Feelgood 24-02-2012 by Evening Echo

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Feelgood

Friday, February 24, 2012

Let the sunshine in Experts make the case for supplementing our diet with vitamin D to protect against serious illness: 8, 9 Picture:Thinkstock

BLIND DATE

Find out what happened when Jayne met Mícheál: 4, 5

BREAST AWARE

Two mums on why they are joining the Pink Ribbon Walk: 11

SWEET NOTHINGS

Ten ways to cut sugar from your diet during Lent: 12

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2 News front Kate O’Reilly WHAT’S ON ■ SING-A-LONG: To celebrate Lollipop Day today join Dublin Gospel Choir and Ireland AM’s Sinead Desmond for a lunchtime sing-a-long outside Arnotts in Henry St, Dublin 1 from noon to 2pm. The event raises funds for the Oesophageal Cancer Fund (OCF). If you would like to volunteer call 01-2897457, or log onto www.lollipopday.ie to donate and to get more information on oesophageal cancer. ■ FREE PILATES: There will be a free lunchtime pilates class from 1.10 to 1.50pm on Thursday March 1, in Riverview Clinic, John Street. To book, call Jaconel on 085-1613 505; www.pilatespeoplecork.com. ■ STROKE SUPPORT: Cork City Stroke Support Group meets on the last Wednesday of every month. The aim of the group is to facilitate sharing of experiences and information in a supportive environment with opportunities for activity, outings and fun. The group’s next meeting will be on Wednesday Feb 29 from 2pm to 4pm in the Activity Centre, St Finbarr’s Hospital, Cork. This meeting will include information on Rehabilitation & Neurotech Muscle Stimulation. Irish Heart Foundation on 021-4505822 for more information. ■ DYSLEXIA MEETING: The Cork branch of the Dyslexia Association of Ireland (DAI) is holding an information meeting on exam accommodations for Junior and Leaving Cert students with dyslexia, on Monday next, February 27 in Bishopstown Community School at 7.45pm. Educational Psychologist Eithne Ui Chonaill is the guest speaker. Admission is €10. Contact 087-9831837. ■ OPEN DAY: Mallow’s state-of-the-art Primary Healthcare Centre (MPHC) was named Ireland’s Best Healthcare Building at the Local Authority Members Awards (LAMA) earlier this month. To celebrate they are holding an open day on Wednesday next, Feb 29 from 2pm to 6pm to showcase how the building works and provide details about services. The centre is home to three GP practices, HSE primary care services, South Doc and North Cork Community Mental Health. MPHC also includes The 4th Practice, which provides additional medical services such as psychology, nutrition, physiotherapy and specialist clinics. www.mphc.ie or 022-52900. ■ NIGHT AT THE DOGS: The Down Syndrome Ireland Night at the Dogs fundraiser will take place in 10 greyhound stadia across the country tomorrow night. Family tickets cost €20 (two adults and up to four children) and individual tickets are €10. The event will take place in the following venues: Shelbourne Park Dublin, Dundalk, Galway, Limerick, Lifford, Mullingar, Newbridge, Thurles, Tralee and Waterford; doors open 6.30pm. Tickets must be bought in advance from Down Syndrome Ireland on 1890-37 37 37, online at www.downsyndrome.ie or directly from local branches. ● Items for inclusion in this column can be sent to koreilly8@gmail.com

FeelgoodMag

Feelgood

FeelgoodMag

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A new resource pack will help teachers to combat the growing problem of eating disorders, says Arlene Harris

Be body wise T

EENAGE angst is part and parcel of growing up — what to wear, who fancies who and how to fit in an active social life while doing enough study to appease parents and teachers. These are just some of the worries affecting the modern teenager but an increasing number are also getting stressed about body image. Almost 200,000 people suffer from eating disorders in Ireland, with many cases beginning during the early or mid teens. With images of skeletal stars all over the media, many feel pressured to conform to what they perceive to be an ideal weight. To combat this problem, Bodywhys, the Eating Disorder Association of Ireland, has launched a resource pack for SPHE (Social, Personal and Health Education) teachers to help them to reinforce healthy body image and boost confidence in young students. “The overall picture from young people is that body image is a very serious concern for them,” says Ruth Ní Eidhin of Bodywhys. “A 2009 study, conducted by the Office of the Minister for Children found that young Irish people identified self-image as the number one factor having a negative impact on their mental health and one that is linked not only to eating disorders but to a whole range of other mental health issues. “The new resource pack contains a range of information about eating disorders — what they are, how to identify them, what to do, etc — so that teachers can be better

GOOD LESSON: Promoting the Bodywhys positive image campaign were (l-r): David Bennett, Stephen Byrne, Roxan Frim and Aisling Keaney, Castleknock Community College. Picture: Conor McCabe Photography.

prepared to address issues that may arise in the classroom. “There are also guidelines around how to address an issue with a child and also how best to work with parents of a student who might be affected.” The pack will be used with children from 12 to 18 years of both genders. “It’s important to say that it is very much for male and female students — in the last few years, in particular, we have had an increasing number of calls from teachers concerned about male students,” says Ní Eidhin. Siobhán Foster of the SPHE Support Service is very positive about the new programme. “I believe it will work because it offers practical advice and guidance to teachers in a pastoral role who support stu-

dents with eating disorders and body image issues,” she says. “It also has a series of lesson plans which will guide SPHE teachers on how best to address these issues in a classroom context. And the lesson plans aim to help students improve their self-esteem, develop a range of effective coping strategies and explores the impact of mass media and peer pressure on their body image. The lessons also increase students understanding of eating disorders and their physical, emotional, psychological and behavioural consequences, as well as highlighting the help and range of support available should they ever need them.” ● For more information see www.bodywhys.ie or call 1890-200444.

HEALTH NOTES new research on oral care. Three in four adults surveyed believe that having a daily oral care routine is important, compared to two in three adults who cited a healthy diet and 60% who mentioned daily exercise. When asked about their typical oral care routine, nine in ten (96%) adults said they brush their teeth at least once a day. However, just three in ten (31%) adults floss daily and two in ten chew sugar-free gum. The survey was carried out on behalf of Wrigley’s Extra sugar-free gum.

Last year, the Flora pro.activ Cholesterol Roadshow carried out 1,500 free cholesterol checks in towns throughout Ireland. This year’s roadshow will be at SuperValu stores this afternoon in Fermoy, Bandon and Clonakilty. Tomorrow’s venues are Midleton, Cobh, Carrigaline and Merchant’s Quay, Cork. A full schedule of testing dates and venues is available at www.floraproactivroadshow.ie.

A series of free public lectures on health topics continues this month at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), 123, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, on Wednesday, Feb 29, at 7pm. Professor Susan Smith, department of general practice, RCSI, will explore chronic disease — what happens when they come in multiples? Professor Ronan Conroy, division of population health sciences, RCSI, will discuss ‘doctor, what am I going to die of? — the risky business of gauging risk.’ The RCSI MiniMed open lecture series is free of charge; registration is essential to guarantee a place. See www.rcsi.ie/minimed. Ireland has one of the highest rates of oesophageal cancer in Europe, among men and women, with approximately 450 new cases diagnosed each year. Lollipop Day, which runs today and tomorrow, is the main fundraising event for the Oesophageal Cancer Fund and involves thou-

www.irishexaminer.com www.irishexaminer.com

SPORTING ATTITUDE: Golfer Padraig Harrington supports Lollipop Day, which raises awareness of Ireland’s high oesophageal cancer rates. sands of volunteers. For more information, see: www.lollipopday.ie.

A daily oral care routine is more important to Irish adults than a healthy diet, according to

www.irishexaminer.com feelgood@examiner.ie

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2012

The second annual Connemara duathlon will be held in An Cheathrú Rua this Saturday and will feature one of the most scenic runs on the duathlon circuit. The race will start in the centre of An Cheathrú Rua with a 3.5km race, followed by a 20km cycle, and finished off with a repeat of the first run. Race entry will cost €20 and participants can enter online at triathlonireland.com. All other information regarding the race can be found at trisport.ie.

We don’t get much for free these days, but Udo’s Choice Delicious Recipes For All the Family is just that. A collection of 21 recipes from Irish users of the oil, the book is available free of charge with every purchase of Udo’s Oil 500ml from pharmacies and health food stores nationwide.

Editorial: 021 4802 292

Advertising: 021 4802 265

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In profile

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THE SHAPE I'M IN

RICK WAKEMAN

Pacing himself R

ICK WAKEMAN, keyboard player and former member of progressive rock band, Yes, performs in Dublin’s Olympia Theatre on Saturday, Mar 10. Born in west London, Wakeman has performed with musical legends including David Bowie, Cat Stevens, Elton John and Ozzy Osbourne. His high-profile TV appearances have included Countdown, Top Gear and Grumpy Old Men. He has sold 50m records worldwide. Married to Rachel — his fourth wife — he is a dad of six and has six grandchildren, with another on the way. Health-wise, the 62-year-old has had a few scares — a serious bout of double pneumonia combined with pleurisy, and three heart attacks when he was 26. “I decided I wouldn’t have any more, because they hurt. I stopped smoking in 1979 and I gave up drink in 1985 — I’d had alcoholic hepatitis. I don’t do little health problems — I have whoppers,” he says. Based in Norfolk, Wakeman is looking forward to his Dublin performance. “I’m generally very fond of Dublin. I manage to get over quite a bit. I have a radio show on Radio Nova and for many years I lived on the Isle of Man — it was only a 20-minute flight away.” ■ An Evening With Rick Wakeman is at the Olympia Theatre, Dublin on Saturday, Mar 10. Tickets from €25, including booking fee from Ticketmaster. Phone 0818-719330 or visit www.ticketmaster.ie. What shape are you in? I was considerably overweight last year. I’d been spending a lot of time in the studio and not burning off what I was eating. I couldn’t fit into any of my clothes. I go for an annual PSA test and the male nurse said my blood pressure was incredibly high and that it was down to weight. He said ‘start dumping or you’re a heart attack waiting to happen’. I lost 30 pounds by Christmas, just by changing my eating habits. I’d like to get rid of another stone by mid-year. Do you exercise? I’m not very good at it. I play golf and I try to get out two or three times a month. We have a gym at home. Rachel’s very good to use it — every other day she’s in there. I did go on the treadmill for half an hour last week, which she says is a promising start.

I’m working on my weight, but otherwise I wouldn’t change anything. I’m certainly no film star to look at, but I’m very grateful to the good Lord that he gave me everything that works — I can hear, see, think. When did you last cry? A couple of days ago at my wife’s uncle’s funeral — quiet tears, not burst-out crying. What trait do you least like in others? I don’t like people who talk about others behind their back. What trait do you least like in yourself? Sometimes, I can say things without thinking, which can be hurtful, even though I don’t mean to be. I should learn to think before I speak. Do you pray? Yes, I’ve got quite a strong faith. I mightn’t say a prayer for three days but I do when the time’s right. I learned something from an artist friend of mine, who is great at praying. He asked me ‘are you always nice when you say your prayers?’ He told me ‘I tell Him off now and then — he likes a good row’. So I suddenly found myself doing that too. What would cheer up your day? We put out some bird-feeders last night. This morning, they were just covered in all different kinds of birds. With the snow in the background and all of them eating, it was really lovely. Helen O’Callaghan

HEART ACHE: Musician Rick Wakeman had three heart attacks at 26. “I decided I wouldn’t have any more, because they hurt,” he says. Picture:Lee Wilkinson

What are your healthiest eating habits? We grow virtually all our vegetables and where we live has lots of farm shops, so we buy fresh meat from them, as well as the veg and fruits we don’t grow ourselves. Neither Rachel nor I like junk food.

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What’s your guiltiest pleasure? I just love bread. I’ve had to cut back on it, which was tough.

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What would keep you awake at night? I can get away with four or five hours sleep. I find it hard to get to sleep — my body wants to but my brain doesn’t. I try to get to bed at 11pm and I might drop off until 1am — after that I cat nap until about 5am. I get up at 5.30am every day. But with this amount of sleep, I don’t feel excessively tired.

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How do you relax? I’m not very good at relaxing — I’m a pacer. I like TV and I do find it relaxing to sit in front of it for a couple of hours. Both Rachel and I enjoy walking. I also find cooking quite relaxing.

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Who would you invite to your dream dinner party? Peter Sellers — he died quite young but he’d have stories forever. I’d invite Mother Teresa too — she and Sellers would be quite an interesting duo.

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What’s your favourite smell? Lavender — we have a lot of it in our garden. It has a great feelgood factor.

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What would you change about your appearance?

Feelgood

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2012

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The will to live C

Caroline was born two pounds, nine ounces, but is as ‘big as life’, says Sue Leonard

AROLINE is a spirited, feisty three-year-old. Full of laugher, she never stops chatting, and she runs rings around her parents, Colin and Miriam, and her big brothers, David, 11, Paul, nine, and Samuel, five. Caroline is small for her age, but that she’s alive is a miracle. Born full-term weighing two pounds, nine ounces, there were fears she wouldn’t survive. Miriam Hamilton, a teacher from Limerick, was delighted, at 37, to be pregnant. Then the bad news. “A scan showed that the baby had IUGR — intrauterine growth retardation or restriction,” says Miriam. Dwarfism was considered; so was Edward’s syndrome, as care how she looked. was a deficient placenta. Multiple scans “Our baby improved day by day. A scan and an amniocentesis were not definitive. “Colin and I talked about nothing else. I showed her brain structure was perfect. And she hadn’t any skeletal dysplasia teach biology at Leaving Certificate level (dwarfism). She made eye contact and reand I trawled the internet and read all the journals. I’d drive the consultant mad with sponded to touch. And by the time we left all my questions. It was a constant cycle of hospital, six weeks later, at just three to four pounds, she was sitting in a bouncy visits to the hospital for more bad news, chair watching the nurses. She was reachthen home to talk through all the predicing out for toys. All her reflexes were tions: she might be in a wheelchair, or be mentally compromised; she mightn’t make good.” There was still a problem with Caroline’s 3 or 4ft in height. We were terrified about weight. “Feeding her was a constant battle. the lack of support for her in Ireland. It was stressful, but our public health nurse “I always thought I’d cope with anything, but I didn’t cope at all. I thought of was amazing. She helped us let Caroline the lovely life the boys had now. We had a be herself, and grow in her own time. But chance to step back. It was very tempting. at six months, sitting up, Caroline weighed only nine pounds,” says Miriam. We talked about adoption. Then we deBefore Caroline was born, one doctor cided on a termination.” After much anguish, the couple travelled had said that he’d no idea how she’d be on her first birthday. “Her first birthday was to London, booking the abortion clinic. the day I let go of worry. Caroline was Feeling the baby jump, Miriam decided perfect. She babbled, crawled and walked against it. They returned home with a behind a new resolve. toy Things truck. didn’t get any She was easier. There flying,” were probshe says. lems with the Since baby’s heartthen, beat, and Caroline Miriam had has been regular trace found to scans. At 32 have a weeks pregrare genant, she was netic admitted to glitch on the antenatal chromoward, for a some 22. frustrating five This weeks. “I couldn’t SMALL MIRACLE: Caroline Hamilton, with mum Miriam, has could be Picture: Eamon Ward the reasleep and had a rare genetic condition. son for constant her small size. (Though a deficient placentraces done. It was also awkward for the ta could also be to blame.) It might cause boys to visit, when women were sick and problems in the future. in pain. But Caroline grew a bit more. “I’m not going to worry, because CaroFirst, she was over 500 grams; then, 800 line keeps surprising everyone. She’s in grams; then, she got to a kilo. She had a perfect proportion, she’s expected to end 60% to 70% chance of survival. That was up between 4ft 10ins and 5ft, but she’s brilliant.” well able to stand up for herself,” she says. At 37 weeks, doctors induced labour. Miriam is forever grateful to consultant Miriam requested a natural birth, but Carobstetrician Dr John Slevin, who reassured oline’s heart began to fluctuate. She was born by caesarean section and was whisked her throughout the ordeal. “He never gave dire predictions. He always said, ‘I don’t to the neonatal unit. She was four hours know, we’ll have to wait and see’. If I’d on a ventilator before then she could breathe herself. The first time Miriam saw listened only to him, I’d have been saved a lot of worry and stress,” she says. her daughter, she was shocked. Miriam has few worries about Caroline’s “She was all battered and bruised. She health. “She tells us so by her actions, evlooked like an alien, with a big skull, but ery day. Recently, I asked her what she no fat anywhere. The first time I changed wanted to be when she grew up. She said, her nappy, I wondered if she was deformed. She had no bottom, no labia, just ‘either an air sea rescue helicopter pilot, or a vampire’.” these two bones. The midwives assured me this was emaciation. ● Sweet Caroline, by Miriam Hamilton, “Regardless, we loved Caroline. We loved her for her fighting spirit. We didn’t is published by Mercier Press at €14.99

Feelgood

Blind date: Week 3 Jayne and Mícheál need to stop texting and

Fun time

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arrange to meet for a second date, advises our dating coach Avril Mulcahy

Name: Brian O’Neill

Age: 42

Age: 41

From: Ballycullen, Dublin 24

From: Tallaght, Dublin 24

tar Sign: Leo

Star Sign: Libra

Occupation: Beautician

Occupation: IT sales consultant

Build: Average

Build: Large

Height: 5ft 1in

Height: 5ft 10in

Smoker: Social

Smoker: No

Drinker: Social

Children: One son

Children: No, but I would like a child in the future.

Describe yourself: Funny, intelligent, stylish, hard worker, spiritual. Interests: Walking, polo (horse riding) and films. Three things you cannot live without: Phone, food, walks. What makes you smile: My son.

UP TO DATE: The only awkward moment for Jayne and Mícheál was posing for this photo at the beginning of the night. Thereafter, they clicked and plan to meet again. Picture: Dan Linehan

MÍCHEÁL MCGRATH

fashion sense. This guy could be my type.

First impressions: Jayne looked very stylish. She was bubbly and very friendly, which would be my type. I was definitely attracted to her at first.

Conversation: Conversation was great; we had so much in common. The only awkward moment was the initial introduction, after that we got on great and had lots to chat about. We were almost the last to leave the restaurant because we were talking so much. I’m a bit of a chatter box when I get going, so there’s a strong possibility I might have talked a little bit more that him.

Conversation: Among other stuff, we discussed the nuclear situation in Iran; who should play centre for Ireland in the Six Nations; and our mutual love for the Saw Doctors. I let Jayne do most of the talking. Connection: Getting our picture taken at the start made our blind date a little awkward at the beginning. However, as the night developed, we had more of a connection. The conversation stopped once or twice, but we joked about it. There was chemistry there for me, anyway.

Connection: Again, the start of the date was a bit awkward. But, during the date we really developed a connection.

Table manners: She came across as a very well-brought-up young woman.

Did you kiss? We finished our night with a very civilised peck on the cheek.

Did you kiss? A gentleman never tells… so, yes, we did.

What happened at the end of the night? Mícheál wasn’t drinking, so he offered to drop me home. I don’t live in Cork City, so I had to stay at my cousin Zoe’s house for the night. I knew he would be the complete gentleman, so I took him up on the offer. I was right. We exchanged numbers and promised to meet again.

What happened at the end of the night? I was a pure gent, so I dropped her to her cousin’s house. Plans to meet again? We swapped numbers, email addresses, we’re friends on Facebook and she’s now insured to drive my tractor. Rate the date out of ten 9/10 — I was a little nervous and quieter than normal, but otherwise I had a pretty good night. JAYNE O’CONNOR First impressions: My immediate reaction was that he looked like a real gentleman and a genuinely nice guy. He had made the effort and had a good

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2012

AVRIL’S VIEW

■ Meet our new couple: Katrina and Brian ■ Name: Katrina O’ Brien

Describe your ideal holiday: Rome. Describe dream date: I would love a date in Paris. Alternatively, I’d settle for dinner and a nice glass of wine with good company. What type of relationship are you looking for? I’m looking for the one, but would not introduce him to my son for a while. Five attributes you’d like in a partner: Funny, good hugger, honest, caring, a go-getter.

Table manners: Mícheál is an absolute gent. He was holding doors, getting my seat and so on. He really is a smashing guy in that way.

Five things that irritate you about people: People who gossip, who talk about themselves non-stop, who are loud and lazy. What are your blind date expectations? Dinner, flowers would be good…

● Read how Katrina and Brian’s blind date went in next week’s edition of Feelgood

Plans to meet again? Nothing has been set in stone but we have been texting since our date and I definitely would be interested in meeting Mícheál again. Rate the date out of ten: 10/10. The emphasis of the night really was on ‘fun’. There was no pressure whatsoever. Mícheál was a lovely guy. The food at Isaac’s Restaurant was amazing. Even the pictures taken by Irish Examiner photographer Dan Linehan at the beginning proved to be kind of fun. All in all, it was a brilliant experience.

Describe Yourself: Funny, intelligent, friendly, good conversationalist, socially confident. Interests: Reading, writing, ’70s social history, music and gigs, swimming, walking, weights. Three things you cannot live without: Phone, internet connection, love What makes you smile? Children at play will make me smile every time. Describe your ideal holiday: Away from towns and cities and knowing where I am and what I am doing – and sharing it with someone. Describe your dream date: A relaxed easygoing person who is happy to chat and open to meeting someone new. I’d like a nice evening with them whatever the outcome. Location is unimportant. What type of relationship are you looking for? Open to whatever it seems to hold. With the right person, long term. Five attributes you’d like in a partner: Friendly, caring, intelligent, good looking, independent. Five things that irritate you about people: People who can’t hold their drink, who are unfriendly, who have fixed opinions ... This is all very negative — I don’t have any more. What are your blind date expectations? Have a laugh with someone who is interested in seeing what a blind date can be like and open to a good night in good company. Will see where it goes from there.

WatchKatrina and Brian meet for the first time: http://exa.mn/36

Feelgood

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2012

The second blind date in the series was another success. Both Mícheál and Jayne have a great dating approach: positive and fun. Men are visual creatures, and Jayne stepped up to the mark, dressing to impress in a great outfit. She was looking for a real gentleman, who is easy going and up for a laugh — she could have been describing Mícheál. It’s always a good sign when the time flies on a date — and that was definitely the case for Jayne and Mícheál. It was clear they had many things in common, but the love of sport shone through. From my post-date call to both of them, I’ve learned that they are still texting without arranging a second date. Mícheál is very easing going, but he needs to take charge and one of these texts needs to be an invitation for a second date. As the dates continue, they will have a chance to open up and reveal more of their personalities. There is a logistical problem — Jayne lives in Tipperary and commutes to Cork. But at least they share the same location for five days of the week. Yes, it may be a bit more difficult to organise dates but there is nothing they can do about miles right now. They should get creative — for example, dates don’t have to be at night. They share so many sporting interests, so Mícheál could use this opportunity to show off his manly sporting side, which will in turn fuel Jayne’s sense of adventure. ● See: www.singlelista.ie

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The will to live C

Caroline was born two pounds, nine ounces, but is as ‘big as life’, says Sue Leonard

Feelgood

Blind date: Week 3 Jayne and Mícheál need to stop texting and

Fun time

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arrange to meet for a second date, advises our dating coach Avril Mulcahy

Name: Brian O’Neill

Age: 42

Age: 41

From: Ballycullen, Dublin 24

From: Tallaght, Dublin 24

tar Sign: Leo

Star Sign: Libra

Occupation: Beautician

Occupation: IT sales consultant

Build: Average

Build: Large

Height: 5ft 1in

Height: 5ft 10in

Smoker: Social

Smoker: No

Drinker: Social

Children: One son

Children: No, but I would like a child in the future.

UP TO DATE: The only awkward moment for Jayne and Mícheál was posing for this photo at the beginning of the night. Thereafter, they clicked and plan to meet again. Picture: Dan Linehan

MÍCHEÁL MCGRATH

fashion sense. This guy could be my type.

First impressions: Jayne looked very stylish. She was bubbly and very friendly, which would be my type. I was definitely attracted to her at first.

Connection: Again, the start of the date was a bit awkward. But, during the date we really developed a connection.

Table manners: She came across as a very well-brought-up young woman.

Did you kiss? We finished our night with a very civilised peck on the cheek.

Did you kiss? A gentleman never tells… so, yes, we did.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2012

AVRIL’S VIEW

■ Meet our new couple: Katrina and Brian ■ Name: Katrina O’ Brien

Table manners: Mícheál is an absolute gent. He was holding doors, getting my seat and so on. He really is a smashing guy in that way.

Five things that irritate you about people: People who gossip, who talk about themselves non-stop, who are loud and lazy. What are your blind date expectations? Dinner, flowers would be good…

● Read how Katrina and Brian’s blind date went in next week’s edition of Feelgood

WatchKatrina and Brian meet for the first time: http://exa.mn/36

Feelgood

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2012

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6 Get up and go

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Helen O’Callaghan meets two mothers with young children who have

STEPPING OUT

HEN Caoilfhionn Collins was 15, her mother taught her a life-saving lesson. Tras McDonnell was in her 40s and had found a lump in her breast which was subsequently diagnosed as cancerous. “She asked me to feel the lump. She said she wanted me to know what it felt like,” recalls pharmacist Caoilfhionn, a member of the committee that’s organising the first Kinsale Pink Ribbon Walk on March 4 in aid of Action Breast Cancer. When — in her early 40s — Caoilfhionn found a lump in her own breast, she knew she was fated to share the experience her mum had faced more than 25 years earlier. “The lump felt like my mother’s. In my heart of hearts, I knew the chances of it being breast cancer were very high.” Although her mum had died in her 60s from secondary cancer in the bone, Caoilfhionn says, “everything she went through so bravely and in such a positive way meant she was the best tutor for me in my breast cancer journey, even though she wasn’t physically there. When people would say to her ‘why did it happen to you?’, she’d respond ‘why not me?’. She helped me see that — though breast cancer’s hard — it’s such a do-able journey. Her approach took the fear out of this illness and, when fear is gone, you gain control,” says Caoilfhionn, who — after her diagnosis in April 2009 — had a full mastectomy followed by chemotherapy. Right through the period of her chemotherapy, she continued with a physical workout session that she and three friends had practiced twice-weekly for the previous decade. A combination of cardiac work, yoga and pilates, she says hugely reduced the chemo side-effects. “My energy levels were definitely superior and my recovery time shorter than it would otherwise have been.” Caoilfhionn was determined her two daughters — now aged 12 and nine — wouldn’t see her lying ill in bed. “They might be diagnosed in years to come so I wanted them to know their mammy’s story and not be afraid of cancer, that despite having cancer she could still do loads. Of course there were days when mammy wasn’t well but those were short days.” This spirit of support and empowerment among women pervades the Pink Ribbon Walk endeavour. Kells mum-of-three, Penny McGowan brought Pink Ribbon Walks to Ireland after hearing about them in Britain. “I’m lucky. I’ve had a nice, happy life and been very fit and healthy. I wanted to give something back. I have two daughters and a lovely daughter-in-law with families to bring up. I feel very strongly that the mother is the central unit holding a family together. Once the woman isn’t at home — either because she’s in hospital or has passed away — the loss to the family is enormous.” Penny gathered a band of women around her — young women with busy careers, two of whom had experienced breast cancer — and the first Pink Ribbon Walk, held in Kells in 2009, brought in €100,000. Since then, there have been three walks in Kells and two in Killaloe — Penny’s daughter, Sara, and some of her friends brought the Pink Ribbon Walk to Killaloe. So far, the walks have raised €400,000 for Action Breast Cancer, a pro-

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survived breast cancer and are now active in the Pink Ribbon fundraising campaigns

FOR SURVIVAL I found a small, pea-sized lump

Everything my mother went through so bravely and in such a positive way meant she was the best tutor for me in my breast cancer journey, even though she wasn’t physically there

— Caoilfhionn Collins

HISTORY REPEATED: When — in her early 40s — Caoilfhionn Collins found a lump in her own breast, she knew she was fated to share the experience her mum had faced more than 25 years earlier. Picture: Des Barry

ALL TOGETHER: Jackie Dawson, chairperson Kinsale Pink Ribbon Walk, Penny McGowan, who brought the walks to Ireland and Caoilfhionn Collins. Picture: John Allen

gramme of the Irish Cancer Society. Jackie Dawson is chairperson of the Kinsale Pink Ribbon Walk. “My sister-in-law had done a Pink Ribbon Walk in London and I’d sponsored her. And in February 2011, I bumped into Olivia Duff from Kells at a food-writing course in Ballymaloe,” says Jackie. “Within a few months she was emailing me about the walks that had already been set up. It seemed a very exciting event. We’ve all found lumps and bumps and when it turns out to be fine you’re so thankful. I also have many friends who fortunately have survived

Temperance Hall and on Sun, March 4 (9am-11.30am). Kinsale-based fitness expert Saran Crosbie will help participants warm up at 11.35am and the walk begins at noon. People are invited to get involved on the day as a volunteer or to support a friend by sponsoring them. For more info, visit www.pinkribbonwalk.ie; call the hotline (087-2627 387); view the walk’s page on www.mycharity.ie; or follow progress on www.facebook.com/pinkribbonwalk and www.twitter.com/pinkribbonwalks.

breast cancer.” Jackie says the organising committee has been overwhelmed by the positive response. Seven hundred walkers and runners have registered to do the 10k route and the event has drawn over 80 pink partners — local business people who’ve paid €20 to support the event and who will decorate their windows pink. Some funds have already been raised through a table quiz in the Spaniard, as well as through coffee mornings, cheese and wine reception, coffee mornings and cake sales. On the day of the walk, participants will be

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2012

given a pink ribbon in a special ‘contemplation’ area and asked to write ‘I’m walking for…’ “The Pink Ribbon Walk isn’t just a fun run. It’s a really spiritual experience. We make it into a day of remembrance, as well as a day of support for survivors. The walk has to be in a place of natural beauty because that lends itself to people having a good experience,” says Penny McGowan. ● Check in for Kinsale Pink Ribbon Walk is on Saturday, March 3 (noon-8pm) in The

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BEST FOOT FORWARD: Maria O’Mahony who will be taking part in the Pink Ribbon Walk in Picture: Des Barry Kinsale, Co Cork, was referred for a triple assessment after she felt a lump. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2012

INSALE businesswoman Maria O’Mahony is a director and coordinator of Kinsale Chamber of Tourism and is one of 15 women on the Pink Ribbon Walk committee. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in Oct 2009 at age 43. “I was in my office one day and felt a nagging pain in my left breast that made me put my finger on the area. I immediately found a small, pea-sized lump. I phoned the Marie Keating Foundation and the nurse said it didn’t sound like anything sinister, but to get it checked out. “I’d already scheduled an appointment with a gynaecologist for something else, but she couldn’t feel the lump. A locum at the GP’s didn’t feel what I’d felt, either, but she referred me for triple assessment — appointment with a breast surgeon, mammogram and ultrasound.” Following the ultrasound, Maria was told she’d need a core biopsy of the area. “That was the first moment I felt fear. My aunt had died of breast cancer seven years earlier. I was told I’d be called into the unit the following week, irrespective of the result. On the Thursday, I was at a meeting of the Kinsale Good Food Circle, organising a gourmet festival — the call came at lunch-time. At the clinic, I discovered all reports confirmed I had breast cancer and that I needed surgery. My initial reaction was shock but there was acceptance, too, and a very fast processing — like ‘OK, what do I need to do now?’ My daughter, Saoirse, was 14 at the time. They wanted to take me in for surgery that weekend but I asked if it could wait until the following week. I needed to take care of my daughter, organise my work. “I sat with Saoirse that evening and told her I had some bad news, that I was going to have surgery and treatment but that everything would be OK. She was shocked, but it helped that she had some great friends around her.” Maria had a lumpectomy, as well as 14 lymph nodes removed — 12 were affected, so her surgery was followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. “I feel very well now. I have an abundance of energy. The monitoring — about every three months — by different members of the medical team reassures me enormously.”

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6 Get up and go

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Helen O’Callaghan meets two mothers with young children who have

STEPPING OUT

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survived breast cancer and are now active in the Pink Ribbon fundraising campaigns

FOR SURVIVAL I found a small, pea-sized lump

Everything my mother went through so bravely and in such a positive way meant she was the best tutor for me in my breast cancer journey, even though she wasn’t physically there

— Caoilfhionn Collins

ALL TOGETHER: Jackie Dawson, chairperson Kinsale Pink Ribbon Walk, Penny McGowan, who brought the walks to Ireland and Caoilfhionn Collins. Picture: John Allen

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2012

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Boosting our immune system

Vitamin D deficiency caused by a lack of sunshine during winter may lead to MS and other serious illnesses, says Sharon Ni Chonchuir

Delivering healthy benefits M

EDICAL experts are calling for sun factor, which screens out up to 98% of the food in Scotland to be fortified vitamin D bearing rays. with vitamin D. Deficiency in “Studies have shown low intake of vitamin the vitamin may be related to the high inciD in all age groups across the country, with dence of multiple sclerosis. more than 20% reaching a deficiency stage in The campaign, supported by the MS Society the winter months. In fact, it’s only people in Scotland, has inspired a march on parliawho take supplements that have healthy levels ment and an international summit in Glasgow of the vitamin.” last year. A 2010 study by researchers from St VinCould this be true of Ireland? What are our cent’s Hospital, in Dublin, found a deficiency vitamin D levels? How does our incidence of in those with MS. This study compared the MS compare? Should we be instigating a incidence of MS in Donegal, South Dublin food-fortification campaign? and Wexford, and found 329 people with the The human body synthesises the majority of condition in Donegal compared with 173 in vitamin D from sun exposure. Although it is to Wexford and 130 in Dublin. be found in foods such as oily fish, we get up This tallied with expectations that the incito 90% of our vitamin D dence of MS would infrom UVB rays in suncrease with distance from shine. The fat-soluble vithe equator; Donegal betamin is then stored in ing further north than the body and used up Wexford. However, it was during the sun-deprived when they looked at their winter. subjects’ vitamin D levels We use vitamin D in during the winter that the absorption of calcithey began to understand um, to help form and this better. maintain strong bones Levels below and teeth. 50nanomoles per litre A deficiency in vita(nmol/l) are considered inmin D can cause rickets sufficient, while those bein children and lead to low 25nmol/l are defiosteoporosis in adults. It cient. The subjects with has also been shown to MS had an average level of have a role in preventing 38.6nmol/l, compared rheumatoid arthritis, with the control subjects’ Crohn’s disease, type I level of 36.4nmol/l. and type II diabetes, cerIn other words, all were tain cancers, high blood insufficient. pressure, cardiovascular But significantly more of disease — and now, perthe subjects with MS had haps MS. deficient levels. TwenIt is Ireland’s distance ty-eight percent of them from the equator that were deficient, compared deprives us of sun. Peowith 19.2% of control subple living far north (and jects, and that deficiency south) of the equator was most pronounced in may not be sufficiently D DAY: Dr Daniel McCartney says Donegal. exposed to the sun to “This shows that vitamin vitamin food-fortification may resolve make an adequate D deficiency is probably the problem. Picture: Nick Bradshaw amount of vitamin D for very common in Ireland in the winter. winter and early spring,” Scientists believe this may explain why MS is says Dr Róisín Lonergan, one of those who rare in Malaysia, but much more common in conducted the study. “This may contribute to countries such as Scotland and Ireland. the risk of developing MS in genetically susThere are 10,000 people with MS in Scotceptible individuals. Ongoing trials are examland, out of a population of 5.2m. In Ireland, ining whether or not high-dose vitamin supthere are an estimated 8,000 sufferers out of a plementation can influence the course of MS.” population of 4.5m, which occurs when the While Dr Lonergan awaits the results of furbody’s immune system attacks and strips away ther trials, others have a different view. Dr the insulating myelin layer that surrounds nerve Mary Flynn, of the FSAI, recommends that fibres. people take vitamin D supplements. According to Dr Mary Flynn, chief specialist “Studies have linked vitamin D levels as a in public health nutrition at the Food Safety protective factor against MS, but it’s not Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and chair of a rewell-established and the precise nature is not port, Recommendations for National Policy on Viclearly evident,” she says. “What is well-estabtamin D Supplementation for Infants in Ireland, lished is that vitamin D protects us from other the majority of Irish people are lacking in vita- conditions. Dietitians in maternity hospitals in min D. Dublin have noticed an increase in infants pre“There simply isn’t enough sunshine to prosenting with rickets, particularly in the childuce adequate amounts of vitamin D here dren of parents with dark skin. Darker-skinned from October to March,” she says. “And when people need even more sunshine to produce there is enough in summer, many people wear adequate vitamin D. Our sun doesn’t give us

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Poor vitamin D status is implicated in osteoporosis, auto immune diseases such as MS, many cancers and cardiovascular disease. The Irish population has demonstrably low levels of this vitamin, especially in late wintertime — Dr Daniel McCartney

Picture: Thinkstock

enough. Our diet doesn’t give us enough. Taking a vitamin D supplement would be a good idea.” Dr Flynn would support food fortification, were it to follow the Canadian model. “Their government adds vitamin D to all liquid-milk products and milk is then marketed as a healthy food,” she says. “Here, in Europe, fortification is voluntary and it means that multiple foods can have added vitamin D. This makes things tricky and it can be hit-and-miss. With such a system, some people can have too much, while others can have too little. Food fortification is too complicated in such a system, so it’s best to take a supplement.” Dr Daniel McCartney, PRO for the Irish Nutrition and Dietetics Institute and lecturer in human nutrition and dietetics at the Dublin Institute of Technology, agrees with Dr Flynn about the importance of vitamin D.

“Vitamin D has profound importance for public health in Ireland,” he says. “It’s becoming increasingly clear that poor vitamin D status is implicated in osteoporosis, auto-immune diseases such as MS, many cancers and cardiovascular disease. The Irish population has demonstrably low levels of this vitamin, especially in late winter time. Ireland has a marked preponderance of all of the disorders listed above, many cases of which may be attributable to low vitamin D. While there are other diet and lifestyle factors in Ireland (such as our high alcohol intake) which contribute to our high levels of these chronic diseases, it is probable that improving the vitamin D status of the population would yield significant benefits in this regard.” Dr McCartney supports the idea of food fortification. “It would improve the intake among the full population, including those in the low-

er socio-economic groups, who have typically lower levels of vitamin D than their more affluent peers and who also have a greater prevalence of these disorders,” he says. “The alternative approach of a public-awareness campaign is unlikely to yield significant benefit for the full population, as those who are likely to heed the advice are the most socially advantaged groups, who possibly have less to gain due to their better dietary intakes and lower overall chronic disease risk.” Dr McCartney can see no potential danger in fortification. “While there are several documented instances of vitamin D toxicity resulting from too much vitamin D intake, in virtually all of these cases the toxicity resulted from enormous amounts being inadvertently added to a fortified food product,” he says. “The FSAI recommends that everyone under 50 should take a daily vitamin D supple-

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2012

ment of 5mg per day and those over 50 should take 10mg. However, there is no evidence that consistent vitamin D intakes of up to 25mg per day pose any health risk to adults.” While the scientists debate the results of the research, MS Ireland advises people to intake their recommended daily allowance of vitamin D and to keep an eye on research. “There is mounting evidence that vitamin D has a role to play in MS, although it is not fully understood yet,” says Taragh Donoghoe, of MS Ireland. “All we can say, for now, is that people with MS should adopt a healthy diet full of all of the recommended vitamins, including vitamin D.” ● If you are worried about your vitamin D levels, your GP can check them with a simple blood test.

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The typical Irish diet provides approximately 2.5mg of vitamin D every day. However, this falls far short of the 5mg that is recommended for 0 to 50 year-olds and the 10mg for those aged over 50. To increase vitamin D in your diet, you should eat more oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and herring; eggs, particularly egg yolks; liver and kidneys; cod liver oil; and fortified foods such as milk and cereal. A 200g serving of mackerel contains approximately 18mg of the vitamin; 200g of salmon contains 16mg; one egg 0.9mg; and 100g of liver 0.9mg.

Casting light on a solution

NE of the founders of the campaign to have vitamin D added to food in Scotland is 16-year-old Ryan McLaughlin from Glasgow. He first became aware of the protective role the vitamin can play in multiple sclerosis when his mother Kirsten, pictured here with him, developed the condition when he was 13. As her condition worsened, he decided to do something to help. He set up the Shine on Scotland campaign which works to raise awareness and puts pressure on the Scottish government to provide free vitamin D to schoolchildren and pregnant women. It’s had significant success to date. Ryan and his father Alan led a march on the Scottish parliament in Edinburgh. They organised an international summit in Glasgow to debate the importance of vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of MS. As a result, the Scottish government has launched a public awareness programme providing support to at-risk groups and producing leaflets in GPs’ surgeries across the country informing the public about the risks associated with vitamin D deficiency. The government also provides free vitamin D to schoolchildren and pregnant mothers who receive benefits. And Kellog’s has recently started adding vitamin D to their cereals. There’s a lot done but more to do, according to Ryan. “My mum already has MS and it’s too late for her,” he says. “It’s not mum I can save anymore. It’s about doing what is right for future generations.”

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There are several options for those who decide to supplement their intake of vitamin D. However, many contain other vitamin supplements. This can pose a problem, particularly in the case of expectant mothers and breastfeeding infants who may be in need of vitamin D but not other nutrients. A new product line called DLux delivers a range of vitamin D doses in an oral spray form. It contains no other nutrients and may be a good option. While we should all be taking the minimum daily allowance of vitamin D recommended by the FSAI, those wishing to take a higher dose should consult with their doctor first.

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Boosting our immune system

Vitamin D deficiency caused by a lack of sunshine during winter may lead to MS and other serious illnesses, says Sharon Ni Chonchuir

Delivering healthy benefits M

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Picture: Thinkstock

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2012

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Casting light on a solution

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10 Medical matters

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MY teenage daughter has been dieting for a month. Initially, she cut out all sweets and biscuits but now skips breakfast, as well. I’ve pointed out the need for a healthy start to the day to no avail. . I’m worried she may develop anorexia.

Dr Julius Parker is a GP with HSF Health Plan’s free 24 GP advice line. For more information visit www.hsf.ie or lo-call 1890 451 451

If you have a question about your health email it to feelgood@examiner.ie or send a letter to: Feelgood Irish Examiner City Quarter Lapps Quay Cork

A. Your daughter’s approach raises concerns and it’s important you notice and influence what’s happening. The next step is what to do. You don’t say how old she is, but teenage girls can’t avoid the pressure of people’s expectations. This may include her friends, peers, maybe a boyfriend, and what she reads and sees on TV, in magazines, and on the internet. Even the most confident and happy teenager can be affected. Is she overweight? Younger teenagers usually don’t need to lose weight; just slow their weight gain to match their expected growth. If you don’t want to overemphasise the issue by seeing your GP, there are reliable online growth charts that will estimate your daughter’s ideal weight range, based on her age and height. Next, think about your family’s approach to eating? Although everyone deserves a treat, cutting out sweets and biscuits can be fine. Involve your daughter in thinking about a healthy eating plan for the family. It’s important for teenagers to influence what happens within their family. Secondly, does she, and do other family members, exercise? This is as important as what we choose to eat and creates good habits for a healthy lifestyle in the future. As a parent, you can’t win a battle over when, and what, your teenager eats. Instead, and this is a difficult balance to get right, you need to persuade your daughter that what’s important to her is important to you. If her weight has become an issue, you need to talk about it together. If your daughter continues to ignore you and becomes either more withdrawn or perhaps secretive about her eating, then, although she won’t want to, she will need to see your GP. Q. I’ve started the menopause and feel tired most of the time. Though I don’t have any hot flushes, I often feel hot and uncomfortable. I’ve also little interest in sex, which is difficult for my husband. Should I consider HRT?

NEWS UPDATE

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The Health Service Executive has warned that the spread of influenza around the country is likely to continue until the beginning of April. The HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre is urging people in high-risk groups to get vaccinated as the number of reported cases of influenza-like illness has doubled in the past week. While the number of cases is low compared to the last two seasons, three people have been hospitalised in the past week and there was an outbreak of influenza A in a residential unit. There have been three deaths this winter, all in patients aged 65 years or older. The HSE has urged people in at-risk groups to get vaccinated if they have not had the vaccine in recent months. “Flu is different from the common cold,” says Dr Joan O’Donnell, a specialist in public health medicine. “Flu usually develops quickly over a matter of hours and symptoms include a high temperature, sore muscles, dry cough, headache and sore throat. “The common cold tends to come on gradually and symptoms usually include a runny nose and a normal tempera-

A. The short answer is yes; you should consider hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as it is effective at treating many menopausal symptoms. As you say, there can be both physical and psychological symptoms, which may be quite distressing. It’s well worth discussing this option with your GP or gynaecologist. The decision involves balancing definite benefits with the known small risks associated with taking HRT. Other medical factors will also be important, for example, your age, your weight and whether you smoke, and personal or family history, such as of blood pressure, blood clots, or certain cancers. These all contribute to the equation, and so it is a complex decision and very much an individual choice for each woman. Your GP will also want to consider other possible causes for your symptoms, and, for example, check your thyroid function.

BE VIGILANT: The HSE predicts the spread of flu will continue here until end of April. Picture: iStock ture. Anyone in the at-risk categories who develops influenza symptoms should contact their GP.” The HSE is urging people in high-risk groups to get vaccinated, especially pregnant women, those with a low immune system and people aged over 65. The vaccine is free from GPs to those most at risk, and from pharmacies for those over 65. People who were vaccinated last year still require a flu jab this year, as immunity from the vaccine lasts only 12 months and wanes over time.

Many women experience two to three years of menopausal symptoms, a time known as the peri-menopause, during which your periods will become less regular and finally stop. The average age for this is 52. These symptoms tend to settle on their own within two to five years. All HRT preparations contain oestrogen, which replaces the hormone naturally produced by your ovaries. There are a number of different preparations. Most women notice an improvement in their symptoms after three months of treatments and side-effects are infrequent. In the past, HRT was recommended for many years. It was thought this could help protect women against the risk of osteoporosis, heart disease and stroke, which increase after the menopause. Now, because of the recognised risks of disease associated with HRT, it is usually recommended for one to three years only to tide people over the worst of their menopausal symptoms.

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

Catherine Shanahan MUM’S WORLD Feelgood

pologies in my house are easy enough to come by. My son was quick to twig that a heartfelt display of remorse could head me off at the pass, dousing the fire in my ire. His enthusiastic confessions sometimes work to his detriment. I would never have guessed that my only gardening success, a row of giant purple allium at the end of our back garden, had been deliberately and systematically beheaded by a rogue tennis racket on a day a howling wind could just as easily have done it. He was practising his swing he said, and the first decapitation was an accident. After that, he just couldn’t resist: the allium were asking for it. He was so very sorry for his actions that he squeezed a few tears to prove it. It’s hard to vent in the face of such earnest regret. His dad is a masterful penitent, if only I thought he meant it. He’s had years of practice perfecting the hang-dog look. Like most men, he’ll say anything to end the carping. I am sceptical. A display of contrition to dodge the consequences is not the same as truly regretting your actions. The daughter, a footstomper, doesn’t do sorry. Threats of the bold step don’t phase her. She flashes a look that says “Bring it on. I can take it.” Rolling over is not in

her nature. My son takes the gong for remorse. Last week, he gave a masterclass to a child who arrived at our house for a play date. The same child kicked him in the gonads. Through snots and tears, my son demanded an apology. When it was not forthcoming, and amid growing hysteria, I decided it was time to intervene. I asked the visitor to apologise. “I only say sorry to my brothers,” he said by way of explaining his silence. I advised him he was jeopardising future play dates. My son, not wanting to lose a friend, decided a demonstration might help. Before I copped what he had in mind, he ran at his sister and kicked her, without hesitation, in the rear. I sat dumbstruck, in horror. The sister lost it. “I’m sorry,” said my son. “It’s not that I wanted to hurt her. I just wanted my friend to see that saying sorry is easy.” I now need to teach him that acknowledging his wrong doings does not mean carte blanche to behave like a criminal. Otherwise, he could find himself in court at a later date where apologies carry little weight after the fact of the crime. Saying sorry won’t cut it with a judge unconvinced by a show of remorse that looks like it’s been played out a hundred thousand times.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2012

His Dad is a masterful penitent, if only I thought he meant it. He’s had years of practice, perfecting the hang-dog look. Like most men, he’ll say anything to end the carping

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Shep was a beloved member of my family, a loyal watchdog, but we are all our own best friends

Beyond puppy love Tony Humphreys

GOT married in April, 1982 during the last recession in Ireland — which was not nearly as catastrophic as the present one. I was a senior clinical psychologist with the Midwestern Health Board and based in Our Lady’s psychiatric hospital, Ennis, Co Clare. I had established community psychology clinics throughout the county for individuals, couples and children who were experiencing problems in living. My wife, Helen, was working in Cork and we had rented a house in Ballyvaughan, Co Clare, and on weekends she would commute to Ennis or to Cork. We bought an old farm house in East Cork but continued the commuting for eight years, until I returned to Cork in 1990 to establish a private practice and run courses at University College Cork. Not surprisingly, during those eight years, Helen was lonely and anxious living on her own four nights a week in remote East Cork. I spotted an advert on The Clare Champion offering a border collie pup for sale. The following Friday evening, I went into the wilds of Clare to choose a puppy and surprise Helen when I returned to Cork later that evening. I chose a black-and-white male pup and he had the plump softness of a pound of butter, when I picked him up and carried him to my car. I placed him on the front seat next to me, but he was feeling insecure, and he quickly drifted onto my lap and secured himself there for the journey, which was two and a half hours long. Unfortunately, on my way through Knocklong, Co Tipperary, I was stopped by a local garda. This was a time when wearing a seat belt was not mandatory, but highly recommended. After the garda checked the tax and insurance discs, he came to my side of the car and when I rolled down the window he commented that I was not wearing a seat belt. He had not seen the pup, but when I pointed to it sleeping on my lap, the garda’s stern facial expression dissolved into softness, and, with an attempt to show firmness, he gruffly said: “Go on so and drive carefully”. How is it that pups and kittens and most young animals touch our hearts so much? The saying, “A dog is a man’s best friend” captures that tender responsiveness, but there is a poignancy in that saying, because one would hope a person’s best friends are himself and a fellow human being. Do not take me up wrongly here, I dearly loved my dog — we called him Shep. I have learned that my best friend is myself and my second best friend has been Helen, and, thankfully, I have established several other good friendships. More than anything else, friendship is what maintains a marriage and a relationship, and when it is absent it is usually due to the absence of an inner connection with self. Back to Shep. Helen was besotted with him and he became her watchdog when I was away, but, intelligently, ceded the role to me when I returned home at weekends. Curiously, too, when I would take Shep with me on trips in the car — and he grew to be a big dog — invariably he would find a way to put his head on my lap. It seems he never forgot the security he had found there during those

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How is it that pups and kittens and most young animals touch our hearts so much? The saying, “A dog is a man’s best friend” certainly captures that tender responsiveness first hours of separation from his mother and fellows pups. On a number of occasions, I brought Shep into the psychiatric hospital — mind you, not for treatment but as a treat for those individuals who were long-term residents of the hospital. The effect the dog’s presence had was mesmerising — grim faces transformed into grins, smiles and laughter. Somehow, Shep’s presence was no threat for them and they wallowed in his unconditional acceptance of them. For weeks after, these long-term residents would continually ask about Shep and look forward to his next visit. I attempted to persuade the hospital administrators to get dogs for the hospital, but, sadly, to no avail. The therapeutic effects that a friendly dog can have are well-documented. People who are isolated and lonely can benefit radically from owning a dog. Individuals who have had heart attacks and heart operations are often advised to get a dog to lift their spirits, and build their fitness with daily walks with the dog. Shep lived 12 years but he also sired nine pups with his partner, Jessie, a beautiful rough collie. We kept one of the pups — the runt of the litter — who also turned out to have a sweet nature. Twenty six years after my visit to the farm in Clare, that pup, called Missy, died at the ripe old age of 16 years. We have not yet replaced their presence, but we are sorely tempted. Dr Tony Humphreys is a consultant clinical psychologist, author, national and international speaker.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2012

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Target more females in Munster and Cork than any other daily newspaper. To reach them, advertise in ‘Feelgood’.

Call Lori Fraser Tel: 021 4802265 lori.fraser@examiner.ie lori.fraser@exam

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Healthy food

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Reducing our

daily levels of Roz Crowley

sugar intake is not just about

NE of the most highly processed foods, sugar delivers no nutritional value and ongoing research seems to indicate that it can be addictive, just like the sweeteners which replace it. Our previous food surveys have shown there is sugar hidden in many products from savoury pizzas and lasagnes to ham, sausages, baked beans, readymade sauces and salad dressings. If we are serious about weight control we need to look at not just the sugar we put in tea and coffee and the obvious sources in cakes and biscuits, but to a wider range of food products. There are plenty of other reasons to give up sugar. Without it we could avoid the aggravation of conditions such as candida which thrive on sugar. In 1966 Dr Otto Warburg addressed fellow Nobel laureates at a conference in Germany making a link between sugar and cancerous cells which feed off it. He won his Nobel prize for his research on disease and body cells. “We don’t fully understand the mechanics of addiction in the body and how the brain gets conditioned to deal with certain impulses,” says consultant dietician Paula Mee. “However what we do know is that sugar and its substitutes interfere with feedback through the brain chemical neurostransmitters and this can possibly lead to addiction. The more we eat of an addictive substance, the more we want”. Mee believes that because so many savoury convenience foods have ‘hidden’ sugar, children are becoming conditioned to wanting more and more sweet foods, not just in desserts and treats. She warns against sugar substitutes too. “Sweeteners may help diabetics, but their potential to generate food cravings is there. While research is ongoing my mantra is ‘reduce, restrict and keep as far away from sweet foods as possible’. Fruit in moderation is good and contains the natural sugar fructose, but fructose isolated in convenience foods doesn’t have the buffer of the fibre to help us digest it. There is also plenty of natural sugar in vegetables to keep us going.” Epidemiological studies in the US have found that cutting down fats and replacing them with refined sugar led to an even greater incidence of obesity. There is also evidence that during digestion sugar uses up vitamins B and C and some minerals, reducing their benefits in our diet. But how easy is it to give up the habit of a lifetime? Some may be able to cut it down, but for those with any possible addiction, it may be better to cut it out completely. Sugar may take time to get out of your system completely, so be strong. If you get headaches in the process it may be that you have been eating a lot of it. The trick is to replace it with foods which yield a

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losing weight it’s also about improving our overall health

BIG BITE: Fast food such as sausages and bread rolls all have hidden sugar levels.

Not so sweet Picture: iStock

good bite and are tasty and well balanced. We need meals which are satisfying and deliver plenty of different sensations without a sugar hit. We don’t need to eat between meals — one of the danger times for those trying to give up. Join me in cutting out sugar for Lent at least. I hope these tips will help.

1. Watch for ingredients with ‘ose’ at the end of the word. Fructose sounds as though it comes straight from fruit, but is often added to foods in its processed form which turns into fat in the liver. Lactose, dextrose, glucose, maltose, sucrose (table sugar) are worth avoiding and are usually found in processed food. Enjoy them in their natural form such as lactose in milk, but avoid them as additives in processed food. Honey has a lot of sweetness, with some natural health benefits, but be careful with quantities. If going ‘cold turkey’ avoid it for a few weeks. 2. Fizzy drinks are loaded with sugar and their substitutes which may not be calorific but still create sweetness dependency and cravings. Look for the lowest sugar content in alcohol. Dry red wine is best and dry white wine is good, stretched with sparkling water to make it last. Gin and sugar-free tonic is low in sugar too. 3. Unrefined brown sugar sounds

CHECK IN: Adding sugar to your cuppa makes it a less healthy choice than herbal tea. Picture: iStock

better than refined white, but there is little difference. If you find it difficult to drink coffee without sugar give up coffee. Drink instead whatever beverages you can without sugar. Some herbal teas taste sweet enough and have the added benefit of not tempting us to have biscuits with them. Caffeine stimulates the production of insulin which author and researcher Zoe Harcombe calls the fattening hormone. This perpetuates the cycle of sweet cravings, so giving up coffee may be worthwhile for a few weeks.

4. Watch for products with ‘hidden’ sugar. The sugar content in ketchup, salad dressings, mayonnaise, pizzas, lasagne, sausages, readymade sauces, pies, tarts, soups, canned vegetables and salty snacks may surprise you. More obvious are breakfast cereals, icecream, chutney, jams and marmalades. Replace them with simple home-made meals of protein-rich meat, fish, cheese and plenty of vegetables. Boil a joint of ham instead of buying sliced meats which need sweet preservatives for shelf life or flavour. When we are satisfied, cravings are less likely. Porridge or a boiled egg are the obvious choice for breakfast. Simply butter bread/toast without sweet toppings and use sugar-free peanut, almond or mixed seeds butters.

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5. The healthiest, almost sugar-free, treat is good quality chocolate of at least 70% cocoa solids. A few squares are far better than a sugar and fat laden biscuit or dessert. 6. Replace flavoured yoghurts with plain yoghurt and add fruit yourself.

7. Go for fruit with the least quantity of natural sugar such as apples, pears, oranges, grapefruit, peaches and berries and cut back on bananas, pineapple, dates and mango which are high in sugars. Watch dried fruit too which contains a lot of concentrated sugar. 8. The best snack foods are oat biscuits. Many of them are completely sugar free and delicious with a topping of cheese or tomato. Watch for sugar-free bread or make your own with wholewheat flour. 9. It’s also worth looking at how we could be intolerant of sugar. It’s fashionable to be intolerant of wheat products, but worth seeing how a sugar free diet could affect wellbeing. 10. If we avoid convenience foods and cook our own from scratch we have a much better chance of avoiding sugar and its substitutes. Check all labels carefully as most quick-fix foods contain sugar.

HIDDEN WITHIN: We forget that savoury fast foods like pizza are loaded with sugar. Picture: iStock

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Male Male health health 13

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I look forward to each day F RANK COX is one of the lucky ones — he has survived lung cancer, which has one of the lowest survival rates of any type of cancer, and today acts as a peer support volunteer with the Irish Cancer Society. “I was diagnosed very early and I go back now for six-monthly check-ups,” says Frank, 70, who worked as a postman in Dublin. Numerous chest infections in 2006 and 2007 led to a chest X-ray but nothing alarming showed up in the initial results. Then, in July 2007, he was caught short of breath while playing golf in Wexford with his brothers-in-law. A second chest X-ray revealed a shadow on his lung and a CT scan and bronchoscopy confirmed lung cancer. “I got an awful shock,” says Frank, adding that his father died from lung cancer at the age of 66 — the same age he was at diagnosis. “I had smoked since I was a teenager — probably smoked 20-25 a day. I was off the cigarettes then 16 years — if I had been still smoking I wouldn’t have had the surgery.” Frank’s initial instinct was to speak to someone else who had been in his shoes. “I was able to talk to a friend of my wife’s who had come through lung cancer — that gave me the confidence to do the same. That’s why I feel that, if I talk about it, it may help

STAYING POSITIVE: Lung cancer survivor Frank Cox shares his experiences as a support volunteer with the Irish Cancer Society.

Deirdre O'Flynn

MOSTLY MEN

someone else.” As a peer support volunteer, he provides practical information, emotional support and shares his experience with newly diagnosed patients. Frank had part of his lung removed and chemotherapy. “I feel grand now — I couldn’t run very far now, but I couldn’t beforehand either,” he says, adding that his wife, Helen, and his daughters and son were a huge support. Today, he concentrates on the positive. “When I wake up, it’s great to be able to get up and look forward to things — minor trivial things don’t bother me now, though I’m a fairly positive guy anyway.” Kimmage-based Frank’s advice to others is to consult their GP if they feel shortness of breath or suffer repeated chest infections. “Early diagnosis was key for me,” he says. On Friday and Saturday, Mar 2-3, the Irish Cancer Society will hold its annual National

Picture: Maura Hickey

Conference for Cancer Survivorship at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. The free conference is an opportunity for cancer survivors and their families to share information and support on all aspects of a cancer diagnosis. The programme includes practical information on treatment, fatigue, exercise and diet, and the emotional and psychological ef-

Help at hand dealing with migraine in youths

Interactive support to help quit smoking

If you or your son is prone to migraine, check out the National Migraine Youth Information Day in Cork tomorrow, February 25. Hosted by the Migraine Association of Ireland (MAI), this event is open to children and teenagers under 18 — their parents and guardians, teachers and health professionals. Migraine in young people can impact on school, family and social life. Although there is no cure, it can be managed. However, diagnosing migraine

If you have slipped back into smoking since your New Year quit attempts, you can still avail of Pfizer’s ‘Quit with Help’ programme on www.quitwithhelp.ie. It offers new tailored guidance and interactive support for smokers through every step of their attempt to stop smoking. Research shows that smokers who talk to a healthcare professional, to get the right treatment and support, are four times more likely to succeed in stopping smoking than if they do it alone. However,

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in children can be difficult. “Children can present with a group of symptoms that do not include headache at all but range from stomach ache to dizziness to nausea and vomiting,” says MAI information officer Donna Ryan. The Migraine Youth Information Day takes place at the Brookfield Health Science Complex, UCC, from 11am to 3.30pm. There is no charge but places are limited and must be booked in advance. Call 1850200378 or email info@migraine.ie.

BERRY NICE: Sambucol, €9.99 for 120ml is a tasty black elderberry tonic which was developed by virologist Dr Madeleine Mumcuoglu to help boost the immune system and fight off infection. It comes in an adult and a children’s formula. The newest product in the range, Sambucol Black Elderberry effervescent, €9.99 (15 tablets) includes Vitamin C and Zinc to boost its antioxidant and immune strengthening power. These berry flavoured tablets have no artificial colours and are sugar free and suitable for children aged 4+. The Sambucol range is available from pharmacies and health stores; www.sambucol.com

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most Irish smokers try to quit using willpower alone. www.quitwithhelp.ie offers advice and tools on how best to stop smoking. It includes a individualised quit plan, savings calculator, games and ‘Quit TV’ where smokers can watch real-life success stories. There is also a commitment pledge, which users can opt to share across Facebook and via email to help build up an extended network of support amongst family and friends.

fects of cancer. Speakers include psychologist, writer and broadcaster Dr Maureen Gaffney and Irish entrepreneur Padraig O’Ceidigh. ● For more information, go to www.cancer.ie/nccs or call the Irish Cancer Society on 01-2310500.

DId you know...

Men with reduced fertility may have a reduced risk for prostate cancer (Source: Lund University, Sweden)

Coughs and colds

HEALING HONEY: Formulated with 100% natural ingredients, new MGO 250+ Kids Syrup is designed to support the immune system and soothe troublesome coughs, sore throats and congestion. The antibacterial properties of Manuka honey are combined with peppermint, thyme and aniseed, which work together to combat cold and flu symptoms. This formula contains no propolis or alcohol and has a sweet liquorice flavour. Suitable for children 12 months and over, it costs €10.99 from health stores; www.naturalife.ie.

COUGH TINCTURE: For chesty coughs A.Vogel recommend Ivy Thyme Complex; €10.50. One of Alfred Vogel’s original remedies, this tincture contains ivy to relax the bronchial tubes preventing hacking and thyme to loosen mucus. Another A.Vogel remedy, which works best for dry, tickly coughs is Bronchosan Pine Cough Syrup. It is made from fresh pine shoot extracts which are antibacterial, helping to ease hoarseness. The syrup has pear and honey taste and is suitable for adults and children over 12. It costs €9, from health stores and selected pharmacies; www.avogel.ie

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2012

HOMEOPATHIC REMEDY: Nelson’s Sootha brings gentle relief to children’s coughs. It contains a 6c homeopathic potency of bryonia in a honey and zesty lemon base and is non drowsy and suitable for babies 12 months upwards. Bryonia, more commonly known as bryon is a yellow flowering climbing plant, which has been used medicinally in the treatment of coughs since Ancient Greek and Roman times. Nelsons Sootha is free from artificial colours and flavours and is €7.25 from pharmacies and health stores; www.nelsonsnaturalworld.com.

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Beauty

Emily O’Sullivan

Embrace your frizzy locks with the latest products — your hair and purse will thank you for it

HATE the blow-dry. It doesn’t suit my hair and it doesn’t suit my face. It’s time-consuming, too. And with the little spare time I have, I don’t really want to spend it with tongs, or straighteners or a hair-dryer. My hair doesn’t conform to this aesthetic anyway, and I’m too lazy to keep trying to make it something that it’s not. Thankfully, there’s been a slightly different mood at work over the last few years. It’s a mood that I credit to the hair maverick and creative director of American Vogue, Grace Coddington, who blazed her way through the 2009 documentary The September Issue with a shock of red, exceptionally frizzy hair. She looked, and still looks, remarkable. Despite being surrounded by fashion industry artifice on a grand scale, Coddington has resisted being swallowed by the glossy hair contingent. It’s a lesson for us all. In an era where the hair and beauty industry insist on trying to squeeze women into the narrowest of definitions about what is beautiful, there’s something incredibly liberating about finding your own natural style and sticking to it. Just like Coddington. Coming to terms with your own ball of frizz is not as difficult as it might seem. In fact, frizz is becoming kind of cool. It’s all about going for a more natural look, a look that’s miles away from the perma-tanned, acrylic-nailed, Botox-ed look of Katie Price. Instead, it’s about taking what nature has given you, and running with it. The key of course is to keep away from heated styling tools, and that means hairdryers, too. The other trick is to lay off hardcore frizz-battling products, of which there are many around. A lot of the time, these will add weight to your hair instead of making the most of the waves and curls.

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The news on...

Mind those curls

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ORIGINS LIPS You’d need to love your lips to justify splashing out €17 on them, but if you do have the cash to spare, then this is a lovely luxury little treat. Unlike other lip balms that tend to be greasy, this one sinks into the lips and makes a great base for lipstick, especially if you find lipstick dehydrating. It’s packed with camphor, thyme, oil of wintergreen, shea butter and olive oil. Lovely.

Take three... GLORIOUSLY SMELLY BATH TREATS February can be a miserable month. We’re all fed up of winter at this stage. But truth be told, a good way of making yourself feel better is with a beautifully indulgent bath treat, with the kind of luxurious scents that transport you to another world. Here are three of my favourite standbys.

TOTALLY UNLOCKED: It’s liberating to find your own style and your hair is one way of expressing it — taking what nature has given you and running with it. Picture: Thinkstock

If you are on the curly side of frizz, then you’re in luck… there are a lot of really great products that tame frizz down just the right amount, and inject a bit of energy and bounce into your curls. L’Oreal Professional’s Curl Contour range (shampoo, €12.05; Contour Masque, €16.80; and Enhancing Spray, €16.80) is one of the latest on the market and gives the kind of nourishment that curly hair craves. But don’t just be dazzled by the new, two of the best curly hair ranges are Aveda Be Curly and Bumble and Bumble Curl Conscious — both have been around for ages, proving their worth to curly-haired types everywhere. Going natural is the best part about embracing the frizz. It cuts down morning-styling time dramatically. But remember, there is a fine line between healthy frizz and frazzled. Keeping your hair in good condition is vitally important to stop it looking straw-like. A good option is a hair oil, one of the hair industry’s brightest and most brilliant inven-

tions. Refined, affordable and very effective, oils can be used on wet hair, on dry or as a deep conditioning treatment prior to washing your hair. They’re also great for using on the ends of the hair, where the frizz seems to run particularly riot. Of course, there’s a fine line between frizz and frazzle. To get on the right side of the curly look, make sure that your hair is very well conditioned. Frizzy hair is drier and more dehydrated than regular hair, so invest in a deep-conditioning treatment, or treat yourself to a luxury hair care range to give your weary locks a boost. Hair ranges such as Shu Uemura and Kerastase are expensive, but they work much better used over a few weeks as a break from your regular shampoo and conditioner. Because your hair is not used to them, they bring impressive benefits, like a two-week yoga retreat for your locks. Once they run out, you can go back to using your normal shampoo and plan in another hair holiday for later in the year. Yay.

to time, and a masque is the best way to give it a boost. Colouring hair can exacerbate frizziness, so you can aim to tame with a masque such as this one, which looks after colour and condition.

Shu Uemura Shusu shampoo, €16.10, conditioner, €21.50 and mask, €26.85. All three products combine to make this one of our top luxury haircare treats. This is just a great range — and while the whole Shu Uemura brand includes really excellent products, this is a standout collection, perfect for the frizzies, or indeed anyone with dehydrated and damaged locks. Brilliant.

Pure Fiji Exotic Bath and Body Oil Coconut Milk and Honey, €12.40. I love this one because it’s a bath and a body oil. So you can use it as a moisturiser, as well as a bath treat. It smells gorgeous — yes, you need to love coconut, but who doesn’t. There’s coconut, macadamia, sikeci and dilo nut oils in this one, for real indulgence. Laura Mercier Creme Brulée Honey Bath, €37. This has the kind of scent that would almost make you swoon. It’s absolutely divine – the most decadent and delightful bath product around. Instant transportation to a French patisserie. Lush Floating Island Bath Melt, €5.20. Lush’s bath treats are well priced and very enjoyable to use. This is halfway between a super-fizzy bath ballistic, and a moisturising bath melt. It lightly fizzes before turning your bath into a temple of gorgeous aromas including cocoa butter, almond oil and sandalwood. Divine.

STUFF WE LIKE Schwarzkopf BC Oil Miracle Finishing Treatment, €29.95. This can feel quite heavy on the hair. But if yours is feeling very dry and frizzy, then it really does fix it. You can go for a lighter formulation, also in this range, if it starts to weigh down the hair. Kiehls Sunflower Colour Preserving Deep Recovery Pak, €29.50. Frizzy hair needs some proper care from time

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Redken Time Reset Shampoo, €16.80, conditioner, €18.80 and revitalizer, €28.50. Another not-so lovely aspect of ageing is that your hair becomes even drier, and more frizzy. This product aims to revitalise your sorry barnet, with very nourishing lipids that restore the hair’s natural protection barrier. Used all together, you really do notice the results.

MOP Defining Cream, €15.34 at hqhair.com. Well, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. If your frizz is manageable as waves and curls, then make the most of them instead of trying to beat them into submission.

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This is a good bet for curly types and the company also offers a leave-in conditioner, if you need it. Kerastase Elixir Ultime, €34. A really lovely oil, this one of our top three hair products. It manages to give a bounce and shine to the hair, without weighting it down or making it look greasy. It defrizzes just the right amount, too — not so much that you feel like you’ve someone else’s hair, but enough to tone down the Leo Sayer factor.

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Natural health

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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

SOME weeks ago you answered a question from a parent concerned about her child’s asthma. It sounded exactly the same as the symptoms that bring on my five-year-old son’s asthma. My son was diagnosed last year after numerous chest infections, and put on the usual inhalers. He seems to get worse when the weather is colder and has particular problems when he is lying down. When the inhalers are not enough, he needs to go on a ventilator and steroids, which thankfully he escaped this winter as it’s been so mild. I would like to go down a more natural route. What do you advise? A. The remedy I suggested for the four-year-old girl you refer to was Oralmat, a natural rye-grass supplement which has been shown in clinical trials to reduce the incidence and severity of asthma attacks in people of all ages. Oralmat helps to regulate the immune system in response to allergens, irritants, viruses, and bacteria — which is why it has fared so well in treating asthma, along with a number of other respiratory and inflammatory conditions such as hay fever, allergies, colds, flu, sore throats, rhinitis and sinusitis. Since rye grass contains tryptophan, zinc, and magnesium, it also helps to relax frazzled nerves and muscles, encouraging a calmer state of mind. This product is available as drops, which are to be taken under the tongue, bypassing digestive acids to ensure the potent healing properties of rye grass remain intact. Your child should take one drop last thing at night before going to bed. Oralmat drops cost around €25.80 from health stores or www.oralmat.co.uk. The Buteyko technique is worth investigating. In 1995, the Mater Hospital in Brisbane, Australia, conducted studies which found that asthmatics who used the Buteyko technique reduced the need for reliever medication by 90%, the need for preventer medication reduced by 49% and symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and breathlessness reduced by 70% within three months. In 2003, the Gisborne Hospital in NZ carried out a similar study with almost identical findings. For more information, visit www.buteykoclinic.com online or check out books by Buteyko practitioner, Patrick McKeown (Asthma Free naturally, Close your mouth, ABC to be asthma free). Patrick McKeown was a chronic lifelong asthmatic until he discovered the work of Professor Buteyko. After making a recovery from his asthma, he later trained at the Buteyko Clinic of Moscow, being one of only a few people in the Western world to be directly accredited by the late Professor. You can contact Patrick on 1800-931935 or by emailing patrick@asthmacare.ie.

Picture: iStock

Psoriasis can be a condition that has people at their wit’s end and it is a godsend to find something that works Q. I would like to pass on some valuable information to you regarding psoriasis. My partner has been suffering with this condition since the early ’90s when he was in his mid-30s. He has tried all the usual treatments from steroid creams and light therapy. A few years ago we attended a psoriasis event in Cork where we were given a free sample of Emulsiderm, which an emollient. Used in your bath water or rubbed neat to an affected area a few minutes before showering, it is a miracle worker. I am not a rep for Emulsiderm, but as this product has made such a difference to my partner I wondered if you’ve heard of it. It has become less available of late, but some local pharmacies stock it. A. Feedback from Feelgood readers is always welcome, and I really appreciate people letting me know of products and practitioners that have made a real difference in their lives. Psoriasis can certainly be a condition that has people at their wits’ end, and as you and your partner will know — it is a godsend to find something that works. The emollient cream you mention, Emulsiderm, contains three active ingredients: liquid paraffin, isopropyl myristate and benzalkonium chloride. While these are not 100% natural and organic ingredients, it is good to see

a product that is formulated simply. In terms of chemicals, the first two ingredients are considered to be of low hazard, while benzalkonium chloride is moderate on the same scale rating. See www.cosmeticsdatabase.com for a useful guide when it comes to checking out the relative safety of ingredients in skincare. They use a rating system from 0-10, with 10 being the highest hazard rating. Remember, it is just a guideline based on the toxicity and reactivity of the individual ingredients and doesn’t take into account what percentage of each ingredient is in a specific formulation, or how the ingredients interact. It also doesn’t take into account other potential factors involved in skincare such as the ethical sourcing of ingredients or animal testing. Emulsiderm works by forming a waterproof skin barrier, enabling the skin to retain adequate hydration, and it also acts as a mild antiseptic to prevent bacterial infection. A simple blend using coconut, jojoba or camellia oil, combined with manuka essential oil and beeswax or shea butter would have a similar effect if your husband is keen to try something new and homemade. Recipes for making your own balms, creams, and emulsions can be found in numerous skincare recipe books, and of course on the internet.

■ NOTE: The information contained above is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor first.

Megan puts the spotlight on:

ANY people express concern about the oxalate content of greens in green smoothies, in particular the action of oxalates in blocking calcium uptake in the body. Oxalic acid/oxalates is certainly present in high amounts in greens — in fact it is present to some degree in almost all plant foods. Plants such as spinach, chard, silverbeet, beet greens, parsley, purslane, chives, cassava, amaranth, and rhubarb have significant oxalic acid content. Does this mean that eating greens is bad for your bone health? Not at all. While the oxalic acid present in plant foods will inhibit absorption of calcium, it does not block all of the calcium present in that food. Oxalates do bind to

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calcium and prevent the absorption, but this amount is very small, and the other abundant nutritional benefits of eating your leafy greens considerably outweigh the small decrease in calcium. It is incredibly easy to meet the recommended daily amount of calcium (450mg) through your diet, and if you eat plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, and seeds then you will likely exceed this considerably — people who eat wholefoods diets tend to get closer to 700mg-900mg daily calci-

Greens and oxalates um from their food. Anyone who is concerned about their calcium intake should consider adding sesame seeds and tahini (sesame paste) to their diet, since sesame seeds have an incredibly high calcium content — nearly 10 times that found in full fat milk. These tiny seeds also contain a host of other crucial minerals and nutrients for bone health, plus the

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calcium in sesame is readily bioavailable. Dietary choices that inhibit calcium absorption even more than the oxalates in leafy greens include meat, salt, alcohol, and processed foods — these should be excluded from your plate long before leafy greens get the boot, if you want to ensure you are getting the full spectrum of vitamins and minerals.

Oxalates are present in high amounts in greens — in fact in almost all plant foods

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HAIR LOSS?

NOT ANYMORE THANKS TO THE HAIR CLINIC

Prevention is better than cure

WHEN 34 year old Kenneth Fallon started losing his hair 4 years ago he went to see the HairClinic and was told about a revolutionary painfree laser treatment that prevents hairloss and helps to thicken existing thin hair. “The trichologist told me that it was important that I caught my hairloss early as when the hair is gone, it’s gone, and the laser can only work on thinning hair. I cannot grow hair on a bald head. I was also told that the condition I had, known as Androgenic Alopecia, was an inherited condition and

“The trichologist told me that it was important that I caught my hairloss early as when the hair is gone, it’s gone’’

as my dad was bald, as was my grandad, I knew I has to do something as I was heading the same way. “Unfortunately with my work and the birth of my daughter, I didn’t go ahead with treatment straight away as recommended and my hair just got worse and worse. I kept meaning to do something about it but I just kept putting it off which I know is the worst thing to do as I know once the hair root is dead, it’s too late. One evening, after we had been out with friends, a friend of mine posted the evening’s

pictures on Facebook and I couldn’t believe how bad my hair looked. I hated seeing myself like that and I knew I had to do something.The next day I made another appointment with the HairClinic which was the original Cork City clinic I had visited all those years ago and I was told that I has lost some hair around the crown so I would always be a little bit light in that area. But the great news was that the laser treatment would stop my hair from getting any worse and also thicken my thinning hair. 9 months on and there has been a huge improvement in my hair and I am delighted. I just wish I had done treatment earlier when I first noticed the thinning!

CALL NOW FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

Vivien’s Story WHEN 61-year-old Kerry grandmother-of-six Vivien O’Sullivan noticed that her hair was falling out more than normal she assumed that it was due to stress caused by a recent family bereavement. “I noticed it mainly when I washed it, the plughole in the shower used to clog up with hair,” said Vivien. “I started to really worry though when I woke up one morning and noticed several hairs on the pillow, I have always had really thick hair and my hair was definitely starting to thin out. “I was so worried about it that I went to see my GP,” says Vivien. “He said it could be a lack of iron in my diet so I started taking iron tablets. “Over the next six months I took lots of different supple-

ments, as well as iron tablets, but the thinning seemed to be getting worse.” Vivien went back to see her GP who this time advised her that she should seek advice from a hair loss specialist. Vivien visited several hair loss specialists and was advised by one clinic that her best option was a wig and by another that FUE transplant surgery was her best option. “I didn’t like the sound of either option to be honest,” says Vivien. “I was worried and unhappy with my hair loss but I didn’t feel as though it had deteriorated enough to wear a hairpiece! I basically just wanted to stop it from falling out and thicken it up.” Vivien considered the option of surgery but again decided

this was too radical and extreme. “The most important thing to me was to stop it from falling out and to hopefully thicken it up,” said Vivien. “I was told that surgery would replace the hairs that had been lost but would not stop any further hair loss, I was at a total loss as to know what to do. “Then one day my husband called to say he was reading an article in the newspaper about a laser that can help to stop hair loss and to thicken existing thin hair without the need for any surgery, I researched into it on the internet and I found that it was clinically proven to stop hair loss in 94% of patients after six months of treatment and was suitable for both men and women, it was also totally painfree with no side-effects. “I then found there was a clinic in Cork offering this treatment, so I contacted them and went for a free consultation, I discovered I was suf-

Before treatment

After 6 months las er treatment

fering from a condition called CTE (Chronic Telogen Effluvium). I was told this causes excessive thinning down the centre of the scalp and affects the hair’s growth cycles. It can also lead to androgenic alopecia, which can cause the hairs to get thinner and thinner until they stop growing altogether.” Vivien was informed that surgery was inappropriate as she was still losing hair, and was also unnecessary as she still had the majority of her hair which could be saved and thickened using a combination of laser treatment and medication. “I completed my course of treatment just over nine months ago and I can’t believe the difference in my hair. It has Vivien O’Sullivan. stopped falling out and it has thickened up massively. I am delighted. I would recommend anyone who is worried about thinning hair to do something about it before it’s too late!”

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2012