Dave Glass

Contributor at South Coast Herald

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Articles

Lifestyle Medicine: Alien plants, weather changes... and your health

1 month ago | citizen.co.za | Dave Glass

I now live in one of the prettiest parts of our country, a few kilometres from Helderberg Nature Reserve, Western Cape, with its 600-plus species of plants. The fynbos is the smallest but most diverse of the floral kingdoms. But even this gem is threatened by alien plant invasion, severe weather events from climate change, and, in many places, the destruction of natural areas with housing development and farming. How can an ancient natural biome be threatened by such recent events?
Lifestyle Medicine: Getting back to reality

Jan 12, 2025 | citizen.co.za | Dave Glass

The festive season is over, and a few things have changed. The bank account is rattling with emptiness, but our clothes are bulging. Weight loss is one of the most common New Year’s resolutions, but only 10% of people achieve their goal. What tips can we learn from evidence-based research toward reaching that goal? 1. Identify the reasons why you want to lose weight and post these in a prominent place to remind yourself often. It may be helpful to discuss these with a supportive friend or partner. 2.
Lifestyle Medicine: Fine-tuning for optimum performance

Nov 13, 2024 | citizen.co.za | Dave Glass

In times past, when car engines were much simpler, it was relatively easy to tune the timing and air-fuel mixture. This was necessary to obtain optimum performance and fuel economy. Likewise, the human body requires fine-tuning of innumerable factors for optimal performance. This is described by the word homeostasis, defined as the state of balance among all the body systems needed for the body to survive and function correctly. Blood sugar is necessary for energising almost all cells in the body.
DR DAVE GLASS: Lifestyle Medicine - Eating by design

Oct 23, 2024 | citizen.co.za | Dave Glass

A family tradition ever since my childhood has been to spend a few days holiday each year in one of our many African national parks. I find revitalisation through being exposed to wild Africa. Observing the natural interplay of different animals and plants gives a broader perspective on the humdrum of life. Over the years, I have noticed that all wild animals, except in times of drought and famine, maintain a healthy weight.
BACK TO BASICS: Living by design, not desire

Oct 22, 2024 | news24.com | Dave Glass

Ever since my early childhood our family has planned to spend at least one week per year in a game reserve. Life can get hectic; relationships can become humdrum; perspectives on life distorted. It is good to re-boot our emotional computers and reconnect with nature. We are fortunate in Africa to have a wealth of nature and game reserves, where we can experience natural Africa in all its diversity and raw beauty.
Lifestyle Medicine: Size counts

Sep 29, 2024 | citizen.co.za | Dave Glass

Some years back, when our son and his family were working in Myanmar (formerly Burma), we took the opportunity to visit and explore that country. A person can never anticipate all the sights and sounds, especially in a part of the world so different from our own. As an observant doctor, one of the many noticeable differences to me was the size of the Myanmar people. In a world where obesity is dramatically on the rise, what are the people of Myanmar doing that is different?
BACK TO BASICS: Myanmarans’ leanness secret

Sep 6, 2024 | news24.com | Dave Glass

Our son was doing humanitarian work in Myanmar for some years. We had the privilege of visiting him and his family in that politically challenging country. After decades of oppressive rule it was exciting to see the dynamic development in those few years of peace. But one of the most obvious differences between Myanmar and the rest of the world was the size of its people. I was hard-pressed to find an overweight person among the general population, apart from the tourists from the West.
DR DAVE GLASS: Lifestyle Medicine – Mind your mind | South Coast Herald

Aug 16, 2024 | citizen.co.za | Dave Glass

Mary is a 70-year-old retired teacher, much loved and respected by her learners. Sharp and witty, she was organised and competent. She had a gift for remembering the names of her students. Recently, friends and family noticed she was battling to find words in conversation and kept repeating herself. She began to lose her keys and cellphone, putting them down in strange places. She often dressed inappropriately for the weather and began to lose her way on her walks and in the shops.
BACK TO BASICS: Mind your mind!

Aug 14, 2024 | news24.com | Dave Glass

Mary is in her early 70s. A retired teacher, much loved and respected by her learners, she was sharp and witty, organised and competent. She could remember all the names of her students years later. But then friends and family noticed she was battling to find words in conversation, and kept repeating herself. She began to lose her keys and cellphone, putting them down in strange places. She often dressed inappropriately for the weather and began losing her way on walks and in the shops.
BACK TO BASICS: Laying a strong foundation

Jul 10, 2024 | news24.com | Dave Glass

Many years ago, working in a rural hospital in Lesotho, we were asked to build a medical outpost some distance from the nearest facility. I drew up the detailed building plans and specifications, we hired a local builder and delivered the building materials to the site. As I had limited opportunity to supervise the construction, the builder decided to follow his own specifications.