guidelines

Experts have advised the UK Government to change the guidelines for safe drinking: currently 2-3 units per day for women, and 3-4 units per day for men.

Liver specialist, Dr Nick Sheron (Alcohol Health Alliance UK), says the old guidelines were based on sound research, which stated a weekly limit of 21 units per week for men, and 14 units per week for women, and emphasised the need for alcohol-free days.

New guidelines have been issued for pregnant women who are obese (BMI 30+) stating they should only gain 11 to 20lbs during the course of their pregnancy.

The old guidelines, developed in 1990, didn't take into account the difference between "overweight" women (BMI 25-30) and "obese" women (BMI 30+). But, due to a rise in obesity levels in the past two decades, health officials guided by the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council, felt that the guidelines needed updating.

As promised earlier in the year, the new exercise guidelines were released with a "more is better" theme. (read: Get your butts off the couch and do something...ANYTHING). The target number? 2 ½ hours per week, which works out to (whips out scientific calculator)... 30 minutes per day. Which is exactly the same as it has been for years, although there seems to be less emphasis on how and when you get your 2½ hours. Here are some other highlights of the recommendations with my $.02.

Perhaps April is the month for dispelling health and diet myths. After Mike questioning the mythical daily water requirement, I was interested to read a post on the Guardian's food blog questioning whether salt really is so bad for you.

8 glasses - that's what most people think they need as a daily requirement. Copious water intake is supposed to keep organs functioning properly, skin supple and body weight at bay. Nonsense! - say researchers from the University of Pennsylvania who conducted a study to test these theories (which will be published in the June issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology).

We all know that our bodies need water, but nobody quite knows exactly how much. Let's take a look at where this misconception began, shed some light on water and hydration and look at some more realistic water goals.