Special brew

Until recently the best cancer prevention advice has been: don't smoke, don't get fat, and cross your fingers. But a strange-tasting drink from South Africa could provide new hope, as Rory Carroll reports.

Dear John

I am 23 and have been taking SSRIs on and off for more than seven years. I have heard much about 5-HTP and wanted to known your view on this.Melissa Wheeler

The milky way

Though he has reservations about some dairy products, Dr John Briffa admits he is a big fan of yogurt. Here, he explains his interest in culture.

Pass notes

How a chat and a glass of Pimms with his dad changed Oliver James's school career for the better.

Ask Emma

Natural health therapist Emma Mitchell answers your questions.

The new black

Hannah Pool: I have worn no make-up for a week. Not a scrap.

How I survived Chernobyl

Sasha Yuvchenko was working at the power plant on the night of the world's worst nuclear disaster. One of his workmates was vaporised and three others died within weeks. Vivienne Parry hears his terrible tale.