The holiday season brings an abundance of festive treats, from gingerbread cookies to chocolate delights and more. For many, especially women, December can feel daunting amid temptations like gingerbread, chocolate letters, and Christmas wreaths. Yet, these indulgences make the holidays truly specia

Women seeking to lose weight are skeptical of crash diets under 1200 calories, fully aware of the yo-yo effect they often trigger. Nutritionist Anne de Graaf surveyed participants in the weight loss community Valtaf.nl. The 2020 results showed that in follow-up weight loss attempts, most chose healt

Research from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California, shows that green tea can modestly reduce bad cholesterol levels. In the study, adults received green tea, green tea capsules, or placebos. Those who consumed green tea or capsules had five to six points lower bad cholesterol

Almost everyone experiences cold sores occasionally, but for some, they recur frequently and intensely. Researchers at the University of Utah have identified a hereditary component behind severe, recurrent outbreaks.The primary cause is the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which often flares up

Do you drag yourself out of bed despite a bad cold? Think twice—research shows it wont boost your work productivity. Even with an emerging flu or pounding headache, many push through to the office, motivated but not always wisely. A Concordia University study led by researcher Gary Johns reveals tha

Changes to Dutch health insurance are sparking a rush for medicines set to be excluded from the basic package starting January 1, 2012. This insight comes directly from a spokesperson for the Royal Dutch Society for the Promotion of Pharmacy (KNMP), a leading authority in pharmaceutical care.From Ja

Did you know cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for women? It claims one in three womens lives. Greater research and awareness are urgently needed. Only 34% of Dutch adults aged 40-75 recognize that most women die from cardiovascular disease. Over half still believe cancer is

Expert first aid for the first signs of a cold: zinc lozenges. As cooler, inclement weather arrives, runny noses, sneezing, and other cold symptoms often follow. Research shows zinc lozenges can prevent colds from worsening, while also shortening duration and easing symptom severity. Targeting Cold

A groundbreaking innovation from Amsterdam University Medical Center (AMC): microbubbles make cancerous tumors strikingly visible, even the tiniest ones. Prof. Hessel Wijkstra, a leading expert from AMC and Eindhoven University of Technology, unveiled this discovery at a major conference in Chicago,

Most Dutch people prioritize excellent oral care, largely driven by fear of the dentist. Did you know brushing alone cleans less than 60% of your teeth? Adding floss ensures far superior cleanliness. If you floss regularly, you join over 55% of Dutch adults who do so alongside brushing, per Philips

Health Minister Edith Schippers has announced an independent investigation into the Netherlands handling of the 2009 swine flu outbreak, focusing on pharmaceutical industry influence. At the insistence of the PVV, PvdA, and SP parties, Minister Schippers committed to this probe today, examining the

Breakthrough research reveals that resveratrol, a beneficial compound in red wine, suppresses breast cancer cell growth. Experts from Baylor College of Medicine in the U.S., alongside researchers from Italys universities of Naples and Calabria, led this study, published in The FASEB Journal 2020. Re

Does cycling through a bustling city harm your health? Not according to researchers at Utrecht University. Studies by British professor Jonathan Grigg reveal that urban cyclists absorb significantly more soot particles, particularly those living in cities. Does this mean ditching the bike commute? F

Do you take aspirin daily? Recent research suggests it may heighten your risk of macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. Aspirin is renowned for relieving pain, reducing fever, and fighting inflammation—a near-miracle drug for many. However, long-term use can bring side

Erasmus MC, a leading medical center in the Netherlands, is launching an online survey this week targeting the Dutch population to explore skin changes and skin cancer risks. The incidence of skin cancer is surging, now affecting one in six Dutch people. This rise is fueled by excessive sunbed use a

Over the past two decades, prescriptions for the reserve antibiotic Ciprofloxacin have surged. Microbiologist Babette van Hees, in her doctoral research at Utrecht University, argues its use in Dutch hospitals could be cut by 50 to 70 percent. Van Hees stresses that Ciprofloxacin is designed as a

Exciting breakthrough in cancer research: Experts from the VUmc Cancer Center Amsterdams medical oncology department have revealed that both healthy and cancer cells can package the drug sunitinib—a proven inhibitor used primarily for kidney and gastrointestinal cancers—into vesicles, re

Patients in Dutch hospitals spent less time admitted in 2010 compared to 2009, according to healthcare consultancy Coppa. The average length of stay dropped 4.5% to 3.17 days per patient. Specialties with the largest reductions included rheumatology, geriatrics, dermatology, neurology, surgery, and

Smoking while undergoing chemotherapy is a poor choice for cancer patients—it significantly raises the risk of treatment failure. Jessica van der Bol, a researcher at Erasmus Medical Center, analyzed 190 patients, including both smokers and non-smokers, all receiving chemotherapy with irinotecan, a

Midwives in the Netherlands are exploring the reintroduction of nitrous oxide—commonly known as laughing gas—for pain relief during childbirth, according to the Royal Dutch Organization for Midwives (KNOV). Historically, laughing gas was used during labor but discontinued around 2020 due to its effe