A Kerry man who enjoys 20 pints of Guinness every weekend has been declared as fit as a fiddle on a TV health show. Mick O’Brien, a retired ESB worker in his 70s, received a clean bill of health despite his hefty weekend drinking habit.
He shared his love for Guinness on The Clinic For Well People, which airs tomorrow on Virgin Media One. Tests revealed that Mick, who walks 25 miles a week to keep fit, had a metabolic age of 68, excellent blood pressure and a healthy heart.
Dr Jean Kenny confirmed his thyroid was perfect and his liver was in good shape, adding: “If you mind yourself, you could live until you’re 102.”
However, she cautioned Mick that his alcohol consumption was more than double the recommended intake and suggested he reduce it to eight pints a week. A jovial Mick responded: “I’ll have to consider whether I’ll comply with what the medical people say.”
The GP noted that Mick’s weekly alcohol intake of 40 units – equivalent to 20 pints – was well above the recommended limit of 17 units, reports Dublin Live.
She warned him about the dangers of excessive drinking, saying: “Going down that slope can be bad,” and “Alcohol is a grade 1 carcinogen. You have alcohol-free days which is good, but you need to address the drinking at the weekend.”
Dr Jean praised Mick’s “superb” genetics, noting that his father worked until he was 90 on the family farm, drove until he was 93, and passed away at 97 due to a stroke. His mother also lived into her 90s, and an aunt reached the age of 102.
The series, which is set in TU Dublin, delves into the lives of individuals who have no apparent health problems.