This episode explores the health benefits of milk thistle, a herbal powerhouse revered for centuries. Learn how this plant can support liver health, aid in detoxification, and offer protective antioxidants for both you and your furry friends. Join us as we unveil the science behind milk thistle, its potential therapeutic uses, and insightful tips on how to safely incorporate it into your and your pet's health regime. Whether you're a wellness enthusiast, a pet lover, or simply curious about natu...
Jan 23, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast In our previous episode, we delved into the realm of glucosamine and chondroitin, exploring their potential to enhance joint health in both humans and dogs. What we uncovered was a landscape of scanty evidence concerning their therapeutic advantages, with glucosamine emerging as particularly dubious. Building upon that foundation, our current episode seeks to further unravel the intricate tapestry of joint health. Our spotlight now turns to collagen, as we examine the veracity behind its proclai...
Aug 15, 2023•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I discuss two of the main nutrients recommended to support joint health in both humans and animals and they are - glucosamine and chondroitin. Despite their popularity, there has always been controversy about the evidence for the benefits of oral glucosamine and chondroitin as treatment options for arthritis. Tune in to find out the facts of the matter - it may not be what you think! Paper: Glucosamine and chondroitin use in canines for osteoarthritis: A review Paper: A 2022 Sys...
Jul 30, 2023•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I want to talk about organ meats and their numerous health benefits for our dogs. We'll be delving into why I think we need to be incorporating organ meats into our dog’s diets. We'll discuss the specific nutrient profiles of the different organs and why you might at times choose one over the other, and in relation to that, we’ll explore how organ meats can provide targeted support to different areas of the body, such as the immune system, kidney and pancreatic function, and ove...
May 22, 2023•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, we reflect back on 2022 - the journey of launching CanineCeuticals, the challenges faced along the way, and the amazing support received from both industry and pet owners alike. We then discuss why every dog should be on our flagship product 'Gut Protect'! With so many different ingredients to choose from when formulating a product, gain insights into the reasoning behind why I selected each ingredient and how it works in the body to provide such a wide range of health benefits ...
Jan 02, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Transcript available on Metacast Bovine colostrum has been known for centuries for its health benefits and is described in the current scientific literature as on of the most promising nutraceuticals for the prevention or mitigation of various diseases in humans. The great news is that there’s also a growing amount of research highlighting the benefits of bovine colostrum for our domestic cats and dogs as well. In this episode, I talk about how bovine colostrum can help in the management of infection, gastrointestinal disorders...
Sep 03, 2022•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast Palmitoylethanolamide (P.E.A) is a natural endocannabinoid-like compound that exerts potent analgesic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and antihistamine effects. In this episode, I talk about how P.E.A can help in the management of inflammation, chronic pain and allergy symptoms in both us and our dogs and why I’m so happy that my clients have access to such an amazing natural compound! If you have questions you’d like answered on the show, please email me at: hello@naturalhealthandnutrition....
Apr 24, 2022•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast In Episode 22 I interviewed Dr Christopher Lee, the Veterinary Director of CBD Vets Australia, about the use of CBD in animals. In today’s show we expand on those previous conversations and cross over into the use of CBD for people. In this episode, I had the privilege to talk with Sara Kourkgy. Sara is the General Manager of Precision Pharmaceuticals and head pharmacist for both CBD Vets Australia and the new online initiative 'CA Connect' - a service designed to give people living in Australia...
Mar 14, 2022•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I talk about Saccharomyces boulardii (SB) and how it can benefit your dog's gut health and overall health. SB is a type of beneficial yeast that comes from the skin of lychee and mangosteen fruits. It's long been used in certain systems of medicine and is now available in dietary supplement form. SB is commonly used to help treat a variety of gastrointestinal disorders that cause diarrhoea, while also helping to stimulate the immune system and reduce systemic inflammation. So tu...
Feb 19, 2022•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I talk about Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) and how you can use it as a screening tool to gain a deeper insight into your dog's health status and what might be driving any health problems. HTMA is a non-invasive test that measures the levels of beneficial nutrients and toxic metals found in the hair. It can detect an excess or deficiency of nutrient minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and zinc. It can also identify over exposure to toxic metals such as arsenic, a...
Jan 02, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I had the privilege of speaking with Dr Christopher Lee, Veterinary Director of CBD Vets Australia. No pet parent wants to see their beloved pet suffering from conditions such as chronic pain or anxiety where conventional treatments have fallen short, and that's where CBD Vets Australia comes in. As part of Australia’s leading medicinal cannabis network, CBD Vets Australia recognises the potential that medical cannabis therapies provide as an alternative or adjunct treatment opt...
Nov 07, 2021•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast Although cliche, we are what we eat! Fundamentally, what impacts mood and drives behaviour are biochemical processes in the body. And what drives these biochemical processes are the nutrients that come in from the foods we feed our dog’s day in and day out. In this episode, I talk about the role that diet and nutrition play in the behaviour of our dogs, as well as outlining some simple strategies that all pet owners can implement in order to improve the nutritional profile of a standard commerci...
Oct 01, 2021•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Like most dog health emergencies, Ladybug's most recent drama started early on Sunday morning with repeated bouts of vomiting. This soon led to lots of blood tests, x-rays, emergency surgery and a weeks stay at the vets. So what happened to Ladybug???? In this episode, I share Ladybug's most recent misadventure and use it as a case study for what you can do with your dog from a diet and supplement standpoint to optimise recovery from surgery and pancreatitis. If you have questions you’d like ans...
Aug 28, 2021•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode I speak with Sacha Packer of The Balanced Canine in Sydney. Sacha is a multi-modality practitioner who mostly works with performance and show dogs and is qualified and accredited in the areas of nutrition, fitness and bodywork. Sacha is also a huge proponent of feeding our dogs a species appropriate fresh food diet, and is co-admin of the hugely popular Facebook page 'Fresh Food Feeding for Dogs - Kibble Feeders Welcome!', which currently has just over 56,000 members. So tune-in ...
Aug 08, 2021•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast What we feed our dogs is often a touchy subject that can elicit some very strong opinions. There are those that claim raw food feeding is incredibly dangerous to both our pets and us, and then there are those that claim the exact same thing about kibble!! So in this episode I look at the safety aspects of both raw and kibble, with a focus on the risks to pet owners themselves. This is a massive topic, and although we're really only scratching the surface of the situation, I think you'll be surpr...
Jul 22, 2021•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode I talk about turmeric – or more specifically, the differences between turmeric and curcumin. The two terms are often used interchangeably, which is not accurate, and by the end of the show you'll understand why! You'll also learn why many of the turmeric supplements on the market may not be providing the therapeutic benefit that you're wanting and needing, and what to look for when buying a supplement for yourself or your pet. So if you're curious to learn more about all things t...
Jul 04, 2021•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode I talk about the health benefits of using liquid herbal remedies for both us and our dogs. As humans, we have been using herbs for medicinal and healing purposes for centuries, and many of those same natural remedies can be effective in treating our dogs for a variety of different ailments, if used correctly. I talk about what you need to consider when buying herbs and outline four key formulas that I use regularly on my own dogs and in clinic. So if you're curious to learn more ...
Jun 20, 2021•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I discuss the topic of oxalates in the food that we're eating and what we're feeding our dogs, along with their potential negative health effects. I cover what oxalates are, how they're formed, what symptoms to look for, as well as discussing those factors that will increase the risk for oxalate toxicity. I then provide some key resources that you can go to for more detailed and reputable follow-up information. So if you've heard about oxalates, but aren't exactly sure of what t...
May 23, 2021•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode I speak with Chris Essex - the founder, owner and Managing Director of Big Dog Pet Foods, a family-owned Australian company who have been making raw, healthy, nutritious pet food since the year 2000. We discuss with Chris how he first got into raw dog food manufacturing and the challenges around that at the time. We look at the various factors that make their products unique - from the human-grade quality of the raw ingredients (100% Australian grown), the lack of any synthetic a...
Apr 03, 2021•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode I talk about the negative health aspect of commercial kibbles for our pets, with a focus on the impact of the processing method itself. Unfortunately, the majority of pets consume a kibble-based diet that’s gone through the extrusion process, which is highly destructive from a nutritional standpoint. But what's perhaps more concerning is that the extrusion process also leads to the formation of toxic compounds such as acrylamide and advanced glycation end-products, which have bee...
Mar 08, 2021•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode I'm joined by Lauren Turner, the owner and trainer of Ideal Dog in the United States, to discuss her work in the dog training industry and how she came to realise the importance of nutrition in behaviour modification. Lauren received a Bachelor's of Science in Behavioral Science from the U.S. Air Force Academy, then started her adult career in the U.S. Air Force where she served for five years as a Special Agent with the Office of Special Investigations. The moment she was able, ...
Feb 04, 2021•1 hr 20 min•Transcript available on Metacast Up to 60% of dogs are now overweight or obese - a condition that is associated with a multitude of different health conditions and disease states that are completely preventable, not to mention a shorter lifespan and a poorer quality of life overall. In this episode I discuss some of the key causes of obesity in our dogs, easy ways to determine if your dog is overweight, how to approach weight loss in a safe and sustainable way and which supplements you can use to support the process. If you hav...
Jan 09, 2021•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast An increasing amount of research highlights the negative health effects of acid-lowering medications for both people and pets when used long-term. Examples of potential adverse effects include the increased risk of bone fractures, pneumonia and other upper respiratory tract infections, diarrhoea, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease and dementia - just to name a few! In this episode I explain what acid-lowering medications are, why a doctor or a vet mi...
Dec 14, 2020•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Histamine is a chemical compound that's naturally found in the cells of our bodies. Histamine plays an important role in our immune response, it supports digestion and gut health, and can even influence our moods via its role as a neurotransmitter. But when histamine levels get too high or when it isn't broken down properly, it can affect our normal bodily functions, leading to a vast array of different symptoms. In this episode I discuss the ins-and-outs of histamine as it relates to both peopl...
Nov 21, 2020•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Most people will have heard the saying - “you are what you eat” but in reality, you are what you absorb! Research suggests that at least 50% of Australian and US adults experience digestive symptoms such as bloating, gas, diarrhoea and constipation. Unfortunately, our dogs are following in our footsteps, with digestive issues being the most common canine health problem that vets see. In this episode I discuss the ins-and-outs of digestive enzymes for both people and pets - what are they, the dif...
Nov 03, 2020•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Fasting dates back centuries and has played a central role in many different cultures and religions. Science has now revealed the many benefits of fasting - including improved weight loss and insulin sensitivity, reduced levels of inflammation and risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, improved cellular health and mental clarity, a reduced risk of neurodegenerative disorders, all the way through to slower ageing and increased longevity (just to name a few!). But did you know that t...
Oct 14, 2020•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast More than ever before, pet owners are thinking about their dog's food - from how it's produced, the quality of the ingredients, its safety and nutritional adequacy. For pet food manufacturers, this means that manufacturing transparency has become an even more critical area of focus to ensure both compliance and customer satisfaction. But just how regulated is the pet food industry? Today I speak with Brittany Young, certified dog trainer and canine nutritionist, about her own personal experience...
Oct 02, 2020•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast We regularly hear the term 'complete and balanced' when it comes to dog nutrition, but what does 'complete and balanced' mean and can we trust that it's providing our dogs with optimal health? In this episode we explore what 'complete and balanced' really means, the methods companies can use to get that claim on their product label, and how feeding a food labelled as 'complete and balanced' is not a failsafe to keeping our dogs healthy long term. If you have questions you’d like answered on the ...
Sep 13, 2020•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast We've all grown up hearing that we should give our dogs chicken and rice during bouts of diarrhoea, but why? In this episode we explore the use of rice for diarrhoea - how it came about, why it works, is it helpful or harmful, and are there better alternatives? If you have questions you'd like answered on the show, please email me at: hello@naturalhealthandnutrition.com.au For discussions about show topics, please go to the Facebook page: Natural Health for People and Pets Further information ca...
Sep 01, 2020•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast During the current pandemic, it’s more important than ever that we all do what we can to look after our immune systems. While there's no magic pill to protect us from the many pathogens that our bodies are exposed to day-in-and-day-out, a healthy lifestyle as a whole is definitely our best bet. In this episode I outline some very simple dietary and lifestyle factors that you can adopt straightway in order to boost your immune system and support overall health and wellbeing. If you have questions...
Aug 21, 2020•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
