A man from Co Kerry who knocks back 20 pints of Guinness every weekend was told he’s perfectly healthy by doctors on TV. Mick O’Brien, a retired ESB worker in his twilight years, got the all-clear on his health in spite of his drinking habits.
His passion for the black stuff was shared on The Clinic For Well People, airing on Virgin Media One. It turns out Mick, who hikes a hefty 25 miles a week to stay spry, boasts a metabolic age of 68, spot-on blood pressure, and a heart that has no issues.
Dr Jean Kenny gave him the thumbs up, his thyroid is ticking over nicely, and his liver’s looking sharp, remarking: “If you mind yourself, you could live until you’re 102.”
Still, she wagged a finger at Mick’s drinking habits, which is more than double the advised amount, and nudged him to cut it down to eight pints per week. A cheeky Mick quipped: “I’ll have to consider whether I’ll comply with what the medical people say.”
Kerry native, Mick O’Brien.
(Image: Virgin Media One)
Dublin Live notes, the GP pointed out Mick’s weekly tipple tally at 40 units – that’s 20 jars of stout – soaring past the prudent peak of 17 units.
She warned him about the dangers of such heavy drinking, cautioning, “Going down that slope can be bad,” and giving it to him straight, “Alcohol is a grade 1 carcinogen. You have alcohol-free days which is good, but you need to address the drinking at the weekend.”
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Dr. Jean commended Mick’s “superb” genetic makeup, pointing out that his father remained employed on the family farm until the age of 90, continued driving until 93, and lived until 97, when he suffered a stroke. Additionally, his mother lived well into her 90s, and one of his aunts reached the remarkable age of 102.
The documentary series, filmed at TU Dublin, explores the lives of people who appear to have no health issues.
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