are surfers when they drink their predawn espressos. They are surfers when they paddle out on their boards. They are surfers when they wait and wait for the right wave. They are surfers when they wipe out, thrashing around blindly in the waves, praying the board doesn’t crack their skulls. They are surfers when they sit by their trucks with their friends after surfing, silently eating their grain-bowl meals.

And the thing about surfers? They don’t seem to regret all that time they don’t spend standing on boards and riding waves. Not only are they surfers all the time, they are, it seems to me, happyall the time.

Could I do that? Could I be happy even when I didn’t know whether I’d be able to walk the next day, or whether I’d be alive a year from now? Could the time I might spend in the humiliating, tedious boot and scooter somehow count as mine? Instead of waiting to be well so I could be myself again, could I be me while sick, too? Could I declare myself a surfer all the time, and seize that happiness?

I thought back to my time in New York, when I was rising at dawn to take courses and intern in doctors’ offices, and struggling both to get around and to relocate the real me:I had seen a new light in the faces of my fellow students and patients, in our shared endeavor to live. The dark mystery of bodily suffering had offered itself to me as a new way to love New York City, and life, all over again. I had accepted it, with joy. Watching the surfers at Bondi Beach, I vowed to do so again when I returned home in the fall, no matter what.

Ellis Avery[https://www.ellisavery.com/] was the author of two novels, a memoir and a book of poetry. She taught fiction writing at Columbia University and the University of California, Berkeley. She died of cancer in February 2019.

Disability is a series of essays, art and opinion by and about people living with disabilities.

Coming soon in print:“About Us: Essays From The New York Times Disability Series[http://bit.ly/2WTWIVv],” edited by Peter Catapano and Rosemarie Garland-Thomson, published by Liveright.

The Times is committed to publishinga diversity of letters[https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/31/opinion/letters/letters-to-editor-new-york-times-women.html]to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are sometips[https://help.nytimes.com/hc/en-us/articles/115014925288-How-to-submit-a-letter-to-the-editor]. And here’s our email:letters@nytimes.com[mailto:letters@nytimes.com].

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PHOTO: (PHOTOGRAPH BY Aidan Koch FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES)

A growing number of people are eschewing soap and trusting bacteria to do the job instead – and an entire industry has sprung up to accommodate them

David Whitlock has not showered or bathed for 15 years, yet he does not have body odour. “It was kind of strange for the first few months, but after that I stopped missing it,” he says. “If I get a specific part of my body dirty, then I’ll wash that specific part” – but never with soap. As well as germs, soap gets rid of the skin’s protective oils and alters its pH level. Although Whitlock appreciated gaining an extra 15 minutes a day from soap-dodging, his primary motivation was to encourage friendly microbes to live on him in symbiotic harmony. The bacteria get to feast on the ammonia from his sweat and he gets low-maintenance, balanced skin.

Just as awareness of the importance of the gut microbiome[https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/mar/26/the-human-microbiome-why-our-microbes-could-be-key-to-our-health] has led to a boom in probiotic and fermented foods and supplements[https://www.theguardian.com/food/2019/jan/18/fermentation-food-how-to-process-ethics], there is increasing interest in our skin microbiome: the trillions of microbes that protect us from pathogens and keep us healthy by making vitamins and other useful chemicals. In this unprecedentedly sanitised era, in which eczema, acne and problems associated with dry skin are rife, consumers are hungry for solutions. Even the mainstream brand Dove claims [https://www.dove.com/uk/stories/tips-and-how-to/washing-and-bathing-tips/an-introduction-to-skin-microbiome-from-dove.html] vaguely [https://www.dove.com/uk/stories/tips-and-how-to/washing-and-bathing-tips/an-introduction-to-skin-microbiome-from-dove.html] that [https://www.dove.com/uk/stories/tips-and-how-to/washing-and-bathing-tips/an-introduction-to-skin-microbiome-from-dove.html] its products [https://www.dove.com/uk/stories/tips-and-how-to/washing-and-bathing-tips/an-introduction-to-skin-microbiome-from-dove.html] are “microbiome-gentle”[https://www.dove.com/uk/stories/tips-and-how-to/washing-and-bathing-tips/an-introduction-to-skin-microbiome-from-dove.html].

Sarah Ballantyne, a medical biophysicist turned author and lifestyle guru known as the [https://www.thepaleomom.com/] Paleo Mom[https://www.thepaleomom.com/], has been an advocate of living in a more “stone age” way since reaching a healthy weight after adopting the Paleo [https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/aug/18/paleo-diet-critics-science] diet[https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/aug/18/paleo-diet-critics-science]. She, too, uses only water to wash, even though she is “at the gym sweating buckets six hours a week”. “I use coconut oil to shave and that’s it,” she says. “Over time, my skin has adjusted. I don’t smell.” She is working on a book about the human microbiome and is convinced her odour-free armpits are a sign that her skin microbiome is healthy.

Jackie Hong, a reporter in Yukon, north-west Canada, has eschewed soap in the shower for nine years. “I use my hands to scrub myself and get any grime off, but I’m sitting in court or at my desk most days, so it’s not like I’m getting bombarded with filth.” She was curious to go without soap after an artist told her that he hadn’t lathered up in 20 years. She says she saves time and money and needs “a lot less body lotion”.

“There’s nothing wrong with just rinsing,” says Sandy Skotnicki, a Toronto-based dermatologist and the author of the 2018 book Beyond Soap. “I’ve talked to people who haven’t used any kind of detergent in years and they’re perfectly fine.” She says that, since 1950, we have gone from bathing once a week to every day. “Has that changed our skin microbiome? I think the answer is yes. And has that caused a rise in inflammatory skin diseases? I think the answer is yes, but we don’t know.”

For Whitlock, a former chemical engineer based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, not washing has been a serious science experiment, the success of which has led him to become a trailblazer in a skincare revolution in soap-free, microbiome-friendly and probiotic products. His inspiration came from researching why horses roll in dirt. His conclusion? To top up their ammonia-metabilising bacteria, making the skin less susceptible to infection.

Whitlock had hoped that he would naturally acquire this type of bacteria simply by stopping washing. He didn’t – and grew quite pongy. So, he harvested bacteria from the soil at a local farm and fed them with ammonia and minerals. When they turned the ammonia into nitrate, he knew he had what he wanted and started narrowing them down to a single strain that seemed happiest on human skin. After he applied the bacteria he had cultured – the stuff the horses were apparently after – he stopped smelling.

After co-founding the company AOBiome in 2013, Whitlock launched it as a spray: Mother Dirt AO+ Mist, billed as containing “ammonia-oxidising bacteria (AOB), a peacekeeper that once existed on our skin, but was cleaned away with modern hygiene and lifestyles”. As most people still want to take showers and purchase nice products for their skin, the Mother Dirt range[https://motherdirt.com/] now includes hair, face and body washes free from preservatives and harsh detergents.

Michelle Strutton, a global beauty analyst at the research firm Mintel, says that while probiotic skincare still has a low market share, it has increased more than 300% from 2015 to 2019, “so it is definitely an area that’s worth watching”. For example, the French brand Gallinée[https://www.gallinee.com/our-story/pro-pre-postbiotics/?v=79cba1185463] uses lactobacillus bacteria “deactivated by heat”, while La[https://laflore.com/] Flore[https://laflore.com/], a US brand soon to launch in the UK, suspends microbes in a “gel matrix”. What exactly makes a product “microbiome-friendly” or “probiotic”, however, can be hard to pin down.

“There isn’t a whole lot of definition for things like natural probiotics,” says Kit Wallen Russell, the co-founder of the British startup JooMo[https://joomo.coop/]. “There’s no regulation in the cosmetics industry, which means it’s the wild west for companies saying their products do certain things.” JooMo’s products don’t contain live cultures, but they are preservative-free and, Wallen Russell says, create the conditions for microbes to be attracted from the environment.

Hard evidence is lacking in this field. There are no studies demonstrating the negative effects of soap or overwashing. “It sounds like something people just say and pass around like: ‘Well, that makes sense to me,’” says Julie Segre, a senior investigator in microbial genomics at the National Institute of Health in the US. She says there is limited medical evidence for the efficacy of skincare targeting the microbiome. “My position is there’s a lot of promise in this field, but we need a lot more basic science.”

Even in her own clinical work with childhood eczema, she says, there is a long way to go before microbes could become part of medical intervention – although that is not to say there is no potential. Segre singles out the possibilities of prebiotic ingredients “where you put creams on your skin that can help the beneficial microbes grow”.

While Mother Dirt, as a cosmetic brand, makes no health claims, its owner, AOBiome, is a pharmaceutical company running clinical trials on a surprising array of treatments: not only acne, eczema and rosacea, but also allergic rhinitis, hypertension and migraine. Whitlock says that, after using AOB, he was able to stop taking a drug for his high blood pressure, a result that was replicated in AOBiome’s acne study.

“When we looked at the safety data, people’s blood pressure dropped,” says Jim Hoffman, one of the company’s directors. “Nobody’s blood pressure dropped dangerously. All of a sudden, you’re looking at hundreds of people and saying there’s really something here.” In the resulting blood pressure study, it was observed that no one trialling AOB treatment had had a headache. “In the placebo group, people had the normal number of headaches, but in the drug group: zero headaches,” says Hoffman. A hypothesis for a migraine treatment evolved from there. Trials are continuing.

Meanwhile, the jury is out on the best way to ensure a healthy skin microbiome. Mother Dirt’s CEO, the biochemist Jasmina Aganovic, says detergents such as sodium lauryl sulphate and sodium dodecyl sulphate should be avoided, so as to protect the sensitive AOB. Even essential oils, such as lavender and tea tree, have antimicrobial capabilities. “It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use them, but you need to be careful about how – not all over the body, not super-concentrated,” she says.

Spending time outdoors, and “forest bathing” in particular, has also been shown to be beneficial to the microbiome. But, Aganovic hastens to add: “The tempered approach of the scientist is there’s a lot we don’t know, and we’re excited about the potential, but we must also be careful not to overclaim.”

There is one area where most agree that soap is still useful. Ballantyne continues to reach for soap for hand washing, but opts for a lower pH type. Segre also recommends hand-washing with soap. As Skotnicki puts it: “Washing your hair and your body has very little to do with hygiene. But washing your hands is essential.”

EDMONTON-The garbage Edmonton's street-scavenging coyotes are eating might be making them more aggressive, research examining their gut bacteria being done by the University of Alberta suggests.

Scott Sugden, who was the lead master's student at U of A conducting the research - which he presented as his thesis project in May - said after cutting open the intestines of 76 coyotes to determine what urban coyotes were eating and how their diets and digestive tract microbiomes compared to their rural counterparts, he found urban coyotes had less fusobacteria in their digestive systems. A reduction in fusobacteria has been loosely correlated with increased aggression in domestic dogs.

For his study, Sugden looked at the gut microbiomes and overall health of 76 dead Edmonton-area coyotes supplied to him by fur trappers, as road kill collected by Animal Care and Control, as well as a few problem coyotes killed by police in Edmonton.

"Urban coyotes, generally, seemed less healthy," said Sugden, adding indicators like a reduced amount of fat on their kidneys as well as enlarged spleens suggest they had poorer nutrition and that their immune systems were under greater stress.

Sugden said rural coyotes had much more protein-rich diets from eating more small rodents and scavenging deer, and had correlating higher levels of fusobacteria.

In the stomachs of city-bound coyotes, Sugden said he found "all sorts of exciting things" - including a leather glove, Tim Hortons wrappers, pineapple, and a full-sized wrapped burrito.

Read more:

Dogs may be spreading fatal parasite found in Alberta coyotes, University of Calgary study finds

Cases of mutilated cat remains in Edmonton and St. Albert blamed on urban coyotes

"We know from humans, primarily, that what we eat affects the bacteria that live in our stomach, and what kind of bacteria live in our stomach or intestines have all sorts of implications for our immune system and other aspects of health," Sugden said.

While the coyotes Sugden studied were dead, meaning he could not directly observe their behaviour in life, ongoing research being done by the university into the behaviour of urban coyotes in Edmonton using video and live traps could further the link between what coyotes are eating and how they behave.

Sugden said studying how environmental changes affect the gut flora in various species could allow conservationists to tackle a host of health and behavioural issues "without having to focus on each one individually."

"If you manage for the microbiome, you can kind of hit all of those bases together," Sugden said.

While coyote sightings in Edmonton are common, serious run-ins with people are rare. According to research from the University of Calgary, less than three Canadians per year are bitten or scratched by a coyote.

Attacks on pets are more common, with a large dog killed in Edmonton by coyotes in 2018. A coyote implicated in that attack and killed by local police was part of Sugden's study.

Claire Theobald is an Edmonton-based reporter who covers crime and the courts. Follow her on Twitter: @clairetheobald

The bacteria is able to sidestep common hospital disinfectants and spread easily

A diarrhoea-causing superbug has evolved to spread in hospitals and evade measures to stop it, scientists say.

Genetic changes in the newly emerging species of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) mean it has a sweet tooth that allows it to thrive in the sugar-rich Western diet.

It is also able to sidestep common hospital disinfectants and spread easily.

Scientists say the bacteria was primed to take advantage of modern healthcare practices and human diets, before hospitals even existed.

The gut-infecting bacterium C. difficile is evolving into two separate species, with one group highly adapted to spread in hospitals, according to a new study.

Dr Miriam Stoppard: Benefits of transplanting good bacteria into the gut[https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/sex-relationships/dr-miriam-stoppard-benefits-transplanting-18863914]

Researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and collaborators estimate this emerging species started to appear thousands of years ago.

Able to cause debilitating diarrhoea, it is thought the superbug accounts for over two thirds of healthcare C. difficile infections.

C. difficile bacteria can infect the gut and are the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea worldwide.

Published in Nature Genetics, the largest ever genomic study of C. difficile shows how bacteria can evolve into a new species.

The research indicates C. difficile is continuing to evolve in response to human behaviour.

It could help inform patient diet and infection control in hospitals.

New poo donors wanted as faecal donation banks run dry[https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/new-poo-donors-wanted-faecal-16545470]

Dr Nitin Kumar, joint first author from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said: "Our large-scale genetic analysis allowed us to discover that C. difficile is currently forming a new species with one group specialised to spread in hospital environments.

"This emerging species has existed for thousands of years, but this is the first time anyone has studied C. difficile genomes in this way to identify it.

"This particular bacteria was primed to take advantage of modern healthcare practices and human diets, before hospitals even existed."

C. difficile is kept under control in a healthy person by millions of good bacteria, but antibiotics wipe out the normal gut bacteria, leaving the patient vulnerable to C. difficile infection in the gut.

This is then difficult to treat and can cause bowel inflammation and severe diarrhoea.

Why your gut bacteria could help prevent obesity, bowel cancer and diabetes[http://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/health/your-gut-bacteria-could-help-7099978]

Often found in hospital environments, C. difficile forms resistant spores that allow it to remain on surfaces and spread easily between people, making it a significant burden on the healthcare system.

Professor Brendan Wren, an author from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: "This largest ever collection and analysis of C. difficile whole genomes, from 33 countries worldwide, gives us a whole new understanding of bacterial evolution.

"It reveals the importance of genomic surveillance of bacteria.

"Ultimately, this could help understand how other dangerous pathogens evolve by adapting to changes in human lifestyles and healthcare regimes which could then inform healthcare policies."

Researchers collected and cultured 906 strains of C. difficile isolated from humans, animals such as dogs, pigs and horses, and the environment.

Superbug scandal: 6,500 killed by C.diff in one year[http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/superbug-scandal-6500-killed-cdiff-295725]

They sequenced the DNA of each strain, and compared and analysed all the genomes.

This led to the discovery that C. difficile is evolving into two separate species.

The researchers found that this emerging species, named C. difficile clade A, made up around 70% of the samples from hospital patients.

It had changes in genes that metabolise simple sugars, so the researchers then studied C. difficile in mice and found the newly emerging strains colonised mice on sugar-rich diets better.

It had also evolved differences in the genes involved in forming spores, giving much greater resistance to common hospital disinfectants.

Dating analysis revealed that C. difficile Clade A first appeared about 76,000 years ago.

But the number of different strains started to increase at the end of the 16th Century, before the founding of modern hospitals.

This group has since thrived in hospital settings with many strains that keep adapting and evolving.

Every runner has heard the warnings: Keep pounding the pavement, and you’ll end up with osteoarthritis, the debilitating chronic condition that supposedly results from “wear and tear” on knees and other joints.

But over the last decade, scientists have dramatically shifted their view of what causes osteoarthritis, which is the top contributor to disability around the world. At the joint annual conference[https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fisb2019.com%2Fen%2F&data=02%7C01%7CHMick%40globeandmail.com%7C4d0de7d803df4e63856208d71915b79a%7C44376110425e46ab942e26c9518bfd03%7C1%7C0%7C637005453379110748&sdata=D7ZBgif92ZpFonVZTd%2FwCH78WYvRVjKhJ3dqaJcm4uE%3D&reserved=0] of the International Society of Biomechanics and the American Society of Biomechanics in Calgary earlier this month, researchers debated the contribution of other factors such as inflammation, fat, muscle tissue and even gut bacteria in the progression of the disease, leading to some surprising new ideas on how it might be prevented and treated.

It’s long been clear that there’s more to osteoarthritis than just how much load you put on your joints, says Kelsey Collins, a postdoctoral researcher at Washington University in St. Louis and co-chair of a conference session on the topic. For example, while the close link between obesity and knee osteoarthritis fits with the wear-and-tear picture, heightened load doesn’t explain why people with obesity are also twice as likely[https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fpmc%2Farticles%2FPMC5341385%2F&data=02%7C01%7CHMick%40globeandmail.com%7C4d0de7d803df4e63856208d71915b79a%7C44376110425e46ab942e26c9518bfd03%7C1%7C0%7C637005453379120737&sdata=lwhFHRMwv2hjhlqRIJhhLv%2BHJeZyQgV3e65BjsfCuBc%3D&reserved=0] to have osteoarthritis in their hands.

When Collins and her colleagues sifted through data from 2,500 respondents to the Canadian Health Measures Survey, they found[https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fpubmed%2F30186613&data=02%7C01%7CHMick%40globeandmail.com%7C4d0de7d803df4e63856208d71915b79a%7C44376110425e46ab942e26c9518bfd03%7C1%7C0%7C637005453379120737&sdata=8ujsAzZ%2FNBaBbT3ZQJSQhZcZUoqtfQmJRZpM5EdF85Y%3D&reserved=0] that body fat percentage was a better predictor of osteoarthritis than body mass index. In other words, extra weight alone wasn’t the main problem. Instead, excess fat tissue secretes hormones that trigger low-level inflammation elsewhere in the body, including in the joints where researchers now suspect it may contribute to cartilage breakdown.

Inflammation from other sources may also cause trouble. For example, one of the best predictors of osteoarthritis is a previous acute knee injury such as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, presumably because the loss of joint stability creates abnormal loads on the knee.

Oddly, though, studies have found only weak evidence[https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fpmc%2Farticles%2FPMC6548436%2F&data=02%7C01%7CHMick%40globeandmail.com%7C4d0de7d803df4e63856208d71915b79a%7C44376110425e46ab942e26c9518bfd03%7C1%7C0%7C637005453379130732&sdata=dRbgJkUCl903FOjd2K3d6lnsl3H5e0keaBNFqiv9l4E%3D&reserved=0] that patients who have their ACL surgically repaired after a tear have a lower risk of osteoarthritis compared to those who don’t get surgery. One possibility: Rather than loss of joint stability, the problem is minor cartilage or bone damage that occurs during the initial accident, which triggers an inflow of inflammatory molecules that try to repair the damage. In some cases, this inflammation may become chronic, leading to further joint degradation, which eventually results in osteoarthritis.

If this picture is correct, then one of the simplest countermeasures available is exercise, which may lower your risk of an initial knee injury such as an ACL tear, and helps reduce systemic inflammation regardless of whether you lose weight. That even applies if you already have osteoarthritis, to the extent that you’re able to tolerate exercise. Collins points to a program called GLA:D Canada[https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgladcanada.ca%2F&data=02%7C01%7CHMick%40globeandmail.com%7C4d0de7d803df4e63856208d71915b79a%7C44376110425e46ab942e26c9518bfd03%7C1%7C0%7C637005453379130732&sdata=GcJHYB2E8jHucwMm%2BwRE1VPU3iiId5tWLT6ArO4ts3A%3D&reserved=0] , which offers education and training on how to exercise for patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis.

At the biomechanics conference, University of Colorado orthopedics specialist Michael Zuscik also presented data on a more unexpected source of inflammation: gut bacteria. High-fat and high-sugar diets trigger a shift of the composition of microbes in the colon that can raise the risk of “leaky gut,” in which gut microbes escape into rest of the body and trigger an inflammatory response.

In research published last year[https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Finsight.jci.org%2Farticles%2Fview%2F95997&data=02%7C01%7CHMick%40globeandmail.com%7C4d0de7d803df4e63856208d71915b79a%7C44376110425e46ab942e26c9518bfd03%7C1%7C0%7C637005453379140728&sdata=dcsyU1TD%2BjbZQLKymrQgn7OCTBuOzsOMz%2Fv94CPupqk%3D&reserved=0] in the Journal of Clinical Investigation Insight, Zuscik and his colleagues found that giving obese mice a non-digestible prebiotic fibre called oligofructose was able to favourably alter their gut flora and protect them from osteoarthritis, opening up a promising avenue for potential studies in humans.

More immediately, Zuscik says, some simple diet changes may help. That means less fat and refined sugar, and more of the foods that inflammation-fighting gut microbes thrive on: vegetables, fruit and “complex plant-based carbohydrates” – in other words, fibre.

Ultimately, there may never be a single pill that cures all forms of osteoarthritis. After all, Collins point out, it’s really an umbrella term for many different subconditions: The best countermeasure for someone who develops it after an ACL tear may be quite different compared to someone who is obese or has a strong family history of the disease.

But there is one firm conclusion we can take away from the revised understanding of osteoarthritis: Overusing your joints is not the problem. If anything, it’s the opposite – so keep running.

Alex Hutchinson is the author of Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance. Follow him on Twitter @sweatscience [https://twitter.com/sweatscience] .

Live your best. We have a daily Life & Arts newsletter, providing you with our latest stories on health, travel, food and culture. Sign up today [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/newsletters/?utm_source=drive_articles&utm_medium=onsite&utm_campaign=editor_manual_links&utm_term=signuppage&utm_content=drive_promo#newsletter-group-5] .

Follow this link to view this story on globeandmail.com: Scientists still puzzled by the causes of osteoarthritis, but new ideas emerge[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/article-scientists-still-puzzled-by-the-causes-of-osteoarthritis-but-new/] The viewing of this article is only available to Globe Unlimited subscribers.

The Globe and Mail

EDMONTON -- The garbage Edmonton's street-scavenging coyotes are eating might be making them more aggressive, research examining their gut bacteria being done by the University of Alberta suggests.

Scott Sugden, who was the lead master's student at U of A conducting the research, said after cutting open the intestines of 76 coyotes to determine what urban coyotes were eating and how their diets and digestive tract microbiomes compared to their rural counterparts, he found urban coyotes had less fusobacteria in their digestive systems.

A reduction in fusobacteria has been loosely correlated with increased aggression in domestic dogs.

He studied dead coyotes supplied to him by trappers, as road kill collected by Animal Care and Control, and problem coyotes killed by police.

"Urban coyotes, generally, seemed less healthy," Sugden said, adding things like less fat on their kidneys and enlarged spleens suggest they had poorer nutrition and their immune systems were under stress.

Sugden said rural coyotes had more protein-rich diets from eating rodents and scavenging deer, and had correlating higher levels of fusobacteria.

Sugden said studying how environmental changes affect the gut flora could allow conservationists to tackle behavioural issues "without having to focus on each one individually."

"If you manage for the microbiome, you can kind of hit all of those bases together," he said.

Online trade thrives despite risks, unknowns

The women went to great lengths to get the breast milk. Meaghan Rice drove her Chevy Equinox eight hours in a single day. Allison Mulvaney met a stranger in the parking lot of a Trader Joe's (“You got the stuff, in the cooler?"). Alyssa Llenas scoured Facebook groups, responding moments after another mom posted about having extra milk.

“Everybody wants it," Llenas said. “Sometimes I would message them, and they would say, 'I already have two moms that messaged me before you.' "

These moms are among thousands across the country who have gone online to find breast milk because they have difficulty breastfeeding. They are joining Facebook groups such as the donation-only “Eats on Feets" and “Human Milk for Human Babies," or buying online from specialty websites with names such as “Only the Breast," which advertises breast milk “high in fat and protein content," and “100% Organic."

Sarah Keim, a researcher at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Ohio who has studied the breast milk market, said her team has counted tens of thousands of posts per year offering to buy, sell, or share breast milk on these sites, which offer access to the Internet Age's version of the traditional wet nurse.

However, this is in effect an underground market that is not regulated by federal law and most states. The milk is unscreened and unpasteurized, which is why both the Food and Drug Administration and the American Academy of Pediatrics advise against using it. While research shows that screened and pasteurized donor milk is good for babies who are born premature, very little research exists about its effect on full-term babies.

“If we're talking about healthy babies that are at home with their families, there really is no research to show that it's beneficial to provide donated milk," said Dr. Mandy Brown Belfort, a neonatologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital. “I would very strongly advise people not to purchase milk online."

But the Internet is the only place where some women can find what they see as a critical elixir for their newborn babies. They take part in a complicated calculus, often trusting altruistic strangers and the advantages of a mother's milk — any mother's milk — over mainstream medical advice.

Some of the women who used donor milk spoke about the shame and anxiety they felt about not being able to produce a steady stream of breast milk themselves. Mothers of new babies, they had internalized the medical consensus that “breast is best" to help their babies grow, fight off infection, and develop a healthy gut.

Providing their infants with another mother's milk assuaged some of that guilt.

“I was crying at the doctor's office, I was crying at home. I was grieving that loss of what I expected," said Mulvaney, who is 36 and lives in Hingham.

She was not able to breastfeed her oldest child, but she found mothers online who were willing to donate and ended up feeding her son milk from about five different mothers, as well as formula. She knew that a disease such as HIV could be passed through breast milk, but she was consoled by the fact the mothers were feeding their own children the same milk.

“I knew the risk, and then I made that personal choice," said Mulvaney. “Because there are risks, I would not feel comfortable telling other people to do it." Mulvaney got the vast majority of her milk from Jodi Slade, a 36-year-old mother of two in Middleborough who was overproducing. Her husband had encouraged her to try selling her breast milk, but she didn't feel right about that.

“This is maybe one of the nice things I'm doing in life," Slade said with a laugh, “and it might help me get into heaven or something." She ended up donating to five women, including multiple times to Mulvaney.

For her part, Mulvaney never told her doctor she was feeding her child with milk from donors. “I just felt like I would receive judgment," she said.

Other mothers agreed: They had considered the health risks and decided breast milk, even from another mother, was the best option.

“Obviously, whatever the mom decides [is right]. But for me, the breast milk is essential for all the nutrients and all the things it supplies the baby," said Rice, who is 34 and lives in Barrington, N.H. She said she tended to accept donor milk only from mothers who also gave to established milk banks, which have strict rules about who can donate.

Llenas, who is 22 and lives in Dorchester, had been resolute that she would breastfeed, but she was never able to produce enough milk. Pasteurized donor milk from a milk bank was too expensive. Safely screened, it costs up to $4 per ounce, a hefty sum for a baby who might drink 30 ounces a day. Formula was expensive too, and in Llenas's mind, worse. So she turned to the online network of donors.

“It was really hard to get over taking a stranger's milk, or the feeling that I had failed and I had to give him another mother's milk," Llenas said. Ultimately, she said she received about 10,000 ounces of milk from 30 different women over the course of a year, and then occasionally supplemented her son's diet with formula. She often asked intimate questions of the mothers she got donations from, and they answered, sharing bloodwork and STI tests.

“The mothers, I feel like they're superheroes," she said.

Mothers have used wet nurses for centuries, and just a few decades ago women formed milk banks to share breast milk, according to Kara Swanson, author of “Banking on the Body: The Market in Blood, Milk and Sperm in Modern America." But the HIV crisis changed that. Most milk banks closed, and the survivors joined the Human Milk Banking Association of North America, which runs banks across the country with rigorous screening, pasteurization, and testing.

A major risk of unscreened breast milk is that women will transmit diseases through it, such as HIV or syphilis, according to Keim, the researcher at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Another is that bacteria can flourish in breast milk that is not properly collected, stored, and shipped. One study conducted by Keim's team found high levels of pathogenic bacteria, including salmonella, in samples of milk bought online. In that study, researchers determined that more than 70 percentof samples they bought from online sites would not meet the Milk Banking Association's health requirements.

In one of her studies, Keim found about 10 percent of the milk samples purchased online were topped off with cow's milk. And another study found nicotine in breast milk from women who claimed in their ads they were nonsmokers.

“In general, given the risk that we document, not just from bacterial contamination — from other problems that we saw with the milk too — it really looks like this isn't a good choice for any baby," Keim said.

But some women believe that it is the best choice they have. And some women pumping their milk have successfully made money from their labor.

Caitlyn Woodward-Samson, who lives in South Grafton, advertised her milk for $2 per ounce on “Only the Breast" and ended up selling it exclusively to one mother for 10 months. (She sent along her bloodwork beforehand.) They developed a rapport, meeting at restaurants and in parking lots, joking about the sketchy exchanges. She made more than $5,000, she said, which she used to buy a season pass to Disney World for her family.

“I wasn't in it for the money," said Woodward-Samson, a general manager in retail. “I wanted to support another mom."

Breastfeeding can come with high stakes and unexpected challenges: About 60 percent of mothers stopped breastfeeding earlier than they wanted to, according to a 2013 study in Pediatrics. Some experts say that's the issue to focus on, not Facebook groups hawking breast milk or coolers full of liquid gold. New mothers need hands-on guidance, but they also need structural support to make breastfeeding work, said Brown Belfort, the Brigham physician.

“How do we as a society do better at helping women with their own lactation?" she said. “It's probably cheaper to pay somebody maternity leave than to buy all that donor milk — and more beneficial."

Zoe Greenberg can be reached at zoe.greenberg@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @zoegberg.

Credit: By Zoe Greenberg Globe Staff

Today

The Queen's Lost Family

CHANNEL 4, 8.00PM

You would be hard pressed to describe either George VI or Edward VII as "lost"; even their siblings, Henry, Mary and George, would only qualify as lesser known. But get behind the bewildering title and there is some fascinating material here, as the story begins in the aftermath of the First World War. The key insights come courtesy of a cache of letters and diaries belonging to the five aforementioned royals, containing their thoughts on their tyrannical father, George V, their respective dalliances, and the turbulent political situation across Europe that had already seen several monarchies fall. George, Duke of Kent, and his prolific sex life, Henry's ill-advised flings and Mary's cloistered upbringing are all scrutinised by a distinguished cast of historians. With George V's passing, the abdication crisis and war to come, this three-part series promises much more. Gabriel Tate

Dragons' Den

BBC TWO, 8.00PM

Still as mystifyingly compelling as ever, the entrepreneurial contest returns for a 17th series with another new dragon, "tight canny northern lass" Sara Davies, and an opening salvo of pitches including spiced rum, a new idea for toilet brushes and probiotic pet food. GT

Monday

The Great Train Robbery: The Hidden Tapes

CHANNEL 4, 9.00PM

Even after 56 years and countless books and documentaries there's still something new left to say about the Great Train Robbery. The headlines around this film have been, inevitably, "the great train robber who got away is finally unmasked" - and he is definitively named by his son here, although the man's identity, taxi-driver Danny Pembroke, has been widely circulated since his death in 2015. Beyond that, director Sarah Hey's documentary does a top job of setting out the background to the crime, and its impact, without going into too much overfamiliar detail. The main focus is on one of the principal gang members, Roger Cordrey, whose "hidden" tape recordings about the robbery (four hours' worth recorded for Piers Paul Reid's 1978 book The Train Robbers and never before broadcast) have been rediscovered by his son, Tony. Overall, it's an absorbing account of a crime that has gripped the public imagination for decades. Gerard O'Donovan Who Do You Think You Are? BBC ONE, 9.00PM Oscar-winning actor Kate Winslet sets out to see if rumours of Scandinavian ancestry on her late mother Sally's side are correct. She's none too impressed by her forebears' harsh living conditions but, on her father's side at least, she has a more positive encounter in a prison. GO Tuesday Kathy Burke's All Woman CHANNEL 4, 10.00PM "Just because I'm happy with my big fat self, doesn't mean other women are," says Kathy Burke, the irrepressible actor and writer/director, now heading up this new three-part series about womanhood. Tonight's opener looks at beauty and whether women should change their looks to meet society's ideals. The pressures of social media loom large: she talks to Love Island star Megan Barton-Hanson about the flak she faced for having cosmetic surgery and meets shop assistant Laura, whose desire for breast implants has been stoked by Instagram. Refreshing interviews with buxom Lucian Freud model Sue Tilley and grime artist Nadia Rose offer a counterbalance to the pressure to conform, but it's Burke discussing her own relationship with how she looks and how it's affected her life and career that proves most illuminating. Toby Dantzic

Keeping Faith

BBC ONE, 9.00PM

The emotional temperature runs high at work as a passionate Faith (Eve Myles) deals with the fallout from Madlen's (Aimee-Ffion Edwards) sentencing. There's a headache on the home front too, with Evan's release from prison now imminent. TD

Wednesday

Deep Water

ITV, 9.00PM

In many ways the apotheosis of the middlebrow ITV thriller, Deep Water does at least forgo the murder mystery (so far, at least) in favour of a dissection of three women and their families in Windermere: Anna Friel's Lisa, barely holding herself, three rebellious kids, job and work-obsessed husband together; Sinead Keenan's masseuse Roz, working herself silly to make good the debts of her gamblingaddicted, wet blanket of a husband; and Rosalind Eleazar's Kate, whose veneer of wealth and a perfect family disguises deep-rooted problems. All three are brought together at the school gates; comparisons with Sky Atlantic's Big Little Lies are presumably purely coincidental. Adapted from the novels of Paula Daly by Mrs Wilson's Anna Symon, Deep Water's observations on class insecurity and sex are acute and a pivotal dinner party is truly cringe-making, even as implausibilities mount up a little too conveniently (no life jackets for a cruise on the lake, an open bathroom door during an illicit bunk-up). The performances, though, are up to snuff, and even at its silliest Deep Water has a keen sense of pulpy fun. The whole series will be available on ITV Player straight after. GT Sacred Wonders BBC ONE, 9.00PM Taking further surprising perspectives on monuments and faith, this impressive three-parter introduces us to a Malian Muslim who is replastering a mosque, a Shinto devotee going through a gruelling trial for the good of his country, and an Anglican priest conducting a deeply bizarre ceremony at a New York cathedral. GT Thursday Fake or Fortune? BBC ONE, 9.00PM The final programme in the series sees another painting that's come down through generations fall under Philip Mould and Fiona Bruce's artinvestigation spotlight. This one is a ravishing view of the Santa Maria della Salute church in Venice, supposedly by a contemporary of Canaletto. Meaning, says Bruce, it could be "by a country mile the most expensive painting we've ever looked at". The painting had previously been attributed to two 18th-century Venetian artists: Michele Marieschi (if so, worth £500,000) and Francesco Guardi (in which case, a stonking £10million). And there's the usual caveat that it might be by neither.

While Mould visits Cambridge to compare other known works by the two artists, Bruce investigates the family story that the painting was purchased in Venice in the 1880s, and examines the evidence on the back of the canvas, including contradictory labels and assorted other splodges. As ever, the pair are led on a fascinating international mystery tour through dusty archives and cutting-edge science to try to pin down its precise origin, with plenty of big surprises along the way. GO Fugitives BBC ONE, 8.00PM More stories from police extradition units in the UK and around Europe hunting international fugitives from justice. Tonight, the search for a killer that led South Wales Police all the way to Tanzania. GO

Friday

Cher: the Greatest Showgirl CHANNEL 5, 10.15PM This biopic opens with a dramatisation of a phone call between Cher and film director George Miller. Apparently, Miller tried to fire her from his movie The Witches of Eastwick with cruel comments like "Jack Nicholson and I think you're too old". Miller failed, but the scene shows the hard knocks Cher has endured throughout her 50-year career, particularly while reinventing herself from singer to actress in the Eighties. It gives a flavour of this two-hour extravaganza: it's a hagiography exploring how she has succeeded in spite of a traumatic childhood. Cher's legendary battles with nearly every film director she's ever worked with are rather glossed over, however. The story is told by a clutch of Cher's non-famous friends (including one of Sonny Bono's ex-wives, interestingly), so don't come expecting Vegas-style sequins and a claws-out gossip-fest - this tribute is as warm as they come. Vicki Power Mindhunter NETFLIX, FROM TODAY The second season of David Fincher's acclaimed criminal drama sees new horrors faced by the special FBI agents, who in the Seventies developed the strategy of criminal profiling. This series, the caseload of emotionally fragile agent Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and his team includes the 1979-81 Atlanta Child Murders and dealings with notorious killers Son of Sam and Charles Manson. VP

PICK OF THE WEEK

You know you are supposed to give a toss, but you are completely out of tosses. Zero tosses left

DO YOU PUT AN out-of-office message on your email when you go on holiday? Do you dare? Are you that kind of rebel? Can you bear to go against the 'always on' grain? And if you are brave enough to transmit your staunch unavailability to the world, will you see it through? Or rather... .... can you? Can you go off-grid? Will you be tortured with the wondering about what might be kicking off - on Instagram for starters - in your absence? Can you even survive the sudden hiatus in the daily deluge of decisions, questions and indignities? Perhaps we are thinking about this all wrong. Maybe what we really need is a wardrobe of OOOs for every area of life. Just to explain how things go sometimes...

OUT OF SORTSYou are sorry but you area bit OOS today. A bit discombobulated and not completely in your skin. Or in your brain. Or in any way fit for human consumption. It's not TERRIBLE. But it's not great either...

OUT OF BODYYou just caught a glimpse of someone in the mirror. Strange choice of clothes; almost working but not quite. Hair is, well, unfortunate. Slightly disappointed look on face. But who even was that? Was it really you?

OUT OF COFFEEPut that in your email and smoke it. Watch as everyone slowly backs away, leaving you in the centre of a virtual cordoned-off bomb-blast area. You are

OOC and feeling it, bitches.

OUT OF OPINIONSSo glad someone asked you that highly pertinent question. But you are afraid you are going to have to defer to literally anyone else. Because you are OOO. On which subject...

OUT OF IDEASJesus, there's a meeting coming up. A big one. And you've given so much recently/always. Is it possible that you are finally out of ideas? Is today the day that you will be found out? Is it time to metaphorically get your coat? This can also happen in relationships. 'Frankly Mark, I'm fresh out of ideas...'...'

OUT OF TOSSESYou know you are supposed to give a toss. You know you are supposed to keep caring so that the universe can deliver the magical stuff - and so that you can make a difference. But you are completely out of tosses. Zero tosses left. Maybe tomorrow?

OUT OF TIMEThe emotional wheel of death on the metaphorical laptop of life. Timed out. Done. Closed for business. Sorry. Actually not sorry. Seeing as we're here, you are out of sorrys too.

OUT OF MEDSYou've exhausted the over-the-counter sleeping pills, the ibuprofen, the Lemsip Max, the antihistamines with coffee chasers. You've finished the probiotics and the omegas. You've banged the Kalms. And you are worried that taking the cat's vitamins might make you look, well, a bit mad?

OUT OF ANSWERSThe sheet of your mind has been wiped clean, like a mental Etch A Sketch. Or when you do a hard reboot of your phone and everything vanishes. And there is no back-up. But you are not panicking. Because it's as though you can't remember the time before. You find yourself having a little sit down and reading some Jilly Cooper. There's nothing better than Jilly to pour into the empty vessel of your brain.

OUT OF YOUR MINDIt's a conspiracy. All therapists go away en masse in August. Do they go to the same retreat and talk about us all day? Why August, when they're so needed? It's not as if a holiday/staying at home/ whatever is wildly triggering, IS IT? No, you don't need your therapist. You are ABSOLUTELY FINE. (Narrator: she was not absolutely fine.) themidult.com

TELEVISION SUNDAY 11 AUGUST

THE QUEEN'S LOST FAMILY Channel 4, 8.00pm You would be hard pressed to describe either George VI or Edward VII as "lost"; even their siblings, Henry, Mary and George, would only qualify as lesser known. But get behind the bewildering title and there is some fascinating material here, as the story begins in the aftermath of the First World War. The key insights come courtesy of a cache of letters and diaries belonging to the five aforementioned royals, containing their thoughts on their tyrannical father, George V, their respective dalliances, and the turbulent political situation across Europe that had already seen several monarchies fall.

Edward, in particular, cuts an intriguing, contradictory figure, profoundly selfish yet with a burgeoning social conscience, keenly aware of the need to rehabilitate the image of the Windsors and prepared to tell the uncomfortable truth to power about, for example, the less than rapturous reception accorded him in India. George, Duke of Kent, and his prolific sex life, Henry's ill-advised flings and Mary's cloistered upbringing are all scrutinised by a distinguished cast of historians. With George V's passing, the abdication crisis and war to come, this three-part series promises much more. Gabriel Tate

GEORGE CLARKE'S AMAZING SPACES Channel 4, 7.00pm George Clarke revisits the globetrotting of previous series to see how they have fared, with journeys to awe-inspiring homes in Canada, New Zealand, Japan and Norway.

DRAGONS' DEN BBC Two, 8.00pm Still as mystifyingly compelling as ever, the entrepreneurial contest returns for a 17th series with another new dragon, "tight canny northern lass" Sara Davies, and an opening salvo of pitches including spiced rum, a new idea for toilet brushes and probiotic pet food.

POLDARK BBC One, 9.00pm Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) is thrown by a change in banking policy and George (Jack Farthing) makes one more attempt to crush those pesky Poldarks once and for all, ideally bringing Ned Despard (Vincent Regan) down with them, as Debbie Horsfield's excellent fifth series continues to see its characters off in style.

THE MISADVENTURES OF ROMESH RANGANATHAN BBC Two, 9.00pm For Romesh Ranganathan and perhaps many others, Bosnia and Herzegovina has a long and unfortunate association with the Balkan War. In an attempt to educate himself, he tries out a bobsleigh track left over from the 1984 Winter Olympics, stays in a "war hotel" and, inevitably, meets some local eccentrics. GT

Edinburgh Fringe Adam Riches: The Beakington Town Hall Murders Pleasance Upstairs ****

It may be Christmas (it really does come earlier every year), but these are dark times in the respectable village of Beakington. Last night, the tortoise tombola was callously opened mid-spin, whereupon all 10 ill-fated reptiles whizzed from the drum and splatted to their doom on the hall's floor and walls. Who committed this atrocity? That is precisely what we are going to find out.

Such is the perfectly ridiculous premise of The Beakington Town Hall Murders, the latest vortex of audienceparticipatory mayhem from 2011 Edinburgh Comedy Awards winner Adam Riches. While queuing up beforehand, everyone is given a sealed envelope that they are allowed to open only once the show has begun. These turn out to be festive cards, inside the vast majority of which (including, thank heavens, this critic's on the night) is written the message "Merry Christmas. You didn't dunnit!" One, however, tells its unlucky owner that he or she is the killer.

This unfortunate announces themself to the rest of the audience, but not to the brilliant mind enlisted to solve the crime. This turns out to be a character first seen in Riches's 2014 Fringe show: self-proclaimed, corkingly named sleuth, action hero and mega-stud Victor Legit.

Artificially bulked out, utterly self-obsessed, and with (as he proudly declares) severe emotional issues, he's a super creation. He adores squinting mutely and moodily into the middle distance like some Clint Eastwood clone gone wrong, but his posturing is undermined by his unquenchable thirst for tiny bottles of Yakult, which he opens with such a macho flourish that half of the contents invariably sprays across the front few rows.

The subsequent process of elimination involves, inevitably, a fearsome amount of audience participation and hinges largely on profiling via that slightly weird game Guess Who?. Eventually, Victor whittles the entire audience down to just two people, who participate in the final test for rooting out the sociopath. This involves certain sports equipment, various types of fruit and veg and very game participation from fellow performer Ben Target, though to say any more would dent the fun.

As always with Riches, all this silliness works so well because it is in fact so carefully orchestrated, and also so well written. Victor's encomium to his chosen probiotic drink, for example, is pure, preposterous poetry, and it's hard not to love the point at which he instructs one hapless audience member how to operate a party popper: "You pull on its tail and it explodes," he bellows. "Just like a field mouse."

Meanwhile, Riches's charisma powers the whole thing along. And if getting an entire row up on stage (as he does at one point) is risky, as it means he can't cherry-pick audience members who look as if they may particularly thrive in the spotlight, he still has a remarkable talent for encouraging everyone to have a good time.

But did the detective actually unmask the murderer? On this occasion, yes. Though if the audience looked surprised at this, rest assured that no one appeared more completely astonished than Riches himself.

Until Aug 26. Tickets: 0131 556 6550; pleasance.co.uk

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We say: This gel cleanser boasts a thick consistency that allows for a little to go a long way. Our tester was pleased with how it cleaned her skin, removing all traces of the day's makeup and grime, without leaving it feeling stripped. $29 Shoppers Drug Mart; beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca

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Making women feel like they need to invest in making their vulva look/smell/taste more appealing is big business, but it’s also problematic and – perhaps more importantly – needless.

Almost every part of a woman’sanatomy[https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/anatomy]has become fair game when it comes tobody-shaming[https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/bodyshaming], but there's one area that gets more attention that most: our genitals.

You don’t, for example, have special soap made to wash arms, or toes, or necks. As far as we know, people are not going out of their way to sell us probiotics to make our feet taste better, or repackaging wet wipes into being specifically to keep your knees fresh.

The object of these “innovative” products is, of course, never the male genitals either. It is always the female ones: the vulva, comprising the clitoral hood and outer and inner labia (although marketing wizards seem hell-bent on continuing to refer to it as the “vagina”, which is actually the inner canal).

“There is nothing 'unfresh' about the vulva or vagina,” obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Jen Gunter, author of

The Vagina Bible[https://www.amazon.com/Vagina-Bible-Vulva-Separating-Medicine/dp/0806539313]

, tells

The Independent.

“Why does no one worry about scrotal freshness or rectal freshness? Women do not benefit from untested products that are not supported by basic science and rely on destructive, patriarchal messaging.”

Making women feel like they need to invest in making their vulva look/smell/taste more appealing is big business, but it’s also problematic and – perhaps more importantly – needless.

“Feminine hygiene washes and sprays use destructive messaging that the way women are normally is problematic when it is not,” adds Gunter.

Cropped shot of a woman washing her hands at a sink (Getty Images/

iStockphoto

)

In fact, she says that using them may damage your lactobacilli (a “good bacteria” that lives in our urinary system) or protective mucus.

Despite advocates for steaming, douching and moisturising (among other things) the reality is that the female genital area needs no such bells and whistles to remain clean.

According to the NHS[https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/keeping-your-vagina-clean-and-healthy/], the vagina "is designed to keep itself clean with the help of natural secretions (discharge)".

Read more

Do not put garlic in your vagina, gynaecologists warn

Sandra Oh told Phoebe Waller-Bridge ‘I want to talk about your vagina’

A vagina museum could be coming to London this autumn

Dr Suzy Elneil, consultant in urogynaecology at University College Hospital, London, and spokesperson for women’s reproductive and gynaecological health charityWellbeing of Women[http://www.wellbeingofwomen.org.uk/],says[https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/keeping-your-vagina-clean-and-healthy/]the most important part of good vaginal health is good

overall

health, namely a healthy diet and exercise.

Meanwhile, Dr Vanessa Mackay, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist and spokesperson for theRoyal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists[https://www.rcog.org.uk/](RCOG) tells

The Independent:

"It’s a myth that the vagina needs extensive cleaning with perfumed soaps or feminine hygiene products.

“It contains good bacteria, which are there to protect it. If these bacteria are disturbed it can lead to infection, such as bacterial vaginosis or thrush, and inflammation.”

From what products to use to what you should avoid doing, here’s everything you need to know about cleaning your vulva.

1) Just water is enough but certain products are ok

In most cases, your vulva is best cleaned with just water – no soap necessary.

If you do want to use a product, the NHS advises using plain, unperfumed soaps or an emollient[https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/emollients/].

Dr Gunter says that when a product smells nice it will most likely have a fragrance added to it that has been extracted from a plant or fabricated in a lab “which can cause irritation”.

“If nature had intended the vagina to smell like roses or lavender, it would have made the vagina smell like roses or lavender,” adds Professor Ronnie Lamont, spokesperson for the RCOG.

Woman showering (

iStock

)

That said, Dr Caroline Overton, a consultant gynaecologist, warns that water alone and some soap products can have a drying effect on the skin for some women.

“Washing with water can causes dry skin and can make the delicate vulva feel more uncomfortable,” she explains.

“[Soaps] can also remove some of the acid mantle, the protective surface layer of fats on the skin,” explains Dr Gunter.

As a result, if you find that unperfumed soaps cause irritation or dryness, Dr Overton suggests women use an aqueous or an Epaderm cream[https://www.superdrug.com/b/Epaderm] which are safe to use frequently and long-term if needed.

2) Clean the area gently

When cleaning the vulva, it is advisable to clean it gently every day as over-cleaning can aggravate vulval symptoms.

As will all genital-adjacent activities (namely wiping after going to the bathroom, and any sexual contact): you should clean the area front to back to avoid spreading bacteria from the anus to the vagina and ureter, as that can cause infection.

“These bacteria can cause urinary tract and vaginal infections. After washing, women should pat the area dry with a clean towel," says Dr Overton.

View this post on Instagram

Lady garden[https://www.instagram.com/p/BXLgZC1Fwl3/]

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Dr Gunter agrees, adding that when it comes to washing the area, it is more of a “splash and go situation.

“Women shouldn't be scrubbing,” she warns. “Remember, this isn't like washing your hands to prevent the spread of food borne illness and influenza.”

When it comes to drying, Overton advises gently dabbing the area with a soft towel or using a hairdryer on a cool setting held “well away from the skin”.

3) Monitor the area for changes

As with all health, it is important to keep tabs on your wellbeing and make note of any signs – be it smells, irritations, or pains – that may suggest a problem.

When it comes to the vulva, the NHS states that it is normal for the vagina to have a scent as its odour can change at different times of the reproductive cycle.

However, if you notice a sudden change in your discharge, this may indicate a vaginal infection which may need further medical attention.

Menstrual pad with red glitter on pastel background (

iStock

)

Dr Virginia Beckett, spokesperson for the RCOG, says: “The warning signs of infection include a change in colour or consistency, a sudden bad smell, an unusually large amount of discharge, itching outside the vagina, pain in the pelvis or tummy, or unexpected bleeding from the vagina.”

If a woman has any doubt whether her discharge is normal, you should visit a GP, practice nurse or pharmacist.

4) Avoid using a washcloth

While you may use a washcloth or loofah to clean your face and body, Dr Overton advises foregoing these implements to clean the genital area as they could do more harm than good.

As the vulva is a delicate area, Dr Overton says using products such as a washcloth can “abrade the delicate skin of the vulva”.

View this post on Instagram

This is the vulva from day 10/100 from the #100vaginas series. Each time I have a reason to revisit these pieces I fall in love all over again. It's a weird art child that is a gift that keeps on giving. Two days until the pop up print show. Gahhh! . . This series is meant to inspire us to put more love out there for "down there" prints and book are available on my site. . . . . #vulva #vulvalove #vaginaart #vulvaart #notallwomenhavevaginas #feministart #feministartist #feministmemes #selflove #loveyourself #respectyourself #selfcarematters #inspiredaily #illo #illustrationartists #seattleartist #seattleartscene[https://www.instagram.com/p/BxP0WhIHgWQ/]

A post shared by Dani Dodge(she/her)[https://www.instagram.com/studiododge/] (@studiododge) on

May 9, 2019 at 8:40am PDT

In addition, the gynaecologist says that women should ensure that they have “fully washed away the soap after using it as it could dry out or irritate the skin if not fully removed.

“It is ok to wash the whole area including the inside of the labia but women should be careful not to get soap and water inside the vagina.”

5) Don’t use vaginal deodrants or scented wipes

The NHS also advises against scented wipes and deodorants which can disrupt the vagina’s natural bacteria which is what keeps it clean and healthy.

“Vaginal deodorants are trash,” says Dr Gunter. “Think of them as cigarettes for the vagina, but with destructive messaging!

“They are untested, likely harmful, have predatory messaging, and are not needed.”

Four pieces of fruit laid out (

iStock

)

Any advice saying otherwise, Gunter notes, is a sign of “patriarchal predation”.

“Men manage with toilet paper or a bidet so why can't women?”

6) Avoid vaginal douches

A douche is used to flush water up into the vagina to clear out secretions. Women throughout history and across many cultures have been known to douche with substances such as honey, olive oil, and even wine.

It was once even thought to be a way of preventing infection and a form of contraceptive.

The NHS says that similarly to deodorants and wipes, using a douche can disrupt the normal vaginal bacteria.

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"I can't think of any circumstances where douches are helpful, because all they do is wash out everything that's in the vagina, including all the healthy bacteria," explains Professor Lamont.

There is also no evidence that douching protects against STIs or vaginal infections, and it may even increase the risk, states the NHS.

It takes only minutes and is 90% effective in people with C.diff that’s resisted every other treatment

A friend of mine came home from the US having had a -faecal transplant[https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/new-poo-donors-wanted-faecal-16545470]– which was something of a conversation stopper when talking about her trip.

Apparently they’re quite well accepted Stateside, especially in complementary medical circles. She’d had one for a serious infection while in hospital for a gallbladder operation.

I’ve written about these faecal ­transplantations (FMTs) before because as we learn more about the importance of our gut bacteria, the microbiome, we realise we can treat seemingly unconnected conditions by manipulating it.

How does FMT work? Well, doctors collect faeces from a healthy donor and then “transplant” them into the rectum of the patient.

The first, and so far most effective, use of FMT has been to treat a ­condition where the gut is ­overwhelmed by an infection with the bacterium Clostridium difficile, or C.diff. It often results in a lengthy stay in hospital with severe diarrhoea, fever and abdominal pain, sometimes lasting for months, if not years. And it’s not uncommon, affecting more than 14,000 people every year and killing more than 1,600.

We all carry C.diff but it’s kept in check by thegood bacteria[https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/health/how-controlling-your-gut-bacteria-12321113]in your bowel. If, however, your good bacteria fall in number, by say a course of ­antibiotics, C.diff can thrive. And it’s tenacious. Little can touch it. But repopulating the gut with healthy bacteria is an option.

Dr Miriam Stoppard: How t'ai chi can be a helpful pain reliever[https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/health/dr-miriam-stoppard-how-tai-18833466]

These come from someone else’s gut. In other words, a faecal transplant.

It can be done via a tube passed through the nose into the stomach, but we’ve found there’s a higher success rate if it is done via the rectum, and it takes only minutes. It’s 90% effective in people with C.diff that’s resisted every other treatment.

And believe it or not, there are “super donors”, people whose ­transplants are particularly effective.

What makes them special? Well, according to a Kiwi researcher Dr Justin O’Sullivan, their stools tend to have high levels of “keystone species”, bacteria and viruses that work together to form chemicals which help fight a particular disease, be it Type 2 diabetes or Crohn’s disease.

Dr O’Sullivan thinks that identifying the right super donors for particular medical conditions would be a huge step forward, not just in treating gut diseases, but also possibly ­conditions we know are linked to an abnormal microbiome such as ­Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis and asthma.

We’re a long way off having FMT on the NHS but with one in 10 patients who get C.diff dying, maybe we shouldn’t be.

People who spend 5 hours a day on their phone are '43% more likely to be obese'[https://www.mirror.co.uk/science/people-who-spend-5-hours-18777454]

Make sure you get enough protein and the essential nutrients for a healthy lifestyle by choosing your meat-alternatives wisely

With veganism on the rise –a survey[https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/vegans-uk-rise-popularity-plant-based-diets-veganism-figures-survey-compare-the-market-a8286471.html] releasedlast year found that around 3.5 million Britons have adopted a plant-based diet –many people are turning to meat substitutes to bulk out their meals and ensure they’re consuming enough protein.

While meat-free protein sources includingbeans, lentils, chickpeas, soya, nuts, seeds, wheat, rice, maize, milk, yoghurt and cheese all provide protein, many vegetarians like to consume mycoprotein, a single-cell protein derived from funghi.

Quorn is a mycoprotein and one of the best-known brands of meat alternatives. And in July 2018, the vegetarian company, best known for its meat-free mince and “chicken style” pieces, announced it will be investing £7m into a new product development centre[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/quorn-vegan-food-research-development-laboratory-vegetarian-sales-a8459666.html]with the hope of capitalising on the UK’s growing appetite for meat substitutes.

But whilst there’s no denying the benefit to the environment of cutting down your meat intake, do substitutes actually provide all the nutrients we need?

“Plant-based sources of protein are generally incomplete - they don’t contain all of the essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein - meaning it’s essential to eat a variety of them every day,” registered dietitian Nichola Ludlam-Raine[https://nicsnutrition.com/] explained to

The Independent

.

“Soya, quinoa and hemp are the only plant-based complete sources of protein i.e. they contain all of the essential amino acids that our body needs.”

Ludlam-Raine says it’s important to bear in mind, however, that meat-alternatives often contain a lot less protein than their meaty equivalents.

A post shared by Nichola Ludlam-Raine  RD (@nicsnutrition)[https://www.instagram.com/p/BipMOdplA2Z/] on

May 11, 2018 at 9:19am PDT

While this may not be an issue for everyone - the majority of people in the UK eat more than enough protein on a daily basis - fitness fanatics and avid gym-goers, who require a higher than average protein intake for muscle repair, may need to make an effort to consume enough protein if they’re not eating meat.

The average person requires a minimum of 0.8g protein per kg of body weight a day, but this can increase to 2g if you’re a regular exerciser or are trying to lose fat and prevent muscle loss.

Here’s how some of the most popular meat-free alternatives compare to chicken breast protein-wise:

Chicken breast - 24g protein/100g (raw weight)

Quorn - 14g protein/100g

Tofu - 11.5g protein/100g

Chickpeas - 7g protein/100g

Jackfruit - 1.7g protein/100g

We spoke to Harley Street nutritionist and

Re-Nourish

author Rhiannon Lambert to get her verdict on some of the most widely consumed meat substitutes:

Tofu

CHINESE TOFU STIR FRY .  I’m giving you this tasty and healthy, Chinese dish (and it’s vegan too!) I made on set with @SamsungUK! . INGREDIENTS (Serves 2) . 300g wholewheat medium noodles 50g courgette, chopped 40g cherry tomatoes, chopped 3 tbsp dark soy sauce 3-4cm fresh ginger, grated Grated zest and juice 1 lime A handful of fresh coriander 1 tbsp olive oil 200g tofu, cut into cubes 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds (optional) 200g stir fry vegetables . RECIPE . 1️⃣Bring a large pan of water to the boil and cook the noodles according to the pack instructions. Drain and reserve a cupful of the cooking water. 2️⃣In a small bowl mix the soy sauce, lime zest and juice and ginger with 4 tbsp of the noodle cooking water. 3️⃣Heat the olive oil in pan and add the tofu. Cook on each side and sprinkle with the sesame seeds, turning to coat. 4️⃣Add the vegetables. Add the soy/ginger/garlic sauce, then add the noodles and toss well to combine. 5️⃣Continue to cook until the tofu is cooked completely, then remove from the pan and serve with coriander leaves and lime wedges. . Enjoy, save the recipe and tag me when you fancy recreating it! . #ReNourish #Rhitrition #Fakeaway #rhiannonlambert #veganmeals[https://www.instagram.com/p/BjeDunQBrO5/]

A post shared by RHIANNON LAMBERT BSc MSc ANutr[https://www.instagram.com/rhitrition/] (@rhitrition) on

May 31, 2018 at 10:04pm PDT

Unlike most plant proteins, tofu (which is made from soya) contains all the essential amino acids we require from food because they cannot be made by the body. “Soya is typically affordable and nutritious, being that it is a good source of iron and calcium and the minerals manganese, selenium and phosphorus,” Lambert explains.

However, the health benefits of soya are often disputed: while the oft-heard claim that soya contains oestrogen is a mere myth - rather, it contains phytoestrogens -some studies[https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/soya-male-body-health-side-effects-truth-milk-sexual-function-a8382976.html]

have

suggested that men who consume soya regularly have a lower concentration of sperm.

Tempeh

A post shared by TasteToronto Light (@tastetorontolight)[https://www.instagram.com/p/BkVYH3JHmUD/] on

Jun 22, 2018 at 9:41am PDT

While tofu is unfermented, tempeh is a fermented soya product that has recently become a popular vegetarian meat replacement - soya beans are fermented and then pressed into a compact cake.

“It is high in protein, probiotics (which are beneficial to your gut health) and is a source of magnesium, phosphorus and manganese,” says Lambert. It's also been linked to lowering cholesterol, boosting bone health and is considered one of the healthiest plant-based protein sources. At 320 calories per cup, it's quite calorie-dense though.

Seitan

A post shared by Elyse (@thevegperson)[https://www.instagram.com/p/BljvaguADtT/] on

Jul 22, 2018 at 8:05pm PDT

Seitan is a vegan protein source that is typically made from wheat gluten and water. It also contains the minerals selenium and iron. “Seitan is a good option for vegans who cannot eat soya products as other popular vegetarian foods (such as tofu and tempeh) are soya-based,” adds Lambert.

However seitanis usually processed, and some store-bought versions are high in additives, salt and preservatives.

Quorn

A post shared by Quorn UK (@quorn_uk)[https://www.instagram.com/p/BlIlBYDgr7q/] on

Jul 12, 2018 at 6:55am PDT

Lambert believes Quorn is a good alternative protein source and it is high in fibre which has been linked to helping to maintain a healthy gut microbiome. “It is also low in saturated fat and is incredibly versatile with mince options, sausages, burger and meat style pieces.”

Quorn is made from mycoproteinwhich is produced by adding oxygen, nitrogen, glucose and minerals to a fungus called Fusarium venenatum. While the fungus

is

edible, the Centre for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) claim some people have adverse reactions to it. "We urge consumers to avoid Quorn and urges retailers not to sell this product that is dangerous to sensitive individuals," says the CSPI[https://cspinet.org/eating-healthy/foods-avoid/quorn].

Jackfruit

珞If you don’t know jackfruit, you will soon. It’s a healthy and sustainable vegan meat replacement. Best of all, it's insanely delicious. Here's me tucking into BBQ pulled jackfruit, pineapple, guac, mayo & lettuce blue corn tortillas @FarmGirlCafe. Yum, yum, yum! . #ReNourish #Rhitrition #RhiannonLambert #FarmGirl #Vegan[https://www.instagram.com/p/BhYUVGvhQ48/]

A post shared by RHIANNON LAMBERT BSc MSc ANutr[https://www.instagram.com/rhitrition/] (@rhitrition) on

Apr 9, 2018 at 11:31pm PDT

Jackfruit has recently risen in popularity largely due to its close resemblance to pulled pork. However, as tasty as it is, it’s not a great source of protein. “So if you’re going to add it to your main meal, make sure serve it up with something like lentils, quinoa or beans,” Lambert advises.

The fruit is low in calories,a good source of fibre and potassium, and it's typically served with minimal processing.

A post shared by Stacey Homemaker (@stacey_homemaker)[https://www.instagram.com/p/BljNBFvAFhm/] on

Jul 22, 2018 at 3:04pm PDT

“A well planned plant-based diet can be both nutritious and healthy, and meat-free diets have indeed been associated with lower risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, obesity and various cancers,” says Ludlam-Raine.

“This could be down to the fact that meat-alternatives often provide more fibre and less saturated fat (and fewer calories), however most of the research is only observational and many vegetarians may be more health conscious; thus being more likely to exercise and less likely to smoke.”

Support free-thinking journalism and subscribe to Independent Minds

Even if you’re an omnivore, adding some plant-based protein to your diet can be a great way to add some diversity to what you’re consuming, as well as benefiting the environment.

With a third world title in gold medallist's reach, Jeremy Wilson joins the British sailor in Japan to discover a 'brutal' training regime

'There it is," says Hannah Mills, pointing to an island in the far distance as she nonchalantly vaults the railings at the remote Hayama Marina in Japan. The Telegraph photographer had wondered if the rocks beneath us might make a good place for her picture and, as he takes rather longer to negotiate a route that presumably contravenes local safety guidance, there is a moment for Mills to pause.

The island in view is Enoshima and it is where tomorrow morning she will attempt to become a world sailing champion for the third time. It is also the location for an ambition that rests just a little further, if still higher, on the horizon.

For Enoshima is where Mills could become the most successful women's sailor in Olympic history, when she will try to add another gold next year to the one she won at Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and the silver at London four years earlier.

This fact alone tells you that we are talking about a special athlete and what is so striking about gaining a window into her often nomadic life is the extent to which the daily four hours out in a boat only splash the surface of her preparations. Mills sailed with Saskia Clark at the previous two Olympics but, with Clark retired, is now forging a new partnership in the 470 class with Eilidh McIntyre.

And on the day we meet, it is not currents or wind direction dominating their thoughts but rather chemistry, communication and the innovative yet timeconsuming and emotionally challenging decision to create what they call a "common language".

In practice, that means a specific set of succinct words, phrases and gestures that ensure they know exactly what the other is thinking.

It might sound simple but, as Mills then outlines the lengths to which they have gone, you realise this really is something rather different.

"We use comms kits during training, which is quite new in terms of the technology and you can't do in racing," she says. "It means we are linked to each other and our coach when we are on the water. We record it and then listen to it all back."

And what is that like? "Unbelievable, eye-opening," says Mills. "Because you discover that there is this difference between what you think happened and what actually happened.

"You think something has been communicated when you are out there and you find out it was totally missed. When it's windy, it's hard to hear anyway with the wind and water.

"It's quite brutal and invasive hearing yourself in pressure situations and then evaluating every word. Some of the debriefs have left us in hysterics because it's just so funny the stuff that comes out. Other times you can be really upset when it wasn't what you would want it to be.

"We also found that we can be very monotone and have come to realise that when s--- is happening, you have to add tone to get the intensity of the message across."

Mills estimates that building this team relationship and common language "in a classroom" has been 70 per cent of their focus since they began racing together full time early in 2018.

"One of the things I most enjoy is that it is about how both of you are performing. You are two different people. If one of us is not on form, we'll have a bad day. Both and it's a disaster."

Such attention to detail certainly paid off yesterday when, with two wins, they moved into the world championship lead ahead of the final two days. They have been based in this small seaside village for much of the summer and, with Enoshima easily reached and so many other nations also preparing locally, there is even a shared Whatsapp group to organise informal regattas.

"Ultimately everyone needs to figure out the venue," says Mills. "Our time in Japan is limited so every day is crucial. Each venue has quirks and different styles to win and it's always a race to work that out."

As well as their lengthy "language" debrief, observations about the conditions and what that then means while out racing are meticulously logged daily in preparation for next year. They are long days and necessarily framed by routine. "Spending time here is quite draining, we are an hour from Tokyo and there is not much going on," she says. "I like to go out and relax in the evenings but everywhere shuts at 9pm."

Mills is now 31 and the decision to continue even for this Olympic cycle was taken only after time away from the sport in which she evaluated her options and briefly worked for a clothing company in London.

"I stayed at my brother's, commuted, lived that life for a month or so and that was enough to say, 'I'll get back in a boat'," she says, laughing. Her eyes also light up at the memory of returning from Rio.

There was a Buckingham Palace visit to be awarded the MBE and red carpets at movie premieres, even if Mills knows full well that the biggest "star struck" moment of all will provoke plenty of smiles.

"Meeting Sue Barker," she says instantly. "I don't recognise film stars. Only sports people. I love Wimbledon and A Question of Sport, which I got to go on. So cool but very scary and Sue Barker gave me goosebumps. She's amazing. It's quite funny, isn't it?" The chance now to become the most successful women's sailor would also be "cool" even it could never have been the reason to go on. Thoughts naturally also sometimes turn to what might follow an elite sporting career that is at once so all-consuming and yet inevitably only a limited segment of life.

Mills hopes that an interest in the environment and sustainability, which was largely sparked by her experiences in Rio, will form a significant part of her future. "Having grown up on the ocean sailing, we would occasionally get a plastic bag or something similar stuck on our boat that would completely stop us," she says.

"But it just didn't register that this was a problem. Being in Rio, it was everywhere and you couldn't help but stop and think about the bigger picture."

Mills is also convinced that swallowing seawater in Rio led to some gut health problems and she is "disheartened" that plastic use does not appear to be on the radar in Japan.

"Our inability as humans to look to the future and change our behaviours to stop a problem that has been slowly creeping up on it - because it costs us personally right now - is a little bit terrifying," she says.

She now intends to launch her own initiative to eliminate single-use plastic across sport and longer-term sailing decisions will wait until next year.

"I'm very much more likely to retire after Tokyo but you never say never," she says. "You don't know how you will feel, what opportunities will come up.

"I am still just about young enough for Paris. The Olympics is such an amazing and rewarding experience, but I wouldn't want to go for it half-heartedly and I am really hoping that the work with sustainability leads to what I do next."

'It's quite invasive to evaluate every word you said under pressure'

Ocean warrior: Hannah Mills at Hayama Port in Japan and (top right) training at the Olympic venue with her partner Eilidh McIntyre

These are the things I learned at the 2019 Fancy Food Show: Plant-based is the new vegetarian food, and a vegetarian diet is the new normal. And whether you want to blame or credit the increased gluten intolerance, nut allergies, and trepidation around all things meat and dairy, there is an alternative to everything.

Earlier this summer at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan, as I wandered through about six football fields' worth of displays helmed by producers, entrepreneurs, chefs, farmers, bakers, cheesemongers, fishmongers, activists, importers, I spotted all sorts of things that weren't what they seem. By design. There was Avonaise, the avocado-based vegan alternative mayonnaise. There was hemp milk, an alternative to oat milk which has become the stand-in for soy and almond milk, which is an alternative to cow's milk. There were nut crumbs from San Diego-based Appel Foods and pork rind crumbs from Pork King Good out of Ohio, both gluten-free substitutes for breadcrumbs. There were crackers and doughs made from ground-up cauliflower, an alternative to flour. There was Oaté, an oat milk frozen dessert, an alternative to ice cream and the creation of a trio of young friends who conceived their idea while studying at Boston University. They've grown their business out of Commonwealth Kitchen, the Dorchester incubator. (More on that in a minute.)

And there was snack food — lots and lots of snack food, each purporting to have more amino acids or fiber or probiotics than the last. MudLrk's Shiitake Mushroom Chips, which come in ranch, Sriracha, and Kansas City BBQ flavors, have five grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber per serving. (And it's vegan, gluten free, etc.) Second Brain Foods' Barley Crunch and Barley Bars, created by Kokeb Kassa who was inspired by a staple in her native Ethiopia, pack a probiotics punch. There was high-protein, magnesium-packed, gluten-free sprouted buckwheat from Lil Bucks, a Chicago startup, and several people with new brands of popped water lily seeds. The protein-rich bites, traditional to ancient India, have the shape and consistency of Kix cereal and a slightly sweet earthiness.

Plant-based snack food is already making waves in big industry, too. Rob Ehrlich, who made his fortune as creator of Pirate Booty, was showcasing his new line of snack food: Vegan Rob's, which encompasses sorghum-flour-based puffs in flavors like beet, probiotic cauliflower, and jackfruit.

But you hardly need a dispatch from the Fancy Food Show to learn that healthy eating has become de rigueur. According to a report from the United Fresh Produce Association, sales of organic produce grew 8.7 percent to $5.6 billion in 2018 over 2017. And a Nielsen study revealed plant-based foods are up 20 percent in dollar sales in the United States to more than $3.3 billion from 2017 to 2018.

News headlines during the past months show the real-time effects: The world came dangerously low on its supply of Impossible Burgers, the plant-based patty engineered to look, feel, and taste like meat, after fast-food restaurants put it on their menus. The meat lobby is up in arms. They want to put a moratorium on veggie burger producers using the word “burger" in their branding. The dairy lobby is also in a state, coming down on soy and almond milk manufacturers, demanding they take “milk" out of their products' names.

And for these alternative-food makers, even bad PR is good PR. Americans want more exciting and diverse ways of eating. And they're getting it. According to data compiled by the Specialty Food Association, the member-based trade organization that produces the Fancy Food Show, specialty food and beverage sales account for 16 percent of the food and beverage market. Among the top 10 specialty food categories with the highest dollar growth, refrigerated plant-based meat alternatives, rice cakes, and frozen plant-based meat alternatives take the top three spots. Water clocks in above bottled tea and coffee.

Massachusetts made its presence felt with a mix of longstanding indie brands, small companies that have undergone growth spurts in the past few years, and imaginative startups. Perhaps it has something to do with New England's legacy of immortalizing regional desserts (see: Boston cream pie, whoopie pies, Toll House Cookies, Fluff), but many local businesses at the show aim to satisfy your sweet tooth. Among them, the second-generation-owned Chelsea-based Golden Cannoli Shell Co. The biggest supplier of the crunchy shells is “bringing cannolis into the 21st century," a spokeswoman told me, with new iterations of the confection, like Cannoli Chips, crumbs, and “Chips and Dips," a packaged deconstructed version of the dessert. The 46-year-old Harbor Sweets, a chocolatier in Salem, is also busy innovating. CEO Phyllis LeBlanc was showcasing Gather, her chocolates made with honey. But she scored a sofi Award, the show's prize for top products, for her new Kashmir Spice variety of Cocoa Santé, a hot cocoa mix. The bean-to-bar Goodnow Farms Chocolate, from Sudbury, took home three sofis, including two for its Special Reserve 77 percent Dark Chocolate with Putnam Rye Whiskey, a spirit made at Boston Harbor Distilling.

Breakout local brands who made an appearance as part of Commonwealth Kitchen's display were very on-trend. “Seniorpreneurs" Nanci Gelb and Terri Tsagaris, for instance, showcased their fledging Off Our Rocker Sweet Potato Cookies, a vegan treat that they're lobbying stores to place in the produce aisles.

There was one thing missing from among the keto food, low-glycemic sweeteners, and responsibly sourced cacao, coffee, and meat: edibles. Representation of products containing CBD was very light. But according to a few conversations I had — particularly with people who are creating individually-packaged snacks — the coming years will likely be very different.

Liza Weisstuch can be reached at lizashayne@yahoo.com.

Credit: By Liza Weisstuch Globe correspondent

We’ve never been more obsessed with what we put in our mouths. It is ­estimated that 8.5 million people in the UK have gone gluten-free, and regimes such as the paleo diet[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/nutrition/diet/paleo-diet-can-eat/] (a meat heavy, grain-free diet) and the keto diet[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/january-dad-bod-challenge-can-keto-diet-change-life-one-month/] (a fat-rich, low-carb diet) are commonplace “dietary requirements” rather than brief crash diets.

The number of ­vegans[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/nutrition/diet/veganism-definitive-guide-plant-based-eating-do-healthiest-way/] in the UK is expected to rise by a ­further 327 per cent this year, according to research by comparison site Finder, bringing their numbers up to 2.9 million by 2020. And the flourishing British nutritional supplement market is expected to grow 6 per cent to reach £12.3 billion by 2023, with protein supplements taking the highest market revenue.

The modern consumer is bombarded – increasingly via social media – with giddy promises about the new superfood (adaptogenic mushrooms!), health hack (turmeric lattes!) or protein powder (vegan paleo!) that will magically fix us. Consume the powdered ­supergreens blend or cacao elixir, we’re told, and we’ll be rewarded with gleaming skin, a sharp mind, and the healthy body of our dreams.

Amid all this noise, however, there is a quiet but persistent voice emerging from a handful of health clinics across Austria, arguing that we’re obsessing to an unhealthy (and expensive) degree about what we eat, but forgetting to think about how we eat.

Dr Sepp Fegerl is head physician at the VivaMayr Clinic in Altaussee, Austria, one of a smattering of clinics that adhere to the health principles of the late Dr Franz Xaver Mayr. We’re all familiar with the concept of “mindful eating” and know how easy it is to mindlessly chomp through an entire bag of Kettle Chips if we’re sitting, stressed-out, at a computer. But the Mayr thesis goes much further than warning us against blindly consuming excess calories when we’re distracted.

“For the intestines to be able to ­function correctly, they need the right support: eating slowly, chewing thoroughly, paying attention to when we actually feel full, not eating too often or too late, eating when we are not stressed or in a hurry, reducing our consumption of carbohydrates and avoiding raw foods in the evenings,” says Dr Fegerl.

“If the digestive system is burdened, digestive disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, food intolerances, and metabolic disorders are a very common ­outcome, as well as joint and back problems, sleep disturbances and a general reduction in well-being and performance.”

The Mayr thesis might not be the sexiest and most sellable of wellness movements, but it’s a compelling ­argument: we might be eating all the right foods, but if we practise poor dining habits, we’re not getting the benefits of any of it. In fact, if we overload our system – even with salad, smoothies and fresh fruit – we’re doing more harm than good.

“The intestines regulate and control the supply of nutrients to the body,” says Dr Fegerl. “But this organ is often neglected. We might think we’re consuming a healthy diet, but we frequently eat too quickly, too much, at the wrong times, too often and when we’re too tired.”

Ironically enough, one of the main drivers of the UK’s runaway health supplements industry is the idea of “convenience”, that we can gulp a protein-powder superfood smoothie as we dash from the office to a client meeting; that we can scoff an energy bar en route to the gym. “Few people realise just how imperative relaxing and taking time over a meal truly is,” says Dr Fegerl. “Spending half an hour eating isn’t a luxury. It’s very much a necessity.”

As he explains, our bodies cannot simultaneously digest food and deal with stress. Our autonomic nervous system controls our involuntary and unconscious body functions, and there are two distinct branches: the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS). Our SNS is outward-focused, assessing threats and providing the energy to thwart danger. Our PSNS, on the other hand, is our default setting when we’re not in danger, taking care of the business of being human: rest and digestion.

“These systems cannot operate at the same time, so we cannot digest and deal with stressful, demanding or physical scenarios at the same time,” says Dr Fegerl. When we try to scoff a meal while firing off stressful work emails, we end up feeling both dissatisfied nutritionally and with a nagging sense that we haven’t been our sharpest. When we try to juggle eating and performing tasks, we fail on both counts, getting the worst of both worlds.

Nutritionist Alexandra Schmidt sees a lot of clients who believe that they’re intolerant to gluten, because they’re experiencing digestive issues like IBS, when the truth is that they’re quite naturally struggling to digest a barely chewed sandwich that they inhaled running from one meeting to the next.

“We know we should eat a diet rich in vegetables, lower in carbs and animal proteins, and lower in sugar,” says Schmidt. “But we also need to think about how and when we eat. Give yourself four hours between each meal to digest fully. Regular mealtimes are important; try to eat breakfast between 7am and 9am each morning, and eat dinner early enough that you have four hours to digest before you go to sleep.”

As Dr Fegerl and Schmidt and other Mayr acolytes see it, the single biggest thing we can do for our health is to start thinking about how and when, as well as what, we eat. And this starts with taking half an hour for each mealtime.

For many modern health-seekers, this is a lot less appealing than ­popping a pricey probiotic and ­feeling like we’ve done our bit for our own gut health. But there’s lots to love about the Mayr method: it’s free, it’s simple and it’s refreshingly un-faddish.

In essence, the Mayr method means eating more like our grandparents did. Moderate portions and simple meals, eaten slowly with our attention focused on the plate in front of us. Admittedly this is no ­Instagram-friendly health fad, like photogenic turmeric lattes and spirulina smoothies. But, as it turns out, the best thing you can do for your health is free.

The Mayr Mathos: The eight principles of smart eating

* Savour each meal. Smell, taste and eat slowly, chewing each bite around 30 times

* Avoid raw fruit and vegetables after 4pm

* Don’t drink water or other fluid with a meal. Ideally, leave a 30-minute gap before and after mealtimes before drinking

* Avoid snacking and allow your body four hours between meals to digest food properly

* Avoid sugar, particularly in the evening

* Vegetables should always be the biggest portion of your meal

* Eating a diverse range of foods is vital for supplying your body with the different nutrients, minerals and vitamins that it requires

* Eat breakfast between 7am and 9am, and ensure you have at least four hours to digest between dinner and bedtime

Azerbaijan's history with flavor goes back more than 2,000 years.

Poised between East and West, in a prime location on Silk Road routes, traders passed through here for centuries, bringing spices, ingredients and culinary influences.

Today, the cuisine of Azerbaijan[http://www.cnn.com/travel/destinations/azerbaijan] has an Eastern edge, rubbing shoulders with dishes from its neighbors Iran and Turkey. The local takes on the kebab and pilaf are rich and satisfying, but there is also an abundance of fresh, healthy fruit and vegetables to be enjoyed.

Here's our guide to food and drink[http://www.cnn.com/travel/food-and-drink] in Azerbaijan.

Tea

It might seem counterintuitive, but in the summer heat Azerbaijanis love to drink hot tea, which is believed to help the body cool off[https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/a-hot-drink-on-a-hot-day-can-cool-you-down-1338875/] naturally.

Even amidst the country's blooming coffee culture, most Azerbaijanis still start their day with tea.

In the regions, tea is almost always prepared with keklikotu (oregano) or cinnamon and while the water is boiled on a samovar, heated by the burning tree branches, the water is infused with the unmistakable aroma of the woods.

Azerbaijani breakfast

While meal preparation may vary around the country, with local twists often added to the usual interpretation, breakfast is pretty identical in all part of the country.

A wide variety of colorful components orbit around the star of this show: freshly baked tandir bread.

Whether it's honey and qaymaq (a thick cream), goat's cheese, butter or scrambled eggs with tomato, the crispy bread is a welcome companion to all those food combinations.

When preparing scrambled eggs with tomato, the finely minced tomatoes are fried first, until the pan's sizzling with juice. Only then are the eggs added, and the dish is taken off the stove with a consistency more liquid than regular scrambled eggs.

Served in a small pan, the dish is eaten by dipping the tandir bread into the savory combination of egg and tomato. The saltless goat cheese on the side is there to take down some of the saltiness and balance out the palette.

Alternatively, kuku is a pie-looking omelette, a great option for those who like greens. Fresh coriander, dill and green onions are finely minced and mixed with five or six eggs and then fried in the pan until crispy.

Qutab

When it comes to street food, Azerbaijan is well-known for doners -- Turkish-style meat sandwiches -- but qutabs are a lighter option.

Made in lavash (a thin flatbread), the classic qutab is filled with minced meat; the vegetarian version may include pumpkin or fresh herbs such as spinach, cilantro, onions and dill, folded in a moon shape and fried on a flat pan without oil.

The soft-centered and crispy-edged qutabs are then sprinkled with sumac, the bright berry-colored tangy spice, and fresh pomegranate seeds (when in season). Both meat and herb qutabs are served with ayran, a foamy sour milk mixed with water and salt. For true gourmands there is also a smaller-sized variation of qutab filled with minced camel meat, called jorat qutab.

Mangal salad

Particularly deserving of attention among salads is mangal salad, the name originating from the way the main ingredients -- eggplant, bell pepper and tomato -- are roasted on a mangal, a Caucasian-style grill.

After the roasted vegetables are chopped, onions, cilantro, dill, olive oil and purple basil -- a specialty in Azerbaijan -- are added and mixed together. The salad is usually served cold as a side to the meat kebab and is believed to help with the digestion of the heavy meats.

Dovgha

This sour milk-based soup, which can be served both hot and cold depending on the season, also contains rice, a handful of chick peas and a variety of finely minced greens.

While it's straightforward in terms of ingredients, the preparation requires the chef to constantly stir the ingredients to stop the rice from sticking.

Levengi chicken

Levengi chicken may resemble a standard grilled chicken on the outside, but it hides a delicious secret.

Inside, the stuffing consists of fried onions, roasted walnuts, raisins, dried plums, dried pitted Cornelian cherries are all minced and mixed into a paste. The richness of the walnuts and the tanginess of the plums make it a must-try combination.

Levengi stuffing can also be used in fish.

Dolma

While Azerbaijani culinary books are abundant with a variety of dolmas, yarpaq, (grape leaf) and uch baji (three sisters) are the two most noteworthy.

The first -- made from minced meat wrapped in grape leaves and cooked on a slow fire -- is served with qatiq (plain natural yoghurt) and garlic.

The uch baji version consists of the trio of aubergine, tomato and bell pepper, stuffed with minced meat and prepared in their own juices. It's very common to include qatiq with dishes that are on the heavier side, since its probiotic properties[https://cnn.com/2017/02/24/health/is-yogurt-healthy-food-drayer/index.html] support digestion.

Dessert

Azerbaijan's most beloved pastries are traditionally baked during March, the month of the Novruz spring festival.

Pakhlava, a diamond-shaped pastry found across the Middle East, is among the favorites.

The Azerbaijani version, especially the Sheki variety, tends to be softer and oilier than other versions.

Shorgoghal, a flaky spice-filled crispy bread, can be made sweet (with white sesame seeds at the top) or savory and salty (with black sesame seeds at the top).

Shirin chorek, sweet bread filled with nuts and dried grapes, is another top pick.

Walnut preserve is perhaps one of the most surprising Azerbaijani desserts served with tea.

Collected from the trees while still green and soft, the walnuts slowly darken during the preparation process, finishing up a very dark brown. The texture of the nut and the sweetness of the syrup makes it a highly memorable delicacy.

Finally, the most unusual combination of foods the country looks forward to all year has to be watermelon, goat cheese (the saltier the better) and tandir bread.

Although they may look, and sound, like the most outrageous foods to combine, there's no way back once you try them together.

By Kamilla Rzayeva, CNN

Becca Hoffman, who is 14 years old, eats ice cream with her dad almost every day. This summer, she tried new varieties he bought. All made with vegetables.

She enjoyed the cotton candy flavor (made with beets) but was less keen on the strawberry (with "hidden carrots"). "You could tell there was something else ground up in the ice cream," she says.

For ice cream lovers, it is the summer of our discontent. Eager to woo health-conscious consumers, food brands are marketing a growing range of ice cream alternatives made with ingredients such as avocado, cauliflower, beets, zucchini, oats and navy beans.

"I do not think ice cream is supposed to be healthy," says 10-year-old Marek Homme, a rising fourth-grader in Jefferson, Mass., whose mother has attempted to serve him alternatives made from cashew milk and bananas.

Warne Riker watched with mounting horror this summer as his wife, a dietitian, brought home dairy-free ice creams made from ingredients such as soy, pea protein and coconuts. When she came home with a pint of pureed avocado, he drew the line.

"Avocado ice cream doesn't sound like fun," says Mr. Riker, a 48-year-old high-school teacher in Spring Hill, Tenn. "It does not sound like summertime. You think ice cream, you think summertime fun."

These aren't just lower-calorie versions of regular ice cream. Instead, they're often plant-based recipes trying to look and taste like ice cream. Cado brand's "avocado frozen dessert" serves up flavors such as deep dark chocolate, mint chocolate chip and salted caramel -- in pints that look just like ice cream. But there is no milk or cream involved.

There is also the Oatly brand, whose main ingredient is oats. It contains no dairy and says it is "made without recklessly taxing the planet's resources!"

Farm to Spoon brand features varieties like chocolate chip cookie dough and peanut butter chocolate swirl. Packages of the "plant based frozen dessert" show a melty scoop. But it is made with a blend of cauliflower, navy beans and sweet potatoes. "A delicious dairy-free dessert made from . . . vegetables? You bet!" says the brand's website.

"If your reference is sprinkles, and artificial colors and flavors, then yeah, this is not fun," says Alan Cunningham, a vice president of Wells Enterprises, which launched the Farm to Spoon line this past spring, and makes Blue Bunny ice cream. The company is trying to recapture consumers on health kicks or who have dietary restrictions, including those who no longer eat ice cream at all.

"We're trying to bring the fun of the experience to people who have left the category," he says.

Mr. Cunningham says his children, ages 6 to 12, are more attached to the company's 16% butterfat Cold Crush ice cream. "They are OK with [plant-based Farm to Spoon] but prefer the rich dairy options," he says.

Ice creams made with dairy are also touting health benefits. Unilever sells "probiotic" light ice cream under a brand called Culture Republick, whose flavors include Turmeric Chai & Cinnamon. The lids for Peekaboo brand ice cream promise "veggies in every bite," including vanilla made with zucchini and chocolate made with cauliflower.

Seth Hoffman, a 46-year-old gastroenterologist in Bexley, Ohio, who eats ice cream with his daughter Becca says their favorites include Ben & Jerry's Phish Food and a Double Fudge Brownie from Nestle's Edy's brand. "My wife always tells me to lay off ice cream," he says. So when he noticed a Facebook ad for Peekaboo ("ice cream with hidden spinach" says a carton of its mint-chocolate chunk), he ordered five flavors.

"I just wanted to try it," he says. "It's for if you're trying to be a little healthier but you still want your fix." After sampling it he says it is close enough to the real thing -- at least for some occasions. "It's hard for me to say it completely supplants Ben & Jerry's," he says.

His wife, Leslie Hoffman, an endocrinologist, has little interest in trying vegetable ice cream. "If I'm going to spend my calories on ice cream," she says, "I'll hold out for a scoop of some really good ice cream from some fancy ice cream place."

Peekaboo founder Jessica Levison launched the brand in 700 stores this spring, and plans to roll out more flavors that include swirls, toffee bits and cookie dough. The brand is cream-based but contains added vegetables, giving it a boost of vitamins and minerals, she says.

Ms. Levison says her formulation helps align children's interests with parents' desire to feed them more vegetables. "I think I'm giving kids a really great angle to get more ice cream," she says. She says her children, ages 2 to 7, regularly enjoy it.

The line may have fewer calories and less fat than some brands of premium ice cream. A half-cup serving of strawberry Peekaboo contains 170 calories and 11 grams of fat, while a half-cup of Haagen-Dazs strawberry ice cream has 240 calories and 15 grams of fat. Still, "I'm not saying this is a salad," Ms. Levison says.

Frozen treats marketed in a "specialty and wellness" category grew 10.6% over the past year to $1.2 billion, according to market research firm Spins LLC, while the broader frozen-desserts category remained relatively flat at $12.9 billion.

Plant-based ice creams and novelties, which include pops and bars, grew 15.5% to $276.7 million.

Ice cream must contain at least 10% milk fat for it to be labeled ice cream, according to federal regulations.

Farm to Spoon bills itself as a "plant based frozen dessert" while Snow Monkey pints made of banana puree and other ingredients say it is a "superfood ice treat."

"It's still about creating the most decadent ice cream possible but just in a plant-based way," says Meghan Dowd, co-founder of Fairfield, Iowa-based Cado Desserts.

Avocados have become edgy, she says, and frequently appear on Instagram. "Ten years ago avocados were a bland mushy thing that ended up in salads. Avocados have become a lot more fun," she says.

At the Homme household in Massachusetts, the jury's still out. Lyndsay Homme, a 39-year-old website developer, likes the ice cream alternatives; the family freezer contains nine different ice creams and frozen desserts, made of ingredients such as cashew milk, coconut milk and bananas. "I try to go for healthier options," she says.

Her husband, Mike, isn't into it. He sneaks home pints of Ben & Jerry's and Double Raspberry Magnum bars. "I buy my own ice cream," he says.

License this article from Dow Jones Reprint Service[http://www.djreprints.com/link/DJRFactiva.html?FACTIVA=WJCO20190805000073]

Take a decent brush and swipe the blush right up to the temple. Plus glowing skincare and a unisex scent

This season, blusher was given something of an extreme reinvention. Many makeup artists bypassed the limitations of the cheek, taking the colour right up to the hairline, temples and forehead, in various hues. It had “Who are you kidding?” stamped all over it. This, as seen at the Aigner AW19 show, is a more realistic version. Take a big, decent-quality brush and simply swipe the blush in a subtle curve shape from cheek to temple. It helps if your eye and lip makeup matches your blush; that way you won’t end up mimicking a multicoloured world map.

1.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Blush Trios in Pink Passion £30, beautybay.com[https://www.beautybay.com/]

2.Dior Blush Brush 16 £32, dior.com[https://www.dior.com/en_gb]

3.Chanel Joues Contraste 27 in Vibration £35, johnlewis.com[https://www.johnlewis.com/]

4.MAC Extra Dimension SkinFinish Trio £32, maccosmetics.co.uk[https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/]

5.Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek £20.50, cultbeauty.co.uk[https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/]

I can’t do without: a glow-giving essence approved by dermatologists

NYDG Skincare Luminizing Skin Essence, £95, harrods.com

Essences – super-hydrating concentrated liquids that give good glow – are the beauty products most people eschew because the last thing anyone wants is yet another complication added to their skincare regime. Even I have days when the simple act of face washing feels like a climb up Kilimanjaro. But, alas, as a beauty masochist with an addiction to the Asian-inspired multistep skincare ritual, old habits die hard. So I love an essence. They are a great way to prepare the skin for subsequent products to penetrate deeper, faster and much more effectively. This offering by New York Dermatology Group – a coterie of four dermatologists beloved by the A List – is my most recent find. It is a concoction of probiotics, rosemary leaf and aloe vera in a serum form and imparts an incredible glow. Use straight after cleansing, pat into skin, then layer serums and moisturisers on top. I’ve seen a difference in my skin – plumper, dewier and less fatigued – in a very short space of time. Oily skins will notice their skin is more balanced, sensitive skins will find it incredibly soothing and drier skins will be thankful for the hydration. It is not cheap and it is not an absolute necessity but if you want skin that goes from meh to marvellous, here’s your answer.

On my radar: a refining mask, fashion fragrance and travel set

Pore perfection If you can’t get to Liberty in London for the incredibly detoxifying Black Magic facial, this superb pore-unclogging, line minimising mask is the next best thing. Seed To Skin The Black Magic, £119, seedtoskin.com[https://seedtoskin.com/?v=79cba1185463]

A scent for all Gucci’s unisex scent is an unusual blend of chamomile, jasmine and sandalwood that you can’t quite put your finger on, but will love anyway. Gucci Mémoire d’une Odeur, from £54, selfridges.com[https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/]

Beauty on the go Space NK’s mini travel ranges are a clever way to tap into brilliant products without spending a fortune. Away We Go Set, £50, spacenk.com[https://www.spacenk.com/uk/en_GB/home-uk]

Follow Funmi on Twitter @FunmiFetto[https://twitter.com/FunmiFetto?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor]

MARIANNE LOVES

1. Great 8 Daily Defense Moisturizer, £36, Elizabeth Arden (elizabetharden.co.uk). Arden complements its legendary Eight-Hour Cream with this multitasking cream with SPF35. Comes in a tube, blends like a dream.

2. L'Absolu Mademoiselle Shine Lipstick in 1903 Kinda Flirty, £27, Lancôme x Chiara Ferragni ( johnlewis.com). It's hard to resist a lipstick that winks at you. This summery suits-all formula is hydrating, too.

3. Photoderm Bronz Dry Oil High Protection SPF30, £20, Bioderma (boots.com). I just love this summerysmelling dry sun oil that you can apply to wet or dry skin.

ANNABEL LOVES

1. Nutrition Shampoo with Mango Butter, £8, Klorane (lookfantastic.com). This moisturising shampoo is perfect for my parched coloured hair. And it smells like a smoothie

2. Tahitian Tiaré Hand Wash, £7, The Body Shop (bodyshop.co.uk). Nothing warms my heart more than a posh hand wash, especially when it's this affordable. Infused with Tahitian tiaré blossom and coconut oil, this smells like holidays.

3. Le Gemme Coralia, £239 for 100ml edp, Bulgari (harrods.com). This high-quality, floral, musky scent is an investment piece for your dressing table.

LISA LOVES

1. Rose Plus Booster, £80, MV Skincare (naturisimo.com). Pricey, but what a delicious, high-quality aroma. This is potent stuff from a facialist who really knows what she's about.

2. Solid Oil, £22, We Are Wild (victoriahealth.com). Perfect for travel or your gym kit ( just make sure they don't get too hot), these oil-rich balm sticks pack a lot in, including probiotics and antioxidants, while excluding sulphates, silicones, phthalates and mineral oils.

3. Self Tan Three Step Body Kit, £85 Amanda Harrington (amandaharrington. com). She has contour-tanned everyone from the Rolling Stones to beauty editors, so it's no surprise Harrington's products are superior. This kit is easy to use and offers natural-looking, non-streaky results.

Love munching on apples? You could be missing out on the best part of the fruit, according to a new report.

Researchers from Graz University of Technology in Austria recently conducted a study, published in the Frontiers of Microbiology journal, to explore how the food's bacteria, much of which promotes gut health, affects the human body.

To do so, they assessed the bacterial content of the different components of an apple, including the stem, peel, fruit pulp, seeds, and calyx. They examined both organic and conventional store-bought apples.

After analyzing the results, they found a typical 240g organic or conventional apple contains around 100 million bacteria, and much of it is located in the fruit's core, particularly the seeds. Only 10 million bacterial cells live in the flesh.

"To the heroes among you who eat the whole apple: besides extra fibre, flavonoids and flavour, you're also quaffing 10 times as many bacteria per fruit as your core-discarding counterparts," the authors said in a statement.

But organic apples have an edge over the conventional ones, because they "harbour a more diverse and balanced bacterial community - which could make them healthier and tastier than conventional apples, as well as better for the environment," the team said.

For example, escherichia-shigella, which includes known pathogens, was found in most of the conventional apples but not the organic ones. Lactobacilli, which is a type of probiotic, was found in most organic apples but not conventional ones. And methylobacterium, known to enhance the biosynthesis of strawberry flavour compounds, was more prominent in organic apples.

The scientists now hope to continue their investigations to better understand the bacteria makeup of other fruits. "The microbiome and antioxidant profiles of fresh produce may one day become standard nutritional information, displayed alongside macronutrients, vitamins and minerals to guide consumers," the scientists said.

For veggie lovers, a visit to Our Farm is a real treat for the senses. Here, row after row flourish under their growers'watchful care - and thanks to a rich, nutrient dense compost mixture.

Dennis and Karen Skoworodko grow about 40 vegetable varieties on the two-acre certified organic farm they started in 2015.

They work hard to preserve and enhance the soil's biology and fertility. Cover cropping helps in this area, along with composting. Our Farm has 14 compost boxes.

Dennis stands beside one and reads the thermometer: "This one is running at about 150 Fahrenheit (65.5 C). So it's almost done but it's still perkin'very hot. We throw everything in here, even weeds. The seeds aren't viable after they've been through this kind of temperature."

Compost is at the cornerstone of everything they do to feed the soil, not the plants. A robust soil microbiome will in turn nourish the plants.

"If you feed the soil, you'll have healthy plants," says Dennis. "If you have healthy plants, they'll taste good. If they taste good, they're probably very nutritious."

Deep purple kale and bright green broccoli thrive under bug netting, while carrot tops line the garden's outer edge.

A few rows of sun chokes are enclosed in a fence to keep the deer away. The funky-looking tubers are a prebiotic food, similar in texture to a water chestnut and excellent for the gut microbiome.

Growing sun chokes align with Dennis's commitment to soil biology.

"If you keep your bacteria and your gut healthy, you're going to be healthy. You need to feed your gut bacteria proper food," he says.

The couple grows vegetable varieties that offer the most bang for the buck. They're always trying different varieties and pick the ones with the best flavour to grow long term, he adds.

"We want healthy food for people but if it doesn't taste good, nobody's going to eat it, right?" Our Farm sells its vegetables only in the Saskatoon area, so their criteria don't include shipping viability, unlike industrial farming operations.

Our Farm offers annual CSA subscriptions, along with online ordering. The produce also is sold at Dad's Organic Market and on the menu at Calories restaurant.

The best thing to do, though, is to visit Our Farm's market on Saturday mornings in the St. Joseph Church's parking lot on Broadway Avenue to chat about farming "good, clean, honest food" with Dennis.

"In every teaspoon of soil, there's a million bacteria and they haven't even identified all of them. It's beautiful," he says.

Jenn Sharp is a freelance writer based in Saskatoon. Her first book, Flat Out Delicious: Your Guide to Saskatchewan's Food Artisans, will be published by Touchwood Editions in 2020. Follow her on Twitter @JennKSharp, Instagram @flatoutfoodsk, and Facebook.

Gut health[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/gut-health-clinic-changed-life/] is the buzzword of our times. While the science is still in its infancy, we're increasingly becoming aware of just how important our gut microbiome, the community of microorganisms – bacteria, fungi, yeasts, protozoa – that live within the digestive tracts, is. From IBS [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2019/04/10/irritable-bowel-syndrome-psychological-new-study-shows/] to allergies and obesity to heart disease, the gut plays a role in all manner of conditions.

"We've realised this collection of 100 trillion microbes inside us is acting as a community," says Professor Tim Spector of King's College London, author of The Diet Myth: The Real Science Behind What We Eat[https://books.telegraph.co.uk/Product/Tim-Spector/The-Diet-Myth--The-Real-Science-Behind-What-We-Eat/18566677]. "Each one of those microbes is a chemical factory, digesting our food and producing thousands of chemical metabolites, vitamins and nutrients to help our bodies and control our immune system and appetites, our mood, our metabolism."

Generally, we see food as providing a path to flawless flora[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/gut-feeling-home-microbiome-test-offers-glimpse-healthier/], and in many ways this is the case. A diverse range of polyphenol-rich fruit, veg and grain will stimulate the growth of good bacteria. Prebiotics, like chicory, Jerusalem artichokes, barley and oats help fertilise and feed microbes; probiotics – yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi and komubucha – contain live microbes which are thought to boost the microbiome.

But it's not just what we eat that influences our gut. From cleaning products to sleep, almost everything in the house affects the microbiome in some form.

Cleaning products

Antibiotics are notoriously harmful for the gut, failing to discriminate between good and bad bacteria and scything through your microbes like the Carthaginians at Trebia. But recent research suggests ingredients found in disinfectants may be similarly harmful.

The study[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6141245/], published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal in 2018, looked into the effects of postnatal exposure to household disinfectants on the gut microbiome. If found that those who use the cleaning products at least weekly had a higher proportion in their bodies of lachnospiraceae, a bacterium potentially linked to diabetes and obesity.

How many products in your house come with the slogan: 'Kills 99 per cent of germs'? Of course, this has ample benefits (getting rid of nasty bacteria). But what about all those healthy bacteria, not to mention the nefarious chemicals in sprays, soaps, detergents and hand sanitisers.

So what can you do about it? You could completely give up cleaning the house – it's tempting. Or you might opt for an eco-friendly or probiotic cleaning spray. [http://airbioticsuk.com/] While these still remove bad bacteria, they are able to maintain good bacteria through clever science.

Pets

Do you find yourself pushing your pooch off the bed each night, fearing for your personal hygiene? You may be best served allowing it to snuggle up with you.

"Some studies show that having an animal in the house could be great for the immune system and your gut microbiome in early years," says Dr Kate Stephens, a gut microbiologist at OptiBac Probiotics.

"In fact, studies [https://microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40168-017-0254-x] in infants suggest that having a dog may reduce the risk of asthma and allergies. Others suggest that having more than one pet, especially dogs, had a more protective effect."

Why? Well pets, especially cats and dogs, spend a lot of time outdoors, rolling in mud and on the grass and doing other questionable things. They transport germs back into the house which may play a role in boosting young children's guts[https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/06/well/family/are-pets-the-new-probiotic.html] .

Telegraph 365 newsletter REFERRAL (article)[https://cf-particle-html.eip.telegraph.co.uk/40cd8a66-f5fa-4b01-828e-6ab606701740.html]

Spend quality time in the garden

Haven't got a pet? Well, why not mimic one by pottering about in your garden? The theory here is practically the same as the one above. Essentially, by exposing your fingers to soil, which is full of microorganisms, you'll be exposed to all sorts of bacteria you wouldn't encounter indoors. One example is M. vaccae, said to help improve your mood.

But there are further benefits to spending time outdoors. Vitamin D, something Britons lack[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/06/03/vitamin-d-supplements-can-cut-risk-cancer-scientists-find/], and studies [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6116667/] have shown that a deficiency could lead to an imbalance in the gut microbiome and potential health consequences.

Sleep well

Struggling to get enough shut-eye? It could be the heat, late dinners or your addiction to Netflix, but whatever reason, your gut might not be too happy about it.

According to The Sleep Doctor[https://thesleepdoctor.com/2018/05/29/the-latest-on-sleep-and-gut-health/], Dr Michael Breus, "there have been some significant new scientific developments in our understanding of the relationship between sleep and our microbiome." Here's how.

Dr Breus points out that the microbiome is regulated by circadian rhythms[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27793218] which means that, when disrupted by poor sleep, "the health and functioning of the microbiome suffers."

The first study into the relationship between the two was undertaken in 2016, and it found that after just two nights' poor sleep resulted in: a decrease in beneficial bacteria and changes in the microbiome linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes.

So make your house sleep-friendly. Whether that's a portable air conditioner[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/interiors/home/best-portable-air-conditioners/] for hot summer nights, ear plugs[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/recommended/home/best-earplugs-restful-nights-sleep/] to block out noise, or a comfier mattress[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/mind/how-to-choose-the-best-mattress/], getting your eight hours could have a positive impact on your guts.

Marie Kondo your home

When you feel stressed your stomach may start churning, and that could be because your anxiety can wreak havoc with your gut. After a prolonged period of stress, your immune system and digestive health may also dwindle.

"Scientists are fast uncovering stress as one of the biggest disruptors to a balanced microbiome," explains Dr Stephens. "Fill your home with calming colours, declutter, allocate an area for rest or to read, make your bathroom a sanctuary and open your windows and breathe."

Is your home gut-friendly? Will you be adopting any of the measures above to improve your microbiome? We want to hear from you in the comments section below.

(Updates shares; adds details from conference call on cost-cutting)

By Nishara Karuvalli Pathikkal

Aug 1 (Reuters) - Industrial materials maker DuPont raised its full-year profit forecast on Thursday as it plans to cut costs to combat the impact of slowing demand in the electronic and automotive sectors due to the U.S.-China trade war.

The ongoing trade war between two of the world's largest economies and weakening car and smartphone sales globally have hurt companies like DuPont that supply components to a range of industries and supply chains.

Shares of the company, which makes everything from adhesives and resins to probiotics, rose as much as 1.8% in early trading as investors shrugged off weaker-than expected revenue and a cut to full-year sales forecast.

DuPont, one part of conglomerate DowDupont until a split earlier this year, now expects 2019 proforma adjusted profit to range between $3.75 and $3.85 per share, compared with its prior expectation of $3.70-$3.85.

The company said it plans to cut about $80 million in costs, in addition to the $30 million in the second quarter that helped prop up operating core earnings margins.

It now expects full-year organic sales to be slightly down, compared with its earlier forecast of a 2% to 3% rise.

China, the world's largest market for both cars and mobile phones, has seen sales in both areas fall in recent quarters, according to industry indicators.

For the second quarter, Dupont reported a 12% decline in volumes and a 10.4% drop in sales in its transportation and industrial (T&I) business.

"T&I is exposed to short cycle businesses, mostly autos and electronics where weak demand continues to be driven by the global macroeconomic condition and the U.S.-China trade tariff. This weaker demand also led to additional softness in Europe," Chief Financial Officer Jeanmarie Desmond said on the call.

The auto industry is DuPont's biggest end-market, accounting for about 15% of its total sales, while smart phones represent about 5%.

Revenue fell 6.6% to $5.47 billion, below analysts' average estimate of $5.63 billion, according to Refinitiv IBES data.

Adjusted for charges, the company reported profit of $725 million, or 97 cents per share, in the second quarter ended June 30 from $695 million, or 89 cents per share, a year before.

Dupont shares were up 1% after dipping slightly before the bell. (Reporting by Nishara Karuvalli Pathikkal and Arathy S Nair in Bangalore; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Saumyadeb Chakrabarty)

I've heard a lot of talk about natural deodorant and I'm tempted to switch, but I'm worried it won't work. I don't want to waste money buying something that will end up causing me embarrassment (because of body odour). Have you tried it? What's the best way to start? - Vanessa, Oakville

We're all trying to muddle through the recent lavalike temperatures. My phone has begun switching itself off if I leave it in the sun for a few minutes, something I wish I could do instead of cowering in the shade of a tree during a backyard party.

We don't have the luxury of simply powering off, however; we have no choice but to power through and do our best to enjoy our sweaty summer lives.

From puberty until I reached about 30 years of age, I coped with the heat by applying a liberal dose of antiperspirant, like most people. Then, I got pregnant and both my body chemistry and perspective changed. I grew, quite honestly, stinkier with the addition of hormones and also more concerned about the aluminum chloride used in many products. So I sought a more natural alternative - and I remain hooked.

"Deodorant is often an entry-level product for those looking to explore natural options," says Mary Futher, founder of Kaia Naturals. "It's probably because we all use it 365 days a year and apply it onto such a sensitive area."

Futher kicked off her Toronto company with eco face wipes as the hero product, but quickly began working on a formula for natural deodorant because she was concerned about the ingredients in traditional offerings. But one of the main differences between natural deodorants and old-school antiperspirants isn't the ingredients, Futher posits. It's the way they function: "The role of deodorant is to keep you from smelling. The role of antiperspirant is to keep you from sweating; antiperspirants form a gel and plug your pores to actually prevent you from perspiring."

So that's the first psychological hurdle you're going to have to leap over when making the switch: you're going to be a little damp. "Initially, I was afraid to tell people they would still sweat because I thought they'd get grossed out," Futher says. But increasingly, we're embracing the notion that sweating is an important bodily function that helps us both eliminate toxins and keep cool. "I understand, though, that you certainly don't want to smell, and you don't want to feel clammy."

Most deodorants add powders to their formulations to help absorb excess moisture and keep you feeling as dry as possible. Futher prefers arrowroot powder, while other brands lean on cornstarch or baking soda (the latter of which also helps battle odour but is sometimes criticized for being too alkaline for sensitive underarm skin. The only way to know is to try it - just not on freshly shaved skin).

Now the next - and major - issue to tackle is odour. It's vital to know that sweat itself is odourless; it's the bacteria that thrives in the damp-and-darkness of your pits that actually smells. Natural deodorants use a variety of methods to remove that bacteria. Kaia Naturals, for example, uses charcoal and probiotics to stave off bacteria, while industry heavyweight Schmidt's uses the aforementioned baking soda.

Other brands use salts, essential oils and coconut oil to limit odour.

Which is best? I wish I could tell you with total certainty. "Some work for some people and some don't, whether you're talking about natural products or antiperspirants," Futher says. "You won't ever have a 100 per cent success rate, so there is likely going to be trial and error until you find what grooves with your body chemistry. And even then, it might change: I'm going through menopause, for instance, so I'm sweating more than I ever have in my life. My concerns are different now than they were a few years ago." (Futher mentions that, after applying deodorant, she sometimes uses a powder puff to apply a little extra arrowroot powder to help absorb extra moisture and keep her comfortable. Cornstarch would do the trick, as well.)

There is a lot of debate about whether your body detoxes or experiences a transition period while you wean off antiperspirant. "You can expect a skin detox, because you've been plugging your pores and all that stuff has to go somewhere," Futher says. What does that mean in real terms? You might have a flush of smell-inducing bacteria and you might sweat a bit more at first. (I didn't experience these symptoms when switching, but everyone is different.) "A lot of people don't expect a transition period and they just blame the natural product for increased odour, when in fact, it's just the effect of not using antiperspirant anymore," Futher says.

Give it a few weeks and your body will adapt, she explains. In the meantime, to avoid any body odour, make sure to wash your armpits carefully in the shower, dry the skin fully and wear loose-fitting natural fibres.

Switching to natural deodorant may seem like a little extra work, but I recommend it.

Send your pressing fashion and beauty questions to Kathryn at ask@thekit.ca.

WATERLOO -- It's no small coincidence that Waterloo web-TV impresario Krista Hovsepian feels at home in a Goodness Me! Natural Food Market.

The repository of all things holistic is a haven for singles with disposable incomes who want to feel good about themselves, save the planet and, if they show up at the right time, find lasting romance.

"I spend a lot of time at Whole Foods," says the 30-something actor/writer/director, who filmed scenes for her 14-episode digital series, Wholesome Foods, I Love You ... Is That OK?, at this very store two years ago, a convenient stand-in for the U.S. chain she frequents on a regular basis.

"I run into neighbours and friends there, meet them for breakfast and know the staff members by name," she says. "I feel like a lot of us who spend a lot of time in health food stores are hopeful we'll meet our soulmate."

It's the nature of swipe right/swipe left millennial culture, where online dating, ghosting and romantic instability have created a high-anxiety generation seeking love in the brightly lit confines of an ego-enhancing health food store.

"We're all pretty neurotic when it comes to caring for ourselves," explains Hovsepian, who moved to L.A. after living in Toronto and Berlin, and based the show on her own life.

"Women in their mid-20s to mid-30s feel like we don't have it all together. I have a lot of friends who aren't dating. They can't figure it out."

Throw in millennial angst over unfulfilling McJobs and the delayed adolescence that has accompanied every generation since the boomers, and you've got a recipe for modern-day tragedy.

"My character's life is falling apart and she comes to this pristine, well-lit market filled with things that are supposed to be good for you," notes the comedic entrepreneur, who filmed her show with a mostly female cast and crew.

"If you go into Whole Foods in L.A., people are literally plowing through you to get to the hot bar, pushing and shoving. I do think it comes down to wanting to have control."

Lest anyone get the wrong idea, the show - which garnered more than 500,000 streaming hits and has been nominated for 10 online film fest awards - is a comedy.

With a sly satiric sensibility that recalls the absurdist comedy of Mindy Kaling's The Mindy Project and, in Hovsepian's hilarious onscreen musings, the stammering, stream-of-consciousness whimsy of comedian Ellen DeGeneres, it revels in awkwardness the way Toy Story 4 champions the bittersweet tug of lost childhood.

"Are you hitting on me or just being a big creep?" her comically agitated character asks a horrified man who reaches for a bag of chips and accidentally brushes against her.

"Here's the thing: I am just here as a female customer in the store trying to buy some items and not really looking to meet anyone right now."

Intriguingly, there's little in Hovsepian's past that screams "COMEDY!"

The only child of a finance-worker dad and flight-attendant mom, she was bullied by classmates for her height and weight, and felt like a chronic outsider in public school.

"Humour and comedy come from a lot of trauma and pain," she says, trying to connect the dots. "I was five-foot-six and 150 pounds by Grade 4. I just never felt like I fit in."

On the other hand, when other kids were playing with building blocks, Hovsepian was reading at a college level by Grade 3, and learning about fine wines and cognac while talking politics with her dad.

By the time she graduated from high school in 2004, she had been acting for 11 years.

"I spent most of my childhood putting on plays or filming my stuffed animals," Hovsepian says. "I'd have my dad tape my at-home original play performances, then I'd watch the tapes back, give notes and videotape it all over again.

"At 3, I said to my parents, 'I'm moving to L.A.!'"

It's been a less-clear trajectory since then, with gigs studying visual anthropology followed by training as a health coach, sports nutritionist and "energy worker" - and, to support her art, translation jobs, production work, photography and a gig as a nutrition coach.

"On the Enneagram Personality Test, I was split between bohemian and aristocrat," Hovsepian confides. "Which I think sums up the people who shop in this store.

"It can be a status thing. Right now it's Instagram and Whole Foods. In a year or five or 10, it'll be something totally new."

Her self-financed series, which has a second season in the works, has been embraced "by bro-ish dudes into sports," the online film community and "people craving something light and funny, who just want to relax."

"There's a Canadian sensibility to my humour," Hovsepian says, true to her roots. "It's subtle and a little bit understated, not slapstick ... (satisfied pause) ... My boxing teacher quotes it when we're training."

As we wander between displays for Kefir, Macha and neatly organized rows of Zazubean Sassy, Flirt and Nudie chocolate bars, it's clear she sees humour in the very lifestyle she non-comedically embraces during her off-hours.

"Have you tasted their level five, Grade A, locally sourced, organic grass-finished meat?" Hovsepian asks, quoting a line from her show. "I almost cried over how good it tastes."

With that she's off, lost between cucumber watermelon probiotic drinks and the Fatso high-performance peanut butter she will eventually stuff in her basket, looking for love, to quote a famous country song, in all the wrong places.

Wholesome Foods, I Love You ... Is That OK? can be viewed on YouTube, Amazon Prime and other streaming platforms.

Twitter: @JoelRubinoff

July 31 (Reuters) - Gevo Inc:

* GEVO BEGINS FIELD TRIALS TO AMPLIFY SOIL CARBON SEQUESTRATION USING LOCUS AG® “PROBIOTICS” Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage:

Super-fit Simon was struck by a fatal brain disease at just 52. And his most inspiring message

BY CAROLINE SCOTT

At 52, Simon Brennan was in near-perfect physical condition. He'd run the London Marathon twice, and last summer prepared for an Iron Man race in Norway by 'warming up' with a 70k triathlon. He cycled, played tennis and trained at a boot camp three times a week.

But in October last year, Simon, a derivatives broker in the City, noticed an almost imperceptible slur in his speech: his wife Sophia, 51, says she couldn't hear it, but it was obvious to him. 'It felt extremely weird,' he says. 'I couldn't get words out in the way I wanted. I thought I sounded like an ageing radio DJ.'

Over Christmas, he'd become anxious and irritable. 'Small things, like the kids (Freddie, 25, Orla, 23, and Juno, 18) leaving their shoes everywhere would send him over the edge,' says Sophia.

On January 2 this year, he walked into the job he loved and calmly announced that he didn't want to do it any more. 'I found myself having something like an out-of-body experience,' he says. 'I've never had an anxiety attack in my life, but I imagine that's what it feels like. I think on some level I knew I was ill. I just had to get out.'

Simon believed initially he was suffering from stress and his boss suggested a leave of absence. 'I fully expected our GP to confirm that,' he says. 'But he noticed that my face was emotionless, almost as if I'd had Botox and he wanted to rule out a neurological cause.'

Today, sitting with Sophia in their beautiful garden overlooking Hampstead Heath in North London, where only six months ago he ran and swam and cycled, Simon is describing with extraordinary grace and stoicism, how he is facing one of the most devastating diagnoses in medicine.

In May, he was told that he has motor neurone disease (MND), a rare and incurable degeneration of the cells and nerves in the brain and spinal cord. As messages fail to reach the muscles, those affected are progressively robbed of their ability to move, speak, swallow and, finally, breathe.

Most people with MND will die within five years of the onset of symptoms. But for those with Simon's type of progressive bulbar palsy, the outlook is even more bleak.

Progressive bulbar palsy mainly affects the muscles in the throat, tongue and face and it causes difficulties with speech and swallowing. Average survival at diagnosis is between six months and two years, but the disease is moving so fast in Simon that he can track its progress in almost daily losses.

His speech is slurred and less clear today than it was a week ago and the muscles in his throat that allow him to swallow are weaker.

'This disease is rampaging through me now,' he says. 'I have the most aggressive type of MND and it seems to be taking me out faster than average.'

It seems inconceivable that at a time when his own life is falling apart, Simon is able to think about other people, yet he talks movingly about his plans to raise money to support others with MND.

At the end of June, Simon, his son Freddie and brothers Mark, 58, and Paul, 56, completed a 270-mile bike ride from Land's End to the family home in Highgate to raise money for My Name's Doddie, a charity founded by rugby player Doddie Weir who was diagnosed with MND in 2017.

'I've had a good career and I'm financially comfortable,' says Simon. 'But a diagnosis like this can break families; converting a bathroom or buying a special wheelchair costs a ton of money and MND moves so fast, you don't have time to wait for disability benefits.'

Around 5,000 people in the UK have MND; it can occur at any age but is more common between 50 and 70 and slightly more men than women are affected.

A combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors are thought to be involved, although there is some evidence that life-long intense physical activity is associated with MND in people who have a genetic predisposition.

It is the disease that even doctors fear for themselves and for patients because there is so little that can be done to treat it.

'It is a devastating disorder and it is extremely frustrating that we don't have more effective treatments yet,' says Dr Nikhil Sharma, a consultant neurologist at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London.

'There is only one drug we can offer — riluzole — which can slow the course of the condition and give patients an extra few months, but MND is a highly variable disease and progression is different in each patient. One area of interest that Dr Sharma is exploring is the role of the gut microbiome (bacteria that live in our large bowel), which has a very profound effect on our health and wellbeing.

'MND, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's all involve protein deposits that cause an inflammatory response in the brain,' says Dr Sharma. 'Our research has found that we can influence the response of those little inflammatory cells by altering the gut microbiome with new bacteria.

'The first trial looking at the connection between gut bacteria and MND will start this year and we may have preliminary results two to three years after that.'

No single test offers a definitive diagnosis for MND, but on the basis of his symptoms Simon's consultant initially thought he had myasthenia gravis, a curable autoimmune disease that causes chronic fatigue and muscle weakness, particularly in the face.

But despite taking medication, by the middle of April, Simon was noticing more symptoms, not fewer. Then one day he came in from a walk and said to Sophia: 'I'm smiling at people and laughing and yawning even when I don't want to. It's really disconcerting.'

As well as affecting the upper body muscles, the condition can also affect the expression of emotions and people might laugh or cry for no apparent reason, a condition called emotional lability.

'We went to see the consultant the next day and when Simon mentioned this, his face changed completely,' says Sophia. 'He arranged a test called EMG (electromyography: where small needles are used to check for nerve response) and warned us to "prepare for the worst".'

The test confirmed Simon had motor neurone disease. 'We walked out in silence, completely numb with shock,' says Sophia. 'There are just no words to describe that kind of devastation.'

As Freddie and Juno were about to take major exams and Orla had just started her dream job in publishing, Simon and Sophia decided to hold off breaking the news for a month or so.

'That was the hardest time of all,' says Sophia. 'We didn't want to lie to them, but we felt every day they didn't know was a good day, a normal day. The moment we told them, all normal days would be gone.'

They kept quiet until exams were over then gathered the children at home for Father's Day.

'It was the worst day of my life,' says Simon. 'I asked Freddie to sit next to me and hold my hand because I was nervous about what I was about to tell them.'

He falters, and Sophia finishes his sentence, her eyes filling with tears.

'They looked at Simon and they looked at me, and they all started to cry,' she says. 'We didn't have to say anything. They just knew.'

It's likely Simon will remain mobile as his disease mainly affects the upper body, but he feels it is progressing at 'terrifying speed'. Swallowing is harder and he's sure he will be fed via a tube by Christmas.

As his disease takes hold, Simon is experiencing an unexpected sense of peace. 'Before MND I was rushing around, never thinking I was quite good enough,' he says. 'Always feeling less than I wanted to be. Now I haven't much time to live, I'm sure of who I am and I make the most of every moment.'

His rare moments of self-pity are over the milestones in his children's lives he'll never see.

One of his lowest moments was watching a couple playing with their grandchildren: 'I cried because that will never be me,' he says.

Simon is planning another fundraiser next year — his target is to raise £500,000 before he dies. But first there is a family holiday in Dorset.

'The only thing I really want is more time with my beautiful wife and children,' he says. 'Because in the end, all that matters is being with the people you love.'

to help Simon raise funds to support others with MND, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/simon-brennan4

© Daily Mail

One Sunday evening 50 years ago,  as a 19-year-old, I crouched in front of our small black-and-white TV set to photograph the quite incredible images of man walking on the Moon.

This month's celebrations of the Moon landing brought to mind those pictures, and also made me think of the astonishing advances in medical technology I've had the fortune to witness.

Advances in scanning — from ultrasounds, to CT scans and MRIs — have revolutionised diagnosis.

Coronary artery bypass surgery freed countless patients from the pain of angina (one of mine was only the 23rd in the world to benefit), while the development of  keyhole surgery has aided plenty more.

We saw the arrival of the first effective drug for stomach ulcers (cimetidine) and the first successful antiviral agent (acyclovir for cold sores and shingles). We've gone from sequencing the human genome to attempting to rewrite DNA to fight disease.

And, today, research into our gut bacteria is opening the possibility of new treatments for everything from obesity to Alzheimer's.

There's no doubt that the doctors of my generation, and our patients, have lived through a golden era.

Yet we must not be complacent: measles is back with a vengeance. This common viral infection that has no known treatment can cause deafness and brain damage and may even be fatal.

Science has given us a safe vaccine in the form of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) jab — yet, by virtue of human nature, 'fake news' and misinformation, some parents are not having their children immunised. The vaccine is an advance, like others, to be celebrated, not shunned.

© Daily Mail

Gut health[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/nutrition/seven-things-can-do-right-now-improve-gut-health/] is the hottest wellness topic of 2019, but one which is mired in myth and bad science. Whether we choose to believe old wives tales, organic food myths[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/news/organic-food-really-healthier-biggest-food-myths-busted-nutritionist/], or cure-all probiotics[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/nutrition/diet/probiotics-really-useless-time-give-good-bacteria/], ultimately it can be difficult to know exactly where you stand in terms of dos and dont's for digestion.

High-stress[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/stop-stress-causing-stomach-pain/] lifestyles, fluctuating sleeping patterns [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/nutrition/diet/eat-better-nights-sleep/] and bad diets [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/bad-diets-killing-us-does-healthy-eating-feel-like-chore/] have all been linked to common stomach issues like gas, bloating and abdominal pain. According to Dr Anton Emmanuel[https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/common-digestive-problems-and-how-to-treat-them/], consultant gastroenterologist at University College Hospital in London, around 40 per cent of the population have at least one digestive symptom at any one time.

We ask advanced Dietetic practitioner Anna Hardman[https://www.bespokehealthandnutrition.com/] and London nutritionist, Lily Soutter[https://lilysoutternutrition.com/], for their thoughts...

1) So Anna... does eating cheese before bedtime really give you nightmares?

You will be pleased to know you can eat cheese before bed as there is limited evidence to suggest that it gives you nightmares. This myth came from A Christmas Carol[https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Carol-Childrens-Classics/dp/1853261211] when Ebenezer Scrooge ate a crumb of cheese and had ghostly nightmares.

It is thought the tyramine found in cheese could be linked with nightmares however this evidence is weak and inconclusive. It is well evidenced, however, that eating rich foods high in fat such as cheese may cause indigestion, so if you are eating rich foods late at night indigestion may alter your sleeping pattern.

2) So Lily.... can food really 'soak up' alcohol after a night out?

Enjoying a kebab after a night out [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/nutrition/eat-big-night/] of drinking won’t ‘soak up’ the alcohol you’ve consumed. However, when you eat a meal prior or alongside to drinking, it slows the rate at which alcohol is absorbed in the small intestine.

3) So Lily.... can stress can cause stomach ulcers?

Whilst stress[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/stop-stress-causing-stomach-pain/] can irritate an ulcer, it is not the cause. Ulcers are instead a result of an infection with the bacterium H. pylori.

4) So Anna.... do you have to chew 20 times before swallowing?

Chewing 20 times [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/know-eat-fast-can-do/] before swallowing has historically been taught to aid digestion and reduce choking risk in children. In the mouth the food mixes with saliva to begin the process of breaking food down into a form your body can absorb. But it doesn't matter if you chew your food five or 20 times – you just need to chew it until you are able to swallow it safely.

Newsletter promotion - Food and drink - end of article[https://cf-particle-html.eip.telegraph.co.uk/56518b47-d9aa-4b3d-b22d-fdc6c4caf7ed.html]

5) So Lily....should always go to bed on an empty stomach?

While we certainly shouldn’t eat too close to bed time[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/shouldnt-eat-late-night-according-science/], for some going to sleep hungry can also disrupt sleep. If you struggle to sleep, then having a balanced evening meal which contains complex carbohydrates may aid with a more restful night. I'd recommend having your last meal around three hours before bedtime.

6) So Lily...is lying down after eating better for digestion?

It may be tempting to lie down after an evening meal, however for some this can irritate symptoms of acid reflux and indigestion. This is because sleeping on the right side has been found to relax the connecting muscles between the stomach and oesophagus leading to reflux symptoms.

7) So Lily...are you are more likely to overeat if you take lunch at your desk?

Mindless desk eating[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/10360394/Eating-lunch-at-your-desk-could-actually-be-good-for-you.html] while being distracted by our laptops may lead us to feeling less satiated and as a result may lead to overeating. However this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule: over eating can be affected by the context and setting. For example, if we take our lunch break in a place where we are exposed to more indulgent temptations, we may end up eating more than planned.

8) So Anna...does eating a 'free-from' diet cure all forms of IBS?

As IBS [ Irritable Bowel Syndrome] is a syndrome not a disease and cannot be cured, but symptoms can often be managed by diet. The evidence for IBS does not recommend a "free-from diet"[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/05/13/gluten-free-diet-could-damage-health-of-people-without-coeliac-d/] as first-line treatment. It recommends specific dietary advice based on IBS symptoms.

If these symptoms persist a dietitian may suggest a trial of a low FODMAP diet [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/nutrition/fodmap-diet-recipe-healthy-gut-happier-life/] which stands for Fermentable, Oligosaccharides, Disaccharide, Monosaccharides and Polyols. This diet eliminates trigger foods for a short period of time.

The diet is not forever and is used only to find out what trigger foods may be causing symptoms. It is important people seek professional advise before making any dietary restrictions as unnecessary restriction and avoidance of certain food groups can lead to nutritional deficiencies.

9) So Lily...does chewing gum sit in the stomach for years if ingested?

While gum won’t be properly digested by our body, it doesn’t mean that it’s going to sit in our stomach for seven years. Your stomach can’t break gum down in the same way that it breaks down other food, but the digestive system can move it along through normal intestinal activity and it can still be excreted through a bowel movement.

10) So Lily...is cooked food is easier on the stomach?

Cooking food[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/5171180/How-to-improve-your-digestion.html] breaks down the fibres within grains and vegetables which means we can assimilate nutrients more easily. It’s important to note that overcooking food can lead to a drastic reduction in certain nutrients including water soluble nutrients such as vitamin C and the B vitamins. Most of us should be able to break down both cooked and raw food as this is part of the normal digestion process.

11) So Anna... do beans really make people produce more gas than other food groups?

Everyone passes gas, it's is a natural part of digestion. Some foods do tend to produce more gas than others and this includes beans. Gas producing foods[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/active/mens-health/10804098/How-to-gain-control-of-your-flatulence.html] often contain a sugar called an oligosaccharides, which can be difficult to break down and subsequently produces gas as part of the breaking down process.

Beans historically have a bad name for producing gas, the average UK serving of beans is around 200g (half a tin), NHS guidance [https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/beans-and-pulses-nutrition/] recommends a portion of 80g. Some people produce a large amount of gas when eating beans due to eating a larger portion than recommended.

12) So Lily...should drink eight glasses of water a day?

The NHS [https://www.nhs.uk/news/food-and-diet/six-to-eight-glasses-of-water-still-best/] says we should drink six to eight glasses[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/wellbeing/healthy-lifestyle-tips/how-much-water-should-you-drink/] of fluid a day. However requirements can very from person to person depending on exercise levels. A good way to check if you’re dehydrated would be to assess the colour of your urine, if dark then you need to drink more water, if a pale straw colour then you are hydrated. Fluid includes more than just plain water, but also tea, coffee, milk and even fruit juice.

13) So Anna.... does red meat cause cancer?

Red meat[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/features/goodbye-bacon-really-time-give-meat/] does not necessarily cause cancer but a diet high in red and processed meats has been linked to an increase in the risk of certain cancers i.e bowel cancer. Foods classed as red meat include beef, pork, lamb. Processed meats include sausages, bacon and ham.

It's recommended that anyone who eats more than 90g (cooked weight) of red or processed meat should reduce to 70g per day. You are allowed to eat red meat, just aim for less than 70g per day to reduce the risk of developing cancer.

14. So Lily...can eating while standing up help you lose weight?

Even though eating while standing up may burn more calories than eating while sitting, it may lead to us eating more quickly. Research has shown that eating more slowly can improve feelings of satiety which may reduce the total number of calories consumed at meals.

14. So Anna....does drinking hot water with food aid digestion?

Some studies have suggested drinking hot water can aid digestion by flushing out toxins however there is no strong reliable evidence to suggest this. Drinking plenty of water, hot or cold, can aid digestion by reducing the risk of constipation. Constipation can lead to feeling bloated, uncomfortable and for some may produce stomach pains. The NHS recommends[https://www.nhs.uk/news/food-and-diet/six-to-eight-glasses-of-water-still-best/] that we aim to drink 1.2 litres of water per day.

What common digestion myths would you like to see busted that aren't on this list? Tell us in the comments section below.

Nestlé SA reported higher first-half sales, buoyed by strong growth in the U.S., where pet owners drove up sales of the food giant's Purina brand.

The owner of brands including KitKat chocolate bars and Nescafe coffee said Friday that all its categories globally boosted sales, with petcare, coffee and infant nutrition the biggest contributors.

Nestlé's first-half net profit dropped 15% to 5 billion Swiss francs ($5.05 billion), largely because its year-earlier figure was boosted by the sale of its U.S. confectionery arm[https://www.wsj.com/articles/nestle-exploring-sale-of-its-u-s-confectionery-business-1497544689]. Stripping out one-time items, profit increased 10%.

Sales in the first half totaled 45.47 billion francs, up 3.6% on an organic basis, which strips out the effects of currency fluctuations, acquisitions and divestments. That was in line with analyst estimates.

When Chief Executive Mark Schneider took over in 2017, Nestle was under pressure from investors to improve performance after missing its own sales targets for a number of years. Since then, Nestlé has faced added pressure to improve its financial performance from U.S. activist investor Daniel Loeb, who in 2017 disclosed that his fund, Third Point LLC, owned about 1.25% of Nestlé and pressed the company to sell its stake in L'Oréal SA.

Mr. Schneider has, so far, resisted those calls, but made other changes including selling slower-growth, nonfood assets and placing greater emphasis on nutrition, pet food, coffee and water. In May, the company said it had struck a deal to sell its skin-health unit for 10.2 billion Swiss francs and on Friday it said a review of its charcuterie business will likely finish late this year. The company has also made a string of acquisitions including splashing out $7 billion last summer to buy the rights to sell Starbucks Corp.'s coffee[https://www.wsj.com/articles/nestle-inks-deal-to-sell-starbucks-products-world-wide-1525671469]and tea in grocery and retail stores.

On Friday, Mr. Schneider said the efforts to sharpen Nestlé's focus on high-growth businesses are paying off, with the U.S.—Nestlé's largest market—performing "particularly well."

Its second-quarter organic sales growth in North America was the strongest in eight years, according to Nestlé, driven by petcare, where e-commerce and sales of pricey products like Tidy Cats Litter and Purina Pro Plan did well. Pet owners also bought up veterinary products, including new ones like a probiotic supplement for dogs.

Petcare is a growing business, with Nestlé rivals JAB Ltd. and Mars Inc. also making strides in the sector. As more people buy fancier, organic food for themselves, they are doing the same for their pets. Consumers also are seeking more varied medical care for their pets such as cancer treatments for their cats and reconstructive surgeries on their dogs' knees.

Share Your Thoughts

What do you think of Nestle's quarterly report? Join the conversation below.

The company said its Starbucks products are selling strongly in the U.S. and the beverages arm—which includes Starbucks and Nescafe—saw high single-digit growth.

Nestlé plans to roll out Starbucks lines in grocery stores in more countries and launch new products, according to Mr. Schneider. Earlier this week, Nestlé launched refrigerated creamers under the Starbucks brand in the U.S. in flavors like cinnamon dolce latte.

Nestlé's water business was a laggard, with volumes dropping 3.3%, hurt by price rises in the U.S. and slower growth in Europe. Nestlé blamed higher costs for packaging and distribution for the former and bad weather for the latter.

Write to Saabira Chaudhuri at saabira.chaudhuri@wsj.com[mailto:saabira.chaudhuri@wsj.com]

LONDON -- Unilever PLC missed sales forecasts for the first half of the year as intense competition hit ice cream sales in Europe and North America.

The maker of Hellmann's mayonnaise and Dove soap said Thursday that underlying sales growth -- a closely watched figure that strips out currency movements and deals -- rose 3.3% in the six months to June 30. Analysts had expected growth of 3.5%. Shares fell 2% in London.

Unilever, the world's largest ice cream maker with brands including Ben & Jerry's, Magnum and Talenti, said growth in the second quarter was dragged down by 0.5 percentage point because of the category's weak performance. The company blamed poor weather earlier in the year in Europe and a tough environment in the U.S.

In an interview, Chief Financial Officer Graeme Pitkethly said the company was struggling to raise prices and bolster profit margins for its mainstream ice cream brands like Breyer's in the U.S. where Unilever is seeing intense competition from regional players like Blue Bunny.

Americans eat more ice cream per capita than anyone else in the world with most bought in supermarkets for consumption at home.

"It's very much a mainstay of every meal in the U.S.," said Mr. Pitkethly. "That makes it highly promotional."

In response, the company -- which has over 20% of the U.S. ice cream market according to Euromonitor -- has been pushing harder to sell its premium brands in more supermarkets. In 2017, Unilever launched its own high-protein, low-sugar ice cream under Breyer's to battle competition from upstart brand Halo Top, which has also taken a share in recent quarters.

Last year Unilever rolled out Culture Republick in the U.S., a new low-calorie ice cream brand containing probiotics in flavors like turmeric chai and cinnamon, and milk and honey. The pint packs are designed by emerging artists, while a slice of the brand's profits donated to support art in local communities.

Imbuing brands with a social purpose is a strategy that Unilever's new Chief Executive Alan Jope hopes to roll out across its portfolio after insights showed consumers are more likely to buy, and remain loyal to, such brands.

"All the evidence is brands with strong purpose grow faster," said Mr. Pitkethly.

Unilever has been tapping its data scientists and mining social media for new business ideas, including a direct-to-consumer ice cream home delivery service.

The company discovered a spike in online ice cream orders in the U.K. on rainy days, which ultimately led it to launch Ice Cream Now 18 months ago. The service is available in the U.S. and Europe, said Mr. Pitkethly.

Still, Unilever's ice cream trade overall in Europe was hampered by wet weather in the second quarter.

Average rainfall across 12 European cities was three times higher in April and May than the prior-year while average hours of sunshine were down 9% in April from a year earlier and 25% in May, according to analysts at Jefferies.

All that contributed to an overall decline of 0.7% in underlying sales growth for developed markets in the first half of the year, compared with a rise of 6.2% in Unilever's emerging markets.

Underlying sales dropped 0.6% in Europe, further dampened by price deflation, while in North America they were flat.

Ice cream sales overall rose 2.2% on an organic basis in the first half of the year, helped by a good first quarter and strong second-quarter ice cream sales in big emerging markets like Turkey and India.

In Indonesia, after a difficult few years, Unilever's ice cream sales are improving after the company launched a low-cost brand to compete with local rivals.

Overall, the Anglo-Dutch company reported a net profit of 3 billion euros ($3.35 billion) for the six months to June 30, compared with 3.03 billion euros a year earlier.

License this article from Dow Jones Reprint Service[http://www.djreprints.com/link/DJRFactiva.html?FACTIVA=WJCO20190726000050]

Summertime anxiety is a reality for kids. We think of summer as being carefree and relaxing, but kids'anxieties can spike during the break.

Just what could a kid be worried about? Lots! "Even the things that are considered positive on the surface can be distorted into a stressful event by anxiety, because virtually every situation and event and season involves some potential uncertainty and discomfort," says psychotherapist and anxiety expert Lynn Lyons, at lynnlyonsnh.com.

Let Lyons count the ways: "Thunderstorms. Swimming lessons and deep ends. Camp. Ticks. Lyme disease. Sunburn. Fireworks. Let's not forget the undertow."

And for teens moving on to post-secondary endeavours, the constant planning and the unknown can bring on worry.

"The excitement, loss, achievement and a bit of dread can make for some messy reactions," says Lyons.

Anxiety affects up to 20 per cent of children and teens, says holistic nutritionist Joy McCarthy, of joyoushealth. com. And along with emotional triggers like uncertainty and not having the carefully structured routine of school, anxiety can be triggered by nutritional factors and gut health, like too much sugar and caffeine, says McCarthy.

Regular routines fall to the wayside and so do diets and sleep, says McCarthy, and indulgence replaces healthy habits.

A new field of research called nutritional psychology is connecting a healthy mental outlook to broader dietary patterns emphasizing fresh, whole vegetables, fruits, fish and whole grains, she says.

"One theory behind the diet and mood connection is that unhealthy foods produce inflammatory immune chemicals called cytokines, which have been shown to increase brain fog, tension and lowered mood."

Kids are getting an F in fruit intake: 40 per cent of their fruit and veggie consumption is coming from fruit juice and white potatoes in the form of french fries.

They're getting few phytonutrients, which come from colourful plants. Lack of plants means a lack of fibre too, says McCarthy.

Add to that a deficiency in omega-3 essential fatty acids, since 84 per cent of kids eat less than one serving of fish per week. Home-cooked meals and healthy snacks are far and few.

"Recent findings show that nearly half of all foods consumed by both kids and adults are ultra-processed."

Optimal development requires a rainbow of phytonutrients (a.k.a. colourful foods) for brain health, eye health and digestive health. Omega-3s are important for brain health and cardiovascular health, and vitamin D for eye and brain health, and the immune system. Probiotics benefit the developing immune system, gut health, mental health and more, adds McCarthy.

Meanwhile, besides feeding them nutritious food to help manage anxiety, feed them healthy words too. Children hear words and stressful images come to mind. "Teach problem-solving and preparation, minus the danger discussion" of terrible things that can happen if they're not careful, says Lyons.

You want them to learn to swim, don't say it's because the water can be very dangerous and they could drown.

Instead Lyons recommends telling them, "It's time for your swimming lesson. Swimming is such a great skill to have, and it's important you learn. It feels great to be strong in the water, so step by step, you're going to get there."

Your aim is to diminish worries, adds Lyons, with words that promote healthy experimenting and learning rather than avoidance.

FOOD FOR FUEL

Give them brain-boosting nutrients from broccoli, cauliflower, blueberries, strawberries, apples, spinach, kale, carrots, celery, beets, radish, fermented foods including yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchee.

offer foods with good fat, including avocados, nuts and seeds, nut or seed butters, plain full-fat yogurt, olives, coconut oil and olive oil.

high-quality protein can be found in foods such as beans and lentils, tempeh, fish and seafood (which also boasts those omega-3 essential fatty acids), and high-quality chicken, lamb and beef.

omega-3 fatty acids, the good fats found in oily fish like salmon, improve mood by lowering cortisol levels. you can include flaxseed oil, chia seeds, walnuts, soybeans and spinach.

Keep these foods and ingredients to a minimum:

ice cream and cake: Save them for a special occasion. a large scoop of ice cream contains upward to about 60 mg of caffeine.

Fruit juice and pop are devoid of nutrients and impact kids'appetite signals making them crave more junk.

candies, chips and refined carbohydrate-based foods such as crackers, white pasta and white rice.

We’ve been putting veg in our smoothies for ages – but then sweetening them with fruits and milks. Now, on the back of the sugar-free movement, it’s time to go fully green

Propelled by the sugar-free movement, it’s time to embrace – and imbibe – the savoury smoothie. As the US writer Sarah Barnes recently observed[https://www.manrepeller.com/2019/07/savory-smoothies.html], “in the realm of edible stuff that might make me immortal, are we all drinking our salads now?”

Of course, people have been putting veg – mostly green leaves – in smoothies for ages, but blending them with the likes of dates, bananas, berries, nut butters and milk. With savoury smoothies, veg takes centre stage, and is often the only ingredient. Think of it as a cold soup in a tall glass, your morning smoothie regreened, with no sugar rush and subsequent hunger pangs; the veg’s fibre hasn’t been juiced out of existence and you have a bank of classic salads from which to take inspiration.

Most recipes suggest a base – cucumber, tomato, courgette, carrot – then adding greenery (smoothie staples kale and spinach, obviously, but also lettuce, rocket, etc), season to taste, spice it up (fresh chilli, hot sauce, cayenne, ginger) and add a twist (citrus, vinegar). Lastly, texture stops a smoothie being baby food: nuts, seeds, fresh herbs, or a bit of everything, blended in but also torn and scattered on top as a garnish. Here are three ideas to start with.

Tomato, courgette, spinach and almond

Put one large ripe tomato, a quarter of a large red pepper and a small courgette (all roughly chopped) into a blender with a handful each of mint and spinach (or kale) leaves. Add half a glass of water. Blitz until smooth. Add a handful of almonds and a dash of both Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce to taste. Blitz until the almonds are chopped up, then garnish with finely chopped almonds.

Carrot, cucumber, celery and yoghurt

Like a cheat’s kanji (a fermented, probiotic Indian drink). Put one carrot, 10cm cucumber and one stick of celery with leaves (all roughly chopped) into a blender with 175g plain yoghurt, 45g oats, 1tsp wholegrain mustard, half a teaspoon of curry powder and a pinch of cayenne pepper and asafoetida. Add a little water and blitz until smooth. Season with salt, pepper and cider vinegar to taste. Garnish with cayenne or fresh coriander. Play around with the spices – you can use beetroot in here, too.

Sorrel, lettuce, avocado and lemon

Combine one roughly chopped carrot, a large knob of ginger, half an avocado, the juice of one lemon and handfuls of sorrel and lettuce leaves in a blender with a little water and blitz until smooth. Season with more lemon juice, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper, and garnish with some minced ginger.

• This article was amended on 25 July 2019 because during the editing process, the addition of a large knob of ginger and half an avocado were lost from the last recipe.

Comet Bio has moved its global corporate headquarters from Sarnia to London, and recently opened a U.S. headquarters in the Chicago area.

The company said the Chicago location, which will house its administration and commercial activities, was selected because of the number of food and nutrition companies in the region.

Comet Bio also said it closed a new round of financing with investors - Sofinnova Partners and PM Equity Partner - allowing the company to commercialize its flagship products, Arabinoxylan Plant Fiber Extract and Sweeterra syrups. The funding will also be used to "deepen" partnerships with food and beverage customers, complete clinical trials and expand the company's supply chain.

The company's technology uses crop leaves and stalks to make its products.

"Our products are in high demand because they address consumers'interest in gut health and sugar reduction," Comet Bio's chief executive, Rich Troyer, said in a release. "We are pleased to have the ongoing support and confidence of our investors to successfully bring these products to market."

The company said it is currently making the products through "its European supply chain."

Comet Bio has a pilot plant in Italy.

Earlier this year, the company said it had paused plans for a commercial-scale bio-refinery at the TransAlta Bluewater Energy Park in Sarnia where it planned to make sugar from wheat straw and corn leaves and stalks.

That also paused a cooperative formed in the region to sign up farmers to supply the refinery and invest in the proposed Sarnia manufacturing site. pmorden@postmedia.com

As a dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet, Jordan Samuel Pacitti spent six hours a day ''off and on, sweating then resting.'' Add to that loop three performances a week under hot stage lights, in heavy makeup, and Mr. Pacitti's once blemish-free skin revolted.

''There were extreme breakouts, sensitivity, inflammation -- you name it,'' Mr. Pacitti said. His efforts back then to achieve ''happy -- not perfect'' skin became the foundation of his post-dance career as an aesthetician and founder of Jordan Samuel Skin, a collection designed to maintain balance and hydration.

''Most of us work out when we can squeeze it in throughout the day,'' he said. ''But that leads to a puzzle: When do I cleanse? Do I remove my makeup? When do I apply my skin care? It's a surprisingly complex puzzle.''

To help you solve that puzzle, we consulted four skin-care experts. Developing a routine is important, they say, because of what's happening in and on the skin as you work out.

When your heart rate is up, ''you get vasodilation -- vessels widen, and more blood, oxygen and nutrients go to the skin,'' said Marnie Nussbaum, a dermatologist in Manhattan. ''That's the glow you see.'' Your pores open up, too, letting in more of whatever is on the skin's surface.

Sweat and heat also affect the skin's microbiome. ''Certain flora on the skin are protective,'' said the cosmetic dermatologic surgeon Howard Sobel of Sobel Skin in Manhattan. ''When they're out of balance, you can end up with inflammation, irritation or acne.''

Working Out First Thing in the Morning? Skip the Soap

If your skin is clean, don't wash it again. Skin is quickly irritated by excessive washing, particularly skin that is prone to acne and rosacea. ''If you did your whole skin-care routine at night, woke up and your skin still felt clean -- not excessively oily -- don't wash,'' said Jeannel Astarita, an aesthetician and founder of Just Ageless, a skin care and body contouring studio in New York.

At most, splash your face with tepid water and wipe it gently with a microfiber cloth. ''They're less abrasive than regular washcloths,'' Ms. Astarita said. ''Buy several so you can use a fresh one daily.''

If your skin is dry or dehydrated, apply a light hydrating serum. Jordan Samuel Skin Hydrate Facial Serum Mini Packets, $1.25, contain the humectants aloe leaf juice and glycerin. And they're gym-bag friendly.

Do not do your whole skin-care routine. ''First, you'll sweat it off,'' Ms. Astarita said. ''It's money down the drain, and doing it all again a few hours later can be irritating to the skin.''

Later in the Day, Cleanse Before Working Out

Remove skin-care products and makeup before any sweat session. Remember, your pores are opening when you sweat, and you don't want the day's dirt that's sitting on top of your skin to get inside. Overwashing is still a concern, so use a cleanser with a gentle surfactant and hydrating base, like Jordan Samuel Skin Matinee Gel Cleanser, $20. It also contains salicylic acid.

''Salicylic acid breaks up sebum and dead skin, which causes acne,'' Dr. Nussbaum said. ''A good cleanse is really what you need before and after working out, but if you can't for some reason, wipe your skin with a salicylic acid pad,'' like Dr Dennis Gross DRx Acne Eliminating Pads, $42.

A cleanser with probiotics, like OMI Re-energize Daily Glow Cleanser, $32, is beneficial before (and after) a workout since heat and sweat may disrupt the balance of good bacteria. This is particularly true for anyone with inflammatory conditions like eczema or acne.

''Probiotic skin care is very new,'' Dr. Sobel said, ''but the idea is that prebiotics are like fertilizer for skin-supportive good bacteria -- probiotics.''

If You Must Wear Makeup, Make It Mineral

If you have active acne or scarring that you'd like to cover, you may find yourself working out in makeup. If so, the experts say use a mineral foundation.

''Mineral makeup doesn't contain those chemicals that tend to be most irritating to the skin,'' Mr. Pacitti said. Some will have ingredients that nourish or support the skin, like Bare Minerals Blemish Rescue Skin-Clearing Loose Powder Foundation, $29, which contains salicylic acid.

Working Out Outside? Apply Mineral Sunscreen

Because it's a physical block, mineral sunscreen works as soon as you apply it -- no waiting for it to absorb before your outdoor run. Experts say, though, that their mineral preference is about more than convenience.

''We're only now beginning to understand how the chemicals used in sunscreens enter the bloodstream and impact our bodies,'' Ms. Astarita said. ''And some are known skin irritants, so if you're working out, you'd be more likely to have an inflammatory response to those chemicals.'' Unsun Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30, $29, has titanium dioxide and zinc oxide protection that won't leave a white cast on the skin.

Your lips need sun protection, too. Coola Mineral Liplux SPF 30, $18, adds a hint of color while beeswax and shea butter moisturize.

Also, the sweat-then-air-dry cycle of an outdoor workout can dehydrate your skin. Spritz with a lightweight hydrating spray like Kinfield Sunday Spray Cooling Aloe Mist, $22, after (or during) your workout. Spearmint in the formula feels refreshing and is an anti-inflammatory.

After Your Workout, Cleanse Again

If you're working out during the afternoon, don't repeat your whole morning skin-care routine after the workout (hello, irritation). Simply cleanse gently, hydrate and apply sunscreen. If you work out in the morning or at night, do your full skin-care routine right after the workout so you don't end up washing your skin a second time when you get home.

''And there's a bonus benefit,'' Dr. Nussbaum said. ''Because your pores are open, any serums or other reparative ingredients you apply will be better absorbed.''

If you skip the preworkout wash, a double cleanse, particularly in the evening, is a great method to remove makeup, oil and dirt without scrubbing. Wash first with an oil cleanser, then follow with a gentle gel cleanser. Oil cleansers complement dry and mature skin because they don't further dehydrate the skin.

''They're good for oily types, too, because they remove the excess oil but don't overly dry the skin,'' Ms. Astarita said. Organic olive fruit, sunflower and antioxidant-heavy rosehip oil in Pai Skincare Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil, $52, easily melt away makeup and grime; it turns into a light cleansing milk when you splash on some water.

Remove Workout Clothing Right Away

Most moisture-wicking workout clothing is made of occlusive fabric, Dr. Sobel said. Remove it promptly to prevent body breakouts. If you end up getting body breakouts anyway, a chemical exfoliator helps eliminate dead skin cells that are clogging your pores. Skinbetter AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads, $95, contain salicylic, glycolic and lactic acid along with a retinoid to increase cell turnover and clear up that bacne.

For years, we've known that the food we eat and the liquid we drink have an effect on the way we look. Eat a tonne of fatty foods and you'll gain weight. Stuff your face with protein after exercise and you'll find it easier to gain muscle. Binge on pints of beer in the evening and you'll wear a bleary frown the next morning that signposts exactly what you've been doing.

But what if the stuff you consume also controls how you think? It's an area of increasing interest to scientists, who have already uncovered the benefit of eating Omega-3 (found in fish oil) on brain functioning. If Omega-3 contains amino acids which preserve the health of cell membranes and strengthen the synapses, what other mental fillips can nutrition provide? Is it possible to put together a diet designed specifically to improve the health of your mind, just as a normal diet might improve the health of your body.

That’s a question being asked by the Optimal Experiment[https://www.broadgate.co.uk/optimal], a two-week pop-up which opens in London’s Broadgate Circus[https://www.broadgate.co.uk/] this week. Guests are able to complete games to test how their brains work and enjoy a brain-boosting supper club hosted by Michelin-starred chef Nurdin Topham.

A couple of weeks before the grand opening, I met Katherine Lewis, one of the scientists involved in the experiment, to do a series of cognitive tests that measured three factors: creativity, critical thinking, and cognitive ability. I was asked to do quick maths, make inferences, and look at optical illusions, all while wearing a headband designed to measure my brainwaves.

While I tested well for cognitive ability and critical thinking, I was surprised to hear that my creativity was where I scored lowest. Lewis fed the results back to Topham, who whipped together a meal plan for me aimed at boosting my overall intellectual abilities, but specifically my creativity.

365 EOA[https://cf-particle-html.eip.telegraph.co.uk/729ee614-a326-4b21-a6a8-06d75a692ed2.html]

And so, for the next two weeks, I ate from a personalised food pyramid that included a lot of cruciferous vegetables, oily fish, and more water than you could shake a medium-sized reservoir at.

“We’ve taken specific molecules, and looked at the research around how they have particular functions within the brain,” explains Topham. So, I was prescribed spinach, romaine, and turnips because "they are packed full of vitamin K which has been shown to support neurofunction and neurotransmitter synthesis. They’re also rich in keratines which are a type of anti-oxidants which are helpful in the body to help mop up the free radicals which can damage our neurons.”

Another factor was my gut health. One area of the research is the relationship between the gut and the brain, so also on my plan were gut-healthy foods such as yoghurt and fermented foods like kefir and sauerkraut. Many studies have linked gut health with brain function and dysfunction, such as Alzheimers, which some scholars think originates with problems in the gut.

Flax seeds also became a huge part of my diet and I even took to scoffing chia seeds in yoghurt every morning.

After two weeks, I was not only desperate for a burger but also decidedly sceptical. I didn’t feel any smarter. My brain wasn’t running on rocket fuel by any means; I even forgot my headphones as I was leaving the office for my follow-up test.

But retaking the tests, I suddenly felt in my element. I felt less flustered by the ticking clock that counted down my time remaining; I was able to think more clearly and more quickly. My critical thinking score increased by 10pc on the first round, cognitive ability was up by 24pc, and creativity even got a 7pc bump up.

“In terms of what your brain activity was doing, you were far less distracted the second time around (even though you felt you were and it was a noisier background); your brain activity showed slightly less ‘panic’ and better focus,” explained Lewis, as she talked me through my results. Even in the post test meditation, my brainwaves seemed to be working better. “During the meditation you much more quickly got into a relaxed phase where you alpha waves predominated (associated with creative thought) – a state most people struggle to get into and possibly indicative of your more creative nature.”

At this point, there's a caveat: the results weren’t necessarily definitive. To prove it was the diet and not any other factors, the scientists would have me doing longer tests over a period of at least three months, but Lewis suggests they did show how shifting my lifestyle slightly made me more aware of my brain function.

“What it highlights is the relationship we have with our minds,” says Lewis. “The increase in results may be that with this focus, you were living a lifestyle better supporting mental performance and were more confident doing the tests a second time. But in the attitudinal test there was a distinct shift towards feeling that eating for your brain was important and your attitude shifted to consider mental performance as much more important than physical performance.”

There’s clearly a lot more work to do to prove that a ‘brain diet’ can actually improve your mental ability, but after two weeks on it, my results certainly look positive.

Amazon says the Align Probiotic nutritional supplements currently for sale on its site are safe.

But that assurance comes only after the online retailer sent emails to recent Align buyers that the supplements they purchased might be fake and should be thrown away.

"If you still have this product, we recommend that you stop using it immediately and dispose of the item," Amazon wrote in the customer email, which was first reported on by Wired.

Amazon's statement emailed to USA TODAY says that "Amazon strictly prohibits the sale of counterfeit products. We invest heavily in prevention, take proactive steps to drive counterfeits to zero, and work with and empower brands through programs like Brand Registry, Transparency and Project Zero."

The spokesperson added that Amazon investigates "every claim of potential counterfeit thoroughly, and often in partnership with brands, and in the rare instance where a bad actor gets through, we take swift action, including removing the item for sale, permanently banning bad actors, pursuing legal action and working with law enforcement when appropriate. We have taken these actions against the bad actors in question and proactively notified and refunded customers."

Amazon did not disclose how the fake supplements came to light.

Through the Brand Registry program, which is free, Amazon gives rights owners tools that aim to help them protect their intellectual property and suspected infringement of their products. Amazon says 130,000 brands have enrolled in the program and that those who have "on average are finding and reporting 99% fewer suspected infringements than before the launch of Brand Registry."

Amazon describes its separate Transparency service as "an item-level tracing service where brands serialize each unit they manufacture with a unique code. Amazon then scans these codes and verifies the authenticity of the product before it reaches a customer."

Customers also can scan the Transparency code via a mobile app to confirm the authenticity and learn more about the product, through usage instructions, ingredients and expiration date.

More than 2,000 brands, from Fortune 500 companies to startups, have enrolled products in Transparency, Amazon says.

Meantime, the Project Zero program leverages machine learning and a brand's knowledge of their own products to help combat fakes.

"Using the self-service counterfeit removal tool in Project Zero, brands can instantly remove counterfeit from our store, and this information is fed into our automated protections so we can more effectively prevent counterfeit listings in the future," Amazon says.

Procter & Gamble has not yet responded to a USA TODAY request for comment.

Yet a P&G spokesperson told Wired in an email, "We are aware that some counterfeit Align product was sold on Amazon via third parties.

"Amazon has confirmed they have stopped third-party sales of the Align products in question, and Amazon is only selling Align product received directly from P&G manufacturing facilities."

It is not known if P&G participated in Amazon's Brand Registry, Transparency and Project Zero programs.

Nor is it clear if the fake supplements that made their way onto Amazon have been widely distributed through other retail channels.

"Counterfeit is an age-old problem, but one that we will continue to fight and innovate on to protect customers, brands and sellers," the Amazon spokesperson said.

IT'S the new Battle of the Bulge.

A study published in March in the journal Military Medicine suggested that servicemen and women should adopt the keto diet - the trendy high-fat, low-carb plan - as a means of combating obesity and boosting troops' performance.

But some find the new research hard to swallow. Earlier this month, Patricia Deuster, a professor at Uniformed Services University and director of its Consortium for Health and Military Performance, sent a strongly worded letter to the editor debunking the research.

"We found numerous flaws in that paper," Deuster tells The Post. "It wasn't done on a true military population." And, she says, there are other issues. "We don't know what the long-term consequences of the keto diet are on the microbiome. How would they enforce this kind of diet?"

This keto kerfuffle is the latest battle in the ongoing war over what the armed forces should be eating for optimal mental and physical performance. The concerns, military experts say, are weighty: A report from last year found that nearly one-third of America's 17- to 24-year-olds are too overweight to qualify for service, which hurts recruitment. Within the Army, 17 percent of soldiers are classified as obese, according to the Army's 2018 Health of the Force report.

To combat the creep of obesity, the military has spent much of the past decade cleaning up the troops' diets. Fried foods, for example, are no longer served in chow halls, salad bars have become more prominent, and some troops' cafeteria offerings are color-coded (green: have your fill; yellow: eat with caution; red: nibble sparingly). But now, experts are divided as to whether drastically curtailing carbs - a key tenet of the keto diet - is good for men and women in uniform.

Deuster, who has been working with the military since 1984, says she and her colleagues have been studying the ketogenic diet since the '90s and found it's not suitable for the armed forces.

"It didn't pan out then and it doesn't now, either," says Deuster, who wrote the 1994 book "The Navy SEAL Nutrition Guide."

Serving in the military requires high levels of both endurance (aerobic) activities, such as running and swimming, and shorter, explosive (anaerobic) movements, such as sprinting and weightlifting. But being in ketosis - a metabolic state where the body burns fat because it has limited access to glucose (blood sugar) - may prevent one from doing anaerobic feats well, according to Rachele Pojednic, an assistant professor of nutrition at Simmons University in Boston.

Anaerobic exercise "uses glucose exclusively," she tells The Post. "Things like jumping and sprinting are incredibly important in the military, and without glucose, you're going to be slow and terrible at it."

The senior author of March's keto study, Jeff Volek, a human sciences professor at Ohio State University, isn't sold on that science.

While he concedes "that [it] is the prevailing wisdom" at the moment, he and his team have recently found that being in a true state of ketosis may not actually impact anaerobic performance.

"[Study subjects] experienced the same gains in strength and power but at a lower body weight," says Volek, who has been researching the keto diet for a decade. "Our data showing this is currently being peer reviewed for publication."

The modern military diet follows Army Regulation 40-25, which dictates what service members should consume in dining halls around the world and through in-the-field rations called Meals, Ready-to-Eat, more commonly known as MREs. It essentially adheres to the US Department of Agriculture's Dietary Guidelines for Americans, with a caveat: Those in the armed forces are "doing way more exercise and so they need more calories and nutrients," says Deuster.

Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), a Marine veteran, doesn't recall the chow-hall food he was served adhering to any healthy guidelines.

"The majority of the food we had was the kind of stuff you get at fast-food restaurants: burgers, french fries, pizza, mac 'n' cheese," says Moulton, 40, who served from 2002 to 2008.

"I remember thinking that if anyone should be eating healthy, it was us."

Deuster says that the military has been moving toward a healthier lifestyle for the past 10 years, including pivoting to more plant-based options. A typical meal today could include broiled or baked chicken, salad, rice and vegetables. But even she admits that the changes have been slow.

"It's an evolution, not a revolution," she says. "But there is a much bigger focus now on healthy eating."

Fang Wong has seen the evolution firsthand. A Vietnam War vet who was in the Army from 1969 to 1989, he's now in the American Legion and regularly visits with troops. He's amazed at their current food options.

"It's totally different from when I served," Wong says. "They advertise calories and nutrients on signs. They have multiple options, a short-order line, sandwiches, salads. There's more variety, and it appears to be much healthier."

By contrast, he recalls mystery meat in the Vietnam mess hall.

"Nobody knew what kind of meat it was," he says. "We used to joke and hope it wasn't the water buffalo we'd see outside."

mmalamut@nypost.com

EXCLUSIVE: Experts say bowel condition is not a single condition but the label put on symptoms triggered by variety of causes

A common bowel condition suffered by millions of Brits may not actually exist, new research suggests.

Experts warn that 13 million Brits withIrritable Bowel Syndrome[http://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/health/how-banish-misery-irritable-bowel-7689088](IBS) may be having the cause of the problem ignored.

Although symptoms include excess gas, bloating and severe diarrhoea, researchers found that it may not be one condition but a whole range of them.

Experts at the British College of Nutrition and Health reviewed 220 studies and categorised the causes into lifestyle - such as poor sleep - dietary factors and imbalances in gut bacteria.

Four out of 10 Brits regret the way they have lived their lives so far[https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/four-out-10-brits-regret-18342765]

Lead author Ben Brown, said IBS was an “umbrella diagnosis based on symptoms” but added “it’s not usually one thing”.

He said: “Unfortunately what often happens is they get given that label and told ‘there’s not much we can do about it’.

That’s not addressing the problem.”

Miracle boy defies odds after being stuck in birth canal during 22-hour labour[https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/miracle-boy-defies-odds-after-18323787]

Top news stories from Mirror Online

At any one time IBS affects between 10-20% of the UK.

It is different and less severe than Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) which includes Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis.

By Dr Kevin Barrett, Gastrointestinal specialist at Royal College of GPs

IBS is a diagnosis that covers a broad range of symptoms and conditions, and should not be used as a term in isolation.

IBS symptoms overlap with those of other conditions, including colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and microscopic colitis.

There is a link between the nerves in the gut and those in the brain. “A gut feeling” explains the sensations that occur in stressful situations.

These temporary symptoms give some insight into the day-to-day struggle that IBS can have on sufferers.

The psychological impact of IBS is often underestimated but strategies to improve mental wellbeing are not followed often enough.

GPs follow NICE guidelines to investigate patients presenting with persistent lower abdominal symptoms.

Testing for anaemia, inflammation and coeliac disease forms the initial part of this pathway.

There are still conditions where IBS may not be the correct answer and GPs should be aware of patients whose symptoms do not respond to treatments, or whose symptoms change. They should be reassessed and may need a referral.

The role of the GP should be to provide a personalised approach to each patient, taking into account their symptoms and lifestyle, and providing guidance and support to tackle it in a holistic manner.

Dietary advice, medication, physical activity and psychological support are all important but providing all of this in a 10-minute consultation is difficult.

NEWS BULLETIN

Microbes in the gut could play a role in the development of motor neurone disease, a study found.

Research in mice indicates there is a change in some bacteria before symptoms of the conditon, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), appear.

Scientists found that replenishing the levels of certain bacteria improved symptoms and prolonged survival in the mouse model of ALS.

In the study, published in Nature, Israeli researchers stressed their findings were preliminary and that much more work was needed.

Summertime anxiety is a thing for kids. We think of summer being carefree and relaxing but kids'anxieties can spike during the break.

Just what could a kid be worried about? Lots! "Even the things that are considered 'positive'on the surface can be distorted into a stressful event by anxiety, because virtually every situation and event and season involves some potential uncertainty and discomfort," says psychotherapist and anxiety expert Lynn Lyons, at lynnlyonsnh. com.

Let Lyons count the ways: "Thunderstorms. Swimming lessons and deep ends. Camp. Ticks. Lyme disease. Sunburn. Fireworks. Let's not forget the undertow."

And for teens moving Anxiety affects up to 20% of children and teens, says holistic nutritionist Joy McCarthy, of joyoushealth. com. And along with emotional triggers like uncertainty and not having a carefully structured routine of school, anxiety can be triggered by nutritional factors and gut health, like too much sugar and caffeine, says McCarthy.

Regular routines fall to the wayside and so do diets and sleep, says McCarthy, and indulgence replaces healthy habits.

A new field of research called nutritional psychology is connecting a healthy mental outlook to broader dietary patterns emphasizing fresh, whole vegetables, fruits, fish and whole grains, she says. "One theory behind the diet and mood connection is that unhealthy foods produce inflammatory immune chemicals called cytokines, which have been shown to increase brain fog, tension and lowered mood."

Kids are getting F in fruit intake: 40% of their fruit and veggie consumption is coming from fruit juice and white potato - French fries.

They're getting few phytonutrients which come from colourful plants. Lack of plants means a lack of fibre too, says McCarthy.

Add to that a deficiency in omega-3 essential fatty acids as 84% of kids eat less than one serving of fish per week. Home-cooked meals and healthy snacks are far and few. "Recent findings show that nearly half of all foods consumed by both kids and adults are ultra-processed."

Optimal development requires a rainbow of phytonutrients, that's colourful foods, for brain health, eye health and digestive health. Omega 3s are important for brain health and cardiovascular health, and vitamin D for eye and brain health, and the immune system. Probiotics benefit the developing immune system, gut health, mental health and more, adds McCarthy, who collaborated on the Genuine Health-y Kids products, a line of supplements that give your children the nutrition they need to thrive.

Meanwhile, besides feeding them nutritious food to help manage anxiety, feed them healthy words too. Children hear words and stressful images come to mind. "Teach problem solving and preparation, minus the danger discussion" of terrible things that can happen if they're not careful, says Lyons.

You want them to learn to swim, don't say it's because the water can be very dangerous and they could drown. Instead Lyon recommends telling them, "It's time for your swimming lesson. Swimming is such a great skill to have, and it's important you learn. It feels great to be strong in the water, so step by step, you're going to get there."

Another example: Don't tell them to stay away from beehives because they could be allergic and die. Try Lyon's words: "Bees are better left alone. If you bother them, they will sting you. You'll get through it, but lets come up with a better plan."

Your aim is to diminish worries, adds Lyon, with words that promote healthy experimenting and learning rather than avoidance.

EAT FOR GOOD MENTAL HEALTH: Give them brain-boosting nutrients from broccoli, cauliflower, blueberries, strawberries, apples, spinach, kale, carrots, celery, beets, radish, fermented foods including yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi.

Offer up good fat including avocado, nuts and seeds, nut/seed butters, plain full fat yogurt, olives, coconut oil, olive oil.

High-quality protein including beans and lentils, tempeh, fish and seafood for those omega-3 essential fatty acids, high-quality animal foods such as chicken, lamb and beef.

Omega-3 fatty acids, the good fats found in oily fish like salmon, improve mood by lowering cortisol levels. Include flaxseed oil, chia seeds, walnuts, soybeans and spinach.

Keep these foods and ingredients to a minimum:

Ice cream and cake: Save it for a special occasion. A large scoop of ice cream contains upward to about 60 mg of caffeine.

Fruit juice and pop are devoid of nutrients and actually impact their appetite signals making them crave more junk.

Candies, chips and refined carbohydrate-based foods like crackers, white pasta, white rice.

BERRYLICIOUS UNICORN BITES

Delicious bites of good mental health; courtesy of joyoushealth.com.

1½ cups (375 ml) unsulfured shredded coconut (reserve ½ cup/125 mL for coating)

1 cup (250 ml) rolled oats or quick oats

2 Tbsp. (30 mL) coconut flour or 2 scoops Genuine Health's fermented organic gut superfoods kids (this is what gives the bites their purple colour)

8-10 medjol dates, pitted

1 cup (250 mL) blackberries, fresh

Optional: 1 Tbsp. (15 mL) coconut butter, warmed

Place 1 cup (250 mL) of shredded coconut and oats into food processor. Blend until combined and oats are a finer texture, but not into a flour texture. Add dates, coconut flour and blackberries to food processor. Add coconut butter if using. Warm it up in a pot before adding to help it blend easier. Blend until smooth.Roll into one-inch balls and coat some or all of them with shredded coconut. Makes 22 one-inch balls. Can be refrigerated for up to five days. Freeze for up to three months.

(Reuters Health) - People who tend to eat mostly plants may be less likely to develop type 2 diabetes, a research review suggests.

Researchers examined data from nine previously published studies with a total of 307,099 participants, including 23,544 people who developed type 2 diabetes. The length of the studies ranged from 2 to 28 years. All of the studies used food frequency questionnaires to assess participants' diets.

Overall, people who most closely adhered to a vegan, vegetarian or other type of plant-based diet were 23% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than people who consumed the least amount of plant-based meals, researchers report in JAMA Internal Medicine.

"Plant-based diets can promote metabolic health and reduce diabetes risk through many pathways, including preventing excess weight gain, improving insulin sensitivity, reducing inflammation, and other mechanisms," said Dr. Qi Sun, senior author of the study and a researcher at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

People who eat a healthy variety of plant-based meals can lower their diabetes risk even when they're not strict vegetarians - avoiding meat, poultry and fish - or vegans - also avoiding animal products like milk and eggs.

But they may not benefit as much if their plant-based diet is full of foods like French fries, white bread, and white rice, Sun said by email.

"It does matter what veggies people eat and how the veggies are processed," Sun said. "Therefore, consuming healthy plant foods that are not or minimally processed, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains, should be emphasized."

People in the study who followed this advice - with the healthiest mix of fruits, vegetables and whole grains in their plant-based diets, were 30% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than participants who tended to ignore this idea.

Type 2 diabetes, the most common form, is linked to obesity and aging and happens when the body can't properly use or make enough of the hormone insulin to convert blood sugar into energy. Left unchecked, diabetes can lead to serious complications like nerve damage, blindness, amputations, kidney damage and heart problems.

Doctors typically advise patients with type 2 diabetes to follow a low-calorie, low-fat and low-carbohydrate diet that includes lots of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains as well as lean poultry and fish. Fatty, sugary foods are discouraged along with consuming too much red or processed meat.

None of the smaller studies in the current analysis were controlled experiments designed to prove whether a plant-based diet helps prevent diabetes or serious complications from the disease.

Still, the results offer fresh evidence of the potential for good eating habits to help prevent and manage diabetes, said Samantha Heller, a nutritionist at New York University Langone Medical Center in New York City.

"Adding more whole plants such as broccoli, edamame, quinoa, extra virgin olive oil, almonds, and berries, to our diet is a great way to help manage type 2 diabetes and weight," Heller, who wasn't involved in the study, said by email.

"Higher fiber foods are healthy for the gut microbiome, improve gastrointestinal function, improve insulin sensitivity, and help manage blood sugar," Heller added. "However, it is important to remember that even (portion sizes) of healthy foods matter."

SOURCE: http://bit.ly/30NStrN [http://bit.ly/30NStrN] JAMA Internal Medicine, online July 22, 2019.

NORAH O`DONNELL: We`re going to stay on the topic of health care because a new study finds colorectal cancer rates are rising among Americans under fifty years old. Colon cancer is the second deadliest type of cancer behind lung cancer. And when diagnosed in younger patients, colon cancer is more likely to be in the advanced stages. Our chief medical correspondent Doctor Jon LaPook is here. And, Jon, how concerned are you about this?

DR. JON LAPOOK (CBS News Chief Medical Correspondent): I`m quite concerned. And you`ll be looking at this apparent trend for years wondering if it`s real. It turns out it is real. And it`s especially worrisome because that, as you mentioned, it turns out it looks like in people under the age of fifty colon cancer is more deadly.

NORAH O`DONNELL: Now, overall can-- colon cancer rates are declining for those over fifty, right? So why are we seeing this increase in younger adults?

DR. JON LAPOOK: Right. Well, over fifty is declined because of the success of colonoscopy. Under fifty, we really don`t know, is it the environment, our diet, obesity. But the most intriguing possibility to me is it has something to do with the gut microbiome. Norah, that`s the trillions of bacteria and hundreds of species in our gut. And it turns out that certain species are linked to an increased risk of colon polyps and colon cancer. Maybe we`re messing up our-- our gut microbiome with antibiotics in our modern diet.

NORAH O`DONNELL: So it could be the microbiomes. So remind everybody, what are the guidelines about when you should be screened?

DR. JON LAPOOK: For people at average risk at age fifty. Now if you have increased risk, younger than that. And the current recommendations do say this for most of the societies, but it turns out the American Cancer Society saying, you know what, in view of the recent findings, let`s look at age forty-five as a time to start the discussion. Now I think that leaves people wondering what to do. And I think this is a time for informed and shared decision-making that means you sit down with your clinician, you say what`s good for me, what are the risks and benefits and you go from there.

NORAH O`DONNELL: Yeah. But disturbing to hear about young-- more younger people getting colon cancer.

DR. JON LAPOOK: It really is.

NORAH O`DONNELL: Thank you. So glad you are here. Thank you.

And relief is on the way from the staggering heat that gripped the U.S. over the weekend, but it`s been pushed out tonight by potentially severe storms. Watches and warnings are posted from Tennessee to Rhode Island with the greatest threat along the Atlantic Coast. The heat wave is blamed for at least nine deaths. More than three hundred thousand homes and businesses are still without power in Michigan, Wisconsin, Maryland and New York City.

Still ahead on the CBS EVENING NEWS, a possible break in the murders of an American woman and her boyfriend in a remote part of Canada.

Allegations of sexual assault and misconduct at an all-male college. Why one accuser posted his story on social media.

And new research found a way to lose up to sixteen pounds. It`s a lot easier than you think.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

END

(Reuters Health) - People who tend to eat mostly plants may be less likely to develop type 2 diabetes, a research review suggests.

Researchers examined data from nine previously published studies with a total of 307,099 participants, including 23,544 people who developed type 2 diabetes. The length of the studies ranged from 2 to 28 years. All of the studies used food frequency questionnaires to assess participants' diets.

Overall, people who most closely adhered to a vegan, vegetarian or other type of plant-based diet were 23% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than people who consumed the least amount of plant-based meals, researchers report in JAMA Internal Medicine.

"Plant-based diets can promote metabolic health and reduce diabetes risk through many pathways, including preventing excess weight gain, improving insulin sensitivity, reducing inflammation, and other mechanisms," said Dr. Qi Sun, senior author of the study and a researcher at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

People who eat a healthy variety of plant-based meals can lower their diabetes risk even when they're not strict vegetarians - avoiding meat, poultry and fish - or vegans - also avoiding animal products like milk and eggs.

But they may not benefit as much if their plant-based diet is full of foods like French fries, white bread, and white rice, Sun said by email.

"It does matter what veggies people eat and how the veggies are processed," Sun said. "Therefore, consuming healthy plant foods that are not or minimally processed, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains, should be emphasized."

People in the study who followed this advice - with the healthiest mix of fruits, vegetables and whole grains in their plant-based diets, were 30% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than participants who tended to ignore this idea.

Type 2 diabetes, the most common form, is linked to obesity and aging and happens when the body can't properly use or make enough of the hormone insulin to convert blood sugar into energy. Left unchecked, diabetes can lead to serious complications like nerve damage, blindness, amputations, kidney damage and heart problems.

Doctors typically advise patients with type 2 diabetes to follow a low-calorie, low-fat and low-carbohydrate diet that includes lots of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains as well as lean poultry and fish. Fatty, sugary foods are discouraged along with consuming too much red or processed meat.

None of the smaller studies in the current analysis were controlled experiments designed to prove whether a plant-based diet helps prevent diabetes or serious complications from the disease.

Still, the results offer fresh evidence of the potential for good eating habits to help prevent and manage diabetes, said Samantha Heller, a nutritionist at New York University Langone Medical Center in New York City.

"Adding more whole plants such as broccoli, edamame, quinoa, extra virgin olive oil, almonds, and berries, to our diet is a great way to help manage type 2 diabetes and weight," Heller, who wasn't involved in the study, said by email.

"Higher fiber foods are healthy for the gut microbiome, improve gastrointestinal function, improve insulin sensitivity, and help manage blood sugar," Heller added. "However, it is important to remember that even (portion sizes) of healthy foods matter."

SOURCE: http://bit.ly/30NStrN[http://bit.ly/30NStrN] JAMA Internal Medicine, online July 22, 2019.

The last time I brought my dog in for her annual exam, the vet raised an eyebrow and double-checked the medical chart. "Same dog?" she asked, clearly surprised that Pepper's recorded age did not match the glossy-coated ball of fur bouncing four feet off the floor in front of her. At 17, this spaniel-Chihuahua is a poster dog for ultra-longevity, and I'm delighted that she seems to be enjoying life with such gusto. But as I edge into my mid-50s, I must confess that my celebration of Pepper's good health has sparked a much more selfish thought: Could my longtime companion's well being bode well for my own?

Recent studies have supported the idea that pets are good for our health. Whether it's their companionship or their insistence that we get off the couch and move (or both), research shows pets can lower blood pressure, improve our mood and even help us live longer. But I was wondering something different: Does a pet's health reflect its human's health status?

I asked Joseph Bartges, professor of veterinary medicine at the University of Georgia, this question. Bartges has been involved in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's One Health initiative, an effort co-led by physicians and veterinarians to find commonalities in their work.

"As veterinarians, we often see pets who have the same health issues as their human companions or who are sentinels for a human health problem," he said, attributing this to the fact that pets and owners share the same environment and spend so much time together.

"The trend of processed foods and everything that occurs with industrialization is making us both sick," he added, citing the increasing numbers of conditions related to diet and lifestyle - such as diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disease and cancer - in pets as well as humans.

Indeed, when researchers in the Netherlands studied pet-human pairs, they found that overweight dogs were more likely to have overweight owners. Because this was an observational study, it is impossible to pinpoint why this is the case, but data suggest that less time spent on walks was the greatest predictor of whether the pair would be overweight. Another study from Germany suggested that we tend to impose our own snacking patterns and attitudes about portion size and processed foods on our pets, which can influence how many calories they get in a day. Obesity is also a health issue for cats, but their body mass does not correlate as closely with that of their human companion. Perhaps this is because cats are more capable of exercising themselves.

"I see [pet-owner] connections all the time in the office," said veterinarian Janet Foley, a One Health proponent who runs the Sonoma County Mobile Veterinary Hospital in Northern California. "But you have to be careful about how you raise these touchy issues. Luckily, I'm a people person, but it's harder for vets who are just pet persons."

Foley said she focuses on giving lifestyle advice for the pet. "But then I see a light bulb go off [for the owner]. They are thinking 'I should do that, too.' "

Our pets can offer other insights into our health issues.

Take your chronic sniffles, for example. If you suspect they might be caused by allergies, you might want to see whether your symptoms are shared by the family dog. According to a recent study from Finland, urban living, small family size, and disconnection from nature and other animals was linked to a higher risk for allergy in humans and their dogs. (Allergic dogs get canine atopic dermatitis, which is a kind of doggy eczema.) On the other hand, dogs and their owners who lived on a farm or in a household with many animals and children, or regularly visited a forest, were protected from allergies.

Though there is still much to be discovered about this "farm effect," many immunologists are convinced microbes play an important role. From birth onward (and possibly in utero) the combinations of microbes found in rural and natural environments seem to train the immune systems of puppies and kids and make them less hyperreactive. Bolstering this idea is the discovery that the skin microbiome on dogs and humans who suffer from allergies differs from their healthy counterparts.

Foley mentioned another way pet allergies might give us a new perspective on our personal health. Feline asthma, she explained, is often triggered by tobacco smoke. So whenever she makes this diagnosis, she'll ask whether there is a smoker in the home. "Sometimes a wheezy cat can offer someone the insight they need to see that smoking is bad for their own health," she said.

Companion animals also provide insight into our mental well being and the strength of our social interactions. "There are some indications of dogs being able to understand the mental state and emotions of their caregiver," said Therese Rehn, a small-animal researcher at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. One of her studies found that people with an avoidant attachment style - meaning they run away from their feelings - often have dogs who separate from their owner when faced with a social stressor. "They don't regard their owner as a safe haven," she said. A recent study reported in Nature supports the notion that our pet's emotional state can mirror our own. Researchers measured hair cortisol levels (an indicator of chronic stress) in dog-human dyads and found a strong degree of interspecies synchronization. In general, this "emotional contagion" seemed to flow from humans to their dogs, and not vice versa.

According to Bartges, feline idiopathic cystitis is an example of a vexing animal health issue that can give us a peek into our own psychology. Cats with idiopathic cystitis don't have a urinary tract infection, but they have blood in the urine, fuss a lot, frequently use the litter box and urinate around the house. (With the exception of the litter box issue, this sounds exactly like interstitial cystitis, a health issue I see often in my female human patients.)

"Idiopathic cystitis is brought on by stress in the household, and owners of cats with idiopathic cystitis are usually stressed about having cats with idiopathic cystitis and it just feeds on itself," Bartges said. His research indicates that simply treating the owner's anxiety by giving them a sense that they are being heard can often make the cat's symptoms disappear. "Here is a case where treating the owner is just as important as treating the pet," he added.

I might be guilty of confirmation bias - interpreting evidence in a way that confirms my hypothesis - but each veterinarian I spoke with validated the idea that a pet's health can often reflect our own: anxiety, obesity, allergies, gastrointestinal infections and even insomnia are all disorders that can exist in pet-owner dyads.

In fact, given all these associations, I am asking all my patients whether they have pets at home and, if so, how those pets are faring. I am also asking patients whether they get personal health pointers (directly or indirectly) from their vets. The number of times I hear "Why yes!" is amazing. One patient credited his vet with solving his long-term sleep problem. ("He told me to treat my dog's fleas, get rid of her noisy collar and get her out of the bed.") Another said that it was her vet's gentle persistence that got her to quit smoking,

Kate Hodgson, a veterinarian at the University of Toronto's medical school, has written extensively about integrating the One Health approach into a medical visit. She recommends that primary care physicians routinely ask about family pets and consider collaborating with the family veterinarian, as long as patients give their permission.

Bartges wants to take things even further. "Over 90 per cent of pet owners consider [their pets] to be a member of the family, so why not start a multi-specialty practice where you can see them all together in the same room?"

Maybe he's on to something. This could be the next health-care trend.

Meanwhile, since our last visit to the vet, I've noticed that Pepper is developing a cataract. It might be time for me to go get my eyes checked, too.

Study could eventually lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative condition

Scientists have found tantalising clues that the devastating condition motor neurone disease may be linked to changes in microbes that live in the gut.

Studies in mice revealed that animals bred to develop amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a form of the disease that affected the cosmologist Stephen Hawking[https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/mar/14/stephen-hawking-professor-dies-aged-76], improved and lived longer when they were given an organism called Akkermansia muciniphila.

Among other substances, the microbe secretes a molecule called nicotinamide which may slow the course of motor neurone disease by improving the function of muscle-controlling neurons in the brain.

The findings are preliminary, and researchers stress that far more work is needed to confirm the effect. But as the first study to link gut microbes – collectively known as the microbiome[https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/mar/26/the-human-microbiome-why-our-microbes-could-be-key-to-our-health] – to the neurodegenerative illness, the work raises the possibility of new treatments for the condition.

Eran Elinav at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel began by showing that mice with a mutation common in ALS patients fared much worse when their gut microbes were all but wiped out with strong antibiotics. The finding suggested that somehow, microbes in the animals’ guts were involved in how quickly the disease progressed.

To explore further, the researchers analysed the gut microbes in the ALS-prone mice and compared them with normal mice. They spotted 11 strains of microbes that were either more or less common in the ALS-prone animals as the disease progressed and physical symptoms took hold.

Two types of bugs, called Ruminococcus torques and Parabacteroides distasonis, both exacerbated the symptoms of ALS, a disease that kills off motor neurons and tends to be fatal in humans within three to five years of diagnosis. Only Akkermansia muciniphila appeared to improve the animals’ symptoms.

After examining thousands of molecules produced by the gut microbes, the scientists identified nicotinamide as a potentially important one. To test its effects directly, the scientists used tiny pumps to infuse the compound into the animals. “When we gave it to ALS-prone mice it very significantly improved ALS severity in these mice,” Elinav said. It also altered gene expression in the animals’ brains, returning it to a more healthy state, he added.

The researchers went on to look at the microbiomes of 37 human ALS patients and compared the results with healthy family members. They discovered that the patients had low levels of nicotinamide in their blood. In further tests, other ALS patients were found to have low levels of nicotinamide in their blood and the cerebrospinal fluid that bathes the brain. “Interestingly, nicotinamide levels were mildly correlated to the motor function of these ALS patients,” Elinav said.

He also emphasised that the research, although promising, is still at an early stage. “While these human results are interesting and may shed new light on the elusive modulators and causes of human ALS, they are very preliminary,” he said.

“By no means do these preliminary results constitute in any form or shape a recommendation for human treatment, intervention or prevention by patients and their physicians,” he added.

Brian Dickie, director of research development at the Motor Neurone Disease Association, said: “There is increasing evidence from a wide variety of sources that the bacteria in our gut can play a role in a wide range of neurological conditions, though ALS has not been as widely studied as other conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and stroke.

“These are important new findings which support the theory that certain bacteria may play a disease-modifying role in ALS and that this may occur though changes in a particular metabolic pathway. This adds to an emerging, but still fuzzy, picture of a different metabolism that seems to occur in people with ALS. Diet and exercise are also being studied as potential factors associated with the disease.”

Those who who consume diets high in veg, fruit, unprocessed red meat, fish and whole grains are less likely to suffer with depression or anxiety disorders

When Professor Felice Jacka first began studying the effects of diet on mental health back in 2005, people thought she was, well, a bit mad.

“Suggesting what we eat might ­influence how we feel was, to many, the domain of hippie-trippy, non-evidence-based belief rather than real medicine,” says the Australian.

“Many seemed to have a disdain for the idea that diet might be of relevance to mental health.

“Back then there simply wasn’t much in the way of scientific evidence linking food and mood.”

Jacka, one of the world’s top researchers in nutritional ­psychiatry, became interested in her field due to personal ­experience.

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She developed an anxiety disorder as a child, then suffered panic attacks and bouts of depression as a teenager growing up in Melbourne.

But she focused on her exercise, diet and sleep – and by her late twenties had recovered.

Having previously attended art school, Jacka decided to return to university to study psychology, completing a PhD that made such significant findings it appeared on the cover of the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Its biggest revelation was that women who consume diets high in veg, fruit, unprocessed red meat, fish and wholegrain, were less likely to suffer with depression or anxiety disorders than their counterparts who ate more ­typically ‘western’ diets packed with processed food, such as meat pies, burgers, pizza, chips, white bread and soft drinks.

Perhaps more surprising, however, was it demonstrated those whose diets revolve around fish, tofu, beans, nuts, yoghurt and red wine also suffered MORE depression.

(This turned out to be due to a lack of red meat. Contrary to all her predictions, further research Professor Jacka carried out revealed that women who ate more red meat were 20-30 per cent less likely to have a history of depressive anxiety disorder).

Jacka, who is now director of the Food & Mood Centre at Deakin University in Australia, and founder and ­president of the ­International Society for ­Nutritional Psychiatry Research, said: “When I investigated, I saw a very clear relationship between red meat consumption and mental health – but not in the direction I expected.”

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Her research clearly demonstrated that “compared to women consuming the ­recommended amount of red meat (65-100g three to four times a week), those eating either less or more than that were roughly twice as likely to have a clinical depression or anxiety disorder.”

Since that first research paper, Professor Jacka has gone on to publish more than 150 peer-reviewed scientific papers which have changed popular opinion on the causes of mental ill health.

In 2015, for example, she discovered that, in essence, junk food shrinks our brain – or at least the left hippocampus (which, in part, regulates emotion, memory and mental health). “We found getting not enough of the good stuff and too much of the bad stuff was problematic,” says Jacka.

But it was her SMILES study (Supporting the Modification of lifestyle in Lowered Emotional States) published in 2017, which could prove life changing for anyone with mental health issues.

For the trial, men and women with clinical depression were assigned either a dietary support group or social support.

“The diet was developed using everything we had learned to date on the links between diet, gut health and mental and brain health and was based on both a traditional ­Mediterranean diet and the Australian dietary guidelines,” says Jacka.

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“The team called it the ModiMed diet to signify it was a modified version of a ­traditional ­Mediterranean diet.

“It was ­specifically designed to be easy to make and follow – and inexpensive.”

The plan required eating more fruit, veg, whole grains, legumes, nuts, low-fat dairy, fish and lean meats while cutting back on processed junk food and alcohol. The results were astounding.

After three months a third of participants on the ModiMed diet had improved their mental wellbeing enough to say their ­depression had gone into remission, compared to just 8% in the second, social support group.

“Simply speaking, the more people improved their diets, the more their ­depression improved,” she says.

Professor Jacka has now distilled her ­findings from the last 15 years of research into a new book – Brain Changer: How Diet Can Save Your Mental Health, complete with meal plans and recipes for improved mental wellbeing.

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She believes we should consider our food as the basis of our mental and brain health throughout our lives.

“While we’ve been told for years that ultra-processed foods that are high in energy and damaging additives and low in fibre and nutrients will mean more illness and early death from chronic diseases, only recently have we understood the implications for our mental health and the health of our brains.”

More importantly, unlike many risk factors of mental illness – such as your genes, abuse, significant trauma or physical causes such as head injuries – diet is something we can address ourselves.

“What we put in our mouths really matters,” she says. “Don’t be seduced by fast, cheap, tasty food – the price you pay really will not be worth it.”

1 Select fruit, vegetables and nuts as a snack. Eat 3 servings of fruit and 30g (1½ tablespoons) unsalted nuts every day.

2 Include vegetables with every meal. Eat leafy greens and tomatoes every day.

3 Select wholegrain breads and cereals. Base your serving sizes on your activity levels.

4 Eat legumes (lentils, peas, chickpeas, beans, soybeans and peanuts) three or four times a week.

5 Eat oily fish at least twice a week.

6 Eat lean red meat three or four times a week but limit your serving sizes to 65–100g.

7 Include two to three servings of dairy every day. Select reduced-fat products and plain yoghurt.

8 Use olive oil as your main added fat. Use 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil every day.

9 Save sweets for special occasions.

10 Water is the best drink.

Food stories

At first glance this plan may seem quite restrictive, but the idea is merely to provide guidance. It isn’t intended to be rigorously adhered to with the measuring, weighing and recording of food.

Day 1

Breakfast: 1 poached egg on 2 slices soya and linseed bread with avocado, tomato and spinach

Snack: 200g Greek yoghurt with 1 cup fresh or frozen berries

Lunch: 1–2 wholegrain flat breads with 95g tinned tuna and green salad Snack: 30g almonds and 30g dried fruit

Dinner: Grilled lamb steak with vegetables and brown rice

Snack: Smoothie (250 ml reduced-fat milk with a banana and 1–2 teaspoons honey)

DAY 2

Breakfast: ½ cup baked beans on 2 slices wholegrain toast with tomato, mushrooms, avocado and herbs

Snack: An orange

Lunch: 3 wholegrain crackers with salad and 20g reduced-fat cheese Snack: An apple

Dinner: Chicken pasta with vegetables and pesto

Snack: 2 kiwi fruit

DAY 3

Breakfast: Omelette made with 1 egg, with red onion, tomato, herbs and 40g grated reduced-fat cheese on 2 slices wholegrain toast

Snack: 2 mandarins

Lunch: ½ cup tinned mixed beans with 1 cup salad vegetables and ½–1 cup couscous

Snack: An orange and 15g walnuts

Dinner: Beef stir-fry with sugarsnap peas, broccoli, carrot, asparagus spring onions, cashews and noodles

Snack: 200g plain yoghurt with 1 cup berries

In the third of the Telegraph’s guides to better health and wellbeing throughout your lifetime, experts reveal how to maintain a healthy diet, whatever your age.

Eat well while you’re young, and you’ll set up healthy habits for life - a good idea in theory, certainly, though trickier in the offing. While the mainstays of a good diet apply no matter your age - everything in moderation, eating whole foods wherever possible and choosing from a wide range of ingredients - certain decades of life and the changes they bring, be they hormonal or lifestyle-based, can require us to sharpen our focus on particular areas. Here’s what to look out for at every age and stage.

Teens

Your metabolism slows with age – a decline that begins, according to Michael Jensen, who researches the subject at the Mayo Clinic [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/looks-like-hotel-best-hospital-world-opening-doors-london/], at the age of 18. While there may be no better time for us to be laying the groundwork for good eating patterns, however, this is surely when we are least likely to do it, as the sweet counter at the newsagent and sneaky trips to McDonald’s after school so often prove more alluring than the broccoli parents optimistically load onto their adolescents’ plate at dinner.

“It’s a generation we’re a bit worried about,” says dietitian Helen Bond, pointing to the low-iron diets teenagers, who often choose ultra-processed foods, are subject to. The requisite amounts –11.3 - 14.8mg per day for boys and girls respectively – from foods such as red meat, leafy greens and wholegrains will safeguard growth and muscle development while warding off “poor lethargy and concentration.”

Girls’ requirements are the larger, due to blood loss during menstruation: haem iron is the form most efficiently absorbed by the gut (and found in meat and fish), though a well planned vegetarian diet of non-haem iron-rich foods such as vegetables, cereals and pulses can produce the same results.

Calcium maintenance at this age matters as well, adds Bond. “Teenagers don’t really think about how they will be in their sixties and seventies because it’s a long way off, but bone mass is attained within [those] years,” she says.

Research shows that 16 per cent of teenagers [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/parenting/teenagers/] overall (or 22 per cent of girls aged 11-18) fall short of the recommended amount of 800-1000mg per day, the best sources of which are in dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt, and leafy greens, pulses and fish (particularly those with bones in, like sardines). “Good foundations really are key,” Bond says. “The more calcium that’s deposited in the bones during childhood and adolescence, the stronger bones will be in later life.”

Twenties

Student life, personal relationships and career-building can easily get in the way of good living, yet healthy habits instituted during your twenties will have a lasting effect: a 2012 study found that those who maintained good eating and fitness regimes during this age had a lower risk of heart disease in their 40s, irrespective of whether it ran in their family – proof that nurture may well be able to override nature.

But late nights in the office often end up in the pub, and then the kebab shop; youthful metabolism may still be on your side to a degree, but that can only last so long. Finding love can have a pernicious effect on your waistline, too: a study of 2,000 people last year found that an average of 1.2 stone was gained in the first year of coupling up, with that more than doubling to 2.6 stone over the course of a relationship.

And attempting to counteract additional pounds with fad diets, also commonplace during one’s twenties, do little good either - a 2014 study found that enacting extreme weight-control methods now led to a greater likelihood of being overweight or obese by the time they reached their thirties.

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“Males are very simple creatures - we are born, we think about food, and that’s it,” says Dr GIles Yeo, Principal Research Associate at the University of Cambridge [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/university-of-cambridge/] and author of Gene Eating. For women, he adds, things are more complex: “there are four types: pre-baby, pregnant (an entirely different species), post pregnancy and post menopause. The huge changes in hormones influence the entire landscape in which the foods interact.”

The best means of defence is, he says, “keeping in mind the rules of moderation” and ensuring a diet rich in “fibre, which keeps our microbiome and bowel happy, and more unsaturated fats (i.e. avocados and oily fish) rather than saturated ones (such as processed meat and butter) - those are two golden rules.”

The trend for ‘clean eating’, or cutting out entire food groups like carbohydrates or fat in order to keep weight at a stable level, also has poor outcomes for longterm health too, Dr Yeo says, adding that the real secret to good living “is the most boring in the world – a moderate amount of everything.”

Keep an eye on sugar and fat consumption, he adds, but “don’t demonise any foods,” as this will only create deficiencies further down the line or bad habits for when short-term diets – the majority of which fail – veer off-course.

Thirties

Eating for two may sound exciting in theory, but is just one of many medical myths surrounding pregnancy, says Hollywood fitness instructor Simone De La Rue [https://www.bodybysimone.com/] . “You will have cravings and that’s natural” – she admits that pizza and ice cream featured among hers – “but like anything, you have to have discipline,” she explains.

The NHS [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/nhs/] makes similar warnings about the dangers of ‘eating for two’, encouraging expectant mothers to maintain healthy levels of fruit, fat and fibre, while avoiding mould-ripened soft cheeses (such as brie or camembert), too much oily fish (no more than two portions per week), and partially cooked meat or eggs.

Stress [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/mental-health/] is one of the biggest causes of weight gain during this age and, as workplace pressures and the need to balance the personal and professional rise during this time of life, recognising the signs it may be derailing your diet are key. Being consumed with work can cause either disaffection with ensuring that you are eating right or cause you to reach for options that are low in nutrients but high in saturated fats “in an attempt to fulfil emotional needs,” according to the Mayo Clinic, “even when you’re not hungry.”

They advise asking yourself why you’re eating before that first bite: is it because your stomach really is rumbling, or just because you want the warm embrace of slab of Dairy Milk? Stress also directly affects the speed of women’s metabolism, according to 2015 research, with study participants who admitted to feeling under pressure in the 24 hours prior burning fewer calories than their peers, as well as resulting in higher levels of insulin, which contributes to fat storage - usually around the abdomen, which is linked to far greater health risks.

Forties

Middle age sees a “toxic mixture of sitting down all the time and having a lot of money to spend on food,” Dr Yeo says, “and if you are at risk of type 2 diabetes [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/diabetes/] or cardiovascular disease, you need to watch what you eat.

“There’s a huge chunk of the population for whom diet related illness are driven by lifestyle, and they make themselves most apparent” at a time when “the bounciness of youth” has departed, and four decades of damage accumulation make themselves known.

Dr Yeo’s preferred method for “keeping the tide back” is to ensure good levels of physical activity [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/exercise/] (if you haven’t already) which will not only keep middle aged spread in check, but combat diminishing muscle mass. S am Gregory, co-founder of F45 Stratford fitness studio [https://f45training.co.uk/stratford/schedule], suggests “two good resistance training sessions and two cardio” weekly, complemented by “plenty of healthy fats – nuts, seeds and good quality oils including olive, coconut and avocado.”

Gregory, 41, also takes a fish oil supplement, which “tends to help with cardiovascular health,” while opting for protein-based breakfasts instead of more carbohydrate-heavy toasts and cereals; “changes that will really help the body.”

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Fifties

The average woman in the UK begins the menopause [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/menopause/] at 51, at which point oestrogen production drops, raising heart disease risk to the same level as men’s, as well as susceptibility to osteoporosis. Weight, blood pressure and cholesterol must be monitored during this decade, which means cutting back on alcohol and caffeine, and picking low-sodium options where available for foods like stock cubes, baked beans and soy sauce at the supermarket.

With evermore research drawing links between our lifestyles and serious diseases like cancer, [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cancer/] inflammation and hypertension, renewed focus on eating well and moving as much as possible must override the natural inclination to take your foot off the pedal.

“Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon,” journalist Doug Larson once wrote: both as a prescient nugget of truth, and reminder that processed meats like those found in a BLT serve, sadly, very little nutritional purpose.

Sixties and Seventies

Retirement can provide a good point at which to recalibrate healthy regimes. Continuing a diet rich in calcium and protein sources remains crucial, due to the ongoing diminishment of bones and muscle: Bond advises plenty of kale, spinach, broccoli, eggs and brightly coloured fruits.

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The latter, including oranges and carrots, are rich in carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which are believed to boost eye health generally and protect against conditions like age-related macular degeneration, which can impair vision.

With life expectancy in the UK now 81, ensuring that the growing number of years we have are good quality matters all the more. At every stage, “you need to find a diet and exercise regime – it’s not one versus the other – that matches your age in life,” Dr Yeo advises.

Maintenance may not feel as immediately gratifying as shedding half a stone thanks to a rapid diet, but the longterm benefits of sustained good living mean you will see the proof in the (occasional) pudding.

Next Monday in the Telegraph: The secret to beating stress, whatever your age

"It is a thrill to possess shelves well stocked with home-canned food. In fact, you will find their inspection (often surreptitious), and the pleasure of serving the fruits of your labours, comparable only to a clear conscience or a very becoming hat."

Not much has changed since author and home cook Irma Rombauer wrote those words in the introduction to the Canning (Bottling) chapter of her 1948 revised (U.K.) edition of the Joy of Cooking, except perhaps the main reasons why people preserve food nowadays - and the style of hat.

In the past, preserving in Quebec, as in most northern climates, was a way of ensuring that there would be enough food to get through winter. But now, preserving - be it canning, dehydrating or fermenting - is often more about having fun or making something cool.

There aren't any local or seasonal ingredients in Bals Provisions'signature Boozetella, a red wine-drenched, dairy-free version of Nutella that Crystal Porcher's (aka Crystal Bals) recommends eating with a spoon. But Lac-St-Jean berries shine in her blueberry and maple jam and there's a fair bit of local rhubarb in her mango chutney. "Part of the business is to highlight what we do have during our short season," she says.

Melissa Simard of Round Table Food Tours started making salsa and caponata as gifts for people, then branched out to hot peppers in oil, funky fish-sauced sambals and fermented mustard pickles. She only got into using local produce when she began teaching food workshops at community organizations, sourcing large quantities of cabbages, tomatoes and onions for sauerkraut, ketchups, chutneys and relishes directly from farms.

Until construction forced Mouna Joulali to close her Plateau boutique, L'Étagère Gourmande, her kiwi-lemon and piña colada jams made for an economical tropical holiday with every bite of your winter toast. But she still trades her jams with friends, because preserving for her is also about tradition and seasonality - just somewhere else. She named her company after the forbidden shelf where her Tunisian grandmother put her huge jars of Joulali's favourite apricot jam. And she only makes her pomegranate jam with roasted almonds and toasted sesame seeds in fall - pomegranate season in Northwest Africa.

Jean-Luc Henry of Revolution Fermentation's first experience with preserving food was making cheese, cream and butter with fresh milk from a farm near his home in France. But most people who come to his monthly fermentation workshops are less interested in preserving the harvest or eating healthier food than they are in making something exotic, unique and delicious, he says.

"In my workshops, many people come and say, 'I'm addicted to kimchee! I want to make so much because in every meal I want to eat kimchee!'And that's really amazing," he says. Others are being inspired by nut miss, fermented blueberry pastes and coffee kombucha recipes in books like The Noma Guide to Fermentation.

Porcher of Bals Provisions also learned about preserving through her family. Her mom and grandma had their own garden plot on the family farm in northern Alberta where they pickled beets and carrots and made freezer jams. "If you want to eat without spending a ton of money in the winter, that's the ticket. You work with everything that's in its best form in the summer and you have it all winter," she says.

For some, preserving is still about saving money, but with fresh fruits and vegetables available yearround, most people aren't canning for survival anymore. Lucky you if you have your own farm or garden plot large enough to grow so many raspberries, cucumbers or beans that you wouldn't want to just eat them all fresh. Most of us, however, are stuck paying for and lugging large quantities of fruits and vegetables home from the store, market or farm.

But is it worth buying $40 of pristine seascape strawberries to make three pints of jam when Bonne Maman goes for $4.99? Is it worth a day spent blanching seemingly endless tomatoes when commercially canned ones go for $1.50? Do you decide, reluctantly, not to argue when your friend cooks down $10 of starchy April apples to make a few cups of applesauce when a bottled, organic, Canadian-made commercial version - preserved at the peak of the apple harvest - retails for less than $2? For some, it is. It tastes better, says Montreal food blogger Ksenia Prints of At the Immigrant's Table. "With homemade pickles, it's the only way I have to actually get pickles close to what I remember from my childhood. Nothing in the store comes close," she says.

For others, preserving is more about reducing their carbon footprints, ensuring agricultural diversity, making healthier versions of commercially canned foods with less sugar and fewer preservatives or simply spending time with friends of family while making something with your own hands.

"Local farmers work really hard here in Quebec," says Porcher. "A lot of them aren't monoculture farmers. Go to a farmers'market and see the heirloom tomatoes; they taste and look better and you're promoting diversity. Because if you're only growing corn or soybeans and you have a bad year, you're hopped. You can lose a whole season to a hailstorm. Farmers have insurance, but it's still a real bummer."

As much as Porcher wants to support local farmers, she's not about to stop spiking her strawberry jam with imported balsamic vinegar anytime soon (she'll have it to sample at the Marché Fermier near Laurier métro on July 21 and 28 along with her blueberry maple jam, smoked corn relish and Sweet Heat Ginger Beets). She's also not about to tell others to only eat local. "That's really something that everyone can decide for themselves. I'm still going to make things in smaller quantities that are a treat," she says.

But preserving what's in season is still the foundation of her food philosophy, which, as Irma Rombauer might say, provides the pleasure of a clear conscience. Add that to her well-stocked shelves of jams and pickles and now all Porcher needs is a hat.

YOU CAN CAN (AND PRESERVE)

While there are excellent books on canning and fermentation, such as Food in Jars by Marisa McLelland and Fermentation Revolution by Montreal-based David Côté and Sébastien Bureau, it's often easiest to learn from someone who's done it before. Health Canada says only six cases of botulism were reported annually between 2012 and 2016 across the country, but it's still important to follow canning steps carefully, lest you end up tossing those precious strawberries when your jars leak.

1. Take a canning class: Montreal's Preservation Society has a pickle and ferment workshop coming up on July 27. Founder and pastry chef Camilla Wynne also has a preserving cookbook, Preservation Society Home Preserves: 100 Modern Recipes. More info at preservationsociety.ca.

2. Volunteer: Santropol Roulant is running weekly food preservation sessions this summer at which volunteers make jams, pickles, relishes and other preserves using food harvested from the non-profit organization's Senneville Farm. You can sign up to volunteer at santropolroulant.org.

3. Take a fermentation class: Jean-Luc Henry of Revolution Fermentation offers fermentation classes about once a month. He suggests starting with small-batch fermentation at home instead of canning because it doesn't require electricity or fancy gadgets. Lacto-fermented foods also contain healthy microorganisms that have been credited with promoting gut health. Beginner-friendly recipes for sauerkraut and fermented salsa as well as a workshop schedule are available at revolutionfermentation.ca.

WHERE TO BUY QUALITY PRODUCE

1. Talk to farmers Crystal Porcher of Bals Provisions recommends asking farmers at local markets what they have a lot of and what price they can give for a larger quantity. For those who don't have a vehicle, she recommends the Thursday and Sunday Marché Fermier, conveniently located in front of Laurier métro (marchefermier.ca). In that case, bring a large shopping cart or stroller.

2. Buy direct to save money Les Jardins Épicées (lesjardinsepices.com), a pesticideand chemical-free farm, is a short drive from Montreal on Île-Bizard. Call first to see what's available.

3. Pick your own Eco-friendly Paradis des Fruits in Dunham (paradisdesfruits.com) grows multiple varieties of cultivated blueberries. It also has blackcurrants (essential for your first batch of cassis), redcurrants and sour cherries. Bleuetière Champs de Rêve (facebook. com/biobleu/) is an organic blueberry farm in Ste-Geneviève-de-Batiscan. And Quinn Farm on L'Île-Perrot (quinnfarm.qc.ca) has pesticide-free strawberries, raspberries and other fruits and vegetables.

4. Inspect before you buy "If the fruit's starting to discolour or has any mould, don't buy it," says Porcher. Once home, spread the fruit carefully on a cookie sheet. Mold spores will grow quickly, so discard any with visible mould and wash the rest thoroughly.

* uBiome[https://ubiome.com/] was founded in 2012 on the promise of helping ordinary people understand the bacteria[https://www.businessinsider.com/microbiome-gut-bacteria-test-forgotten-organ-future-medicine-ubiome-photos-2018-11?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest] living in and on them, known as their microbiome.

* The company eventually raised $105 million from investors[https://www.businessinsider.com/ubiome-raises-83-million-and-plans-to-get-into-drug-development-2018-9?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest] and reached a valuation of $600 million.

* In late April, the FBI searched uBiome's office as part of an investigation.

* By the end of June, the company's top leadership and many of its board members had departed[https://www.businessinsider.com/ubiome-leadership-ceo-execs-out-poop-testing-startup-fbi-2019-6?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest].

* Business Insider reports regularly on the latest developments at uBiome. You can read our stories by subscribing to BI Prime.[https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/prime?r=ub-lp?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest]

The Silicon Valley startup uBiome[https://www.businessinsider.com/category/ubiome?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest] was founded in 2012, on the promise of helping ordinary people understand the bacteria[https://www.businessinsider.com/microbiome-gut-bacteria-test-forgotten-organ-future-medicine-ubiome-photos-2018-11?r=ub-lp?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest] living in and on them, known as their microbiome.

The company morphed from citizen science project to venture-backed startup, taking in $105 million from investors[https://www.businessinsider.com/ubiome-raises-83-million-and-plans-to-get-into-drug-development-2018-9?r=ub-lp?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest] and reaching a valuation of $600 million.

Then the troubles began. The FBI raided the company in April, reportedly[https://www.wsj.com/articles/ubiome-offices-searched-by-fbi-11556301287] as part of an investigation into the startup's billing practices. By the end of June, the company's top leadership and many of its board members had departed[https://www.businessinsider.com/ubiome-leadership-ceo-execs-out-poop-testing-startup-fbi-2019-6?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest].

Read more: uBiome convinced Silicon Valley that testing poop was worth $600 million. Then the FBI came knocking. Here's the inside story.[https://www.businessinsider.com/ubiome-poop-testing-startup-inside-story-what-happened-timeline-2019-5?r=ub-lp?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest]

Here's everything we know about what's going on at uBiome.

The inside story

* uBiome convinced Silicon Valley that testing poop was worth $600 million. Then the FBI came knocking. Here's the inside story.[https://www.businessinsider.com/ubiome-poop-testing-startup-inside-story-what-happened-timeline-2019-5?r=ub-lp?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest]

* Embattled $600 million poop-testing startup uBiome once partnered with Nurx, a birth control company at the center of a New York Times exposé[https://www.businessinsider.com/ubiome-nurx-birth-control-startup-nyt-expose-2019-6?r=ub-lp?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest]

* uBiome's founder repeatedly presented herself as years younger than she was, in the latest sign of trouble at the embattled $600 million poop-testing startup[https://www.businessinsider.com/ubiome-startup-fbi-raid-jessica-richman-ceo-founders-misled-age-2019-5?r=ub-lp?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest]

* Here's the letter the $600 million healthcare startup uBiome sent to reassure investors after it was raided by the FBI[https://www.businessinsider.com/ubiome-startup-letter-to-investors-from-john-rakow-after-fbi-raid-2019-5?r=ub-lp?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest]

* Silicon Valley startup uBiome raised $105 million on the promise of exploring a 'forgotten organ.' After an FBI raid, ex-employees say it cut corners in its quest for growth.[https://www.businessinsider.com/ubiome-silicon-valley-microbiome-startup-cut-corners-employees-say-2019-5?r=ub-lp?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest]

Leadership exits and layoffs

* uBiome just added a top bankruptcy lawyer and a turnaround expert to its board as the troubled poop-testing startup grapples with its future[https://www.businessinsider.com/ubiome-new-board-members-after-fbi-raid-board-departures-2019-7?r=ub-lp?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest]

* Troubled poop-testing startup uBiome is laying off half its staff[https://www.businessinsider.com/poop-testing-startup-ubiome-is-laying-off-114-employees-2019-7?r=ub-lp?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest]

* All of uBiome's top execs are out at the embattled poop-testing startup that's at the center of an FBI investigation[https://www.businessinsider.com/ubiome-leadership-ceo-execs-out-poop-testing-startup-fbi-2019-6?r=ub-lp?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest]

* UBiome's independent directors are ditching the healthcare startup following an FBI raid, and now there's only 1 left[https://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-on-the-ubiome-board-of-directors-after-fbi-raid-2019-5?r=ub-lp?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest]

* A microbiome-testing company that has raised $105 million has suspended its two main tests and put its co-CEOs on leave following an FBI raid[https://www.businessinsider.com/microbiome-testing-company-ubiome-suspends-smartgut-smartjane-tests-2019-5?r=ub-lp?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest]

Science and poop tests

* uBiome just restarted lab operations, after the poop-testing startup brought back the lab director it laid off last week[https://www.businessinsider.com/ubiome-resumes-explorer-testing-after-bringing-back-its-lab-director-2019-7?r=ub-lp?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest]

* A renowned Harvard geneticist and MacArthur 'genius' were among the 75 scientist advisers for embattled $600 million poop-testing startup uBiome. But 'they were pretty much there for show.'[https://www.businessinsider.com/ubiome-fbi-raid-large-uninvolved-board-of-scientists-doctors-experts-2019-5?r=ub-lp?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest]

* I tried a test from troubled poop-testing startup uBiome that let me peek inside a 'forgotten organ.' Here's what I learned.[https://www.businessinsider.com/microbiome-gut-bacteria-test-forgotten-organ-future-medicine-ubiome-photos-2018-11?r=ub-lp?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest]

* A startup that's helping us better understand the bugs that live in us just raised $83 million to start developing treatments for diseases like cancer[https://www.businessinsider.com/ubiome-raises-83-million-and-plans-to-get-into-drug-development-2018-9?r=ub-lp?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest]

Complaints and probes

* An entrepreneur who worked with uBiome says the troubled poop-testing startup owes him $600,000[https://www.businessinsider.com/ubiome-poop-testing-startup-fbi-raid-may-owe-entrepreneur-2019-7?r=ub-lp?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest]

* UBiome's board just tapped a former federal prosecutor to run an internal investigation after the FBI raided the $600 million Silicon Valley startup[https://www.businessinsider.com/ubiome-board-tapped-milbanks-george-canellos-to-run-investigation-microbiome-startup-2019-5?r=ub-lp?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest]

* Customer complaints show $600 million health startup uBiome has been surprising patients and insurers with bills for years[https://www.businessinsider.com/customer-complaints-about-ubiomes-microbiome-tests-and-billing-2019-5?r=ub-lp?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest]

* The FBI reportedly just raided microbiome-testing startup uBiome as part of an investigation into improper billing[https://www.businessinsider.com/microbiome-testing-startup-ubiome-fbi-raid-2019-4?r=ub-lp?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest]

NOW WATCH: Look inside the 3D-printed Mars home that NASA awarded $500,000[https://www.businessinsider.com/mars-home-marsha-ai-spacefactory-3d-printed-nasa-2019-6?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest]

See Also:

* uBiome just added a top bankruptcy lawyer and a turnaround expert to its board as the troubled poop-testing startup grapples with its future[https://www.businessinsider.com/ubiome-new-board-members-after-fbi-raid-board-departures-2019-7?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest]

* A CEO who built a cancer drugmaker and then joined Google’s $4.5 billion venture arm reveals the 2 key elements he looks for before investing in startups[https://www.businessinsider.com/what-gvs-david-schenkein-looks-for-in-healthcare-investments-2019-7?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest]

* Here's everything you need to know about CBD, the cannabis compound that's in everything from coffee to ice cream and could soon be a $16 billion business[https://www.businessinsider.com/latest-news-about-cbd-science-business-and-investing-2019-6?utm_source=dowjones&utm_medium=ingest]

It wasn’t long ago that a spa meant a couple of pokey treatment rooms doing overpriced, mediocre massages and facials. The UK once lagged way behind the likes of Austria, Germany, Italy and Hungary – countries where spa-going is part of the culture, and a steam, sauna and cold dip (often in the nude, men and women alike) is the natural thing to do before a pre-dinner G&T. But as our insatiable interest in wellness, fitness and, increasingly, mindfulness continues to grow, so has the offering in spa hotels across the UK. Below I have listed some personal favourites, from year-round rooftop spas in Yorkshire to the thermal spa waters of Bath.

The Gainsborough Bath Spa[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/somerset/bath/hotels/The-Gainsborough-Bath-Spa-hotel//]

Bath, Somerset, England

9Telegraph expert rating

Thermal waters are the draw at The Gainsborough: its Spa Village has thermal pools, powerful massage jets, ice alcoves and thermal fountains. Other treatments include 'freedom' – controlled submerging with a therapist, which is liberating both mentally and physically – ginger exfoliation and magnesium wraps (the mineral antidote for anxiety). Massages draw on Malaysia’s rich healing heritage. You can even access thermal waters from your bathroom, a UK first. Read expert review[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/somerset/bath/hotels/The-Gainsborough-Bath-Spa-hotel//] From £213per nightCheck availability[https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/the-gainsborough-bath-spa-bath.html?aid=839822;label=TMG-1travel1destinations1europe1united0kingdom1articles1the0best0hotels0for0spa0breaks0in0the0uk-The2Gainsborough2Bath2Spa]Rates provided byBooking.com

• An insider's guide to Bath[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/somerset/bath/articles/bath-travel-guide/]

Calcot & Spa[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/gloucestershire/hotels/cotswolds-calcot-manor-hotel//]

Tetbury, Cotswolds, England

9Telegraph expert rating

The sprawling and spacious spa complements this extensive country house retreat with its relaxing treatment rooms, heated outdoor hot tub and indoor slate-lined pool (with separate swimming times for children) as well as large outdoor pool. Treatments include massages, facials, men’s grooming, manicures and pedicures and include Aromatherapy Associates, CACI and Skin Regimen – a new scientific, holistic approach to halting the skin’s ageing process. Read expert review[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/gloucestershire/hotels/cotswolds-calcot-manor-hotel//] From £259per nightCheck availability[https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/calcot-manor.html?aid=839822;label=TMG-1travel1destinations1europe1united0kingdom1articles1the0best0hotels0for0spa0breaks0in0the0uk-Calcot2%262Spa]Rates provided byBooking.com

• The world's most amazing spa breaks[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hotels/articles/the-worlds-most-amazing-spa-breaks/]

Salcombe Harbour Hotel & Spa[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/devon/salcombe/hotels/salcombe-harbour-hotel-and-spa//]

Salcombe, Devon, England

9Telegraph expert rating

You will make full use of the guest binoculars from an Estuary View room in this sleek, family-friendly spa hotel. The river is startlingly close and mesmerisingly gorgeous, with plenty of boat and wildlife activity plus nearby coves for bucket-and-spade outings. The pool has a 'children’s hours' policy; outside these times, it’s a fragrant haven of calm. Treats include the blissful lava shell massage – hot shells that iron out tension – and ESPA facials (The Lift and Firm truly does!). With cocktails, superb seafood and a mini-cinema, everyone is happy. Read expert review[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/devon/salcombe/hotels/salcombe-harbour-hotel-and-spa//] From £230per nightCheck availability[https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/salcombe-harbour.html?aid=839822;label=TMG-1travel1destinations1europe1united0kingdom1articles1the0best0hotels0for0spa0breaks0in0the0uk-Salcombe2Harbour2Hotel2%262Spa]Rates provided byBooking.com

• The 50 greatest hotels in Britain for summer[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/articles/the-best-hotels-in-britain-for-summer/]

Barnsley House[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/gloucestershire/hotels/cotswolds-barnsley-house-hotel//]

Cirencester, Cotswolds, England

9Telegraph expert rating

You walk across the hotel’s exquisite garden to reach the spa, strikingly set in a dell beside a cow-grazed pasture. It exudes rustic chic, with log tables in the relaxation room and corridors suffused with heady aromas from bunches of herbs strung over beams. Treatments are mainly based on Aromatherapy Associates products, with state-of-the-art CACI (Computer Aided Cosmetology Instrument) facials also available. Facilities include a sauna, a steam room and a outdoor hydrotherapy pool. Read expert review[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/gloucestershire/hotels/cotswolds-barnsley-house-hotel//] From £181per nightCheck availability[https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/barnsley-house.html?aid=839822;label=TMG-1travel1destinations1europe1united0kingdom1articles1the0best0hotels0for0spa0breaks0in0the0uk-Barnsley2House]Rates provided byBooking.com

• The best spa hotels in the North of England[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/articles/the-best-spa-hotels-in-the-north-of-england/]

Hotel Café Royal[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/london/central/west-end/hotels/cafe-royal-hotel//]

Piccadilly, London, England

9Telegraph expert rating

This subterranean spa and holistic wellbeing centre taps into the four elements: earth (a tiny lounge with a menu designed with a nutritionist); water (with a lap pool, steam room, sauna and whirlpool tub); fire (hi-tech gym full of sparky members); and air (classes such as yoga). Creamy sandstone and glowing Moroccan floor lanterns lead to a hammam for purifying scrubs and massages, Maghreb-style. A steamy ritual in a white marble room helps blood circulation, revives skin and releases tension using warm oil massage, aromatic soaps and exfoliation. Read expert review[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/london/central/west-end/hotels/cafe-royal-hotel//] From £530per nightCheck availability[https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/cafe-royal.html?aid=839822;label=TMG-1travel1destinations1europe1united0kingdom1articles1the0best0hotels0for0spa0breaks0in0the0uk-Hotel2Caf%C3%A92Royal]Rates provided byBooking.com

• The best spa hotels in the south of England[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/articles/top-10-best-spa-hotels-in-the-south-of-england/]

Corinthia Hotel London[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/london/central/west-end/charing-cross/hotels/corinthia-hotel-london//]

Charing Cross, London, England

8Telegraph expert rating

Spread over four floors, this place is unashamedly cool: black Italian marble, stained oak panels, heated marble loungers and private sleep pods. With style comes substance: the spa is home to top practitioners in naturopathy, osteopathy, physiotherapy and acupuncture. More pampering? Go for an ESPA Pure Indulgence Body Ritual – two hours of exfoliation, a wrap and a body and scalp massage. Chill out in the vast thermal suite with hydrotherapy and lap pools, sauna and steam room. Read expert review[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/london/central/west-end/charing-cross/hotels/corinthia-hotel-london//] From £621per nightCheck availability[https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/corinthia-london.html?aid=839822;label=TMG-1travel1destinations1europe1united0kingdom1articles1the0best0hotels0for0spa0breaks0in0the0uk-Corinthia2Hotel2London]Rates provided byBooking.com

• The best hotels for spa breaks in Europe[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/articles/Best-spa-hotels-in-Europe/]

Gilpin Hotel & Lake House[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/cumbria/lake-district/hotels/gilpin-hotel-and-lake-house//]

Lake Windermere, Lake District, England

8Telegraph expert rating

Set beside a wooded private lake, five swanky private spa suites offer cosseting boutique hotel luxury combined with stress-busting seclusion. In this perfect couples’ hideaway, each cedar-clad cabin is 6ft above ground for show-stopping views across the Lake District fells. There are log fires, state-of-the-art music systems and sitting rooms that convert into treatment rooms for massage à deux. Your personal en-suite spa also boasts a steam room, sauna and hot tub. Read expert review[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/cumbria/lake-district/hotels/gilpin-hotel-and-lake-house//] From £285per nightCheck availability[https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/gilpin-country-house.html?aid=839822;label=TMG-1travel1destinations1europe1united0kingdom1articles1the0best0hotels0for0spa0breaks0in0the0uk-Gilpin2Hotel2%262Lake2House]Rates provided byBooking.com

• The best European city breaks and where to stay[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/articles/The-best-European-city-breaks/]

Whatley Manor[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/wiltshire/malmesbury/hotels/whatley-manor-hotel//]

Malmesbury, Cotswolds, England

8Telegraph expert rating

For a super-spoiling weekend, head to this restored 19th-century country manor with tranquil gardens, an ivy-clad entrance, wood panelling and Persian rugs. Team a facial and fizz with a fondue (Swiss style). The spa has a steam room, sauna and indoor/outdoor hydrotherapy pool with massaging jets overlooking fields. Massages feature Ila products, using ingredients wild-harvested from remote, untainted regions far and wide (Morocco, the Himalayas) but blended and bottled 50 miles away. Read expert review[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/wiltshire/malmesbury/hotels/whatley-manor-hotel//] From £249per nightCheck availability[https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/whatley-manor.html?aid=839822;label=TMG-1travel1destinations1europe1united0kingdom1articles1the0best0hotels0for0spa0breaks0in0the0uk-Whatley2Manor]Rates provided byBooking.com

• The world's best hotels for spa breaks[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hotels/articles/The-worlds-best-hotels-for-spa-breaks/]

The Gleneagles Hotel[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/scotland/perth-and-kinross/perthshire/hotels/gleneagles-hotel-and-spa//]

Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland

9Telegraph expert rating

Set in one of the Highlands’ prettiest locations, this spa has a crack team of practitioners to nudge you back into wellness via tailored diet, fitness and lifestyle programmes. The ESPA spa features top treatments and superstar therapists: a must is the two-hour Serenity Package, blending body and facial massage with shirodhara (warm oil drizzled over the forehead to relax and still the mind). Read expert review[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/scotland/perth-and-kinross/perthshire/hotels/gleneagles-hotel-and-spa//] From £341per nightCheck availability[https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/the-gleneagles.html?aid=839822;label=TMG-1travel1destinations1europe1united0kingdom1articles1the0best0hotels0for0spa0breaks0in0the0uk-The2Gleneagles2Hotel]Rates provided byBooking.com

• The best budget hotels for a European city break[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/articles/best-cheap-hotels-for-a-european-city-break/]

Principal Blythswood Square Hotel[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/scotland/glasgow/hotels/principal-blythswood-square-hotel//]

Glasgow, Scotland

8Telegraph expert rating

You will find this modern, funky little spa deep below the hotel (oh-so quiet and away from it all) offering marvellous treatments, many of which are based around mineral-rich Scottish seaweed. Steam, swim or relax in a bath of fresh seaweed, flown in daily from the Hebrides. Afterwards, choose a detox body wrap or rejuvenating facial from Ila or Ishga Organic skincare, which makes its products using antioxidant-rich organic seaweed from the Isle of Lewis. There are lots of warm whirlpools and saunas and steam rooms to investigate – and there are great treatments for men, too. Read expert review[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/scotland/glasgow/hotels/principal-blythswood-square-hotel//] From £162per nightCheck availability[https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/blythswood-square.html?aid=839822;label=TMG-1travel1destinations1europe1united0kingdom1articles1the0best0hotels0for0spa0breaks0in0the0uk-Principal2Blythswood2Square2Hotel]Rates provided byBooking.com

• The best hotels for city breaks in the UK[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/articles/the-best-hotels-for-city-breaks-in-the-uk/]

Seaham Hall[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/county-durham/hotels/seaham-hall-hotel//]

Seaham, County Durham, England

8Telegraph expert rating

This large Georgian country house has opulent bedrooms, the best with sea views. Follow the low-lit wooden passageway to the Serenity Spa, where treatments are based on natural ingredients and ancient principles from brands such as Ayurveda-inspired Sundari, brimming with essential oils, herbs and plant extracts. Alternate between the warmth of the state-of-the-art sauna, steam room and whirlpool tub and the chill of the ice fountain, plunge pools and rain-head showers – and flop atop the heated beds of the Zen Lounge overlooking the 37-acre estate. Read expert review[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/county-durham/hotels/seaham-hall-hotel//] From £240per nightCheck availability[https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/seaham-hall-and-the-serenity-spa.html?aid=839822;label=TMG-1travel1destinations1europe1united0kingdom1articles1the0best0hotels0for0spa0breaks0in0the0uk-Seaham2Hall]Rates provided byBooking.com

• The Lake District's best pubs and inns[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/cumbria/lake-district/articles/Top-10-the-Lake-Districts-best-pubs-and-inns/]

Galgorm Resort & Spa[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/northern-ireland/ballymena/hotels/Galgorm-Resort-and-Spa-hotel//]

Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

8Telegraph expert rating

During Galgorm’s Celtic Sauna Ritual (spa circuit) there’s a choice of things to admire – from the picturesque grounds through the sauna window, to the staff wafting oil-infused steam around the room with a towel – while participants simply sit and inhale. The outdoor thermal Spa Village is a watery wonderland (do pack your swimming gear). It has a large pool (with a polished pebble floor to massage pressure points in your feet), indoor and outdoor thermal spa pools, an ice room where you can slather shards of ice over yourself post-sauna, or soak in the log-fired hot tubs (for two to 12 people) dotted along the riverside. Read expert review[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/northern-ireland/ballymena/hotels/Galgorm-Resort-and-Spa-hotel//] From £210per nightCheck availability[https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/galgorm-resort-amp-spa.html?aid=839822;label=TMG-1travel1destinations1europe1united0kingdom1articles1the0best0hotels0for0spa0breaks0in0the0uk-Galgorm2Resort2%262Spa]Rates provided byBooking.com

• An insider's guide to Dublin[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/ireland/dublin/articles/dublin-travel-guide/]

Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/scotland/edinburgh/hotels/waldorf-astoria-edinburgh-the-caledonian-hotel//]

Edinburgh, Scotland

9Telegraph expert rating

In the shadow of Edinburgh Castle but far enough from the glitz of George Street, the hotel is the epitome of 19th-century railway glamour – all chintzy carpets and chandeliers – while the Guerlain spa is Parisian pampering perfected. Each treatment kicks off with a personalised 'fragrance journey' where guests choose their favourite Guerlain scent and then towels, foot-bath and body oil are drenched in it. Facials are sublime – the two-and-a-half-hour Orchidée Impériale Prestige Treatment is a cracking combination of gentle and firmer massage techniques and not one but three face masks. Read expert review[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/scotland/edinburgh/hotels/waldorf-astoria-edinburgh-the-caledonian-hotel//] From £254per nightCheck availability[https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/caledonian-hilton.html?aid=839822;label=TMG-1travel1destinations1europe1united0kingdom1articles1the0best0hotels0for0spa0breaks0in0the0uk-Waldorf2Astoria2Edinburgh202The2Caledonian]Rates provided byBooking.com

• An expert guide to Edinburgh[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/scotland/articles/an-insiders-guide-to-edinburgh/]

Dormy House[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/worcestershire/hotels/cotswolds-dormy-house-hotel//]

Broadway, Cotswolds, England

9Telegraph expert rating

Sprawling over several floors, the Scandinavian-chic House Spa leads directly off the reception lobby, so you are in no doubt that it’s centre stage at this 'reinvented rustic' country house hotel. There are gyms for workouts, classes and personal training sessions, a thermal suite, including a Cotswold lavender sauna, salt therapy room, Mud Rasul room and outdoor hot tub. Treatments are by Temple Spa and there’s a nail parlour and an infinity pool. Read expert review[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/worcestershire/hotels/cotswolds-dormy-house-hotel//] From £245per nightCheck availability[https://www.mrandmrssmith.com/uk/mrandmrs/book/dormy-house/step1?affID=telegraph]Rates provided byMr & Mrs Smith

• The best country house hotels[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/articles/the-best-country-house-hotels-in-britain/]

Lime Wood[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/hampshire/new-forest/hotels/lime-wood-hotel//]

New Forest, Hampshire, England

9Telegraph expert rating

This sybaritic spa is encased in glass and surrounded by greenery. There are private bathrooms with deep copper baths in the changing rooms; sensuous swimming, hydrotherapy; a pioneering raw food café, Raw and Cured; a tempting shop, Curated; and a mud house, relaxation rooms and state-of-the-art gym leading to a beautiful rooftop garden – all with sylvan views. Spa treatments are by Bamford, Voya, Pai, Tri-Dosha and Aromatherapy Associates. The roof is a good spot for yoga. Read expert review[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/hampshire/new-forest/hotels/lime-wood-hotel//] From £345per nightCheck availability[https://www.mrandmrssmith.com/uk/mrandmrs/book/lime-wood/step1?affID=telegraph]Rates provided byMr & Mrs Smith

• The best hotels for spa breaks in Europe[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/articles/Best-spa-hotels-in-Europe/]

Coworth Park[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/berkshire/ascot/hotels/coworth-park-hotel//]

Ascot, Berkshire, England

8Telegraph expert rating

The hotel’s innovative, environmentally friendly credentials are hidden behind a smoothly stylish interior and heralded by a vast and spectacular wildflower meadow. The curving, half-hidden spa has to be one of the most self-indulgent in the country, flooded with natural light and decorated with art and sculpture. It has eight treatment rooms, the Spatisserie serving light meals (and champagne, of course), a Technogym and a heated pool with underwater music. Read expert review[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/berkshire/ascot/hotels/coworth-park-hotel//] From £405per nightCheck availability[https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/coworth-park.html?aid=839822;label=TMG-1travel1destinations1europe1united0kingdom1articles1the0best0hotels0for0spa0breaks0in0the0uk-Coworth2Park]Rates provided byBooking.com

• The world's best hotels for spa breaks[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hotels/articles/The-worlds-best-hotels-for-spa-breaks/]

Pennyhill Park[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/surrey/hotels/pennyhill-park-hotel//]

Bagshot, Surrey, England

9Telegraph expert rating

There are eight indoor and outdoor pools to choose from – one even has soothing underwater music. There are also several hot tubs, herbal saunas and steam rooms. There are myriad natural and organic treatments designed to detox, cleanse and relax, including packages for couples. And the heated ceramic relaxation beds, shaped to the body’s contours, are almost impossible to leave. Read expert review[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/surrey/hotels/pennyhill-park-hotel//] From £236per nightCheck availability[https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/pennyhillhotel.html?aid=839822;label=TMG-1travel1destinations1europe1united0kingdom1articles1the0best0hotels0for0spa0breaks0in0the0uk-Pennyhill2Park]Rates provided byBooking.com

• The best pet-friendly hotels in Britain[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/articles/Top-10-the-best-pet-friendly-hotels-in-Britain/]

The Scarlet[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/cornwall/newquay/hotels/the-scarlet-hotel//]

Mawgan Porth, England

9Telegraph expert rating

In the airy, multilevel, environmentally friendly Scarlet, the feeling is one of intense relaxation. The womblike spa specialises in Ayurvedic 'journeys', with tented treatment rooms and pods suspended in the dark for 'deep relaxation' and an all-glass sea-facing roof for 'light relaxation'. The reed-fringed, rock-strewn outdoor pool extends from the indoor one, punctuated by two bright scarlet wood-fired hot tubs perched between boulders overlooking the sea. Read expert review[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/cornwall/newquay/hotels/the-scarlet-hotel//] Check availability[https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/the-scarlet.html?aid=839822;label=TMG-1travel1destinations1europe1united0kingdom1articles1the0best0hotels0for0spa0breaks0in0the0uk-The2Scarlet]Rates provided byBooking.com

• The best family-friendly hotels in Cornwall[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/cornwall/articles/Top-10-family-friendly-hotels-cornwall/]

Chewton Glen Hotel[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/hampshire/new-forest/hotels/chewton-glen-hotel//]

New Forest, Hampshire, England

8Telegraph expert rating

Combining old-school, classic elegance and impressive grandeur with a contemporary, holistic approach, Chewton Glen’s award-winning spa is said to have one of Europe’s largest hydrotherapy pools. There’s also an ozone-treated indoor pool lined with blue mosaic tiles and surrounded by Grecian columns, plus an outdoor hot tub and swimming pool. The changing rooms feature aromatherapy saunas and crystal steam rooms. Read expert review[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/hampshire/new-forest/hotels/chewton-glen-hotel//] From £395per nightCheck availability[https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/chewtonglenhotel.html?aid=839822;label=TMG-1travel1destinations1europe1united0kingdom1articles1the0best0hotels0for0spa0breaks0in0the0uk-Chewton2Glen2Hotel]Rates provided byBooking.com

• The best New Forest hotels[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/hampshire/articles/the-best-new-forest-hotels/]

The St David's Hotel & Spa[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/wales/cardiff/hotels/st-davids-hotel-and-spa//]

Cardiff, Wales

6Telegraph expert rating

Cardiff has a few spectacular buildings and this is one of them – a silver, blue-and-white spaceship-meets-cruise ship on Cardiff Bay. It houses a slick gym, a hydrotherapy spa pool, a sauna and a corridor of water leading to swan-neck fountains. Choose from newly added Decléor anti-ageing facials, aromatherapy massage, seaweed-based marine-inspired exfoliation treatments, and slimming wraps. Read expert review[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/wales/cardiff/hotels/st-davids-hotel-and-spa//] From £82per nightCheck availability[https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/voco-st-davids-cardiff.html?aid=839822;label=TMG-1travel1destinations1europe1united0kingdom1articles1the0best0hotels0for0spa0breaks0in0the0uk-The2St2David%27s2Hotel2%262Spa]Rates provided byBooking.com

• The most romantic hotels in Wales[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/wales/articles/Top-10-the-best-romantic-hotels-in-Wales/]

Lucknam Park[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/wiltshire/hotels/lucknam-park-hotel//]

Wiltshire, England

8Telegraph expert rating

The state-of-the-art spa complements the elegant Georgian mansion and its extensive surroundings; indeed, you can easily spend a whole day there, luxuriating in an indoor pool embellished by a panel of flickering fire, an array of thermal treatment rooms and tubs, and 12 treatment rooms, all surrounded by delightful gardens. The wellbeing house offers yoga, Pilates, dry flotation and aromatic thermal massages. Read expert review[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/wiltshire/hotels/lucknam-park-hotel//] From £248per nightCheck availability[https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/lucknampark.html?aid=839822;label=TMG-1travel1destinations1europe1united0kingdom1articles1the0best0hotels0for0spa0breaks0in0the0uk-Lucknam2Park]Rates provided byBooking.com

• The best spa hotels in the south of England[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/articles/top-10-best-spa-hotels-in-the-south-of-england/]

Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/west-sussex/cuckfield/hotels/ockenden-manor-hotel//]

Cuckfield, West Sussex, England

8Telegraph expert rating

The contemporary spa makes a startling contrast to the Elizabethan manor: an uncompromisingly modern building with a spectacular box-like exterior and an airy and natural interior. Facilities include an indoor/outdoor pool, hot tub, walk-through rain shower, steam room, sauna, gym, relaxation area, sundeck, guest lounge and café. Six knockout bedrooms open onto a roof garden with superb views. Read expert review[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/west-sussex/cuckfield/hotels/ockenden-manor-hotel//] From £144per nightCheck availability[https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/ockenden-manor.html?aid=839822;label=TMG-1travel1destinations1europe1united0kingdom1articles1the0best0hotels0for0spa0breaks0in0the0uk-Ockenden2Manor2Hotel2%262Spa]Rates provided byBooking.com

• 15 cheap (but stylish) European hotels[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/articles/cheap-hotels-in-europe/]

Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/yorkshire/north/helmsley/hotels/Feversham-Arms-Hotel-and-Verbena-Spa//]

Helmsley, Yorkshire, England

8Telegraph expert rating

Helmsley is a classic market town and this spa reflects that, with welcoming tweedy fabrics and a down-to-earth approach. Guests can book specific treatments (the My Kinda Skin Facial, 60 min, £85, is great) or time slots so they can mix and match on the day to get their full spur-of-the-moment money’s worth. Afterwards, tuck into burgers and bubbly. Detox, you do not! The pool, set in a courtyard garden, is transformed every summer by pots of lavender and a pop-up restaurant. Read expert review[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/yorkshire/north/helmsley/hotels/Feversham-Arms-Hotel-and-Verbena-Spa//] From £105per nightCheck availability[https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/the-feversham-arms.html?aid=839822;label=TMG-1travel1destinations1europe1united0kingdom1articles1the0best0hotels0for0spa0breaks0in0the0uk-Feversham2Arms2Hotel2%262Verbena2Spa]Rates provided byBooking.com

• The best spa hotels in the north of England[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/articles/the-best-spa-hotels-in-the-north-of-england/]

Rudding Park Hotel & Spa[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/yorkshire/north/hotels/rudding-park//]

Harrogate, Yorkshire, England

8Telegraph expert rating

One of Harrogate’s health-giving natural springs feeds directly into Rudding Park’s award-winning rooftop spa and garden, which impresses with myriad facilities including herb-infused saunas and steam rooms, experience showers, and relaxation areas. Swim outside in the heated hydrotherapy infinity pool or kick back in the open-air whirlpool next to the garden sauna. Treatments include kombucha facials, Rasul mud rituals, thermal detox wraps and beauty therapy. On warmer days, the spa garden is a lovely spot for meditation. Read expert review[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/yorkshire/north/hotels/rudding-park//] From £109per nightCheck availability[https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/ruddingpark.html?aid=839822;label=TMG-1travel1destinations1europe1united0kingdom1articles1the0best0hotels0for0spa0breaks0in0the0uk-Rudding2Park2Hotel2%262Spa]Rates provided byBooking.com

• The best Yorkshire hotels for walkers[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/galleries/best-hotels-in-yorkshire-for-walking/]

Grayshott Health Spa[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/surrey/hotels/grayshott-health-spa-hotel//]

Grayshott, Surrey, England

8Telegraph expert rating

The seven-day health programme at this classic country house – a diet of healthy fats, moderate protein and gentle fibre, along with fermented food and probiotics – focuses on restoring good gut function by addressing liver health, gut bacteria, sleep and stress management. This benefits women during peri- and menopause as good gut bacteria eliminate excess hormones, especially oestrogen – the cause of hot flushes, night sweats, abdominal fat, disrupted sleep, breast tenderness and anxiety. Book a cosy Manor House room in the old original part of the building. Read expert review[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/surrey/hotels/grayshott-health-spa-hotel//] From £396per nightCheck availability[https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/grayshott-spa.html?aid=839822;label=TMG-1travel1destinations1europe1united0kingdom1articles1the0best0hotels0for0spa0breaks0in0the0uk-Grayshott2Health2Spa]Rates provided byBooking.com

We humans have become really bad at knowing exactly what to eat to maintain a healthy diet. When once we roamed in search of a healthy balance of fruit, veg and meat[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/healthyeating/10555433/Paleo-diet-is-eating-like-a-caveman-healthy-or-a-fad.html], today we scoff a variety of nutritionally questionable but tasty and moreish snacks. Almost certainly, we didn't evolve to eat biscuits and down fizzy drinks all day. But we do it anyway, succumbing to temptation.

Most of us, of course, still know what constitutes an ideal diet. The Mediterranean diet[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/features/unlocking-the-secrets-of-the-mediterranean-diet/] gets plenty of praise, with its focus on an abundance of fruit and veg, olive oil, lots of a fish and less meat. Or the varied pre-industrial peasant diet[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/nutrition/diet/mid-victorian-peasant-diet-blightys-answer-mediterranean-nutrition/], with healthy grains, veg, potatoes, meat and milk featuring heavily.

It's not rocket science, really. A balanced diet of real food is essential to staying healthy. Yet 50 per cent of food bought by British households is now thought to be 'ultra-processed', increasing risk of cancer[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/kitchen-full-ultra-processed-food-can-resist-temptation/] as vital nutrients are replaced by harmful additives. Not by coincidence, obesity and diabetes rates continue to rise.

Rather than trying to consume a healthy range of foods, we look for quick fixes[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/nutrition/arsenic-tapeworms-cigarettes-ten-weirdest-fad-diets-time/] - a juice cleanse, perhaps, or intermittent fasting. Evidently, we need help. So we asked registered dietitian Melissa Wilson, who also works for leading dietary food specialists Schär[https://www.schaer.com/en-uk], what the most common questions people came to her with. Here are her answers to those questions.

1. How can I tell if I have a food allergy or intolerance?

Reactions to food can involve either the immune system (indicating a food allergy) or no immune involvement (indicting a food intolerance). Symptoms for both vary in type and severity, from immediate to delayed symptoms several hours or even days later. Sometimes allergic food reactions can be severe or life threatening, but in contrast food intolerance symptoms are generally less serious.

If you suspect you might have a food allergy or intolerance it is important to speak to your GP, who will likely refer you to a specialist. Diagnostic tests for food allergies include specific blood and skin prick tests in conjunction with a detailed history taken by a healthcare professional. Whereas diagnosis of food intolerance is by a detailed history taken by an experienced HCP.

2. What are the best foods to improve my energy levels?

Having a healthy, well-balanced diet is important to help maintain energy levels as well as eating regular meals supplemented with small between-meal snacks if needed. Starchy foods such as bread, pasta, cereals, rice and potatoes are good sources of energy in the diet, but you should keep the intake of sugary foods to a minimum to help maintain stable energy levels.

The key is to ensure you eat enough for your level of activity (but do not overestimate how active you are). As a rule, for carbohydrates, a portion about the size of your fist is an appropriate mealtime portion and this can be adjusted according to individual activity levels. Around half of our energy intake should come from carbohydrates.

3. I am considering going vegan, how can I make sure I am still getting enough of the right nutrients?

A well-planned vegan [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/nutrition/diet/morning-hunger-weird-fake-meat-glowing-skin-10-things-learnt/] diet can be healthy and nutritious, but it is important to plan it well to ensure all the required nutrients are included in your diet. Enjoy plenty of green leafy vegetables (e.g kale and pak choi), as well as pulses, nuts and seeds and different proteins (beans, lentils and chickpeas), to make sure you are getting the right nutrients.

Fortified, plant-based dairy alternatives and wholegrains foods such as oats, rice and cereal-based foods are also important sources of key nutrients in the diet.

4. I've heard that fibre is important. What should I eat to boost my fibre intake?

Fibre is an essential nutrient for the normal functioning of the gut and is related to a reduced risk of certain chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Fibre-rich food sources include porridge, high-fibre breakfast cereals, potatoes, wholemeal or wholegrain bread and pasta. A food product is ‘high in fibre’ if it contains at least 6g of fibre for every 100g of its weight, and is classified as a ‘source of fibre’ if it contains 3g fibre per 100g.

You can try the following things to increase your fibre intake:

* Having a high-fibre breakfast cereal

* Adding fruit to cereal

* Mixing linseeds with yoghurt

* Choosing wholemeal or wholegrain varieties

* Adding extra vegetables or pulses/lentils to dishes

5. What's the difference between a dietitian, nutritionist and nutritional therapist?

There are some subtle differences between a dietitian, nutritionist and nutritional therapist:

* Dietitians are the only nutrition professionals that are regulated by law and governed by an ethical code. Dietitians are qualified to a degree-level and use evidence-based research on food, health and disease, which they translate into practical guidance.

* Nutritionists are qualified to a degree level and provide information about food and healthy eating in a variety of non-clinical roles including public health, health policy, government and NGOs. Only those meeting specific criteria can join the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists (UKVRN) and can then call themselves a Registered Nutritionist.

* Nutritional therapists don't have a degree in nutrition but have an accredited qualification. Nutritional therapists encompass the use of recommendations for diet and lifestyle in order to alleviate or prevent ailments, and the advice they provide may not be recognised as valid treatments by medical and allied health professionals.

6. What are probiotics and prebiotics and do I need to eat them?

Natural bacteria in our gut helps us stay healthy, but sometimes the balance of these bacteria is disrupted. Eating probiotics and prebiotics can help maintain this natural balance:

* Probiotics: ‘Good’ bacteria can help improve the balance of gut bacteria and can be found in some products such as yoghurts or supplements. Probiotics are generally considered safe for healthy people to consume; however, those whose immune system does not function properly should seek specific advice from a dietitian or doctor before taking these.

* Prebiotics: Types of carbohydrates that our gut bacteria ‘feeds upon’. By eating these, it can help more ‘good’ gut bacteria to grow in the gut. Natural sources of prebiotics include onions, garlics, asparagus, artichoke and banana.

7. I've heard many people are 'going gluten free'. Would I benefit from a gluten-free diet?

Research has shown that although there is no health benefit in going gluten free for healthy individuals, for those with conditions like coeliac [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/nutrition/diet/arent-coeliac-should-really-gluten-free-diet/] disease, a gluten-free diet is the only treatment for the condition.

Some individuals also experience symptoms when eating foods containing gluten, even if they do not have coeliac disease; this is called non-coeliac gluten sensitivity. Symptoms are similar to coeliac disease but it is still not understood how the immune system might be involved and there does not appear to be damage to the lining of the gut as in untreated coeliac disease.

There is a growing body of evidence that a gluten-free diet may help improve symptoms in some people with IBS[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/wellbeing/a2-milk/what-is-ibs/] . Individuals should seek advice from a healthcare professional before making any changes to their diet.

8. I do a lot of high-intensity exercise. How can improve my performance with food?

No matter what sport you enjoy, carbohydrates are the main fuel used by our muscles during high-intensity exercise. Carbohydrate is stored in the muscles as glycogen. Glycogen stores are limited and need topping up each day, particularly if exercising daily or at a high intensity. The higher the intensity of exercise, the faster your glycogen stores will used up.

You will not benefit greatly from eating carbohydrate during high-intensity exercise lasting less than 60 minutes. However, you can improve your performance by ensuring there is enough fuel in the tank before you begin. The best way to do this is to have a regular meal or snack that is high in carbohydrate two to three hours prior to exercise, such as porridge with milk and fresh fruit or wholegrain toast with poached eggs.

Following exercise, glycogen stores should be replenished with a high-carbohydrate, low-fat snack or meal - you could try Greek yoghurt with berries or a fresh banana smoothie. Refueling is most effective when it takes place within 30 minutes after exercise.

Protein also plays an important role in how the body responds to exercise and is required for building and repairing muscles. The addition of 20-40g protein SUCH AS to a post-workout meal or snack promotes muscle repair as well as boosting glycogen storage.

Maintaining fluid intake is also critical as dehydration can affect your concentration, strength and power. By consuming adequate food and fluid before, during and after exercise, you can maximise your performance and enhance recovery.

9. I suffer from irritable bowel syndrome. What foods should I avoid to help reduce my symptoms?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a condition that results in range of gut symptoms including diarrohea, bloating, abdominal pain and constipation. IBS affects 10-20pc of the population and up to 90pc of patients with IBS report various foods as symptoms triggers.

In the first instance, simple changes to diet such as having regular meals, eating slowly, and limiting alcoholic, fizzy and caffeine-containing drinks (like tea and coffee) as well as drinking plenty of water, can help lessen the symptoms of IBS.

FODMAP[https://cf-particle-html.eip.telegraph.co.uk/3f05a4db-1ae1-48be-93dd-20a45509788f.html]

If the initial advice is not working, a low FODMAP diet may be recommended to help manage IBS symptoms. FODMAPs are a collection of carbohydrates that are poorly digested and absorbed in the gut and can trigger IBS symptoms such as intestinal bloating and pain in some people.

A low-FODMAP diet is a complex three-stage diet and should be followed under the guidance of a FODMAP-trained dietitian. It has been shown to improve symptoms in 70-75 per cent of IBS patients. Schär are the first brand to offer low-FODMAP certified products in the UK[https://www.schaer.com/en-uk/a/schaer-low-fodmap] .

10. What is the best diet to help me lose weight and keep it off?

Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet is the best way to lose weight and / or maintain a healthy weight, but there is no quick fix. The following tips and lifestyle changes can help:

* Start the day with a healthy breakfast

* Aim to eat three balanced meals per day

* Aim to eat more fruit and vegetables (five portions a day)

* Half fill your plate with vegetables / salad and divide the other half between protein foods (eggs, fish, chicken) and starchy foods (potatoes, rice, pasta, bread)

* Choose low-fat and low-sugar drinks and foods

* Maintain a moderate alcohol intake

* Watch portion sizes

* Avoid eating the same time as doing something else, e.g watching the TV

* Eat slowly and enjoy your foods

* Aim to drink at least 2 litres/ day of fluid (water, non-caffeinated / non-fizzy drinks)

* Include regular physical activity to help achieve weight loss and boost mood

* Set realistic and achievable goals

11. How can I eat a more ‘sustainable’ diet that is healthy for both the environment and me?

Eating a plant-based or vegan diet has been shown to be beneficial for the environment. It is estimated that a well-planned, plant-based, or vegan diet needs about a third of the fertile land, water and energy of a typical meat and dairy diet.

If you are planning to avoid or reduce your intake of animal-based foods, it is important to ensure you maintain sufficient intake of certain nutrients including calcium, omega-3, vitamin D, iodine, vitamin B12, iron, zinc, selenium and protein.

Eating a variety of plant-based foods including beans, nuts, seeds, fruit, vegetables, wholegrains and cereal-based foods will provide all the nutrients required for good health, including essential fats, protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals.

12. Can diabetes be treated with diet alone?

Diabetes is a serious, lifelong condition where the blood sugar level is too high. There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. They are different conditions but are both serious, and can lead to long-term complications if not managed properly.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, and needs to be treated with insulin, but those with Type 2 diabetes may be able to manage the condition with a good diet and exercise alone. However, Type 2 diabetes is progressive and may require medication over time to help manage it.

Nevertheless, a healthy, balanced diet is recommended for all diabetics and individuals should try to avoid sugary drinks to help keep blood sugar levels down. Foods labelled as ‘diabetic’ or ‘suitable for diabetics’ are also worth avoiding as they may have a laxative effect and can still have the ability to affect blood sugar levels.

13. I have high blood pressure. Can diet help me improve this?

If left untreated, high blood pressure can increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes and cause kidney and eye damage. Making simple changes to your diet can help lower blood pressure, such as cutting down on salt, keeping to the recommended amount of alcohol and eating a diet rich in essential minerals. Reducing your intake of caffeinated drinks may also be beneficial.

It's known that there is a strong link between being overweight and having high blood pressure, especially if the weight is carried around the waist, so losing weight could help.

14. How do I need to adapt my diet to make sure I have a healthy pregnancy?

The most important thing is to make sure you are following a healthy, well-balanced diet. However, specific dietary advice for pregnancy includes avoiding alcohol, raw shellfish, raw or undercooked meats, raw or partially cooked eggs, unpasteurised dairy products, supplements containing Vitamin A and any dish containing these products.

It is also recommended that pregnant women take two vitamin supplements during pregnancy: folic acid and Vitamin D. Folic acid can help prevent the baby developing neural tube defects, so you should try and take a 400mcg folic acid supplement every day before pregnancy (start taking as soon as contraception stops) and continue until week 12 of pregnancy. You can also increase the amount of folate rich sources in the diet e.g. fortified cereals and green, leafy vegetables.

Vitamin D is also helpful in helping ensure the baby’s teeth and bones grow properly and keeps the mother’s teeth and bones healthy during pregnancy as well. You should aim to take one 10mcg Vitamin D supplement per day all through pregnancy.

15. My child is a fussy eater, how can I be sure that she’s getting all the nutrients that she needs?

A good diet is important for children as they are growing and developing quickly. However, if your child is refusing food this can be quite challenging! It is important to try to achieve as balanced and varied a diet as possible to ensure an adequate intake of nutrients whilst making mealtimes enjoyable:

Simple tips include:

* Having regular meals or snacks to avoid your child becoming too hungry

* Avoiding distractions at mealtimes and eating together

* Offering small portions on plate as too much can be off-putting

* Allowing about 30 mins max for mealtimes to prevent children becoming fed up

* Giving lots of praise if the child eats well

* Making meals colourful

* Offering your child finger foods

* Introducing new foods ones at a time

The Lanesborough hotel in London has launched a quick-fix two-day retreat for stressed out execs, complete with spa treatments, nutritional consultation and a personal trainer. Crucially, alcohol's not off the menu...

‘What do you mean, I won’t be able to drink?’

This news, two days before my first ever health retreat, was less than welcome. With a four-hour daily commute, weekend family time is really important to me and I was already giving one up in the name of self care. I was intrigued, but unconvinced. Honestly, how much lasting change can anyone make in 36 hours?

Because, you see, I’m not exactly a straightforward case. I’m content - I count myself very lucky that I’ve got a happy marriage, two kids, a house in a bucolic Hertfordshire[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/comment/hertfordshire-county-underrated/] village. I’ve worked in property for 15 years, and give or take the odd dip in the market I still find it stimulating, motivating and exciting. Yes, I check emails at the weekend but am not tied to my phone. So it’s not home, or work.

Nope, it’s everything else around them that causes me grief. Even gardening stresses me out, for heaven’s sake. My high-energy wife is permanently on the go - when she’s not organising exciting things for us to do at weekends, there’s DIY to do or social events to attend. All of which equals a head that feels constantly frazzled, a short fuse and permanent fatigue. I could, and frequently do, sleep anywhere. In other words, I am burning out.

It was my wife who first suggested I try out some kind of retreat after she stayed at a gut health clinic. This inspired some healthy tweaks to our lifestyle - getting up earlier and making time for breakfast for example, and, most dramatically, cutting out an evening meal - and while this made me feel better it hasn’t had any noticeable impact on my weight or stress levels. But without the will (thanks to a healthy dose of cynicism) or the way (all my holiday was already booked out for the year), there was little chance of me doing the same.

Until, that is, we heard about a new clinic at The Lanesborough[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/london/central/hyde-park/hotels/The-Lanesborough/] hotel, run by award-winning wellness retreat experts Bodhimaya and aimed at time-pressed execs who want maximum impact for the minimum commitment. Just 20 minutes away from the office, I wouldn’t even need to travel far.

Phone conversations a few days before I arrived, while underlining Bodhimaya’s commitment to me, weren’t exactly encouraging. The calm demeanours of Cornelius, Founder of Bodhimaya, the award-winning mind and body retreat and one of the world's leading mind, meditation and Eastern philosophy experts; and Olga, who was to be my nutritionist, only served to convince me they wouldn’t understand nothing about me. And that was before I saw the two-hour personal fitness training session. This wasn’t what I had signed up for. ‘Frankly, Maxim looks scary,’ I emailed by return.

My protests were discretely ignored.

From the moment I arrived I may have been on my own, but I never felt alone. Every staff member asked how I was, and if I had everything I needed, with an authenticity and warmth that made me feel very special, and resulted in an instant and total relaxation.

I was massaged to within an inch of my life - a deep tissue massage on Friday and Saturday in one of the spa’s womb-like treatment rooms, which achieved a fine line between pleasure and pain. Sunday brought a bespoke treatment of salt scrub, Turkish rasul and then back and head massage (I may have fallen asleep).

I ate like a king - albeit one following a nutritionally balanced diet. Friday’s dinner was room service steak and vegetables - with, surprise surprise, a glass of rather good red - delivered to the room. Which, frankly, was just as well as I couldn’t have walked anywhere - after the massage it was as much as I could do to FaceTime home. A butler then appeared to run me a bath full of salts and minerals.

I slept until 9 the next morning - a full 10 hours’ sleep deeper than any I can remember. Saturday breakfast was an omelette and a kale, pear and ginger smoothie - surprisingly delicious.

Then training. Maxim was more Essex boy charming than Iron Man scary - tall, toned and more into sport than pumping iron. It turns out whilst I haven’t worked out for years, my one-time six-pack is still lurking there somewhere and this reassuring insight into my muscle memory powered me through the session (though I might have had to take ten to recover after a particularly strenuous set of press ups).

Cornelius in person is as calm and earnest as his phone voice: he’s also approachable and a good listener (and yes, he did seem to get me). The world, he explained, is moving at a faster pace and everyone needs to slow down a bit. When I’m in the garden, I need to take the time to sit and enjoy it. Listen to the sounds and deeply breathe in the smells. When I next put a record on (I’m a vinyl geek), sit down and listen to it to the end. Do not give in to the inner voice that says you should be doing something. Just take time to… be.

Lunch was Thai salad with chicken and a noodle dish. I passed on the wine - which I was glad about when I met Olga, my next appointment: a stern-faced Bond villain in high heels and with a hilarious sense of humour - just what you need when contemplating the serious business of nutrition and diet, and some simple tweaks to my diet aimed at eliminating snacking and preventing my energy levels ‘spiking’ and then dipping throughout the day.

Buoyed by my future prospects, I chose freely but mindfully for my evening meal: Cotswold Legbar hen egg crispy, green beans salad and bell pepper coulis, confit lamb shoulder, grilled spring onion, olives, smoked tomatoes and feta cheese and pannacotta, chamomille parfait and marinated strawberries that was as delightful to look at as it was to eat. And three glasses of wine. I’m still not sure if this was part of the actual programme - but no one told me off. I mean, it’s one thing fine dining on your own - but fine dining one your own without wine?! No thank you.

How a gut health clinic changed my life[https://cf-particle-html.eip.telegraph.co.uk/5bac12d1-467d-4e84-b81c-c0900d664aaa.html]

And anyway, the success of the retreat is that its focus is tailored to what is individually achievable and realistic to integrate into daily life. Maxim has created me a thrice weekly 20 minute fitness routine. Olga’s simple approach has been easy and motivating to adopt. And after my first weekend at home incorporating Cornelius’s relaxation rules, I actually feel like I’ve had a break.

If there was one criticism, it is that the Lanesborough’s enveloping disconnection from the outside world is almost too great. The basement spa means I spent a lot of time in darkened rooms - if the hotel is serious about continuing this course, a spa garden would be a great addition for guests.

But even without this, my cynicism reversed, after 36 hours I stepped back out into the world, my transformation complete. I don’t have anything to compare this retreat to - but if its magic continues, I won’t need to.

Bodhimaya’s one-night Restorative Retreats at The Lanesborough start in September, from £1,795 per person, including a night's stay. Meditation & Nutrition Retreats from £1,499 per person, including a night's stay. Day Retreats start from £750 per person; lanesboroughclubandspa.com[http://www.lanesboroughclubandspa.com/] ; 0207 333 7064.

Telegraph Travel Awards 2019: Win one of 15 luxury holidays worth £500,000[https://cf-particle-html.eip.telegraph.co.uk/523f0390-53d7-4026-bdd1-ad208af98335.html]Inspiration for your inbox

Sign up to Telegraph Travel's new weekly newsletter[https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/secure/newsletter/travel/] for the latest features, advice, competitions, exclusive deals and comment.

You can also follow us on Twitter[https://twitter.com/TelegraphTravel], Facebook[https://www.facebook.com/Telegraphtravel/] and Instagram[https://www.instagram.com/telegraphtravel/] .

As fast and as powerful as computers have become, they’ll never be able to compete with the human brain. With its 100 billion nerves that communicate to trillions of connections, it generates all our thoughts, memories, dreams, emotions and ideas – not to mention, helps us find our car keys every morning. No wonder then that getting dementia, which can slowly rob us of our past, present and future, is a huge fear for so many of us.

The odds aren’t favourable: with age being the biggest risk factor, one in 14 people over 65 will develop dementia, and the condition affects 1 in 6 over 80. What’s more, dementia is so complex its causes are not fully understood and there is currently no cure. But there’s some good news – heck, perhaps even, a reason to feel optimistic. A new study by the University of Exeter, which followed nearly 200,000 people from the age of 64 for eight years, discovered a healthy lifestyle could lower your risk of dementia, even if it runs in your family. In other words, we might not be as powerless as we think when it comes to prevention.

Happy heart, healthy brain

In the study, the researchers discovered that those who outwitted dementia, didn’t smoke, exercised regularly, ate a balanced diet that included more than three portions of fruit and vegetables a day, chose fish twice a week, limited processed meats, and kept their alcohol intake within the guidelines.

But the big question is, why are these habits so good for brain health? Well, it might be no coincidence that these choices are also beneficial for your heart and it seems that what’s good for your heart is also good for your brain. "Some of the same risk factors for heart disease, like high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and diabetes, can put you at greater risk of developing dementia," says Professor Robert Howard, Professor of Old Age Psychiatry at the University College London.

"It’s not fully understood why, but poor heart health means less blood flow to the brain, which is vital for nourishing brain nerves and maintaining healthy nerve connections." Which is why keeping your blood pressure healthy is important, and there’s also a link between high cholesterol levels in the blood in mid-life, and going on to develop dementia. "One of the commonest genes that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease – APOE4 – plays a role in the processing and use of cholesterol and other fats," says Dr Clare Walton, from the Alzheimer’s Society.

Giving up smoking is another must-do with one large study finding that heavy smoking in middle age nearly doubled the risk of dementia in later life. Meanwhile, losing excess weight is beneficial because it can help to take you out of the firing line for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes type 2, all known risk factors for dementia. Nixing huge nightly glasses of wine is also wise. "People who drink heavily over a long period of time are more likely to have a reduced volume of the brain’s white matter, which can lead to the issues with the way the brain functions," says Dr Walton.

Eating smart

The area that causes a lot of debate? The power of food. Some studies have suggested the antioxidant found in olive oil could reduce plaque formation that’s characteristic to Alzheimer’s disease, while the long chain omega-3 fats EPA and DHA found in oily fish, could play an important structural role in your brain. But the problem is, no single food is a magic bullet. In reality, the evidence on the effects of specific nutrients and foods is often limited and conflicting.

However, there’s a ‘diet’ that seems to consistently show benefit – the Mediterranean diet. Studies have found that those who live around this sea have improved brain function, lower risk for dementia, and increased lifespan. With its emphasis on fruit, vegetables, legumes, fish and its limited consumption of sugar, salt, saturated fat, and processed foods, it’s heart healthy, plus the antioxidant-rich foods may help protect against damage to brain cells.

12 dementia risk factors[https://cf-particle-html.eip.telegraph.co.uk/884cccad-17d9-4776-9837-6ead969fd9c5.html]

Right now, there’s a lot of talk about our gut - and the combination of bacteria that normally live there – and how this could potentially influence brain health. Animal studies have suggested that those with ‘inadequate’ amounts of good gut bacteria have less brain growth in the memory system. More research needs to be done, but to improve your gut health, fermented foods, like pickled cabbage, kimchi and sauerkraut, are good probiotics – meaning they contain friendly microbes. To keep the natural balance of bacteria in your gut when you’re taking antibiotics, have yoghurt with live bacteria, or take a probiotic supplement.

Keep on moving

What’s crystal clear is that all of us need to prioritise staying active, especially as we age. "Of all the lifestyle changes that have been studied over the years, taking regular physical exercise appears to be one of the best things you can do to reduce your risk of dementia," says Dr Walton. The reason it’s so celebrated? "Oxygen is the fuel for your brain and so it’s worth doing everything you can to improve your heart and the circulation of your blood, which helps carry this oxygen," explains Professor Andrews.

But what about exercising the mind? Surely working your grey stuff with the daily crossword is just as important? "Some studies have found that some people with high IQ or a superior brain could have delayed the symptoms of dementia appearing by four of five years," says Professor Howard. "However it’s important to note that using your mind more does not stop you getting the disease. Instead, there’s a theory that learning gives you greater reserves on which to draw on as your brain declines."

Sadly, even if you stock up on sardines, swim daily, and replace Sauvignon with Sudoku, you can still get dementia. But by making a few healthy lifestyle tweaks, you could help to stack the odds in your favour. Now, that’s a no-brainer.

Telegraph 365 newsletter REFERRAL (article)[https://cf-particle-html.eip.telegraph.co.uk/40cd8a66-f5fa-4b01-828e-6ab606701740.html]

Anya's Apothekere makes an unusual fermented honey sauce in three flavors: garlic, onion and jalapeño. The nutty, sweet syrup picks up notes of each ingredient added, and the vegetables pieces are, in turn, sweetened. The peppery taste of the jalapeño kicks long after a swallow, whereas the garlic is more subtle, with a strong earthy flavor that cuts under the toffee-flavored base. Anya Corson, the founder and chief executive of the St. Louis company, drew upon her culinary school training to create the probiotic preserve. The honey, added ingredients and splash of apple cider vinegar are all raw and organic, as is the wild yeast that works on the mixture over its three-month fermentation. It would make an unexpected addition to a charcuterie board, perhaps as an alternative to fig jam. Or use it as a marinade, either on its own or mixed with lemon juice or red wine vinegar.

Anya's Apothekere honey sauce in garlic, onion or jalapeño, $11.99 each or $35.99 for a set of three, anyasapothekere.com.

Follow NYT Food on Twitter and NYT Cooking on Instagram , Facebook , YouTube and Pinterest . Get regular updates from NYT Cooking, with recipe suggestions, cooking tips and shopping advice .

Eugenio Pace started his first company right out of college in Argentina thinking he knew what it meant to build a startup. He was an engineering and computer science graduate, so that helped, except he didn’t know much about marketing or sales. “Naturally, that didn’t go great,” he says with a laugh.

The startup failed, and he switched gears, joining a bank and then spending over a decade at Microsoft. But the desire to be an entrepreneur was still there, and Pace wanted to test out the idea he had for his company, Auth0, which offers software to companies to build their login tools.

That was in 2013, and this time, it worked out. Auth0 had paying customers in its first year (it now has over 7,000, including NVIDIA) and appeared on Forbes Next Billion-Dollar Startups list in October 2018. Six months later, it announced a new $103 million funding round, raising its valuation to $1.1 billion. “It’s perhaps a reminder of the impact that we have of the business,” Pace says. “I like to say the value of a company is a reflection of the impact that the business generates.

Auth0 is just one of seven companies from Forbes Next Billion-Dollar List to be valued at $1 billion or more by private investors since the publication of last year’s list in October 2018. The others include hospitality startup Sonder[https://www.forbes.com/sites/bizcarson/2019/07/11/sonder-apartment-airbnb-hotel-business-billion-valuation/#1f49bbde50f9], luggage brand Away[https://www.forbes.com/sites/amyfeldman/2019/05/14/at-a-valuation-as-high-as-145b-valuation/#707a56d033d7], design software InVision[https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/11/invision-valued-at-1-9-billion-picks-up-115-million-series-f/], online learning platform Coursera[https://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2019/04/25/online-education-provider-coursera-is-now-worth-more-than-1-billion/#f6b830930e14], insurance company Lemonade[https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristinstoller/2019/04/11/fintech-insurer-lemonade-valued-at-more-than-2-billion-after-300-million-funding-deal/#33bbd3612ee1], trucking startup KeepTruckin[https://www.forbes.com/sites/amyfeldman/2019/04/23/keeptruckin-reaches-14b-valuation-after-149m-fundraise-in-latest-sign-of-cash-pouring-into-trucking-industry/#6d2e15b72861], and sales tool Outreach[https://www.geekwire.com/2019/new-unicorn-seattle-outreach-raises-massive-114m-round-pushing-valuation-1-billion/].

More than a third of the 100 startups on the list have already gone on to reach or surpass the $1 billion valuation mark either via new funding rounds acquisitions or initial public offerings — no small feat given most venture-backed firms fail. The 100 alumni of Forbes Next Billion-Dollar Startups were selected over the last five years with the help of TrueBridge, the Chapel Hill, North Carolina venture that evaluates hundreds of candidates based on revenues, operating strategies and competitive challenges.

It’s not taking startups long to reach the billion-valuation. Six companies from 2018’s cohort, announced in October, already reached that unicorn status within the last eight months.

Reaching a billion-dollar valuation “means there’s real expectations with regards to what we have to deliver on,” says Sonder CEO Francis Davidson, whose company announced a $1.1 billion valuation in early July[https://www.forbes.com/sites/bizcarson/2019/07/11/sonder-apartment-airbnb-hotel-business-billion-valuation/#1f49bbde50f9]. “It doesn’t mean that we’ve accomplished much, just that there’s a chance that we will accomplish something really great.”

While much of its list cohort is leveling up, one 2018 list-maker has gone through a corporate implosion. In April, the Federal Bureau of Investigation raided uBiome’s San Francisco headquarters reportedly related[https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2019/05/01/microbiome-startup-ubiome-cofounders-on-administrative-leave-after-reports-of-fbi-raid/#39a9553a5829] to its billing practices. California’s insurance authorities are also reportedly investigating the company, according to the Wall Street Journal[https://www.wsj.com/articles/ubiome-offices-searched-by-fbi-11556301287]. At the time uBiome appeared on the list, the microbiome startup’s 2018 revenues were estimated to be $100 million. Since the FBI raid, the company’s cofounders have left its board of directors[https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2019/07/01/health-tech-startup-ubiome-founders-resign-interim-ceo-leaves-as-company-faces-multiple-investigations/#2c88b358459f] (along with several others) and its CEO was replaced by a new interim CEO Curtis Solsvig, a long-time restructuring expert[https://www.forbes.com/sites/amyfeldman/2019/07/03/new-ubiome-ceo-is-longtime-restructuring-expert-who-previously-worked-with-failed-drone-startup-lily-robotics/#4418ab7babb1] that worked with drone maker Lily Robotics. In early July, Business Insider reported that uBiome laid off half of its staff[https://www.businessinsider.com/poop-testing-startup-ubiome-is-laying-off-114-employees-2019-7]. (uBiome did not respond to requests for comment.)

Others are faring much better: In June, Google announced it was going to buy[https://www.forbes.com/sites/jilliandonfro/2019/06/06/google-to-acquire-data-platform-looker-for-2-point-6-billion/#cf247b71b5b3] business intelligence startup Looker for $2.6 billion, the largest acquisition of a Next Billion-Dollar Startup alum. The company debuted on the list in 2017 when it was valued at around $850 million. Also this year, 2017 listmaker HotelTonight sold to Airbnb[https://www.forbes.com/sites/bizcarson/2019/03/07/airbnb-to-buy-hoteltonight-as-it-pushes-deeper-into-hotel-booking-business/#33b2c0f57817] for around a reported[https://skift.com/2019/03/08/airbnb-paid-400-million-for-hoteltonight-half-in-pre-ipo-stock/] $400 million.

Acquisitions are one exit path, but no Next Billion-Dollar Startups alumni have made it to the public markets this year, despite the unicorn stampede that saw Uber, Lyft, Pinterest and PagerDuty among others go public. Digital health startup Livongo is closest, having set the terms for its IPO[https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2019/07/15/livongo-ipo-targets.html]. Delivery startup Postmates announced it has confidentially filed to go public, while others, like Poshmark[https://www.wsj.com/articles/fashion-marketplace-poshmark-preps-to-go-public-this-fall-11554413911], are reported to be IPO contenders. But Postmates may be keeping its options open: a report in Recode[https://www.vox.com/recode/2019/7/11/20688108/postmates-acquisition-ipo-doordash-walmart-uber] in early July said the delivery company has been exploring acquisition options as well.

Why go public when private investors are so generous? Postmates rival DoorDash, a 2015 Next Billion-Dollar Startups alum, raised $1 billion in capital in the first six months of 2019, catapulting its valuation to $12.6 billion[https://www.forbes.com/sites/bizcarson/2019/05/23/doordash-12-billion-valuation-series-g-funding/]. Other startups like Amplitude and Affirmed also raised big rounds. “It’s helpful to raise capital, especially when the macroclimate seems to be a bit choppy,” DoorDash CEO Tony Xu told Forbes at the time[https://www.forbes.com/sites/bizcarson/2019/05/23/doordash-12-billion-valuation-series-g-funding/#1fc4e1d81fa9].

Pace, the CEO of Auth0[https://auth0.com/], says he wasn’t as worried about macroeconomics given his company’s revenue is distributed globally instead of concentrated in the U.S. Instead, he felt like it was a good time to raise and accelerate his company’s growth. “Frankly, there’s a lot of money available in the markets right now,” he says. “The best time to raise money is when you don’t need to raise money. If you need the money, then you are in trouble.”

Next Billion-Dollar Startups Class of 2019, take note.