A happy gut means a healthy heart
COVER UP The sun will still be strong here this summer now there are plenty of SPFs for oily skin. SVR Sebiaclear Daily Sunscreen SPF50 (£15, lookfantastic.com) contains two potent ingredients that tackle blemishes and leave your skin shine-free. sun are, thankfully, long gone.
But while we’ve never been more clued-up about the dangers of sunbathing and what it can do to our skin, it doesn’t mean we have to miss out on the nourishing benefits of oil. The new generation of SPF oils offers deep hydration as well as sun protection. Try Caudalie Beautifying Suncare Oil SPF30 (£21, spacenk.com), which contains both vitamin E and grapeseed oil and is kind to the environment too.
Dr Veraitch (inset) sorts out the facts from the fiction…
There are lots of different types of sunscreens. If in doubt, choose an SPF50 with UVA and UVB protection.
UVA light is ageing while UVB radiation causes damage that can lead to skin cancer.
There are two types of sunscreen – chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays while physical ones form a barrier to stop rays reaching skin.
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The key to preventing heart disease could be in your gut, new research has discovered.
The study, from Ohio State University, found that a particular strain of friendly gut bacteria gets to work in the intestines.
It helps reduce the production of a chemical that can clog up arteries and lead to heart disease.
This bacteria – called eubacterium limosum – has already been shown to help calm inflammation in the gut.
Scientists hope that in the future, it could be given to patients to lower their risk of heart disease.
For those with sensitive skin, finding the right SPF can be tricky because traditional sun creams can irritate. Look for sunscreens with stripped-down ingredient lists – these can be just as effective at blocking the sun’s rays. Many come in tinted formulas to disguise redness while they protect too. Check out Uriage Roseliane Anti-Redness Cream SPF30 (£15.94, lookfantastic.com). It contains ginseng and red algae to soothe and strengthen skin.
Traditional sunscreens need to be reapplied every few hours, as well as after swimming. But there’s good news for pool lovers – some new SPF formulas can protect skin regardless of whether it’s wet or dry. The protection in Shiseido WetForce
Clear UV Protector
SPF50 (£28, shiseido. co.uk) gets stronger when it comes into contact with water and perspiration. companies advertising sunblock with an SPF of more than 50, but don’t be tricked into paying more for these. There is little evidence to prove they offer better protection.
Use different products for your face and the rest of your body. The chemicals in sunscreen can be too harsh to be applied to the face where skin is more fragile.
Even if you’re wearing sun protection, try to stay out of the sun, especially in the middle of the day. Hats and protective clothes can minimise skin exposure.
A simple blood test can detect five types of cancer up to four years before any symptoms appear, scientists claim.
The liquid biopsy, called PanSeer, analyses blood samples for DNA fragments released by stomach, oesophagus, bowel, lung and liver tumours.
A study of 605 people found it could detect different types of cancer up to four years before standard diagnosis methods.
Goose bumps are caused by the same cell types that control hair growth, researchers at Harvard University have found.
The cells are important for regulating the stem cells that regenerate hair.
Why we get goose bumps was a question first pondered by Charles Darwin over 150 years ago.
He couldn’t understand the point of them because humans don’t have thick fur.