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This is the exactly the right time of the year to start your winter - protection routine against all the germs that will rise up and attack us in the long, cold months ahead. It's vital to increase your daily intake of vitamin C to avoid being plagued by the dreaded cold and flu viruses that will be around. By far the best way to do this is to increase your fruit and green-leaf vegetable intake, but if you find this impossible you could add a supplement to your diet. Always read thoroughly through the information on supplements and stick rigidly to the guidelines or you may do more harm than good. And if you're an Echinacea fan, now is the time to start your regime long before the nasty weather reaches us. There are many variations on doses and routines so it's well worth talking to your pharmacist or health food shop to get some advice. Noticing when the weather does change is also important. At this time of year the weather is totally unpredictable - warm and sunny -t shirt weather one day and a bit chilly the next. Don't be tempted to don a thin blouse and hope for the best, you may get caught out in cooler weather. Such variances in temperature can play havoc with health as generally the body prefers to 'acclimatise' itself to conditions. As soon as your start to feel chilly put on something slightly warmer, you can always take it off if you get too warm - common sense really.                Did you know…….? That wrapping up warmly in cold weather could protect your heart, especially those diagnosed with heart problems. Research shows that heart attacks are more likely to occur when the weather is cold or after a sudden change in atmospheric pressure. A sharp drop in temperature can increase the chances of a heart attack by 13 per cent and a rise in atmospheric pressure heightens the risk by 11 per cent. This is thought as vast changes in pressure and temperature alter the concentration of the blood clotting agents and fats in the blood. So before you risk rushing out without that extra sweater or your coat, think again.                What is Helicobacter Pylori? It's probably something you've heard about but not all of us realize what it is. It is a bacterium that can infect the lining of the stomach and duodenum. It's actually very common and about a quarter of us will be infected with it a sometime in our lives. Once you have it, Pylori stay's with you for life unless it is treated, although many sufferers will be unaware of the symptoms. Helicobacter Pylori is the most common cause of stomach ulcers and can be responsible for causing dyspepsia, gastritis and inflated duodenum. If you are regularly suffering from indigestion or digestive discomfort it is worth mentioning to your GP that you would like to be tested. The test is usually a simple breath test and even if negative it will help a diagnosis by ruling it out.