Health, Wellbeing & Nutrition

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Paula Mee, consultant dietician - More
  
• Tony Bates (CEO of Headstrong, the national centre for youth mental health) - More
  
• Pat Henry, fitness expert - More

OTHER HEALTH , WELLBEING & NUTRITION ITEMS

Saturday 16th January 2010
Aidan Moran, professor of cognitive psychology UCD with some tips on how to improve your concentration and performance in academic & sporting situations.
His CD explores concentration in 3 stages - what it is, helping you analyse & deal with common distractions, some practical focusing strategies. It is called 'Learn To Concentrate' and is available (online only) from www.mindcoolproductions.com

Saturday 24th October 2009
Dr Michael O'Tighearnaigh, GP and Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer with the Department of Health offered some information about the swine flu vaccine. At www.swineflu.ie you will get all the official information you need

Saturday 17th October 2009
Professor Richard Costello, consultant respiratory physician Beaumont Hospital with some help for those with sleep problems

How to establish a good night's sleep
1. have a good going-to-bed routine (dim lights, calm tv/radio)
2. get out of bed if you are tossing & turning, go to another environment to help you wind down (eg on the sofa, read a mag)
3. get up at the same time every day to set your body clock going

Take sleeplessness seriously
1. If you are suffering from insomnia & can't get into a good sleeping pattern, see a sleep therapist
2. Don't become reliant on sleeping tablets, it's not 'proper' sleep

How much sleep do I need?
1. It varies - anything from 4-12 hours is normal
2. We establish our patterns when very young (3/4 years). Don't worry if your child wakes during the night, they're following their own pattern
3. Power naps help some but most people shouldn't need them. If you're falling asleep during the day something is wrong

Saturday 20th June 2009
Genevieve Taylor told Marian about her experiences with fertility treatment in Ireland and how her problems were finally resolved when she saw a consultant in Harley Street in London.

That doctor is Mr Hassan Shehata, 84 Harley Street, London W1G 7HW (Tel: 0044 208 401 9928)

Saturday 23rd May 2009 (presented by Rachel English)
Dr Michael Woods was a guest on today's programme reacting to the outcome of the Ryan Report on clerical sexual abuse. Some of the helplines available for victims of sexual abuse are:

1. National 24 Hour Helpline for Vidtims of Rape & Sexual Abuse 1800 778888
2. HSE free counselling service 1800 235 234

Saturday 25th April 2009
Best Doctors In Ireland is a 'second opinion' service, available to all those being treated in the health system in Ireland who would like to avail of medical opinions of other doctors worldwide. The service is available to those with private medical insurance, whose insurance company use the Best Doctors service.
Best Doctors, Fitzwilliam Hall, Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2
Tel: 01 669 8549 / Website: http://www.bestdoctors.com/bd/ie/

Saturday 17th January 2009
Dr. Brendan Fitzpatrick (www.allergy.ie) offered some tips on ways to ward off colds and flu during the winter months - using regular and alternative medicine. Most important is to get the basics right -

* Moderate exercise will help build your immunity to infection
* Increase your intake of foods containing antioxidants - whole grain foods, fruit, vegetables, green tea etc. It's also important to reduce refined sugar intake as it may affect the white cell function
* Stress will eventually lead to illness. Learn relaxation techniques and how to switch off and wind down
* Ensure sufficient Vitamin C, in particular during the peak times. If you do get a cold or 'flu, then you need to take Vitamin C in a higher dose - one gram a day. You won't get 1g of Vitamin C from your fresh fruits and oranges so you'll need to take a supplement. A good multivitamin around Sept/Oct and again around Christmas and the New Year is also advisable, as is zinc and omega 3
* Echinacea, but again for short periods only (in spurts of 10 days to two weeks with a gap of a month or so afterwards)
* Garlic and ginger on a regular basis are anti-bacterial and help fight against viruses. Grapeseed extract and goldenseal will also build up your immunity
* Probiotics - take them for four or six weeks, either in yogurt or over the counter from your pharmacist or health food shop (important: don't take probiotics if you're on steroids or having chemotherapy)

Saturday 28th June 2008
Eddie Murphy, clinical psychologist spoke about ways of coping with anger. You can find out more at his website at www.peoplecareservices.ie or you can email him directly at eddie@peoplecareservices.ie

Saturday 12th April 2008
In an extraordinary interview on today's programme the writer and broadcaster Nuala Ó Faoláin spoke extremely openly and honestly about her terminal cancer

Some organisations which may be helpful to people coping with cancer -

Irish Cancer Society / www.cancer.ie
Irish Cancer Society Helpline 1 800 200 700 [Mon-Thurs 9 - 7, Fridays 9 - 5]

The Hospice Foundation / www.hospice-foundation.ie
Head office at 01 679 3188 and the website has a Local Service Directory for services available all around the country

The HSE have published 2 booklets called "You Are Not Alone" - one is a directly of Bereavement Support Services and the other is entitled Help & Advice on Coping With The Death of Someone Close. They are both available from the National Office for Suicide Prevention, Health Service Executive, Dr Steeven's Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin 8 (01 635 2179)

Dr Tony Bates also talked about how we can cope with death. He recommended a book called "The Tibetan Book Of Living & Dying" by Sogyal Rinpoche (published in 2002 by Ebury Press)

Saturday 5th April 2008
In a moving discussion about suicide in Ireland, Noel Smyth and Mairead Byrne talked about the impact it has had on both their families.

'The 3T's: Turning The Tide of Suicide in Ireland' is a new initiative to raise awareness and funding to lower suicide rates in Ireland through research, education and intervention (www.3ts.ie)

Another organisation that works with suicide in Ireland is
Console - www.console.ie

Saturday 28th April 2007
Dr Erasmus Udo, a leading authority on fats, oils & cholesterol spoke to Marian about his views on essential healthy fats (which increase energy & stamina, balance hormones, reduce symptoms of PMS & improve skin conditions). He believes the best method of weight loss is to increase intake of essential fats (Omega 3 & 6 from seeds, nuts, fish and green vegetables) & lower carbohydrate intake. More info at http://www.udoerasmus.com

Saturday 21st April 2007
Dr Mark Hamilton talked about an online calculator designed to help you determine the age of your heart. You'll find it at www.floraloveyourheart.ie

Saturday 7th April 2007
Patrick Holford, founder of Institute for Optimum Nutrition (www.patrickholford.com) spoke about his beliefs about the dangers of cholesterol-blocking statin drugs, the power of natural foods, the benefits of vitamin supplements, improving fertility through diet and how to combat stress.
Patrick's beliefs in these areas are further explored in two of his books ""Food Is Better Than Medicine" and "Natural Highs: Chill - 25 Ways To Beat Stress".
Tips - for optimum physical and mental health you should increase your intake of oat-rich foods, seeds & nuts, onions & garlic, the herbal medicine Valerian, lettuce, strawberries, wholemeal bread, fruit & porridge, oysters, camomile tea and zinc & folic acid supplements for pregnant women

Saturday 11th November 2006
Professor Basant K Puri spoke about how essential fatty acids improve the neurological health in children. He recommends a fish oil supplement called VegEPA

Saturday 23rd September 2006
Rozanne Stevens, nutritional therapist and wholefood chef offered her suggestions for packed lunches for children:
- water, pitta pockets, baked falafel balls, turkey meatballs, sticky chicken, hummous & crudités, fruit salad, dried fruit/nuts, sultanas & sunflower seeds, boiled egg, lentil salad, bean salad, flask of soup, baby potato salad with corn, carrots & green beans, wholemeal muffins (sweet or savoury), wholemeal banana bread, flapjacks/granola bars, cous cous salad, broccoli shoots, natural yoghurt