Born to be Mild

08/09/2026

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) develops when the kidneys don't work the way they should. Healthy kidneys filter blood, remove waste, balance electrolytes, and help control blood pressure. Two major causes of CKD are poorly controlled diabetes and high blood pressure, however there are many other risk factors. See the article link below to find out more:

02/09/2026

2-6 September is National Kidney Awareness Month in South Africa. A meta-analysis which looked at studies across Africa around CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease), found that about 14% of adults in Africa have CKD. In South Africa, it is estimated that between 6% and 17% of the adult population have some degree of permanent kidney impairment.

There are usually no noticeable symptoms in the early stages of CKD, but there are things everyone can do to look after their kidneys, including:

Exercise regularly
Follow a balanced diet
Quit smoking
Drink only in moderation
Stay hydrated
Monitor cholesterol levels
Stay updated with all vaccinations
Know your family medical history

It is also helpful to know the facts about CKD, to assess your risk and to know when to speak to a medical professional for further tests or advice.

https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/6-step-guide-to-protecting-kidney-health

https://www.mrc.ac.za/news/population-prevalence-chronic-kidney-disease-among-adults-africa

Learn more about kidney disease, your risk, and how to prevent it.

27/08/2026

A new systemic review titled "Domain-specific physical activity levels and risk of dementia" found that leisure-time exercise was associated with a decreased risk of dementia. Steven Allder, a consultant neurologist, notes that this study was observational and we should be cautious about drawing direct correlations. However, he also says that the consistency of the results are worth paying attention to. Allder says: “Going for a walk with a friend, swimming, cycling or playing a sport can combine physical activity with social interaction, enjoyment and mental stimulation. These factors may reduce stress and social isolation, while helping to build what we think of as cognitive resilience, which is the brain’s ability to cope with age-related changes."

Physical activity for leisure, such as walking, cycling and swimming is linked to a lower dementia risk, while the opposite applies to physical exertion as part of one's job, new research shows.

20/08/2026

What is the deadliest animal on earth? The one who takes the most lives each year? Lion? Hippo? Rhinos? No, mosquitoes!

World Mosquito Day helps raise awareness about the ongoing threat of malaria and other diseases transmitted by these small insects. Mosquitoes have a huge impact on health around the world. If you are travelling to an area affected by malaria, please speak to your healthcare provider or see relevant information guides to prevent malaria.

19/08/2026

Researchers have long found that hobbies which involve exercise, arts and nature have multiple health benefits. In the UK, social prescriptions, referrals to activities typically involving movement, nature, art or service, are becoming more common. However, anyone can choose a new hobby or embark on a new adventure. Julia Hotz recommends thinking "about how you’re feeling now, and how you’d like to feel in the future" when you are choosing a new hobby. Hotz recommends four steps for picking a hobby that will improve your health and wellbeing: match your symptom to the science, ask yourself what matters to you, find activities that naturally capture your attention, and just say 'yes'.

What hobby have you found improves your health and wellbeing? What hobby would you like to try in the future?

From sea swimming to painting, doctors are ‘prescribing’ hobbies – but you don’t need a doctor’s note to get started

03/08/2026

A very early study (conducted in 2015 in the UK) claimed that e-ci******es were 95% safer or less harmful than traditional to***co products, including ci******es. Bear in mind, that va**ng in its current commercial form has only been around since 2003 when the first commercially available e-ci******es were sold in China, and then only sold in the USA and Europe between 2006-2007. Va**ng products were only introduced in South Africa in 2012. This statement, claiming that it is safer to v**e than to smoke has recently been doing the rounds once again, causing many to think that va**ng is harmless. However it is important to note the age of the study, other newer studies which have conducted research on the commercially available products, and the fact that although va**ng might be less harmful than traditional ci******es, they are NOT harmless. Many va**ng flavours include ni****ne, flavourings, vegetable glycerine and propylene glycol. Some of these are safe to consume, but heating them changes their chemistry. Va**ng can also lead to addiction, especially among teenagers. To learn more about va**ng, see the article links below:

https://www.ewn.co.za/2026/08/03/the-95-safer-va**ng-claim-isnt-backed-by-science-says-lung-specialist?fbclid=IwY2xjawTdOi1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEemaohVh5jVJQsy_g-GgcU7iq__Lfj0rFUUA1x3O7_l04ATpi2bkStOzsiqpo_aem_2petui0n2Q9z4t7PBpyN6Q

https://cansa.org.za/is-va**ng-safer-than-smoking-why-this-may-not-be-the-case/

It makes sense that va**ng is seen as the so-called healthier alternative to smoking ci******es, as va**ng may reduce exposure to some of the toxic by-products of burning to***co. However, va**ng introduces its own mix of chemicals, ultra-fine particles, and ni****ne delivery systems that affect the...

30/07/2026

Julie Corliss explains blood pressure, blood sugar, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride levels and waist circumference measurements and numbers, what they mean and how to improve your heart health. Some general advice to improve heart heath includes eating a healthy diet, regular exercise, getting enough sleep and reducing stress. Speak to your healthcare provider if you are concerned about any of your numbers.

Five numbers give a thumbnail assessment of overall heart health and what factors people might need to address to lower the risk of a heart attack or stroke. These numbers offer ideal goals ...

21/07/2026

In recent years, there has been a surge in interest in the science of longevity, backed by awareness and medical research. Longevity isn't just about living for more years, it is also about living meaningfully, feeling well and being able to think clearly and maintain or create connections. The research continues to show that some basic lifestyle decisions, maintained over decades, can have long term benefits. These include decisions about movement, nutrition, sleep, stress management, and social connection. Dr. Barzilai, a longevity expert says “Good health is surprisingly unglamorous ... What matters most are the basics people already know about but rarely execute consistently over decades.”

Longevity starts with everyday habits. Learn how movement, nutrition, sleep, stress management, and social connection can help you live a longer, healthier life....

24/06/2026

World Allergy Week runs from 21 June to 27 June 2026. The theme for this year is “Allergy Care Is Essential Care". Many think of allergies as individual or seasonal afflictions, yet allergic diseases are becoming some of the most common chronic conditions worldwide. It impacts school, work, households and health systems, placing pressure on individuals, businesses and systems. In fact, it is estimated that between 30 to 40% of people globally have an allergy. Allergic reactions can range from mild to severe and even to life-threatening.

05/06/2026

Microplastics. We've all heard or read about them. We know they're not good. They're in our water and in our food, on our shoes when we walk into our homes. There are microplastics in every ecosystem in the world, and in our bodies. But what are they? What are the implications for our health and what can we do about it?

It is important to remember that plastic never goes away, it just breaks down into smaller and smaller bits. Research on the impact of microplastics is still limited, but there are definite signs that microplastics can harm our health and bodies.

Kara Meister, a pediatric otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon at Stanford Medicine, suggests limiting our exposure to plastic as much as possible. As far as possible, stop using single use plastic items, avoid using plastic or non-stick cookware, try to wear clothing made of natural fibers, seek out cosmetics and toiletries without any plastic in them. She also recommends purchasing wooden or metal toys for children, instead of plastic ones. Heat increases plastic leaching, so handwash plastic items and do not use plastic in the microwave when reheating food.

For more information on microplastics and recent research, please click on the link to Katia Savchuk's article:

Whether we know it, or like it, our bodies are polluted by tiny fragments of plastic that fail to break down in our earthly environment. What does that mean for our long-term health, and what can we do about it?