Women who take the drug Fosamax for osteoporosis may be at an increased risk of developing an irregular heartbeat, a US study suggests.

Researchers have linked the drug - widely prescribed in the UK to stop bone-thinning in older women - to a condition known as atrial fibrillation.

This is not necessarily serious, but can in some cases lead to a stroke.

But the Archives of Internal Medicine study concluded for most women the drug's benefits outweighed the risks.

It is not the first research to examine a link between Merck's Fosamax - whose generic name is alendronate - and atrial fibrillation, but its suggestion that the drug may increase the risk by 86% is higher than previous findings - although it is a smaller study.

In the UK, about one in 200 people aged 50-60 have atrial fibrillation, and the risk increases to about one in ten people by the age of 90.

In many cases it has no symptoms, but it can make the blood clot - which can in turn cause an embolic stroke.

Unions have stepped up demands for improvements to health and safety amid claims the UK is facing an "epidemic" of injuries suffered at work.

A series of events was being held across the country to mark Workers Memorial Day.

They included a demonstration by the GMB outside Parliament to highlight the "growing problem" of attacks on minicab drivers.

The GMB is pressing for cctv cameras and protective shields to be installed in minicabs following 49 violent attacks in the first three months of the year.

The TUC claims 175 million working days were lost as a result of sickness last year, costing firms £650 per absent worker.

General secretary Brendan Barber said: "The UK is currently facing an epidemic of occupational ill health.

"Many people are ill and in pain as a result of lifting injuries, slips and trips, stress and hearing loss suffered either at or caused by their work."

To help combat the problem the TUC has issued a new health and safety handbook to union reps.

Meanwhile, the construction workers' union Ucatt was planning memorial events to honour the 69 building workers killed in the UK last year.

General secretary Alan Ritchie said: "onstruction bosses and the authorities need to do far

more to reduce this death toll."

Slendertone Active is aimed at people who already do alot of exercise and want to take their toning regime to the next level!

Combine regular exercise such as walking with the personalised Slendertone Active programme and get fit, burn fat and improve your abdominal strength. If you find it hard to get motivated or don't see enough results for your exercise effort then this is for you.

ABOUT Slendertone ACTIVE:

• Adjustable for 24 to 44 inch waist (61 to 112cm)
• Training plan selector - health, fitness and toning
• Smart training system
• Motivational active points plan
• Warm up and cool down phases
• Hand held monitor with LCD display and magnetic belt clip
• Heart rate monitor and calorie counter
• Intensity levels from 1 to 99, with intensity keylock function
• Visual and audio prompts from the LCD display screen, with mute switch
• 2-year product warranty
• Certified to medical safety standards

Thats right, we've teamed up with slendertone to bring you a slendertone active discount code

Using this code: aff02ac will allow you to get the Slendertone Active for £49.99

RRP: £99.99 Saving £50!

Nicotine is one of the most powerfully addictive drugs there is. In fact, about 25% of the UK is addicted to smoking. Smoking is also linked directly to a number of very serious health problems including Cancer, and lung disease.

Its hugely difficult to give up cigarettes, so here's our 5 top tips on kicking the habit.

1. Make a plan... and follow it - Set yourself a date, and draw up a plan of action. Map out how many cigarettes you'll smoke each day, set weekly tagets and treat yourself if you hit them!
2. Take it one step at a time - Dont try and stop smoking all together, this will have drastic affects on your body and will make you very stressed, making you more likely to smoke again

   We suggest cutting back a little bit more every day. Try cutting one cigarette out every other day. If you find it quite easy, then try cutting out one every day.

3. Stop emptying your Ash Trays - No one likes the sight of a full ash tray... it will help you see how many you smoke and remind you why you want to give up.
4. Stay Away - If you're friends all smoke, ask them to not smoke near you. The smell of smoke will be enough to start your cravings off again. Avoid passive smoking where possible!
5. Ask For Help - So many people fail because they are too stubborn to get help. Your doctor will be able to provide advice and even perscribe patches, inhalers and other products that will help relax your cravings.

   Why not try and quit with a friend, that way you can support one another through the process!

The citizens advice bureau has stated that more than 4.7 million people in Britain have been forced to use private dental care because their local NHS dentists have refused to see them.

Dentist where encourage to sign a new contract offered by the government in 2006 which (according to the Dentists) offered increased workload and less money. Since then, 1 in 10 Dentists have stopped offering NHS dental care all together.

Private dental care costs are over double that of the NHS, with this the number of private dental insurance has risen dramamtically over since 2006.

A report from the comitee of public accounts has revieled that over £200 million is being wasted every year as doctors provide advertised, branded drugs rather than the cheaper, yet as effective generic drugs.

The difference between branded drugs and generic drugs is very very small indeed. Take Neurofen for example, the active ingredient in Neurofen is Ibuprofen. The same ibuprofen you can often buy dramatically cheaper without a brand on the box. For more information on Neurofen/Ibuprofen see Boots

The comitee have suggested that it should be made clear how much the drug costs on the packaging. This should help to make doctors realise the error of their ways.

World famous nutrion expert Dr Gillian McKeith is now offering personalised health plans on her MckeithInteractive website.

Dr Gillian McKeith has been offering personalised plans to her clients for over 15 years. They help to determine which foods will be best for you, and which will help you loose the most weight.

You can read more about these nutrional health plans on McKeith Interactive

Health-etc have teamed up with Slendertone to provide our users with the best deal on a Slendertone System abs that has ever been available.

The Slendertone System Abs is a market leading and clinically proven muscle toning belt that uses EMS technology to tone, and flatten your stomach.

We are offering a £20 off slendertone discount code Slendertone Discount Code - aff0801 GO NOW->

Using the aff0801 discount at the checkout on slendertone.com will get you £20 off a slendertone system abs (male or female!) This offer is competely unrivalled so what are you waiting for! Order today!

Thats right. Being the new year and all, I thought it was about time to reignite this site so thats what i'm doing!

There is a new page on the site for the Slendertone System Mini and there is a lot more to come so watch this space!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!