Men’s health is often ignored, both by our men and by our society. To start to redress this balance locally we have designated June Men’s Health Month in Organico. Click here for the list of events we have planned. We already get a lot of men calling in and asking for advice on health issues, but we know that there are many who need some encouragement to ask!
Martin Mulchrone from EmployAbility Services in Bantry is a customer who came to us for advice on reducing his cholesterol levels. He was so delighted with the results that he came back in to let us know and Liz decided to do a mini interview of his progress.
Liz: Martin, this month we are going to put attention on Men’s Health in Organico. Do you think this is a good idea?
Martin: I do! It’s not something that bothered me for the last couple of years particularly – I just thought my health was something that carried on. It isn’t! Unless you give some attention to it, it’s going to catch you out. It could have been quite dodgy for me.
Liz: What happened for you?
Martin: At a regular health check my doc checked my cholesterol, and it came back as 7.5. I was called in and he said I am going to have to give you a prescription for Statins. I didn’t fill it. I work around the corner from Organico so I popped around and said ‘If I don’t want to take Statins what do I have to do?’ It was you Liz who advised me to try Red Plant Sterols. I kept taking the tablets along with Co Q 10. I didn’t go back after 3 months like I was supposed to, but did go back a couple of weeks ago, and was told I had reduced my cholesterol levels to 5.7. Now, I put that down predominantly to the advice I was given and what I took, because although I did make some changes to my diet, I do like meat, and do have a fry at the weekend, and while I was more mindful of those things I didn’t stop them completely.
Liz: were there any other lifestyle changes you made?
Martin: I remember joining the gym and thinking ‘God I’m going to be fantastic!’ But that went the way of every NY resolution! I do try to eat healthy food, and instead of the chocolate bar in the afternoon I’ll have an apple. If I try to make big changes I just crash and burn and it doesn’t work for me. So little things have stuck, and have been easier to instigate.
Liz: How are you feeling now?
Martin: I’m feeling brilliant! It’s a result for me. I take asthma medication anyway, but I didn’t want to take any more medications. With the advice I got I was able to do something about my health naturally. It has actually inspired me to look at other things, because I would like to lose some weight, so that will be next. But I’m thrilled about what is upwards of a 25% reduction in my cholesterol. And the fact that my LDL cholesterol is down was a great boost for me.’
Liz: What else are you interested in changing?
Martin: Well since I have helped my heart now I wonder what I might be able to do to help my liver and kidneys work a bit better – I should look at them too in case they are feeling left out!
For more information on Red Plant Sterols or any other health issue call in to Organico anytime, or check out the line-up of Men’s Health events we have planned for June…
Always consult a medical health practitioner when dealing with your serious health issues.