Cork GP Dr Doireann O'Leary on women's health, supplements and motherhood

CORK GP Dr Doireann O’Leary became so frustrated at seeing people with no medical qualifications talking with authority on health online, that she felt compelled to embark on a mission to break down information barriers and empower people to improve their wellbeing and lifestyles.

Dr Doireann said she started her campaign, called ‘Pioneering the Path’, since she noticed so many self-appointed ‘health experts’ sharing medical information with nothing to back them up.

“I decided to make use my 17 years of experience studying medicine and meeting patients to create educational content that is evidence based and factually correct.

“The term ‘more confidence than competence’ often comes to mind. It’s often dangerous. For example, I see ‘wellness gurus’ giving advice on bloating, failing to mention that bloating is a red flag symptom in women and ovarian cancer must be considered and ruled out,” she said.

With a special interest in women’s health (she’s a registered Cervical Check smear taker and a Long Acting Reversible Contraception provider), she shares a diverse range of free educational content online via her social media channels and podcast.

I share and educate on topics like lifestyle medicine, eg how morning sunlight can improve your sleep, why walking reduces your cancer risk and how practicing gratitude is scientifically proven to help you live longer.

“I also post regular reminders on the importance of attending for cervical screening, as well as up-to-date information on women’s health conditions like endometriosis, PCOS, contraception and menstrual health.

“My online community is mostly women, so naturally I share up-to-date evidence-based informative content on the science of beauty products, treatments and procedures. Things like, what really works for post-partum hair loss, why tanning injections should be avoided, the benefits and complications of botox and fillers, and why you should need to wear UV protecting gloves when attending for your manicure.

“Dermatology features a lot too with informative content on over-the-counter and prescription treatments and procedures for common skin conditions such as acne, rosacea and post-partum pigmentation,” she says.

She recently shared a stark reminder that processed meat is known to cause cancer in humans.

“It’s a Grade 1 carcinogen. This is the same group as cigarettes. I still see TV advertising of processed meats with no warning, despite the classification. I recently received a complimentary pack of processed meat with my grocery delivery. 

To me that’s akin to receiving a free packet of cigarettes. 

"Red meat is a Grade 2 carcinogen. That’s why I adhere to a vegetarian diet.”

Dr Doireann also recently shared a post on her Instagram about biotin – an ingredient often found in multivitamins and other dietary supplements. The FDA warns that biotin can interfere with certain diagnostic tests, in particular ones relating to heart attacks and thyroid disease, both of which are common in women. Biotin can also lead to acne. It is for these reasons that Dr Doireann believes biotin shouldn’t be contained in widely marketed dietary supplements.

Tellingly, the Cork woman says that never once in her career has she met someone who knows what’s in their multi vitamin. That’s what spurred her on to start her own range, ‘Supplements Made Simple’ in 2022.

“After many years of meeting patients who were confused by what supplements to take, I decided to take matters into my own hands to create a simple and fuss-free, evidence-based range of vitamins.

I’ve met countless patients who had no idea what was in their multivitamin as well as patients taking supplements they don’t need, whilst missing the supplements they really do need, for example women trying to conceive but not taking folic acid, vitamin D and omegas, all of which are crucial for pregnancy, but taking vitamin C and Ashwaganda, which have no benefit in pregnancy.

“Whilst many supplements are largely useless, and sometimes even harmful, there are evidence-based supplements that do work and do give a meaningful health benefit to people who take them,” she says.

The aim of Supplements Made Simple is literally simple: to ensure people are taking the evidence-based supplements they really need.

The past few years have thrown their own challenges at Dr Doireann: her father died in 2019 and not long after she was diagnosed with cervical cancer.

She wrote in a social media post: “There’s been terrifying highs and terrifying lows. Very scary times where we didn’t know what would happen me or if I would survive. Ultimately, I was told that my cancer was operable.”

Happier times have followed and she and her surgeon husband Peter, recently became parents.

“My heart is now so full of joy and gratitude,” she said, but wouldn’t be drawn further on her bundle of joy.

My page and profile are about me so I don’t share anything about family or friends.

Gratitude and joy aside, she honestly admits the maternal mental load can sometimes be a challenge.

“Moms take on so many roles. My head is constantly swirling with to-do lists. Making sure the correct bin is out. Hoovering and laundry to be done. Loading and unloading the dishwasher. Making sure there’s food for me, my husband, the baby. Scheduling the grocery delivery. Making the dinner. Making sure the baby has clean clothing that fit - they grow out of clothes so quick. Making sure I’m dressed myself! Then there’s the house admin - insurance policies, making sure the smoke alarm works, sorting through the post, arranging and scheduling the maintenance guys when there’s a leak in the roof. Arranging time for work calls and emails, slotting in time for friends and family…trying to squeeze in time for your walk and gratitude journal when you feel overwhelmed.. and there’s always something new and it never ends!

It’s mentally demanding as well as physically demanding! 

"Since going on maternity leave I get about 15k steps a day running around the place trying to get it all done! The lifting is hard too! I’ve developed a neck and shoulder strain that I go to physio for and had to get an injection in my neck last week for it. But I’m grateful for it all! Motherhood is not always easy but it’s the absolute best and so worth it when you have your little buddy helping you out and smiling back at you amidst the madness,” she said.

Becoming a mum was, in fact, the motivation behind her newest product: a cutting-edge hydrolysed marine collagen.

“Late in 2022, when I was preparing for the arrival of my baby, like many first time moms, I was worried how my skin, hair, nails and appearance might change as a result of sleepless nights and the intensity of the daily demands of motherhood. I booked appointments for dermal fillers for the first time but opted not to go ahead. 

I wanted to find another way of nourishing my skin and hair. 

"My reading directed me to collagen supplements as a scientific method to protect my skin from the stress of sleepless nights. The data robustly shows that collagen increases hydration and elasticity of the skin as well as reducing fine lines and wrinkles as well as boosting hair health. Basically it gives us a healthy glow!”

Dr Doireann said she knew she wanted marine rather than bovine collagen ‘due to the bovine collagen’s association with animal welfare concerns and deforestation.’

“I searched high and low, tried a number of products but nothing was quite right.”

Maternity leave gave this driven woman the opportunity to develop her own product.

“I took the time when my baby was napping to create my dream hydrolysed marine collagen product. Customers come back again and again for repeat orders because they see first-hand the benefits in their hair, skin and nails. Evidence based beauty is my promise to my customers.”

Her ultimate goal?

To help people lead healthier lives and alert people to potential dangers that can cause harm.

Dr Doireann’s core range includes Vitamin B12, Vitamin D and Folic Acid:

• Folic Acid: It’s proven to reduce the risk of Spina Bifida in developing babies. All health authorities recommend that all women of childbearing potential take folic acid. Only 50% of Irish women are taking folic acid at time of conception.
• Vitamin D: I see Vitamin D deficiency every single week in my work as a GP. It’s proven to prevent osteoporosis in women, supports immune function in adults and children, supports normal bone development in children. This is a key supplement in countries in The Northern Hemisphere as we don’t get enough sunshine Vitamin D during winter months. Recent evidence shows that most of us can’t get enough Vitamin D from our diet or from cutaneous photosynthesis (making Vitamin D in the skin in response to sunlight). Trinity College in Dublin recently published a paper showing that Vitamin D supplementation reduces risk of respiratory tract infections ie coughs, colds and flus. Low Vitamin D is also associated with low mood, anxiety and depression.
• Omega 3 Fatty Acids: Proven to reduce risk of heart disease by reducing cholesterol and blood pressure. Supports brain and gut health in adults. Supports hair, skin and nail strength. Improves hair and skin health. Reduces acne. Associated with a reduced risk of dementia. Supports brain development in developing babies. A crucial supplement in particular for people who don’t eat a lot of fish.
• Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 deficiency is common because we get it from animal products. In recent years there’s been a big uptick in people opting to switch to vegan or vegetarian diets or simply cutting back and having meat-free days.
• Vitamin B12 deficiency presents as tiredness, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, poor concentration and sometimes even numbness. Vitamin B12 deficiency is a reversible cause of dementia.