9 Health Features

We get tips from a GP in Southborough on how exercise and good diet can improve your general health.

Our reporter Liz Barnes has been speaking to local doctor Elizabeth Xiradakis, who gives straight forward and clear advice highlighting NHS guidelines. 

Dr Xiradakis (pictured below) currently works at St Andrew's Medical Centre in Southborough. 

Dr Xiradakis stresses that this is not patient specific advice, so you should always seek advice from your own doctor before following anything discussed in these interviews. 

Feature 1: Exercise tips - find out how much vigorous exercise the NHS recommends you do each week...

Feature 2: Improving Our Diet - find out what Ultra Processed Food is ... and why you might want to avoid it.

Feature 3: Exercise for Over 60s - should we be taking up weights, pilates, yoga, gardening - or all of them?

West Kent Radio's Liz Barnes (pictured below) herself is a keen cyclist and is a member of a local cycling group.

Feature 4: Fruit and Veg - a suggested target is eating 30 different types of fruit and veg every week - but you can include 70% dark chocolate!

Feature 5: Sitting at Desks - This is not good but often can't be avoided - some people use standing desks - among them GPs!

Feature 6: Supplements and Meat - why people generally only need supplements in the winter.

Feature 7: Screentime and Teenagers - why it is best to avoid screens before bedtime.

Feature 8: How much to drink - do you swallow 2 1/2 litres of plain water every day?  Well that's the NHS advice. And what about alcohol?

Feature 9: We sum up the key ways you can improve your chances of having a long and healthy life

The features were recorded as part of West Kent Radio's mission to help local people improve their quality of life.

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