Real Health with Karl Henry

On this week’s episode of Real Health, we’re busting some of the biggest food myths out there. There’s no doubt that you’ve heard some of the more common ones, like the claim that sugar is toxic, or dairy can cause cancer. Bringing us the latest research and debunking some of the widely shared food myths, is registered dietitian Sarah Keogh. With years of experience working as a dietician, Sarah h...

On this week’s episode of Real Health, we are looking at phone usage and when it can start to have a negative impact on our lives. With daily tasks and communication more dependent on smart devices than ever, how can you recognise when normal usage has tipped into dangerous territory? To discuss this, I am joined by psychotherapist and author of the Phone Addiction Workbook, Hilda Burke. Hilda say...

It’s fair to say, I’m a bit obsessed with my fridge. My weekly routine of organising the food shop into glass containers is something I look forward to doing. Aside from making it look good, can fridge organisation help reduce food waste? What goes on each shelf and are there some foods that should never be kept in there? Joining me to answer all these questions, is home economist at TUS Midwest,...

On this week’s episode of Real Health, I’m bringing you my top tips for weight loss. Weight loss is about more than simply wanting to change how you look. We know weight is one of the big predictors of health-related issues as we get older. By carrying more of it on our bodies, you are putting pressure on your joints and aging the body quicker. So, wanting to lose some excess fat is a great thing...

On this week’s episode of Real Health, I’m bringing you my top tips for weight loss. Weight loss is about more than simply wanting to change how you look. We know weight is one of the big predictors of health-related issues as we get older. By carrying more of it on our bodies, you are putting pressure on your joints and aging the body quicker. So, wanting to lose some excess fat is a great thing...

On this week’s show, we are tackling the issue of burnout. It is something that we’ve all become more aware of, especially over the course of the pandemic. While hopefully the stresses of lockdowns, home schooling and working at the kitchen table are behind us, life post Covid is bringing its own strains. Some people may be thriving with the new hybrid work life, but it might not be for everyone....

We’ve all either heard it before or offered it as advice; “It could be worse” or “Everything happens for a reason.” And while people might mean well, sometimes it's the last thing you want to hear when you are having a tough time. Is there an obsession with looking at the bright side of things? Well, our guest on Real Health this week certainly thinks so. I’m joined by psychotherapist Whitney Good...

The area of diet supplements can be a confusing one to navigate. You have to think about what vitamins you should be taking, what form they should come in and if they are worth the money. On this week’s episode of Real Health, I’m taking you through everything you need to know about supplements, with dietitian and sports nutritionist Kathryn Stewart. Kathryn says you only have to look to the name...

On this week’s episode of Real Health, we are talking about the negative impact a more sedentary life can have on our health. With remote working a major part of our lives now, it means the way we move has totally changed. Less running for the bus, shorter distances to make tea or coffee, even the toilet is not as far away as it might have been in the office. All this means we can fall into the ha...

On this week’s episode, I’m bringing you my top tips for getting started with resistance training. I’ll be telling you all you need to know about introducing weight bearing exercises into your routine. From home workouts to choosing the right amount of weight for you, I’m covering it all. While cardio exercise like running, walking or swimming can be great for our health, resistance training is cr...

Since we were young, many of us have been taught that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”. But what if what we believe about breakfast or food more generally is wrong? On this week’s episode of Real Health, I’m joined by author and Professor of genetic epidemiology, Tim Spector. Tim is one of the world's leading scientists in food and nutrition. His book Spoon-Fed: Why almost everyth...

This week on Real Health it's all about giving you the knowledge and the tools on how to not only live healthier, but longer too. While many of you will have read or been told what you need to do to live longer, it's as important to understand why making certain changes can have such a positive impact on longevity. From mindset to exercise and fasting, we are taking a look at the best changes you...

This week on Real Health we’re discussing eating disorders, what they are and how they impact on the health of somebody suffering from them. Eating disorders are complex and affect both the mental and physical health of the person with one. So, when someone gets help, it's often from a team of people with different expertise. Today I’m joined by Aveen Bannon, Dietitian at the Dublin Nutrition Cent...

With International Women’s Day coming up, we have decided to dedicate a whole episode to female health. Joining me this week is nutritionist and founder of The Fit Clinic, Dr Michelle Hone. We will be discussing everything from hormones and fertility to the importance of carbs in a woman’s diet. Michelle says women need to be treating their health and fitness differently to the way men do. She exp...

It’s the body’s largest organ, but how much do we really know about our skin? Chances are, most of you have had some type skin concern, be it acne or rosace or a mole that didn’t look quite right. On this week’s show I’m joined by Consultant Dermatologist, Professor Nicola Ralph to discuss skin health as well as some of the most common skin concerns people have. Acne for example affects millions o...

With life returning to some kind of normality and restrictions easing despite Covid-19 still circulating, many of us may be feeling lots of different emotions around the change to our daily lives. Now that we’re transitioning back to the way we used to live, some might feel apprehensive about the change, stress about the virus and maybe even anxiety at the thought socialising again. Joining me tod...

On this week’s show, we’re taking a look at how to improve our mental strength, by challenging our inner critic, understanding what drives our behaviors and how we can successfully hit our goals by focusing on the journey and not the end result. To discuss this, I’m joined by health and wellness coach, Pat Divilly, who’s written a book all about this. Fit Mind: 8 Weeks to Change Your Inner Soundtr...

On this week’s show, it’s all about mindset. Why it’s important and how having the right mindset can be the key to unlocking your health goals. Joining me to chat about this, is sports nutritionist and strength and conditioning coach, Brian Keane. His new book, The Keane Edge looks to help you find the right mindset and motivation so you can stick to your fitness journey. Brian says for many peopl...

Setting resolutions to be healthier and focus on wellness can be a great way to kick off the new year. That, however, does not mean it is an easy change to make. While many will embrace a new way of living at, it is common for some to find themselves struggling to keep the motivation going as the months go on. That’s why on this week’s episode, I thought it was the perfect time to chat through som...

While exercise, hydration and diet are all important aspects of health, it can be difficult to hit our goals if we are worried about money. It is something that can cause stress and anxiety to many people, which can impact on our sleep and motivation. With our wallets exhausted from the December spending, this week on Real Health we are looking at how we can get our finances back on track. I’m joi...

While many of us have decided to kick off the new year determined to improve our health and fitness, it is important that we also look at the other ways to improve our overall wellbeing. That is why on this week’s show, we will be looking at just that. I’m joined by Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, Jim Lucey. We discuss how to build resilience, manage stress and how to m...

Happy New Year everyone! On this week’s show, we are kicking off 2022 with a top tips episode. Rather than focusing on new year's resolutions, this time it's all about giving you small but achievable goals that will get you on track to lifelong health. Joining me to bring you his tips for getting your new year off to a great start, is fitness coach and nutritionist Shane Walsh. Shane’s advice is t...

For the last episode of Real Health for 2021, I’m bringing you an inspirational weight loss story. I’m joined by Leah Punch, who’s here to tell us about her incredible journey after getting a gastric by-pass. From being her heaviest at almost 22 stone, Leah has managed to lose a whopping 160 pounds. Leah says she has struggled with her weight since the age of six. After years of dieting, it was in...

On this week's episode of Real Health, we thought we’d change it up and bring you an episode that is a little different to what we usually do. This week, I’m delighted to be joined by the Investigations Editor of the Sunday World, Nicola Tallant to talk all thing's journalism, how the world of crime has changed and how she copes with the pressures of her job. Nicola says being a journalist was som...

On this week’s show, we are keeping on the Christmas theme, but it’s a slightly different approach than usual. While many of us are looking forward to the Christmas season, for some it’s a time of year that can be really challenging. From staying with family, to avoiding challenging conversations around the dinner table it’s not always the picture-perfect time it's made out to be. Here to help us...