A pioneer in preventative medicine, Dr Dean Ornish, Professor of Medicine at the University of California, was the first physician to demonstrate that comprehensive lifestyle changes could reverse even severe coronary heart disease, without drugs or surgery.

He founded the Preventative Medicine Research Institute, where his current research shows that changes in lifestyle affect gene expression, "turning on" disease-preventing genes and "turning off" genes that promote disease. He argues that our natural state as humans is to be happy, healthy and peaceful, with our bodies possessing a remarkable capacity to heal.

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It’s that time of year when people start to sniff and sneeze, as colds and winter chills make the rounds in families, workplaces and schools.

The average adult is likely to catch two to five colds a year, with children and young babies being even more susceptible.  Professor Ron Eccles, Director of the Common Cold Research Centre at Cardiff University, gives some helpful thoughts and information on how to reduce our chances of being laid low.

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It’s a common misconception that as we get older, our brain cells gradually diminish.  In fact, scientists now say that the opposite is true.

The more we use our brain, it literally grows more cells, becoming larger, sharper and more active.  It is possible to boost and improve our mental functions at any age, and also to develop new skills.

In a recent interview, Daniel Radcliffe talked about his experience of living with dyspraxia, sometimes dismissively called 'clumsy child syndrome'.

The condition, which results from a complex neurological disorder, causes problems with coordination and simple tasks.  However, it is regularly misunderstood, and sufferers are often stigmatised as being lazy or clumsy.

A stroke can happen to anyone – at any age – and is the second leading cause of death in the Western world, writes Louise Ellis

Those who do survive a stroke, caused by arteries supplying blood to the brain becoming blocked or ruptured, are left with a frightening loss of body functioning and often partial paralysis. Figures show that only 10% of sufferers will make a full recovery.

Dr Martin Stephen, headmaster of St Paul's, one of Britain's top private boys' schools, and author of the popular Henry Gresham crime thrillers, suddenly suffered a debilitating stroke at the age of 56.  He made a miraculous recovery through embarking on an intense mental and physical recovery programme designed by his mother-in-law.

Gone are the days when chocolate was regarded as just another food baddie, to be avoided along with sweets, crisps and fizzy drinks.