0:00:04 > 0:00:07When it comes to our health, it seems everyone has an opinion,
0:00:07 > 0:00:09and everyone has an agenda.
0:00:09 > 0:00:14But what's the health advice you can really trust?
0:00:15 > 0:00:18We're here to weigh up the evidence and use our expertise
0:00:18 > 0:00:19to guide you...
0:00:20 > 0:00:26Through the contradictions and the confusions.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28We do the research no-one else has done.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32And put your health at the heart of what we do and ensure you get
0:00:32 > 0:00:35the information you need.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45We're here when you want to know the latest findings and not
0:00:45 > 0:00:53just the latest fads.
0:00:53 > 0:00:53I'm Michael Mosley.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57In this series I'm joined by a team of doctors.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00Together we will cut through the hype, the head lines
0:01:00 > 0:01:01and the health claims.
0:01:01 > 0:01:09This is: Trust Me, I'm A Doctor.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13This time we're in Newcastle, carrying out the most ambitious
0:01:13 > 0:01:18experiment we have ever attempted: To find out if turmeric can ever
0:01:18 > 0:01:20protect us against cancer.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23Also, are fast-acting pain killers worth the extra money?
0:01:23 > 0:01:25With a dangerous strain of meningitis on the rise,
0:01:25 > 0:01:32how do you protect yourself?
0:01:32 > 0:01:34That's when I went anto cardiac arrest.
0:01:34 > 0:01:40And when is mindfulness medicine, or mumbo jumbo?
0:01:40 > 0:01:45And should we all have a stab at testing our own cholesterol.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49But first, welcome to Newcastle, we're here to do a truly
0:01:49 > 0:01:51ground breaking experiment with the university to see
0:01:51 > 0:01:55if turmeric, a spice commonly used in Indian cooking can help
0:01:55 > 0:02:05protect us against cancer.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10It's one of the nation's favourite dishes but not one that is generally
0:02:10 > 0:02:11thought of as healthy.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13But could one of curry's key ingredients contain the secret
0:02:13 > 0:02:15to long life and good health?
0:02:15 > 0:02:19This is turmeric, in its raw state it looks a little like ginger root
0:02:19 > 0:02:25but when you grind it down you get that distinctive yellowy, orange
0:02:25 > 0:02:27powder, that is so opulent in South Asian cuisine,
0:02:27 > 0:02:28but it is possible
0:02:28 > 0:02:31that turmeric is doing something more than just adding flavour
0:02:31 > 0:02:32to your food.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34There are claims that turmeric can fend off anything from allergies
0:02:34 > 0:02:38to depression, even cancer.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41But for once there is a hint of evidence behind the claims.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44In many countries that cook with turmeric, rates of cancer
0:02:44 > 0:02:46are surprisingly low.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48So what's going on?
0:02:48 > 0:02:51There are at least 200 different compounds in turmeric
0:02:51 > 0:02:53but there is one that scientists are interested in.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56It gives the spice its colour.
0:02:56 > 0:03:01It is called curcumin.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05Thousands of scientific papers have been published looking at turmeric
0:03:05 > 0:03:08and curcumin in the laboratory, some with promising results.
0:03:08 > 0:03:13But far fewer experiments have been done in the real world,
0:03:13 > 0:03:17at Dr Anthony Watson of the Newcastle University explains.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20There is test tube evidence and there is animal evidence
0:03:20 > 0:03:22that shows that turmeric could have an effect on cell
0:03:22 > 0:03:25signalling and changes in cells
0:03:25 > 0:03:28but the data that shows effects on humans is quite limited.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30So the study is not there to point the way?
0:03:30 > 0:03:40Exactly.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43This is exactly the sort of situation where we on Trust Me,
0:03:43 > 0:03:44like to make a difference.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46We are going to do a real world experiment.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49To test turmeric on our health in a way that has
0:03:49 > 0:03:50never been tried before.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52We have tracked down leading researchers from across the country,
0:03:52 > 0:03:54whose work, we think, could help find the answer.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56And we have recruited nearly 100 volunteers.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59First, in a true Trust Me style, we have to divide
0:03:59 > 0:04:02them into three groups.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04One group will be consuming a teaspoon of turmeric a day,
0:04:04 > 0:04:08ideally mixed in with their food.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11Another lot are going to get a supplement of turmeric, the third
0:04:11 > 0:04:15group will have the placebo.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17They are going to take their turmeric powder,
0:04:17 > 0:04:22supplements or placebo for six weeks.
0:04:22 > 0:04:32We are taking blood samples now and we'll do it again at the end.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35We are going analyse them using ground breaking techniques
0:04:35 > 0:04:37to test two of the big claims made for turmeric,
0:04:37 > 0:04:40that it can be good for your immune system and good for cancer.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43One of the tests we are taking is an ?oxidative
0:04:43 > 0:04:44stress test?.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47It is brand new, developed here at Newcastle University.
0:04:47 > 0:04:53It gives a measure of how good your blood cells
0:04:53 > 0:04:56are at resisting inflammation, therefore a measure also of how
0:04:56 > 0:05:02robust your immune system is.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04But how to test weather turmeric could really help
0:05:04 > 0:05:05protect us from cancer?
0:05:05 > 0:05:07We've found a group from University College London,
0:05:07 > 0:05:08whose research, we think might help.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11Here at UCL, they're doing a test for us that involves
0:05:11 > 0:05:16new science and technology, that should reveal for the first
0:05:16 > 0:05:19time subtle changes in DNA, associated with cancer risk.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21This test is based on a new understanding of how cancer starts
0:05:21 > 0:05:26and could have major implications for all of us.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29We are finding out about more of this later in the programme.
0:05:29 > 0:05:30By bringing out this latest scientific knowledge
0:05:30 > 0:05:33to a real world study, we hope to find out once
0:05:33 > 0:05:36and for all, whether turmeric really does have genuine health benefits.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38Now down the years we have done lots of projects with different
0:05:38 > 0:05:41universities and got some really exciting results but this is by far
0:05:41 > 0:05:44the most ambitious thing we have ever attempted so finger
0:05:44 > 0:05:45crossed we get a result!
0:05:45 > 0:05:55Now over to Dr Chris van Tulleken.
0:06:00 > 0:06:06Now over to Dr Chris van Tulleken.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10Joint pain is something that loads of us worry about as we get older.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13Lots of people are turning to supplements.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17One of the most popular supplements for joints is gloucosamine.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24The idea is that as glucosamine is found naturally in our joints,
0:06:24 > 0:06:27taking it as a supplement, may help replace or repair our own joint
0:06:27 > 0:06:29tissue as it suffers wear and tear.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31Here in the UK we spend nearly ?55 million a year
0:06:31 > 0:06:32on glucosamine pills.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35They are sold over the counter as a food supplement,
0:06:35 > 0:06:38not a medicine, which means that they are less regulated, so,
0:06:38 > 0:06:44are we wasting our money?
0:06:44 > 0:06:50Firstly, how much glucosamine do these pills contain?
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Well to find out we have taken nine brands, easily available in the UK
0:06:53 > 0:06:57and brought them to the lab for testing.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59We are going to analyse the chemistry to find out
0:06:59 > 0:07:02if the products really contain what they say they do.
0:07:02 > 0:07:07So what does our test show?
0:07:07 > 0:07:13The doctor at the pharmaceutical institute has the results.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17We saw that two out of the nine have lesser amounts than expected.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20So as much as 30% less.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22Really, 30% less?
0:07:22 > 0:07:26Is that worrying?
0:07:26 > 0:07:30It is worrying in the sense that this pills are not regulated.
0:07:30 > 0:07:37They could have any amount of glucosamine in them.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39In fact they could even have none at all.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Because of the lack of regulation, we can have no idea how
0:07:42 > 0:07:47much our glucosamine pills contain.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50We found that pills that could cost you almost ?300 a year,
0:07:50 > 0:07:52contain similar amounts of glucosamine as the ones that cost
0:07:52 > 0:07:54?9 a year.
0:07:54 > 0:08:00Christina has other concerns too.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03I have a slightly creeky knee, what advice would you give to me
0:08:03 > 0:08:05if I said I want to buy glucosamine?
0:08:05 > 0:08:08I would recommend you not to buy it, there is no clinical
0:08:08 > 0:08:11evidence it works.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15It it's an interesting point.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17So your glucosamine supplements may not contain as much glucosamine
0:08:17 > 0:08:22as you thought.
0:08:22 > 0:08:32But even so, it leaves the question of whether or not they can do
0:08:33 > 0:08:36the thing that people buy them for, to make sore joints better.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38Countless trials have been done on glucosamine to see
0:08:38 > 0:08:39if it helps our joints.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42It has been come paired with pain killers and other remedies,
0:08:42 > 0:08:45even with placebos, people taking a dummy pill.
0:08:45 > 0:08:55But for all the research, there is no definitive answer.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03It is an analysis, so pulls the results from thousands
0:09:03 > 0:09:06of patients from other studies and the authors were still unable
0:09:06 > 0:09:08to show any conclusive benefit from taking glucosamine
0:09:08 > 0:09:11but they do go on to say, that patients who take glucosamine
0:09:11 > 0:09:14often are convinced of its benefits and it doesn't do them harm.
0:09:14 > 0:09:15So what is going on here?
0:09:15 > 0:09:18For me, the fact that many trials show that placebo pills are just
0:09:18 > 0:09:21as effective as glucosamine might mean in the case of joint pain
0:09:21 > 0:09:23taking glucosamine pill, only makes people's joints feel
0:09:23 > 0:09:30better as they think it does, it is just a placebo.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38So I want to do an experiment.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41To help me get this right I have called on a world expert
0:09:41 > 0:09:47in osteo-arthritis, Professor Phil conhad been
0:09:47 > 0:09:49in osteo-arthritis, Professor Phil Conaghan
0:09:49 > 0:09:50from the University of Leeds.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52Together we have done a study that we think reveals
0:09:52 > 0:09:53the truth about glucosamine.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56But Phil thinks it will need a lot of people.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59We need about a minimum of 40 patients.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03Per arm, so say in 80 patients in total for the study.
0:10:03 > 0:10:0580 people with painful knee joints?
0:10:05 > 0:10:07No problem.
0:10:07 > 0:10:12We divided them into two groups.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15The first group will be shown how to do something that is shown
0:10:15 > 0:10:18to relieve pain, daily exercises to strengthen muscles and tendons
0:10:18 > 0:10:20around the knee.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24The other group will be getting a pill to pop every day.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27You'll be getting the supplement, that is one pill a day to be
0:10:27 > 0:10:28taken in the morning.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31We want to see how well the supplement measures up
0:10:31 > 0:10:38against the gold standard, exercise.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41We have measured the range of movement each has in the knee
0:10:41 > 0:10:45joint and they have filled in a form describing their pain levels.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48In eight weeks' time, the volunteers come back and fill
0:10:48 > 0:10:49out the pain scores.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52And then we will find out if there has been an improvement.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54Two months after the trial started, the volunteers gather
0:10:54 > 0:10:56in Leeds to find out.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58Have the exercises or the supplement pills made any difference
0:10:58 > 0:11:04to their joints?
0:11:04 > 0:11:05I was in the exercise group.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07How did it go?
0:11:07 > 0:11:09Absolutely fabulous.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11I felt much, much, better.
0:11:11 > 0:11:18How have the last few weeks gone on the #1u7mentes?
0:11:18 > 0:11:20How have the last few weeks gone on the supplement?
0:11:20 > 0:11:21Fantastic.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23I have almost forgot been the pain.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25So you feel like we have cured you?
0:11:25 > 0:11:26I feel like a new person.
0:11:26 > 0:11:27You do?
0:11:27 > 0:11:28I do, yeah.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30Thank you all very much for coming.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32Are you all looking forward to the results?
0:11:32 > 0:11:37ALL SPEAK AT ONCE: Yes.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39Phil, start by telling us what happened
0:11:39 > 0:11:40to the exercise groups.
0:11:40 > 0:11:41OK.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43The exercise group, 80% of the people in your group improved
0:11:43 > 0:11:45their symptoms by over a third.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47So a large number of you really did very well.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50Over a third we know from previous studies is the amount we think
0:11:50 > 0:11:51is clinically important.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54It is the amount you recognise you notice difference
0:11:54 > 0:11:55in your symptoms.
0:11:55 > 0:12:01So that is 80% of the group.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04Then the supplement group, how did they do?
0:12:04 > 0:12:07So, 55% of the people in this group also
0:12:07 > 0:12:12improved a third or more.
0:12:12 > 0:12:1455%/80%.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17That's the difference between the groups.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21So over half of you did well in this group with the supplement.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23So 55% of the supplement group reported a clinically significant
0:12:23 > 0:12:29drop in pain.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32It's an impressive improvement but what was it they were taking?
0:12:32 > 0:12:38We have to come clean with you guys, what you were taking
0:12:38 > 0:12:47was a totally inert sugar pill, it was a placebo.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51We didn't do it to deceive you, we did it for a good
0:12:51 > 0:12:54and important reasons, the result that 55% of you had
0:12:54 > 0:12:56a clinically significant improvement in symptoms is surprising.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00So the placebo effect has indeed been really strong.
0:13:00 > 0:13:07Over half the group felt that got better taking a sugar pill.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11This explains the complicated picture around glucosamine.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14Many people swear by it but as we have proved,
0:13:14 > 0:13:17even sugar pills can make your joints feel better.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21Huge studies on thousands of people have shown glucosamine to be no more
0:13:21 > 0:13:23effective than our placebo.
0:13:23 > 0:13:30The exercise did trump the pills, and that's really encouraging it
0:13:30 > 0:13:33The exercise did trump the pills, and that's really encouraging, it
0:13:33 > 0:13:36means there is something we can all do to help our joint pain that
0:13:36 > 0:13:38is free and works in most of us.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41A lot of the pain is coming from the tendons and
0:13:41 > 0:13:42the structures around the joint.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44If they are unloaded, you reduce the pain.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47We see it for knees, or hands, and if there is anybody listening
0:13:47 > 0:13:57and they are having trouble getting out of a chair
0:13:58 > 0:13:59and undoing a jar, they
0:13:59 > 0:14:02are at risk of joint pain because their muscles are weak.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04This is the time to look at getting strong.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07They have seen the evidence, now they have to do something
0:14:07 > 0:14:09for their leg muscles and their arm muscles.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11I'm gardening and doing everything I have never done before.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13Really it has made so much difference.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16I had a colleague at work who had a problem, I suggested he should do
0:14:16 > 0:14:19this type of exercise, after two weeks he came back
0:14:19 > 0:14:20and said he was fine.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22So, you have been spreading the word?
0:14:22 > 0:14:26And I feel we have cleared up a lot of the murky evidence around
0:14:26 > 0:14:30the pills.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33If you are 100% convinced that glucosamine works for you,
0:14:33 > 0:14:37then by all mean, keep taking it.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39But for most of us, the best evidence says that
0:14:39 > 0:14:43you can save your money, which is lucky, given the low levels
0:14:43 > 0:14:46of glucosamine we found in some of the pills on the market.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50The exercises are free, effective and virtually no side effects.
0:14:50 > 0:15:01So if it were me, I would ditch the pills and do a few leg raises.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04To see Phil's exercises in detail, go to the Trust Me
0:15:04 > 0:15:07I'm a Doctor website.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16Painkillers are the most popular over-the-counter medicines you can
0:15:16 > 0:15:18buy, but some cost ten times more than others.
0:15:18 > 0:15:19So, are they worth it?
0:15:19 > 0:15:24Over to Doctor Saleyha Ahsan.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27The range of painkillers to buy over-the-counter is huge, and the
0:15:27 > 0:15:29choice can be pretty overwhelming.
0:15:29 > 0:15:34There are painkillers that come as tablets,
0:15:34 > 0:15:44caplets, liquid capsules, painkillers that claim to act
0:15:45 > 0:15:47caplets, liquid capsules, painkillers that claim to act
0:15:47 > 0:15:48fast or target pain.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50Big-name brands and cheaper generic products.
0:15:50 > 0:15:51So which should you choose?
0:15:51 > 0:15:53You might be tempted into thinking that a higher
0:15:53 > 0:15:55price carries with it and increased guarantee of effectiveness.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57But is that actually the case?
0:15:57 > 0:16:00To find out, I'm going to collect a range of ibuprofen painkillers and
0:16:00 > 0:16:04put them to the test.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07About half of them are well known brand names, the
0:16:07 > 0:16:09big companies that often do the initial drug research and charge
0:16:09 > 0:16:13higher prices.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15The other half are the modestly priced generic products
0:16:15 > 0:16:20made by companies who wait for the patents to run out,
0:16:20 > 0:16:22then they simply produced their own version of an
0:16:22 > 0:16:24existing medicine.
0:16:24 > 0:16:25We've taken a range of branded and generic
0:16:25 > 0:16:30products and send them for some laboratory tests.
0:16:30 > 0:16:31Head of the pharmaceutics lab at University
0:16:31 > 0:16:34College London is Simon Gaisford. The first test is, do they contain
0:16:34 > 0:16:36as much ibuprofen as they claim?
0:16:36 > 0:16:43So, Simon, what did you find?
0:16:43 > 0:16:45So we found that each product contained
0:16:45 > 0:16:49ibuprofen, which is the drug designed to reduce pain, and that
0:16:49 > 0:16:52each product contained the amount of ibuprofen claimed on the box.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55Exactly as it should be.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57As licensed medicines in the UK are tightly
0:16:57 > 0:17:01regulated by the Medicines and Health Care Products Regulatory
0:17:01 > 0:17:03Authority.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06The MHRA.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09But even if they contain the same stuff, do the
0:17:09 > 0:17:13cheaper products really worked just as well?
0:17:13 > 0:17:15cheaper products really work just as well?
0:17:15 > 0:17:21Our labs did a second set of tests to find out how quickly the
0:17:21 > 0:17:23drug was released from the tablets.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25A simulation of how quickly the ibuprofen might get into our
0:17:25 > 0:17:26bloodstream.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28Here are the results for the branded product.
0:17:28 > 0:17:29Talk me through this.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32So on this axis is the amount of drug that is
0:17:32 > 0:17:35dissolving from the tablet into solution as a percentage, and this
0:17:35 > 0:17:40axis is time in minutes.
0:17:40 > 0:17:41axis is timed in minutes.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43We can see when we added the tablet to the
0:17:43 > 0:17:46solution most of the product started to release their drug quite quickly.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48I think it's important to note that different
0:17:48 > 0:17:49products release drugs at
0:17:49 > 0:17:50different rates.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53The requirement to sell a product on the market is that
0:17:53 > 0:17:54after a particular time period, a minimum percentage
0:17:54 > 0:17:56of drug has been released.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59In this case, after 40 minutes, they all need to be above
0:17:59 > 0:18:0075%, and they are.
0:18:00 > 0:18:01That is the branded.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04How did the generics do?
0:18:04 > 0:18:06The generics are shown in blue, branded in red.
0:18:06 > 0:18:12We can see there is a degree of variability in the
0:18:12 > 0:18:15release rates at the start but again after 40 minutes all the products,
0:18:15 > 0:18:18more than 75% of the drug has been released.
0:18:18 > 0:18:23Both the generic and branded products released the
0:18:23 > 0:18:27majority of the ibuprofen after 40 minutes.
0:18:27 > 0:18:32And there's no significant difference between the different
0:18:32 > 0:18:33manufacturers products.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35So according to our tests, there is no advantage
0:18:35 > 0:18:37in paying for more expensive tablets.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40The cheaper ones are just as good, and that is, in fact, a
0:18:40 > 0:18:48legal requirement here in the.
0:18:48 > 0:18:49legal requirement here in the UK.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52If I'm a company and I want to develop
0:18:52 > 0:18:54a generic version of a product, I have to
0:18:54 > 0:18:55demonstrate to the MHRA that
0:18:55 > 0:18:57my product is bio-equivalent to the brand leader.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59What that means is, the drug which is released from
0:18:59 > 0:19:01my generic product reaches the bloodstream
0:19:01 > 0:19:02at the same rate as the
0:19:02 > 0:19:03brand leader.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06But companies use lots of marketing tactics to get us to
0:19:06 > 0:19:07part with more cash.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09What about the versions claimed to be fast acting?
0:19:09 > 0:19:12Some of them work by using a slightly different form of
0:19:12 > 0:19:15ibuprofen, so your body can absorb it more quickly.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18Others give it to you in solution in a soft capsule.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22We put some of these products to the test, too.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25Now if we look at the critical points we can see after 20
0:19:25 > 0:19:28minutes all of these products have released more than 75% of their
0:19:28 > 0:19:31drug.
0:19:31 > 0:19:32That's 20 minutes.
0:19:32 > 0:19:33As opposed to 40.
0:19:33 > 0:19:34We were there before.
0:19:34 > 0:19:35The normal release.
0:19:35 > 0:19:43We now there.
0:19:43 > 0:19:44We arenow there.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46Absolutely, so 20 minutes we've got the same
0:19:46 > 0:19:47amount of drug released as
0:19:47 > 0:19:49the standard release tablets released in 40 minutes.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51The claim to be fast acting or express is also
0:19:51 > 0:19:55regulated by law in the UK, so again there is no advantage in paying
0:19:55 > 0:19:56more.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58Cheap express products should work just as quickly as the
0:19:58 > 0:20:01expensive brands.
0:20:01 > 0:20:09The other way companies can tempted to spend more
0:20:09 > 0:20:11The other way companies can tempt you to spend more
0:20:11 > 0:20:14is to sell painkillers for different kinds of pain.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16For instance, Neurofen sell ibuprofen in all kinds of
0:20:16 > 0:20:17packages for all kinds of things.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20This suggests there is something different in each box, and they are
0:20:20 > 0:20:22often more expensive than the supposedly regular tablets.
0:20:22 > 0:20:23The thing is, ibuprofen doesn't target
0:20:23 > 0:20:25just one of these things.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27It works on everything.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29It has an analgesic effect over the entire body.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32It does all of these things all at the same
0:20:32 > 0:20:34time.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37Ibuprofen works because it dampens pain no matter where it is
0:20:37 > 0:20:40in the body, so it'll help headaches at the same time as helping back
0:20:40 > 0:20:43pain.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46That's true of any ibuprofen product regardless of price.
0:20:46 > 0:20:52In 2015 and Australian court found that
0:20:52 > 0:20:54In 2015 an Australian court found that
0:20:54 > 0:20:56Neurofen had misled the public by marketing four products that
0:20:56 > 0:21:00claims to target specific types of pain.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02Back pain, period pain and headaches.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05When, in fact, it was exactly the same medicine in each
0:21:05 > 0:21:08box.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12In the UK you can also buy supposedly paying specific forms of
0:21:12 > 0:21:14Neurofen while some of the different boxes
0:21:14 > 0:21:16contain the same form of
0:21:16 > 0:21:18ibuprofen.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21The advertising standards authority this year cracked down on
0:21:21 > 0:21:25one of their adverts.
0:21:25 > 0:21:26Neurofen aren't the only company selling
0:21:26 > 0:21:30targeted ibuprofen.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32Despite the various ways companies try to tempt
0:21:32 > 0:21:36you to spend more money, in the UK and EU, you are protected by law,
0:21:36 > 0:21:38and can safely buy the cheapest versions on offer.
0:21:38 > 0:21:43None of these products can target specific pain,
0:21:43 > 0:21:47so there's no point paying any more for a box that suggests it does.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51If you're ever in any doubt, always ask
0:21:51 > 0:21:54the pharmacist.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57The only time it might be worth spending a little bit
0:21:57 > 0:21:59more is if you need fast acting pain relief.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01Even then, the cheaper generic packets work just as well as
0:22:01 > 0:22:02the more expensive brands.
0:22:02 > 0:22:07Neurofen told us seven in ten people find
0:22:07 > 0:22:12paying specific products help them decide which best meets their needs.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14Any Neurofen products with the same active
0:22:14 > 0:22:15ingredient, pack size and
0:22:15 > 0:22:17formulation have the same recommended retail price.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20Their full statement is on our website.
0:22:20 > 0:22:30Next, we've invited GP Doctor Zoe Williams
0:22:30 > 0:22:34to investigate whether monitoring our own health at home is
0:22:34 > 0:22:38worthwhile.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42This time, measuring our cholesterol levels.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45Cholesterol testing is one of the things that
0:22:45 > 0:22:48makes up the NHS health check, essentially that means anyone over
0:22:48 > 0:22:51the age of 40 should be checking their cholesterol.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55Cholesterol is the type of fat we all have in our
0:22:55 > 0:22:58blood, and if we have too much of it, it can
0:22:58 > 0:23:04build upon the insides of
0:23:04 > 0:23:05build up on the insides of
0:23:05 > 0:23:07our blood vessels, increasing the risk heart
0:23:07 > 0:23:08disease and stroke.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10So we should know our levels, but should
0:23:10 > 0:23:11we measure them ourselves?
0:23:11 > 0:23:13It's like these are available over-the-counter, so that means you
0:23:13 > 0:23:15can check your cholesterol at home.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18But are these worth spending our money on and what do our results
0:23:18 > 0:23:19mean anyway?
0:23:19 > 0:23:23I've found some volunteers willing to put
0:23:23 > 0:23:25cholesterol tests to the test.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28First, I've invited them to the surgery to take their blood
0:23:28 > 0:23:30and put it through the standard test you get
0:23:30 > 0:23:33from your GP, then we'll see how this compares
0:23:33 > 0:23:35to the results from a
0:23:35 > 0:23:38range of home test kits.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40The test that we do doesn't actually measure
0:23:40 > 0:23:43the amount of cholesterol, it measures the amount of protein that
0:23:43 > 0:23:46carries the cholesterol.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49That is supposed to give an indication if
0:23:49 > 0:23:52you are at increased risk of heart disease or stroke.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54The professional test will measure two different
0:23:54 > 0:23:55proteins.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58LDL carries cholesterol to the cells in the body, and this is
0:23:58 > 0:24:03often called bad cholesterol, as you don't want too much of it.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07HDL carries cholesterol away from
0:24:07 > 0:24:09yourselves to be disposed of in the liver.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12This is often called good cholesterol, so higher levels are
0:24:12 > 0:24:15better.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18Tomorrow we'll be checking the home testing kits to see if they
0:24:18 > 0:24:20give as accurate a reading as these samples.
0:24:20 > 0:24:30So the volunteers have arrived.
0:24:40 > 0:24:41Here we have the kits.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44There are several kinds on the market, they all require
0:24:44 > 0:24:45a pinprick of blood.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47And, as it turns out, it can be difficult to use.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49The cheapest kits use your blood sample
0:24:49 > 0:24:53and a bit of chemistry to give a result in the form of a coloured
0:24:53 > 0:24:53dot.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56And some more expensive devices give a digital reading.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59But are any of them accurate?
0:24:59 > 0:25:02Cholesterol levels don't change dramatically overnight,
0:25:02 > 0:25:06so the results should be about the same as the laboratory test from
0:25:06 > 0:25:09yesterday that I brought with me.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12Three of our kits aren't a good match.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14I wouldn't say that's very accurate.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17A little bit out, that one.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19We'll put that over there.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22One of them was the more expensive digital device we tested.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25So you have the fancy machine and we were
0:25:25 > 0:25:32able to check your total cholesterol, total cholesterol was
0:25:32 > 0:25:42out.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45One of the simple devices seemed to match the professional
0:25:45 > 0:25:46test.
0:25:46 > 0:25:47Very accurate.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49But perhaps it's not quite as clear-cut it
0:25:49 > 0:25:50appeared.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53To me, the blood sample is showing a really light grey colour,
0:25:53 > 0:25:56but the chart I'm comparing it to is various shades of green.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59We are not particularly impressed with the home
0:25:59 > 0:26:02test kits, but even if we did get accurate results, what do they mean?
0:26:02 > 0:26:05So, the measure we ultimately interested in is the cholesterol
0:26:05 > 0:26:07ratio.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10The HDL in comparison to the LDL.
0:26:10 > 0:26:15The advice is that your HDL levels should be above one and your
0:26:15 > 0:26:19LDL levels below three.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22Interpreting cholesterol results has always been
0:26:22 > 0:26:25controversial but the latest advice is bringing down your LDL levels and
0:26:25 > 0:26:28increasing your HDL levels will reduce your risk of heart disease
0:26:28 > 0:26:31and stroke.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34You can do this through changing what you eat, doing more
0:26:34 > 0:26:38exercise and giving up smoking, as well as taking medication such as
0:26:38 > 0:26:40statins.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42Would our volunteers use the home kits to measure their
0:26:42 > 0:26:44cholesterol?
0:26:44 > 0:26:47Bearing that in mind, how useful for you at home is the
0:26:47 > 0:26:50information from the other kits?
0:26:50 > 0:26:53I would prefer to go to a GP to get the test done.
0:26:53 > 0:26:59Because I'm not sure how accurate is this one.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01I doubt the accuracy of that.
0:27:01 > 0:27:09What I'm expecting, because I'm a big foodie,
0:27:09 > 0:27:12so I know I like my food, I suspect that my cholesterol cannot be that
0:27:12 > 0:27:14low.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16As we've seen, the home testing kits are not only difficult to
0:27:16 > 0:27:20operate, it's also difficult to interpret the results, so my advice
0:27:20 > 0:27:24would be if you are over the age of 40 or in any doubt at all, go see
0:27:24 > 0:27:33your doctor and let them test-tube and interpret the results for you.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36your doctor and let them test and interpret the results for you.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38It'll probably save you some money in the meantime.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41Earlier in the programme we started one of the most
0:27:41 > 0:27:43ambitious experiments Trust Me has ever done, putting some of the
0:27:43 > 0:27:48supposed health benefits of turmeric to the test.
0:27:48 > 0:27:53Involves nearly 100 people, over six weeks, with tests
0:27:53 > 0:27:56in four labs right across the UK.
0:27:56 > 0:28:02One of these tests could have major implications for all of us as it
0:28:02 > 0:28:07might provide an early warning system for cancer.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10It's been made possible thanks to people like
0:28:10 > 0:28:14Caroline, who found out in 2007 she was at increased risk of hereditary
0:28:14 > 0:28:18breast and ovarian cancer.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22I was put on a screening programme and the
0:28:22 > 0:28:25results came back from those that I had shadows on both breasts.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29I was absolutely terrified and convinced I
0:28:29 > 0:28:33was going to die and that was it, I was going to leave my three children
0:28:33 > 0:28:34without a mother.
0:28:34 > 0:28:39In 2009 I had a risk reducing bilateral mastectomy
0:28:39 > 0:28:43with reconstruction.
0:28:43 > 0:28:50From there I had my fourth child in 2013 and
0:28:50 > 0:28:53after that I had more risk reducing surgery and had my ovaries and
0:28:53 > 0:28:55fallopian tubes removed to lower my risk of ovarian cancer.
0:28:55 > 0:28:57Caroline donated tissue samples to a research
0:28:57 > 0:29:02group at University College London and their work has recently led to a
0:29:02 > 0:29:04breakthrough in how we might identify an individual's risk of
0:29:04 > 0:29:07cancer.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09It came about thanks to a relatively new understanding of how
0:29:09 > 0:29:19changes in our genes can trigger cancer.
0:29:20 > 0:29:21But not the changes we once thought.
0:29:21 > 0:29:22Over to surgeon Gabriel Weston.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25Over the past few decades, our understanding of our genes has
0:29:25 > 0:29:26altered dramatically.
0:29:26 > 0:29:35And one of the most important thing is we're
0:29:35 > 0:29:38learning is that it's not just the DNA we inherit that matters, but
0:29:38 > 0:29:41also how those genes are used in our bodies on a daily basis.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43The genetic code we inherit is like a colossal
0:29:43 > 0:29:45book of instructions for all the difference
0:29:45 > 0:29:46cells in our body.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49But exactly which part of these instructions any individual cell
0:29:49 > 0:29:51reads will make a dramatic difference to what kind of cell it
0:29:51 > 0:29:53is and how it behaves.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55If I cover at different parts of a sentence, it
0:29:55 > 0:29:57If I cover up different parts of a sentence, it
0:29:57 > 0:30:00changes its meaning, so an instruction not to do something
0:30:00 > 0:30:03becomes an instruction to do something.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06In our cells, it turns out that this covering up of parts
0:30:06 > 0:30:10of our genetic code, happens all the time.
0:30:10 > 0:30:12It's an important way to tell
0:30:12 > 0:30:15some of our cells to do
0:30:15 > 0:30:16different things from others.
0:30:16 > 0:30:21It's called DNA mmethylation.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24And now researchers have discovered that
0:30:24 > 0:30:25methylation can go wrong and
0:30:25 > 0:30:27that can lead to cancer.
0:30:27 > 0:30:31It's a whole new branch of being, known as epi- genetics, it is
0:30:31 > 0:30:40turning out to be every bit as important as genetics.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42Here at UCL, this are trying to work out how to
0:30:42 > 0:30:45use it to help us all reduce our cancer risk.
0:30:45 > 0:30:51Professor Martin Widschwendter is head of the team
0:30:51 > 0:30:54that studied tissue samples from Caroline
0:30:54 > 0:31:03and over 70 other women.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05They compared cells from women who had
0:31:05 > 0:31:07breast cancer, with cells from those who did not.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09They found a key change in DNA mmethylation that happens
0:31:09 > 0:31:10before a cancer develops.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12This DNA methylation signature allows us to
0:31:12 > 0:31:17identify women who are getting breast cancer in the future.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20How many cancers do you think might have some of this methylation
0:31:20 > 0:31:22process at the heart of them?
0:31:22 > 0:31:25What has been shown thoroughly, is that
0:31:25 > 0:31:30every cancer has a DNA methylation signature,
0:31:30 > 0:31:32so this is very good evidence that DNA methylation is a
0:31:32 > 0:31:37key trigger for cancer development.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40What is so important about DNA methylation is that it can be
0:31:40 > 0:31:41changed relatively easily.
0:31:41 > 0:31:51We now understand that the things we know can increase your risk of
0:31:51 > 0:31:53DNA methylation to a bad or abhorrent
0:31:53 > 0:31:57form, crucially, the changes are reversible.
0:31:57 > 0:31:59We know that smoking triggers the abhorrent DNA methylation
0:31:59 > 0:32:06if you stop smoking it goes back.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09So with the brand new understanding, Martin
0:32:09 > 0:32:11is developing a test looking for dangerous DNA methylation
0:32:11 > 0:32:16patterns in several types of cancer.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18We know they are an early warning system,
0:32:18 > 0:32:21one that allows people to take action before they develop cancer.
0:32:21 > 0:32:25He hopes that the test will be available to the public by 2020.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27This could be revolutionary, because if you can predict
0:32:27 > 0:32:29the development of a cancer before it happens, you
0:32:29 > 0:32:32have the chance to change the factors that enable that cancer to
0:32:32 > 0:32:39occur.
0:32:39 > 0:32:43It's been estimated for example that ten years after giving
0:32:43 > 0:32:46up smoking, your risk of developing lung cancer is comparable to someone
0:32:46 > 0:32:54who has never smoked.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56Prevention is better than cure, yet experience
0:32:56 > 0:33:00tells us we find it difficult to make changes in our lives,
0:33:00 > 0:33:10until we are given a personal diagnosis.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15As recently as 1981, up to 330,000 people a year
0:33:15 > 0:33:17were dying with cardiovascular disease without a
0:33:17 > 0:33:18warning.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21Then cholesterol and high blood pressure were identified as
0:33:21 > 0:33:25a warning sign, so people were able to manage their risk and the death
0:33:25 > 0:33:26rates fell by up to 50%.
0:33:26 > 0:33:31This new personalised test for assessing cancer risk, that I have
0:33:31 > 0:33:35seen being developed here at UCL could hold out a similar promise,
0:33:35 > 0:33:37potentially leading to a dramatic reduction in deaths from cancer.
0:33:37 > 0:33:44For Caroline, it's an exciting prospect.
0:33:44 > 0:33:53I feel very lucky to be part of the research that the team
0:33:53 > 0:34:01are doing into risk prediction.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03It means that future generations not only of
0:34:03 > 0:34:05my family but of other families and the general
0:34:05 > 0:34:07public may not have to
0:34:07 > 0:34:09have such drastic surgery, they a may not have to remove
0:34:09 > 0:34:13healthy body parts.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16While some changes we could make to reduce our cancer risk might involve
0:34:16 > 0:34:19giving things up, others may involve actively adding something to our
0:34:19 > 0:34:23lives.
0:34:23 > 0:34:30This is where our turmeric trials are really exciting.
0:34:30 > 0:34:32There are some researchers that believe
0:34:32 > 0:34:35there is an active ingredient in turmeric that can affect the
0:34:35 > 0:34:35methylation of genes.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38If this is the case, it could help explain
0:34:38 > 0:34:39turmeric's supposed anticancer properties?
0:34:39 > 0:34:49But is it true?
0:34:49 > 0:34:51By comparing our volunteers' methylation
0:34:51 > 0:34:53patterns at the start and end of the trial,
0:34:53 > 0:34:57Martin is hoping to find out it will be the first time anyone has
0:34:57 > 0:35:00looked in this way at whether or not changing our diet can make a change
0:35:00 > 0:35:01to our DNA methylation.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04We will find out the result later on in the
0:35:04 > 0:35:05programme.
0:35:05 > 0:35:09Still to come: Is there a natural alternative to HRT?
0:35:09 > 0:35:11And what does practicing mindfulness do to
0:35:11 > 0:35:20your brain?
0:35:20 > 0:35:22But first, meningitis was in the news earlier this year
0:35:22 > 0:35:26because of the tragic death of a two-year-old girl.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29But meningitis can strike down anyone at any age
0:35:29 > 0:35:33so.
0:35:33 > 0:35:38What are the signs we should be looking out for?
0:35:38 > 0:35:40Meningitis is an inflamation of the lining of the
0:35:40 > 0:35:42brain and spinal chord and can have a range
0:35:42 > 0:35:43of different causes.
0:35:43 > 0:35:51The most common cause of the infection
0:35:51 > 0:35:54is a virus or a bacterium that occurs in the nose and the throat.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57One of the most dangerous misconceptions about meningitis is
0:35:57 > 0:35:59that it only happens in children, it doesn't!
0:35:59 > 0:36:00It can affect anyone at any
0:36:00 > 0:36:01age and with great speed.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04And the effects can be long-lasting and even
0:36:04 > 0:36:07life threatening.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09There is a dangerous strain now on the rise and
0:36:09 > 0:36:11at this time of year young people leaving
0:36:11 > 0:36:12home to start college or
0:36:12 > 0:36:16university are especially vulnerable.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19So here at London's South Bank university we have set up
0:36:19 > 0:36:25our own Trust Me awareness stall to spread the word.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28It is on the rise between 18 and 24-year-olds.
0:36:28 > 0:36:32Helping us is Sophie who contracted meningitis three years ago.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34I didn't really know it could happen to adults.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36So when I did contract it
0:36:36 > 0:36:41was a big shock.
0:36:41 > 0:36:45Can you describe to me your symptoms?
0:36:45 > 0:36:47I had vomiting, diarrhoea, dislike of bright lights,
0:36:47 > 0:36:48headache...
0:36:48 > 0:36:55A stiffness, not feeling well.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58Flu-like symptoms, and then the next morning I woke up and I was
0:36:58 > 0:37:02violently shaking.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05My ends of my fingers had turned a bluish colour,
0:37:05 > 0:37:11the ends of my nose and feet there.
0:37:11 > 0:37:13There was a rash on my legs spreading up.
0:37:13 > 0:37:14Sophie had become dangerously ill.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17Her infection spread to her blood which caused sepsis.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20She had to have the tips of her fingers and toes
0:37:20 > 0:37:21amputated.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23Something that could have been prevented if the symptoms had
0:37:23 > 0:37:29been recognised sooner.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32There are different forms of meningitis but
0:37:32 > 0:37:35there is a group of symptoms mainly the same across them all.
0:37:35 > 0:37:40Headache, eyes sensitive to light.
0:37:40 > 0:37:41Neck stiffness, diarrhoea and vomiting.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43Lethargy.
0:37:43 > 0:37:53You can get muscular and joint pain and cold hands and feet which may
0:37:53 > 0:37:55indicate the beginning of sepsis, which is dangerous.
0:37:55 > 0:37:56Another symptom that people know about
0:37:56 > 0:37:59commonly is the rash that doesn't disappear when you press a glass
0:37:59 > 0:38:04against it but that is actually a late sign so, please don't wait
0:38:04 > 0:38:07against it but that is actually a late sign so please don't wait
0:38:07 > 0:38:10until that appears to get help, as that could be fatal.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12Students are especially at risk as they mix with
0:38:12 > 0:38:15lots of new people and the viruses and the bacteria that cause
0:38:15 > 0:38:18meningitis are spread in similar ways to the common cold, in
0:38:18 > 0:38:28sneezing, and coughing and prolonged close contact like kissing.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35A quarter of the age group hash our
0:38:35 > 0:38:38the bacteria in the nose and throat but the meningitis occurs when the
0:38:38 > 0:38:40bacteria breaks through to invade the body.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42Even if the young people don't fall ill themselves, they can
0:38:42 > 0:38:45spread the bacteria to the more vulnerable, such as the very young
0:38:45 > 0:38:46and the very old.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49What is the one thing you would say to people
0:38:49 > 0:38:50watching this about meningitis?
0:38:50 > 0:38:51I would say it happens very fast.
0:38:51 > 0:38:55They need to know the science of the symptoms and if you can to get
0:38:55 > 0:38:56vaccinated.
0:38:56 > 0:39:00Here at our Trust Me stall, we have medical staff on hand to give
0:39:00 > 0:39:02vaccinations to students who have not had one.
0:39:02 > 0:39:03Who has had the meningitis vaccine?
0:39:03 > 0:39:04No.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06No.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08Have you had the vaccination?
0:39:08 > 0:39:12When we were young.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14You have had the little one but there is another one.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16There are different vaccinations to prevent
0:39:16 > 0:39:17against different strains of
0:39:17 > 0:39:22bacteria.
0:39:22 > 0:39:26The one now offered to young people protects against four
0:39:26 > 0:39:33types, A, C, Y and the most dangerous, MW.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36After the exam is done, come and celebrate and get yourself
0:39:36 > 0:39:40vaccinated it is not any of the ones you have had before, it's a life
0:39:40 > 0:39:41saver.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44The aim as well as protecting against the disease is to prevent
0:39:44 > 0:39:45spreading amongst other age groups.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47Who is going to have it?
0:39:47 > 0:39:51I have not had it, so I would like to have it.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53Brilliant.
0:39:53 > 0:39:54OK.
0:39:54 > 0:39:59Another one in the bag.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01If you're starting university and have not already had the
0:40:01 > 0:40:04vaccination, you should get it as soon as you can.
0:40:04 > 0:40:08It's still important to stay vigilant as no
0:40:08 > 0:40:17vaccine gives 100% protection.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20Remember that meningitis can affect anyone of any age, not just young
0:40:20 > 0:40:22people.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25Learn to recognise the warning signs of meningitis in case you or someone
0:40:25 > 0:40:29you know becomes unwell.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31Because recognising the symptoms and getting
0:40:31 > 0:40:36early help is so important.
0:40:36 > 0:40:42For a list of symptoms check out our website: BBC.co.uk/trustme.
0:40:52 > 0:40:56In this series we are taking a close look at some of the so-called
0:40:56 > 0:40:59alternative therapies that claim to do things like relieve pain, cure
0:40:59 > 0:41:02addiction or improve our mental health.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04But do any of them really help?
0:41:04 > 0:41:08This time we are looking at mindfulness.
0:41:08 > 0:41:13This has become very popular in the UK in recent years.
0:41:13 > 0:41:23Fans claim it can be used to help depression, anxiety,
0:41:23 > 0:41:25all forms of mental illness that affect one in
0:41:25 > 0:41:26four of us.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30But how well does it really work?
0:41:30 > 0:41:32Now, I must admit I do occasionally practice mindfulness, as
0:41:32 > 0:41:34a way of managing stresses in my life.
0:41:34 > 0:41:35It's a form of meditation.
0:41:35 > 0:41:39What I do is sit somewhere quiet, close my eyes, and then I sort of
0:41:39 > 0:41:41breathe slowly in and out.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44And the idea is that thoughts and feelings will come and go
0:41:44 > 0:41:46but you just allow them to drift off, like
0:41:46 > 0:41:47leaves falling into a river.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49Mindfulness is about letting go of distracting thoughts and focussing
0:41:49 > 0:41:54on the present moment.
0:41:54 > 0:41:58The idea is that by teaching us to be more aware
0:41:58 > 0:42:00of thoughts and feelings, mindfulness helps us cope with
0:42:00 > 0:42:02stress and manage problems like depression and anxiety.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04I want to find out what impact mindfulness has
0:42:04 > 0:42:14on my brain.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21My investigation starts at Liverpool John Moores University in the
0:42:21 > 0:42:31laboratory of Dr Peter Melinoski.
0:42:32 > 0:42:34He has developed an experiment to see if
0:42:34 > 0:42:35the effects of mindfulness are measurable.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38What Peter is doing at the moment is applying electrodes to
0:42:38 > 0:42:41my head and he's going to be measuring the electrical activity in
0:42:41 > 0:42:45my brain.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48In a short while I'm going to be looking at some images, some
0:42:48 > 0:42:50serene, some of them quite disturbing, so disturbing you are
0:42:50 > 0:42:52not allowed to see them.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54We will see what it does to my brain, then I
0:42:54 > 0:42:57will be allowed to go off and meditate and then repeat the
0:42:57 > 0:43:00process, and see if doing so makes any difference to the electrical
0:43:00 > 0:43:01activity going on inside my brain.
0:43:01 > 0:43:11It should be interesting.
0:43:12 > 0:43:15The extreme pictures I am shown should create measurable shock waves
0:43:15 > 0:43:18of activity in my brain that Peter can record.
0:43:18 > 0:43:21Although I had been forewarned, some of the images are
0:43:21 > 0:43:22disturbing and provoke a strong reaction,
0:43:22 > 0:43:24which can be seen in the
0:43:24 > 0:43:31electrical activity in my brain.
0:43:31 > 0:43:34Next, I'm going to practice mindfulness for five minutes and
0:43:34 > 0:43:38then I'm going to be shown the images again.
0:43:38 > 0:43:40These particular images have been chosen as tests
0:43:40 > 0:43:41have shown that they would normally produce
0:43:41 > 0:43:42a consistent reaction in the
0:43:42 > 0:43:45brain each time they are shown.
0:43:45 > 0:43:48But does mindfulness make a difference
0:43:48 > 0:43:52to the way my brain responds?
0:43:53 > 0:43:55Thank you.
0:43:55 > 0:43:58That was quite hard work.
0:43:58 > 0:44:00It was also really interesting.
0:44:00 > 0:44:01Some of the photographs were very extreme.
0:44:01 > 0:44:04When I was doing it the first time I did
0:44:04 > 0:44:05wince a lot.
0:44:05 > 0:44:08When I did it while I was practicing mindfulness, it felt
0:44:08 > 0:44:10more abstract, if you like.
0:44:10 > 0:44:12It will be really interesting to see what
0:44:12 > 0:44:22the effects on my brain were.
0:44:22 > 0:44:25This is while you are just taking in the pictures.
0:44:25 > 0:44:27You are not in the state of mindfulness.
0:44:27 > 0:44:28With the neutral pictures, the black lines,
0:44:28 > 0:44:30there is not a strong response.
0:44:30 > 0:44:32With the pleasant pictures, you see a
0:44:32 > 0:44:34stronger brain response and for the unpleasant pictures,
0:44:34 > 0:44:36the strongest brain response.
0:44:36 > 0:44:41Once you induce a state of mindfulness, what we see is
0:44:41 > 0:44:43that the three conditions cannot be distinguished anymore.
0:44:43 > 0:44:46The brain processes them in the same way.
0:44:46 > 0:44:48Isn't this a bad thing, I'm becoming robotic,
0:44:48 > 0:44:52I am not longer in touch with my feelings?
0:44:52 > 0:44:55If you were only able to be in this state, I would say yes,
0:44:55 > 0:44:58but what our data clearly show is that you have
0:44:58 > 0:44:59the freedom to engage or not engage.
0:44:59 > 0:45:01So it's basically up to you to decide,
0:45:01 > 0:45:03now I want to engage in a
0:45:03 > 0:45:10mindful way and let neutral positive negative just pass by without
0:45:10 > 0:45:13engaging with it or you decide this is something that is important to
0:45:13 > 0:45:14me, I engage with it.
0:45:14 > 0:45:16And through the practice apparently you have
0:45:16 > 0:45:18gained the freedom to do one or the other.
0:45:18 > 0:45:19That's very encouraging.
0:45:19 > 0:45:20I can be happy.
0:45:20 > 0:45:22You should be.
0:45:22 > 0:45:27Neutral.
0:45:27 > 0:45:30That was impressive, a few minutes of meditation and you could
0:45:30 > 0:45:40see a
0:45:42 > 0:45:52see a big effect.
0:46:04 > 0:46:07But what about the real world, what effect does mindfulness
0:46:07 > 0:46:08have an positive mental health?
0:46:08 > 0:46:09To find out, I've invited a
0:46:09 > 0:46:12specialist from Oxford University to talk me through the recent explosion
0:46:12 > 0:46:13of scientific studies on mindfulness.
0:46:13 > 0:46:15His name is Professor Willem Kuyken.
0:46:15 > 0:46:17Now, you run the mindfulness centre at Oxford, so you have
0:46:17 > 0:46:18a
0:46:18 > 0:46:20vested interest, don't you, in
0:46:20 > 0:46:21talking about effectiveness?
0:46:21 > 0:46:22Do you think you can be impartial this
0:46:22 > 0:46:23regard?
0:46:23 > 0:46:24I'm also a scientist.
0:46:24 > 0:46:27I'm a scientist in terms of trying to ask
0:46:27 > 0:46:28good important questions using the very best
0:46:28 > 0:46:29methodology I can, and
0:46:29 > 0:46:31then reporting what I find responsibly.
0:46:31 > 0:46:33What's the evidence it's effective, and if so, for what?
0:46:33 > 0:46:36So the evidence is strongest in the area I work in,
0:46:36 > 0:46:37which is recurring depression.
0:46:37 > 0:46:39There have been at least ten randomised controlled trials now
0:46:39 > 0:46:41suggesting that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is an effective
0:46:41 > 0:46:44treatment to help people with a long history of depression stay well.
0:46:44 > 0:46:45As effective as other active treatments.
0:46:45 > 0:46:47How do you think it works?
0:46:47 > 0:46:49What happens with recurring depression is very small shards of
0:46:49 > 0:46:51experience, thoughts, feelings, can quickly
0:46:51 > 0:46:51spiralled downwards.
0:46:51 > 0:46:53What mindfulness enables people to do is
0:46:53 > 0:46:54to see that happening.
0:46:54 > 0:46:56To see that unfolding, to step back and respond
0:46:56 > 0:46:58in different and more resilient ways.
0:46:58 > 0:46:59What about something like anxiety or insomnia.
0:46:59 > 0:47:01With anxiety, I'd say it's much more mixed.
0:47:01 > 0:47:03But there is some good, promising
0:47:03 > 0:47:04evidence for insomnia.
0:47:04 > 0:47:06So there is a huge industry out there from five
0:47:06 > 0:47:08maybe ten minute apps, to going on a full
0:47:08 > 0:47:10course of say 12 weeks.
0:47:10 > 0:47:12Is there any evidence that the short cut stuff is all effective?
0:47:12 > 0:47:16There have been some systematic reviews,
0:47:16 > 0:47:18metro-analyses, online, web-based mindfulness courses
0:47:18 > 0:47:28do lead to less space, best depression, less
0:47:29 > 0:47:31do lead to less stress, best depression, less
0:47:31 > 0:47:32anxiety.
0:47:32 > 0:47:34You cannot reach the population of people who might
0:47:34 > 0:47:36benefit from something to offering courses and one-to-one therapy.
0:47:36 > 0:47:38The way to reach them is through larger
0:47:38 > 0:47:39media, like the Internet, like apps.
0:47:39 > 0:47:42What benefit would someone like me get from doing it?
0:47:42 > 0:47:43I'm not depressed, I'm occasionally anxious
0:47:43 > 0:47:44and I'm occasionally an insomniac.
0:47:44 > 0:47:46I think very many of us spend quite a
0:47:46 > 0:47:50bit of our time on automatic pilot and we sometimes do and say things
0:47:50 > 0:47:53we perhaps regret, I think all of us bring a bit more awareness to our
0:47:53 > 0:47:57life, can maybe respond to our life with more wisdom, a little bit more
0:47:57 > 0:48:02skilful nest.
0:48:02 > 0:48:03skilfulness.
0:48:03 > 0:48:05Willem certainly makes a compelling case for mindfulness,
0:48:05 > 0:48:07particularly in the context of recurring depression.
0:48:07 > 0:48:11So should I try mindfulness?
0:48:11 > 0:48:14What I would say is that if you do it, you'll probably
0:48:14 > 0:48:17get a lot of benefit, but it's a bit like exercise.
0:48:17 > 0:48:19Many people start enthusiastically and then give up.
0:48:19 > 0:48:22The real challenge with mindfulness is to find a way to build it into
0:48:22 > 0:48:24your life and keep on going.
0:48:24 > 0:48:29Some mindfulness -based therapies are
0:48:29 > 0:48:32available on the NHS, but they may not be
0:48:32 > 0:48:33suitable for everyone, so
0:48:33 > 0:48:37take advice from your GP.
0:48:37 > 0:48:39While there is some evidence online tools
0:48:39 > 0:48:41can be effective, detailed research is still lacking.
0:48:41 > 0:48:44You'll find more information on our website.
0:48:44 > 0:48:46On our website you can send in the health
0:48:46 > 0:48:56questions you'd most like to see answered.
0:48:58 > 0:49:08Are there any natural alternatives to HRT?
0:49:10 > 0:49:12Over to Gabriel.
0:49:12 > 0:49:15Hormone replacement therapy or HRT, is prescribed for women
0:49:15 > 0:49:18during the menopause.
0:49:18 > 0:49:20Now, this is that time in a woman's life, usually
0:49:20 > 0:49:24between the age of 45 and 55, when the body stops producing enough
0:49:24 > 0:49:29oestrogen and progesterone to release an egg and the periods come
0:49:29 > 0:49:38to an end.
0:49:41 > 0:49:43But oestrogen and isn't just important for reproduction, it
0:49:43 > 0:49:45also protects us against osteoporosis, and may even have a
0:49:45 > 0:49:47role to play in maintaining our mental health.
0:49:47 > 0:49:50Having lower levels of these hormones can also cause unpleasant
0:49:50 > 0:49:53symptoms that some women suffer for years
0:49:53 > 0:49:56before the menopause, and they
0:49:56 > 0:49:59can continue for years after periods have stopped.
0:49:59 > 0:50:02HRT can help alleviate the symptoms but it's not suitable
0:50:02 > 0:50:05for everybody.
0:50:05 > 0:50:07In particular, women with a history of breast cancer are
0:50:07 > 0:50:09recommended not to use it, because oestrogen stimulates
0:50:09 > 0:50:16the growth of breast cells.
0:50:16 > 0:50:19Aside from this, there are lots of women who would
0:50:19 > 0:50:21simply prefer to try natural remedies.
0:50:21 > 0:50:23There are over 200 treatments on offer for symptoms of
0:50:23 > 0:50:25the menopause.
0:50:25 > 0:50:27Many are heavily marketed supplements, however,
0:50:27 > 0:50:28there's very little evidence any of them
0:50:28 > 0:50:32are effective, and some have
0:50:32 > 0:50:35been found to interfere with the prescribed medication or nasty
0:50:35 > 0:50:39side-effects.
0:50:39 > 0:50:42Some of the most popular remedies are ones to be wary
0:50:42 > 0:50:43of.
0:50:43 > 0:50:46Evening primrose oil can interfere with other drugs for blood
0:50:46 > 0:50:48pressure, cancer and diabetes.
0:50:48 > 0:50:52Ginseng can cause bleeding and breast pain.
0:50:52 > 0:51:00High doses of vitamin each may give you stomach cramp,
0:51:00 > 0:51:03High doses of vitamin E may give you stomach cramp,
0:51:03 > 0:51:05blurred vision and even an increased risk of stroke.
0:51:05 > 0:51:07Black Cohosh might reduce hot flushes and night sweats,
0:51:07 > 0:51:11but there is a risk of damage to the liver.
0:51:11 > 0:51:12And St John's Wort might
0:51:12 > 0:51:15improve mood, but interacts with many medications.
0:51:15 > 0:51:18And remember, if you buy herbal supplements, always make
0:51:18 > 0:51:20sure you look for that THR mark which ensures the product complies
0:51:20 > 0:51:22with the quality and safety standards.
0:51:22 > 0:51:32But there are some cheaper and possibly more effective
0:51:38 > 0:51:48things than these you can try.
0:51:54 > 0:51:55One of these is soy.
0:51:55 > 0:51:57There's some research that suggests that
0:51:57 > 0:51:58particular foods might have a
0:51:58 > 0:51:59beneficial effect.
0:51:59 > 0:52:00One of these is soy.
0:52:00 > 0:52:02It's rich natural substances called isoflavones, that behave
0:52:02 > 0:52:03similarly to oestrogen in our bodies.
0:52:03 > 0:52:06Isoflavones can also be found in tofu, soy beans and soy
0:52:06 > 0:52:08milk and fermented soy bean miso paste.
0:52:08 > 0:52:09But not in soy sauce.
0:52:09 > 0:52:12Studies have shown that in Asia, where women eat about ten times more
0:52:12 > 0:52:15soy than women in the West, the symptoms of menopause, such as hot
0:52:15 > 0:52:17flushes, tend to be far less severe.
0:52:17 > 0:52:19Another good source of isoflavones is flaxseed.
0:52:19 > 0:52:22More research is needed, but it's thought soy or flax
0:52:22 > 0:52:25might help in about a third of Western women and that unlike HRT,
0:52:25 > 0:52:29it doesn't carry any increased risk of breast cancer.
0:52:29 > 0:52:31There are alternatives for HRT and one of them
0:52:31 > 0:52:35might work for you, but this is my basic advice.
0:52:35 > 0:52:40Before taking any new supplement, do talk to your GP.
0:52:40 > 0:52:47Do your best to get as much exercise and rest as possible.
0:52:47 > 0:52:49And consider adding soy or flax seeds to your
0:52:49 > 0:52:50diet.
0:52:50 > 0:52:53They are not going to harm you, they might help, and they are
0:52:53 > 0:53:02definitely tasty.
0:53:02 > 0:53:05In a Newcastle, are ambitious trial to test if
0:53:05 > 0:53:07turmeric affects our health has come to an end.
0:53:07 > 0:53:09Of nearly 100 participants, a third have been
0:53:09 > 0:53:14taking turmeric powder for six weeks, a third the same amount of
0:53:14 > 0:53:17turmeric as a supplement and the third a placebo pill.
0:53:17 > 0:53:19And they've had mixed experiences.
0:53:19 > 0:53:21I took turmeric powder.
0:53:21 > 0:53:24Awful.
0:53:24 > 0:53:26It's not normally part of my diet.
0:53:26 > 0:53:29When I first started cooking with it I was
0:53:29 > 0:53:31quite surprised what the taste was like.
0:53:31 > 0:53:33We've brought together researchers working together at the
0:53:33 > 0:53:36forefront of their fields to help us find out whether turmeric really can
0:53:36 > 0:53:40reduce immune system problems like allergies or even help
0:53:40 > 0:53:42protect us from cancer.
0:53:42 > 0:53:46First up, the test that Newcastle University developed to
0:53:46 > 0:53:48assess the health of their immune systems.
0:53:48 > 0:53:50Doctor Anthony Watson, and
0:53:50 > 0:53:53Doctor Kirsten Brandt, are here to present results.
0:53:53 > 0:53:56And they've found that stress on everyone's immune
0:53:56 > 0:54:01system increased over the six weeks.
0:54:01 > 0:54:06It was no difference whether you were taking the white
0:54:06 > 0:54:08capsules with the placebo or the brown ones with
0:54:08 > 0:54:11the real turmeric, or you are cooking with it.
0:54:11 > 0:54:14There wasn't any difference between the placebo group
0:54:14 > 0:54:15and the group who were...
0:54:15 > 0:54:16Cooking with this stuff?
0:54:16 > 0:54:18Yes.
0:54:18 > 0:54:21The fact everyone's immune system became a
0:54:21 > 0:54:24little more stressed could be because the weather became sunnier
0:54:24 > 0:54:30during the trial, something known to affect immunity.
0:54:30 > 0:54:32But the fact the placebo group changed as much as the
0:54:32 > 0:54:36other two shows it wasn't the turmeric making the difference.
0:54:36 > 0:54:39Next to the test we did looking at
0:54:39 > 0:54:44changes in the methylation of their DNA.
0:54:44 > 0:54:46This brand-new test developed by University College London has
0:54:46 > 0:54:48never been used in a study like this before.
0:54:48 > 0:54:51Professor Martin Widschwendter shares the results for
0:54:51 > 0:54:52the three groups.
0:54:52 > 0:54:54What did you find?
0:54:54 > 0:54:56We didn't find any changes in the placebo
0:54:56 > 0:54:57group between before and
0:54:57 > 0:55:07after six weeks.
0:55:07 > 0:55:08The supplements group didn't show any
0:55:08 > 0:55:12difference, but the powder group definitely showed quite substantial
0:55:12 > 0:55:14differences between the pre-and post-turmeric exposure.
0:55:14 > 0:55:16Interesting.
0:55:16 > 0:55:17Placebo no effect, supplements no effect, but turmeric
0:55:17 > 0:55:20powder definitely an effect.
0:55:20 > 0:55:22Yes, that was really, really quite exciting, to be
0:55:22 > 0:55:26honest.
0:55:26 > 0:55:29And we found one particular gene which showed the
0:55:29 > 0:55:32biggest difference and what we know is that this gene is involved in
0:55:32 > 0:55:42three specific diseases.
0:55:42 > 0:55:43One is depression and anxiety.
0:55:43 > 0:55:44OK.
0:55:44 > 0:55:46One is asthma and eczema and the third is cancer.
0:55:46 > 0:55:48Quite interestingly, and this is really
0:55:48 > 0:55:49striking, is that those are
0:55:49 > 0:55:52the three entities, that we know turmeric is affecting in a positive
0:55:52 > 0:56:00way.
0:56:00 > 0:56:02That is very impressive, isn't it.
0:56:02 > 0:56:03Do you like turmeric?
0:56:03 > 0:56:04I'm sure I would!
0:56:04 > 0:56:06This is a really significant change in a gene associated with
0:56:06 > 0:56:08conditions that turmeric has been rumoured to improve.
0:56:08 > 0:56:12It is something that has never been seen before and it is an exciting
0:56:12 > 0:56:15finding and it happened after only six weeks.
0:56:15 > 0:56:25But why did we see a
0:56:30 > 0:56:31change only in those cooking with turmeric?
0:56:31 > 0:56:33Not those taking it as a
0:56:33 > 0:56:34supplement.
0:56:34 > 0:56:35Dr Kirsten Brandt explains.
0:56:35 > 0:56:38So the food with the turmeric in it is somehow making a difference it
0:56:38 > 0:56:41could be that the way we are cooking, adding fats,
0:56:41 > 0:56:43heating it up, so it is becoming more soluble, that
0:56:43 > 0:56:47might make it easier tor us to take up the turmeric, that inspires us to
0:56:47 > 0:56:50might make it easier for us to take up the turmeric, that inspires us to
0:56:50 > 0:56:53say, we should probably use more turmeric in our cooking that then we
0:56:53 > 0:56:54did before!
0:56:54 > 0:56:57Many things can effect how much of a substance we absorb in
0:56:57 > 0:57:00our bodies, it seems that in the case of turmeric, the good stuff
0:57:00 > 0:57:07might only get into our blood when it is combined with other foods,
0:57:07 > 0:57:09These results have changed our volunteer's opinion of
0:57:09 > 0:57:10the spice.
0:57:10 > 0:57:14The results surprised me that the natural form was the best
0:57:14 > 0:57:16one but probably is a bit obvious, when you
0:57:16 > 0:57:18think about it, having a natural one, rather
0:57:18 > 0:57:19than having it put in a
0:57:19 > 0:57:20capsule.
0:57:20 > 0:57:30Whether I can have it as much in as high a dose under normal
0:57:30 > 0:57:33circumstances, I don't know but yes, I will certainly keep using it.
0:57:33 > 0:57:35I think I might add turmeric to my food!
0:57:35 > 0:57:36Our experiment has been a
0:57:36 > 0:57:37resounding success.
0:57:37 > 0:57:39We've been able to show that cooking with turmeric
0:57:39 > 0:57:42can affect our bodies at the level of gene, and inparticular,
0:57:42 > 0:57:52the gene linked to cancer and other ills ins,
0:57:52 > 0:57:54the gene linked to cancer and other illnesses,
0:57:54 > 0:57:56in doing so, with have turned researcher's new understanding of
0:57:56 > 0:57:58DNA mmethylation to a practical benefit.
0:57:58 > 0:58:00DNA methylation to a practical benefit.
0:58:00 > 0:58:02Now that was the most ambitious experiment we have ever
0:58:02 > 0:58:03attempted on Trust Me.
0:58:03 > 0:58:05I thought that the results were absolutely
0:58:05 > 0:58:06fascinating.
0:58:06 > 0:58:10We have shown, for what I think is the first time, what a
0:58:10 > 0:58:13small change in our diet can alter the methylation of the genes, which
0:58:13 > 0:58:16in turn we know is associated with your risk of cancer.
0:58:16 > 0:58:18And the great thing is that the techniques used in
0:58:18 > 0:58:21this test could be used to taste a whole range of other
0:58:21 > 0:58:22things, not just turmeric.
0:58:22 > 0:58:25It's a fantastic way to end this series of Trust Me but
0:58:25 > 0:58:26don't worry, we will be back.
0:58:26 > 0:58:29In the meantime why not visit our website, where you can
0:58:29 > 0:58:39volunteer for experiments and find out more
0:58:41 > 0:58:43the things we have done in
0:58:43 > 0:58:53this series.