health and wellnesslatest news & developments
Bridging the affordability gap: With illegal compounding pharmacies shut down by regulators, flexible payment options are making authentic, doctor-prescribed GLP-1 weight-loss injections accessible to thousands of South Africans.

R3 billion demand, zero cash: SA’s first weight-loss payment plan

Instead of risking unapproved peptides or paying upfront lump sums, South Africans can now split the cost of fully managed, genuine GLP-1 clinical care.

By leveraging local, nutrient-rich staples like biltong and nuts, you stop treating snacking as a guilty pleasure and start using it as fuel for a productive afternoon.

Why you’re exhausted at 3pm (and how protein fixes it)

The midday slump isn't a lack of willpower; it's a glucose crash. Learn how pairing protein with healthy fats keeps you sharp until dinner.

Youth-friendly services, confidential testing and treatment, peer-led programmes and community-based services are among the approaches being advocated to make healthcare more accessible.

Stigma, shame and silence: The real barriers to youth HIV care in SA

Tired of clinic judgment and privacy fears, young South Africans are demanding a complete overhaul of sexual healthcare.

While most people associate oral care simply with clean teeth and fresh breath, what happens in your mouth directly impacts your entire body.

Why oral care isn't one-size-fits-all for your family

Over 40% of people are brushing their teeth wrong, unknowingly putting their heart and overall health at risk. Here is how a simple four-step shift can protect your whole family.

Your feet have already taken you far. A few minutes of care can help them carry you into every gathering, every dance, every long afternoon and every walk home still to come.

6 Steps to healthy feet this summer

Get your feet ready for warm weather with expert advice on treating cracked skin, avoiding infections, and practicing simple daily care.

Rapper Cassper Nyovest's campaign to end period poverty in South Africa is gaining momentum with Universal Music Group donating R25,000 towards the cause.

UMG backs Cassper Nyovest’s quest to end period poverty

Universal Music Group pledges R25k to Cassper Nyovest’s grassroots drive, securing essential sanitary supplies for 250 schoolgirls to keep them in the classroom.

New point-of-care tongue swab tests could reduce South Africa's TB incidence by 49% and mortality by 67% over 15 years.

How rapid tests could slash SA's TB deaths by two-thirds

Modernising TB preventive therapy and expanding rapid diagnostics could help South Africa dramatically bridge the gap toward international health targets.

Retinal conditions were once considered untreatable, but revolutionary gene therapies and assistive tech are changing the story. This World Retina Week, learn how science and community support are preserving sight and empowering lives.

World Retina Week: Why sight loss is no longer a sentence

Advanced gene editing and local DNA mapping are transforming how we treat inherited retinal conditions across South Africa.

While mild cases of eczema may respond to consistent skin hydration and topical therapies, poorly controlled or moderate-to-severe disease often requires advanced intervention, including phototherapy or systemic treatments targeting specific immune pathways.

Eczema decoded: Understanding the hidden toll

Often dismissed as a minor issue, atopic eczema quietly reshapes daily life for millions. Learn how targeted therapies can bring real relief.

Foods and beverages high in added sugars increase the diet's energy density without delivering essential nutrients.

Daily treat or default? Rethinking sugar intake

Daily sugar impacts far more than weight. Learn how hidden sugars quietly threaten your teeth, heart, and long-term vitality.

New research shows interval training works even without the "high-intensity" part, and is safe and effective for people of all ages.

Forget full exhaustion: Why low-impact HIIT works at any age

Discover simple, home-friendly interval moves tailored for older adults and fitness starters.

Syncing diet and fitness with your menstrual cycle unlocks sustainable energy, lowers cortisol and optimises performance without triggering burnout.

Why workouts fail: The science behind cycle syncing

Traditional fitness ignores female biology. Syncing exercise to your 28-day infradian rhythm cuts stress, stabilises energy, and prevents burnout.

World Sexual and Reproductive Health Month serves as a timely reminder: regular testing, accurate education and respectful partner communication are normal, routine components of lifelong personal wellness.

The 'I feel fine' trap: Why silent STIs pose the biggest risk

Normalising sexual health starts with dropping the shame. Routine testing, open talks, and accurate information are key to lifelong well-being.

Before you reach for the peeler, consider the nutrients hiding in the skin of your favourite fruits and vegetables.

The peeling habit that is quietly robbing your produce of nutrition

Consider what you throw away before reaching for the peeler. Experts explain why nutrient-dense outer layers belong on your plate, not in the bin.

Swapping out ultra-processed staples for nutrient-dense alternatives requires small, targeted changes rather than an entire dietary overhaul.

How real food rewires your cellular health

Ditch the fad diets. Discover how everyday phytonutrients and fiber actively repair DNA and train your immune cells.

While saunas offer benefits, they’re not for everyone. High heat and humidity can worsen conditions like asthma, may be unsafe in pregnancy and could be risky for people with low blood pressure, heart disease, or a tendency to feel faint

The sauna boom: From biohacking trend to proven health fix

From traditional dry saunas to infrared setups, finding your balance with proper hydration and sensible limits is key to unlocking the full benefits of thermal therapy.

In Dr Peter Attia's toolkit, exercise is the single most potent drug for longevity. Muscle contraction releases myokines, signaling molecules that directly counter systemic inflammatory signals.

Acute vs chronic inflammation: Why your immune system won't turn off

Unlike acute swelling, low-grade systemic inflammation runs quietly in the background, damaging organs and raising the risk of heart disease, diabetes and cognitive decline.

August is the ideal time to tackle those tasks you have been putting off in winter.

Tired of waiting for spring? The psychology behind the August reset

January’s resolutions are long forgotten, but with longer days and warmer sun around the corner, August gives you a second chance to finish the year strong.

Rather than living in fear of cholesterol-laden foods, the secret to a healthier lipid panel lies in limiting your saturated fat intake to less than 6% of your total daily calories.

Stop blaming eggs: The everyday eating habit destroying your lipid panel

Your liver produces 80% of your cholesterol, and saturated fat keeps it on overdrive. Here is why swapping solid fats for plant-based oils matters far more than avoiding eggs.

Balance training helps maintain independence and physical confidence as we age.

Why good balance is the ultimate secret to staying independent as you age

Stability isn't automatic, it's a trainable skill. Here’s how simple daily movements can protect your nervous system, strengthen your joints, and keep you independent.