Do you ask about your client’s “digital diet” when taking a case history? Today Dr Adrian Lopresti is joined by psychologist and one of the USA’s foremost addiction experts, Dr Nicholas Kardaras. Nicholas describes how excessive technology use affects our brains, destroying the myelin sheaths in the same ways substance abuse does. He also discusses how increased screen time primes us for increased aggression, impulsivity, and deteriorating mental health, how video games affect the HPA axis, and ...
Nov 08, 2021
How can a dysfunctional spinal segment affect the brain, and by extension, the heath of the whole body? Dr Damian Kristoff is joined by chiropractor, neurophysiologist, and researcher Dr Heidi Haavik for an in-depth episode discussing the impact of movement in the spine on the brain and the nervous system. Heidi talks about her extensive research into the science of Chiropractic, getting deep into the mechanics of the movement of the spine and how it affects different areas of the brain, particu...
Nov 01, 2021
How do we identify when environmental toxins such as mould, allergens, and pesticides are contributing to our patient's ongoing health issues? In this episode Dr Michelle Woolhouse is joined by building biologist and former naturopath Nicole Biljsma, who emphasizes the importance of taking a comprehensive environmental exposure history can be for our patients. Nicole discusses how to identify patients who are highly sensitive to environmental toxins and introduces us to her handy acronym, “PHOLD...
Oct 25, 2021
With one in six couples experiencing fertility difficulties, and with one-third of infertility cases being related to male reproductive issues, it is crucial for us as practitioners to be optimising sperm health in our male patients. Today Emma Sutherland speaks with naturopath, nutritionist and fertility specialist Belinda Kirkpatrick about diet and lifestyle issues that contribute to male infertility, focusing in particular on sperm health. They discuss the dos and don’ts of sperm testing, str...
Oct 18, 2021
We know change isn’t always easy. It can be especially difficult when it comes to our clients altering their diets, amount of physical activity, or even bad habits like cigarette smoking. What are some strategies practitioners can employ to create lasting changes in our clients? In this episode Dr Adrian Lopresti is joined by Dr Michelle Jongenelis, Senior Research Fellow and Deputy Director of the Melbourne Centre for Behaviour Change. Michelle talks about her own research and clinical experien...
Oct 11, 2021
Our sympathetic nervous system, our fight or flight response, keeps us alive in emergencies. But what happens when we experience chronic stress, resulting in an overactive sympathetic nervous system that will ultimately affect our heath? How do we help our patients who are stuck in sympathetic nervous system dominance? Dr Wayne Todd, creator of the SD protocol, joins Dr Damian Kristof for an in-depth conversation about extending our understanding of the complexities of sympathetic dominance, and...
Oct 04, 2021
Almost half of all Australian adults will face mental health challenges during their lives, and 1 in 5 will experience one this year. How can we as practitioners support our patients, our communities, and even ourselves? Introducing the all-new hosts of FX Medicine - Dr Adrian Lopresti, Dr Damian Kristof, Emma Sutherland and Dr Michelle Woolhouse – who come together for the first time in an episode moderated by Dr Leslie Braun, to discuss the growing mental health crisis. In our inaugural episod...
Sep 27, 2021
How can we translate the tradition diet of animals in the wild to benefit our modern day pets? Integrative Veterinarian Dr Matt Muir joins us to discuss some key topics when treating our companion animals, including safe use of medicines, when to use supplements instead of changing the pet’s diet, and how the government can better support veterinary medicine. Find today's transcript and show notes here: https://www.fxmedicine.com.au/podcast/integrative-veterinary-medicine-dr-matt-muir *****DISCL...
Sep 15, 2021
How do we prime an infant’s immune system to help guard against the development of respiratory illnesses? Nutritionist and Naturopath Kate Holm returns to FX Medicine to discuss the strategies in treating common respiratory complaints in children, including otitis media and asthma, as well as how gut health, the immune system and food sensitivities play a role in the development of these illnesses. Find today's transcript and show notes here: https://www.fxmedicine.com.au/podcast/respiratory-ill...
Sep 08, 2021
What happens when you get thrown a curve ball in business? How do you bounce back and keep moving forward? Naturopath, nutritionist, and personal trainer, Pam Hird joins us today to discuss how to recover after a business setback, when to enlist the help of a mentor, and the importance for all practitioners in avoiding burnout. Find today's transcript and show notes here: https://www.fxmedicine.com.au/podcast/avoiding-curveballs-business-pam-hird *****DISCLAIMER: The information provided on FX M...
Sep 01, 2021
Should we be avoiding cooking with olive oil because of its’ low smoke point? How can you tell if an oil has gone rancid? In this episode Dietician, Nutrition Scientist, and olive oil aficionado Dr Joanna McMillan busts the various myths around olive oil, along with the benefits of incorporating it into your diet, the differences between extra virgin and other olive oils, and her guidelines on finding a good quality one and how to store it properly. Find today's transcript and show notes here: h...
Aug 25, 2021
What is Metabolic Balance and how does it help with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)? In today’s episode nutritionist Cherry Wills takes us through the high prevalence of NCDs throughout Australia and the world, which include diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and the core principles of the Metabolic Balance program. She discusses how personalised nutrition helps bring our bodies back into balance, creating the perfect synergy for optimal health, and why we should avoid “aspirational nutrition” and i...
Aug 18, 2021
What is sulforaphane? And what is the biochemistry of its actions within the human body? Dr Christine Houghton returns to FX Medicine to discuss sulforaphane, its’ benefits and uses for various conditions, and why we should change the way we think about probiotics, antioxidants, and the overall way in which we approach treating our patients. She also succinctly breaks down the complex biochemistry of probiotics and how our microbiome affects our gut and immune system, including activating the Nr...
Aug 11, 2021
"What's normal and abnormal varies according to your education and your focus in your medical or healthcare practice." In this episode Dr Mark Donohoe returns to FX Medicine for both a practical and philosophical discussion on testing and pathology. Mark talks about the differences between natural medicine practitioners and doctors in their approaches to testing, and how we can work together to find a middle ground. He also provides insight as to which tests which might not be giving us accurate...
Aug 04, 2021
Gilbert’s syndrome is a genetic condition that affects the liver’s ability to process bilirubin. Although generally considered harmless, in fact patients with this condition can suffer from fatigue, gastrointestinal issues and fat soluble vitamin deficiencies. In this episode, Nutritionist Maria Allerton (née Shaflender) talks to us in depth about Gilbert’s syndrome, speaking both from vast clinical experience and personal perspective. She discusses some of the subtle symptoms of the condition, ...
Jul 21, 2021
Skin conditions such as eczema, rashes, cradle cap, and urticarias are quite common in children and infants, sometimes causing major distress in not only the kids but their parents and carers as well. In this episode, Naturopath and Nutritionist Kate Holm returns to FX Medicine to discuss the most common skin conditions she sees children present with in her clinic, what might be causing them, and how to treat them. She also talks about food and environmental allergens and children with atopic di...
Jul 14, 2021
What are some approaches practitioners can use to optimise thyroid function in patients with an underactive thyroid or autoimmune thyroid condition? Nutritionist and Dietician Natalie Douglas returns to FX Medicine to discuss the strategies she uses in her own clinical practice to treat thyroid patients. She talks about educating clients on how to read food labels, when to avoid gluten (and when not to), and her favourite supplements. Find today's transcript and show notes here: https://www.fxme...
Jul 07, 2021
What is the difference between histamine intolerance and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and how does each present clinically? Today we are joined by Georgia Marrion who discusses some of these differences, diving deep into the biochemistry of histamine in the body, and how it affects (and is affected by) the various hormones in our body, including oestrogen, progesterone, the thyroid hormones and cortisol. She also talks about some of the signs and symptoms our patients might present with...
Jun 30, 2021
“All mushrooms are medicinal.” Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner, biochemist, author and mushroom expert Martin Powell discusses all things mushrooms, from how extracts are produced, to the secondary metabolites of various species, to how mushrooms produce vitamin D and why you should always cook your mushrooms. Find today's transcript and show notes here: https://www.fxmedicine.com.au/podcast/medicinal-mushrooms-martin-powell *****DISCLAIMER: The information provided on FX Medicine is f...
Jun 23, 2021
What are some of the differences when it comes to treating children and adolescents versus adults? Today Naturopath and Nutritionist Kate Holm discusses the differences around case tasking, dosing of supplements and herbal remedies, and pathology testing in children, as well as how to navigate the family dynamic and how to evaluate developmental milestones. Find today's transcript and show notes here: https://www.fxmedicine.com.au/podcast/working-paediatric-patient-kate-holm *****DISCLAIMER: The...
Jun 16, 2021
Are all parasites bad for us? Not necessarily. Dr Mark Donohoe returns to FX Medicine to discuss all things parasites, from treatments using helminths, to why clinical trials using parasites might be flawed, why we should think twice before trying to “wipe out” a parasitic infection, and how some parasites have evolved alongside humans to be a benefit, rather than a detriment to our health. Find today's transcript and show notes here: https://www.fxmedicine.com.au/podcast/parasites-good-bad-ugly...
Jun 09, 2021
Endometriosis affects an estimated 1 in every 10 women, many of whom suffer chronic pain. Despite the severity of this pain, sufferers often have to forgo strong pain medication, due to side effects resulting in them unable to function in their daily lives. So what are the alternatives, and how can natural health practitioners help? Dr Mike Armour returns to FX Medicine today to discuss his research into endometriosis pain relief, updating us on the various trials he is running, which include he...
Jun 02, 2021
Gut issues are a major driver of low homocysteine and high histamine in many of our clients. But what other conditions might result in this scenario, and how does it affect our health in other ways? In this new episode, Naturopath Joanne Kennedy takes us through the ins and outs of the biochemistry of histamine and homocysteine in the body, including how too much or too little of either of these can present in patients, what blood tests she recommends and why it is so important to test homocyste...
May 26, 2021
Your patient has a thyroid issue, but why has it developed in the first place? This is the important question Nutritionist and Dietician Natalie Douglas always asks when she treats a patient with thyroid dysfunction. In this episode loaded with practical clinical advice and tips, Natalie takes us through using pathology to help identify and treat thyroid dysfunction and Hashimoto’s disease, including what tests to use, what certain results might indicate, common signs and symptoms that indicate ...
May 19, 2021
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning all other digestive tract conditions must be ruled out first. But what happens when patients receive a diagnosis yet still get little relief of symptoms? That’s where Nutritionist Maria Allerton’s (née Shaflender) expertise and passion lies, in treating complicated cases of IBS. In this episode she discusses a variety of contributing factors and treatment options for this syndrome, including the challenges of getting an IBS diag...
May 12, 2021
What are some treatment approaches to addressing neurobehavioural issues in children and how long does it take for us to see results? Naturopath and Nutritionist Kate Holm joins us today to discuss neural behavioural issues in children including what cravings might indicate, options for non-invasive testing, how to balance family dynamics that come along with having a child with a neurobehavioral condition, and the various best practices for treatments including, diet, supplementation and treati...
May 05, 2021
What does it mean to “die well?” How do we have these conversations with our loved ones and our patients? This week we are joined once again by Dr Mark Donohoe who helps us tackle this difficult and moving topic. He and Andrew discuss how the modern medical approach to dying can be improved, how to help patients through a terminal diagnosis, why it’s important to have an end of life plan, and how we as natural healthcare practitioners can be a major part of the conversation between patients and ...
Apr 28, 2021
Did you know that in addition to the active ingredients in a drug, its excipients can also greatly impact a patient’s nutritional health or cause side effects? With more and more patients being prescribed multiple medications it’s becoming increasingly important for every practitioner to have resources to help identify potential interactions. Today we are joined by Yvonne Coleman, a dietitian specialising in aged care who has investigated and created a vast compendium of drug-nutrient interactio...
Apr 21, 2021
These days we can walk right into a supermarket or pharmacy and get herbs and supplements off the shelves without a prescription from a doctor or natural health practitioner. But with so many people taking multiple drugs and supplements, how do we ensure what they are taking is safe? Pharmacists have the benefit of having a patient’s medications and possible interactions right at their fingertips, but could they do more? What if the pharmacy became the new hub for healthcare? Naturopath Julie Se...
Apr 12, 2021
What are some of the major risk factors for developing cognitive decline and how does the ReCODE protocol developed by Dr Dale Bredesen help improve patients with this condition? In today’s episode, Naturopath and Nutritionist Christine Pope discusses what got her interested in treating patients with cognitive decline, the importance of fish oil and other supplements and dietary changes in combating this condition, and what she’s learned from implementing the ReCODE protocol with her own patient...
Apr 06, 2021
