The quality of drinking water in the UK is excellent. This year's annual report from the Drinking Water Inspectorate showed that of two million tests, 99.95 per cent reached strict EU quality standards. That is not to say that there are not problems

in the rain – water softens the nail folds and cuticles that act as a natural barrier to germs.First step: Visit a doctor for lab tests to confirm the infection type. They may prescribe medicated nail paint or anti-fungal pills.The runner’s pedicure 1.     Cut

, according to a recent study at the University of Missouri-Columbia in the USA. In a test of 10 brands of socks, researchers found that nylon socks caused fewer blisters than cotton ones.Bunions Bunions are an inflammation of the big toe joint, caused

and salts. A fry-up might seem like a good idea, but the high fat content will test an already strained gut. Eggs can work, however, as they contain cysteine – an amino acid that's thought to help break down alcohol. Perhaps surprisingly, Schenker also

adapting to a regular (or increasing) training load. Long runs, hard sessions and races also leave your immune system dramatically lowered, so knowing what to eat, drink and do immediately after exercise is vital for staying fit and healthy too.Keep Moving

– and less energy to run. The fix: If you think you might have an iron deficiency, your first stop should be your GP for a blood test. "What's normal for a non-runner might be too low for runners," says Jeukendrup. "Even a relatively mild deficiency can cause

not ovulating, the presence of a period does not guarantee a healthy menstrual cycle. A lack of ovulation can signal insufficient levels of progesterone, which can lead to over-stimulation of the uterine lining, putting you at risk of endometrial cancer. If you

to be injured in the morning because muscle tissue is colder, joints and tendons are not as pliable and basal metabolic rate is low. In various studies, hand-grip and leg-strength tests performed throughout the day show that our strength is lowest

.Perhaps no runner has thought more about heat training and racing than Alberto Salazar. Before the 1984 Olympic Marathon he got tested in a heat chamber (where sweat production is measured) and learned to chug two litres of fluid before every workout. But then he

to cortisol, the stress hormone. Wash it down with some Gatorade about an hour before getting horizontal. In tests carried out at Lyon University, France, athletes and couch potatoes alike who downed a high-carbohydrate drink enjoyed a sleep-inducing lower