Total Failure

A quotation commonly attributed to Albert Einstein defines insanity as repeating the same thing multiple times while expecting a different outcome. Milton Friedman observed that, every so often, we should examine the results of policies, regardless of the good...

Outcome vs Intention

There is a great quote by the late economist Milton Freriedman. In fact, quite a lot of good quotes from him. I think the man was a um, a genius. But that's beside the point. One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions rather than...

Money Talks

A wise senior colleague told me in the 1990s, when I was involved in some medical committees, “Never stand between your colleagues and a barrel of money.” Maybe that’s a little harsh. I think Paul Keating, when he was Prime Minister, made similar observations about...
What You Are Giving Your Child As A Treat?

What You Are Giving Your Child As A Treat?

There are times when you really have to take a step back and ask what is going on here? We all want our children to grow up to be happy and healthy. So why do we do things that not only don’t help them with this goal but may make it harder for them? On the weekend my...

Real Change In Health Comes From The Actions Of Individuals

Real Change In Health Comes From The Actions Of Individuals

The biggest changes in health come about from the actions of individuals and the collective influence this then has on businesses. Whilst governments and health authorities like to take the credit it is usually not deserved. Increasingly people want better food and...

We Need Our Good Bacteria

We Need Our Good Bacteria

Since the invention of the microscope and the discovery of penicillin mankind has seen bacteria as some form of enemy to be destroyed. Whilst it is true that some bacteria do cause infection, this is actually a relatively small number compared to the bacteria, which...

We All Need Vacations

We All Need Vacations

The sixth pillar of DIY Health is relaxation. Unwinding and letting go of tension and stress is essential for leading a healthy and happy life. Some people find it easy to relax, while others find it difficult and often get to the end of their holidays before they...

Happiness Comes From Doing What You Love

Happiness Comes From Doing What You Love

The life expectancy of humans has been increasing at a steady rate for a bit over a century. The increase is about one quarter of a year life expectancy per year. The graph is not showing signs of plateauing. Claims that the next generation my be the first to see a...

Be In Charge Of Your Health

Be In Charge Of Your Health

There is a steady stream of information coming out about the downsides of medications and particularly long term use of medications. Medicines are trialed over relatively short periods of time but can then be taken for five ten or even twenty years. Trials done over...

Be DIY Healthy On Holiday

Be DIY Healthy On Holiday

It is holiday time in many parts of the world. In Australia we are gearing up for winter school holidays and of course the northern hemisphere is enjoying summer breaks. Staying healthy on holiday is actually easier than you may think. Staying healthy on holiday does...

Forget Research – Just Eat Real Food

Forget Research – Just Eat Real Food

Is it any wonder we get confused about what to eat? Everything seems to be either a cause or cure for cancer and there is always latest research to prove it. In just one week the food and disease world seemed to go into hyper drive with a myriad of studies dissecting...

Breakfast – The Important Starter

Breakfast – The Important Starter

A recent Australian survey revealed that 40% of Australian children miss breakfast on at least one day per week. Some 8% of children never ate breakfast. Many adults do not eat a regular breakfast either. We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the...

Cholesterol Medications – Making People Into Patients

Cholesterol Medications – Making People Into Patients

One of the best ways to get more business is to increase the size of your potential market. There are various ways of doing this. One can do product line extensions or lever the product into other areas where new markets open up. You see a lot of this in the food and...

Why You Need To Drop The Soda Right Now

Why You Need To Drop The Soda Right Now

Every once in a while some statistics come along which really make you sit up and take notice. So it was with information, which was posted about sodas. It is worth remembering that sodas first appeared on the scene a bit over a century ago. Humans survived for...

Four Simple Tips To Help Lower Your Blood Pressure and Weight

Four Simple Tips To Help Lower Your Blood Pressure and Weight

Not a day goes by without another story about the obesity crisis, usually accompanied by a call for governments to act or for money to be spent or for more research. The problem with this is that people tend to, understandably, switch off and tend to think that the...