Message from the VMC Medical Spokesperson

Welcome to this fortnight's edition of Heath eNews!

It is fair to say that we rely on our brains without really thinking too much about it. However, like other parts of the body it is important to look after our brains. Good nutrition and keeping the mind active are being shown to help reduce the chances of getting Alzheimer's. Read on to learn more.

I would also like to let you know about a fantastic competition we have for our valued members. You could win $5,000 by recommending three friends to sign up for our newsletter, and answering the question "How can Virtual Medical Centre be improved?" Enter the competition here.

If you have any comments about this newsletter or Virtual Medical Centre, please share them with me here.

Yours in good health,

Dr Joe Kosterich
MBBS

Reduce your dementia risk

Australian-first: new campaign calls on people to reduce their dementia risk
Alzheimer's Australia is launching a new campaign to encourage Australians to reduce their risk of developing dementia. It is based on research that shows that taking part in mentally challenging activities is linked with a lower risk of...
Read complete article

Managing memory loss

Online dementia management guide released to assist families
With more than 10,000 Australians under the age of 65 diagnosed with younger onset dementia, a new online guide has been developed to help families and carers identify and manage....
Read complete article

Reduce weight to lower your risk

Brain shrinkage in obese elderly could increase Alzheimer's risk
Elderly people who are overweight or obese tend to have less tissue in certain areas of the brain, suggesting they might be at greater risk for dementia...
Read complete article

Asthma and swimming

Swimming aids asthma symptoms in children
Research has shown that swimming aids asthma symptoms in children. The activity has been proven to be an effective non-pharmacological intervention...
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Secondhand smoke

Secondhand smoke levels higher in cars than in bars or restaurants
The concentrations of secondhand smoke are significantly higher in cars than concentrations generally measured in bars, restaurants and other public places that allow smoking
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Evolution of the appendix

Evolution of the appendix: A biological remnant no more
The lowly appendix, long-regarded as a useless evolutionary artifact, won newfound respect when researchers proposed that it actually serves a critical function...
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Wearable artificial kidney

Hello wearable kidney, goodbye dialysis machine
Researchers are developing a wearable artificial kidney for dialysis patients...
Read complete article

Diagnosing endometriosis

At last! A quick and accurate way of diagnosing endometriosis
Until now there has been no way of accurately diagnosing endometriosis apart from laparoscopy – an invasive surgical procedure – and this often leads to women waiting for years in pain and discomfort...
Read complete article

Ingredients
Serves 4

250g punnet strawberries, washed, hulled and sliced
2 cups Australian reduced-fat vanilla yoghurt
2 teaspoons gelatine dissolved in
2 tablespoons boiling water
1 sachet natural strawberry or raspberry flavoured jelly crystals

Method
1. Combine 3/4 of the strawberries with yoghurt and dissolved gelatine. Pour into the base of 4 glasses or disposable cups. Refrigerate until set.

2. Dissolve jelly crystals with 1 cup boiling water then cool to room temperature.

3. Arrange remaining strawberries over the yoghurt and carefully pour in cooled jelly to fill each cup. Cover and refrigerate until set.


Tip for Adults: Add some scraped vanilla seeds to the yoghurt and substitute the strawberries for whole raspberries. Make this dessert in decorative glasses for a special touch

Tip: For a party, place a small plastic spoon
into the cups before filling them


Nutrient analysis per serve:
Fat: 2.3g
Saturated fat: 1.4g
Calcium: 208mg
Fibre: 1.4g
Sodium: 109mg
Sugars: 24g

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