We've spoken many times about the health benefits of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO). But how do you choose a genuinely good one and keep it fresh? Why does this matter? Extra-virgin olive oil is an important part of the Mediterranean diet, which has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease and stroke. Choosing a good-quality olive oil and storing it properly can help preserve its flavour and the natural compounds that may provide health benefits. When buying olive oil, look for: • 🏷️ Extra virgin" on the label. Extra-virgin olive oil is made by pressing olives without using chemicals. This helps keep its natural flavour and nutrients. • 📅 A recent harvest date. Unlike wine, olive oil does not improve with age. Its flavour fades and its beneficial polyphenols (antioxidants) gradually break down. Look for "harvest date", "harvested" or "crop year", rather than relying only on the best-before date. • 🫙Dark glass or a tin. Light can gradually damage the oil and reduce some of its beneficial compounds. Dark glass and tins help protect the oil. • 🌍Clear information about its origin. Check where the olives were grown and where the oil was produced, not just where it was bottled. Some producers include a QR code that provides information about the oil's harvest date, origin, producer and, occasionally, laboratory results. This can improve traceability, although a QR code alone does not guarantee quality. • 📦 A practical container size. Choose an amount you can finish within a few months. A large container is not economical if the oil remains open and exposed to oxygen for too long. • 💧Filtered oil for longer storage. Unfiltered olive oil can be delicious when it is very fresh, but excess moisture and sediment may cause it to deteriorate more quickly. If you choose an unfiltered oil, use it promptly. Price and attractive packaging do not always guarantee quality. Words such as "pure" and "light" do not mean that the oil is fresher or healthier. "Light" refers to a milder flavour and colour, not fewer calories.

Very useful, I've been putting off going for a hearing test as it didn't feel as important as other things going on at the moment. Going to arrange an appointment as a new priority. Many thanks

Good evening, I've just added a stroke prevention checklist to the Classroom section. It's only a first draft and so will need some tweaking. Please have a look and let me know what you think.

I'm interested to share today's Stroke-Proof tip because it's an area I hadn't really thought as a risk factor before, but I know realise that it very much is! When people think about preventing stroke they think about: 🏃 Exercise 🥗 Diet 🚭 Smoking 🩸 Blood pressure 💊 Cholesterol Very few people think about their gums. Periodontal (gum) disease is a chronic inflammatory condition caused by bacteria around the teeth. Those bacteria don't always stay in your mouth. They can enter the bloodstream, increase systemic inflammation, damage blood vessels and may contribute to atherosclerosis and blood clot formation. Several large studies have found that people with periodontitis have a significantly higher risk of stroke. The latest systematic review analysed 36 studies involving more than 7.6 million people and found that periodontal disease was associated with around a 72% higher odds of stroke, with an even stronger association for ischaemic stroke. (PubMed) Fortunately... A recent systematic review found that treating periodontal disease—particularly regular professional dental scaling—was associated with a lower risk of future ischaemic stroke. (PubMed) Now, this doesn't prove that brushing your teeth prevents stroke. People with good oral hygiene often have other healthy habits too, and most of the evidence is observational. But we already know that good oral health has many benefits, and there's increasing evidence that it forms part of overall cardiovascular health. So if you're trying to become Stroke-Proof, don't stop at the gym or the kitchen. ✅ Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste ✅ Clean between your teeth every day (floss or interdental brushes) ✅ See your dentist regularly ✅ Don't ignore bleeding gums—they're common, but they're not normal. However.... Be cautiuous with broad-spectrum antiseptic mouthwashes (particularly chlorhexidine, unless specifically prescribed by your dentist).

Hello everyone, When it comes to improving our health, knowing what to do is only part of the journey. The real challenge is turning healthy choices into everyday habits. Stroke prevention isn't about being perfect. It's about making small, healthy choices consistently over time. Whether it's adding more vegetables to your meals, taking a 10-minute walk, checking your blood pressure, or going to bed at the same time each night, these small daily actions can make a real difference to your health. Tracking your progress makes it easier to build lasting habits. That's why we're excited to introduce the Stroke-Proof Weekly Habit Tracker - a simple way to stay motivated, celebrate your progress, and turn small healthy choices into lifelong healthy habits. How it works: - Print your tracker (available in the Classroom) and keep it somewhere you'll see it every day, such as on your fridge or desk. - Each Sunday, write down your healthy habit of the week on your tracker. - Tick the box each day you complete the habit. - Bring it along. After completing four weeks, bring your tracker to our Monthly Community Meeting to receive an Official Certificate of Achievement in recognition of your dedication and commitment to improving your health. By using this tracker, you're not just ticking boxes. You're building healthy habits, staying accountable, and celebrating your progress. If you miss a day, don't give up. Simply start again the next day. Progress comes from consistency, not perfection. Are you ready to get started? Print your tracker today, write down this week's healthy habit, and let's build healthier habits together.