In The Doctor's Chair

Your immune system is really fundamental for survival – and it’s essential for good health!

When it’s working well, we take our immune systems for granted. But when we’re laid low by a virus or battling an auto-immune disease like arthritis, we quickly realize just how amazing and important our immune system can be – and how fragile. The stress of daily life can have long-lasting effects on your immune health. Fortunately, there are easy, accessible things you can do to help yourself ward off diseases and continue to support your immune health.

Today, I discuss what the immune system is and how its optimal function is vital for living a good, healthy life. I share my top tips for boosting the health of your immune system, from simple, easy-to-adopt health measures and small lifestyle changes to changing your diet and exercise routines. I recommend a fun, colorful way to approach healthy eating and discuss what foods you should avoid. I investigate the role that stress plays on immunity and the awful, lingering effects stress has on our long-term health. I also explain the difference between your biological age and your immunological age and share my favourite doctor-approved ways to relieve stress in your life.

• Why the immune system is so essential to life

• Article: Kaiser Permanente More exercise linked to less severe Covid-19 outomes

The post Lifestyle Changes You Can Make to Support Your Immune System appeared first on Dr. Mark Rowe: Lifestyle Medicine.

Professor Luke O’Neill is one of the most influential international names in science who came to prominence through Covid-19. As one of the top 1% of immunologists in the world, he has studied the toll of inflammatory disease on the human body.

He was a reassuring voice of reason, explaining the science behind the pandemic and helping the public navigate a trying and terrifying time. In 2008 Professor O’Neill was seated as the Chair of Biochemistry at Trinity College Dublin and appointed Chair of the Immunity and Infection panel of the European Research Council.

Since then, he has published nearly 400 scientific papers as well as best-selling books, including Keep Calm and Trust the Science, Humanology, and Never Mind the B#ll*cks, Here’s the Science.

Today, Luke joins me to discuss his work around immunity and how high-stress levels have catastrophic effects on your immune system, leaving you vulnerable to illness. We look back at the Covid-19 pandemic and the pathogen Luke thought may be responsible for the next pandemic. He shares his experience with depression, some of the tactics he used to feel joy again, and his mission to normalise mental health issues. We discuss how research has confirmed the benefits of ancient wellness practices like herbal medicine and meditation and how you can incorporate them into your wellness routine. We also discuss the importance of spending time in nature, how it’s an easy way to boost your immune system naturally, and the value of having a support system.

• Encouraging young people’s interest in science

• Book: Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

• Professor Luke O’Neill’s Public Speaking Profile

The post The Secret to Less Stress & Better Health with Professor Luke O’Neill appeared first on Dr. Mark Rowe: Lifestyle Medicine.

Today I share part two of my interview as a guest of the University College Dublin MGA Clinical Influencers Podcast interview with Professor Patrick Murray. I reflect on some of the challenges in my early days as a young GP.

Today, Suzann shares the inspiration that led to her book, Happy Together, and how fairy tales have warped our expectations of relationships. She discusses her unique approach to strengthening relationships and how couples benefit from focusing more on positive emotions than negative ones.

She describes how she approaches challenges in her own relationship, how she communicates with her husband, and the things she found adorable at the beginning of their relationship that is now a source of conflict. She also offers advice on why happiness is not the most important goal and how to recognize the other positive emotions we experience daily to redefine happiness.

This week I share the first half of my conversation with Professor Patrick Murray host of the UCD School of Medicine MGA Clinical Influencers Podcast series. I relive my experience as a student of UCD and reminisce about the people who made my time there such a memorable experience.

I discuss how my family inspired me to go into medicine, my early days as a student, and some of the cramped living situations that, in retrospect, led to some of the best days of my life. I remember the people, both the professors and fellow students, who taught me about more than just medicine.

Today, Robb joins me to share the story of his history with addiction and how his personal experiences allow him to help others. He offers inspirational words of wisdom on overcoming setbacks, using adversity to become a stronger person, and achieving your goals.

Today, I talk about why everything in your life is interconnected. I note the importance of self-care and posit that you’re irreplaceable as a human being. I talk about the growth mindset, ask some key questions, and share my definition of well-being.

I explain why your health is your greatest asset, define the ‘intention gap,’ and talk about gratitude’s power. Finally, I share how my’ Self-Development Club’ can help you, discussing what it is and is not! and explaining why change doesn’t necessarily require a 180-degree shift.

Michael joins me today to discuss the grow-it-yourself movement and why growing your own food is beneficial for your physical, emotional, and mental health. He shares how shopping for a bulb of garlic ignited his passion for food sustainability and led him to found GIY.

He describes the gift of being present and the joy of being in nature. Michael also offers advice on building the skills necessary for resilience and highlights the importance of keeping your mission at the forefront of your mind when driving social change. 

Do you tend to focus on your weaknesses instead of your strengths? Do you tend to focus on what’s wrong instead of what’s strong? As humans, our brain is hard-wired for fear detection, anxiety, and discomfort, which often leads us to focus on our faults and flaws instinctually.

While it might seem counterintuitive to focus on our strengths instead of our weaknesses, it can also be a tremendous way to feel better and bring more of the ‘real you’ into the world.

In this episode, I outline the B.E.S.T. Y.E.A.R. mnemonic and explore ideas for living with more vitality in the new year. I discuss how accepting the totality of the human experience and practicing habits of kindness and gratitude can help us flourish.

I describe how forging deeper connections and investing in the people around you can benefit your quality of life. I also highlight the importance of recommitting to live with more vitality every day and underscore the value of remembering to never stop starting.