Q: “I have been taking digestive enzymes and found that they have been helpful in reducing heartburn and indigestion. I wondered whether I can stay on them long term?”

A: Digestive enzymes are substances that enable the food you eat to be broken down efficiently. As we get older, we can end up producing less digestive enzymes.

Your body is dependent on the food you eat in order to function correctly but in turn that food must be digested and absorbed efficiently in order to get the full benefit. It has been said that ‘you are what you eat’ but it is even truer to say ‘you are what you absorb’ because if you try to eat well and take vitamins and minerals but you can’t absorb them then they are being wasted. If you felt better taking the digestive enzymes then I would suggest you continue on them as they are helping your body absorb more of what it needs.

Q: “What’s the best way to eat less? I’ve tried every diet there is and I’m still not thin.”

A: The best answer is to eat more slowly. The feeling that you are hungry takes a while to die down, even when you are stuffing your mouth and stomach with food. If you eat fast, you get a lot more food inside you before you feel satisfied than if you eat more slowly. Take time to chew each mouthful of food before swallowing it and savour the last swallow before you pick up your fork again for the next mouthful. You may also want to change your mindset about food. Food isn’t your enemy; it’s your friend. It gives you energy and boosts your health and wellbeing. Instead of thinking about calories start thinking about nutrients and feeling healthy. If you can do that you’ll find that weight loss happens naturally as a wonderful side effect of healthy eating.

Q: “My son has had a bout of asthma twice from eating hamburgers and fizzy drinks from a well known food chain. Could there be a link?”

A: There may be, according to New Zealand doctors who in 2005 reported a series of cases. It’s still not clear whether it is the material in the burgers or the drinks that caused the flare ups but they describe it as significant and advise people with asthma to be wary of fast food.