Rude Health News & Events

The latest news, research and events from the world of natural health

Have you been watching Grow Cook Eat?

For the last few weeks on RTÉ1 and available on the RTÉ player Grow Cook Eat hosted by Michael Kelly of GIY Ireland and Karen O’Donohoe has travelled to meet and visit expert food producers, chefs and innovative community food projects all across the country, plus giving delicious menu ideas from chef Katie Sanderson. From plot to plate to waste, Grow Cook Eat shows that simple, everyday food actions can make a powerful lifestyle change.

Grow It Yourself’s core message is that the best way to create a more sustainable relationship with food is to grow a small amount of your own. Each episode shares with viewers all of the knowledge required to grow a different vegetable and how to turn this into a delicious dish for all of the family. This series they include broad beans, oriental greens, cucumber, broccoli, chard, celeriac and strawberries.

Visit www.growcookeat.ie

I’ve recently gone vegan, can you help me with plant-based iron sources?

Naturopath Gemma Hurditch answers for CNM (College of Naturopathic Medicine)

Having low iron can affect energy levels, making us fatigued, reducing our immunity, fertility and concentration. Symptoms of low iron include tiredness, recurrent infections and ‘pica’ (a craving to eat strange things such as soil and ice). If you are having symptoms of low iron, or if you are thinking about supplementing, it is a good idea to have a blood test that checks your ferritin (stored iron) levels. This is considered the most sensitive test to detect iron deficiency. Levels on the low end of ‘normal’ are worth boosting as the ‘acceptable’ ferritin levels fall within a wide range.

Read the full story here...

Hay fever or COVID-19?

In summer 2020 when COVID 19 is still a presence in all our lives, many of us who suffer from hay fever and know others who do, may be concerned about how to spot the different symptoms. The most common symptoms of Coronavirus are a high temperature and / or a new continuous cough. Our knowledge of Coronavirus is still evolving, but it seems that sneezing is not a symptom and it's rare to have a runny or stuffy nose, both of which are common in hay fever. Other hay fever symptoms include sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy red watery eyes or an itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears.

Apply a natural oily cream to your nostrils to stop pollen entering the body – versions can be made from soy oil, beeswax, rosemary oil and include vitamins too.
Wear wraparound sunglasses when outdoors to help prevent pollen from getting in and irritating your eyes.
Dry your washing indoors to avoid pollen sticking to it.
If you have been outside for any time wash your hair and put your clothes in the wash.
Keep an eye on Met Éireann’s website which includes a daily pollen forecast.
Foods that can help hay fever symptoms include onions which contain a natural antihistamine and are anti-inflammatory, apples, broccoli, garlic and tomatoes.
Turmeric has anti-inflammatory qualities too and some experts believe that it can prevent the release of histamine in the body which can cause hay fever.

VITALITY 2020

Over the weekend of September 26-27 Ireland’s largest natural health and wellbeing show, Vitality, will take place in Dublin’s RDS, Dublin. Vitality will once again bring together all the very best in nutrition, lifestyle, fitness and sustainable living in an exciting and feel-good environment for all the family.

The show, which attracted more than 4,500 visitors during the two-day event in 2019, has plans underway to ensure a great show in 2020, despite the current worries around COVID-19.

Read the full story here...

It’s time to be SunSmart

We may be stuck at home for some time, but most of us will be hoping for a good summer so that we can be outside more. The Irish Cancer Society’s SunSmart code gives good advice for preventing sun damage even during an Irish summer.

1 Seek some shade
Good shade can give up to 75% protection from UV rays. Good shade needs to protect us from direct and indirect UV rays.

2 Slip on some clothes
Choose clothes that cover as much skin as possible. Linen, cotton and hemp let less UV rays through and dark clothes block more UV rays than light coloured clothes. Slap on a hat, but make sure it gives shade to the face, neck, head and ears.

3 Wear sunglasses
Your eyes can be damaged by UV rays too. Eye damage from UV rays can start at an early age; when choosing your sunglasses:

go for wrap-around ones,
make sure they give UV protection,
check tags to make sure they give enough protection,
look out for: European Standard EN1836 or British Standard BS 27241987.

4 Use sunscreen
When in Ireland wear sunscreen from April to September to reduce your risk of skin cancer. Use a ‘broad-spectrum’ sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB with a minimum SPF30. Apply to dry skin 20 minutes before going outside.

5 Know the UV index
When the UV Index is 3 or more you are at greater risk of skin damage that can lead to skin cancer. Get into the habit of checking the UV Index as a reminder of the need to be SunSmart every day from April to September.

May Events

College of Naturopathic Medicine - Online Open Days/Evenings

Homeopathy Online Open Evening Thursday 14th May 7pm-8pm
Online Open Evening Thursday 21st May 7pm-8pm

Find more natural health events here...

Read news stories from previous issues of Rude Health Magazine here