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Parsnip: Nutrition advice from experts

“Parsnip prevents the release of the hunger hormone ghrelin” - Hannah Purtle, Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics

“Add parsnips to mashed potatoes to double the fiber and flavor” - Michael Colangelo, Master of Science (M.S.) in Nutrition

Grenfell Tower: Multiple firefighters diagnosed with terminal cancer after rescue mission

Multiple firefighters who battled the blaze at Grenfell Tower have been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Up to 12 have been diagnosed with the disease – understood to mostly be digestive cancers and leukaemia – but there are fears more than 20 may be affected.

The cancers are “linked to the high levels of unprecedented exposure to contaminants during the huge rescue effort” according to a Mirror investigation. 

During the June 2017 tragedy, many firefighters ran out of air in the tower and many sat in their contaminated suits for more than 10 hours.

Professional FAQs: What is buttermilk substitute? Is it healthy?

Master of Science in Nutrition · 32 years of experience · Canada

Buttermilk is a fermented dairy product. Buttermilk is a good source of vitamins and minerals that are known to help maintain strong bones. It also contains compounds that may improve oral and heart health. If buttermilk isn’t available or you prefer to use something else, there are several substitutions. Like buttermilk, plain yogurt is a fermented dairy product and has similar health benefits as buttermilk. Several substitutions can be made for buttermilk in baking. Many use a combination of an acid and either dairy or non-dairy milk. If non-dairy milk is not fortified with calcium, it may not have the same bone protective benefits.

Expert opinion from Jen Hsu

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Nutritional Science · 11 years of experience · Canada

There are a number of healthy substitutes for buttermilk. The most popular and easiest way is to combine milk and a type of acid such as vinegar or lemon juice. The vinegar or lemon juice acidifies the milk to create curds that gives similar texture and flavour to a traditional buttermilk. Another method would be to add water to yogurt but the flavour will be slightly different. Another option would be to use just plain kefir. Kefir actually is healthier than buttermilk because it not only has more protein and less fat, it also provides natural probiotics to support gut health.

Bachelor of Science - BS - Dietetics/Dietitian · 1 years of experience · Canada

Buttermilk is a good source of several nutrients, including protein, calcium, vitamin D, and riboflavin. A few clinical trials found that buttermilk might offer several health benefits, including improved blood pressure and lower triglycerides and cholesterol. The lactic acid in buttermilk can make its lactose content easier to digest. Buttermilk also contains high concentrations of probiotics which play an important role in gut health. However, buttermilk is high in calories, total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. Buttermilk is available in low-fat versions, but low-fat buttermilk is typically not fortified with vitamin D. It is recommended to choose low-fat buttermilk over whole and to include low-fat sources of vitamin D in the diet when taking buttermilk regularly. Buttermilk substitutes can be prepared at home by adding lemon juice, vinegar, or cream of tartar to milk. While this method helps to curdle the milk, the final product lacks probiotics. Adding water to plain yogurt, sour cream, kefir is a better way to make buttermilk substitutes while keeping the benefits of probiotics in fermented dairy products. 

Scarlet fever cases reached highest level in almost 70 years in 2022

Scarlet fever cases reached their highest levels in almost 70 years in 2022, data show. 

Strep A bacteria© Provided by The Telegraph

Official figures reveal there were 54,457 cases of Scarlet fever in England and Wales last year amid a surge in Strep A bacteria, as two winters in lockdown led to more people lacking immunity.

The 2022 tally of scarlet fever cases is the highest figure since 1953, when there were more than 61,000 cases of the bacterial infection.

Scarlet fever is caused by the bacteria Strep A which can also lead to tonsillitis and, in severe instances, invasive Group A Strep (iGAS) which can be deadly.

A total of 383 children have been diagnosed with iGAS in England so far this winter with 30 of them dying, with the condition killing one in 12 children that develop it.

iGAS is caused when the Group A Strep bacteria gets into parts of the body it normally does not reach, such as the lungs, and can be deadly in a matter of hours.

The UKHSA called this winter’s level of scarlet fever “exceptional” and said that although transmission seems to be slowing now, infections are still much higher than expected for this time of year.

Health bosses have previously said that the surge in Strep A infections, scarlet fever cases and iGAS deaths is because the number of children who contracted Strep A was minimal in the last two winters as a result of Covid lockdown and social distancing restrictions.

Of the more than 54,000 cases of scarlet fever in 2022, 37,068 have come since the start of September. In an average year, the number is 3,029, 12 times fewer.

The worst year for scarlet fever cases in recent memory before 2022 was 2018 when almost 32,000 cases were reported in the calendar year. At the time, 2018 was the worst year for infections since 1960.

But to find a year where England and Wales saw more cases of scarlet fever you have to go back to 1953 when 61,180 people were diagnosed with the infection.

Scarlet fever cases dropped rapidly in the second half of the 20th century as antibiotics became more accessible, effective and cheaper.

The bacteria which causes scarlet fever, Group A Strep, is highly susceptible to antibiotics and is easily treated with a course. 

Transmission appears to be slowing

Now, after a sharp peak in cases before Christmas it now appears that transmission is slowing.

“The recent declines in scarlet fever notification since week 49 may represent reduced levels of transmission,” the UKHSA said.

“While these are often seen over the Christmas school break, this decline pre-dated the end of the school term."

Dr Sarah Anderson, the UKHSA incident director, said: “The number of scarlet fever notifications we are seeing each week has fallen, but we are continuing to monitor the data closely as the school term gets underway, and children mix more. 

"The bacteria that cause scarlet fever are still circulating at high levels so it is important that we continue to do our bit to stop the spread of germs to vulnerable groups, including the elderly by washing our hands regularly and thoroughly, catching coughs and sneezes in a tissue, and keeping our homes well ventilated.

"It’s not too late to take up the free flu and COVID-19 vaccines if you’re eligible – we know that group A streptococcus infections can be more serious when combined with another infection like flu.

“Most winter illnesses can be managed at home and NHS.UK has information to help parents look after children with mild illness. Deaths and serious illness following group A strep infection are very rare and the infection can be easily treated with antibiotics.

“Contact NHS 111 or your GP surgery if you think your child is getting worse, for instance they are feeding or eating less than normal, are dehydrated, have a high temperature that won’t go down, are very hot and sweaty or seem more tired or irritable than normal.”