Emdoc Health

Emdoc Health Preventative and lifestyle medicine physician. Health promoter. Speaker. Researcher. If you are unwell, always contact your own GP.

Evidence-based health promotion discussions here are for eneral information purposes only.

Happy Healthy Earth Day. Yes, doctors care about the environment!There are so many reasons to look after our environmen...
22/04/2026

Happy Healthy Earth Day. Yes, doctors care about the environment!

There are so many reasons to look after our environment and the Earth -- but our health is an important one.

Our environment - from pollution to climate change - has a direct impact on our health in so many ways, from respiratory illness to cancer.

This Earth Day, think about taking some simple steps that look after both your health and the Earth's:

Walk or cycle if possible

Reduce your red meat intake

Choose sustainable options wherever possible

Support campaigns that reduce sources of waste and litter

Be savvy when time you use your vote- from local councillors to TDs. Try to support candidates who choose science, not populism or special interest

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Often patients hear the word "lifestyle medicine" and immediately think they've been referred for IV detoxes or premim s...
21/04/2026

Often patients hear the word "lifestyle medicine" and immediately think they've been referred for IV detoxes or premim supplements or expensive tests in Germany or bespoke longevity hacks.

Much to their disappointment, they find I practice strict evidence-based medicine - and I have no conflicts of interest (I don't sell supplements or endorse detoxes or have a profit-share in unnecessary blood testing services.)

Science matters when it impacts your family budget.

Science matters when it impacts your health outcomes.

And no matter how good wellness influencer is good at promoting a product or trend - it won't fix the bad science.

Evidence-based lifestyle interventions - whether with a doctor like me or your GP or registered dietitian or a chartered physiotherapist - can make a big difference to those living with chronic disease or prevent problems. It can help some patient reduce the number of medications. It can put some chronic disease, like Type 2 diabetes, in remission. It is an essential part of the standard of care in long term obesity care, especially post-GLP1a or bariatric surgery.

As the cost of living crisis closes in some more, let's make sure families and patients are empowered with facts to make savvy decisions.

Interventions that make some healthy people feel more well - like saunas, cold plunges, fasting, adding creatine to thw green smoothies - can be fantastic for general well-being if you can afford it & doesn't stress you out -- but let's make sure we fully disclose - honestly - to consumers the limits of the evidence of the product's benefits. You deserve to make informed decision.

Did you know? There are many HSE community and evidence-based not-for-profit patient supports that aim educate, and empower patients for little or no cost, such as HSE Ireland Living Well programmes, - just to name a few. Even without insurance, seeing your local CORU-registered allied healthcare professional privately is often cheaper than 3 months of some of the more popular gut supplement products.

The only guide you'll ever need to supplements: 1. Do you have a vitamin, mineral, or other deficiency - or at risk of ...
18/04/2026

The only guide you'll ever need to supplements:

1. Do you have a vitamin, mineral, or other deficiency - or at risk of a deficiency - diagnosed by an accredited lab and results interpreted by an IMC-registered doctor (not a "practitioner)? Then you need supplements prescribed/recommended.

2. Vitamin D as per current public health guidelines (some of us are off Vitamin D til October but some groups in Ireland need it year round!)

3. Is there any chance you could become pregnant, at all, even remotely? Then you need folic acid.

Quick quiz: Which supplement can detox your liver? Help you feel energised when you dont' get good sleep? Which supplement works like Ozempic? Which one works as well as HRT? What's best option in an IV drip bar?

The answer is NONE.

Many patients want to come off pharmaceuticals (which may or may not be safe in every case!) Where it is possible to do a more natural approach, it gonna be good diet, enough sleep, stress management, regular exercise - the boring stuff. I love helping patients work towards reducing their number of tablets for heart disease and diabetes - but swapping it for supplements is not the answer.

Supplements are sold as a "natural" alternative in marketing and labelling. But just open the supplement box or bottle in your kitchen right now. Does that powder/capsule/sludge in a bottle look "natural" to you?

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1. Can you comfortably afford it? If the €300/month is crunch-time for the budget (yes, I've seen it among my patients!) it might be time to bring the science!

2. If you are using it as an alternative as treatment for a medical condition, are you linked in with your doctor so we can monitor your safety? Hiding it from your doctor that you aren't taking your medications and doing alternatives isn't safe - be honest with us so we can help keep you safe!

3. Was it "prescribed" or recommended by someone who 1) is not a registered healthcare professional (especially after a rake of "tests" that your GP has never heard of) or 2) is a registered healthcare professional who has a financial interest in selling the product?

I've a few new followers recently, so it's a good time to re-introduce myself. My name is Dr. Kate McCann. I'm a mother ...
17/04/2026

I've a few new followers recently, so it's a good time to re-introduce myself. My name is Dr. Kate McCann. I'm a mother of 2 boys (and an elderly rescue terrier) I'm a doctor for 20 years.

Next month, I'll be back on LMFM radio, presenting at Pint of Science, and talking heart health with yoga teachers (so tune in or drop by for a pint!). I regularly contribute to health education panels, events, and media: why?

I began this social media project in 2018 as a passion project during maternity leave - I noticed the huge amount of health misinformation out there, especially targeting women/parents. So this project talks family health topics - fact-first and evidence-based - with some serious urban mythbusting. The goal is to get patients savvy and smart on their health based on facts - not fears (or marketing).

The Blog (link in Bio) now has 400+ archived posts on topics ranging from worm dose to Ozempic, sunscreen to lice, vomiting bug to warts, tips on needlephobia to talking to your GP. Free to access, searchable by keyword, lots of urban myth busting.

What do I do as a doctor in real-life? I have a small private practice focusing on preventative health. That means I work with patients - and often their partners or whole families - who need/want to get healthier for reasons like fertility, living well with arthritis, preventing heart disease, putting their Type 2 diabetes in remission, "pre-hab" before major surgery, or as part of obesity or mental health treatments. I have certifications in lifestyle medicine, obesity and trauma-informed care. I did post-doctoral work in both molecular biology and global health, and my public practice is in clinical research. I also lecture.

(You already know this but ...as much as I love your questions and suggestions for education topics, I always cover the general topic but social media just isn't the place for personal medical advice.)

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17/04/2026

The Get Active Programme is a new physical activity programme, delivered through the HSE Health App in its latest update. The free, 10-week programme includes a graded walking plan and strength-based exercise sessions.

If you sign up you will also receive a free Get Active pack, which includes a step-counter, resistance bands and programme manual.

Download the HSE Health App to get started:
App store: https://bit.ly/41nqOz4
Google play: https://bit.ly/4ilbAkQ

It isn't fair: Obesity care is not accessible: long wait lists, high costs. Patients often feel pushed into desperate ...
16/04/2026

It isn't fair: Obesity care is not accessible: long wait lists, high costs. Patients often feel pushed into desperate decisions to access care they can't afford. Let's make your obesity care investment make "c€nts." In Ireland, we aren't in the habit of looking at the budget of our healthcare investments.

1. No amount of money is worth risking your safety. There are no safe blackmarket drugs. There are no generic versions of GLP1a drugs. Sharing pens (even if you change needles) can transmit viruses. There is currently no licensed drug called "retatrutide" this drug is still in development and trials. Anything being sold by that name should be suspect.

2. If you are investing in GLP1a treatment, also invest in registered healthcare professional obesity care to go with it. This should include screening for complications, safety bloods, and ongoing lifestyle interventions.

3. Bariatric surgery, in expert hands, is an excellent treatment option for some patients with obesity. Before handing over money, ask: am I being offered an acceptable standard of care? 🚩🚩🚩 1) no in-person aftercare included 2) offered outdated procedures like gastric bands 3) anything that involves medical tourism

4. If you are a woman of childbearing age: did your consultation for obesity care include a discussion about contraception and fertility goals when creating your care plan? (I've posted before on this one - it's important!)

5. The MOST IMPORTANT: What is your exit strategy? There is NO cure for obesity. If you have to stop drugs due to cost or if you have had bariatric surgery and the "honeymoon" period of weight loss is over -- this is where obesity standard of care is needed. Without continuing care, the chance of weight "recurrence" (that is when weight cycles back on) can be very high in some patients, despite their best efforts. If you are stopping medications or have had bariatric surgery: what is your long term care plan? You've paid this much for treatment (I agree- in a functioning healthcare system you should not have had to) - protect your investment.

Come have a pint with me: Here is your early "head's up!" to mark your calendars for next month's festival! I'll be...
15/04/2026

Come have a pint with me: Here is your early "head's up!" to mark your calendars for next month's festival!

I'll be at the venue in Dundalk talking for just a few minutes about my real life research: the how -- and why, why, why?! -- some people don't recover after a virus, like long Covid. What does science know? What doesn't science know? why is progress so slow? And, as always, let's bust the misinformation ( )

I'll be on 20 May 2026.

Did you know? Pint of Science Festival 18-20 May brings some of the most brilliant scientists (and sometimes just researchers like me) to your local pubs and cafes to discuss their latest research and findings with you. You don't need any prior experience, and this is your chance to meet the people responsible for the future of science (and have a drink with them). The festival runs over a few days in May every year. It runs across multiple venues throughout Ireland, and topics include Beautiful Mind, Atoms to Galaxies, Our Body, Planet Earth, Tech Me Out, and Society. Find an event or learn more on their website and socials!

The weather is finally getting a bit better so that means only one thing: exams are imminent.Delighted to have been bac...
14/04/2026

The weather is finally getting a bit better so that means only one thing: exams are imminent.

Delighted to have been back as guest on the Late Lunch with Gerry Kelly today LMFM talking about how students can look after their mental and physical health during this stressful time, and how families can support them.

Read more on today's Blog. Link in Bio.

Looking after students' health coming up to exams... Let's bring the science: what works, what doesn't, and how you ca...
13/04/2026

Looking after students' health coming up to exams...

Let's bring the science: what works, what doesn't, and how you can help your student feel their best during these stressful next few weeks. (It shouldn't surprise you that docs know a thing or two about exams!)

I'll be back as a guest tomorrow Tuesday 14/4 at 2.30pm on the Late Lunch with Gerry Kelly LMFM

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Drop an apple. It falls. Because gravity. Whether you understand gravity -- or believe in gravity -- that apple still f...
07/04/2026

Drop an apple. It falls. Because gravity.

Whether you understand gravity -- or believe in gravity -- that apple still falls.

Science is amazing - it is our most powerful tool to prevent disease and protect lives, from cleaner air to new discoveries.

If you are like me this week, you are keeping an eye on the journey of Artemis II. Closer to earth, however, scientific progress has improved our lives through clean water, antenatal care, disease prevention and treatment. And progress is still needed in key areas, like women's health.

And science is for everyone. And it's so important. Because when we make health decisions based on fears, not facts, it can cause real harm. And there is nothing more frightening than the unknown.

Science is curious. Science questions. Science is all about the evidence and the data, and turning what we learn into action. Because - like dropping the apple - whether we like gravity or agree with gravity - it won't stop the apple falling. But let's know why and how. Because when we understand gravity - we just might get a rocket to the moon.

Did you know 1 in 7 of us in Ireland don't have great health literacy? This means that many people did not get an opportunity to learn about biology and the other fun stuff in school. But it's never too late. RCSI in Dublin has a new - free! - exhibit space called the Humanarium, open Mon - Sat.

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland .fides

How is click-bait violence against women? Doesn't that sound a bit extreme?It's a real discussion being had right now ...
31/03/2026

How is click-bait violence against women? Doesn't that sound a bit extreme?

It's a real discussion being had right now around the world.

Health misinformation causes real, physical harm when a woman loses the right to make a decision about her body or her health based on real information, real science, real evidence. Women have made real decisions - for example, to not attend antenatal care - based on online forum discussions. Young girls are now learning about their bodies from social media - but are they always getting the correct information? It can really depend which direction the algorithm pulls them.

Having concerns about medication side effects is valid, and should absolutely be discussed with your doctor to find something that meets your goals of care. Being hesitant about going for your first mammogram or cervical screening or birth plan is absolutely valid! - but definitely talk it through with your midwife or practice nurse or doctor. Let's make sure you are looked after.

Its worth remembering that we are importing a great deal of health misinformation from the US right now, more than ever. It's reassuring - I hope - to remember we don't live there: we have public health system. It's not perfect - far from it - but if you may have noticed, from the lack of GP appointments to hospital waiting times, the health system in Ireland isn't looking for business or to keep you sick. And your doctor isn't being paid to keep you hospitalised or prescribed medications.

As we come to the end of women's history month, we know women's health has always been gendered and biased; women traditionally have had poorer health outcomes in many areas. How we fix that is better health education, not by losing the progress we have made -- from maternal mortality in childbirth to reproductive rights to improving cancer outcomes to progressing toward ending vaccine-preventable diseases, like polio. Misinformation is not empowering, and risks setting progress in women's health backwards.

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