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Statins ‘officially’ safe, two meals a day treats diabetes and why internet is bad for children

The debate is raging over statins in today’s newspapers, with the Daily Express front page declaring that it is ‘official’, they are safe.

It comes as yesterday, the BMJ launched a probe into research it had published last autumn claiming that 18-20% of people suffer from statin side effects. However, the research may not stand up to scrutiny and the statements have now been retracted.

Dr Tim Chico, honorary consultant cardiologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Trust, told the Express: ‘To err is human and I respect the authors for retracting their comments in a timely and open manner.’

‘However, every day I have to spend time explaining to patients that the adverse effects of statins are often highlighted or overestimated.’

‘Statins save lives. This is beyond doubt and is one of the most well proven treatments doctors can use for any disease.’

Over at the BBC, scientists are claiming that diabetes could be treated by eating only two meals a day.

When studying two groups of volunteers – one group eating only breakfast and lunch, and one eating the same number of calories spread across six meals – scientists found that those who only had two meals lost the most weight.

Lead scientist Dr Hana Kahleova, at the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine in Prague, said: ‘The patients were really afraid they would get hungry in the evening but feelings of hunger were lower as the patients ate until they were satisfied.’

‘But when they ate six times a day the meals were not leaving them feeling satisfied. It was quite surprising.’

And lastly, the Indpendent is warning that the internet can be bad for children’s mental health.

Children spending their time ‘glued’ to a computer risk developing signs of loneliness, depression and anxiety, Public Health England warned. The report will be reviewed by the House of Commons health committee, which is currently undertaking an inquiry into children’s mental health.

 


          

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