Just what the doctor ordered
Michael Mosley offers some Marvellous Medicine
We all know how putupon the NHS is currently, even being told that we should only use the emergency services for urgent health matters (whatever “urgent” is). And while we can’t always treat ourselves, we can all take small steps to improve our chances of keeping fit and well.
But while all want quick and easy ways to improve our health, when it comes to diet, fitness and wellbeing it can be hard to separate facts from fads. And harder still to easily fit changes into our daily lives.
Dr Michael Mosley is a familiar face and voice, fronting various biology and medicine–related TV programmes as well as regularly appearing on The One Show. An advocate of intermittent fasting and a low-carbohydrate diet advocate, he has also written books promoting the ketogenic diet.
Now, he has turned his attention to a wide range of ’Just One Things’, a series of what in more modern par lance might be called health‘ hacks ’– small steps with potentially impressiveimpacts. Mosley chats to experts, road tests all his tips and en lists some special guests to help you find that one small change that could really make a difference to how you feel.
Of course, in this modern world time is precious, so episodes of Just One Thing come in bite-sized chunks no longer than 15 minutes, leaving plenty of time to take on board the suggestions each contains. On a slight downside, the weekly podcasts have been running for a year, meaning that there are plenty to wade through – but also offering plenty of choice for you to dip into whatever is your main area of interest.
And there’s quite the selection. The traditional ‘Apple a day’ is analysed by the doctor who also asks how good fruit is as a sugar replacement, before moving onto the benefits of turmeric, nuts, and red wine.
Exercise is also part of the road to fitness, so weights and tai chi are examined, as are singing, early morning walks, (perhaps surprisingly) video games, and there’s even an episode focusing on standing up (which is a start!). Or for an even more sedentary activity, tooth brushing (good oral hygiene can boost heart health and protect the brain).
At the opposite end, relaxation is paramount, so hot baths, sleep, choice of bed, and morning light are all factors examined for health benefits. And as well as an episode on breathing there’s one consisting of calming sounds designed to lull us to slumber.
And to show it’s not all hard work, he even covers the benefits of eating chocolate – so it’s not all torture.
More at www. bbc.co.uk/programmes/ p09by3yy.