For decades we were made to believe that the go-to measure for assessing a person's healthy weight was BMI or Body Mass Index. Whether it is a routine doctor's appointment or your first day in the gym, BMI is calculated to judge your health. Many companies, including protein companies, have also incentivised by the buzzing word BMI. However, many recent studies suggest that BMI may no longer be the best indicator of health and BRI might be the new BMI.

BRI Is The New BMI

Many scientists are now looking at a new way to calculate obesity, this is called the Body Roundness Index or the BRI. It is said to be more accurate than BMI.

In a study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers found that a higher BRI was associated with an increased risk of death from any cause. The authors of this study concluded that BRI is a tool that is as easy as BMI to perform and calculate, however, it offers a more accurate assessment of body composition.

“Our findings provide compelling evidence for the application of BRI as a noninvasive and easy to obtain screening tool for estimation of mortality risk and identification of high-risk individuals, a novel concept that could be incorporated into public health practice pending consistent validation in other independent studies,” the authors wrote.

What Exactly is BRI?

BRI was first proposed in 2013, it uses height, weight, waist circumference and sometimes hip circumference for its calculation. The initial paper that detailed the concept of BRI was authored by Diana M Thomas, PhD, a professor of mathematics at the United States Military Academy at West Point said that it uses the concept of eccentricity, which describes how round or narrow something is. It represents a number between zero, for a perfect circle and one.

"With BMI you’re actually using just two measurements. You’re using weight and height. In the Body Roundness Index, we’re using a few more measurements on the human body to capture that shape,” said Thomas.

Limitations of BMI

BMI is calculated by dividing one's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters. It has been used for years to categories weight into underweight, normal overweight, and obese.

A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered normal, while a BMI over 30 is classified as obese. However many experts have raised objections with it being the measurement unit. One of the major limitations is that it does not account for body composition. It does not tell anyone anything about the proportion of muscle, fat, or water in the body. For instance, athletes with high muscle mass may have a higher BMI, but they are fit and healthy.

It also does not tell us where the fat is stored in the body.

Whereas BRI calculates the percentage of body fat and provides a visual representation of the body's shape. A score between 1 to 15 is assigned, with scores over 6.9 or under 3.41 is considered to be at the higher risk of illness.

We live in a world that treats sleep like a competitive sport. Everyone has got a hack: tape your mouth shut, stretch your nostrils wider, eat two kiwis before bed. But according to experts, the real secret is not exotic fruit or gadgets; it is light, or rather, the absence of it.

The Great Sleep Hack Circus

Scroll through wellness feeds and you will find people swearing by everything from magnesium powders to bedtime meditation playlists. Some tricks have merit; others are straight out of the pseudoscience playbook. But amid the noise, one factor keeps coming up: how much light your body gets and when.

Darkness Is Your Sleep’s Superpower

Let us start with night. Darkness is not just cosy; it is medicine. When the lights go out, your brain flips into melatonin-making mode. That is the hormone that whispers, “Hey, it is time to crash.” But throw in a glowing phone screen or a streetlamp sneaking past your curtains, and suddenly your brain thinks it is noon in July.

The fix is to go all dark with blackout curtains, eye masks, and unplugged chargers. The darker your sleep space, the deeper and less interrupted your rest will be.

Morning: Flip the Switch

The irony? The same thing that wrecks your sleep at night is exactly what you need when you wake up. Sunlight is like nature’s alarm clock, telling your body to get moving, boosting your energy, and resetting your circadian rhythm so you do not feel like a zombie.

Experts say the trick is to step into daylight as soon as possible, before checking your phone, brewing coffee, or turning on the TV.

The Blue Light Harm

Of course, there is a modern nemesis in this story: blue light. Your phone, laptop, and TV blast out wavelengths that convince your brain it is still daytime. This results in no melatonin, no drowsiness, and no sleep.

The cure is not complicated; shut the screens at least an hour before bed. If you cannot, at least switch to night mode or throw on a pair of blue-light glasses. Better yet, trade doomscrolling for something less… glowy.

The Simple Formula

At the end of the day, you do not need kiwis or space-age gadgets. The best sleep formula is old-school:

• Cut screens and bright lights before bed
• Sleep in total darkness
• Soak up morning sunlight
• It is ridiculously simple, but it works because it’s wired into how your body actually functions.

Sure, studies suggest nutrients like magnesium might help you snooze, but the clearest evidence points to light as the MVP of sleep health. Darkness at night, sunlight in the morning – it is free, it is effective, and it is a lot less weird than mouth taping.

Living past 100 does not require magic potions or futuristic science; Dr John Scharffenberg proves it with simple daily habits. At 101, this Harvard-trained physician is still actively sharing what he calls the very simple, very human secrets to longevity. His approach is not about chasing immortality but about maintaining a body and mind that allow you to enjoy your years—whether you are at 30, 60, or, in his case, well past a century.

Exercise Like Your Life Depends On It

Dr Scharffenberg insists exercise is not just a nice-to-have; it is non-negotiable. He puts it bluntly: a woman who is overweight but exercises daily will outlive a lean woman who avoids movement. That is how powerful regular activity is.

What is more, he stresses that midlife is the most crucial time to stay active. Consistent exercise during those years does not just help with weight; it may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and slow down other age-related declines.

Even at 101, the doctor has not hung up his walking shoes. While he no longer pushes himself through intense workouts, he makes sure to walk daily, recommending seniors aim for at least two miles a day. Walking, he says, builds muscle strength, maintains independence, and could even add hours to your lifespan for every hour you put in.

Eat Like An Adventist

As a Seventh-Day Adventist living in Loma Linda, California—one of the world’s rare “blue zones” where centenarians thrive—Dr Scharffenberg follows a largely vegetarian diet. And it is not a trend. Research shows Adventists live longer than the average American, with vegetarians among them adding up to two extra years on average.

The Adventist kitchen is built around five food groups that Scharffenberg swears by:

• Legumes like beans, lentils, and chickpeas are rich in protein and fibre.
• Whole grains such as barley, brown rice, and oats are proven to cut the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
• Nuts, which may reduce heart attack risk by as much as half—though he warns portion control is key.
• Fruits and vegetables, an obvious but essential pillar for lowering disease risk.
• Soy, which he personally recommends, particularly tofu, for its protein and protective compounds.

He also has a soft spot for mangoes, praising them not just for their taste but also for their brain-boosting vitamin B6 and antioxidants that protect eyesight and may even reduce cancer risks.

Vitamins You Are Probably Missing

One of Dr Scharffenberg’s biggest concerns is how many people, even those who think they eat well, are quietly deficient in crucial vitamins. He points out three that are often lacking, especially in older adults:

• Vitamin A: Almost half of Americans do not get enough. Without it, your immune system weakens, your eyes suffer, and your risk of infections skyrockets. Instead of popping pills, Scharffenberg recommends foods high in beta-carotene like carrots, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, and dark leafy greens, which convert into vitamin A naturally and safely.

• Vitamin B12: Age makes it harder for the body to absorb this nutrient, even if you eat meat. After 50, many lose the ability to produce the stomach factor needed for absorption. For vegetarians and older adults, he recommends supplements as the most reliable way to maintain healthy levels.

• Vitamin D: Here, the numbers are alarming. Dr Scharffenberg says that up to 95 per cent of Americans may be deficient. The “sunshine vitamin” is critical for strong bones, calcium absorption, and possibly even cancer prevention. But depending on where you live, especially in northern regions, sunlight might not be enough. If you cannot get daily sun exposure, take a supplement to safeguard your long-term health.

No Shortcuts, Just Simple Choices

Dr Scharffenberg has seen health fads come and go, some with more harm than good. His philosophy is almost shockingly ordinary: eat mostly plants, stay active, avoid smoking and alcohol, and keep an eye on vitamins that silently decline with age. He believes these basics do not just add years to your life but add life to your years, keeping both body and brain in shape.

In his words, you do not need miracle cures. You need to walk, to eat beans and greens, and to give your body the nutrients it quietly depends on. It’s the steady choices, repeated daily, that build the foundation of longevity.

The Centenarian’s Prescription

As people look for high-tech hacks to outsmart ageing, Dr Scharffenberg embodies a simpler truth: living long and well is not about beating biology; it is about working with it. His century-long experiment in health proves that small, consistent habits can outpace even the best modern medicine.

Cannabis-induced psychosis is becoming increasingly common across the UK. With stronger strains easily available and a perception that weed is harmless, doctors are seeing worrying consequences for mental health.

What Exactly Is Psychosis?

Psychosis is not just a medical term; it describes a mental state where someone loses touch with reality. A person in a psychotic episode may hear voices, see things that are not there, or believe unusual ideas with unshakeable certainty. Everyday surroundings feel warped, thoughts become jumbled, and behaviour can change dramatically. These episodes can last days, weeks, or longer, and while many people recover, some continue to experience symptoms for years.

Psychosis is not a condition in itself but a symptom of underlying mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or drug-induced disorders. And cannabis, once dismissed as a “soft” recreational drug, is increasingly proving to be a serious trigger.

Cannabis and Its Dark Side

The UK has no shortage of cannabis users. In the year to March 2024, about 2.3 million people reportedly admitted to using the drug. But while regular use has halved over the past two decades, psychiatrists are alarmed by a sharp rise in cannabis-induced psychosis cases. The problem is potent modern strains and the growing popularity of “skunk”.

Skunk is produced from unpollinated cannabis plants with naturally higher levels of THC, the psychoactive compound responsible for the drug’s “high”. Unlike traditional varieties, these turbocharged versions can push the brain into paranoia, hallucinations, and even long-term mental health conditions.

The Risk Behind the Smoke

According to reports, the public health problem is deepening. There has been a visible rise in the number of people needing intensive support for psychosis as a result of cannabis use. What begins with smoking a few ‘joints’ and feeling a bit paranoid can easily escalate.

The issue is compounded by the fact that cannabis is readily available online. High-strength weed can be bought and delivered with the same ease as ordering a takeaway. For some users, that ease leads them into dangerous territory. Over time, repeated exposure to potent cannabis does not just spark temporary paranoia; it can cement itself into a chronic psychotic state.

How Cannabis-Induced Psychosis Feels

For those caught in its grip, cannabis-induced psychosis can be terrifying. Hallucinations distort familiar environments, creating confusion and fear. Dissociation leaves people feeling detached from their own bodies or surroundings. Everyday interactions can feel hostile or threatening, and the person’s sense of what is real becomes fragile.

While these symptoms may fade once the drug wears off, for some they linger, leading to severe depression or even suicidal thoughts. Studies suggest cannabis can also trigger schizophrenia in vulnerable individuals, an illness characterised by recurring psychotic episodes, delusions, and long-term disability.

Why Skunk Is Different

You might wonder, why is today’s cannabis so much more risky? The answer lies in THC levels. Traditional cannabis varieties contained lower amounts of this psychoactive compound, and many also carried cannabidiol (CBD), a chemical thought to counteract some of THC’s mind-altering effects. Skunk, however, has been bred to maximise THC and reduce CBD.

This results in a product that is stronger, more destabilising, and far more likely to provoke psychosis. While occasional users may brush it off as a “bad trip”, for others, the effects can be life-altering.

A Growing Health Crisis

Despite the popular image of cannabis as a “chill” substance, psychiatrists are dealing with an entirely different reality. Hospitals and rehab centres across the UK are seeing more young people admitted with psychosis linked to cannabis. Over time, people can reach a psychotic state which would not go away, even if they stop smoking. They can become very depressed or suicidal.

The public health implications are significant. Not only do psychotic disorders put immense strain on the NHS, but they also derail lives, disrupting work, education, and relationships.

Rethinking “Harmless” Weed

The narrative around cannabis has long been tangled. To some, it is a natural plant, a stress reliever, even a medicine. But the reality is more complicated. Yes, cannabis contains compounds with therapeutic potential, but when engineered for potency and consumed regularly, it can become a gateway to enduring mental illness.

People need to know that today’s cannabis is not the same mellow joint their parents smoked in the 1970s. It is stronger, riskier, and capable of tipping vulnerable minds into frightening psychological territory.