Probiotics get all the hype, but let’s not forget about their underrated sibling – the prebiotic. As the new year kicks off, take the time to pay special attention to your gut, and what it needs to keep you in tip-top health.
There are always inventive, fun, and quick ways to help your child hone their focus and memory to set them up for success in the new school year ahead.
Welcome to the rise of the Superbugs. This is the alarming reality of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a global health threat that's making infections harder to treat and putting lives at risk.
Hey parentals! It’s the back-to-the-school run, but not to worry, we’ve got you covered + we’re sure this Back-to-School Bingo Card will add an extra pep to your step!
It’s time to let down your hair, party like there’s no tomorrow and sleep in till 10. But… (there’s always a but!), amidst the celebrations, our fitness routines often fall by the wayside. If there’s one gift you should give yourself this season, it’s the gift of staying fit throughout this time. Let us tell you why…
It’s the sunny season again, which usually means plenty of time outdoors. Of course, by now, we should all know to wear sunscreen whenever outside. But, here’s some hidden protection you may not have known about – there are some foods that can help protect your skin from sun damage.
Want a fun, creative way to start the school year? We’ve got it covered. A time capsule is an inventive and beautiful project which children can fill with memories, keepsakes and of course, their goals for the year. Open it up on the last day of school and enjoy the trip down memory lane!
This is a chronic condition that triggers pain and fatigue in the body. People with fibromyalgia usually struggle with sleep, remembering things and balancing their mood.
Memory slips happen to everyone. The good news is that there are many simple ways to sharpen your memory skills, keep your brain alert and stay interested and engaged in the world around you.
With medical costs constantly rising, it’s smart to stay informed of how you can better manage your medication expenses. Let’s understand more about generic medications and how they work.
Gum disease is one of those health conditions that we never really think about – until it becomes too serious to ignore. And it IS a concerning issue, because it can go on to affect your overall health, even leading to heart disease.
Training for a marathon is like, well, training for a marathon! There are no shortcuts; you must diligently rack up the kilometres each day, slowly building up your endurance.
Sleep paralysis is a tricky condition where your body is in the middle of falling asleep yet is still awake. This paralysis can last anywhere from a few seconds to what may feel like endless minutes.
Let’s face it, when children are gearing up for tests and exams, parents need to as well! It’s a team effort, so here are some creative ways to encourage your children to learn and study.
One of the biggest misconceptions about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is that it's a condition that only affects children. The truth is that millions of people live with ADHD every day.
Strength means different things to different people. Does being strong mean covering up your feelings and acting as if nothing bothers you? Or, is it about venting, lashing out at others, shouting your feelings for the world to hear?
Have you heard that cracking your knuckles can lead to arthritis? Or perhaps you believe that you only need to start taking care of your bones as you get older. These are common myths when it comes to bone and joint health.
Want to know more about your Medirite Pharmacist? In honour of Pharmacist Month, we asked one of our amazing pharmacists, Zine, what they love most about their job and what questions customers usually do not ask.
Want to know more about your Medirite Pharmacist? In honour of Pharmacist Month, we asked one of our amazing Pharmacists, Abu-Bakr, what he loves most about his job and what questions customers usually do not ask.
Want to know more about your Medirite Pharmacist? In honour of Pharmacist Month, we asked one of our amazing Pharmacists, Abu-Bakr, what he loves most about his job and what questions customers usually do not ask.
In honour of Pharmacist Month, we asked one of our amazing pharmacists, David, what he loves most about his job and what questions customers usually do not ask.
In honour of Pharmacist Month, we asked one of our amazing pharmacists, Ansa, what she loves most about her job and what questions customers usually do not ask.
When it comes to relationships between organs in your body, you’re probably not too familiar with the gut and brain connection. One’s all the way at the “head” of the house, so to speak, while the gut… Well, that’s the midsection’s problem, right?
The power of pairing. Have you ever considered how almost everything works better in twos? What’s a cup of tea without some toast? One sock without the other? A movie without some popcorn…
This Spring, we're excited to dive deep into the world of serums, spotlighting four superstar ingredients that promise to transform your skin: Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid and Retinol.
Potassium is an essential mineral and electrolyte that plays a vital role in various bodily functions. What’s so great about it? Well, we’re here to tell you, but first – do you need it?
If you’re living on low-fat energy bars and energy drinks and wondering why the weight simply won’t budge, let’s get to grips with the most common weight loss mistakes that many of us make.
You pop a daily multivitamin and it’s supposedly filled to the brim with all your essential nutrients for the day. How does that actually work? How can one tiny capsule contain good-for-us ingredients that are meant to typically be found in a range of foods?
When you open your mouth wide and say "ahhh," you might see them on either side of your throat. Tonsils help protect your body by catching and fighting germs (like bacteria and viruses) that come in through your mouth and nose. So, if a germ tries to sneak into your body, the tonsils help stop it and keep you from getting sick.
Babies can catch a cold through various means. It mainly happens through exposure to the cold virus, which spreads via direct contact, respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces.
Interestingly, it’s always been thought that the appendix isn’t really a vital organ in our body, but researchers from Duke University Medical Centre have found that the appendix makes and keeps good bacteria in our stomach.
We use our eyes almost every waking minute yet often neglect these pretty important peepers. Our eyes can be damaged by a variety of factors, ranging from physical trauma to long-term exposure to harmful
It’s the ultimate meal in a minute. What could be quicker and simpler than throwing a bunch of healthy goodies into a blender, giving it a whirl and like magic – a healthy snack emerges in a jiffy! Sounds great, but what’s the catch?
Fun fact: your spine has four natural curves that help distribute stress and weight evenly along the body. These curves are essential for maintaining balance and supporting the head and upper body.
You eat healthily enough, but you notice the kilos are still slowly creeping up on the scale. You do your best to get a good amount of sleep each night but you’re constantly tired and prone to insomnia or sleep disturbances. Then, there’s that recurring cold or flu that you can never quite shake off…
You take on any new project with enthusiasm but soon feel yourself losing steam. It’s starting to happen more and more frequently… What's going on? Are you just tired or is it more than that?
Immunisation is essential for protecting young children from serious illnesses like tuberculosis, polio, hepatitis and measles. It’s important for parents to keep up with the necessary vaccinations and make sure your baby is protected against these significant health concerns.
“Healthcare should be fair, accessible and affordable to all”. This is the succinct and basic premise of the National Health Insurance (NHI) plan that may soon be available for all South Africans.
They’re cute and chirpy, but birds can also be dangerous. You may have heard about bird flu – nothing to panic about now – but bird flu, scientifically known as “avian influenza”, has long been a concern for poultry farmers.
Just like tax season… cold and flu season is also inevitable. The season of runny noses, sore and scratchy throats, fevers and the chills is upon us soon, so why not start preparing now?
Precious cargo indeed – It’s been an excellent week of counting calories, drinking your spinach smoothies, and faithfully turning your nose up at the chocolate cake that tried to tempt you away from your diet.transporting your kids around in a car is fragile work.
It's important to recognise that waking up worried occasionally is normal and can happen to anyone. However, if you consistently wake up feeling anxious, depressed or worried, it may be helpful to identify any underlying causes or triggers.
There you were living your best life, feeling great and full of energy, and a day later you’re drained, exhausted, and sick to your stomach. Where did tht come from? Was it something you ate? A sudden bout of flu?
The Coronavirus… It may seem like a faraway bad dream, but recovering from COVID-19 is like finishing a tough race or overcoming a challenging obstacle.
“Taking care of your mental health is an act of self-love”…. And yet it is also an act that you have to keep at and practise over and over to reap the rewards of long-term wellbeing.
In a world filled with fancy gym equipment and high-tech workout gadgets, it’s often easy to overlook one of the most effective and enjoyable forms of exercise: calisthenics.
Tuberculosis (TB) is incredibly prevalent in South Africa – yet it almost flies under the radar on the news and even our own frames of references when it comes to worrying health problems.
Getting your kids into organised sports at an early age can be a wonderful way to slowly help build their confidence and esteem, especially if your child is already showing signs of being quite timid and meek.
Parenting a boy is a journey filled with challenges and rewards, and one of the most significant phases is guiding him through the preteen and puberty years.
A pregnant body goes through incredible changes from conception to birth and well beyond. So, it’s important to keep this in mind when it comes to postpartum fitness.
The human brain is an incredible organ, responsible for everything from processing complex thoughts to helping us remember where we left our keys. As we age, health issues can crop up that cause a decline in cognitive function. Still, there’s a lot we can do to keep the brain ticking along.
There’s a wide and wonderful world of foods and ingredients out there that still fly under the health radar. Let's explore some new options to add zest to your diet.
Wondering if your child needs a probiotic? As kids grow up, they go through loads of changes from being tiny tots to teens, so there are plenty of health factors to consider.
Medication side-effects are those expected AND unexpected twists in the healing journey. While some are as harmless as fleeting dizziness or a momentary bout of nausea, others can be more alarming.
As we dive into the fresh pages of a new year, many of us embark on a journey of self-improvement, setting resolutions and goals to repaint fresh new canvases of our lives.
For most, work goals are top of mind. As everyone gets into hustle mode, work addiction – especially for women who aim to juggle it all – can become a problematic factor.
Another yawning marathon? Nodding off every now and then is normal. But if you’re hitting the snooze button more often than not, there might be a whole other issue that’s causing the problem.
Are you a man who often struggles to open up and connect with others? You're not alone. In a world that values independence, the importance of social connections, especially amongst men, is often overlooked.
Imagine your child gets home from school very upset. Instead of bombarding her with questions, you sit quietly with her, offering a supportive presence. Eventually, your child may open up about the challenging day, and together you can find ways to address the difficulties.
Do you often experience a heavy, tired or painful feeling in your legs? Compression socks could help. Also called compression stockings or support socks, these special socks are designed to put pressure on your legs, ankles and feet.
Yay, it’s the holidays! But wait, before we start celebrating a little too vigorously, let’s make sure we know all the potential holiday hazards and safety precautions.
It’s the silly season, the happy season and the fun season! Still, summer comes with its own set of health concerns and having the essentials on hand can help you and your family stay protected, safe and comfortable.
On the face of it, there’s nothing “wrong” with thinking happy thoughts and aspiring to be a more positive person. Pretty much everyone on Earth would agree – we all want to be happier and healthier people, mentally and physically.
The cost of living is higher than ever – literally and figuratively – and outside of staying as healthy as possible, what can we do to keep costs down whilst still paying for medical aid?
Lupus is an autoimmune disease and it’s most prevalent in women. The reasons behind this gender disparity in lupus are not yet fully understood, but hormonal, genetic and immunological factors may all play decisive roles.
Urology is a medical speciality that focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions and diseases that affect the male and female urinary tract and male reproductive system.
While the concept of an "addictive personality" is a mixed bag amongst experts, certain traits and behaviours can point to a higher risk of developing addictive behaviours.
It’s that time of the month or approaching it and your cramps are worse than ever. Oh, and here’s that side order of acne you didn’t ask for and maybe a migraine too.
It’s the last thing any parent wants; telling your child that Mom and Dad aren’t going to be together anymore and the family (as they know it) is changing.
Did it feel like the longest winter yet? You’re in good company! It’s been a crazy winter season for sure, so let’s say goodbye (hopefully) to the extreme weather and torrential winds and rain and enjoy a healthy and happy summer!
In the intricate tapestry of childhood, where giggles are woven with childish imagination and boundless energy, there exists a silent, often misunderstood intruder: diabetes
We take care of our body by going to the gym and eating healthy food. We take care of our skin by washing, moisturising and wearing sunblock. But what about our teeth?
Imagine if 30 minutes of mindfulness a day could improve your heart health? If that sounds far-fetched, trust us, it’s actually more realistic than you may think!
It’s certainly not the most glamorous organ in the human body, but don’t underestimate the little yet mighty gut. This often-overlooked player has an impact on our health that goes beyond simple digestive functions.
Pumping and dumping breastmilk might not be the most glamorous topic, but it's a common practice in breastfeeding. It refers to the practice of expressing breastmilk but not feeding it to your baby.
In our modern digital world, “play” might now be synonymous with devices, technology, and social media. And that’s okay, in moderation. But we’re missing an essential trick of childhood development if we move away from simple play, outdoor play, honest-to-goodness traditional play.
Children are at risk of mental health problems. The worrying part is that when these conditions emerge in childhood – and are not dealt with – they may carry over into adulthood.
As women, it's critical to prioritise our health and wellbeing. One of the most effective ways to do so is by staying proactive and getting regular health screenings. These screenings can help detect potential health issues early on. Timely treatment leads to better outcomes.
Children are notorious for their picky eating habits. It’s the rare child who eats anything you dish up – and when it comes to so-called “nutritious” food – that’s another minefield!
Emotional resilience is the ability to bounce back from difficulties. It’s not a quick fix that glosses over a problem or uses toxic positivity to avoid stressors. Emotional resilience is more like having a superpower for your feelings. It means being able to manage challenging situations and feel strong even when things are tough.
The bad news is that breast cancer is a serious and challenging health issue. The good news is that recent studies have shown that there’s certainly been significant improvement in breast cancer survival rates.
Would you get into the car and drive while over your alcohol limit? Of course not, that would be an all-round bad idea that could lead to a catastrophe. So, why then do we assume that it’s okay (and safe) to stagger from day to day without proper sleep?
Hands up if you’re tired of repetitive #fitspo that’s all about salad this and treadmill that! Okay, now hands down because this is not a workout – promise.
Ah, smooth silky skin – who doesn’t love that? And with supermarket shelves groaning with every cream, wax and strip you can imagine, it’s never been easier to get that smooth, hair-free skin.
Wake up, grab a quick shower and roll into the living room (a whole 10 steps!), sip a cup of coffee and start your work dayworkday. If that doesn’t sound like a dream job situation – what does?
Parenting can sometimes feel like a wild rollercoaster ride, with unexpected twists and (scary!) turns at every corner. As comedian Phyllis Diller once said, "Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing up is like shovelling the walk before it stops snowing."
The flu is a troublesome virus that can make you feel really unwell. It can very quickly spread from person to person. A cold is also super easy to catch but is usually less intense than the flu.
If you’ve been following the news, you’ll know that cholera has become the latest buzzword locally. In May, it was reported that there were a number of cholera-related deaths in Gauteng with sporadic cases bubbling up in other regions.
You may often hear about detoxing and cleanses – especially if you’re on social media and tend to follow health and lifestyle influencers and bloggers.
We know what you’re thinking… a big old “huh”? Good stress – what is that and how is that even possible? It’s true though. There is a concept known as good or “positive” stress, and when harnessed correctly, it can be incredibly powerful.
HIIT stands for High-Intensity Interval Training. Everything about these workouts are short, intense bursts of energy and activity, brief periods of rest mixed with some lower-intensity exercises.
Ah, the allure of straight hair! When your hair is curly, frizzy or wavy, it’s hard not to think the grass is greener (and certainly sleeker) over there on the straight side. Straightening products are a booming industry, with salons and stores offering countless options to help us tame our tresses.
Chronic illnesses are like the annoying houseguests that just won't leave. They stick around, causing discomfort, pain and distress, and the worst part? They don't have a definitive "end date."
It can be difficult to cope with overwhelming loneliness and isolation that stems from a mental health condition, and every day might feel like an uphill slog.
Each year, World Hypertension Day is recognised on 17 May. And it's the perfect time to talk about the silent killer that affects millions of people worldwide: hypertension.
As kids go about their day-to-day activities, they encounter many potential burn hazards. From curious toddlers exploring through their sense of touch, to adventurous preteens embracing newfound independence, the potential for burns is a constant reality.
If you're feeling under the weather, it's easy to assume that you've just caught a run-of-the-mill cold. But what if your symptoms are a little more intense than usual?
As we get older, the ever-present concern of maintaining our health and staying well inevitably creeps up. We start to wonder if shedding a few (or many) kilograms is the answer to warding off chronic illnesses.
You're sniffling and sneezing, feeling miserable and ready to curl up under the covers. But what if we told you that the cure for your illness might be some company under those covers?
We all love that feeling of slipping into a brand-new outfit; the crispness of the fabric, the bold colours or patterns, and that unbeatable feeling of freshness.
In our world of packaged foods, convenience and nutrition are not mutually exclusive. It is true that convenience foods often get a (deservedly) bad reputation for not being super-healthy.
Starting a family can be one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences in life. However, for some people, getting to the first milestone − that is, actually getting pregnant − can be a most challenging journey.
Are you constantly battling with flaky, itchy and dull skin? If so, you're not alone. Dry skin affects millions of people worldwide and can be a persistent and frustrating problem.
The recent upsurge in measles cases across South Africa has raised concerns about the spread of this highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the measles virus.
Hey there, fitness enthusiasts! It's great that you're keeping your body in tip-top shape with regular workouts, but it's easy to make common mistakes and undo all that good work.
If there’s one thing that will never go out of style, it’s trendy fad diets. One day it’s the Five Bites diet, the next week it’s all the rage to live on celery sticks and foods that start with the letter C.
We know it’s not the most glamorous topic, but it’s an integral part of life for most women. So, it’s important to know what’s normal and what’s not when it comes to our menstrual cycles.
You may have heard about the “miracle” benefits of collagen and how it can turn back the clock, firm up your skin and work wonders in the anti-ageing process. Sounds almost too good to be true, right?
No parent wants to hear the news that their child has a health problem, least of all diabetes. Unfortunately, as global statistics show, childhood diabetes is on the rise.
Congratulations! The big day is almost here, which means getting ready for the final step – bringing your baby home. But before that, you need to be ready for labour and delivery, with a little help from us.
Ageing – and how to age well – is a universal conundrum. There are countless anti-ageing products, turn-back-the-clock remedies, beauty procedures and surgeries and millions of bits of advice, tips and information on how to age like a champ.
It doesn’t have to be a New Year’s resolution – think of these as little health investments that will benefit your health now and in the long term. Evergreen health resolutions never go out of style.
It’s challenging enough just managing a chronic condition like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or high blood pressure on its own. Throw in exercise and it starts to become a literal mountain to climb.
The last few years have been unprecedented challenging times the world over, thanks to the COVID pandemic and its knock-on domino effect around the globe.
Menopause is a natural condition, but it can certainly cause discomfort. Hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain and mood changes are common side-effects
Have you noticed strange patches of white skin on your child’s body? These may often appear around the mouth, nose and eyes, arms and legs. This condition is called vitiligo which is an autoimmune disease.
Remember that old cellphone advertisement with the infamous, “Can you hear me now” phrase? Turns out, we’re probably saying that a lot more (and a lot less unironically) now.
There’s hardly a week that goes by without news of the latest worrying climate change statistic or global warming data. It’s easy to tune out, especially when it seems to be a problem that is way beyond our pay grade.
Hold onto your lunch, we’re talking irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS isn’t very pleasant to think about, but millions of people the world over suffer from this common condition.
As a new mom who’s grappling with the decision of whether to breastfeed (and if you’ll be able to manage it), there’s a lot of misinformation to sift through. Let’s sort fact from fiction.
The tree looks great, the presents are perfect, and the food is as delicious as it’s going to get. In the thick of family and festivities, it may be difficult to understand feelings of stress and anxiety.
With costs and expenses rising every day, it’s tempting to want to forgo a big-ticket item like medical aid. For some lucky people, they actually never need to use this option, but life and health conditions can be unpredictable.