Common Ground
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Common Ground is a podcast series discussing new research and interesting projects in the field of complementary medicine. Produced by vital.ly with hosts and naturopaths Jacqui Fahey and Laura Christoforidis.
Available episodes
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2 days ago
Cardiovascular & mitochondrial health with Dr Ross Walker
In this engaging episode, Dr Walker discusses the benefits of certain nutrients for mitochondrial health, how stress impacts healthy cells, and 5 keys to health message.
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May 24, 2023
Optimising children's health with I'm Nutrients founder Brittany Darling
Brittany Darling, founder of a child-focused nutrient company, I'm Nutrients shares her insights on creating effective, clean, and palatable supplements for children, the challenges of bringing her formulations to market, nutrition for fussy eaters, and the importance of understanding herbal safety and dosing for children.
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May 17, 2023
vital.ly update
In this episode, Bill Palmer, founder of vital.ly shares an interesting back story as to how vital.ly was born, the challenges encountered in setting up a small business, what helped him through this period and much more....tune in here to listen.
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May 3, 2023
Career & professional insights
Nathan Rose shares career insights within the field of complementary medicine including balancing research and anecdotal evidence and various challenges that may arise.
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Apr 19, 2023
A chat with Wayside chapel
Pastor Jon Owen shares an inspiring history of Wayside chapel along with current projects including a women's shelter, onsite GP and much more.
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Apr 5, 2023
Herbal teas: From leaf to cup
In this episode, Mim Beim, Naturopath and founder of Mim Beim Herbal Teas shares her insights on creating a herbal tea range and the triumphs and challenges she has experienced along the way.
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Feb 15, 2023
Ageing Outrageously
In this interview, Christine shares some gems for diet, lifestyle, herbs and nutrients along with explaining why they are important for your brain health, energy levels and ageing outrageously.
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Jan 11, 2023
Shared group consultations
A new way of running your clinical practice? Hannah shares what group consultations are, their benefits, various applications for health conditions and much more....
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Dec 14, 2022
Overview of concussion & recovery
Suffering from a concussion or traumatic brain injury can be life-changing and lead to long-term neurodegenerative and mental health conditions. However, proper nutrition can play a vital role in aiding rehabilitation from brain trauma. In this episode, functional nutritionist Jo Grabyn shares her extensive knowledge and provides clinical insights on nutritional medicine and other supportive interventions for post-concussion recovery. Jo highlights that it is possible to overcome symptoms and improve quality of life through a personalised approach to patient care and these nutritional and other interventions.
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Dec 7, 2022
An introduction to mindfulness...with Melissa Wright
Have you ever wondered how simply being present in the moment can reduce stress and improve health and wellbeing? In this episode, mindfulness coach Melissa Wright, discusses the basics of mindfulness, including the underlying principles, the different styles, the benefits on physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, as well as some the latest research.
Included at the end of this episode is a 10-minute guided mindfulness meditation to leave you feeling calm and focused.
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Nov 16, 2022
Stress & burnout
Feeling stressed or suffering burnout? In this episode, Naturopath and Nutritionist, Brooke Schiller offers insights into addressing the root cause of stress. She discusses herbal, nutritional and lifestyle interventions to optimise health and wellbeing and to help you thrive.
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Nov 2, 2022
Education & research
Overwhelmed by research and biochemistry? In this episode Dr Michael Osiecki shares industry insights into nutraceuticals & biochemical research, offering tips he uses to keep up to date in the healthcare space.
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Oct 5, 2022
Health literacy
Insightful interview sharing key essentials for communicating with patients, clients and members of the community.
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Sep 14, 2022
Health, herbs & career insights
Erin shares her journey as a complementary medicine practitioner, including clinical tips & insights from her 2 new books
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Aug 31, 2022
Health & plant based eating...with Tanya Kwiez
Clinical nutritionist Tanya Kwiez shares her journey of becoming a clinical nutritionist and specialising in plant-based nutrition. She also shares her experience of writing and publishing her first book on plant-based nutrition and discusses her top tips for thriving on a plant-based diet. Tune in here for an engaging conversation.
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Aug 17, 2022
COVID-19 & male fertility...with Rhiannon Hardingham
With the global epidemic of COVID-19 and the increasing number of infections, little is known about how COVID-19 affects the male reproductive system during acute infection or after recovery. In this podcast, naturopath and nutritionist Rhiannon Hardingham discusses the recent evidence and clinical approaches for prevention, acute management, and post-viral recovery, specific to male reproduction.
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Aug 3, 2022
CIRS/Mould Illness
Lisa McDonald, a Clinical Naturopath with over 10 years of experience in recovery from Mould Toxicity shares her personal experience, and clinical insights for identifying and recovering from chronic inflammatory response syndrome/mould illness.
Tune in here for more…
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Jul 20, 2022
Mould & mycotoxins...with Carolyn Ledowsky
Naturopath and founder of MTHFR Support Australia Carolyn Ledowsky shares her insights on mould illness & mycotoxins including when to suspect mould illness, how to test and treat it, with a focus on gut support and detoxification.
Tune in here for clinical insights.
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Jul 6, 2022
Insightful chat with a midwife
What is the role of a mid wife? why are antibiotics often presribed during labour? what is a Calm birth educator? Tune in here for an engaging conversation with mid wive Kerri-Ann Baxter who works at Wodonga hospital and is a Calm birth educator.
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Jun 15, 2022
Juggling motherhood, business & burn out
Clinical nutritionist and Functional medicine practitioner Filipa Bellette shares her journey with burn out, what worked for her, how she has integrated this into her clinical practice to assist others and juggling motherhood. Tune in here for an engaging conversation.
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Jun 1, 2022
Children & Long COVID
In this episode, Wendy McLean, Naturopath and Senior Writer & Presenter at vital.ly discusses the latest research on long COVID in children and adolescents and explores its prevalence, clinical manifestation, potential causes and management.
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May 18, 2022
MTHFR & Autoimmunity...with Carolyn Ledowsky
Autoimmune diseases affect 1 in 20 people and arise from a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers. In this episode, naturopath and founder of MTHFR Support Australia Carolyn Ledowsky shares some research and her experience on MTHFR gene variations and autoimmune disease including key nutrients and diet and lifestyle interventions that are supportive for autoimmune patients with MTHFR.
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May 4, 2022
PRACI re-launch... with Dr Amie Steel
PRACI….The world's largest practice based research network for complementary medicine has re-launched.
Want to hear about the benefits of PRACI and how you may get involved?
Dr Amie Steel shares some inspiring insights into how PRACI is benefiting our profession and how it enables more trained practitioners who are research skilled to produce research into the future.
If you're trying to provide a patient centred experience that actually supports preventative health, and it educates patients to take better care of themselves, PRACI has evidence that naturopaths are doing it better than anybody else.
Tune in here for more…..
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Apr 20, 2022
Fertility in the modern world
A severe decline in child births has occurred over the past half century, particularly in industrialised countries, and has been partially linked to increasing exposures to manmade chemicals and other toxins.
In this episode naturopath Tabitha McIntosh will discuss the impact of the environment on reproductive development, health and fertility across the lifespan.
Tabitha will journey us through the changing landscape of fertility and plummeting sperm counts, highlighting the most vulnerable windows for exposures and how we can protect our clients from environmental insult at each stage.
Importantly, she shines the light on the various tools we have in our Natural Medicine toolkit to restore and enhance fertility outcomes for both men and women.
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Apr 6, 2022
Diabetes, nutrients & lifestyle interventions....with Melanie Turner
Why is diabetes type one considered an autoimmune disease?What role does diet play in regulating blood sugar control? what herbs, nutrients and lifestyle interventions can also support?
Tune in here to hear Melanie’s clinical insights and much more…
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Mar 23, 2022
Health technology assessment - Naturopathy with Dr Amie Steel
There are more than 110,000 naturopath and naturopathic doctors globally. The naturopathic profession has existed as a distinct healthcare system for over a hundred years and is practiced in over a hundred countries. It has produced over 2000 peered reviewed articles since 1987.
51 naturopathic doctors from 11 countries across 5 world regions have contributed to the chapters of this Health Technology Assessment for Naturopathy.
As Dr Amie Steel shares, “If you want to know what we are, what we do, why we do it, what the evidence is, everything else, how might I be able to use this? how we're regulated, everything you want to know, it's all in this book.”
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Mar 9, 2022
Thyroid & autoimmunity
Thyroid disorders are some of the most common health conditions reported worldwide, and the prevalence of these disorders is increasing. In Australia, an estimated 850,000 people live with a thyroid issue, and often these issues are caused by immune dysfunction and autoimmunity.
In this episode, naturopath Emma Drady shares her clinical insights on autoimmune thyroid disorders, including their clinical presentation, how to test for them and therapeutic interventions for supporting thyroid health.
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Feb 23, 2022
An experience with COVID-19
In this episode, Wendy McLean, Naturopath and Educator at vital.ly, shares her recent experience with COVID-19, and discusses some of the herbs, nutrients, and diet and lifestyle interventions that she used to support her immunity for pre, during and post SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Feb 2, 2022
Social media & marketing tips...with Heather Porter
In this episode we shall be discussing social media marketing with a focus on clinical practice for healthcare professionals. Marketing trends and website tools can come in and out of fashion and perhaps you've tried some using them successfully or you're looking for something else? How do you stand out from the crowd without bombarding in these times of overwhelm and influx of information?
Business coach and speaker, Heather Porter shares 6 step little formula for attracting more clients online along with so much more.....
Heather teaches online marketing tips to small businesses who want to grow with less hustle. Heather is founder of Website Love, a website development and social media agency. She is an Amazon Kindle number one bestseller and co-author of four business books. Heather is one of eight Facebook community trainers in Australia and New Zealand and teaches the Facebook community boost program to small businesses.
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Jan 18, 2022
Supporting the headspace for fertility..with Katey Weekes
Anxiety and depression are common throughout the IVF & fertility journey. In this episode, naturopath Katey Weekes shares some research and her experience in nutritional psychology including what key nutrients are supportive for mental health during this time along with sharing insights beyond prescriptions to more the supportive language needed throughout the healthcare space.
Tune in here for how our nutritional choices can directly influence our headspace and much more....
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Dec 1, 2021
Climate anxiety & lifestyle medicine
Climate change is recognised as the most significant health threat of the 21st century. However, while the physical health effects of climate change are impossible to ignore, a less obvious consequence is its strain on people’s mental wellbeing.
Recent surveys indicate that Australians are three times more worried about climate change than COVID-19 and that four in five Australian adolescents are anxious about climate change.
So what is climate anxiety? What are the signs and symptoms? What can we do to prevent or manage it?
And what is the link between a healthy lifestyle and a healthy climate?
This podcast takes a deep dive into climate anxiety and discusses lifestyle medicine interventions that have the potential to not only improve mental resilience and adaptation to climate change but improve planetary health as well.
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Nov 10, 2021
Cognitive health & reversible dementias
How our memory is affected as we age has been given considerable attention over recent decades as we often strive to understand the cognitive processes involved. It's not all bad news though. There is a growing body of evidence in both neuroscience and psychological studies showing that the full spectrum of cognitive aging encompasses both gains and losses.
Tune in for this episode where the nutrients and factors involved for 'reversible dementias' are discussed plus much more....
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Oct 13, 2021
Transition to practice...with Christine Pope
As healthcare professionals, there are many factors to consider for transitioning into clinical practice. From legal, financial and marketing considerations to business structure, vision, to type of practice....these are all important aspects to consider but where do you start? What are your priorities?
Christine Pope, Naturopath, Nutritionist and Director at the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia will be sharing some key insights into successfully transitioning into clinical practice.
An insightful podcast for graduating students....
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Sep 29, 2021
Sinusitis & mental health...with Wendy McLean
Chronic sinusitis is one of the most common chronic diseases, affecting nearly 1 in 7 people. Unfortunately, people who suffer from chronic sinus are more likely than those who do not to develop depression, anxiety and sleep disorders. They also often report symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms can severely impact physical and mental wellbeing and overall quality of life.
This podcast episode explores the link between chronic sinusitis and its complications, including its effects on mental health and cognitive function. It looks at the prevalence of these comorbidities, potential underlying biological mechanisms, and potential nutrient, herbal and dietary interventions that may assist with addressing these mechanisms and improving health and wellbeing.
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Sep 15, 2021
Naturopathy & mental health... with Steven Judge
Naturopathy is a holistic system that incorporates a range of treatments and natural therapies with some underlying core philosophies that include an expanded individual centred and holistic approach to healthcare.
In this episode, Steven share's some naturopathic clinical tips for mental health, including herbs, nutrients and educational approaches that may assist with stress and anxiety.
Steven has a practical and down to earth approach in clinic and despite the complexity of some cases, he breaks things down for his clients in an easy to understand way, that is focused on empowering his clients to take control of their health by shifting their perspective and supporting their physiology.
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Sep 1, 2021
The healing power of breath... with Mim Beim
Have you wondered about how you breathe during your day?
The way you breathe can impact your health, from helping to regulate important functions such as heart rate and blood pressure, reduce the stress response and also having an effect on your posture.
Tune in here for this very insightful podcast......included is a two minute technique for switching on your parasympathetic nervous system which enables a calm response.
There are different types of breathing exercises one can do to help foster a sense of calm, reduce stress and anxiety levels, and lower blood pressure just to name a few.
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Aug 18, 2021
Intestinal permeability update...with Brooke Schiller
When it comes to human health, the intestinal barrier is of critical importance. An intact intestinal barrier facilitates absorption of nutrients and prevents the entry of toxins and pathogens into the human body, whereas an impaired intestinal barrier allows their entry, which may trigger local or systemic inflammation and disease.
Increased intestinal permeability is a new target for disease prevention and therapy. Intestinal permeability involves the loss of integrity between the epithelial cells of the small intestine. It has been linked to a wide range of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and depression.
Currently, there are no pharmacological treatments for intestinal permeability; however, accumulating evidence supports are a range of dietary and non-pharmacological interventions, including fibre, vitamin D, zinc, and probiotics…
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Aug 4, 2021
Intestinal Microbiome & NAFLD...with Wendy McLean
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease affecting up to 45% of the adult population and 15% of children and adolescents. A growing body of evidence suggests that NAFLD is triggered and driven by dysbiosis of the gut microbiota caused by diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors.
This podcast investigates the link between the gut microbiome and the liver, with specific reference to NAFLD. It discusses the major factors that induce dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and disrupt intestinal permeability and possible mechanisms leading to NAFLD development. The latest research for therapeutic strategies targeting the gut microbiota for NAFLD is discussed.
This podcast offers clinicians practical and evidence-based therapeutic strategies for NAFLD, from dietary interventions to pre and probiotic supplementation.
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Jul 21, 2021
Ocean acidification, what is ‘wild caught’ fish, and heavy metals discussed with Australian Marine Conservation Society..part 2 with Adrian Meder
Last episode, I spoke with Adrian Meder, Sustainable Seafood Program Manager from the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) we covered fish farming, fish oil certifications and how we may make informed decisions about the fish we choose to eat, how this helps our oceans, covering some of the tools that may help us with such decisions, such as the sustainable seafood program guide from AMCS.
In this second part of the interview with Adrian, we delve further into ocean acidification, krill oils, what ‘wild caught’ fish is, then onto microplastics, heavy metals and cleaning up the ocean.........with Adrian sharing some final rays of light on the horizon for us all.
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Jul 7, 2021
Fish farming and sustainability with Australian Marine Conservation Society
In this podcast today, we shall be clarifying where the industry is at and some tips to keep in mind when purchasing fish and or fish oil products.
Adrian Meder, Sustainable Seafood Program Manager from the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) covers an update on fish farming, fish oil certifications and how we may make informed decisions about the fish we choose to eat,helps our oceans and our health. We discuss some of the tools that may help us in making such decisions, such as the Sustainable Seafood Program Guide from AMCS.
An important podcast for helping us make informed decisions around the seafood we eat.
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Jun 23, 2021
Therapeutic essential oils explained.....with Dr Bo Hendgen
There are a spectrum of oils available for sale on the market. So what makes an essential oil therapeutic? Not all are created equally and this depends upon many aspects from sourcing of the plant, extraction methods used, and then the intended application method for using the essential oil.
For example, why can you get headaches when using some essential oils over others? For dispersing essential oils, what are the key things one looks out for when using an oil diffuser, as many are made from plastic.
So the quality of the oil matters, along with application method for the individual.
In this episode ,Naturopath, Osteopath and Aromatic medicine practitioner Dr Bo Hendgen helps clarify some of these important questions plus offers some great health tips for using essential oils for various applications.
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Jun 9, 2021
PFAS and Health Management...with Wendy McLean
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, are a class of synthetic, fluorinated chemicals resistant to heat, water, and oil. For nearly 70 years, these chemicals have been used in hundreds of consumer products and industrial applications. These chemicals have been linked to hormone disruption and other serious health effects, even at low doses. They are a significant health concern due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and potential toxicity.
This podcast discusses the health impacts of these chemicals, including their effects on reproductive and developmental toxicity, hepatotoxicity, carcinogenesis, and disruption of immunological, metabolic, and endocrine pathways.
Methods for identifying and minimising PFAS exposure are discussed. Nutritional and herbal strategies for reducing PFAS-induced oxidative stress and enhancing liver detoxification and gastrointestinal elimination of these chemicals are identified.
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May 26, 2021
Postpartum Recovery...with Jane Hutchens
Pregnancy and the postpartum period can evoke a range of stressors and challenges that can lead to chronic and debilitating fatigue and physical and mental deterioration. This deterioration, termed postpartum depletion, often overlaps with depression, can lead to long-term health sequelae.
In this episode, Jane Hutchens discusses the factors contributing to postpartum depletion and depression and methods for assessing these. Jane discusses the critical nutritional deficiencies that need to be addressed. She provides diet and lifestyle recommendations to support postpartum recovery and reduce the risk of long-term health consequences.
Jane also provides a valuable list of resources and support services for new mothers, including those suffering either postpartum depletion or depression.
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May 12, 2021
Medicinal cannabis update...with Dr Janet Schloss
How does one access medicinal cannabis and what form are you being prescribed? synthetic or botanical?
Medicinal cannabis is a growing field with still many questions surrounding its accessibility, safety and usage.
In this episode, Dr Schloss shares an update on the therapeutic uses of medicinal cannabis, current research projects and types of medicinal cannabis available and how one may access it.
We also discuss how it is different to recreational cannabis.
An update that may help clarify some questions you have surrounding this effective medicinal herb.
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Apr 28, 2021
Stress, meditation and research... with Jacqui Fahey
With our collective attention span having shortened by around one third over the past fifteen years (1) and so many demands on our time and minds, it can take conscious effort to take a moment and allow ourselves the time out. Even when we do make time, many can be stuck on how to actually do this.
This podcast discusses the basics of meditation, along with some very inspiring research on how meditation may potentially improve various areas of health such as the symptoms of pain, helping extinguish fearful associations, along with some further recent research on meditation apps and what studies are showing regards the 4 elements most styles of meditation have in common.
From significantly longer median telomere lengths to improvements in vagal tone and significantly increased salivary oxytocin levels, this podcast is full of inspiring research and practical content.
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Apr 14, 2021
Menopause research...with Janet Schloss
In this episode, the latest research project on menopause is discussed. Certain herbal medicines with clinical relevance are explored with their potential benefits for women going through the menopause.
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Apr 7, 2021
Perimenopause and menopause... with Regina Lasaitis
In this episode, we discuss the challenges women experience during the menopausal transition, including the physical and mental symptoms which can be overwhelming, debilitating, and significantly impact the quality of life. We explore the stigma of menopause and why it is often viewed as a negative experience.
This podcast offers clinical insights for supporting women experiencing hormonal fluctuations associated with menopause, including herbal therapeutics for hot flashes, mood, sleep, cognition, and menstrual irregularities. We discuss the importance of adrenal health during this transition and herbs that are supportive of the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis. We discuss diet and lifestyle interventions that can support a smoother transition and the importance of tailoring our clinical approach to the individual.
Many women struggle during this transition and experience a sense of loss. In this podcast, Regina reframes the common negative perception of menopause and discu…
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Mar 31, 2021
Immune resilience... with Wendy McLean
In this episode, Wendy McLean, Educator at vital.ly, discusses diet, lifestyle and environmental factors that affect our immune resilience and the implications for individuals with COVID-19.
Specifically, she discusses key immune nutrients, the gut and lung microbiome's role in immunity, and the benefits of physical exercise, stress reduction techniques, and prosocial behaviour for building immune resilience.
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Mar 24, 2021
Shared medical consults with Sophia Gerontakos
In this episode with Sophia Gerontakos, we discuss shared medical appointments in clinical practice and their benefits to the management of various health conditions.
Specifically, endometriosis is explored for potentially suiting this group consultation model.
Could this make naturopathy more accessible to the wider community and from the research, how do group consultations compare to one on one?
Tune in here for this informative chat...
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Mar 18, 2021
Endometriosis with Donna Ciccia
In this episode, we discuss some of the inroads made for putting endometriosis on the map, along with some of the latest collaborative research projects for clinicians, patients, and researchers.
From ultrasound research and AI, mental health, workplace, and tech support for endometriosis patients, this podcast offers an insightful update on coming together for raising awareness of endometriosis.
830,000 women today are living with endometriosis. It affects all aspects of women's lives from social activities, relationships, work, attendance, and productivity. Endometriosis is reported to cost Australian society $9.7 billion annually, with two-thirds of these costs attributed to a loss in productivity.
Not everyone with endometriosis has the same symptoms. Complementary medicine and Allied healthcare approaches are discussed, particularly highlighting individual approaches for endometriosis management. Do we need a 'village' approach?
Tune in to hear the details...
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Mar 9, 2021
Introducing Common Ground
Introducing Common Grounds, a new weekly podcast discussing new research and interesting projects in the field of complementary medicine.
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