sks-medical

Know someone who has had a stroke and is struggling?

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 10:02:40 GMT

Know someone who has had a stroke and is struggling?

The Different Strokes information Booklets are designed to support younger stroke survivors and their families as they navigate life after stroke.

You can read online versions or order a free booklet pack delivered directly to you here: https://differentstrokes.co.uk/stroke-information/information-pack/

Attached is one of the letters from a stroke survivor who had her catastrophic stroke 40 years ago.

The decline of our beneficial gut microbes

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 12:11:31 GMT

The decline of our beneficial gut microbes

Frogs have thrived for hundreds of millions of years, spreading across virtually every corner of the earth, from tropical jungles to subarctic forests. Throughout their evolution, they have developed remarkable defences including antibiotics, against the hordes of bacteria that thrive in their moist environments. One day frogs may also protect us from drug-resistant harmful bugs. Indeed engineers have derived potent new antibiotics from a frog's secretions which harm neither our cells or good gut bacteria.

It’s of concern that we’ve reached this point of seeking out new last resort antibiotics. Our overuse of these life saving drugs has increased resistance. They can even find their way into our food and water.

Disruption of good gut bacteria in young children is associated with an increased risk of developing many chronic diseases including obesity. Farmers use antibiotics in young animals to promote weight gain. It's understandable that the same could apply to giving antibiotics to young children.

The problem :

Modern life, including antibiotic use and Westernised diets, is causing a mass extinction of beneficial gut microbes.

The stakes :

The loss of these microbes is linked to increased rates of chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, asthma, autism, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Take home message

Proper hand hygiene, appropriate antibiotic use only, and preventing infections through vaccination and healthy habits.

If on antibiotics, boost your gut microbiome with wholefoods and fermented foods.

Where possible avoid antibiotics in the very young unless needed.

Remember that many infections are caused by viruses which do not respond to antibiotics.

Learn more about the decline of our beneficial gut microbes by watching The Invisible Extinction.

This film is available on various platforms, including iTunes and Amazon.

Dr Satinder’s Monthly Blog

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 13:43:52 GMT

Evidence-Based Steps for Liver Health

The World Liver Day (April 2025) initiative emphasises realistic yet impactful ways to improve liver health:

Weight Management:

By losing 5% of your body weight

Personalised Nutrition:

Eating whole foods and unprocessed foods, as these are low in added sugars and saturated fats.

Consistency Over Fads:

A sustainable balanced diet is more effective than restrictive, short-term diets.

Early Intervention:

Healthy childhood nutrition sets the foundation for future liver and cardiometabolic health,

The take home message is:

Try to eat less ultra processed foods. When craving these try snacking on protein based Whole Foods like nuts, seeds or dried fruit.
Even if you can replace just one of your daily snacks this way, you are living healthier and your liver will be grateful..

You can achieve and experience more when you stop being serious and let yourself go

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 13:40:19 GMT

We are sailing in Greece and anchored off Two Rocks Bay in the Ionian Sea

I've had my morning swim and it's nearly 40 degrees so I decide to take a gentle teatime snorkel for maybe just 20 minutes, or until my severely arthritic right shoulder and left hand joints give in. My body has learned that it has to literally stop working because my head refuses to acknowledge I have limits, including pain.

As I amble along in wonky front crawl, considering whether I'll still be able to do this after my imminent shoulder joint replacement, I start to notice what's around me.

Unusually for me, this is an activity orientated rather than goal orientated swim, I'm not bothered about progress on my Smart Watch.

Effectively I'm allowing myself to play and be curious, by far the best way to open new lines of creative thinking. Before long I'm tuning out, peeling back 360 degree layers of hitherto hidden beauty. As I peer down, the bleached brown grey grasses come alive with shoals of pale shimmering fish. Beneath these, an even thicker darting body of dull fish emerges. On closer inspection they are a rich orange shade. I'm so transfixed and in the flow that I fail to notice that I have travelled beyond the headland, to a craggy volcanic outcrop carpeted in what comes close to how coral used to look. Whilst mostly still bleached, splashes of pale pink, salmon red coral sways in beat to the lapping waves (I’ve entered more exposed sea). I'm able to squeeze between the sharp rocks into a hidden treasure trove of coral and beautiful multicoloured fish of all dimensions traveling in pairs, groups, solo or large throngs. My eyes are level with theirs and our bodies intertwine to the sound of singing coral, yes actually singing! So loud I have to stick my head above water to check it isn't man-made.

A number of things come to mind as I swim back 40 minutes later having lost sight of the boat and happily so.

I did not set out to achieve a goal of getting from A to B in X time, consuming Y calories, and ticking off my daily movement goal. I had no agenda, no time limits and no expectation
After a few unhelpful thoughts and beliefs about limitations, overdoing it, damaging myself, too hot, can’t be bothered, I tuned out to Nature and truly connected with it. Eventually I was in mindful flow and tuned in to my core self. Relaxed body, slow steady breath, happy homeostasis achieved.
I was playful, curious, risk taking, being funny, childlike, smiling
I learned and experienced something for the first time. I’m privileged to have snorkelled and swum in the stunning vibrant coral reefs of Melanesia but up until today never realised how loudly coral sings.

My take home message

It is worth exploring beyond your perceived limits.
You can achieve and experience more when you stop being serious and let yourself go.