Feelgood 24-09-2010

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Feelgood Friday, September 24, 2010

Photography by Rubberball

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CHECK UP

Regular dental visits help early detection of cancer: 4, 5

Brain drain

Is our love affair with the internet making us stupid? 8, 9

HEART MATTERS

More women die from stroke than men: 4, 5

SMART BUYS

Top ten foods for students on a tight budget: 12

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2 News front Kate O’Reilly WHAT’S ON ■ AMD TESTING: Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of registered blindness in Ireland, thought to affect one in 10 Irish people and the principal cause of sight loss for people over 50 in the western world. Symptoms include distortion and a blurring in the centre of the vision.

This week is AMD Awareness Week, and in order to increase public awareness of the disease and highlight the importance of regular testing, free testing is available at locations nationwide, including Cork City Library, Grand Parade tomorrow from 10am to 1pm and the Royal Cork Yacht Club, Crosshaven from 3 to 6pm. More information is available on www.amd.ie ■ LIFEBOAT DAY: The RNLI Helvick Lifeboat Station in Co Waterford will host an Open Day this Sunday from 12pm to 5pm, where members of the public will see the RNLB Alice & Charles and meet the crew. The local vintage tractor car and bike owners will do a vintage run in aid of the Helvick Lifeboat, departing from the RNLI Lifeboat Station at 1pm and returning at 3pm with over 70 vehicles taking part.

For further information call 058-46314.

■ NUTRITION DIPLOMA: The College of Naturopathic Medicine (CNM) runs a part-time nutritional therapy course in Cork, as well as courses in acupuncture, naturopathy and herbal medicine in Dublin. If you would like to learn more, the college is holding a free open night, where you can meet course tutors in the Rochestown Park Hotel on Tuesday next between 7 and 9pm To reserve a place call 01-2353094; www.naturopathy.ie ■ OPEN DAY: The Inner Awakening Open Day at Dervish in Cornmarket St Cork tomorrow is designed to bring information on the workshops, groups, etc that take place there to a wider audience. Free one-hour talks will be held (11am to 7pm) in the Bodega. To book or for information call Dervish on 021-4278243 or call into the shop.

■ RCSI LECTURE: As part of Culture Night 2010 and to celebrate 200 years of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland on St Stephen’s Green, the College will host two free public lectures tonight charting the history of RCSI, from its foundations on a disused Quaker graveyard, to the part it played in the 1916 Rising. Professor Clive Lee, Head of the Department of Anatomy in RCSI, will give the lectures entitled Surgeons’ Halls — building the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, from 7 to 7.30pm and 8 to 8.30pm. You can register at www.rcsi.ie/culturenight or phone 01-402 2196.

■ NEW CHARITY: Jewels for Cures is a charity which was launched this week to raise funds for the Cancer Clinical Research Trust founded by Professor John Crown and based in St Vincent’s University Hospital. The charity is asking for donations of gold, jewels, fine art and antiques and classic furniture, which will be auctioned at a special Jewels for Cures Christmas Auction in early December. For information see www.jewelsforcures.ie or call 01-2916169. ● Items for inclusion in this column can be sent to koreilly8@gmail.com

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Lorna Byrne, author of Angels In My Hair, talks about miracles of life in her latest book, writes Helen O’Callaghan

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Heaven sent

ORNA BYRNE sees angels all the time. She has seen them riding bikes in Amsterdam, mimicking people at a party and playing Nintendo with a young boy in a wheelchair at a book signing in Dundrum Shopping Centre.

Two years ago, this previously unknown Maynooth widow took the world by storm with her autobiography, Angels In My Hair. The book’s essential message: that “every single person has a guardian angel, regardless of their religious belief, even if they have no faith and don’t believe in anything”.

Now the 56-year-old mum of four has just launched Stairways To Heaven, which takes up the narrative of her life where Angels In My Hair ended, with the death of her husband, Joe, in 2000.

She recounts how miracles unfolded to give her a new farmhouse home in Co Kilkenny, essential for the healing of her youngest child’s grief after her dad passed away — aged five at the time, Megan is 14 now.

“All the little joys of normal everyday life, making friends, getting a puppy, having a homely home, helped Megan get over her grief,” says Byrne.

In Stairways To Heaven, the author tells how key people came into her life so that she — who, due to dyslexia, has never read a book in her life — could write books about angels and their wisdom. She reiterates that she sees the

light of the guardian angel behind every person and that this angel is with us from before conception to after our death.

In the case of people who are in despair and contemplating suicide, she invariably sees the guardian angel intertwined with the soul of the troubled person. And she says the gigantic angel, Jimazen, guards our planet — his more frequent appearance to her is a sign that the planet is hanging in the balance.

Byrne — whose first book sold almost half a million copies, was translated into 20 languages and even attracted approaches from Hollywood — says she’s surprised at the number of men moved

by Angels In My Hair. “They say ‘I’d never before have read a book like that but somehow it reached out to me’.

They thank me for saving their lives.”

So, can Byrne see my angels? Not over the phone, she says. “But I’m being told they’re whispering in your ear all the time. And there is a beautiful angel on your right giving courage and confidence.”

■ Stairways To Heaven by Lorna Byrne, F14.99. Lorna Byrne will sign copies of her books in Eason, Patrick Street, Cork, tomorrow at 12pm.

HEAVENLY: Lorna Byrne, author of the bestseller Angels in My Hair.

Picture:: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

HEALTH NOTES THE Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI) wants dementia to be made a national health priority in Ireland following a new global report which warns of the devastating economic and social impact dementia will have worldwide in coming years.

The landmark report, published by Alzheimer Disease International to mark World Alzheimer’s Day (September 21), maintains governments are unprepared for the most significant — and growing — health crises of the century.

It is predicted that the number of people with dementia in Ireland will spiral from a current 44,000 to more than 104,000 by 2036. Up to 13 people develop dementia every day in Ireland.

For information visit: www.alzheimer.ie.

The Alzheimer National Helpline 1800 341 341 offers information and support.

A television documentary, The End of Ageing, featuring, Rose Anne Kenny, professor of geriatric medicine and consultant geriatrician at St James’s Hospital, will be broadcast on RTÉ 1 this Sunday at 9.30pm.

The feature, part of RTÉ’s Coming of Age programming, which coincides with Positive Ageing Week, looks at how and why Irish people are living longer and how Ireland is leading the way in the development of age prevention technologies.

Get your heart pumping and go the extra mile for the Irish Heart Foundation by takwww.irishexaminer.com www.irishexaminer.com

BIG LAUNCH: Ava O’Donnell, 2, RTE presenter Michael Ó Muircheartaigh, and Fair City’s Bryan Murray at the launch of Dementia: It’s time for action! to mark World Alzheimer’s Day. Picture: James Horan /Collins

ing part in a World Heart Day walk this Sunday. If you’re in Dublin, join Irish rugby hero Keith Wood at 11am in the Phoenix Park for a 5k walk. It starts near the Castleknock Gate. Or head to Galway to join Olympic silver medallist walker Olive Loughnane on the Prom at 11am. Call the Irish Heart Foundation for more details on 01-668 5001 or visit its website irishheart.ie.

Physical inactivity is estimated to cost Ireland F1.6 billion per year and this will grow unless the problem is dealt with, according to Dr Muireann Cullen, manager of the Nutrition and Health Foundation (NHF).

“The comprehensive Slán survey of lifestyle, attitudes and nutrition showed

www.irishexaminer.com feelgood@examiner.ie

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2010

38% of Ireland’s population is overweight and 23% is classed as obese”, says Dr Cullen. According to the Slán survey, 59% of adults do not meet the Department of Health’s recommended levels of physical activity.

Smart phones and apps helps those with a wide range of cognitive and communication problems to recall what happened during the day, to share pictures of events and to communicate through a high-tech device widely regarded as ‘cool’.

The Irish Association of Speech & Language Therapists (IASLT) offers key information on using the latest aids. For details visit www.iaslt.ie.

Editorial: 021 4802 292

Advertising: 021 4802 215

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THE SHAPE I'M IN

Red Hurley

He’s still red hot

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STAR of the Irish entertainment world in the 1970s and ’80s, Red Hurley is still going strong and is set to perform with multiple Grammy Award-winning vocalist Rita Coolidge in the Everyman Palace Theatre, Cork, on Sunday.

The cabaret star — who has spent a total of 140 weeks in the Irish charts — now spends most of his time in the US, where he has a home in Clearwater, Florida.

During the last year he has recorded with various choirs in Ireland, Africa and America for the album How Great Thou Art. He is currently working with American poet Maya Angelou on a new joint DVD and CD. “She’s a wonderful woman,” he says. “She has opened a lot of doors for me in the US. She’s 82, but she has the mind of a 40-year-old and speaks about 10 languages.”

Red Hurley won’t tell how old he is, preferring to say he’s “on the wrong side of 50, but the right side of 40”.

No doubt his marriage to Norma (his partner of 20 years, he married her two years ago) and his two daughters, aged nine and 10, help keep him young.

Tickets for Red Hurley and Rita Coolidge at the Everyman Palace Theatre Cork are available by contacting 021-4501673 or visiting www.everymanpalace.com.

If I’m not on the road working, I get up in the morning, don’t bother with breakfast and do a four to five-mile run along Clearwater beach

What shape are you in?

I’m in reasonably good shape. If I’m not on the road working, I get up in the morning, don’t bother with breakfast and do a four to five-mile run along Clearwater beach. Then I have breakfast.

What would keep you awake at night?

If I’m doing something new, I can find it very difficult to fall asleep. When that happens, I get up, walk around for a while and talk myself around — or I read for half an hour.

Do you have any health concerns?

Not really — I don’t suffer from anything too dramatic. I damaged my back and shoulders in an accident in 1998 but that has all repaired itself. I go to my doctor for an MOT every now and then.

How do you relax?

I look at the worst case scenario, then say ‘well, that’s not the end of the world’ and suddenly my mind settles itself.

What are your healthiest eating habits?

Even though I love a mixed grill, I rarely have fries.

Breakfast is usually orange juice, bran flakes, a banana and hot water with a squeeze of lemon and a spoonful of honey. I generally drink water instead of tea or coffee. I used to love two cups of strong tea in the morning, but I found it made me edgy.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?

I love really good Asian food — Chinese or Thai. I try to steer clear of it but, after a big show, well, you can’t be good all the time.

When did you last cry?

Recently, I watched the TV series, Roots, which I’d seen years ago with my parents — about the transportation of Black slaves to America. I felt myself filling up about how cruel people can be to their fellow man. Maybe I was tearful too because both my parents are now dead.

• Positive Psychology • Dietectics & Nutrition • Yoga Teacher Training • Ki Massage Therapy One Year Diploma Courses.

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What would you change about your appearance?

I’d make myself a couple of inches taller and about seven pounds lighter.

What’s your favourite smell?

Opium perfume, worn by my wife.

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

Secrets, which portrays the positive aspect of the mind as like a magnet — if you think positive thoughts, it draws good things to you.

What trait do you least like in others?

I don’t like unnecessary boisterousness or gratuitous vulgarity.

What trait do you least like in yourself?

I’d like to be in a better mood a lot more of the time.

Do you pray?

I do. My dad was a Protestant, who became a Catholic when he married my mother. He used to tell me to say a few Hail Marys if I was ever in trouble — I used to think it was an interesting thing for an ex-Protestant to say.

What would cheer up your day?

A phone-call from a member of my family to say something has gone well for them, for them to say ‘oh, by the way, do you remember that problem I had — well, I’ve got good news on that’. That always lifts my day.

Helen O’Callaghan

IN SHAPE: Red Hurley rarely eats fried food and now drinks water instead of tea and coffee.

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DIPLOMAS IN HOLISTIC MEDICINE

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2010

World Health Organisation: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease”.

Meet us in Mahon Point Shopping Centre, Cork on Thursday 30th September 9.30 am to 9.00 pm For more details see our website

www.holisticmedicine.ie

Irish Association Holistic Medicine 66 Eccles St., Dublin 7. Tel: 01 830 4211

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Real-life stories

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Head and neck cancer kills three people a day but early signs can be detected by

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regular dental checks. Helen O’Callaghan hears the story of three survivors

Shock diagnosis turns life around H

EAD and neck cancer (HNC) has hit some high-profile people — Sigmund Freud, Ronnie Drew, Humphrey Bogart, Michael Douglas — and it kills at least three Irish people a week, yet it’s very low on the public radar.

“It kills more people than malignant melanoma, Hodgkin’s disease or cervical cancer,” says Dr Eleanor O’Sullivan, clinical lecturer in the Cork University Dental School & Hospital.

HNC can strike in any of 30 sites — it can affect: ■ lips ■ gums ■ cheek ■ tongue ■ palate ■ tonsils ■ throat ■ salivary glands ■ sinuses ■ nose ■ voice box Symptoms include ulcers that won’t heal, white/red/speckled patches, neck lumps/swellings and difficulty swallowing.

Mouth, head and neck cancers are increasing in Ireland. Incidence is low under age 50 and it’s three times higher in males than females, but incidence rates in women and in younger men are rising, particularly in the case of tongue cancer.

“Oral and pharyngeal cancers increased by 26% in Irish females over the last decade.

90% of patients are smokers and/or drinkers, or have a history of smoking/drinking.

Heavy use of alcohol and tobacco raises your chances of getting HNC between 48 and 100-fold,” says Dr O’Sullivan, who points to a 2004-published study that found alcohol consumption in Ireland increased by 41% between 1989 and 1999, with wine consumption up by 300% and cider consumption up by over 500%.

Many HNCs can be detected by a simple and painless oral examination. Early detection generally ensures good outcomes, with five-year survival rates of 80 to 90%. But survival rates drop drastically with later diagnosis.

Dentists are currently the only primary health care professionals trained specifically in oral cancer examination. However, only one in three Irish adults visits a dentist annually, while fewer than 50% visit bi-annually — at-

Incidence rates in women and in younger men are rising, particularly in the case of tongue cancer

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They

UNEXPECTED DIAGNOSIS: Nuala Dee a theatre nurse was diagnosed with head and neck cancer four years ago. Picture:Dan Linehan

Five years on all is well

took bone from my leg to

It was a complete bolt from the blue — I was only 30 CORK nurse Nuala Dee, 34, had just turned 30, when — in July 2006 — she felt a hard lump about the size of a ping pong ball on the left side of her neck.

“I thought it might be a swollen gland but it felt very hard. My GP said it was a blocked salivary gland and an ultrasound confirmed this. A biopsy showed nothing suspicious. The ear, nose and throat surgeon said the whole gland would have to come out because the duct that fed it was blocked.

“I went for surgery in April 2007. A week later I returned to have the stitches removed. I asked about the histology report. The consultant went to find it. He found the news wasn’t good — the gland was malignant.

tendance rates among older adults, medical card holders and those with no natural teeth are even lower. “Examination of the soft tissues of the mouth should be a routine part of every dental visit,” says Dr O’Sullivan. ● The Cork and Dublin Dental hospitals will host free head/neck cancer screening for the public on Wednesday, September 29.

“It was a complete bolt from the blue. I was a 30-year-old woman, living a normal hectic life. I socialised with friends, loved the outdoors, kayaked and liked to run. I went into shock when I heard ‘cancer’ but I also went into professional mode. I started firing questions — what’s the next step? What’s the treatment? What’s the prognosis for this type of cancer?

“The surgeon said it was rare for a woman my age to get this cancer. He referred me to the oncology team. Treatment was 30 sessions of radiotherapy over six weeks as a precautionary measure — doctors felt the cancer had been encapsulated in the gland they’d removed.

“I went back to work seven months

Screening is simple, painless and takes about five minutes.

No appointments are necessary — just drop in. Follow-up appointments will be made for anyone needing further investigation.

Dublin screening is at the Dental School and Hospital, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2, 9am4pm.

Cork screening is at the University Dental

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2010

after radiotherapy, but in June 2008 a scan showed a cancerous lymph node close to my original tumour.

“It was like I’d been punched in the stomach — I thought I’d put the whole thing to bed. I had surgery to remove that lymph node, as well as a lot of the tissue surrounding it.

“I feel fantastic now. The treatment didn’t affect my fertility, but I have side-effects from the radiotherapy — I can’t tolerate spicy food and I suffer occasionally from a dry mouth.

“I was a smoker, about 10 a day. That probably contributed to my getting cancer. Alcohol’s another contributory factor. I know what to avoid now. I don’t smoke and I drink very moderately.”

School and Hospital, CUH, Wilton, 9.30am to 4.30pm. ● Expert advice on smoking cessation, alcohol moderation, healthy eating and oral care will also be available. For a head/neck/oral cancer information leaflet, call the Irish Cancer Society (1800 200700) or visit www.cancer.ie. Also visit www.dentalhealth.ie.

rebuild my face LIA Mills was told at age 48 that she had a tumour in her cheek and gums and that the cancer had spread to several lymph nodes in her neck.

Today, the 52-year-old Dun Laoghaire mum-of-three — who subsequently wrote a book about her experience — feels lucky and grateful to be alive.

Lia’s cancer story began in 2005 when a stubborn sore developed in her mouth. “It was like an ulcer gone mad. One dentist said to use Bonjela. Another thought I had a chronic condition. He changed my fillings and prescribed steroids and antibiotics.

Nothing worked. ”Eventually, I went to my GP. By now, this thing in my cheek was getting bigger. It was interfering with eating. I couldn’t open my mouth properly.

“My GP referred me to the National Maxillofacial Unit at St James’s Hospital. They did a biopsy straightaway and I waited a week for the result. While waiting I went on the internet.

“From what I read, I didn’t fit the profile

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FINISHING LINE: Lia Mills, who has survived mouth cancer, says every day carries her closer to the five-year finish line. Picture:Billy Higgins for mouth cancer. It seemed to usually hit older men, who were heavy drinkers and smokers. I’d been a fairly committed smoker but had quit eight years earlier so I thought I was okay.

“But the doctors told me I had a squamous cell carcinoma in my cheek. They’d have to do more tests to see how advanced it was and whether it had spread. The full picture emerged within a few weeks.

“I told them: ‘do what you have to do because I want to live’.

“I had one major 14-hour operation in May 2006. They removed most of my lower

jaw, my cheek and some of my cheekbone, as well as lymph nodes, muscle and nerve from my neck and shoulder. They took bone from my leg to rebuild my face. Radiotherapy treatment followed.

“I’m well now. Every day that passes carries me further from the operation and closer to the five-year finish-line. I used to worry about what it’d be like to have a facial disfigurement. I have a lot of hair, which covers quite a bit, and even when people look, there’s no hostility. I feel there’s no point in hiding. When you’ve been given a second chance you take it.”

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2010

THE first sign that Doneraile-based Richard Wilkins had head/neck cancer came out of the blue in May 2005.”On the Thursday, I didn’t have a lump. On the Friday, I was shaving and all of a sudden there was a hard lump on the right side of my neck,” recalls Richard, now 64, a former finance worker turned massage therapist, who’d given up smoking earlier in 2005.

“I visited my GP immediately. He told me to come back on Monday if I wasn’t happy.

By then, it was almond-sized and the doctor said it was a very inCLOSE SHAVE: flamed tonsil Richard Wilkins and sent me to A&E in Mal- discovered a lump. low. The con- Picture: Denis Minihane. sultant said he didn’t like the look of it and I was operated on two days later to remove the tonsil. After the operation, the doctor said it certainly looked like a tumour of some sort — he’d sent it off for analysis.

“I was very concerned — it’s like you go into some sort of netherworld where you don’t know what’s happening. Just over a week later we got a phone-call to say my wife, Trish, and I had an appointment with a cancer specialist. He told me I had a squamous cell carcinoma but that it was eminently treatable. This was so incredibly reassuring.

“The cancer had wrapped itself around a nerve so I had surgery to remove the nerve, as well as many lymph nodes and a major muscle. I also had 34 sessions of radiotherapy over seven weeks. That was the hardest part of the journey, but now, five years on — and many check-ups later — all is well.”

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Psychology

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A high number of teenagers rate their fathers and mothers poor at parenting

Pilates/Yoga/Walking weekend retreat

Generation gap Tony Humphreys

DIVIDING PARENTS: Many parents can delude themselves that they know their teenager and can be in quite a state of denial when trouble knocks on the family door.

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The founder Herwig Schoen will teach an introductory class in Cork 9th-13th April 2011.

Contact: 086–364 1230 www.reconnectivetherapy.com

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Picture: iStock

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N interesting survey in Britain found that teenagers rated mothers above fathers in all but one of the 36 categories — the exception being driving. Given that adult males cause more accidents, the latter finding is worrying.

More than 500 teenagers were asked to rate their parents on such issues as communication, advice-giving, school homework, literacy, sexuality, public outings, privacy.

Parenting children and teenagers is largely about love, limits and lettings teenagers be. While the study indicated that teenagers rated mothers higher than fathers across all the essential parenting categories, it alarmingly showed that a high number of teenagers not only rated their fathers poor at parenting, but their mothers as well — indeed, 41% of teenagers rated their experience as less than good.

Fathers were often portrayed as second best, deadbeat or more concerned with their jobs than the wellbeing of their sons or daughters. A worrying outcome of the 2008 survey is that 43% of the teenagers felt they could manipulate their mothers while 33% felt they could manipulate their fathers. Sadly, it is often because of this very weakening of parental resolve that teenagers manage to get themselves into trouble.

In terms of knowing teenagers, many parents can delude themselves that they know their teenager and can be in quite a state of denial when trouble knocks on the family door — ‘I know my son would never do anything like that’ — even though the proof of the wrongdoing is staring the parent in the face.

This kind of denial can spring from a need to be seen as the ‘good’ parent and the parent who is not in the mature place to see that we all get it wrong sometimes is unlikely to see any ‘wrong’ in her offspring.

Getting to know a teenager is not about making sure he doesn’t get into trouble. Knowing another is crucial to mature communication in the relationship. Getting to know a son (or daughter) takes being interested in him, being committed and engaging in active listening, showing a non-invasiveness of his private space and a willingness on the parent’s part to self-disclose. Knowledge of a teenager needs to be gained through the open experiencing of him and not through subterfugal ways which break trust in the relationship.

Teenagers are very adamant on the issues of privacy and personal space — their bedroom is their private space, as is their diary containing their private thoughts on self, peers, the past, the present and the future.

It is difficult when a parent has a worry that a son or daughter may be taking drugs, abusing alcohol, engaging prematurely in sexual activities, not being where they are supposed to be or being where it is not safe for them to be.

The most effective ploy here is to communicate your concerns in an open, honest and authentic way, such as: ‘I am worried that you may be experimenting with drugs and I want you to know that I care for your welfare and am here for you’.

Watch for the young person’s response, particularly the body language that accompanies any verbal attempt to reassure you, ‘Ah Mum, there’s no need for you to worry about me’. When there is no accompanying eye contact, or the tone of voice is tentative, or the message is given ‘on the

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run’, then further expressions of concern are required along with closer but open supervision of your teenager’s whereabouts.

Whether teenagers like it or not, parents are legally responsible for their welfare up to the age of 18 years, and have a right to know, for example, who they are with, where they are going, what time they will be home. When teenagers do not co-operate with these rights, parents are required to set down definite boundaries around what is permissible and not permissible, but they need to be respectful and ensure their expectations are reasonable. When teenagers are not regularly co-operative, a deeper enquiry is needed: ‘How is it that you do not co-operate with what are reasonable requests?’

The checklist below is a guide to some of the important things that parents need to know about their teenager: Do you know: ■ What gives your teenager satisfaction and joy?

■ What distresses him/her?

■ What are the life questions that engage your teenager?

■ What challenges are important to your teenager?

■ What are their experiences of and meanings around sexuality?

■ Who are their friends? Do you know their names, where they live, their telephone numbers?

■ What are the names of and have you met the parents of your teenager’s friends?

■ What school subjects does your teenager like and what are those he/she dislikes?

■ What teachers does your teenager speak well of and who are those he/she resents? Do you know why?

■ Is he/she interested in any sport? Does he/she have any favourite sporting team/figure?

■ What kind of music does your teenager most listen to?

Who is his/her favourite singer or group or composer?

■ What are your teenager’s hopes and dreams?

■ When your teenager is troubled to whom is he/she likely to go to?

■ Is your teenager interested in reading?; What books, magazines does your teenager mostly read?

■ Is your teenager interested in computer games?

■ How much time does your teenager spend watching TV and on the computer?

■ What does your teenager most love to do in his/her spare time?

■ If your teenager drives, do you know that he drives responsibly, conscious of his own safety and that of others?

If parents have the answers to the above questions this would indicate a strong knowledge of their teenager. Not having any of the answers indicates the need for an increase in efforts to know more fully the ins and outs of their teenager’s life.

■ Dr Tony Humphreys is a clinical psychologist and author.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2010

THE FEELGOOD PERSONALS FOR COST EFFECTIVE ADVERTISING

Phone: LORI FRASER Tel. 021-4802265 Fax 021-4273846 lori.fraser@examiner.ie Every Friday � ��������� ���� ����� ��

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Advertising Feature

McSweeney Pharmacy Group, helping you stay healthy

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t makes sense to look after your health. And so it’s a good idea to check up on how you’re doing from time to time, just to make sure that everything is OK. That’s why the McSweeney Pharmacy Group, in five outlets throughout Cork and Kerry, is offering special assessments and services on specific days this autumn, all aimed at helping you to become and remain as healthy as possible. In the different displays on this page, you will see what is on offer where, and can identify the ones most useful for you. And it’s nice to know, especially if you have a busy lifestyle (and who doesn’t, these days?) that, instead of perhaps sitting in a doctor’s waiting room when you’re not actually ill, you can just pop into your friendly local pharmacy and get a check up.

How’s Your Heart?

September 2010 is designated Irish Heart month

by the Irish Heart Foundation.

To support this campaign, cardiovascular risk assessments are being offered by pharmacies in the McSweeney group.

Health promotion advice will be available, emphasising the basic positive changes that can lessen risk factors such as smoking, cholesterol, alcohol, stress, weight, and poor diet.

It’s amazing what you can achieve just by changing a few aspects of your lifestyle, and

once you’ve had the best advice, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it before.

Staff within the McSweeney Pharmacy Group have been fully trained by the Irish Heart Foundation, the Irish Cancer Society, and the Diabetes Federation in providing appropriate health promotion advice. They’re not there to lecture or nag, they’re there to help you check for danger signs, and then advise on the best way to deal with these.

The technology and procedures they use have all been externally validated to ensure reliable results are obtained.

Looking Good After Breast Cancer

October 2010 is breast cancer awareness month.

These days we all have some experience of this disease, whether directly or through a friend or relative. Taking up a normal life again after treatment can sometimes be challenging; and McSweeney’s offer a local, friendly, confidential fitting service, to ensure that you not only feel better, but look better too, with a wide range of bras, swimwear, and breast forms to choose from. They have teamed up with the Marie Keating Mobile Information Unit and its trained nursing staff to launch this service, and also to raise local awareness of about cancer prevention and early detection. You’ll find

details on this page of where the Unit will be located on which days. Individual pharmacies will offer professional, totally confidential fitting services on an appointment basis, so you don’t have to wait around, and this will become a regular service on a long-term basis.You may know someone who would really like to hear about this service, so do them a favour and let them see this.

Be Proactive About Your Health

The point is, says Rachel Dungan of the McSweeney Pharmacy Group, that you can’t always tell your state of health just by looking in the mirror.“In order to be proactive you need to know where your baseline is, and the tests we will be offering can establish that. Then we can give you the advice you need to work towards achieving and maintaining the best of health.”

Pretty in Pink

Confidential fitting service, following breast surgery, by appointm ent Call your local pharmacy for event details Bermingham’s Pharmacy 8 Patrick Street, Fermoy, Co. Cork Tel: 025 31336 Email: berminghams@msg.ie McSweeney Pharmacy 3-4 The Courtyard, Fairhill, Killarney, Co. Kerry Tel: 064 6635931 Fax: 064 6635943 Email: killarney@msg.ie McSweeney Pharmacy Super Valu S.C. Railway Rd., Kenmare, Co. Kerry Tel: 064 6679880 Fax: 064 6679896 Email: kenmare@msg.ie

Mary Hynes in one of the mastectomy services and support departments

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Amanda Leahy, Pharmacist and Trish Lawlor, Point of Care Technician

Pretty in Pink

Know your numbers!

Friday, October 1st 9am to 5pm

Sept 13-17, Oct 18-20 Nov 15-20, Dec 6-11 9am to 5pm

Saturday, October 9th 9.30am to 5pm

Selected test by appointment

Know Your Numbers!

Rapid, Reliable Testing for

• Blood Glucose • Cholesterol* • Total Lipid Profile* (Total Cholestero l, HDL Cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol and Triglyce rides)

Friday, October 8th 9.30am to 5pm

Selected tests by appointment

Forristal’s Pharmacy 59 Pearse St., Clonakilty, Co. Cork Tel: 023 8833393 Fax: 023 8833701 Email: forristals@msg.ie

Friday, October 15th 10am to 5pm

Sep/Oct 27-2, Oct 4-9 Nov 8-13 Nov/Dec 29-4 10am to 5pm

Kelly’s Pharmacy 2-3 Riverside Way, Watersedge, Midleton, Co. Cork Tel: 021 4631092 Fax: 021 4631035 Email: kellys@msg.ie

Friday, October 22nd 9am to 5pm

Sept 20-24, Oct 11-15 Nov 2-6, Nov 22-27 9am to 5pm

• Cardiovascular Risk Assessment*

from €6 to €25

Complimentary blood pressu re, weight, body mass index and waist circumferenc e measurement with any test that involves the col lection of a drop of blood from the finger-tip. *Available in the Cork pharm acies only. *Soon to be available in all pharmacies

Marie Keating Mobile Cancer Information Unit. Available on the same day in each pharmacy from 10am to 4pm Pretty in Pink complimentary make-over in our pharmacies for all participants, by appointment only FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2010

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8 Cover story

Addicted to the web

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A new book argues the internet is changing the way we think, read and remember.... and fostering ignorance in the process. Can it be right? Pól Ó Conghaile reports

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AN you feel your mind changing? When (or if) you sit down to read a book, does your concentration drift? Do you find it more difficult to apply yourself? Do you get fidgety? Nicholas Carr does. “Once I was a scuba diver in the sea of words,” Carr writes in The Shallows, a new book exploring the internet’s impact on the way we think. “Now I zip along the surface like a guy on a jet ski.”

The sentiment will be familiar to many.

Last year, according to ComReg, the average Irish internet user spent 13.2 hours a week online, up from 10 hours a year earlier. We use the internet to watch videos, scan publications, Google, post Facebook and Twitter updates, buy apps and send email — whiling away the time, as Carr puts it: “tripping lightly from link to link.”

And his conclusion? This radical shift in how we consume information is not only changing the ways in which we think, but also the very structure of our brains.

“I would be lying if I said I hadn’t received enormous benefits from the internet, including very practical benefits like being able to research much more quickly and stay in touch with people more easily,” explains the author, a former executive editor of the Harvard Business Review.

“But my problem isn’t with those things. It is that, as digital media become ever more deeply woven into our lives and society, they begin to crowd out other possible ways of thinking... attentive thought, concentrating on one thing for a long period of time — they’re not encouraged by the technology.

“Until recently, they were taken as very important parts of a rich and full intellectual life. I fear that not only are we losing the ability to engage in those things, but the technology has also such a strong effect on us that we’re beginning to pretend those things don’t really matter.”

The internet’s influence is so pervasive, he argues, that we now expect information in the way it is distributed online — fast, fresh and fragmented. And due to the plasticity of our brains, our interaction with the internet is actually prompting a

re-wiring of our neural circuitry.

It is changing our behaviour, making thinking staccato, and killing our ability to concentrate.

“I can’t read War and Peace anymore,” confesses one medical professional in The Shallows. “Even a blog post of more than three or four paragraphs is too much to absorb.

I skim it.”

It’s easy to empathise. As a journalist, the internet has completely changed the way I work. With reports now just a couple of clicks away, I no longer need to visit ComReg, for example, to access the internet usage statistics cited above. It’s the same contacting Carr, reading reviews of his book, or tracking down suitable interviewees.

And this story is filed by email.

And the downsides? Email and Twitter updates ping all over my screen. Texts buzz through on my iPhone. When I Google, the links play out like dominoes, and I can end up way off topic, on YouTube, The New York Times, or deep in the comments section of a vaguely relevant blog. I need to log off to actually write. My desk is no longer a desk — it’s a universe of distraction.

“When access to information is easy,” as economist Tyler Cowen, quoted in The Shallows, says, “we tend to favour the short, the sweet and the bitty. We tend to do things faster, but sloppier,” Carr says. This endless pinballing between stimuli, friends and followers, he writes, is over-taxing our brains to the detriment of deep thinking. Our intelligence is becoming artificial, in other words, and we may not be in control of the process.

Of course, the internet isn’t the

NO DEPTH: Author of The Shallows, Nicholas Carr, says regular internet surfers are whiling away the time, “tripping lightly from link to link”.

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first technology to provoke panic. Plato worried that writing would spoil the art of remembering. In 1660, England’s first book censor mused about typography creating “more mischief than advantage”.

Modern cultures have fretted about TV and video games.

Is it the internet, or how we use it, that really poses the problem? “Ever since the wheel has been invented, there have been people who are enthusiastically for human technology and people who say it is going to radically change human beings for the worse,” says Dr Jurek Kirakowski, a lecturer at UCC’s

TWO SIDES: Dr Jurek Kirakowski, UCC lecturer, says since the invention of the wheel people have been either for or against human technology.

Department of Applied Psychology.

He believes the internet is “yet another tool that enables us to expand our mental abilities.” Getting the best out of it is just a matter of using it intelligently.

“Human beings are absolute gluttons for making new tools... it is what made us the dominant species on the planet. But there is also within the human psyche this Frankenstein complex, the fear of the unknown.

“Tools themselves are ideologically neutral.

You can use a hammer to drive a nail, or to smash someone’s head in... [it] doesn’t make the hammer any better or worse.”

For Kirakowski, who began his career using physical reference materials, the benefits of researching and communicating online far outweigh any downsides. “We can live without the internet, like we can live without the motor car,” he says. “But our lives would not be as rich.”

Carr rejects the notion that technology is neutral. “No. I think we’d like to think that, because it makes us feel all-powerful over our tools, but I think the technology itself does push us towards a certain use. Though it’s

SILENT INFLUENCE: Orla McHugh, psychotherapist and author of a book on teens, says online communication is depriving young people of the art of conversation.

within our power to shut down our email, turn off Twitter, Facebook or even our web browser to focus on one thing, very few people actually use it like that. We have, I think, a natural craving to follow lots of information and juggle lots of tasks.”

Among other losses that may be experienced as we migrate online, according to Dr Gary Small, psychiatrist and author of iBrain, are “fundamental social skills” like the ability to read facial expressions. His book Small cites a Stanford University study that found every hour spent on computers caused face-to-face interaction time to drop by almost 30 minutes.

The gulf between digital natives (children born into the internet age) and their parents, Small says, is less a generation gap than a “brain gap”. And though the internet has the capability to connect and empower, this evolutionary leap has its dangers too.

“If you take it that conversation, like anything, is a practised or learned skill, then the more you practise it the more able you are to talk to different people,” says Orla McHugh, psychotherapist at the Rathgar Consultancy and author of Celtic Cubs — Inside the Mind of the Irish Teenager.

“But online communication is actually depriving [children] of that practise... it impacts on their use of language, the extent of their vocabulary, makes them more inhibited in verbal communications. It’s very easy to fire off a Facebook or text message. But what you don’t learn is the courage it takes to talk face-to-face to someone about how you’re feeling.”

“Show me the proof,” counters Kirakowski.

“Where is the proof that my brain is becoming radically altered because I spend about eight hours a day on the internet? Qualitative assessments are cheap and easy to come by... we want hard scientific proof.”

Carr concedes that there is a lack of hard science. “Much of the studies I look at are about components of the online experience — things like hyperlinks, multimedia, interruptions. There are very few studies that actually look at how the entire experience of spending more time online may be changing the way we think.”

But if this is the case then isn’t The Shallows ultimately an opinion? What does he make of critics who say his valuing of “deep” reading and “conceptual memory” over online multitasking, or what Kirakowski calls “meta-textual” reading, is little more than subjective hand-wringing? “There is a certain energy and creativity that comes from being connected to lots of people and ideas,” he says. “But if we lose that contemplative, meditative and introspective side of ourselves, I think we do become shallower thinkers... I am wary of letting that go, and maybe that’s mindless nostalgia. But maybe it’s a very rational response.” ● The Shallows is published by Atlantic Books at F13.99.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2010

Where would we be without it?

Due to the plasticity of our brains, our interaction with the internet is actually prompting a re-wiring of our neural circuitry.

It is changing our behaviour, making thinking staccato, and killing our ability to concentrate

How to stop the mental meltdown ■ Keep a log of how and when you use the Internet.

■ When you need to concentrate, turn off unnecessary distractions. These could include email, Twitter, Facebook — even your web browser and mobile phone.

■ Re-invest in your real-life relationships. Set aside time for family and friends.

■ Focus. Could you check emails two or three times a day? Do you need to be on several social networks? Could you use lists or groups to make social media more efficient? Edit. Don’t feel obligated to friend or follow everyone.

■ Take up a new hobby. Instead of spending free time online, what about reading, going for a walk, doing a jigsaw, or signing up for an exercise class or book club?

Sources: Helpguide.org, Nicholas Carr, HealthyPlace.com, Center for Internet Addiction.

Declan Finn, 29, Ballinasloe, Co Galway I’D spend about five hours a week on the internet, no more. I keep an eye on Facebook, to make contact or keep in touch with people I rarely see, but primarily I send emails, pay bills, and keep an eye on media or teaching websites.

As a teacher I can see the internet affects the nine-year-olds I teach through the spelling and grammar in their copies. I think the internet has created a world of instantaneity... people will soon forget ‘the art of conversation’ and this worries me.

Where did ‘I’ll meet you for a coffee and a chat’ go?

But to end on a positive note, paying bills and booking flights, etc., online is a magical invention. Where would we be without it!

HIDDEN DANGERS: Declan Finn says the art of conversation is being lost among children by increasing use of the internet. Picture: Ray Ryan

An amazing communication tool Miguel Fitzgerald, 21, Shankill, Co Dublin AT the moment, since I’m not working, I’m online a couple of hours a day. I check job sites, the weather, the news and so on. I reference college work through an online program, and bookmark everything interesting under categories — cars, insurance, college, interests etc. It’s almost like a database.

On Facebook, I like to look and leave; otherwise I’d just be on it for hours.

But it’s an amazing communication tool — last night two people got together, for example. He forgot to ask her number, but no worries, he’s gonna Facebook her. Everything is different once you can use the internet properly. Even Skype makes using a normal phone for international call seem difficult.

WORLD ONLINE: Miguel Fitzgerald finds the world is at his feet when he’s online. Picture:BILLY HIGGINS STAFF

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10 Medical matters

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Q

I RECENTLY suffered a miscarriage at eight weeks. Am I at a higher risk of repeat miscarriage if I try to conceive too soon. I’ve been told by my doctor to wait for three cycles. Is there any physical reason for this? And is there anything I can take to prevent this happening again?

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

A. I’m sorry to hear about your loss. Having a miscarriage is heartbreaking for many couples. Naturally, the first question that arises is: when is it safe to start trying again?

Most doctors advise to wait for two or three cycles before conceiving again.

The rationale is to give your body time for the lining of the womb to recover as well as giving you some time to grieve and prepare emotionally for another pregnancy.

It also helps to work out dates of conception and delivery if your natural cycle has re-established itself. But there’s no ideal length of time to wait before trying again.

It’s natural to want to become pregnant again right away, however it is best to wait until you are physically and emotionally ready.

After one miscarriage your risk of having another one is not increased. At least 85% of women who have had one loss will go on to have a successful pregnancy the next time. In some situations specialist help is needed if you have had two or more miscarriages, are over 35 years, have fertility problems or if there is an illness such as diabetes that may affect your pregnancy.

In most cases, there is no way to prevent a miscarriage. You should avoid known risks, such as being overweight, drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes. Risk of miscarriage doubles with more than two drinks per day.

Keeping yourself healthy by eating well, exercising regularly, minimising stress, getting enough sleep, will help your general well-being.

If you are trying to conceive it is essential you take folic acid supplement up to the 12th week of pregnancy. Take also vitamin D 10micrograms daily. Omega-3 fatty acids found in flaxseed, oily fish such as salmon, lake trout and mackerel and fish oil supplements may also benefit you and baby during pregnancy. Omega 3 fatty acids are highly concentrated in the brain and appear to be important for a developing baby’s cognitive function. Make sure to take a high quality omega-3 supplement when pregnant. The herb agnus castus is often used to help balance female hormones but it is not recommended to take this or any other herbal products if pregnant, trying to conceive or taking fertility drugs.

Q. I was diagnosed with asthma as a child and use inhalers regularly to keep it

STARTING OVER: Having a miscarriage is heartbreaking for couples. under control. I recently found out from a cousin that there is a history of a condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency in our family. Could my asthma be caused by this and should I get myself and the rest of my family checked out?

A. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (or A1AT deficiency) is an inherited condition where a person lacks a protein known as alpha-1 antitrpysin, made by the liver. A deficiency in this protein can result in lung or liver problems.

The job of alpha-1antitrypsin is to protect the body from inflammation, especially in the lungs. Although this inherited condition is present from birth, often the effects are not apparent until someone reaches adulthood — from 20 to 50 years.

Emphysema can be an outcome with coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing being the most common symptoms.

People with this condition are often believed to be suffering from asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive lung disease).

Liver problems may be apparent from birth or show up later in adults. In the liver, damaged liver cells become scarred and fibrosed, due to inflammation, and cause cirrhosis.

A person affected by A1AT deficiency, has inherited a faulty gene from one or both of parents known as an auto-somal co-dominant inherited condition. If you inherit two

Picture: Getty Images

faulty genes you have a 90% chance of abnormal A1AT levels. IF you inherit one faulty gene — 40% of affected people are still at risk of lung and liver damage . It’s likely that most cases of A1AT deficiency are so mild they are never diagnosed. If there is a family history you can have a blood test or screening test to determine whether you are a carrier or have the abnormal gene.

There’s no specific treatment or cure for this condition and the outlook for most affected people is good. Many won’t even know they have it while others can keep healthy with careful management.

People with A1AT deficiency are especially vulnerable to exposure to chemical and environmental pollutants which can aggravate lung and liver disease. For this reason the most important thing someone with A1ATdeficiency can do for their health is not to smoke and avoid people who smoke around them. They are also very prone to recurrent lung infections, so it’s important to receive immunisation against flu and pneumococcal infections.

To protect the liver from further unnecessary damage, you are advised to avoid alcohol, and if possible, medicines that may harm the liver. Exercise will boost your immune system to protect the body from infection as will having a healthy diet packed with fresh fruit and vegetables.

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

HERE was a time when owning a goldfish was almost as exotic as owning a colour TV. Despite the glamour, a lack of understanding of the intricacies of goldfish husbandry meant the TV was a better bet if longevity was foremost in mind.

There is scarcely a child alive who hasn’t managed to murder poor Goldie, either by shaking enough food flakes into his bowl to feed an entire family of carp, or by letting him swim in his own excrement long enough to ensure the ammonia in his pee has poisoned him.

For most parents, selecting a fish for a household pet is more to do with affordability, inability to bark, insignificant grooming requirements and the neat size of the bowl (when compared to a kennel) than the desire to introduce the owner to the responsibility of caring for another life.

The flipside of this is it is harder to keep a goldfish alive than Rex, because Rex is far less likely to overeat to obesity and there is no danger that changing his water will give him chemical shock. There is scarcely a parent alive who hasn’t fled to the local pet store in frantic search of a match for the floater on top of the two-gallon goldfish bowl.

These days, things are simpler. A child can grow his own pet and produce something far more sophisticated than a little lump of vermilion. For instance my son recently grew his own dinosaur. This involved nothing more complex than buying a dinosaur egg in Smyth’s. No feeding is necessary; once submerged in water, the egg does the work itself and hey presto, after 48-hours your child is the proud owner of a T-Rex. None of this requires any effort on your

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2010

part save ensuring the jug in which the egg is submerged is not knocked over.

As dream pets go, T-Rex seemed to rank right up there. The excitement of watching him hatch was no less enthralling than observing a chick emerge from a real-life egg.

It was David Attenborough, Life in Cold Blood, in our kitchen.

On the downside, once T-Rex popped out, the fun ended. Like most things in life, the enjoyment was in the anticipation and my son was disgusted to discover T-Rex was no more than a toy. “He doesn’t do anything Mammy,” he wailed. “He’s not a real dinosaur. Can I get a dog instead?”

I headed for the pet shop mindful that there’s nothing like the weight of responsibility on one’s shoulders to keep two feet firmly on the ground. A dog was clearly out of the question — but a goldfish should do the job.

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Red alert 11 Women need to wake up to cardiovascular disease risk, writes Rosie Shelley

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Put your heart first M

OST of us are unaware that heart disease and stroke combine to be the major cause of death among Irish women, killing 5,000 in 2008 alone. With this in mind, the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) has launched the Red Alert for Women campaign as part of its Heart Month.

“Women are more concerned about breast cancer, even though seven times as many die from heart disease and stroke in Ireland each year,” says Dr Kate McGarry, chairwoman of the Irish Heart Foundation’s council on women and cardiovascular disease.

Medical director, Dr Angie Brown, adds, “There is a common misconception that cardiovascular disease mainly affects men. But in fact one-and-a-half times as many women die from stroke as men.”

Ireland’s death rate from heart disease is one of the highest in Europe, and Dr Brown is particularly concerned that current trends are leading to a rise in younger women presenting with cardiovascular problems.

“Young women are the biggest smokers here, and when this is combined with obesity levels, and the fact that 59% of women have high blood pressure, this is a cause for serious concern.”

It’s true that overall rates of heart-related deaths have dropped here in recent decades, but, according to the Women’s Health Council, females are experiencing an increasing prevalence of heart failure, and more women than men develop high blood pressure as they age. They are also less likely to be correctly diagnosed or referred to a specialist. Due perhaps to the lack of research focusing on women, it seems that even professionals are slow to pick up on symptoms, especially given that they can be much more subtle in women — discomfort and pain in the chest, pain spreading to the jaw, neck or back, dizziness, fatigue, palpitations and indigestion-like sensations that don’t go away.

As the World Health Authority has pointed out, the old stereotype of heart disease affecting only stressed, overweight, middle-aged men no longer applies. Increasingly women are adopting habits once considered masculine — juggling domestic responsibilities with long working hours, and seeking relief from the resulting stress in drinking and smoking.

We are indeed getting fatter, and eating more convenience foods. Having children increases the risk of heart disease for both sexes, but more so for women, and the loss of protective oestrogen at menopause throws up its own dangers. We are also living longer, and heart disease strikes women on average 10 years later than men.

Aside from learning to recognise the signs, the Red Alert campaign aims to raise awareness of healthy lifestyle behaviours and how to manage high blood pressure and cholesterol. The key messages include better nutrition, getting active — inactivity is as risky as smoking — being aware of family health history, booking regular health checks, and taking time out to enjoy life.

Stress is a huge risk factor, with sufferers of chronic anxiety being 40% more likely to have a heart attack. Similarly, getting less than 7.5 hours sleep a night has been associated with a 27% increase in the risk of heart conditions.

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How to make your diet work ■ A low GI diet with an emphasis on vegetables, pulses, wholegrains, omega-3 oils and a little red wine is the way to go. Studies show this Indo-Mediterranean style diet can cut the risk of heart disease in half.

■ Avoid trans/hydrogenated fats, deep fried foods, processed foods, sugar, white flour, coffee and fizzy drinks.

Limit alcohol, salt and saturated fats.

■ To lower cholesterol, eat apples, artichokes, bananas, berries, eggs, fish, garlic, nuts, oats, onions, pears, poultry, soya beans, tuna, turmeric, vegetables and wholegrains. Supplement with niacin — vitamin B3.

■ To lower high blood pressure, add beetroot, celery, citrus, greens, linseeds, seaweeds, seeds, tomatoes, water and watercress to the list above.

Supplement with magnesium.

■ For all-round heart health, include beans, chillies, garlic, ginger, grapes, green tea, chocolate, hawthorn tea, lentils, oily fish, olive oil, pomegranate juice and wholegrains. Supplement with omega oils, co-enzyme Q-10, vitamin D and a high-strength vitamin B-complex, or go for a specific formula such as Floradix Protector Liquid.

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STARS HELP: TV3 presenter Sinead Desmond, singer Hazel Kaneswaran and former Miss World Rosanna Davison launch the Irish Heart Foundation’s Red Alert for Women campaign.

Picture: Leon Farrell Photocall Ireland.

Blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels are important markers for heart health, but many experts believe an even more important indication is the blood level of an amino acid called homocysteine.

Raised levels have a strong, proven link with heart disease and stroke (along with numerous other serious health issues), independent of other factors including cholesterol.

If your doctor isn’t able to provide a blood test, a pinprick home test is available from York Test Laboratories. And if your levels are high (9 or above) the good news is that tak-

ing high strength B-vitamin complex will bring them down easily. All of us can maintain a healthy level by cutting down on alcohol and coffee, and upping intake of those beans, seeds and greens.

■ York Test is offering home testing kits for homocysteine at the special price of F90 for the duration of this month. Go to www.ireland.yorktest.com ■ For more information, visit www.irishheart.ie/goredforwomen

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2010

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12 Healthy food

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Not just beans...

Roz Crowley

Top 10 essential foods for hearty meals on a student budget

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with chickpea and bean soups.

ETTING stocked up for hearty meals after a hard day’s lectures and a hard night’s revelling is one sure way of getting settled into a great year at college.

Apart from the staples listed below, which you will get in most decent supermarkets, go to butchers and country markets if possible for thick sausages and economical pieces of meat and fish.

Most supermarkets have bargain meat days, and if you have spare cash it’s worth stocking up and storing the lot in the freezer compartment. Make sure you separate slices of cooked meat so you can use one piece at a time. Remember, the use-by date is halted once it is frozen, so don’t worry about using it a month or two later.

One website for inspiration is spoonfedsuppers.com. It’s good for economical tasty dishes when you run out of ideas. Here are my top 10 essentials to give you a head start.

6. Tinned tomatoes With a tin of tomatoes or passata — the smooth sauce version — in stock, you always have a ready meal. A tin of tomatoes can cost as little as 45c which, compared to a readymade pasta sauce at over F2, makes sense to use. Gently fry a chopped onion, a few chopped cloves of garlic, ideally a chopped carrot and celery to make a rich sauce. Add in fish, meat, beans, a few sausages, chopped chorizo and you have a feast. The Italians are good at using sausagemeat or minced beef in pasta sauces.

7. Brown rice Full of vitamin B to support a healthy nervous system, brown basmati cooks quicker than chunkier rice and tastes great. Add a stock cube or a wedge of lemon to add flavour, and when rice is just starting to absorb the water, sit some ham, fish (smoked mackerel is quick and easy and useful to keep in stock), grated vegetables to steam on top and save fuel — and washing up. Mix it all in, adding soya sauce at the last minute. Cook some meatballs in the tomato sauce suggested above and serve with this rice.

1. Sardines With a can costing anything from under 50c to over a euro, there are plenty of healthy oils and protein here to sustain you, especially as these oils are good for brain power. On brown toast they make a simple, nutritious meal. I also like a few tomatoes, grilled at the same time as the toast, and a green salad on the side.

Toss the sardines with a few chopped chillies in oil to give them some zing and use as a pasta sauce.

8. Noodles and pasta These are interchangeable with rice and easy to cook.

I find the straight-to-wok style noodles useful to add at the last minute to stir fries. Add water to the stir fry early on to avoid burning the meat and veg, then add the noodles with soya or chilli sauce.

2. Cans of soup This chunky lentil and bacon soup from Marks & Spencer (F1.49) is typical of how bought soups can make a good base for added vegetables.

Add grated carrot (quicker to cook than sliced), finely chopped celery, even some shredded spinach and you have an easy main course. Bread will do with this, but add some pasta or rice and you have a feast.

3. Parmesan This is one of the best standbys as it keeps for weeks and makes any meal special. Use instead of salt and pepper for flavouring. Try it grated into soups, stews, on baked beans, in stir fries, and if you have nothing else in the house, just cook pasta, drain it and toss in olive oil. Grate the parmesan at the table. If you have fresh herbs add them too. Lidl’s Lovilio Parmigiano Reggiano is nicely crystalline as it’s 24 months old, and has loads of flavour. At about F5 a chunk, it’s a good price and will last for several servings. Don’t be tempted to buy the ready grated variety as it is usually tasteless and more costly. Buy in Italian delis

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9. Soya sauce and chilli sauce A great rescue for any dull dish — add them to finished dishes, not during the cooking stage.

Picture: iStock

and speciality food shops for top quality.

4. Chickpeas Along with cans of beans, these are the mainstay of the store cupboard as they can be added to any stew or stir fry. To be most economical buy them dried, then soak and boil, but not many students manage to get around to doing this.

Full of fibre and protein, they are also delicious with chopped anchovies and olive oil as a pasta sauce, as a salad with chopped onion, or stir fried with onion and garlic. Make an easy chickpea curry by adding them to a bought

curry sauce, or make your own starting with onions, garlic and ginger in oil and adding a can of tomatoes and spices.

5. Olive oil If you want to buy just one store-cupboard item, olive oil is a good one to have in stock as it will make a good sauce, dressing and flavouring, and can be used for frying too. However, avoid heating it too high or the nutrients will be lost. We shouldn’t fry food anyway, so make easy soups by boiling whatever vegetables are available and drizzling some olive oil into each bowl. The flavour is excellent.

This is often done in Italy and Spain

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10. Garlic and lemon They are a great partnership for adding flavour.

Add a wedge of lemon to any fried food, onto a pasta dish or stir fry. As well as the juice, grate lemon for extra flavour into soups and stir fries. Grating garlic finely at the last minute to a dish will avoid burning and a bitter taste. Otherwise cook onions before adding chopped garlic. Both are great to keep colds away. We don’t want you missing lectures.

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Male health

Managing the pain T

HE Leaving Cert year can be tough for even the best of students but for Barry Clohessy it’s a fine balancing act. Experiencing daily stomach pain, he is still navigating the joys of the Leaving Cert in Pobal Scoil na Tríonóide in Youghal, Co Cork. “I had reflux when I was born but it wasn’t properly diagnosed until I was about nine,” says Barry, 17.

Three years later, his condition had worsened so much that he had difficulty swallowing his food properly and frequently got sick.

“I was sent to a hospital in Cork for a barium swallow test and told to go straight to Crumlin,” says Barry. A barium swallow is a medical imaging test used to examine the upper gastrointestinal tract, which includes the oesophagus and helps to determine the cause of painful swallowing and difficulty with swallowing among other things.

In Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, endoscopic tests showed that Barry had Barrett’s oesophagus, which leaves him at a

ON TARGET: Barry Clohessy has Barrett’s oesophagus, which leaves him in daily discomfort but he is focussed on his Leaving Cert.

Picture: Des Barry

Deirdre O'Flynn MOSTLY MEN

higher risk of developing oesophageal cancer.

But Barry is focusing on managing his reflux and daily pain, with all eyes firmly fixed on next June’s Leaving Cert. “I have this so long, I just live with it,” he says.

According to the Irish Cancer Society, the latest cancer incidence data (2008) from the National Cancer Registry shows that 384 people were diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 2008 (246 males and 138 females).

The symptoms of oesophageal cancer can include difficulty swallowing, heartburn (acid reflux) that won’t go away, pain in your breastbone, back or throat, vomiting, weight loss, poor appetite, frequent hiccoughs or

belching and an ongoing cough.

If you feel you may be at risk, first talk to your family doctor. Remember, these symptoms can be caused by many conditions other than cancer. But get them checked out by your doctor, especially if they go on for more than four to six weeks.

Elsewhere, the Oesophageal Cancer Fund, through its annual Lollipop Day, has committed to funding F500,000 for research over the next three years to establish the first national register of Barrett’s oesophagus pa-

Croke Park stadium at the heart of awareness

Backyard inspiration for male wellness

CROKE Park has become the first ‘Heartsafe Stadium’ in Ireland in recognition of the level of care provided by the GAA and the facilities at the venue.

The Heartsafe Community Programme is an Irish Heart Foundation initiative which aims to encourage communities to strengthen every link in the ‘chain of survival’.

“We promote best practice in this area, not just here at Croke Park but across all levels of the association and we ask all our units to be mindful of the role they can play in

A NEW concept in men’s wellbeing is being launched on October 1. The Irish Men’s Sheds Forum is rolling out the concept of Community Men’s Sheds, an updated version of the shed in the backyard where men felt comfortable chatting and passing on skills.

The Irish Men’s Sheds Forum (IMSF) is being set up to act as a resource for Men’s Sheds in Ireland and to promote the idea of Independent Community Men’s Sheds. The forum aims to represent

TAKE 1

raising awareness of the threat to heart disease among our members and the wider public,” says GAA president Christy Cooney.

Since 2007, the GAA has sold 800 defibrillators to clubs and thousands of people of all ages have trained in the use of defibrillators.

And in January this year, all inter-county referees were also trained in the use of defibrillators. The chainof-survival concept comprises four steps that can save a life: early access, early cardiopulmonary resuscitation, early defibrillation and early advanced care.

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COUGH SYRUP: Manuka Honey is known for its anti-bacterial properties and a new product available in Ireland this autumn is Manuka Health’s MGO 400+Manuka Honey Syrup, F14.99. The syrup, which also contains propolis and herbs with expectorant properties, is designed to boost the immune system naturally and assist with the symptoms of cough, flu, cold and respiratory conditions. For more information see www.naturalife.ie or call 0404-62444.

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tients. This will be a significant step towards offering people the best chance of curative treatment.

If this is something that affects you, you might check out the International Symposium on Oesophageal Cancer taking place in Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, UCC on Friday, October 1 and Saturday, October 2 with a Meet The Experts session on Saturday at 3pm.

Contact the National Cancer Helpline 1800 200 700 to speak to a specialist cancer nurses.

DId you know...

Meditation increases wellbeing in adolescent boys

and promote the shed movement, and to act as a communications hub with this website being a key mechanism.

Based on a successful Australian model, the forum will be launched in the Amber Springs Hotel, Gorey, Co Wexford, on Friday, October 1 at 2.30pm by Minister of State Sean Connick (pictured) and Professor Barry Golding, University of Ballarat, Australia.

Interested? Contact John Evoy at 086-8046748, menssheds@gmail.com to let him know you’re on your way.

Source: University of Cambridge, UK)

with Kate O’Reilly NATURAL SLEEP: New Rescue Night Liquid Melts contain four drops of Bach Rescue Remedy and are designed to ease the mind and help you enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep.

Try placing one alcohol-free capsule on your tongue and letting it dissolve before bed, if you are finding it difficult to nod off.

New Rescue Night Liquid Melts are F9.95 and will be available in health stores and pharmacies in October.

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LIQUID SUNSHINE: The health benefits of vitamin D — produced naturally in the body through sun exposure — have been the subject of much research in recent times and many people now consider boosting their vitamin D intake with supplements, especially during winter months. According to nutritionist Rob Clark, “Recent research shows that a deficiency in vitamin D3 is linked to weak bones and joints, obesity, low mood, SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), poor immune health, and hormonal imbalance.” New Nature’s Plus Liquid Sunshine Vitamin D3 5000IU is a natural formula, sweetened with citrus fruit and agave syrup and is gluten and lactose free. Suitable from 12 years onwards, it costs F16.36 for 463ml and is now available in health stores or from www.nutricentre.com.

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What’s new

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SUPER SOAK: Need a little TLC? New Arnicare Arnica Bath & Massage Balm has been created to soak away tension and strains. As well as naturally anti-inflammatory Arnica, this balm contains calendula, sweet almond and evening primrose oil to hydrate the skin and Lavender and Grapefruit essential oils to promote relaxation. Add two capfuls to running water, or massage the balm directly onto the skin to soothe aching muscles. This new dual purpose balm will be available in October in health stores and pharmacies and costs F9.95.

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14 Beauty

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Night creams are the best way to protect your complexion

The news on ...

Hervé Léger for Avon AVON has become pretty cool over the last few years. Yes, it may have suffered with a slightly dowdy image for a while, but the products are now high-quality and innovative. Proving they have a finger firmly on the pulse is their new fragrance from French couture designer, Hervé Léger, who is most famous for his “bandage dress”. Beautifully housed within a delicate pink bottle, the woody floral scent has notes of Moroccan orange flower, Sicilian pink grapefruit, Chinese magnolia, cypress wood and vanilla.

Available exclusively from Avon sales representatives, avon.ie, F26.

A fresh start

S

OMETHING really unpleasant happens to me when I don’t get enough sleep. My skin goes all papery and flaky. My eyes end up deeply etched with lines and my personality takes a nose dive. I’m reluctant to turn up at the office with my complexion looking like it is entirely constructed from blotting paper. This means I’m strict about getting to bed early. It also means that wearing a moisturiser at night is as much of a ritual as brushing my teeth. It doesn’t matter if it’s a five quid tub of something basic, or a luscious velvety treat. What does matter is that it’s slathered in a thick layer across my face before my head hits the pillow.

Night creams have become big sellers in the beauty industry, largely because most companies recognise that women have a moisturiser-addiction. After all, who wouldn’t prefer to wake up looking refreshed, with hydrated glowing skin, rather than like a crumpled paper bag.

Staying the night in a friend’s house recently, I came across a pot of Neal’s Yard Frankincense Nourishing Cream. It doesn’t smell that nice, it doesn’t feel that nice going on, and it’s for “mature skin”, but come morning my skin was softer than I have ever felt it before. Which is exactly the kind of complexion you want to wake up with.

This autumn is the season of the night

Emily O’Sullivan

cream. There are tons of new launches around, but while it’s easy to get dazzled by the glut of new creams flooding the market, it’s worth bearing in mind that there are some great night creams out there already, from the likes of Aveeno, Neal’s Yard and Origins — the smell alone of its High Potency Night-a-Mins sends us into paroxyms of bliss.

New from Dr Nick Lowe this month is a night-time version of the award-winning The Secret is Out Lifting Cream. Using active ingredients, such as sodium hyaluronate, which helps keep moisture and water in the skin,

and a collagen peptide Hexapeptide-9, which helps repair and regenerate skin cells, the cream is designed to make the skin appear fresh and radiant.

RoC’s new skincare breakthrough involves electro-stimulation, if you don’t mind. Bioelectricity, which is the term used to describe the natural process of electrical currents released from one cell to another, has been studied by parent company Johnson & Johnson for the last 20 years and this new skincare development harnesses the power of bioelectricity to create a new anti-ageing range.

RoC Sublime Energy uses energised particles of zinc and copper to give a jumpstart action to the skin and help increase elastin and collagen production. And as it’s always better to let creams work on your skin while you sleep, the range naturally includes a night cream.

Mind you, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a product that is effective. While a price-conscious supermarket might not sound like the place you’d find what has been described by fans as a “miracle cream“, Aldi is the go-to spot for one of the most effective night creams around, and it costs less than F3. It’s got retinol and Q10 — two renowned anti-ageing ingredients in it — and anyone we know who has tried it has come away converted. And you can’t really argue with that.

TAKE THREE Take three… Autumn Lips IT’S all going a bit late ‘90s on the lipstick front with dark berry shades worn against a palette of very pale, very perfect looking skin. Dark tones are high-maintenance and dramatic looking and they can drain the face of colour. Make sure to wear with a flattering blush and keep checking your teeth.

Mac Lipstick in Cunning, F17.50.

Frost formula lipsticks can be hard to wear, but this new shade from MAC’s Palace Pedigreed collection is dark and very sexy. It’s got a good rich plummy tone that makes it a special one for after-dark.

Maybelline Colour Sensational in Midnight Plum, F10.45. Plummy shades send us right back to 1998, but if you’re after a dark, sensual shade of lipstick this season, then this is a good bet and it’s not too pricey either. The colour is rich, deep and long lasting.

Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Black Chocolate, F21.50. This is seriously dark but, thankfully, it’s a gloss, so it doesn’t deliver the kind of deep saturation of colour you get with lipsticks. It’s a very rich colour and won’t be up everyone’s street, but if you want something dark and brooding then this is the one for you.

STUFF WE LIKE RoC Sublime Energy Night, F49.95.

Does your skin need to be energised?

Check out this new night cream is part of a range from RoC that promises to put a zing back into your complexion. It’s high-tech stuff which is reflected in the price tag.

Neal’s Yard Frankincense Nourishing Cream, from F20.67. Frankincense and myrrh might be more associated with the three wise men, but here they’ve packed it into a cream that is designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines. It’s not specifically a night cream, but we’ve found it works best at

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night, leaving us with a silky soft complexion in the morning. Great for very dry skin types.

Clinique Youth Surge Night Age Decelerating Moisturiser, F44. Night-time is when your skin repairs itself and Clinique’s new cream aims to give the skin an “eight-hour effect” come morning, as it plumps skin with natural collagen. It has a nice rich texture and leaves the skin feeling soft and looking fresh in the morning.

Clarins Vital

Light Night Revitalising Anti-Ageing Comfort Cream, F77. Lovely and soft, this night cream uses the benefits of two pioneering plants to restore freshness to skin. We love its silky texture — it feels really hydrating, and used in conjunction with the day cream, it makes the skin feel soft and look more radiant.

Aldi Lacura Face Care Q10 Night Cream, F2.19.

Just like with Boots’s Protect & Perfect, Aldi’s simple night cream caused a hoo-haa a few years ago after it was voted best skincare product (along with a pot of ex-

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2010

pensive Lancôme cream) on the Channel 4 show How to Look Good Naked. It’s ridiculously cheap, it’s effective and it does what a good night cream should — it moisturises well.

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Intense Night Cream, F54. New from Bobbi Brown this luxurious night cream contains deeply hydrating ingredients such as shea butter, jojoba, olive and sweet almond oil to moisturise, as well as rice bran extract and apple extract to help even out skin tone. It’s rich, creamy and very pleasant to use.

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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

rose hips. Betacarotene (used by the body to manufacture vitamin A) is found in yellow, red and dark green vegetables and fruits. Recent research has also shown that fish oil supplementation helps to protect against breast cancer.

For an in-depth look at the roles of herbs for women who want to maintain breast health and those diagnosed with breast cancer, I recommend Susun Weed’s book, Breast Cancer? Breast Health! The Wise Woman Way.

I HAVE just been to the hospital to get a large breast cyst aspirated, my third one in as many years. While I was there, the consultant showed me at least a dozen smaller ones which are still there. Is there any way of either getting rid of these or, even better, avoiding getting new ones? My mother had breast cancer, and my two aunts died of it, so I get a mammogram every one to two years. Naturally, I am delighted the lumps are benign, but I would prefer not to have them.

Overall, I am pretty healthy and take supplements.

A. I’m sorry to hear of your family troubles with breast cancer — it must weigh largely on your mind with the appearance of these cysts. Fortunately, family history is not as significant as was once believed. In a robust Boston study of more than 117,000 women, only 2.5% of cases were attributable to a positive genetic predisposition. Breast cancer is not the result of any one factor — instead it is the result of a combination of risks. You can make a number of lifestyle choices to decrease your overall risk.

Instead of taking mammograms — which are widely available and affordable — you could consider the combination of physical examination and thermography, which are far more accurate tools.

Mammography utilises radiation and the pressure exerted on the tissue during the process can damage the cells which may lead to the formation of lumps within the breast.

Thermography utilises infra-red thermal imaging to accurately assess the health of breast tissue.

Those who have embarked on a raw food diet have found great success with eliminating cysts, tumours and lumps from their bodies, however this way of life is often seen as extreme and difficult to maintain. It has been shown that women who eat a diet high in meat and dairy products have a higher risk of breast cancer, so it is worth seriously cutting back or removing these from your diet.

Also, unhealthy fats, sugar and processed food play a significant role in the rising cancer rates.

Women are eight times more likely to develop breast cancer in the area closest to the armpit. Toxins are purged from the body through perspiration, but aluminium chlorohydrate and aluminium chloride, found antiperspirants, prevent perspiration by blocking the sweat ducts. This means the toxins are deposited in the lymph nodes under the arms, where most breast cancer tumours appear.

Although the deodorant-breast cancer link is still under question, it makes sense to choose aluminium-free and organic options

Q. I have recently found out I have osteoarthritis in the L4/5 area of my back. I already take EPO (evening primrose oil) and agnus castus but I’m interested in any supplements that could halt or alleviate this progressive condition.

NO SWEAT: Although the deodorant-breast cancer link is still under question, it makes sense to go aluminium-free and organic.

Picture: iStock

such as MiEssence and Forever Living Products.

While there is much confusion over soy isoflavones, xenoestrogens (commonly found in plastics and herbicides), oral contraceptive pills, and HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy), one thing is certain — choosing natural products over synthetics is a step in the right direction. Organic is not only the number one choice for foodstuffs, it is also the best option for personal care and household products as well.

In 1997, medical anthropologist Sidney Singer discovered a connection between bra-wearing and breast cancer. Wearing a bra at least 14 hours a day tends to increase the hormone prolactin, which decreases circulation in the breast tissue, resulting in carcinogenic fluids becoming trapped in the breast’s lymph nodes.

Low levels of vitamin E and A have also been linked to breast cancer. Natural food sources of vitamin E include dark, green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, brown rice, eggs, milk, watercress, sweet potatoes and wheat. Herbs that provide a good source include alfalfa, nettle, oats, raspberry leaf and

Megan puts the spotlight on: Radiation to the brain impacts negatively, particularly long-term exposure to more subtle forms in everyday life

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LZHEIMER’S disease is a form of dementia, characterised by confusion, disorientation, speech disturbances, restlessness, memory failure, agnosia, hallucinosis, and an inability to perform purposeful movements. It counts for over half of dementia cases, and typically occurs over the age of 65 years.

Scientists are now claiming that supplementing daily with B vitamins may delay the onset of Alzheimer’s. A recent Oxford University trial indicates that the well-known link between homocysteine levels and Alzheimer’s can be taken one step further, by using vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid to control the amount of homocysteine in the bloodstream.

The study involved individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which commonly leads to dementia within five years, and gave one group daily tablets containing the B vitamins, and the control group were

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A. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. A degenerative joint condition commonly affecting the knees, feet, fingers, hips and lower back, osteoarthritis is the result of a combination of biochemical processes and general wear and tear on the cartilage.

Essential fatty acids will certainly help to alleviate any pain and inflammation caused by your condition, so you are doing the right thing by taking the EPO. Health Perception has developed a product called Omega Plus, which provides both Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.

A double-blind crossover study in 2002 showed that patients with osteoarthritis responded well to a supplement containing turmeric (curcuma longa), also known as curcumin, and the resin of the Indian frankincense tree (boswellia serrata). Both boswellia and curcumin have been used widely for their anti-inflammatory properties, while curcumin also acts as an antioxidant.

The inflammatory agent nitric oxide is thought to be a significant factor in osteoarthritis, as it is present in much higher levels in individuals with osteoarthritis. Curcumin actually inhibits nitric oxide production, hence its effective action as an anti-inflammatory agent.

FSC has combined boswellia and curcumin with ginger to increase joint mobility. Available from www.all-ages-vitamins.co.uk, 60 tablets cost £12.63 (F15.05). You can expect to have less difficulty walking after around one month, and after three months of taking this combination your resting and active pain levels should be significantly reduced. Do not take supplements containing ginger if you are presently on any blood-thinning medication.

For more information and details of support groups, visit Arthritis Ireland online at www.arthritis-foundation.com.

Avoiding Alzheimer’s given a placebo. After two years, MRI scans of the participants’ brains, along with cognition tests, showed that those who had been receiving the supplements had experienced on average 30% less brain atrophy than those receiving the placebo. Furthermore, those who began the trial with the highest homocysteine levels experienced the greatest benefit, showing 50% less brain shrinkage.

It is important to get your homocysteine levels tested first if you feel the B supplementation may be of benefit, and also to realise that it is very early days for this particular research and treatment. B vitamins are best taken together, as they work synergistically, so find a good B-Complex, such as the range offered by Solgar.

Research has shown that aluminium is linked with Alzheimer’s, and can be found in surprising products. Most of us know that anti-perspirant deodorants typically contain aluminium, but did you know that baking

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2010

soda, toothpaste, antacid preparations, shampoos, and food additives can also contain aluminium? Radiation to the brain also impacts negatively, particularly long-term exposure to television, microwaves, cellular phones, and computers.

Plenty of fresh local produce and wholefoods (apples, strawberries, and essential fatty acids are particularly good in the prevention of Alzheimer’s), pure drinking water, daily exercise, sunshine, and oxygenating herbs such as gotu kola, lifeflower (breviscapini), black walnut, blessed thistle, damiana, and ginkgo biloba (not available over the counter in Ireland). Gotu kola is well-suited for Alzheimer’s since it contains a substance known as bio-aluminium, which attaches to manufactured aluminium and helps to remove it from the body.

■ The Alzheimer Society of Ireland offers support and information. For details: visit www.alzheimer.ie or phone 1800-341341.

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