Taxing food sins: As junk-food diets put a greater burden on the healthcare system than healthy diets, the Centre for Science in the Public Interest in Canada is arguing that Canadians should pay additional taxes on junk food to "pay for the increased financial toll".
The association wants a "sin tax" to apply to restaurants and shops that sell unhealthy food. Canadians already pay additional taxes on items such as alcohol and tobacco, which help pay for the treatment of diseases related to those products.
The dangers of cohabitation: Adults who have lived alone and then marry or cohabit are likely to gain weight and develop unfavourable eating habits, according to a new study. Australian researchers have shown that a structured programme of diet and physical activity leads to couples eating less fat and more fruit and fibre, with improvements in fitness and in risk factors for heart disease.
Depression in the genes: Most people experience stress at some time, but not everyone becomes depressed as a result. Mutations in an area of DNA next to the serotonin transporter gene may be part of the reason (serotonin is a brain chemical that regulates mood). A study found that a third of its subjects with one mutation became depressed after stressful events. Among people with two copies of the genetic variant the figure rose to 45 per cent. But only 17 per cent of those with the normal version of the gene became depressed.
Psoriasis relief: A new intramuscular drug appears to treat moderate to severe psoriasis, according to a US study. Patients with chronic plaque psoriasis over about 10 per cent of their bodies' surface area were injected with Alefacept for 12 weeks. After 12 more weeks of observation, 57 per cent of patients on the highest dose reported a significant improvement.
Health ideology: Environmental and nutritional factors in health will be discussed alongside the politics and ideologies of health services at the second annual Population Health Summer School, at University College Cork from September 4th to 6th. Full programme and registration details from 021-4923501, or e-mail ryane@shb.ie.
Break free for fitness: Billed as a fun day to help "blitz you out of the old way and into a life of health and fitness", the Weight Off Your Mind workshop at the Burlington Hotel in Dublin on Saturday includes speakers on life coaching, self-hypnosis and fitness. The day costs €190. Call 086-3781182.
Back to nature: Nature provides all we need for health, according to Alfred Vogel, the late Swiss naturopath and herbalist. His book, The Nature Doctor (Mainstream, £12.99 in UK), has just been updated. See also www.thenaturedoctor.co.uk.
Compiled by Dr Muiris Houston and Sylvia Thompson