Have you been popping vitamin pills for years, thinking it’s one of the best things you can do for your health? You’re not alone - thousands of us in Ireland take vitamin and mineral supplements every day to help protect our health, yet we may be throwing our hard-earned euro down the drain. Why? Because recent research findings are suggesting that certain supplements could actually slightly shorten life, rather than helping us to live to a ripe old age as originally thought. The jury is still out as regards the certainty of these finding but we at Unislim believe that supplements should be used only in certain cases, not as an alternative to a healthy, natural diet. Most qualified…

5 reasons to drink… plenty of water   Its calorie free, doesn’t cost the earth and has a distinct taste you can never say you don’t like.  This summer, make sure you know all the reasons why water is the Unislim top holiday tipple.  Drinking plenty of fluids helps keep your blood pressure stable – dehydration can lead to a fall in blood pressure and a loss of energy. We often mistake thirst for hunger and end up reaching for sugary snacks as a pick me up.  Staying hydrated will help reduce these false feelings and next time you feel hungry and its not a meal time, trying drinking a glass of water before you order. Drinking…

Having struggled all her life,Eleanor Goggin is intent that her slim-for-charity willfinally banish her unwanted extra poundage ‘I’ve bought the fruit and vegetables and thrownthem all out, unused. The call of the sausage roll istoo strong’ If only I could get back all the hours in my life that I've spent talking about weight. There are certain friends — obviously the fatter ones — that I spend hours with, analysing diets. South Beach, Atkins, cabbage, and starvation have all come under scrutiny. We talk endlessly about fat asses, flabby arms and guts. I've wasted years of my life just talking about it all, and I'll never get them back. I suppose I've always struggled. I tend to embrace the observation…

What is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)? Polycystic ovary syndrome is a problem in which a woman’s hormones are out of balance. It can cause upsetting changes in the way you look and problems with your periods. If it is not treated, over time it can lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease. Polycystic ovary syndrome (or PCOS) affects up to 1 in 10 women, and often the symptoms begin in the teen years. Treatment can help control the symptoms and prevent long-term problems. What are hormones, and what happens in PCOS? Hormones are chemical messengers that trigger many different processes, including growth and energy production. Often, the job of one hormone is to signal the release…

Boosting your immunity isn't just about taking extra vitamin C. It certainly pays to eat lots of fruit and veg that are packed with it, but there are many more foods you can eat to keep yourself fit over the winter months. Following our suggestions will ensure that you eat all the nutrients you need to get your immune system in tip-top shape. We've included immune-boosters from the most important nutrient groups - from those we've all heard of, such as vitamins and minerals, to ones you might not know much about, such as phenols (found in grapes). Many of these substances are contained in the plants' own natural defenses, so when you eat those fruits, vegetables and herbs, those…

The Definition of Optimism Optimism comes from the Latin word optimus, meaning "best," which describes how an optimistic person is always looking for the best in any situation and expecting good things to happen. Optimism is the tendency to believe, expect or hope that things will turn out well. Even if something bad happens, like the loss of a job, an optimist sees the silver lining. The emerging field of positive psychology studies the positive impact that optimism has on mental health. Other research shows that optimism may be good for my physical health too—optimists are sick less and live longer than pessimists. Apparently, a positive outlook on life strengthens the immune system (and the body's defenses against illness), cardiovascular…

So you’ve been exercising regularly, and following your Unislim plan to the letter to meet your weight loss goals. Everything is going great with your new changes but you notice the number on the scale isn’t moving much and your body isn’t changing shape as quickly as you’d hoped. There may be one more habit interfering with your weight loss efforts- alcohol. Perhaps you enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, have a couple of beers while watching the big game, or even cocktails on a Saturday night with friends. All common practices but they may be getting in the way of your weight loss efforts. Alcoholic beverages have been enjoyed throughout recorded history. For some, a drink with dinner…

In a recent Unislim poll, 40% of visitors to the site have never had their cholesterol tested, and 10% have high cholesterol.   If you’ve never had your cholesterol tested, now is the time to know your numbers – get it tested by your doctor and if it turns out to be high, read on to learn how you can control it. Elevated cholesterol levels aren't caused by a high-cholesterol or saturated fat intake alone. The fact is, a combination of factors affect your cholesterol levels. There are two main categories of risks that contribute to high cholesterol—those that you can't change (uncontrollable risks), and those that you can (controllable risks). Uncontrollable Risk Factors These variables are out of your…