News

Independent Expert Highlights the Importance of a Dairy-Rich Diet
- Kanturk’s Health & Wellbeing Event -

The National Dairy Council & North Cork Co-op Health & Wellbeing evening took place in Kanturk’s Edel Quinn Hall last night (Thursday 12th February 2009) with experts Paula Mee, Dr Zelie Gaffney-Daly and Grainne Boyle offering updates and guidance on how to improve the balance of a healthy diet and exercise, within increasingly busy lifestyles.

In a lively presentation entitled “Celebrating the Nutrient Richness of Dairy”, RTE TV personality and one of the country’s leading independent nutritionists Paula Mee, told the audience that there’s more to dairy than healthy bones and teeth. She looked at more recent medical and research findings to explore in detail the full package of nutrients in milk and some of the health benefits of dairy as part of a balanced diet.

Evidence of Calcium Deficiencies

42% of Irish teenage girls and 23% of Irish teenage boys do not have enough calcium as part of their regular diets. (Ref 1) In adulthood, research shows that 23% of Irish women do not have enough calcium as part their regular diets, compared with 11% of Irish men. “Such dietary trends could be placing those people at increased risk of serious long term health problems in the future, such as osteoporosis – also known as brittle bone disease,” says Paula Mee.

Your Bones are Your Scaffolding

Describing our bones as the “scaffolding for our body”, Paula Mee makes the point that the risks associated with osteoporosis can be related to calcium deficiency and can also be affected by lifestyle factors including intakes of caffeine and alcohol, excessive intakes of salt or vitamin A, low weight and low activity levels or lack of exercise.

“Many of these factors are modifiable – which means we have the capacity to control them,” says Paula Mee. “Every meal and snack is an opportunity to boost the nutrient quality of our diet. Balance, variety and moderation are the key.”

“Milk and dairy products have a natural nutritional package which includes protein, B vitamins (riboflavin, vitamin B12 and folate), vitamin A, carbohydrate and phosphorous – as well as calcium,” says Paula Mee.
Emerging Evidence supports New Benefits

Paula Mee described how emerging research is pointing to the potential beneficial role of milk’s calcium and milk peptides in the management of blood pressure.

Skimmed Milk may also a powerful role to play for athletes in tackling dehydration caused by exercise, training and competition, with research from the UK showing that skimmed milk may be more effective for retaining fluid than plain water or a commercially available sports drink (Refs 2 & 3)

Exercise – An Opportunity for Enjoyment and Revitalisation

“Physical Activity as Part of Complete Care” was the subject of the presentation by General Practitioner Dr Zelie Gaffney-Daly from Newmarket’s High Street Medical Centre, who challenged the audience to think about how exercise should be seen as an opportunity for enjoyment and revitalisation as part of health and wellbeing

“Physical inactivity is the biggest public health burden of the 21st Century”, according to Dr Zelie Gaffney Daly, who encourages all adults to try to fit in at least 30 minutes of activity 5 times a week; with 60 minutes every day recommended for children and young adults. “There is now overwhelming evidence proving that regular physical activity has very important and wide ranging benefits for health in areas ranging from heart disease or blood pressure; to osteoporosis or obesity.”
Benefits of Massage

The evening included a demonstration of Indian head massage by Grainne Boyle from Newmarket’s Grainne Boyle Aromatherapy. At the event in Kanturk, Grainne Boyle said that the techniques of aromatherapy massage or Indian head massage can provide beneficial relief to conditions ranging from headaches and backaches to arthritis or PMT. “Stress is a also big contributor to a lot of our problems and a massage in a calming and relaxing environment will certainly help to reduce stress levels,” said Ms Boyle.

Cope Foundation

The Health and Wellbeing evening was organised jointly by North Cork co-op and the National Dairy Council, so that all proceeds from admission tickets and raffle sales were donated to COPE Foundation, which provides services to some 1,600 children and adults with intellectual disability in 60 locations throughout Cork City and County.

Speaking in Kanturk, Mr John Clifford, Head of Fundraising and Public Relations for COPE Foundation, commended all of the volunteers involved in our fundraising efforts. He said: “through the support of the people of Kanturk and the surrounding areas, COPE Foundation house in Freemount was opened in 1994 and today the house provides full time accommodation and day services to 10 persons with a severe degree of intellectual disability.”

“With continued fundraising efforts such as this, we hope to explore the possibility of purchasing a people carrier which will certainly enhance the lives of those in the Kanturk hostel.”

Fact Sheets

The National Dairy Council nutritional team has produced fact sheets a Guide to Healthy Eating and a Guide to Weight Loss. These are downloadable from our website by clicking on the links or by calling 01-6169726.

 

For further information contact:

NDC: Antonina Ni Dhuinn, Progress Communications, tel: 01-2766117 nina'at'progresspr.ie
North Cork Co-op: Michael O’Halloran, tel: 029-60116 / 087-2684157 hallcom'at'eircom.net