A ‘Longevity Doctor' tells me how old I REALLY am
Longevity medicine, once associated with billionaire biohackers like Bryan Johnson, is gaining traction as a more mainstream approach to personalised healthcare. From blood tests to bone scans and a fitness stress test, Coffey undergoes a full-body MOT to reveal her 'biological age' – and explores whether anti-ageing science is really just hype, or the future of wellbeing.
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Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Doctors dismissed my symptoms as a sinus infection... a year later I found out I had a deadly brain tumor
Long before becoming a patient, Ilene Sue Ruhoy was a prominent neurologist in Seattle, accustomed to treating disease. She had been practicing for a decade when, in 2014, she noticed mounting fatigue, dizziness, nausea, migraines, and irritability that various doctors chalked up to stress, a hormone imbalance, and a sinus infection. None of them, she felt, truly listened or took her symptoms seriously. In August 2015, after a year of asking doctors to order her an MRI, one of them finally listened, and what appeared on the scan changed the course of her life entirely. At the emergency room, doctors informed her that she had a tumor called a meningioma the size of an apple pressing on the left side of her brain so forcefully that both hemispheres were being pushed to the right side of her skull. While not classified as cancer, meningiomas can be deadly if complications arise, boasting a mortality rate of anywhere from 63 to 90 percent. She underwent multiple surgeries to seal off the blood vessel feeding the tumor in the hopes of preventing it from growing larger, followed by a procedure to remove the mass in its entirety. 'It's only when I look back in time and think through those appointments and the conversations, and I was at the point where I was begging people to believe me,' Ruhoy told 'The sad part is that if someone had believed me earlier on, I think I could have prevented a lot of the recurrences that I had to go through because I've now undergone three rounds of radiation to my brain.' Ruhoy was healthy before her medical crisis, like many of her current patients. She questioned how this could have happened, feeling she had done everything right. During her quest for answers, Ruhoy complained of light sensitivity and severe, long-lasting migraines that doctors told her were due to her stressful job as a neurologist in a hospital. She said one doctor stayed glued to their computer and failed to even make eye contact with her. Another told her, after she begged for an MRI because she knew something was wrong, that he 'didn't want to feed into the hysteria by ordering an MRI.' She said 'Looking back, I think that I just wasn't cognizant of what was really happening when it was happening. 'And it's only when I look back in time and think through those appointments and basically I was at the point where I was like begging people to believe me, because things just were getting worse for me.' Around nine months into her illness, before being diagnosed, she found a primary care doctor and as soon as Ruhoy walked into her new doctor's office, she began to sob, telling the physician that she had reached her wit's end. 'All I said was, please, just order me an MRI. And she said the famous words, "when a neurologist asks you to order a brain MRI, you order a brain MRI,"' Ruhoy said. 'I remember that moment when she just agreed and I almost hugged her. I didn't, I should have, but I was just so grateful, and I will always be grateful.' Ruhoy still does not know definitively what caused her own tumor. She said: 'I have a PhD in environmental toxicology, so I've thought long and hard about this; what exposures have I had in my life, what infections have I had in my life. 'Once I was diagnosed, I underwent a big workup, led by myself, to try to answer that exact question, and I really came up with nothing. We don't really know what causes these tumors.' Inspired by her own journey, Ruhoy would come to specialize in complex post-exposure illnesses (PEIs), such as long Covid and chronic fatigue syndrome. People with poorly understood chronic illnesses fed by exposure to certain medications, pathogens, or trauma generally describe feeling 'gaslit' by their doctors who don't adequately listen to their concerns, often brush them off as being due to stress, give up trying to treat patients, and alienate them. She vowed to help patients who have felt let down by the medical establishment and to not allow them to leave her office without setting forth on the path to recovery. PEIs encompass several diagnoses marked by a wide array of symptoms. According to Ruhoy, exposure can be to anything external and does not always involve an infection. For instance, she said, long-term exposure to pesticides or mold have been linked to cases of Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Her newfound career treating PEIs began with Danielle, a dancer in her early 30s who developed debilitating joint pain, food allergies, hives, swelling in her hands and feet, dizziness, headaches, and neck pain. Many of her patients today are on their fourth or fifth healthcare professional in their quest to figure out what is driving their symptoms. Danielle was no different. She asked Danielle a laundry list of questions, questions no doctor had asked her before: Did she ever have any pain disorders? Did family members have similar symptoms to hers? Did she choke a lot? Did she have chest pain? A detailed blood test revealed Danielle's hypothyroidism, missed by other doctors who hadn't ordered a comprehensive panel. This likely caused her fatigue, menstrual issues, hair loss, bloating, and skin changes. Dr Ruhoy addressed each symptom: an MRI uncovered a misdiagnosed spinal problem, treated with muscle relaxants; medication stabilized her dizziness; and specialists managed her heart and joint pain. Within months, Danielle felt significantly better. In addition to treating patients' symptoms with medication, Ruhoy recommends drug-free treatments: being active, even for a short walk, time in nature, and following a consistent sleep schedule. 'Will you ever be 'normal' again? It's a question I hear often from patients, and unfortunately— if by 'normal' you mean a full return to the person you were before this chronic illness... I can't promise that you will,' Ruhoy wrote in her book Invisible No More. 'However, if you care for yourself, if you remain diligent in the ways we have discussed, and if you attend to your body and listen to the signals it sends you… then you have a great chance of being well. Very well, even.'
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
I lost seven stone WITHOUT Mounjaro – here's three very simple things I've done that have helped me slim down & tone up
A MOTHER has revealed that she lost seven stone without using Mounjaro. According to Lucy, instead of injecting herself with fat jabs, she swears by three very simple and straightforward things to slim down and tone up. 2 2 Posting on social media, the mum, who is from the UK, gave her followers a before and after look at her weight loss, leaving many totally stunned. Rather than forking out the cash and travelling abroad for weight loss surgery, this mother swears by eating right and exercising to get a body of dreams. And not only does she look incredible, but people are struggling to believe she is the same person as the woman in her 'before' photos. The stunner, who has slimmed down and is now '7 stone lighter' attributes her weight loss to three healthy habits - eating in a calorie deficit, walking and weight lifting. Lucy explained that she is breastfeeding, so isn't able to use Mounjaro. As a result, she took matters into her own hands on a mission to slim down and when it comes to her diet, rather than eating nothing but fruit and vegetables, she swears by a big focus on protein. She confirmed that she consumes 180g of protein every day, as well as 27g to 30g of fiber. When it comes to walking, the savvy mum stressed the importance of doing 10,000 steps every single day, which she has been doing since 1st September 2024. And when she's not walking, she's exercising in the gym. According to this content creator, who believes strongly in being consistent, if you want to feel your best and lose weight, lifting weights is key. I'm a 'former fatty' who lost 12 stone WITHOUT jabs - being slim means I don't have to eat in the car to avoid judgement This mother confirmed that she goes to the gym four times a week and does two glute focused sessions, one catered to full body exercises and another on her upper body. After putting the effort in, less than a year since kicking off her health and fitness journey, Lucy has now reached her goal weight and doesn't want to lose any more. The NHS 12-step plan to help you lose weight FROM faddy diets to dodgy detoxes - most of us have heard it all before when it comes to weight loss. But burning fat can be easy and mostly free. In fact, the NHS has a whole load of medically-approved tips for weight loss and shedding body fat once and for all... Don't skip breakfast Skipping breakfast will not help you lose weight. You could miss out on essential nutrients and you may end up snacking more throughout the day because you feel hungry. Eat regular meals Eating at regular times during the day helps burn calories at a faster rate. It also reduces the temptation to snack on foods high in fat and sugar. Eat plenty of fruit and veg Fruit and veg are low in calories and fat, and high in fibre – 3 essential ingredients for successful weight loss. They also contain plenty of vitamins and minerals. Get more active Being active is key to losing weight and keeping it off. As well as providing lots of health benefits, exercise can help burn off the excess calories you cannot lose through diet alone. Drink lots of water People sometimes confuse thirst with hunger. You can end up consuming extra calories when a glass of water is really what you need. Eat high fibre foods Foods containing lots of fibre can help keep you feeling full, which is perfect for losing weight. Fibre is only found in food from plants, such as fruit and veg, oats, wholegrain bread, brown rice and pasta, and beans, peas and lentils. Read food labels Knowing how to read food labels can help you choose healthier options. Use the calorie information to work out how a particular food fits into your daily calorie allowance on the weight loss plan. Use a smaller plate Using smaller plates can help you eat smaller portions. By using smaller plates and bowls, you may be able to gradually get used to eating smaller portions without going hungry. It takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to tell the brain it's full, so eat slowly and stop eating before you feel full. Don't ban foods Do not ban any foods from your weight loss plan, especially the ones you like. Banning foods will only make you crave them more. There's no reason you cannot enjoy the occasional treat as long as you stay within your daily calorie allowance. Don't stock junk food To avoid temptation, do not stock junk food – such as chocolate, biscuits, crisps and sweet fizzy drinks – at home. Instead, opt for healthy snacks, such as fruit, unsalted rice cakes, oat cakes, unsalted or unsweetened popcorn, and fruit juice. Cut down on alcohol A standard glass of wine can contain as many calories as a piece of chocolate. Over time, drinking too much can easily contribute to weight gain. Plan your meals Try to plan your breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for the week, making sure you stick to your calorie allowance. You may find it helpful to make a weekly shopping list. Social media users gush Her TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ lucy52915, has clearly impressed many, as it has quickly racked up 844,000 views, 21,600 likes and 1,169 comments. Social media users were gobsmacked by Lucy's weight loss and many eagerly flocked to the comments to express this. One person said: 'You can tell this is natural too. No Mounjaro and excuses here! Well done for creating new habits and not cheating. This will set you up for life.' Another added: 'That is an amazing achievement. You should be so proud of yourself.' How cutting out sugar can help you lose weight It might sound obvious, but cutting out sugar can help you lose weight - and this is why Reduced alorie intake: Sugar is calorie-dense but not nutrient-dense, meaning it provides a lot of calories without making you feel full. By cutting out sugar, you naturally reduce your overall caloric intake, which can create a calorie deficit and lead to weight loss. Lower Insulin Levels: Consuming sugar, especially in large amounts, causes spikes in blood sugar levels, leading to increased insulin production. Insulin is a hormone that promotes fat storage. By reducing sugar intake, you can help stabilize blood sugar and insulin levels, making it easier for your body to burn fat. Decreased Cravings: Sugar can be addictive and lead to cravings for more sugary foods. By cutting it out, you may find that your cravings for unhealthy, high-calorie foods decrease, making it easier to stick to a healthier diet. Improved Satiety: Foods high in sugar are often low in fiber and protein, which are essential for feeling full and satisfied. By replacing sugary foods with more nutrient-dense options like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, you can increase your satiety and reduce overall calorie consumption. Better Nutrient Intake: When you cut out sugary foods, you often make room for more nutritious foods. This can improve your overall diet quality, providing your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs to function optimally, which can support weight loss efforts. Reduced Fat Storage: High sugar intake, particularly from fructose, can lead to increased fat production in the liver, contributing to weight gain and obesity. Cutting out sugar helps to reduce this effect. Enhanced Metabolism: Reducing sugar can improve metabolic health, including better insulin sensitivity and lower risk of metabolic syndrome, which can facilitate weight loss. By cutting out sugar and replacing it with healthier options, you can create a more balanced and sustainable diet that supports weight loss and overall well-being. A third commented: 'Wow you look amazing!! Well done.' At the same time, one user gushed: 'Wow!! You look like a younger version of Jennifer Aniston now. Very well done.' Meanwhile, someone else gasped: 'If that's the same person fair play.'
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Hundreds set to graduate from University of Wolverhampton
The University of Wolverhampton is gearing up to celebrate its class of 2025, with more than 2,600 students being recognised for their university's eight graduation ceremonies take place at the University of Wolverhampton at The Halls from Monday until Thursday. The students will join a community of more than 155,000 graduates in 130 countries across the world, becoming part of the university's global alumni individuals have also been nominated for an honorary award for exceptional contributions to their fields. This year's list includes astronaut Jannicke Mikkelsen, a graduate from the university, who has been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Mikkelsen made history earlier this year by launching into space aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule from NASA's Kennedy Space served as the vehicle commander for the four-crew mission, which was a first-of-its-kind astronaut flight over Earth's poles. The space explorer has also worked in virtual reality filmmaking and extreme expedition a severe childhood accident that left her temporarily quadriplegic, she channelled her passion for technology and exploration into a thriving career in film and cinematography. Ms Mikkelsen directed the first live-concert film in virtual reality for Queen and produced documentaries with Sir David Attenborough. She also contributed to NASA projects, including a VR exhibit commemorating the Apollo 11 50th anniversary, and led a Guinness record-breaking circumnavigation of the Earth in under 48 gained a BA Hons Video and Film Production at the University of Wolverhampton. Another honorary award will go to Jai Herbert, a Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter born in fighter, known as The Black Country Banger, will be awarded an Honorary Fellowship. Professor Ebrahim Adia, vice chancellor at the university, said: "We are an ambitious university that is proudly rooted in our communities. "We offer opportunity to all, regardless of background and that spirit of social mobility and aspiration to equip people with the skills they need to succeed in life and work runs through the heart of what we do." Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
