HEALTH NEWS

EDITED

by

VICKY BRAMLEY

remain undiagnosed and long-term exposure can increase the risk of infertility and cancer, says Coeliac Australia, so it’s important to see your GP if you’re having any unexplained symptoms. Recent findings in the journal Gut show that in those with a genetic predisposition, frequent gastro infections are associated with a higher risk of developing coeliac disease autoimmunity, and high gluten intake further increased risk. Coeliac Awareness Week is 13-20 March. of those with coeliac disease 80%

Walk fast to slow age

Pounding the pavement could be a sign of successful ageing. In a study of more than 1000 45-year-olds, those with the slowest gait (3.9 feet per second) had poor physical foundation at midlife. They also had accelerated ageing with facial changes, organ deterioration, brain changes and worse cognitive function than those with the highest gait (5.7 feet per second). Training to walk faster may not reverse changes but will contribute to overall health. In a separate study in Scienmag , it was discovered that butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid produced in the gut, can alter ageing. Butyrate is

Bingeing

more susceptible to emotional eating, but it’s e to hormones, say researchers at The Florey nstitute of Neuroscience and Mental Health in Melbourne. They put sugary food just out of reach of mice, and then let them eat for 15 minutes. Only females binged. Dr Robyn Brown believes the behaviour is tied to the female brain and is testing a neural circuit to see if it’s involved. These findings, she said, “help reduce the stigma that people who overeat can’t control themselves. It says that person has a brain disease”. is a brain disease W omen are n ot d u In

produced by fermentation of dietary fibres in the gut, which in turn stimulates production of a pro-longevity hormone that regulates energy and metabolism. In the study, increased butyrate lead to the production of neurons in the brain. The results may lead to food-based treatments to slow ageing.

DID you KNOW

Shake it off Ultrasound can improve tremor for three years without serious side effects, acco rding to a study in Neurology , the journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Essential tremor is a neurological condition that affects 800,000 Australians. It involves uncontrollable shaking in hands, arms, legs and voice, which interferes with everyday tasks like drinking, dressing and writing. Currently, deep brain stimulation is used for severe tremor. By comparison, focused ultrasound thalamotomy benefits are immediate and three years after the study, participants had still improved in hand tremors, disability and quality of life.

Lose the

bruise with

Hirudoid

“Effervescent vitamins can erode tooth enamel, kombucha’s low pH can be as damaging as soft drink and even bottled waters are acidic,” says dentist Dr Angie Lang. Her picks for preserving tooth enamel? Tap water and tea. (When you tire of those, try her sugarfree, non-acidic, vitamin and prebioticfilled drink Swirlit, $29.70 for six.

Available in leading pharmacies.

Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist see your healthcare professional.

Clockwise from top: Loretta restaurant; Ortega Fish Shack; Egmont St. Eatery; Rita restaurant; Customs by Coffee Supreme.

ESCAPE Ultimate

With the steep hills behind dotted with charming weatherboard cottages and a beautiful working harbour, Wellington offers the ultimate city long weekend away. Pack your walking shoes –and an appetite.

EXPLORE There’s something incredibly charming about Wellington, an enviably green city that’s grown organically around its harbour location. Despite the hills, it’s easy to enjoy and discover on foot. For a good overview, catch the Wellington Cable Car from Lambton Quay to Kelburn and then take your time walking back down to the city through the stunning botanic gardens. Work up an appetite along the way and stop in at Tinakori Road in the picturesque village of Thorndon for coffee or lunch, followed by some unhurried browsing of the suburb’s local antiques and collectables stores.

For a taste of culture, make your way back to the city centre where Te Papa Tongarewa (Museum of New Zealand) offers hours of insight into Māori, colonial and natural history alongside an ever-changing collection of contemporary permanent and travelling collections and exhibitions.

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streets of Cuba with rustic wooden furnishings and eclectic collectables at every turn. Each bean roasted, hand packed or ground by the team is sourced from producers who farm sustainably and in turn contribute to their communities through economic and social return.

enough meals to fi t it all in. Stop by Loretta for a beautiful interior and a huge menu that takes diners from breakfast through to late-night dinners, or make your way to Egmont St. Eatery, tucked away in a vibrant laneway. This stylish and inviting eatery has made its mark in Wellington with its fresh and seasonal food (you’d hardly know it was once an industrial carpark).

For authentic Peranakan dishes inspired by the streets and kitchens of Penang, visit the beautiful Little Penang on The Terrace, run by the hospitable husband and wife team, Tee Phie and Keith Cheah. Their delicious Malaysian food has earned them local Wellington devotees for many years.

At Rita, the food is amazing, the chef and crew are like family and the style of the cottage is Wellington to a T. Book ahead because this tiny 26-seat eatery is popular with locals and fi lls up fast. Finally, don’t leave Wellington without a taste of their delicious seafood; book a table at Ortega Fish Shack and enjoy dinner cooked by one of the city’s most respected chefs in the restaurant’s gorgeous homely and eclectic marine-inspired interior.

SHOP Pick up plenty of gourmet goodies along the way with a few special places worth seeking out. Pop into

Moore Wilson’s fresh food emporium for fresh baked goods, one of their renowned fresh orange juices or a selection of mouthwatering cheeses and dips from their deli cabinets. There are also plenty of local products on the shelves including Six Barrel Soda Co’s unique specialty soda syrups, Mayan Man’s Cacao Husk tea and Earthend honey. Stop at Wellington Chocolate Factory for a chocolate tour or one of their mind-blowing hot or iced chocolates, then pick up a block of their fairtrade chocolate to take home (if you can resist tucking into it yourself).

Weta Workshop

Clockwise from top: Wellington Chocolate Factory; Customs by Coffee Supreme; Little Penang; Havana Coffee Works headquarters and cafe. RECHARGE Power up your morning or afternoon with some of the best coffee in the city at the small but popular Customs by Coffee Supreme, seek out Pour and Twist for their manual brew coffee or head to Havana Coffee Works in the iconic avocado-green art deco building for a complete coffee experience. A Wellington stalwart in the city’s robust coffee industry, the cafe sits alongside the roasting and packing room and the company’s headquarters, complete with interiors inspired by the Take a behind-the-scenes tour of Wellington’s fi ve-time Academy Award-winning design studio and practical effects facility for a fascinating insight into the craft behind fi lm-making. wetaworkshop.com FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO PLAN YOUR WILD WEEKEND, VISIT WELLINGTONNZ.COM