Feelgood 25-06-2010

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Feelgood

Friday, June 25, 2010

BRIGHT SPARKS

Photograph by: Brian Farrell

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Gavin Tucker and other Mensa members on having an IQ in the top 2%: 8, 9

SUMMER FUN

Budget ideas to keep kids busy during school holidays: 4, 5

RAGS TO RICHES

Millionaire marketing ideas to change the course of your life: 6

BON VOYAGE

Essential waterproof beauty products for sun holidays: 14

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2 News front

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Paternity suits are becoming a feature of Irish life. A simple DNA test is the only way to banish doubt, says Arlene Harris Kate O’Reilly WHAT’S ON ■ LADIES DAY: Tickets are now being sold for Ladies Day at Cork Week in aid of Cork Simon Community. The tickets for the event which takes place in the Royal Cork Yacht Club, Crosshaven on Thursday July 15, include a champagne and strawberry reception, followed by lunch in the corporate marquee, a make-up masterclass and a fashion show. Tickets are held at 2008 prices — F75 each or tables of 10 for F750 — and are available from Cork Simon’s fundraising office on 021-4321166 or fundraising@corksimoncommunity.ie.

■ DINGLE MARATHON: The Share A Dream Foundation has been working to make dreams come true for terminally ill kids in Ireland for the past 21 years.

They are now making an appeal for people to run the Dingle Marathon on their behalf. Places are now filling up fast for the marathon, which takes place on September 4. Runners have the choice of taking part in the full marathon (26.2 miles), half marathon (13.1 miles) or, a new element this year, the ultra marathon (50 miles). All runners are encouraged to raise funds for participating charities which also include Barnardos, The Mercy Hospital Cork, CROI, Hope Guatemala and Enable Ireland, Kerry. For details, see www.dinglemarathon.ie. If you would like to run for the Share A Dream Foundation, contact Chris on 061-633 777 or email him at dreams@shareadream.ie.

■ FAMILY FESTIVAL: The arrival of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in Kinsale will be celebrated with free family-friendly festivals in Kinsale July 2-7 and in Cork City from July 7-9. For details, see www.corkclipperfestival.com.

■ HB FUNDAYS: The annual Down Syndrome Ireland HB Ice Cream Fundays party will take place at Mahon Point Shopping Centre in Cork tomorrow. Everyone is welcome to come along tomorrow from 1pm to 5pm to enjoy the ice cream, family fun and free activities, while raising much-needed funds for Down syndrome services.

■ HAITI EXHIBITION: Visit Haiti Lives is an Oxfam photography exhibition inspired by the strength and resilience of the Haitian people. An estimated 230,000 people were killed and more than one million left homeless after January’s devastating earthquake. Oxfam Ireland received tremendous support from the Irish public and Oxfam has now raised enough money worldwide to support its planned five-year programme in Haiti. The exhibition is on in Powerscourt Townhouse, Dublin from June 30 to July 31. See oxfamireland.org.

■ Items for inclusion in this column can be sent to koreilly8@gmail.com

Feelgood

Put to the test

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CE golfer Tiger Woods has a lot on his mind these days — preparing for the JP McManus Pro Am, battling to save his marriage and coming to terms with his recent sex addiction diagnosis. The last thing he needs right now is paternity suit.

But porn star, Devon James has recently claimed that her nine-year-old son Austin T was fathered by the sports star during a relationship in 2000 before he was married.

And last week, James, whose real name is Melinda Janette, put the wheels in motion to prove that Tiger is her child’s father and instructed lawyers to file a suit for child support.

Not only has the troubled golfer denied these claims, but the child’s grandmother (who is also his custodian) has reportedly said ‘there is no way that Austin is Tiger Woods’s son’. With both parties sticking to their guns, the only way to disprove this latest claim is for Woods to take a paternity test. The simple DNA test would prove one way or another whether Austin James really is the sporting legend’s son.

Ormond Quay Paternity Services (OQPS) is the largest DNA testing company in Ireland and while paternity suits may be way off most people’s radar, the Dublin-based firm has over 10 enquires a day. The cost for each procedure starts at F350.

Operations director, Brian O’Dwyer says: “There are 80,000 children born each year

DRIVEN MAN: Tiger Woods during a practice round for the US Open golf tournament last week.

Picture:AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

in Ireland and two thirds of those are out of wedlock, he says. “So it stands to reason that there may be some level of uncertainty.

“Taking a test is the only way to prove who the father of the child is. It is a really easy process — the only hard part is the emotion involved.

Over one third of the men who take a paternity test with OQPS are not the child’s father, but O’Dwyer says this is down to the nature of the procedure.

“It might sound like a really high figure but people only seek this service if they are in doubt, so there are bound to be large

numbers of negative tests — so if there is any doubt, just get it checked out.”

DNA TEST PROCEDURE: ■ Visit GP and request test ■ Clinic will send out three swab kits to doctor ■ Saliva swab will be taken from mother, child and alleged father ■ Results will be back in five working days.

For more information call 01-8748699 or visit www.oqps.ie

HEALTH NOTES IT’S NOT often you’ll hear scientists say a little weight is a good thing. But when it comes to age-related dementia, thin people face a higher risk of developing the illness.

According to a study by Milan University and the Karolinska Institute of Stockholm, those with a lower body mass index (BMI) are more likely to suffer from dementia.

“The conclusion that corpulence can suddenly be recommended is false, of course...” says Dr Francesca Clerici, principal author of the study. “Our observational study shows a statistical, but as yet no causal, connection.

Additional studies will be needed to demonstrate whether or not body composition is a cause of dementia’s progression, or, conversely, that progressive dementia is a cause of weight loss — perhaps due to a patient’s losing his or her appetite.”

Scientists have identified a link between an enzyme and post-natal depression. The study, published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, shows when oestrogen levels plummet after birth, the enzyme, monoamine oxidase A, rises sharply in the brain. This enzyme can break down feel-good chemicals, dopamine and serotonin, leading to depression. Women who had just given birth were found to have 43% more oxidase A than those in the control group, with levels peaking five days after birth. Almost seven in ten mothers feel low after giving birth. Post-natal depression is

out by Pomegreat, only 8% of respondents said it was a cause for concern. Though high blood pressure is more likely to affect men, more women than men (33% vs 27%) were aware of their blood pressure reading, and whether or not there was a family history of the condition (20% vs 16%).

Known as the silent killer, the symptoms can be as mild as headaches and dizziness, yet 38% of those surveyed were unaware of any symptoms.

For more information, visit www.pomegreat.com.

POST-NATAL DEPRESSION LINK: After birth, oestrogen dips, but a feelgood blocking enzyme, monoamine oxidase A, rises. Picture:iStock believed to affect one in 10 new mothers.

An estimated one in four of Irish people has high blood pressure. A potentially life-threatening condition, awareness of the health risks it poses seems low among the general population.

In a recent survey of 250 people, carried

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Less than 25% of older people in the Republic of Ireland have used the internet — a vital link to family, friends and the wider world.

Age Action is looking to raise F300,000 to keep one of Ireland’s most successful internet literacy programmes online.

Government funding for the charity’s Getting Started programme, which has trained more than 5,000 older people since 2007, will stop at the end of the year.

With more than 1,000 older people on waiting lists around Ireland for courses, Age Action chief executive, Robin Webster, says the need has never been greater to secure funding from the private or public sector in order to ensure the programme continues.

For more information about funding the programme, contact Lorraine Dorgan, deputy CEO, Age Action, at 01-4756989, or ceo@ageaction.ie.

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In profile THE SHAPE I'M IN

Mark Pollock

Blind ambition

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ARK POLLOCK was the first blind man to reach the South Pole. He has won rowing medals for Northern Ireland and completed six marathons over seven days in the Gobi Desert.

But the 34-year-old, who lost his sight at the age of 22, says one of his biggest adventures was the journey to his bedroom door after he became blind. “Like anyone else, I didn’t just jump out of bed and get on with things. It was very much one step at a time,” says Mark.

While a detached retina can often be successfully treated, this wasn’t the case for the young man from Hollywood, Co Down. “I lost my sight in the space of two weeks.

Doctors couldn’t save it,” says Mark, who had already lost sight in his right eye when he was five.

Last Sunday, he began competing in the 1,400km Round Ireland Yacht Race — in the double-handed section with Air Corps pilot Captain Mick Liddy in their Class 40 racing yacht, Daft.com. The race is expected to take between four and seven days. “Sleep deprivation is what I’m most concerned about. We’ll be up most of the time,” Mark said just before the race started last week.

A speaker at leadership conferences on “redefining what’s possible and making it happen”, Mark is set to marry fiancée Simone — a lawyer, who’s into dancing and writing and who taught him to Salsa dance — at the end of July.

What shape are you in?

I’m in pretty good shape. I’m generally fit anyway but I’ve had to do a lot more weight-training for the physical work I’ll be doing on the boat, such as winching up the sails. Unlike other things I’ve done, this will be a lot more about strength than endurance.

Do you have any health concerns?

I’ve got high blood pressure, which I’m on tablets for.

It’s a genetic thing but it will be a concern on the yacht race because of sleep deprivation and taking caffeine products to keep me going – I’ll just need to be careful.

What are your healthiest eating habits?

I try my best to eat vegetables whenever I can. I think anything green is good for you. I also make sure not to overdo it on the carbs.

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A UNIQUE GIFT A PERSONALISED IRISH EXAMINER FRONT PAGE

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?

Cheese — if I’m cooking spinach, I’ll sometimes melt a little cheese on top, which takes away from the healthiness.

Another weakness is Guinness.

What would keep you awake at night?

If I’ve got lots on and I’m trying to do too much without planning things, I can get overwhelmed. Breaking up the tasks helps.

How do you relax?

I find if I put myself under pressure, doing a big race for example, then I can sit back and really enjoy the post-event relaxation. I relax best if I feel I’ve earned it. If I did nothing but go to the pub all day, I’d get very stressed.

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Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

I’d invite Sir Ranulph Fiennes, one of the world’s greatest explorers, Richard Branson and Cameron Diaz — because when I lost my sight in 1998, she was my reference for good-looking girls. Of course, I’d also ask Simone, my fiancée.

When did you last cry?

I cried on multiple occasions in Antarctica when I was racing to the South Pole. A lot of those endurance races affect balance in the body, so I became very emotional and would cry over the stupidest things.

What’s your favourite smell?

Freshly-cut grass in summer.

What would you change about your appearance?

I’m constantly battling with the waistline. I think cheese is the problem. I’m also completely bald but that’s okay because I wouldn’t be able to style hair if I had it.

What trait do you least like in others?

People who say ‘I can’t’ but who do nothing to turn that into ‘I can’.

What trait do you least like in yourself?

My lack of patience.

Do you pray?

No, I did in the past, but it didn’t work so I don’t anymore.

What would cheer up a typical day?

Something that makes me laugh out loud would have the rest of the day sorted.

Helen O’Callaghan

HEALTHY ATTITUDE: Mark Pollock, South Pole adventurer and now Round Ireland yachtsman, lost his sight at age 22.

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Feelgood

FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2010

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School holidays

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With school holidays here, Arlene Harris explores how you can prepare a

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strategy well in advance to entertain bored children on a leaner

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FUN WITHOUT TOO MANY FUNDS L

IKE ice cream and sand castles, school holidays are part of what summer means for children. But for most parents the prospect of entertaining young children for eight weeks is a daunting task.

As with any major operation, the best tactic is to prepare well in advance and have a well-stocked supply of alternative options up your sleeve.

Sure the school term is a busy time with packed schedules and tired, fractious children.

But during the holidays, there are an extra six hours to fill each day and, with many parents working either from home or at the office, this time frame can seem like an insurmountable challenge.

As the mother of three high-energy boys, I am well aware of what it takes to keep children entertained while trying to hold down a job.

Fortunately, I can work from home but this does mean that I have to be quite organised and allocate time for work and play.

The current economic climate means that most of us can’t afford endless camps, so for those (long) weeks when your little darlings will be hanging out at home, here are some cost-free ideas.

■ Send the children on a nature hunt — compile a list of objects including leaves, twigs and bugs, hand them a bucket and a picnic and tell them to get searching. It should keep them busy for an hour or so.

■ Allocate weekly projects. Allow com- Picture: Getty Images puter access for older children to collate information. Supply plenty of paper, glue and sticky tape to help put their words and pictures together into book form. Younger children can also take part in less elaborate versions.

■ Stock up on work books. Most shops will sell inexpensive, age-appropriate versions. Set aside some time each day for the children to get some work done. If you are planning a holiday abroad, buy some basic books in the appropriate language and encourage them to learn a few words before they travel.

■ Make rock creatures — children of all ages love this activity. Find some large smooth rocks in your garden or nearest park and allow the kids to paint and decorate them.

■ Too much TV and computer is obviously bad for your children, but allow them some down time each day — it will benefit all parties.

■ Arrange play dates and try to coordinate so you have one day with lots of children and another where all of your crew are at a friends’ house — that way you will be sure to get some work done while they are out of the house.

Picture: Getty Images

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TIME TOGETHER: Regardless of what you plan, even if it reaches military standards, it’s difficult to stick to your normal working routine. So make sure you allow some time

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each day, or evening if you work away from home, to get involved in an activity with your children. Not only will you all enjoy some quality time together, but it also helps to reinforce the boundaries between work and play time.

■ Go for a picnic in the local woods or park.

■ Spend an afternoon on the beach or, if it’s raining, take the kids to the swimming pool.

■ Bake a cake.

■ Explore the world through food — choose a different country each week and together with your children, pick out a recipe, buy the ingredients and put together a meal — allowing each child an age-appropriate job.

■ Make a list of local areas of interest and visit a different place each week — get older children to keep a diary.

■ If the weather is bad, rent a DVD and snuggle up in front of the TV — you will be surprised how much your children will enjoy your presence.

■ Make a list of local areas of interest and visit a different place each week — get older children to keep a diary.

■ Teenagers need to be with their peers — encourage healthy activities and organise rota with other parents.

■ Sleep is vital so allocate a summer bed time for week nights.

Where to go, what to do DAMIAN O’NEILL runs FunDays.ie — an online resource set up for parents by parents.

As the father of three young boys, he was constantly frustrated at the lack of information relating to activities for children — so in 2006 decided to do something about it.

“There was no one place to go to find fun,” he says “And the phone book was useful only if you knew what you were looking for, so four years ago my brother-in-law and I thought it would be good idea if there was somewhere online to search for fun in any given area around the country — and so www.fundays.ie was born.”

Covering every corner of the country, the site offers a wide range of activities from adventure centres to art and craft venues.

And bearing in mind the current economic climate, it also highlights special offers and venues that are free of charge.

So confident are they in their ability to please everyone, the Dublin dad says, “If it’s not on FunDays.ie — it’s not on.”

For more information visit www.fundays.ie www.littlesteps.eu www.vsi.ie www.getirelandactive.ie www.sparkplugging.com

Be organised for them

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Picture: Getty Images

Get physical for summer Picture: Getty Images

A NEW website from Safefood called www.littlesteps.eu offers help and advice to parents on how to keep their children healthy and active over the summer months.

Dr Cliodhna Foley Nolan, pictured here, director of health and nutrition for Safefood, says it is vital to set down some ground rules at the start of the holidays.

“The daily routine will obviously relax while the children are off school, but I would advise parents to stick to some sort of plan,” she says. “Don’t let them stay in bed or in front of the TV all morning, make sure you have a loose schedule drawn up and put it in action early, otherwise you will be fighting a losing battle in July and August.”

Dr Foley Nolan says that while letting the kids lounge about the house might be the easy option, it will take its toll on their long term health.

“One-in-four Irish children is overweight, so it is important for parents to keep their children active,” she advises.

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“This does take effort and will involve ferrying kids around, organising play dates and leading by example. But it will be worth it in the long run.”

SUMMER SCHEDULE: ■ Make a plan at the start of the holidays and stick to it.

■ Don’t let weather keep you indoors, stock up on wellies, wetsuits and rain gear.

■ Organise games to coincide with events such as Wimbledon and the World Cup. ■ Pencil in TV and computer time and don’t allow overtime.

■ Take your children swimming, play Frisbee with them, go for walks.

DR CATHERINE WOODS is a senior lecturer in exercise psychology at the School of Health and Human Performance in DCU. She agrees that a programme of daily activity is vital for children during the long summer holidays.

“Studies have shown that children need to undertake a minimum of 60 minutes of moderate exercise each day in order to improve physical, social and psychological health,” she says.

“It will help to maintain a healthy weight and prevent the onset of disease. Psychologically, it helps to boost self-esteem and confidence and on a social level, getting involved with activities will help your children to interact with their peers.”

Dr Woods says the temptations of modern technology can leave many children reluctant to leave their computer screens, so it is up to parents to ensure that they make exercise an attractive alternative.

“What adults think and what kids actually want can be totally different,” she says. “Parents need to find compelling reasons for their children to take part in activities — find out what they like doing and make it fun for them.”

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GETTING KIDS ACTIVE ■ Educate yourself about the games and activities available locally.

■ Don’t enrol your children into something likely to be stressful for them as it will backfire and they will be reluctant to get involved in the future.

■ Some children don’t like competitive games, if this is the case, find an alternative.

■ Try to understand where they are coming from — what seems like fun to you might be a bore for them.

■ Make sedentary options less appealing — turn off the TV or the play station and lure the children outside with promises of interesting games followed by a healthy picnic.

■ Any form of physical activity is better than none, so find something that suits your child,” Dr Woods advises. “Also, while it is unlikely that your child will be doing too much physical activity, make sure they have enough time for rest and relaxation.”

■ Older children are unlikely to enjoy hanging around with family members, so ask them what activities they would like to take part in and co-ordinate dates with their friends’ parents. While they may be reluctant at first, going swimming, surfing or just kicking a ball around will probably be great fun.

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Tracey Repchuk shows you how to get rich on the internet, says Áilin Quinlan

Tap into wealth

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OW did a Canadian mother-of-three earn $95,717 in five months and become an Amazon bestselling author in 58 days? As a question, it’s an attention grabber.

Tracey Repchuk doesn’t just talk the talk about making money — she walks the walk, and she’s been walking it since the age of 19, when she set up her first company. With qualifications in IT and accountancy, the 45-year-old is well placed to spot the money-making opportunities offered by the internet — even in the depth of an excoriating recession.

Talk of recession doesn’t faze Repchuk, it invigorates her — she set up her software firm in Canada during the ’80s downturn. “I set it up in 1985. It was in the middle of a recession and I had just graduated from college. There were no jobs, so I had to make my own work — in fact, it was probably the greatest opportunity ever,” she says.

Repchuk was running four companies, including the IT firm and an art gallery, and she somehow kept it all going when the children arrived, though from a home-based office.

“When I had the kids, I didn’t want to leave my career. I love working, but I felt I had to be home. I felt I would be the one responsible for laying the foundations of the family and establishing morals and values, so I moved everything to my home office. I was about 30 at that stage and, ever since, I have worked from home and run companies from home.”

So far, so very busy, but still relatively normal.

But then, three years ago, Repchuk had an idea, the idea she has come to Ireland to talk about, the idea which transformed her life, won her numerous accolades, and turned her into one of the top motivational speakers on the international stage, an idea which, she says, can transform the lives of Irish women willing to learn something new.

In 2007, Repchuk published a book about making money through internet marketing. It was hugely successful and was applauded as the ‘internet marketing success of the year’.

The basis of the book, and its central philosophy, is essentially a layman’s A-Z on how to use the internet intelligently and efficiently to create a client base to which you then market and sell an idea or a product.

Repuchuk wrote 31 Days to Millionaire Marketing Miracles, self-published it, launched it and watched it become an Amazon best-seller — all in 58 days. You mightn’t think it, but, says Repchuk, a lot of people don’t really understand how to make best use of the internet as a marketing tool.

Going by the sales of her book, most of them seem willing to learn: “There are sequential steps that need to be done in order to achieve results. A lot of people had no idea how to use the internet properly and efficiently.

“People were wasting money on software and coaching and programmes that they didn’t need, because it was out of sequence for what they were equipped and able to do,” she says. The book is quite technical, but if you’re willing to make the ef-

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fort, the rewards can be tremendous.

Repchuk arrived in Ireland on Wednesday to give seminars on her award-winning process in Killiney, Co Dublin, and in Belfast.

This is her second visit to Ireland — she was last here in January.

“I focus on how to turn your passion into profits, or how to discover what it is you really want to be doing. I have Irish women who are professional and looking for a break away from a business which ties you down,” she says.

“I also have women who are single mothers and have to constantly leave their child to make money. Also, I have women whose husbands have lost jobs, or who have lost jobs themselves, due to recession or down-sizing, and who need supplemental income,” Repchuk says.

Her philosophy hinges on the concept of FEBENEP — ‘front end,’ ‘back end,’ ‘never-ending profit’. This means generating a non-stop revenue stream from an idea or hobby for which you have a passion.

For her, she says the ‘front end’ was the book launch — the book was published and instantaneously kick-started another career, in coaching: “People started looking for me to coach them through the steps. The book started a very lucrative coaching programme — but the problem was that I wasn’t making money on automatic. If I worked, I made money.”

But that wasn’t good enough for Repchuk, who wanted, as she says, the never-ending profit: “I opened up a membership site, where people log on, pay for membership and learn internet marketing by getting one lesson a week.”

For $50 a month, clients receive weekly lessons, plus webinairs, or online internet seminars.

It’s all about making money — and, more precisely, about making money when you’re not actually sitting at your desk working, she says: “Each of us has a purpose and a message, and there has never been a better time for us to get it out there and make money from it. I get people to look at what they like and what they are good at,” she says.

“For example, someone who survived cancer. Let’s say part of your solution was lifestyle change — you can share this with an e-book, access to which is paid for,” Rechuk says.

MIDAS TOUCH: Work at home and earn through smart internet marketing.

Picture: iStock

“We’re in the information age and people tend to underestimate what they know, and the unique contribution they can make to society and how they can make money from it.”

Internet marketing is highly technical, and, depending on your ability at the time, it can be, as she says, a fairly sharp learning curve, but if you’re willing to learn a new skill, you’re already on your way.

“One of my clients was in a situation where she was retired and needed extra income, because her pension was not enough.

Her interest and passion was knitting, so what she’s now doing is building a membership site, which will be called Knitting for Beginners.

“How well she gets on depends on the speed at which she gets it out there, and her ability to learn new things and the quality of the information she has to offer,” Repchuk says.

For Repchuk, the three years since her book was published have been a whirl: “I am giving seminars and presentations all over the world. In the last three years, I’ve have been

to Singapore, Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada Hong Kong and Malaysia, for example,” she says.

Her three teenage children — who all attend a ‘virtual school’ based in California, where the family now lives — travel with her when feasible. The family recently spent a month in Australia, where Repchuk had a number of speaking engagements.

Business is certainly a family affair with the Repchuks — husband Dave, a former company vice-president, runs businesses from the family’s home in Burbank.

Their 13-year-old daughter, Celeste, has already set up an e-bay business, while son Caleb is already a successful young actor — he made his first five-figure sum with a television commercial three years ago. Eldest daughter Kennedy, 15, is equally busy, dividing her time between swim-training and school.

■ For more information on Tracey’s visit to Ireland, log onto www.mediamindsetandmarketing.com and www.millinairemarketingmiracles.com.

Tracey Repchuk’s top tip: PASSION P — Pick what matters to you — hobby, interest, sport A — Act smart S — Select a mentor who has an expertise in your chosen field S — Sell your product by creating an internet-led demand for your product I — Invite people to your community by building a list of potential

FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2010

clients using internet know-how and technology O — Only do one thing until it works and ensure each part of the process works for you before you move on. “People tend to look at what other people are doing but it’s best just to focus on what you are doing,” says Repchuk.

N — Never let your dream die, just keep doing it until you succeed.

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Psychology 7

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Conditions such as IBS need far more than a pharmacological approach to treatment

Beyond physical

THE

The

Feel Good Personals FOR

COST EFFECTIVE ADVERTISING Phone:

LORI FRASER

Tony Humphreys

Tel.

021-4802265

R

ESEARCH in University College Cork has provided evidence linking the distressing and embarrassing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to extreme stress in childhood. Up to now, medical doctors had found no obvious organic cause for this painful and debilitating condition.

The researchers, Dr John Cryan and Professor Ted Dinan found that individuals with the condition reported high stress levels and had experienced deeply upsetting events during childhood. Without going into the biochemical complexities of their research, it was found that higher glutamate — an essential protein — in the spinal cord may be contributing to the emergence of severe abdominal pain as reported by those with IBS. The researchers believe that the current expensive medication is not very effective because it does not target the glutamate transporter specifically. They are determined to develop a new drug that will be specific to the physical pain symptoms of the condition.

Certainly, any drug that will alleviate the pain of the irritable bowel syndrome will be a welcome relief to the many individuals who suffer from this condition. However, I am curious as to why the researchers did not focus on the very real, extreme and long-enduring stress experiences that individuals in their neuro-gastroenterology group at UCC reported.

While a new drug may certainly reduce the symptoms of the disease, it will do little to empower those individuals who continue to have stressful lives. One has to wonder whether or not attendance at a stress management course or for individual psychotherapy, in the long run and, maybe, even in the short run, would be more beneficial.

Let me be very clear here: when individuals develop any physical illness it is critical that they first attend a medical practitioner and receive the appropriate medical response to their presenting symptoms. So, in the case of IBS, a new and more effective drug may be the medical prescription available and where this provides relief of the pain, and maybe other symptoms, it is a welcome experience.

However, treatment needs to go beyond the physical to the psycho-social domain, especially where there is clear evidence of stressful experiences in the development of the condition.

Close liaison is required between medical and psychosocial practitioners in the therapeutic interventions for “medical” problems that do not have a clear and specific organic basis. Indeed, even where there are medical diseases that have a specific organic origin, the sufferer’s response to the diagnosis and prognosis can adversely affect the purely medical treatment.

For example, some individuals can become highly anxious or plummet into depression following diagnosis of a serious medical condition and these reactions need to be treated just as much as the presenting medical disease. We all know stories of individuals who “turned their faces to the wall” following a serious medical diagnosis and, contrary to medical expectations, deteriorated rapidly and often died sooner than expected.

I would recommend a partnership between the depart-

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021-4273846 lori.fraser@examiner.ie PAIN RELIEF: When there is clear evidence of stress-related illness, treatment needs to go beyond the physical to the psycho-social domain. Picture: Getty Images ments of pharmacology and therapeutic and applied psychology to address the best possible bio-psycho-social interventions for a range of illnesses, not just irritable bowel syndrome.

As regards IBS, when exploring the psycho-social aspects of the dis-ease (word reads more accurately when hyphenated), it is important to understand that the psycho-social intentions of the dis-ease will be different for each person who has the condition and that for a particular person the intentions will differ each time the symptoms reoccur.

For instance, the unmet needs of a sufferer of IBS when a child or a teenager will be very different to those the person has when adult. Unmet needs — physical, emotional, social, sexual, intellectual, behavioural — are the sources of most problems in living, lack of loving being the most common.

In my book, with co-author Helen Ruddle, The Compassionate Intentions of Illness, there is a case study of a woman in her early 40s who was sent by his medical general practitioner with a diagnosis of IBS. It emerged that she had several stress-related medical conditions, including gastric reflux, teeth grinding and an underactive thyroid.

Her early experiences of harsh rejection by her mother and her unresolved dread of social situations in her current life are in keeping with the stress sources detected by Dr Cryan and Professor Dinan in their research of individuals with IBS. Long-term psychotherapy proved to be very effective in reducing the dis-ease symptoms and the client’s reliance on medication across all the presenting medical problems.

In the research quoted above, it is clear that the worthy search was for the cause of the pain associated with IBS. The causes of illness have tended to be the main preoccupation of medicine. Medical science does not deny the reality of psycho-social links to illnesses, but it has tended to ignore these links and not to look at symptoms beyond what is physically going on in a person’s life.

In finding a truly effective response to illness, the challenge is for the medical and psycho-social practitioners to pull out all the stops and, alongside the physical treatment arising from the understanding of the dis-ease’s physical and psycho-social causes, to put in place the psycho-social responses that are appropriate to the psychological intentions underlying the illness.

■ Dr Tony Humphreys practices as a clinical psychologist and is author of several books on practical psychology including The Compassionate Intentions of Illness which is co-authored with Helen Ruddle.

FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2010

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Bright sparks 9 Cover story Mensa is the ideal social organisation for anyone with a high IQ. Áilín Quinlan talks to some of the Irish faces behind the famous group for the super-intelligent XH - V1

MENSA WOMEN AND CHILDREN HIGH ACHIEVER: Gavin Tucker, 15, hopes to study medicine at Cambridge next year.

Picture: Brian Farrell

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AVIN TUCKER, 15, has just finished his Junior Certificate examinations. Back in May, before the State exams kicked off, he did his fifth-year exams.

In September he plunges straight into the final year of the Leaving Cert cycle.

And, within 15 months or so — all going to plan — he will be in Cambridge studying medicine. At the age of 16.

It all depends, of course, on whether he makes it through the formidable application process — he must survive three tough interviews and score in the region of 600 points in his Leaving Cert. Chances are, he will.

Gavin, whose intelligence scores in the top 1% of the population, had already finished his Junior Certificate course by the end of second year, and was starting to get bored.

“I’d finished the Junior Cert course by the end of second year, both on my own and through the school. I’d done everything there was to do, so I wasn’t really motivated.”

Together with his parents, the Co Roscommon teenager and Mensa member came up with a rather unusual solution. They asked the school whether he could do an accelerated Leaving Certificate programme: “We had to inform the Department of Education. Then I had to go to an educational psychologist to make sure I was mature enough to jump into the Leaving Certificate.”

Because there’s no transition year programme in his school, it was decided Gavin would do the fifth-year exams in May, followed by the Junior Cert before leap-frogging fifth year and launching straight into the final Leaving Cert cycle.

“For me, being a member of Mensa is a definite way of saying I am clever,” says the teenager, who is a member of several Mensa groups. “There’s an online Mensa group whose members talk to each other about everything from current affairs to difficulties with their computers.

“I’m involved in that and I’m also involved in a Facebook group for Mensa members under the age of 18 and I have made quite a few friends there.”

He can’t wait to leave home and study medicine — next October he will kick-start the university application process shortly after he receives his Junior Cert results: “I’ll be 16 when I start college. I want to study medicine in Cambridge University.

“I begin the application process next October — I’ll have three interviews and I’ll know in January if I’m lucky enough to be accepted.

“I wouldn’t go ahead if I didn’t feel I was able for it. I have no worries about being too young,” says the teenager

“Craig has a very active brain — he’s always coming up with different things and ideas. He’s always thinking of something new,” she says of her son, who has just finished first year in Blackrock College: Picture: Paul Sharp/Sharpix “They do streaming there and I feel that it’s good for him because he needs an environment where he is constantly challenged.”

This summer Craig will attend the CTY for a three-week course in modern business acumen. His younger brother Jeffrey, who is 12 and a whiz at maths, also attends the CTY. Says Craig: “I think a lot about what I’d like to do when I grow up and I think I’d like to be a TV LIFE CHANGE: Eileen Gormley met her husband at the first presenter. I like Mensa meeting she attended. Picture: Paul Sharp/Sharpix Ryan Tubridy because he’s good at asking the right questions and he’s friendly.

“Television is really something I’d like to Craig Duffy, 13, from Foxrock in do — I think it would be interesting. I’m Dublin is another Mensa member also interested in business. I might also set whose intelligence has also been up my own business although I haven’t estimated to be in the top 1% of thought about what kind of business it the population. would be. I also like writing novels and His mum Bernadette — also a member stories — maybe I’ll be a novelist.” of the organisation — says Craig’s excepHe enjoys Mensa: “We go on outings tional intelligence was spotted early on by and you can join a special interest group. an experienced infant teacher, and by his I’m in the film group at the moment. grandmother, a Montessori teacher.

Mensa is a way for me to socialise and Craig sat the Mensa test when he was meet people with the same interests as 10. me.”

SCREEN TEST: Craig Duffy, 13, would like to be a television presenter.

who this summer will attend a three-week course in medicine at the Centre for Talented Youth at Dublin City University.

“This is my third year going to the CTY. It’s good for meeting other clever people around my own age and I think it will help to prepare me for college life.”

1,200 members in Ireland IRISH Mensa has about 1,200 members aged from 10 to people in their 90s.

All have scored in the top 2% on a professionally approved IQ test.

However, says the organisation’s president, David Schulman, a retired businessman and former International President of Mensa, the organisation is open to interested children under the age of 10.

Although British Mensa boasts members under that age, in Ireland younger members are generally aged from 10 and upwards.

This is primarily because very young children in this country are not, as a rule, put forward for Mensa membership says Schulman.

However, parents who believe their young child is particularly intelligent and have evidence — such as a report from an educational psychologist — can apply for

membership on behalf of the child. Anyone who wants to know their IQ and wishes to join Mensa, can contact the organisation and have a preliminary test sent to their homes.

The group — which places great emphasis on socialising, has a good record on romance, quips Schulman: “We have quite a high percentage of marriages — in Ireland alone, about 15% to 20% of mem-

Picture: iStock

FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2010

bers marry each other.”

There are branches of Mensa in most major cities, including Cork, Belfast, Galway, Dublin, Waterford, and, he says, in many counties including Wicklow and Meath.

Depending on where you live, there is a variety of regular social events, while the organisation publishes a monthly magazine, and a newsletter and boasts several hundred special interest groups covering everything from philosophy to football.

“For some people it is very much a haven, for others it’s a good social outlet.

Those who find they don’t fit comfortably in their home circle can find a home from home in Mensa,” he says.

■ For further information about Mensa: Visit www.mensa.ie, email admin@mensa.ie, 01-2839792, write to Irish Mensa Dept. AA999 PO Box No. 4214/Business Reply/Dublin 2.

SWITCHED ON: Gerard Heaney believes education is the key to career success.

Picture: Denis Minihane

of writing a fantasy novel for teenagers.

“I gave up the accounting. It was in the recession and you were always one bounced cheque away from bankruptcy.”

JOINING Mensa quite literally changed writer Eileen Gormley’s life — she met her husband at the first meeting, and later switched career because of the organisation. The 49-year-old mother of three and former freelance journalist had trained in accountancy when, back in the ’80s and as a 20-something singleton, she moved to Dublin from Co Longford: “I joined every club I could think of and Mensa was one of them. One of my flatmates had got the home test for Mensa.

“I was looking over her shoulder and I thought ‘I could do that’ so I filled out the home test and then was invited to do a supervised test.”

The results showed Eileen, now in Swords, was in the top 2% of the population. At her very first Mensa meeting she met Tony Byrne, the man she would marry. “We still don’t know each other’s IQ though — I’ve heard that if you start comparing there can be trouble. In fact, there are very few people in Mensa whose IQ I do know — it’s not something you’d ask.

It’s like asking a woman what her weight is.”

Eileen found her Mensa membership also led to a new career: “When I joined Mensa in the ’80s, I noticed that there were about four times as many men as women in Mensa.”

She wrote an article for a newspaper about why there were so few women in the organisation — they simply weren’t bothering to take the test.

This led to a new career as a freelance journalist and later again to her current work as an author — she’s in the process

COMPUTER test technician and father-of-two Ger Heaney, 39, from Cobh, joined Mensa in 1999, several years after stumbling on an advertisement for the group which contained a built-in puzzle.

“I solved the puzzle and sent off for the home test. Then I was invited to do the supervised tests, but didn’t get around to it until 1999 when I found some of the paperwork.

“I did the test and they told me I was in the top 2% of the population as regards intelligence. It’s been great fun.”

Ger found that including his Mensa membership on his CV was not always beneficial.

“I have put my Mensa membership on my CV in the past but I found that it can be problematic. It’s like a red rag to a bull.

“It challenges people and I think it intimidates people at interviews. It’s almost like they expect more of you, for example, why aren’t you out saving the world. So it can be a tricky one.”

One interview panel was very positive about it, he says. “But generally I would find it makes people uncomfortable. It depends on the kind of job you’re applying for too.

“I’m quite glad I did the tests and that I joined. I wasn’t very academic in school — I kind of switched off at second level though I did well in maths and chemistry and physics but overall my Leaving Cert grades weren’t great.

“I got a place on what was then the electronics engineering certificate course at the Regional Technical College, followed by a FAS course in computer support and services.”

Ger worked in a number of high-tech companies, later did a degree in electronic engineering and is currently studying part-time for an honours degree in electronic systems engineering.

“I’d like to do a masters’ degree in electronic engineering and move into management. Education is crucial to a good career and being in Mensa and getting those tests made me realise that I have the ability.

“It leaves me no excuse but to get out there and do it. At the annual gatherings you meet some very switched-on and intelligent people and it gives you a different perspective.”

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10 Medical matters

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Q

Dr Niamh Houston

FAMILY

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Dr Niamh Houston is a GP with a special interest in integrative medicine. If you have a question about your child’s health email it to feelgood@examiner.ie or send a letter to Feelgood Irish Examiner City Quarter Lapps Quay Cork

when the emotional or physical stress is resolved. Revivogen is an anti-DHT hair loss treatment available on prescription from dermatologists.

I HAVE always had a thick head of hair, but recently seem to be losing a lot more of it than usual. My hair now comes out in handfuls, especially when brushing or washing. I have had a lot of stress in recent months, between losing my job, and my mother being very sick. My doctor said it’s because of this recent stress, but could there be a link? I’m worried that my hair loss will worsen and I will end up bald.

Q. My teenage son trains in athletics and has a bony bump on his big toe. His doctor said it was a bunion. He mentioned having an operation to straighten out his toe. I was surprised to hear that children can get bunions, I have them too, but thought it was only adults who were at risk. Will this affect his athletics in the future?

A. Physical or psychological stress to the body can precipitate a sudden increase in hair loss, usually described in medical terms as telogen effluvium.

It’s normal to lose up to about 100 hairs a day, and this is the result of the normal hair-growth cycle. Hairs will grow for a few years, then rest for a few months, shed and regrow. But with telogen effluvium, hair roots are pushed prematurely into the resting state.

Within a few months, the affected hairs may fall out suddenly, or, as in your case, when combing or washing your hair.

A number of different causes can trigger hair loss: severe infections, chronic illnesses, childbirth, psychological stress, major surgery, thyroid disorder or even mild anaemia. Hair loss can also occur from medications such as NSAIDS, retinoids, antidepressants, and certain blood pressure medications.

The human body has ways of alerting us to problems such as stress, and with a physical or psychological shock, large numbers of the scalp hairs can be shed for up to a few months, or sometimes longer afterwards.

Remember, the hairs fall out when a new hair growing beneath it pushes it out. So, with this type of hair loss, there is regrowth.

For some people, intense stress may trigger a different type of hair loss called alopecia areata.

In this condition, white blood cells attach the hair follicle — which stops hair growth.

The hair loss usually starts as a small, round patch, but may spread to the whole scalp, and sometimes body hair, as well. The hair usually grows back, but the cycle may repeat itself.

A. Bunions are not just the preserve of adults — children and teenagers can get them too. But they are more common in adults, especially women. Though bunions may run in families, this does not imply they are hereditary. Some people are born with a predisposition to developing bunions, especially if they wear shoes that constrict the toes or have high heels.

The pressure of the shoe over the bunion causes discomfort and pain, and the skin over it may become red, inflamed, blistered or even infected. In hallux valgus, or bunion, the big toe moves towards the lesser toes and a bony lump appears on the inside of the foot. Sometimes, the big toe can tilt over so much that it rubs on the second toes or pushes it up out of place.

If your son is in training, the problem he has may be from the shoes. A simple solution, first, is to Picture: iStock make sure his trainers fit properly over the toes. Bunions can also be treated with insoles or orthoses.

These can be specially made to fit your child’s feet and come in many shapes and materials. The support from the insole should stop the bunions getting worse or painful.

More than 150 different operations have been designed to correct bunions. During the operation, the surgeon takes out the bony bump and puts the big toe back into a straight line. The operation can correct the deformity, but the function of the big toe can be affected as a result. There is a risk that his running ability may be impaired.

The big toe may not be perfectly straight No treatment is needed for most cases of and there may some pain afterwards. Also, telogen effluvium. Your hair loss should recovery can take up to six months, or slowly decrease over the next few months — in some cases it may take up to six to 12 longer, after the operation.

It is best to be properly assessed by an ormonths to reverse. thopaedic surgeon, who is used to dealing Don’t worry, it doesn’t cause complete with these problems in teenage athletes. baldness and the hair, typically, grows back

With a physical or psychological shock, large numbers of scalp hairs can be shed for up to a few months or longer afterwards

NOTE: The information contained in Dr Houston’s column is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor first

B Catherine Shanahan MUM’S WORLD Feelgood

ROWBEATEN Dad wondered if the mother of his children had cottoned on to the fact that he was on holidays, too. She had been in a mood since the packing. He had offered to help, but did not understand the intricacies of folding a kaftan and was swiftly shooed away.

He headed for the coffee pot, tired of the arched eyebrow that pierced each suggestion he made.

He prayed for better humour by the time they reached the airport, but the early morning start had mangled that. She was never at her best before sunrise and the atmosphere they travelled in was charged.

Cranky children upped the ante by protesting at being woken and refused to do as they were asked.

On arriving at the airport, he dropped them at departures and drove to the long-term carpark on his own. He took the luggage from the boot — 60 kilos plus her

carry-on — and headed for the nearest trolley port. Alas, it was deserted, and there was nothing for it but to heft the luggage, solo, down the road.

Dripping in sweat, he entered the departures hall, but could see no sign of children or herself. Ticketless and passportless — she had managed to carry that much — he flopped down on his suitcase, fit for bed.

Upstairs, his beloved family were settled in the food hall, tucking into toast and scrambled eggs.

He could have called her on her mobile but decided against it — her badgering had driven him to the brink. There was only one thing for it, to hell with toast and scramblers, here was a man in dire need of a drink.

He had scarcely called a cider when his name rang out on the tannoy, summoning him to the check-in, right away. Sighing in defeat, he gathered up the luggage and

FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2010

plodded slowly back from whence he came.

Perched by the check-in desk, urging him to expedite, was the wellspring of so many of his woes.

He glanced at the departures list and contemplated legging it — he would give an eye to get away alone.

“Daddy, there you are!” stopped him in his tracks, and a tiny hand grabbed a hold of his. All thoughts of doing a runner were instantly killed off — what kind of man could run out on his kids? Besides, the giant carp was beckoning and looking rather threatening, and, for now, best do as she bid.

She caught him off his guard when she threw her arms around him, thanking him for being such a gem. She wondered aloud how would she cope without him, but the wise man keeps his counsel to himself. And so, he bit his tongue and headed for the sun, and prayed that God would keep him sane and well.

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Mental health

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Helen O’Callaghan on a new book aimed at understanding depression

Breaking down the barrier

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USAN, 48, a hairdresser, has been on antidepressants for 16 years. Her great sadness is that she never married and never had children. Brian, 59, is a successful businessman, yet he has suffered for most of his life with acute anxiety. Valerie, 40, endured severe post-natal depression after giving birth to twins three years ago.

These are just three of 14 people interviewed by freelance journalist Sue Leonard for her book, Keys To The Cage. It’s a book the Wicklow-based author has wanted to write for a while.

“I knew people who suffered from depression, some quite close to me. Everybody I talked to seemed to have a daughter who had panic attacks or knew someone with bipolar disorder.”

But the catalyst for the book was a text, sent to a phone-in radio show after the first difficult Budget was passed in early 2009, right when the recession began to bite deeply.

“A woman texted to say she was waking up with panic attacks every morning. I thought ‘pull yourself together’, then realised ‘I’m being judgmental’. Yet I was a nurse, my father a doctor. How could people who don’t have a medical

background understand if I couldn’t?

There’s a huge barrier between people who have depression and who don’t — with the book, I want to break down that barrier.”

Aged from 20 to 71 and with careers spanning the worlds of law, beauty and business, all of Leonard’s subjects live with depression and/or anxiety, something that it is estimated will hit one in four people at some stage in their lives. Reading the book, you get a strong sense the author has given her subjects a chance to breathe — the space to say what it feels like to suffer from this debilitating condition, to explain what triggers it, to talk about what works in the battle against it and what doesn’t.

“One of the biggest surprises was they weren’t reluctant to talk about it,” says Leonard. “They felt they’d been silenced so much — they felt unheard by friends and even by GPs, that people didn’t want to know their stories.”

In Keys To The Cage, they speak out — no holds barred: Valerie, speaking of her post-natal depression says: “When I had Neasa [her first daughter], I felt as if I’d been run over by a bus, but after Lorcán and Étaín [her twins], I felt like I’d fallen off a cliff.”

Ryan, another of those featured in the

Getting back some balance WHAT HELPED: Drug therapy: “Got me back to a place where I could start coping. There were side-effects — with one particular tablet, I felt sick every day from 2pm onwards” — Emma, a 29-year-old scientist.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (visit www.icbt.ie): “Helps you check if your thoughts are becoming negative and helps stop them. With practice you do that subconsciously” — Anthony, 30, who first experienced depression in his teens.

Wellness recovery action plan: “Write down all the triggers and all the things that make you feel good. For me that’s going for a walk, chatting with friends. If you put all those things in place while you’re feeling well, you’re more likely to get through the downs” — Anthony.

end, you have to do it for yourself” — Keith, 20, who suffered from depression during his teens.

Community work: “Getting involved in a project is really helpful.

You’re doing something to help other people, which helps you” — Keith.

Talking to friends: “I have some fantastic friends; friends I can say anything to. That helps so much” — Susan, 48, a hairdresser.

WHAT DIDN’T HELP: Things people say: “Like ‘pull yourself together’. You would if you could but, if you have severe depression, you can’t” — Senan, 60, who suffers from bipolar disorder.

Exercise: “It’s vital to me. I walk, I swim and I do pilates” — Luke, a financier who has suffered from depression since he was 25.

Counselling: “Find a counsellor you really get on with. But there’s only so much any counsellor can do for you. In the

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Picture: Getty Images

Allergy-testing: “When you’re feeling down… limiting your food can be unhelpful. It upset me emotionally. I had to give up a lot of things that were comforting to me” — Geraldine, 37, who in her 20s suffered crippling anxiety.

Alcohol: “Was the one thing that always made me worse.

My social life revolved around it. I will always regret that I didn’t go off alcohol until after I was over the depression” — Luke.

They felt they’d been silenced so much — they felt unheard by friends and even by GPs, that people didn’t want to know their stories — book, describes, how, as “a very anxious child”, he would count tiles on the floor “and, if the number was uneven, the panic would start.

“If you were lying in bed feeling bad and you got a text to say you’d won ten million in the lotto, it wouldn’t change your mood.

Depression doesn’t work like that.”

While friends and family may be desperate to help, they often don’t know how. “People with depression feel the only ones who understand are those who have also gone through it,” says Leonard.

Emma, a 29-year-old scientist, says: “People who haven’t had depression have limited tolerance of it. They think ‘how long can this go on?’”

Valerie says: “People… want to be helpful but they have no idea what you’re going through. It’s not useful when they say ‘oh, you have to get out of the house for a walk or a coffee’. Your last thought is going out.

You want to crawl under the duvet.”

One of the biggest shocks is that health professionals often don’t understand either.

Anthony, 30, who began suffering from depression in his teens, recalls being in hospital in Sligo: “There were forms to fill to say how you were from one to ten. One said ‘how is your sex drive?’ I hadn’t any interest in sex just then. How do you pick a number to say how interested you are in life? There were no minus numbers. I was ticking number four because I didn’t want to seem like a freak.”

Brian remembers being told by a consultant after he’d suffered a breakdown: “You’re 50.

People your age don’t change very much. I don’t think things are going to get much better.” Brian ignored the advice and instead followed the Recovery International Programme which tackles symptoms without worrying about cause.

Leonard says she found it distressing to hear how long it took people to get the help they needed. “It takes sufferers a while to realise they have to cure themselves. A quick fix, like a drug, might get them through initially, but

Picture: Getty Images

FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2010

author Sue Leonard

they then have to find the keys to the cage.”

One sufferer in the book cites the lack of information available about psychiatrists/psychotherapists. “It can be hard to find out who’s good and who isn’t. You can ask around for a good dermatologist, but if you ask about a psychiatrist, people do a double-take and wonder what’s wrong.”

It’s encouraging that all the sufferers in Keys To The Cage do find a way through. “Cognitive behavioural therapy — how to challenge unhelpful/negative thoughts — was hugely successful. A lot of psychiatrists say it keeps people out of hospital. Interestingly, what often didn’t seem to work was writing down what you were thinking — it just reinforced the dire thoughts, making them worse. In the end, all of the people took back control of their lives,” says Leonard.

■ Visit depression support websites: www.aware.ie; www.grow.ie; www.recovery-inc-ireland.ie.

■ Keys To The Cage, How People Cope with Depression,

by Sue Leonard, F12.99.

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12 Healthy food

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Your friendly omega Essential Fatty Roz Crowley

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ESEARCH just released from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in North Carolina shows that omega 3 fatty acids may prevent colorectal cancer. There seems to be no argument among scientists that omega 3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) in the diet are good for health.

However, the jury is out on how beneficial vitamins, minerals and oils are when taken in capsule or pill form compared to foods.

Those against capsules claim that processing reduces the benefits of these fatty acids and that fresh food is the best source.

Others express concern about the processing of food itself, such as tuna, which in its fresh form has some omega 3. Some cans of tuna now have added omega 3. Oily fish such as tuna caught in countries where waters are polluted may have less omega 3 and retain the toxins in its oils.

Smaller oily fish absorb fewer toxins, so while fresh sprat, sardines and mackerel are in season, we should make the best of them.

Canned sardines are healthy for some oils, but also for their soft bones which give us calcium. A good way of remembering what fish is best for omega 3 is that oily fish in cold waters has more omega 3 than fish from warm waters.

OMEGA 3S CAN HELP WITH: Alzheimer’s, depression, mood swings, attention deficit disorders, concentration and dyslexia. Dr Frank Ryan, author of The Brain Food Diet and Eskimo Diet, says that omega 3 is good for general health and specifically helps brain development, concentration, intelligence, stress management, moods, emotions and depression.

“It’s the missing vitamin in our diet,” he says. “In 2005 workers at the University of Siena, in Italy, showed improved reaction

Acids in your diet boost health in many ways time and better maintenance of attention when taking the omega 3s, and had more energy, better moods and less anxiety.”

Heart protection and stroke. Blood pressure can be reduced by adding omega 3 to the diet, but talk to your GP about other steps to take if high blood pressure is an issue.

Eye problems, the formation of the retinas in babies. A diet rich in omega 3 has been shown to help in the formation of a healthy foetus.

Breasts. Cyclical breast pain may be helped by omega 3 in the diet.

Rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation in the body is triggered by cytokines which are chemicals associated with hardening of the arteries and arthritis. We should encourage the body to produce other chemicals which fight cytokines and promote the reduction of inflammation. Omega 3 EFAs can help produce these chemicals.

Skin conditions. Eczema, psoriasis and other skin problems are helped by omega 3s.

Low energy. Chronic fatigue and less severe energy problems are helped by omega 3s. Including one portion of oily fish per week could make a difference.

Fat burning. Recent research by Professor

Picture: Getty Images

Steven D Clarke at the University of Texas in Austin found that when good fats such as omega 3 oils are consumed, the genes for fat burning are triggered and we can start to lose weight. We need to make sure we eat good fats and oils and avoid the processed ones.

GOOD SOURCES OF OMEGA 3: Coldwater fish. Mackerel is tops with over 2% of omega 3, followed by salmon, especially when caught in cold, Atlantic waters such as the north west coast of Ireland where it is farmed well.

Smoked salmon also has plenty of omega 3s, but avoid brands that are over-salted and could raise blood pressure. Cold-smoked salmon retains the most omega 3. Canned salmon is good too.

Kippers, anchovies, whitebait, herring and eel are also top of the list. Swordfish and fresh tuna have some as well as trout, scallops and

squid. One portion of oily fish and one of other fish per week is the ideal.

Meat. Lean beef and lamb have some omega 3, though far less than oily fish.

Eggs. Have a low amount, but they are worth including in the diet.

Some vegetable oils, nuts and seeds are good sources of omega 3. Walnuts, pumpkin and flax seeds top the nut and seed list and it’s a good idea to mix them with some pistachios to replace salted peanuts to snack on.

Flaxseed is the top oil but I suggest mixing it with olive oil for salad dressings as the taste is not appetising.

■ www.brainfood.ie features advice and tips on how omega 3 helps the brain in the various life cycles from pregnancy to adulthood.

Just nuts for it

Vital living

Brown rice is best

A FEW weeks ago I mentioned coconut water as the latest craze with celebs in the US. It seems to have just about all we need for raising metabolism (to help burn fat), cleanse the digestive system, help the body to fight infection, rehydrate us in the hot weather, treat kidney stones. In Ireland, it’s available mainly in health food shops. This one from Biona is organic and comes in 335ml cans, F1.69, an ideal healthy thirst quencher. A pleasant drink, it is also available in litre Tetra packs from other producers such as Vicco.

BEST-selling author and cancer survivor Bernadette Bohan will host a three-day workshop on health transformation from July 9 to 11. Focusing on losing weight, overcoming cancer, relieving arthritis, easing depression, defeating heart disease through nutrition, spa and energy healing treatments, meditation and cookery demonstrations are included.

Enquiries Grove Health Spa, Shanballymore, Mallow 022-25518 www.grovehealthspa.ie.

MORE good news about brown rice comes from the latest research which finds it is superior to white.

Harvard researchers in Archives of Internal Medicine say the slow release of glucose from brown rice instead of faster release white rice could reduce incidences of type 2 diabetes by 11%. More research is due to be carried out but, in the meantime, try brown basmati instead of white.

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Male health

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Help us stub it out I

RELAND’S top health charities and the HSE are united in calling for more investment in anti-smoking campaigns and better access to proven therapies.

A recent conference — titled Working Together Towards a Tobacco Free Society — in Dublin heard that 36% of smokers feel they ‘fit in’ socially, despite the high personal costs of smoking — approximately 7,000 people die from tobacco use in Ireland every year.

Dr Fenton Howell, director of public health, HSE, said there was a need for ongoing, sustainable anti-smoking campaigns to encourage people to quit, and to reduce the impact and influence of the tobacco industry.

“Ireland is not investing sufficiently in this health-promotion activity, which has the potential to improve health, save lives and reduce the cost of managing smoking-related illness,” he said. “The one million smokers in Ireland deserve better access to evidence-based, smoking-cessation services that are proven — many people fall prey to quit-smoking services which have absolutely no proven efficacy.”

Research has proven that support services can play a significant role in helping people quit smoking, said Norma Cronin, health promotion manager, Irish Cancer Society.

“As 70% of smokers want to quit, there is need for a comprehensive and uniform approach for stop-smoking services nationwide.”

Deirdre O'Flynn MOSTLY MEN

Despite their belief in fitting in socially, smokers may not be as popular as they believe, especially in the workplace, and there is a significant difference in how smokers are perceived as workmates, in terms of their productivity. When asked if they think smokers are less productive than non-smokers, as they need to take breaks, 63% of non-smokers agreed, while 39% of smokers concurred with the statement.

“The number of smokers in Ireland is frightening, at 29%, and each one faces a double risk of stroke and triple risk of heart attack,” says Michael O’Shea, chief executive,

That pint of beer has hidden benefits IT’S the news many of us have waited a lifetime to hear — a new report has confirmed beer can benefit our health.

According to the British Beer Academy report, the popular drink is a rich source of vitamins, fibre, minerals and antioxidants and — drunk in moderation — has a relatively low calorific value compared to many other alcoholic drinks, busting the myth of the ‘beer belly’. Furthermore,

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beer doesn’t contain any fat which will come as a surprise to people who have been unaware of its health credentials.

The readily absorbed antioxidants and minerals which it contains, such as silicon, may actually lower the risk of osteoporosis.

Silicon is found in large amounts in the husk of barley, the very substance that is used in the beer making process. (PA)

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HOLIDAY TUMMY: Holidays can play havoc with your digestive system. Different foods, travelling, and bacteria sometimes found in food or water, can cause bloating, stomach upset or diarrhoea. Probiotics are the beneficial intestinal flora (good bacteria) essential for proper digestion and overall health. Taking a probiotic supplement before you go, and during your holiday, may keep your digestive system healthy by inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria, and increasing resistance to infection. The Udo’s Choice range of probiotics is available from pharmacies and health stores, or from www.naturalife.ie, which recommends Super 5, F20.99 for 60 tablets, while travelling.

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NO BUTTS: Health charities and medical experts are calling for greater investment in awareness campaigns to help smokers quit. Picture: Getty Images Irish Heart Foundation.

“The good news is that seven out of 10 smokers want to stop. At the Irish Heart Foundation, we call on Government to take action and introduce a three-way approach to help smokers quit by using significant increases on tobacco tax, anti-smuggling mea-

sures and smoking-cessation programmes. We need to face facts — while the smoking ban was undoubtedly a positive initiative — on its own, it was not enough. The health argument against smoking is undeniable and the majority of smokers know this — let’s help them stop smoking.”

Urge to pee may be sign of DId you know... benign prostate condition Drinking several IF YOU’VE got trouble with your waterworks, don’t worry unduly.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition where the sufferer may have a continuous urge to go to the bathroom and never quite feels their bladder is entirely empty.

It is annoying, can be distressing, often disturbs nightly sleep, and, in certain cases, can be the warning signs for more serious conditions.

“It is important to keep highlighting the message that benign enlargement of the

prostate is common and treatable,” says leading urologist consultant, Tom Lynch, urging anyone concerned that they may suffer from prostate issues to visit their GP. ■ For more information, log on to www.water-works.ie, an advice website about BPH supported by Astellas Pharma Co Ltd.

DISRUPTED SLEEP: A frequent urge to use the toilet should be checked out.

cups of tea or coffee a day lowers risk of heart disease by 20%

Source: Journal of the American Heart Association

Holiday Health FREEZE IT: Warts and verrucas are small, harmless growths common on the hands and feet. They are highly contagious.

Caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), one in four people will get at least one, and children and teenagers are most at risk, as they haven’t built up antibodies. More warts and verrucas occur in summer, as the virus thrives in swimming pools and shower rooms. Wartner is an over-the-counter treatment that uses a form of cryotherapy/freezing to remove the wart or verruca in one application.

Wartner’s wart remover, verruca remover, and a treatment for children are available in pharmacies nationwide and cost F20.99. Log on to www.wartner.ie.

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BEAT BUGS: Whether you are planning a holiday abroad or hoping to get out and about at home this summer, insect bites can spoil your fun.

Jungle Formula is Ireland’s favourite insect repellent and provides protection against mosquitoes, midges and other flying, biting insects. Used by the gardaí and army, it is approved by the Hospital of Tropical Diseases, in London. Whether it’s a summer barbecue or a tropical holiday, there’s a product to suit, as well as a cooling spray and patches to help if you get bitten. Available in supermarkets and pharmacies, prices start at F7.75, up to F15.50. For more details, see www.jungleformula.ie.

FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2010

NATURAL CURES: The homeopaths at Nelsons Homeopathic Dispensary in Dublin have compiled a list of holiday essentials including a number of useful products to help prevent insect bites. They recommend taking Vitamin B1, F9.43, starting two weeks before travelling abroad to help prevent mosquito bites.

Burt’s Bees Herbal Insect Repellent F10.95, is natural blend of oils and is safe to use on children and pets. The full range is available from Nelsons, 15 Duke Street, Dublin, or on 01-6790451.

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MAKE IT LAST Emily O’Sullivan

Waterproof cosmetics are a suitcase essential on sun holidays

VOYA YES, it’s a little indulgent, but we are big fans of the facial spritz, especially in summer. They can be used as toners in the regular sense, but are also great for keeping on your desk, bringing on the plane (you need to make sure they’re less than 100ml, though), and keeping in the fridge for some instant refreshment.

New from Voya is Ritzy Spritz, F25, enriched with organic seaweeds that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and trace elements to refresh and revitalise the skin. Nice.

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ATERPROOF make-up? It never fails to give me the creeps. There’s something about its glue-like quality that is almost claustrophobia-inducing — as soon as you want to get the stuff off, you suddenly find you can’t.

Last week I tried out a waterproof mascara that was preposterously stubborn… which is great if you’re planning to look super-gorgeous in the pool, not so great if you want to go to bed without eye make-up on. I ended up almost peeling it off my eyelashes. And judging by how bald my eyes looked afterwards, half my lashes came off with it.

Waterproof cosmetics most definitely have a time or place, and that place tends to be holidays. While in the Irish climate, humidity is rarely an issue, as soon as you move to continental Europe, you can find your face starting to slip off down towards your chest, which is never a good look.

And even the best mascara can start to gather under your eyes giving you a full-on panda face by 5pm. The solution is either don’t wear make-up on hols, or wear stuff that is going to stay put.

While mascara offers a strictly waterproof option, other cosmetics, such as blusher, eyeliner, foundation and powders come in more long-lasting, hardwearing versions that are better at lasting the pace on hols. Hot, oily skin is the real enemy of staying power.

It makes everything unpleasantly slippery, especially if you’re putting on suncreams.

If your skin tends to be particularly oily, then try using a special oil-control product such as MAC’s Prep + Prime Skin Refined Zone, F22, or Shiseido Pureness Oil-Control Blotting Paper, F19.24, which lifts oil gently away from the skin and can be used throughout the day. Good oil-control foundations include Maybelline Super Stay 24H, F13.99.

When it comes to eye make-up, long-last-

The news on ...

FRIZZ EASERS We are currently in full-on Leo Sayer mode. Summer means hair that’s dry, curly and frizzy explodes in a ball of fuzz.

Using good conditioners on the ends of the hair will definitely help, but if you really want to wage a war on frizz, then invest in a frizz fighter.

Shu Umera Essence Absolute, F50. This is, without doubt, our favourite hair product.

Part of its appeal is that it’s effortlessly multi-purpose, acting as a pre-wash, a leave-in conditioner, or an instant remedy for split ends. Essentially, it’s a hair oil, but it acts on frizz like few products we’ve tried before. Expensive, but it really is very good.

Picture: Getty Imagest

ing products are essential. The eye area is particularly prone to oiliness in the heat as sweat gathers around the eyelid on super-scorching days. Wear a nude base, such as No 7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow in Wheatsheaf, F8.95, or else just dust a little translucent powder across the lid. There are some great eyeshadows around in high-performance formulations that last the pace.

MAC’S Paints, F19, go on creamy and dry to a powder finish and they stay put. If you’re planning on using a liquid eyeliner, then your best bet is undoubtedly Bobbi Brown’s award-winning Long Wear Gel Eyeliner, F22. It won’t last from 7am ’til 12am, but it does give it a pretty good shot and is easily the most hardwearing eyeliner we’ve tried.

Not only that, it’s also great value for money as the amount of product you get sees you through a lot more applications than a regular

liquid eyeliner.

If you’re going for a kohl, it’s hard to get a product that’s properly waterproof — most will smudge by the end of the day, or night.

But in terms of longevity, they are a lot better than regular formulations. Try Christian Dior Crayon Waterproof Long-Wear Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil, F20.50.

Tinting your lashes is a great way of avoiding the whole wearing mascara on hols debacle. Brands such as Bobbi Brown and Clinique have recently launched mascara that bind around the lashes and can only be removed by being squeezed off with warm water. It’s a good concept — they really do stay put. But it also means that they can be tough work to remove. If you’re not a fan, opt for a good quality waterproof such as Yves Saint Laurent Everlong, F29.

Next stop…the pool.

dery finish. Small and easy to pack, they make a great choice for holidays.

one to go for. New technologies to be added include “aerogel” to enhance its oil-absorbing capabilities, and a porous film to keep skin dry and matte.

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Hair Serum, F6.89. Okay, this has clearly proved its worth — one of the biggest-selling products from John Frieda is now a well-established classic on the frizz-fighting front. We like it, it works well, but for some reason it doesn’t suit our hair type and can make it a little greasy. But that’s just us — millions think otherwise.

Mark Hill De-Frizz Shine Serum, F12.65. We love the hot, pink packaging of this one, and it does work really very well at de-frizzing the hair without weighing it down. Best of all, Mark Hill’s hair products are available in mini-sizes, making them a great bet for the summer hols.

STUFF WE LIKE Clarins Fix make-up, F25. Sometimes, you need your summer make-up to stay put — whether it’s a day at the races, a wedding, or just a big day out. This light spray, from Clarins, is designed to keep it where you want it, without it feeling sticky or gluey.

MAC Paints, F19. Fun, easy to apply and long wearing, these paints bring a bit of playfulness to make up.

They go on creamy and dry to a pow-

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Clinique Superfit make-up, F28. Clinique’s legendary foundation was road tested by real women in a controlled humidity chamber, with 80% relative humidity. It was also tested in high summer and still managed to hold up, while also allowing the skin to breathe. If you can’t do without your foundation in the summer, then this is the

Smashbox Photo Finish lipstick in legendary, F22. This is a great red that looks super sexy for summer. The award-winning lipstick has a great shine and hydrates the lips throughout the day, keeping them comfortable.

Bobbi Brown long wear gel liner,

FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2010

F22. This is our favourite eyeliner — ever. You can do smooth, glamorous, feline eyes with great sweeps, or else smudge it up to use more like a kohl. The only thing you will need is a good eyeliner brush. Lasts ages, making it a good investment.

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Natural health

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Q

Megan Sheppard Do you have a question for Megan Sheppard?

Email it to feelgood@examiner.ie or send a letter to Feelgood Irish Examiner City Quarter Lapps Quay Cork

I have been trying to grow my own greens but seem to be creating snail paradise instead. Is there any natural remedy you recommend for these pests? It seems to be counterintuitive to use conventional pest control when I am growing food for health reasons. I have tried various organic remedies, such as coffee grounds, garlic and chilli with no luck.

A. I too have battled with snails and slugs in the garden for many years, trying every natural remedy you can imagine, including beer traps, which only tend to work well if the dog doesn’t break into them and drink the fermented brew.

The most effective method I have found to date is vigilant patrol with a torch and a bucket after dark. My bucket was literally teeming with hundreds of these slimy creatures for some weeks before my perseverance paid off.

I still need to do a night-time round up every once in a while, but generally we have found a balance between snail and human food.

One of the main issues with the above method is that once you have a bucket full of hundreds of snails and slugs — then what? Salting them seems brutal, but is effective. Agrohomeopathy offers a far friendlier solution.

Helix tosta (toasted snail) is a homeopathic remedy which has growing anecdotal support as a snail repellent. No collecting, no killing. Using Helix tosta 6X, use 10 drops per litre of water and shake vigorously for 60 seconds or so — this is easiest if you prepare it in a 1-2 litre bottle batches and shake it well before adding to the watering can. Sprinkle this solution around the roots.

Fans of Helix tosta report that snails are still present in the garden, but they stay away from the plants since this is a repellent rather than a snail-killing agent. Try using this to your advantage by spraying the remedy on your greens and not the weeds — perhaps the pests will become useful and eat the weeds for you.

To find a local homeopath to purchase or enquire about this remedy, contact: Nelsons Homeopathic Dispensary, Duke Street, Dublin 01- 6790451 or The Irish Society of Homeopaths 091-565040.

Q I am going through the menopause and experiencing hot flushes and insomnia, which is worse for exercising.

I would like to try a herbal tea blend since this is easiest for me to take. Is there anything that you would advise?

Picture: iStock

It seems to be counter-intuitive to use conventional pest control when I am growing food for health reasons A. There are many herbal blends available for addressing menopausal symptoms. Key herbs to look out for include red clover, dong quai, wild yam, raspberry leaf, squaw vine, black cohosh, nettle, agnus castus (chaste berry), Siberian ginseng, sarsaparilla,

Megan puts the spotlight on:

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HERE are four main channels of elimination in the human body.

They are: respiratory, digestive, urinary and skin.

The blood and lymph systems help to move waste, with the liver, kidneys, lungs, skin and colon being key organs in human housekeeping.

Basically, putting in pure fuel/food leads to high energy and little waste, whereas low grade fuel/food leads to low energy and a lot of waste — which places quite a burden on the channels of elimination.

What happens is that any toxin — be it bacteria, virus, or junk foods — is dealt with using one or more of the elimination systems.

The respiratory system, for example, attempts to eliminate toxins via a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, and phlegm.

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Sound familiar? Think of the common cold. What we need to consider is that rather than the cold being the problem we are dealing with, in fact, this is the body’s method for self-healing. The cold itself is the cure. The body is simply working efficiently to eliminate, while we often work against ourselves by using medications (and natural remedies) to rid ourselves of the symptoms.

Unfortunately, this tends to drive the original problem deeper into the system, which is why the common cold can last a couple of weeks, instead of a couple of days, and secondary symptoms, such as bronchitis, ear and sinus infections, often appear.

If the body tries to eliminate via one of the common channels and finds it to be clogged up, then a different elimination path will be found.

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liquorice root, false unicorn root, and blessed thistle. Most formulations contain at least five of these key herbs.

The herb you need specifically to deal with the hot flushes is sage (salvia officinalis).

Sage has been shown to reduce hot flushes in numerous clinical trials, and research specifically using Menosan by A. Vogel (www.AVogel.ie) has resulted in an impressive 56% reduction in hot flushes. In the randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial, women in the control group showed a 5% increase in hot flushes over the eight-week period.

The Menosan herbal tincture is made using 100% fresh organic sage extracted into alcohol. If you wish to avoid alcohol then a homemade tea using fresh or dried leaves will be more than satisfactory. Reducing the hot flushes and night sweating will go a long way towards dealing with the insomnia, and the issues due to exercising (which is no doubt increasing heat in your system, leading to sleep troubles).

The other remedy to consider is Woman Essence, one of the powerful Australian Bush Essence combinations which comes in tincture form. It includes she oak which works to help regulate the ovaries and mulla mulla which can control hot flushes. As with all flower remedies, these essences address the underlying emotional and psychological changes that will accompany rites of passage such as menopause.

Woman essence costs F11.59 for 250ml from www.thehealthstore.ie. Take seven drops under the tongue first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

Q. I am unable to contact the Wei Lab number given in your column. Can you help?

A. Andy Lowe of The Health Emporium in Hertfordshire is the practitioner you need to contact and his updated phone number is 00 44 1462 436881. You can also contact Andy via email at info@weipatch.com. The website at www.weipatch.com is worth a visit if you are unsure which product is suitable for your condition.

Wei Lab uses Chinese Herbal remedies in convenient patches (along with soups, capsules and tonics) to treat a wide range of conditions: pinched nerve and sciatica, rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative disc disease, bone spur, stenosis, bulging and thinning discs, back pain, osteoarthritis, repetitive strain injury (RSI), carpal tunnel syndrome, sprains and bruises, bone fracture, tendonitis, TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint disorder), fibromyalgia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The products have a high success rate in treating chronic back pain.

Channels of elimination Diarrhoea or vomiting via the digestive channel; bladder infections and kidney stones via the urinary channel; acne or eczema via the skin — all of these are strong indications that the body is trying to eliminate toxins.

So, if treating the symptoms is suppressing the cure, then what are we to do?

Many health practitioners have found great success with assisting the process to work more effectively. Often, this involves the use of enemas, cleansing, and fasting to ensure that the main organ of elimination — the colon — is clear and the toxins and waste are free to be eliminated through the bowels, thus easing the burden on the other organs of elimination.

It is important to nourish following a cleanse, so that we are putting the good fuel back in, so that the body can heal.

FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2010

COLD COMFORT: A cold is the body’s ‘cure’ for toxins. Picture:iStock

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FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2010