The Birmingham and Solihull Tobacco Control Alliance (BSol TCA) has launched a campaign to help you light up your life, by giving up smoking. Throughout February and March, the “Light Up Your Life” campaign will feature across social media, radio, buses, and outdoor spaces to raise awareness of the stop smoking services available across Birmingham and Solihull. Ruth Tennant, Chair of the Birmingham and Solihull Tobacco Control Alliance and Director of Public Health at Solihull Council, said: “Smokers keen to start their smokefree journey should know that we’re here to help. “Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do…

Folic acid, a water-soluble B vitamin occurs naturally in food and can also be taken as food supplements. Naturally occurring sources of folic acid includes green leaf vegetables (spinach, turnip), poultry, pork, shellfish, pea’s beans, liver, cereal and citrus furies. Folic acid is one of the necessary elements required for production and maintenance of human cell. Folic acid deficiency and diseases: Folic acid deficiency may cause various disorders. Some of these are highlighted below. Folic acid deficiency may cause weakness, poor growth, graying hair, inflammation of the tongue, palpitations and behavioural…

It is thought that around one in five people in the UK suffer from vitamin D deficiency. Interestingly, people from a BAME community are at higher risk of suffering from than those who are not. Why is this the case? Dr Preethi Daniel, Clinical Director at London Doctors Clinic vouches to explain.   What is vitamin D and how do we normally obtain it?    Vitamin D, otherwise known as the sunshine vitamin, is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps regulate minerals such as calcium and phosphate in the human body.    Much of the vitamin D in our body is made naturally from…

Seasonal shifts can cause sleeping patterns to fly off the rails, which can cause a lack of energy, reduced concentration and many other inconveniences. Luckily, there are many ways you can get this essential function back on track. Medical cannabis experts at Leafwell have revealed a list of top tips on how to get the perfect night’s sleep during the summer months. How does the temperature and summertime effect lack of sleep? There are a few reasons why temperature affects how we sleep and how many hours we get of it at night.  Comfort is the main issue when it…

Work to create more ‘bee beaches’ and restore historic heathland habitats is being carried out across the West Midlands. This conservation effort is part of the Purple Horizons Nature Recovery Project, led by Natural England. The work involves using diggers to remove vegetation and create bare ground areas – known as ‘bee beaches’ – which are crucial habitats for many threatened pollinators. This project, now in its second year, has created even more bee-friendly habitats across seven sites: Shire Oak Park, Barr Beacon, Pelsall North Common, Chasewater Country Park, Brownhills Common, Wharf Lane and Muckley Corner.  The work is being…

Wolverhampton residents are being urged to remain vigilant and follow some important guidance when considering aesthetic procedures available on the High Street. Environmental Health officers at City of Wolverhampton Council are concerned that people are not always aware of the safety risks and potential complications involved. Officers want to encourage residents to ask questions and report any concerns before undergoing aesthetic procedures such as Botox, anti wrinkle injections, cosmetic or dermal fillers, chemical peels or skin boosters. They recommend the following: Make sure you have a pre-consultation before undergoing any procedure. This should look at your medical history and give…

There are two main types of cholesterol, LDL, sometimes termed ‘bad’ cholesterol, and HDL, sometimes termed as ‘good cholesterol’. The reality is that we do need some of both types of cholesterol, but the incorrect balance can be harmful. When LDL cholesterol builds up in the arteries, it can contribute to plaque formation, whilst HDL cholesterol removes harmful cholesterol from the bloodstream. With this in mind, here are some tips for creating a healthy cholesterol profile. Increase Fibre Intake Fibre, particularly the type found in porridge oats and wholegrains, known as beta-glucan, helps to reduce LDL cholesterol levels. Go Plant-Based…

A probiotic drink could become a promising new weapon in the battle against antibiotic resistant bacteria, after a team of scientists at the University of Birmingham engineered and patented a key genetic element that can tackle the genetic basis of resistance. The team is now seeking funding for a clinical trial for the drink which has potential to work against many resistant bacteria commonly found in the human gut including E. coli, Salmonella and Klebsiella pneumoniae. It works by targeting small DNA molecules, called plasmids, inside bacterial cells. These molecules frequently carry genes that give resistance to antibiotics, which the…

Walsall Council has installed new equipment and scheduled a series of Community Workout sessions to help residents maximise the benefits of these new additions. The new equipment is now available at Aldridge Airport, Pelsall Common, Pleck Park, and Holland Park. An additional set of equipment is scheduled for installation at Walsall Arboretum, with the anticipated completion date set for Spring 2025. “ The new equipment encourages healthy physical activity and, most importantly, is free for everyone to use. We hope that having this new equipment will attract more people to try it out for the first time. Outdoor gym facilities…

Advances in understanding the basic biology behind the causes of diabetic retinopathy could have potential therapeutic implications later down the line. A recent paper published by the experimental ophthalmology team at the Institute of Inflammation and Ageing in Nature Communications, sheds light on the mechanisms that cause eye damage in as many as 80% of people who have had diabetes for several decades. Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes, a result of high blood sugar levels damaging the retina at the back of the eye. It can cause blindness if left undiagnosed and untreated, so regular check-ups are important for…