Well oil be darned
A Mediterranean diet appears to lessen the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis after six weeks, according to new research. The experimental diet, which used olive and canola oils as a primary source of fat, was high in fish, poultry, fruit, vegetables and legumes and low in red meat and high-fat dairy products. Dieters lost 3kg and saw their cholesterol levels fall after three weeks, but otherwise there was little change at first. After six weeks, however, their inflammatory activity started to fall. After 12 weeks, they were feeling more vital and their physical function had improved. In all, nine of 14 indicators of the patients' well-being changed for the better.
Avoid a headache
Migraines - their warning signs, symptoms and treatment approaches - will be discussed by Dr Desmond Carroll, consultant neurologist and chairman of the British Association for the Study of Headache, at a free seminar in Dublin on Sunday. Audrey Craven of the Migraine Association of Ireland will also discuss self-help strategies. The seminar runs from 2.30 p.m. - 5 p.m. at the Royal Dublin Hotel on O'Connell Street. Book your place on 1850-200378.
Crack forces
The increased availability of crack cocaine will put further demands on Dublin's drug treatment centres. A talk tonight by Tim Bottomley, who has worked with crack cocaine users in Manchester, will highlight the new challenges this presents. He is speaking at 7.30 p.m. in Trinity College's Joly lecture theatre, in the Hamilton Building (entrance via the Lincoln Place gate). You can get details of future lectures run by Trinity's addiction research centre by calling 01-6083647.
Quit while you're ahead
St Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin is running a stop-smoking course for anyone who wants to kick the habit. Starting tomorrow and open to all, it runs every Tuesday until April 8th between
7 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the hospital's board room. More details from 01-2094958.
Lifelines is compiled by Dr Muiris Houston and Sylvia Thompson
lifelines@irish-times.ie