While browsing Stuff.co.nz, I came across an initiative being promoted by entrepreneur, Gareth Morgan. He conducted some research across the health sector, interviewing clinical, administrative and academic staff and collated their opinions about health in NZ. Some simple truths and 'common sense' (an oxymoron if there ever was one!).

I've often seen patients who are keen runners suffering sore knees and other overuse-type injuries common in runners and athletes. One of the first things I suggest is getting better or newer running shoes. I recently came across an article that suggests running shoes can actually create more stress on the lower limb than wearing no shoes at all - interesting food for thought; Running Shoes May Cause Damage to Knees.

It never ceases to make me giggle whenever I read some 'new research' that proves or disproves some old adage or 'folk lore' in relation to health. Rather than heading ancient wisdoms and observing what is happening all around us, it seems we only listen when a team of researchers spend years and millions of dollars to 'prove' a hypothesis...

It seems like there is a lot of research around the beneficial properties of various teas at the moment and green tea in particular. One such recent study has found that green tea enhances the bactericidal activity of various antibiotics.

Most of us accept that a balanced diet is part of maintaining good health. It is quite clear form all the life-style and diet related illnesses (e.g. heart disease, diabetes, obesity complications etc.) that we are doing a pretty average job as a society in achieving balance in our diets & lifestyles.