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Gardeners should sprinkle sugar on lawns as it's a 'game-changer' for yellowing grass

Gardeners should sprinkle sugar on lawns as it's a 'game-changer' for yellowing grass

Daily Record2 days ago

Gardeners hoping to achieve the perfect lawn may want to consider this simple, cost-effective trick.
The quest for the ideal lush, vibrant green lawn without any clumps, moss or bare patches is a common goal for gardeners throughout the nation, particularly with the lovely spring sunshine we've been relishing of late. But preparing your turf for the hot summer days ahead can be quite the undertaking – it typically entails tedious manual weeding or shelling out for high-priced fertilisers.
This is the reason gardening enthusiasts are now endorsing a simple, budget-friendly method - sprinkling sugar over your grass in spring and summer. This thrifty and straightforward tip has the power to transform a lacklustre or yellowing lawn into a vibrant haven just in time for those summer barbecues.

Gardening enthusiasts attest that scattering sugar on the grass helps degrade thatch effectively — this compacted layer of dead grass blocks your lawn, thwarting the growth of healthy green blades, reports Nottinghamshire Live.

Not only does sugar elevate soil nutrient content, but it also wards off weeds.
According to recent article in the Mirror, an ordinary packet of white sugar could be the solution your worn-out lawn is craving.

Lindsey Hyland, the brains behind Urban Organic Yield, said: "Weeds tend to thrive in environments with access to sunlight and moisture, and by using sugar on your lawn, you can make it less hospitable for these weeds.
"Sugar will help break down thatch, the layer of dead grass, and other organic material that can accumulate on your lawn over time."

An excess of thatch can hinder the growth of new grass, but sprinkling sugar on the soil may boost your lawn's health.
Bill Glaser, the founder of Outstanding Foods, supports this method but advises gardeners to use it sparingly – recommending a monthly application rather than more frequent ones.
He explained: "[Sugar] allows the grass to overtake invasive plant species. Only use a sugar solution about once a month; some sources suggest replacing harsh fertilisers with rice water for more consistent application."

Tom Monson from Monson Lawn and Landscaping also weighed in, acknowledging sugar's ability to enhance root development in grass while warning of potential fungal issues, especially in shaded areas.
He elaborated: "Sugar causes the grass's roots to intake more nitrogen from the soil, which can boost your lawn's greenness.
"Sugar also promotes fungal growth, so you'll want to inspect your lawn and ensure you do not have excess fungal growth."
For those keen to try this gardening tip, it's recommended to distribute roughly 450g of plain white granulated sugar per 10 square metres of lawn.

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'I have been pulling my own teeth out for last 8 years due to NHS dental crisis'
'I have been pulling my own teeth out for last 8 years due to NHS dental crisis'

Daily Mirror

time4 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

'I have been pulling my own teeth out for last 8 years due to NHS dental crisis'

Patient horror stories are revealed amid a collapse in access to NHS dentists with people in constant pain struggling to eat with rotten teeth and infected gums People are living in constant pain and too embarrassed to smile because of the collapse in access to NHS dentistry, the Mirror can reveal. Today we outline patient horror stories from around the country caused by the collapse in NHS access as part of our Dentists for All campaign. More than 260,000 people signed the Mirror's petition calling for NHS dentistry to be rescued and many of them have written to their local MP with their own personal stories including surviving on painkillers, struggling to eat and pulling out their own remaining teeth. They tell of calling around every NHS dentist in their area to be told they are not taking on new NHS patients and being quoted up to £14,000 to be treated privately. ‌ ‌ Sally Brudenell told of problems getting a dentist in North Dorset, writing: 'I am in considerable and constant pain from my teeth and dental work that is decades old. I have always taken great care and pride in my teeth but now I don't smile from embarrassment. Please help me and so many other financially poor pensioners' Lizzie Savage, from Durham, wrote: 'Please can the government invest more in dentistry for the NHS. I have been removing my own teeth over the last eight years. Eating meals is a real challenge as I then have to get my small dental kit to remove lodged food inside my gums. I am not a qualified dentist but a disabled NHS nurse.' Monica Finlay wrote to James Asser MP, her local MP for West Ham and Beckton. She said: 'I am 68 years old and retired and cannot find a dentist to carry out work on my teeth. I am a pensioner so cannot afford private dental work. I have one remaining chewing tooth which is now loose. I find it extremely difficult to eat and will only be able to eat soft food once the tooth falls out. I think it's outrageous that dentistry is now out of the reach of most working class people who either cannot find a dentist or cannot afford dental treatment.' ‌ Marquita Church, from Cornwall, said: 'I alongside hundreds, maybe thousands of people over 65 who can not afford private dental treatment am losing all of my teeth. With no hope of getting dentures or any kind of help at all. Pulling teeth out yourself is a very painful experience. Not being able to smile is another level. We need NHS dental treatment now, not in five or ten years. Please, please help.' Lack of funding and the outdated payment system means most dental practices are no longer accepting new adult patients. The overall NHS dentistry budget for England has remained at around £3 billion for 15 years. This has meant a £1 billion real terms cut over this period due to inflation. ‌ A 'flawed' NHS payment contract sees dentists make a loss on some procedures and has caused an exodus to the private sector. The incoming Labour government last year promised to reform the dental contract but negotiations have been held up by the Treasury which has been reluctant to commit to a substantial funding boost. It means 13 million Brits are living with an 'unmet need' for dental care according to official data. Recent polling suggested that among those who could not get an NHS dental appointment, 26% performed DIY dentistry such as yanking out their own teeth and 19% went abroad for treatment. The Mirror's petition was set up in conjunction with the British Dental Association and campaigning platform 38 Degrees. Signatories received an email notifying them of a debate on the crisis which took place in the House of Commons last week. In response, many signatories then emailed their MP to ask them to attend. ‌ One such signatory was Jack Nkala who wrote to his local MP for Cambridge Daniel Zeichner MP, saying the city remains a 'dental desert'. He added: 'There are never any spaces for NHS patients like myself. I literally reduced to using one part of my jaw to chew, due to rotten teeth and infected gums. Could you please assist with this.' Roland Randall wrote to his local MP for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire, Ian Sollom. He said: 'I had polymyalgia a few years ago and my GP put me on large doses of steroids for two years. As a result I lost many of my teeth and I was quoted £14,000 for dental treatment - way beyond my budget. I know many people like me, who cannot get on a NHS list or afford treatment. Something must be done.' ‌ One signatory from Bournemouth said: 'My daughter was kicked off our family dentist's list after a stay in an NHS mental health hospital, despite the fact that I updated them constantly about her situation and why she wasn't attending her appointments. The day she was released from hospital, we tried to book her an appointment only to be told she'd been removed from their list. I tried without success to get them to be reasonable, my elderly father tried talking to them during his next visit, but their reaction felt like we were risking our own places by trying to get them to take her back on. 'To be clear, her mental health had no impact on their decision nor did it affect her behaviour during appointments. She's now been four years without dental care or treatment. She's suffering periods of severe pain due to abscesses and other issues. We cannot afford to pay privately but this is what we are being told to do. I just can't believe that this can be happening in Great Britain in the 21st century. Please, will you attend the debate and represent people like my daughter and I? The system is utterly broken and desperately needs fixing.' ‌ One signatory was a dental practice manager from a surgery in Durham. He said: 'Every day we get between 10 and 20 calls from patients in pain who cannot find an NHS dentist. It was policy under the last government to demolish NHS Dentistry to save money in the NHS however nothing has changed with the new government. 'We have been contacted by patients who cannot start their cancer treatments because they need a dentist to sign them off as dentally fit before starting chemo and radiotherapy. Or consider the worsening state of children's oral health. Or consider the oral cancers being missed because patients can't get a regular exam. Not to mention life threatening swellings turning up at A&E. 'We kept our books open as long as we possibly could but eventually had to stop taking new patients. We are now in the situation that existing patients can't get appointments for weeks or even months and have no diary space for new patients. Please make a difference, please help.' Jacqueline Keerie, from Derbyshire, said: 'Having been a dental nurse for over 15 years and now in my 70's I never thought in my lifetime that NHS dentistry would cease to exist. I know many people who have resorted to painful extractions by themselves. I feel thoroughly ashamed that a profession I loved is in this sorry state.' Matthew McGregor, chief executive at 38 Degrees, said: 'In every single constituency across the country, adults and children are living with the consequences of the dentistry crisis: pain, worry, and deteriorating dental health. So it's no wonder that more than a quarter of a million people - including many Mirror readers - have signed our petition to save NHS dentistry and demand urgent action from the Government. 'On top of that, in the last few days alone, thousands of people have written to their MP via 38 Degrees, sharing their own shocking experiences and asking MPs to demand action. Last year, Prime Minister Keir Starmer was elected on a promise to tackle the NHS dentistry crisis and reform the broken system - voters expect him to make good on that commitment. Now it's time they deliver.'

Doctor's two easy habits to stop you feeling 'tired all day'
Doctor's two easy habits to stop you feeling 'tired all day'

Daily Mirror

time5 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

Doctor's two easy habits to stop you feeling 'tired all day'

The internal medicine specialist promised his tips aren't 'anything weird' before sharing them on social media A doctor swears by two key lifestyle habits for skyrocketing energy levels - and they're actually surprisingly simple. Dr Alexandre Olmos, who specialises in internal medicine, said incorporating these took him from 'being tired all day' to 'feeling alive' in a recent TikTok. "Add up only these two life habits, and your energy level will skyrocket," he told his 26,000 followers. "I'm not the type of person who tries impossible challenges, but when I first tried this, I went from being tired all day to feeling alive. ‌ "And no, you don't need to take anything weird." You may be surprised to hear that Dr Olmos' first habit is to 'expose yourself to the cold', he noted that just a simple two-minute cold shower might be enough to make a difference. ‌ And Dr Olmos certainly isn't alone in his views either. In 2023, one study found that participants who spent five minutes in a cold bath reportedly felt more 'active, alert, attentive, proud, and inspired' and less distressed or nervous. Other research has also acknowledged potential links between cold water therapy and anti-inflammation perks. ‌ However, it's clear that further research is necessary to thoroughly understand these associations. Dr Olmos continued: "You will notice a surge of energy, improved circulation, and your immune system will activate. "And the second one is even simpler. Stop eating dinner so late. If you have dinner three hours before going to sleep, your body goes into recovery mode, not digestion mode." ‌ Once again, various other experts have echoed these thoughts, too. Resting after a large meal can significantly affect sleep quality, which might lead to acid reflux or heartburn. Helen Bell, a nutritionist at the UK Care Guide, previously told the Mirror: "When you lie down soon after eating, it can lead to acid reflux or heartburn due to the stomach acid travelling back up the oesophagus. "I would [also] say that eating before bed can contribute to weight gain. With my clients, I've observed that late-night eating often leads to the consumption of high-calorie, low-nutrient foods like snacks and desserts. These foods are more likely to be stored as fat because your metabolism slows down during sleep." In his video, Dr Olmos continued: "[If you avoid this] you are going to sleep profoundly, you will burn fat while you sleep, and your biological clock will synchronise itself."

Doctor reveals the 'horrifying truth' about vaping as first controlled study ends
Doctor reveals the 'horrifying truth' about vaping as first controlled study ends

Daily Record

time5 hours ago

  • Daily Record

Doctor reveals the 'horrifying truth' about vaping as first controlled study ends

Dr Maxime Boidin has concluded the first controlled study into the long-term effects of vaping. As of today, June 1, disposable vapes are banned in the UK. This was decided by the UK government in a bid to deter young people and children from vaping, and to protect the environment. However, with refillable vapes still available, one expert has said that Britain is sleepwalking into a "health emergency" after he conducted the first controlled study into the damage that e-cigarettes are having on vapers' bodies. ‌ Dr Maxime Boidin, senior lecturer in Cardiac Rehab at Manchester Metropolitan University, has spent the last two years monitoring the long-term effects that vapes are having on their users. This was done by comparing the health of a group of vapers with that of non-vapers and cigarette smokers, reports the Mirror. ‌ From the study, Dr Boidin revealed that he was most shocked about the damage he saw to vapers' arteries. This damage could be taken as an almost certain sign that users will develope cardiovascular problems and even organ failure in the future. His overall conclusion was that vaping may be more dangerous to the body than using cigarettes. He suggested that long-term users may be at risk of developing serious illnesses, such as dementia and heart disease. ‌ Dr Boidin has said that the new ban on disposable vapes is a "step in the right direction", but he does believe that all vapes should be banned from shops and made only available on prescription. In July, Dr Boidin is set to present his findings at the Manchester Metropolitan University at a sport science conference in Rimini, Italy. Speaking to the Mirror, he said: "These products primarily target younger individuals, whereas older adults tend to use refillable options. From a health perspective, the ban should reduce access among the younger population, as refillable vapes are generally more expensive and less accessible. ‌ "From an environmental standpoint, we frequently see single-use vapes - and their packaging - littering pavements.. "In the end, the ban is a step in the right direction, but it represents only a small part of the broader educational and cultural change that's needed." ‌ Starting today, it is illegal for businesses in the UK to sell or supply vapes both in-store and online. If a supplier is caught selling vapes, they will receive punishments such as fines and prison sentences. While the NHS described inhaling nicotine vapour from E-cigarettes as "substantially less harmful than smoking", Dr Boidin believes the health threat to vapers is even worse. This is because of how much harder it is to control. He said: "Smokers tend to go outside and smoke, and once a cigarette is finished they have to light up another to keep going. But with vapes, you just keep going and it's much harder to know how many puffs you've had. It's much easier to vape continuously because you can do it in places where smoking might be less acceptable." ‌ Through his monitoring of the different groups - who were aged between 18 and 45 and had similar levels of physical activity - Dr Boidin was shocked to discover that vapers and smokers had similar levels of damage to their arteries. Every volunteer was given a stress test to measure the elasticity of their blood vessels and speed the blood flowed to their brains. 12 hours prior to the test, the participants only consumed water and stopped vaping, smoking and exercising. ‌ After a mediated dilation test (FMD), Dr Boidin found that vapers and smokers had damaged the artery walls so they could no longer dilate to allow blood to flow through. Blood flow in both groups was also found to be at a similar level, making them at a higher risk of developing cognitive dysfunction. It is believed that the damage is due to the inflammation caused by nicotine, as well as the metals and chemicals found in vapes, such as propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine. Dr Boidin said: "When you put this mixture of metals and chemicals into your body you can't expect nothing to happen." He continued: "What we have found is the dangers for someone who keeps vaping are no different from smokers. ‌ "At the beginning (of the study) I also believed that vaping was more beneficial than smoking. You see a lot more people vaping these days because they don't think it's too bad. Many will be horrified to know the truth." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Dr Boidin believes that all vapes should be taken off this market, with only doctors being able to prescribe them. He said: "The only benefit of vaping is to help people quit smoking, but if they keep vaping the result is going to be the same. "I think doctors should be able to prescribe vapes for a certain time, so they could be used as a transition tool, but only for a short time. We now know the long-term effects of vaping, and if we don't act now we will see a health emergency in the next ten, 15 years." Labour MP Rachael Maskell has called for tighter restrictions to be placed on vapes. She said: "This study adds to the body of evidence that vaping can cause significant harm to a person. The government should take stricter measures in ensuring that vapes are only accessible to people who currently smoke as a smoking cessation intervention." However Dr Marina Murphy, who is the scientific spokesperson for the UK Vaping Industry Association, dismissed the study. She said: "Millions of people have been using vaping products safely for many years. All the available data suggests that vapes are unlikely to exceed 5% of the health risks associated with cigarettes."

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