Rude Health News & Events

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

Shop local, buy Irish

Irish health food stores used the spring months to highlight the need for ‘shopping local and supporting Irish’. With the support of well-known Irish brands like HealthReach, Celtic Wind Crops and new Irish nutritional company Aspire2, retailers up and down the country utilised their shop windows to spread the message.

From small producers up to large manufacturers, Irish health retailers support over 300 companies. Some established companies like Atlantic Aromatics have been a core brand within the sector for decades. Recently new brands like Macánta and Aspire2 have formed partnerships with Health Stores Ireland to offer a wider range of highly specified food supplements that meet with specific criteria in relation to sustainability and quality.

Health food stores have long been supporters of their own local artisans and small producers. You will find a wide offering of local fare, from honey to speciality bakery and handmade crafts and natural soaps in your local store. Spring became a celebration of the importance that stores have in their communities as both buyers and suppliers. It was also a time to showcase indigenous Irish growers and manufacturers like Celtic Wind Crops who grow their own hemp in County Louth and manufacture a wide range of hemp products for sale via independent health food stores.

How to relieve hay fever naturally?

by Michelle Sanchez - Naturopath, Nutritionist and Medical Herbalist for CNM College of Naturopathic Medicine.

Hay fever is a common condition that occurs in spring and early summer due to the pollen from trees and certain grasses; and also in late summer and early autumn due to ragweed.

It is caused by an immune system reaction that is triggered when a person comes into contact with airborne particles such as pollen or dust mites. The immune system produces antibodies, which signal the release of histamine, a natural chemical produced by the body. Histamine causes sneezing, itchy eyes, nose and throat, watery eyes, congestion, sinus pressure and discharge from the nose.

Read the full story here...

What is the best exercise for perimenopause?

By Grainne O’Driscoll, Rude Health fitness expert

Well that depends on the woman. Perimenopause can last anything from two to 14 years, most commonly around four years, and while some women have hardly any symptoms of menopause, others may endure sleeplessness, joint pain, anxiety, pelvic floor pain, incontinence, weight gain and the list goes on, so much so that getting through a regular day requires monumental effort without adding exercise into the mix. However, along with the many physical benefits, exercise is known to help with our sleep as well as our mental health, so it is worth finding something that suits.

A brisk 30-minute walk five days a week, if possible early in the morning, provides us with daylight, which can help sleep as well as vitamin D production for our bone health. Walking can benefit our cardiovascular and mental health.

Weight bearing exercises and resistance or weight training help maintain muscle strength and bone density and protect us from osteoporosis. Studies have shown that developing lean muscle can help reduce hot flushes and night sweats.

Pilates can help us maintain and build muscle, improve posture and core strength as well as being beneficial for our pelvic floor muscles. Don’t be shy about asking your teacher about this. Yoga along with the physical benefits, can help women reduce stress and is therefore good for our bone health and sleep. Watch out for ‘yoga for menopause’ classes.

Sea swimming – the cold water can help boost our mood and immune system as well as reduce inflammation and you can enjoy the camaraderie with fellow dippers. If you can’t face the sea – a blast of the cold shower is good too.

Gráinne O’Driscoll runs Grá For Fitness offering public, private and corporate Pilates, yoga and fitness classes

Know the UV index

Even though Ireland does not have a reputation for lots of sunshine, 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.

Check out www.met.ie/uv-index

CNM Pioneers Online Natural Health Diploma Courses

Responding to the current worldwide health challenges, the College of Naturopathic Medicine is now offering online its internationally recognised diploma and short courses to overwhelming positive response from the public. CNM graduates and students know:

that a healthy and robust body can resist infections better and return to health faster
that a strong immune system is important
how to boost the immune system naturally

At CNM we believe that good health comes from education and practice. The CNM Diploma courses, based on time-proven natural medicine principles and cutting-edge scientific evidence, include, in addition to the informative lectures, many clinical practice sessions. Students apply their knowledge in real-world clinic scenarios throughout their studies. Combined with thorough business marketing training, this offers CNM graduates all of the skills, knowledge and tools required to start a thriving business upon graduation.

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August

World Breastfeeding week
August 1-7

Irish Seed Savers, Capparow, Scariff, Co Clare
Summer courses
www.irishseedsavers.ie

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