Feelgood 23-07-2010

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Feelgood

Friday, July 23, 2010

GRAPES OF WRATH Anna Magee finds that staying off all alcoholic drinks for two months is more difficult than she had anticipated: 8, 9

Photograph by: Daniel Lynch

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CLEARLY HEALTHY

Crystal Swing star Mary on life in the fast lane: 3

MOTHER NURTURE

Why breast-fed babies are smarter and slimmer: 6

TOP TABLE TIPS

TV chef Matt Tebbutt on tasty healthy dinners: 12

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2 News front Kate O’Reilly WHAT’S ON ■ FREE TAI CHI: Free Infinite Tai Chi, Chi Kung, Yoga and Meditation classes, daily during Kilbrittain Festival from Sunday to Sunday, August 1 to 8. Classes from 11.30am to 12.30pm in the marquee in the Village Amenity Park and 7 to 8pm on Coolmaine and Harbour View beaches and also in Bandon, Kinsale, Clonakilty and Cork city. For times and location, go to www.YogiCho.com or contact 085 -1691304.

■ CHARITY BARNDANCE: The sixth annual Charity Barn Dance will take place in Cloney’s Farm, Curracloe, Co Wexford, tomorrow. Proceeds will go to County Wexford MS and the Cottage Autism Network, Tickets 30 from Kieran McGuinness on 087-2568534 or can be purchased on the night.

■ BREFFNI CHALLENGE: The Breffni Challenge is a 20km and 13km walk from Cavan Town to Arva which will take place on Saturday, July 31.

Designed to be a family day out, participants can either walk or cycle from Cavan to Arva (20km) or Ballinagh to Arva (13km). This year the event is in aid of St Luke’s Hospital, Rathgar; National Breast Cancer Research Institute, Galway (NBCRI) and Cavan Cancer Homecare Association. Sponsorship cards and more details from local businesses or by calling St Luke’s Hospital on 01-406 5102; www.friendsofstlukes.ie ■ TREK KILIMANJARO: Oxfam Ireland is now offering you the opportunity to join them on a Kilimanjaro trek in February 2011. Oxfam say places are filling up quickly for this 13-day challenge which will incorporate a seven-day climb, followed by a visit to an Oxfam Ireland programme partner in Tanzania, giving you the opportunity to see Oxfam’s work on the ground. For more details, visit: www.oxfamireland.org/challenges/kilimanjaro.htm ■ RCSI TOURS: As part of National Heritage Week, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland will host free public tours of the College on August 24 and 28. This year RCSI celebrates 200 years on St Stephen’s Green, Dublin. Tours will take place at 3.15pm, 4.30pm and 6pm on Tuesday, August 24, and at 11am, 1pm and 3pm on Saturday, August 28. Places on the tours are limited so registration is essential. To book a place visit www.rcsi.ie; or for further information, call 01-402 2196.

■ TOUR DE PICNIC: Join one of the most exciting cycling events in Ireland this year for the 2Wheels Tour de Picnic fundraising cycle to the Electric Picnic in aid of Temple Street Children’s University Hospital on Friday, September 3.

By taking on this cycling and fundraising challenge you will be helping to raise funds for Temple Street and their Neurosurgery Appeal to assist children suffering from serious brain and spinal conditions. In return you will receive a ticket to the festival, as well as remaining true to the eco-friendly philosophy of the Picnic. For further information please visit www.templestreet.ie ● Items for inclusion can be sent to: koreilly8@gmail.com

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Too much alcohol and the threat of Deep Vein Thrombosis can pose the biggest dangers when flying, reports Arlene Harris

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Up in the air

OU’VE bought the ticket, unearthed your passport from the sock drawer and packed your bags — you’re ready to go.

But have you thought about how to ensure that you will arrive at your destination in tip-top condition? We’ve all seen the scores of holidaymakers (and some of us might been amongst them) propping up the airport bar as they wait for their flight to be called. But while a crisp Chardonnay or a refreshing gin and tonic might seem like a good way to get in the holiday mood, you may be wiser to wait until you have actually arrived.

Drinking alcohol is just one of the ways to hinder your health while flying, and Dr Patrick Doorley, national director for Patient and Health Information for the HSE, says people should consider a few factors before taking off.

“The most common problem affecting passengers is drinking too much,” he says.

“The air onboard an aircraft is very dehydrating and alcohol exacerbates that. I would advise people to drink plenty of water while flying and try to avoid alcoholic beverages, or at least limit their intake. No-one wants to start their holiday feeling nauseous and groggy.”

For long-haul passengers, the threat of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) has been acknowledged for some time and Dr Doorley says if you are elderly, or have a history of vascular illness, you should discuss precautions with your doctor before flying.

STAYING GROUNDED: Taking certain precautions can ensure you have a safe flight. Picture: Getty Images

“The reason DVT can occur during a long flight is because the blood is flowing too slowly through the veins and can result in a clot,” he explains. “Moving about the aircraft and wearing flight socks can help to minimise the risk, but it is important to learn exactly how to put the socks on — otherwise you could do more harm than good.”

While a long-haul flight is much more draining and presents more risk of DVT, other health precautions apply to all passengers, no matter how long the duration of their flight.

Tips for a healthy flight: ■ Drink plenty of water ■ Avoid alcohol ■ Move around as much as possible and wear flight socks on long-haul flights ■ Put your regular medication in a separate bag and take on board ■ Alert flight attendants to any serious condition ■ Cover mouth and nose if sneezing or coughing to help prevent the spread of germs ■ Feed small babies during take off and landing and give children something to chew to alleviate ear pressure ■ Confide in flight crew if you are feeling anxious ■ Discuss any concerns with your GP before taking off ● For more information visit www.hse.ie or www.healthytravel.ie

HEALTH NOTES AS featured in last Friday’s Feelgood, Dave O’Leary from Cork is planning to take part in an Iron Man Challenge in Germany in August. A sufferer of Multiple Sclerosis, the 39-year-old has refused to be beaten by the illness and 2 years after his diagnosis, started competing in triathlons. The lab-technician will undergo the ultimate test of endurance on August 1 in a bid to raise funds for the MS society of Ireland.

Donations can be made by logging onto www.mycharity.ie/event/ms_ironman/

Last Saturday, 130 cyclists set off from Parnell Place in Cork on a unique challenge to reach the summit of Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrantuohill. The Bike ‘n’ Hike Challenge was organised by the Mercy Hospital and the Irish Heart Foundation and participants were expected to burn off a whopping 6,000 calories during their four-hour cycle and six-hour climb. The event helped to raise F30,000 for local charities. For more information visit www.pedaltopeaks.ie Last week, TV presenter Sybil Mulcahy helped to launch the Curves Bra Recycling initiative in aid of Action Breast Cancer.

For the month of October, Curves are asking women across Ireland to donate their old bras in order raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society.

All that you have to do take part is gather together your unwanted bras, ask your friends and family to join in and drop them

www.irishexaminer.com www.irishexaminer.com

BRA SUPPORT: Sybil Mulcahy launches the Curves Bra Recycling initiative in aid of Action Breast Cancer.

Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

off at your local Curves. For more information visit www.curves.ie

Research has shown that being obese at 20 doubles your chance of dying early. The study of over 5,000 military conscripts in Sweden found that an obese man is twice as likely to die young than slimmer colleagues.

On average, overweight soldiers died eight years earlier than those of a normal weight.

During the worldwide swine flu pandemic people were probably more aware of spreading disease but on average most

www.irishexaminer.com feelgood@examiner.ie

FRIDAY, JULY 23, 2010

people do not take any action to minimise the possibility of passing on their germs to others. A recent study has shown that one in four people do not cover their mouth and nose while sneezing or coughing. A New Zealand study showed that most people cough or sneeze into their hands which unless washed immediately, the germs will spread as soon as something else has been touched. The recent advice of “Catch it, Bin it, Kill it” should be adhered at all times, it concluded.

Editorial: 021 4802 292

Arlene Harris

Advertising: 021 4802 215

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THE SHAPE I'M IN

Mary Murray-Burke

We bond as a band TWO appearances on the Late Late Show, a live appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and a You Tube video that has attracted over three-quarters of a million hits — it has all happened this year for Cork band Crystal Swing.

Leader of the band, Mary Murray-Burke, admits that the reality of the exposure hit her recently.

“I cried my heart out for a day but felt great afterwards.

So much has happened that we didn’t have time to focus on. Yet underneath was an overwhelming sense of emotion and excitement. I think that’s what the tears were, as well as a build-up of exhaustion from numerous late nights.”

Reports that Mary, in her mid-40s, was preparing to let her children, Derek, 19, and Dervla, 18, go it alone next year as a boy/girl act are not true, says the Lisgoold mum.

“We’ll be together as long as it takes. Every parent envisages their child leaving the nest. Ours seem to have gone the other way. It looks like we’ll be together for a long time.”

Married to Michael, Mary says that his support and contribution are essential to the band.

Crystal Swing are touring nationwide this summer and are set to play Electric Picnic in September.

What shape are you in?

I consider myself to be in good shape. I take after my father’s side of the family in that I don’t easily put on weight. I’m not the greatest to exercise, but I do a lot of running around and the energy that goes into the band keeps me fit.

Do you have any health concerns?

I’m allergic to bananas and tomatoes. If I eat them I break out in a rash, get mouth ulcers and feel generally unwell. For years I couldn’t figure out what was causing the mouth ulcers. The doctor got me to eliminate different foods and that’s how I found out.

In profile 3 STRAIGHT TEETH IN 6 MONTHS

I wish my hair wasn’t so thick. If I could calm it down, I would. I’d love long, silky hair.

You don’t have to live with crooked teeth any longer. A straight beautiful smile is maybe 6 months away

What trait do you least like in others?

Definitely jealousy – it’s something that can creep in and destroy friendships. I think people should try to over-ride it and try to see inside the person they’re jealous of. Nobody’s life is perfect, no matter how glamorous it looks.

What trait do you least like in yourself?

I’m very sensitive and get hurt easily. I hate being out with anybody. I’d like to be a bit stronger on that side of things.

Do you pray?

I’d be religious enough but I don’t go overboard. I go to church regularly. I have great devotion to Our Lady and the Sacred Heart.

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What would cheer up a typical day?

There’s nothing nicer than Derek, Dervla or Michael putting their arms around me and telling me they love me, that “everything will be grand” — that reassurance is nice. My father used to say that the kind word is worth more than anything.

Helen O’Callaghan

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MUM’S THE WORD: Mary Murray-Burke of Crystal Swing.

Picture: David Keane

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What are your healthiest eating habits?

Breakfast’s a must. Even if it’s only a slice of toast or a bowl of cereal, it sets me up for the day.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?

Without any hesitation at all — chocolate.

I’m addicted to it. I nibble on it right through the day.

What would keep you awake at night?

If something’s on my mind, it can go round and round and keep me awake. But since starting the band, I find I just fall into bed and I do switch off for a few hours.

How do you relax?

I just love to stretch out on the sofa, when there’s nobody around, and watch a good weepie or the soaps — that, with a cup of tea and chocolate, is bliss.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Five people — Barack Obama, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Ryan Tubridy and Ellen DeGeneres.

What’s your favourite smell?

A home-cooked dinner.

What’s the best book you’ve read recently?

I was really impressed by Louis Walsh’s Fast Track To Fame.

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What would you change about your appearance?

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New life Arlene Harris says fertility treatment is a last resort, and only a success for

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30% of couples. The rest must accept they won’t be parents, a process akin to grief

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Picture: Getty Images

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OR millions of people around the world, having a baby is a natural occurrence. Whether they planned it for months in advance or the news came out of the blue, being a parent is something that many people take for granted.

But countless others are not so fortunate.

Infertility is a very real, and often traumatic, reality for thousands of couples in this country alone, with many spending their life savings trying to fulfil their dream of having a child. One in four of these would-be-parents is successful, but the remainder will have to come to terms with the fact that they will never be parents.

Accepting this fact was so traumatic for one Dublin woman that, last year, she took her own life.

According to her husband, David, 30-year-old Susan Micheau was devastated when she discovered that the IVF treatment she had undertaken in March of 2009 had not been successful.

Suffering from severe depression, her husband urged her to wait until she was emotionally strong enough to begin another round of treatment. But, in June of last year, she tragically set herself alight in her car, after a series of nightly drives in the Wicklow area.

Last month, a jury at Dublin County Coroners’ Court ruled death by suicide, which was most likely heralded by her failure to conceive.

Helen Browne, co-founder and chairperson of the National Infertility Support and Information Group (NISIG), says the trauma surrounding infertility can be all-consuming, and more support is needed for couples facing this emotional and physical rollercoaster.

“When couples go for fertility treatment, it is their very last resort,” she says. “It takes immense courage to admit that they are unable to conceive. Nobody ever imagines that they will be walking into an infertility clinic, at some point in their lives.”

There are many reasons why two people may be unable to have a child, and IVF is often seen as the last chance.

“If you have discovered that you have blocked tubes or endometriosis, of if you are a man with a low sperm count, then infertility treatment is often the only route left to you,” says the Cork-based woman. “Of all of the couples who have IVF, there is less than a 30% success rate and no-one knows why some people succeed and others fail — it really is in the hand of the gods.”

Brown is well-placed to give advice, as she has been through the often-gruelling IVF sessions, and, although unsuccessful in her attempt to have a child, she has reached a state of acceptance and learnt how to live her life without children.

“All of the volunteers at NISIG have been through IVF, including myself,” Browne says.

“I wasn’t able to have children and it took me a very long time to get where I am today.”

“Everyone starts off very hopeful, but, for those who end up disappointed, we are there to help them come to terms with the fact that having a baby is not something that will

FRIDAY, JULY 23, 2010

■ FACING THE FACTS ■ ■ Only 25-30% of couples having IVF treatment will become parents.

■ If the female is under 35, it is advisable for her to try to conceive naturally for about 12-18 months before seeking intervention.

■ If over 35, seek medical advice after six to 12 months, as time is becoming a factor.

■ GP referral is essential.

There are many reasons why two people may be unable to have a child and IVF is often seen as the last chance. Of all of the couples who have IVF, there is less than 30% success rate and no-one knows why some people succeed and others fail — it really is in the hand of the gods

■ Each IVF treatment takes around six weeks.

■ On average, most couples make three attempts.

■ Age and family history will have a bearing on success rate.

■ Average cost of each IVF treatment is F5,000.

Picture: Science Photo Library.

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There are two different support groups within NISIG — one for couples going through infertility treatment, and another for those who have been unsuccessful and will not become parents.

“Finding out that you will never have a child is a very difficult thing to accept, and society often overlooks the grief that people are going through,” says Browne.

“It is like being in mourning and it takes a very long time for couples to regain their self worth, and learn how to fit themselves back into society,” she says.

Browne says that loneliness is one of the biggest problems for people going through infertility treatment and talking about the issue will help bring it into the open.

“Having no-one to talk to about your infertility is hugely isolating and many people find it difficult to relate to family and friends with children,” she says. “A failed IVF treatment is similar to a miscarriage, and anyone going through this should be offered the same level of support and sympathy.”

TEST TIME: IVF test tube baby egg sperm fertilisation.

June O’Toole, chairperson of the Miscarriage Association of Ireland, agrees. “There is no guarantee of success with IVF treatment,” she says. “But, for some people, it is their last hope, and, if it fails, there is the same sense of loss that one would experience after a miscarriage.”

O’Toole says it is vital for anyone going through a situation like this to get some emotional support.

“No-one is super-human and couples will be feeling bereaved, at a time like this,” she says. “In a sense, they are having to say goodbye before they have even had the chance to say hello.”

“It is important for people to know that they are not alone and many others are going through the same trauma — they need to pick up the phone, attend a meeting, or just come online and find out how to get help,” O’Toole says.

“Learning how to cope with the future, and communicating with someone who understands, is the best way forward.”

Consultant gynaecologist, Dr David Walsh,

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is the co-founder of the Sims IVF Clinic, in Dublin. He says that while advances in medical science have helped to create families for millions of otherwise infertile couples, IVF does not guarantee success.

“IVF is a very arduous process — it is both financially and emotionally draining,” he says.

“And, despite the hope and anxiety involved, unfortunately, it doesn’t always work.”

Only a quarter of all IVF transfers actually result in a baby, and this figure decreases with the age of the female and the quality of eggs and sperm.

“Physical tests will be taken before undertaking IVF, but, more importantly, the couple must be emotionally ready,” says Dr Walsh.

“You have to be very strong to survive the potential disappointment of fertility treatment.”

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■ For more information, visit www.nisig.ie and www.miscarriage.ie.

■ For advice on fertility treatment, visit www.sims.ie and www.hari.ie.

FRIDAY, JULY 23, 2010

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6 Baby watch

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The traditional belief that babies must be chubby is now being disputed as experts suggest less weight makes for a healthier adult later in life, writes Áilín Quinlan

The best start I

MAGINE that what you feed your terol, obesity levels and diabetes, he says, they newborn baby can determine not only can also have an effect on mental ability, the whether it will be at risk of heart disstructure of the brain, allergy and bone ease, high blood pressure and obesity in later health. “Breast-feeding is not just a matter of life, but may also impact on brain function providing food — it is an intervention. If and bone density. babies are breast-fed they have less risk of It’s called ‘programming’. And it means heart disease, obesity and also have high that if we are to give children the best possimental ability. ble start in life we need to completely reverse “This is to do with the fact that breastthe way we perceive our babies. feeding favourably ‘programmes’ long-term The traditional view that a big, chubby, health so you can actually treat breast-feeding bouncing baby is the healthiest and most as a public health intervention. We have desirable type of infant is wrong, say two discovered that very rapid growth in early world-renowned experts. childhood is a risk,” says They believe that babies Lucas, Medical Research who put on a little less Council Clinical Professor weight a little more slowand Director of Childly may actually be all the hood Nutrition Research better for it later in life.

Centre at the Institute of Basically what you feed Child Health, London. babies, how much nutriUnderstanding the imtion they get, and how pact of early nutrition is fast they grow in the first crucial says Singhal: about few months can literally one quarter of modern determine their health in children are now overlater life, according to weight or obese, and most British paediatricians and children’s tendency to pioneering researchers, obesity starts before the Professor Alan Lucas and age of five.

Dr Atul Singhal.

So mothers must “Fifteen years ago Prore-think the way they fessor Lucas and I view a ‘bouncing baby’. looked at breast fed ba- OWN OPINIONS: Professors Alan Lucas “Before now the idea bies and found they had and Atul Singhal extol the benefits of was that the bigger your a much lower risk of de- breastfeeding over formula. baby the better. Howevveloping obesity and risk Picture: Jason Clarke er, we are changing our factors for cardiovascular perception to say that disease,” says Dr Singhal, Professor in Paedigiving babies lower protein so that they will atric put on less weight is better for them; that is, Nutrition at the Institute of Child Health, breast-fed babies.

University College London, and an Hon“In response, formula companies are now orary Consultant Paediatrician at Great Orreducing the level of protein in their feeds to mand Street and Whittington Hospitals in replicate the levels in breast milk. It is very London: “We found breast-feeding had huge important — being obese as a child has an benefits. Breast-fed babies put on less weight independent effect on your risk of having a in the first six months of life than formuheart attack later in life. That is why it is so la-fed babies,” he said, adding that this has important that we move away from been confirmed in more than 40 studies over-feeding babies.” worldwide.

“One of the reasons why formula-fed babies grow faster is because there is more protein in formula than in breast milk.”

“We published an article in the Lancet in 2004 which said if babies put on too much weight too fast in early life it increases their risk of developing risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and obesity in late life, ” says Singhal, who is also Deputy Director, MRC Childhood Nutrition Research Centre and Reader in Paediatric Nutrition at the Institute of Child Health (ICH), London.

Ideally, he says, babies should be breastfed.

The short-term benefits include a lower risk of gastro-intestinal illnesses, while longer-term benefits are lower risk of obesity, cholesterol and diabetes. “What we showed was that the pattern of growth in the first six months of life had a long-term effect.”

In effect, explains Professor Lucas, their studies — based upon experiments originally carried out on animals back in the nineteen thirties — show that we can actually ‘programme’ humans by the way we feed them.”

While early patterns of nutrition affect an adult’s risk factor in later life for ailments such as heart disease, blood pressure, choles-

RIGHT APPROACH: Breast-fed babies put on less weight in the first six months of life than formula-fed babies.

If babies are breast-fed they have less risk of heart disease, obesity and also have high mental ability

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Picture: Getty Images

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Psychology 7

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Society cannot prosper until leaders learn to govern themselves first

Starting at the top C

HANGE in familial, social, political, educational, religious, work, recreational, health and social welfare systems needs to start from the top down as it is very threatening for individuals who are in a dependent place — particularly, children, teenagers, adults who are ill or vulnerable or poor or unemployed or suffering disabilities — to challenge the status quo.

Certainly, adults themselves need to find the wherewithal and support to come into possession of and responsibility for themselves, but that road is more easily trod when heads of the relevant ‘holding worlds’ have resolved their own identity issues, repressions and insecurities.

The concepts of ‘holding worlds’ and the ‘heads of holding worlds’ are terms which myself and co-author Helen Ruddle cover in our recently published book Relationship, Relationship, Relationship, The Heart of a Mature Society.

A holding world is where people gather together to live, learn, work, play, create, heal and pray. The most important holding worlds are the family, the community, the school, the classroom, the church, the educational institution, the workplace, the wider society including, for example, the HSE, the Garda and the Social Welfare agencies.

Those who head these holding worlds — parents, teachers, lecturers, managers, employers, clergy and medical and social welfare professionals doctors — have a responsibility to know and govern themselves before they dare take on the governorship of a particular holding world.

We have seen how the Roman Catholic clergy at all the levels of the hierarchy failed to provide mature and safe holdings for children, and through cover-ups, perpetuated that neglect when these same violated children became adults.

It was individual members of the clergy who perpetrated the violations and the cover-ups, and resolution lies with each of them. Heads have a particular responsibility to ensure that such accountability emerges.

It was with genuine amazement and consternation that I read how Pope Benedict laid down church law on the ordination of women and the clerical abuse of children in the same breath.

When I consider the sheer inadequacy of the Pope’s response to the Irish reports on clerical sexual violation of children and the subsequent cover-ups, the faux pas is mind-blowing. The depth of the insensitivity of combining these two matters beggars belief and is only explainable (not excusable) by the presence of powerful unconscious emotional forces that lie beneath such outrageous behaviour.

I have no difficulty in the Pope expressing his own belief regarding women priests, but

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Tony Humphreys I do strongly question his calling it a ‘sacramental crime’ on behalf of anyone who attempts to ordain women or women themselves who seek ordination.

For this so-called crime ‘automatic excommunication’ follows. No such total exclusion followed the uncovering of sexual abuse of children and the attempts to keep all the darkness from coming to light.

The hidden emotional processes have to be related to the Pope’s own (and other individual catholic prelates) fear of women, of femininity and of sexuality; there are probably power issues involved as well.

Disassociation, denial, dissonance, reaction formation are just some of the unconscious mechanisms that possibly underpin the Pope’s discrimination against women and the bizarre faux pas. It puzzles me why anyone would consider that the provision of spiritual care is a gender and not a purely human issue.

The bishops and cardinals continue to bend the knee and kiss the ring of Pope Benedict and it appears that his vicarship will not be ended by them. What is then required is a grassroots response — where catholic women no longer tolerate their unequal status — and resign their citizenship of the Catholic Church and practise their spirituality where they are embraced in the fullness of their sacred and individual humanity.

Men, too, need to loudly and actively protest by leaving the Catholic Church ~ because the church’s discrimination against women does not serve their humanity.

Indeed, putting men in ‘superior’ positions has created havoc — religiously, socially, emotionally, sexually, politically and economically.

Societal progress will be hugely enhanced by the equalisation of the sexes in all areas of human functioning. At the moment such a transformation seems to be beyond the minds and hearts of catholic clerical heads and, therefore, it behoves the catholic flock to shepherd its own wellbeing.

Dr Tony Humphreys is a clinical psychologist, author, national and international speaker and director of three UCC Courses on Interpersonal Communication, Parent Mentoring and Relationship Studies respectively.

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8 xxxxxxx Cover story

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New perspective

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Could you give up your favourite tipple at the end of a hard day? Anna Magee thought two months on the wagon would be simple. It wasn’t. Here she confesses all...

I’M SO OVER THE HANGOVERS

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ROBLEM drinker? Moi? I have a drink or two every other night, and every couple of weeks or so I go out and get a little tipsy — well okay, shattered — with my girlfriends. Most women I know drink the same way. Anyone of them will tell you it’s normal and we could give it all up tomorrow. Honest.

Guinness and merlot are two of my passions and getting older has only cultivated them. In my 20s I was happy with a glass of red at a work do or cool pint on a Sunday afternoon.

In my 30s they became things I had to have.

Like Pavlov’s Dog, come 6pm at the end of a bad day, I could actually taste the luscious, ashy liquid on my tongue, feel the first one calming me, the second making me smarter, the next more hilarious and so it went.

I’d read the reports: In April this year Ireland was again named the binge-drinking capital of Europe when a poll carried out for the European Commission found that one in four of us regularly have five drinks or more in one sitting — double the European average.

“Irish people drink in ways that cause real concern because many of us drink to get drunk,” says Fiona Ryan, chief executive of Alcohol Action Ireland. Guilty. “There needs to be a reality check about how much we drink, the way we drink and the amount of harm that generates.”

Indeed, every seven hours someone in Ireland dies from an alcohol-related illness. Alcohol is a contributing factor in heart disease and stroke, and in the case of the latter women who drank just over two pints a day (or two large glasses of wine) were at an eight-fold increased risk of stroke. A report in 2008 by the Health Service Executive (HSE) found that alcohol-related liver cancer had the highest increase of all cancers in Ireland between 1994 and 2003, rising by a massive 10.7% in women and 7.4% in men. The same report made the apocalyyptic prediction that by 2020 alcohol-related cancers in women would double.

I’m ashamed to say most of this washed over me in a ‘Well, it’s not like I’ve ever ended up in A&E’ sort of way.

There were the increasingly bad hangovers too. In my 20s I could drink, smoke, stay out all night and still bash out 1,000 words before midday. In my late thirties, the horror lasted two, sometimes three days, my sore head eating into valuable work time, while my face ate into about 10,000 calories of chips, bacon, etc.

Still, my friends and I wore our hangovers like a throbbing badge of honour, bonding over morning-after emails pinged between offenders of the ‘I feel so awful, but what great craic,’ variety.

But after a Friday night dinner at a foodie friend’s where the incredible cuisine, conversation — and drink — flowed I asked the cabbie the time on the way home. “It’s 4.30 madam,” he replied. There I was a supposedly smart, successful woman with a mortgage and a husband, getting home drunk at dawn! The next morning, literally paralysed in bed,

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my liver cried out for mercy. I couldn’t lift my head and lay there thinking about my drinking past.

According to experts, anything more than three pints or large glasses of wine in one sitting is a binge. I was a binge drinker, officially. Moreover, when drunk I behave like an uncontrollable teen, shouting in the streets about the state of the economy and flirting with strange men. Recently, my husband — a teetotaller with a pretty hard drinking past himself — had even begun to call me ‘Joanie’ followed by a little hiccup, after a boozie Joan Crawford.

Was I that bad? I decided to stop drinking for two months. Here’s what happened.

WEEK ONE — ON THE WAGON: In hangover agony. Last night was my ‘farewell to drinking’ night out with girlfriends. But it’s not just the hangover, it’s the bottomless pit that is my morning-after stomach. I love healthy eating normally, but today nothing is going to stand in the way of me and rubbish food. I have had plastic cheetos, milky bars, a houmous wheaty wrap and a large bowl of sugary cereal with milk. As a result I feel bloated, windy and about 100 years old. Not to mention my fuzzy brain. I am so ready to stop drinking.

Still, what I can’t deny is the fantastically hilarious night I had last night with old work girlfriends. As usual we laughed so much that I actually woke up giggling, two strange men’s cards in my handbag. One of them appears to be a TD. I need to do something — I have recurring eye infections and my skin is dry but pimply.

This is not the picture of myself I

bad tummy, sneezing, with streamy eyes and a puffy face and a grumpy, tired mood. Didn’t do yoga and ate a rubbishy cheesy roll for breakfast. Why does drinking always feel like such a good idea at the time? It pains me to admit I can’t do this alone.

HOW TO MEASURE UP LOW-risk drinking guidelines in Ireland are 14 standard drinks or units for women and 21 for men, spaced out over a week.

One unit or standard drink is a small glass of wine, a single measure of spirit or half a pint of beer. For a clearer picture in the pub, one pint equals two units and a quarter bottle of wine (175ml) equals just under two units, that’s for a typical 11% alcohol wine, the higher 13% alcohol wines will be more.

“A binge for a man is seven standard drinks or more than three pints in one sitting and for a woman it’s five drinks or more than two pints in one sitting,” says Dr Joe Barry, Professor of Public Health at Trinity College Dublin. “For either, a bottle of wine in one sitting is a binge.”

What’s more, says Professor Barry, standard drinks are based on British units where drink measures are about 20% weaker than they are in Ireland.

“That means 21 British units translate to about 17 standard drinks in Ireland for men and 14 units translate to 11 standard drinks a week for women. Irish guidelines are currently being revised by the Government and are set to change to take into account the higher alcohol measures in Ireland.”

wanted to face on my 41st birthday. I started a glass of red a night regime about nine months ago, after being stuck overnight at JFK airport on route home from Australia. It was the first time I had actually sat somewhere — in this case the airline lounge — and drank alone. I told myself it was for my heart’s sake (you know, antioxidants).

WEEK TWO — OFF THE WAGON: It’s midday on a Friday, less than a week after I committed to not drinking. I am sitting here with a bleary head after falling off the wagon and having a pint of Guinness and a large glass of Rioja last night. It was just enough to calm me down and help me relax,

WEEK THREE — CRAVING: It’s ironic I am writing a piece today about an alcoholic who wouldn’t admit she was one until she ended up almost dead and forcefully admitted to rehab by her doctor. I too am feeling an incredible need to drink. I’d had a busy, tiring week and a bad day, particularly clashing with someone who winds me up at work. I felt like grumpiness was literally infusing the blood in my veins and a large wine glass-cum-soup bowl of Chateneuf du Pape with my neighbour at the pub across the road would be just the ticket. I resisted.

WEEK FOUR — HANGING ON:

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probably a bit worrying. I was fine with the idea of not drinking all week and feeling great, doing yoga every morning. Then last night I had a stressful day and found myself thinking ‘I could murder a drink tonight.’ I could practically taste that foamy stout and feel it calming me down. Double worrying.

I got to the pub to see friends I hadn’t seen all summer and they had my birthday gift there — fancy champagne — that I now can’t drink for three months. I had so much to say to Caroline, my favourite girlfriend ever, it seemed sacrilegious not to be clutching a glass of something and gesticulating like an idiot. I thought, ‘Oh F*&^ it.’ I woke up with a fuzzy head,

I am doing yoga classes most nights now to try and help this strange crankiness I feel at the end of the day when I can’t have my wine. It helps the grumpiness evaporate, giving me the same sense of wellbeing and relaxation and completeness that that the glass of red brings me.

There are other benefits to my new regime.

I have more energy than ever, people keep saying how well I look and my eye infections have disappeared. What I put down to hay fever could be an allergy to my favourite tipple. Red wine contains ‘histamines’, a common allergen, and many people react to it with streamy eyes, nasal congestion and even asthma after having as little as one glass. This is not good news.

WEEK FIVE — HELP AT LAST: A friend has recommended a book and CD, The Drink-

Like Pavlov’s Dog, come 6pm at the end of a bad day, I could actually taste the luscious, ashy liquid on my tongue, feel the first one calming me, the second making me smarter

less Mind by Georgia Foster, a hypnotherapist who specialises in problem social drinking.

“Whether or not you realise it, you’re probably quite socially shy and this is why you drink the way you do,” says Georgia. “The alcohol helps you relax and feel more confident, you like that feeling — who doesn’t? — and so it becomes easier to relax and drink too much”.

But will not drinking will turn me into a socially anxious mess? “Many people assume it’s the alcohol alone that calms them down, but that is learned behaviour,” she explains.

“Just like you have learned that a glass of wine can calm you down and help you feel more socially confident, so too over time you can learn new techniques for feeling socially confident in situations such as parties or in the pub”. I practice Georgia’s 25-minute self-hypnosis CD each night and after a few days start to feel positive about all this for the first time.

It struck me that maybe, rather than losing the fun and laughter of drinking, I was gaining something, like more energy and no hangovers….

WEEK SIX — FEELING GOOD: Since I started doing Georgia’s hypnotherapy CD, it’s become easier to ask for water — just pure, still water — instead of wine in the pub.

I have stopped whining about not drinking and have begun to focus on how clear my skin looks and how I can actually go out night after night as I have zero hangovers, instead of saving it all up for one big head-wrecking binge a week. Last night, at an awards do with my dad, I was calm and funny — things I expect alcohol makes me — on water.

WEEK SEVEN — NOT INTERESTED: The best thing is my sleep. I used to wake in the wee hours — usually around 4am — with a start, unable to get back to sleep. Apparently, that’s the wine, says nutritionist Charlotte Watts. “If you’re drinking wine before

bed, it could be relaxing you initially, but it will stimulate you later,” says Watts. “Alcohol spikes blood sugar, causing it to drop dramatically a few hours later. When blood sugar drops, the adrenal glands quickly release a shot of adrenalin to raise blood sugar and provide energy, thus waking you with a jolt.”

I must admit I am steering clear of big nights out drinking, happier to go out in small groups for early dinners. You might call that cowardly, but I call it realistic. I don’t want to be in a position that would make me fall off the wagon — again.

Last weekend I had my birthday celebrations and everyone was saying “Oh come on, it’s your birthday, have a pint.” In hindsight, I can’t believe it, but I was not interested. I had a nice time and still felt my usual excitement at being with great friends. Okay, it wasn’t the hilarity, the sheer abandon of The Drunken Night Out, but in the morning there was no Horror Head either. Not a bad trade off.

WEEK EIGHT — THE VERDICT: Tonight is the last day of my eight week detox. I have a girlfriend coming over and I am still in two minds as to whether I want a drink. I don’t know if it’s the hypnotherapy or just breaking the habit, but the thought of having a drink is kind of ‘take it or leave it’. I am dying to see my friend Zeena and scream and laugh, but I’m not interested in getting drunk. I’ll probably offer her a glass of wine and have one if she does, but if she doesn’t I’ll have my usual water. I have learned that my personal drinking habits weren’t exactly healthy so I’ll be thinking twice before having more than a couple. Who knows what will happen on future nights with good friends in the pub — the real litmus test. But my need to drink has gone and been replaced with a boost in confidence that I can live life — and really enjoy it — without alcohol. For now.

TWO MONTHS LATER— THE AFTERMATH: It’s been two months since my detox and strangely, I haven’t been drunk once. It’s ironic because having no hangovers has meant that I have more energy to go out more often. I’m still drinking here and there, but have strangely gone off it. I’ve found tricks to ‘fake it’ too, such as sneaking in water between rounds, or stopping when I feel the slightest bit tipsy.

Going out to dinner on weeknights, instead of a bottle, I’ll order the house wine and stop at one and at home, I don’t have anything unless we have visitors. In the pub, three is my limit, which is tough as I still have great respect for my friends Mr P Guinness and Ms G Merlot.

But I no longer go round to theirs as often, or stay ‘til dawn when I do.

GREAT CRAIC: Anna far left, beginning to enjoy her glass of water as she got used to being ‘on the dry’, and left, on one of her usual nights out with her girlfriends having a boozy time.

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Having a choice

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E can characterise drinkers in Ireland in four ways, says Rolande Anderson, alcohol project director for the Irish College of General Practitioners.

■ Low-risk drinkers, who drink below recommended limits or not at all, ■ Hazardous drinkers, those whose alcohol intake, if it continued, would eventually cause them harm, ■ Harmful drinkers, those for whom alcohol has caused physical or psychological problems and ■ Dependent drinkers, those classified as alcoholic.

Most of the Irish population fall into the second category — hazardous, he says.

Anderson is now involved in a programme helping Irish GPs spot alcohol problems and advise their patients on cutting down.

Here is his advice: ALCOHOL-FREE NIGHTS OUT ■ Have a script: In Irish culture there is a lot of pressure to drink. I call it the ‘Go on’ effect. Find an excuse you’re comfortable with and make it up if you need to.

‘Doctor’s orders,’ ‘I’m on antibiotics’ and ‘I’m driving,’ work.

■ Swap: Replace drinking rituals by developing your interests outside the pub.

Find something you enjoy, such as yoga or a sport that gives you the same sense of wellbeing as drink without the sore head. This helps you find friends and alternative ways of enjoying yourself so alcohol isn’t the only fun thing in your life.

Drinking Less: If you’re sitting down at a function, have water at the hand you normally use and drink in the other hand — it helps you drink less.

■ Space out your drinks: Put your glass down between sips and have a glass of mineral water between rounds.

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10 Medical matters

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Q

MY mother has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. We were shocked at the news as we had put her memory problems down to old age. Is there anything that can you can do to prevent Alzheimer’s? I have read about a test that can detect during the early stages. How does it work?

Dr Niamh Houston

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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

A. Receiving news of this nature must be devastating, but don’t blame yourself for not considering this condition in your mother.

Dementia occurs in people with Alzheimer’s because a healthy brain degenerates and this causes a steady decline in memory and mental abilities. These changes can be subtle and not obvious in the early stages. Everyone has occasional lapses in memory and this is a normal part of aging. However, Alzheimer’s causes more than simple forgetfulness — increasing and persistent forgetfulness, especially of recent events — is typical of this condition.

There can also be problems with abstract thinking, such as balancing a chequebook, or finding a right word. Very often losing a sense of time and dates, or getting lost in familiar surroundings, is present too. Alzheimer’s is not the only cause of memory loss — mini-strokes, Parkinson’s, depression, or taking multiple medication, are other causes. Routine blood tests checking thyroid function, vitamin B12 deficiency and brain scans will help in the diagnosis.

But there is no single test that can determine whether a person has this debilitating illness. Instead, the medical and multi-disciplinary team rely on the description of symptoms usually provided by family members — as well as written and verbal tests designed to assess mental functions (neuropsychological testing).

Researchers have developed a test that may be helpful in detecting the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease. This test measures two proteins, beta-amyloid and tau proteins in cerebrospinal fluid from a lumbar puncture.

The fluid is examined for evidence of abnormal development of these proteins which can form plaques and tangles and are thought to contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s.

Early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is important for early intervention and treatment can help slow down the progression of the disease.

This test may reveal who will develop Alzheimer’s Disease in the future, but more research is needed to determine who would benefit from having this test.

There is a large trial underway comparing the effects of Vitamin E (an antioxidant) and Donepezil (a medication used to treat Alzheimer’s Disease) in preventing it in people diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. Other treatments, such as aspirin, Vitamin E, antioxidants or combined folate /vitamin B6/B12 supplementation are also being studied. One of the hallmarks of

ALZHEIMER’S BLOW: There is no test that can detect the early signs of Alzheimer’s.

Picture: iStock

Alzheimer’s Disease is inflammation in the brain, but whether it’s a cause or an effect of the disease is not yet known.

Right now there’s no proven way to prevent the onset of this disease. However, take steps to improve your cardiovascular health — keep weight, blood pressure and cholesterol under control. Regular exercise and life-long learning can also help delay the onset of dementia.

In the meantime, caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease takes patience and a need to focus on the things a person can still do and enjoy. Check the website www.alzheimer.ie for more information Q. My 12-year-old boy came home from his friend’s house with marks on his neck.

He said they were only messing playing the “choking game”. How can I stop him playing this again?

A. Whether it’s done as a rite of passage, a dare or just general fooling around, the choking game can cause serious harm. The idea is to trigger a high by temporarily depriving the

brain of oxygen. This can be done with another person’s hands around the child’s neck, or he may take a deep breath, hold it, and have someone hug him from behind until he feels dizzy and passes out. It’s also called the blackout game, pass-out game, and space monkey.

The risks involved are serious and can result in seizures, fractures and permanent brain damage, or even death. Warning signs include the unexplained bruises around the neck, bloodshot eyes or small, red, facial spots, frequent severe headaches, sheets, belts, scarves or ropes tied to bedroom furniture or doorknobs, or found knotted on the floor. Showing curiosity about asphyxiation or disorientation after being alone are warning signs also.

A child may be at higher risk of playing the choking game if he has psychological problems or a history of substance abuse.

You need to talk to your child. Explain that while it may seem fun there’s no safe way to play this game. Tell him the risks involved and that it’s important to stop. Avoid threats and accusations. Be sure to alert the parents of other children who may have played this game with your child too.

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

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Catherine Shanahan MUM’S WORLD Feelgood

ITH a head of curls beyond anything humidity could reasonably achieve, I forecast for my daughter a future full of Frizz-Ease, sculpting mousse and deluxe GHDs. Tight little corkscrew curls may be cute at age two, but learning to comb them is a parenting skill I have yet to master.

I am all too familiar with the pitfalls of hair that cannot be smoothly parted, is largely shine-resistant and takes a top-class stylist to give it shape — without resorting to creating what resembles a topiary arrangement.

Cut it too short and there follows a period of voluntary house arrest.

Leave it too long and it starts to resemble a pyramid no tourist would pay to see.

I have had my share of short-hair disasters. A comparison with Coronation Street’s Hayley Cropper marked an all-time low. I pledged never to let a scissors near me again. My abstinence ended the day that I glanced in the

mirror and Brian May stared back.

I switched stylists. “You need to understand your hair,” my new stylist told me “in order to know what it is capable or not capable of doing.” I wondered when hairdressers had become psychoanalysts. There was little hope of “understanding” my hair when I struggled to understand my children. “Work with it,” she said, as though the growing dome was akin to a workplace colleague.

My other half spent a small fortune on a GHD. He hid it after I forced him to spend three hours creating a look that I then decided didn’t suit me.

I had a discussion with pals. One has spent half her life savings on maintaining a sleekness no stable-hand could match. Another informed me that I “embraced” my hair, a strange choice of verb.

I imagined myself before a mirror hug-

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ging my head before venturing out.

I sought an expert opinion. I learned the only thing standing between me and manageable hair was “a tiny bit of self-knowledge”. I was amazed. In my innocence, I had imagined it was down to the stylist.

I was advised if I wanted to transform my hair I would need to alter its natural chemistry. “Did you know that curls are made by two kinds of chemical bonds?” the expert asked. I shook my head. Somewhere in my psyche was a memory of the torture involved in ionic and covalent bonding.

Chemistry was never my thing.

Hollywood abounds with styles that turned more than a hair in history.

Farrah’s feathered flip and “The Rachel” were among the most requested hairstyles of all time. While I hesitate to predict “The Dearbhail” at least she will never suffer the ignominy of wearing curlers to bed.

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Allergic reactions Her son’s experience taught Arlene Harris about the dangers of allergies

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Always on alert

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AST week, Laura Kukic a 14-year-old girl from Bedfordshire in England, was rushed to hospital after a ‘kiss of death’. Dangerously allergic to nuts, the teenager gave her 16-year-old boyfriend a peck on the lips as she passed him in the school corridor.

But she was unaware of the fact that he had eaten cereal containing hazelnuts for breakfast and despite brushing his teeth several times before school, the quick kiss caused her to collapse with anaphylactic shock.

Fortunately, Kukic survived to tell the tale which, to many people is just an amusing anecdote. But being seriously allergic to something is no joke as I discovered four years ago when my eldest son suffered a spate of worrying incidents.

Cailan, now nearly 12, had on several occasions after eating, become swollen, itchy and wheezy. And although he had mild asthma, we were alarmed by this recurring reaction so took him to the doctor, who prescribed anti-histamine and a short period of bed rest.

But concerned about his condition, we took him to a specialist who initially tested for the most common allergies and pronounced him to have an allergy to sesame seeds. Convinced it was something more serious, we asked him to test for nuts.

Despite being dubious about our request, he agreed and minutes later discovered that my seven-year-old was in fact, seriously allergic or anaphylactic to tree nuts.

The initial shock gave way to fear as we realised how serious the situation was. We were told to carry an Anapen (a shot of adrenalin) with us at all times and all foodstuffs had to be vetted for traces of nuts or seeds.

It seemed like a sentence — having survived the previous years by the skin of his teeth, we were now horrified by the possibility that even the trace of an innocent nut could have fatal consequences.

But now, four years later, we are older, wiser and calmer. It has become a way of life for us — we don’t leave the house without the adrenalin pen, everyone has been warned to keep him away from nuts and because he is aware of how awful even the mildest reaction can be, Cailan is careful to avoid anything that looks suspicious.

Thankfully, he has a fantastic diet and eats all sorts of foods, but it would be nice not to have to worry about what he is eating for the rest of his life.

However, if advances in medical science are anything to go by, it looks like there may be a glimmer of hope for the future.

The latest research has shown that by introducing small amounts of the allergen into the system, the body may eventually become accustomed to it. And scientists are even experimenting with a peanut that is supposedly allergy free.

Professor Jonathan Hourihane of UCC is one of the leading allergy specialists in the country. He says that while trials are underway to help eradicate allergies, there is still some way to go yet.

“Studies have shown that tolerance levels can be built up gradually in some cases, but the trials are not ready for clinical use at present,” he says. “There are too many unknowns for this to be part of a treatment plan — but we are hopeful for the future.”

The professor of paediatrics says although anaphylaxis is rare (2% of adults and 6% of

Feelgood

LIFE SAVER: Cailan Harris from Barefield, Co Clare, with the Anapen adrenalin dispenser he must carry at all times.

His mother Arlene is in the background.

Picture: Eamon Ward

pre-school children suffer with the condition); it needs to be taken seriously.

“Anaphylaxis is the most severe kind of allergy you can have,” he says. “People accuse us of being too cautious, but this condition can be fatal and we can’t predict who will have a severe reaction and who won’t.

“There are a lot of myths surrounding anaphylaxis, the most common being that each reaction will be worse than the last.

“But this is completely unfounded. What actually happens is circumstances change.

Factors such as menstrual cycle, asthma,

getting over-excited or even the consumption of alcohol can cause anaphylactic reactions to be more severe.”

Hourihane says stories such as Laura Kukic’s are common as teenagers are the highest risk group. “Teenagers are most at risk of anaphylactic shock as they will recently have become independent and have to take control of their own health issues,” he explains.

“This is also a time when they may be trying new foods and kissing strangers or people who are unaware of their allergy, so in my view, the most important message to get

across to anyone who has an allergy is — don’t hide it — make sure everyone around you knows what you are allergic to and where your medication is kept.”

■ If you believe your child may have an allergic reaction to certain foodstuffs, seek medical advice from your GP who can refer you to a specialist.

■ For more information see www.allergy-ireland.net, the website of a private allergy clinic in Dublin.

Situation often improves as children get older THE most common food allergy in young children is milk and eggs. This will manifest itself initially with a rash, lip swelling, cough and hives.

■ Many childhood allergies improve as the child gets older.

■ Allergies to peanuts, shellfish and tree nuts tend to persist and a portion of sufferers will have a reaction to these food-

stuffs throughout their adult life.

■ Hay fever and asthma are the most common allergies in Ireland.

ANAPHYLAXIS ■ 2% of adults and 6% of young children have food allergies which have the potential to cause anaphylaxis.

■ Symptoms of anaphylactic shock include swelling of throat, wheezing, vomiting, coronary artery spasm and loss of consciousness.

■ In the event of anaphylaxis, med-

FRIDAY, JULY 23, 2010

ical help needs to be sought immediately.

And even if given a shot of adrenalin, the patient must be taken straight to casualty.

■ Young children need to be reassessed every six months, phasing out to yearly appointments as they get older.

■ People who suffer from anaphylaxis should carry an anapen with them at all times and wear an SOS bracelet to alert people of their condition.

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12 Healthy food

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TV winners Reduce fat in family food without losing out to taste

Roz Crowley

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ANY of us are long tired of reality television programmes, but when there is a healthy food message twinned with good presenters, it gets my attention. Making adjustments to how and where we buy food is one of the essentials when it comes to improving our health through diet.

TV chef of BBC’s Market Kitchen, restaurateur Matt Tebbutt is just the right person to communicate his message.

Young and easy-going, a father-of-three, his advice is well rooted in practicality. With him is Michelin-starred fiery Frenchman Jean-Christophe Novelli. Family Food Fight with Flora (Mondays TV3 3.05pm) encourages families to change their habits. First filmed in their kitchens, the families menus are revealed. Next they join the chefs who pit them against another family, with the challenge of cooking healthy, low fat meals for 40 people.

“What we find is that the challenge gets them to realise how fat can be reduced without compromising on taste,” says Tebbutt.

“They end up with skills which show that cooking proper food for just a family can be quick and easy. I know well how difficult it is to start cooking after a long day at work, but we really do need to put a value on food.”

Cooking seasonal food is a good start, he says. “Many people tend to buy on price, not quality, and, short of time, head for ready meals. People have lost the ability to open the fridge and see what they can do what what’s in it. Supermarkets are partly to blame, and kids are dictating what they eat. There are families five nights a week eating ready-made pizzas which are full of saturated fats and salt. I help families disguise vegetables and introduce them into the diet in a way they can be enjoyed.”

He believes we need to shop around. “The idea is to buy produce in peak condition and often it’s cheaper in season, and direct from producers at farmers’ markets is ideal.”

HEALTHY OPTION: Restaurateur Matt Tebbutt with Andrew and Sinead Merron who learned to cook healthy, low-fat meals. Picture: Gary Moyes We eat far too much food — especially meat, he says. “Vegetables are great value and shouldn’t be just for vegetarians and hippies.”

He loves fish and chips, but recommends at home instead of deep-frying chips to toss unpeeled quartered potatoes in sunflower oil and paprika and cooking them in the oven.

“We need to vary the diet and get more out

of good food when we buy it. We really shouldn’t buy a piece of tasteless chicken for a euro. It’s far better to buy a bigger, tastier chicken and use every bit of it, boiling up the bones for stock. Pay more for quality and eat a little less, that does us no harm at all.”

He adds that F5 spent on a ready meal or three litres of fizzy drinks could be put to

much better use.”

“We can choose to spend our money on healthy food, and once we show people on the programme how to make small changes, they are amazed at how quick they are to implement, and what better value they get for their money.”

Appearing on the programme is Mayo-born Sinead Merron and her husband Andrew. “Before this I would have freaked out at the idea of cooking for any dinner party, let alone one for 40 people. I don’t take criticism easily, so even though I’m an adventurous eater, I’d be cautious about what I’d take on. As for my husband Andrew he’s a disaster.”

His favourite dish to make is an omelette with honey and ketchup in a thick sandwich, says Sinead. “My goal in the programme was to get Andrew to cook a meal for me. He had never even held an aubergine in his hand and he ended up making a delicious ratatouille. What I learned most of all was how to use herbs and spices.”

Matt also pointed out how the amount of fat varies in sausages, suggesting trying butchers’ own varieties. He also taught the Merrons to cook roast lamb with a herb crust, first cutting off excess fat, the aim being to cut down on saturated fats and reduce salt.

“We laughed our socks off during filming.

The lemon and lime cheesecake was so delicious and had much less fat that I expected.”

Their children Rosie aged 10, Alex 9, and Max 7, now have a better idea about what they should eat and what tastes good.

This edition of the programme airs on Monday, August 2, and the series runs until the end of August.

Easy-to-cook dishes

Quality treats range

Gluten-free

GOOD for SuperValu creating ideas to make it easy to cook vegetable dishes. The Guacamole pack has a generous two avocados, a tomato, shallot, whole head of garlic, a chilli and a lime. The Thai Red Curry Paste even includes two stalks of lemongrass, a sizeable piece of ginger, six chillies, two shallots and a lime.

The Ratatouille, pictured here, as well as the ingredients, like all the packs, comes with a recipe for each dish. At F3 for each pack, this combination of often costly vegetables is good value and a commendable idea.

PANDORA Bell is a new brand of high quality sweet treats.

Made in Ballysimon, Co Limerick, the range comprises nougats, salted caramels and lollipops. The Honey Nougat with Almonds and Pistachios has 24% honey, 25% almonds and 13% pistachios — quite a good balance of healthy ingredients, low saturated fats, no artificial colours or preservatives, but there is quite a lot of sugar, necessary for the Italian recipe. The taste is sweet, and the soft nougat texture is spiked with decent-sized nut chunks. Not cheap, but good quality and available in independent shops and www.pandorabell.ie where there is also a list of regional stockists, 200g F7.95.

MARKS & Spencer has new gluten-free products which they call their Made Without Wheat range.

The Almond Frangipane Traybake is particularly good — moist and buttery with good quality toasted almonds on top. To be enjoyed by gluten-tolerant too. At F4.49 for 287g not cheap, but a good treat.

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Male health

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GP too costly for half of adults

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CHECK UP: The under-55s are most likely to consider costs of visiting their GP.

ORE THAN half of Irish adults (54%) avoid visiting their GP because of the expense, according to a nationwide survey of 1,000 adults commissioned by QUINN-healthcare. The figure is highest among people in the 35-44 age group (62%); and people living in Dublin (57%). People over the age of 55 are less likely to avoid GP visits for financial reasons.

A large majority of adults (69%) wait until they feel ill, or experience symptoms, before going for a health check.

This number is significantly higher among younger people — 80% of people between the ages of 25-34. A significant percentage of older people also avoid health checks without experiencing symptoms first; 68% of people between the ages of 45-54, and more than half of people aged 55+.

Despite citing prohibitive cost as a reason for avoiding GP visits, females visit their GP more frequently than males. Less than half of males said they visit their GP more than three times a year. Not surprisingly, people over the age of 55 were most likely to visit their GP more than three times a year (67%). Fewer than half of respondents said complementary therapy was a good option — though women were much more likely than men to find it worthwhile (47% vs 30%). More than 20% of people were unsure about the benefits of complementary therapy.

“The most surprising finding is that so many older peo-

Merger may diminish resources says Irish Heart Foundation SMOKING is a key contributor to cancers and heart disease, which is why the Irish Heart Foundation is disheartened by the Government’s decision to merge the OTC (Office of Tobacco Control) into the HSE. The Government recently launched the new National Cardiovascular Health Policy outlining plans to tackle Ireland’s biggest killer, including an aggressive target to reduce smoking by 1% per annum across the population.

“As the national charity fighting heart disease and stroke, I am concerned the latest decision to merge the OTC into the HSE may diminish SMOKING BLOW: Smoking the resources required to achieve targets threatened.

TAKE 1 W

HETHER you are out for a healthy summer hike or attending a summer event in stylish stilettos here are some products which may come in useful:

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WALKING SHOES: If you have been bit by the walking bug you may be interested in the new ECCO BIOM walking shoe.

Available in either black or while leather, it is designed to activate all muscles and joints in a natural way and be a high performance alternative to trainers and/or a natural motion shoe for everyday wear. Now available from ECCO stores and stockists nationwide the BIOM Walk retails at F180. Information on: www.thebiomproject.com.

these smoking targets,” says Michael O’Shea, chief executive of the Irish Heart Foundation.

“Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death, but despite Ireland’s introduction of the smoking ban, the number of smokers is back on the rise. In fact, our smoking prevalence has reverted to pre-smoking ban levels of 29% of our population.”

Most worrying is the number of young people smoking — 23% of teenage boys aged between 15-17 years are regular smokers.

Deirdre O'Flynn MOSTLY MEN ple (over 55) don’t get a health check unless they feel ill,” says Sarah O’Neill, occupational health advisor (RGN, RM, OHA) with QUINN-healthcare. “Common illnesses in the over-55s range from cardiac conditions, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, to arthritic conditions and many more. Certain cancers, such as colon, prostate, and breast are also more common in the over-55s, so attending a screening programme, or the GP, on an annual basis for a full health check is an important and proactive way of protecting your health.

“Another worrying finding is that over half of Irish adults avoid GP visits because of cost. Many people are unaware that their health insurance policies could provide refunds of up to 50% on out-patient visits. People should take this into account when considering the overall cost of seeing a doctor,” she says.

Online health

DId you know...

THE July edition of the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland’s (MHFI) monthly electronic newsletter — E-Male Matters — is now available online. This is the free monthly electronic newsletter of the MHFI. The purpose of the newsletter is to provide an update on research, events, training, resources and news in the field of work with men and boys. Anyone can propose an article for inclusion by sending it to emalematters@mhfi.org.

Screening men between 50 and 65 years old with the PSA test for prostate cancer reduced deaths by nearly a half Source: University of Gothenburg, Sweden

Check it out at: www.mhfi.org.

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ECO WATER: Wellness Water from Clare Spring Water is the first Irish spring water in a biodegradable and compostable bottle. The bottle is made from corn or sugar beet and is 75% more environmentally friendly to produce than its oil-based counterpart. This new bottled water comes from a pure Irish spring that is naturally filtered through organic land in Co Clare where the production line is powered by wind energy, further reducing the carbon footprint. Wellness Water is currently being distributed in 550ml bottles to convenience stores nationwide and costs 89c.

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TIRED LEGS: Nelsons Arnicare Cooling Gel (F7.25 for 30g) is a great natural remedy that helps soothe and cool feet and legs, after a long walk, a bike ride or any form of exercise. Naturally anti-inflammatory and great for treating bruising, arnica is combined with refreshing grapefruit oil and cooling menthol in Arnicare which is non-greasy and easily absorbed by the skin. Available from pharmacies and health stores, Arnicare is equally good if you’ve been on your high heels.

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BLISTER IT: Compeed’s Blister Patch contains an active gel designed to stop the aching blister pain. The patch stays put for up to three days and Compeed say that it heals 20% faster than traditional plasters, getting you back into your favourite shoes in no time.

Compeed blisters patches are available in small for toes (F6 per pack) and medium for heels (F5 per pack), in pharmacies nationwide, and cost F7.02.

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14 Beauty

Emily O’Sullivan

Cheap brushes do not produce the right results, so invest wisely in the best

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BRUSHING UP

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I’M AMBIVALENT about make-up brushes. They make your make-up look a lot better, a lot more professional and polished, but they cost a lot. In most areas of beauty, packaging and marketing account for a lot of the expense. Yes, some expensive bits of make-up are worth the money. They just are (powder and foundation, in particular, do generally look and feel better the more money you spend on them). But, just as with fashion, these days you can get a cracking look on a budget price with mascaras, lipsticks and glosses from cheaper brands rocking high-street cool (think beauty ranges from Topshop and Primark). Problem is, with brushes, it’s different. I’ve yet to try cheaper brushes that feel as good as expensive ones.

Cheapies are a bit more scratchy, a bit less refined. While expensive brushes feel silky, cheap ones feel rough.

The good news is that if you’re interested in investing in make-up brushes, you don’t even need to buy that many. Yes, make-up artists may bang on about the need for everything from a lip brush to a shading brush, but most of us a) apply lipstick from the pot and b) aren’t very good at “shading” anyway. And with some brushes, it just feels like we’re being sold something we don’t need. Just think about foundation brushes: yes, professionals may be able to apply foundation successfully with these little babies, but quite honestly they make me look like I’ve applied my foundation with a comb.

I currently own three very good brushes.

I’ve had them for about five years and they have lasted very well. One is a Mac eyeliner brush — it’s small, good for precision application and was only bought as a way of applying my Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel

The news on ...

DRY SKIN SHIELDS WINTER may be more associated with dry skin, but summer seems to take its toll, too! I like to keep a mask handy to counteract the dehydrating effects of air-conditioning, suncreams and flying.

Chanel’s Hydramax + Active Moisture Mask, F45, is an indulgent treat that is designed to be used on the skin two or three times a week. It has a lovely refreshing texture with a fruity scent of peaches and jasmine — best of all, if you’re travelling long haul, you can apply a thin layer before you get on the plane and leave it on the skin meaning it will feel soft, supple and very hydrated when you arrive at your exotic destination.

TAKE THREE CURL ENHANCERS

Picture: Getty Images

Eyeliner. The second is a Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow brush — even if you’re a total klutz at eyeshadow application, this brush works a treat, it lifts the right amount of colour onto the eyes and makes shading really easy, without any kind of sensitivity or irritation. The final one is a big powder brush — definitely indispensable, and my fave is from Chanel. I wear either a light translucent powder or a powder bronzer every single day, and brush really ensures even application. It was definitely worth the investment.

Beauty “tools” might not be particularly glamorous to buy, but they can make a difference. I’ve been faffing about with The Worst Tweezers The World Has Ever Seen, which I bought for about four quid from a small chemist. My eyebrows have worn the look of an unfortunate caterpillar of late — stumpy, crooked and a little unsettling. Precision is not their strong point: forget trying to pluck a single hair, about four come out in a worrisome lump. Years ago I had a pair of Tweezermans — otherwise know as The Best Tweezers The World Has Ever Seen — then I lost them and I’ve been in mourning ever

since. Now the legendary tweezers are looking even better than they ever have thanks to a team-up with hip make-up company Benefit. Tweezerman for Benefit are super-precise and really do grab every hair with utter effectiveness. Not only that, but they don’t seem to hurt as much as other tweezers do, which is always good with me.

If you like the sound of that, then you might like to opt for a bit of eyelash curling while you’re at it. Tweezerman for Benefit Eyelash Curlers look a real fright — but they work brilliantly, and don’t seem quite as medieval as other brands. They give a great springy curl to the lashes and if you’re into that kind of thing, then they’re worth the money.

Finally, one of the best purchases of the year for me has been one of the most simple: a body brush. Especially at this time of the year, a dry body brush (I got mine from Boots for about six or seven quid) is an indispensible tool. It gets rid of dead skin and it stimulates circulation, and believe us, this is definitely more worthwhile than any cellulite cream on the market. Get brushing.

SUMMER can be a nightmare for curly-haired lassies with explosions of fuzzy balls happening all over the country at the first sign of humidity. The best thing to do? Stop battling the curl and embrace it in all its glory. Here’s three products to help you on your way.

Redken Curl Collection Soft Spin, F17. Curls need moisture, otherwise hair literally goes OTT with frizz.

New from Redken, this Curl-Enhancing Gel uses avocado gel, so it smells really nice and calms things down without a crunchy effect.

Aveda Be Curly Curl Control, F11.15. This has a lovely scent to it, not enough to make you buy a product, but certainly enough to make you enjoy using it. Thankfully, it doesn’t trade on its scent alone — this one worked a treat with out wavy hair, smoothing it out while also having the ability to work on more hardcore curls. label.m Curl Cream, F14.10. It feels quite thick, this cream, but it does work very well. It can be applied to towel-dried hair or dry hair and a Enviroshield Complex protects against heat styling and UV rays.

STUFF WE LIKE Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow brush, F32.

Nice and soft, flexible, a good size and pretty much all you need to blend and apply. Its softness means that it doesn’t drag or irritate the eyes, while it softens all edges perfectly. Nice.

Mac Eyeliner Brush, F19. If you’re looking for precision, then this is the perfect choice. It’s super thin so you do need to mind it to make sure that it doesn’t get bent, so try and keep a hold of the little plastic cover that comes with it. This is an essential for applying gel eyeliners — you can go

Feelgood

for a thin, precise line or else layer it up for maximum swoosh.

Tweezerman for Benefit Slant Tweezer, F29. If you only buy one tweezers in your life, etc, etc... Yes, these babies are the haute couture of tweezers, if there ever was such a thing. They are perfectly tailored for excellent eyebrow plucking. A very good buy, and the new design from Benefit now makes them look good, too.

Botanics Hip and Thigh Brush, F9. The main thing to remember about body brushes is that you use them BEFORE rather than during or after a shower (otherwise, half your skin will come off). This is a great way, THE

best way really, to tackle cellulite, while dry body brushing also helps to slough off dead skin cells, leaving your skin feeling super soft and ready for fake tan, moisturiser, whatever.

Chanel Powder Round Powder brush, F62. I love Chanel brushes. They are my brush of choice, they’re just so soft, they last for so long and they feel really beautiful on the skin. This powder brush is an ideal choice for applying powder and bronzer — you could probably get away with using it for blusher, too, particularly if you like a rather

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flushed blush look.

Tweezerman for Benefit Eyelash Pro-Curl curlers, F23.50.

They have the air of a medieval instrument of torture, but these eyelash curlers work really very well and are great for prepping the lashes for a big night out. Don’t rush it and make sure to work your way slowly up the lashes for maximum curl.

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Natural health

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 prone to cystitis all my life and, now, at 42, it is worse. An investigation by a urologist was all-clear.

I do the recommended — cranberry juice, gallons of water, washing, etc. The problem is worse after sex and is spoiling my love life. I use lubricants and wash, as does my partner. I read an article that suggested oestrogen cream might help. I have tried Urva ursi, the herbal tincture, when I have had an attack. The urologist said to take one antibiotic (Ciproxin) when I feel it coming on and this works, but I don’t want to take these every month. I drink a lot of water and herbal teas, again to no avail.

A. Cystitis is caused by the bacteria E. coli, (Escherichia coli), or can be due to bladder inflammation. Given that you have tried the usual remedies and have resorted to antibiotics for relief, it may be that your cystitis is related to candida imbalance.

This need not mean you suffer from thrush — many candida sufferers don’t even have this as a symptom of candida overgrowth. Candida albicans exists in everybody’s gut, and only causes a problem when your immune system is low. Illness, stress, and antibiotic use all trigger an over-population of candida in the system. This overgrowth has such a significant impact on hormonal and digestive processes that it is thought to be at the root of a wide range of conditions, including chronic fatigue, arthritis, infertility, psoriasis and chronic cystitis.

Support your system by taking a quality probiotic to restore intestinal balance — you will need to take a therapeutic dosage, rather than the regular maintenance dose recommended on the packaging. Talk to your local health store owner, since the amount you need will depend on the product you choose. I recommend taking three times the recommended dosage for the first few days, and then reducing over the course of a week to a regular dose. Continue to take the maintenance dosage for 3-6 months, increasing to a therapeutic dosage when you feel an attack is imminent.

The other important supplement utilises a herb native to New Zealand — horopito (Pseudowintera colorata). Kolorex is a combination of the New Zealand herb, horopito, and aniseed originally developed to tackle candida and restore intestinal balance.

While scientific studies have proven the effectiveness of Kolorex in treating candida overgrowth, its success in treating cystitis is largely anecdotal.

The horopito used in the Kolorex range is an organically-grown sustainable crop, which is tested for maximum activity levels before it is considered for use in the products. The capsules are available in both standard and practitioner strengths, and it is now also available as a tea. You will need to

Picture: Getty Images

My cystitis is worse after sex and is spoiling my love life take the capsules with a large glass of water and ensure that you have eaten first. Forest Herbs Kolorex is available from Noma Ltd: phone +44 2380 770 513; or email noma@complementary-medicine.com.

Q. You replied to a previous query in your column, from a lady, about an alternative to mammograms for regular breast checks — it was some time ago and I have forgotten the name of the alternative method you recommended. Can you please let me know, as I need to have annual mammograms and find them quite painful.

A. The method you are looking for is breast thermography, which utilises infra-red thermal imaging to accurately assess the health of breast tissue. Physical examination is, of course, another method of regular breast checking, and a Canadian study involving 90,000 women concluded that physical examination is just as effective as a mammogram, when it comes to detecting tumours, provided that it is performed by a skilled practitioner.

Action Breast Cancer, a programme of the Irish Cancer Society, is Ireland’s leading provider of breast cancer information and support. They can be contacted by phone (freefone 1800 200 700), or you can visit their website, at www.cancer.ie/action, for a wealth of information, including details on

Megan puts the spotlight on:

D

AVID H. MURDOCK, an American man of 87 years, (pictured left) enjoys a level of health and wellbeing than many people in their thirties are hard-pressed to match!

Fortunately, he is very open about his lifestyle and diet, and has shared his secrets with journalists and television personalities so that we all might benefit from his wisdom and live vital, active, satisfying lives.

David’s top two secrets are eating large quantities of fruit and vegetables and getting an hour of exercise every day.

He takes no supplements, no medication — not even an aspirin tablet. He does eat fish along with his diet of 30-40 different kinds of fruit and vegetables every week.

The North Carolina Research Cam-

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how to perform effective self-examination. If you wish to learn more about effectively checking your own breasts, then educate yourself, since early detection vastly increases the chances of surviving breast cancer.

The use of mammogram to detect breast cancer is still very much an issue of debate. I believe that it should be a personal, informed decision to choose your method of detection. There are guidelines in place, in Europe, that require physicians to inform women of the drawbacks and risks of mammography. The public messages and campaigns about the potential benefits of diagnosis through regular mammogram are more widely known.

Research following long-term, worldwide studies indicates that doctors should reconsider the use of mammography as a regular screening tool for breast cancer.

Mammograms are not only painful, but they also utilise radiation, which is actually linked to causing breast cancer. The pressure used during a mammogram can cause damage to cells, which may spread an existing tumour, or lead to the formation of lumps within the breast tissue.

Of equal concern is the high rate of false positives. In Sweden, a study of 60,000 women aged between 40-64 years clearly showed that more than 86% of women under the age of 50 years who had been diagnosed with cancer as a result of a mammogram were, in fact, cancer-free.

Longevity David’s top two secrets are eating large quantities of fruit and vegetables and getting an hour of exercise every day

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pus has been created in order to study the health benefits of fruit and vegetables, in particular observing plant and human cells at the most minute level possible using a 950 megahertz, 8-tonne superconducting magnet.

While it seems rather obvious that diets high in fruits and vegetables equate to better health, the fact that many people are still choosing fast foods, packaged foods, and junk foods over whole foods indicates that the message is still not getting through.

When it comes to longevity and diet, scientists have discovered that obesity accelerates the ageing process even more rapidly than smoking does!

■ For more info: Encyclopedia of Foods, A Guide to Healthy Nutrition, a book produced

by UCLA and overseen by David H Murdock.

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