Gout is a type of arthritis which usually affects only one or two joints in the body. Do you suffer from it? Find out how the foods you eat can make gout better - or worse.

In this discussion we take a look at the effects of taking thyroid hormones and excessive quantities of iodine.

Are you confused about the different types of fats there are? You are not alone. It can be a bit overwhelming. Dietdoc gives a few tips.

"The South African cookbook for diabetes and insulin resistance" by Hilda Lategan will make the lives of patients with diabetes and insulin resistance a lot easier, writes DietDoc.

Preventing physical wasting and weight loss is an important aspect of HIV/Aids treatment among patients who aren't on ARVs. But other factors come into play for those who are.

The Survivor SA series that has recently started probably illustrates the most fundamental diet truth of all: human beings have evolved to eat a varied, balanced diet.

Have you noticed that the labels of packaged food products are covered with interesting info? Here's how to make sense of it all.

Dieting needn't break the bank. DietDoc shows us how to become Supermarket Sleuths and bargain hunters.

Taking vitamin supplements may not be good for you. What's more, these pills may also be dangerous and, in some cases, fatal. DietDoc gives perspective on this controversial topic.

New research reveals that, compared to other regions and the global average, SA adults have a particularly high prevalence of physical inactivity. Here's why we should be worried.

As 2007 draws to a close, DietDoc is contemplating what was new and interesting in the fields of nutrition and dietetics this year. Join her while she mulls over what we've learnt.

Three weeks into "The Biggest Loser SA" game, DietDoc remains disappointed. The unimaginative format, the ads in between and the message sent to viewers is simply shocking.

This week, the male contestants were in for a surprise: after losing plenty of kilos in previous episodes, their weight loss came to a grinding halt. Read DietDoc's comments.

As predicted, the men are ruling the roost and the ladies are losing out. Get DietDoc's take on this week's episode of The Biggest Loser SA.

In this week's episode, the value of family support and the negative effects of stress on weight loss was clearly demonstrated. Get the lowdown from DietDoc.

We're down to the final three Biggest Loser contestants, and all of them say they would never have achieved their gargantuan losses if it hadn't been for their personal trainers.

DietDoc has her say about the Biggest Loser SA runners-up reunion.

Millions of South Africans are now struggling more than ever before to feed their families. Read DietDoc's tips for healthy eating on a rockbottom budget.

On the one hand, millions of South Africans lack enough food; on the other, teens living in Soweto are junking out on unhealthy fast foods. It's a paradox, and it's a problem.

As we look forward to the New Year and make diet and exercise resolutions, it's a good idea to reflect on some of the more startling diet revelations of 2008.

Scientists have been telling us that a daily glass of red wine is okay. Now research shows that alcohol might boost our risk for cancer. DietDoc puts the science into perspective.

It's a scary thought: not breathing for seconds while you sleep. Is sleep apnoea a daily reality for you? Your diet can make the world of difference.

There's a huge gap between what farmers charge for their produce and the prices we pay for food products in store. DietDoc is appalled - and offers a few sensible solutions.

The worldwide obesity problem has been accompanied by shorter habitual sleep times. This is no coincidence, writes DietDoc.

Cipla Medpro, a pharmaceutical company producing the Ciplatrim slimming medication, and South Africa's slimming organisation Weigh-Less have announced a weight loss partnership.

It is ironic that in an age when more than 50% of the population is burdened with overweight or obesity, the so-called "ideal woman" looks more like a skeleton, argues DietDoc.

Since the dawn of mankind, starvation and malnutrition were the major nutritional problems our species had to face - today we fight obesity the world over.

The SA market is overflowing with dubious slimming solutions that promise instant weight loss. DietDoc looks at the latest diet scam.

There is no single food that will magically improve your sex drive, but what you eat can make a big difference to your general well-being and thus also your performance in bed.

The new SA Food Labelling Regulations have finally been published, after a 17-year wait, and will help consumers make more informed decisions when buying foods.

A news report that fruit and vegetables provide little protection against cancer, should be no excuse to stop eating them. DietDoc explains why fruit and veg remain super foods.

Mothers play a vital role in relation to the diet and health of their families. At no time is their role more important than during pregnancy and breastfeeding, DietDoc writes.

We need a variety of nutrients to supply energy, protein, vitamins and minerals to our bodies. If any of these nutrients are deficient, malnutrition develops. Could you be at risk?

Fanaticism in any form is generally not a good idea, and the same applies to dieting and exercise.

Because of the serious health effects linked to bisphenol A, a widely used industrial chemical, this is a subject the South African public needs to know about.

Are you on antidepressants and gaining weight? Research has shown that weight gain can occur in up to 25% of patients taking antidepressants. DietDoc looks at this complex problem.

Has the withdrawal of sibutramine-containing slimming pills, shattered your hopes for weight loss? Don't despair, says DietDoc, there are other winning ways to achieve your goals.

Fears that Ciplatrim, which was launched in 2009 to assist overweight individuals to lose weight, would be withdrawn because it contains sibutramine, have now been laid to rest.

The development of the internet has created a powerful tool for the dissemination of nutrition info. Dr Ingrid van Heerden shares some interesting facts about her DietDoc service.

In a country where millions go hungry and people will eat any food they can find, even if it could be dangerous, how ethical (and safe) is it to throw away old food, asks DietDoc.

Sportsmen and -women need to be super vigilant when they take any medication or supplement. Just one wrong step can ruin a promising career, DietDoc warns.

Most people don't know what it means when they're told to go on a liquid diet after mouth surgery or digestive-tract procedures. DietDoc explains how this type of diet works.

When you are really hungry, inhibitions about different foodstuffs tend to disappear. DietDoc comments on SA Survivor and the eating of a rat.

A vegan mother who only breastfed her 11-month-old is being charged with the death of her daughter after she died of vitamin A and B12 deficiencies.

Sugar is fattening, it causes tooth decay, and it can contribute to Candida infections. DietDoc debunks these and other myths.

A potentially fatal strain of an organism called E. coli has caused a severe outbreak of food poisoning in Germany and has spread to 12 other European countries. DietDoc comments.

If you're a chocoholic, you'll be happy to learn that a growing body of evidence suggests that chocolate may be beneficial to health and prevent heart disease, stroke and more.

DietDoc answers three reader questions.

The EndoBarrier is intended to reduce food uptake and induce weightloss without the patient having to undergo invasive surgery, says DietDoc.