Dr Joe Unplugged

Dr Joe Unplugged is your home for open commentary on health, wellbeing and life in the broadest sense. We will explore diet, exercise, sleep and stress amongst other health matters as well as issues that may impact you and your wellbeing in direct or indirect ways....

It’s Christmas!

If Christmas did not exist it would need to be invented. Perfectly timed at the end of the year, it allows for many people worldwide to celebrate in some way, shape or form. This may be the formal religious celebration or simply a catch up with friends and family....

We Need Our Sleep

Human beings spend more time being asleep than anything else. It is estimated that at the turn of the twentieth century the average American slept nine hours each night. By the turn of the twenty first century this figure has dropped to under eight hours. Lack of...
The Digesting Brain

The Digesting Brain

Our brain is the most important organ in our body. Our brain controls every thought and action we have.  This includes sleep, digestion, memories, speech, movement, and more. Our gut and brain work in tandem, each influencing the other. “The brain directly...

The Power To Change Is In Your Hands

The Power To Change Is In Your Hands

Cast your mind back to a time long past – the 1970’s. Very few people were overweight and an even smaller number had type two diabetes. Now think about what people tended to eat in those days. Now ask yourself the same questions about the situation today. What has...

Human Beings Are Social Beings

Human Beings Are Social Beings

There are eight pillars of health. One that does not get as much airtime as movement, sleep and diet is relationships.  Research from Brigham Young University in Provo, UT, reveals that loneliness and social isolation may increase the risk of premature death by up to...

You May Not Be Drinking Enough Water This Summer

You May Not Be Drinking Enough Water This Summer

Are you feeling a bit unfocused and cranky? Chances are, you may be mildly dehydrated. Research shows that being just a little dehydrated is tied to a range of subtle effects — from mood changes to muddled thinking. Dehydration happens when your body loses more fluids...

MILK – A History Of Bias

MILK – A History Of Bias

The Science behind low-fat, non-fat, and fat-free milk, doesn’t mean health. It means you can be ingesting chemicals and added sugars to cover up the bad taste. Researchers suggest only a few individual side-effects from altered milk fat were found. (discomfort in the...

Put Fun Back Into Christmas

Put Fun Back Into Christmas

If Christmas did not exist it would need to be invented. Perfectly timed at the end of the year, it allows for many people worldwide to celebrate in some way shape or form. This may be the formal religious celebration or simply a catch up with friends and family. It...

Never Enough Time

Never Enough Time

Do you waste time or use it wisely? Are you constantly stressed because you are running out of time?  Is there never enough time for you to do the things you want to do? A matter of perspective We all have the same amount of time (24 hours a day and 7 days a week),...

Hashtag Big Public Health

Hashtag Big Public Health

Those following me on social media may have noticed the hashtag that I have started- #bigpublichealth. Some have asked what does this mean and why have I done it. Good questions. Below is my explanation. We are forever hearing about big tobacco, big food, big pharma,...

7 Reasons Why You’re Gaining Weight

7 Reasons Why You’re Gaining Weight

Overweight?  You are not alone. Over two-thirds of our population is either overweight or obese. Your weight is largely controlled by hormones that influence your appetite and how much fat you store. Wondering why you are packing on the pounds..these seven reasons may...

Smell The Roses

Smell The Roses

When I was a child time seemed to move more slowly. Today when seven year olds tell you that the year is going quickly you know that time is speeding up. Most of us are probably wondering how it can be Christmas in under a month when last Christmas seems like it was...