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I can think of few more insane holiday events than having parents and children wait in long lines at shopping malls, supermarkets, hospitals and clinics to get a flu vaccination ...

6 Feb 2008Cruising the Danube

What comes to mind when you hear the word `Danube’? Johann Strauss and his Blue Danube Waltz? The famous Viennese Steam Ship on its way to Budapest? Psychologist Konrad Lorenz?

6 Feb 2008Danubian Cuisine

The food of the countries around the Danube is as varied as its peoples. However, there is a strong tradition of fresh ingredients.

6 Feb 2008Drugs Don’t Work Says Glaxo

In an extraordinary admission, a senior executive with UK drug giant, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), has ’confessed’ that the vast majority of prescription drugs don’t work.

6 Feb 2008Profits Before People

Banks aren’t the only companies putting profits before people. This also applies in the business of health and the environment. Genetic engineering is a prime example.

Headaches bother most people at some time or other, but for those who suffer regular headaches, the problem is very distressing. Headaches always have a cause, whether they occur occasionally or often. If they are frequent or severe, there is a pressing need to remove that cause. It is well known that continued use of analgesics can lead to kidney disease.

Because vegan diets tend to be somewhat lower in fat than other kinds of vegetarian diets and diets that contain meat, they are often lower in calories, which will help with weight loss.

24 Feb 2008Depression and Nutrition

In recent years there has been more research done on the relationship between nutrition and depression, particularly in regard to the lack of certain nutrients — or the inclusion of others — having a profound effect on this debilitating mental dysfunction.

People react to life’s events/situations in different ways. There are husbands who talk about their wives walking around in a Valium daze, while the wife is telling about the husband walking around in an alcoholic daze. Both have the same problem but they are attempting to handle it in different ways.

A significant source of stress in life can come from struggling with major decisions. Complex decisions — such as whether or not to change jobs, to make particular investments, to agree to a recommended surgery, or to stay in a relationship — can result in increased tension, confusion and psychological distress.

24 Feb 2008Thyroid Disorders

The two thyroid hormones increase basal metabolic rate (BMR) – the rate of oxygen consumption at rest, or in layman’s terms, how much energy the body uses to carry out its vital functions.

I’ve picked up a bug" is the standard explanation for why a person is feeling off-colour and has the sniffles or a dose of ’flu, which are so common in Winter, although they can occur any time of year.

Alzheimers disease is a degenerative condition of the brain which affects large numbers of older people. In spite of extensive research into the disease, orthodox medicine can do little to prevent the disease or treat the symptoms.

7 Feb 2008Antibiotics in the Food Chain

Lester Crawford was not actually there for the revolution in animal agriculture, but he knows the story so well he might as well have been. The year was 1949, the place was an American Cyanamid plant on the Pearl River, just north of New York City.

7 Feb 2008Birth At Home

As a naturopath practising Natural Health principles in my personal and professional life, I view pregnancy and childbirth as natural states and processes that the female body is perfectly equipped to handle by itself, in most cases.

Most people today, facing an illness and the medical profession, want to have greater knowledge and take responsibility for their own lives and their destiny. The diagnosis of cancer is still a major focus in medical consultations.

7 Feb 2008Vaccine Damage

The emerging trend for consumers suffering vaccine damage inA ustralia is to seek compensation through the only avenue open to them, the courts.

24 Feb 2008Be Well – Enjoy Life More

Over the Hill at 40? Most of us expect that by the time we reach 40 we will be ’over the hill’, developing degenerative disease and ageing prematurely.

The National Academy of Sciences (US) estimates that 60% of women’s cancers and 40% of men’s cancers are related to nutritional factors. The value of a low-fat, high-complex-carbohydrate diet in cancer prevention is well documented.

Adequate amounts (to maintain health) are supplied only by the diet, ie. we eat them to get them and what’s more, skimping on any one of them will cause you to fall apart.

The B complex vitamins comprise I4 water soluble substances that can be cultivated from bacteria, yeasts, fungi or moulds. Sounds appetising! They are used in an enormous variety of the body’s metabolic pathways ...

9 Feb 2008The Good Oil

Udo Erasmus is fearless in his debunking the current vogue for eliminating all fats from our diet, pointing out how we are running the risk of a severe deficiency of the essential fatty acids.

“After four years of dependence on such medicines as cortisone and allied drugs and endless quantities of painkillers, it is almost a miracle to find that, in spite of assurances from the medical profession, there is an alternative in Natural Health.”

Hormones are very powerful substances. Begin tampering with nature’s finely-tuned messengers of life’s processes, and you are asking for trouble. This is especially true for women.

In this discussion we observe how electromagnetic radiation is produced, how it radiates and how it is related to the electric current flowing and the voltage present. We will investigate the multiplying effects that occur with various electrical devices and how these can be reduced.

I would like to share my program and journey back to health with you, along with valuable information about breast cancer that may just save your life, or at the very least, make your journey a little easier.

When my father kept saying, “You’re getting to be as big as me,” and he was huge, it got me thinking. My two brothers and I were also huge – they were 102 kg and 115 kg and I was 117 kg.

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory condition that can affect many different parts of the body. It is an auto-immune deficiency - the damage is the result of ’friendly fire’ by the body’s own immune system.

24 Feb 2008Managing Moods

Many people feel as if their world can be thrown into chaos by unpredictable swings in their mood. Mood swings can have powerful effects, but it is possible to learn to prevent moods dominating your life.

24 Feb 2008Masculinity Under Seige

While you may think your testosterone levels are high enough - thank you very much, and that this could never happen to you, or any of your family, it would be wise to think again.

24 Feb 2008The Myth of Old at 70

In Australia by the time we reach about 50 years of age, it is widely believed that we are ’over the hill’ and then it’s downhill into degenerative disease and unpleasant effects of ageing. By the time about 70, we are perceived as ‘old’.

The typical Australian way of eating is high in fat, sugar, white flour, stimulants and chemicals, and low in vegetables, fruit and fibre. It’s all back to front. What we need is food that is unprocessed, low in fat, high in fibre, free of salt, caffeine and additives, and with the bulk of the diet being fresh vegetables and fruits.

20 Feb 2008Do Genes Cause Disease?

In view of the constant media reports of geneticists discovering new genes that cause various diseases, it is natural to assume that a lot of the modern illnesses are caused by being unlucky enough to have inherited ‘bad’ genes. But as is so often the case, it’s not that simple.

We are constantly hearing that geneticists are discovering more and more genes that cause common diseases and it is natural to assume that if we are unlucky enough to have any of those genes, we are doomed to get the associated disease. A finer understanding of how our genes work reveals that this is not necessarily so.

24 Feb 2008Boost Your Natural Immunity

Feeling sick again? What is it with all the viruses and bacteria that your body can’t fight knocking you down? You have quit smoking, cleaned up your diet, added heaps of promising supplements, etc., and even decided to steer clear of your sneezing friends.

The following is an edited version of the talk given by GREG GAMBRILL, Corporate Technical Manager of the Sanitarium Health Food Company, at the launch of Australian National Vegetarian Week which ran from 1 to 7 October, 2007.

Type-2 diabetes, which accounts for 85 to 90 percent of diabetes cases, is a totally preventable ’lifestyle disease’. Although both type-1 and type-2 tend to run in families, we don’t inherit the diseases themselves, but rather a predisposition to them.

24 Feb 2008Dietary Excitotoxicity

Is Mono-Sodium Glutamate flying below your gastronomical radar? Are you sick of being told there is nothing wrong with you - when there is?

The Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA) has a vision to grow sales of organic food to 10% of the Australian market by 2020. You can assist the organic industry to achieve this goal.

Read an inspiring story about a recent Hopewood quest who experienced quite extraordinary changes to his health simply by a visit to Hopewood and then following this natural health philosophy.

Home vegetable growing is not limited to big backyards. A surprisingly useful yield can be obtained in a small backyard or even from plant boxes on a balcony ...

28 Feb 2008The Sunscreen Myth

The idea that sunscreen prevents cancer is nothing more than a myth promoted by industries seeking to make a profit at the risk of human suffering, according to NewsTarget.com, 15 June 2007.

Can the introduction of a diet that is based on plant products optimise the health and the general wellbeing of the human body? DEZ WILLIAMS investigates.

Animals and insects have a lot more natural intelligence than human beings when it comes to food and they all avoid aspartame – cockroaches won’t eat it, cats and dogs won’t eat it, ants won’t eat it and flies won’t eat it ...

One of the most rapidly increasing diseases in the Western world is osteoporosis. The following are seven commonly held beliefs about this condition:

One of the most important aspects of men’s health is the male reproductive system. Men are reluctant to speak about what is ailing them, especially when it comes to sexual dysfunction.

Is there something in our food that makes us even more obese than calorie excess would suggest? This question was answered in the program, The Health Report, on ABC Radio National ...

A new landmark study has confirmed that insulin is the central part of the weight-loss equation. Boston researchers found that people who secrete high insulin levels have far greater difficulty losing weight ...

26 Feb 2008Nuts and Seeds

Nuts are one of the best plant sources of protein, fibre, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients. They are high in plant sterols and healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated oils.

23 Feb 2008Micro Greens

’Micro greens’ may be small in stature but they are big on flavour. LEISAL SHEPHERD looks at the latest way to create a nutritious home-grown salad.

23 Feb 2008Animal Therapy for Humans

’Pet therapy’ or, more precisely, Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) means the use of companion animals to help people with special needs. ’Animal Therapy’ is an age-old concept.

Processed food! It’s not always what you think it is — often it is so much more! Much, much more — in fact what you are consuming may be completely artificially ...

Lynsi Eastburn is a hypnotherapist, who specialises in human fertility. She visited Australia recently to promote her book, It’s Conceivable ...

For centuries women across the world have used natural and herbal methods for birth control, but these days few Western women see many contraceptive choices beyond ‘the Pill’ or condoms ...

The absolute foundation of sound nutrition – the basis of Natural Health principles – is maintaining the correct acid-alkali balance in the body. If we get this right ...

Australians are in deep trouble. We are witnessing, right now, a total disintegration of health in the Australian populace that spans every age, economic, religious and political group.

When most people think of the term Vegetarian’, they probably think of people who eat a restrictive diet. What they often don’t realise is that the diet has been around for thousands of years in many forms ...

The fact that there are no pain receptors at the ano-rectal angle is a firm indication that our bodies are designed to defecate only by squatting. That is, we would be in constant pain if pain receptors were located here.

27 May 2008The Cholesterol Myth

If it is true that high cholesterol is not a cause of heart disease, this is vital information because large numbers of people are taking powerful cholesterol-lowering drugs. It would mean that these people are suffering the side effects of these drugs – which can be severe or even life-threatening – without any benefit being achieved.

Seeming miracles are seen in chiropractic offices around the world. People who have suffered from a huge range of conditions for many years have found a new life with chiropractic treatment.

When I consulted the diabetic specialist, he said, "What are you here for?" "To tell you", I replied, "that I am off insulin, whereas you had said I would be on it for the rest of my life."

8 Apr 2008Diabetes: A Better Approach

Currently, up to one million Australians may have diabetes mellitus - although only half of them know it - and it is our sixth highest cause of death by disease.

The Natural Health approach to arthritis and rheumatism (and any other condition) focuses on the underlying causes. And for interim pain relief, it uses natural things like water and herbs that don’t have toxic effects.

During her 20-year career at the New England Journal of Medicine, Angell had watched drugmakers expand their sway. They became the main sponsors of clinical testing and physician education and are also a critical source of funding for the US Food & Drug Administration.

2 May 2008Answers for Asthma

The prevalence of asthma is on the rise internationally, having doubled in the last 15 years — more than 10% of children worldwide are now affected. But English-speaking countries proudly lead the charge with up to 30% of children being asthmatic.

For sufferers of epilepsy, diet and lifestyle can play an important role in removing the causes and promoting self healing.

Eating vegetarian can do more harm to your health than good, unless done correctly. The critical requirement is that when animal foods are discontinued, the need to be replaced with protein.

You’ve recently made the effort to change your diet, and you’re disappointed. You have a healthier lifestyle, but you still feel tired, Why don’t you feel any better?

Vitamin B12 deficiency is therefore a potential concern for anyone following a vegan diet, and it is important that they include a reliable source of B12 in their diet on a regular basis.

9 May 2008Self-healing: The Only Cure

In the animal kingdom self-healing is a perfectly normal procedure. The well-known phenomenon of hibernation in animals also involves fasting. Humans are essentially no different; self-healing functions in the same way.

Thanks to the generous assistance of the CSIRO, we now have scientific papers that review a large amount of research into the nutritional qualities of soya beans. Here is the essence of what we found.

I doubt that there would be any health issue in which there is a wider gap between that which is published in medical literature and the overall level of public awareness, than in the case of vaccination.

13 May 2008Against the grain

The Natural Health Society has, since its inception, favoured only very moderate amounts of grain-based foods in the normal diet - that is, bread, pasta, breakfast cereal, rice, cakes, pastries, biscuits and so on. This article, by former Qantas pilot trainer and nutritional author Ross Horne, explains why.

14 May 2008Nutrition and the Mind

Part A - Children’s Problems. The brain, like every other organ in the body, is totally dependent on the bloodstream for oxygen and nutrients and on the lymph for removal of waste products.

For the sake of generality, most people with food intolerances are sensitive to more than one chemical, which may be artificial or natural.

15 May 2008Nutrition and the Mind

Part B: Problems That Relate Mainly To Adults. In general, adverse reactions to food can contribute to hyperactivity, nervousness. stealing, learning problems, minimal brain dysfunction, depression, hostility, aggression, confusion and irritability.

Coffee was once believed to be a means by which to achieve religious ecstasy. Although most of us don’t use coffee to try to communicate with the divine, many people assume an identity akin to savage snarling beasts if there is a delay in their ’fix’ for the day

The digestive system is mighty important. It enables the food that we enjoy so much to be put to good use in providing us with energy and in building and maintaining bodily tissues.

Your Questions Answered

I am confused as to whether to take digestive enzymes and, if so, how often. One thing I am clear on is that it is better to eat raw food than cooked food.

With an ever-growing interest in alternative approaches to assist women in balancing their hormones, much confusion has arisen from the natural progesterone/Wild Yam issue. This article is an attempt to shed some light on the subject.

We are told that blood pressure should be one hundred plus your age’, but this is not the way it goes in ’primitive’ peoples who don’t have our Western way of living.

20 Jun 2008Anti-Cancer Foods

Many ’anti-cancer’ foods are fresh vegetables and fruits. These are high in water and low in fat, protein and carbohydrate except for the modest level of sugar in the fruits. Because of their low levels of calories, they are outstanding sources of minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals, provided we consume an abundance of them.

2 Jun 2008Teflon Trouble

What is more convenient than non-stick cooking pans? Like many modern conveniences, the non-stick pan was an immediate success. But the material behind this culinary wonder, Teflon, is a health risk.

3 Jun 2008Raw Pleasure

The last few years have seen a massive gain in popularity for raw food (or ’living food’ as it’s often known) as a method of improving health and healing.

Most vegans consume enough B12 to avoid anaemia and nervous system damage, but many do not get enough to minimise potential risk of heart disease or pregnancy complications.

THE NATURAL HEALTH SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA wishes to lodge the strongest possible protest against establishment of the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) for the reasons discussed below.

3 Jun 2008Antidote After Vaccination

Your Questions Answered

What could be done to detoxify the body after immunisatin?

3 Jun 2008Udo Erasmus – Interview

Udo Erasmus is the author of Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill. Many consider it to be the definitive book on the health properties of edible oils.

Before we as parents can choose to accept or reject a vaccine for our children, however, we must first discover what it is that this vaccine is trying to prevent.

Australia 148 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer and 36 women died from this disease in 2002. Worldwide, half a million succumb to the disease, with 225,000 dying each year.

We rarely hear much about these little critters, but without them we can’t live. They are the agents that initiate all the chemical changes in our cells that constitute life.

19 Aug 2009How to Lose Weight Naturally

Overweight is in ’epidemic’ proportions all over Australia. More than half of all Australian adults and about one quarter of all children are overweight or obese.

This article outlines the importance of the deep lymphatic system and the symptoms that commonly occur when this deep-seated system becomes congested. Case histories indicate that this system can be effectively treated using deep lymphatic therapy. Many beneficial results have been documented.

19 Jun 2008When Food Becomes Your Enemy

ALLERGIES, SENSITIVITIES, INTOLERANCES ... household words to us now, but when I was a child and even into my nursing days, these were uncommon words, words that were hardly ever used and certainly not linked to any illness other than perhaps asthma.

11 Jul 2008Danger lurks at home

Three years after he removed a child-resistant cap from a bottle of dishwashing powder and swallowed about a teaspoon full, Brisbane pre-schooler, Harrison Clarke, is still being fed through a tube in his stomach.

To find objective information that is not tailored by vested interests, who are the best people to ask? Obviously independent scientists. On the subject of GM foods, there is a surprisingly large body of such scientists with similar views on the safety of GM foods for human consumption.

During November 2007 the Victorian State Parliament decided to permit the sale of genetically-modified canola in Victoria with no restrictions. A month later, the New South Wales State Parliament did the same, but with some restrictions. Because this could be the thin end of the wedge for the widespread approval of the sale of genetically-modified crops, we publish the following range of views on the known and likely consequences.

An everyday food item can send you blind, announced the news headlines in July. The food is margarine. Was this pure sensationalist journalism or could it be true?

When it comes to sleep, one-year-olds require 14 hours, five-year-olds require 12 hours, adults require 7 to 9 hours. Women tend to sleep more than men and the elderly doze often duringthe day, but sleep less at night.

It is fairly clear that we can get every nutrient that we need from an all-plant diet, except vitamin B12, although I must qualify this by saying that humans have been eating animals for tens of thousands of years and maybe there is some slight degree of adaptation — I have no way of knowing.

So, you’re thinking of having a baby, or you’re already pregnant. Naturally, you want a healthy pregnancy, for your own sake and to give your baby the best possible start in life.

The ’diagnosis’ of hyperactivity or attention deficit disability with or without hyperactivity has increased to the point that on any school day in the United States about 4,000,000 children receive a dose of Ritalin — the favoured drug — so that they will settle down in the classroom and not upset the class routine.

Detoxification - or `detox’ - is in vogue these days. Everybody is talking about the need to do it and a whole chunk of natural therapies is marketing products and books on different nutritional ways to do it. Most of these will achieve some degree of inner cleansing, but, basically, there is only one approach that the body needs to detox and this is very easily explained.

16 Sep 2008The Dangerous Germ Myth

That germs are associated with disease, no-one denies. The issue is whether they are the primary cause of disease or mere secondary factors; whether they are the sole determining factor or their activity is the result of other influences.

Modern lifestyle is associated with disease, but just what are the effects that it has within the body; by what process does lifestyle lead to poor health, whether in the form of colds, bronchitis, asthma, skin trouble, arthritis, heart disease, cancer or any other disease? And, for that matter, why is every second person in Australia suffering a chronic or recurring illness?

The only practicable way that we can find out if we are too acidic is by pH testing of our urine or saliva. This is why the Natural Health Society is pleased to have discovered EASYpH test kits.

Q. Articles in this magazine keep talking about problems due to acidity of the system. How can this be measured?

16 Sep 2008Andi Lew: Cover Interview

Andi Lew is a television and radio presenter who hosted Channel 9’s Shopping for Love. She also made regular appearances on Channel 10’s Beyond the Boundary and has been presenter on Channel 7’s MW (Melbourne Woman).

5 Nov 2008Going Raw with Carol Alt

Carol Alt has had enormous success as a model, actress and as the host of various morning shows and newscasts and also in recording music and voice-overs. Recently she has expanded her passion and influence by teaching the benefits of eating raw food, and is author of the best-selling book, Eating in the Raw.

Imagine being a fly on the wall in a room with top scientists from around the world, discussing new findings on how plant foods can make us live longer, stay sharper and fight cancer. Nutritionist, Sue Radd, gives the low-down on what transpired at the 5th International Congress on Vegetarian Nutrition.

While you may think nothing could dissuade you from watching or limiting your child’s TV viewing time, you might like to keep in mind that the television has been labeled ‘the idiot box’ and there are seven really good reasons why this might be so.

Chilblains are associated with poor circulation in combination with cold weather or a cold and damp environment. Poor circulation is the result of poor diet, lack of exercise, blocked arteries and/or insufficient warm clothing.

10 Nov 2008Detox Foot Patches

Foot patches are part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a very ancient healing tradition, probably the most ancient conventional medicine in the world.

Much of our everyday communication is idle chatter about nothing. There is nothing wrong with that sort of talk, in fact it’s an essential part of society. Unfortunately however, such social chat often degenerates into an exchange of woes.

Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a condition in which the shoulder has significant loss of its range of motion in all directions. It is the result of inflammation, scarring, thickening and shrinkage of the capsule that surrounds the normal shoulder joint, and there can be a lot of pain.

There is a stack of evidence supporting the health benefits of water being ‘hard’, that is, containing a high level of alkaline minerals, mainly calcium and magnesium.

Root canal therapy is a tease. We sure want to keep our teeth if we possibly can – they give us a lot of pleasure – and this therapy enables us to keep teeth that would otherwise need to be removed.

The relevant government regulations are so complicated that to find a complete answer to this question, one would almost qualify for a PhD on the subject! However, I have been able to pick up the gist of it.

On a vegetarian diet you may think that you don’t need to worry about the fats in your diet, as you are avoiding most (or all if you eat vegan) animal fats. Unfortunately this may not be the case.

Flax seed oil (or linseed oil) contains about twice as much omega-3 fatty acids as does salmon, however, it is a different kind of omega-3.

The direct role of the liver in preventing disease – which naturopaths have been writing about for a century – is its function of detoxification. It extracts toxic substances from the blood and renders them less toxic and more water-soluble so they can be filtered out of the blood by the kidneys or excreted in the bile.

We all experience times when we feel less positive and optimistic than usual. We might feel a little cranky, ‘out of sorts’, negative, ‘blue’, pessimistic or sad.

A recent review of clinical trials has found that in most cases the common antidepressant drugs are no more effective than a placebo.

14 Nov 2008The Raw Facts: Part 1

There are 700,000 species of animals on earth yet humans are the only species that cooks its food. We started cooking food about 10,000 years ago, which is relatively recent considering that we have lived on raw foods since our evolution between five and eight million years ago.

14 Nov 2008Recipes – the Mighty Potato

2008 is the international year of the potato, so what could be better during winter than to experiment with some tasty potato recipes? But before we savour this amazing vegetable, let’s take a closer look.

Dr David Jenkins, MD, PhD, DSc, is Professor in Nutrition and Metabolism at the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto, Canada. His research team has been working on the potential of diet to prevent and treat chronic diseases – primarily heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

A recent survey has revealed that the incidence of tooth decay has risen sharply in Australian children. The South Australian study found that decay has increased in all age groups between eight and 15.

Fluoridation started at a time when asbestos lined our pipes, lead was added to gasoline, PCBs filled our transformers, and DDT was deemed so "safe and effective" that officials felt no qualms about spraying kids seated at picnic tables.

Fluoridation will forcibly mass medicate four million Queenslanders by the addition of one or more of three fluoride compounds to the public water supplies.

20 Nov 2008Interview with Jill Robinson

Jill Robinson MBE is the CEO and founder of Animals Asia. Mark Berriman and Loren Lembke talked to her during her recent animals roadshow in which she raised awareness of the plight of caged Chinese Moon bears.

The following article comprises PART 1 of the investigative book, Cultural Dwarfs and Junk Journalism by Martin J Walker. The INTRODUCTION was published in the Autumn 2008 issue of this magazine. PART 1 is reproduced with the kind permission of the author

20 Nov 2008From Dr Mercola

Dr Joseph Mercola is a licensed osteopathic physician and surgeon in Illinois USA. He believes that most orthodox medications provide only temporary relief at best, and seeks to treat the whole person, not just the symptoms.

20 Nov 2008MMR and Autism

The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine can cause autism, a US court has concluded. In a secret ruling that has only just come to light, the US Court of Federal Claims has conceded that the mercury-based preservative, thimerosal, which was in vaccines until 2002, caused autism in the case of one child.

14 May 2009Interview with Joanne Rose

Joanne rose is an Australian actor who lives and works in Los Angeles. She is a long-time vegan who is about to launch ’Vegan Virgin’ which will teach vegan cooking for children and how to prepare vegan meals in the home.

20 Nov 2008Travel: China

Stunning scenes, a fascinating culture, rich in history and, best of all – brimming with delectable food. China has so much to offer.

20 Nov 2008Mailbag: Winter 2008

I am prompted to write after reading in your Spring 2007 issue the article on processed food by Molly Knight.

How to grow vegetables organically was described by Roger French in the Summer 2007/08 issue of this magazine. We continue the series with details of sowing times.

Maca consumption as a ‘superfood’ dates back at least 3,000 years, and possibly as long as 10,000 years ago. It is a heart-shaped root vegetable of the Brassica (cruciferous) family that looks like a radish but grows like a sweet potato.

The range of foods in Australia has never been wider, more processed or more appealing – nor so loaded with calories, especially from fat. Consequently, overweight and obesity are in ’epidemic’ proportions.

The face of Australian agriculture could change forever following the recent decisions by the New South Wales and Victorian governments to allow the commercial planting of genetically-engineered (GE) canola next year.

Extremely low blood pressure can result in dizziness, light-headedness, fainting, ‘blackouts’ or confusion. Blood pressure is usually lowest at night and rises sharply on waking.

Recent reports are advising people to look further than cholesterol in order to prevent heart disease and stroke. In particular, we are urged to strive for low levels in the blood of lipoprotein(a), C-reactive protein, fibrinogen and homocysteine

One of the great health paradoxes of modern times is that more than half of all people with coronary heart disease don’t have any of the major risk factors for heart disease. In fact, the known risk factors may explain as little as one-quarter of such cases.

Is it safe to use the new low-wattage fluorescent light such as are being offered free – or were being offered free – by commercial firms?

Can you inform me whether or not it is good to drink water with one’s meals?

Is there any proof either way that drinking (water) with your meals is detrimental to health?

Should we only have three meals a day? Some health practitioners advocate five smaller meals per day.

Can I am wondering whether you should pre-cook silken tofu before consuming it. As tofu is a high-protein food, it is recommended that it be eaten cooked.

I have a prostate problem, and taking selenium is supposed to be preventive, but it makes my symptoms worse. Might I already be getting enough from food?

I have psoriasis all over my scalp, but luckily nowhere else. Is there anything I can do to overcome the psoriasis?

A friend has major problems with psoriasis on her arms, face, ears, scalp and some other areas of her skin. It is red, itchy and flaky. She has not been able to find a solution for getting it under control.

I enjoy the Lamyong Vegetarian Ham but how can we be sure that all the ingredients are vegetarian?

4 Dec 2008How green is our lighting?

As compact fluorescent lights get the green light from the Australian Government, we look at just how safe are these and other forms of lighting for people and the environment.

4 Dec 2008Cancer Prevention

What can we do to help prevent cancer taking hold in our body – now, while we are still healthy? I suggest two things – first, we lessen our exposure to toxins and secondly, we maintain a good, healthy diet.

Carbon storage in soil managed under organic farming and other regenerative farming systems has been largely overlooked as an effective solution for decreasing Australia’s future carbon footprint.

Diets and their purported benefits to our health are as numerous as popular magazines, but this plethora of dietary choices is confusing, resulting in a lack of confidence in any particular dietary approach to general health.

9 Dec 2008Recipes for Nuts and Nashis!

The Nashi (Pyrus pyrifolia), sometimes called the ‘Asian pear’, is bursting with juice and has a crisp translucent flesh, making it a great addition to the family fruit bowl.

Cranberries are a little red berry that is a healthy super-fruit – they pack a powerful punch of antioxidants that work wonders for the health of the urinary tract, mouth, stomach and heart, as well as being anti-ageing.

Dr James Joseph is a research scientist with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) whose main research of late has been on the role of berries – specifically blueberries – in the prevention of brain ageing.

Our behaviours and our interpretation of situations are major contributors to our level of stress. Managing stress can involve behavioural changes and changes to the way in which we think about situations.

9 Dec 2008Meditation in the Desert

What kind of people choose to spend their precious holiday time sitting uncomfortably in a hot tent, eyes closed, trying to clear their minds of clutter? Well, as it turns out, all kinds of people with all kinds of different motivations.

9 Dec 2008The Power of Breathing

Did you know that breathing is the only essential bodily function that is performed unconsciously yet which you can also control consciously? Your body can go without food for months, water for weeks and yet it cannot survive without oxygen for more than a few minutes.

With the coming of ‘Peak Oil’ and the beginning of long-term, irreversible declines in the availability of fossil fuels (along with many other resources), modern industrial civilization faces a wrenching series of unwelcome transitions.

9 Dec 2008From Dr Mercola: Autumn 2008

Information on how to prescribe medications to children is scarce, and orthodox doctors often rely on the flawed assumption that children are simply smaller versions of adults. In reality, drugs act very differently in children.

I’m often asked by my modestly bewildered French friends and neighbours why, exactly, don’t I eat meat. To this natural question, I invariably respond that I manage to eat very well.

Broadly speaking, the essay that follows is the latest addition to my ongoing analysis of the British corporate science lobby and its popular campaigning arms, skeptics and quackbusters.

The UK faces the possibility of a major epidemic of lethal brain disease as a result of the consumption years ago of beef contaminated with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or ‘mad cow disease’, according to Britain’s leading expert on variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD),

How to grow vegetables organically was described by Roger French in the Summer 2007/08 issue of this magazine. We continue the series with details of sowing times.

The US Food and Drug Administration has sent a warning letter to the Hain Celestial Group instructing the natural and organic food producer to re-label certain products that contain the natural sweetener, stevia.

Recently she has begun developing heat rashes. Every time she sits in the sun or has a hot shower, she gets a red, inflamed, lumpy rash on her arms, legs and body.

I have been getting cramps in my toes on both feet quite a lot lately and am wondering what the cause might be and how I could treat it.

I was born with a curved spine and have had arthritic back problems all my life. I have now become allergic to anything with sulphur. Is there anything that I can take to help relieve my pain that does not include any sulphur?

If 0.8 grams of protein is the RDA per kilogram of bodyweight, is it correct to count chickpeas, eggs, flaxseed, almonds and vegetables as sources of complete protein, or are they non-essential protein and not to be counted?

I believe there is a plant which can get rid of silverfish. Do you know of it or anything else which repels these pests?

In this interview with Yogi Brahmasamhara, Roger French interviewed found an exciting mixture of psychology, philosophy and yes … an approach to meditation that provides real hope for rising above our busy, ‘rat-race’ lives.

Very successful jewellery designer, Samantha Wills, talks about the steps to her success.

A sugar substitute is a food additive that provides sweetness but not the calories that are in refined sugar. Some sugar substitutes are natural and some are synthetic, the latter being referred to as ‘artificial sweeteners’.

The safe distance to work from a compact fluoro lamp (CFL) is important to know, but even our affiliated electrical engineer cannot provide a simple answer.

The acid-alkali theory of health is the foundation of the Natural Health approach to health and disease. In our magazine it comes up in almost every article dealing with an illness.

Can eating certain fruits and vegetables in the same meal cause nausea, digestive distress, etc?

Can you tell me if enamel or porcelain-enamel cookware is safe? I want to get an ’on the stove’ kettle in a nice colour.

Why is it that in the morning after taking a multi-B-vitamin supplement the urine is yellow?

Our health depends to a large extent upon beneficial ‘probiotic’ gut bacteria and the controls they exert over pathogenic (disease-associated) microorganisms. This article explains how to restore and strengthen the life-supporting friendly gut bacteria.

A friend mentioned an inherited disorder whereby the body is unable to digest fat in any form. Is there such a thing?

I have two friends who suffer with rosacea and have tried many ways to heal themselves of this embarrassing facial condition without success. Have you any suggestions that could help?

I have had type-1 diabetes for 32 years, with minimal or no complications. Lately, however, I have developed a high reading for HbA1C. Any suggestions for reducing the increased blood sugar level?

CEO and founder fo the Asher Institute, Michelle Richmond, shares her journey from the diagnosis of cancer to receiving the all clear following her intention to health the cancer naturally.

This is a continuation of the report of what transpired at the 5th International Congress of Vegetarian Nutrition by leading nutritionist and accredited practising dietitian, Sue Radd.

This is the third part of a report on what transpired at the 5^th International Congress on Vegetarian Nutrition by leading Nutritionist and Accredited Practising Dietitian, Sue Radd.

"We are living in a sea of carcinogens," wrote biologist Rachel Carson in Silent Spring in 1963. But nothing could have prepared Rachel Carson and her contemporaries for the explosion of chemicals into the environment that was to follow.

A stroke is a very scary thing. Fortunately, there are things that can be done to reduce the risk of strokes.

The founder of Pan Pharmaceuticals, Jim Selim, was recently awarded $55 million by the court hearing the case that he brought against the TGA for negligence and misfeasance.

Rebounding on a mini-trampoline to your favourite music with good rhythm makes regular physical activity convenient, enjoyable and relatively easy. Or do it while watching the evening news.

12 May 2009Soy - Opinon

‘Eating Soy Will Make You Sterile’ – that’s the recent claim of soy-bashers, thanks to the latest headline based on a publication in the Journal of Human Reproduction. See if you can figure out the fatal flaw in this study.

12 May 2009Scrumptious Summer

What’s your favourite summer activity? Whatever you enjoy doing in summer, there’s lots of amazing food that complements this relaxing time of year.

Farmers’ markets offer a new link in the food chain – fresh food sold directly from the paddock and destined for your dinner plate. ‘Dirty’ spuds can be sold the morning they are dug, peaches and tomatoes, juicy, sweet and ripe, are picked and sold within hours – healthy fresh food that is seasonal and packed with flavour and good nutrition.

Julie Mitsios runs Conscious Choice classes in Sydney in raw and vegan cuisine. She has carved out quite an exceptional name for herself in the Sydney raw food movement.

The level and intensity of misinformation regarding the dangers of ingredients commonly used in personal care and household cleaning products is getting ridiculous.

13 May 2009The Healthy Household

I would always be suspicious of negative information on a chemical from manufacturers who use it to infer the safety of their product ingredients. In most circumstances, this is not information – it is inaccurate propaganda from people with a vested interest, and it is a very misleading way of marketing.

So how does one discern good information from ’misinformation’; research facts from research fiction or fictional research; credible and helpful guidelines from self-serving propaganda?

Co-founder of the environmentally responsible and non-toxic range of household and personal products manufactured by Tri Nature Pty Ltd, Brian McLean, tells why he established the company and what sets his enterprise and its products apart from the mainstream.

13 May 2009Marketing ‘Mythinformation’

A key marketing challenge in the ever-growing ‘green industry’ is the drive to provide ‘all natural’ products whilst delivering the performance level of their synthetic or petroleum based equivalents.

As climate change issues become of increasing concern, so too is how Australians are viewing their gardens with some 60% of Australians seeing their own backyard as the place where they can make the most significant positive impact on the environment.

The increasing desire of people to be more informed about our health, combined with the failings of the modern pharmaceutical-based medical system, has led many people to search for ways of managing the health issues facing them and their families.

If a person snores, then becomes silent because breathing has stopped, then makes a loud snort or gasp as they begin breathing again, this is sleep apnoea.

Human parasites are everywhere in our environment, so it is easy to become infected. Here I will look at those that can colonise our bodies (of which there can be over one hundred!).

1 Jun 2009THE Benefits of Sea Kelp

Kelp, the vegetable of the ocean, grown in the rich ‘soil’ of the ocean floor is rich in many of the nutrients we require to nourish a healthy body. Kelp has been used by humans for thousands of years.

1 Jun 2009Wine and Health

This article looks at the health aspects of wine, and whether wine is a medicinal tonic that benefits your health, or an alcoholic drink that should be avoided. It investigates the medicinal, nutritional and environmental issues to do with wine and the health impacts of the chemicals and additives that may be used in wine-making.

1 Jun 2009Travel: Tahiti

Improbably blue lagoons encircling hyper-green mountains, luminous, yet gentle, people and a fetching, far-flung mood. There’s so much about this tropical haven that’s almost surreal.

Using nutritional supplementation to support people undergoing medical treatment for cancer – ‘integrative oncology’.

4 Jun 2009Naturopathy

In spite of its increasing popularity as a healthcare option, many people are still confused about what naturopathy actually is. Some think that it is a healing modality or therapy in its own right, but that is not correct.

5 Jun 2009Recipes – Salad Dressings

A great range of salad dressings to suit all tastes.

Infection with the fungus, Candida albicans, known as ‘Candidiasis’ or ‘thrush,’ is affecting more and more people as the use of antibiotics and the consumption of refined sugar continue unabated in Australia.

This is one of the greatest problems in nutrition – being sensitive to ‘almost everything’, yet wanting to put together a healthy diet. However, there are solutions.

Losing weight or maintaining weight can be an exasperating business when you are making an effort to do everything right and still remaining overweight.

I am wondering if lowering your pH by this fast means is like cheating on the health benefits one gets from ideal pH gained purely through food and lifestyle changes?

For the treatment of Candidiasis, as recommended in the Candida albicans article in the Spring 2008 issue, I have asked at health food stores for caprylic acid but they can’t get it in.

I have had my urine checked by an analysing laboratory and found that I have too much nickel, lead and thalium in my body. Do you think it is OK to have intravenous vitamin C?

Could you tell me the best place to buy maca. I want to make sure that I don’t get a product which isn’t as pure as it could be.

Kefir is a very interesting food, being a mix of beneficial yeasts and important friendly bacteria grown in milk. It has been used for over five centuries by populations that had outstanding health and longevity.

Many of us would love to be able to improve our memories, and, also, because memory is so important to our daily functioning, it is important to take steps to guard against memory degeneration.

11 Jun 2009Negative Air Ions

Nature intended us to breathe in – in addition to normal oxygen – small negative ions of oxygen, without which living organisms cannot survive. The technology-rich environment we have created has altered the ion balance of the air we breathe.

In November 2008, Ms J. Miller of Beaconsfield, Tasmania, contacted NHVL to tell us about improvement in her rheumatoid arthritis. Here is her story.

Our global climate can be stabilised without major sacrifices within as little as 10 to 15 years if we reduce, not only carbon dioxide, but also methane emissions.

The rise in cases of Clostridium difficile infectionsis dramatic, as the virulent strain was rarely seen before year 2000. It is now emerging into the community and becoming known as the cause of life-threatening antibiotic-associated diarrhoea.

11 Jun 2009Recipes: Autumn Fare

The end of summer and the beginning of autumn bring a whole new selection of produce to us. Here is a selection of recipes that should help you with the seasonal transition, as well as pleasing the taste buds.

11 Jun 2009Is chocolate good for us?

Chocolate lovers around the world have no doubt been delighted to hear in recent years that chocolate may, after all, be good for us – or at least not so bad. If true, this is rather fortunate considering the stuff is so delicious and more-ish.

Tea isn’t just a refreshing drink anymore. Numerous stories have appeared in the popular press touting the health benefits of green tea, including anti-cancer effects, weight loss and antioxidant properties.

I love to travel, but being vegan can be tough in certain countries, especially when you venture out of the big cities and into the regional areas. I have seen it all when it comes to crazy cuisine on the menu – dogs, rabbits, pigeons, insects, horses, frogs, snakes and animal bones, as well as the devouring of every part of the animals’ organs.

It is known that a vaccine (like all drugs) cannot be administered without causing some harm to some individuals. Therefore we must consider the harm we cause by vaccinating versus the harm of the disease.

Why vaccinate? Investigate the ingredients, duration and effectiveness of vaccines before trusting unsupported information. Discuss this brochure with your local GP.

The more personal effects of pollution are, perhaps, much more insidious. Little do most people realise that the environment may be the prime cause of the enormous increases, over recent decades, of menstrual and menopausal disorders.

Disturbed by the reckless use of synthetic chemical pesticides after World War Il, biologist, Rachel Carson, reluctantly changed her focus in order to warn the public about the long-term effects of misusing pesticides.

The inflammation of a bursa may occur as a result of excessive movement or pressure on the bursa, direct impact, infection or other diseases that may affect the joint and its environs (for example, rheumatoid arthritis or gout, sepsis).

Tragically, medical treatments bypass the real causes of osteoporosis and focus on very strong drugs which can have disastrous side-effects.

12 Jun 2009Adrenal Exhaustion

People suffering adrenal exhaustion or adrenal fatigue are not alone in this ‘illness’. It is a modern stress syndrome, and it is estimated that at least 80% of adults suffer some sort of adrenal fatigue.

When Ray Archer began building gym equipment in the late 1960s and early 1970s, he probably had no idea that he would end up planting the largest olive ’grove’ in the world and pioneering research into the amazing health-giving properties of the olive tree.

Variety, it’s often said, is the spice of life, and Malaysia with its vibrant amalgam of evocative scene-scapes, cultures, religions and culinary traditions, crams almost more diversity than is possible to relish in a single trip into a compact, accessible and upliftingly friendly country.

18 Jun 2009Jackie O’

Jackie O’ has established herself in mass media as one of Australia’s most successful and high profile radio co-hosts, interviewer, television presenter and magazine columnist.

The lie of ‘chemical imbalance’ has been used to justify the drugging of 50,000 children with the stimulant drugs, dexamphetamine and Ritalin, for ‘ADHD’ in Australia.

18 Jun 2009Food Choice Matters

Raising animals for food uses huge amounts of water and crops that could have been eaten directly. It’s the most inefficient form of food production, and usually very environmentally damaging as well.

Could you please advise about the Natural Health approach to treating infant eczema. I am wondering whether there are alternatives to ointments based on urea.

With head lice being fairly common in children, how can the lice and their eggs be killed without using toxic insecticides?

In the autumn 2005 issue of NVNH, I answered a question about the safety of household microwave ovens. Since then new information has been presented in the media about the effects on the nutrients in microwaved food.

In view of the health problems associated with polyunsaturated margarines that were explained in your article, ‘Can Margarine Send You Blind?’, Autumn 2004 issue of NVNH, what about plant-sterol-containing margarines such as Flora Pro-Activ with olive oil?

19 Jun 2009The Raw Facts: Part II

Dr Douglas Graham, a leading expert in sports and fitness nutrition and author of The 80/10/10 Diet, has spent 30 years showing the efficacy of eating in accordance with the 80/10/10 caloro-nutrient ratio. Carbohydrates, proteins and fats are macronutrients that provide us with calories, and are therefore called ‘caloronutrients’.

19 Jun 2009Chocaholics – Now Hear This!

Essentially, overcoming chocolate addiction is upping your level of self-care and prioritising your own relationship with yourself so as to really get the most out of yourself and your life. So often we neglect our most important relationship – because we are scared of it – our relationship with ourselves.

19 Jun 2009Recipes: Spring to it!

Spring is the season of natural rejuvenation and, during this time of year, healthy eating is always easy. Nature offers so much variety and her culinary gifts are so light and fresh.

Due to the serious health problems associated with trans fats, the food industry has been busily perfecting another ‘man-made’ replacement to ensure that company sales and profits are kept at high levels. The new solution is a process called inter-esterification, a technique for making butter-like products from liquid vegetable oils.

In response to Federal Government and public concerns about the number of children labeled with ADHD and prescribed Schedule 8 drugs, the new Federal Draft ADHD Guidelines have been released for public comment by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

Sometimes healing can occur at the most unexpected moments and be found in the most unlikely of places. Many people have found the answers to life and restored health after enduring a protracted period of pain and suffering.

The continuation of the series of sowing times for growing your own vegetables organically. The following are the common vegetables that are suitable to be planted in Spring in the climate zones in Australia as indicated.

19 Jun 2009Interview: Freelea Ratcliffe

Freelea Ratcliffe lives a raw, vegan lifestyle, She has worked as a personal trainer in Sydney for five years while developing her website which provides online coaching, free ebooks and general advice in the area of raw-food nutrition and fitness.

Widespread, unchecked use of mobile telephones could potentially pose a greater threat to human health than asbestos or smoking, according to a Canberra neurosurgeon.

This article will examine the causes of allergies and intolerances, the types of reactions and symptoms of both, and some ways of reducing such reactions.

In May 2006, Gina and Robert Fraser spent almost two weeks in the Czech republic before travelling on to Latvia and Estonia and back via Finland to Perth, their home city. During the journey they discovered a charming country which is far from the tourist belt, yet offers plentiful vegetarian cuisine.

My wife and I have eaten vegan for the past 11 years, and have 3children, a son aged 8 and twins aged 6. Since reading Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Dr Weston Price, a dentist who did research on primitive peoples, we are wondering about our children’s health.

Even when I am very tired, I find it difficult to get to sleep on hot nights. Is there a particular reason for this and a remedy?

Regarding the commercial safety shields that are sold to protect us from the electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones, can you tell us if they actually work?

I would appreciate any information you can give me on worming adults and children the natural way.

I am wondering how to get rid of the toxic pesticides on the skins of vegetables and fruits. I prefer not to peel fruits, cucumbers, etc., because so much nutritional value is lost by peeling. Is there a liquid you can soak the fruit or vegetable in?

What is the least damaging method of cooking vegetables and are there any health risks in using a microwave oven for vegetables?

22 Jun 2009Interview: John Feldmann

John Feldmann is the lead singer with US band, Goldfinger. Mark Berriman caught up with him during his recent Australian tour.

Sea vegetables are a much-overlooked natural food source of essential nutrients in Western diets, providing an amazing assimilation rate. While used traditionally in countries such as Japan, interest in them is finally beginning to grow.

Arthritis, or inflammation of the joints, can affect all of us, both young and old. While generally considered a debilitating disease, proper management can greatly improve the quality of life for arthritis sufferers, and medication is not the only answer.

For over 12 months I have had cold sores on my lower lip periodically. The doctor said it is nothing to worry about and prescribed a cream, which causes it to clear up for awhile but then it comes back. How can I be free of cold sores?

After more than 30 weeks on the New York Times best-selling list, Skinny Bitch (reviewed in the Summer 2007/08) is still dishing it out to those who are reluctant to eat healthy vegetarian food. Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin are the sassy authors behind this publishing phenomenon.

The first Australian National Vegetarian Week, held from 1-7 October 2007, has been an enormous success. The inaugural theme was the environmental and health benefits, with television and radio personality, Jackie O, the official ambassador for the week.

As the lead singer for Kisschasy, Darren Cordeux is passionate about animals and saving the Earth for future generations.

Neurodegenerative and autoimmune disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and ankylosing spondylitis (plus many others) are generally considered to be progressive, degenerative and incurable. All evidence to date points to this, yet some people continue to get well.

I am wondering whether to buy a cordless mouse and keyboard for my computer. They must be transmitting some form of energy, so do they have the same health risks as mobile phones?, Is it radio waves and what about electromagnetic radiation?

I have been advised to have an MRI scan for my spinal problems, but am always wary of any form of radiation. Is the radiation harmful, and are these scans less risky than X-rays and CT scans?

My husband has in his mouth a very high count of Streptococcus mutans, the main bacteria that cause tooth decay. His teeth are decaying as fast as the dentist can fill them and his mouth is already heavily filled because he has regularly needed fillings since childhood. He follows a healthy vegan diet that includes no sugar or dried fruit, other than fruit buns and health bars.

I am experiencing a lot of health problems, including bowel problems, nausea, fatigue, dark circles under my eyes and occasionally fevers. My naturopath has told me that my ileocaecal valve is stuck open. Can you advise me about how to correct this so I can be free of these problems?

What can be done to manage peripheral neuropathy and what can be done to arrest progression? The predominant symptom is pain in the leg muscles.

25 Jun 2009Interview: Dan Mathews

Dan Matthews is the senior vice-president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). As an activist for animals, he has risked arrest and confronted the likes of Calvin Klein, Madonna and even Peter Costello.

25 Jun 2009Man the Hunter?

You wouldn’t know it by current world events, but humans actually evolved to be peaceful, cooperative and social animals. An anthropologist at Washington University in St Louis, Missouri argues that primates – including early humans – evolved, not as hunters, but as the prey of many predators.

15 Sep 2009On Digestion

Read the amazing discoveries to come from a freak accident in which a Canadian man had his stomach shot open, resulting in permanent access to the contents of his stomach.

The two areas we are most interested in are the suspicious origin of the new virus and the lack of any mention the condition of the body plays in the impact of disease.

Toxic metals can have wide-ranging and devastating effects on normal behavioural, cognitive (thought processing), speech/language and co-ordination functions.

“I’ve picked up a bug” is the standard comment when a person is feeling off-colour with the sniffles or a dose of ’flu and, as we all know so well, winter is the season for colds and flu, although they can occur any time of the year.

16 Sep 2009Having Trouble Sleeping?

An hour’s sleep before midnight is worth two hour’s sleep after midnight – roughly speaking – yet we don’t do it, with a good night’s sleep is losing out to late night television, the internet, emails and other distractions.

1 Oct 2009Your Nails

Ayurveda reveals exactly what you need to know about your nails

There is no doubt that CFS is an all-too-real and sometimes devastating illness, yet people with the disease have sometimes had to suffer the anguish of doctors believing that they are malingering or imagining the symptoms.

11 Nov 2009Why A Fruit Breakfast

Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dine like a pauper goes the current orthodox advice, but the Natural Health view is that breakfast should be a light meal and lunch and dinner main meals.

Uncertainty about possible health hazards with plastic water bottles and other plastic packaging has been smouldering for years, and stainless steel water bottles are now coming into vogue.

For many years as a sport scientist, personal trainer, life coach and EFT Practitioner, I have been working with clients who come to me for advice about how they can improve the performance and quality of their bodies.

Without minerals and vitamins, of no use to us are the protein, carbohydrate and fat we consume, nor do our bodies even have a structure.

The panic-stricken media coverage of the swine flu ‘pandemic’ over the last few months has rammed home to me, yet again, that modern medicine has absolutely no concept of health – what it is, how to foster it, and how true health is the only immunity against disease.

5 Mar 2010Fatty Liver and Food Choices

Fatty liver (also known as `steatosis’) may cause no damage, but sometimes the excess fat leads to inflammation of the liver and results in a condition called steatohepatitis that involves liver damage.

Q. I am worried about all the pesticides in and on food. I am just about to start eating healthily and want to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Q.I have a history of arthritis and am now eating more raw foods and feeling better. When I do eat cooked food, do you suggest taking a digestive enzyme supplement to aid digestion?

Q. I would like to know the best way to treat a painful ingrown toenail.

I used to have a keen sense of smell but have noticed over the last few years that it’s not as good.

Is kelp really good for you, and, if so, what are its most beneficial constituents?

I recently read that resveratrol has numerous weight-loss and anti-ageing benefits - is this true?

As my 59-year-old brother suffers from severe osteoporosis and I am in the middle of menopause, I am wondering whether I should be taking calcium supplements.

There are so many organisations offering many different courses on naturopathy, herbalism, homeopathy, etc, - do you know of any educational organisation that offers unbiased education in the natural heath field?

8 Mar 2010Foot Patches Feedback

Having purchased a pack of foot patches from the Natural Health Society in Penrith, and with the helpful advice of the staff, I proceeded to apply the patches as directed - the result was amazing and as predicted.

The Committee of the Natural Health Society is making big plans for celebrating this truly great and remarkable occasion – half a century for a not-for-profit organisation promoting healthy lifestyle.

If you’re one of those people who believes you can achieve results through a quick fix, think again - crash dieting is a risky way to go about losing weight.

Dr Rolf Halden, a professor in the Department of Environmental Health Services at the Johns Hopkins Center for Water and Health has confirmed that plastics don’t contain dioxins, but wastes containing certain compounds produce dioxins when incinerated.

Michael Klaper, MD, Director of the Institution of Nutrition Education and Research and the presenter on the best-selling DVD, A Diet For All Reasons speaks with magazine co-editor, Mark Berriman.

The 2009 International Academic and Community Conference on Animals and Society delved into all aspects of animal rights and welfare issues and included presentations from philosophers, researchers, lawyers, behavioural scientists and academics.

We need is food that is unprocessed, low in fat, high in fibre, free of refined salt, caffeine and additives, and with the bulk of the diet being fresh vegetables and fruits; and these guidelines are literally ‘guidelines’ to take us much closer to the way we humans are designed to be nourished.

Natural Health Dietary Guidelines Food Classification and Quantities Chart.

Natural Health Dietary Guidelines Daily Meal Plan, including a suggested 7-day menu and recipes.