Rude Health News & Events

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

Health Stores Ireland launches new store finder and tour guide

Ireland has over 200 independent health foods stores that operate in almost every town centre and shopping mall in the country. Health Stores Ireland represents stores across the depth and breadth of the country, from large national chains in big city locations to owner run stores in small towns and villages.

HSI has produced a traditional touring map with recommendations for what to see and do near health store locations as well as eircodes to help you find stores while staycationing. Pick up your map from your local independent health food store.

Tea Day

RTÉ stars Dáithí Ó Sé and Sinead Kennedy are calling on the nation to host a Tea Day to mark Alzheimer’s Tea Day comeback year on Thursday 5 May. After two long years, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is inviting everyone to come together again for a cup of tea, a chat and maybe a treat or two to help raise funds for vital dementia supports and services.

Register on teaday.ie and you will receive an Organiser’s Toolkit which includes posters, collection boxes, raffle tickets and everything you need to make your Tea Day a success!

Spring is here!

Madelaine Winzer for College of Naturopathic Medicine (CNM)

During winter, we tend to eat more fats to store energy. According to the Principles of Oriental Medicine, spring is a great time to move stagnant energy in the liver for renewed vitality. Signs and symptoms of stagnant liver qi include frequent sighing, scratchy eyes, headaches, stiff shoulders, PMS, allergies, gout, blood pressure and feelings of frustration and lowered mood.

To cleanse the liver:

For one week avoid all animal fats, sugars, white flour, dairy and alcohol.

Read the full story here...

Help for joint pain

There remains no cure for joint pain, and everyone’s experience is unique. Working out which lifestyle changes will benefit each person is a complex puzzle.

Joint Pain Coach is a portal for people who need help with this issue. Members are given a series of proven changes over a 14-day challenge covering lifestyle, nutrition, movement patterns, mindset and complementary therapies within a private community.

The challenge also includes a 14-day supply of CBD patches which research has shown can help reduce inflammation and help manage pain. Launching this April, the first challenge costs £97, and includes a 330-page programme guide, daily journal, daily motivation videos and a private Facebook group moderated by the Joint Pain Coaches. www.jointpaincoach.com

Did you know?

A new website, Gluten Free Ireland, has been set up to support coeliacs in Ireland with information and advice. While coeliac awareness has improved greatly in Ireland, for newly diagnosed coeliacs eating out and buying suitable gluten-free products can still be a challenge.

Check out www.glutenfreeireland.com, www.facebook.com/glutenfreeireland, and www.twitter.com/GFIreland

What’s in season in May and June?

Asparagus, aubergines, butterhead lettuce, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, courgette, mushrooms, peppers, runner beans and tomatoes. Basil, mint, parsley, sage and thyme. Berries are coming into season with the first native being strawberries and rhubarb doing well too.

Menopause cooking lessons

Ballymaloe trained chef Fiona Staunton is running a six-week virtual cooking course aimed at alleviating the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause in women and improving their day-to-day lives through educated meal plans and nutritional recipes that the whole family will enjoy.

The 90-minute sessions will run every Wednesday evening from 27 April.

Each week will include an online cooking demonstration with a focus on one nutritional aspect with at least three dishes cooked in real time, plus new recipes and dietary suggestions aimed at alleviating the stresses of menopause.

You will receive a cookery book of over 75 recipes and weekly meal plans, recipes and shopping tips for six weeks. Prices from €279.

Choosing the best vitamin D

In 2021, the Oireachtas Committee on Health called for daily vitamin D supplementation of the entire population of Ireland. Their report stated that 50% of 18-39-year-olds, a third of 50-59-year-olds, and an alarming two-thirds of people over 80 are deficient in vitamin D. This nutrient is essential for maintaining normal immune health, normal teeth and bones, and normal muscle function.

Scientists from the University of Surrey have demonstrated the importance of choosing the right type of vitamin D.

According to a study published in Frontiers in Immunology, vitamin D2 does not have the same measurable effect on the immune system as vitamin D3. Their study clearly showed that vitamin D3 stimulated a signal pathway that is of key importance to the immune defense and its white blood cells, all of which are equipped with vitamin D receptors. The same effect was not observed with vitamin D2.

May events

Wellfest 7-8 May
IMMA, Kilmainham, Dublin
www.wellfest.ie

Cork Vegfest 7 May,
Cork City Hall
Vegan food, talks from leading experts on plant based diet and nutrition, session on raising vegan kids, climate emergency, sustainability and food demos.

Find more natural health events here...