Health and Wellbeing

People with dementia often experience various problems with eating and drinking. This can have a negative impact on a person’s health and on some of the symptoms of their dementia. It can result in weight loss and even worsen confusion as well as causing other health problems. If you are caring for someone with dementia there are things you can do to support them. Don’t forget, if you are at all worried about the person you are caring for, speak to your GP for help.

Cholesterol is a word that we hear an increasing amount as we age, but many people are still unaware of what cholesterol is and the dangers it can pose. Cholesterol is an essential fatty substance that is carried around the body in your bloodstream. When cholesterol combines with proteins they become lipoproteins. There are two main types, which have very different effects on the body:

February is National Heart Month and a reminder of how important it is to look after our hearts.  Run by the British Heart Foundation, the initiative is held every year to raise awareness of the fight against cardiovascular disease, with the aim of keeping more hearts beating for longer.

The New Year has different meanings for different people, however it is undeniable that most of us get a buzz from planning for a healthy year to come. What will your goals be this year? “New year, new you” might be one of the most overused phrases in January, but there’s something about this time of year that gives us the drive to make healthy changes to our diet and lifestyle.

Confused about all the ways you can keep your heart healthy? We’ve got the perfect guide! We constantly hear that it’s important to look after your heart but the advice is numerous and it can be difficult to keep track of it all. Check our handy guide for a breakdown of how you can easily maintain a healthy heart.

This summer has been a mixed bag so far. But as the temperature heats up it’s important to remember to stay cool this season. Have a look at the tips from Oakhouse Foods for staying safe and healthy in the summer. Stay hydrated Drinking a lot of liquid in these long summer days is essential to stay healthy. You need to continuously replace water that you lose throughout the day. Men and women should drink 2.0 litres of fluid per day to stay fully hydrated. All drinks count towards this; however water is the best choice. Alcohol and salty food can lead to heightened levels of dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration include:

Eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day is something that we’ve had drummed into us for as long as we can remember. A new study could be about to change all of this… The study from the University College London examined the diet and lifestyle of 65,000 men and women between 2001 and 2013. The conclusion? Those who ate seven or more portions of fruit and veg a day were reaping in the health benefits. Their overall risk of death was lowered by 42%, while the risk of dying of cancer was slashed by 25%. These figures are in addition to the existing five-a-day benefits, such as a lower risk of stroke, obesity and type 2 diabetes.

In the chilly winter months it’s more important than ever to look after your health - here’s our rundown on how to stay fighting fit this winter. Keep warm There are some simple things you can do to stay snug when the temperature drops, including keeping your living room at 70⁰F (21⁰C) and your bedroom at 65⁰F (18⁰C). Make sure you draw the curtains at dusk and close doors to keep out chilly draughts. Wearing lots of layers helps to keep you warmer, and hot drinks throughout the day and at bedtime are a good way to help to keep your body temperature up too.

Breakfast, as it turns out, really is the most important meal of the day. New research has shown that regularly eating a good breakfast can help to lower your chances of high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, all risk factors for heart attacks and heart disease. A good spread when you wake up also gets your metabolism going, which can slow down with age, as well as helping to regulate blood sugars and keep hunger at bay for longer so there’s less chance of you reaching for those unhealthy snacks. And it’s not only your body that benefits - eating breakfast can help to boost energy levels, concentration, memory and even mood!

As the nights draw in and the weather gets colder, it’s important to make sure you’re getting the right nutrients to help keep illness at bay. You know you should be getting your five a day but which foods are really going to keep you fighting fit? Here’s our rundown of the best ingredients to keep you in tiptop health through the winter months. Blueberries are high in anti-oxidants, which help to fight off disease and counter ageing. Why not add some to your morning porridge for an extra boost?