SUPPLEMENT BENEFITS: Taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement daily did not significantly affect the number of times older people visited their GP, according to a study in Scotland.
Neither did it reduce the number of times those aged 65 or over picked up infections. The double blind placebo controlled trial of almost 1,000 people, reported in the British Medical Journal, concluded that daily supplements had no benefit on quality of life. The authors noted however that the supplement dose used may have been too low to have effect.
PREGNANCY AND TEETH: Tooth erosion and gum disease are common in pregnant women. Morning sickness can cause the removal of the top layer of enamel. When it occurs, the mouth should be rinsed with a fluoride mouth rinse or a rinse of sodium bicarbonate to protect the teeth from damaging stomach acids. Teeth should not be brushed after vomiting, as weakened enamel may be brushed away. Careful twice daily cleaning and flossing of the teeth can help control gum disease in pregnancy. Dental work is best carried out during the second trimester. See www.vhi.ie/dental
HEALING SESSIONS: Complementary medicine practitioner and shamanic healer Peter Howe is back in Ireland this week offering private healing sessions and public ceremonies. Tomorrow he will lead a Brazilian Light Energization ceremony in the Coach Centre, 44 Westland Row, 7.30pm-9.30pm, cost €3O. On Saturday and Sunday in Sli na Banda, Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow, Howe will lead participants through guided meditations, sweatlodge ceremonies and another Brazilian Light ceremony. Cost €235. Tel: 086-3996601.
NON-CONSENSUAL SEX: Fewer than one in 10 victims of non-consensual sex report to the gardaí and only a tiny proportion of sexual crimes reported result in conviction. As part of a research project into the attrition rates in Ireland, the Faculty of Law at NUI Galway is conducting a national survey of men and women who have experienced sex against their will. The study aims to find out what factors influence people's decisions to report these types of crimes to gardaí and to assess the response of the criminal justice system to such crimes. Contact Deirdre Healy on 091-495374 (Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm) or visit www.end-the-silence.com
(Lifelines is compiled by Sylvia Thompson)