CRAMPING MY STYLE
Q I always get a cramp in my right foot when I go swimming.
It can’t be my technique, because it starts as soon as I get into the water.
What is it?
DR DAN RUTHERFORD WRITES:
Despite being so common – practically everyone gets them at some time – cramps
are not well understood. Occasionally someone on diuretic tablets (e.g. for
high blood pressure treatment) gets them. Rarely, they can accompany a low
level of calcium or magnesium in the body, but in the vast majority of
people there is no obvious cause.
It sounds as though you are describing “dystonic cramp”, which affects muscles
associated with a certain activity, but is not due to muscle fatigue, which
can by itself cause cramp.
Giving it a name does not make treatment easier unfortunately. You have
probably worked out your own regime, but gentle stretching or massage of the
affected muscles in advance of putting your toes in the water may help.
BUTTER OR SPREADS?
Q Please tell me which is preferable, healthwise – butter, with 54g saturated fat, or something like I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, with all the additives?
SARA STANNER WRITES:
Spreads made with a blend of vegetable oils are much lower in saturated fat than butter. Although they do contain additives, such as flavourings and preservatives, these are strictly regulated to make sure we are not eating levels that could harm our health.
While there is no evidence that normal intakes of additives are a problem, there is a lot of evidence that high intakes of saturated fat can raise blood cholesterol levels and increase our risk of heart disease. So butter substitutes are a healthier option from a heart health perspective but it depends how much you eat.
Don’t be tempted to eat twice as much because of the lack of guilt – they are still high in calories (70 calories/tablespoon) and fat. If you are really trying to cut back, go for a light, reduced fat or low fat option and spread it thinly.
SECOND OPINON DR JAMES LEFANU
The healing power of nature
The most important therapeutic discovery of the 19th century was undoubtedly the beneficial effect of fresh air, or as the distinguished physician Dr Henry McCormack said: “The window closed by night causes greater destruction than sword or gun.”
At a time when those with tuberculosis were advised never to open their windows more than an inch or two, he urged: “The windows must be thrown open day and night, winter and summer. Neither driving winds nor damp nor rain are to be dreaded as much as confined air.”
His views led subsequently to the building of the network of tuberculosis sanatoria with wards “open to the elements” that would initiate the decline in the disease.
This beneficial effect of fresh air fused with romantic ideas about the healing powers of nature also influenced the design of the big voluntary hospitals built during this period with spacious balconies where patients could sit and convalesce.
Sadly no balconies grace our contemporary palaces of disease and the quality of fresh air on the wards is strictly controlled by costly ventilation systems.
This together with dreary views, noise and harsh lighting combine to lower the morale of staff and patients alike.
Such gloomy surroundings, psychologists have determined, increase the blood pressure and the heart rate and suppress the immune responses necessary to combat infection.
By contrast, it is claimed, views of trees, lawns, flowers and water promote healing by reducing tension and fatigue.
BUTTER OR SPREADS?
Q Please tell me which is preferable, healthwise – butter, with 54g saturated fat, or something like I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, with all the additives?
SARA STANNER WRITES:
Spreads made with a blend of vegetable oils are much lower in saturated fat than butter. Although they do contain additives, such as flavourings and preservatives, these are strictly regulated to make sure we are not eating levels that could harm our health.
While there is no evidence that normal intakes of additives are a problem, there is a lot of evidence that high intakes of saturated fat can raise blood cholesterol levels and increase our risk of heart disease. So butter substitutes are a healthier option from a heart health perspective but it depends how much you eat.
Don’t be tempted to eat twice as much because of the lack of guilt – they are still high in calories (70 calories/tablespoon) and fat. If you are really trying to cut back, go for a light, reduced fat or low fat option and spread it thinly.
SECOND OPINON DR JAMES LEFANU
The healing power of nature
The most important therapeutic discovery of the 19th century was undoubtedly the beneficial effect of fresh air, or as the distinguished physician Dr Henry McCormack said: “The window closed by night causes greater destruction than sword or gun.”
At a time when those with tuberculosis were advised never to open their windows more than an inch or two, he urged: “The windows must be thrown open day and night, winter and summer. Neither driving winds nor damp nor rain are to be dreaded as much as confined air.”
His views led subsequently to the building of the network of tuberculosis sanatoria with wards “open to the elements” that would initiate the decline in the disease.
This beneficial effect of fresh air fused with romantic ideas about the healing powers of nature also influenced the design of the big voluntary hospitals built during this period with spacious balconies where patients could sit and convalesce.
Sadly no balconies grace our contemporary palaces of disease and the quality of fresh air on the wards is strictly controlled by costly ventilation systems.
This together with dreary views, noise and harsh lighting combine to lower the morale of staff and patients alike.
Such gloomy surroundings, psychologists have determined, increase the blood pressure and the heart rate and suppress the immune responses necessary to combat infection.
By contrast, it is claimed, views of trees, lawns, flowers and water promote healing by reducing tension and fatigue.
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