Spring in the north is a time of a rapid increases in daylight hours and temperature. These drive equally rapid growth in biological activity in the world around us and in our own bodies. If we connect with the natural world at this time of year we can literally feel the increased energy. This article describes how I do that.

Our biology can be easily hijacked by modern, processed foods and my recent experience caused me to reconsider the concept of food addiction. High-carbohydrate and ultra-processed foods can trigger addictive-like responses in the brain, leading to cravings, overeating, and poor metabolic health. Cutting back on these foods and focusing on real, unprocessed food can help reduce food addiction symptoms, improve mental well-being, and support sustainable weight management. I consider how to do this.

I’ve recently learned that higher than normal carbohydrate intake improved my physical performance and recovery during a two-day bikepacking event compared to previous under-fueled attempts. However, my improved endurance came with digestive discomfort and post-event food cravings. My experience highlights the balance between fueling for performance and maintaining metabolic flexibility…both matters of a personalised nutrition strategy.

Strenuous exercise needs carbohydrate fueling, especially if you consume a healthy, low carbohydrate diet. This is how I’m trying to reach my exercise potential…

Here comes the sun…get a suntan…safely

If you’re struggling with your weight the culprit may be modern food. It is chock-full of hidden sugars and starches which are addictive and cause all sorts of health issues. I broke free from the cycle of cravings and poor health by reducing bioavailable carbohydrates, eliminating processed foods, and focusing on nutrient-dense whole foods. In my opinion, these things hold the key to long-term wellness.

The days are getting longer and warmer. I’ll have to find something new to complain about.

Scotland isn’t the first country that comes to mind when considering where to get an early Spring sun tan (and neither should it). However, today on March 11, for the first time in 2025, the sun has started giving us some UVB and potential to generate Vitamin D in our skin. It only lasts for about 30 minutes but as my boss used to say, “It’s time to dine on the delta”. Let the tanning and vitamin D production begin.

This is the inspirational story of one young man finding the strength to figure out for himself how to use his diet to reverse poor mental health.

If, like me, you believe that exposure to the natural world is important for a healthy life, how can that be achieved? I believe we are adapted to consume real, local food, regularly replenish our microbiome, feel the sun’s warmth, and benefit from touching the earth. This article is the first in a monthly series describing how I do that…even in chilly February.

I’ve never been good at predicting things, especially the future. We’ll see if this plan survives exposure to the field of battle. Two big things…we need to take care of ourselves…this means being exposed to the natural world we evolved alongside. Think real food, the microbiome, sunlight, and the earth’s electrical charge.

People in the UK get on average 50% of their dietary energy from ultra-processed food (UPF). It is shown in this paper that UPF does not contain enough vitamins and minerals to provide the minimum amounts recommended by UK dietary guidelines. A dramatic rise in hospitalisations caused by vitamin and mineral deficiencies has been recorded.

A simple headline in the Guardian newspaper caught my attention immediately. Adequate Vitamin and mineral levels are a core determinant of a healthy life. When people are showing up in hospital because of or with a lack of vitamins and minerals, something has gone seriously wrong. I dug into the numbers and present here what I think may be going on and how to fix it.

As it says on the tin…I’ve described the major themes that emerged for me in 2024 and listed by month the 40+ articles I wrote.

The shortest day and longest night in the northern hemisphere marks the start of the astronomical winter.

Salta region…nothing but high altitude, arid beauty…

Puma and glaciers…just spectacular

The awesome and frightening force of moving water

A CGM can show us which foods are raising blood glucose and may harm us if we continue to eat them.

An illustrative reminder of the way heart disease (plaque) is caused by repeat clot formation in arteries, not cholesterol.