Speaker Evening

Nutrition was the theme at the Rotary Club of South Queensferry on Thursday 8th September. Dr Laura Wyness, currently senior research fellow at Queen Margaret University, who has previously worked on research projects and given nutritional advice to organisations ranging from the UN and the Irish Government to Coca Cola and Sainsbury's, gave a most interesting presentation. As well as outlining the basics of a healthy diet, Dr Wyness emphasised the importance of diet in later life. Sarcopenia, the decline of mussel mass as we get older, can be considerably alleviated by eating a protein rich diet including eggs, lean red meat and frequent snacks. Lucine in red meat is an important dietary component. Venison has the same nutrients as beef but only half the saturated fat and is rapidly gaining popularity. As an example of  food high in soluble fibre but also providing energy, Dr Wyness offered two types of oatcakes to taste. The product which the vast majority of members preferred turned out to be made from bere meal, an ancient 6-rowed strain of barley grown and milled in Orkney. The potential for developing such healthy products on a wider scale is an important aspect of promoting public health. Not surprisingly, Dr Wyness was asked many questions from the floor. Her answers included the facts that normal healthy people with a good diet did not need to take supplements, except perhaps vitamin D. It was very unlikely however that those following a vegetarian or vegan diet could stay healthy without several supplements.

In his vote of thanks, Enrico Prentice thanked Dr Wyness for an excellent and thought provoking presentation. She had brought home the importance of  good diet at every stage of life and had prompted a record number of questions from the members.

In other business, President Graham Leith thanked Iain Fairbairn and Allan Smith for organising the splendid visit to Cluny Clays on Sunday 4th September.