Real Health with Karl Henry

Fractures and falls are a leading cause of older people losing independence, requiring homecare or having to live in a nursing home.  With one in three people aged over 65 and one in two over 75 having had a fall in the past year. On Real Health this week we speak to Geriatrician at Beaumont Hospital, Professor Frances Dockery, on the importance of calcium and protein for older people.  See omnyst...

This Sunday, bright and early some 20,000 runners will take to the streets of the capital for the Dublin Marathon. On his own Marathon journey is the Irish Independent’s own Group Head of visuals in media house, Dave Conachy, who is chasing Everest in a sub-three-hour time. Karl was joined on The Real Health Podcast by both Dave and his trainer, Irish Olympian and former winner of the London, Berl...

The stars in the sky, Dinosaurs and vaccines can all be understood through science. Science can be our friend, it's a very messy world out there. There's all kinds of worries and concerns and uncertainties that can be simplified. On Real Health this week Karl sits down with the Science teacher we all wish we had, Professor Luke O’Neill to chat about his new book ‘’ To Boldly Go Where No Book Has G...

On this weeks episode of The Real Health Podcast Karl dives into the world of open-water swimming. The extreme situations offered by ice swimming allowed Nuala Moore an escape of kinds and a chance to find her true north. She's a fearless, open water swimmer, an adventurer. She spent decades as a scuba diving professional and helped shape the standards for ice and channel swimming. And she holds n...

What are the biggest mistakes we make when we exercise? Is there any merit in the internet-led idea of ‘’Carbo-phobia'’? Can healthy eating harm an athlete with a strict training program? Are energy drinks useful or to be avoided altogether? Processed foods, yay or nay? These are just some of the areas Karl Henry covers on today's episode, alongside dietician and sports nutritionist Evan Lynch. Se...

This week Karl is joined by hotelier and presenter Francis Brennan for some simple tips on how to get older with grace and live by the idea that age is truly just a number. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nutrition can be complicated. Not because it has to be, but because the volume of information available to us can be overwhelming. This week Karl is joined by registered dietician Orla Walsh to cut through the jargon and fad diets and bring you the basics of nutrition and what you really need to know. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Summer is great for so many reasons, but those few months can wreak havoc on our routines. Holidays abroad in particular, see us throw our schedules and usual exercise and meal plans out the window. This week Karl goes through some of his top tips for getting our health and wellness back on track. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Change. Do you love it? Are you afraid of it? It’s a natural and constant part of life, but it can be overwhelming. Clinical psychologist Dr Claire Hayes explains why embracing change can lead to exciting new opportunities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have all heard of dementia, many of us will have a loved one who has the disease. It can be a health topic that some of us shy away from, out of fear of what it entails. This week, Karl is joined by neuroscientist Dr Sabina Brennan to tell us exactly what we need to know about dementia and how to keep our brains healthy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having a house full of plants has become very trendy in recent years. While they look great, surrounding ourselves with nature has more than just aesthetic benefits. Karl speaks to Professor Ross Cameron about why plants improve our health and wellbeing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Conversations are a part of our daily life. We probably underestimate how many conversations we have every day. But how important is conversation and what is going on in our brains when we are chatting to someone? This week Karl is joined by neuroscientist Shane O’Mara to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dairy has become somewhat of a controversial food group. With plenty of myths around about dairy, this week on Real Health we are chatting about what you need to know and what some of the alternatives out there are. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the course of the last few years, diabetes is something that has come up time and time again on the podcast. While it can be a scary thing to face when diagnosed, here on Real Health we are all about giving you the information you need. This week, we will discuss both the prevention and management of diabetes with GP, Dr Sumi Dunne. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are in the middle of a busy season of triathlons, ultra swims and 10Ks. Of course, marathons and half marathons are in full swing across the country with the Dublin marathon fast approaching. What is the best training for these events and what do you need to know about fueling our bodies for both the events and the weeks leading up to it? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Returning to the gym can be a serious commitment to take on but if you make some of the common mistakes, like under fuelling or not sleeping enough, it can be a lot harder. This week Karl discusses some of his top tips for getting back to the gym. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Going to a GP when you are concerned about your health is a normal thing to do. But what about going to the doctor for a checkup when you feel fine? This week on Real Health, Karl is joined by Dr Brian Higgins to discuss the full health checks you can get and why you should consider them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Families are messy and complicated and can be difficult to navigate when you’re an adult. But understanding our family history could help us to become the best version of ourself. This week Karl is joined by psychotherapist Richard Hogan to take a look at how our families shape who we are. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taking that fear out of cancer and getting crucial information out there is something I am really passionate about. The more we all know about cancer, the more we are equipped to deal with the disease and the potential treatments to follow. To help me do this. I'm joined by Bernie Carter, assistant director of nursing at the Marie Keating Foundation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

We all want to be happier, but it can be a tricky emotion to pin down. Do we need the new car to achieve it or is it learning to appreciate that joke with a friend or cup of coffee in the morning that will get us there? This week on Real Health, Karl is joined by Professor Ian Robertson to discuss the science behind happiness and how we can have more happiness in our lives. See omnystudio.com/list...

Being average isn’t really something any of us strive for. In today’s world, average is almost considered to be a negative thing. Realistically though, we can’t all be the best at everything so should we feel shame or guilt for not being so? This week Karl is joined by psychotherapist Colman Noctor to discuss why being average can be a superpower. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

With summer in full swing, let's be honest, we’re all thinking about a summer holiday. Be that home or abroad. While some are planning a relaxing sun holiday, many of us are looking for a bit more adventure. We mightn’t want to hit the gym every day we are away but being active on holiday has its own appeal. This week Karl is joined by the Irish Independent’s travel editor Pól Ó Conghaile to chat...

On Real Health, we are all about making life long healthy changes. That said, sometimes we need extra motivation or that push to get started and for many, the summer is that starting point. This week Rory McInerney from FFS gym, joins Karl to bring his top tips for getting the most out of your gym workouts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Real Health, It's an episode from our Life Lessons series. My guest is one of the three Dancing with the Stars judges, Arthur Gourounlain is a new Dad and has had a career that has seen him performing with some of the best in the business, from Beyonce, to Pussycat Dolls to Kylie Minogue. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know people who are childish and no, I don’t mean the actual children in our lives. It can be frustrating working with or have a friendship or relationship with someone who doesn’t want to stand on their own two feet. This week, Karl is joined by best selling author Sarah Knight to discuss how to act more like an adult and get treated like one. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...