Many non-drug therapies, whether taken alone or in combination, work just as well or even better – without the troublesome side effects. Along with eating a low-fat, low-salt diet and taking moderate exercise, here’s a look at the best of what the alternative world has to offer.

If you participate in sport or physical activity that lasts for longer than 90 minutes, your body will be crying out for a refuel before the siren sounds or you reach the finish line.

How you can reap health benefits from being fit, even if a little fat.

By Annette Campbell Geoff Graham was thrilled when the natural cream he developed eased the pain of his baby son’s eczema. He was delighted when it also helped his own battle with the frustrating skin condition. And now, he is over the moon that it’s helping hundreds of thousands of others. On May 17, 2004, […]

By Annette Campbell Tracie Fielding never used to like what she saw in the mirror. The now 17-year-old from the western suburbs of Brisbane, QLD, remembers running to her room and crying after being called “hippo” by her brother, when she weighed 57kg at the age of 10. As a young teen she was painfully […]

Aches and pains of the joints don’t necessarily mean you have arthritis and since the disease has so many forms, diagnosing isn’t always immediate or easy. Some types of arthritis are very common an...

Clare-Louise Brumley is a picture of fitness and health — a good thing, considering she’s Australia’s cross-country skiing champion. But seven years ago it was a different story for the young occupational therapist. Clare-Louise, 26, was constantly tired, her body ached and her throat was always sore. She was so unwell she stopped training to […]

Kim Goodwin was just 11 when her nightmare started. It began with the periods from hell – severe cramping and bleeding keeping her in bed for days every month and needing to use up to 60 sanitary pads a day. “I regularly missed school and later took sickies from work,” says Kim, now 36. “My […]

Tiny Jessica Lopez lies on a blanket on the floor of her parents’ Sydney home. While she looks like one of the most fragile creatures on Earth, her appearance belies the strength that saw her survive when her mother Philippa contracted listeria while pregnant. “Babies of mums who catch it are usually stillborn,” explains Philippa, […]

Jane Foster was like most hardworking Aussie mums – always on the go, looking after everyone else and having very little time to herself. In fact, she kept putting off her regular Pap test because she simply didn’t have time to visit her doctor. “I had been through a divorce, my parents had died and […]

The mention of her knock-knees causes champion swimmer Leisel Jones to turn red – then erupt in gales of laughter. As a gangly 10-year-old, she dreamt of finding catwalk fame as a model, and was convinced her knock-knees were the only things standing in her way. Such was her zeal to walk straight and tall, […]

Does snacking help or hinder weight loss?

A guide to healthier choices when you’re out and about

Surfing is taking off as more and more people embrace the benefits of this all round body and mood pleaser.

Did you know that the foods you choose can affect your teeth just as much as brushing and flossing? Choosing foods that naturally help reduce plaque build-up, fight bacteria and protect gums is a...

Going nutty – a guide to reaping the nutrition benefits of nuts.

Even in the cooler months it’s important to drink up for physical activity. While sweating buckets during a summer run places you at greater risk of dehydration, it’s also possible to lose significant body fluid during indoor, winter pursuits like lap swimming.

Relaxation costs nothing and has no side effects, so there’s no excuse not to get cracking.

Pump up the volume – how changes to the energy density of a meal can lower your kilojoule intake but still keep you satisfied.

Best-selling Australian author and National Treasure, Colleen McCullough, has Macular Degeneration (MD) – the major cause of blindness in Australia.

At the end of a particularly exhausting day in 1900, Dr William Bates, a New York ophthalmologist, sat and placed his palms over his eyes. After 10 minutes, he noted that his eyes were not as sore...

Ruth Ostrow is a journalist and has compiled these tips after interviews and personal experiences with counsellors. They are not intended as a substitute for seeking proper grief counselling, professional help, or medical advice.

Increase your resistance to stress with a healthy, balanced diet.

Tips on handling those “too tired to cook” nights.

The nutrition pros and cons of the juice bar invasion.

Harmful germs, bacteria and viruses are trying to infect your body even as you read this. Strengthen your immune system this winter with these herbal remedies.

A study at the New Jersey University of Medicine found that a starter of tomato soup was highly successful at cutting down on subsequent food intake. Cooked or processed tomatoes contain...

Insomnia makes life miserable for three million Australians, and more women than men are affected. Try these self-help strategies.

Insomnia makes life miserable for 3 million Australians, and more women than men are affected. Try these self-help strategies.

Australian Women's Weekly readers reveal their tips on how to get a great night's sleep.

Maryon Stewart, author of Beat Menopause Naturally gives her top 10 tips for a natural menopause.

Diaries have proven to be some of the great historical records of our time, but they are also proven tools for weight management.

Fishy things you should know about.

Exercise in water is one of the lowest impact aerobic training activities on offer. It’s a great option during pregnancy, if you have an injury or if you’re not comfortable working up a sweat in a gym-based aerobics class.

DESPERATE FOR HELP I am a 49 year old in desperate need of help to overcome the symptoms of menopause. I am in the high risk category as my mother and grandmother both had double...

Below are some facts you may not know about becoming an organ donor, and how your decision could save somebody's life.

From The Australian Women's Weekly Health Series: Depression. Buy the Book.

From The Australian Women's Weekly Health Series: Constipation. Buy the Book.

When it comes to weight loss, there’s a lot to learn from people who have lost the weight long-term. Although it’s relatively easy to lose weight initially, especially if you follow a structured diet or program, keeping the weight off is a much harder task.

Latest research shows that certain oils could be essential in killing harmful bacteria.

Honey has never tasted so sweet.

We're all familiar with the risk factors associated with heart disease: a high-fat diet, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, etc. But talking too fast? According to a study in The Journal of...

Omega-3s Help Mental Illness

Looking for a stress-free start to the day? Bouncing on a rebounder (a small trampoline) is a simple and effective way to boost your energy and vitality, no matter what your fitness level. Remember bouncing on the bed when you were a kid? It's not a lot different from that!

As a parent you are your child’s first teacher and their lifetime role model. Just as little girls want to dress up in Mummy’s shoes, kids often emulate eating and exercise patterns from their parents too.

Pack a punch with a healthy lunch!

With a growing number of Australian children suffering from obesity, it is important to emphasise the importance of physical activity from an early age. It can take as little as 30 minutes of exercise each day to maintain optimal weight and health, but being physically active has a wide range of additional benefits for kids. They’re more likely to gain new skills, friends and confidence through sport. They will also sleep better, feel more energetic and get the most out of life.

Globe artichoke leaf extract (Cynara scolymus) is good for indigestion, say researchers from the University of Bonn, Germany. In their study, patients’ nausea and flatulence were...

From The Australian Women's Weekly Health Series: Cancer Prevention. Buy the Book.

Clearly, when he wrote "Hell is other people", Jean-Paul Sartre knew something about how it feels to hold a grudge.

How to find motivation to get started and keep going with your New Year weight loss goals?

Snacking is an important part of any healthy eating plan. But what to snack on during that mid-meal break? Karen Inge gives you her top ten treats.

There is a sport for everyone. Get inspired and try something new. Read on - pilates just might be the fitness solution you've been looking for.

Taken from The Australian Women's Weekly's health title Arthritis: the good news. Buy the Book.

Ever wondered why you can stay healthy through a stressful month at work, then come down with a cold as soon as you take a break?

If you need surgery, make sure you have two things. A great surgeon and a roommate who's just been through the same thing. Researchers from the American Psychological Association have...

Sitting at a computer all day can be a real pain in the neck. If you are reading this, you're probably sitting at a computer right now. Check your posture, and try these simple stretches. Your body will thank you.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have found that broccoli sprouts have a high concentration of cancer-fighting compounds. The tiny sprouts pack up to between 10 and 100 times more...

You know that chewing gum can help bad breath, and many ex-smokers have kicked the habit by using it - but did you know that chewing gum is also a natural remedy for heartburn? Researchers...

I’m often asked if there are any natural remedies that can give quick energy. I often feel tired in the afternoon, especially if I’ve been sitting at the computer for most of the day. The best remedy is to do something to get your energy moving. The following two yoga exercises are my favourite afternoon […]

All of us at one stage or another have experienced feelings of sadness, loss or grief. Quite often, we say that we’re feeling depressed. But what exactly is depression? Here, we explore the clinical definition of an illness that effects on average one in five Australians. From The Australian Women’s Weekly Health Series – Depression, […]

“There are particular times in people’s lives that are especially significant, but it’s the weight the individual gives them that makes them important. One landmark may be of consequence to one individual and not to another.” This statement by Dr William H Masters holds true for menopause and midlife. The important question to ask yourself […]

Latest research shows that certain oils could be essential in killing harmful bacteria.

Honey has never tasted so sweet.

If you’re in a relationship, it can be sobering to take an inventory of how you treat them. How much time did you spend together this week? How much (if any) was “quality time”? What did you talk about – chit-chat, family business, or something more significant? Give your partner the same consideration you would […]

We invite you to attend the National Breast Cancer Centre's Pink Ribbon Breakfast.

A variety of studies have shown a connection between low levels of vitamin A and lung cancer. Now new research published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute indicates the same may be true for breast cancer. The researchers found that women with breast cancer were less likely to have a particular protein called CRBP, which facilitates the proper digestion and use of vitamin A.

Swallowing a vitamin tablet won’t mean you can skip the hat and sunscreen when you go to the beach, but it may give you extra protection from the sun’s rays. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found that subjects taking 25 mg of natural mixed carotenoids plus 500 IU of […]

Contrary to popular belief, people are actually less efficient when they multi-task, according to a recent report in the Journal of Experimental Psychology. The more complex the tasks are to do, the longer it takes your brain to switch gears, researchers found. The bottom line: Don’t try to do too much.

Get your new Women's Health Diary and help save lives.

This extract is taken from The Australian Women's Weekly health series Eating Disorders book.

Enjoy the spice of life with healthy herbs.

Getting involved is good for your health.

Staying active each day can keep a cold at bay.

Prevent horrible smells in your bins by sprinkling 1/4 cup each of borax (a natural mineral found in the laundry aisle) and bicarbonate of soda into the bottom of the empty...

From The Australian Women’s Weekly Insomnia, How to sleep easy health book. One of the most common causes of insomnia is anxiety. The relationship between anxiety and insomnia is a relatively simple one. Anxiety produces increased alertness. However, your alertness level must be low for sleep to occur for any number of reasons. Depression is […]

Snacking may seem like a sensible way to keep your energy levels up, but all-day grazing can put you at increased risk for type II diabetes, stroke and heart disease, say researchers from the Hannah...

Many Australians, at some time in their life, will need to access aged care services – if not for themselves, for their spouse, parents, children, relatives or friends. Through Commonwealth, State and Local government departments and a large number of community organisations, there is a wide range of services and support available – you just […]

The more diverse your circle of friends, the healthier you’ll be. Here are some ‘natural’ ideas on how to connect with others. Put your hand up: Besides introducing you to new people, putting yourself forward for charity or volunteer work makes you feel better about yourself. Open your mind: Fancy making a vegetarian lasagna? Learning […]

Try a Candle Meditation. Gazing into a candle flame is a simple, effective way of quieting thoughts and focusing your mind. Sit quietly at a table, and place a candle in a holder in front of you. Light it. Look steadily at the candle, and take five deep breaths, one after the other. While you […]

Video Games for Attention Deficit Disorder. A new kind of video game, one with EEG (brain wave) biofeedback, is being used by psychologists to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), a condition characterised by hyperactivity and poor concentration. Patients have an electrode attached to their scalp, which is then connected with the computer; they play the […]

From The Australian Women’s Weekly Home Library Series, Headaches: Relief at Last, A$12.95. Buy the book here. A headache is a fact of life for countless people every day, but that doesn’t mean that it need be endured in silence. This up-to-date guide explains the causes of most common problems, from tension headaches to migraines, […]

Anorexia is a serious condition. Recovery is difficult … without help almost impossible. Anorexia nervosa is often referred to as the “slimmer’s disease”, an inadequate term as it fails to convey the serious and dangerous nature of the condition. The often-heard comment “I wish I could have anorexia for a while” betrays a profound misunderstanding […]

According to the Chinese system of chi kung, gently and rhythmically tapping various acupressure points on the body creates a vibrational wave that travels deep into the tissues, balancing the flow of energy, and stimulating the circulation and flow of lymph. These are the classic “Three Taps”, said to clear negative energy and help the […]

The jury is still out on the cause of Parkinson’s Disease – a devastating illness that affects thousands of Australians each year – but researchers at Boston’s Harvard School of Public Health may have come across a clue. The study tracked the diets of 124,200 men and women over 12 to 14 years, and found […]

Think you know a lot about health and nutrition? Take this quiz and see how much you really know!

1c: Kale has 80 mg a cup, while a medium orange has 70 mg and a medium sweet potato has 28 mg. 2c: They both do, but monounsaturated oils - found in olive oil, almonds and avocado - have the...

Herbs and Surgery Don’t Mix. Many common healing herbs – like ginseng and St John’s wort – can increase your chance of problems during or after surgery, says the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Herbal remedies affect how your body reacts when you undergo surgery. For instance, both ginkgo and feverfew can interfere with the blood-clotting […]

If you use essential oils in your bath, add them just before entering so their delicate healing properties won’t evaporate in the steam before you get in the tub. Oh, and swoosh the water to disperse the drops thoroughly so there are no ‘hot spots’ of oil.

From The Australian Women’s Weekly Health Series Eating Disorders book. Click here to buy the book. As the names indicate, eating or dieting disorders involve a struggle with eating and unreasonable dieting – strictly limiting the amount and types of food eaten, “losing control” and eating too much, or having to get rid of the […]

From The Australian Women’s Weekly Home Library Series, Headaches: Relief at Last, A$12.95. Buy the book here. A headache is a fact of life for countless people every day, but that doesn’t mean that it need be endured in silence. This up-to-date guide explains the causes of most common problems, from tension headaches to migraines, […]

Stress can harm your heart and compromise your immune system, resulting in a lowered resistance to infection. Try these three quick tips to beat stress and bring instant calm. 1. Shrug Your Shoulders This releases tension held in your neck and back. Slowly and deliberately raise your shoulders as close to your ears as you […]

As if helping to lower cholesterol and relieving some menopausal symptoms isn’t enough good news, soy may soon have a new health claim to make. In a small study conducted at Hull University in England, researchers tested the effect of soy supplements on diabetic women. For 12 weeks, one group of the women ate meals […]

Worrying thoughts drive the vicious circle of anxiety. With every worrying thought, anxiety rises a little more. Challenging such thoughts enables you to jump out of the vicious circle and stop anxiety rising. As we’ve seen, worrying thoughts can be challenged with three questions: What is the evidence for what I thought? What is the […]

First, examine the pattern of worrying thoughts that can lead to stress. Now that you’ve worked through these four practice exercises, you may find it helpful to compare your responses with the various possibilities that follow. Possible response to Practice 1 What is the evidence for what I thought? When anxious I feel as if […]

Working nights may lead to more than just sleep deprivation, according to a study published in the American Journal of the National Cancer Institute, which reported a startling 60 per cent increased risk of breast cancer for women who had worked nights for more than three years. Why? Researchers think that night workers produce less […]

Yes, choose! We have little control over many stressful events and the bigger the event, the smaller we may feel by comparison. For example, when we hear about famine in Africa, we may feel overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the problem. Very few of us, however, would refuse to give food to a hungry […]

Feeling overwhelmed? Here are five easy ways to streamline your life, find more time and feel less stressed. 1. Have a clean-out. According to feng shui, the Chinese art of placement, the clutter in your home correlates with parts of your life that need attention. Key spots include your entrance, which represents how you approach […]

A promising remedy for prostate cancer? Science has good news for men. A recent study, published in The Journal of Urology, shows that a supplement containing the herbs saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) and reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) slows the growth of prostate cancer. The study tested the effects of the herbs on 69 men with prostate […]

From The Australian Women’s Weekly Health Series Stress: How to Cope with Pressure. Click Here to buy to the book! Gender thinking For whatever reason – whether by nature or conditioning – men and women tend to think in very different ways. These differences can generate enormous tension and stress. This may be reduced if […]