CPD Portal
Managing the risk of diabetes during Ramadan
Muslims observe the holy month of Ramadan by abstaining from food, drink and oral medications from dawn to dusk. This practice is referred to as fasting, where only two meals are eaten daily, one before dawn and one after sunset.
The influence of metabolic factors on weight regain
While it is often assumed that patients who regain weight do so because of a lack of willpower, there are plenty of metabolic factors that compel the body to maintain weight and regain it once it has been lost.
Folate: benefits beyond NTD prevention
The most well-known use of folic acid is its role in preventing neural tube defects (NTD) during pregnancy. But folate affects numerous bodily functions and is beneficial for much besides pregnancy.
Strengthening bone health with magnesium and vitamin K
Osteoporosis is a common, aging-related disease, the prevalence of which has been increasing with the improvement of modern medicine and average life expectancy. Termed a “silent disease”, it often goes undetected until a patient suffers from a bone fracture.
Pumping iron
Dr Jarrad van Zuydam, a GP with a special interest in endurance sports medicine, recently discussed iron deficiency at an event held in Cape Town.
Treatment options for child and adolescent obesity
Childhood and teenage overweight and obesity are growing challenges in developing countries, with up to 13% of South African children believed to be overweight or obese.
Synthetic folic acid, food folate and 5-MTHF are not the same thing
MEDICAL CHRONICLE DECEMBER 2018 CPD 1 of 3: The terms folic acid, folacin, folinic acid, pteroylglutamic acid and folate seem to be used interchangeably. However, they are not the same thing.
CoQ10 in diabetes and high cholesterol patients
MEDICAL CHRONICLE DECEMBER 2018 CPD 2 of 3: The demand for CoQ10 as a dietary supplement has dramatically increased in recent years due to its reported beneficial effects in cardiovascular diseases and other conditions.
Should patients take supplements during chemo?
MEDICAL CHRONICLE NOVEMBER CPD 1 of 3: There is compelling evidence for the importance of supplementation during cancer treatment. Vitamin D, zinc and magnesium supplementation appears to be particularly beneficial.
The effect of diabetes on vitamin B
MEDICAL CHRONICLE AUGUST CPD 3 of 4: The relationship between vitamin B12 deficiency and diabetes-induced peripheral neuropathy has been clearly demonstrated in a number of studies.
Protein requirements & oral nutritional supplementation
The effect of disease related malnutrition can be detrimental on physical & clinical health.
Nutrition in pregnancy
A healthy, balanced diet is strongly recommended before, during, and after pregnancy.
More to a healthy lifestyle than just healthy eating
WHO estimate NCDs linked to lifestyle choices kill about 16 million people prematurely worldwide annually.
Herbs: Nature’s medicine
Herbalism is probably the oldest, most tried and tested form of medicine in the world.
Active ageing
Ageing is the accumulation of physical, psychological and social changes in a human being over time.
Discovery welcomes sugar tax
n response to the proposed sugar tax, Dr Craig Nossel, Head of Vitality Wellness said: “We believe that action is required to reduce the intake of sugary drinks, and support the proposed sugar tax.
Vitamin D deficiency “epidemic” can be reversed
Ascencao was responding to a recent international study which found Cape Town residents, in particular, were at risk of vitamin D deficiency in winter when UVB exposure from sunlight was extremely low, making it harder to fight disease and infection. The study said vitamin D supplementation may reverse deficiency and even slow down HIV infection.
Osteoporosis isn’t inevitable
Bone resorption is primarily due to an activation of osteoclastogenesis and an increase in receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) expression, a cytokine involved in the final pathway of the osteoclast cycle.
STUDY: Probiotics and diarrhoea caused by antibiotics
A Rand Corporation study found that taking probiotics can reduce the risk of developing the diarrhoea that is a common side effect of taking antibiotics.
