Mental Health Awareness Month: Simple daily habits to support wellbeing
Mental Health Awareness Month: Simple daily habits to support wellbeing Monique Pereira, a wellness professional and spa manager at Cape Town’s Steenberg Spa, shares practical advice on building resilience through everyday habits ahead of Mental Health Awareness Month. This October, South Africa’s Mental Health Awareness Month highlights the role of small, regular habits in supporting […]
Is ADHD a risk factor for dementia? New research suggests it might be
Is ADHD a risk factor for dementia? New research suggests it might be Why is there a link between ADHD and higher cognitive impairment risk? Researchers are working to find answers. Recent research has found a link between ADHD and a heightened risk of cognitive decline, which, in turn, is a risk factor for dementia. […]
How your daily drink choice may be affecting your mental health
How your daily drink choice may be affecting your mental health Why does coffee but not energy drinks have a protective effect on mental health? New research finds surprising links between popular beverages, from coffee and energy drinks to bubble tea, and mental health. While most studies concur that sugar-sweetened drinks can increase the risk […]
Almost Half of Dementia Cases Could Be Prevented: 14 Factors That Can Increase Your Risk
Almost Half of Dementia Cases Could Be Prevented: 14 Factors That Can Increase Your Risk Experts say addressing modifiable risk factors may help lower your risk of dementia. Millions of people around the world are living with cognitive impairment associated with dementia. However, nearly half of dementia cases could potentially be prevented by addressing 14 […]
Lifestyle changes may slash dementia cases but how do we reach that goal?
Lifestyle changes may slash dementia cases but how do we reach that goal? Up to 50% of dementia cases may be preventable but the key is in supporting people to make the right lifestyle changes, researchers say. Past studies show there are certain healthy lifestyle choices that people can make to potentially help them lower […]
Can ChatGPT replace your therapist? Mental health experts warn of hidden risks
Can ChatGPT replace your therapist? Mental health experts warn of hidden risks As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into everyday life, more people are turning to AI chatbots for emotional support and mental health advice. AI may be able to answer at 2am. It may even sound like it understands. But mental health professionals warn […]
Alzheimer’s blood test could identify risk up to 10 years before symptoms start
Alzheimer’s blood test could identify risk up to 10 years before symptoms start An experimental Alzheimer’s blood test could identify risk years before symptoms begin to appear. A blood test measuring the Alzheimer’s biomarker p-tau217 suggests cognitively healthy older adults with very high levels had an estimated 38% risk of developing cognitive impairment within 5 […]
The quiet policy shift threatening South Africa’s mental health triages
The quiet policy shift threatening South Africa’s mental health triages Mental health advocacy in motion during the period of the Life Esidimeni tragedy. The systemic vulnerabilities highlighted then continue to manifest today, exacerbated by the elimination of Regulation 425’s comprehensive training for community-level nursing staff. The quiet phase-out of South Africa’s foundational nursing curriculum has […]
Could giving up high-sugar, high-fat diets help reverse cognitive damage?
Could giving up high-sugar, high-fat diets help reverse cognitive damage? High-sugar diets may irreversibly harm brain health, animal studies find. There are several healthy lifestyle choices people can make to help protect their brain health as they age, such as eating a brain-healthy diet. Past studies show that certain foods, such as diets with high-fat […]
Omega-3s may affect brain repair: Should you avoid them?
Omega-3s may affect brain repair: Should you avoid them? Omega-3s may sometimes harm the brain, study claims. For many years, we have heard about the potential health benefits of fish oil due in part to their high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids. Past studies have linked the consumption of fish oil to possible protection against […]