Breastfeeding protects women against MS

'Pregnancy state' blocks female sex hormones linked to the disease

• Women who do develop the condition suffer far less severely if they breastfed 
• It's believed the way breastfeeding influences sex hormones may explain the link
• Women should breastfed for at least 15 months over their life to half the risk 
• Some 100,000 people in the UK suffer with MS - with women being most at risk

Breastfeeding may protect women against developing multiple sclerosis, research suggests.

And women who do develop the condition suffer far less severely if they have breastfed their child, experts discovered.

Some 100,000 people in the UK suffer with MS - and the disease affects twice as many women as men.

People who are affected suffer loss of mobility, sight problems, tiredness and excruciating pain - and there are few effective treatments.

The new research, led by US researchers at Kaiser Permanente in Southern California, suggests women who breastfeed their children for a combined total of at least 15 months over their lifetime have half the chance of developing MS as those who breastfeed for less than four months or not at all.Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4689806/Breastfeeding-protects-women-against-MS.html

How three cups of coffee a day can extend your life

Studies find antioxidant properties helps to improve liver function

• Two major studies found three cups a day can reduce the risk of an early death
• Found it reduced risks of liver disease and digestive and circulatory problems
• Research shows antioxidant plant compound is responsible rather than caffeine
• Drink improves liver function, reduces inflammation and boosts immune system

Drinking three cups of coffee a day could extend your life, research suggests.

Two major studies, one led by British researchers and one in the US, have independently found consuming up to three cups a day reduces the risk of an early death.

The papers, both published last night in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found links between coffee and reduced risks of liver disease, circulatory problems and diseases linked to the digestive tract.

The scientists believe the antioxidant plant compounds in coffee are responsible for the benefits, rather than caffeine. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4683366/How-three-cups-coffee-day-extend-life.html

Motivated people sleep better

Finding a life purpose is a 'drug free cure' for sleep apnea and insomnia, study claims

• Researchers in Illinois surveyed more than 800 people aged 60-100 for 2 years
• Those who said they'd found a purpose in life slept better than those that felt lost
• It is the first long-term study to assess how a life purpose affects sleep patterns 
• The research said it is applicable to all ages, and could be a drug-free alternative

Having a good reason to get out of bed in the morning can help you sleep better at night, research has shown.

The study found that those who feel their lives have a purpose are less likely to suffer insomnia and sleep disturbances over a long period.

Although researchers looked at older adults, who generally sleep less than younger ones, they believe the findings should apply to the broader public.Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4680066/How-sense-purpose-helps-sleep-well.html

Don't forget to put sunscreen on your eyelids

Shocking UV pictures show we miss 10% of our face when applying sun cream, leaving us open to cancer

• Some 77% of people fail to rub sun cream into the bridge of their nose
• Eyelids are unprotected by 13.5%; the inner eye corners are also forgotten
• Experts believe warnings about avoiding the delicate eye area are to blame
• They recommend people wear sunglasses to help protect their face from rays
• More than 90% of skin cancer cases occur on the head or neck in the UK 

We've all heard the warnings: excessive sun exposure damages our skin and can lead to skin cancer. 

But it's easy enough to not pay too much attention to the advice if you can't really see the negative effects with your naked eye.

So consider these pictures your wake-up call.

Researchers took images of volunteers using an ultra-violet-sensitive camera to show how much of their face they had covered with suncream.

They found that people fail to put sun cream on a tenth of their face – despite it being the most common area for skin cancer. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4671486/We-miss-10-percent-face-applying-sun-cream.html

Size 22 mother sheds EIGHT stone - and says it's all down to drinking gallons of green tea

• Mother-of-one Siobhan Thornton once tipped the scales at over 17 stone 
• The 23-year-old from East Kilbride said her weight left her feeling depressed  
• She decided to try and drink green tea after reading it could boost metabolism
• Thornton says weight fell off, with the help of regular exercise and a vibroplate  

A mother desperate to lose weight has revealed how she has shed eight stone - aided by drinking gallons of green tea.

Single mother-of-one Siobhan Thornton, 23, from East Kilbride turned to the healthy green brew after reading that it could boost metabolism. 

When the weight started to drop from her 17-and-a-half stone frame after drinking it, she was spurred on to exercise and cut out junk food. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-4664232/Mum-sheds-8-stone-says-s-drinking-green-tea.html