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Two minutes, twice a day — it's a simple message that's drummed into us from an early age. But the latest figures suggest many of us still don't brush properly, and our teeth and gums are suffering serious damage as a result.

One in four adults admits they don't brush their teeth twice a day, according to charity the Oral Health Foundation. Unsurprisingly, nearly 70 per cent of us have visible plaque — a build-up of bacteria and debris which is a chief cause of tooth decay.

And even if you do try to look after your teeth, how should you do it and what should you use?

Last week Swiss researchers who analysed the effectiveness of certain toothpastes found some were no more effective than saliva when it comes to preventing dental erosion (where the tooth's hard outer coating of enamel is lost, exposing the dentine, which contains nerves, leading to tooth sensitivity and pain).

They analysed nine popular fluoride toothpastes that claim to help with sensitive teeth and dental erosion. None of the toothpastes tested were capable of preventing dental erosion or sensitivity alone, something the researchers from the University of Bern called a 'concern'.

But selecting the right toothpaste isn't the only issue. It's not just your teeth that need attention — it's your gums, too. In fact, even if you do spend the recommended two minutes, twice daily, scrubbing your teeth, if you are not also cleaning your gums, experts say you could be entirely wasting your time. That's because of the risk of gum disease, which affects three-quarters of British adults.

'Much of the plaque-forming bacteria lurk on the gum line between gum and tooth, and the gums need regular brushing in the same way as our teeth,' explains Dr Reena Wadia, a periodontist (gum specialist) from RW Perio clinic in London. 'If they're not brushed away, bacteria react with sugars from food to create plaque, the sticky film which causes gum inflammation.'

She continues: 'If it is left untreated, this inflammation of the gums (known as gingivitis) progresses to more serious gum disease — and that's the real culprit when it comes to tooth loss in adults.'

'Gums are incredibility important,' adds Dr Uchenna Okoye, clinical director of London Smiling Dental Group. 'They're made from collagen fibres and act as shock absorbers for the teeth, protecting them when you chew and holding them firmly in place.'

Neglecting to clean your gums allows plaque to grow beneath the gum line and between teeth until it eventually breaks down the bone and connective tissue anchoring our teeth. 'It's like losing the soil around the bottom of a picket fence,' explains Dr Okoye. 'Eventually the posts start wobbling and become looser and looser until they just fall out.'

Gum disease has also been linked to a whole host of serious health problems, including heart disease and diabetes.

And last month, a study by the University of Helsinki in Finland found a clear link between gum disease and cancer deaths, notably with pancreatic cancer, according to the British Journal of Cancer. Other similar studies have linked gum disease bacteria to cancers of the breast, throat and stomach. Scientists believe that bacteria in the mouth enters the bloodstream via the gums, damaging organs and contributing to the formation of tumours.

This all means knowing how to brush both your teeth and gums properly is much more important than just flashing a bright, white smile. Here, Good Health presents the definitive guide to brushing your teeth — and gums . . .

how to brush your teeth well

The first step to boosting tooth and gum health is simply learning to brush them properly. As well as clearing away harmful bacteria, brushing boosts blood flow to the gums, providing them with oxygen which strengthens and helps them repair and fight off future bacteria attacks.

'You need to place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the spot where the gums and teeth meet,' explains Dr Wadia.

'Angle upwards for the upper teeth and downwards for the lower teeth — it should feel like you're massaging your gums.

'Spend around five seconds on the gum line of each tooth.'

is an ELECTRIC brush better?

Whether electric toothbrushes really do trump manuals has long been the subject of debate, and the answer seems to be that they do.

When the respected Cochrane research body analysed the outcomes of 432 studies on this subject in 2014 it concluded: 'Powered toothbrushes reduce plaque and gingivitis more than manual tooth brushing.' And most dentists agree: 'If someone's technique is perfect with a manual toothbrush then that's absolutely fine to use,' says Dr Wadia.

'But the vast majority of people don't have perfect technique.'

Indeed, the Cochrane review noted that one reason electric toothbrushes performed better over the long-term is that even manual users who begin with an efficient technique rarely keep up their technique effectively for the full two minutes that they brush their teeth.

'Electric toothbrushes are just far more effective at removing plaque because they're designed to gently massage teeth and gums correctly,' adds Dr Wadia, 'they do all the hard work for you.'

But DON'T over BRUSH the GUMS

Although gums need brushing you mustn't attack them too vigorously, as you can wear them away. This will eventually leave tooth roots (containing the nerve and blood supply) exposed, causing sensitivity and increasing the likelihood of gum disease as plaque bacteria can easily take hold in the gap created by the receded gum.

Dr Wadia recommends 'holding your toothbrush with a gentle grip, as if you're holding a pen, and brush using your wrist rather than your whole arm'.

'Gums in good health are one of the fastest-healing tissues in the body,' says Dr Richard Marques, a dentist at Wimpole Street Dental in London. 'Their cells (made of the connective tissue collagen) repair twice as quickly as normal skin cells.' But once tissue has been completely worn away there's nothing left to regenerate.

In this case, a 'gum graft' is the only answer. The hour-long procedure takes tissue from the roof of your mouth and stitches it into place over the exposed tooth root. But it doesn't come cheap, at around £400 to £600 per tooth.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT Sort OF BRISTLE

When it comes to picking your brush head, avoid brushes with hard bristles.

'Too firm can wear the gums, but too soft (as with some brushes aimed at sensitive teeth) and it won't remove all the plaque and food debris properly,' says Dr Marques. 'I always recommend a medium brush.'

If you're going for an electric Dr Wadia suggests one with a pressure sensor — 'this warns you by beeping if you're pressing too hard', she says.

BACTERIA PILLS ARE GOOD FOR YOU

Good and bad bacteria live side-by-side in your mouth, just like in your gut, with more than 700 species flourishing there.

Generally, the 'good' kind keep the 'bad' in check. But if they get out of balance — as a result of poor oral hygiene — the harmful ones can lead to gum disease.

Scientists have recently been looking at whether probiotics — supplements containing good bacteria that restore balance in the gut — could also could help fight gum disease.

A 2017 study published in the Journal of Oral Microbiology added helpful gut bacteria lactobacilli to chewing gum and asked people to use it daily.

After two weeks the amount of plaque on the teeth and gum line had significantly reduced.

Similarly, a study by University Hospital Jena in Germany published in The Journal of Clinical Periodontology found a daily shot of any probiotic drink could reduce bleeding and inflammation in gums.

Should we be flossing daily?

Long-standing advice for maintaining healthy teeth and gums was to floss daily.

However, in 2016 a flurry of reports began to question the science, prompting Public Health England to change its guidance to say: 'There is no strong evidence that flossing makes any difference to oral hygiene compared with brushing with toothpaste.'

These days, most experts recommend interdental brushes, which fit between the teeth like pipe cleaners.

'Teeth aren't straight and uniform,' explains Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Oral Health Foundation charity, 'so the bristles on the interdental brush are more effective than floss — as floss cannot penetrate small pits and concave surfaces.'

HOW RED WINE MIGHT HELP

This notorious teeth-stainer might not sound good for oral health, but a study in February found that two antioxidants in red wine could prevent plaque bacteria sticking to gums.

Scientists at the Spanish National Research Council in Madrid were quick to point out that they tested antioxidants in much higher concentrations than in a normal glass of wine — but there is hope that the results could influence future toothpaste formulations.

The British Dental Association, meanwhile, advises drinking wine in moderation and with a meal, as its acidic nature may otherwise damage enamel.

YOGA 'good' for dentAL HEALTH

In 2014, Brazilian researchers reviewed 24 previous studies and found overwhelming evidence that people under stress were at greater risk of gum disease.

Stress appears to dampen the immune system, reducing its ability to fight the bacteria that cause gum inflammation.

Last year a study by the Dental Clinic & Research Centre in India found that people who practised yoga regularly had lower rates of gum disease.

Researchers put this down to the fact yoga relieved stress, which helped improve the body's inflammatory response to bacteria in the mouth.

supplement to boost GUMS

Many studies have concluded that the gums of people who have periodontitis have lower levels of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).

This nutrient and antioxidant occurs naturally in the body and is found in foods such as liver, whole grains, oily fish and peanuts. CoQ10 helps oxygenate tissues, but we naturally produce less of it as we get older.

Many studies, including one by the Institute of Dental Sciences in India in 2015, have found taking a supplement that provides around 100mg of CoQ10 per day can significantly reduce gum disease.

Dentist Dr Mark Burhenne recommends the most readily absorbed form, ubiquinol, for anyone with gum disease, and for those taking cholesterol-lowering statins, which have been found to lower levels of CoQ10.

GARGLE WITH SALT WATER

'A great natural way to look after your gums is to do regular warm salt water mouth rinses,' says Dr Marques.

'Use a teaspoon of salt in a 200ml cup of warm water, ten minutes after meals and swill it all around your mouth a few times for around 20 seconds'. Salt acts as a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, which can help to improve and maintain gum health.

A 2016 study in the Public Library of Science One Journal found salt water gargles could indeed speed up gum healing.

TREAT BLEEDING AS A warning

Most of us know that spotting blood on the toothbrush is a sign that our gums are damaged. Yet a study by Corsodyl last year found that despite 84 per cent of people being aware that bleeding gums were a sign of gum disease, nearly half would still ignore blood if there was no pain associated with it.

This could be a serious mistake, as gum disease is painless until it reaches the later stages.

Bleeding gums are one of the first signs of gingivitis, which leads to gum disease.

When gums become inflamed by bacteria, tiny blood blisters form inside the pockets of tissue surrounding the teeth. Once these blisters are disturbed they break and bleed.

'You wouldn't ignore bleeding from any other part of your body, so treat gums the same way,' advises Dr Wadia.

The recommendations about of how often you need to change your toothbrush or brush head vary, but typically changing them every three to six months is about right, say dentists.

'However, when you've been sick with cold or flu, or if you've had a mouth or throat infection, you should replace your toothbrush even if it's new,' says periodontist Dr Reena Wadia.

This is because while you can't catch the same cold virus twice, your bugs can spread to bathroom surfaces or other nearby toothbrushes, putting other family members at risk.

When researchers at the University of Bern tested nine popular fluoride toothpastes, they found that some were no better than saliva.

'Brushing with a fluoride toothpaste alone is not a magic wand when it comes to preventing enamel erosion; you also need to reduce acid-forming sugary foods and drinks,' explains Dr Uchenna Okoye of the British Dental Association.

Indeed how you clean your teeth is as important, if not more, than what you clean it with, she adds. 'Patients often ask me if toothpaste is absolutely necessary and the simplest answer is no.'

'People ask if they can use products such as baking soda, coconut oil, even water. The real key is a good technique and to brush often to remove plaque and reduce bacteria on the gum line.'

But toothpaste's main benefit is it contains fluoride, which strengthens teeth.

'Despite the new Swiss findings, dentists still largely agree that regular topical fluoride application in the form of toothpaste helps strengthen enamel and reduce dental cavities,' says Dr Okoye.

A study by Which? in 2015 found that as long as a toothpaste has the recommended level of fluoride (1,350-1,500ppm for adults, as found in most products), it will keep teeth healthy.

Although toothpastes now come in a variety of different flavours and make a number of different claims, there's no guarantee that expensive toothpastes will leave the teeth any cleaner.

So unless you have a specific problem with sensitive teeth, say, your most basic Boots own-brand product for just 75p will do the job just fine.

But what exactly is in toothpaste anyway? We look at one popular product, Colgate Total Whitening Toothpaste . . .

Aqua: One of the main ingredients, aqua, or water, helps make it a paste.

Glycerin: This lubricant is used to prevent toothpaste drying out, as well as giving the paste a smooth texture.

Glycerin is also found in the liquid in vape pens and is the active ingredient in  dynamite.

Hydrated Silica: An abrasive used to remove plaque as well as whiten teeth.

Microcrystalline cellulose: Extracted from wood pulp, this is used to thicken products such as pre-shredded cheeses, as well as toothpaste.

Triclosan: This antimicrobial chemical is used to reduce plaque and heal bleeding gums.

Triclosan is currently banned in hand soaps and body wash in the U.S. because of animal studies suggesting possible health risks.

Sodium Fluoride: Makes teeth more resistant to decay and the bacteria that cause cavities.

Fluoride comes from the mineral fluorite, found worldwide but especially in South Africa.

Sodium Hydroxide: A caustic chemical better known as lye or caustic soda.

Found mostly in household cleaning products, sodium hydroxide is used to neutralise the acidity caused by the other chemicals in toothpaste that could potentially harm the enamel.

Spit out excess toothpaste but don't rinse after brushing. 'Swishing out your mouth straight after brushing as many people do washes away much of the protective fluoride and other beneficial ingredients in toothpaste, thus reducing its effectiveness,' warns Dr Reena Wadia, a periodontist from RW Perio clinic in London.

But you should always give your toothbrush a thorough rinse with tap water to remove plaque and food debris after use. Some dentists suggest soaking it in antibacterial mouthwash or even running it through the dishwasher to kill off bacteria.

Then store it in an upright position so the bristles can dry (damp bristles are a breeding ground for bacteria).

© Daily Mail

Learn about the far-reaching benefits of good digestion, and how to dramatically improve your diet and gut health. A gift bag of gut-friendly goodies includedDate: Tuesday 12 June 2018 Times: Evening course, 6.30pm-9.30pm

* Book now[https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/happy-gut-happy-mind-a-masterclass-with-nutritional-therapist-eve-kalinik-tickets-44015313989]

Learn about the far-reaching benefits of good digestion, and how to dramatically improve your diet and gut health. A gift bag of gut-friendly goodies included.

You will have heard expressions like ‘gut instinct’, ‘gut feeling’ or ‘gut reaction’, but you may not be quite so in tune with just HOW strong a relationship there is between the health of our gut and our mind. In fact, the core connection between the gut and the brain is a real and mutually beneficial one that involves the nervous system and the trillions (yes, really!) of microbes that live in the gut.

During this insightful masterclass with nutritional therapist Eve Kalinik we will explore some of the foods and factors that help to support this process. This could turn your beliefs of what you thought was all in your head literally on its head, and have you realising that your gut has much more of a say than you think.

As well as receiving a gift bag of goodies, attendees will also be able to buy a copy of Eve’s bestselling book, Be Good to Your Gut[https://www.guardianbookshop.com/be-good-to-your-gut.html], and have it signed on the night.

Content

* The gut - what is it?

* Understanding the gut microbiome (the trillions of microorganisms in the gut)

* Why we need a healthy gut

* Understanding why the gut is considered our second brain

* The link between the gut and the brain

* How to support the gut and in this the mind

* The impact that stress has on the gut

* The concept of ‘rest and digest’

* Q&A - answering your personal digestive dilemmas

Tutor profile

Eve Kalinik[http://www.evekalinik.com/] is a qualified nutritional therapist and health writer. She regularly hosts workshops and talks, and is a columnist for Psychologies magazine. Eve is a registered member of the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy (BANT) and the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). She tweets @EveKalinik[https://twitter.com/EveKalinik].

Details

* Book now[https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/happy-gut-happy-mind-a-masterclass-with-nutritional-therapist-eve-kalinik-tickets-44015313989]

Date: Tuesday 12 June 2018

Times: Evening course, 6.30pm-9.30pm

Location: The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU

Price: £49 plus £2.95 booking fee

Event capacity: 100

Complimentary refreshments included.

You may also be interested in…

* Launching a food and drink business with Philip Banfield[https://www.theguardian.com/guardian-masterclasses/2015/may/27/launching-a-food-and-drink-startup-with-philip-banfield-masterclass2]

* How to write about food with Felicity Cloake[https://www.theguardian.com/guardian-masterclasses/2015/jul/06/food-writing-with-felicity-cloake-food-and-drink-journalism-course]

* How to change your life: A masterclass with life coach Fiona Buckland[https://www.theguardian.com/guardian-masterclasses/2016/dec/09/reach-your-full-potential-how-to-switch-off-autopilot-and-make-positive-and-meaningful-changes-to-your-life]

Sign up to our newsletter[https://www.theguardian.com/guardian-masterclasses/2015/jan/19/sign-up-to-the-guardian-masterclasses-newsletter] and you’ll be among the first to find out about our latest courses and special offers. You can also follow us on Twitter[https://twitter.com/guardianclasses] , and read our latest articles and interviews on our blog[https://www.theguardian.com/guardian-masterclasses/guardian-masterclass-blog] .

Information on Guardian Masterclasses

If you have any questions about our programme, our contact information is here[https://www.theguardian.com/guardian-masterclasses/about-masterclasses]. Terms and conditions can be found here[https://www.theguardian.com/guardian-masterclasses/terms-and-conditions?intcmp=239].

Returns policy: Tickets may be refunded if you contact us at least 14 days before the course start date. Please see our terms and conditions[https://www.theguardian.com/guardian-masterclasses/terms-and-conditions] for more information on our refund policy.

Statins and hayfever pills could be fuelling antibiotic resistance by changing the growth of bacteria in the human gut, scientists have found.

Researchers from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)[https://www.embl.de/] looked at the impact of 1,000 common drugs on the 40 strains of gut bacteria and found that one quarter were having a negative impact.

Among those discovered to be harmful were simvstatin, one of the commonest statins, the breast cancer drug tamoxifen and the common hayfever medication loratidin.

The researchers warn that taking everyday pills may promote antibiotic resistance, as they encourage unhelpful bacteria to develop new resistant strains in the same way as antibiotics.

"This is scary," said Dr Nassos Typas, of EMBL Heidelberg, Germany. "Considering that we take many non-antibiotic drugs in our life, often for long periods.

"We actually see drugs from all therapeutic classes impacting gut microbes. The most prominent from them are antipsychotics, antihypertensives, anti-cancer drugs, proton-pump inhibitors, antihistamines, painkillers and contraceptives."

Around 5,000 people in England die each year because antibiotics have become useless against[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2017/02/24/soaring-antibiotic-resistance-fuels-steep-rise-use-last-hope/] some infections and experts predict resistance will kill more people than cancer and diabetes combined within 30 years.

Professor Dame Sally Davies, the Chief Medical Officer, recently warned that an ‘antibiotic resistance apocalypse’ could end modern medicine, and make surgery, chemotherapy and caesareans too dangerous to carry out.

Dame Sally has previously described the threatened loss of antibiotics to the world as on a par with terrorism[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/9921616/Threat-posed-by-resistance-to-antibiotics-ranks-alongside-terrorism.html] and climate change.

Resistant bacteria are much harder to treat and victims have far worse outcomes. For example people with MRSA are 64 per cent more likely to die than people with a non-resistant strain of the bacterium.

Q&A | Antimicrobial resistance[https://cf-particle-html.eip.telegraph.co.uk/c8bd5839-fe38-4c95-9edd-02399646e231.html] Antimicrobial resistance occurs naturally over time, as micro-organisms adapt and reproduce. Among the diseases which have growing antimicrobial resistant strains are: influenza, malaria, tuberculosis and HIV.

The human gut contains a large number of species of bacteria, collectively referred to as the microbiome, which is now known has a huge impact on health.

Scientists knew that antibiotics harm the microbiome, damaging the immune system and leaving people vulnerable to infections but were unsure whether other drugs were also having an impact.

"The number of unrelated drugs that hit gut microbes as collateral damage was surprising," said Dr Peer Bork, of EMBL.

The research was published in the journal Nature[http://nature.com/articles/doi:10.1038/nature25979] .

An increasing number of scientists are waking up to the idea of a link between the digestive system and problems with sleep

When we lie awake at night, unable to sleep, we usually blame stress, depression, anxiety, adrenaline or the memory of something stupid we said in 2003. But what if our guts were actually the culprit? What if the trillions of microbes sitting in our small intestines – known collectively as the microbiome or microbiota – were actually affecting our mood, digestion, overall health and ability to get a full eight hours’ shut-eye? Scientists are beginning to suspect there is a strong, if as yet unproven, link between gut health – the diversity and wellbeing of bacteria in the stomach, small and large intestines – and sleep health.

“This is an embryonic field right now in the annals of sleep research,” says Matt Walker, the author of Why We Sleep and the director of the Center for Human Sleep Science at the University of California, Berkeley. “We know an enormous amount about the relationship between a lack of sleep and appetite, obesity and weight gain, as well as aspects of insulin resistance and glucose regulation. What we don’t fully understand yet is the role of the microbiome in sleep.”

We know that sleep deprivation increases our chances of obesity and affects the way we control food intake. Lack of sleep results in a decrease in leptin, the hormone that makes us feel full, and a surge in ghrelin, which stops us feeling satisfied with the food we do eat. That means we keep eating – sometimes as much as an extra 300 calories a day. Lack of sleep also affects the parts of our brain responsible for impulse control, leaving us with very little chance of eating healthily and taking care of that gut ecosystem. Poor sleep, then, can certainly affect our gut. The question is, could our gut affect our sleep?

“Is improving gut health a possible new sleep therapy? That is one of our least understood but most exciting possibilities,” says Walker.

Dr Michael Breus, a clinical psychologist and fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, agrees that this is a possibility worth pursuing. “There is no question in my mind that gut health is linked to sleep health, although we do not have the studies to prove it yet. Scientists investigating the relationship between sleep and the microbiome are finding that the microbial ecosystem may affect sleep and sleep-related physiological functions in a number of different ways: shifting circadian rhythms, altering the body’s sleep-wake cycle, affecting hormones that regulate sleep and wakefulness. ”

While we wait for the definitive science, Breus suggests taking probiotics (a type of live bacteria) and prebiotics (non-digestible carbohydrates, mainly fibre) to feed the good bacteria in our guts. The benefits of probiotics for the gut are well documented. A recent study from scientists at the University of Colorado, published in Frontiers of Behavioural Neuroscience[https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2016.00240/full], suggests that prebiotics could have a significant effect on the quality of non-REM and REM sleep. This is something insomniac Dr Michael Mosley tested out with some success in a recent BBC documentary[https://www.bimuno.com/prebiotics-and-sleep] – he took prebiotics for five days and saw improvement in his sleep. The day before the experiment, Mosley spent 21% of his time in bed awake; by the final day, that was down to 8%. This is, of course, anecdotal – but nevertheless interesting.

Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London and the author of The Diet Myth, agrees that a healthy gut could promote good sleep. Like Walker and Breus, he also believes gut health is linked to our moods. That is particularly interesting for someone like me, who suffers from both depression and insomnia. I live with bipolar disorder; my moods affect my sleep, and, traditionally, I would expect my brain to be in charge of that. But it turns out it is not that simple.

“We know that people who live with depression and people who sleep poorly both have abnormal microbes in the gut, which would suggest there is a very real connection here between all three,” says Spector. “I’ve always found that if you help someone sleep, it improves their depression, and vice versa. If we can also look after the gut, this may have an impact on both sleep disturbances and mood disorders.” It has long been known that there is a reciprocal relationship between depression and sleep, in that most depressed people sleep poorly and many insomniacs develop depressive symptoms.

Spector is convinced that you can improve sleep disturbance with diet. “That was dismissed until recently by psychiatrists and sleep therapists, but if we eat badly, we sleep badly,” he says. “If you wanted to improve sleep, you could try a gut-friendly regime by eating a broad and inclusive diet with real food, not processed. Everyone is going to be different. You could try being vegetarian for a month and see if it helps. Double your fibre intake and eat fermented foods every day, such as full-fat yoghurt and good-quality cheeses. Increase the range of foods in your diet. Eat berries, green tea, 70% dark chocolate, decaffeinated coffee, nuts and seeds. Don’t eat just before you go to bed, but equally, don’t go hungry. Avoid snacking before bedtime. I don’t want to be too prescriptive but really, if you want richer microbes, you’ll eat more of a range of foods and that will induce chemicals that will calm you.”

As for the bedtime routine, Christine Hansen, author of Sleep Like a Boss, has some further tips. “My general advice is to eat low-glycaemic index foods before bed because they’ll release the energy more slowly. If you do eat high-GI foods, like a dessert or sugar or something refined, pair it with some protein or fibre. For example, if you have white bread, have it with cream cheese and banana or eggs. If you want crackers, go for wholegrain. You probably don’t want to eat food before bed that’s difficult to digest – fried food or heavy meats, for example. Go for fish or chicken rather than sitting down for a big steak, and try to indulge at lunchtime rather than dinner to give yourself the best chance at sleep.”

Fitness trackers are the boring cusp of the quantified self movement – but surely the true self can’t be found through wearable tech

The latest product from Fitbit is called Ace. It is designed for children aged eight to 13 years old, and will help parents monitor their offspring’s health. (“Ace”, to my ears, sounds like the online username of a predatory catfish, but let’s leave that to one side.) I’m not sure how it will work – presumably there’s a gamification element for the kids, socially sharing movement and sleep levels, and rewarding healthy choices. Or maybe it simply electrocutes them if they go into a fried chicken shop.

As any right-thinking person knows, technology peaked with the invention of the pyramid teabag. But only a fool wouldn’t admit to the sophistication of activity trackers like Fitbit[https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jun/21/fitbit-digital-health-revolution]. Embedded with accelerometers and altimeters, they disapprovingly calculate the number of stairs climbed, calories consumed and breaths taken, producing in-app graphs that prove you are a human sausage who will die at the desk of a job you hate. The scrutiny doesn’t end there. Fitbit has announced that it is looking into sensors that can track sleep apnea[https://www.theverge.com/2017/8/30/16227040/fitbit-sleep-apnea-tracking-ionic-smartwatch-sensors]. Apple wants its earbuds to measure how much we sweat[https://appleinsider.com/articles/16/11/15/apple-patent-refines-health-monitoring-headphone-invention-to-accommodate-airpods]. Wearable blood glucose meters are being piloted, and in a few months, we will see personal hydration monitors on sale. This year, the sound of summer will be a wristband nagging you to put down the WKD and slam a Robinsons fruit shoot instead. Better than Ed Sheeran, I suppose.

Yet fitness is only the boring cusp of something much more unsettling. Wearables are the principal tools of a movement called quantified self[https://www.theguardian.com/science/2011/dec/02/psychology-human-biology], which believes in self-knowledge through self-surveillance. Voluntarily tracking data from one’s body at all times – sleep movement, gut microbiome, galvanic skin response – builds a complete picture of who you are. Quantified selfers believe that intimately identifying with our biometric profiles will expand our potential, eliminate risk and optimise performance. It’s known as body hacking, not at all the most psycho-killer phrase I’ve ever heard. It’s a perspective that, given our astonishing technological achievements, we risk sleepwalking towards. The movement’s co-founder, Gary Wolf, makes the case for his totalising scientific method in a TED talk[https://www.ted.com/talks/gary_wolf_the_quantified_self] in which he concludes: “The self is just our operations centre.”

Is it, though? We lack anything close to an understanding of consciousness, so theories of the mechanical human are articles of faith, and leave out most of the story. The self is a primeval chaos. True, the body is a homeostatic, biological wonder; it’s also a house of unfathomable feeling. You can monitor disrupted sleep, but it’s harder to touch the things that keep us up at night. Skin sensors can’t distinguish between the sensations of being engulfed in panic and someone sexy touching your leg under the table. When it comes down to it, all the cardiovascular monitoring in the world won’t prevent your heart from being broken. I can’t help thinking real life cannot be predicted or prevented.

Fitbits, FourFits, TomToms and Jawbones are to my mind not so different to the azabache bracelets slipped on to Puerto Rican newborns to ward off the evil eye (although I believe the USB connections are better). Parents should encourage their kids to be healthy and wholesome, play swingball and hopscotch, whatever. But control is a comforting fiction. Given the emotional and physical journey of early puberty, the best possible design for the Fitbit kids’ wristband would be a waterproof loop, enscribed with the words: “IT IS NORMAL. YOU ARE LOVED.” That really would be ace.

Apps for naps – my search for the perfect sleeper agent

Speaking of tracking sleep, can someone explain to me exactly what the process of falling unconscious is? I seem to have forgotten it. You lie down horizontally, close the peepers, then mentally cycle through every mistake you’ve ever made, yes? Or am I doing it wrong? On the positive side, I have achieved the most ironic act imaginable: suffering from insomnia on World Sleep Day[http://worldsleepday.org/], which this year was Friday 16 March.

Luckily, there are a number of apps designed to help, and I’ve been trying quite a few this week, because I know the blue light from the phone is helpful for falling asleep[https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jan/22/bedroom-phone-free-zone-feel-better-sleep-anxiety-social-media]. I’ve tried Headspace[https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/audio/2011/jan/28/headspace-sleeping], the popular meditation app, in which a lugubrious, multimillionaire Buddhist monk called Andy bores you into a parallel dimension with his voice. Slightly better was The End of the World[https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/the-end-of-the-world-by-sean-wenham/id1043714288?mt=8], a rudimentary phone game in which you guide a broken figure through a desolate landscape, punctuated by brief flashes of his formerly happy life, over the sound of a clock ticking. The game has an eastern European children’s cartoon level of bleakness; helpful for extinguishing the last rays of light from your room and soul.

The most effective though, has been Paloma’s Bedtime, on Amazon Echo[https://www.palomafaith.com/palomas-bedtime/]. This bizarre service has lisping jazz-pixie Paloma Faith[https://www.theguardian.com/music/paloma-faith] reading Peter Rabbit stories in a coochie-coo voice, or singing Bye Baby Bunting, or making a shushing noise at you. “It’s the only thing that gets my baby to sleep,” she says. Her baby must be hardcore, because she shuuuuuushes so aggressively it sounds like someone trying to move sheep off a lawn. Trying to understand how Faith’s managers persuaded her to become an ASMR figurehead[https://www.theguardian.com/science/head-quarters/2016/jan/08/asmr-and-head-orgasms-whats-the-science-behind-it] made my head hurt so much, I passed out.

Bring me sunshine

At least the Beast from the East had verve. It sounded like a WWE villain, knocking out the UK’s infrastructure and crippling the health of its populace, as if it was a genuine invading force. Mini Beast from the East[https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/mar/15/met-office-issues-warnings-of-snow-and-ice-across-the-uk], which opened this weekend, is an unloved, creatively bankrupt sequel; the Scrappy Doo of severe snow warnings. Can we have some temperate, spring-based weather antagonists now, please? April Showers, perhaps, femme fatale of drizzle, whose consort is Vernal Equinox, a mad scientist dispensing moderate anarchy from his jetstream. Basically, anything that isn’t so beastly.

The sight of cool water emerging mysteriously out of the deep-delved earth has long fascinated humans who once believed some springs were sacred, with the power to inspire poets or miraculously cure diseases.

Now some people believe that there are “probiotics” in water that comes straight out of the ground.

Rebranded as “raw water,” “live water,” “real water” or “unprocessed water,” untreated spring water is commanding a high price in places such as Silicon Valley, according to a New York Times article published in December.

The article noted that a grocery store in San Francisco frequently is selling out its stock of unfiltered, unsterilized spring water. A 2½-gallon container costs $36.99.

Raw water fans say they avoid municipal water — or “dead water,” as some call it — because they want water free of the chlorine and fluoride often added to tap water. Some argue that raw water has healthy bacteria.

“They’re nut cases. You can quote me on that,” said Stew Thornley, a Minnesota Health Department health educator. Thornley said tap water is the safest, most thoroughly tested water available.

Spring water, in contrast, is susceptible to contamination and can vary rapidly in quality depending on changes in the environment or land uses around the spring, according to the Health Department.

Dr. Donald Hensrud, medical director of the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program in Rochester, said he’s unaware of any health benefits of untreated water. But there are some health risks, such as the potential presence of nitrates or giardia.

“People have this idea that natural is better with regard to water,” Hensrud said. “It’s kind of analogous to the immunization issue.”

Thornley said, “We definitely don’t recommend this raw water movement.”

That isn’t deterring fans of the Fredrick-Miller Spring in Eden Prairie, a historic spring converted into a free public tap on land owned by the city.

Vehicles frequently line up in the small parking lot next to the constantly flowing outdoor spigot as people fill up their jugs and water bottles despite a city sign nearby warning: “The quality of the water from this spring can change quite rapidly so even though the water is tested, we cannot assure its safety at all times.”

A recent test of the spring showed low levels of nitrate, no bacteria and some naturally occurring fluoride. But the water at the Fredrick-Miller Spring is tested only once a month, said Rick Wahlen, the city’s utilities manager. Municipal water systems are tested much more frequently.

Still, spring water fans say it tastes better than tap water, that it makes better coffee, pasta or home-brewed beer and that even their plants and pets prefer it.

“It’s pure, pure, pure,” said Kevin Thoresen, a Shakopee resident who recently filled up bottles with water from the spring. He said he uses the spring water, which he stores in brown glass bottles, to properly make Essiac tea, an herbal tea used by some as an alternative treatment for cancer.

“You’re talking cancer? I’ve had it three times,” said Marilyn Schroeder, a St. Louis Park woman who also was waiting to fill her water bottles at the spring. “I do not drink city water. I don’t believe in fluoridation.”

Mark Olson, of Big Lake, another spring water fan who has read about “structured water” and the “fourth phase” of water, said, “Everybody I’ve met just believes it’s very healthy water. I feel good when I drink it.”

Richard Chin • 612-673-4000

Dr Rupy Aujla, from The Doctor's Kitchen, explains how everyday spices can help keep us in tip top condition, and shares his three favourite recipes, bursting with healthy ingredients and tasty flavour

Turmeric is having a moment in the world of healthy eating, but there are plenty of other herbs and spices knocking around in your kitchen that could give your health a boost.

GP and nutrition expert Dr Rupy Aujla[https://thedoctorskitchen.com/]knows only too well that what we eat can have a huge impact on our health.

"‘Indian families have an encyclopaedic knowledge of complementary health cures –­ my mother was years ahead of the turmeric trend," says Dr Rupy. "You can imagine the number of 'I told you so’s' I got when I started researching the clinical validity of traditional treatments."

Dr Rupy says: "Invest in good quality spices, and keep them in an airtight jar. If your spices have been gathering dust on your shelves for years, they’ll lack that beautiful pungency of flavour that will give your cooking vibrancy. Plus, the antioxidant properties will decline over time. Herbs don’t need to be freshly cut – you can still get the same health benefits from using dried herbs."

Garlic

Gut health has been in the news recently, with several studies linking overall health and immunity to the state of the good bacteria, known as the microbiome, living in your gut.

"Garlic contains prebiotics, a special type of fibre that isn’t digested by the body, but which feeds and really nurtures your microbiome," says Dr Rupy. "I always encourage my patients to get more garlic into their diet during the cold and flu season."

If you don’t like pongy breath, try taking garlic capsules – although Dr Rupy warns that to get the maximum health properties, it’s always best to eat the food in its whole form.

How to eat it: Invest in a garlic crusher and add it to pasta, soups, salad dressings, and sauces.

Ginger

This fiery ingredient can be used in so many everyday dishes – and it’s also really good for you.

"There are a whole host of studies examining its effect on everything from cancer prevention to nausea," says Dr Rupy. "I’ve used it to treat migraine patients, because of its powerful anti-nausea and anti-inflammatory properties."

It also works well to settle the queasiest of stomachs – from mums-to-be to seasick sailors.

How to eat it: Add a few slices of fresh ginger to lemon and hot water to make a comforting tea, or blitz it up and add it to a smoothie.

Turmeric

It’s the trendiest new superfood on the block, but this is a spice that lives up to the hype.

"It’s one of the most extensively researched spices we have, and it’s now commonly accepted that daily dietary inclusion can prevent bowel cancer," explains Dr Rupy. "There’s also evidence that it could be beneficial in helping dementia, chronic pain syndromes and inflammatory conditions."

How to eat it: Add a pinch to scrambled eggs or an omelette, sprinkle it over roasted cauliflower, or add a teaspoon to a cup of warm milk and honey.

Thyme

Some of the kitchen heroes you’ve been eating all your life are chock full of goodness.

"Thyme is one of the oldest herbs to be recognised for its medicinal qualities," explains Dr Rupy. "In Germany, they use it to treat respiratory conditions, like asthma and bronchitis, and studies show it has impressive anti-inflammatory properties. As a general rule, all kitchen herbs, like basil and rosemary, are just as impressive as turmeric, and are easy to grow in a pot."

How to eat it: Use the leaves as a garnish to get the full health benefits, rather than cooking the goodness out. Or add it to veggies at the last minute.

Cumin

"Here’s a spice that’s high on my list of things people should have in their cupboard," says Dr Rupy. "It’s almost like a digestive agent and is great for people who suffer from IBS, because it improves cramping and bloating and has an antispasmodic effect. It’s a delicious way to add an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich food into your cooking."

As well as loving your tummy, cumin can also help regulate blood sugar levels.

How to eat it: Cumin is great with foods that are tough on your digestive tract, such as lentils. Try it in a soup or spicy curry.

"This is so easy to make, and I’ve heightened the nutritional value of this classic dish by adding spinach and chickpeas to the tomatoes. Sumac is a potent antioxidant spice and gives the dish a refreshing, citrusy edge."

Serves 2

■ 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil ■ 2 garlic cloves, chopped ■ Finely chopped leaves from 2 thyme sprigs ■ 200g tinned chickpeas, drained and rinsed ■ 2 tsp harissa paste ■ 100g spinach leaves■ 200g passata or tinned tomatoes ■ 2 eggs ■ 1 tsp sumac ■ Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Preheat the grill to medium. Heat 2 tbsp of the olive oil in a large ovenproof frying pan, add the garlic and thyme leaves and sauté for 2 mins, until the garlic has softened.

2. Add the chickpeas and harissa paste and sauté for a further 2 minutes, then stir in the spinach and passata or tinned tomatoes.

3. When the mixture starts to simmer, carefully crack the eggs so they sit neatly on top.

4. Simmer for 2 mins, then transfer the pan to the preheated grill and cook for 2-3 mins, until the egg whites are cooked but the yolks are still runny (keep an eye on it to make sure the eggs don’t overcook).

5. Remove from the grill, drizzle with the remaining olive oil, sprinkle with the sumac and season with salt and pepper.

"This rich massaman curry takes on the spices really well and, with the extra veg, the dish contains plenty of micronutrients. Greens, squash and other yellow/orange coloured vegetables are full of pro-vitamin A and offer vital nutrients for immunity and eye health. This recipe makes enough for lunch the next day," says Dr Rupy.

Serves 4

■ 1 tbsp coconut oil ■ 1 tsp massaman paste (shop-bought) ■ 100ml coconut cream ■ 500g butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and cut into 4cm cubes ■ Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper ■ 300ml vegetable stock or water ■ 2 tsp fish sauce (optional, see tip)■ 2 bay leaves ■ 1 tsp runny honey■ 50g sugar snap peas, roughly chopped ■ 50g spinach, roughly chopped ■ 25g coriander leaves, chopped, to serve ■ 20g dry roasted almonds, crushed, to serve ■ Cooked brown rice, to serve (optional)

1. Melt the coconut oil in a saucepan over a medium heat. Add the massaman paste and fry for 1 minute, then stir in the coconut cream. Add the butternut squash, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes, until tender.

2. Pour in the stock or water, add the fish sauce (if using), bay leaves and honey, cover and simmer for 25 mins, until the squash is soft and the sauce has reduced.

3. Remove from the heat, fold in the sugar snap peas and spinach and cover for 2 minutes. The residual heat will lightly cook them.

4. Garnish the curry with the coriander and crushed almonds, and serve it on its own, or with a little brown rice on the side to soak up the creamy sauce.

"I love making different pastes, marinades and chutneys. They’re a fantastic and enjoyable way to introduce a variety of plant chemicals into your diet. This one is bursting with protein and the antioxidants we find in the humble apple. Using Greek yoghurt in the marinade for this easy chicken dish gives the meat a lovely crust when cooked."

Serves 2

■ 300g boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 4cm cubes ■ 1 tsp coconut oil ■ 1 red onion, thinly sliced ■ 5cm piece of root ginger, peeled and grated ■ 2 green cardamom pods ■ 100g spinach, finely chopped ■ 25g cherry tomatoes, halved ■ 15g coriander, leaves and stalks finely chopped■ Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the marinade:

■ 3 garlic cloves ■ 4cm piece of root ginger, peeled ■ 1 green chilli, deseeded ■ 25g Greek yoghurt ■ 1 tsp each ground cumin, ground fennel and ground cinnamon

For the chutney:

■ 1 apple, cored and roughly chopped ■ 15g coriander, leaves and stalks ■ Grated zest and juice of 1 lime ■ 1 red chilli, deseeded ■ 75g peas (fresh or thawed)

1. To make the marinade, blitz the garlic, ginger and chilli in a blender until finely chopped. Transfer to a bowl, add the yoghurt, cumin, fennel and cinnamon, season well and mix. Add the chicken pieces, and coat them in the marinade. Leave for at least 20 minutes (ideally overnight, covered, in the fridge).

2. Preheat the grill to medium. Push the marinated chicken cubes onto skewers and line them on a rack under the grill. Cook for 22-25 mins, until lightly charred, turning them halfway through to ensure they cook evenly.

3. While the skewers are cooking, melt the coconut oil in a pan over a medium heat. Add the onion, ginger and cardamom pods and sauté for 1-2 mins until soft. Fold in the spinach, tomatoes and coriander, cover with a lid, then take it off the heat.

4. To make the chutney, blitz the apple, coriander, lime zest and juice, red chilli and peas in a blender or food processor until roughly blended. Add a splash of water to loosen if needed. Transfer to a serving bowl.

5. Serve the chicken skewers with the sautéed spinach and chutney.

The Doctor's Kitchen[https://thedoctorskitchen.com/]by Dr Rupy Aujla is out now, £14.99, published by Thorsons

Dietary supplements aren't exactly new news. The supplement market in the U.S. is currently worth $133 billion, according to Zion Market Research, and a crop of new start-ups like Care/Of and Ritual will now deliver personalized vitamin assortments to your doorstep. Formulas with more holistic ambitions, focused on wellness and beauty, have also been steadily on the rise.

Last fall, Gwyneth Paltrow entered the game with a line of five supplements, including Goopglow ($60), a powder infused with antioxidants -- CoQ10 and vitamin C among them -- that promises to revitalize your complexion and defend against oxidative damage.

But the star ingredients of the latest supplements are less frequently spotted on drugstore shelves. Riding the wave of interest around clean eating as a means to looking better, a new offering of capsules and powders is harnessing the power of obscure superfoods and powerful nutrients -- from restorative purslane to skin-balancing probiotics.

For example, there's been a spike in supplements formulated to regulate your digestive system. Rose-Marie Swift, the makeup artist and founder of the natural brand RMS Beauty, has long been a raw-food enthusiast and is known for meticulously researching her ingredients. Last month, she launched her first line of supplements. The Women's Digestive Enzyme ($64) contains proteases to ''help break down your food, allowing for better nutrient absorption,'' Swift explains, which in turn lightens your metabolic load, and is also ''very anti-aging for the body.'' Or consider naturopathic doctor Nigma Talib's Healthy Flora ($65), a capsule filled with 10 billion strains of lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1 -- one of the most well-researched probiotics, she says, and something of a superstar bacteria -- to balance your gut, along with anti-aging grape seed extract. In April, the London-based practitioner will release Beauty in a Bottle, a mix of vitamins to strengthen hair, skin and nails, as well as Skin Immortal Collagen Plus, an ingestible form of firming collagen.

For the truly committed, it would seem no ingredient is off the table. The German physician Barbara Sturm, M.D. starts her day with a fresh glass of purslane, the leafy green that's found in her skin care products, to fight wrinkle-causing inflammation. Realizing that this tonic might not be for everyone, she created Skin Food ($95), a tablet with a concentrated dose of the plant that's also rounded out with skin-protecting Japanese knotweed root and hydrating glucosamine. ''It's an efficient way to ingest a high level of antioxidants, in a very compact pill,'' notes New York City dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, M.D. ''It's likely useful for anti-aging.'' And purslane is no common weed, she says. ''It has significant amounts of beta-carotene, vitamin C and antioxidants,'' along with ''high levels of omega-3 fatty acids -- five times higher than spinach.''

For Europeans, taking superfood supplements is far from a fringe concept. Pharmacies there have been stocking detoxifying milk thistle and skin-renewing spirulina for quite some time, alongside other body-enhancing fixes like cellulite creams and compression tights. The cult Parisian skin care brand Biologique Recherche recently teamed up with French nutritionist Pascale Modaï to create Griffonia & L-Tyrosine ($111), a medicinal-sounding pill formulated with Griffonia simplicifolia plant extract and an amino acid -- together they work as precursors to dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin, which might regulate mood and motivation.

Beauty supplements are still a bit of a wild card -- they're unregulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the results might only stem from a placebo effect. Jenifer Johnson, M.D., an internal medicine physician in Rye, New York recommends running anything you plan to take long-term by an expert. She adds: ''I would rather see people invest the time and energy into improving their diet than trying to find it all in a pill.''

This is a more complete version of the story than the one that appeared in print.

VULINDLELA, South Africa -- Public-health leaders in the fight against HIV/AIDS have come to an ominous realization: Progress in cutting new infections has slowed, in part because of a persistent cycle of transmission among young women in sub-Saharan Africa.

New HIV infections have been reduced around the world since the late 1990s by diligent efforts at education, the rollout of antiretroviral drugs and other factors. But declines have lost momentum, for the first time since infections began coming down. Today, the numbers are far from targets set by the United Nations, which call for them to fall to about a quarter of their current level by 2020.

Teenage girls and young women in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, a growing and vulnerable population, continue to be infected at high rates. At the same time, the rapid expansion of the continent's youth population means greater numbers of young women are at risk every year.

The slowdown has alarmed public-health experts, who warn that infections could start rising again. A reversal would erase progress against one of the most significant infectious disease epidemics of modern times, costing lives, economic prosperity and billions more dollars than governments and organizations have already spent to fight it over decades.

More public-health officials and researchers say breaking the cycle of infection for young women is critical to keeping the virus in check. Successful prevention methods, including circumcision and condom use, have been geared mainly to men. Now, researchers are working to develop new ways to protect women, including education programs, drug regimens and other prevention tools.

"They are the key to global epidemic control of HIV," said Salim Abdool Karim, director of the Center for the AIDS Program of Research in South Africa, known as Caprisa, a consortium of South African and North American scientists that researches HIV in young women.

Sizeni Soni said she wasn't surprised to learn at the age of 23 that she had HIV. Ms. Soni, who lives in Vulindlela, an impoverished community in the hills of South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province with some of the highest HIV rates in the world, believes she contracted the virus from her former boyfriend, a migrant worker four years her senior.

"It has become normal -- you test, you test positive," Ms. Soni said on a visit to her local health clinic for a refill of the antiretroviral drugs she takes daily.

Young women ages 15 to 24 accounted for 20% of the 1.8 million people globally who were newly infected in 2016, more than any other age group of men or women, according to the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS.

In sub-Saharan Africa, where nearly two-thirds of all new HIV infections in 2016 occurred, more than twice as many young women were infected as young men. In the rest of the world, more young men were infected than young women.

In a unique cycle of transmission, researchers say young women in parts of eastern and southern Africa are often infected by older men, whom many date because the men help them financially. When those women reach their late 20s and 30s, they become involved with men closer to their own ages, passing the virus onto them, according to Caprisa and other researchers. As those men date younger women, they can transmit HIV to the next wave. It is less common in other parts of the world for different generations to infect each other, which helps limit transmission.

"You've got this ongoing cycle" of transmission fed by a constant supply of girls reaching teenhood, said Quarraisha Abdool Karim, Caprisa's associate scientific director, who founded the consortium with her husband, Salim Abdool Karim, and other institutions in 2002.

In a 2016 study, she and other researchers at Caprisa found that women ages 15 to 24 in Vulindlela and a nearby community were infected by men an average of 8.7 years older. Researchers cite both consensual sex and rape as sources of infection. The dramatic results showed that 60% of the women in the next age group, from 25 to 40, were infected, revealing the area to be one of the most HIV infected in the world.

Because Africa's youth population is booming -- improvements in general health care now allow millions more to survive childhood -- the at-risk population is expanding. Approximately 60% of the continent's population is under age 25.

That population bubble has affected the fight against HIV infection. Globally, new HIV infections declined 15.6% between 2010 and 2016. The number of new infections would have dropped more, by 18.5%, if sub-Saharan Africa's 15- to 24-year-old population hadn't expanded during those years, according to a UNAIDS analysis.

"You have to really push down new infections at a much higher rate" to make up for the increasing population, said Deborah Birx, the U.S. global AIDS coordinator.

HIV is prevalent in the general population in eastern and southern Africa, unlike most other parts of the world, and reaching everyone at risk with preventive tools or drug treatment is more challenging and costly.

Ms. Soni, the Vulindlela resident, learned her HIV status when she was offered a test on a visit with her son to a health clinic in her community of mostly Zulu-speaking people. "I was afraid because I thought I was still too young," the thin, soft-spoken young woman recalled, her close-cropped hair covered in a boyish gray hoodie.

She and her boyfriend had been together since she was 18. He is the father of her son and helps pay for care of the boy, who lives with him now because Ms. Soni's income from a two-day-a-week job isn't enough to support them.

Like many in Vulindlela, her boyfriend had to go far from home to find work -- a job grading roads a four-hour drive away. He came home only every couple of months.

She was faithful to him, she said. The two didn't use condoms regularly, and she later learned he hadn't been monogamous when he brought home another woman who was pregnant with his child.

Now 29, Ms. Soni takes her medication daily, she said. She has a new boyfriend, who is 37 and is also HIV positive.

Another young woman who comes to the Caprisa clinic said she worries about contracting HIV. The 21-year-old dates two older men who help pay for her groceries, clothes and cellphone -- a common pattern among many young women in South Africa, who become involved with "blessers," or older men who help them financially in exchange for sexual relationships. She lives with a sister and brother and doesn't have a regular job. She wants to pursue a teaching degree.

Both men use condoms only sporadically, she said. The younger of the two, who is in his mid 20s, tested negative for HIV a few months ago, but she doesn't know the HIV status of the older man, who is married and in his 40s. "Because I give you money, you can't dictate whether I use a condom," she said he told her.

Dr. Birx, the U.S. global AIDS coordinator, launched an initiative in 2015 called Dreams that has spent $523 million in U.S. and private money on HIV testing and counseling, subsidies to help girls stay in school and other programs for teenage girls and young women in South Africa and 14 other countries. South Africa's government introduced a similar program in 2016 called "She Conquers" to expand services to young women throughout the country.

The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which Dr. Birx oversees, said in December that new HIV diagnoses in women ages 15 to 24 have declined at least 25% since 2015 in 65% of the communities where its Dreams programs were initially implemented.

Dr. Quarraisha Abdool Karim saw the first signs of the transmission cycle in 1989 when she conducted a study in KwaZulu-Natal that found HIV to be 3.2 times more common in women than in men. She also found that women were infected at younger ages than men. "It was very clear when you looked at the prevalence data that young boys were not infecting" the girls their own age, but rather older men were, she said.

"What that told us was if we were going to slow the HIV epidemic we needed to find some way to lower the incidence rate in young girls," said Dr. Salim Abdool Karim.

AIDS deaths began to decline across Africa in the mid-2000s, after international donors and local governments began providing antiretroviral drugs, which allow infected people to live nearly normal lives by beating the virus back to a level at which it doesn't damage the body.

HIV/AIDS attracts more donations from governments and organizations than any other infectious disease. UNAIDS said $19.1 billion was dedicated to HIV/AIDS in 2016 and that $26.2 billion will be needed by 2020. The funds include paying for drugs as well as for prevention tools.

Scientists are developing and testing new prevention methods that women can control and that they hope will be easy to use. Caprisa researchers are also studying possible biological factors, such as the makeup of the vaginal microbiome, that may affect a woman's risk of HIV infection.

Researchers are working at the same time on ways to reduce the number of infections in men in their 20s and early 30s and to get more HIV-positive men tested and in drug treatment.

A landmark 2010 study, which included women from Vulindlela, showed that a vaginal gel made with the drug tenofovir could protect women. But subsequent trials showed that women didn't use it regularly.

"We learned it is really difficult to get women to use this gel," Dr. Salim Abdool Karim said. The gel had to be applied before and after sex, which involved planning. Persuading healthy people to use any preventive drug is a challenge, he said.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in the U.S. is funding research and several clinical trials in eastern and southern Africa, including at Caprisa, to test long-acting drugs and HIV antibodies that could involve getting injections just a few times a year. "If that's the case, wow -- that to me is something that is going to have a major impact," said Anthony Fauci, the institute's director. "We really have to address this cycle of infection because we're never going to turn around the epidemic in South Africa unless we do that."

Researchers are also studying the use of a vaginal ring that gradually releases an antiretroviral drug, and the use of daily drug regimens to prevent infection. Nomonde Langa enrolled in a trial last year of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis, which is available in the U.S. for people who are at high risk of HIV infection. The 20-year-old, who lives in the Durban area and is HIV negative, is supposed to take an antiretroviral drug daily.

Her longtime boyfriend, who is six years older than she is, doesn't use a condom every time they have sex, she said. She also caught him cheating on her with another woman. "I decided to get involved to protect myself," said Ms. Langa, who is studying to be a primary-school teacher.

But Ms. Langa sometimes forgets to take her daily pill -- a risky omission. "I try my best not to forget," she said. "It's hard."

Mbali Yonela Peter is also taking a drug to prevent HIV infection. The 19-year-old travels an hour and a half each way from her home in Soweto to a research clinic in the center of Johannesburg for her three months' supply of medication. She worries that workers at her local clinic would spread a rumor that she has HIV -- stigma about the virus persists in South Africa, particularly for women, who can be at risk of abuse and blame if they are infected. "The people who work at the clinic live in the area," she said.

Ms. Peter had to dispel doubts that her boyfriend at the time had when he wondered if she was taking the drug because she was HIV positive. "I got an HIV test in front of him," she said. "He didn't trust me."

Yet the boyfriend wouldn't take the drug himself, she said. And getting men to use condoms all the time isn't easy, she said.

She now dates two other men, one of whom is 29. "They're more mature than the guys my age," she said. She doesn't know their HIV status.

She lost both parents and a grandmother to HIV when she was young. "HIV was in my family and I'm really afraid I might get it," she said.

License this article from Dow Jones Reprint Service[http://www.djreprints.com/link/DJRFactiva.html?FACTIVA=WJCO20180317000099]

SOMETIMES WE DITHER. Adulthood can feel like losing your mother in the supermarket but for the rest of your life. There you are looking for a grown-up to make a decision while simultaneously realising that you are the grown-up and you must make the decision. And whatever happens next will be your fault.

Then there are the other, very satisfying times when we decide to be the adult. Not even pretending. We just make the decision and then there we are, coming over all mature. Managing our finances, maybe doing a bit of digital filing, taking our probiotic and just handling ourselves.

Making decisions, we have only just realised, can make what seemed impossible, possible. Just take the two of us as a for instance: Emilie is always in a good mood. It's not normal. Everyone says so.

Annabel is irritable. She has sharp corners. And she gets disappointed. But now, after reading a particular self-help book, Annabel has decided to be in a good mood. She has decided to be glasshalf-full. To expect the best. What's the worst that can happen? (Obviously don't answer that.)

Emilie is rather unsettled by Annabel's new-found serenity. She keeps glancing nervously at Annabel, thinking she doesn't notice. She does. She likes it. She enjoys the shock and awe. The decision has been made. And decision-making is just another muscle one has to strengthen. g

Here are some other decisions that - heaven knows how - we all make all the time...

1. WHETHER TO HAVE THE DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONThis is hell. Is deciding whether or not to have the difficult conversation actually worse than having the difficult conversation? We are beginning to think it might be.

2. WHETHER TO WATCH ANOTHER EPISODEIf we agree that most episodes are an hour long, and you've already watched two episodes, are you in for another? What if you have three left? Do you watch one more, leaving you a neat two to get busy with tomorrow night? What if you have only two left but you are out for the next couple of nights? You must choose. Choose or die.

3. WHAT TO HAVE FOR BREAKFAST... .... AND LUNCH... .... AND DINNERIt's 6.36am and you are thinking about dinner. So many things to consider. First, what about lunch? Chicken salad probably. But does that rule out a chicken supper? I mean, you really like chicken. And so on, every morning, with this endless hope that you will find the perfect breakfast/lunch/dinner combination that doesn't involve too much chicken. Even though you really like chicken.

4. WHETHER TO WEAR A COATBy the time you are ready to leave the house you are 1,000C of volcanic intensity. Your hairline is sweaty, your makeup is already sliding down your face and you think, 'If I even touch a coat I may die.' Also there's the train (so hot) and the office (furnace). But by teatime you know you will be cold. Whatever decision you make you will regret. There is a similar choice about tights, which has to take into account the state of your legs.

5. WHETHER TO HAVE SEXIf you are single, this is a significant decision because you have to find the sex. Where are you, Sex? And you have to go on Tinder, or phone a friend, or... .... something. If you are in a relationship, then it's all about timing, energy levels, how much food everyone has eaten (it's easy to be too full to...)....). It used to be so simple. (Narrator: It was never simple.)

6. WHETHER TO GO INTO THERAPYIs it possible that you wriggled for years before going into therapy? You kept doing the same things over and over again (drinking too much, dating unavailable men, compulsively volunteering for everything) and crying and crying until you realised you couldn't fix it, and neither could the booze, boys or boring dutifulness. Now people ask you how you are and you say, 'Well, my therapist says,' and you feel silly. But better. themidult.com

Is deciding whether or fficul not to have the diffilt conversation actually u worse than having the g difficult conversation? t

We are consuming more calories than ever before. Take control with this easy formula, says Xanthe Clay

Got to grips with five a day? Welcome to the new healthy eating mantra: 400-600-600. Last week Public Health England (PHE) launched its One You campaign, designed to make us more calorie aware, and stick to 400 calories for breakfast and 600 each for lunch and dinner. The overall daily calorie guidelines remain the same (2000 for women and 2500 for men) so the extra is for coffee, wine, beer or snacks. The aim: to cut our calorie intake, and bring down the UK's spiralling obesity rate by 2024.

Critics have pointed out that the plan doesn't focus on healthy eating: you could have a Mars bar and a Coca-Cola for breakfast, chips and curry sauce for lunch and a Big Mac for supper and still stick to the recommended calories.

This is unfair. While calories are a blunt instrument, and the plan doesn't differentiate between good calories (protein, healthy fats, vegetables) and bad (refined carbs and bad fats), it still has a valid point to make. In Britain most adults consume 200-300 calories a day more than they need, and children even more - boys as many as 500 calories in excess. And let's face it, the extra isn't made up of a bag of apples - it's often junk.

The scheme is targeted mostly at fast-food producers, persuading them to cut the calories in their offerings, and to make us think again about what we order. That Big Mac might fit the bill at 508 calories, but a Big Mac and medium fries (845 calories) is more than a meal's worth. And a Starbucks blueberry muffin and a latte might sound like a good breakfast choice, but at more than 500 calories it's well over the limit.

There's definitely more that could be done. PHE might like to step in to stop shops such as Boots marketing "meal deals" that can consist of crisps, a ham sandwich, a cake and a bottle of Coke. Surely a meal has fruit or vegetables. It is not a collection of sugar, refined carbs and fat.

On the home front, well, if you are cooking from scratch, you're on to a good thing. That said, measuring and recalibrating portion sizes might be tedious but it's worth the effort, as I found when working on these recipes. A little circumspection with the oil and carbs, more generosity with veg, and you are sorted. If you're confounded by calorie counting, simply mix and match the recipes on the following pages, sticking to the 400-600-600 formula, and you'll be eating plenty of fruit and veg and hopefully dropping a few pounds while you're at it.

Baked eggs with spinach and tomato Eggs are magic food, power packs of nutrition, so this is perfect if you wake up ravenous. After three of them, it may take half an hour or so for that blissfully replete feeling to kick in, but once it does I defy you to be hungry before lunchtime. If it all seems too much then stick to two eggs, in which case you can have a slice of toast to go with.

SERVES ONE 398 CALORIES INGREDIENTS ½ tsp oil 1 small red onion, thinly sliced 1 tsp cumin seed 2 handfuls of spinach or 170g frozen spinach leaf, defrosted 200ml passata 3 large eggs Pinch of chilli flakes 20g Greek style yogurt Leaves from a sprig of fresh coriander METHOD Heat a frying pan or hob-proof dish about 20cm across and add the oil.

Stir in the onion and cumin and cook gently until softened.

Stir in the spinach until it wilts (or heats through if frozen).

Pour over the tomato passata and 50ml of water and bring to a simmer.

Make three indents in the spinach and break an egg into each.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper, cover and cook for five minutes until the eggs are set.

Sprinkle with chilli flakes. Serve hot, with a dollop of yogurt and some coriander leaves over the top.

BREAKFAST Start the day with something nutritious and delicious Chia seed bircher muesli with apple and raspberry compote AKA overnight oats, I make this in jars for a graband-go breakfast. Chia seed gives a creamier texture and boosts the protein content but replace it with more oats if you prefer. Change the fruit with the seasons: cubes of mango are lovely, too.

MAKES TWO CALORIES PER SERVING 324 INGREDIENTS 1 apple 50g porridge oats 2 tbsp chia seeds 2 tsp ground cinnamon 150ml semi-skimmed milk 100g Greek style yogurt 100g frozen raspberries 1 tsp poppy seeds 2 tsp honey METHOD Grate the apple (skin, core and all), into a bowl. Mix in the oats, chia seeds, cinnamon and milk.

Divide half the mixture between two jars.

Top with half of the yogurt and raspberries.

Spoon the rest of the mixture into the jars and top with the last of the yogurt and raspberries, plus a sprinkle of poppy seeds and trickle of honey.

Put lids on the jars and store in the fridge overnight or up to three days.

Bacon sandwich with roast tomatoes Yes, a bacon sandwich fits the plan - not every day, mind. It's ideal for a treat, though!

SERVES ONE 387 CALORIES (405 IF YOU ADD THE KETCHUP OR BROWN SAUCE) INGREDIENTS ½ tsp oil 2 rashers back bacon 2 tomatoes 2 small slices sourdough bread or a roll 1 tbsp ketchup or brown sauce, optional METHOD Put the oil in a frying pan and add the bacon. Cook over a medium-low heat until the fat begins to run.

Halve the tomatoes and add them to the pan, cut side down. Continue cooking until the bacon begins to brown and the tomatoes are caramelising.

Put the bacon on a plate and keep warm. Turn over the tomatoes.

Pop the bread or halved roll (cut side down) in the pan. Raise the heat and cook in the bacon juices until lightly toasted.

Pile the bacon and tomatoes between the bread, and add ketchup or brown sauce if you like.

LUNCH Forget sad salads and get creative with your midday meal Celeriac-crusted fish pie with leeks and dill Proper comfort food this, and a really filling family lunch, too. You could also make individual pies and freeze them. The helping is generous, and you could stretch it around an extra person, making leeway for extra vegetables or some fruity pudding.

SERVES TWO CALORIES PER SERVING 594 INGREDIENTS 1 small celeriac, peeled and cut into chunks 1 tbsp fresh dill, roughly chopped 125g salmon fillets 150g skinless and boneless smoked haddock fillets 150g white fish (cod, haddock, coley, pollock all work well) 300ml semi-skimmed milk 1 bay leaf (1 cal) 20g butter, plus 2 tsp 2 leeks, sliced and washed 1 large clove garlic, peeled and finely chopped 20g plain flour 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard 100g frozen garden peas METHOD Boil the celeriac in salted water until tender, then drain well and use a stick blender to mash to a smooth purée. Season well with salt and pepper. Mix in the dill.

Put the fish in a pan with the milk and bay leaf. Slowly bring to a simmer. When the fish is just flaking, lift it out (keep the milk) and lay it on a plate. When cool enough to handle, remove the skin and bones.

Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. Melt a teaspoon of the butter in a medium-sized pan and add the leeks and garlic. Cook until soft. Scoop out and keep to one side.

Melt 20g of the butter, stir in the flour and cook for a minute before gradually whisking in the fishy milk to make a smooth sauce. Mix in the mustard then gently fold in the fish, peas, and leeks. Taste and add seasoning.

Pile the mixture into a dish. Top with the celeriacdill mash. Melt the final teaspoon of butter and brush the top of the pie with it. Bake for 30 minutes until browned and hot through.

Quick Asian slaw with chicken and sesame This recipe started as a way to use up a jar of sauerkraut. There's a lot of interest in the pickled cabbage, and fermented food generally, since studies suggest that they are good for our "microbiome" or gut bacteria, and so great for our health overall. You can get ready-made sauerkraut in a jar from health food shops - the kind that's really gut-friendly is found in the fridge and marked "live". If it's not in the fridge, and this includes pretty much any supermarket sauerkraut, it has been pasteurised, which kills those good bacteria - but it will still taste good. It leaves 200 calories clear to have a cappuccino and banana afterwards.

SERVES TWO CALORIES PER SERVING 399 INGREDIENTS 500g sauerkraut 1 carrot 1 small raw beetroot 2 spring onions Zest of 1 lime and juice of 2 20g fresh ginger, grated 1 fresh chilli (remove the seeds if you don't like it too hot) 1 tsp honey or maple syrup 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil 1 tbsp fish sauce Mint leaves from a 20g bunch Coriander leaves from a 30g bunch 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds 200g cold cooked chicken (without the skin), sliced METHOD Drain the sauerkraut and give it a quick rinse.

Squeeze out the excess water and tip the kraut into a large bowl.

Grate in the carrot and the beetroot. You could spiralise them if you prefer.

Slice the spring onions finely (both green and white parts) and lightly massage to separate the slices into rings. Add to the bowl along with the lime juice and zest, the ginger, chilli, honey or maple syrup, sesame oil and fish sauce.

Mix well, massaging the mixture to blend the flavours. Toss with the herbs and chicken. Pile into a serving bowl and sprinkle over the sesame seeds.

Spaghetti with purple sprouting broccoli, goat's curd and pangrattato Spaghetti is notoriously tricky to eat tidily, but I like that as it slows me down. In an ideal world, I'd use stroncatura, a traditional Calabrian wholewheat pasta, which is a slightly flattened version of spaghetti. Load up the veg and flavours to make a satisfying meal, but don't expect a very liquid sauce, as this is more of a tumble of vividly flavoured ingredients.

SERVES TWO CALORIES PER SERVING 587 INGREDIENTS 1 slice of bread 2 tbsp olive oil 1 clove garlic, crushed Grated zest of ½ lemon 30g bunch of flat-leaf parsley, leaves chopped 150g wholewheat spaghetti 300g purple sprouting broccoli or tenderstem broccoli 1 x 50g tin anchovies 30g goat's curd or soft goat's cheese 2 lemon quarters to squeeze over METHOD Make the pangrattato first. Turn the bread into crumbs in a food processor. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a small pan and add the garlic, then the crumbs, plus salt and pepper. Cook until the crumbs are golden, then draw offthe heat and stir in the lemon zest and parsley.

Cook the spaghetti in well-salted water (taste it: it should be almost like seawater). Add the broccoli to the pan four minutes before the end of the cooking time.

Meanwhile, heat the last spoonful of olive oil (or the oil from the tin of anchovies does well here) in a large pan and add the anchovies. Heat, stirring, until they collapse, and add a good grinding of pepper.

Scoop a cupful of water out of the pasta pan and keep to one side. Drain the pasta and broccoli and tip into the pan with the anchovies. Toss until well coated, adding a little of the saved cooking water to moisten it if necessary.

Drop tiny spoonfuls of the cheese into the mix and stir, allowing them to remain more or less intact.

Divide between two bowls and sprinkle over the pangrattato. Serve straight away, with lemon wedges to squeeze over.

DINNER Stave offcravings with a hearty, yet healthy, final dish of the day Featherblade steak with cauliflower mash, crisp leeks, puy lentils and truffle oil Featherblade or skirt steak is one of my favourite cuts of steak, as it is incredibly good value but packed with flavour. It's very lean, so it is juiciest and most tender cooked to rare or medium-rare and sliced across the fibres, which give the cut its feathery appearance. Truffle oil can be incredibly overpowering, but just a few drops can give this dish swagger.

SERVES TWO CALORIES PER SERVING 485 INGREDIENTS For the steak 200g featherblade (skirt) steak 1 tsp olive oil 1 tsp balsamic vinegar 1 small clove of garlic, crushed For the vegetables 1 small cauliflower, about 15cm across 70g puy lentils 1 clove garlic, whole but peeled 1 tsp olive oil for the lentils, plus 2 tbsp for cooking the leek 1 small leek, very thinly sliced 40g bunch watercress 1 tsp truffle oil METHOD Rub the steak with the olive oil, vinegar, garlic and a hefty pinch each of salt and pepper. Leave in a dish for an hour (or overnight).

Break the cauliflower into florets, and steam until really tender - include the stem, it's just as good to eat. Purée with a stick blender. Season well with salt and pepper.

Boil the puy lentils with the whole clove of garlic until the lentils are tender. Drain, then stir in the oil, and season with salt and pepper.

Cook the leek in the oil until crisp and golden. Drain on kitchen paper, dabbing to get rid of as much oil as possible.

Pat the steak as dry as possible and cook on a hot griddle pan for about three to five minutes on each side, until cooked to rare.

Leave to rest for 15 minutes on a warm plate.

Divide the lentils and cauliflower purée between two plates. Slice the steak thinly across the grain and lay half on each plate. Trickle the truffle oil over the cauliflower and sprinkle on the crisp leeks. Finish with a posy of watercress.

DINNER Three evening meals to tempt the taste buds Pan-charred sweetheart cabbage with miso roast fish and black rice Chargrilled cabbage is turning up on smart restaurant menus these days and no wonder - it is a simple way to make the humble brassica both beautiful and delicious, as the cut edges of the leaves turn black to make a pattern like the whorls of a fingerprint. The smoky flavour is gorgeous with the miso-glazed fish.

SERVES TWO CALORIES PER SERVING (MACKEREL/SALMON): 537/495 INGREDIENTS 180g Thai black rice or brown rice 1 pointed cabbage 1 tsp olive oil ½ tbsp miso 1 tsp soy sauce ½ tsp honey 1 tbsp mirin (or sherry) 1 tsp ginger, grated 2 x 100g mackerel fillets or salmon METHOD Cook the rice according to the packet directions.

Cut the cabbage into quarters, brush with the oil and sprinkle with salt. Heat a heavy frying pan or griddle pan to very hot and cook the cabbage on both the cut sides until charred to an alarming black - this is what gives it the appealing smoky flavour. The cabbage will soften nicely, too.

Mix together the miso, soy sauce, honey, mirin (or sherry) and grated ginger. Lay the fish on a piece of foil, with the skin side down, and brush liberally with the marinade.

Grill under a very hot grill until just cooked through, but still slightly translucent at the centre.

Serve the fish with the rice and grilled cabbage, pouring over any juices from the fish.

Poussin with harissa, lemon and couscous A whole bird is a very satisfying meal, and poussins are available in most supermarkets. A pigeon would be superb here too, if you happen to have a good butcher.

SERVES TWO CALORIES PER SERVING: 562 INGREDIENTS 500ml vegetable stock 150g wholewheat couscous 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp olive oil 2 tbsp chopped preserved lemon 2 poussins 1 tbsp harissa 2 red onions, peeled and cut into eighths through the root 50g rocket METHOD Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. Bring the stock to the boil over a high heat. Add the couscous and cook for six minutes, or for the time recommended, until tender. Drain and stir in a teaspoon of oil and the preserved lemon. Taste and season.

Ask your butcher to spatchcock the poussin or butterfly them yourself by cutting down on either side of the backbone with kitchen scissors, then pressing down hard on the breastbone to flatten them.

Rub the poussin with harissa. Toss the onion in the remaining tablespoon of oil and a fat pinch of salt. Spread the poussin and onion on a baking tray and bake for 30 minutes or until the poussin is cooked through. Pierce the thigh with a skewer and check that the juices run clear.

Stir the couscous into the onions, around the poussin. Just before serving, add the rocket. Eat warm.

MORE LOW-CAL QUICK FIXES SMOKED SALMON BAGEL: 30g cream cheese (76 cal) and two slices (40g; 74 cal) of smoked salmon, plus a handful of rocket (5 cal), in a bagel (232 cal). 387 CAL MISO NOODLE SOUP FOR OFFICE LUNCH: Put 150g of ready-cooked rice noodles (192 cal), four sliced pak choi leaves (9 cal), one carrot (48 cal) cut into matchsticks, a sliced spring onion (6 cal) and a sachet of miso soup base (18 cal) in a bowl. Pour over 225ml boiling water, cover and leave for five minutes.

Add 75g silken tofu (45 cal), cut into cubes. Add chopped chives or coriander (3 cal). Follow with half a mango (71 cal) and a squeeze of lime. 399 CAL PARMESAN AND SAUSAGE ROAST FENNEL (DINNER FOR TWO): Cut two heads of fennel into eighths (350g/40 cal), a large aubergine (300g/45 cal) into cubes and roll 150g sausage meat (468 cal) into marbles. Toss in one tablespoon of oil (120 cal) and spread in a baking tin with 200g cherry tomatoes (40 cal). Add 50g grated parmesan (201 cal) and bake for 30 minutes at 190C/Gas 5. Serve on a bed of salad leaves (10 cal). 460 CAL EACH Lamb and feta with tomatoes and freekeh (or bulgur wheat or spelt) Freekeh is a Middle Eastern speciality, grains of green wheat, dried and used a bit like rice. If you can't find it (Palestinian fair-trade company Zayutoun does a good version) then bulgur wheat, spelt or brown rice will do just as well.

SERVES TWO CALORIES PER SERVING: 557 INGREDIENTS 400g tomatoes 200g lamb fillet 1 tbsp za'atar 1 tsp honey 1 tsp oil 1 lemon, halved 100g freekeh or bulgur wheat 1 tsp ground cinnamon Leaves from a 20g bunch of mint, roughly chopped Leaves from a 20g bunch of parsley, roughly chopped 50g feta METHOD Preheat the oven to 120C/Gas 1.

Halve the tomatoes and spread on a baking tray. Sprinkle with salt and grind over pepper. Bake for around three hours, until slightly shrivelled.

Trim any fat from the lamb. Mix together the za'atar, honey and oil and rub over the lamb. Griddle over a medium heat until well browned but still a little pink in the middle. Griddle the lemon, cut side down, until browned, at the same time.

Cook the freekeh or bulgur according to packet instructions and stir in the cinnamon, followed by the mint and parsley.

Tumble the grains and tomatoes together in a serving dish and sprinkle over the feta. Slice the lamb and lay over the top. Serve with the griddled lemon to squeeze over.

GRAPHICS: GOOD MORNING AMERICA

GRAPHICS: DEADLY COLLAPSE

BRIDGE, COLLAPSE, FATALITIES, INJURIES, MENDEZ

BRIDGE, COLLAPSE, HERRMANN, CONSTRUCTION

ROSENBERG, BRIDGE, COLLAPSE, FATALITIES, INVESTIGATION

RUSSIAN, SANCTIONS, ELECTION, POISONING

TRUMP, MCMASTER, TENSIONS, MUELLER

SATER, TRUMP, MOSCOW, MUELLER

TRUMP JR., VANESSA, DIVORCE, 5 CHILDREN

BRACKET, UPSETS, BUFFALO, LOYOLA-CHICAGO

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SWINDLE, IRGO, UNITED, JAPAN, KANSAS

SISTER JEAN, LOYOLA-CHICAGO, UPSET, OBAMA

GRAPHICS: WESTERN SNOWFALL

GRAPHICS: GOOD MORNING AMERICA

GRAPHICS: 950 TONS OF HORROR: DEADLY BRIDGE COLLAPSE

BRIDGE, COLLAPSE, TRUMPS, DIVORCE, WEATHER, NOR'EASTER

GRAPHICS: MORNING RUNDOWN

BRIDGE, COLLAPSE, DEATHS, FIU, ROSENBERG, BODIES, RUBBLE

TRUMP, JUNIOR, DIVORCE, CHILDREN, ENVELOPE, CORN STARCH

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MARKLE, CONSENT, WINE, COFFEE, KUFRIN, "THE BACHELORETTE"

SEXUAL ASSAULT, PINA, ENGELIEN, ALASKA AIRLINES, #METOO

GRAPHICS: GMA COVER STORY

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DE LA GARZA, "FALLING WITH WINGS", ADDICTION, LOVATO, CAST

"MUPPET GUYS TALKING", OZ, BARETTA, BRILL, GOELTZ

EGGENBERGER, BEAUTY, HACKS, CHOPRA, BELL, SALDANA, MITCHELL

GRAPHICS: BEAUTY HACKS: $10 AND UNDER

GRAPHICS: MAGAZINE COVER

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) And we are back now with some must have celebrity beauty tips and the best kinds, the one all of us can afford. This is gonna be really fun. I'm joined with, by Sarah Eggenberger, the editor at large of "New Beauty Magazine." Welcome to you.

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

Thank you.

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) This is the best kind of beauty hack because we all need them, we all want them and they're really affordable.

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

Right. Exactly. And everything you can find in your kitchen on top of it, right?

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) That's the best thing.

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

So, it's very accessible. We're gonna start first with this. I mean...

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) Priyanka Chopra. Who doesn't...

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

...right, stunning.

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) ...want this glowing skin.

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

Beautiful, beautiful.

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) Yes.

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

Yeah, and...

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) What does she do to get it?

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

She swears by this beauty hack. And so, what she does is she takes yogurt, because yogurt is a probiotic.

GRAPHICS: PRIYANKA CHOPRA'S FACE MASK: YOGURT, TURMERIC, HONEY FOR BRIGHTENING

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

It also contains lactic acid. Lactic acid, it's gonna just gently exfoliate the skin. Think of (inaudible) skin cells. A little bit of honey to give you that moisture content in your skin, and then some turmeric powder, which is where you get your anti-bacterial and your anti-inflammatory. Great for redness.

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

So, you mix all this together.

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

You mix it all together. Is turn, like, this sunshine yellow color. It's brilliant in its color.

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) Some audience members are trying it out here. Looks good. How does it feel? It feels good?

AUDIENCE MEMBER (FEMALE)

It feels amazing.

AUDIENCE MEMBER (FEMALE)

Very good.

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) It's not gonna stain your face (inaudible) ?

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

It's not gonna stain your face.

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) The turmeric (inaudible).

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

(OC) Yeah, right. So, just a little bit you want to use, and then also, you're gonna leave it on for, like, ten minutes and then remove it and you have this beautiful glow to your skin. It's gonna relieve tired skin. So, it's just magnificent what it does for your skin.

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) So, how much does this cost?

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

So, literally, for everything, for all the ingredients together it's $7.92.

GRAPHICS: $7.92

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) That's a bargain.

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

Yes, it is.

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) (inaudible) bargain.

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

But it lasts you many treatments.

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) Okay, let's go over here. Who do we have here? This is Kristen Bell.

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

Kristen Bell, yeah.

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) So, she's head to toe glowing.

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

Right. Wonderful skin.

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) What is she doing to get this?

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

So, she's using a sugar scrub on her body in the shower. So, what you want to do is you want to take brown sugar. Brown sugar is best because of the coarseness.

GRAPHICS: KRISTEN BELL'S BODY SCRUB: OLIVE OIL, SUGAR, HONEY TO SMOOTH SKIN

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

It's gentle enough for your body, it feels great. It has a wonderful smell to it. You're gonna mix it with olive oil. The olive oil's going to bind the sugar together and then it's also give you hydrating benefits. You could use, if you want to, coconut oil if you want to replace it with that as a different scent, a different experience. And then, again, your honey for that sweet aroma and that moisturizing effect.

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) This could be a little messy.

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

You put it all together, it could be a little messy, but you're doing it in the shower, so it'll just go right down the drain. It's not a problem. You could mix this together. You can actually make a whole batch and keep it in your shower for, like, a month or two.

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) Eat it.

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

You could ingest it as well. It's very easy. It feels amazing on the skin.

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) How much?

GRAPHICS: $9.90

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

Look at this. $9.90 for everything.

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) Well, less than ten bucks. Zoe Saldana, some of the best hair in Hollywood.

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

Right.

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) I feel like we've seen this one. This one's been around for a while.

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

This is key.

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) You head about people putting mayonnaise in their hair (inaudible).

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

Right, right, and for good reason, because it works. And look at her hair. I mean, it's very luminous, it's amazing and she has, I mean...

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) What's up, Zoe?

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

...really, access to everything, right? Like, they have all this access to these great treatments. This is one of her beauty hacks she goes to, mayonnaise. The reason why this is so popular is because you have your eggs. So, with the egg yolk you're gonna have that, nutrients, that high protein, which is gonna nourish your hair. The egg whites will help with that oil in your hair. So, it'll really help to degrease your hair.

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) That's the secret ingredient.

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

And then the vinegar as well.

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) All for the low, low price.

GRAPHICS: $2.98

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

$2. 98...

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) Under $3. Amazing.

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

...for a whole bottle. Yes.

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) Okay, Shay Mitchell, beautiful woman. This glow that she has, (inaudible), chips, chips. I want chips. I'm starving. Her lips and cheeks come from beets?

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

Right. Get this beautiful pop of color from beets. So, actually what Shay Mitchell does is she just takes the beets and just puts it right on her lips.

GRAPHICS: SHAY MITCHELL'S LIPS & CHEEKS: BEETS & VEGETABLE GLYCERIN FOR ROSY COLOR

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

For that instant pop of color (inaudible)...

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) They're trying it here.

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

Look at that shade. It's one of nature's beautiful shades. You can just (inaudible)...

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) People pay a lot of money for a lip stain.

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

...and it's a natural lip stain as well, so it's beneficial for you. Super easy to make.

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) Beets cost?

GRAPHICS: $8.44

SARAH EGGENBERGER (EDITOR "NEW BEAUTY MAGAZINE")

8.44 for everything, including (inaudible).

CECILIA VEGA (ABC NEWS)

(OC) That's affordable. You guys look gorgeous. Thank you for participating. Thank you so much. We'll be right back. You guys look great.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

GRAPHICS: PROMOTIONAL CONSIDERATION PROVIDED BY KEURIG

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS (ABC NEWS)

(OC) Is this as great as it looks? I think it is.

LARA SPENCER (ABC NEWS)

(OC) It's a party, people.

FOR INFORMATION ON ORDERING A VIDEO OR TRANSCRIPT COPY OF ABC NEWS OR ABC NEWS NOW PROGRAMMING, PLEASE VISIT THE SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT WWW.TRANSCRIPTS.TV

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

FDA takes fresh step towards curbing U.S. nicotine addiction

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration took a fresh step on Thursday towards setting a maximum nicotine level for tobacco products in a bid to lower tobacco-related deaths across the country, saying it would collect public comment and scientific research over the next three months. The move was part of a comprehensive plan the agency announced last summer to regulate tobacco and nicotine, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said on a call with reporters. That plan marked a major shift designed to give adult smokers a wider range of alternatives, including potentially less harmful e-cigarettes.

Sexual orientation top risk for suicidal thoughts in college freshmen

Nearly one third of first-year college students have thought about suicide, according to a study across eight countries, and non-heterosexual identity or feelings were the biggest risks for this kind of thinking or behavior. Having a religion other than Christianity, being female, having unmarried parents or at least one deceased parent and being age 20 or older were also important risk factors, though being a sexual minority also carried the highest risk of transitioning from suicidal thoughts to plans to attempts, the researchers found.

Deadly listeria could herald tighter food safety rules in South Africa

By Kate Kelland, Health and Science Correspondent LONDON, March 16 (Reuters) - A huge and deadly outbreak of listeria in South Africa could alter the country's approach to food-borne disease and prompt improvements in food safety standards, a leading health official said on Friday.

ATM pharmacy to cut queues for South Africa's AIDS patients

South Africa has launched an ATM-like vending machine to dispense medicines to patients with chronic illnesses such as AIDS in a move aimed at reducing waiting times and congestion in public healthcare facilities. The Health Ministry and charity Right to Care said the Pharmacy Dispensing Unit was the first of its kind in Africa, and allowed patients with chronic illnesses such as HIV/AIDS to receive repeat medication in a few minutes.

Many transgender patients pay cash for gender-affirming surgery

Even though a growing number of transgender patients now use insurance for gender-affirming surgery, almost half are still paying cash for procedures their health plans don’t cover, a U.S. study suggests. The proportion of patients getting genital surgery as part of their transition rose from 72 percent in the period from 2000 to 2005 to 84 percent from 2006 to 2011, yet 56 percent paid out of pocket.

Coastal waters tied to swimmers’ risk of infections

Even relatively clean coastal waters are likely to harbor microbes that raise the risk of stomach aches, ear infections and diarrhea for those who venture in, according to a review of over 40 previous studies. Researchers looked at rates of illnesses among beach bathers and those who stayed high and dry, and found that people exposed to seawater were 86 percent more likely to experience any type of illness and more than twice as likely to have an earache.

Lundbeck to buy Parkinson's drug developer in potential $1.1 billion deal

Lundbeck agreed to buy Prexton Therapeutics, a specialist in treatments for brain disorders, in a deal potentially worth $1.1 billion, the Danish drugmaker said on Friday. Prexton has drug candidate foliglurax in phase II testing for treatment of Parkinson's disease, with first data expected to be available in the first half of 2019.

Probiotics during pregnancy tied to lower eczema risk for kids

Women who take probiotics while they’re pregnant and breastfeeding could be less likely to have children with eczema than mothers who don’t, a research review suggests. Probiotic use during pregnancy and lactation was associated with a 22 percent lower risk of young children developing eczema, a common inflammatory skin disorder, the study found. This is the equivalent of preventing 44 cases of eczema for every 1,000 children.

Green Crack, Blue Dream, Gorilla Glue: The problem of pricing pot

In 2014, as Jonathan Rubin and Ian Laird considered investing in the booming U.S. cannabis industry, they hit a problem: How to value pot start-ups with little verified data on the price of the weed itself? While a smoker may know the going retail price for "Strawberry Diesel" or "Buddha's Sister", the sector's wholesale tier still operates much like a black market because of ongoing federal prohibition, despite legalizations in 30 U.S. states and Washington D.C. since the 1990s.

Pedestrian-friendly road design law tied to fewer traffic deaths

Pedestrian deaths have decreased significantly in Florida since the state implemented a law mandating roadway design that accommodates walkers and cyclists from the beginning, according to a new study. Plenty of add-ons or fixes to existing roadways have been tried to reduce the dangers to pedestrians and cyclists, but so-called Complete Streets policies - laws requiring that the needs of non-vehicle users be incorporated when designing roadways - are less common, the study team writes in American Journal of Public Health.

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

FDA takes fresh step towards curbing U.S. nicotine addiction

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration took a fresh step on Thursday towards setting a maximum nicotine level for tobacco products in a bid to lower tobacco-related deaths across the country, saying it would collect public comment and scientific research over the next three months. The move was part of a comprehensive plan the agency announced last summer to regulate tobacco and nicotine, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said on a call with reporters. That plan marked a major shift designed to give adult smokers a wider range of alternatives, including potentially less harmful e-cigarettes.

Sexual orientation top risk for suicidal thoughts in college freshmen

Nearly one third of first-year college students have thought about suicide, according to a study across eight countries, and non-heterosexual identity or feelings were the biggest risks for this kind of thinking or behavior. Having a religion other than Christianity, being female, having unmarried parents or at least one deceased parent and being age 20 or older were also important risk factors, though being a sexual minority also carried the highest risk of transitioning from suicidal thoughts to plans to attempts, the researchers found.

ATM pharmacy to cut queues for South Africa's AIDS patients

South Africa has launched an ATM-like vending machine to dispense medicines to patients with chronic illnesses such as AIDS in a move aimed at reducing waiting times and congestion in public healthcare facilities. The Health Ministry and charity Right to Care said the Pharmacy Dispensing Unit was the first of its kind in Africa, and allowed patients with chronic illnesses such as HIV/AIDS to receive repeat medication in a few minutes.

Many transgender patients pay cash for gender-affirming surgery

Even though a growing number of transgender patients now use insurance for gender-affirming surgery, almost half are still paying cash for procedures their health plans don’t cover, a U.S. study suggests. The proportion of patients getting genital surgery as part of their transition rose from 72 percent in the period from 2000 to 2005 to 84 percent from 2006 to 2011, yet 56 percent paid out of pocket.

Coastal waters tied to swimmers’ risk of infections

Even relatively clean coastal waters are likely to harbor microbes that raise the risk of stomach aches, ear infections and diarrhea for those who venture in, according to a review of over 40 previous studies. Researchers looked at rates of illnesses among beach bathers and those who stayed high and dry, and found that people exposed to seawater were 86 percent more likely to experience any type of illness and more than twice as likely to have an earache.

South Africa's listeria outbreak in early stages, will spread: minister

The worst listeria outbreak on record is only in its early stages and will likely infect more people in South Africa and the region, health minister Aaron Motsoaledi said on Thursday. The infection which can hit the blood system and brain has killed 180 people in South Africa since January last year. Neighboring Namibia reported its first case on Tuesday and said the victim was fighting for his life in hospital.

Federal judge blocks Down syndrome abortion ban in Ohio

A federal judge on Wednesday blocked an Ohio law due to take effect later this month that would criminalize abortions based on a Down syndrome diagnosis, ruling that it violates a woman's right to choose. U.S. District Judge Timothy Black's decision came after the Ohio state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in federal court in Cincinnati, arguing the legislation violated the liberty and privacy clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Probiotics during pregnancy tied to lower eczema risk for kids

Women who take probiotics while they’re pregnant and breastfeeding could be less likely to have children with eczema than mothers who don’t, a research review suggests. Probiotic use during pregnancy and lactation was associated with a 22 percent lower risk of young children developing eczema, a common inflammatory skin disorder, the study found. This is the equivalent of preventing 44 cases of eczema for every 1,000 children.

Green Crack, Blue Dream, Gorilla Glue: The problem of pricing pot

In 2014, as Jonathan Rubin and Ian Laird considered investing in the booming U.S. cannabis industry, they hit a problem: How to value pot start-ups with little verified data on the price of the weed itself? While a smoker may know the going retail price for "Strawberry Diesel" or "Buddha's Sister", the sector's wholesale tier still operates much like a black market because of ongoing federal prohibition, despite legalizations in 30 U.S. states and Washington D.C. since the 1990s.

Pedestrian-friendly road design law tied to fewer traffic deaths

Pedestrian deaths have decreased significantly in Florida since the state implemented a law mandating roadway design that accommodates walkers and cyclists from the beginning, according to a new study. Plenty of add-ons or fixes to existing roadways have been tried to reduce the dangers to pedestrians and cyclists, but so-called Complete Streets policies - laws requiring that the needs of non-vehicle users be incorporated when designing roadways - are less common, the study team writes in American Journal of Public Health.

It turns out twins don't share everything after all — particularly if one travels into space.

NASA's Twins Study compared what happened, physiologically and psychologically, to astronaut Scott Kelly, who spent a year on the International Space Station, with what happened to his identical twin brother, Mark, who remained on Earth.

One of the most intriguing findings from what NASA calls the “perfect nature versus nurture study" was that some of Scott Kelly's genes had changed.

“Researchers now know that 93% of Scott's genes returned to normal after landing," NASA wrote in a statement.

However, “a subset of several hundred 'space genes' were still disrupted after return to Earth," NASA said.

The changes were “thought to be from the stresses of space travel" and were “unexpected," NASA wrote.

Christopher Mason, a professor at Weill Cornell Medicine who led the gene research on the Kellys, said the changes in gene expression, which were detected six months after Kelly landed, were believed to be a result of stresses such as the increased radiation in space and microgravity.

“This is the first study of its kind," said Mason. “All of these measures are a first sketch of what is the molecular landscape inside a human that's been in space this long."

The changes might be specific to Scott Kelly, who returned to Earth two years ago, or they might be typical, said Mason, who says more research on future astronauts will shed more light.

Another interesting finding from the studies of the brothers: Kelly's telomeres, which are the endcaps of chromosomes that shorten as a person ages, became significantly longer, NASA said. They also got shorter again within two days after he landed.

A total of 10 research teams worked on the Twins Study. The other teams' focuses included the brothers' cognitive performance, their immunological responses, and their gut bacteria.

Felicia Gans can be reached at felicia.gans@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @FeliciaGans.

Credit: By Felicia Gans Globe Staff

Caption:

Mark Kelly, left, and his twin brother, Scott Kelly, spoke to the media in 2015 before Scott Kelly's mission.

Robert Markowitz/NASA

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

FDA takes fresh step towards curbing U.S. nicotine addiction

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration took a fresh step on Thursday towards setting a maximum nicotine level for tobacco products in a bid to lower tobacco-related deaths across the country, saying it would collect public comment and scientific research over the next three months. The move was part of a comprehensive plan the agency announced last summer to regulate tobacco and nicotine, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said on a call with reporters. That plan marked a major shift designed to give adult smokers a wider range of alternatives, including potentially less harmful e-cigarettes.

Sexual orientation top risk for suicidal thoughts in college freshmen

Nearly one third of first-year college students have thought about suicide, according to a study across eight countries, and non-heterosexual identity or feelings were the biggest risks for this kind of thinking or behavior. Having a religion other than Christianity, being female, having unmarried parents or at least one deceased parent and being age 20 or older were also important risk factors, though being a sexual minority also carried the highest risk of transitioning from suicidal thoughts to plans to attempts, the researchers found.

ATM pharmacy to cut queues for South Africa's AIDS patients

South Africa has launched an ATM-like vending machine to dispense medicines to patients with chronic illnesses such as AIDS in a move aimed at reducing waiting times and congestion in public healthcare facilities. The Health Ministry and charity Right to Care said the Pharmacy Dispensing Unit was the first of its kind in Africa, and allowed patients with chronic illnesses such as HIV/AIDS to receive repeat medication in a few minutes.

Many transgender patients pay cash for gender-affirming surgery

Even though a growing number of transgender patients now use insurance for gender-affirming surgery, almost half are still paying cash for procedures their health plans don’t cover, a U.S. study suggests. The proportion of patients getting genital surgery as part of their transition rose from 72 percent in the period from 2000 to 2005 to 84 percent from 2006 to 2011, yet 56 percent paid out of pocket.

South Africa's listeria outbreak in early stages, will spread: minister

The worst listeria outbreak on record is only in its early stages and will likely infect more people in South Africa and the region, health minister Aaron Motsoaledi said on Thursday. The infection which can hit the blood system and brain has killed 180 people in South Africa since January last year. Neighboring Namibia reported its first case on Tuesday and said the victim was fighting for his life in hospital.

Federal judge blocks Down syndrome abortion ban in Ohio

A federal judge on Wednesday blocked an Ohio law due to take effect later this month that would criminalize abortions based on a Down syndrome diagnosis, ruling that it violates a woman's right to choose. U.S. District Judge Timothy Black's decision came after the Ohio state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in federal court in Cincinnati, arguing the legislation violated the liberty and privacy clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Alexion's second rare blood disorder drug could fortify future revenue

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc said its experimental drug to treat a rare blood disorder showed in an eagerly awaited study that it was not inferior to its flagship drug, Soliris, paving the way for the company to establish a dominant position in the market as competition looms. Alexion's shares rose as much as 12.4 percent to $137.88 in trading on Thursday.

Probiotics during pregnancy tied to lower eczema risk for kids

Women who take probiotics while they’re pregnant and breastfeeding could be less likely to have children with eczema than mothers who don’t, a research review suggests. Probiotic use during pregnancy and lactation was associated with a 22 percent lower risk of young children developing eczema, a common inflammatory skin disorder, the study found. This is the equivalent of preventing 44 cases of eczema for every 1,000 children.

Green Crack, Blue Dream, Gorilla Glue: The problem of pricing pot

In 2014, as Jonathan Rubin and Ian Laird considered investing in the booming U.S. cannabis industry, they hit a problem: How to value pot start-ups with little verified data on the price of the weed itself? While a smoker may know the going retail price for "Strawberry Diesel" or "Buddha's Sister", the sector's wholesale tier still operates much like a black market because of ongoing federal prohibition, despite legalizations in 30 U.S. states and Washington D.C. since the 1990s.

Pedestrian-friendly road design law tied to fewer traffic deaths

Pedestrian deaths have decreased significantly in Florida since the state implemented a law mandating roadway design that accommodates walkers and cyclists from the beginning, according to a new study. Plenty of add-ons or fixes to existing roadways have been tried to reduce the dangers to pedestrians and cyclists, but so-called Complete Streets policies - laws requiring that the needs of non-vehicle users be incorporated when designing roadways - are less common, the study team writes in American Journal of Public Health.

REUTERS AMERICA AFTERNOON NEWS PLAN FOR THURSDAY MARCH 15

LATEST AND PLANNED U.S. NEWS COVERAGE (ALL TIMES ET)

Top stories as of 2:15 p.m. on Thursday.

For latest stories search by Slug or Headline Keyword in your CMS or Advanced Search in Media Express.

For story queries, please contact us.general-news@thomsonreuters.com

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BREAKING NEWS

U.S. special counsel subpoenas Trump Organization on Russia, other documents

WASHINGTON - U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller has subpoenaed the Trump Organization for documents, including some related to Russia, the New York Times reported on Thursday, citing two people briefed on the matter. (USA-TRUMP/RUSSIA-SUBPOENA (URGENT), moved at 2:20 p.m., by Doina Chiacu, 97 words)

Foot bridge collapses at Florida university, several hurt -reports

A pedestrian bridge collapsed on Thursday at Florida International University in Miami Dade County, trapping several people and cars underneath the structure. (FLORIDA-BRIDGE/ (UPDATE 1, TV), moved at 2:33 p.m., by Daniel Wallis, Andrew Hay and Jon Herskovitz, 166 words)

TOP STORIES

U.S. sanctions Russians for meddling, but puts off punishing oligarchs

WASHINGTON - The United States slapped sanctions on Russian individuals and entities for U.S. election meddling and cyber attacks but put off targeting oligarchs and government officials close to President Vladimir Putin, prompting lawmakers in both parties to say President Donald Trump needs to do much more. (USA-RUSSIA/SANCTIONS (UPDATE 4), moved at 2:14 p.m., by Steve Holland and Doina Chiacu, 1,012 words) See also: U.S. blames Russia for cyber attacks on energy grid (USA-RUSSIA/SANCTIONS-ENERGYGRID (UPDATE 1), moved at 1:16 p.m., by Dustin Volz, 354 words) and U.S. lawmakers: Trump administration risks losing the information war (USA-TRUMP/RUSSIA-CONGRESS, moved at 10:40 a.m., by Patricia Zengerle, 372 words)

Toys 'R' Us goes out of business, 30,000 jobs at stake

Iconic toy retailer Toys 'R' Us Inc the will shutter or sell its stores in the United States after failing to find a buyer or reach a deal to restructure billions in debt, putting at risk about 30,000 jobs. (TOYS R US-BANKRUPTCY/ (UPDATE 5, PIX, TV), moved at 10:55 a.m., by Tracy Rucinski and Abinaya Vijayaraghavan, 712 words)

OTHER TOP NEWS

Saudi crown prince says will develop nuclear bomb if Iran does - CBS TV

RIYADH - Saudi Arabia will develop nuclear weapons if its arch-rival Iran does so, the kingdom's crown prince said in remarks released on Thursday, raising the prospect of a nuclear arms race in a region already riven with conflict. (SAUDI-IRAN/NUCLEAR (UPDATE 2), moved at 9:43 a.m., by Stephen Kalin, 588 words)

West calls on Russia to explain nerve toxin attack on former double agent

LONDON - Britain, the United States, Germany and France jointly called on Russia on Thursday to explain a military-grade nerve toxin attack in England on a former Russian double agent, which they said threatened Western security. (BRITAIN-RUSSIA/ (UPDATE 6, PIX, TV), moved at 12:22 p.m., by Guy Faulconbridge and Estelle Shirbon, 688 words) See also: Novichokolate from Putin? Graffiti irony near Russian embassy tackles nerve attack(BRITAIN-RUSSIA/GRAFFITI (PIX, TV), moved, by Guy Faulconbridge, 180 words) and Britain to let international body check its poison findings (BRITAIN-RUSSIA/JOHNSON (URGENT), moved at 1:53 p.m., by Thomas Escritt, 97 words)

U.S. labor market tightening, inflation gaining steam

WASHINGTON - The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell last week, pointing to sustained labor strength even as economic growth appears to have slowed early in the first quarter. (USA-ECONOMY/ (WRAPUP 2, PIX), moved at 12:14 p.m., by Lucia Mutikani, 847 words)

TRUMP

Trump to get options soon to crack down on China IP theft - Navarro

WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump in coming weeks will get recommendations to address China's "theft and forced transfer" of American intellectual property, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said on Thursday. (USA-TRADE/ (UPDATE 1), moved at 11:49 a.m., by David Lawder and Lisa Lambert, 215 words)

WASHINGTON

Trump administration seeks swift action on Alaska oil leases

ANCHORAGE - The Trump administration is seeking to sell leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as quickly as possible – drawing fire from opponents of drilling in the sensitive area, who are warning against a rushed process. (USA-OIL/ALASKA-LEASES, moved at 10:44 a.m., by Yereth Rosen, 478 words)

White House seeks to make personal income tax cut permanent

WASHINGTON - The Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are seeking to make temporary personal income tax cuts passed last year permanent, White House spokesman Raj Shah said on Thursday, adding they could also lower capital gains tax rates. (USA-TAX/ (UPDATE 1), moved at 10:45 a.m., by David Lawder and Lisa Lambert, 277 words)

U.S. must go into North Korea summit with 'eyes wide open' -commander

WASHINGTON - The United States cannot be overly optimistic about the outcome of any summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and must go into it with "eyes wide open," the head of the U.S. Pacific Command said on Thursday. (NORTHKOREA-MISSILES/USA-COMMANDER (UPDATE 2, PIX, TV), moved at 11:53 a.m., by David Brunnstrom and Matt Spetalnick, 520 words)

Weathering Trump's skepticism, US officials still fighting global warming

WASHINGTON/OSLO - U.S. President Donald Trump has bashed international efforts to combat climate change and questioned the scientific consensus that global warming is dangerous and driven by human consumption of fossil fuels. But there is a disconnect between what Trump says at home and what his government does abroad. (TRUMP-EFFECT/CLIMATECHANGE (UPDATE 1, INSIGHT, PIX), moved at 12:30 p.m., by Timothy Gardner and Alister Doyle, 1341 words)

U.S. senators propose bill to bar airlines from endangering animals

Two. U.S. senators on Thursday unveiled legislation to explicitly bar airlines from putting animals in danger by placing them in overhead baggage compartments, after the recent death of a puppy on board a passenger aircraft. (UAL-DOG/ (UPDATE 1), moved at 12:51 p.m., by David Shepardson, 498 words)

Pentagon blames 'misinformation' for Serbia defense minister comment

WASHINGTON/BELGRADE - The Pentagon on Thursday said "misinformation" led Serbia's defense minister to criticize a top U.S. general who had warned that Russia was meddling in the Balkan country's affairs. (USA-RUSSIA/SERBIA, moved at 12:53 p.m., by Idrees Ali and Aleksandar Vasovic, 398 words)

Key US senator wants documents on Trump CIA nominee's 'black site' record

WASHINGTON - The lawmaker behind a landmark congressional torture report on Thursday demanded the release of classified documents on past CIA interrogations before the U.S. Senate considers President Donald Trump's nomination of Gina Haspel to lead the spy agency. (USA-TRUMP/HASPEL, moved at 1:03 p.m., by Patricia Zengerle, 388 words)

Top U.S., EU officials fix meeting next week on tariffs - EU source

BRUSSELS - U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom have agreed to meet next week in an attempt to resolve a deepening dispute over trade tariffs, a European Commission source said on Thursday. (USA-TRADE/EU (UPDATE 1), moved at 12:14 p.m., by Philip Blenkinsop, 341 words)

U.S. House will not pass current Senate bill easing bank rules - Hensarling

WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives will not approve a bill easing bank rules passed by the Senate without additional provisions that would further relax regulations introduced after the 2007-2009 financial crisis, a leading lawmaker said on Thursday. (USA-CONGRESS/BANKS (UPDATE 1), moved at 1:38 p.m., by Pete Schroeder, 386 words)

Asylum seekers sue U.S. government over prolonged detention

NEW YORK - A group of migrants seeking asylum in the United States sued the Trump administration on Thursday, claiming the government is unfairly keeping them in custody while they pursue their cases in immigration court. (USA-IMMIGRATION/ASYLUM, moved at 1:17 p.m., by Reade Levinson, 407 words)

OTHER U.S. NEWS

S.C. church shooter's sister charged for weapons at school

CHARLESTON, S.C. - The teenage sister of avowed white supremacist Dylann Roof, who was sentenced to die for the 2015 massacre at a historic South Carolina black church, was arrested for carrying weapons and drugs at her high school, police said on Thursday. (SOUTH CAROLINA-ARRESTS/ROOF SISTER (UPDATE 2), moved at 2:21 p.m., by Harriet McLeod, Rich McKay and Gina Cherelus, 488 words)

Green Crack, Blue Dream, Gorilla Glue: The problem of pricing pot

NEW YORK - In 2014, as Jonathan Rubin and Ian Laird considered investing in the booming U.S. cannabis industry, they hit a problem: How to value pot start-ups with little verified data on the price of the weed itself? (USA-MARIJUANA/PRICES (CORRECTED, PIX, GRAPHIC), moved at 10:46 a.m., by Chris Prentice, 1,108 words)

Airlines resolve dispute over Chicago O'Hare expansion

An $8.5 billion expansion plan for Chicago's O'Hare International Airport got a lift on Thursday after the airport's two major carriers, American and United, settled a dispute that had clouded the project. (CHICAGO-AIRPORT/, moved at 1:25 p.m., by Alana Wise and Karen Pierog, 396 words)

MIDDLE EAST

Thousands flee in first mass exodus from Syria's besieged eastern Ghouta

EASTERN GHOUTA - Thousands of Syrian civilians fled from a rebel pocket in eastern Ghouta on Thursday, crossing by foot to army positions in the first mass exodus from the besieged enclave since Syrian government forces launched an assault to capture it a month ago. (MIDEAST-CRISIS/SYRIA-GHOUTA (UPDATE 5, TV, PIX), moved at 11:54 a.m., by Lisa Barrington, Ellen Francis, Dahlia Nehme, Kinda Mekieh, Firas Makdesi, Stephanie Nebehay, Polina Ivanova and Peter Graff, 963 words) See also: Foreign powers obstruct more Assad gains in Syria (MIDEAST-CRISIS/SYRIA (REFILE, EXPLAINER, PIX, GRAPHIC), moved at 9:56 a.m., by Tom Perry and Laila Bassam, 1236 words) and Thousands of women, men, children raped in Syria's war - U.N. report (MIDEAST CRISIS/SYRIA-WARCRIMES-SEXUAL (UPDATE 2, TV, PIX), moved at 1:41 p.m., by Stephanie Nebehay, 535 words)

Hezbollah doesn't expect Israeli war, but is ready for one

BEIRUT - Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah does not expect its arch foe Israel to launch a war for now in Lebanon but is prepared for one, the deputy leader of the Iran-backed Shi'ite group told Reuters in an interview on Thursday. (MIDEAST-CRISIS/HEZBOLLAH (INTERVIEW, PIX, TV), moved at 11:33 a.m., by Samia Nakhoul, Laila Bassam and Tom Perry, 768 words)

Yemen's Houthis and Saudi Arabia in secret talks to end war - sources

ADEN/DUBAI - Saudi Arabia and its adversaries in Yemen's armed Houthi movement are holding secret talks to try to end a three-year-old war that has unleashed the world's worst humanitarian crisis, diplomats and Yemeni political sources said. (YEMEN-SECURITY/SAUDI-TALKS, moved at 11 a.m., by Mohammed Ghobari and Noah Browning, 534 words)

U.N. Palestinian refugee agency gets new cash pledges, needs much more to survive

ROME - The United Nations agency that helps Palestinian refugees said on Thursday it had received new cash pledges to enable it to keep working for a few more months, but warned that its long-term outlook remains in doubt. (ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS/AID (UPDATE 1, PIX, TV), moved at 12:54 p.m., by Crispian Balmer, 691 words)

WORLD

Russian voters left guessing at Putin's economic plan

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin will enter Sunday's election with little agreement among his top policymakers on an economic strategy for his next term, officials and analysts said. (RUSSIA-ELECTION/ECONOMY (PIX, TV), by Jack Stubbs, moved at 9:28 a.m., Darya Korsunskaya and Polina Nikolskaya, 923 words)

UN accuses Mexico of torture, cover-up in case of 43 missing students

GENEVA - The U.N. human rights office said in a report on Thursday that Mexican authorities had tortured dozens of people in connection with an investigation into the 2014 disappearance of 43 students, and called for a full inquiry. (MEXICO-RIGHTS/ (UPDATE 2, PIX), moved at 10:33 a.m., by Stephanie Nebehay and Gabriel Stargardter, 545 words)

HEALTH AND SCIENCE

Many transgender patients pay cash for gender-affirming surgery

Even though a growing number of transgender patients now use insurance for gender-affirming surgery, almost half are still paying cash for procedures their health plans don’t cover, a U.S. study suggests. (HEALTH-TRANSGENDER/SURGERY, moved at 12:46 p.m., by Lisa Rapaport, 548 words)

Probiotics during pregnancy tied to lower eczema risk for kids

Women who take probiotics while they’re pregnant and breastfeeding could be less likely to have children with eczema than mothers who don’t, a research review suggests. (HEALTH-PREGNANCY/PROBIOTICS-ECZEMA, moved at 11:12 a.m., by Lisa Rapaport, 660 words)

ENTERTAINMENT AND LIFESTYLE

Rihanna urges fans to delete Snapchat after domestic violence ad

LOS ANGELES - Pop star Rihanna urged fans on Thursday to delete Snapchat after the social media app ran an ad making fun of her 2009 beating at the hands of then boyfriend Chris Brown. (PEOPLE-RIHANNA/SNAPCHAT (UPDATE 1), moved at 2:09 p.m., By Jill Serjeant, David Ingram and Gina Cherelus, 381 words)

Queen gives formal consent for grandson Harry to marry Meghan Markle

LONDON, March 15 (Reuters) - Britain's Queen Elizabeth has formally given her permission for her "dearly beloved" grandson Prince Harry to marry his U.S. fiancee Meghan Markle. (BRITAIN-ROYALS/WEDDING (PIX, TV), moved at 12:19 p.m., by Michael Holden, 239 words)

From trash to treasure for globe-trotting Japanese cardboard artist

AUSTIN - The saying “one man's trash is another man's treasure” has been the mantra motivating Japanese artist Fuyuki Shimazu to go on a global dumpster diving adventure to prove the point. (USA-SXSW/CARDBOARD (PIX), moved at 2:27 p.m., by Sachi Jenkins, 370 words)

CONSUMER TECH

Amazon's internal numbers on Prime Video revealed

Amazon.com Inc's top television shows drew more than 5 million people worldwide to its Prime shopping club by early 2017, according to company documents, revealing for the first time how the retailer's bet on original video is paying off (AMAZON.COM-RATINGS (EXCLUSIVE, PIX, GRAPHIC), moved, by Jeffrey Dastin, 1,147 words)

BUSINESS AND MARKETS

Dow gains as trade war worries ebb on Navarro's comments

The Dow Jones Industrial Average added more than 200 points on Thursday as industrial stocks gained after the White House trade adviser sought to play down chances of a trade war due to protectionist policies. (USA-STOCKS/ (UPDATE 4), updating throughout the day, by Sruthi Shankar, 405 words)

AT&T/Time Warner U.S. merger trial delayed two days - source

The trial to determine whether AT&T Inc's purchase of Time Warner Inc is legal under U.S. antitrust law will be delayed two days because of scheduling issues, a person familiar with the situation said on Thursday. (TIME WARNER-M&A/AT&T (UPDATE 1), moved at 2:15 p.m., by Jessica Toonkel, 197 words)

Buffett's Dairy Queen sues W.B. Mason over 'Blizzard'

Warren Buffett's favorite ice cream company has kicked up a legal storm over the "Blizzard." (BERKSHIRE-DAIRYQUEEN/ (PIX), moved at 12:09 a.m., by Jonathan Stempel, 438 words)

Sky agrees to share information relevant to Fox-Disney deal

LONDON - Sky, the European pay-TV group at the centre of a takeover battle, said on Thursday it had entered into a confidentiality agreement with suitor Rupert Murdoch's Twenty-First Century Fox and Walt Disney. (SKY-M&A/FOX, moved at 10:35 a.m., by Paul Sandle, 86 words)

Largest U.S. radio company iHeartMedia files for bankruptcy

IHeartMedia Inc filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Thursday as the largest U.S. radio station owner reached an in-principle agreement with creditors to more than halve its $20 billion in debt. (IHEARTMEDIA-BANKRUPTCY/ (UPDATE 3, PIX), moved at 11:45 a.m., by Tom Hals, 616 words)

Facebook Lite to launch in developed countries, including U.S.

Facebook Inc on Thursday said it will roll out the stripped down version of its social media platform, Facebook Lite, to more countries including developed ones, to attract users struggling with slower mobile data connections. (FACEBOOK-APPS/, moved at 1 p.m., by Munsif Vengattil and David Ingram, 130 words)

(Reuters Health) - Women who take probiotics while they’re pregnant and breastfeeding could be less likely to have children with eczema than mothers who don’t, a research review suggests.

Probiotic use during pregnancy and lactation was associated with a 22 percent lower risk of young children developing eczema, a common inflammatory skin disorder, the study found. This is the equivalent of preventing 44 cases of eczema for every 1,000 children.

While the study wasn’t designed to prove how probiotics might prevent eczema, it’s possible that taking these supplements changes the composition of breast milk and influences the way a child’s immune system and skin develop, said senior study author Dr. Robert Boyle of Imperial College London and the University of Nottingham in the UK.

“There was already some evidence that probiotic exposure in early life may reduce risk of eczema in an infant,” Boyle said by email.

“But this study makes it clearer that maternal probiotics during pregnancy and while breastfeeding seem to protect infants from eczema, whereas probiotics added to an infant's diet directly do not seem to protect infants from developing eczema,” Boyle added.

For the study, researchers analyzed data from more than 400 studies including a total of about 1.5 million people.

There were 28 trials of probiotic use during pregnancy that involved about 6,000 women.

Probiotics include good bacteria and yeast that are similar to what’s in the body and help aid digestive tract health. Most of the trials focused on the bacteria lactobacillus, a common probiotic in yogurt and other fermented foods.

These studies found a reduced eczema risk for kids when their mothers took probiotics during the final weeks of pregnancy and the first six months of breastfeeding.

Avoiding potentially allergenic foods like nuts, dairy and eggs during pregnancy didn’t appear to influence a child’s risk of eczema, the study also found.

Another supplement, fish oil, was associated with a lower risk of egg allergies in kids.

Researchers looked at 19 trials of fish oil supplements during pregnancy, involving about 15,000 people. They found fish oil supplements associated with a 31 percent lower risk of egg allergies in kids, or an absolute reduction of 31 cases out of every 1,000 children.

These fish oil supplements contained omega-3 fatty acids, and women took them throughout the second half of pregnancy and the first three to four months of breastfeeding. Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and may be transferred from mothers to babies in breast milk.

One limitation of the current study is that the small trials in the analysis varied in duration, how they assessed mothers’ diets and supplement use, and how they determined whether children developed allergies or eczema, the authors note in PLoS Medicine.

Even so, the results add to evidence that dietary exposures may influence the development of allergic and autoimmune diseases, said Dr. Ola Didrik Saugstad, a pediatrics researcher at the University of Oslo in Norway who wasn’t involved in the study.

Breastfeeding duration also plays a role, however, Saugstad said by email.

“There are many factors which may interplay with diet such as breastfeeding and whether it is exclusive, and how long it continues.”

Reducing the risk of eczema, food allergies and wheezing or asthma is one of the many reasons doctors advise women to exclusively breastfeed babies for at least four to six months, Saugstad added.

While some women may want to consider taking fish oil or probiotics to lower the risk of allergies and eczema in their children, studies to date don’t offer a clear picture of the ideal formulation and dose of these supplements for use during pregnancy, said Maria Jenmalm, an allergy researcher at Linkoping University in Sweden who wasn’t involved in the study. Jenmalm has received payments for lectures and consulting from BioGaia AB and Nutricia/Danone.

“I believe further research is required to be able to translate these findings into practice guidelines,” Jenmalm said by email.

SOURCE: http://bit.ly/2oI9qm7[http://bit.ly/2oI9qm7] PLoS Medicine, online February 28, 2018.

Got to grips with five a day? Welcome to the new healthy eating mantra: 400-600-600. Last week Public Health England (PHE) launched its One You campaign[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/nutrition/diet/400-600-600-rule-good-counting-calories/], designed to make us more calorie aware, and stick to 400 calories for breakfast and 600 each for lunch and dinner.

The overall daily calorie guidelines remain the same (2000 for women and 2500 for men) so the extra is for coffee, wine, beer or snacks. The aim: to cut our calorie intake, and bring down the UK’s spiralling obesity rate, by 2024.

Critics have pointed out that the plan doesn’t focus on healthy eating: you could have a Mars bar and a can of Coca-Cola for breakfast, chips and curry sauce for lunch and a Big Mac for supper and still stick to the recommended calories.

This is unfair. While calories are a blunt instrument, and the plan doesn’t differentiate between good calories (protein, healthy fats, vegetables) and bad (refined carb and bad fats), it still has a valid point to make.

In Britain most adults consume 200-300 calories a day more than they need, and children even more – boys as many as 500 calories in excess. And let’s face it, the extra isn’t made up of a bag of apples – it’s often junk.

The scheme is targeted mostly at fast-food producers, persuading them to cut the calories in their offerings, and to make us think again about what we order.

That Big Mac might fit the bill at 508 calories, but a Big Mac and medium fries (845 calories) is far is more than a meal’s worth. And a Starbucks blueberry muffin and a latte might sound like a good breakfast choice, but at more than 500 calories it’s well over the limit.

There’s definitely more that could be done. PHE might like to step in to stop shops such as Boots marketing “meal deals” that can consist of crisps, a ham sandwich, a cake and a bottle of Coke. Surely a meal has fruit or vegetables in. It is not a collection of sugar, refined carbs and fat.

Quick fixes for calorie counters[https://cf-particle-html.eip.telegraph.co.uk/a8deafa7-6b22-4556-a1ae-aeaba6c809a7.html] On the home front, well, if you are cooking from scratch, you’re on to a good thing. That said, measuring and recalibrating portion sizes might be tedious but it’s worth the effort, as I found when working on these recipes. A little circumspection with the oil and carbs, more generosity with the veg, and you are sorted.

If you’re confounded by calorie counting, simply mix and match the recipes on the following pages, sticking to the 400-600-600 formula, and you’ll be eating plenty of fruit and veg and hopefully dropping a few pounds while you’re at it.

Breakfast

Kick-start your day with something nutritious and tasty

Baked eggs with spinach and tomato

Eggs are magic food, power packs of nutrition, so this is perfect if you wake up ravenous. After three of them, it may take half an hour or so for that blissfully replete feeling to kick in, but once it does I defy you to be hungry before lunchtime. If it all seems too much then stick to two eggs, in which case you can have a slice of toast to go with.

SERVES

One

CALORIES

398

INGREDIENTS

* ½ tsp oil

* 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

* 1 tsp cumin seed

* 2 handfuls of spinach or 170g frozen spinach leaf, defrosted

* 200ml passata

* 3 large eggs Pinch of chilli flakes

* 20g Greek style yogurt

* Leaves from a sprig of fresh coriander

METHOD

*  Heat a frying pan or hob-proof dish about 20cm across and add the oil.

* Stir in the onion and cumin and cook gently until softened.

* Stir in the spinach until it wilts (or heats through if frozen).

* Pour over the tomato passata and 50ml of water and bring to a simmer.

* Make three indents in the spinach and break an egg into each.

*  Sprinkle with salt and pepper, cover and cook for five minutes until the eggs are set.

* Sprinkle with chilli flakes. Serve hot, with a dollop of yogurt and some coriander leaves over the top.

Chia seed bircher muesli with apple and raspberry compote

AKA overnight oats, I make this in jars for a grab-and-go breakfast. Chia seed gives a creamier texture and boosts the protein content but replace it with more oats if you prefer. Change the fruit with the seasons: cubes of mango are lovely, too.

MAKES

Two

CALORIES PER SERVING

324

INGREDIENTS

* 1 apple

* 50g porridge oats

* 2 tbsp chia seeds

* 2 tsp ground cinnamon

* 150ml semi-skimmed milk

* 100g Greek style yogurt

* 100g frozen raspberries

* 1 tsp poppy seeds

* 2 tsp honey

METHOD

* Grate the apple (skin, core and all), into a bowl. Mix in the oats, chia seeds, cinnamon and milk.

* Divide half the mixture between two jars.

*  Top with half of the yogurt and raspberries.

* Spoon the rest of the mixture into the jars and top with the last of the yogurt and raspberries, plus a sprinkle of poppy seeds and trickle of honey.

*  Put lids on the jars and store in the fridge overnight or up to three days.

Bacon sandwich with roast tomatoes

Yes, a bacon sandwich fits the plan – not every day, mind. It’s ideal for a treat, though!

SERVES

One

CALORIES

387 (405 if you add ketchup or brown sauce)

INGREDIENTS

* ½ tsp oil

* 2 rashers back bacon

* 2 tomatoes

* 2 small slices sourdough bread or a roll

* 1 tbsp ketchup or brown sauce, optional

METHOD

* Put the oil in a frying pan and add the bacon. Cook over a medium-low heat until the fat begins to run.

* Halve the tomatoes and add them to the pan, cut side down. Continue cooking until the bacon begins to brown and the tomatoes are caramelising.

* Put the bacon on a plate and keep warm. Turn over the tomatoes.

* Pop the bread or halved roll (cut side down) in the pan. Raise the heat and cook in the bacon juices until lightly toasted.

* Pile the bacon and tomatoes between the bread, and add ketchup or brown sauce if you like.

Lunch

Forget sad salads and get creative with your midday meal

Celeriac-crusted fish pie with leeks and dill

Proper comfort food this, and a really filling family lunch, too. You could also make individual pies and freeze them. The helping is generous, and you could stretch it around an extra person, making leeway for extra vegetables or some fruity pudding.

SERVES

Two

CALORIES PER SERVING

594

INGREDIENTS

* 1 small celeriac, peeled and cut into chunks

* 1 tbsp fresh dill, roughly chopped

* 125g salmon fillets

* 150g skinless and boneless smoked haddock fillets

* 150g white fish (cod, haddock, coley, pollock all work well)

* 300ml semi-skimmed milk

* 1 bay leaf (1 cal)

* 20g butter, plus 2 tsp

* 2 leeks, sliced and washed

* 1 large clove garlic, peeled and finely chopped

* 20g plain flour

* 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard

* 100g frozen garden peas

METHOD

* Boil the celeriac in salted water until tender, then drain well and use a stick blender to mash to a smooth purée. Season well with salt and pepper. Mix in the dill.

* Put the fish in a pan with the milk and bay leaf. Slowly bring to a simmer. When the fish is just flaking, lift it out (keep the milk) and lay it on a plate. When cool enough to handle, remove the skin and bones.

* Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas 4.

* Melt a teaspoon of the butter in a medium-sized pan and add the leeks and garlic. Cook until soft. Scoop out and keep to one side.

* Melt 20g of the butter, stir in the flour and cook for a minute before gradually whisking in the fishy milk to make a smooth sauce. Mix in the mustard then gently fold in the fish, peas, and leeks. Taste and add seasoning.

* Pile the mixture into a dish. Top with the celeriac-dill mash. Melt the final teaspoon of butter and brush the top of the pie with it. Bake for 30 minutes until browned and hot through.

Quick Asian slaw with chicken and sesame

This recipe started as a way to use up a jar of sauerkraut. There’s a lot of interest in the pickled cabbage, and fermented food generally, since studies suggest that they are good for our “microbiome” or gut bacteria, and so great for our health overall. You can get ready-made sauerkraut in a jar from health food shops – the kind that’s really gut-friendly is found in the fridge and marked “live”. If it’s not in the fridge, and this includes pretty much any supermarket sauerkraut, it has been pasteurised, which kills those good bacteria – but it will still taste good. It leaves 200 calories clear to have a cappuccino and banana afterwards.

SERVES

Two

CALORIES PER SERVING

399

INGREDIENTS

* 500g sauerkraut

* 1 carrot

* 1 small raw beetroot

* 2 spring onions

* Zest of 1 lime and juice of 2

* 20g fresh ginger, grated

* 1 fresh chilli (remove the seeds if you don’t like it too hot)

* 1 tsp honey or maple syrup

* 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil

* 1 tbsp fish sauce

* Mint leaves from a 20g bunch

* Coriander leaves from a 30g bunch

* 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

* 200g cold cooked chicken (without the skin), sliced

METHOD

* Drain the sauerkraut and give it a quick rinse. Squeeze out the excess water and tip the kraut into a large bowl.

* Grate in the carrot and the beetroot. You could spiralise them if you prefer.

* Slice the spring onions finely (both green and white parts) and lightly massage them to separate the slices into rings. Add to the bowl along with the lime juice and zest, the ginger, chilli, honey or maple syrup, sesame oil and fish sauce.

* Mix well, massaging the mixture to blend the flavours. Toss with the herbs and chicken. Pile into a serving bowl and sprinkle over the sesame seeds.

Spaghetti with purple sprouting broccoli, goat’s curd and pangrattato

Spaghetti is notoriously tricky to eat tidily, but I like that as it slows me down. In an ideal world, I’d use stroncatura, a traditional Calabrian whole wheat pasta, which is a slightly flattened version of spaghetti. Load up the veg and flavours to make a satisfying meal, but don’t expect a very liquid sauce, as this is more of a tumble of vividly flavoured ingredients.

SERVES

Two

CALORIES PER SERVING

587

INGREDIENTS

* 1 slice of bread

* 2 tbsp olive oil

* 1 clove garlic, crushed

* Grated zest of ½ lemon

* 30g bunch of flat-leaf parsley, leaves chopped

* 150g wholewheat spaghetti

* 300g purple sprouting broccoli or tenderstem broccoli

* 1 x 50g tin anchovies

* 30g goat’s curd or soft goat’s cheese

* 2 lemon quarters to squeeze over

METHOD

* Make the pangrattato first. Turn the bread into crumbs in a food processor. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a small pan and add the garlic, then the crumbs, plus salt and pepper. Cook until the crumbs are golden, then draw off the heat and stir in the lemon zest and parsley.

* Cook the spaghetti in well-salted water (taste it: it should be almost like seawater). Add the broccoli to the pan four minutes before the end of the cooking time.

* Meanwhile, heat the last spoonful of olive oil (or the oil from the tin of anchovies does well here) in a large pan and add the anchovies. Heat, stirring, until they collapse, and add a good grinding of pepper.

* Scoop a cupful of water out of the pasta pan and keep to one side. Drain the pasta and broccoli and tip into the pan with the anchovies. Toss until well coated, adding a little of the saved cooking water to moisten it if necessary.

* Drop tiny spoonfuls of the cheese into the mix and stir, allowing them to remain more or less in tact.

* Divide between two bowls and sprinkle over the pangrattato. Serve straight away, with lemon wedges to squeeze over.

Dinner

Stave off cravings with a hearty, yet healthy, final dish of the day

Featherblade steak with cauliflower mash, crisp leeks, puy lentils and truffle oil

Featherblade or skirt steak is one of my favourite cuts of steak, as it is incredibly good value but packed with flavour. It’s very lean, so it is juiciest and most tender cooked to rare or medium-rare and sliced across the fibres, which give the cut its feathery appearance. Truffle oil can be incredibly overpowering, but just a few drops can give this dish swagger.

SERVES

Two

CALORIES PER SERVING

485

INGREDIENTS

For the steak

* 200g featherblade (skirt) steak

* 1 tsp olive oil

* 1 tsp balsamic vinegar

* 1 small clove of garlic, crushed

For the vegetables

* 1 small cauliflower, about 15cm across

* 70g puy lentils

* 1 clove garlic, whole but peeled 1 tsp olive oil for the lentils (40 cal), plus 2 tbsp for cooking the leeks

* 1 small leek, very thinly sliced

* 40g bunch watercress

* 1 tsp truffle oil

METHOD

* Rub the steak with the olive oil, vinegar, garlic and a hefty pinch each of salt and pepper. Leave in a dish for an hour (or overnight).

* Break the cauliflower into florets, and steam until really tender – include the stem, it’s just as good to eat. Purée with a stick blender. Season with salt and pepper.

* Boil the puy lentils with the whole clove of garlic until the lentils are tender. Drain, then stir in the oil, and season with salt and pepper.

* Cook the leek in the oil until crisp and golden. Drain on kitchen paper, dabbing to get rid of as much oil as possible.

* Pat the steak dry and cook on a hot griddle pan for about three to five minutes on each side, until cooked to rare. Leave to rest for 15 minutes on a warm plate.

* Divide the lentils and cauliflower purée between two plates. Slice the steak thinly across the grain and lay half on each plate. Trickle the truffle oil over the cauliflower and sprinkle on the crisp leeks. Finish with a posy of watercress.

Poussin with harissa, lemon and couscous

A whole bird is a very satisfying meal, and poussins are available in most supermarkets. A pigeon would be superb here too, if you happen to have a good butcher. 


SERVES

Two

CALORIES PER SERVING

562

INGREDIENTS

* 500ml vegetable stock

* 150g wholewheat couscous

* 1 tbsp plus

* 1 tsp olive oil

* 2 tbsp chopped preserved lemon

* 2 poussins

* 1 tbsp harissa

* 2 red onions, peeled and cut into eighths through the root

* 50g rocket

METHOD

* Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6.

* Bring the stock to the boil over a high heat. Add the couscous and cook for six minutes, or for the time recommended, until tender. Drain and stir in a teaspoon of oil and the preserved lemon. Taste and season.

* Ask your butcher to spatchcock the poussin or butterfly them yourself by cutting down on either side of the backbone with kitchen scissors, then pressing down hard on the breastbone to flatten them.

* Rub the poussin with harissa. Toss the onion in the remaining tablespoon of oil and a fat pinch of salt. Spread the poussin and onion on a baking tray and bake for 30 minutes or until the poussin is cooked through. Pierce the thigh with a skewer and check that the juices run clear.

* Stir the couscous into the onions, around the poussin. Just before serving, add the rocket. Eat warm.

Pan-charred sweetheart cabbage with miso roast fish and black rice

Chargrilled cabbage is turning up on smart restaurant menus these days and no wonder – it is a simple way to make the humble brassica both beautiful and delicious, as the cut edges of the leaves turn black to make a pattern like the whorls of a fingerprint. The smoky flavour is gorgeous with the miso-glazed fish.

SERVES

Two

CALORIES PER SERVING

537/495 (mackerel/salmon)

INGREDIENTS

* 180g Thai black rice or brown rice

* 1 pointed cabbage

* 1 tsp olive oil

* ½ tbsp miso

* 1 tsp soy sauce

* ½ tsp honey

* 
1 tbsp mirin (or sherry)

* 1 tsp ginger, grated

* 2 x 100g mackerel fillets or salmon

METHOD

*  Cook the rice according to the packet directions.

* Cut the cabbage into quarters, brush with the oil and sprinkle with salt. 
Heat a heavy frying pan or griddle pan to very hot and cook the cabbage on both the cut sides until charred to an alarming black – this is what gives it the appealing smoky flavour. The cabbage will soften nicely, too.

* Mix together the miso, soy sauce, honey, mirin (or sherry) and grated ginger. Lay the fish on a piece of foil, with the skin side down, and brush liberally with the marinade.

*  Grill under a very hot grill until just cooked through, but still slightly translucent at the centre.

* Serve the fish with the rice and grilled cabbage, pouring over any juices from the fish.

Lamb and feta with tomatoes and freekeh (or bulgur wheat or spelt)

Freekeh is a Middle Eastern speciality, grains of green wheat, dried and used a bit like rice. If you can’t find it (Palestinian fair-trade company Zayutoun does a good version) then bulgur wheat, spelt or brown rice will do just as well.

SERVES

Two

CALORIES PER SERVING

557

INGREDIENTS

* 400g tomatoes

* 200g lamb fillet

* 1 tbsp za’atar

* 1 tsp honey

* 1 tsp oil

* 1 lemon, halved

* 100g freekeh or bulgur wheat

* 1 tsp ground cinnamon

* Leaves from a 20g bunch of mint, roughly chopped

* Leaves from a 20g bunch of parsley, roughly chopped

* 50g feta

METHOD

* Preheat the oven to 120C/Gas 1.

*  Halve the tomatoes and spread on a baking tray. Sprinkle with salt and grind over pepper. Bake for around three hours, until slightly shrivelled.

*  Trim any fat from the lamb. Mix together the za’atar, honey and oil and rub over the lamb. Griddle over a medium heat until well browned but still a little pink in the middle. Griddle the lemon, cut side down, until browned, at the same time.

* Cook the freekeh or bulgur according to packet instructions and stir in the cinnamon, followed by the mint and parsley.

* Tumble the grains and tomatoes together in a serving dish and sprinkle over the feta. Slice the lamb and lay over the top. Serve with the griddled lemon to squeeze over.

Some other ideas...

Oaty fruit smoothie:

Blend a medium banana (81 cals), 2 tbsp porridge oats (42 cals),125g plain yogurt (71 cals), 6 almonds (24 cals) and a handful of frozen strawberries (49 cals).

267cals

Broccoli, lentil and tahini salad:

Drain a 400g tin of green lentils (218cal) and mix with 1tbsp olive oil (120cal) and squeeze of lemon (2cal), 200g steamed broccoli florets (80cals) and a grilled, peeled pepper (34cal) cut into strips, plus salt and pepper. Mix 1tbsp tahini (99cal) with 1tbsp lemon juice (5cal) and 1-2tbsp water to make a single cream consistency. Trickle over and sprinkle with 1tsp nigella seeds (8cals).

566 cals

Turmeric, sweet potato and coconut mussels (dinner for 2):

Slice a red onion (49cal), a lemongrass stem (10cal) and a chilli (9g; 2cal), and cook in a large pan with 1tsp oil (40cal) and 1tsp turmeric (9cal). Add a tin of low fat coconut milk (300cal), 200g sliced pak choi (38cals) and 175g cooked, cubed sweet potato (147calories), plus 1kg cleaned mussels. Cover and cook for five minutes, until the mussels open. Sprinkle with coriander leaves (5cal) and serve with 100g jasmine rice cooked (350cal).

531 cals pp

Dietary supplements aren’t exactly new news. The supplement market in the U.S. is currently worth $133 billion, according to Zion Market Research, and a crop of new start-ups like Care/Of and Ritual will now deliver personalized vitamin assortments to your doorstep. Formulas with more holistic ambitions, focused on wellness and beauty, have also been steadily on the rise.

Last fall, Gwyneth Paltrow entered the game with a line of five supplements, including Goopglow[https://shop.goop.com/shop/products/goopglow?taxon_id=1289] ($60), a powder infused with antioxidants — CoQ10 and vitamin C among them — that promises to revitalize your complexion and defend against oxidative damage.

But the star ingredients of the latest supplements are less frequently spotted on drugstore shelves. Riding the wave of interest around clean eating as a means to looking better, a new offering of capsules and powders is harnessing the power of obscure superfoods and powerful nutrients — from restorative purslane to skin-balancing probiotics.

For example, there’s been a spike in supplements formulated to regulate your digestive system. Rose-Marie Swift, the makeup artist and founder of the natural brand RMS Beauty, has long been a raw-food enthusiast and is known for meticulously researching her ingredients. Last month, she launched her first line of supplements. The Women’s Digestive Enzyme[https://www.rmsbeauty.com/products/digestive-enzyme] ($64) contains proteases to “help break down your food, allowing for better nutrient absorption,” Swift explains, which in turn lightens your metabolic load, and is also “very anti-aging for the body.” Or consider naturopathic doctor Nigma Talib’s Healthy Flora[https://www.net-a-porter.com/us/en/product/835895/Dr_Nigma_Talib/healthy-flora-supplement-30-capsules-] ($65), a capsule filled with 10 billion strains of lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1 — one of the most well-researched probiotics, she says, and something of a superstar bacteria — to balance your gut, along with anti-aging grape seed extract. In April, the London-based practitioner will release Beauty in a Bottle, a mix of vitamins to strengthen hair, skin and nails, as well as Skin Immortal Collagen Plus, an ingestible form of firming collagen.

For the truly committed, it would seem no ingredient is off the table. The German physician Barbara Sturm, M.D. starts her day with a fresh glass of purslane, the leafy green that’s found in her skin care products, to fight wrinkle-causing inflammation. Realizing that this tonic might not be for everyone, she created Skin Food[https://www.molecular-cosmetics.com/skin-food] ($95), a tablet with a concentrated dose of the plant that’s also rounded out with skin-protecting Japanese knotweed root and hydrating glucosamine. “It’s an efficient way to ingest a high level of antioxidants, in a very compact pill,” notes New York City dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, M.D. “It’s likely useful for anti-aging.” And purslane is no common weed, she says. “It has significant amounts of beta-carotene, vitamin C and antioxidants,” along with “high levels of omega-3 fatty acids — five times higher than spinach.”

For Europeans, taking superfood supplements is far from a fringe concept. Pharmacies there have been stocking detoxifying milk thistle and skin-renewing spirulina for quite some time, alongside other body-enhancing fixes like cellulite creams and compression tights. The cult Parisian skin care brand Biologique Recherche recently teamed up with French nutritionist Pascale Modaï to create Griffonia & L-Tyrosine[http://shoprescuespa.com/griffonia-l-tyrosine.html?___SID=U] ($111), a medicinal-sounding pill formulated with Griffonia simplicifolia plant extract and an amino acid — together they work as precursors to dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin, which might regulate mood and motivation.

Beauty supplements are still a bit of a wild card — they’re unregulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the results might only stem from a placebo effect. Jenifer Johnson, M.D., an internal medicine physician in Rye, New York recommends running anything you plan to take long-term by an expert. She adds: “I would rather see people invest the time and energy into improving their diet than trying to find it all in a pill.”

Complete Guide to the 9,000-mile-plusHeathrow-Perth link

Nine thousand miles, 17 hours, 116 degrees east, 83 degrees south: the longest nonstop scheduled passenger flight ever from a UK airport departs from Heathrow on Sunday 25 March, destination Perth[http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/uk-australia-non-stop-flight-qantas-airlines-16-hours-double-price-travel-a7704616.html] in Western Australia.

When the “Kangaroo Route” beganin 1947, the journey from London to Sydney took four days. With limited range, aircraft had to refuel inRome, Tripoli, Cairo, Karachi, Calcutta, Singapore and Darwin. In 2018, Australia is accessible from Britain faster than ever.

Do the flying public want it? What will passengers experience? And where next for ultra-long-haul? Your questions answered.

How far is it?

Read more

Qantas introduces gender-neutral language

Qantas bar pop star from business class lounge for wearing Ugg boots

The UK’s longest flight just got longer

The shortest distance from Terminal 3 at Heathrow to Terminal 3 at Perth is 9,009 miles (14,498km). But the flight will go further, due to following stipulated airways (routes in the sky assigned by air-traffic control), avoiding bad weather, taking advantage of favourable winds and geopolitical factors. Airspace regarded as dangerous will be given a wide berth. The most direct trackcrosses the disputed Crimea[http://www.independent.co.uk/topic/crimea] region and the Caucasus.

There may even be a financial consideration of avoiding overflying rights: the straightest line traverses the entire length of Iran, which levies high charges for use of its airspace.

Additional miles will be added at either end of the route. Right from the start, the plane will stray from the shortest path between two points: assuming it takes off into the prevailing westerly wind at Heathrow, it willinitially head away from Perth.

How long does it take?

From London, the trip is scheduled to take 16 hours 45 minutes – leaving at 1.15pm local time,arriving in Perth at 1pm the following day. Based on the quoted distance, the average speed will be 538mph — almostnine miles a minute.

In the other direction, departure from Perth is at 6.45pm, arriving at Heathrow at 5.05am – a journey of 17 hours 20 minutes or an average of 521mph, slowed by the prevailing wind.

Imperial connection: the flying boat operated in 1939 (Qantas)

How much time does it save?

Compared with the fastest existing one-stop connections, on Qatar Airways via Doha and Emirates via Dubai, the new Qantas flight isnearly three hours quicker. The time saving comes from three elements.

1:

Flying a more direct track – though remarkably a stop in Dubai or Doha adds less than 50 miles to the shortest point-to-point distance, representing only a few minutes’ flying time.

2:

The time taken descending, landing, and taxiing at the intermediate airport, and the reverse on departure.

3:

The connecting time to change planes, or the time taken to refuel the aircraft.

Old style: Qantas flight attendants in the

1930s

(Qantas)

What’s the plane, how many seats are there,and what are they like?

The aircraft is a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner[http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/boeing-787-dreamliner-plane-flights-short-haul-qantas-vietnam-airlines-qatar-airways-thomson-a7888861.html], which has just entered service with the Australian airline. “It gives us a combination of flying range and passenger comfort that will change how people travel,” says Qantas chief executive, Alan Joyce.It is more highly pressurised than most aircraft, and has bigger windows.

The 236 seats are not all equal. The plane has 42 business class “suites”, 28 premium economy seats and 166 economy seats. Mr Joyce says: “We’ve added a very high level of comfort in each of the cabins and a lower seat count than most of our competitors.And we’re making tweaks to our inflight service designed to help customers enjoy the journey more.”

In economy, seats are nine abreast with a 3-3-3 configuration, meaning one in three passengers has a middle seat. When the 787 was being developed, it was envisaged as a eight-abreast 2-4-2 formation, with no seat more than one seat from the aisle. But almost every operator has gone for nine abreast.

How much does it cost?

That depends on the class you travel in, and when you travel. For some dates in April, the return trip in economy costs £828; in premium economy, £2,732 (more than three times as much); in business, £5,127 (six times the economy fare). Amore usual ratio is for premium economy to cost twice as much as economy, and for business to be double that again. But it appears the premium that passengers (or their companies) are prepared to pay for comfort is much higher for an ultra-long-haul flight.

At peak travel times, especially Christmas/New Year, the economy fare will be much higher. Departing Heathrow on 22 December 2018 and coming back two weeks later, the cheapest ticket is currently £2,171 return.

What will passengers eat?

The first of three main meals, a late lunch, is likely to be served over Germany, with dinner over the Arabian Sea portion of the Indian Ocean — halfway through the flight. Passengers will be served breakfast two hours before touchdown at Perth.

Chicken or beef? This is the chicken dinner that economy passengers will receive (Qantas)

The menu has been designed with the help of nutritional biologists.

“Qantas’ new menu incorporates the latest scientific knowledge on nutrition and hydration and our scientists are excited by this opportunity to discover how the wide variety of influences work together during long-haul flights,” said Professor Stephen Simpson, academic director of the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre.

So passengers can expect “lighter meal options” and “dishes which feature ingredients that promote hydration such as green leafy vegetables, cucumber, strawberries and celery,” says Qantas. Some ingredients (such as chilli) will “tailored” to particular times of the day, but that of course begs the question: what the heck is the time for the en-route global traveller.

Dishes in business class include seared Cone Bay Barramundi with herb garlic potatoes, broccolini, lemon, olive and almond salsa, while in economy it’s a choice betweenchicken or beef.

Ten cabin crew will be onboard, though not constantly on duty – rest breaks are assigned.

Haute cuisine: the barramundi served to business-class passengers at 40,000 feet (Qantas)

And drink?

For many Qantas passengers, the standard drink choice is between white and red. But they may find themselves steered away from wine to healthier options.

These include “organic kombucha by Remedy, a live cultured, sparkling drink full of natural probiotics that assist with digestion”; lemon verbena chamomile and lemongrass herbal tea; cold pressed juice shots; and a “hot chocolate bedtime drink with the combination of warm milk and chocolate containing the sleep-inducing amino acid Tryptophan to help prompt the body’s sleep cycle”. But hopefully not all in the same glass.

What happens if it can’t land at the destination?

At the London end, if bad weather or other issues intervene, there is no problem: dozens of suitable alternativeairports are available. In Western Australia, it’s a different matter.

“Fog is a relatively uncommon occurrence at Perth,” say the airport authorities. But it adds: “Each year approximately a dozen fog events cause significant disruption to operations.” There are few alternatives; one is the Royal Australian Air Force base ofLearmonth, 700 miles north of Perth; another is Adelaide, 1,300 miles further east.

How bad will the jet lag be?

Jet lag depends on the number of time zones crossed. The first flight takes place at the start of British Summer Time, which is also when clocks in Western Australia go back an hour. So the time difference is only seven hours (though at the end of October it will increase to nine hours).

Going east from London to Perth, the flight arrives at 6am British time — not a bad time to touch down, particular for passengers who can stay outdoors and awake in Australia’s sunniest state capital until sundown; if they can sleep at 11pm Perth time (4pm London time), that should be counted a success.

Coming home, it looks tougher. Departure time is 11.45am British time. Arrival at Heathrow is just after noon, Perth time, which corresponds to 5.05am British time, a fairly horrible hour wherever you are. Try staying awake all day.

Won’t most people prefer to stop off and at least stretch their legs along the way?

Some will. In a Twitter poll[https://twitter.com/SimonCalder/status/807930887639855108] with over 1,200 responses, 40 per cent said they would prefer a nonstop, while 30 per cent would insist on an en-route pause. The remaining 30 per cent said it depended on price; strip those people out, and the nonstop crowd are 57:43 ahead.

For a one-stop option, the optimum stopover is Singapore; if you fly from Heathrow on one of the two morning flights on Singapore Airlines, or from Gatwick on Norwegian, you arrive in the city state early in the morning. Stay awake all day, then board the onward overnight flight, and you’ll be surprisingly well adjusted when you land — albeit completely knackered.

On board, can I Snapchat, tweet or Instagram my friends? Or tackle some emails?

No. Wifi is not fitted, though it is promised.

How green is it?

Not very green at all. The 787 is a fuel-efficient aircraft, and some fuel is saved by avoiding en-route touchdowns and take-offs. But the weight of the fuel needed for such a long haul adds up to a very high fuelconsumption per person.

British Airways used to fly from Heathrow to Perth with a stop in Mumbai (or Bombay as it was then), almost exactly halfway along. Flying with just enough fuel to reach Mumbai, and refuellingwith the correct amount to get to Perth, would use significantly less.

What are the world’s current longest flights?

The new route is not the world’s longest nonstop; the current record holder is Qatar Airways from Doha to Auckland[http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/worlds-longest-flight-doha-auckland-qatar-airways-london-heathrow-a7560531.html] (9,025 miles), just ahead of London-Perth. By the second half of 2018, Singapore Airlines plans to reinstate its 9,530-mile Singapore to New York route, which was dropped in 2013 because of high fuel costs.

From the UK, the longest hopsare both Heathrow links: to Jakarta onGarudaIndonesia (7,275 miles) and to Santiago de Chile on British Airways (7,248 miles). The new Qantas flight is almost a quarter longer.

1929-advertising.jpg, by

S.Calder@independent.co.uk

Will it make money?

“The early signs are very positive,” said Alan Joyce, the Qantas chief executive, when announcing the 2018 half-year profits.

Perth was chosen for the first Europe-Australia nonstop because it is the closest state capital. But it is also home to 184,000 British-born people, more than any other Australian city.

The 2014

Australian Social Trends

survey says: “Around one in every eight residents of Perth was born in the UK.” This isthe largest overseas-born population group found in any state capitalin Australia. By comparison, Sydney and Melbourne each have around 150,000 British expatriates, representing just over 4 per cent of the population in either city.

Qantas believes the UK-born migrants living in and around Perth, and their relatives in Britain,will be happy to pay extra for a nonstop, same-aircraftservice. Direct (one-stop) links between London and Perth ended a decade ago.

The Australian airlinewill have a monopoly on the nonstop route. British Airways has no intention at present of going into competition with Qantas with a nonstop flight, and low-cost, long-haul airlines such as Norwegian and Scoot do not have the business market that is needed for a route such as this.

Does the move signify a big expansion by Qantas?

No, it signifies exactlyopposite. Until 24 March, the London-Melbourne link (QF9/10) was operated via Dubai using an A380 Superjumbo with 484 seats (including 14 ultra-comfortable first class flat beds). The Boeing 787 deployed on the same flight numbers, only via Perth to Melbourne, has fewer than half as many, just 236. And no first class.

Over the course of a year, the number of seats offered by Qantas on direct flights falls by 181,000to 525,600.

While QF1/2 continues to link Heathrow and Sydney with an A380 (from later this month refuelling in Singapore, not Dubai), Qantas has not offered so few seats between the UK and Australia since the early 1970s.

What if I want to go further?

QF10 continues beyond Perth to Melbourne, and is the only direct (same plane) link between the UK and Australia’s second city. A typical fare in April is £944. The same fare applies to Adelaide, which has a good connection from Perth.

For the first time, Qantas can offer a one-stop link to Auckland, New Zealand, which puts it into competition with Asian and US airlines, as well as Air New Zealand.

Where next?

Qantas has asked Airbus and Boeing to come up with ultra-long-haul aircraft that could make London-Sydney viable. At 10,562 miles, it is one sixth longer than the new route to Perth.

The Australian airline may also consider some Continental European routes using the Boeing 787 from Perth. The European end need to be a big city in order to generate plenty of point-to-point traffic, but a good range of onward links will help. So Paris looks the first choice ahead of Amsterdam and Frankfurt.

An outside possibility is Athens-Melbourne. The distance is 9,265 miles, so only half an hour longer than London-Perth, and Melbourne claims to have the largest Greek population of any city outside Greece.

From the UK, the standout absentee from the ultra-long-haul map is Honolulu. The Hawaiian state capital is a key leisure destination and hub for the Pacific islands. Yet it is a complete pain to reach from Britain, typically involving nearly 12 hours to California and six more hours from there. The distance from London is the same as the Chilean capital, Santiago, comfortably reached in 15 hours by British Airways.

Heathrow to Honolulu would match the second-tier routes that are forming the basis of BA’s expansion in the US, with Austin and New Orleans existingexamples.Alternatively, Virgin Atlantic might consider the link. Aflight from Manchester to Honolulu would be shorter, and may be under consideration by Virgin Atlantic or TUI.

A HIGH-tech shoe insole with a mini-motor inside could prevent dangerous leg and foot ulcers.

The insole, called Footbeat, fits most shoes and keeps blood pumping through the feet and lower legs even when the patient is sitting or lying down.

It does this by pushing up a tiny ramp, covered in a cushioned pad, in the middle of the insole every 30 seconds. The pad presses on the arch of the foot for two seconds at a time, mimicking what happens when we walk.

This makes muscles in the foot and lower leg contract, forcing blood to keep moving through blood vessels, which happens automatically when we walk or run because of pressure on the bottom of the foot, but stops once we sit down.

The motor is controlled by a smartphone app, so the patient can activate it once they stop moving about. It will then raise and lower the insole arch until switched off.

The insole could help prevent a common complication of diabetes, where circulation in the lower limbs is damaged, raising the risk of amputation.

At least one diabetes patient in ten develops poor circulation in the legs and feet because high sugar levels in the blood thicken the walls of capillaries — tiny blood vessels — in the lower leg.

Even a slight cut can then develop into an open wound because, as circulation slows, the damaged skin is starved of the oxygen-rich blood and immune cells it needs to repair itself.

Such wounds often get bigger, as bacteria in them feed off the raised sugar levels, flourish and break down surrounding tissue.

The risks are heightened because diabetes patients often have nerve damage in their feet, so they feel little pain and are often unaware they have tiny injuries until these become infected and harder to heal.

Up to 40 per cent of diabetic ulcers take at least three months to mend, and in 14 per cent of cases wounds are still present after a year.

A technique similar to the insole foot compression has been used for years in hospitals to reduce the risk of clotting in patients after major surgery, but the equipment needed is bulky.

The Footbeat insole could provide the same benefits to patients while they go about their daily tasks, and may eventually allow patients to go home sooner after operations.

A 2013 study on an early prototype of the device, carried out at Wellington University in New Zealand, compared the motorised insole to compression stockings — widely used in the NHS to improve blood flow in the lower legs — in 20 healthy adults.

The results, published in the International Journal of Vascular Medicine, showed blood flow was higher with the insole.

The device, which was approved for use in the U.S. late last year, costs around £300 and the motor lasts for about two years.

Footbeat is expected to become available in the UK in the next two to three years.

Professor Andrea Nelson, a wound care expert at Leeds University, said: 'Improving blood flow may help in some conditions, such as leg ulcers, and this device has been shown to improve blood flow. But I'm not aware of any studies demonstrating that it increased healing of ulcerated skin.'

* MEANWHILE, taking probiotics — or 'friendly' bacteria — may help speed healing of diabetic ulcers, according to a study in the journal Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews. A group of 60 diabetes patients with quite deep foot ulcers were given a probiotic capsule containing four different 'good' bacteria, or a placebo, each day.

After three months, those who took the probiotic had reductions in ulcer length, width and depth — as well as reductions in their blood sugar and insulin levels compared with those who took the placebo. Researchers suggested probiotics reduce inflammation that can worsen the condition.

© Daily Mail

As many women will attest, sleepless nights and no time for pampering means it often seems motherhood fast-forwards the ageing process. But according to research at Bath University it's the number of children that's key to how a woman's looks are affected. Alice Smellie spoke to eight women with very different family situations about how their looks have stood the test of time. So can you tell who has no children, who has one or two and who has eight?

ONE CHILD

Suzan Clements, 58, is an author and property investor. She has a 26-year-old daughter, Alicia, and lives in Nottingham. She says:

I often get compliments about my youthful appearance but whether it's down to lucky genes or the fact I only had one baby, it's impossible to know. My mother had two children and she had great skin throughout her life.

I gave birth to Alicia at the age of 32 and was lucky enough to be back in my jeans after a fortnight.

Pre-pregnancy, I did lots of horse riding and ice skating, and ate very healthy food. I didn't put on much weight — you couldn't tell I was pregnant from behind.

Afterwards, I knew my body had lost its youthful tautness, but otherwise I felt completely normal.

Of course, I knew my baby would always come first, but I wasn't prepared to give in to frumpiness. I just had to learn to look after myself a different way.

I did a lot of walking when she was in a buggy. She was a good sleeper so I had plenty of energy, and I was still diet-conscious and making healthy choices. I had no interest in manicures or facials.

Alicia's father was incredibly helpful, which gave me a bit of time to myself. Having more children just didn't happen.

I cannot see any reason to blame having children for any part of the ageing process — you just need the discipline to stick to good habits.

I had a cancer diagnosis a few years ago, and refused conventional treatment. Throughout this time I continued with my healthy lifestyle. I eat linseed oil daily, and take vitamin D3 and probiotics.

I think that sometimes women are too swift to blame having children for being overweight or losing their figures.

THREE CHILDREN

Rachael Cresswell 37, a full-time mum, is married to Daniel, 34, a fisheries enforcement officer. They have three sons, Jaxon, three, Noah, two, and Cole, one, and live in Devon. Rachael says:

Of course children age you, and the more you have, the older you feel. It's just logic.

When I look at photos from my 20s, I see a different person. I just look so young and slim compared to the woman I am now.

The worst thing is the lack of sleep, and with three young children there's a very high chance that someone will wake up in the middle of the night needing Calpol or reassurance.

Then you get up in the morning with dark circles and an overwhelming desire for carbohydrates. I've gone from a size 8-10 before I had children to a size 12.

I put it down to not having time to prepare low-calorie meals, as well as the fact that I didn't have much time to lose weight between having my babies.

I have noticed the odd wrinkle creeping in and I do cleanse, tone and moisturise diligently — using Dermalogica products. I'm not sure children have necessarily speeded up the lines and grey hair. It's more that I look tired, and I have developed eyebags. That's the worst thing.

When I look at friends who have no children, they look refreshed and relaxed. But I do think children fill you with their energy and youth, so I still feel young inside. There is so much ahead to look forward to, which makes me feel younger.

Five years ago, I was the town centre manager for Torquay, and loved my job. I was very ambitious. Then I had a baby and discovered that I adore being a mother. I haven't set foot in an office since.

The happiness I feel with my family is worth any extra wrinkle. I wouldn't swap it for the world.

ONE CHILD

Charity worker Katy Meaney, 32, has a 14-month-old son, James. In September, she is getting married to her fiance, Nathan, 27, an account manager, with whom she lives in Wolverhampton. She says:

I'm not sure how beneficial these studies are because there's not much you can do about pregnancy or child-related ageing!

I only have one child, yet I feel far older than I did a couple of years ago. My body is less taut than it used to be, I've got joint pain from carrying James around and am mentally exhausted.

Then there are the effects of broken sleep on skin — mine looks dull and drained. And to think that I used to be asked for ID until I had James . . .

As well as not having time to apply make-up or blow-dry hair, a lot of my hair fell out after he was born — which saps your confidence. I was never primped to perfection, but I don't even put on a bit of foundation and lip gloss these days, and my regular hair cut and colour and nail extensions are long gone.

It's as much about expense as anything else. I think it's been a year since I went to the salon.

If possible, we'd like three children, so I can only imagine that things are going to get worse.

It's lucky that worrying about the toll that motherhood may have on my body is something I don't have the time or energy to consider!

SEVEN CHILDREN

Siobhan Hencher, 40, a yoga teacher, is married to Michael, 44, a policeman. They have seven children aged between three and 15, and live in Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire. Siobhan says:

People never believe it when I tell them I have seven children. I'm fortunate to look quite young for my age, and I also behave in a youthful way.

Of course, I think that thousands of sleepless nights have physically aged me — I don't feel as sprightly as I used to, and I know I've the odd wrinkle and grey hair — but it doesn't bother me too much.

At least these days, I know I'm likely to get a good night's sleep. For the past 18 months, I haven't been woken up at night.

The downside of the children being older now is that I have to stay up later — picking kids up from activities at 10 o'clock three nights a week, so I'm on the go for far longer.

I practise a lot of yoga and I think that really helps — it keeps me flexible, toned and destresses me, which, in turn, helps prevent the lines forming. I also run yoga classes, called Yogabellies, for mothers-to-be and post-pregnancy women, and children's yoga, as well as doing voluntary work in the beautiful garden at the same centre where the classes are held.

When it comes to looking after myself, most nights I'm lucky if I even take off my make-up. I use Neal's Yard Remedies skincare because I prefer natural products, and these suit my skin.

I'm the youngest of five children and my mother was one of nine. A bustling home with an open door and lots of noise is quite normal for me, so I always wanted a large family myself.

Perhaps it's being so contented with my life that is keeping me looking youthful.

EIGHT CHILDREN

Hayley Edwardson, 45, is a lecturer in public health and health promotion. Currently studying for her PhD, she has eight children, aged between 11 and 30. She is married to Jason, 45, a mechanical engineer and lives in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. She says:

If people know in advance that I've got eight children, they can be surprised when we finally meet.

I think there is an unflattering preconception of how a woman with eight children will look — that is frumpy and overweight. People sometimes say I look younger than my age, but I don't have time to give my looks a thought, so it must be just luck and good genes. I became pregnant at the age of 14 and hid it from my parents until I was in labour. Having a baby so young meant I had to put my dream of being a doctor on hold.

Fortunately, I have an incredibly supportive family. Jason is my second husband, and I have three children with him.

Now I'm studying for a PhD, and don't have the time or the inclination to dye my hair or have my nails done. I believe in letting nature take its course.

I genuinely believe having a big family has kept me young. The upside is that I have never had time to party — all of which adds to the ageing process far more than a few sleepless nights.

Yes, there has been a lot of stress — aged 12 my eldest was knocked off his bike and was on life-support for a few days. But children force you to keep going, and having a big family has never diminished my personal ambitions.

I want to show my children that you can't let circumstances and situations define who you are.

NO CHILDREN

Hannah GrisT, 35, is a marketing assistant. She lives in Newport, Gwent, with her boyfriend Joe, 33. She says:

It's ironic that as I decide I'm finally ready to consider babies, I've also noticed the ageing process starting to take its toll, and that's without going through pregnancy and childbirth!

I've always looked quite young for my age, but at the end of last year I developed a frown line between my eyes.

Every time I looked in the mirror it looked bigger, so when my boyfriend gave me money for Christmas I spent it on Botox.

I've also spent £200 on microblading my eyebrows and I like to have regular lash extensions which cost £45 for a full set, as well as going to the gym regularly.

I'd like to think children wouldn't change my habits, but I can be quite self-indulgent and wouldn't want to stop my salon visits.

TWO CHILDREN

Kim Thursfield, 29, is married to Matthew, 35, a production manager at a drama school. She owns the Make Believe theatre schools in Kent, and they have two daughters, Alana, three, and seven-month-old Mila. She says:

I loathed pregnancy. During my last one, I suffered with a condition which causes pain in the pelvis and could barely walk for six months — I even needed a walking stick to hobble around.

After giving birth I quickly got back to normal, except for the baby weight. I've always been curvy, but more like a size 12, whereas now I'm a size 16.

However, there's simply no time to pound the treadmill at the gym. I am so busy working and looking after my children.

I forget to eat and then catch up with junk food just to keep myself going. But once they're a bit older I'm determined to stop my bad food habits, find time to go to the gym and lose the weight.

What won't go are the wrinkles I think I've developed since having children. It's down to the stress of juggling babies while trying to run a business at the same time.

I slap on Clarins night cream every night, but it's a losing battle. As the first of my friends to have children, I notice they look far younger —with fewer wrinkles and nicer clothes and hair, while I'm in a comfy tracksuit.

At least I'll be enjoying my second youth (wrinkles and all) just as they descend into the madness of  motherhood.

NO CHILDREN

Mandy Wescott, 56, works in pensions. She lives in Frome, Somerset, with her husband Tony, 57, who works in the same industry. Mandy says:

There's no doubt children age you prematurely — I have definitely met people with children who look older than their age.

Additionally, while my husband has a few grey hairs, his sisters — both of whom have children — are almost entirely grey.

I never wanted children. My father died when I was three, and it was just me and my mother, so perhaps that's why. Not having them means I have masses of time to exercise and look after myself. I do Zumba classes twice a week, and until recently I saw a personal trainer.

I'd say I look younger than my years — I've always had enough sleep — and life is on an even keel with little stress.

Work can get fraught at times, but I know I can go home and relax at the end of the day.

We've always worked hard, and have a nice house and car, with plenty of holidays. That's a recipe for an anti-ageing life!

© Daily Mail

March 12 (Reuters) - Ritter Pharmaceuticals Inc:

* RITTER PHARMACEUTICALS REPORTS MICROBIOME DATA FROM PHASE 2B STUDY OF RP-G28 PROMOTES BENEFICIAL ADAPTATION OF THE GUT MICROBIOME

* RITTER PHARMACEUTICALS INC - ‍DURING PHASE 2A STUDY, OBSERVED AN INCREASE IN BIFIDOBACTERIA, WHICH WERE CONFIRMED IN LARGER PHASE 2B STUDY​

* RITTER PHARMACEUTICALS INC - ‍PHASE 3 CLINICAL TRIAL OF RP-G28 FOR TREATMENT OF LACTOSE INTOLERANCE IN Q2 2018​ Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage:

IBS can cause severe discomfort and is often difficult to treat as patients have different triggers

Irritable bowel syndrome may be inherited. It is linked to oversensitive nerves in the gut, causing debilitating pains and cramps among other symptoms. But there are ways to manage it and reduce its impact on your life.

Consider medication

Speak to your doctor about what is recommended for your particular type of IBS. If you have IBS with constipation (IBS-C), then laxatives could help. These range from osmotic laxatives, which increase water inside the colon, to cathartic laxatives, which stimulate the colon walls, although the latter may not be effective long-term. If you have IBS with diarrhoea (IBS-D), then over-the-counter medications such as loperamide can help control your symptoms.

Try probiotics

Research[https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/probiotics-for-ibs] has suggested that changes in gut flora may trigger IBS by increasing inflammation and altering digestive motility. For some people, probiotics – available in capsules, powders and yoghurts – can alleviate symptoms, balancing gut flora by inhibiting the growth of disease-causing bacteria, slowing down bowel movements and fighting inflammation.

Move to a high-fibre diet

If you have IBS-C or IBS-D, then increasing dietary fibre with fruit, vegetables, beans, whole-grain breads and cereals may relieve symptoms. High-fat meals can cause problems by inducing vigorous colon contractions more rapidly than usual, which can trigger cramping and diarrhoea. However, IBS has quite a wide spectrum and only one in six IBS patients experience improvements from this diet. Others find that it worsens symptoms, and may benefit from a different regime such as a ketogenic (low carb) diet, aimed at reducing inflammation.

Take exercise

Research has suggested[https://www.everydayhealth.com/ibs/ibs-and-exercise.aspx] that 30 minutes of exercise, such as walking at a moderate pace, five days a week can significantly help to ease common symptoms such as constipation and abdominal cramps. It is best to consult your doctor about what exercise regime may be suitable, but try to keep a routine so you exercise at the same time each day and avoid exercising within an hour of meals.

Reduce your stress levels

Stress is widely thought to trigger IBS, partly because of the neural connections between the brain and the gut, and any external stressors make the mind more aware of painful colon spasms. IBS may be an auto-immune disorder, and the immune system is heavily affected by stress. Try to make time in your day for relaxation sessions and, if you have a stressful life, consider taking up yoga or meditation, or practise breathing exercises.

Keep a food diary

IBS patients have different triggers, so keep a daily diary of all the foods and drinks that make your symptoms flare up. If you experience bloating, you may want to try eliminating gas-producing foods such as resistant starch (found in cold potatoes and bread), beans, cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, and carbonated drinks. Fructose, found in sweet vegetables and fruit, can also trigger diarrhoea, gas and bloating in IBS sufferers, and it is worth remembering that one in 10 IBS sufferers are lactose intolerant, so minimising dairy products can provide relief. Caffeine can make diarrhoea worse, so limit coffee and tea to three cups a day.

Try peppermint oil

Studies have shown[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4965625/] that peppermint oil may be effective in reducing the severity of abdominal cramps and spasms, bloating and the intensity of bowel movement urgency and pain when passing stools, particularly in patients with IBS-D. Try purchasing enteric-coated peppermint oil, specially coated tablets that slowly release the oil in the small intestine.

editor Marianne Jones @mariannejonesuk Gen Nude Powder Blush in You Had Me At Merlot, £22, Bare Minerals (bareminerals.co.uk)

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'This vegan day cream is packed with antioxidants as well as ginger, matcha tea and goji berries. It left my skin feeling soft and not sticky.' beauty director Sonia Haria @soniaharia Superstart Probiotic Boost Skin RENEWALBIOCELLULOSEMASK,£40 for four, Elizabeth Arden (boots.com)

'I love a good sheet mask - and this is a brilliant option. It's not too slimy or slippery.' Le Jour Se Lève, £185 for 100ml edp, Les Parfums Louis Vuitton (louisvuitton.com)

'This fresh, sparkly citrus scent from Vuitton is my new go-to perfume for spring. Plus, it looks so smart on my dressing table.' Marine Hyaluronics, £5.90, The Ordinary (theordinary.com)

'You can't go wrong with this deeply hydrating serum from The Ordinary - with a pretty extraordinary price tag.' beauty editor Dominique Temple @ddtemple Phyto-Lip Twist Matte Tinted Balm in Ballet, £32.50, Sisley (sisley-paris.com)

'I've worn Sisley's Phyto-Lip for years and am emotionally attached to it. This new matt texture is a great switch-up.' THEMOISTURIZINGCOOLGEL Cream, £120, La Mer (cremedelamer.co.uk)

'The clasic, rebooted. I love this new light gel texture as it is so gentle on my blemishprone skin.' #PSILOVEYOU Candle, £65, Maison Ves (maison-ves.com)

'I am obsessed with candles and love to upcycle the jar as a holder for my never-ending collection of lip liners.'

Staying healthy has never been harder work.As a kid, I was just told to play outside till I got a nice sunburn, plus eat lots of meat and drink my morning OJ.Today you're not advised to do any of those things - and health rules are more complex. The list of dos and don'ts is updated hourly, like the weather forecast.The institute of "They say" churns out new advice all the time - saying the opposite of whatever they once said.So just what are "they" saying now, that you should know?

EASIER EXERCISE

If you're guilted out by all the daily fitness freaks jogging by your door, sporting pedometers that boast 400,000 steps a day, you can relax.A huge British study recently found that "weekend warriors" who cram their exercise into one or two days are just as healthy as five-day-a-weekers - and just as likely to live longer than couch potatoes.You do need 150 minutes of "moderate exercise" each week - but if running, biking or ultimate Frisbee isn't your thing, try this expert-authorized Freed workout: Take a 30-minute brisk walk, followed by two hours of washing the car, mowing the lawn, mopping the floors and raking the leaves.Your body will glow, and so will your car.

SUPERFOODS

These are the new holy grail of healthy eating, if you can just remember what they are - because they change every day in mysterious fashion.Is your oatmeal stone cut? Is your nut milk yogurt probiotic? Is your seaweed pita sandwich glucose-free, gluten free and free of free radicals? Which have more anti-aging, anti-oxidants: Amazonian acai berries or Chinese goji berries? Does that tiny label on your pumpkin muffin say local, or lo-cal? And did you know turmeric is the new avocado?

LOAD UP ON LATTE

If you can't keep up with the daily kale guidelines, at least try to OD on coffee, which has so many recently discovered benefits, it's due to become a superfood any hour.We used to be warned coffee makes you edgy and sleepless. But a recent worldwide mega-study has shown that those drinking the most coffee have less risk of diabetes, heart disease and some cancers - as well as more chance of finding parking spots.

Java is now a trendy, brainboosting energy supplement with companies churning out highly caffeinated waters, seltzers and lollipops - often brainboosted with grass-fed, unsalted butter."They say" you need three to five cuppa javas daily to get any real benefit. Women who drink six a day reportedly have a 15 per cent lower risk of premature death from anything - though I'm guessing they're always edgy and sleepless.Meanwhile, my other favourite morning drink has taken a mugging. For years, I counted orange juice as one of my five daily veggies, and part of my "balanced" diet.Now they say OJ and other fruit juices have so much sugar you might as well drink Coke for breakfast. So it may soon be last call at your local juice bar.

STAND TALL

We all know sitting is the new smoking - and if I were smart, I'd be writing this column on my laptop while running on a StairMaster.Standing desks are all the rage, at least until a new study finds lying down is healthier than standing, and Bureau en Gros starts selling reclining sofadesks.If you can't stand standing while you work, try my remedy and join another trend:

START FIDGETING

More and more studies find fidgeting can increase blood flow and stave off many dangers of sitting. Toe-tapping, hair-twirling, pencil-drumming and other tics that annoy your co-workers are actually forms of "desk-ercise."

Many online health sites say fidgeting is also a weight-loss method that can knock off more than 300 calories a day and 30 pounds a year, if you're an extreme fidgeter.

You don't need much equipment to be fidgetly fit: Just sit in an uncomfortable chair and wear itchy, tight, uncomfortable clothing.

Then bob your head, twiddle your thumbs or tap your toes at meetings. The more you squirm, the more calories you burn.

Despite the above, take all these studies with a grain of saltfree wheatgrass. The truth is that whatever you do, the studies will change and eventually say the opposite.

For now, just remember eggs are off all the experts'bad-foryou lists and on many new superfood ones.

So enjoy the moment. In fact, when the world's oldest woman died several months ago, at the age of 117, they reported she had rarely eaten any vegetables, which she hated.

Her daily diet was three eggs - two of them raw - with a little mincemeat.

So all you really need to do to have a long, fit and healthy life is share her diet - along with her gene pool. Joshfreed49@gmail.com

I take another sip of my pint because the thing in front of me doesn't make sense, while beer does. It's my first knitting lesson and something has gone terribly wrong. There are four of us at a board-game cafe where my friend, a veteran of many sweaters, tuques, and mittens, is teaching us how to manage a basic knit stitch. My swatch-a supposedly simple undertaking designed to practise fundamentals-has inexplicably doubled in width in the course of the last 10 minutes. I'm almost distraught enough to suggest we call it a night and pull out Game of Thrones trivia instead. Then I remember the gorgeous sweater pattern I found online, which prompted this whole quest.

I swallow the beer and my pride and ask my friend to have a look. A short investigation reveals the problem. "You've been using some advanced techniques," she says kindly.

"You'll use those yarn-overs eventually if you want to knit lace." I take another sip. She explains a fix and sets me back to work.

Hobbies have been around for as long as people have had time to kill, but really came into their own in the 18th century alongside industrialization, when the middle class was born and had some spare time. Hobbies have changed over the centuries since (sorry, philatelists), but their purpose hasn't. A hobby is distinct from other activities, like whatever you do for work or a Netflix binge, in that it is done for pleasure, requires some skill and has a satisfying outcome.

Knitting is the latest in my lifelong pursuit of hobbies. It follows black-and-white photography, writing Harry Potter fan fiction, cross-stitching, baking bread, craft cocktails, and collecting spoons featuring cities I've heard of, among other diversions.

Some of these hobbies become passionate pastimes that last years, but mostly, the early butterflies shrivel and I move on. I'm fickle. I want my hobby to be the perfect balance of challenge and creative outlet. But it can't be too challenging-I want to be good at it sooner rather than later. Hardly anybody wants any spoon collection. Nobody wants a bad spoon collection.

My earliest hobbies were collections. In the early 1990s, I was immensely proud of my collection of Troll dolls. Those Trolls, with their beady eyes, were pretty freaky compared to the adorable modern models, but I loved them anyway. Their vertical hair was my obsession and the coloured gems in their bellies were the only bling that mattered. I was good at getting the grown-ups in my life to help me rack up a pile 30 strong before age seven. The Trolls'sturdy construction meant their heads couldn't be ripped off, a hobby my little brother had undertaken with my Barbie collection.

Collections are nice, but beware of the line where a hobby becomes hoarding. And an accidental collection is troubling, too. That's what happened when 11-year-old me casually mentioned that dragons were pretty cool, thus setting myself up for years of gifts of dragon statuettes, figurines, faux mink blankets and, eventually, a romance novel starring a dragon slayer. (It's not a collection that I planned on, but maybe it'll prove beneficial when we finally do play Game of Thrones trivia.) I've dedicated a whole wing of my hobby mausoleum to artistic and cultural pursuits. These hobbies are especially easy to give up because they require specialized skills, and it's really obvious when those skills are lacking. My ego-occasionally as fragile as a Barbie's neck plug-often intrudes to remind me, "You can't fail if you don't try hard." A hobby has got to be really impressive to get me to push past that ready-made excuse, that fear of failure.

Videography was a huge part of my youth, starting with my dad's shoulder-mount JVC camcorder. It used full-sized VHS tapes and packed away into its own suitcase. When, as a teenager, I upgraded to a handheld model I considered myself something of a documentarian. However, I tended to skip the crucial steps of writing, editing and screening a film. It was fun but, with my basic skills, never went anywhere, so I ended things. For similar reasons, I broke up with website building-a constant entertainment through my high school years-and dumped my pursuit of becoming an above-average photographer, a field that became too competitive when everyone acquired smartphones.

Amateur athletic pursuits are hobbies, too. I was a tinier-than-average second-grader when I asked my mom if I could start playing soccer. She worried that the other kids were much bigger than me but, not wanting me to worry about my stature, she pointed out that soccer involved a hell of a lot of running. That changed my mind quickly. Because, ugh, running. I put that dream aside. Several years later, I watched Canada's women's hockey team win gold at the Salt Lake City Olympics. I was in love. It wasn't just the hockey; it was the fact there were women playing it. I was enchanted by the prospect that there was still room in this sport for new athletes, even those who were teenagers who'd barely worn skates before. I had stars in my eyes.

When, at 14, I went to my first hockey tryout, I spent the hour falling down and trying not to cry. I didn't realize it then, but I was experiencing an important moment. The moment when you realize that to get good you'll need to work hard and through a lot of bruises. It's the point where I often give up, but that time I was motivated to dig in. I really wanted to get better.

I did not become a great hockey player, but I had a lot of fun trying. I preferred scoring goals and winning games, but enjoying hockey for the experience was pretty good, too. Later, other athletic pursuits were added to my hobby graveyard: spin class (is it a hobby if you hated it, but did it anyway?), yoga (I only went when it was free), and Rollerblading (may have lasted longer had I invested in knee pads). I gave up hockey when I entered university, even though I could have at least tried out for the school's team.

I got more casual with my hobbies in my 20s. I bought a saxophone after graduating high school, flirting with the idea that I could continue the magic of band class by joining a rock band. I shelved the horn for a decade before finally accepting the relationship hadn't worked out and selling it online. Imaginary me is much more interesting than real-life me. Imaginary me is ceaselessly ambitious. Actual me is more cautiously optimistic about life. Seeing potential in the future is a good start, at least.

I became a vegetarian (in part to woo a vegan) and, while learning to cook for my new lifestyle, I decided to get into food blogging. I was captivated by how the blog elevated a meal to project status. I liked having a final product so quickly and I was a pretty good cook. Then, a year or so into it, I lost momentum. I'd started to compare my project to others as the food blogosphere became oversaturated. I ghosted my own blog.

Post-blog, I had time to fill. A new hobby hunt was underway. In short order, I courted wire jewelry-making, loom-knitting, feathered headband-crafting and cross-stitching. I guess I had a type, because these all had common attractive features and they were all brief dalliances. First, it was fun to get the supplies to make things: glass beads, copper wire, glue guns, yarn, embroidery floss, and feathers. Second, I dabbled more than I committed, teaching myself through trial, error and YouTube rather than going to a professional. Third, the stuff I made was never gorgeous, though I could fake it by buying the expensive beads. I see now that these were all shallow attractions. They were a nice break from staring at a screen, but I wasn't getting that crucial deeper sense of accomplishment and possibility. I'd grown far beyond filling my idle hands with Troll dolls or cheap yarn. I wanted to develop some practical and creative skills, to finally finish things and be satisfied with the end result.

I decided I'd need to invest in a hobby if I wanted to get good, so I signed up for a two-day sourdough bread course. In two evenings at the bakery, I learned way more than I'd figured out in six months of self-teaching wire jewelry techniques. Sourdough takes more time and attention than the stuff made with commercial yeast, but done right makes for a chewy, flavourful loaf. In class one day, my instructor told me with a shrug that almost nobody continues to bake sourdough at home after the class because it's so much work.

Challenge accepted. For several months, my household was spoiled with quite good sourdough. And then I found my resolve waning.

It was a lot of work. I had to feed the starter culture daily with flour and water. It took five minutes, but became a chore I skipped almost as skillfully as I avoided cleaning the cat box. The novelty had worn off. I put my starter in the fridge to hibernate and vowed to pull it out again. Eventually. Probably.

Sourdough proved to be a gateway into fermented foods for me.

Fermented foods, like sauerkraut and kimchee, are currently popular because they can contain probiotics, which are good for your gut but also just taste deliciously tangy. I like kombucha, but bristle at paying $6 a bottle for fermented tea. I asked a fermenting friend for her SCOBY (the "symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast" required for fermentation). I was starting to put together the pieces of my perfect hobby: the outcome must be better than the sum of its parts and it requires a gentle learning curve. Making a batch of kombucha is as simple as brewing a cup of strong, sweet tea, watering it down in a large jar, adding the SCOBY and some previously brewed kombucha and waiting for a week. It only gets more complex when it comes to an optional second fermentation, which adds more carbonation and is a chance to experiment with flavours.

I'm coming up on a year of kombucha-making now and have, predictably, started to slip in my preparations. The real downside of making kombucha is that if you let it ferment too long, it can shift into vinegar territory and with this comes the smell of stinky feet. But I have no plan to chisel a headstone for my kombucha. It just needs a little injection of creativity to keep it fresh.

Kombucha led me to milk kefir, a fermented yogurt-like beverage.

I hopped online to see if the rumours were true, and if I could get kefir grains (the stuff that turns milk into kefir rather than just curdled milk) from a nice local hippy. I found someone selling kefir grains for $5 a tablespoon. The kefir grains multiply every time they're used to culture milk, so that was all the investment I needed for a lifetime of kefir-making. When, empty jar in hand, I knocked on the seller's door, a child answered. It turns out the man's children-five of them under age 10-were in on the kefir cult way ahead of me. They told me all the ways they eat their milk kefir (in smoothies, on cereal, over pancakes) while their dad gave me the lowdown on his simple daily routine: strain the grains, put the milk kefir in the fridge (or consume immediately), add the grains to a clean jar with fresh milk for another 24 to 48 hours. It was warm and welcoming, if a little weird, and I like a little weird in a hobby, too.

With milk kefir, I had some more hobby data: I needed an end result good enough to share with friends, and it needed to fit into my life without becoming a chore.

On a once-in-a-lifetime visit to Stockholm last summer, I made it my mission to buy a very nice Swedish sweater. Only, I didn't know that very nice Swedish sweaters tend to be very, very expensive. I wondered how hard it would be to knit a sweater. People have been knitting for hundreds of years, so it must be achievable for less than 3,000 Swedish krona (about $470). In the past, I'd often flirted with the idea of knitting, but found it intimidating. Plus, I already owned enough tuques to shelter more heads than I would ever have. But I saw potential in a hand-knit sweater.

Back home, a friend mentioned she was going to give knitting lessons to another friend and asked if I would like to join. That sounded like fate to me and I opted in enthusiastically. She immediately gave me homework: find knitting projects to aspire to. I was in love with all the possibilities and gleefully bookmarked patterns for colourful sweaters and lacy scarves with no clue how far ahead of myself I was getting.

At that first lesson, when my knitting teacher explained my initial errors, and the many that followed, I imagined how long it would've taken me to figure out what was wrong on my own. I wouldn't have even known what to Google to get me out of the holes I was knitting. I could clearly see the point where I would've typically given up and I was grateful for her help.

I'm three months into knitting, and while the results come a lot more slowly than a daily glass of kefir, the hobby has already proven satisfying. This week, I started my first sweater.

It turns out, when searching for The One, you don't need to find a hobby that lasts a lifetime. The right hobby is like a job, a relationship, or a pair of jeans. You've got to find the right match for you at a certain time in life. It's not about impressing someone else but impressing yourself with what you can do when you push past the bruises.

Now, I'm just pondering my next new hobby. There's always room for one more. I'm thinking, collage.

Probiotics and fish oil supplements during pregnancy and breast-feeding may reduce the risk for food allergies and eczema in early childhood, researchers report.

In a review of hundreds of studies, they found 19 randomized controlled trials with strong evidence showing that compared to no supplements, probiotics taken after the 36th week of pregnancy and the first months of lactation were associated with a 22 percent reduction in the risk for eczema in children.

They also analyzed six randomized trials with solid evidence that women who took omega-3 fatty acid supplements during pregnancy and lactation reduced the risk for childhood allergic reaction to eggs, the most common food allergy, by 31 percent.

The meta-analysis, in PLOS Medicine[http://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1002507], found no evidence that avoiding certain foods or taking vitamin and mineral supplements during pregnancy had any effect on childhood eczema or food allergy.

Fish oil has known anti-inflammatory effects, which may explain why it may reduce the risk for food allergies, but the reasons for the possible effect of probiotics on the risk for eczema is unknown.

“Our findings indicate that guideline committees need to evaluate the acceptability and safety of fish oil and probiotics,” said the lead author, Vanessa Garcia-Larsen, an assistant professor of nutrition at Johns Hopkins. “These findings can inform policy, and we hope that guidelines will be revised to reflect them.”

* Taking Fish Oil During Pregnancy Is Found to Lower Child’s Asthma Risk[https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/28/health/fish-oil-asthma-pregnancy.html]

* For Sore Throat, Xylitol and Probiotics Offer No Benefits Over Placebo[https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/21/well/live/for-sore-throat-xylitol-and-probiotics-offer-no-benefits-over-placebo.html]

* Ask Well: Fish Oil Supplements for Dry Eye?[https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/10/05/ask-well-fish-oil-supplements-for-dry-eye/]

Overweight mothers are more likely to have overweight babies, and the gut bacteria the babies inherit may in part be to blame.

Researchers report that overweight mothers are more likely to have a cesarean section, and that babies born by cesarean to those mothers have species of gut bacteria different from those in babies born to normal weight women. And that difference in the gut microbiome -- specifically an abundance of bacteria of the family Lachnospiraceae in infants of overweight mothers -- may contribute to an increased risk for obesity.

The study included 935 mother-infant pairs. Compared to children born to normal weight mothers, those born vaginally to overweight women were more than three times as likely to be overweight by age 3. But C-section babies born to overweight mothers were more than five times as likely to be overweight.

For normal weight mothers, vaginal or C-section delivery made no difference in the risk for overweight babies.

The study, in JAMA Pediatrics, controlled for breast-feeding, antibiotic exposure and other factors.

The senior author, Anita L. Kozyrskyj, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Alberta, said that there is no probiotic that would lead to a positive change in gut bacteria.

''If a cesarean is unavoidable, there is no easy answer,'' she added, ''but breast-feeding is effective in helping to prevent infants from becoming overweight.''

Broccoli. It may keep your gut healthy. Mice fed broccoli had fewer digestive problems according to U.S. research. The green veg compounds maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria and help protect its lining.

© Daily Mail

Fruit-flavoured vitamin gummies aren't just for children any more — you can now buy versions for grown-ups, too. These chewy vitamins include products that provide just vitamin C or D, and multivitamins to boost your immune system, or even 'regulate hormonal activity' in women over 50.

But as Good Health has discovered, these products can be packed with sugar and contain lower levels of nutrients than vitamin tablets. Nor are they cheap.

All the products we looked at listed a form of sugar as the first ingredient. In many cases there was more than one type of sugar — for example in Bioglan Men's VitaGummies (60 soft gummies, £9.99) the first ingredient is glucose syrup and the second is sucrose; Boots Multivitamin gummies (30 gummies, £3.99) contain these sugars plus the sweetener sorbitol.

Some brands have a teaspoon of sugar in a daily serving — Nature's Way Alive! Women's 50+ gummy vitamins (75 gummies, £9.37) contain 4g sugar in three gummies.

'The biggest issue with taking these vitamins is inadvertently increasing your sugar intake,' says Harry McArdle, a professor of biomedical sciences at the University of Aberdeen. And using sweeteners may not make them any more virtuous, he adds. 'There is evidence that sweeteners can increase appetite. It's not entirely clear how but one theory is that they interfere with appetite sensors in the brain.'

There is also the effect these 'sweets' can have on dental health, particularly as they will stick to teeth, adds Anna Daniels, a registered dietitian in Harrogate. She adds: 'Because they look like sweets, people can easily eat more than they should, which raises a number of health issues.' For example in excess certain sweeteners such as sorbitol, mannitol and maltitol can cause gastrointestinal problems.

'The compounds are incompletely absorbed in the small intestine and travel to the large intestine where they are fermented by bacteria — releasing gas,' explains Peter Whorwell, a professor in medicine and gastroenterology at the University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Trust. 'It always surprises me how sensitive some people are and reactions can occur after just a few sweets in those who are sensitive and are more likely in people with irritable bowel syndrome. It causes diarrhoea, bloating and discomfort.'

And what happens if you tuck into more than the recommended dose of vitamins simply because gummies are so like sweets?

While there's no significant risk for overdosing on water-soluble vitamins (including vitamin C and B vitamins) as these are removed in urine, fat-soluble vitamins (including vitamins A, D, E and K) are potentially toxic in large doses as these cannot be removed easily from the body. They can build up in certain tissues and may cause eye and liver problems or a loss of bone density, says Clare Thornton-Wood of the British Dietetic Association.

But you'd have to eat quite a few to get these adverse effects. For example Centrum MultiGummies (30 gummies, £6.49) provide 660mcg of vitamin A in two gummies — more than 80 per cent of our recommended daily level. The NHS recommends an absolute maximum of 1.5mg a day.

The major appeal of gummy vitamins is the simplicity of getting these nutrients — but you may be short-changed if you rely on them or simply switch from what looks like the same product in tablet form, as many of the gummies contain fewer nutrients.

For example Boots Multivitamin gummies provide ten nutrients (including vitamins A, D, E, C, B6 and folic acid); while the Boots multivitamins (30 capsules, £3.79) provide 23. The capsules also contain bifidobacteria, a 'good' bacterium that boosts gut health.

Similarly Centrum MultiGummies provide ten nutrients, whereas the Centrum multivitamins for men and women each provide 24. In many cases the dose for nutrients is higher in the tablets than the gummies.

Why gummies contain fewer nutrients is unclear. It may be due to cost in formulating the chewy sweet, or an issue with taste, suggests Clare Thornton-Wood, as certain nutrients including iron have a taste that's hard to disguise. Experts agree a healthy diet is better than supplements in any form.

'For those reluctant to take pills, a gummy vitamin seems like a great option as people think they are getting the best of both worlds — something sweet that's healthy,' says Jane Ogden, a professor in health psychology at the University of Surrey. 'But in time this is harmful as it legitimises not eating properly and people stop making an effort to get these nutrients from a healthy, varied diet.'

And that, says Professor Nita Forouhi, of the MRC Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge, means you'd miss out on the 'myriad benefits in real foods'.

© Daily Mail

People who have travelled to areas of the world with high rates of antibiotic resistant bacteria such as South Asia and the Middle East are more likely to carry superbugs, a new study has found.

Even having a housemate who has travelled to these areas increases the chance of carrying resistant gut bacteria called ESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae, the research showed.

In central Birmingham infection rates were found to be as much as three times higher than other parts of the UK because of the city's links to South Asia.

Enterobacteriaceae are bacteria such as E.coli and Klebsiella which everyone carries in their bowel harmlessly and with no symptoms. Yet occasionally they can get into the wrong part of the body and cause wounds, urinary tract, lung and bloodstream infections which can be deadly.

They are part of the gram negative family of bacteria known to be becoming much more resistant to antibiotics. If the bacteria have ESBL genes they are resistant to two classes of antibiotics – penicillins and cephalosporins – normally used to treat these infections. This forces doctors to turn to other drugs. Once a person becomes colonised with these superbugs they remain in their gut for six months to a year.

“The findings show the problem of antibiotic resistance is global and that bugs bred in one country quickly spread to another due to global travel”, Professor Peter Hawkey, a microbiologist at the University of Birmingham, who carried out the research, told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism.

It is overuse and misuse of antibiotics that has led to bacteria with ESBL genes forming, and they are just one type of superbug. Across many parts of Asia and other developing countries it is possible to buy antibiotics over the counter with no prescription or diagnosis, for use on humans and on livestock. This has led to unchecked and inappropriate consumption, which fuels resistance to the drugs.

Issues with hygiene, water and sanitation in many low and middle income countries exacerbates the problem as it means high numbers of people suffer infectious diseases and carry resistant bacteria in their guts.

“We can’t think that antibiotic resistance is someone else’s problem; it isn’t.” Professor Hawkey said. “Poor sanitation and antibiotic control in one country affects another. We’re all interconnected, we’re all travelling more. The people that are more likely to travel to parts of the world where these bacteria are common are the ones more likely to be carrying them.

“The results show the perfect storm that is gram negative antibiotic resistance. It’s a quiet storm, it’s not a dramatic outbreak, but it could have dramatic effects .”

Currently around 5,000 people are thought to die of resistant infections every year in the UK, though experts say the real figure is likely to be much higher. A government-commissioned review found 700,000 people are dying every year worldwide, with this figure set to rise to 10m by 2050 if no action is taken.

Currently doctors adhere to specific guidelines when they suspect a patient has a resistant infection, such as changing their course of antibiotics or isolating them in a single room so they cannot spread the bacteria to other patients.

“Doctors should take into account this study’s findings and consider a patient’s travel history if they come into hospital with an infection suspected to be from ESBL bacteria”, Prof Hawkey said.

The study was led by Public Health England and the University of Birmingham and published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy[https://academic.oup.com/jac/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jac/dky007/4885410?searchresult=1] . The researchers signed up 2,430 people from GP practices in four different areas of the country and analysed samples of their faeces in the laboratory for the superbugs.

They found 7.3% of people across all areas carried these superbugs, but the prevalence varied greatly across the four parts of the country.

Shropshire, which has a mainly white British population, had a prevalence of 4.9% while the Heart of Birmingham , with a predominantly Asian population, had a prevalence of 16%.

When they broke it down into specific groups of people those with the highest prevalence were those who had travelled to South Asia – India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, – (38.5%) or those born in South Asia (25%).

Living with someone who had visited a high risk country significantly raised the chance of carrying the superbugs. People with a housemate who had travelled to the Indian subcontinent in the last year had a prevalence of 22.7%, while those living with someone who had visited the Middle East had a prevalence of 16.9%.

Doctors were more likely to carry the superbugs than the general population. Age or sex made no difference to the risk of being colonised.

The research echoes other European studies which found travellers to countries outside Europe have a 10-fold higher prevalence of ESBL bacteria than the local population.

A spokesperson for Public Health England said “the results of this study will be used to inform infection management and antibiotic guidance.”

Madlen Davies is a reporter with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Frank Lloyd Wright's birth, ACME Studio partnered with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation to create a clutch inspired by the renowned architect.Made of black vegan leather, the clutch features a red lining, magnetic closure and cable chain. The clutch flap features an enamel design inspired by the skylight in Wright's Frank Thomas house, a private residential home in Oak Park, Ill., built in 1901.The clutch also features a chrome zipper pull with the 150 FLW logo.Only 150 of the limited-edition bags are available.Get one now for$300 at shopwright.org.

PROBIOTIC PREP

Probiotics have become a popular health supplement.Now H2O Beauty has brought probiotics to skin care with a new collection.The Rapids Prep Your Skin starter kit features three products containing champagne and Yuzu extracts that leave skin looking and feeling better from the first use. Start with the Rapids Soothing Probiotic Bubble Mask to calm skin, follow with the Rapids Probiotic Sorbet Moisturizer for light moisturizing and complete the look with Rapids Probiotic Illuminator to give skin a fresh glow.The three-piece set costs$50 at H2Oplus.com.

TOFFEE TOOTSIES

Just in time for spring, Atlanta-based Okabashi has introduced a new color into its made-in-America footwear collection. Okabashi shoes are created with the company's specially formulated, patented and recyclable plastics. Styles including the women's Sienna Sandal, Maui Flip Flip, Cross Strap Sandal and the men's Torino Sandal all come in a warm Toffee color that is perfect for spring.The shoes are organic, dishwasher safe and vanilla scented.Get a pair now for $19 at Okabashi.com.

These days, plant-based beauty products are de rigueur Stateside. But the roots of many natural skin care solutions can be traced to Europe, where alternative medicine practitioners have been bottling botanical tinctures and homeopathic remedies for centuries. Take, for example, Rudolf Steiner -- the Austrian scientist and philosopher launched his Weleda skin care range in the 1920s using flowers, herbs and other extracts cultivated on biodynamic farms. Or the Vienna-born chemist Rudolf Hauschka, who took inspiration from the rhythms of nature when co-creating his Dr. Hauschka line of essential-oil-spiked elixirs in 1967 -- long before self-care Sundays were a thing.

Now, a new guard of European scientists and skin experts is combining an old-world respect for nature with the latest advancements in chemistry to perfect the skin. Newly arriving in the U.S. this month: The Cream and The Cream Rich ($265 each) from Augustinus Bader, a German university professor who has spent the last three decades working as a specialist in the field of regenerative medicine. In 2007, Bader developed a breakthrough hydrogel that eliminates the need for skin grafts in some burn patients (just one of the 200-plus patents he holds). Tapping into similar self-healing technology, his creams contain a complex of amino acids, vitamins and compounds that mimic those naturally found in the skin and help minimize everything from fine lines to redness to dark spots. ''It takes skin care to the next level; it's about achieving skin health through physiologic and innate ways,'' Bader says. The collection is also boosted with evening primrose, avocado and argan oils -- and it gives back. Part of the proceeds from the range will fund the Augustinus Bader Foundation, which provides free hydrogel treatments to clinics that treat burn victims.

German orthopedic surgeon Barbara Sturm, M.D., meanwhile, spent the early years of her medical training on the slopes, analyzing how professional skiers recover from injury and trauma. She discovered that quelling inflammation is the key to physical longevity, a theory that applies to the entire body -- especially the skin. Inspired by this finding, she opened her first aesthetic clinic in Düsseldorf in 2004. Among her more experimental offerings is MC1, a bespoke anti-aging cream infused with patients' own plasma (and for this, there is a lengthy waitlist). Next came a ready-made range of cleansers, creams and masks that aim to enhance youthfulness via fresh doses of purslane. The plant, says Dr. Sturm, has ''potent anti-inflammatory, wound-healing and nutritive properties,'' and also ''extends cell life.'' It's pumped into all of her products, along with lab-derived actives like the hydrating long- and short-chain hyaluronic acids in her popular plumping serum Ampoules ($215), and the nontoxic UV filters in her Sun Drops ($145, currently sold out until spring). Her newest innovation: Anti-Pollution Drops, made with ''an interesting new compound produced by marine microbes,'' Dr. Sturm says. ''It's able to directly combat the effects of environmental pollution on the skin surface.''

Other complexion concerns -- from stubborn acne to dullness -- require looking beneath the surface, says Nigma Talib, a London-based naturopathic doctor. After suffering from eczema and digestive issues as a child, Dr. Talib eventually tried botanical supplements to balance her system rather than steroid creams and antacids. ''In three to six months, I was 100 percent better,'' she says. ''I decided this was the type of doctor I wanted to be -- one that looks at the root cause of illness.'' Now, she's leveraging her 18 years of experience to create holistic products that improve skin from the inside out: her Healthy Flora ($65) supplement contains probiotics and grapeseed oil to fight oxidative damage while her Hydrating and Plumping Serum No. 1 ($205) uses plant stem cells and light-water technology. ''Most creams and serums are mainly made up of water,'' Dr. Talib explains. ''But we remove the heavy isotopes from the water molecule.'' It's a process that allows the ingredients to deeply penetrate the skin for more effective results, she says.

For most Europeans, the goal of skincare is natural-looking results, says Munich-based dermatologist Timm Golueke, M.D., who created his Royal Fern line to nurture skin by noninvasive means. Its star ingredient -- Scottish fern -- might be able to protect cellular DNA from the harmful effects of UV exposure, a detail Dr. Golueke uncovered in his reading of medical literature. He adds other botanicals to his products -- including wild rose blossoms and sea buckthorn -- to form an encapsulated complex that promises to deliver hydration, fight hyperpigmentation and soften fine lines gradually over time. In a nod to German efficiency, all of the formulas are multitasking: the Phytoactive Anti-Aging Serum ($295) and Phytoactive Anti-Aging Cream ($250), for example, are designed to firm, brighten and nourish. Such no-fuss solutions mesh well with the broader European perspective on aging, which hasn't changed much over time. In Europe, says Dr. Golueke, aging ''is really a term that implies taking care of oneself, eating well and exercising often.''

This is a more complete version of the story than the one that appeared in print.

Angela McQuillan, 36, is the curator at the Esther Klein Gallery in Philadelphia.

Is yours an independent gallery, or part of a university or another organization?

We're part of the University City Science Center, a nonprofit that helps entrepreneurs and scientists commercialize their technologies. The center is owned by 31 shareholders -- universities and research institutions in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. The gallery's mission is to bridge the gap between art and science and technology and provide a resource for the community.

Do you have a science or an art background?

Both. My first undergraduate degree is in biology. After graduating, I worked in a cancer research laboratory and then in vaccine manufacturing at a pharmaceutical company. My parents are research scientists, and I thought I might get a Ph.D. in science. However, I'd always been interested in art, so instead I got a bachelor's in fine arts at night at Temple University. On the side, I was creating paintings inspired by human cells and other projects I was working on in the lab. In my personal art, I still often go back to the forms and structures I saw under the microscope.

What does your role involve?

I'm the only gallery employee. I develop the theme for each show and find the artists to take part, either online or at exhibitions or conferences, as examples. Planning for each show starts about a year ahead. I collaborate on the press releases and the catalog and visit the artists in their studios. I install each show with contractors. I also organize the artist lectures and workshops and tours for kids, and attend every event.

How did you get this job?

I exhibited my work here several years ago in a show based on microscopy -- viewing objects through a microscope -- and cellular structure. Three years later, I saw an ad on the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance website for this opening and applied. I think I was the only applicant with the dual background. Also, I had been independently curating shows in Philadelphia, so I had experience. I've been here almost four years.

What was one of your favorite exhibitions?

Last fall's ''Gut Love: You Are My Future,'' which explored the human condition through the lens of the microbiome, the millions of bacteria living inside us. Kathy High, a visiting artist who has Crohn's disease, did a series of symbolic photographs called ''Kathy as Bowie.'' In them she emulated iconic David Bowie portraits, juxtaposing the singer's gut microbiome with her own.

You've also had an artist collaborate with a scientist working at the Science Center.

This winter, we paired a scientist researching taste receptors and how humans perceive bitter tastes with an artist in residence who makes artwork related to synthetic biology, or the combination of biology and engineering principles. To illustrate the scientist's work, the artist is making a series of Popsicles that taste different depending which direction you eat from. As an example, the bottom tastes different from the top.

How do you find the energy for your own art?

My work here is cyclical. I'll have a 60-hour week when I'm hanging an exhibition and arranging and hosting the reception, but then it calms down. When I started, I thought I'd be a full-time artist one day, but I've really grown to like this. Curating is creative. It has informed my art, and now the two are intermixed for me.

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Fat-free yogurt is disgusting, an abomination, and I am banning myself from eating it ever again," read a recent tweet from Roxane Gay, a writer who has spent years contemplating her relationship with food. Within hours, her missive had been liked 4,633 times. It also inspired hundreds of supportive replies, including one agreeing that fat-free yogurt tasted like "chalky paste mixed with sadness."

How times have changed. Once upon a time, Americans shunned fat, and the food industry answered their calls with fat-free versions of everything from yogurt and cookies to the oxymoronic fat-free cream. But substituting carbs and sugar for fat was no magic bullet. Today, nearly 38% of Americans are obese, up from 11% in 1990. And sugar is the new dietary devil.

Fat meanwhile, if not entirely redeemed by nutritionists, is back in fashion. Spurred by the media -- a 2016 Time Magazine cover urged readers to "Eat Butter" -- and a rash of "good-fat" cookbooks, many Americans now trumpet their embrace of fat, in particular "good" fats found in grass-fed dairy, coconut, olive oil and avocados.

For food manufacturers, the extreme swing of the pendulum is an opportunity. They have capitalized with a flood of new products: The dairy case, once awash in sugar-laden low-fat cartons and cups, now features full-fat, double- and triple-cream yogurts and alternative milks, smoothies, even cheeses made with high-fat nut and coconut milks. The Forager Project, a plant-based food company in California, is even prominently advertising fat on the labels of its new line of smoothies and "fat coffee" released last month. It was, said CEO Stephen Williamson, a tough call: "People associated fat with being fat, even if that's wrong."

Sales are booming. Kite Hill, which makes artisanal nut-milk cheeses and yogurts, has seen compound annual revenue growth of 400% since 2015. Organic giant Stonyfield launched 12 new whole-milk products in 2017 and saw their whole-milk dollar sales grow by double digits over the last several years, while Strauss Creamery, California's first organic dairy, watched whole-milk Greek yogurt sales jump 20% in 2017. In contrast, sales of Strauss's non-fat and low-fat versions dipped by "low single digits" during the same period.

"Fat is back," said Gary Hirshberg, Stonyfield's co-founder. "And that's because taste is back."

Maybe. But however tasty, these products are also branded as good for us, and if the excesses of the low-fat craze left me with anything, it's skepticism of health fads. After eating my way through the crowded dairy section, I came up with a few rules by which to judge the wave of new offerings and a list of my new go-tos. (See "Creamy and Dreamy.")

RULE #1

Not all fat is good.

"Eat Butter" was a great headline. But most nutritionists would agree a more apt one would be "Don't Demonize Butter." (You can see why Time went with the former.) Recent science suggests that foods rich in healthful, unsaturated fats -- salmon, nuts, olive oil -- can help protect against cardiovascular disease. But the evidence is less certain about saturated fats from dairy and coconut, which are the foundation for so many of the new dairy and alt-dairy products.

Here's what we know: Grass-fed milk has higher levels of good-for-you Omega-3s than milk from dairy cows fed a diet of grain. Whole-fat dairy is also more satisfying than lower-fat products, which can lead one to consume fewer carbs and other calories. Coconut milk, meanwhile, has a health halo because it's high in lauric acid, a medium-chain saturated fatty acid -- the kind of fat that's quickly metabolized -- and said to have antimicrobial and other benefits. But it is important to remember that it contains a whopping 24 grams of saturated fat per half cup.

Franklin Becker, chef and author of "Good Fat Cooking," boils it down this way: "If you're dairy-free, choose the nut yogurt over the coconut one; it's a healthier fat. In dairy, choose grass-fed over the non-grass fed."

RULE #2

Even good fat should be eaten in moderation.

Whole milk, by definition, has 3.25% fat. That means you get about 4 grams of fat in a 4-ounce serving. But plant-based milks and yogurts can have much more. Kite Hill's almond milk yogurt has 7.5 grams in a half-cup serving, while COYO coconut yogurt has a mindblowing 29 grams. You have to read the fine print to discover more balanced options such as Forager Project's Cashewgurt, which has 4.5 grams of fat per half cup, or So Delicious Coconut yogurt with just 3 grams.

Fat, of course, does make food more satiating. But the bottom line is that fat comes with calories.

"Companies are adding fat to processed foods presumably to make them taste better and because they think they can get away with it now that the word is out that fat is OK," said Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition at New York University. "The problem here, as in all such matters dealing with single nutrients, is taking the fat out of its caloric context. If there is more fat in yogurt, it will have more calories. And calories, alas, count."

RULE #3

If you're choosing higher-fat, make sure you're not getting sugar too.

The new fat-full yogurts and smoothies don't necessarily keep sugar low. Noosa, an ultra-popular upstart that recorded $170 million in sales last year, offers a line of 21 "classic" flavors, each with between 14 grams and 17.5 grams of sugar -- as much as 4 1/2 teaspoons per half cup. Likewise, many popular nut yogurts don't shy away from sugar. Kite Hill's pineapple and peach yogurts had nearly 13 grams and 11 respectively per half cup.

Many companies are reducing sugar. Stonyfield, for example, slashed sugar in all its classic yogurts by at least 25% last year. Most flavors now have around 4 grams of sugar per half cup.

After all my research, the brand I was most drawn to was Siggi's, famous for its Icelandic-style strained yogurts. Its whole-milk yogurts have a respectable 4 grams of fat (from grass-fed dairy) and just five grams of sugar in enticing flavors, like banana-cinnamon and peach-mango. Even its triple-cream offering, which is a dessert, keeps sugar low -- 8 grams for its raspberry flavor. I'll admit the first bite tasted strange; we're all accustomed to so much sugar. But before finishing my first tub, I appreciated being able to taste the real flavor and tang of yogurt itself.

Enjoy it while you can. You never know when fat will go out of fashion.

---

CREAMY AND DREAMY // THE BEST OF THE BATCH

The Product: Forager Project Fat Shake Cold Brew Coffee

The Claim: A blend of coconut cream and cashew milk, mixed with cold-brew coffee that delivers 100 mg of caffeine, about what you'd find in an 8-ounce cup of joe.

The Verdict: Not quite breakfast in a bottle, but it definitely delivers buzz and the healthy plant fats will keep you satisfied till lunch.

The Product: Stonyfield 100% Grassfed Greek Vanilla Bean

The Claim: Organic, grass-fed milk, which is higher in Omega-3s than conventional milk.

The Verdict: An oldie but goodie with a classic toasty vanilla flavor and 5 grams of fat per tub.

The Product: The Coconut Cult Mango Cream

The Claim: Fermented yogurt with more than 25 billion strains of probiotics per serving plus plenty of healthy coconut fat.

The Verdict: Something good is definitely brewing in this $25 (per 16-ounce jar) coconut yogurt. It has a subtle fizz on the tongue, similar to kombucha, and a low-key mango flavor.

Note: Suggested serving size is only 2 tablespoons, so this yogurt isn't quite as expensive as it seems, providing 16 servings per jar. And those probiotics promote gut health.

The Product: Siggi's Strained Whole-Milk Yogurt, No Added Sugar, Banana & Cinnamon

The Claim: The label proudly proclaims that this is "not a low-calorie food." But it clocks in at just 120 calories, with 35 from fat and only 5 grams of sugar. Plus it's made from grass-fed milk and has no artificial anythings

The Verdict: Ideal for those looking to explore higher-fat dairy without overdoing it. The texture is creamy and the surprising lack of sweetness lets the inventive flavors shine.

The Product: Siggi's Triple Cream, Chocolate

The Claim: At 9% milk fat -- whole milk plus cream -- this is marketed as an indulgence.

The Verdict: Tastes like a creamy, tangy chocolate milkshake. That said, the restrained amount of sugar -- just 8 grams -- means you can make it a habit.

---

Pineapple Coconut Smoothie

Think of this as your morning Pina Colada with a zing from fresh ginger. An ultra-high-fat-content yogurt like COYO will give you a super-thick shake; if using, cut the amount back to 3 tablespoons.

ACTIVE TIME: 5 minutes

SERVES: 1

Place 1/4 cup full-fat unsweetened coconut yogurt, 1/4 cup milk, 1 cup chopped pineapple, 1 banana and 1 (1-inch) piece ginger, peeled and chopped, in a blender and mix until smooth.

---

Sweet Potato and Collard Coconut Curry

The Forager Project's high-fat turmeric-coconut smoothie tasted to me like it belonged in a curry -- and it did. It's a brilliant foundation (and time saver) for this fast, spicy vegetable stew.

ACTIVE TIME: 40 minutes

SERVES: 2

Heat 1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil over medium heat in a large, shallow pan. Add 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced, and saute until beginning to soften, 2-3 minutes. Add 2 cloves garlic, minced, 1 (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped, 1/2 small jalapeno, minced, and 2 1/2 teaspoons curry powder, and cook, stirring often, until soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes more. // Add 1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced into 1/2 inch cubes, 1 (12-ounce) bottle Forager Project Turmeric Golden Smoothie and 4 ounces vegetable stock or water. Bring to a simmer, uncovered. Do not let boil or nut milk will separate. Cover and simmer until potatoes begin to soften, 5-6 minutes. Add 4 cups roughly chopped collard greens and cook, uncovered, until greens and potatoes are cooked through, 5 minutes more. Season with salt. // Serve over basmati or brown rice. Garnish with a handful of chopped cilantro and a handful of chopped toasted cashews, if you like.

This is the weekend roundup of The WorldPost, of which Nathan Gardels is the editor in chief.

Technologists across the world have frantically embarked on the quest to create a new species in our own image — general artificial intelligence with superior computational brain power. But we are only just beginning to understand the foundations of human intelligence and consciousness that cannot be captured in an algorithmic formula divorced from the functions of the body and the long evolution of our species and its microbiome.

As the celebrated neuroscientist Antonio Damasio argues in a WorldPost interview based on his new book, "The Strange Order of Things," it is the feelings and emotions, which originated and dwell in that biological terrain, that are constitutive of human intelligence, consciousness and the capacity for cultural creation. In short, a map of the computational mind is not the territory of what it means to be human.

"Our minds operate in two registers," Damasio explains. "In one register, we deal with perception, movement, memories, reasoning, verbal languages and mathematical languages. This register needs to be precise and can be easily described in computational terms. This is the world of synaptic signals that is well captured by AI and robotics."

"But there is a second register," he continues, "that pertains to emotions and feelings that describes the state of life in our living body and that does not lend itself easily to a computational account. Current AI and robotics do not address this second register."

For Damasio, the biological mechanisms behind feeling — "what we now call pain and pleasure" — were survival strategies selected and combined in the simple cell organisms of early evolution "when there was no individual suffering or reason." He calls this process "homeostasis, which aims at the management of a living organism such that it can meet current energy needs and have enough energy in reserve to respond to stress and continue into the future. Homeostasis counters thermodynamic decay." It is this capacity to not only survive but to thrive going forward that Damasio identifies as "the monitors and arbiters of cultural invention."

"Minds," concludes Damasio, "are not made by nervous systems alone but rather by nervous systems in cooperation with many other and far older living systems of our body, including metabolic, endocrine, immune and circulatory systems. Nervous systems are late-comers in evolution. They are useful servants of the older life systems. Nervous systems have declared a considerable degree of independence relative to the older systems they serve but they are by no means free of those older systems. They do not stand alone. Unfortunately, conventional conceptions of mind are based on the idea that nervous systems make minds by themselves."

To the extent the intelligent mind is biologically embodied, it is swimming in the vast sea of the human microbiome. As Tobias Rees and Nils Gilman point out, "few are aware of how directly these microbes and their genes affect the functioning of our bodies. The human genome found in the nuclei of our cells contains roughly 20,000 genes, but the microbiome — the sum total of genetic material in the microorganisms that live in and on us — contains as many as 20 million genes, all of which are directly or indirectly interacting with and at times even controlling our genes."

Indeed, researchers at CalTech recently discovered that bacteria found in the guts of mice produce serotonin, a biochemical neurotransmitter that regulates emotions and adult neurogenesis — the formation of new neurons which are the basis for openness and adaptability to outside stimulus and experience.

The authors worry that modern-day diets, C-section births and overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics are degrading the integrity of the microbiome, established over millennia of evolution with unintended consequences for the emotional and physical wellbeing of humans. "The lesson of the human microbiome," they conclude, "is that it compels us to revise our understanding of ourselves as humans: Microbes are us. In fact, it is impossible to clearly determine where a human being ends and its microbiome begins: there is a quintessential indistinguishability. We humans are not more than mere nature. In fact, we are just that — a piece of nature, deeply interrelated with the microbial environment on which we are utterly contingent."

If human intelligence is grounded in biology, by definition it can't be transferred to machines. Absent the corrective emotions and feelings implied in that grounding, some technologists on the cutting edge, like Elon Musk, openly warn that the superior computational mind of an autonomous AI may one day go rogue and turn against its creator. As he once told The WorldPost, "I hope AI is nice to us."

In that context, Nicolas Berggruen ponders the ethics of human programming of AI, which he believes will ultimately emerge neither as a servant nor master technology, but as a human-AI hybrid, "extending and transforming our cognition and consciousness."

To be safe, he proposes we raise AI "as we do our children," inculcating in these machines the old Confucian virtue of filial piety. "As Confucius explained," Berggruen writes, "it is not enough simply to ensure that your parents are well fed, for that is done even for dogs and horses. Rather, what distinguishes filial piety is the respect that offspring feel for their parents. This goes beyond the biblical commandment to 'honor thy mother and thy father' and suggests a system of values based on principles of hierarchy, continuity and esteem. What will be needed here, however, is a form of fidelity that is not just between the individual child and her parents but which operates at the level of society and the species as a whole."

As scientific discovery further reveals the inextricable computational and emotional complementarities that constitute the marvel of the biologically grounded human mind, it will also mark the limits of artificial intelligence.

This was produced by The WorldPost, a partnership of the Berggruen Institute and The Washington Post.

ABOUT US: The WorldPost is an award-winning global media platform that aims to be a place where the world meets. We seek to make sense of an interdependent yet fragmenting world by commissioning voices that cross cultural and political boundaries. Publishing op-eds and features from around the globe, we work from a worldwide perspective looking around rather than a national perspective looking out.

STAFF: Nathan Gardels, Editor in Chief; Kathleen Miles, Executive Editor; Dawn Nakagawa, Vice President of Operations; Farah Mohamed, Managing Editor; Peter Mellgard, Features Editor; Alex Gardels, Video Editor; Clarissa Pharr, Associate Editor; Rosa O'Hara, Social Editor; Suzanne Gaber, Editorial Assistant

EDITORIAL BOARD: Nicolas Berggruen, Nathan Gardels, Kathleen Miles, Jackson Diehl, Juan Luis Cebrian, Walter Isaacson, Yoichi Funabashi, Arianna Huffington, John Elkann, Pierre Omidyar, Eric Schmidt, Wadah Khanfar

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Moises Naim, Nayan Chanda, Katherine Keating, Sergio Munoz Bata, Parag Khanna, Seung-yoon Lee, Jared Cohen, Bruce Mau, Patrick Soon-Shiong

There are five distinct types of diabetes that can occur in adulthood, rather than the two currently recognised, research has found.

Scientists have unveiled a revised classification for the disease - one they said could lead to better treatments and help doctors more accurately predict life-threatening complications.

The findings are consistent with the growing trend toward "precision medicine", which takes into account differences between individuals in managing disease.

In the same way that a patient requiring a transfusion must receive the right blood type, diabetes sub-types need different treatments, the study reported in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology medical journal suggested.

Scientists have also identified distinct kinds of microbiome - the bacterial ecosystem in our digestive tract - that can react differently to the same medication, rendering it more or less effective.

"This is the first step towards personalised treatment of diabetes," said senior author Leif Groop, an endocrinologist at Lund University in Sweden, adding that the new classification is a "paradigm shift" in how the disease is viewed.

People with diabetes have excessively high blood glucose, or blood sugar, which comes from food.

Some 420 million people around the world today suffer from diabetes, with the number expected to rise to 629 million by 2045, according to the International Diabetes Federation.

Currently, the disease is divided into two sub-types:

* Type-1: generally diagnosed in childhood and accounting for about 10 percent of cases - the body simply does not make insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels.

* Type-2: the body makes some insulin but not enough, which means glucose stays in the blood.

This form of the disease correlates highly with obesity and can, over time, lead to blindness, kidney damage, and heart disease or stroke. Acute cases may also require limb amputations.

It has long been known that type-2 diabetes is highly variable, but classification has remained unchanged for decades.

Video: The disease explained in 60 seconds

For the study, researchers monitored 13,270 newly diagnosed diabetes patients ranging in age from 18 to 97.

By isolating measurements of insulin resistence, insulin secretion, blood sugar levels, age, and the onset of illness, they distinguished five distinct clusters of the disease - three serious and two milder forms.

Among the severe types, a group of patients with insulin resistence - in which cells are unable to use insulin effectively - was at far higher risk of kidney disease.

"This group has the most to gain from the new diagnostics as they are the ones who are currently most incorrectly treated," Groop said.

Celebrities living with diabetes[https://cf-particle-html.eip.telegraph.co.uk/9d182f91-02d9-4e75-83b9-67cbe8e4a7cc.html] Another group facing serious complications was composed of relatively young, insulin-deficient patients.

The third "severe" group were people with auto-immune diabetes corresponding to the original "type-1" diagnosis.

The two other groups have milder types of the disease including one, which includes about 40 percent of the patients, beset with a form of diabetes related to advanced age.

"This will enable earlier treatment to prevent complications in patients who are most at risk of being affected," said lead author Emma Ahlqvist, an associate professor at Lund University.

The results were checked against three other studies from Sweden and Finland.

"The outcome exceeded our expectations," said Groop. The researchers plan to launch similar studies in China and India.

The practice of consuming your own placenta got another boost this week when Khloe Kardashian announced that she plans to consume her placenta after giving birth next month.

Whether blended into smoothies or freeze-dried and packed into gel caps to be taken like a vitamin, proponents believe eating your placenta helps with postpartum depression, replenishes vitamins and restores hormones.

But Dr. Chelsea Elwood, reproductive infectious diseases fellow at B.C. Women's Hospital, says there has never been a study that supports these claims. "This has become popular since the 1970s, and it's controversial because there is no scientific evidence to support the claims that are made around its benefit."

Elwood will be speaking on the practice of placentophagy at the Perinatal Services Conference in Vancouver. The conference runs Thursday and Friday and covers issues in perinatal care, including mothers at risk, childbirth fear, working with mothers who struggle with addiction and, yes, eating your placenta.

Elwood will also address "vaginal seeding." Vaginal seeding is the practice of rubbing vaginal fluids on your newborn's face and in their mouth after caesarean birth.

The practice, said Elwood, is based on the belief that infants born by caesarean section are not be exposed to the normal vaginal flora, and are potentially more vulnerable to long-term diseases such as asthma.

But vaginal seeding could potentially expose an infant to harmful bacteria.

"At this point we have no idea if when you are doing that you are transferring the right bacteria," said Elwood.

No causal link has been established between vaginal flora and long-term health outcomes, but B.C. Women's Hospital is conducting a large clinical study called the Maternal Micro-Biome Legacy Project, which will look at whether mode of delivery, caesarean or vaginal, does in fact influence an infant's gut microbiome later in life.

When it comes to eating the placenta, the Centre for Disease Control recently reported that in 2016, a newborn infant in Oregon became seriously ill after her mother consumed her own encapsulated freeze-dried placenta.

The child had been infected with Group B Streptococcus, and the same bacteria was found in the placenta capsules.

The report found that the encapsulation process does not eradicate infectious pathogens.

There are a half-dozen local companies advertising placenta encapsulation online in Vancouver.

"Placenta encapsulation and consumption is unregulated and we have no understanding of what could be happening from a safety perspective when it's handled," said Elwood.

"It's a risk of harm with no evidence of benefit."

When it comes to advising her own patients, Elwood sticks to the science: "I talk to them about the absence of evidence of benefit, and the evidence of potential harm and it's their choice at the end of the day."

On its website, B.C. Women's Hospital guidelines remind parents who want to take their placenta home that it must be stored in a cool place, but not in a refrigerator that contains food, and it cannot be thrown in domestic garbage.

The hospital also "strongly" urges parents to "not eat your placenta in any form." dryan@postmedia.com

update 1:30 p.m.: adds new study, grafs 2-3 and 69-end

(CNN) -- Study after study will say that adding fish to your diet is a healthy move.

Using fish oil supplements, though, is under near-constant debate.

The latest salvo: a new study that says the risk for some childhood allergies might go down if the mother takes fish oil and probiotic supplements during pregnancy.

The federal advisory committee that wrote the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020 advises adults to eat about 8 ounces of a variety of seafood each and every week.

This guideline is intended to provide you with healthy amounts of two essential omega-3 fatty acids: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

These nutrients play important roles in brain function, normal growth and development, metabolism and curbing inflammation, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Our bodies cannot manufacture these fatty acids, so we must consume them.

Fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel and sardines, are rich in both DHA and EPA. (There's a third omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), found in walnuts, canola oil, flaxseeds, chia seeds and pumpkin seeds. Our bodies can convert ALA, in limited quantities, to DHA and EPA.)

Despite the plentiful options for adding DHA and EPA to our diet, many people prefer to hack the process by taking fish oil supplements, the same way you'd drink vegetable juice instead of eating actual veggies.

"A lot of people don't know why they take fish oil," said R. Preston Mason, a faculty member at Harvard Medical School and president of Elucida Research, a biotechnology research company. "You take fish oil for the omega-3 content. ... People have heard it's good for you, so they take it. It's a booming industry."

In fact, fish oil is the third most widely used supplement in the United States. A National Institutes of Health study published in 2015 estimated that 7.8% of Americans used fish oils in 2012, though other studies put the number of Americans using fish oil as high as 23%, according to Adam Ismail, executive director of the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s.

Though a simple swap appears to make sense to huge numbers of people, the underlying science suggests that fish oil supplements may not do justice to our physical need for omega-3s.

And, over the years, opinion on its benefits has gone back and forth.

18th century (and earlier): Fish oil cures what ails you

Fish oils had been used as a cure for generations in Northern European fishing communities, according to the National Museum of American History. In particular, citizens of Germany and Britain used cod liver oil to treat rickets, rheumatism, gout and tuberculosis during the 18th century.

Yet it is widely believed that fishermen of earlier centuries commonly used oils for a range of conditions including wounds, body aches, the common cold and skin diseases. Cod liver oil, as a mass-produced product, dates to the 1700s and 1800s, according to Ismail.

"In fact, it can be traced to the Viking era," Ismail wrote in an email. The age of the Vikings is commonly believed to range from the late eighth century to the mid-11th century.

19th century: Fish oil is big business

Though the Vikings may have begun the disruptive technology of fish oil production, the commercial industry took flight at the beginning of the 19th century in northern Europe and North America, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Based mainly on surplus catches of herring, oil production activities found industrial uses in leather tanning, soap production and other non-food products.

Originally, the residue was used as fertilizer, but since the turn of the 20th century, the oil leftovers have been dried and ground into fish meal for animal feeding.

20th century: Fish oil production becomes more refined

Some of the olders traditions continue unchanged into the 20th century, though the UN report notes that a number of options in the fields of energy saving, automation and environmental protection have increased in recent years. Unpalatable species of fish -- or so-called industrial fish, including menhaden, sand eel, anchoveta and pout -- are reduced into oil by standard methods -- essentially, heating, pressing and grinding.

While Europe may have dominated production in previous centuries, in the latter half of the 20th century, Peru and Chile came to the forefront of the industry, each exporting about 18,000 metric tons of fish oil worldwide. Iceland, Denmark, Norway and the United States also produce fish oil, with all production companies selling mainly to Asia and Europe.

2010: Fish oil supplements during pregnancy do not prevent postpartum depression

Fish oil supplements taken during pregnancy have no effect on postpartum depression and do not help babies' brains develop more quickly, according to a 2010 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

A team of Australian researchers had expected to find that fish oil had positive effects for the more than 2,000 pregnant women studied. However, the women who took the supplements during their pregnancy were just as likely to experience postpartum depression as those who didn't and the brains of their babies didn't appear to grow and develop more quickly than other babies. Yet, the supplements were associated with a reduced risk of preterm birth.

The authors attributed their study's silver lining to DHA, which benefits the cardiovascular and neurological systems, and the other disappointing results to overinflated claims from two past studies.

One study looked at a mother's seafood consumption and a child's verbal IQ score, while the second study looked at a mother's seafood consumption and depressive symptoms during pregnancy. But both of these studies involved the benefits of seafood rather than fish oil itself.

2011: Fish oil eases ADHD symptoms and lessens baby colds

Fish oil supplements, particularly those with higher doses of EPA, were found to be "modestly effective" in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, according to a review published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.

After reviewing and analyzing 10 clinical trials involving 699 participants, Yale Child Study Center researchers found "a small but significant effect" demonstrated by omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. Separately, the authors found that supplementation treated symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity. However, they cautioned against using omega-3s in lieu of pharmaceutical treatments.

Given "evidence of modest efficacy" and the "relatively benign" side-effects, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, particularly with higher doses of EPA, "is a reasonable treatment strategy" to use either alone or along with the usual prescribed pharmaceutical drugs, the researchers concluded.

Also in 2011, a study published in the journal Pediatrics found that the babies of pregnant women who took fish oil supplements containing DHA had more fortified immune systems.

Specifically, those babies had fewer days with cold symptoms in their first six months of life than those whose mothers received a placebo, the researchers found. Newborns in the DHA group were also slightly less likely to come down with a cold in the first place.

2012: Fish oil might help the brain stay young and heal traumatic brain injury

Accelerated brain aging is more likely to occur in people who eat diets short on omega-3 fatty acids -- the kind found in fish oil, according to a study published in the journal Neurology.

Lead author Dr. Zaldy S. Tan and his colleagues at the University of California, Los Angeles looked at circulating levels of DHA and EPA in the blood of 1,575 people.

Next, they compared these levels with participants' MRI brain scans and cognitive test results: problem-solving, multitasking and abstract thinking.

They discovered that those participants who scored in the bottom 25% on various mental tests had lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood and lower brain volumes -- what equates to about two years of brain aging.

Tan and his co-authors said those with lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids were also more likely to have minute but significant structural changes in the brain, apparent on the MRI images. The brain scans of the low omega-3 fatty acids group even showed tiny lesions in the brain, which would raise their risk for death, stroke and dementia.

With blood vessels supplying a full third of the brain's volume, the results are consistent with signs of damage to that intricate network, according to the study authors.

Also in 2012, high-dose fish oil supplementation helped 17-year-old Bobby Ghassemi, who was in a coma after a car crash.

Two weeks after beginning a fish oil regimen, Ghassemi began to emerge from his coma, showing movement on his left side. Shortly after, he began to show signs of recognizing his family and his dog and of discerning things like colors and numbers. His family ardently believed high-dose fish oil helped his brain heal.

2013: Fish oil supplements linked to increased the risk of prostate cancer

Eating a lot of oily fish or taking potent fish oil supplements was associated with a 43% increased risk of prostate cancer, according to a Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center study published online in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The researchers also discovered a 71% increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer among those consuming fish oil or large amounts of oily fish.

They researchers had looked at blood samples of men taking part in the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial, which ultimately found that selenium supplements did not prevent prostate cancer, while vitamin E supplements slightly increased risk of the disease.

However, blood samples from men who went on to develop prostate cancer over the course of the trial showed more omega-3 fats than those of healthy men.

Perhaps because of this well-publicize news, sales of fish oil supplements, which grew from about $100 million in the late 1980s and peaked at $1.3 billion during 2012, began to flatten and decline beginning in 2013, according to Ismail, of the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s.

2015: Fish oil may transform fat cells

Fish oil may transform fat-storage cells into fat-burning cells, which may reduce weight gain in middle age, according to research conducted in mice and published in Scientific Reports. According to Kyoto University researchers, fish oil not only activates receptors in the digestive tract, it induces storage cells to metabolize fat.

The scientists fed fatty foods to one group of mice, and a second group ate non-fatty fish oil additive foods. The mice that ate fish oil gained 5% to 10% less weight and 15% to 25% less fat than the others, the researchers discovered. An animal study, more research is needed to see if the same effects occur in humans.

2016: Fish oil during pregnancy lowers risk of asthma in children -- but are the supplements all they claim?

Women who took fish oil during the last three months of pregnancy lowered the risk of their children developing asthma, according to a Danish study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

About 17% of children whose moms took fish-oil capsules had asthma by age 3, compared with nearly 24% of the children whose mothers were given placebos.

The doses were 15 to 20 times what most Americans consume from foods a day -- 2.4 grams per day -- yet no adverse effects occurred in either the mothers or babies. Still, the researchers hesitated to recommend that pregnant women routinely take fish oil until more studies are done.

While this is certainly good news, a very different study of fish oil authored by Harvard's Mason appeared around the same time.

"I just wanted to ask the question: What's actually inside these capsules?" Mason said of his study, which looked at a limited number of popular US fish oil supplements. "We were quite surprised to see that in some of these widely used supplements, only a third of the product was the favorable omega-3s, and the balance of them were these other lipids, including saturated fats, which we don't associate with health benefits."

Saturated fats raise our bad cholesterol, or LDL.

Mason said he was also surprised to learn the fish oil supplements contain cholesterol.

"Omega-3s are highly vulnerable to breakdown during manufacturing. They become oxidized or rancid," Mason said. Along with the challenge of manufacturing these products without damage, most of them come in large shipments sailing the seas.

"During that process, they are often exposed to elevated temperatures, which will rapidly break them down," he said, adding that "in the lab, if we expose omega-3s to just normal environmental conditions, within hours, they're breaking down into these oxidized products.

"Once they are broken down, certainly they don't have their favorable benefits that we hope for," Mason said.

Though the same thing can happen with fish, you can smell fish and look it over before you purchase it.

"Imagine going to a store where the fish is rotted and smells terrible," Mason said, explaining that supplements contain deodorants and other chemicals to cover their bad smell.

He said he believes that supplementation is necessary for many people, but the bottom line is that there's no consistent quality.

2017: Precision medicine

Registered dietitian Nancy Copperman, who works for Northwell Health, reviewed the latest research and recommends a simple -- if more expensive -- option for consumers who want to add fish oil to their diets: "pharmaceutical-grade fish oil supplements that tend to be purer."

But don't believe all you read, says Copperman. In many studies of fish oil, "the data waned and waxed." Though some people did well, others did not, and even worse, the scientists were unable to replicate the good findings from one study to the next.

One exception is people who have very high triglycerides and are at risk of cardiovascular disease, Copperman said. "Adding a marine oil supplement -- again, it needs to be ... pharmaceutical-grade -- it does lower triglyceride levels in that population," she said, based on all the research she's seen over time.

There may also be some benefit in using fish oil to reduce ischemic stroke risk among people who have atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, according to Copperman.

Since omega-3s are necessary nutrients, Copperman suggests that people stick with eating oily fish rather than taking supplements: When you're eating more fish, you are most likely eating less beef, including fatty hamburgers.

Fast food burgers, as well as other fatty foods such as cakes and cookies, contain lots of omega-6s, which in abundance may lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, according to the American Heart Association.

"You can't tell the omega-3 story without telling the omega-6 story," said Floyd "Ski" Chilton, a professor of physiology and pharmacology at the Wake Forest School of Medicine. Omega-3s and omega-6s come into our diet simultaneously and are metabolized by the same enzymes.

Over the past 50 years, the ratio shifted from two omega-6s for each omega-3 to what is now about a 10- or 15-to-one ratio of omega-6s to omega-3s, said Chilton. Working hard to metabolize omega-6s, our bodies cannot metabolize and effectively use omega-3s. Meanwhile, many people find it difficult to get enough omega-3s from the get-go.

There's dramatic ancestry-based variation in our ability to transform ALA into EPA or DHA, according to Chilton. African-Americans transform ALA into EPA or DHA very well, Europeans not so much, and Native Americans not at all, with variability among individuals within each group.

When it comes to supplementation, then, "the one-size-fits-all model is likely not appropriate," Chilton said, adding that we have entered the "bold new world of precision nutrition."

"Precision nutrition simply says that different individuals and in particular different ancestry-based populations, racial and ethnic populations may very well require -- when it comes to omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids -- different recommendations," he said.

2018: Help with childhood allergies?

In a systematic review and meta-analysis of approximately 500 studies, researchers at Imperial College London found that adding omega-3 fish oil supplements to the diet during pregnancy and lactation reduced a child's risk of egg allergy by 30% at one year of life. The analysis didn't find a correlation between omega-3 supplements and a reduced risk of any other allergies, but using probiotics during late pregnancy and early breastfeeding reduced eczema risk by 22%.

"The studies only included participants with a high risk of developing allergies so it is unclear what effect probiotics or fish oil supplements would have in families with no history of allergies," Dr. Louisa James of Queen Mary University of London, who was not involved in the study, said in a statement. "While the results of this study are likely to inform the development of guidelines on maternal and infant diet, it seems that there is much more work to be done."

The UK's National Health Service recommends against taking fish oil supplements during pregnancy, as some can contain vitamin A, which in high doses can be harmful. In the US, neither the American Academy of Pediatrics nor the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has a stated policy. Instead, they suggest that pregnant women eat fish that is low in mercury two or three times a week, avoiding fish high in mercury.

While the opioid epidemic touches people in all kinds of communities, physicians and researchers are finding out that painkiller addiction affects men and women differently.

"Opiate use has historically been predominantly by men, but we've seen that gap narrow significantly in the past 10 years," said Dr. Kelly Dunn, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.

Dunn is in Tampa Bay this week joining other doctors from Johns Hopkins and its local All Children's pediatric hospital for a series of events titled "A Woman's Journey." On Wednesday, they spoke to a nearly sold-out crowd at the Bryan Glazer Family Jewish Community Center in Tampa about the factors that affect women's health. The major themes: opiate addiction in women, its impact on newborns, advancements in genetics and microbiome gut health.

Women are more likely to experience side effects when taking prescription painkillers, like nausea and other mild ailments, whether they're taking the medication as prescribed or overusing it, Dunn said. Women also don't respond to addiction treatments as favorably as men do, Dunn said. As such, it can take longer for women to recover.

"We don't know why this happens," Dunn said. "More women are using opiates, but our success in treating them for addiction is not keeping up. It's a distinct problem that we haven't tracked much before. It's unique to find (addiction) problems that are divided by gender."

At Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, physicians in the maternal, fetal and neonatal institute see two to four babies born every day that are addicted to opiates, said Dr. Sandra Brooks, associate medical director of the neonatal intensive care unit at the hospital.

"They shake, tremble, cry and don't sleep because they go through withdrawal," Brooks said. "These babies don't grab the headlines because their mothers aren't street drug addicts injecting drugs. Their mothers could be anyone - a sister, a friend, someone in this room. Opioid use is a slippery slope."

The long-term effects on babies born addicted to opiates is mostly unknown because there is little research on the topic. The institute is hoping to change that, said Dr. Prabhu Parimi, the institute's director.

"This is a relatively new phenomenon, but we do know that it alters the structure of the brain even before the baby is born," he said.

Dunn's takeaway message to the 100 or so women who attended Wednesday's event was to be open with their doctors about prescription use, in an effort to dismantle the stigma attached.

"Tolerance and withdrawal occurs even when patients take drugs as prescribed. It's a natural occurrence in the body," she said. "So patients shouldn't feel concerned talking to their doctors about it. They've done nothing wrong."

Contact Justine Griffin at jgriffin@tampabay.com or (727) 893-8467. Follow @SunBizGriffin.

March 1 (Reuters) - FINCH THERAPEUTICS

* FINCH THERAPEUTICS GROUP RAISES $36 MILLION IN SERIES B FINANCING

* FINCH THERAPEUTICS GROUP, PRIVATELY HELD MICROBIOME THERAPEUTICS CO, SAYS ANNOUNCED CLOSE OF AN OVERSUBSCRIBED $36 MILLION SERIES B FINANCING Source text for Eikon: (Reuters.Brief@thomsonreuters.com)

For belly woes of all kinds, try probiotics - the good-for-you bacteria that can help aid digestion and make tiny tummies happier. These naturally fermented foods are packed with 'em:

Yogurt is a great place to start. Look for a brand that contains "live and active culture."

Miso is a fermented soybean paste that you might know best as a Japanese soup. To make the soup, boil a cup of water, turn off the heat, then whisk in a tablespoon of miso, some sliced scallions, and a few tofu cubes.

Kefir is an Eastern European cultured-milk drink that's rather tart. Luckily, you can grab kids' versions in squeezable pouches or frozen bars.

Fermented pickles can be found at a farmers market or in the refrigerator case of a natural-foods store. Look for just cucumbers, salt, and seasonings in the ingredients list.

Sauerkraut is not for the faint of palate, but lots of kids love it - and it's a great way to turn a hot dog into a health-boosting meal. You've got the right kind when the ingredients are only cabbage and salt.

Kimchi is the spicy Korean version of salted and fermented cabbage and radishes, and it's got the knock-your-socks-off impact of sauerkraut on steroids (and on fire).

The Academy Awards are without a doubt the most anticipated of all awards shows and entices the most elite of Hollywood's celebrities out onto the red carpet. The lead up to such a hugely televised event takes a little more than a good moisturiser and eye cream for most of the stars. You don't really think they all roll out of bed looking as glowing and polished as they will appear on Sunday evening?

Ahead of this weekend's Oscars, we quizzed the industry's biggest skincare experts on what their secret rituals are when getting their celebrity clients ready for the red carpet.

Dr David Colbert

Clients include: Sienna Miller, Michelle Williams, Caitriona Balfe, Naomi Watts and Lily Aldridge.

"The consequences of late nights and lots of make-up is dehydrated skin, bags, dark circles and a sallow complexions," says go-to dermatologist Dr David Colbert. "All celebrities know that polished skin means they will look better on camera."

In the weeks before the BAFTAS, Oscars, premieres and other big red carpet events, patients of renowned New York dermatologist David Colbert book into his clinic at New York Dermatology Group for his iconic Triad and Runway facial treatments. These non-invasive skin therapies enhance skin luminosity, clarity and, in the case of the red carpet, offer a tightening effect, all with zero downtime.

Red Light Body Rejuvenation

This is an entire body phototherapy process that enhances the performance of aging cells. In the same way that plants use chlorophyll to convert sunlight into plant tissue, the high-intensity light of the LED in the collagen bed triggers a natural bio-stimulatory effect in the human body. Red light waves increase nutrient flow to the skin, spur on collagen growth and expedite wound healing. Red light therapy also stimulates vital collagen and elastin production which plumps and firms the skin, improving texture, clarity and leaving stars red carpet ready.

Regular sessions can increase circulation, accelerate tissue repair, decrease inflammation, as well as ease muscle and joint pain. This further helps to prevent and treat wrinkles as increased circulation encourages the production of new skin cells. This is a firm treatment of choice for many celebrities over the award season.

Collagen bed £200 for 30 minutes

Available as of March 15th at Harrods Wellness Clinic

NYDG Triad Facial

Developed by Dr Colbert, this treatment delivers the cosmetic boost of a facial with longer term dermatological benefits. It involves three regenerative steps:

1. Microdermabrasion to gently prime the skin surface

2. Laser toning to help boost collagen, improve elasticity and stimulate cellular renewal

3. A personalised glycolic peel to gently exfoliate the skin and reveal a fresher-looking complexion. Patients can benefit from visibly improved skin texture, tone and enhanced collagen production.

Triad (face) £800

Triad (face, neck & décolletage) £1,500

Available at Harrods Wellness Clinic under the medical direction of Costas Papageorgiou MD FACS.

Night before

"In the run up to an event, gently exfoliate using a peel or these user friendly facial discs 2-3 times a week for a healthy glow," advises Dr Colbert. On the morning of your event, apply to a clean, damp face in a circular motion, continuing for 30 to 60 seconds. Rinse immediately with water, then apply skincare and make-up.

Dr Colbert MD Intensify Facial Discs, £60[http://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=INH%2FSVPJb1Y&mid=36384&u1=customid&murl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spacenk.com%2Fus%2Fen_US%2Fhome-us]

Dr Colbert MD Illumino Face Oil, £110[http://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=INH%2FSVPJb1Y&mid=36384&u1=customid&murl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spacenk.com%2Fuk%2Fen_GB%2Fhome-uk]

During Make-up Prep

NYDG Re-Contour Eye Gel, £55 [http://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=INH%2FSVPJb1Y&mid=24448&u1=customid&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.net-a-porter.com%2Fgb%2Fen%2Fproduct%2F853271%3Fcm_mmc%3Dgoogle-productsearch-uk--c-_-nap_en_uk_pla-_-uk%2B-%2Bgs%2B-%2Bbeauty%2B-%2Bgeneric%2Bterms%2B-%2Bhigh--beauty_intl%26gclid%3Deaiaiqobchmiizpj4cxg2qivwbdtch3wzq1ieayyasabeglnmpd_bwe%26gclsrc%3Daw.ds]

Gently apply NYDG Re-Contour Eye Gel to soothe, hydrate and rejuvenate the eye contour area before applying make-up. Try keeping it in the fridge overnight for ultra-cooling and maximum help fighting puffiness or any dark circles.

NYDG Luminizing Skin Essence, £95[http://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=INH%2FSVPJb1Y&mid=24448&u1=customid&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.net-a-porter.com%2Fgb%2Fen%2Fproduct%2F853268%3Fcm_mmc%3Dgoogle-productsearch-uk--c-_-nap_en_uk_pla-_-uk%2B-%2Bgs%2B-%2Bbeauty%2B-%2Bgeneric%2Bterms%2B-%2Bhigh--beauty_intl%26gclid%3Deaiaiqobchmiyeti9mxg2qivep4bch3qfqjaeayyasabegivz_d_bwe%26gclsrc%3Daw.ds]

For optimum texture and tone, apply this skin essence by pressing it gently into the skin as your last step before makeup. The Victoria Secret models even apply it to their arms and legs for a supple, slightly glowing effect before stepping onto the catwalk.

Everyday tips

Dr Colbert believes that glowing, healthy skin is strongly related to gut health, he advises his celebrity patients to be extra mindful of their diet in the lead up to a big event like the Oscars. “In my book The High School Reunion Diet, I urge people to avoid excess sugars and alcohol, to drink at least 6 glasses of water a day, starting in the next five minutes. And sleep… lots. Follow a sleep routine that involves winding down from the day and relaxing.

Natura Bisse

There will also be those celebrities who expect a make-up artist to erase or conceal the fact that they haven't been that rigorous with their skincare regime or if they have been going out a lot, to hide tiredness. "It's our job to correct and hydrate what we can to ensure our clients have the best skin possible," says the Natura Bisse's Education & Aesthetic Manager, Hannah Ralston- Paloma. To ensure that their clients are glowing the Natura Bisse team follow the below regime to enhance all skin types and woes.

1. Start with a thorough cleanse using Diamond White Rich Luxury Cleanse. It will clean without stripping your skin of its natural oils.

Diamond White Rich Luxury Cleanse, £112 [https://www.gracebelgravia.com/product/natura-bisse-diamond-white-rich-luxury-cleanse/]

2. Refresh and restore your skin's PH with a toner

Natura Bisse Tolerance Toner £42[http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=988&awinaffid=73846&clickref=customid&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.beautyexpert.com%2Fnatura-bisse-tolerance-toner-200ml%2F11329120.html%3Faffil%3Dthggpsad%26switchcurrency%3Dgbp%26shippingcountry%3Dgb%26thg_ppc_campaign%3D71700000009038539%26gclid%3Deaiaiqobchmim56tx6_g2qivtrxtch2sxqldeayyasabegk16fd_bwe%26gclsrc%3Daw.ds%26dclid%3Dcoc2nm2vxtkcfcfngwoddben-g]

3. Cocktail together a serum, a layer of rich moisturiser and finish with a light film of eye cream for triple the hydration. Ideally, make-up needs to look natural as the skin needs to maintain its radiance for hours, under the camera flashes and throughout the gala. It is really difficult to find the balance between glowing and shiny skin: that’s why this first step in preparation is so important.

Natura Bisse Diamond Extreme, £288 [http://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=INH%2FSVPJb1Y&mid=36384&u1=customid&murl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spacenk.com%2Fuk%2Fen_gb%2Fskincare%2Fmoisturisers%2Fday-anytime%2F]

Containing a blend of natural ingredients, such as artemia salina, extracts of aramanth, mango, shea, and edelweiss flower, this hydrating face cream will stimulate the skin’s cellular metabolism, improve elasticity and enhance your complexion.

Natura Bisse Diamond Extreme Eye Cream, £167[http://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=INH%2FSVPJb1Y&mid=36384&u1=customid&murl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spacenk.com%2Fuk%2Fen_GB%2F404]

A dedicated eye cream and lifting treatment that will leave skin feeling hydrated, restored and noticeably smoother.

Nurse Jamie

Clients include: Kim Kardashian, Ashley Graham, Jessica Alba, Rita Ora

Nurse Jamie is one of the go-to beauty gurus in Hollywood and has many tools and tricks up her sleeve to get her client's skin looking its best. Her recent innovation is a silicone mask which is an innovative way to supercharge your hydration ritual.

Nurse Jamie Face Wrap Skin Perfecting Silicone Mask, £25 [http://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=INH%2FSVPJb1Y&mid=35269&u1=customid&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cultbeauty.co.uk%2Fnurse-jamie-facewrap-skin-perfecting-silicone-mask.html]

Inspired by silicone scar treatment technology, the mask is made from ultra-thin, stretch silicone and designed to be used with your favourite moisturiser or hydrating mask. After just one use, your skin will appear smoother, refreshed and glowing.

Sheet masks

As sheet masks seem to be the go-to weapon for hydration in minutes, here are a few favourites from A-list skin experts across the globe.

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Sky PLC's profit for fiscal year ended June 30, was $959 million at Tuesday's exchange rate. A footnote in a graphic with a World News article Wednesday about the company's American suitors incorrectly said it was $959 billion.

(See: "World News: Sky's European Programming Draws American Suitors" -- WSJ Feb. 28, 2018)

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Howard Hughes Corp. controls master planned communities that total about 80,000 acres, and much of that land has been sold to home builders. A Property Report article Wednesday about the company incorrectly said Howard Hughes owns all of the land.

(See: "The Property Report: Howard Hughes Results Boost Stock" -- WSJ Feb. 28, 2018)

---

Naveen Jain is an entrepreneur in Seattle. A Journal Report article Monday about dietary advice based on gut bacteria incorrectly said Mr. Jain was a Silicon Valley entrepreneur.

(See: "Health Care (A Special Report) --- Dietary Advice From the Gut: Startups say the microbiome varies from person to person -- and so should the most effective menu" -- WSJ Feb. 26, 2018)

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Readers can alert The Wall Street Journal to any errors in news articles by e-mailing wsjcontact@wsj.com or by calling 888-410-2667.

License this article from Dow Jones Reprint Service[http://www.djreprints.com/link/DJRFactiva.html?FACTIVA=WJCO20180301000008]

THERE is no firm evidence that a healthy diet protects against dementia, government advisers say.

The scientific advisory committee on nutrition said there was no proof that any specific nutrient or food supplement could ward off brain diseases. The review considered dozens of trials examining the role of different types of diets and supplements.

Several studies found those eating the Mediterranean diet - a regime rich in fish, vegetables, fruit and legumes - were less likely to develop dementia. However, the review concluded that such evidence was "observational" - meaning it could not demonstrate that the healthy eating habits were the reason for the lower rates of disease. Previous research has suggested omega-3 fish oils and vitamin B may ward off brain diseases. But the review said: "There is no evidence that specific nutrients or food supplements affect the risk of cognitive impairment or dementia".

The committee advises the Department of Health and Public Health England (PHE) on health matters.

Dr Alison Tedstone, PHE's chief nutritionist, said: "This report broadly supports existing advice to eat a healthy diet, as depicted in the Eatwell Guide.

"However, while the report indicates there isn't currently enough overall evidence to support a relationship between diet and the prevention of dementia, a healthy balanced diet is vital in achieving a healthy weight and avoiding obesity-related health problems - including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers."

Dr Matthew Norton, the director of policy and impact at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "The brain, just like other parts of the body, can be affected by the way we live our lives.

"While a balanced diet is one way to maintain a healthy brain, the best current evidence suggests supplements or nutrients offer no additional preventative value.

"Wider evidence points to a number of other lifestyle factors that can also play a role. Not smoking, staying mentally and physically active, only drinking in moderation and keeping blood pressure and cholesterol in check are all ways to keep the brain healthy into later life."

Taking fish oil during pregnancy cuts the risk of some child allergies by nearly a third, a government study suggests.

A daily fish oil capsule taken after the 20th week of pregnancy and for the first three or four months of breastfeeding reduced the chances of a child developing an egg allergy by 30 per cent, the research showed.

Eczema risk was reduced by 22 per cent in children whose mothers took a probiotic supplement between 36 and 38 weeks of pregnancy. The research was commissioned by the Food Standards Agency, and carried out by scientists at Imperial College London.

PREGNANT women who take fish oil capsules and probiotics could protect their babies from allergies, research shows.

Fish oil has been found to shield against egg and peanut reactions for the first time.

A daily capsule taken after the 20th week of pregnancy - and for the first three or four months of breastfeeding - could cut the chance of a child developing an egg allergy by almost a third.

A review of 19 fish oil studies, led by Imperial College London, found a 38 per cent reduction in peanut allergy risk, but only in two reports.

Researchers also said a daily probiotic supplement could reduce the risk of childhood eczema by more than a fifth. Eggs are the most common food allergy and can cause anaphylactic shock, vomiting and breathing problems.

Fish oil is believed to keep a child's immune system in check, preventing it from flaring up in response to food. Probiotics may curb allergies by regulating bugs in the gut.

Lead researcher Dr Robert Boyle said: 'There has been a suggestion that what a pregnant woman eats may affect her baby's risk of developing allergies or eczema, but there has never been such a comprehensive analysis of the data. Our research suggests probiotic and fish oil supplements may reduce a child's risk of developing an allergy. These findings need to be considered when guidelines for pregnant women are updated.'

Seif Shaheen, professor of respiratory epidemiology at Queen Mary University of London, said further large trials 'may be able to identify particular subgroups of mothers and children who would benefit most from these interventions'.

The research comes from one of the biggest investigations of maternal diet and childhood allergy ever undertaken.

Scientists pooled total data from more than 400 studies involving 1.5million mothers and their children.

© Daily Mail

The pains started after a particularly competitive game of tennis in the local park. My husband Christoph and I had been losing badly at mixed doubles — 0-3 down. But I'm a poor loser, so I decided to dig deep, serving with venom.

We beat our opponents 6-4. For the next few days my ribs were sore, my shoulders ached from serving, but it was worth it for that glint of glory. Then my mild muscle aches turned into sharp pains and I went to the doctor.

Through autumn 2016, I had test upon test. Then a scan showed fractured ribs and holes in the bones, indicating bone marrow cancer.

It couldn't be cancer, of course. I prided myself on being very healthy — eating organic food, playing tennis regularly and going to a weekly yoga class.

Me, get cancer? No, it wasn't true. It was osteoporosis. Just broken ribs. Then, a bone marrow biopsy revealed a very different story: a breast cancer primary.

I always knew that the day would come when I wouldn't be able to play tennis any more; I just didn't think it would be so soon.

But that's the thing with cancer: you're fine, breezing along, feeling on top of your game, with a devilish cross-court backhand, then bang! Triple negative breast cancer that's gone into the bone. The most aggressive kind: 'treatable but not  curable'.

Yet I'd had regular mammograms, examined my breasts for lumps and assumed that the occasional dull shoulder ache and itching beneath my left breast was just what happens when you sit hunched over a laptop for hours, or play too much tennis. I had no idea then that some breast cancers are so small they can't be seen in a mammogram.

Suddenly we were shunted sideways into a parallel universe, on to Planet Cancer.

With just one snap of the fingers, I turned from someone who rarely took a painkiller, someone who was actively thrusting her way through the world, to a cancer patient, sucked into the orbit of oncologists and uncertainty.

This isn't in the plan, the future we imagined for ourselves, travelling and revelling in the post child-raising years, slowly growing old together. Our two grown-up daughters look devastated and start Googling and talking in terms of 'stages'. What? Don't even go there. I don't want to know. I'm  not dead yet and don't plan to  be any time soon, and you certainly cannot start divvying up my clothes.

I look out of the car window as Christoph drives me to doctors' appointments. It could be you next, I think as I watch a woman walking, with difficulty, in high heels through the entrance to a Tube station.

Or you, sir, in your smart, dark suit, running across the road in front of us. Nearly one in two are likely to be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. So everyone lives with the uncertainty of: will it be me?

Within days of my diagnosis, the pain in my back and my ribs — three of them cracked from the cancer — increases dramatically. The muscle spasms are so acute that they remind me of childbirth.

The loss of physicality is profound and sudden: in my late 50s, I've been catapulted into feeling old.

I can't walk much or climb the stairs. I can't put on my own socks, tie my shoelaces or lift a large saucepan. Only baths and hot water bottles help.

With no certainty that this agony will ever end, I also hurt from the lack of that most basic human comfort — hugs. I am a leper.

No one touches me because of the cracked ribs and the need to avoid germs, because chemo kills immunity as well as cancer. The chemo nurse comes to my house every three weeks with a drip stand, a bag full of medical equipment and boxes of drugs. The first cycle feels like being hit by a train: it seems to dismantle every cell of my being.

I curl up on the sofa and want to die. At the same time, I sense how hard my family are finding it — the tears held back, the bags beneath their eyes as they watch me suffer.

They have to get on with their own lives and I'm the first to say so and encourage them to go  out.

Yet I have to bite my lip to stop myself from becoming the bitter victim. I can feel myself being sucked back to the vulnerable little girl I once was, bullied at school, damaged by my parents' divorce. A victim once again. Poor little me. Feeling out of control and excluded.

I know that I'm sliding towards self-preoccupation. Such narcissism was a trait I hated in my mother, who was always suffering from some mysterious ailment that needed sympathy.

But it takes Herculean effort, battling through the chronic pain, nausea and sludgy exhaustion to slap my loathsome self-pity back down into the deep black hole where it belongs.

What I need to do, I realise, is channel the same strength that allowed Christoph and me to turn that last tennis game around, from losing to a decisive win. I'm going to fight to live.

And I will not be diddled out of that state pension, with the triple lock intact.

As part of my fightback, I start doing an hour's research each day on the internet — Katie's Cancer Hour, my family calls it.

Using my skills as a journalist, I look into every single aspect of alternative therapies and cancer treatments across the world.

Then, gradually, I start introducing alternative treatments into my daily life while continuing the chemo.

I know — there are countless 'alternative' charlatans who peddle false hope with miracle cures and tonics that are, in all likelihood, useless. But I've kept my research focused only on what people say has definitely helped them or others.

Certain things come up again and again. Oxygen and infra-red heat treatments, for example, seem to be used in cancer clinics all over the world.

Detoxing and reducing inflammation in the body with large amounts of raw fruit and vegetables appear common, too.

Certain compounds such as Boswellia serrata (a plant that produces frankincense) and turmeric seem to have anti-cancer properties, as do certain foods such as green tea, berries and broccoli.

So these are among the first elements I've introduced into my daily life alongside the chemo.

When you follow this route, you can forget about peer-reviewed scientific trials. Sometimes the best evidence that something works is purely anecdotal.

For instance, Dr Kelly Turner, author of a book called Radical Remission, has collated evidence from individuals who've survived cancer against the odds. And she's identified nine common traits: radically changing your diet; taking control of your health; following your intuition; using herbs and supplements; releasing suppressed emotions; increasing positive emotions; embracing social support; deepening spiritual connection; and having strong reasons to live.

Her conclusions may not be 'scientific' but they're based on extensive interviews with real cancer patients — exactly the same method of investigation I've used for my own books on family life.

I trust my own findings, so why not trust these, too?

The same applies to those of Patricia Peat, who worked as a chemo nurse for 15 years. She noticed that patients who used so-called alternative methods while having chemotherapy or radiotherapy seemed to cope better and live longer.

So she set up her own consultancy, helping people to do just that. No scientific trials — she simply trusts the evidence she's seen with her own eyes, which sounds good to me.

'Stay off the sugar, keep pummelling the cancer with oxygen and heat, and it won't come back,' she told me.

On her advice, I go twice a week to a hyperbaric oxygen chamber — a large metal cylindrical dome with tiny porthole windows. It's run by a charity that's been providing oxygen therapy for multiple sclerosis sufferers for  nearly 40 years and accepts cancer patients for a higher fee.

Inside the chamber are six armchairs, where people sit for 90  minutes wearing a mask that brings in pure oxygen on one side and eliminates the waste breath on the other. All the while, the  pressure inside the dome is being reduced.

'Taking you down to 24 feet,' the 'driver' tells us over the intercom at the beginning of each session. With reduced pressure, blood vessels expand and oxygen is more easily absorbed into the cells of the body.

The therapy takes up a lot of my time, but it's worth it. It helps the chemo to penetrate malignant cells and it's also eased the pain in my ribs and fragile vertebrae.

On days when I'm not having oxygen therapy, I lie sweating for 40 minutes on an infra-red sauna blanket at home. It's relaxing and soothes the aches in my bones.

Cancer cells dislike heat, while immunity is triggered by it. Doubtless, too, the sweating eliminates some of the toxicity of the strong drugs I have to take.

I've also bought an alkaline water filter from Germany to take out the chemicals and heavy metals from the numerous litres I drink every day to flush out toxins.

Of course, I'm fully aware that there's no magic bullet for my cancer. That's why it makes sense to me not to trust one treatment discipline alone.

Deciding which to adopt — no matter how wacky-woo-woo it may seem at first glance — gives me a sense of agency, of doing everything I can to help myself.

It's the very opposite of the passivity that cancer tries to impose, as it sucks out energy and suffocates life. Perhaps, in the end, all that really matters is belief, because without it I can't remain positive. And positivity, we're told, is key to healing.

Chemo clouds the mornings — the side-effects are always worst when I wake up. Slowly, consciousness rises from the cosh of numerous drugs, then the stark truth dawns: I still have cancer.

I burrow deeper under the duvet. Why bother to wake up? Why bother to go through yet another day filled with so many hopeful anti-cancer activities if I have only months, or a year or two, to live?

A cup of green tea is lovingly brought upstairs by Christoph.

Then I start the day with some geriatric yoga, which slows everything down and steadies the  mind.

The prospect of the hours ahead, performing many tiny acts of self-care, is exhausting. Almost every other day, there's some treatment to get to — hyperbaric oxygen, acupuncture, massage or the Chinese herbalist.

Chemo dehydrates, so after yoga I squirt drops into my dry eyes, and facial oil into my nostrils. I rub frankincense and CBD oil (cannabidiol — a compound from cannabis with anti-cancer properties, that doesn't make you 'high'), mixed with coconut oil, into my breasts and the surrounding areas, which are full of lymph nodes. (Early research evidence suggests that frankincense, an ancient essential oil, may shrink tumours.)

I get dressed slowly and carefully go downstairs. At the breakfast table, the pill-taking begins: probiotics to ease the gut, a concentrated mushroom supplement to help boost immunity.

Then it's the first juice of the day — three or four different fruits and vegetables pulped with kefir to line my gut, topped with a teaspoon of cordyceps (mushroom) powder, turmeric and a pod of frozen live wheatgrass — followed by a healthy breakfast of berries, more kefir, almond milk and a little muesli.

Next, yet more supplements —Boswellia serrata, giant bone-support calcium pills, grapeseed extract and kelp, washed down with another cup of green tea.

Finally, it's the chemo: five pills  followed by yet more pain relief in the form of Tramadol and paracetamol.

If I were to add up all the hours I spend building up an anti- cancer body, it must take up to half of each day.

But if that's what it takes to choose life over death, so be it.

'It's good news,' my oncologist says, almost skipping back to his desk for the results of the scan I had just before Christmas 2016. 'Cancer activity has dropped from 5 to 1.5.' I'm not sure what that means, but it sounds good. Doubtless he's feeling professional pride at having picked the right combination of drugs. With triple negative breast cancer, treatment often doesn't work at  all.

Within another few months, I'm officially in remission, with no detectable cancer cells in my body at all. Even my cracked ribs are healing.

Is that all down to the chemo? Or does it have something to do with the many 'alternative' things that I take, or do, each week?

Every day I continue to grow a little stronger from the exercises, the walking, the detoxing and the diet. I find myself going back over photos because it helps to see how ill I used to look. As I write, it's June 2017. There's a picture from January, when we stayed in a country hotel with good food and rolling grounds.

But I could walk only hesitantly down the drive and back again, because of the pain.

Now I don't think twice about walking for over an hour or eating out in crowded restaurants. And  I'm still working occasionally, though the idea of achieving anything new in my career is  laughable.

I have less fear of the future — just a renewed enthusiasm for living the best life possible.

That feels more ambitious than anything I've ever attempted before.

My latest scan, at the start of 2018, was once again clear. I'm cautiously growing more confident about saying 'I'm recovering from cancer' — though the clinical term is 'inactive.'

It lies dormant in my bones, a sleeping dragon. With every new muscle ache, every stabbing pain in my ribs, I worry that it's the Big C coming back.

But I've been given a second chance at life and I intend to soar back up to the light. Most of us can't hear time draining away like sand through an egg timer. I can. And that's a privilege.

Cancer has taught me that love is what matters, that it's important to show it constantly to those I care about and to get the best out of each and every day. In facing death, I'm finding so much more to live for than I ever thought possible.

I have also, paradoxically, never felt more alive.

Privately, I nurture a small ambition: that one day I may be fit enough to put on my own trainers, by myself, sling my tennis racket over my shoulder, put a can of balls and a bottle of water into my bag and walk to the park with Christoph.

We'll warm up from the service line, hitting the ball gently to one another, chatting about nothing much at all, before moving back to the baseline to hit some proper  shots.

I'll laugh and squeal as we spar like courting lovers, and he'll look back at me with a twinkle in his  eyes.

We'll manage that, even if I need to dose up on painkillers and have the St John Ambulance on speed dial.

Because unless we try to make each day joyful, what on earth is the point, exactly, in being alive?

* Adapted from On Smaller Dogs And Larger Life Questions by Kate Figes, published by Virago Press at £14.99. © Kate Figes 2018. To order a copy for £11.99 (offer valid until March 16) visit mailshop.co.uk/books or call 0844 571 0640. P&p is free on orders over £15.

Occasionally, irrational jealousy bubbles up. I see Christoph sitting next to an attractive single woman at a dinner party and can suddenly visualise them together after I'm gone.

Getting so ill inevitably strains family life. For instance, Christoph has had to learn how to multi-task, and that's no easy thing to learn in your 60s.

Yet at the same time we've  found a deeper intimacy. Sometimes we cook together, chatting about everything and nothing, and I feel so close to him that it's as if there's no air between us.

In those moments, there's a very special kind of peace.

We laugh over the silliest things, sharing memories of our children and each other. We hold hands and are kind to each to her.

And there's such joy to be found in the deliciousness of the ordinary — like lying in the warmth of our bed with our legs entwined while the wind howls outside.

I'm often happier now than  I've ever been, which feels like cancer's final ironic  twist.

There may not be a far future for me, but that means less to worry about. No point dwelling on whether I might get dementia or be unable to pay for my care.

I buy new clothes without a qualm. All that previous self-questioning has gone. Do I really need this? Will it make me look fat? Do I deserve this?

I operate on short-term planning and give in to immediate desires, which means good seats at the theatre — and who cares about parking tickets? To my mind, it seems a good use of the money I earn.

I used to want to make things better for everyone, but now I worry less about those I love. I haven't the energy or the clarity of mind to try to help them when they're unhappy or troubled. They'll have to take care of themselves.

It's liberating to feel less responsibility for others, less guilt for failing to do things in the right way. There's also no point raging at the failings of friends and family. I try to think only about what's best about them, because that makes me feel better.

These days, I have less ego, less need to talk or to win an argument. If others are boring on about something, I let them, and preserve my energy.

I worry less about what other people think of me. And I couldn't care less about never getting that wraparound extension to expand our kitchen into something more  bourgeois.

© Daily Mail

FAT-FREE YOGURT is disgusting, an abomination, and I am banning myself from eating it ever again," read a recent tweet from Roxane Gay, a writer who has spent years contemplating her relationship with food. Within hours, her missive had been liked 4,633 times. It also inspired hundreds of supportive replies, including one agreeing that fat-free yogurt tasted like "chalky paste mixed with sadness."

How times have changed. Once upon a time, Americans shunned fat, and the food industry answered their calls with fat-free versions of everything from yogurt and cookies to the oxymoronic fat-free cream. But substituting carbs and sugar for fat was no magic bullet. Today, nearly 38% of Americans are obese, up from 11% in 1990. And sugar is the new dietary devil.

Fat meanwhile, if not entirely redeemed by nutritionists, is back in fashion. Spurred by the media—a 2016 Time Magazine cover urged readers to "Eat Butter"—and a rash of "good-fat" cookbooks, many Americans now trumpet their embrace of fat, in particular "good" fats found in grass-fed dairy, coconut, olive oil and avocados [https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-explains-our-mania-for-avocados-1518791960].

For food manufacturers, the extreme swing of the pendulum is an opportunity. They have capitalized with a flood of new products: The dairy case, once awash in sugar-laden low-fat cartons and cups, now features full-fat, double- and triple-cream yogurts and alternative milks, smoothies, even cheeses made with high-fat nut and coconut milks. The Forager Project, a plant-based food company in California, is even prominently advertising fat on the labels of its new line of smoothies and "fat coffee" released last month. It was, said CEO Stephen Williamson, a tough call: "People associated fat with being fat, even if that's wrong."

Sales are booming. Kite Hill, which makes artisanal nut-milk [https://www.wsj.com/articles/do-you-need-a-cow-for-milk-debate-churns-over-dairy-definition-1488486563]cheeses and yogurts, has seen compound annual revenue growth of 400% since 2015. Organic giant Stonyfield launched 12 new whole-milk products in 2017 and saw their whole-milk dollar sales grow by double digits over the last several years, while Strauss Creamery, California's first organic dairy, watched whole-milk Greek yogurt sales jump 20% in 2017. In contrast, sales of Strauss's non-fat and low-fat versions dipped by "low single digits" during the same period.

"Fat is back," said Gary Hirshberg, Stonyfield's co-founder. "And that's because taste is back."

Maybe. But however tasty, these products are also branded as good for us, and if the excesses of the low-fat craze left me with anything, it's skepticism of health fads. After eating my way through the crowded dairy section, I came up with a few rules by which to judge the wave of new offerings and a list of my new go-tos. (See "Creamy and Dreamy.")

RULE N° 1

Not all fat is good.

"Eat Butter" was a great headline. But most nutritionists would agree a more apt one would be "Don't Demonize Butter." (You can see why Time went with the former.) Recent science suggests that foods rich in healthful, unsaturated fats—salmon, nuts, olive oil—can help protect against cardiovascular disease. But the evidence is less certain about saturated fats from dairy and coconut, which are the foundation for so many of the new dairy and alt-dairy products.

Here's what we know: Grass-fed milk has higher levels of good-for-you Omega-3s than milk from dairy cows fed a diet of grain. Whole-fat dairy is also more satisfying than lower-fat products, which can lead one to consume fewer carbs and other calories. Coconut milk, meanwhile, has a health halo because it's high in lauric acid, a medium-chain saturated fatty acid—the kind of fat that's quickly metabolized—and said to have antimicrobial and other benefits. But it is important to remember that it contains a whopping 24 grams of saturated fat per half cup.

Franklin Becker, chef and author of "Good Fat Cooking," boils it down this way: "If you're dairy-free, choose the nut yogurt over the coconut one; it's a healthier fat. In dairy, choose grass-fed over the non-grass fed."

RULE N° 2

Even good fat should be eaten in moderation.

Whole milk, by definition, has 3.25% fat. That means you get about 4 grams of fat in a 4-ounce serving. But plant-based milks and yogurts can have much more. Kite Hill's almond milk yogurt has 7.5 grams in a half-cup serving, while COYO coconut yogurt has a mindblowing 29 grams. You have to read the fine print to discover more balanced options such as Forager Project's Cashewgurt, which has 4.5 grams of fat per half cup, or So Delicious Coconut yogurt with just 3 grams.

Fat, of course, does make food more satiating. But the bottom line is that fat comes with calories.

"Companies are adding fat to processed foods presumably to make them taste better and because they think they can get away with it now that the word is out that fat is OK," said Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition at New York University. "The problem here, as in all such matters dealing with single nutrients, is taking the fat out of its caloric context. If there is more fat in yogurt, it will have more calories. And calories, alas, count."

RULE N° 3

If you're choosing higher-fat, make sure you're not getting sugar too.

The new fat-full yogurts and smoothies don't necessarily keep sugar low. Noosa, an ultra-popular upstart that recorded $170 million in sales last year, offers a line of 21 "classic" flavors, each with between 14 grams and 17.5 grams of sugar—as much as 4½ teaspoons per half cup. Likewise, many popular nut yogurts don't shy away from sugar. Kite Hill's pineapple and peach yogurts had nearly 13 grams and 11 respectively per half cup.

Many companies are reducing sugar. Stonyfield, for example, slashed sugar in all its classic yogurts by at least 25% last year. Most flavors now have around 4 grams of sugar per half cup.

After all my research, the brand I was most drawn to was Siggi's, famous for its Icelandic-style strained yogurts. Its whole-milk yogurts have a respectable 4 grams of fat (from grass-fed dairy) and just five grams of sugar in enticing flavors, like banana-cinnamon and peach-mango. Even its triple-cream offering, which is a dessert, keeps sugar low—8 grams for its raspberry flavor. I'll admit the first bite tasted strange; we're all accustomed to so much sugar. But before finishing my first tub, I appreciated being able to taste the real flavor and tang of yogurt itself.

Enjoy it while you can. You never know when fat will go out of fashion.

CREAMY AND DREAMY // The Best of the Batch

The Product Stonyfield 100% Grassfed Greek Vanilla Bean

The Claim Organic, grass-fed milk, which is higher in Omega-3s than conventional milk.

The Verdict An oldie but goodie with a classic toasty vanilla flavor and 5 grams of fat per tub.

The Product Forager Project Fat Shake Cold Brew Coffee

The Claim A blend of coconut cream and cashew milk, mixed with cold-brew coffee that delivers 100 mg of caffeine, about what you'd find in an 8-ounce cup of joe.

The Verdict Not quite breakfast in a bottle, but it definitely delivers buzz and the healthy plant fats will keep you satisfied till lunch.

The Product The Coconut Cult Mango Cream

The Claim Fermented yogurt with more than 25 billion strains of probiotics per serving plus plenty of healthy coconut fat.

The Verdict Something good is definitely brewing in this $25 (per 16-ounce jar) coconut yogurt. It has a subtle fizz on the tongue, similar to kombucha, and a low-key mango flavor.

Note: Suggested serving size is only 2 tablespoons, so this yogurt isn't quite as expensive as it seems, providing 16 servings per jar. And those probiotics promote gut health.

The Product Siggi's Triple Cream, Chocolate

The Claim At 9% milk fat—whole milk plus cream—this is marketed as an indulgence.

The Verdict Tastes like a creamy, tangy chocolate milkshake. That said, the restrained amount of sugar—just 8 grams—means you can make it a habit.

The Product Siggi's Strained Whole-Milk Yogurt, No Added Sugar, Banana & Cinnamon

The Claim The label proudly proclaims that this is "not a low-calorie food." But it clocks in at just 120 calories, with 35 from fat and only 5 grams of sugar. Plus it's made from grass-fed milk and has no artificial anythings

The Verdict Ideal for those looking to explore higher-fat dairy without overdoing it. The texture is creamy and the surprising lack of sweetness lets the inventive flavors shine.

Recipe: Pineapple Coconut Smoothie

Think of this as your morning Piña Colada with a zing from fresh ginger. An ultra-high-fat-content yogurt like COYO will give you a super-thick shake; if using, cut the amount back to 3 tablespoons.

Active Time: 5 minutes Serve: 1

Place ¼ cup full-fat unsweetened coconut yogurt, ¼ cup milk, 1 cup chopped pineapple, 1 banana and 1 (1-inch) piece ginger, peeled and chopped, in a blender and mix until smooth.

Recipe: Sweet Potato and Collard Coconut Curry

The Forager Project's high-fat turmeric-coconut smoothie tasted to me like it belonged in a curry—and it did. It's a brilliant foundation (and time saver) for this fast, spicy vegetable stew.

Active Time: 40 minutes Serves: 2

Heat 1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil over medium heat in a large, shallow pan. Add 1 yellow onion, thinly slice, and sauté until beginning to soften, 2-3 minutes. Add 2 cloves garlic, minced, 1 (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped, ½ small jalapeño, minced, and 2½ teaspoons curry powder, and cook, stirring often, until soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes more. // Add 1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced into ½ inch cubes, 1 (12-ounce) bottle Forager Project Turmeric Golden Smoothie and 4 ounces vegetable stock or water. Bring to a simmer, uncovered. Do not let boil or nut milk will separate. Cover and simmer until potatoes begin to soften, 5-6 minutes. Add 4 cups roughly chopped collard greens and cook, uncovered, until greens and potatoes are cooked through, 5 minutes more. Season with salt. // Serve over basmati or brown rice. Garnish with a handful of chopped cilantro and a handful of chopped toasted cashews, if you like.

Staphylococcus epidermidis may help to protect against skin cancer, and could lead to preventive treatments, scientists reveal

A type of bacteria commonly found on human skin produces a substance that may help protect against skin cancer[https://www.theguardian.com/society/skin-cancer], researchers have revealed.

The scientists say the surprise discovery regarding a strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis highlights the importance of the community microbes found on and in the body in preventing disease.

While it is not clear whether the absence of this strain could increase the risk of skin cancer in individuals, the team say that it is possible the findings might one day lead to preventive treatments for patients.

Related: Virotherapy: skin cancer successfully treated with herpes-based drug[https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/may/26/skin-cancer-patients-successfully-treated-with-herpes-based-drug]

“The presence of this strain may provide natural protection, or it might be used therapeutically to inhibit the growth of various forms of cancer,” said Prof Richard Gallo, a co-author of the research from the University of California, San Diego.

The finding was somewhat serendipitous. With previous research showing that chemicals produced by Staphylococcus species commonly found on healthy human skin can kill off certain harmful bacteria, the team looked at numerous strains to explore their antimicrobial powers.

Writing in the journal Science Advances[http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/4/2/eaao4502], Gallo and colleagues describe how among their results, they discovered a strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis which produced a substance that killed off a type harmful bacteria responsible for infections such as strep throat. While it was not the only strain to do so, the chemical these microbes produced was unusual, boasting a structure similar to one of the key components of DNA, called adenine.

“The strain was originally detected in a screen for antimicrobial activity, but when we identified the nature of the chemical produced by this strain we proceeded with experiments to determine if it might have activity against tumours,” said Gallo.

The researchers found that the chemical, called 6-N-hydroxyaminopurine (6-HAP), hindered the production of DNA, with work in cell cultures revealing that 6-HAP prevents several types of tumour cells from growing and multiplying.

By injecting mice with this substance, the team found that 6-HAP is not toxic. However, when melanoma cells were introduced to mice, animals which had received 6-HAP intravenously ended up with tumours that were more than 60% smaller than those that had not received the substance.

The team also found application of the 6-HAP-producing strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis to the skin of mice appeared to greatly reduce both the number of pre-malignant skin tumours formed when the creatures were exposed to ultraviolet light, and number of mice affected, compared to those exposed to a strain that did not produce the substance.

Related: Gut reaction: the surprising power of microbes | Ed Yong[https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/aug/25/gut-reaction-surprising-power-of-microbes]

While Staphylococcus epidermidis is commonly found on human skin, the team say about 20% of the healthy population is likely to have a strain which produces 6-HAP. “Our study found that it is common, but not on everyone,” said Gallo.

Julian Marchesi, professor of human microbiome research at Cardiff University who was not involved in the study, welcomed the findings.

“[This research] further adds to a growing understanding of how important the human microbiota, and in this case the skin microbiome, is to health. We have evolved to need these microbes and desperately need to understand all the roles they play in human biology and start to think more about what it is to be a human being,” he said. “The next stage of this exciting work, will be to translate it to human clinical trials and show that this bacterially produced chemical can protect the host from skin cancers.”

Overweight mothers are more likely to have overweight babies, and the gut bacteria the babies inherit may in part be to blame.

Researchers report that overweight mothers are more likely to have a cesarean section, and that babies born by cesarean to those mothers have species of gut bacteria different from those in babies born to normal weight women. And that difference in the gut microbiome — specifically an abundance of bacteria of the family Lachnospiraceae in infants of overweight mothers — may contribute to an increased risk for obesity.

The study included 935 mother-infant pairs. Compared to children born to normal weight mothers, those born vaginally to overweight women were more than three times as likely to be overweight by age 3. But C-section babies born to overweight mothers were more than five times as likely to be overweight.

For normal weight mothers, vaginal or C-section delivery made no difference in the risk for overweight babies.

The study, in JAMA Pediatrics[https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2672735], controlled for breast-feeding, antibiotic exposure and other factors.

The senior author, Anita L. Kozyrskyj, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Alberta, said that there is no probiotic that would lead to a positive change in gut bacteria.

“If a cesarean is unavoidable, there is no easy answer,” she added, “but breast-feeding is effective in helping to prevent infants from becoming overweight.”

* The Importance of Infants’ Exposure to Micro-Organisms[https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/05/well/live/infant-microbiome-cesarean-childbirth-breastfeeding.html]

* Does Colon Cleansing Wipe Out Our Gut Microbiome?[https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/11/well/live/does-colon-cleansing-wipe-out-our-gut-microbiome.html]

* Gut Bacteria May Play a Role in Weight Loss[https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/15/well/live/gut-bacteria-may-be-key-to-weight-loss.html]

Taking fish oil during pregnancy cuts the risk of some child allergies[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2017/11/09/cats-may-prevent-children-getting-asthma-scientists-say/] by nearly a third, a Government study suggests.

A daily fish oil capsule taken after the 20th week of pregnancy and for the first three or four months of breastfeeding cut the chances of a child developing an egg allergy by 30 per cent, the research showed.

Eczema[http://eczema/] risk was reduced by 22 per cent in children whose mothers took a probiotic supplement between 36 and 38 weeks of pregnancy.

Adding beneficial bacteria to the diet during the first three to six months of breastfeeding had the same effect.

The findings come from one of the biggest investigations of maternal diet and childhood allergy ever undertaken.

Commissioned by the Food Standards Agency, scientists at Imperial College London pooled data from more than 400 studies involving 1.5 million mothers and their children.

While clear benefits were seen from fish oil and probiotics, there was no evidence that avoiding potentially allergy-triggering foods such as nuts, dairy produce and eggs during pregnancy had any effect.

Lead researcher Dr Robert Boyle, from Imperial College London, said: "Food allergies and eczema in children are a growing problem across the world.

"Although there has been a suggestion that what a woman eats during pregnancy may affect her baby's risk of developing allergies or eczema, until now there has never been such a comprehensive analysis of the data.

"Our research suggests probiotic and fish oil supplements may reduce a child's risk of developing an allergic condition, and these findings need to be considered when guidelines for pregnant women are updated."

Allergies to foods such as nuts, egg, milk or wheat affect around one in 20 children in the UK.

They are the result of the immune system overreacting to harmless substances, leading to symptoms such as rashes, swelling, vomiting and wheezing.

Eczema, also thought to involve an overactive immune response, affects around one in five children in the UK and causes dry, cracked and itchy skin.

People who suffer from eczema are also more likely to have allergies.

More work is needed to understand how fish oils and probiotics may protect against allergies and eczema, according to study co-author Dr Vanessa Garcia-Larsen, also from Imperial College.

She said: "Despite allergies and eczema being on the rise, and affecting millions of children, we are still hunting for the root causes of these conditions, and how to prevent them.

"This study has provided clues, which we now need to follow with further research."

The new findings appear in the latest issue of the online journal Public Library of Science Medicine.

Previous studies have suggested that omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil may help to dampen down an overactive immune system.

Probiotics, taken in the form of capsules, a powder or a health drink, contain live bacteria that may influence the natural balance of microbes in the gut.

Scientists have linked the disruption of naturally occurring gut "flora" to allergy risk.

Commenting on the research, Seif Shaheen, professor of respiratory epidemiology at Queen Mary University of London, said: "More definitive answers on the possible role of maternal probiotic and fish oil supplementation in the prevention of childhood allergic disease can only come from further large trials, which follow up the children to school age.

"If such trials are big enough they may be able to identify particular subgroups of mothers and children who would benefit most from these interventions."

(CNN) -- As flights keep getting longer, jet lag doesn't seem to be going anywhere.

The world's longest flight launched last year, when Qatar Airways added direct routes between Doha, the Qatari capital, and Auckland, New Zealand.

The 9,032-mile flight takes a breezy 17 hours and 30 minutes. However, traveling across multiple time zones -- in this case, 10 -- brings with it long-haul flying's chief occupational hazard.

Jet lag refers to the disruption of the body's internal clock, also known as the circadian rhythm, which regulates our sleep-wake cycle, body temperature and the release of hormones.

"The body is trying to adapt to a different light-dark schedule," neuroscientist Tara Swart tells CNN Travel.

"Within the brain, jet lag causes a disruption within a group of neurons which control the dream state of rapid eye movement sleep. They find it hard to adjust to the new cycle and become out of sync with other neurons in the brain associated with deep sleep. Other symptoms can include fatigue, insomnia and nausea."

There are many conventional ways to combat jet lag. Swart says the current best practice is to anticipate the changes and adjust your body clock in advance.

"Reset your watch to the time of your destination at the beginning of your journey and, depending on whether you are flying east or west, try and expose yourself to additional light in the morning or evening a few days before flying," she says.

"If you feel sleepy during daylight hours when you arrive, try and do some aerobic activity, which will help you stay awake and boost your mental performance, due to oxygenation of the neurons, and release of the hormone serotonin which regulates mood."

But if the common solutions still aren't working for you, there are some alternatives that might be worth a try -- although there are no guarantees.

From forest bathing to fasting, IV infusions to watsu water massage, melatonin to flotation therapy, plus sound healing and earthing, these are a few unconventional jet lag remedies.

Melatonin

Taking melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, is one strategy that could help the body adjust to new time zones.

The body's circadian rhythm is directly related to the regulation of melatonin -- essentially, melatonin levels rise with the onset of darkness and fall with light exposure.

"When we cross time zones and are exposed to light during our normal bedtime, our melatonin cycles are disrupted, resulting in jet lag until our circadian rhythm gets in sync with the new time zone," Dewa Dude, the lead doctor at new health and wellness clinic EDEN Life Centres in Bali, Indonesia, tells CNN Travel.

"Researchers advise a small dose, usually 0.5 milligrams, after dark when you reach your travel destination and taking it for the minimum time needed (from one to three days)."

While melatonin is effective for some travelers, Dude advises his clients to avoid taking melatonin before or during air travel.

"There's some concern that it may actually hinder your recovery from jet lag," he adds.

Where to try it: While melatonin pills are widely available over the counter at most drug stores, it's advised to talk with your doctor to decide if this strategy is right for you.

Fasting

Diet is equally as important to regulating the body -- and fasting could help travelers hit the ground running.

"Try fasting on the flight until breakfast in the new time zone, as this can help untick and re-anchor your body's rhythm," says Swart. "Your gut bacteria also suffer from jet lag so taking probiotics before, during and after a big trip is beneficial."

Dude agrees, adding that travelers should refrain from eating or drinking -- anything other than herbal tea and water -- if they're hoping to prevent jet lag.

"Usually if you have your last meal at the origin and wait for the next main meal at the (local) time this will help you get onto the current time zone quicker," says Dude.

"Doing a 16-hour fast has proven benefits whether flying or on the ground, so why not take the opportunity to avoid salt- and fat-laden airplane food and kick-start your metabolism at the same time?"

Where to try it: Your seat. Some might say it wouldn't be too painful to pass on airplane food. But if you're concerned about how fasting could affect you, please consult your doctor.

Earthing

Looking for an excuse to stop and smell the roses? Earthing might be a two-in-one solution.

It's pretty much what it sounds like -- referring to a practice of reconnecting with the ground, whether it be walking barefoot or simply relaxing in nature.

"Among the discovered benefits, research suggests earthing can help reset the biological clock by regulating diurnal body rhythms such as cortisol secretion," says Dude.

"We are not convinced in the science behind this, but the fresh air, time taken in nature and breathing will help any aspects of imbalance, so we say go for it."

Where to try it: Nothing fancy here. All you have to do is take off your shoes and walk through the grass after you arrive at your destination.

Watsu

Invented in the United States, watsu -- a water-based therapy inspired by Japanese shiatsu massage -- is commonly used to treat depression, fibromyalgia (a disorder that results in chronic muscle pain) and promote relaxation.

A typical session takes place in a small private pool heated to about 94 to 98 F (about 35 C). After strapping small flotation devices onto your legs, the therapist will then cradle your head so it never falls below the water.

The sensation of zero gravity enables you to relax every single muscle, letting go of deep-seated tensions.

With your body fully relaxed, the therapist can then gently manipulate your neck, back, arms and legs to stretch and massage tired muscles.

It's meditative and physically rejuvenating -- but while some swear by it as a jet lag cure, Dude feels the main benefits are general wellness and relaxation.

"By applying therapist shiatsu massage and encouraging gentle movements, this therapy can help to reduce physical and psychological stress, muscle soreness and tension," says Dude.

Where to try it: In Hong Kong, one of the world's most stressed-out cities, newly opened Balinese wellness retreat Fivelements Hong Kong offers this treatment should you wish to give it a spin during your next business trip.

Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy

New treatments such as Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST), also known as isolation tanks or flotation therapy, could also provide some perks for frequent travelers due to its ability to recalibrate your internal clock.

In Europe, REST flotation tanks have been a popular practice since the 1980s. They are used for relaxation, encouraging creativity, and treating problems such as anxiety, swelling, insomnia and jet lag.

How does it work? In a light- and soundproof isolation tank, you'll float in skin-temperature salt water (about 93.5 degrees Fahrenheit) -- leaving you alone with your mind and the feeling of being completely weightless.

"Taking time out to minimize external stimulus through sensory deprivation is beneficial for helping with stress," says Dude.

"Whether it be a silent spa, a silent retreat, float tank, or just spending time completely silent, the main object here is to allow your brain to rest and therefore repair."

While sensory deprivation is not specifically targeted at jet lag, Dude says regularly practicing sensory deprivation will benefit the body and mind -- and potentially lessen symptoms of long-haul travel.

Where to try it: In Chicago, travelers will find a couple of Float Sixty club locations across the city, while Jumeirah Emirates Towers provides a salt-water flotation tank in the hotel's Talise Spa.

Onsens (hot springs)

An ancient tradition in Japan, onsens (hot springs) have been used since ancient times for their therapeutic and skin-enhancing properties.

In Japan, people have long sworn by the physical and mental benefits of mineral-rich volcanic waters, which are usually full of calcium, sodium chloride, and sulfur.

These thermal baths have been proven to increase circulation, benefit skin and muscle pains, lower cortisol levels (which produce stress), relieve fatigue, and improve sleep.

As stress and sleep disruption are key symptoms of jet lag, hot spring baths could be a relaxing strategy. But as any kind of steam treatment can cause dehydration, it's imperative to consume extra fluids before and after baths.

Where to try it: Marriott just opened five new resorts in Japan -- including Izu Marriott Hotel Shuzenji, south of Tokyo, and Lake Biwa Marriott Hotel, outside of Kyoto -- and each offers a mix of in-room onsens and public bathhouses.

IV infusions

Once reserved only for hospitals and medical centers, intravenous or IV infusions have recently made their way to wellness resorts and day spas around the world.

In addition to boosting hydration, immunity, and energy, IV injections could also be a jet lag solution.

"Without a doubt you will benefit from jet lag by adding nutrients and vitamins to your body, so it can recover from the stress of air travel and sleep deprivation," says Dude.

How does it work? Since IV treatments inject fluids directly into the bloodstream, it enables 100% vitamin absorption.

Where to try it: Bali's EDEN Life Centres features an IV infusion lounge where guests can soak up a cocktail of A, B, C, D, and E vitamins in the comfort of an Eames recliner -- an experience that Dude says is popular among airline crew members, frequent travelers and generally busy people.

Sound healing

A subtle and soothing alternative therapy, sound healing is like an aural massage for your body on a cellular level.

Inspired by the ancient practice of Himalayan singing bowls, sound therapy aims to re-tune the body's energy frequencies by harnessing the power of sonic frequencies.

In a typical sound therapy session, a guest will lie in a dark room and listen to a mix of sounds at varying frequencies. The experience usually includes percussive instruments such as drums, bells, bowls, and gongs, though chanting is also common.

"Vibrational frequencies at 528hz have been shown to heal the body's DNA, as well as improve mood, sleep and overall wellness," says Dude.

"It is a new and exciting therapy and we have had experience with the frequency assisting in lifting and balancing moods. Just think of it as tuning up your body using a sound frequency as the tool."

As some people have reported better sleep quality after sound healing sessions, Dude says there's potential for this strategy to benefit jet lag sufferers.

"It would be advantageous to listen to this frequency while sleeping on the plane, and have it playing on a low level in your home when you land to encourage happy DNA," says Dude.

Where to try it: If you're passing through Hong Kong, you can stop into Manhattan's Woom Center for a mind-quieting aural journey. In Croatia, Villa Dubrovnik offers its own version -- The Diamond Cocoon, where guests lie in a dark, enclosed chamber atop a bed of bubbling warm water as a journey of light and sounds aim to help them relax and get a better night's sleep.

Forest bathing

Similar to earthing, forest bathing is an ancient meditation tradition that emerged in the 1980s in Japan, where it's known as Shinrin-yoku forest therapy.

Primarily a meditative and preventative health practice, forest bathing advocates claim the human body can draw good energy in the healing atmosphere of a forest.

Alternatively, if there's no forest nearby, it's best to find any environment where you're fully encircled by nature.

Studies have shown that trees emit organic compounds that boost immunity, reduce blood pressure, develop intuition, and improve sleep.

"Spending time with nature and making time to relax will assist the body with its repair and recovery," says Dude.

"This is a preventative therapy aimed at keeping stress levels low. As we all know, keeping stress to a minimum will mean the body can heal and operate on a better vibration, so while this therapy may not be medically proven as a jet lag recovery therapy, it will certainly benefit the individual."

Where to try it: You don't need to be in Japan to try Shinrin-yoku, but should you find yourself in Tokyo -- a little outdoor jaunt through Yoyogi Park, located near the Park Hyatt Tokyo in Shinjuku -- should do the trick.

Collecting a vampire bat's feces is not an easy task.

You must go into the jungle, to the cave where the bats live, then lurk at the entrance at dawn or dusk. As the bats come winging in or out, you catch them in nets spread across the cave mouth and transfer them to a cloth bag. Then, you wait.

Sometimes, says M. Lisandra Zepeda Mendoza, who works in bioinformatics and is an author of a recent paper drawing on this raw material, you don't get what you need. ''They get shy,'' she says, and one has to let them go before they release a sample.

Luckily, however, Dr. Mendoza's colleagues at the bat cave mouth were able to collect enough feces that she and other collaborators could sequence the DNA of the bacteria within it. By combining an understanding of what lives in a vampire bat's gut with the flying mammal's genome sequence, they have revealed tantalizing insights into how the blood-supping creatures manage to survive on such an unusual food.

Blood, it turns out, is a very difficult thing to live well on. There are almost no carbohydrates -- it's nearly all protein -- and few vitamins. Even worse, it's often laced with viruses. Still, beyond mosquitoes and other insect bloodsuckers we're more familiar with, a handful of other organisms have somehow managed to do it. As blood-eating mammals, vampire bats, which live in the forests of Mexico and Central and South America, are particularly intriguing.

For the study, which was published Monday in Nature Ecology and Evolution, Dr. Mendoza and colleagues compared their vampire bat genome and microbiome with those of three other bat species: a bat that eats fruit, one that eats insects and one that eats mice, lizards, and other small animals.

They saw certain patterns, linked with generating greater diversity for natural selection to work on, clustered in parts of the vampire bat genome related to the immune system and metabolism, which could be related to the special challenges of their diet. They were also surprised to find that the vampire bat genome was not riddled with pieces of viral DNA, as many viruses will insert themselves into their host's genetic material. But they did find genes involved in fighting off such viral invasions in the bat. That suggests that the creatures have adapted to dodge the onslaught of pathogens they likely encounter in their food.

Vampire bats had the same general groups of bacteria in their guts as other bats. But when the researchers looked at what the microbes were making and doing, they found big differences. In vampire bats, the microbes looked to be focusing on metabolic tasks like breaking down proteins and producing vitamins that the bats might otherwise lack. That suggests that only by looking at the microbiome and the genome together is it possible to understand how animals with odd diets have made it work.

Dr. Mendoza, who performed the work as a researcher at the University of Copenhagen, will no longer be studying bats. But she hopes other researchers might take up some of the still-unanswered questions about vampire bats and their tiny inhabitants.

For instance, as vampire bat babies start to be weaned from their mothers' milk, the mothers will regurgitate blood for them. ''I believe this helps to prime their gut microbiomes for when they are ready to go out for hunting,'' said Dr. Mendoza. Perhaps that seeds the babies with bacteria that will allow them to thrive on blood, or signals to the bacteria they already have to change modes.

She wished she had been able to look at samples of this regurgitated blood.

''Getting their fecal samples was already hard enough,'' she said. ''I'll just leave that idea for someone else to explore.''

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This is a more complete version of the story than the one that appeared in print.

Kefir, kombucha, kimchi. You might have heard the words but not been quite sure what they mean. They are, in fact, the latest foods claimed to do wonders for health — and they're apparently flying off supermarket shelves.

What kefir (a type of milk drink), kombucha (a tea drink, often served cold), and kimchi (pickled Korean vegetables) have in common is that they are all fermented.

Fermented food or drink is given its flavour or texture through microorganisms such as bacteria or yeast. Kombucha, for example, is tea left to brew with sugar, bacteria and yeast, while kefir is milk cultured with bacteria and yeast to thicken it and add a slight 'fizz'.

These types of 'trendy' foods have been around for centuries. Sauerkraut — the traditional German pickled cabbage — is a fermented food, as is balsamic vinegar and traditional sourdough.

In fact, 20 per cent of  the food we eat is fermented to some  degree, says Dr Megan Rossi, a dietitian and gut health researcher at King's College London. These include some cheeses such as aged parmesan, olives and traditional salami. Beer and wine are also fermented.

So what is it about fermentation that makes it so desirable?

First, it can improve the nutritional properties of food by breaking down nutrients, making them more 'bio-available' — easier for us to absorb.

In effect, the bacteria pre-digest the foods, and this can mean we take on more vitamins and minerals than we would in their unfermented state. You might, for  example, absorb more nutrients, such as zinc or iron, from fermented soya such as tempeh than you would from the same amount of soya beans.

But the popularity of certain fermented foods really stems from our emerging understanding about how the mix of our gut bacteria affects health — including our immunity, weight and mood.Because of the way they are prepared, some fermented foods contain live 'good' bacteria and yeasts known as probiotics.

The health benefits a probiotic offers when eaten depends on its species and its strain, as well as the number of the micro- organisms present.

Some fermented foods — such as kefir, kimchi and sauerkraut — are what's known as synbiotics. This means that as well as containing probiotic 'good' bacteria, they also contain prebiotics. These aren't a type of bacteria themselves, but are carbohydrates we can't digest which act as food for the 'good' bacteria.

However, despite the trend for everything from skin cream to cola describing itself as 'fermented', not all fermented products are equal or healthy — salami, for instance, is high in fat and salt.

Dr Rossi warns: 'Don't think all fermented foods are probiotics. Fermented foods contain probiotics and can also include prebiotic ingredients — but just because a food is labelled fermented does not automatically mean that it contains probiotics.

'Look for the words "live" or "bio" on labels,' she adds. And there can be a big difference between fermented products produced traditionally and large scale. If a product is pasteurised, this can destroy the live cultures, for example.

Here, we look at some commercially produced fermented foods to show you what to look for.

Profusion Organic Kombucha

Turmeric, Ginger & Lemon, 330ml, £2.70, health food shops, ocado.com and amazon.co.uk

CLAIM: A lightly sparkling fermented green tea drink 'enhanced with superfoods'. The manufacturer also says it is 'organic, raw and alive'.

VERDICT: Kombucha is made by adding sugar to tea as well as a bacteria and yeast culture, then leaving it for eight to 10 days. Although lots of sugar is used in the home-made version, the fermentation process converts it so the final product is only about 1 per cent sugar, a lot less than many fizzy  drinks.

However, some commercial options include added sugar, so check the label. This one is 4.5 per cent sugar — with around three teaspoons per bottle. While some might be left over from the ferment, most of it will be added. It's unpasteurised, so will still contain live bacteria — but the amount is unclear. Including plenty of fibre and vegetables in your diet would be far better for gut bacteria than this.

Soupologie Leek and Sauerkraut soup

600g, £2.99, ocado.com and soupologie.com

CLAIM: A soup made with a 'mellow' mix of leek and fermented white cabbage that will leave you 'fabulously glowing', says the maker, who adds that it is also 'fantastically filling' and 'full of vitamins'.

VERDICT: Leeks are a good source of inulin — a prebiotic fibre. Prebiotic foods don't contain live bacteria themselves, but they feed the 'good' bacteria in your gut.

Although this soup contains sauerkraut — fermented cabbage — which can have live bacteria in it, with only 5 per cent sauerkraut in this soup, coupled with the fact that you would heat it before eating it (and it would have been heated in the manufacturing process, too) it's unlikely that any live bacteria would remain. Indeed, none is listed on the ingredients list.

However, this is a generally healthy option — low in saturated fat and salt — and will count towards your daily intake of vegetables and fibre.

Biotiful Dairy Strawberry & Grapefruit Kefir Smoothie

250ml, £1.60, Sainsbury's

CLAIM: This is a milk-based smoothie with 'zingy and uplifting' flavour; the maker says it's 'packed with billions of gut-friendly bacteria'.

VERDICT: Kefir is a fermented milk drink made with a culture of bacteria and yeast. This product is one of the few that states the total number of live bacteria in it — more than four billion per bottle. With probiotic bacteria, you need a large dose in order to survive digestion. While the number sounds high, the drink contains several types of bacteria — including Lactobacillus acidophilus — but doesn't state how many of each, so it's hard to know if there is enough of any of them to have any meaningful effect on health.

With 4.9g saturated fat, this is 25 per cent of your maximum daily intake. Biotiful fell foul of ad regulations last year with health claims it made for its kefir products such as 'secret to better digestion'.

Rhythm Health Raw Coconut & Greens Dairy Free Kefir

500ml, £4.99, ocado.com and rhythmhealth.co.uk

CLAIM: A smoothie made from coconut milk kefir and vegetables including broccoli, fennel, spinach, kale and avocado. Vegetarian, vegan, and with no added sugar, the maker says this is 'real, live, fermented kefir containing lactic acid bacteria, including Lactobacillus acidophilus'.

VERDICT: This kefir uses coconut milk, rather than cow or other animal milk, with added live cultures which it specifies by name — L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus and L. paracasei — but not the total amount, so it's difficult to say how beneficial this will be.

The added vegetable pulp includes some prebiotic fibre too, but not enough to count as a portion of veg. The fact that this smoothie uses coconut milk rather than dairy milk means the microorganisms will flourish slightly differently, but it's hard to say whether one is better than the other.

This lacks the protein, bone-healthy calcium and B vitamins — good for healthy blood and the  nervous system — that a cow's milk kefir would provide.

However, this has more vitamin C as well as some fibre.

Laurie's Raw & Organic Juniper & Black Pepper Beet Kraut

410g, £5.49, health food shops and ocado.com

CLAIM: Laurie's describes its products as 'tummy loving'. This sauerkraut is made from beetroot, red cabbage, red onion and garlic and is 'naturally cultured' for a 'hint of zing'.

VERDICT: Many shop-bought sauerkrauts will have been heat-treated, which will kill off all the live bacteria produced during fermentation. This one is raw, but the manufacturer doesn't say how much bacteria is in it.

It does contain added salt. Salt is added to fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, as a preservative and to draw out water to make brine, which encourages the growth of lactic acid bacteria that can help with digestion. This has 1.7g salt per 100g, which is high, and the recommended 70g serving would provide 1.2g — 20 per cent of the maximum daily intake.

Peter's Yard Seeded Wholegrain Sourdough Crispbread

105g, £2.95, Sainsbury's and ocado.com

CLAIM: Crackers made from 'sourdough, which is fed daily and allowed to ferment for 16 hours before each batch is baked', say the makers.

VERDICT: Rather than adding yeast, sourdough is traditionally made from flour, water and a 'starter' — a kind of watery dough mix of flour and water that is left out and ferments through exposure to 'wild' yeasts and bacteria found in the flour, air and on the baker's hands.

These crackers contain 11.5 per cent of sourdough made the traditional way, but baking will kill any beneficial micro- organisms. That said, the fermentation process before baking can reduce the amount of fructans — carbohydrates that are broken down by the bacteria in our large bowel which can cause side-effects such as bloating. In theory, this means sourdough crackers may be easier for some people to digest, but there's probably not enough real sourdough here to make a difference.

Many supermarket sourdough products aren't made the traditional way, but a dried sourdough flavour is added so any benefit of long fermentation is lost.

© Daily Mail

Corrections & Amplifications

Naveen Jain is an entrepreneur in Seattle. A Journal Report article Monday about dietary advice based on gut bacteria incorrectly said Mr. Jain was a Silicon Valley entrepreneur.

(WSJ March 1, 2018)

(END)

For almost a decade, researchers have been sequencing the bacteria that live in the human gut. Now, some startups are claiming they can use that technology to help people diet more effectively -- and in at least one case, scientists say the approach is showing some promise.

The companies are aiming to address a problem identified in recent years: Standard nutritional advice doesn't work for everyone. Research shows that people fed identical foods can have vastly different blood-glucose responses, which may explain why one person can eat doughnuts daily without gaining weight and another can't.

While some of this variability is due to genetics, there is growing evidence that the 100 trillion organisms that live in the human gut -- known as the microbiome -- also play a role. Composed of more than 8,000 different types of bacteria, viruses and fungi living together in a complex ecosystem, the gut microbiome varies from person to person and is affected by a variety of factors, such as sleep, exercise, antibiotics use and, most important, diet.

Thanks to advances in genetic sequencing, researchers increasingly believe that these bacteria affect the body's ability to harvest energy from food, a measure known as the postprandial glucose response, or PPGR. If untreated, high blood glucose is a risk factor for a host of metabolic conditions, including obesity and diabetes.

DayTwo Inc., an Israeli startup, and Viome Inc., a company backed by Silicon Valley entrepreneur Naveen Jain, say they can help people normalize their blood sugar by analyzing the mix of bacteria that influence their glucose response. Customers send in a stool sample, from which their microbiome is sequenced, along with other information, including a brief medical history, daily activity levels and blood-test results. The companies send back individually tailored diets via an app.

Until now, most diets have been based on the glycemic index, a half-century-old list that ranks foods based on how they affect blood sugar. While this index is widely used by doctors to provide dietary advice, it is based on an average response and has been found wanting because many people aren't average.

DayTwo, which charges $329 for its kit, bases its dietary recommendations on research at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel. In 2015 the institute produced a double-blind, peer-reviewed study that showed that individual glucose responses to the same exact meals varied dramatically. Using a test group of 800 people, the study showed that some people produce less glucose after eating a bowl of ice cream than they do after eating a portion of sushi, a food most people would consider to be more healthful.

"We did a dietary intervention that showed that for different people, even people who were prediabetic, we could significantly lower their PPGR," says Eran Segal, one of the Israeli researchers and a consultant to DayTwo.

Until very recently, many doctors were hesitant to base any nutritional advice on the microbiome, saying researchers still didn't know what each type of micro-organism does exactly, how they interact with other bacteria, and whether they cause disease or are only a biomarker of disease.

But Jack Gilbert, faculty director of the University of Chicago's Microbiome Center, says he now believes it's possible to give some dietary advice based on microbiome analysis, even though the microbiome's role isn't fully understood. "This is less about trying to identify the particular mechanisms of the microbes and more about identifying the potential correlated association between the microbial communities and how they positively associate with blood-glucose levels and response to different types of food," he says. Dr. Gilbert, who isn't connected to DayTwo, says he has put his own father, who is prediabetic, on the program.

The American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, which as recently as last year expressed reservations about microbiome-based diets, also has "evolved" its position, says Sonya Angelone, a San Francisco nutritionist and a spokeswoman for the academy. "I think this is the future of really good health care," says Ms. Angelone, though she suggests pairing such data with advice from a dietitian.

Rob Knight, a professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Diego, and faculty director of the university's Center for Microbiome Innovation, says the Weizmann research underlying DayTwo is "very solid and rigorous, which puts them ahead of the curve." But, he adds, "I think it is still very challenging to extend results like that beyond the population you have studied directly."

Perhaps because of these concerns, DayTwo, which bases its dietary advice on an algorithm licensed from the Weizmann Institute that connects microbiome composition with predicted glucose responses, has joined with Mayo Clinic to duplicate the Israeli study on 329 people in the U.S. The goal is to ensure that the diet advice works as well for Americans, whose genetics and diet are different from many Israelis.

Nicholas Chia, assistant director of the Center for the Individualized Medicine Microbiome Program at Mayo Clinic, says the results of the follow-up study were close to the Weizmann's Institute's findings. "That's a pretty good sign that we've replicated the Israeli study and that it continues to work," he says.

Viome, meanwhile, uses gene-sequencing technology to analyze not only bacteria but also viruses and fungi in the gut. The Bellevue, Wash., firm, which charges $399 for its analysis, compares users' microbiomes with 800 individuals the company has preselected as healthy specimens. It gives broad advice on foods to eat or avoid to improve glucose response, enhance sleep and focus, and reduce anxiety.

Though Mr. Jain says Viome's sequencing technology, licensed from the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, is superior to other technologies, Viome's dietary advice isn't yet based on peer-reviewed research. Mr. Jain says Viome is conducting a microbiome study on 2,000 people that should be completed later this year.

Drs. Gilbert and Knight and Ms. Angelone declined to discuss Viome, saying they hadn't seen its studies. A spokesman for Viome says hundreds of testimonials are evidence that Viome's service is working.

Other companies offer sequencing of the microbiome, but they focus on how an individual's gut bacteria differ from the average, not on helping people understand which foods elevate their blood glucose. Some sell probiotics that they say improve the mix of bacteria, though many experts caution that the rapid growth in marketing and use of probiotics may have outpaced scientific research for many of their proposed uses and benefits.

As for microbiome-based diets, questions remain. Can these eating plans change a person's gut bacteria for the better, and if so, do people need to measure how much it has changed? "The right diet might change over time as the bacteria change," says Dr. Knight at UC San Diego.

---

Mr. Wallace is a writer in New York. He can be reached at reports@wsj.com.

License this article from Dow Jones Reprint Service[http://www.djreprints.com/link/DJRFactiva.html?FACTIVA=WJCO20180226000017]

These days, plant-based beauty products are de rigueur Stateside. But the roots of many natural skin care solutions can be traced to Europe, where alternative medicine practitioners have been bottling botanical tinctures and homeopathic remedies for centuries. Take, for example, Rudolf Steiner — the Austrian scientist and philosopher launched his Weleda skin care range in the 1920s using flowers, herbs and other extracts cultivated on biodynamic farms. Or the Vienna-born chemist Rudolf Hauschka, who took inspiration from the rhythms of nature when co-creating his Dr. Hauschka line of essential-oil-spiked elixirs in 1967 — long before self-care Sundays were a thing.

Now, a new guard of European scientists and skin experts is combining an old-world respect for nature with the latest advancements in chemistry to perfect the skin. Newly arriving in the U.S. this month: The Cream and The Cream Rich ($265 each) from Augustinus Bader[http://augustinusbader.com/], a German university professor who has spent the last three decades working as a specialist in the field of regenerative medicine. In 2007, Bader developed a breakthrough hydrogel that eliminates the need for skin grafts in some burn patients (just one of the 200-plus patents he holds). Tapping into similar self-healing technology, his creams contain a complex of amino acids, vitamins and compounds that mimic those naturally found in the skin and help minimize everything from fine lines to redness to dark spots. “It takes skin care to the next level; it’s about achieving skin health through physiologic and innate ways,” Bader says. The collection is also boosted with evening primrose, avocado and argan oils — and it gives back. Part of the proceeds from the range will fund the Augustinus Bader Foundation, which provides free hydrogel treatments to clinics that treat burn victims.

German orthopedic surgeon Barbara Sturm[https://www.dr-barbara-sturm.com/], M.D., meanwhile, spent the early years of her medical training on the slopes, analyzing how professional skiers recover from injury and trauma. She discovered that quelling inflammation is the key to physical longevity, a theory that applies to the entire body — especially the skin. Inspired by this finding, she opened her first aesthetic clinic in Düsseldorf in 2004. Among her more experimental offerings is MC1, a bespoke anti-aging cream infused with patients’ own plasma (and for this, there is a lengthy waitlist). Next came a ready-made range[https://www.molecular-cosmetics.com/] of cleansers, creams and masks that aim to enhance youthfulness via fresh doses of purslane. The plant, says Dr. Sturm, has “potent anti-inflammatory, wound-healing and nutritive properties,” and also “extends cell life.” It’s pumped into all of her products, along with lab-derived actives like the hydrating long- and short-chain hyaluronic acids in her popular plumping serum Ampoules[https://www.molecular-cosmetics.com/cosmetics/hyaluronic-ampoules] ($215), and the nontoxic UV filters in her Sun Drops[https://www.molecular-cosmetics.com/cosmetics/sun-drops] ($145, currently sold out until spring). Her newest innovation: Anti-Pollution Drops, made with “an interesting new compound produced by marine microbes,” Dr. Sturm says. “It’s able to directly combat the effects of environmental pollution on the skin surface.”

Other complexion concerns — from stubborn acne to dullness — require looking beneath the surface, says Nigma Talib[http://www.healthydoc.com/], a London-based naturopathic doctor. After suffering from eczema and digestive issues as a child, Dr. Talib eventually tried botanical supplements to balance her system rather than steroid creams and antacids. “In three to six months, I was 100 percent better,” she says. “I decided this was the type of doctor I wanted to be — one that looks at the root cause of illness.” Now, she’s leveraging her 18 years of experience to create holistic products that improve skin from the inside out: her Healthy Flora[https://www.net-a-porter.com/us/en/product/835895/Dr_Nigma_Talib/healthy-flora-supplement-30-capsules-] ($65) supplement contains probiotics and grapeseed oil to fight oxidative damage while her Hydrating and Plumping Serum No. 1[https://www.net-a-porter.com/us/en/product/835893/Dr_Nigma_Talib/hydrating-and-plumping-serum-no1-30ml] ($205) uses plant stem cells and light-water technology. “Most creams and serums are mainly made up of water,” Dr. Talib explains. “But we remove the heavy isotopes from the water molecule.” It’s a process that allows the ingredients to deeply penetrate the skin for more effective results, she says.

For most Europeans, the goal of skincare is natural-looking results, says Munich-based dermatologist Timm Golueke, M.D., who created his Royal Fern[https://royalfern.com//] line to nurture skin by noninvasive means. Its star ingredient — Scottish fern — might be able to protect cellular DNA from the harmful effects of UV exposure, a detail Dr. Golueke uncovered in his reading of medical literature. He adds other botanicals to his products — including wild rose blossoms and sea buckthorn — to form an encapsulated complex that promises to deliver hydration, fight hyperpigmentation and soften fine lines gradually over time. In a nod to German efficiency, all of the formulas are multitasking: the Phytoactive Anti-Aging Serum[https://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/Royal-Fern-Phytoactive-Anti-Aging-Serum-1-0-oz-30-ml-royal-fern/prod130700033___/p.prod?icid=&searchType=MAIN&rte=%2Fsearch.jsp%3FN%3D0%26Ntt%3Droyal%20fern&eItemId=prod130700033&cmCat=search] ($295) and Phytoactive Anti-Aging Cream[https://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/Royal-Fern-Phytoactive-Antiaging-Cream-1-7-oz-50-mL-royal-fern/prod130700050___/p.prod?icid=&searchType=MAIN&rte=%2Fsearch.jsp%3FN%3D0%26Ntt%3Droyal%20fern&eItemId=prod130700050&cmCat=search] ($250), for example, are designed to firm, brighten and nourish. Such no-fuss solutions mesh well with the broader European perspective on aging, which hasn’t changed much over time. In Europe, says Dr. Golueke, aging “is really a term that implies taking care of oneself, eating well and exercising often.”

* The Familiar Promise of Health and Happiness in a Bottle[https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/14/t-magazine/organic-beauty-products-rudolf-steiner-weleda.html]

Tobias Rees is the William Dawson Chair in the Department of Social Studies of Medicine at McGill University and a director at the Berggruen Institute. Nils Gilman is vice president of programs at the Berggruen Institute.

It is a crisis some scientists believe has similar proportions to climate change, but it gets much less coverage: Microbes are disappearing from our bodies.

You may have heard that trillions of microbes — bacteria, fungi, viruses, protists — live on every surface of your body as well as inside your mouth, other orifices and your gut. You may have also heard that these microbes make up the majority of your body's cells.

But few are aware of how directly these microbes and their genes affect the functioning of our bodies. The human genome found in the nuclei of our cells contains roughly 20,000 genes, but the microbiome — the sum total of genetic material in the microorganisms that live in and on us — contains as many as 20 million genes, all of which are directly or indirectly interacting with and at times even controlling our genes.

Our microbial genes are critical to the regulation of our metabolism, to the ability of our immune system to fight off infection and to the production of the neurotransmitters that power our brain and nervous system. The microbiome, just like our nuclear genome, is heritable. The majority of microbes are transferred from mother to child during childbirth, in a chain of transmission that reaches back to the earliest animals that evolved — which happen to have been microbes.

So why the crisis?

What we eat

The first major issue is the modern diet. Our hunter-gatherer ancestors mostly ate a plant-based and fiber-rich diet, which sustained a diverse microbial population in our guts that could produce all the metabolites our bodies and brains needed to grow and flourish. By contrast, most modern humans rely on a narrow, nutritionally impoverished and fiber-poor diet. This starves large parts of our microbiome and disrupts our health through typical "diseases of modernity," such as obesity and diabetes.

The microbial diversity found in the guts of contemporary hunter and gatherer societies, such as the Hadza people in Tanzania or the Yanomami of South America, is roughly twice as high as the one found in the average European and American gut (independent of ethnicity). The good news is that in most cases, if we return to a diverse, fiber-rich diet before essential microbes are lost, some of the diversity of our gut's microbial population can be restored.

How we are born

Another element of the microbiome crisis is the sharp rise in the number of births via Caesarean section. This form of medical intervention saves the lives of many mothers and babies. But when the procedure is not medically required, it unnecessarily interferes with an important stage of development. Today, a third of the babies born in the U.S., and as many as half of the babies in some countries, such as Brazil and Turkey, are born by C-section.

Why is this a problem? Because traditionally, the initial inoculation of a newborn baby with the mother's microbiomes happens when a baby travels through the mother's birth canal. In fact, during the third trimester of pregnancy, a mother's vaginal and fecal microbiome transforms to inoculate the fetus with essential microbes it needs for optimal development.

A C-section thus disrupts an age-old transmission process, and the effects are real and serious. A child born by C-section is significantly more likely to develop allergies than those who were born naturally, due to an absence of microbes that are critically involved in the development of the immune system.

To make matters more dramatic: since a baby girl born by C-section has permanently lost essential microbes, as an adult she cannot pass these essential microbes on to her own offspring. The situation worsens if her baby is born via C-section and worsens further if the child relies on a low-fiber diet. The compounding exponential effect of all this is obvious.

Each time a mother loses a single microbial species — perhaps one essential for our health — her future children will miss that microbial species too. And if the mother then gets a series of antibiotic treatments, perhaps right before or even during a pregnancy, her children will miss even more essential microbes. Recent research suggests that a newborn who misses just three microbial species during the first three weeks of life is much more likely to be asthmatic.

When we get sick

Still, the rampant use of antibiotics appears to be the single most important disruptor of the human genome-microbiome symbiosis. Dr. Martin Blaser's book on the matter, "Missing Microbes," may prove to be for antibiotics what Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring" was to the chemical pesticide industry.

Broad-spectrum antibiotics effectively kill many pathogens that make us sick but also kill many microbes that are necessary for normal development. And there is abundant evidence that antibiotics are overused: an average American child gets five courses of broad-spectrum antibiotics during the first three years of life.

Given our mutualistic dependence on microbes, the use of antibiotics to fight infections is like using saturation bombing to deal with an insurgency. It's a crude function that produces huge amounts of collateral damage to the "good" microbiome. At worst, especially if not pursued to conclusion, the antibiotic may not only fail to kill off the underlying infection but may strengthen the insurgency, which results in antibiotic resistance. As with poorly designed counterinsurgency strategies, the indiscriminate use of antibiotics can have devastating unintended consequences.

One such unintended consequence happens because the majority of antibiotics are used not in humans but in farm animals. Several thousand metric tons a year are fed to livestock and sprayed on fields at a subtherapeutic level. This is not so much to prevent disease but to increase weight gain (or, to put it differently, obesity) in animals, thus increasing meat production. Then we consume these animals' antibiotic-drenched flesh. The animals also transfer antibiotics into the groundwater, which we eventually drink. All of this helps destroy our own microbiome.

The introduction of mass antibiotics coincides with the dramatic increase of a whole series of modern plagues, all of which have experimentally been linked to microbiome disturbances: atopic diseases, autoimmune diseases, allergies, asthma, even multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. Scientists are now also exploring links between the disturbance of microbes and some cancers.

Where we go from here

As individuals, we can respond to this epidemic by changing what we eat and also by getting close to nature: when we work in our gardens and get our hands dirty, our bodies soak up healthy microbes or microbial metabolites.

For policymakers, this emerging understanding of the importance of the human microbiome provides even more reason to crack down on the rampant over-prescription of antibiotics. Policymakers should also be funding more research into both the complex interactions between the human microbiome, various animal microbiomes, diet, environmental factors and personal and public health practices.

In addition, scientists need to build biobanks: just like we have seed vaults for plants at risk of extinction, we need to collect microbiome samples from populations that don't live a modern lifestyle and who have a much richer, more diverse microbiome than we do. Regenerative microbe therapies and microbial transplants are rapidly emerging as important medical interventions, and many scientists think this is a vital step for the future of medicine.

Finally, and perhaps most profoundly, the lesson of the human microbiome is that it compels us to revise our understanding of ourselves as humans: Microbes are us. In fact, it is impossible to clearly determine where a human being ends and its microbiome begins: there is a quintessential indistinguishability. We humans are not more than mere nature. In fact, we are just that — a piece of nature, deeply interrelated with the microbial environment on which we are utterly contingent.

This was produced by The WorldPost, a partnership of the Berggruen Institute and The Washington Post.

The key to your baby's IQ may be lurking in their dirty nappy

Every parent likes to think their baby is a secret genius, regardless of whether they can actually talk yet or are still refining their motor skills.

The good news is, there's apparently a way of discovering your baby's IQ - and it's lurking in their nappy.

Combining parents' obsession with their baby's stools with their desire for them to be a clever clogs, comes research led by Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Rebecca Knickmeyer, PhD, at the UNC School of Medicine.

What Professor Knickmeyer's pioneering study, found - published inBiological Psychiatry[https://www.journals.elsevier.com/biological-psychiatry/]- was there is an interesting link between your baby's fecal matter and their cognitive skills.

Dedicated researchers had to sift through the stools of 89 one-year-olds, which were then separated into three different categories.

These categories were based on the bacterial composition of the sample and a year after being collected and tested, each child's cognitive levels were also analysed.

The 'bottom line' of the research was that children with a higher diversity of microbiomes in their poo demonstrated lower cognitive skills.

In this instance, microbiomes are microorganisms in a particular environment - such as the gut.

"The big story here is that we’ve got one group of kids with a particular community of bacteria that's performing better on these cognitive tests," said Knickmeyer,in a statement[https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-07/uonc-ibd071717.php].

Baby Advice

"This is the first time an association between microbial communities and cognitive development has been demonstrated in humans."

A link between gut bacteria and cognitive ability has been found with rodents, but this is the first time similar findings have been found with humans.

However, it's far too early to instruct parents to go out and start stocking up on the probiotics for their little ones.

"It's the very first step," said coauthor Alexander Carlson, also of North Chapel Hill. "We’re not really at the point where we can say, 'Let’s give everyone a certain probiotic.'"

Cute baby photoshoot goes very very wrong