Latest news with #functionalnutritionist
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Urine trouble: Expert pinpoints the health conditions which cause foamy pee - and some are deathly serious
Bubbles in your urine can a sign of hidden underlying health conditions including organ damage, diabetes and urinary infection, an expert has warned. Whilst foamy urine could be caused by the force of the stream stirring up the water in the toilet bowl, especially if you are well hydrated, it could also be a sign of something more serious. 'What looks like harmless foam could by your body's way of waving a red flag,' Dr Reshmi Verma, a functional nutritionist and health coach, warned her 114,000 Instagram followers. 'If you see persistent bubbles, even after hydrating well, get your urine checked for protein levels,' she urged her followers—as this could be a red-flag sign of kidney disease or immune disorders. According to the NHS, frothy urine can be a tell-tale sign of glomerulonephritis—damage to the tiny filters inside the kidney caused by the immune system attacking healthy body tissue. Although mild cases can be treated effectively through dietary changes to reduce the strain on the kidneys, for some people the condition can lead to long-term kidney problems. Some people with the condition also have high blood pressure which can lead to serious problems like heart attack or stroke if left untreated. This unusual symptom can also be a sign of large amounts of protein being passed out through urine—a condition known as proteinuria. Whilst protein is present in the blood and is essential for growth and repair, healthy kidneys should only filter tiny amounts into the urine. Under normal circumstances, the kidneys do not permit protein molecules to pass through and end up in the urine, as most proteins are too large to be filtered through. A significant increase in protein levels is usually an indication of a damaged and leaky kidney filter. However, it could also be a sign of diabetes or high blood pressure. Both of these conditions can affect blood flow to the kidneys, impairing their function and resulting in more protein being passed out than usual. According to Dr Verma, chronic infections like urinary tract infections (UTIs) or bladder problems can also cause cause excess protein and bubbles in the urine. UTIs affect the urinary tract, which includes the bladder, the urethra and the kidneys. According to the NHS, common symptoms include pain or a burning sensation when urinating, needing to pass urine more often than usual and cloudy looking urine—which can also be a sign of dehydration. Some people may also experience lower abdominal or back pain as well as a really high or lower temperature. 'Remember, early action can protect your health,' Dr Verma added. It comes as health experts have warned that spending too much—or too little—time urinating can be a tell-tale sign of underlying health conditions. Experts have warned that frequently peeing can be a sign of an overactive bladder—which is when you have a sudden, strong urge to urinate even when your bladder isn't full. Doctors have long warned against spending too long on the toilet, with endless scrolling on social media exacerbating the risk and triggering a host of health problems. According to Dr Punam Krishan, these include haemorrhoids, also known as piles, a weakened pelvic floor—triggering continence issues—and, in extreme cases, lead to a painful condition called rectal prolapse. Haemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the back passage that can cause itching, discomfort, bleeding, and a persistent feeling of needing to pass stool. Though often dismissed as minor or embarrassing, haemorrhoids are extremely common—affecting an estimated one in three adults in the UK at some point. And the increase in prolonged toilet sitting, often coupled with mobile phone use, is quietly contributing to a rise in cases, Dr Krishnan said.
The Sun
21-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
The 6 foods and drinks causing you to AGE faster (in just 200kcals a day) – and the best ‘youthful' swaps
DISCOVER the foods that are making your wrinkles worse, and what to swap them for. Some everyday favourites could be speeding up ageing – but simple changes can help protect your skin and body. Crisps, cakes, chicken nuggets, hot dogs, ready-meals – it's not rocket science to know that these foods aren't exactly healthy. But what if you were told that they could make you age faster – would you cut back? In fact, experts say diet can increase your biological age, which refers to how old your body is, based on how fast it's declining. It can be older or younger than your chronological age, which is how many years you have lived. An accelerating biological clock will also make you look older. 'It causes cells to age throughout your body, and this affects the cells of your skin,' says Gemma Clare, functional nutritionist and integrative skin expert. 'While you may not be aware that your heart or lungs are ageing at a faster rate, the signs of accelerated ageing are much more obvious on your skin and body.' Unhealthy foods are usually either high in fat, sugar and salt, or all of these, and are referred to as ultra-processed foods (UPF). A recent study by Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, found that for every 10% increase in UPF intake, biological age goes up by 2.4 months. It's the equivalent of only 200 extra calories in a 2,000 calorie-per-day diet, which could amount to just a couple of biscuits. My DIY wrinkle cream is all natural - I only need 5 grocery store items, it stimulates collagen and removes age spots In reality, though, UPFs account for at least half the average person's daily food intake, research suggests. If you think your diet could be in a downward spiral, here's how to rein it in, and which foods could help. The ageing effect A poor diet lacking in your five-a-day but packed with UPFs may increase inflammation. 'UPFs masquerade as foods, but they're empty calories that have little or no nutritional value,' says Gemma. 7 'Consuming these may trigger inflammation, with an increased risk of developing health conditions.' According to the study by Monash University, a high intake of UPFs has been linked to 32 health conditions, including depression, heart disease and cancer. 'Inflammation also affects skin ageing, causing lines, wrinkles and saggy skin,' adds Gemma. To identify UPFs, look at the ingredients list. If there are more than five ingredients, it's a UPF. Traffic-light labels also indicate fat, salt and sugar quantity. Foods and drinks to avoid Sugar 7 'Eating too many sugary foods can lead to 'sugar sag',' says Gemma. 'Excess glucose molecules attach themselves to collagen and elastin fibres, resulting in a loss of skin elasticity, causing sagging, lines and wrinkles. Sugar also causes chronic inflammation.' To help curb sugar cravings, eat regularly and have some protein at every meal, as it keeps blood sugar levels stable. Experiment making your own sauces, soups and salad dressings, as shop-bought ones can be high in hidden sugars. Food swaps Fizzy drinks – opt for sparkling water with freshly squeezed lemon or lime instead Cereal – pick unsweetened porridge oats with berries Fruit yoghurt – try Greek yoghurt with fresh fruit Milk chocolate – pick dark chocolate (over 70% cacao) Seed oils Seed oils, such as rapeseed (canola), soybean, corn, sunflower and safflower, are highly processed and used in many UPFs, so always check the labels. They are high in omega-6 fatty acids, which are not bad for you, but if they outweigh omega-3s (found in oily fish), it can lead to inflammation. Food swaps Salty foods 7 Ready-meals, takeaways and crisps are high in salt and sodium, which can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease. 'As well as having no nutritional value, salty, sodium-packed foods cause water retention, which can make your face look puffy, particularly around the eyes,' says Gemma. 'Salt cravings are sometimes a sign of adrenal fatigue, which can occur if you're very stressed or not getting enough sleep.' Food swaps Salt in cooking – use spices such as paprika or cumin, herbs or vinegar Crisps – go for unsalted nuts instead Charred food 7 You're probably not eating burnt toast every morning. But Gemma explains that charred food can stress the body by creating an imbalance between free radicals – molecules that damage cells – and antioxidants, which protect them. 'This exacerbates ageing,' she says, adding that this imbalance breaks down collagen and elastin in skin. 'Over time, you may notice that your skin becomes more lined, less firm and elastic.' Processed meats 7 They may taste delicious, but processed meats – salami, hot dogs, pepperoni and deli meats – are high in salt. They also contain nitrates and other chemicals that lead to inflammation and an imbalanced gut, says Gemma. Stick to lean protein sources like chicken and beef, and keep processed meat for special occasions. Alcohol 7 It's not in your head – you do look worse after drinking the night before. ' Alcohol dehydrates the skin and is high in sugar, plus it puts an extra burden on the liver and creates inflammation,' says nutritional therapist Eve Kalinik. A study of 245,000 people in the UK found that alcohol can directly accelerate ageing by shortening telomeres – like protective bookends on the ends of chromosomes. Telomere length is an indicator of biological ageing and has been linked with Alzheimer's disease and cancer. If you're worried about your or a loved one's drinking, take the quiz at and seek support.
