Real Health with Karl Henry

Breathing is something we do automatically and take little notice of throughout our day. In moments when you’re under pressure, you’ve probably told yourself to ‘just breathe’. We know in theory that breathing can control how we feel, but how much do we really understand about the power of breathwork? This weel I’m joined by breathing expert, peak performance coach and host of BBC Radio 1’s Decomp...

Here on Real Health, we have looked at the topic of female health, why women are different to men and how understanding those difference can help boost wellness. But when it comes specifically to exercise, should women train differently to men, to maximize performance and results? This week I’m delighted to be joined by sports scientist David Nolan to take us through what women should consider whe...

How much do you know about the relationship between our brains and our gut? While many of us may think we decide when and how much we eat, research now tells us that our brains have far more control over our eating habits than we might realise. So, what does this mean for our understanding obesity and what treatment is the best for those with the disease? Well, this week I’m delighted to be joined...

This week on Real Health, we’re bringing you something a little different than usual, with another life lessons episode. I’m delighted to be joined by dairy farmer Louise Crowley, to tell us what life as a young farmer is like in Ireland and being a woman in the job. I have been following Louise on Instagram for a long time now and am excited she was able to take time out of her busy day to join m...

Now that we are half way through the summer and the weather (for the most part) has improved, it’s the perfect time to give running a try. It can be a daunting hobby to pick up, with many people wishing they could run but feel they aren’t fit enough to get involved. So, this week on Real Health, I’m bringing you my top tips for running. I have advice for everyone, from complete beginners to those...

This week on Real Health, we’re discussing female health, not just the aspects traditionally associated with the topic, like reproductive health, but everything from sleep to mood and movement. I’m delighted to be joined on the podcast again by Dr Hazel Wallace, founder of The Food Medic and author to her latest (and third) book, The Female Factor. In it, Dr Hazel takes a deep dive into women’s he...

Many of us will have heard or be familiar with self-love. In theory we know what it is, but how hard is it to put it into practice and make it part of daily life? This week I’m delighted to be joined by Fiona Brennan, Clinical Hypnotherapist and author of the book The Self-Love habit, to tell us why we need to love ourselves a bit more and how it can improve so many aspects of our lives. Fiona exp...

This week on Real Health, we’re talking about weight loss surgery. It’s a topic we have touched on before on the podcast, but this week we are taking a deeper dive and bringing you everything you need to know about the procedure. There’s now a general acceptance that the “eat less move more” approach to dealing with complex obesity isn’t suitable. That means treatments like bariatric surgery are g...

Love can be complicated; it can be hard work, but it can also be amazing and life changing too. We’ve all heard the idea that if we wait just long enough and look hard enough, we’ll find the right person for us. But is love something we need to actively seek out? And do we really understand the meaning of what love is and what it looks like? Well today I’m joined by author and meditation teacher,...

As we all start to settle into our new ways of working, be it fully remote, back in the office or a mix of both, it’s important that we develop positive healthy habits around that. That’s why on this week’s Real Health, I’m taking you through my top tips for transforming your work health. One of the easiest changes you can make, is to introduce more movement and standing to your day. That doesn’t...

I’m sure like me, you find life is bit of a juggle sometimes. From work, relationships or money, it can be difficult to find the time to fit it all in and have some space leftover for yourself. Even trying to change your routines or habits for the better can be a real challenge. It’s no wonder many of us can feel stressed and overwhelmed, meaning our mental health takes a hit and we get into a neg...

On this week’s episode of Real Health, we’re discussing obesity in Ireland, the main causes of the disease and what treatments are available for it. Last month, the World Health Organisation released a report that said obesity has reached “epidemic proportions” in Europe. It showed that the disease is causing 200,000 cancer cases and 1.2 million deaths a year. Here in Ireland, over six in 10 adult...

Have you ever considered that being sad could actually be a good thing? Or do you avoid that emotion at all costs? Well, my guest this week will help us understand what sadness is good for, and how to transform pain and vulnerability into strength. Susan Cain is the New York Times bestselling author of the book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking and her Ted Talk The...

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...