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In the late 1950s and 60s, it was not uncommon for a daily dose of foul-tasting, fishy smelling liquid to be forced upon sickly children by their grandparents and cited as the cure for everything from arthritis and baldness, to boils and piles.

Cod liver oil consumption was at its peak, simultaneously torturing yet improving the health of children and their families all over the world. In the decades that followed various other natural remedies came in and out of the limelight. Apricot seed kernels, goji berries and coconut oil all enjoyed their glory days – with some developing a near cult following.

However, as time passed and science accumulated (or failed to accumulate), it became clear that these natural remedies weren’t really the ‘cure all’ they were sometimes promoted to be. In recent years, another natural medicine has forged ahead as the latest trendy cure-all taking the population by storm; yet this one has the scientific backing to boot.

Every year, around one in seven Australians experience anxiety in a way that makes it difficult to cope with daily life. ¹ Ranging in severity from a background level of worry to an overpowering force, anxiety can lead to difficulty sleeping, a racing heart, panic attacks, fatigue, digestive upset, sweating or headaches – interfering with your ability to live your life. 

Think back to the last time you injured yourself. Perhaps you fell over and hurt your knee, or sprained your ankle playing sport. Along with the pain, you can probably recall how swollen, red and hot the area became. These changes were a sign of your body’s protective inflammatory response springing into action.

Stevia rebaudiana is a plant native to South America which has been used as a sweetener for hundreds of years¹ and is now commonly used in Japan, South America and China as a sweetener in foods and beverages.² Stevia has been approved for use by many regulatory bodies around the world, including Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration.

Stevia has a long history of traditional use and its safety is supported by studies conducted in both animals and humans. A great advantage of Stevia is that it provides sweetness without impacting on blood glucose levels, making it useful as a sweetener in a range of Naturopathic supplements.

Fact 1: Antibiotic overuse is a serious problem.

Fact 2: Antibiotics disrupt your microbiome.

Fact 3: Antibiotics may cause both short-term and long-term side effects.

Fact 4: Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LGG®), Saccharomyces boulardii (SB) and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp lactis (BB-12®) are probiotic strains that help preserve and rebuild commensal bacteria populations and reduce antibiotic-associated side effects.

Fact 5: Your Natural Healthcare Practitioner can help you choose the right strains for you.

Vegetarian and vegan diets are gaining momentum, with more people opting for a plant-based lifestyle. Plant foods provide plenty of vitamins and minerals that keep you feeling healthy, however, like other diets that restrict food groups, vegetarian and vegan diets require careful planning to prevent nutritional deficiencies. This is particularly the case during pregnancy, when nutrient requirements skyrocket to support the growth of your baby, making deficiency more likely to occur. The key to a healthy pregnancy is ensuring you have your fill of key nutrients so that you and bub remain healthy and happy.

If you have ever browsed the shelves of your local supermarket or Pharmacy, you will have seen bottles of omega-3 capsules, typically recommended for maintaining a healthy heart and for reducing inflammation in conditions such as arthritis. Did you know that these essential fatty acids are also vital for a healthy pregnancy and for the health of your baby?

Your heart races. Your breathing becomes quick and shallow. You feel alert and slightly anxious; your palms are sweaty and your muscles tense. This is your body getting you ready to run, or even fight, for your life. Are you a cave dweller facing down a growling, ravenous lion, armed with only a spear and your wits? No, you are a modern human, sitting at a desk, fingers flying over your keyboard as you race to meet a deadline. So why does your body respond as though your survival is at stake?

What is Your Gut Trying to Tell You? We have all become a little snack-happy at a party, eaten too much cake, and had to undo the top button of our jeans to make room for the food baby. However, if you feel and look bloated regularly without overindulging, your gut microbiome might be trying to

Chronic sneezing? Itchy, watery eyes? Is your nose running like a tap? Before you reach for your antihistamines to help (temporarily) reduce your hay fever symptoms, let me ask you – do you know there are effective, natural strategies that can provide you lasting relief?

Modern life is bustling with innovative technologies for a convenient living; online access to news and information, timesaving transport, fast foods, cleaning products that make your home sparkle, and cosmetics that leave us feeling ‘our best selves’.

Our Pain is Insane With 20% of Australians suffering from chronic pain, and pain being the most common reason someone will visit a healthcare Practitioner in Australia,[¹] there is no question that we’re a nation in pain and inflamed! To understand how to reduce pain, we need to look at its main cause, inflammation.

Omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are essential nutrients shown to reduce inflammation,[¹] support cardiovascular health,[²] promote brain function [³], and support foetal development during pregnancy.[⁴] Our bodies are unable to produce omega-3 fatty acids, so we must consume them in our diet or through supplementation. Unfortunately, 80% of adults do not meet the recommended daily intake (RDI) of omega-3 fatty acids,[⁵] but amongst people who do meet the RDI, 90% have been found to take a supplement.[⁶] Therefore, the easiest way to ensure you are getting enough omega-3 for your health needs is to take a fish oil supplement. That being said, recently, media reports have introduced confusion about the benefits of fish oil, with some claiming fish oil has no health benefits. So, what is the truth about fish oil?

Fermented foods and beverages, such as sauerkraut, kimchi and kombucha, were a regular part of our ancestors’ diets for thousands of years. Originally a method of preserving produce from harvest time through the cold days of winter;[¹] fermentation involves adding a bacterial or yeast starter to a food. These organisms convert starches and sugars to alcohol or acids, lengthening the food’s shelf life and producing the unique and tangy flavours we associate with fermented foods. Recently, these foods have seen a resurgence in popularity, not for their shelf lives but for their claimed digestive health benefits. As probiotics have also risen in popularity for similar reasons, let us explore how fermented foods stack up against a high-quality probiotic. 

Whether due to an intolerance or allergy, the choice to follow a vegan diet, or the want to reduce environmental impact, the number of people choosing to go dairy-free has risen dramatically. To meet this demand, the range of non-dairy milks has never been greater. Derived from grains and legumes, each type of milk alternative comes with its own benefits. However, some milks may have hidden pitfalls, such as additives or greater ‘food miles’. Given the myriad of dairy-free options, how do you choose the right one for your needs? To help you make an informed choice, read on for details about the most common dairy-free alternatives and how to navigate your way through their ingredients