Fresh Perceptions

31/01/2026

Are you trying to eat healthily? This report which found 85% of apples from 13 European countries were contaminated with cocktails of pesticides is concerning. Two thirds contained at least one PFAS pesticide (64%) and a third (34%) contained neurotoxic pesticides.

The researchers didn't sample in Ireland, but there's no reason to believe we're any different, particularly as many of our apples are imported. Apples are very good for you - good for the liver and for the immune system. Best however, to try for organic if you can!

https://www.pan-europe.info/press-releases/2026/01/european-apples-contaminated-cocktails-pesticides-pfas-neurotoxins-and-other

27/01/2026

The weather is dreadful at the moment and it's certainly difficult to be cheery! However did you know that random acts of kindness not only help with social connection, they also help with depression or anxiety?

The forecast isn’t great for the week, but perhaps if we all tried some random acts of kindness it might lift all of our moods!

Here’s the study: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17439760.2022.2154695

21/07/2025

For any practitioners out there, don't miss the ANP Conference coming up in October. The topic is "Whole body, Whole life" and covers a range of topics from nutrition to herbal medicine. Remember always if visiting a herbalist to make sure they are a Registered Herbalist - [email protected] will let you know!

01/03/2025

26/02/2025

I love to see snowdrops peeping out because for me they are the first sign of Spring! It seems they open and close their flowers depending on the sunshine. I did see them open a little some of the days this week 🙂! Snowdrops aren't just for Spring though - they contain a constituent called galanthamine which is used in medications to help symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease. Of course now galanthamine is manufactured synthetically, but it does show how wonderful nature is.

*Study here: Babashpour-Asl et al. (2023)
Therapeutic and medicinal effects of snowdrop (Galanthus spp.) in Alzheimer's disease: A review. Journal of Education and Health Promotion 12(1):128.

24/11/2024

As we age there is so much we can do to protect bone health. Osteoporosis is commonly regarded as a women's health issue, but one in seven men also suffer from the condition. To help with your bones consider weight bearing exercise at least four or five times a week; do strength training - yes it's not just for gym bunnies and gyms now cater for all ages. When you strengthen muscles you strengthen bones. Ensure also your diet is good with lots of green leafy vegetables for calcium and Vitamin K. Ireland being what it is, you will need to supplement during the Winter. And finally, avoid smoking, alcohol and excess caffeine. In particular avoid caffeine with meals as this may block absorption of calcium and iron.

21/11/2024

Have you every yo yo dieted only for the weight to come back on again? As nutritionists we know of this and it has been explained by the body getting used to being cycled through a normal caloried/restricted calorie cycle. As a result during the restricted calorie phase it downregulates metabolism in order to save energy, thereby making it harder to lose weight. However, a recent study has found that fat cells have a memory and it is this which makes it hard to lose weight if you are very overweight. Eating habits and being overweight changes markers on our cells and it is these that remember our weight and bring us back to it once the diet is over. What do the authors advice? Predictably not to be overweight in the first place as fat cells do not get replaced quickly and last for 10 years. As nutritionists we would say it is important to eat healthily, eat the rainbow, exercise, reduce stress (which can also cause weight gain) and get good sleep.

The study can be found here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08165-7

19/11/2024

I often recommend olive oil in the clinic for number of reasons - we need good fats in our diet; our brain requires fats to function correctly; our neurons need fats for conductivity and with ageing as we dry out, we need to "oil" ourselves from the inside out! When I ask people do they use olive oil, they say yes, extra virgin olive oil. However, did you know that is only part of the story. It is very important not only to get extra virgin olive oil, but also to get cold pressed. Olives need to be pressed to release the oil. Some companies use heat in this pressing, which unfortunately destroys some of the beneficial nutrients in the oil. We want oil that is cold pressed - it is true the pressing creates a little heat in itself, but we don't need extra heat applied. So when you're picking your olive oil for use in salads or to use cold, select the cold pressed version. Cold pressed is harder to find and you will pay between €15 - €20 for a bottle, but if you are looking after your health it is worth it.!

09/11/2024

It's so mild at the moment the Evening Primrose in my garden is still blooming. I have also seen it growing wild when out and about. I know it is climate change, but it does cheer me up a little to see the yellow flowers!

08/11/2024

It's a bit gloomy today, but if you can get out into the mountains over the weekend, nature is showing off its warm Autumn colours and is really beautiful at the moment. To whet your appetite and get you out there, here are a two shots I took recently!

01/11/2024

With thanks to - the age you peak at everything 😄😄