Healthy Home. Healthy Life. Intro to Building Biology by Laura Canavan-Hayes

Healthy Home. Healthy Life. Intro to Building Biology by Laura Canavan-Hayes

On Health Waves, host Eilis, a nutritional therapist, speaks with Laura Canavan-Hayes, a building biologist and functional medicine health coach she met at a functional medicine conference. Laura explains the origins of building biology in post-war Germany and how the practice evaluates homes, offices, and schools for potential health impacts. Topics include mould and moisture, water pollutants, industrial chemicals, and electromagnetic radiation. Drawing from her own experience of improving severe allergies and anaphylaxis symptoms after making changes to a Victorian home, Laura discusses the importance of breathable materials, moisture management, ventilation, and the use of more natural building products such as hempcrete, sheep’s wool insulation, lime plaster, and clay and lime paints. The conversation also explores practical ways to reduce technology exposure, including hardwiring devices, turning off Wi-Fi at night, and changing phone habits. Laura shares concerns around smart devices, solar panel inverters, and electric cars for highly sensitive individuals. They also discuss fluoride in Irish water, filtration, natural personal care and cleaning products, and Laura’s showroom in Clontarf, which offers natural bedding and other home products. The episode finishes with simple, practical first steps people can take to create a healthier home environment. Learn more about Building Biology here. Visit us at WildAtlanticHealth.com.

Breaking the Myths of Both Health: Strength through Science with Annette Cashell

In this episode of the Health Waves Podcast, nutritional therapist Eilis sits down with Holistic Movement Coach, Annette Cashell to talk all things bone health — and why it’s never “too late” to strengthen your skeleton. Bones aren’t static. They’re living tissue, constantly rebuilding. Even post-menopause, they can respond to the right stimulus. Annette explains the difference between osteoporosis and osteopenia, and why fracture risk isn’t defined by your DEXA score alone. Bone quality, balance, muscle strength, stress, smoking, alcohol, steroid use, dieting history, and certain medications all play a role. It’s more nuanced than a single number. Annette shares her own journey — from a career in marketing to Pilates and bone-health coaching — and how she reversed her osteopenia through progressive strength training, targeted nutrition, and managing stress and cortisol. They explore why walking, while beneficial, may not be enough to stimulate bone growth. Think progressive load. Heavier weights. Fewer reps. The conversation also covers age-related bone changes, the FRAX fracture-risk tool, different medication approaches, and how to modify activities (yes, even golf) without avoiding movement altogether. Annette also outlines her online Strong Bones and More programme and the everyday “non-negotiables” that quietly protect your bones — reducing time in heels, sitting less, building balance, and taking proper stress breaks. If you care about staying strong, steady, and independent as you age, this one’s worth a listen. Learn more about Annette at her website, https://annettecashell.com Visit ⁠⁠Wild Atlantic Health⁠⁠ [www.wildatlantichealth.com] to get your hands on our Vitamin D3+K2+A supplement, which is vital for bone, muscle and teeth, as well as immune system.

Mind–Body Connection: A Journey to Holistic Wellness with Richard Brook

In this episode of HealthWaves, Eilis Ó Broin, nutritional therapist, sits down with Richard Brook — acupuncturist, yoga teacher, author, and founder of Creative Wellness in the Algarve. Richard qualified in acupuncture in 2007 and has spent over 15 years teaching yoga. Before relocating to Portugal in 2016, he ran Creative Yoga London, blending traditional classes with social and even yoga-based dating events. After first visiting the retreat centre Moinhos Velhos in 2014, he felt a strong pull to return. Eleven years later, he’s helping run the centre and is now in the process of purchasing it. The conversation explores his book, Understanding Human Nature: A User’s Guide to Life, and his approach to Five Element acupuncture. Unlike conventional Traditional Chinese Medicine, Five Element acupuncture takes a broader Daoist view — examining life choices, seasonal rhythms, and diagnosing through colour, sound, odour and emotion. The five elements — wood, fire, earth, metal and water — are linked not only to organs, but also to behaviours and recurring thought patterns. Richard also introduces Drew Yoga, a gentle and heartfelt practice, and explains how the retreat programmes integrate body, mind and spirit. Juice fasting, he says, can help clear both mental and physical clutter, support autophagy, and create space for deeper life resets. Many guests, he notes, leave with more than just improved digestion — they leave with perspective. The retreat site itself is said to sit on a quartz seam and what’s described as a “synchronic line,” adding to its reputation as an energetically potent space. When asked for practical starting points, Richard keeps it simple: move your body (especially through dance), attend regular yoga classes, and commit to consistent one-to-one therapy. Three anchor practices. Accessible. Grounded. To learn more, visit creativewellness.co.uk [http://creativewellness.co.uk/] and Moinhos Velhos in the Algarve. This podcast is produced by WildAtlanticHealth.com [WildAtlanticHealth.com ]

Understanding Cardiometabolic Health: Insights from Naturopathic Practitioner, Brianán Dolan

In this episode of Health Waves Podcast, host and nutritional therapist Eilis is joined by naturopathic and functional medicine practitioner Brianán Dolan to delve into the topic of cardiometabolic health. The duo discusses the significance of understanding various markers and symptoms related to heart health, the gender differences in symptoms, and the critical importance of prevention over cure. Brianán shares her insights on the impact of diet, lifestyle, and stress on heart health, as well as the benefits of functional medicine tests in identifying and managing risks. They also discuss the roles of supplements, the importance of hormonal balance, and the often overlooked impact of oral health on heart disease. This engaging conversation is packed with practical tips and advice for maintaining heart health, particularly for women and those with a family history of heart disease.

Living with Celiac: Journey and Insights by Emma Murphy

Welcome to this episode of the Health Waves Podcast! Host Eilis, a nutritional therapist, is joined by Emma, also a nutritional therapist, who shares her experiences living with celiac disease and offers invaluable insights into managing the condition. Emma discusses her journey from diagnosis to becoming symptom-free through a strict gluten-free diet and targeted nutritional therapies. They cover the importance of gut healing, the role of supplements, navigating dining out, and the differences between celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity. This episode is packed with practical advice for those living with celiac disease, as well as their families and friends. Don't miss Emma's five essential tips for newly diagnosed celiacs! Follow Emma on Instagram - link [https://www.instagram.com/shetalkshealth_/] Only Natural - link [https://www.instagram.com/onlynaturalwexford.ie/] Visit Wild Atlantic [https://www.wildtlantichealth.com] for premium Gluten Free supplements