Bees Can Understand Symbols, Solve Maths
Researchers have found bees can do basic mathematics, in a discovery that expands our understanding of the relationship between brain size and brain power.
Building on their finding that honeybees can understand the concept of zero, Australian and French researchers set out to test whether bees could perform arithmetic operations like addition and subtraction.
Solving maths problems requires a sophisticated level of cognition, involving the complex mental management of numbers, long-term rules and short term working memory.
The revelation that even the miniature brain of a honeybee can grasp basic mathematical operations has implications for the future development of Artificial Intelligence, particularly in improving rapid learning.
Led by researchers from RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, the new study showed bees can be taught to recognise colours as symbolic representations for addition and subtraction, and that they can use this information to solve arithmetic problems.
RMIT’s Associate Professor Adrian Dyer said numerical operations like addition and subtraction are complex because they require two levels of processing.
“You need to be able to hold the rules around adding and subtracting in your long-term memory, while mentally manipulating a set of given numbers in your short-term memory,” Dyer said.
“On top of this, our bees also used their short-term memories to solve arithmetic problems, as they learned to recognise plus or minus as abstract concepts rather than being given visual aids.
“Our findings suggest that advanced numerical cognition may be found much more widely in nature among non-human animals than previously suspected.
“If maths doesn’t require a massive brain, there might also be new ways for us to incorporate interactions of both long-term rules and working memory into designs to improve rapid AI learning of new problems.”
There is considerable debate around whether animals know or can learn complex number skills.
Many species can understand the difference between quantities and use this to forage, make decisions and solve problems. But numerical cognition, such as exact number and arithmetic operations, requires a more sophisticated level of processing.
Previous studies have shown some primates, birds, babies and even spiders can add and/or subtract. The new research, published in Science Advances, adds bees to that list.


World-renowned Experts Presenting Discoveries, Best Practices, Techniques and Applications
We invite you to attend the longest running, most recognized international chromatographic conference in the world shaping the future of separations and analyses carried out in the liquid-phase. HPLC 2022 is the 50th International Symposium and Exposition on High Performance Liquid Phase Separations and Related Techniques and will take place on June 18-23, 2022 in San Diego, California USA.
The symposium will bring together scientists at all professional levels involved with all aspects of liquid-phase separations from fundamental research to practice, to provide a dynamic program with cutting-edge presentations and engaging scientific sessions covering a myriad of topics, and to offer wide opportunities for training, networking and informal discussion.
Topics broadly include medicine, biology, environment, manufacturing, agriculture, and the science underlying separation processes. Special emphasis will be on the life sciences where scientists and researchers from around the world will present the latest trends and issues in areas such as column technologies, 3D-printing, multidimensional LC, capillary LC, SFC, micro- and nanofluidics, omics, mass spectrometry, electrophoresis, sample preparation, theory of the chromatographic separation processes, machine learning and artificial intelligence, natural products, food, environment, sustainability, emerging markets, as well as a myriad of other topics related to liquid-phase separations and analyses.
I look forward to seeing you in San Diego at the HPLC 2022 symposium.
Professor Frantisek (Frank) Svec
HPLC 2022 Symposium Chair


Dallas World Aquarium
Open 7 days a week from 9am - 5pm
The Dallas World Aquarium is located in downtown Dallas in the West End Historic District, and located just a 5 minute drive from Sheraton Dallas Hotel.
The aquarium houses threatened or endangered species that are unique to specific parts of the world. Enjoy the exotic birds, wildlife species, and more at this exciting aquarium.
Adult - $20.95
Child - $14.95
Senior - $16.95
Children under 2 - free


Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
Chemotherapy is the process in which cancer-killing drugs are either injected into the body or are given as oral pills. Chemotherapy usually follows surgery for breast cancer. Sometimes it may be given together with surgery as well as radiotherapy. Hormone therapy may be used as a follow-up treatment.
Drugs used in chemotherapy for breast cancer are similar to other cancers but the protocol for giving them may vary. The doctor decides the treatment plan for each individual. He/she will also determine how long and how often chemotherapy treatments must continue.
Chemotherapy, often shortened to just "chemo," is a systemic therapy which affects the whole body since the drugs pass through the blood. It affects both normal cells as well as cancer cells.
Generally, chemotherapy is given in cycles - which means that the drugs are given for 4-6 weeks and then a rest period of a few weeks is allowed. Then the treatment is repeated.
Specific treatment is based on:
- Overall health of the patient.
- The type and stage of the cancer.
- Whether the patient is still menstruating.
- Reactions to and tolerance of specific drugs.
Types of Chemotherapy: There are three types of chemotherapy:
- Neoadjuvent Chemotherapy: This is a type of chemotherapy which is given before surgery to shrink the tumors and make the operation easier for both the surgeon as well as the patient.
- Adjuvent Chemotherapy: In this case, chemotherapy is given after the surgery to treat any cancer cells which may still be present in the body in the chest wall of lymph nodes or which has spread elsewhere in the body.
- Palliative Chemotherapy: It is used to control (but not cure) the cancer in women in whom the cancer has spread beyond the breast and localized lymph nodes. It helps to control various symptoms like pain etc, and makes the remaining years of the life of the patient somewhat easier.


Owls, eagles, hawks, falcons, kites, and ospreys are raptors, or birds of prey. “Prey” is another word for an animal that is hunted for food. The word “raptor” is based on an old word that means “to seize and carry away.” And that’s exactly what raptors do! They use powerful, curved claws called talons to catch their prey and carry it away. Then they tear into the meal with their sharp, hooked beaks.
Bald eagles and ospreys feed mainly on fish. Peregrine falcons catch birds. Tiny American kestrels nab insects, lizards, small snakes, and mice. Big golden eagles carry off jackrabbits, prairie dogs, and other medium-sized mammal prey. These are raptors that hunt by day.
At night, owls take over. Their huge eyes gather every speck of light. Round, feathered areas on their faces work like radar dishes to channel sounds to their ears. Soft feathers on their wings’ edges muffle the sound as they fly. Owl prey ranges from insects, lizards, snakes, and frogs to mice, rats, and rabbits. Great horned owls even eat skunks!
Raptors that hunt by day often travel by hitching a ride on currents of air called thermals. A thermal forms when the sun heats up the ground in the morning. Air near the ground heats up, too, and rises. A raptor can spread its wings and float upwards on this air, soaring effortlessly in circles. It can travel for miles by riding one thermal after another, hardly ever flapping a wing!
Photos: (bottom right) Dave Menke/USFWS, (all others) Thinkstock


When defining “healthy eating,” many people focus on what are considered basic concepts: counting calories, and getting the daily requirement of vitamins and minerals. Although a good starting point, there are many layers to this complex onion that need to be peeled away. One often-overlooked but critically important nutrient is fiber. Here are 5 reasons why fiber is our friend.
1. Fiber promotes heart health.
Studies show that dietary fiber lowers cholesterol, blood pressure, and inflammation by binding with fats and cholesterol and carrying them through the digestive tract and out of the body. Think of fiber as a tiny mop, absorbing unhealthy fats and expelling them from your body.
2. Fiber reduces the risk of Type 2 Diabetes.
For diabetics and those at risk for diabetes, dietary fiber helps slow the absorption of sugar. This keeps your blood sugar from rising too fast and reduces cravings for unhealthy foods. That means more energy to get you through the day.
3. Fiber facilitates weight loss and weight maintenance.
A high fiber diet is one of the easiest ways to help shed pounds. Foods that are rich in fiber are filling and satisfying which helps to stave off overeating.
4. Fiber promotes regularity.
Regularly consuming foods rich in fiber reduces risk of constipation and bloating and helps normalize bowel movements. It can also provide some relief for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD).
5. Fiber helps fight off cancer.
Dietary fiber moves through the intestinal track and helps eliminate harmful chemicals from your body that otherwise might linger and increase the risk of cancer. Additionally, bacteria in your intestinal track utilize dietary fiber to help fight cancer cells.
Fiber is a necessary component of our daily diet. With so many important functions and benefits, getting the daily recommended amount (women need 25 grams and men need 38 grams) of dietary fiber is essential. Try to eliminate processed foods, skip the fiber supplements, and choose whole-grain products, fruits, vegetables, legumes, oats, nuts, and seeds. Your heart, belly, and brain will thank you.
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*NOTE: The information below is for educational purposes only. We don’t condone the growth of this liquid culture. It is sold legally for mycological microscopy research only. We will not answer any questions regarding the growth of this culture. We will cancel all orders from anyone who contacts us and mentions growth and they will be placed on a blacklist that prevents them from ordering in the future. Not for sale in GA or ID.
The thunder from down under. The Blue Meanie mushroom is a potent cubensis strain believed to have been discovered in Australia. Not to be confused with Panaeolus Cyanescens (which is sometimes confusingly referred to as “Blue Meanies”), the Blue Meanie mushroom is aptly named for the blue bruising that appears on it’s caps and stems when it is touched—blue bruising is an indication of elevated levels of psilocybin and psilocin. This mushroom produces thick stems and large, golden caps with white speckles. Our Blue Meanie liquid culture is an excellent choice for beginner and seasoned researchers alike.
MYYCO was created to offer a superior alternative to mushroom spores. Unlike spores, making early-stage liquid cultures of mycelium allows us to isolate and replicate the fastest, strongest, and highest-yielding genetics. Our liquid culture does not require a germination phase, like spores do, meaning quicker and more reliable research.
We are a team of mycologists with over 30 years of combined experience isolating and researching mycelium to create high-performing liquid cultures. Our 3,000 square foot mycology research lab is equipped with state-of-the-art mycology and sterilization equipment to ensure that every MYYCO syringe that leaves our facility has the highest quality genetics and has been medically sterilized.
When we started MYYCO, we decided that making a beneficial impact was more important than profits and that the mushroom world was the wrong place for a profit-first mentality. We donate 100% of our profits to 501(c)(3) organizations researching psychedelic therapy. Visit our Donation section to learn more and view our donation records.
Shoot us an email at [email protected] at any time during your research and one of our mycologists will answer you within 24 hours. Please note, we cannot answer any questions regarding the growth of our psilocybe cubensis liquid cultures. Our cubensis liquid cultures are sold strictly for microscopy research.
100% of profits from every MYYCO sale are donated to leading 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations involved in therapeutic research of the psychoactive compound found in medicinal mushrooms to aid a variety of ailments… including treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, Alzheimer’s and end-of-life anxiety and depression. MYYCO is a registered California benefit corporation. If you have any questions regarding our philanthropic cause or want to help out in any other way, please reach out to us at [email protected].


How to Stimulate Hormones for Body Mass and Bodybuilding Needs
There are a number of hormones that do play such a central role when it comes to bodybuilding and strength training. You will find some of the hormones that increase strength training and stimulate the growth of muscle and these are such as the hormone testosterone, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), and the growth hormone, GH. Over and above these, there are as well some of the hormones that will particularly serve to increase the availability of glucose in the body, and glucose is the body’s primary source of fuel, and some of these hormones are such as cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine and glucagon. Still on these hormones, we have insulin which is known for its facilitation of the storage of glucose which can be used in the future.
Looking at all these hormones, they are all classified and form the body’s special system known as the endocrine system. Where you happen to be interested in increasing your muscle mass, then you need to appreciate the fact that there are alternative ways to achieve this without necessarily using the outlawed supplements. Here are some of the basics that should be known when it comes to the use of the all-natural body building supplements.
Actually, looking at all of the hormones mentioned above that affect the building of muscle, you can actually influence them with simple nutrition and workouts. In actual sense, there are some of these hormones amongst which we see testosterone, cortisol, IGF-1, and growth hormone all that will respond to the intensity there is the weight training you opt for. On the other side, insulin and glucagon are as well influenced by diet and exercise as opposed to the anabolic hormones. See this site for more on the crazymass reviews.
By and large, when it comes to the need for bodybuilding, the principle is often to keep the anabolic hormones high and keep as low as can be the catabolic hormones. Talking of anabolic and catabolic, the anabolic hormones are those that promote the growth of body tissue and the catabolic ones are those that break down body tissue. Looking at some of the examples, testosterone is one of the anabolic hormones with cortisol being a catabolic hormone.
Talking of muscle growth and bodybuilding naturally, there are a number of approaches to exercise and diets that will be so effective in helping make the most of the anabolic responses while taking as much care of the catabolic responses at the same time. Check out this page for more on the all-natural bodybuilding supplements from Crazymass. Check it out here for more on these.


Finally, you can eat without worrying about digestive issues!
The enzymes in Digest Gold, America's #1 selling enzyme formula, break down all the parts of a typical large meal, like fat, fiber, protein and carbohydrates.* Each capsule unlocks nutrients to fuel your day and gives relief for occasional gas, bloating and indigestion.*
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â€¢ Breaks down fat, fiber, protein & carbs*
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What are enzymes and how do they work?
Enzymes do digestion. They are naturally occurring proteins that speed up reactions. Enzymes act like tiny scissors, cutting up the food weâ€™ve eaten into smaller components. This helps our body more easily and fully absorb nutrients.
Without enough enzymes, our body can struggle to break down troublesome foods, leading to occasional gas, bloating, indigestion and irregularity. With all-natural enzyme supplementation, your body gets an extra boost to the digestive process, helping maximize energy and contributing to whole-body health.*
If my body and food already produce enzymes, why do I need supplements?
Not only can an enzyme deficiency come from diet and lifestyle, but our bodies naturally produce fewer enzymes as we age. It can be hard to get what we need through diet alone because the process of cooking destroys the enzymes contained within food. Taking an enzyme supplement can help fill in the gap.
What is different about Digest Goldâ„¢ enzymes versus others?
Not all enzyme supplements are created equal, and Digest Gold has the most potent formula on the market. It contains powerful enzymes like amylase, lipase, cellulase and protease. These enzymes break down complex foods like carbohydrates, fats, fiber and protein.*
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Blending ATPro with Digest Gold boosts energy by giving the bodyâ€™s cells what they need for nutrient absorption.* ATP, which is found in every cell, allows nutrients to pass through the cell wall so that the all the processes that keep us alive and well can occur. However, through aging, lack of exercise or eating cooked and processed food, our bodies may begin to need more ATP than they can naturally produce.
To help the digestive process go full circle, the ATPro in Digest Goldâ„¢ is a special blend of ATP, Magnesium Citrate, Phytase and CoQ10. Not only does ATP help boost nutrient absorption, but itâ€™s also a supercharger for enzymes, assisting your body break down food even better.* All of this leads to you having more energy to do what you love.
We work to ensure that product information is correct; however, brands may make changes to products from time to time, and actual product packaging and materials may contain more and/or different information than that shown on our website. Please consult all labels, warnings, and directions prior to using or consuming products for the most accurate product information.


The 3 Wonders of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
In the remote South Western Uganda in East Africa lies the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a popular gem that is famous for hosting the mountain gorillas. This iconic ancient tropical rain forest is one of the fast-growing tourism destinations in Africa.
Perched close to the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Bwindi is highly gifted tropical rain forest that has emerged as a formidable tourism destination. This magnificent ancient rain forest lies on the edges of the Albertine Rift Valley. It is one of the few forests that flourished through the last ice age and scientists believe that it dates back to over 25,000 years. Its natural endowments including exciting wildlife spectacles and stunning landscapes have made it to be among the CNN’s best 25 destinations to visit this year.
Today Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a popular hotspot and it continues to offer competitively priced and high-quality wildlife experiences that are worthy sharing. Here are the three wonders of Uganda’s UNESCO World Heritage sites;
Meet the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi
Mountain gorillas are the major draw for most visitors to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. There are about 1050 mountain gorillas left in the world and Bwindi hosts roughly half of this remnant population. The endangered mountain gorillas roam freely within the park’s dense tropical rainforest.
Today, gorilla tracking is the most popular adventure activity that is done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and it can be done any time of the year. Every year, thousands of travelers brave the rough roads and meet up the mountain gorillas in the wild jungle.
Looking into the expressive brown eyes of the mountain gorillas is surely a life changing experience that has been highly rated by tourists who have got the chance to go gorilla trekking in Africa. Though the experience comes at a high price of US$700 for a one-hour session, it is worthy taking in the dense tropical rain forests of Central Africa.
The walk to see the mountain gorillas is also for the brave hearted. A considerable degree of fitness is needed since it involves climbing up the slopes of mountain ranges that consist of narrow, deep valleys and impenetrable green forests cloaked with mist.
Gorilla tracking is done in four sectors that is Ruhija, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Nkuringo regions. The four regions feature a total of twenty habituated gorilla families that are visited in a highly regulated activity. Each gorilla family is visited by a maximum of up to eight guests every day and gorilla watching is strictly done for just one hour.
If you are looking to gorilla trekking in Bwindi, it is important to book your experience early enough. It is recommended to book your trip atleast 6 months before your actual travel dates if you are looking to visiting the mountain gorillas during the peak months of June to September and December to March.
Meet the Batwa
The primeval forest of Bwindi used to host the Batwa people, an indigenous pygmy tribe that lived in the forest for ages.
The Batwa are among the oldest surviving tribes of Africa. They used to live in the Bwindi Forest for millennia and all their life depended on the forest. They survived by hunting and fruit gathering with the tropical rain forest and they lived in harmony with the wildlife.
The Batwa lived along the gorillas in a sustainable manner. However, to safeguard the protection of the mountain gorillas, conservation organizations advised the resettlement of the Batwa to areas outside the park.
1n 1991 the government of Uganda evicted the Batwa out of the forest without any compensation and they were resettled on the edges of the forest. Today, an estimated population of over 6000 Batwa live close to the park.
For tourists visiting Bwindi, you can experience the culture of the Batwa people on two organized tourism programs run by the forest; the Batwa Experience and the Batwa Trail. During the tour, you will learn firsthand the life of the Batwa including hunting, fruit gathering, traditional ways of making fires, harvesting medicines from the forest and more.
Till today, the Batwa have spiritual and religious ties to the forest.
Meet the Chimpanzees
Bwindi is also a safe haven for chimpanzees, man’s closest cousins. Though these great apes are outshone by the mountain gorillas, hosts a significant population of chimpanzees, with a population that is estimated to be over 500 individuals. Bwindi National Park brags as the only forest in Africa in which the two apes occur together.
Though chimpanzee tracking has not yet been developed in the park, the existence of chimpanzees is a wonder that is jealously protected by the park authorities and conservation organizations.
Apart from chimpanzees, Bwindi Forest also is home to a number of other primate species, including black-and-white colobus (Colobus guereza), L’Hoest’s guenon (Cercopithecus l’hoesti), red-tailed guenon (C. ascanius schmidti), blue guenon (C. mitis mitis), vervet (C. aethiops), baboon (Papio anubis) plus several nocturnal primates.
Bwindi is the ultimate destination that should not miss on your bucket list. Its broader biodiversity is not limited to mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. The park brags of a checklist of 90 mammals including eleven primates. The park is also a birders haven with 23 localized bird species that are endemic to the Albertine Rift.
The post The 3 Wonders of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park appeared first on Ziddu.


In This Section
Female babies are born with around two million immature eggs and they will produce no more after birth. Rather, these eggs are used throughout a woman's fertile years and she will experience approximately 400 menstrual cycles during that time. As a woman ages the supply of eggs is diminished. Gradually the cycle slows down in mid life and no more eggs are released, enabling the menopause to take place.
When the ovaries stop releasing eggs this causes a decrease in the production of oestrogen and progesterone, which in turn leads to the end of periods. This drop in hormone levels produces a range of symptoms, not least hot flushes, insomnia, aches, depression, poor memory and weight gain. It is common for women to experience a variety of symptoms for some years prior to the menopause and this is called the peri-menopause phase (sometimes referred to as the pre-menopause).
Women are said to have reached the menopause when a year has elapsed since their last period. As hormone levels stabilise, the symptoms disappear and many women feel better than they have in years as they enter the post-menopause phase. For others the loss of hormones can unduly de-stabilise their lives. The loss of oestrogen and progesterone can have an effect on the bladder, vaginal tissue, bone density, mental balance and more. These symptoms and others, if unsupported with herbs, can make post-menopausal life very miserable for some women.
In Germany 70 per cent of physicians successfully prescribe herbal remedies for the peri-menopause, menopause and post-menopause instead of using hormone replacement drugs. This trend for using herbs to support the menopause is an increasing one in Britain.
Common symptoms of peri-menopause & menopause
- Irregular periods: They may become shorter or longer, heavier or lighter and irregular.
- Hot flushes: This is a sudden feeling of heat in the upper body or all over the body causing the face and neck to appear flushed. This heat intensity can be followed by a cooling chill as the body's thermostat kicks in to cool the body down.
- Night sweats: These are severe hot flushes, which can leave a woman drenched in sweat.
- Insomnia: Research shows that 30-65 per cent of menopausal women experience insomnia. Causes may include night sweats or anxiety.
- Vaginal and bladder changes: When oestrogen diminishes, vaginal tissues may lose lubrication and elasticity, making intercourse uncomfortable or painful. Low oestrogen levels may also increase vulnerability to urinary infections.
- Stiffness and aching body: A once agile woman can become increasingly achy and stiff.
- Lack of libido: Loss of sexual desire or an erratic sex drive can also occur. However, the menopause should not mean the end of an active sex life and difficulties can be overcome.
- Poor memory: A woman may become absent minded or find it extremely difficult to retain information.
Don't forget to exercise
Regular exercise will help strengthen the bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. It may also have other benefits for symptoms: in one study, half of menopausal women who followed a resistance-training programme for eight weeks said they had fewer hot flushes and headaches, were less stressed and had a higher sex drive.
In her book Healthy Eating For The Menopause (Kyle Cathie), Dr Marilyn Glenville - top women's nutritionist and colleague of herbalist Jill Davies - recommends the following tips:
- Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables.
- Eat complex carbohydrates – whole grains like brown rice, oats and wholemeal bread.
- Buy organic where possible.
- Eat foods rich in phytoestrogens (naturally occurring plant nutrients that exert an oestrogen-like action on the body) including chickpeas, lentils, garlic and celery.
- Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as oily fish, nuts, seeds and cold-pressed seed oils.
- Reduce your intake of saturated fat.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Reduce your intake of caffeine and alcohol.
- Avoid sugar, on its own and hidden in foods.
- Herbs: "Vitex & Black Cohosh Formula" has the effect of "topping-up" falling hormone levels. It can be used throughout all three stages of the menopause (see below) to help with the ever-altering list of symptoms associated with each menopause phase.
There are three stages of menopause:
These are peri-menopause (sometimes referred to as pre-menopause), menopause, and post-menopause. Medically speaking, menopause is defined as the last menstrual period, or the cessation of menstrual bleeding. The transition to menopause is known as peri-menopause and may last as long as 8 to 15 years. Post-menopause is considered to start approximately one year after menopause has occurred. Herbs such as agnus castus and black cohosh combined will greatly help all three stages.
Contrary to common belief, most women's oestrogen levels remain relatively stable during peri-menopause or may even increase slightly. On the other hand, progesterone levels begin to fall in peri-menopause. The result is a condition called oestrogen dominance and it is this that can cause a myriad of uncomfortable symptoms similar to PMS, only many times more severe. Progesterone has many important functions. For example, it builds up the uterine lining during menstruation, and is involved in balanced blood clotting, blood sugar regulation, healthy bone formation and fat metabolism. It is important that women try to ensure progesterone levels remain as stable as possible. If oestrogen dominance is established, phytoestrogenic herbs like red clover can be the worst thing to take as they will exacerbate symptoms (e.g. hot flushes).
During post-menopause there is a gradual decline in levels of sex hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) produced by the ovaries. However, the adrenal glands also produce some sex hormones throughout a woman’s lifetime, including after menopause. If, however, the adrenals are exhausted, they will not be able to secrete their normal quota of hormones, meaning that levels decline further than they should. Siberian ginseng herb and/or EnergiRevive Powder (which contains Siberian ginseng) can greatly support this situation.
Vaginal dryness and incontinence are two of the most distressing symptoms of the post-menopausal phase. But the drop in oestrogen can also have other, less immediate effects. Oestrogen has protective functions for the heart and the bones that are therefore diminished when levels drop after the menopause. In relation to the heart, oestrogen actually improves blood flow to the coronary arteries; when levels decline after menopause, women have a rapid increase in the risk for coronary heart disease that then equals that of men. Women need to manage this higher risk of heart disease, as well as blood sugar disturbances and osteoporosis if they are to remain strong and healthy into old age.
Anything that keeps sex hormones functioning for longer will also help to reduce the risk of other diseases and conditions. We have mentioned some areas that need special attention but there is much that can be done to stay healthy in other areas that start to decline with hormone loss and age. We emphasise a healthy diet, cleanses and herbs that when combined may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, improve cognitive function and short-term memory, decrease the risk of tooth loss and low bone density, minimise cataract formation, and even macular degeneration (the most common cause of blindness over age 80). Remember also that oestrogen tends to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol in the blood. When levels drop it is prudent to make definitive changes to the diet and support the liver with herbs and cleanses.
Perhaps the most important factor for women seeking herbal hormone support during and after the menopause is the issue of their femininity. The menopause can cause a reduction in breast size and increased drooping, an increase in facial hair and a deeper voice, all of which can be upsetting. Thinning skin and mucous membranes alter visual appearance, and vaginal dryness can make sexual intercourse painful, thereby adding to the feeling of overall negative change and challenge. Add to this such psychological symptoms as mood swings, irritability and trouble concentrating and it's easy to see why women are less than thrilled by the prospect of falling hormone levels for the remainder of their lives. On many levels, women now expect to remain younger for longer compared to earlier generations. In the post-menopause phase, don’t forget to continue to take the very same herbs you did for the peri-menopause and menopause. You can continue to take them as long as you remember!
The most important way to reduce the post-menopausal risks of heart disease and osteoporosis is exercise. Walking, swimming and other activities can dramatically lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, while resistance training such as light weights helps build muscle and supports bone strength. Plants containing phytoestrogens and plants able to activate the pituitary gland to produce oestrogens are also useful to prevent bone loss.
Additional help is available by phoning the free product advice line at Herbs Hands Healing between the hours of 9.00am to 1.00pm. Tel: 01379 608201.
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Learn more about Dr. Richard Schulze’s Superfood Plus and why we believe this is such a wonderful food by following this link on our website, where extensive information is available. Also please visit our Superfood Plus facebook page for articles and current news.
To learn more about natural healing for this and other ailments, visit Dr Schulze's blog.
If you would like to see videos of Jill Davies showing you plants growing in their natural settings and discussing their medicinal attributes then visit us on facebook. You can also explore additional herbs and their traditional uses by linking to Herbs Info & Photo Gallery and Herb Profiles. Useful additional information can also be found at the Herbs Hands Healing information pages on Detox & Cleansing and Natural Healing.


According to a recent article in Pain Medicine, Dr. Lynn Webster found that sleep disordered breathing was common in chronic pain patients taking prescribed opiates. There was also a direct relationship between central sleep apnea and methadone when combined with benzodiazepines.
Opiates are used for severe and intractable pain in patients who have not responded to other therapy. There is an increasing number of patients with chronic pain who are being prescribed opiate medications. Opiate medications include morphine, Kadian, Avinza, oxycodone, oxymorphone, OxyContin, Opana, Exalgo, and methadone. Benzodiazepines are typically prescribed for anxiety and muscle spasm.
There was a much higher rate of obstructive and central sleep apnea syndromes in those prescribed pain medications-75%, than in the general population, estimated to be at 2-4%. Central sleep apnea is estimated to occur at a rate of 5% in people greater than 65 years of age and 1.5 to 5% in men less than 65 years old. Central sleep apnea causes people to stop breathing during sleep because of faulty brain control. This is compared to obstructive apnea, which is associated with obesity and in other health problems, and typified by loud snoring.
Central sleep apnea is commonly associated with the absence of crescendo-decrescendo breath size and that central sleep apnea mechanism is different for people taking opioids than for people not taking opiates. The researchers feel that the opiates could be directly affecting the part of the brain that controls respiration.
The authors of the study noted that if opiate medications can increase sleep apnea risk, then chronic pain patients who are prescribed opiates may be at higher risk of morbidity and mortality. Recent research has focused on the synergy of opiates and benzodiazepines in causing respiratory depression.


Pregnancy is a remarkable journey that requires special attention to your health and well-being. Eating a nutritious diet is crucial during this time, as it directly impacts the growth and development of your baby. By making healthy food choices, you can provide essential nutrients, maintain a healthy weight, and reduce the risk of pregnancy complications.
This article aims to provide you with a comprehensive guide to maintaining a healthy pregnancy through proper nutrition.
- Balanced and Nutrient-Rich Diet: During pregnancy, it's important to consume a balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrients. Focus on incorporating the following:
- Fruits and Vegetables: These provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Aim for a colorful assortment to maximize nutrient intake.
- Whole Grains: Opt for whole-grain bread, rice, pasta, and cereals to ensure a good source of fiber, B vitamins, and minerals.
- Lean Proteins: Include lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, legumes, and tofu to meet your protein needs. These sources also provide iron, zinc, and other vital nutrients.
- Dairy or Dairy Alternatives: Consume milk, yogurt, and cheese for calcium, vitamin D, and protein. If you're lactose intolerant or follow a vegan diet, choose fortified plant-based alternatives.
- Healthy Fats: Incorporate foods like avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil, which provide omega-3 fatty acids, vital for the baby's brain development.
- Prenatal Supplements: Even with a healthy diet, it's recommended to take prenatal supplements as advised by your healthcare provider. These usually include folic acid, iron, calcium, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids to support your baby's growth and prevent deficiencies.
- Hydration: Stay well-hydrated throughout your pregnancy. Water is the best choice, but you can also include herbal teas and fresh fruit juices. Aim for around 8-10 cups of fluids daily.
- Meal Planning and Portion Control: Consider dividing your daily calorie intake into five to six small meals and snacks to maintain consistent energy levels. Practice portion control to avoid overeating and ensure a well-rounded intake of nutrients.
- Foods to Avoid: Certain foods should be avoided or limited during pregnancy to minimize the risk of complications. These include raw or undercooked meats, seafood, unpasteurized dairy products, deli meats, and certain fish high in mercury content.
- Managing Pregnancy Discomforts: Certain foods and lifestyle changes can help alleviate common pregnancy discomforts like nausea, heartburn, and constipation. For example, ginger, small frequent meals, and high-fiber foods can be beneficial.
- Safe Food Handling: Practice proper food safety and hygiene to prevent foodborne illnesses. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, cook meats thoroughly, and avoid cross-contamination.
Maintaining a healthy diet during pregnancy is vital for the well-being of both you and your baby. By following a balanced and nutrient-rich diet, taking prenatal supplements, and practicing food safety, you can support the healthy development of your baby and ensure a smooth pregnancy journey. Remember to consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance throughout this special time.


There is an old saying that you cannot pour from an empty cup. Essentially it means that we must take care of ourselves in order to take care of others. Whatever your role is (a mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend, caregiver, or all of the above), you are constantly giving, taking care of your loved ones, constantly on the go. There is little time to think about yourself and look after your own health and needs. You must remember that your own health is one of the most valuable things you own. In every woman, there is a powerhouse- a force, and you need to look after yourself.
For me, health and gut health goes hand in hand. Our gut is incredibly complex and there has been an overwhelming increase in research to better understand our gut and its impact on our health.
When we think of gut health, the term microbiome comes to mind. This refers to the microorganisms living in your intestines (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa). It is vital to know that there are beneficial and harmful microorganisms that reside in our gut. The beneficial bacteria play a role in enhancing your immune system, improves symptoms of depression and help with weight loss. Harmful microorganisms might lead to certain signs and symptoms that cannot be otherwise medically explained.
The way signs and symptoms may manifest:
- Upset stomach: Gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and heartburn can all be signs of an unhealthy gut.
- Unintentional weight loss: An imbalance in microorganisms in your gut can impair your body’s ability to absorb nutrients, regulate blood sugar, and store fat, leading to weight loss. If you
- Sleep disturbances: An unhealthy gut may contribute to sleep disturbances such as insomnia or poor sleep, and lead to chronic fatigue.
- Food intolerances: Food intolerances are the result of difficulty digesting certain foods. This can lead to difficulty digesting the trigger foods and unpleasant symptoms such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea.
Habits you need to prioritise to improve gut health.
- Eat slowly: Chewing your food thoroughly and eating your meals more slowly can help promote full digestion and absorption of nutrients.
- Change your diet: Reduce the amount of processed, high-sugar, and high-fat foods that you eat. A diet high in processed foods and added sugars can decrease the amount of good bacteria in your gut. A diet high in fibre has been shown to contribute tremendously to a healthy gut microbiome. Eat plenty of plant-based foods and lean protein.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water.
- Get enough sleep: Try to prioritize getting at least 7–8 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night.
Food for gut health:
- High-fibre foods: High-fibre foods such as legumes, beans, peas, oats, bananas, berries, asparagus, and leeks.
- Prebiotics: Sources include wheat, onions, bananas, garlic, leeks, chicory, oatmeal, barley, wholegrains, flaxseeds, tomato, artichoke, spinach, and legumes.
- Probiotic foods: Fermented foods such as kimchi, sauerkraut, yogurt, tempeh, miso, and kefir are great dietary sources of probiotics.
Happy Women’s Month- we celebrate you and all you do for those around you.
Written by The Gutsy Dietitians


Monterey's Organic Complete Disease control relies on a strain of beneficial bacteria known as bacillus amyloliquefaciens and acts as a biofungicide and bactericide. An OMRI listed fungicide/bactericide intended for organic gardening or use in your annual/perennial beds.
You can be apply this as a either a foliar spray or as a soil drench, or both! Also appropriate for for indoor gardening! Use on vegetables, ornamentals, fruit trees, shrubs, lawns, bedding plants and potted plants. Capable of controlling powdery mildew, botrytis, early/late blight, fire blight, fusarium, Pythium and other diseases. Colonizes roots to prevent diseases.


Welcome to Bryden Canyon Golf Course, a hidden gem in the heart of Idaho, where the thrill of golf is harmoniously entwined with the natural wonders of the region. Prepare for an unforgettable round surrounded by the rugged landscapes and the diverse wildlife that calls this area home.
As you navigate the challenging course at Bryden Canyon, be captivated by the lively presence of the Spotted Frog in our water features, a testament to the thriving ecosystem we've cultivated. Keep a watchful eye for the mischievous Racoon, known to make occasional appearances near the course, adding a touch of wild charm to your golfing adventure.
Above, the American Kestrel soars gracefully, its keen eyes observing the players below. Our commitment to preserving the natural habitat extends to these majestic birds and their fellow inhabitants. Mule Deer, with their graceful movements, occasionally grace the periphery, offering a glimpse into the untamed beauty of the Idaho wilderness.
Bryden Canyon Golf Course isn't just a destination for golf enthusiasts; it's a sanctuary for local wildlife. Our dedication to environmental responsibility is evident in the careful management of water resources, ensuring that the Clearwater River and other local sources contribute sustainably to our course while providing essential habitats for the creatures that share this space.
Join us at Bryden Canyon for a golfing experience that embraces the spirit of Idaho's natural diversity. Each swing is accompanied not only by the challenge of the game but also by the presence of the Spotted Frog, Racoon, American Kestrel, and Mule Deer, making your time on the course a harmonious blend of sport and wildlife appreciation.


McLane Creek Nature Trail at Capitol State Forest is more than just a great hiking trail. In fact, it’s two hiking trails: McLane Creek NT and Centennial Demonstration Forest, both nicely tucked into the same property. While the .75-mile-long Centennial DF traverses some pretty country, including a working demonstration forest, most people visit to hike the nature trail and to watch for wildlife at the beaver pond encircled by the McLane Creek trail. If you have kids, McLane Creek NT’s many boardwalks, bridges, and viewing areas should keep them entertained, engaged, and (hopefully) excited about the outdoors.
What makes McLane Creek NT more than just a nice hike is the diversity of environments it traverses and the scenic viewpoints and interpretive signs along the way. McLane Creek NT makes one big loop, beginning at the very end of the McLane Creek NT entrance road off of Delphi Road in Olympia. A shorter trail, called the Old Railroad Grade Trail, splits the McLane Creek loop in half by following the path of a railroad bed. The large loop is 1.1 miles long; the shorter loop .6 miles in length.
Why I like this trail: McLane Creek isn’t a very long trail, but it is interesting. Several signs point out natural and historic features. It’s also interesting to see how much the forest has recovered since its days as a logging site 100 or more years ago. Lastly, wildlife is abundant along the trail, especially at the beaver pond where ducks and other birds are plentiful and you can often see fish and amphibians swimming in the water beneath the view platforms. Overall, it’s a great place to explore, regardless of age or interests.
= A third to half of the larger loop traverses boardwalks. At key points, these boardwalks become or lead to viewing platforms overlooking the beaver ponds or McLane Creek. Two viewing platforms extend into the beaver pond and parts of the trail near the parking area are handicapped accessible. The entire trail (and that in Centennial DF) is flat and easy to hike.
= McLane Creek is very well maintained. Restrooms are located near the McLane Creek trail parking area, as is a large shelter. The boardwalks and viewing platforms are kept in great shape and the trail sections are clear of debris and well marked. When I visited McLane Creek in late April, trail crews were busy rerouting part of the trail north of the beaver pond. When I visited in January, crews had just installed new boardwalks on some of the trails nearest McLane Creek. Plenty of parking exists at both McLane Creek and Centennial DF trailheads.
= McLane Creek’s close proximity to the Black Lake area and downtown Olympia make it the ideal place for an afternoon or evening stroll. While McLane Creek and Centennial DF are technically part of Capitol SF, this small hiking area is separated from the rest of the state forest and located closer to main roads.
Where: Two parking areas along the entrance road let you access both McLane Creek and Centennial DF trails. However, you can easily hike between the two via a spur path. Access the entrance road via Delphi Road. If you’re coming from Route 101, take the exit for Delphi Road SW or the exit for Black Lake Blvd SW. The latter skirts around Black Lake before ending at Delphi Road; take a right at the Delphi intersection.
When: McLane Creek and Centennial DF trails are occasionally closed one or two days of the week for maintenance and upkeep. This might only occur during the off-season though. I could find no listing of hours for the hiking area.
Trail Info: When I was at McLane Creek last, crews were busy rerouting parts of the trail above the beaver pond. These trails may still be under construction. Personally, I really like the interpretive signs at the nature trail. I enjoyed reading about local history and the signs cover everything from the regional logging industry to the former railroad of which visitors can still see evidence of. For more information check out this trail map, this Washington Trails Association review, and this map of Capitol State Forest.


Bananas are rich in certain nutrients, and they are one of the best sources of Potassium in the diet. They are also rich in Manganese, Magnesium and Vitamin B6. They do contain many other nutrients but in smaller amounts.
They contain almost no fat or protein and the majority of calories in them come from carbohydrates The carbohydrates in bananas are mainly from starch and the simple sugars glucose and fructose. Bananas also contain a few grams of fiber.
Bananas are usually categorized based on their size, as extra-small (<6"), small (6-7"), medium (7-8"), large (8-9") and extra-large (9"+).
How many calories should I eat
How many calories in a banana, based on size?
- Extra-Small Banana (81g): 72 calories, 19g carbohydrates, 1g protein
- Small Banana (101g): 90 calories, 23g carbohydrates, 1g protein
- Medium Banana (118g): 105 calories, 27g carbohydrates, 1g protein
- Large Banana (136g): 121 calories, 31g carbohydrates, 1g protein
- Extra-Large Banana (152g): 135 calories, 35g carbohydrates, 2g protein
Bananas are low on the GlycemicIndex (less than 55), but this depends on the ripeness. Under-ripe bananas are very low, while ripe bananas can get into the medium range.
They have a low Glycemic Load but a higher Insulin Index than many other fruits.


Losing my sense of taste for a time a while ago, I invited our metropolitan daughter to bring me Christmas goodies that might, in passing, shock a numbed palate to respond.
Exotic savouries, pastes and unguents assembled from Dublin delis (establishments smelling deliciously, I remembered, of salamis and pungent cheeses) had chilli as a constant ingredient, from merely piquant to head-blowing on the Scoville scale of heat.
My taste later restored (perhaps all on its own) and the chilli toned down, the Christmas deli hamper became a family tradition. Among its salty pleasures has been a regular jar of lumpfish caviar, the modest gourmet’s echo of oligarch party fare.
Lumpfish – more properly lumpsucker fish, Cyclopterus lumpus, common around the coasts of these islands – has pelvic fins that shape into a sucker and bony plates on its sides. Baby fish, somewhat toad-shaped, are now, it seems, widely regarded as “cute” and kept as pets in aquariums.
Lumpfish eggs are taken ashore in barrels to be desalted and salted again to market taste, pasteurised and dyed red or black, with EU-approved preservatives
They have found a new, better use as cleaner fish in salmon farms, plucking off the parasitic sea lice as perfectly palatable copepods. Millions of them are now employed globally, sometimes replacing the wrasse rockfish first selected for the job. A lumpsucker farm in Shetland, for example, supplies lumpsucker cleaner fish raised from eggs supplied from a caviar factory in Iceland.
An adult female lumpsucker can reach 60cm. Coming inshore to spawn, she sticks herself firmly to a rock, impervious to Atlantic swells and storms. She lays a large mass of eggs – up to 136,000 – and then retires to deeper water, leaving the male to look after them for weeks.
The more I learn about lumpfish caviar the more I’m now inclined to forgo this Christmas morsel (best washed down, I’m told, with vodka). Female fish caught with inshore gill nets, notably along coasts of Greenland and Iceland, are gutted for their roe, then discarded overboard. The eggs are taken ashore in barrels to be desalted and salted again to market taste, pasteurised and dyed red or black, with EU-approved preservatives.
How, after all, did I think ersatz “caviar” was produced at prices a fraction of the real stuff from wild sturgeon of the Caspian Sea? Beluga caviar retails at up to €10,000 a kilo; in a current Dublin comparison, 100g of lumpfish caviar costs €5.45 and 30g of beluga €289.80.
The latter’s glistening black pearls, popped between one’s teeth, are said to taste delicately of “walnuts and cream” rather than something exquisitely, differently fishy, which is what one might have hoped.
Sturgeon are an ancient family of 24 species, armoured with rows of bony plates. Barbels beneath a pike-like snout feel around for food on the bed of sea or river. Left alone to grow for a century or more they can become the largest freshwater fish in the world, nearing the bulk of the ocean’s basking shark.
But they have rarely been left alone. When the USSR broke up, its management networks collapsed and fishermen in the Caspian Sea’s coastal states (Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan) embraced free enterprise as fast as they could set their gill nets. By 1997 illegal trade and unsustainable harvesting had prompted a tangle of international controls.
Land-based caviar farming has grown intensively since the 1980s. The biggest caviar factory in the world opened last year in Abu Dhabi, part of the UAE’s diversification from oil
Fewer than 100 beluga a year are now taken legally from the Caspian and shared between Russia and Iran, on the sea’s southern shore. Other small wild stocks survive precariously in Europe, and species of Siberian sturgeon have been introduced in some big lakes and rivers.
But land-based farming for caviar has grown intensively since the 1980s, ranging from the United States to China. The biggest caviar factory in the world was opened last year in Abu Dhabi, as part of the UAE’s diversification from oil.
Setting up a caviar farm is costly, as captive female sturgeon can take years to start producing eggs. Traditionally, wild fish have been slaughtered for them, like the lumpfish, and their veal-like meat readily marketed. Aquaculture has brought more refined and repeated harvesting of eggs from the same living fish, by varying methods of delivery.
Ireland once had wild sturgeon, like the stuffed one on display in the Natural History Museum in Dublin, caught in 1890. As one of Ireland’s “lost species” it appears in Whittled Away, the recent book from the wildlife conservationist Pádraic Fogarty. As he relates, the European sturgeon, Acipenser sturio, was possibly “commonplace” up to the 18th century and breeding in Irish estuaries.
The most thorough historic research, by Dr Declan Quigley of Dingle, found confusion between the European sturgeon and migrant Atlantic sturgeon from North America. Tracing 243 Irish newspaper reports of sturgeon since 1738, he concludes that landing one (often from salmon nets) was a relatively rare and newsworthy event. The last sturgeon, weighing 105kg, and captured in 1987, off the Kish Bank Lighthouse, was sold wholesale at €112 a kilo.
Dr Quigley’s detailed research, originally published in Sherkin Comment, can be downloaded by googling “researchgate declan quigley sturgeon”.
Michael Viney’s Reflections on Another Life, a selection of columns from the past four decades, is available from irishtimes.com/irishtimesbooks; email@example.com


Peyronie’s Disease Explained
The first sign a patient has Peyronie’s disease is during an erection when their penis bends in a different direction from normal. This is caused because plaque or scar tissue has formed in part of the penis, stopping it from expanding in that area. As a result, the penis bends in the direction of the plaque or scar tissues, whilst the other sides of the penis expands as normal.
The penis curvature can be upwards, downwards, to the side or occasionally around the circumference. A patient may also notice a physical lump or hardening of skin in the afflicted area of the penis. However, this is not always the case and a consultant can detect the plaque using diagnostic ultrasound.
Many men are too embarrassed to discuss their penis problems with a doctor, especially a female one, and allow their condition to progress further without treatment. Over time the condition can get worse leading to increased penis curvature as the plaque inside the penis increases.
Another problem then arises as blood flow through the blood vessels decreases leading to partial erectile dysfunction. Some, but not all patients will also experience different levels of penis pain. Sexual intercourse becomes much more difficult due to both the bend and a softening of the penis, reducing both the girth and the length.
A Check List of Peyronie’s Symptoms
If you suffer from any of the following symptoms you could be one of the 9% of men in the UK currently suffering from Peyronie’s disease (Induratio Penis Plastica) and should seek medical advice:
- Bump, lump or hard section on side of penis
- Bent or curved penis in any direction
- Pain within the penis upon erection
- Decrease in penile girth and length
- Erectile dysfunction
- Hard penis near the girth but much softer near the head
The severity of a bent penis depends on where the plaque is formed and its size and shape. Some patients may experience a slight or no bend but suffer a greater degree of erectile dysfunction.
Whereas Peyronie’s disease is indiscriminate, affecting men of all ages, certain patients are more prone to a build-up of plaque. This includes Type 1 diabetics; those with high blood pressure or high cholesterol; patients with high triglycerides; or a type of fat (lipid) in the blood.
Smoking or tobacco usage can also be a contributing factor. Peyronie’s disease can also be caused by trauma ranging from the bending of the penis during sexual intercourse, through to being hit in the most delicate of areas by a football.
Treating Peyronie’s Disease
Until the last few years men suffering from Peyronie’s disease were faced with a choice of dramatic invasive surgery. These included penile implants, where the patient ceases to have a natural erection and relies on a manual pump, and penile plication where the unaffected areas of the penis are reduced in length to straighten the penis. This could result in a loss of erect penis size of up to 2 inches.
Current treatments have had a tremendous success rate and some patients who have been unable to have satisfactory sex for up to a decade have rediscovered their sex life within the space of a few weeks.
To find out more or to book an appointment please complete the details below.


Causes of Adult Acne and How To Cure Adult Acne
It is said that acne that develops during adolescence is caused by a disorder in hormone balance due to secondary sex characteristics. What is the cause of acne that develops as an adult?
Adolescent acne is difficult to prevent due to its characteristics, but adult acne can be prevented to some extent.
In addition, there are differences in the areas where acne can occur, and during adolescence mainly in the T zone and cheeks, adult acne can form not only on the face, but on the neck, back, buttocks, and the entire body.
It is said that not only excessive secretion of sebum but also various causes such as stress, disturbance of eating habits, lack of exercise, lack of sleep and makeup are involved in the causes of adult acne.
Adolescence is a disorder of hormone balance due to secondary sex characteristics, but it is said that the disorder of hormone balance in adulthood is often due to excessive stress.
The imbalance of hormones increases the secretion of sebum and makes it easier for acne.
In addition, eating habits will be disturbed due to an increase in business relationships and eating out.
It is said that acne has a vegetable-based diet, but it is difficult to have a diet centered on vegetables such as fast food, alcohol, and instant food.
Face washing is indispensable for acne that has been made and for its prevention.
It is important to wash your face gently and gently, and it is good to use a mild facial cleanser.
It is also very important to remove makeup.
It is important not only to wash your face, but also to wash your shampoo and conditioner from your body thoroughly, to make sure that there is no leftover wipe after bathing, and to perform proper skin care such as moisturizing.
It is recommended to use peeling and acne medicine for treatment, but there are various kinds of medicine, so choose according to your symptoms and skin.
Regular life and eating habits are the best preventative medicines.
Focus on foods that are good for the skin, and supplement the missing nutrients with supplements.


Founder MGO Manuka Honey
“The discovery of methylglyoxal (MGO) was the major factor responsible for establishing the credibility of manuka honey worldwide”
“The industry moved from marketing the honey on a holistic basis to one based on credible scientific evidence leading to an elevation in interest from the international scientific and medical community”
“ The discovery was a major disruptive factor on the industry creating a business case study on how disruption leads to competitive advantage”.
“Eventually the New Zealand manuka honey industry adopted the MGO rating system to value their honey”
The focus of my University Degrees and subsequent employment has always been on commercialising science and technology to deliver natural health products to benefit human well-being.
I worked in dairy, meat and biotechnology sectors where there was a common theme: working right across the value chain from farm, processing through to international markets. Many businesses were established employing technologies to produce value added natural health products.
By 2000 there was one frontier I had not entered, however my interest had been sparked from childhood. My Uncle Don was a bee-keeper in Te Awamutu, Waikato during the 1930’s. His focus was producing clover honey for his own retail brand in local shops. During this period large tracts of the manuka tree still existed in the Waikato. With further land development no large tracts exist today.
Uncle Don told me he used to produce manuka honey not through choice but because the bees would collect it at a specific time of year. For him it was waste material and he gave it to dairy farmers to feed to their cows. He would comment, the remarkable outcome was those cows never became ill whereas other cows had the normal run of diseases. Uncle Don queried why did manuka honey prevent cows from becoming ill?
I wanted to find out. This was the start to my journey in the manuka honey industry.
Why is manuka honey unique? We did not find out until 2006. Here is the story leading up to the discovery of methylglyoxal (MGO) in manuka honey.
In 1990 Professor Peter Molan, University of Waikato showed manuka honey had anti-bacterial activity even when hydrogen peroxide was not present. He could not explain why so he called it “non-peroxide activity”. Hydroxen peroxide activity was not stable however he showed non-peroxide activity was stable which made manuka honey unique. Professor Molan modified the agar diffusion assay to measure the zone of inhibition of one species of bacteria. The area of the zone was benchmarked to a numbering system: 10, 15 etc.
Professor Molan realized NPA (non-peroxide activity) was not a very sexy marketing term. He knew sunscreen had a rating system based on its protection level called SPF (sun protection factor). He adapted this for manuka honey by calling it UMF (unique manuka factor). The “factor” causing UMF was unknown.
The early years of raising awareness of the properties of manuka honey was led by Professor Molan and a group of bee-keepers. This informal group called Active Manuka Industry Group (AMHIG) was supported by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE).
Over the next 16 years Professor Molan, scientists worldwide including those working for pharmaceutical companies tried to identify the compound(s) causing the stable antibacterial activity. In the early 2000’s I ran joint research programmes with Professor Molan to identify the “Factor” but to no avail.
In 2002 we replaced AMHIG with the Active Manuka Honey Association where I was the Foundation Chairperson. A high priority was registering the UMF trademark in key markets. This was achieved through a grant I secured from NZTE.
In 2006 the “Holy Grail” of the Manuka Honey industry was discovered by Professor Thomas Henle and his team at the Technical University of Dresden, Germany. Manuka honey produced in the processing plant where I was CEO was used in the research. 80 honey samples from around the world were tested including 5 manuka honey samples for a range of glycation compounds, including methylglyoxal. The result showed the manuka honey samples had elevated levels of methylglyoxal and the rest had virtually nothing.
Was methylglyoxal responsible for the non-peroxide activity? Professor Henle ran experiments using the agar diffusion assay protocols developed by Professor Molan to prove methylglyoxal was responsible for the non-peroxide activity. The Unique Manuka Factor was no longer a mystery. Methylglyoxal is a compound well known in the medical and scientific world. Professor Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, famous for isolating Vitamin C, demonstrated the role of methylgyoxal in the body over 60 years ago.
I kept the discovery secret and took advantage by registering the MGO trademark in major markets and establishing an exclusive research agreement for manuka honey research with the Technical University of Dresden.
This was only the start of the MGO story. Over next five years the discovery of MGO proved to be a major disruption factor in the manuka honey industry.
Myself with Professors Peter Molan and Thomas Henle
Professor Peter Molan
Professor Thomas Henle
Technical University of Dresden
In mid-2007 I decided to announce the discovery of methylglyoxal at the annual National Beekeepers Conference in Dunedin at the conference dinner. The announcement was followed by stunned silence. I made the offer to all manuka honey brands to join us in marketing the product based on its MGO content.
I followed this by extending the invitation to AMHA (later to change its name to UMFHA – Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association). My argument was now we know the compound responsible for the non-peroxide activity we should be open and transparent with consumers. It was easy for consumers to understand because the number related directly to the concentration of MGO in the honey. Furthermore, the concentration was measured on a precise, quantitative technology (HPLC) and the result was repeatable.
This contrasted with UMF where the agar diffusion assay was a qualitative technique where the results were not repeatable since around 12 subjective variables were involved in the testing method. As well, consumers could never understand how the number was derived. These were regular issues being dealt with at AMHA meetings.
The response to my invitation was increasing hostility by AMHA over ensuing months. However, “ a leopard cannot change its spots”. By early 2008 we abandoned any hope of convincing AMHA to adopt MGO. The decision was made to market our products using the MGO trademark.
A marketing campaign supported by packaging changes was quickly implemented. We set out to educate consumers of the world about methylglyoxal and why manuka honey was REALLY unique!
Sales growth across the domestic and international markets demonstrated MGO was the right decision. We grew the Company rapidly to become the No 1 brand in many markets, and became one of the largest two companies in the manuka honey industry by a distance.
Ironically, AMHA switched to adopting MGO in 2011 to determine the value of its honey. The non-peroxide measurement was replaced by methylglyoxal measurement and then converted back to the non-peroxide number. Why not be transparent with your consumers and give them the MGO content?
Requirements for a Rating System
I struggled, like my competitors for too many years with the measurement of UMF. The industry needed to find a rating system for manuka honey that would meet the following criteria:
Based on science (verifiable by independent studies);
Based on labelling the bioactive compound (if known);
Based on a concentration rather than “activity”;
Based on a published method, which can be used by any laboratory (external and independent validation);
Must not be a health claim;
Must be clear to the consumer.
The discovery of methylglyoxal by Professor Henle allowed the development of a rating system proven by science. This was due to:
Methylglyoxal is directly and exclusively responsible for the unique antibacterial activity of manuka honey;
There are no synergistic compounds – if no MGO no antibacterial activity
Rating of manuka honey based on MGO is scientifically sound since the value-adding compound is labelled
Ratings based on other parameters such as “activity” are scientifically not justified and are misleading
Methylglyoxal and Antibacterial Activity
The “proof of the pudding” showing the correlation between methylglyoxal content and non-peroxide antibacterial activity was published in 2008 by TUD:
Methylglyoxal Activity in Gastrointestinal Tract
When methylglyoxal is consumed in honey it remains stable in the mouth and stomach. When it enters the small intestine it is degraded and is not absorbed into the bloodstream. Thereafter, it is eliminated by the body.
Any health benefits through anti-bacterial activity are only possible in the mouth, oesophagus and stomach.
There are no clinical trials to demonstrate this happens in humans.


In one of the largest human genetic studies ever undertaken, scientists have identified the major common genetic variants contributing to the neurologic disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
The research represents years of work by the International Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium (IMSGC) involving more than 250 researchers in 15 countries. Australian scientists have played a significant role, with 16 contributing to the work, and more than 1,000 Australians with MS contributing DNA samples.
The study confirmed the presence of up to 57 MS gene variants with a remarkable pattern that shows that the reason some people get MS and others don’t is largely due to subtle, inherited differences in immune function. It points to a pivotal role for T cells – the ‘orchestra leaders’ of the immune system and makes it clear that MS is primarily an immunologic disease.
Professor Graeme Stewart, a Clinical Immunologist in the Westmead Millennium Institute at the University of Sydney, led the Australian and New Zealand contribution, called ANZgene.
“Discovering so many new leads is an enormous step towards understanding the cause of MS,” Professor Stewart says. “Most importantly, for people with MS, these genes also strengthen the case for immunologic treatments currently in clinical trials and point to new therapeutic approaches.”
The executive director of MS Research Australia, Jeremy Wright, says the research provides people with MS greater hope for improved treatments and ultimately a cure.
He says the breakthroughs provide much greater intelligence about MS.
“It confirms current treatments are on the right track. MS can cause debilitating problems by turning the body’s immune systems on itself and attacking nerves in the brain and the central nervous system.
“This research shows that it’s not just one, or a few dominate genes, that influence MS, but 57 gene variants with many associated with the functioning of the immune system.
“These substantial breakthroughs mean we suddenly have a lot more intelligence in which to battle the disease,” he says, adding that better intelligence means more strategic fighting of MS.
Wright says MS causes white blood cells to leak through the brain and attack the lining of the nerves, which disrupts the signals between the brain and the rest of the body. While MS is not usually fatal, it can be life-threatening if the symptoms affect vital bodily functions.
He says recent advances in immuno-modulators or immune suppressants have been successful in “dampening” down affected immune systems and slowing the disease’s progress.
“The breakthroughs will result in better, more targeted drugs. Next will be studying gene expression to better understand the mechanisms of the disease,” he says, adding it brings solving MS closer.
- David Hutchins
Health and aged care organisations and the government should combine to develop skills and pathways to attract, retain and retrain workers in the second stage of their lives, writes Get Healthcare Direct CEO David Norris.


Some of the most recent breakthroughs in looking at the nervous system and connective tissues show how completely interconnected our body really is.
Nerves, fascia, skin and muscles span huge expanses of the body. Top to bottom, front to back, left to right and inside to outside, the human body is truly an interconnected giant spider web.
Dr. Rolf recognized that in order to help a person achieve their most optimal and highest level of function. We can’t just segment the body into small pieces and parts like Legos. What you do in one area of your body affects every region throughout the entire structure. As the body compensates to try and manage what you are doing with it and to it, the body’s resiliency and ability to adapt to the demands placed upon it become less effective and efficient.
Long time frames of sitting or doing repetitive tasks can cause the whole body to compensate by shifting, tilting, rotating, and contracting throughout the whole system.
The 10 series of Structural Integration offers the client an opportunity to explore and reconnect each region of the body in a focused way instead of just chasing after symptoms in an unorganized and random process. As the SI practitioner and client work together through each session they systematically work every area of the body helping the brain and connective tissue get reacquainted.
Each and every client is different, and while there is a general recipe that we are following, every session is unique to each client. With each session we are working with a client’s reported symptoms and problems as well as looking to see how other areas of the body can be contributing to a heightened or over-sensitized nervous system and locked-down, hypertonic tissues.
Here are how the sessions work with each other and build upon each other. We want to solve the problem and not just treat the symptom.
Session 1: The Hour of Vital Capacity
One of the main goals of the first session is to help the client achieve easier and more efficient breathing. By beginning to soften and free the shoulder girdle from the rib cage it allows for the rib cage to move with less stress and effort. Effortlessly breathing in and out can have a huge impact on every aspect of the rest of the body. Increased oxygenation is the key to a more efficient being in every capacity.
As the big bulky muscles of the shoulder girdle soften their grip on the rib cage, the neck and mid back to move with greater ease and resiliency.
Another goal of the first session is to begin establishing a more functional and level pelvis. As the pelvis losses its ability to function and move effortlessly this causes compensation and contraction through rest of the body.
We can look at session 1 as the preparation phase of a construction site, or the prep work in the kitchen.
Session 2: The Hour of the Feet and Legs.
Session 2 is where we begin to lay the foundation of the structure to build upon.
Helping the body re-establish more functional feet and arches allows for better movement of the knees and pelvis. As these regions are able to better move and support the pelvis, we will continue to see the pelvis and spine become more supple, functional and happy. Without a solid and functional foundation it is hard to build a structure that can deal with the demands and stresses a person goes through on a daily basis.
As the legs now can more efficiently carry the trunk, we will begin to see the muscles of the back lessen their hypercontraction from the low back all the way up to the head. As this tissue becomes softer we are able to help the client gain an even better connection to how much or how little the back muscles need to be engaging to support the body appropriately.
Session 3: The Hour of the Quadratus Lumborum (QL)
In the third hour of the 10 series we will be helping the client establish better connection of the side line of their body. Some muscles and fascia of the back can begin to migrate toward to side and front of the body causing the body to contract and work harder than it should.
As we work through the third hour we help the client recognize which connective tissues should be where and how to begin to soften and relax the lateral line of the body so it is not playing tug-of-war with itself.
This session is also a continuation of the work on the shoulder girdle that we began in the first hour. As the shoulder girdle continues to soften and become more organized, supple and functional; the client gains better control of their spine, and torso allowing for range of motion, balance and coordination they have not had since they were teenagers.
Session 4: The Hour of the Adductors
One of the major goals of every session is to allow the pelvis to be has healthy and functional as possible.
The fourth hour is the beginning of the core work. The strong muscles on the inside of the leg that attach onto the pelvis can cause a great deal of side to side imbalance of the pelvis and can contribute to the knee and foot not moving as well as they should. As this inside line begins to soften, we can see the knee begin to move in its more ideal plane of motion, which allows the pelvis to function better.
Session5: The Hour of the Psoas
The large abdominal muscles and large upper thigh muscles both connect to the pelvis. These muscles can cause a tremendous amount of stress and increased sensitization of the nervous system causing the body to contract at levels and in ways that make the spine and pelvis more rigid and less efficient.
As we work from the diaphragm to the knees, encouraging the body to soften and engage at the appropriate levels, we address the body’s front to back imbalances.
Many people find a great deal of improvement in knee pain, hip, pain, low, mid and upper back pain as well as neck pain lessening as we work through the fifth session.
Session 6: The Hour of the Sacrum
Session 4 addressed side to side motion of the pelvis, session 5 addressed front to back motion of the pelvis, and now in session 6 we are working towards how the spine connects with and fits into the pelvis.
The powerful muscles of the back pelvis (the glutes, hamstrings, deep hip rotators) can all cause a tremendous amount of stress and tension when they are engaging at excessive rates to try and fight what is happening on the front side of the body.
As we work from the foot through the calf, hamstring, pelvis, low back, mid back upper back and neck it helps the client realize that the back side of the body has been holding on for dear life to try and fight all that happens on the front side of the body.
As the inside thigh muscles from the fourth hour and the front thigh and hip flexor muscles from the fifth hour soften, it allows the hamstrings and back side of the body to soften and come back to its more appropriate level of tension and position.
Session 7: The hour of the Head and Neck
Now that we have everything below the head and neck much more stable, functional, balanced supple and mobile we can focus our attention on the head and neck doing our detailed neck, head, face and jaw work. Imagine the idea of putting the cherry on the cake, or a ball on a table. If the cake or table is crooked it would be more difficult to have the ball sit on the table without falling off, or for the cherry to sit in the center of the cake.
The intricate workings of the shoulder, neck and head require a person to really improve their ability to be aware of and how to encourage muscles and the nervous system to soften, so they can have this area be as functional as possible. Many people get neck work week after week, year after year, always having the same issues over and over. This can often be related to the fact that when everything below the head and neck are more contracted it makes it difficult for the head to be in a place of ease on top of the body.
Sessions 8 & 9: The Balancing Sessions
In sessions 1-7, we focused on working to help our clients begin the process of differentiating the glued together, rigid, and contracted parts from one another. The nervous system and connective tissues down-regulated and softened and now the body can move more easily, freely, with less restriction and tug-of-war compensation.
In sessions 8 and 9 we are looking to help the client balance, connect and relate the upper body and lower body together. In one of these sessions we will focus on balancing and relating the upper girdle to middle and in the other session we will do the same for the lower girdle. In our balancing sessions, we begin to dynamically change how we work with the client getting them into gravity by putting them in different positions on the table and in seated and standing positions to continue to encourage the nervous system to realize that it can move and function without so much hypertonicity and contracture.
Session 10: The Hour of the Joints
Session 10 is graduation day. Our aim is to help our clients be able to move effortlessly and freely within and through their joints. Over time, as a body and nervous system become rigid and hard, it can cause the connective tissues to lock out joints; decreasing a person’s ability to move easily and effortlessly.
As we bring greater awareness to how our clients are moving through the major joints, it dramatically brings them to a place of contentedness, balance, coordination, ease and gracefulness that we are all seeking to have. At this last stage of our 10 series, we have given our clients a tremendous amount of self-care tools and education to encourage them to address issues as they happen instead of only relying upon a healthcare provider to fix them.
Living Balance Clinic
Unit 2 - 551 Knights Hill Road
All the information you need to know for your first appointment will be sent with your first confirmation e-mail when you book online. If you have any other questions or concerns please contact us here or call. Our professional team will be happy to help you.


The Pap Test
What is the Pap Test:
Pap: stands for Papanicolau stain. A routine test to screen for cancerous cells in the cervix as a prevention of cervical cancer. It can show unhealthy changes in these cells
What is the Cervix?
The cervix is found at the top of the vagina. It is the opening of the womb.
Who needs a Pap test?
Cervical cytology screening should be initiated at 21 years of age for women who are or have ever been sexually active. This includes intercourse, as well as digital or oral sexual activity involving the genital area with a partner of either gender.
If cytology is normal, screening should be done every 3 years.
When is the best time to have the Pap test done?
The best time for the Pap test is when you do not have your period, have not had sex for 1 day (24 hours) before the test and when you have not put any foams or medications in the vagina for two days (48 hours).
How is the Pap test done?
Your health care provider can do a Pap test during a pelvic exam. It is a quick test that takes only a few minutes. You will be asked to lie down on an exam table and put your feet in holders called stirrups, letting your knees fall to the side. A sheet will cover your legs and stomach. The health care provider will put an instrument called a speculum into your vagina, opening it to see the cervix and to do the Pap test. She or he will use a special stick, brush or swab to take a few cells from inside and around the cervix. The cells are placed in a small container, then checked by a lab to make sure they are healthy. While painless for most women, a Pap test can cause cramping for some women.
(Chlamydia and Gonorrhea swabs may also be taken at this time)
What does an abnormal result mean?
For most women, an abnormal Pap test result does not mean you have cancer. It may just mean that there are changes in the cells of your cervix.
“Not Normal” can mean:
-an inflammation in the vagina or cervix or an infection that may require treatment.
-(ASCUS) small changes in the cells on your cervix that may go away on their own without treatment.
-(LSIL) moderate changes in the cells that may stay or get worse if not treated.
-(HSIL) more serious changes that may lead to cancer if not treated.
-Cancer of the cervix
All these changes can be treated.
What are my treatment options?
Your treatment plan will depend on the kind of cells changes you have. Many cells revert back to normal in 6 months.
Sometimes, your doctor or nurse will ask you to have another Pap test in 3-6 months to see if your cells will change back to normal on their own. You may worry about waiting but remember that three out of four abnormal Pap test results return to normal by the next test.
It usually takes up to 10 years for abnormal cells to turn to cancer.
For more serious cell changes or repeated abnormal results, you will be referred to a specialist who will look more carefully at your cervix with a colposcope. It is a special set of binoculars that helps your doctor see your cervix more clearly.
The doctor may also take a biopsy (small piece of tissue) for a closer look under a microscope.
My Pap Test results say I have HPV-What does that mean?
click here: http://waterloo.mylaurier.ca/health/info/HPV.htm


Table of Contents
- 3D Tumor Printing: A Revolutionary Approach
- Bioprinted Tumors: Mimicking the Tumor Microenvironment
- Accelerating Drug Screening and Personalized Medicine
- Carcinotech’s Funding and Expansion Plans
- Partnerships and Collaborations for Innovation
- Carcinotech: A Beacon of Hope in Cancer Research
3D Tumor Printing: A Revolutionary Approach
Carcinotech, a trailblazing biotech company, has taken a major leap forward in cancer research by pioneering the 3D printing of micro-tumors. This innovative technology offers a highly accurate representation of the tumor microenvironment, enabling researchers to conduct more precise and effective drug screenings and develop personalized treatment plans for patients.
Bioprinted Tumors: Mimicking the Tumor Microenvironment
The remarkable achievement of Carcinotech lies in its ability to create 3D printed tumors that closely mimic the complex structure and cellular composition of actual tumors. These bioprinted tumors, generated from patient biopsies and blood samples, serve as a powerful tool for studying tumor growth, metastasis, and drug response in a controlled laboratory setting.
Accelerating Drug Screening and Personalized Medicine
The development of bioprinted tumors significantly accelerates the drug screening process, enabling researchers to test potential therapies on a more accurate model of the tumor. This approach enhances the efficiency and accuracy of drug discovery, leading to the development of more effective and targeted treatments for cancer patients. Moreover, it paves the way for personalized medicine, tailoring treatments to the specific characteristics of each patient’s tumor.
Carcinotech’s Funding and Expansion Plans
Carcinotech’s groundbreaking technology has garnered significant attention and support from investors, securing £4.2 million in funding. This funding will fuel the company’s expansion into the lucrative US market, enabling it to reach a broader audience and further develop its groundbreaking technologies. The company’s vision is to revolutionize cancer research and bring personalized medicine to every individual battling this devastating disease.
Partnerships and Collaborations for Innovation
Carcinotech recognizes the importance of collaboration in advancing scientific research. The company has forged strategic partnerships with leading organizations, including CELLINK, a renowned bioprinting company. These collaborations provide Carcinotech with access to cutting-edge technologies and expertise, accelerating the development of its bioprinted tumor models and expanding its research capabilities.
Carcinotech: A Beacon of Hope in Cancer Research
Carcinotech’s innovative approach to cancer research holds immense promise for the future of cancer treatment. By creating bioprinted tumors that accurately replicate the tumor microenvironment, the company is revolutionizing drug screening and paving the way for personalized medicine. Carcinotech stands as a beacon of hope in the fight against cancer, offering new avenues for developing more effective and targeted therapies that can improve the lives of patients worldwide.


What is Sciatica?
The sciatic nerve is the longest and largest of all the body’s nerves. It runs from the spinal column near the pelvis down each leg and can be as wide as your thumb. The sciatic nerve controls muscles in the back of your knee and lower leg and also provides feeling to the back of your thigh, sole of your foot and part of your lower leg. Each sciatic nerve is made up of five smaller nerves that branch into the thigh, knee, calf, ankle and foot. When this nerve becomes inflamed it creates a condition, which we call sciatica. Sciatica is characterized by pain, numbness and weakness in the lower extremities. Commonly pain and numbness are located at the calf, foot or back of the thigh and shooting pain down the leg all the way to the toes, which often causes sensations of burning, cramping, tingling, numbness and depending of the level of acuteness, degrees of pain ranging from an aching nuisance to throbbing to extreme and overt pain and is usually on only one side of the body. (Acute sciatica is said to be one the worst pain that a human has to endure).
What causes Sciatica?
Sciatica can be caused by many different things, but occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed, irritated or inflamed. Which sometimes can be traced back to a certain event, such as a car accident. But also years of bad posture, poor muscle tone, excess weight and countless other causes can set the stage for Sciatica. Standing, sitting, walking, running, heavy lifting, bending, twisting, or even sneezing can then bring on symptoms.
Chiropractic and Sciatica
Whenever pain relief is discussed- whether for sciatica or any other injury, it is important to distinguish between just relieving the pain and actually treating the cause of the pain. Most short-term pain relief is just that… short-term. If the underlying cause of the sciatica is not corrected the pain will inevitably return.
Doctors of Chiropractic offer drug-free and non-invasive care to address sciatica. The Chiropractic approach to sciatica is to help restore the way your spine works, reducing nerve irritation therefore revitalizing your body’s own healing ability.
Chiropractic theory states that in order for the body to be optimized for health, the neurological pathways must remain open and unrestricted.
Quite often people with sciatica wait until the pain becomes unbearable before they contact their chiropractor. Waiting can cause long-term damage, it is important to contact your Chiropractic when the pain originally begins.
Cox, J. & Shreiner, S. (1984) Chiropractic manipulation in low back pain and sciatica: statistical data on the diagnosis, treatment and response of 576 consecutive cases. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 7(1), 1-11.
Santilli, V., Beghi, E., & Finucci, S. (2006) Chiropractic manipulation in the treatment of acute back pain and sciatica with disc protrusion: a randomized double-blind clinical trial of active and simulated spinal manipulations. The spine journal: Official journal of the North American Spine society, 6(2).


Benzodiazepines (BZD, BDZ, BZs), sometimes called “benzos“, are a class of psychoactive drugs whose core chemical structure is the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring. As depressants—drugs which lower brain activity—they are prescribed to treat conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. The first benzodiazepine, chlordiazepoxide (Librium), was discovered accidentally by Leo Sternbach in 1955 and was made available in 1960 by Hoffmann–La Roche, which soon followed with diazepam (Valium) in 1963. By 1977, benzodiazepines were the most prescribed medications globally; the introduction of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), among other factors, decreased rates of prescription, but they remain frequently used worldwide.
Benzodiazepines are depressants that enhance the effect of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at the GABAA receptor, resulting in sedative, hypnotic (sleep-inducing), anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), anticonvulsant, and muscle relaxant properties. High doses of many shorter-acting benzodiazepines may also cause anterograde amnesia and dissociation. These properties make benzodiazepines useful in treating anxiety, panic disorder, insomnia, agitation, seizures, muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal and as a premedication for medical or dental procedures. Benzodiazepines are categorized as short, intermediate, or long-acting. Short- and intermediate-acting benzodiazepines are preferred for the treatment of insomnia; longer-acting benzodiazepines are recommended for the treatment of anxiety.
Benzodiazepines are generally viewed as safe and effective for short-term use—about two to four weeks—although cognitive impairment and paradoxical effects such as aggression or behavioral disinhibition can occur. A minority of people have reactions such as worsened agitation or panic when they stop taking benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are associated with an increased risk of suicide due to aggression, impulsivity, and negative withdrawal effects. Long-term use is controversial because of concerns about decreasing effectiveness, physical dependence, benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome, and an increased risk of dementia and cancer. In the long term, stopping benzodiazepines often leads to improved physical and mental health. The elderly are at an increased risk of both short- and long-term adverse effects, and as a result, all benzodiazepines are listed in the Beers List of inappropriate medications for older adults. There is controversy concerning the safety of benzodiazepines in pregnancy. While they are not major teratogens, uncertainty remains as to whether they cause cleft palate in a small number of babies and whether neurobehavioural effects occur as a result of prenatal exposure; they are known to cause withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.