Fresh Perceptions

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

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.

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

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.!