Real Health with Karl Henry

Psychotherapist Colman Noctor joins Karl Henry to explore how social media fuels comparison, affects our self-worth and drives our need for validation. Drawing on his research into online sharing, he explains why likes and followers cannot replace genuine human connection. They discuss the pressure to present a perfect life online, the impact on young people and how to build a healthier relationship with technology by living in the moment, spending less time comparing and making more time for real connections.

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Karl and JJ answer listener questions on starting at the gym, choosing between machines and free weights, and finding an exercise routine that works for you.

They discuss getting back into exercise after having children, managing weight loss without quick fixes and why sustainable changes matter. They also share practical advice on protein, meal choices, walking, resistance training and finding forms of exercise you actually enjoy.

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They discuss GLP 1 safety, drug interactions, supplement quality and the importance of speaking to your pharmacist.

Tom shares practical advice on identifying misinformation, understanding what your body needs and making informed choices before spending money on products that may not benefit your health.

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This week on The Real Health podcast, Karl Henry is joined by Professor John Nolan, director of the Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, to explore the connection between nutrition, eye health and brain health.

They discuss carotenoids, the role of colourful foods, and how targeted nutrition may support vision and cognitive function as we age. John also shares insights from his new documentary, A Vision for Vision, and explains what to look for when choosing supplements, including evidence, quality and batch testing.

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This week on The Real Health podcast, Karl Henry is joined by head physiotherapist and clinic owner at Rapid and founder of the Master's Program Ireland, Mike Murphy to explore the truth about posture, back pain and staying strong as we age.

They discuss whether there really is such a thing as bad posture, how to improve your desk, car and phone setup, and why regular movement matters more than sitting perfectly.

Mike shares practical advice on strengthening your back and neck, managing pain and building resilience for everyday life. They also explore why strength training is so important as we get older and why movement really is medicine.

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This week on The Real Health podcast, Karl Henry is joined by Professor Peter Conlon, Clinical Lead of Organ Donation Transplant Ireland, Clinical Lead, Consultant Nephrologist/ Renal Transplant Physician at Beaumont Hospital, to explain how organ donation works in Ireland.

They discuss the opt out system, who can become a donor and what happens when a family is approached about donation. Professor Conlon explains how one donor can transform the lives of up to nine people, the realities of living kidney donation and the importance of family conversations.

From the donation process to waiting lists and paired kidney exchange, they explore how a decision made in tragedy can give others a second chance.

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This week on The Real Health podcast, Karl Henry is joined by producer JJ Clarke to answer listener questions on sleep, weight loss and evening overeating. They discuss why becoming too focused on sleep tracker scores can actually make sleep harder, and share simple ways to improve sleep routines. Karl also explains stretch marks after weight loss and why gradual weight loss matters, before offering practical advice for managing evening hunger through protein, vegetables, snacks and meal timing. From hydration and fruit intake to consistent eating habits, the pair explore how small, sustainable changes can support better health without overcomplicating the basics.

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We check our phones dozens, even hundreds, of times a day, often without realising how much they interrupt our attention.

This week on The Real Health podcast, Professor Brendan Kelly, professor of psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, explains why phones are so difficult to put down and the impact constant checking can have on concentration, stress and self esteem.

He shares practical ways to build a healthier relationship with your phone, from switching off notifications and creating physical distance to keeping phones out of the bedroom. He also explains why small, sustainable changes are more effective than dramatic digital detoxes.

https://www.independent.ie/service/our-journalism/a/98708550.html

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When someone is diagnosed with cancer, food can become a source of confusion, with endless advice online about what to eat and what to avoid.

This week on The Real Health podcast, oncology nurse and nutritional therapist Marilla Healy explains how nutrition can support the body through treatment, from maintaining muscle and strength to managing nausea and poor appetite. 

She looks at why there is no single anti-cancer diet, the importance of variety and protein, and how small changes can make every mouthful count when eating becomes difficult. She also explains why nutrition should support, not replace, your oncology treatment plan.

https://www.independent.ie/service/our-journalism/a/98708550.html

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Millions of us now use smartwatches to track our sleep, heart rate, fitness and recovery, but how accurate is all that information? This week on The Real Health podcast, Dr Joe Warne from Technological University Dublin explains which measurements we can rely on and where wearable technology falls short. He looks at the growing obsession with health data, why sleep trackers may cause anxiety, and whether more information actually makes us healthier. He also shares the simple metrics worth paying attention to and why sometimes the best guide to your health is listening to your own body. 

https://www.independent.ie/service/our-journalism/a/98708550.html

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