HEALTH NOTES: The mushroom extract chewing gum that fights Covid

Researchers say that Covid-19 can be protected by chewing gum made with mushroom extract. 

Laboratory studies have shown that chitosan – a type of sugar derived from shellfish and mushrooms – can interfere with the virus’s ability to latch on to healthy cells and cause infection. 

Laboratory studies have shown that chitosan – a type of sugar derived from shellfish and mushrooms – can interfere with the virus’s ability to latch on to healthy cells and cause infection [File image]

Scientists in Germany now have GoBeDo Immune Boosting peppermint gum, which they believe may protect against infection. 

Studies have shown that after 30 minutes’ chewing, Covid-fighting chitosan stays abundant in saliva.

Agony from Achy Joints Drug Abuse Revealed 

According to new research, three quarters of sufferers with arthritis stop taking their medication because they are experiencing unbearable side effects. 

Methotrexate is the gold standard treatment. It has long been linked to fatigue, nausea, and headaches. 

The poll included over 500 patients suffering from rheumatoid-arthritis. Half of them stopped taking their medications for several days, while 70% said they would not take it again. 

According to new research, three quarters of sufferers with arthritis stop taking their medication because they are experiencing unbearable side effects. [File image]

The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society’s research found that 40 per cent of patients feel their concerns are ignored. 

Only nine per cent said their doctor had explained all the ways they could take the treatment – by injection, pills or liquid medicine. 

Clare Jacklin, the society’s chief executive, said: ‘Knowing all the options and feeling involved in decision-making is shown to result in better adherence and improved relief. 

A new study shows that children gained more weight during the three first months of the pandemic, than any comparable period in 15-years. 

The body mass of 270,000 children was analyzed by researchers between March 2020 and May 2020. They then compared it with three other months each year starting in 2005.

The spring 2020 season saw children gain up to 40% more than in previous years. 

A new study shows that children gained more weight during the three first months of the pandemic, than any comparable period in 15-years. [File image]

Writing in the Journal Of Obesity, the authors described the results as ‘alarming’ and blamed a lack of exercise and more snacking during lockdowns. 

Although the research focused on German children this time, similar trends have been observed in previous British studies. 

A new study has found that Japan offers the most high-quality healthcare worldwide. Finland is in second place and Sweden third. 

The UK ranks 28th – three places above the US – says the study by Healthcare Transformers, a website. 

According to separate figures from UN Population Division, Britain has an average life expectancy of 81 years across all sexes. This means that the UK ranks 29th in terms of life expectancy, Hong Kong at 85.3 years is the top. The US is 46th with a life expectancy of 79.5 years.

These statistics were used by researchers to determine the average lifespan in each country, as well as how many people have mental illnesses, their health spending and health care costs. 

Japan has a life expectancy of 84.6 years, while the UK’s is only 81.3.