Inhoudsopgave van Issue 23 - Gathered

This month in Gathered, we explore the single most effective move you can make to fight menopause belly fat right now (pg6). And if you're worried about your gut health, a doctor reveals the surprising symptoms you should never ignore (pg12), plus a neurologist shares the red flags that mean it's time to check out a headache (pg22). Find out how syncing with your menstrual cycle can turn your hormones into assets rather than obstacles (pg29), and the secret to bagging the perfect pair of jeans (pg44). If you're nervous about the threat of microplastics, discover what you can do to limit your exposure (pg53). Enjoy!…

Headaches are normally nothing more than a minor inconvenience, but if your headache is severe or unusual, you might worry about stroke, a tumour, or a blood clot. Fortunately, such problems are rare. We've spoken to experts to find out what symptoms mean your headache may be a medical emergency, and how to control the vast majority of headaches that are not threatening to your health. What types of headaches are there? Dr Steve Allder, consultant neurologist at Re: Cognition Health says headaches fall into two main categories: primary and secondary headaches. Primary headaches occur independently and are not caused by another medical condition. Allder explains the common types of primary headaches: • Tension-type headaches are the most common and produce a dull, pressing, or tightening pain around the forehead,…

A good pair of jeans can last you a lifetime but finding that perfect pair to buy can feel impossible. Every dressing room is a battle, and nothing looks like it did on the model display. Combined with every shop listing their sizes under different measurements, you're not alone if you dread buying a new pair of jeans. But as the sun hides away, it's time to start thinking about what outfits need updating in your wardrobe for this autumn and winter season. A high-quality pair of jeans that you can rely on to look good might be the exact thing that your style has been missing. Why do we love denim jeans? Good quality denim jeans are the most essential item you need to have in your wardrobe. They…

As women age, some find it harder to maintain their usual weight, and may notice their waistline is fuller, with clothes feeling a little tighter. The so-called ‘menopause belly’ is a natural shift where fat is stored more around the abdomen, even without significant weight gain. But what causes menopause belly? And is it an inevitable part of ageing? Experts say there is no single reason for the midlife tummy; hormones, age, changing body composition, and lifestyle factors can all contribute to the issue. You may be able to minimise it by paying attention to healthy eating habits and leading an active lifestyle. Why do some women get menopause belly? Weight gain is one of the most common side effects of perimenopause and menopause, affecting at least 50% of women.…

Syncing with your menstrual cycle could revolutionise your life. For centuries, female hormones have been misunderstood, dismissed, and even demonised. Today, most of us still live by systems designed for male hormonal cycles, rather than our own. The cost of this hormone health gap is manifesting in our bodies. Women consistently report higher levels of fatigue than men. A 2024 survey of 5,000 women found 1 in 4 were feeling job burnout, and alarmingly over 75% of people with autoimmune diseases in the US are women. Tracking your menstrual cycle is more than a wellness trend – it's a radical act of self-discovery. It empowers you to understand your shifting energy, mood and productivity on a deeper level. Each phase in your cycle holds a unique power, which you can…

A never-ending cycle of plastic production is leaving traces in every corner of the globe, infiltrating our food chains and ecosystems. This growing mass of discarded plastic breaks down into tiny particles between 1 nanometre and 5 millimetres wide, and much like a spilled pot of glitter, these tiny pollutants are everywhere. While society scrambles to comprehend the full threat of microplastics, reality is becoming stranger than science fiction: a London-based clinic now offers to remove them from the bloodstream using filtration technology. As microplastics accumulate in our bodies and global panic rises, are we witnessing the beginning of a plastic health crisis? We eat, drink and breathe plastic According to UNEP, between 19-23 million tonnes of plastic waste leaks into the world's water systems every year. Invisible plastics can…

We've all been there at some point – stomach cramps that make you double over in pain, having to rush to the toilet or spending longer in there than is comfortable. We'll often put it down to something we ate, or a stomach bug, and increasingly conclude it's a bout of IBS. But this seemingly catch-all-acronym is a distinct medical condition – how many of us can actually explain what it is and what causes it? You don't lose any points if you can't! As Ana Carolina Goncalves, Superintendent Pharmacist at Pharmica confirms, ‘Research has not fully established what causes irritable bowel syndrome, but an interplay of various factors is likely.’ So, we asked the experts what current medicine knows about IBS, how it's diagnosed and how to treat it.…

We are a nation of tea-drinkers. In fact, according to the UK Tea & Infusions Association (UKTIA), 98% of UK residents drink tea daily – that's approximately 100 million cups of tea a day (ITC). It's big business, and maybe surprisingly, it's not all driven by traditional black tea blends – your typical builder's brew. Tea drinkers are currently crazy for infusions that promote anything from boosting energy to aiding sleep. Market intelligence agency Mintel says the rise of functional tea is fast becoming a prominent trend globally, primarily driven by an increased consumer interest in health and wellness. ‘Functional teas… are gaining popularity worldwide,’ they say. ‘In the UK, one-fifth of consumers choose to buy tea that provides additional health benefits, while in the US, over half of tea…

If you have thin, wispy hair you'll know how hard it is to get a style that stays all day and makes your hair look thicker. In a world of models with super thick hair extensions it's enough to make you shove a cap on it and give in. But experts say there are things you can do to naturally not only make your hair look and appear thicker but to actually enable it to grow thicker, too. It starts with healthy skin Hair salon owner and stylist Adele Clarke of Spectrum Hair and ambassador for OSMO hair products says: ‘Believe it or not, it's very common to have a client sat in the chair suffering from thinning hair, and it can feel quite traumatic. There isn't one single cause…