The top breastfeeding tips for new mothers
New mothers are encouraged to focus on what works for them and their baby, rather than adhering to external expectations or societal pressures.
Seeking support is crucial if breastfeeding becomes physically or mentally challenging, or painful, as pain often indicates an issue with the baby's latch.
Preparing in advance with essential items such as nipple cream and breast pads can help ease the initial stages of breastfeeding.
Professional guidance from midwives or breastfeeding consultants can significantly improve the experience and address difficulties.
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Telegraph
21 minutes ago
- Telegraph
The health benefits of old-fashioned castor oil
The internet is rife with self-proclaimed health experts who insist they have the answers to life's ailments – from taping your mouth shut for better sleep, to juice cleanses, and intermittent fasting for weight loss. Now, traditional remedies are back in vogue. Castor oil may not have the most glamorous reputation, but it's the hottest new trend on TikTok – with influencers touting its supposed stomach-flattening effects. The method? Rubbing castor oil into the belly button, in a process known as 'navel pulling'. In a TikTok video which now has over 7.5m views, Miranda Wilson, an aesthetic nurse practitioner, says she 'started doing castor oil navel pulling to help with digestion', and claims her stomach 'has never been so flat '. It's the latest in a long line of health claims linked to castor oil. Whilst it was used traditionally as a laxative, the humble plant oil has since undergone a renaissance and can supposedly strengthen hair, moisturise skin, and lengthen eyelashes. So, is navel pulling the cure to bloating – and which castor oil trends actually work? What is castor oil? Castor oil is a plant-based oil extracted from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant, explains Dr Dev Patel, skin doctor and founder of Perfect Skin Solutions. It is thick and a pale yellow colour. For centuries, it has been used in traditional medicine, and today appears in a variety of products. Its main active component is ricinoleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid, which gives castor oil its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial powers. It can be bought in pure liquid form, in a pack (which can be applied to the skin), and in a variety of hair and skincare products. @ IYKYK #castoroil #navelpulling #digestion #tips #viral #fyp ♬ dźwięk oryginalny - Does navel pulling work? Dr Patel explains that applying castor oil to the navel is inspired by an ancient Ayurvedic belief that the belly button is a central energy point in the body, connected to multiple organs via nerve pathways. Social media users claim it helps digestion, reduces bloating, and can even alleviate period pain. However, navel pulling enthusiasts, look away now. Both our medical and nutritional experts agree this trend is a fictional fad. 'Putting castor oil into your navel seems like just another odd health myth based on no clinical evidence,' says Dr Frankie Phillips, registered dietitian and spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association. Whilst it's unlikely to do any harm, she says it seems to be, 'entirely pointless with no physiological benefits'. Dr Patel agrees. He says there is no robust scientific evidence to suggest that placing castor oil in the belly button has a direct effect on digestion. 'However, the act of massaging oil into the abdomen may indirectly support digestion by stimulating the vagus nerve, enhancing parasympathetic activity, or simply encouraging relaxation and awareness of the digestive tract,' he adds. So while it may have value as part of a self-care routine, the claimed digestive benefits remain anecdotal rather than evidence-based. Is castor oil an effective moisturiser? Castor oil is an excellent occlusive, Dr Patel says, which means it helps to lock moisture into the skin by forming a barrier. Its high viscosity can help those with very dry or cracked skin, whilst the ricinoleic acid has anti-inflammatory properties which may help to soothe irritation. However, he warns those with acne-prone or oily skin to beware. Due to its thick texture, it can block hair follicles which could lead to more spots or – in extreme cases – folliculitis (infection of the follicles). Dr Patel says it's best used as part of a moisturising blend or for targeting dry areas, such as heels or elbows. Dr Sharon Wong, consultant dermatologist and hair specialist, agrees – and advises people not to apply pure castor oil directly to the skin as it can cause irritation and breakouts. A 2023 clinical trial involving 22 people found that creams containing castor oil appeared to reduce dark under-eye circles – suggesting it could be an effective alternative treatment. However, due to the limited sample size, the researchers said further trials were needed to confirm their findings. Does castor oil improve hair health? Many have claimed that castor oil is the key to hair growth, however there is no scientific evidence to suggest this is true, says Dr Wong. It's not all bad news for those who have been coating their locks, though, as she says the rich proteins and fatty acids in castor oil can moisturise and strengthen the body of hair. Dr Wong warns those using castor oil on their hair not to overdo it as excessive use, combined with infrequent washing, can result in scalp acne, hair follicles becoming clogged, and the worsening of issues such as dandruff and eczema. In rare cases, overuse of castor oil can lead to sudden matting of the hair, known as hair felting. She suggests using a thin coating of castor oil once a week as a conditioning and moisturising agent. 'Focus on application from the mid lengths to the tips of the hair and not the scalp', she says. Can castor oil lengthen eyelashes? This is a very popular claim, Dr Patel says, however unfortunately there's no strong clinical evidence to suggest that castor oil directly promotes eyelash or eyebrow growth. However, there are still some potential benefits for those who have been coating their eyelashes in oily serum. Dr Patel says 'it can improve the appearance and condition of lashes by coating them and reducing breakage due to dryness or environmental damage'. It's best to view castor oil as a conditioning agent, rather than a hair-growth stimulant, he concludes. Is castor oil a useful laxative? In one of its most popular and traditional uses, castor oil is a popular laxative, historically used for short-term constipation relief. The ricinoleic acid is 'released in the small intestine and stimulates intestinal muscle contractions, typically resulting in a bowel movement within two to six hours,' Dr Patel says. In the US, castor oil is approved by the FDA as an over-the-counter stimulant laxative for occasional use, however this is not the case in the UK. The MHRA (UK's equivalent to the FDA) can only approve medicine and medical devices if they are marketed as such. However, in the UK, castor oil is typically sold and labelled as a cosmetic or massage oil – not a medicinal product – meaning people use it informally for its laxative effects, Dr Patel explains. It's perfectly safe for most people to take castor oil by mouth for constipation relief, says Dr Tony Fincham, a GP at Benenden Hospital. Adults can take a single dose of one to four tablespoons a day, but it should only be used for short-term relief. It's not suitable for everyone though, Dr Patel warns. Pregnant women, children under 12, people with inflammatory bowel disease, and individuals on certain medications such as steroids, should not use it without consulting a medical professional. Can castor oil heal wounds? In its role as a wound healer, castor oil has traditionally thrived. Ricinoleic acid has strong anti-inflammatory properties and castor oil-based ointments, often made in combination with other ingredients, have been used over the years to improve healing and reduce pain, Dr Patel says. A 2020 study in the Pharmacognosy Magazine highlighted castor oil's anti-inflammatory potential, as well as its natural antibacterial and antifungal properties. However, Dr Fincham says that whilst some plasters used to contain castor oil, this is no longer the case as there was found to be a risk of irritation or allergic reaction. Therefore castor oil should only be used to treat wounds if recommended by a doctor, and under professional guidance. Expert verdict: What's the best use for castor oil? Dr Fincham and Dr Patel both agree that castor oil is best used for moisturising and conditioning – 'particularly for dry skin, brittle lashes, eyebrows, or hair'. It's also a great choice for cuticles, dry heels, and patchy rough areas, Dr Patel says. But he urges those with sensitive or acne-prone skin to use with caution or in a diluted form. 'As a natural, multi-purpose ingredient, it can be a valuable addition to your skincare cabinet,' he concludes, 'But it's not a miracle oil, and I would say its effects are mostly supportive rather than transformative.'
Daily Mail
21 hours ago
- Daily Mail
I spent four nights a week drinking until I blacked out – before snorting cocaine to sober up. I told myself it was OK... but this is how I finally ditched the booze: BRYONY GORDON
When I was making my first shaky, shame-filled steps to sobriety over a decade ago, I really wish there had been someone as brilliantly brave as Ulrika Jonsson out there, speaking openly about what it is like to be a mother with a drinking problem. Because listening to the TV presenter talk (pictured) about her decision to get sober, I was taken straight back to those awful last days of my drinking, when I looked at my lovely home and my gorgeous child and thought: 'What the hell is wrong with me? Why can't I stop drinking?'
Medical News Today
a day ago
- Medical News Today
Exposure to PFAS, ‘forever chemicals', linked to increased type 2 diabetes risk
Every one in nine adults around the world lives with diabetes, with more than 90% of those cases being type 2 diabetes. Previous research shows that certain environmental factors, like exposure to certain chemicals, may increase a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes. A new study found that exposure to a class of synthetic chemicals known as 'forever chemicals' may increase a person's type 2 diabetes estimate that every one in nine adults around the world lives with diabetes, with more than 90% of those cases being type 2 diabetes. Past studies have identified several factors that may increase a person's risk for developing type 2 diabetes, such as obesity, genetics, smoking history, diet, and living a sedentary lifestyle. Additionally, previous research shows that certain environmental factors, like air pollution and exposure to certain chemicals, may also heighten a person's risk for the disease.'Type 2 diabetes is a complex disease, and genetics by itself fails to explain it in totality,' Vishal Midya, PhD, MStat, assistant professor of environmental medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, told Medical News Today. 'Environmental exposures are one of the few potential suspects that can be directly intervened upon. Therefore, studying ways in which environmental exposures can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes may potentially open new avenues for risk assessment and opportunities for interventions,' he is the corresponding author of a new study recently published in the journal eBioMedicine that found exposure to a class of synthetic chemicals called perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — also known as 'forever chemicals' — may also increase a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes. PFAS chemicals in everyday productsFor this study, researchers analyzed medical data from 53,790 participants in a large electronic health record-linked research database called BioMe. From these records, scientists selected 180 who had recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes to compare with them 180 similar participants without the condition. Using blood samples, researchers measured the amount of PFAS levels in their blood. PFAS chemicals can be found in a variety of everyday products, including: Cleaning productsFirefighting foamFood packagingNon-stick cookwareStain-resistant productsWaterproof clothingPFAS chemicals are known as 'forever chemicals' because they do not naturally break down in a landfill. This means PFAs can leach into the soil and water around it, potentially contaminating drinking water and crops grown in soil with high PFAS content. 'There is enough literature (especially animal models) that illustrates the true causal biological effect of PFAS,' Midya said. 'Moreover, PFAS has been linked to type 2 diabetes before, but mostly in vulnerable populations like pregnant [people] or in children and adolescents. Very few works have investigated the detrimental effect of PFAS in a relatively healthy group of adults, and its potential effect even before any disease was clinically diagnosed. This study is one of the first to look into the effect of PFAS in a relatively healthy group of adults from NYC,' he explained. Higher blood PFAS levels linked to increased diabetes riskAt the study's conclusion, Midya and his team found that study participants with higher levels of PFAS in their blood samples were at a much higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. Specifically, researchers found that every increase in PFAS exposure correlated with a 31% increase in type 2 diabetes risk. 'Our study highlights the detrimental effects of PFAS exposure, even four to five years before any diagnosis, and provides some biological insights. It is concerning that PFAS can be detected in this relatively healthy group of adults from NYC.' — Vishal Midya, PhD, MStat'PFAS, primarily due to their chemical structure, can interfere with how the body stores and regulates fat, and consequently, how the body controls glucose,' he continued. 'Higher PFAS levels may disrupt fat and glucose regulation in the body, which in turn may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.' Reducing exposure to PFAS importantAs the study is rather based on a small sample, Midya said that it needs to be replicated in larger samples. 'That is why we are currently working on reproducing these results on a much larger and more representative population of NYC,' he said. 'Our findings provide evidence that higher exposures to PFAS could increase risk for type 2 diabetes. Findings from this study underscore the utmost importance of preventing PFAS exposures to promote public health,' he added.'The government should take steps to educate the general population more about the silent harms that PFAS exposure may cause, and eventually take strides to enact policies that target overall PFAS reduction, starting from food packaging to daily-use products. Our study discusses past PFAS exposures, which we cannot change, but we can certainly take charge of what we are being exposed to today.' — Vishal Midya, PhD, MStatNew avenue to reduce type 2 diabetes riskMNT spoke with Mir Ali, MD, a board certified general surgeon, bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, about this study. Ali commented that this was a good study showing how exposure to certain chemicals can adversely affect your health, in this case, increase diabetes risk.'Diabetes is a growing issue, particularly in more industrialized countries,' he explained. 'Though diet and exercise can reduce risk, finding other potential sources of risk, such as environmental exposure, can be another avenue to reduce risk.' 'I would like to see the extent of risk reduction in populations that reduce environmental exposure compared to those that don't decrease exposure,' he added.
