Long weekends…..
This may interest the triathletes :-)
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September 4, 2016
Sports Nutrition Clinic Services
Hi healthy peeps,
I recorded a quick video blog earlier today to let you know a little bit more about my approach for athletes in the clinic. Mostly because there isn’t really an adequate title to cover what I do and provide to athlete clients.
Firstly my qualifications; I am a pharmacist, Nutritional Therapist, and Senior Associate member of the Royal Society of Medicine.
This means that I have trained in pharmacy and health care, functional medicine and functional and medical diagnostics, nutrition and sports nutrition, and also have been gifted a high level of sensitivity to the energy of people and what is going on in their bodies.
Science and a little bit more!
Some call this being psychic, medically intuitive, an energy healer and so on. I just see it as a nice way to help you even more because I sense what you and your body need on a day-to-day basis. This can come in handy when assisting you reach your goals! I don’t have a crystal ball, I don’t want to see anyone’s future; I simply sense what you need in the moment that I am with you or before I meet you which can be interesting.
It can be as simple as just saying hey I think your body will benefit from a probiotic in the month before your race, and then all the facts will point to this. Or it will give me a sense of what is the most immediate concern for you when the paper and science will tell us we need to do fifty things; sometimes it is best to keep it simple and go on what the body needs in that moment… and then work from there.
Something that this does give me is a knack for feeling your energy, and the state of health within the muscles and what you need to do to assist their recovery; so if you are open to it and I sense it is needed I may suggest some energy sessions, a go on the PEMF machine, some healing aromatherapy oils (I use Vibrant Blue oils; here is a nice blog on how oils work and Panaway by Young Living oils is a favourite for those with sore or tired muscles) or some other helpful strategies.
Secondly what I really do?
Well think of me as your support team; regarding diet, nutrition, explaining the ins and outs of health and sports supplements (IF needed and how to determine what is worth your while), your functional health and the monitoring of this, your energy and rest-recovery balance, etc.
Basically I sort of act as that support system that provides more than just nutrition. I prefer to see nutrition as just one of the tools we use as more often that not all you require here is guidance (most athletes and active person know what to eat; and if they aren’t then this is where we must focus!).
February 29, 2016
Fuelling your best performance….
Endurance, Triathlon, and Ironman Functional Nutrition Mentorship Programme
Hi all,
I just wanted to announce that over the coming months I will be rolling out a mentorship programme for a select few serious endurance athletes. Places will be limited so if you are interested watch this space or email me to reserve your place (andreacullenhealthsolutions@gmail.com).
Are you a triathlete, ironman, endurance runner, cyclist, swimmer, rower or adventure racer? Are you interested in taking your training and genetics to the next level? Are you SERIOUSLY committed to achieving your sporting goals?
How bad do you want it?
Will you invest in you?
Are you committed to achieving excellence?
Are you prepared to work hard to achieve your goals?
June 29, 2015
Introducing the BodyStat 1500 MDD
I am so excited to introduce a fabulous piece of modern hospital and research quality technology to the new clinic in Castletroy.
I did a lot of research comparing this system against the Tanita brand and although it cost me a LOT more than systems such as the Tanita ironman or Tanita SC-240MA which I was looking at, or more simple devices that have you stand and hold I couldn’t ignore that that these devices are not as accurate or reliable and an aim for my clinic (and myself personally) is honesty and integrity and gold standard when possible; hence my investment.
Dual frequency Bioelectrical Impedance Analysers (BIA) such as the BodyStat 1500 MDD have been shown in clinical settings to be reliable and comparable to the gold standard DEXA test (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry now known as DXA) and a whole lot more practical (have you ever seen a DXA scanner!).
I am currently doing a lot of research into the applications of all the information for elite and professional athletes as well as us Joe soaps so I will have a more extensive blog up in the future; suffice to say it is exciting when knowledge is added to all the data provided by the test.
May 8, 2015
Practical advice for Indoor Swimmers
Do you frequently swim train indoors?
Here are some tips to limit the adverse effects of chlorine on your skin and sinuses.
Do you suffer the chlorine?
The chlorine in swimming pools can be a real hazard to sanity and a trouble maker to health. ‘Issues’ can run from the itchy scratchies from dry and chlorine irritated skin and bothered sinuses to chlorine allergy, chronic sinus problems, asthma, breathing problems, or chest infections.
For some chlorine, a halogen on the periodic table, can have a negative impact on iodine status and thyroid health. This is a more serious topic that I will not be discussing in this post. If you are concerned please private email me.
If you are pregnant, planning to be pregnant, or suffering with thyroid or chronic health problems it may be best to discuss with a health practitioner ‘in the know’ the impact that chlorine may potentially have on your health.
I don’t recommend ‘just taking’ iodine as it is important to determine your need and optimise your dose and also to determine other individual and specific needs. I will aim to get a blog up on this topic and protecting yourself from the negative effects of chlorine on health and thyroid specifically.
It is always best when you can to get out swimming in the open waters.
However be warned that some inland waterways also come with bacterial, algal, or agricultural effluent problems or worse still sewage issues. KNOW where you are swimming and above all pay heed to safety!
See here for some tips: http://www.river-swimming.co.uk/safety.htm
Protect your skin – preparation
March 26, 2015
What happens in Kona IronMan….
Changes people.
I keep meaning to get a blog up about my stay in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and my experience of watching the Ironman World Championships 2014…. and life is throwing so many fabulous experiences at me that I am failing to find the time. I am just back to Ireland now after spending three days in Reno Nevada. It has been a fortnight of every emotion and now jet lag. (PS key to jet lag nutritionally is to stick with protein in the am and carbs in the pm).
It was super to get back to Reno; to reconnect to two precious people, to have some me time, and to indulge in some running time. Reno is at 4,400+ feet above sea level and so I was sucking oxygen on my runs and was grateful for the sun to offset the lungs 🙂
Back to Kona
I had an amazing week in Kona watching my loved one, new friends, and all sorts of sizes, shapes, speeds, techniques and training gear flash by that was all the other competitors as they hit the roads in their final preparations. Just walking down the street or sitting in a café provided ample opportunity to watch the athletes train in the sweltering sun; while I knocked back another Kona coffee.
{Did you know they have a coffee here called peaberry coffee that due to its lower acidity is gentler on the stomach? If you cannot get to Kona this is available to buy online in addition to the real deal Kona coffee. I digress; back to the blog. Coffee has a way of diverting me in my writing as well as in person!}
October 24, 2014
Kona IronMan 2014 Buildup….
My Kona IronMan 2014 experience…. Written by the biggest fan of a loved one….
Aloha Kona; what’s going on?
Picture this: a heady mix of athletes and supporters drinking Kona coffee laced with almond milk or iced coconut water, or sitting in cafes offering meal options named after the pros or walking through the town as she prepares once more for IronMan. Then imagine the procession of athletes in training passing on TT bikes or running half-naked showing off bodies that are deeply bronzed, fit, toned and yet showing unspoken vulnerability as they glisten drenched with sweat. Add to this the usual mix of locals and heady honey-moon love. Yep…. a potent busy mix!
This place is buzzing; that there is no denying.
October 11, 2014
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