Latest Health News – February 2015

In Another Cut-back to Health Spending, Vitamin D Testing is No Longer Subsidised by Government.

The Australian government no longer subsidises testing for vitamin D levels. Vitamin D deficiency is wide-spread and has been linked to a large range of diseases and conditions such as MS, bone disorders, some cancers, hormonal imbalances and thyroid disorders and many more health problems.

Naturopathic Physicians can refer you for blood tests at your closest pathology collection centre (e.g. Healthscope, etc) and the cost for the test is minimal so ask me for a referral at your next appointment.

IBD Concerns for HRT and the Pill 

Oral contraceptive product information is set to be updated to include the risk of inflammatory bowel disease.

In the latest edition of the TGA’s Medicines Safety Update, the agency says it has “evaluated recently published research that describes a link between the use of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and an increased risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease”.

The TGA says it has identified corresponding data that suggests HRT is also a potential risk factor for development of IBD.

While the research does not confirm a causal relationship and the pathogenesis of IBD remains incompletely defined, the TGA believes health professionals should be made aware of the information.

Progestogen-only contraceptives, HRT products and products containing tibolone as the active ingredient were not specifically considered in the evaluated data, the TGA says, so their risk is yet to be determined.

You can read the full report here:  https://www.tga.gov.au/publication-issue/medicines-safety-update-volume-6-number-1-february-2015

The Secret to Raising Smart Kids (It’s not what you think):

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-secret-to-raising-smart-kids1/

Doctors Need to Learn About Nutrition

Citing a 2013 report on US health that identified dietary factors as the single most significant risk factor for disability and premature death, the authors call for changes in medical school curriculum to address the deficit.

“By emphasizing the powerful role of nutrition in medical training and practice, we stand to dramatically reduce suffering and needless death—not to mention the colossal cost savings. The annual cost of cardiovascular disease in the United States was recently estimated at $315 billion. Imagine the savings if, as the data suggest, we could reduce the risk of vascular events by at least one third with widespread adoption of proven nutritional strategies. Although we have much to learn about the optimal diet for each individual and how best to deliver nutritional counseling, we need no more studies to know that we must take nutrition education seriously—immediately. It is the low-hanging fruit of health care. We have had the knowledge we need for some time; what we need now is the will to put it into practice”.

To read the report click on the following link http://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(14)00308-8/fulltext

As a Naturopathic Physician who has trained extensively in nutritional medicine as well as lectured in this field, I strongly believe that the correct diet is the key to optimum health, along with the appropriate natural supplements that have been individually prescribed to meet the unique biochemical and metabolic requirements of your body.

Have a Great Month! 

Sar has advanced qualifications in the health sciences and naturopathic medicine and is an accomplished lecturer, practitioner & counsellor with 21 years of clinical experience.

Specializing in Anxiety & Depression | Women’s Health | Chronic Fatigue | Natural Hormone Therapy | Thyroid Disorders | Digestive Health | Autoimmune Disease | Genetic Polymorphisms (MTHFR, Pyroluria) & Nutrigenomics  | Nutritional Medicine | Counselling | Optimal Wellness & Disease Prevention with a Clinical Focus on Identifying & Resolving the Underlying Causes of Symptoms and Disease. 

Science-Based Naturopathic Health Care to help you achieve optimal wellness, calm and contented mental health, hormonal balance and disease prevention with personalised naturopathic health care, specialized clinical pathology testing and high-quality naturopathic medicines. Professional counselling services are also available.

Appointments are available by phone, skype or in-person at Strathalbyn, SA. 

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Disclaimer: The information provided is not intended to replace medical advice or treatment. Please note: I am not a medical practitioner.