Most of us will have brilliant memories of our childhood birthday parties. Party games, presents and, most importantly, birthday cake, what’s not to love?  But children with allergies and intolerances to certain foods may not have the same happy memories. Roughly 7% of children in the UK suffer from a food allergy, most commonly dairy, eggs and nuts, while many more suffer from gluten intolerance or celiac disease – almost one in ten children at every birthday party. As a recent study revealed, 80% of parents face ‘significant worry’ about their child’s allergies and a further 42% display ..read more

Gluten is a general name for a protein found in wheat. Acting as a glue that holds food together, gluten helps foods maintain their shape. It can be found in many types of foods, even ones that you might not expect (wheatberries, durum, emmer, semolina, spelt, farina, farro, graham, and einkorn). Gluten may also be found in other products like vitamins and supplements, hair and skin products, toothpastes, and lip balm. As you can see, it’s an incredibly common ingredient! Coeliac disease (CD), gluten intolerance, wheat sensitivity, and wheat allergy are all conditions where the primary tr ..read more

Cockroaches are insects that are found in many parts of the world. They are known for their ability to adapt to different environments, which makes them difficult to control. There are several species of cockroaches, including the American cockroach, the German cockroach, and the Oriental cockroach. Whilst thinking about cockroaches may make your skin crawl, the insects might to come straight to mind when thinking about things you may be allergic to. But cockroach allergies are common, especially in urban areas where cockroaches are prevalent. In this article, we give you a guide to cockroach ..read more

Daily fatigue is a common problem that can affect productivity and mood. According to SHP, 81% of UK workers reported feeling Physically And Emotionally Exhausted By The End Of Their Work Day with the majority feeling they do not get enough sleep. Quality rest is crucial to recovering from exhaustion, and preventing things like burnout. Giving your rest routine — including your sleeping habits as well as self-care — a makeover can help boost your mood and increase your overall quality of life. Many of the following tips can help improve other aspects of your life, relieve stress, and give ..read more

When it comes to pet allergies, dogs are one of the most prevalent triggers. This is largely because dogs are the most popular pet in the UK, with the most recent statistics showing an estimated population of 10.2 million pet dogs. According to PDSA, approximately 27% of UK adults have a dog! If you suspect you have a dog allergy, keep reading for our full breakdown of the causes, common symptoms, treatment options and information on allergy testing. How Common Are Dog Allergies? A large study found that allergies to dogs affect between 10 And 20% of the global population1 and r ..read more

Cats are the most frequently encountered household pets, contributing to a major source of allergens. Approximately 35% of the UK population has Pet Allergies which may present in many forms and range widely in symptoms and reactions. An animal’s saliva, urine, and skin cells are all potential allergy triggers. Each contains specific proteins that can activate the immune system and cause adverse symptoms, be it a minor skin rash or a full-blown asthma attack. Pets, notably cats are suggested to be the a leading cause of allergic asthma, after mites and pollens. What causes cat allergies ..read more

How to Get Enough B12 as a Vegan Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is a critical nutrient that plays a vital role in forming red blood cells and DNA synthesis, supporting the function and development of brain and nerve cells, and maintaining optimum energy levels. Because vitamin B12 is naturally only predominantly present in animal products (like meat, fish, dairy, and eggs,) vitamin B12 deficiency is a common problem that especially impacts individuals who eat a vegan or vegetarian diet. According to NICE, the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency is about 6 percent in people below the age of 60 yea ..read more

As the nights draw longer and colder, thoughts turn to hunkering down and settling into our lazy, cosy winter habits. Unfortunately, while it’s all very comforting, it’s not always healthy. Less sunlight and exercise, plus more indulgent food and drink, might feel good at the time, but in the long term it can leave you on a general health downer, and contribute to deficiencies in vital vitamins and minerals. While we’re all susceptible at this time of year, our research reveals that people under 30, especially younger women, are showing the largest signs of deficiencies in three key areas: vit ..read more

It can begin with a lack of energy, before gradually becoming a long-term, constant feeling of exhaustion. Productivity can drop, you might struggle to fall asleep, and even start to feel more irritable – burnout can show its presence in our lives in many ways. As the line between work and home life continues to be blurred following the aftermath of the pandemic, many people can become even more overwhelmed by the state of the news agenda. Not to mention the current cost-of-living crisis as unions continue to strike across the UK amid calls for pay increases. Work-induced burnout can be caused ..read more

Baking has been known to improve mental well-being as the process can be very therapeutic. In fact, Google Trends revealed that in the last year ‘baking recipes’ has increased in searches by 56% reaching 8,900 searches on average each month. With more star bakers set to make their mark with showstoppers as Great British Bake Off returns to our screens, home bakers will likely be even more inspired to make their own creations. The beauty of baking is that there is a recipe for everyone, no matter how they want to express themselves. Whether intolerant to gluten or suffering from nut allergies ..read more