A period of careful eating and regular exercise can stave off diabetes for a decade, a study suggests.

US researchers followed up nearly 3,000 overweight people who had taken part in a three year diabetes prevention programme.

The group had initially been divided into three – assigned either to a diet and exercise programme, the diabetes drug metformin or a placebo.

The Lancet report notes it was the dieters who reaped the most benefit.

All three groups were given access to ongoing lifestyle coaching once the initial three year trial had ended.

That trial, carried out by the US-based Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group, had shown a diet aimed at achieving 7% weight loss, combined with half an hour of exercise five days a week, reduced the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 58% compared with the placebo group.

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Michael Jackson’s concert documentary, This Is It, has been warmly received by the late singer’s fans after its worldwide premiere.

The movie was pieced together from 100 hours of footage shot at rehearsals for the star’s ill-fated comeback shows.

Fan Darryn Wade, in Los Angeles, said: “Judging by that film, it would have been the best show of all time.”

But Kasian Daley, 17, at the London premiere, said: “It’s an easy way for them to make money off his name.”

And Mustapha Duggash, 18, from Nigeria, also at the London screening, said: “I believe it’s a nice tribute but the main motivation is the money.”

Jackson’s brothers attended the screening in Los Angeles and simultaneous premieres were held in 18 other cities.

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It’s all about spirals, twists and rotations with a New Age spin. Don’t be fooled: It ain’t easy.

I’ve never given much thought to the difference between a workout and exercise. I frequently used the words interchangeably to refer to some form of structured physical activity.

That was until I tried Gyrotonic, which uses elaborate wooden equipment to strengthen and lengthen the body. Pilates enthusiasts, take note: Gyrotonic is not as closely related as it sounds. Think of them as cousins rather than siblings. While Pilates emphasizes the core, the goal of Gyrotonic is to increase the space between the vertebrae through fluid movement.
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Nibbling on chocolate or even sipping a glass of water can relieve aches and pains, a study has shown.

A team of researchers says the distraction of eating or drinking for pleasure acts as a natural painkiller.

Although the findings come from studies on animals, the scientists believe the same effect takes place in people.

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Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe is heading to Broadway for his first musical.

The 20-year-old actor has been announced as the lead for How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.

Radcliffe is already used to the pressures of nightly Broadway and West End appearances, having wowed critics in Equus last year.

He will play the plum part of J. Pierrepont Finch, a window cleaner who rises to the top of a huge company while, of course, wooing and winning a girl along the way.

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Actress Dame Elizabeth Taylor has told fans her heart surgery “went off perfectly”, adding that “it’s like having a brand new ticker”.

The 77-year-old gave the update on her Twitter page, where she announced on Tuesday she would be undergoing an operation to repair “my leaky valve”.

The Oscar-winning actress added: “Thank you for your prayers and good wishes. I know they all helped.”

The star was diagnosed with congestive heart failure five years ago.

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Scientists announced a major breakthrough in the battle against breast cancer yesterday after discovering a faulty gene involved in half of all cases of the disease which kills 12,000 women in the UK every year.

The gene – called NRG1 – is also implicated in 50 per cent of bowel and prostate cancers and a quarter of cancers of the ovary and bladder.

Cancer charities hailed the find as a ‘major step forward’ and one of the most important developments in cancer gene research in the last 20 years.

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Having a winter flu jab can help protect against swine flu, claim scientists.

New tests show the normal seasonal flu vaccine can reduce the effects of particularly severe forms of swine flu which can be fatal.

Previously doctors thought there was likely to be little cross-over protection conferred by seasonal vaccine, although they stressed it was still vital to develop and use jabs specially designed against swine flu.

So far swine flu has claimed 84 lives in Britain, among more than 4,100 worldwide, and a second surge is thought to be imminent.

Researchers believe the seasonal vaccine offers some limited protection because it boosts existing antibodies against flu strains in individuals who have previously been exposed to a similar bug, either by infection or vaccination.

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US President Barack Obama has said he was “surprised and deeply humbled” to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, less than 10 months into his presidency.

Speaking at the White House hours after the Norwegian Nobel Prize Committee named him as a surprise winner, he said the award should be a “call to action”.

The world faced challenges that “cannot be met by one person or by one nation alone,” Mr Obama said.

The committee said he won for efforts to boost diplomacy and co-operation.

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Singer Amy Winehouse’s new album is expected to be completed next year, according to her record label Island.

“I’ve heard a couple of song demos that absolutely floored me,” Island co-president Darcus Beese said. “Hopefully we’ll have her album next year.”

He said the singer had been writing and recording “in fits and starts”.

Winehouse’s last album Back To Black, which has sold 10 million copies and won five Grammy Awards, came out three years ago.

But since its release, the singer has battled drug problems and ill health, and comeback gigs in May had to be scrapped.

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