FX Medicine Podcast Central

It is estimated that 1 in 10 women suffer from endometriosis. As significant as this figure is the condition is also believed to be grossly under-diagnosed. The burden of this disease can substantially impact attendance and productivity at work or school. Sufferers typically face ongoing medications, invasive surgeries and long term issues with fertility management. Natural medicine has much to offer in the management of this condition regardless of age or severity. Stacey "The Babymaker" Roberts has worked with countless women with endometriosis and today she shares some valuable insights from her clinical experiences that will help guide practitioners to make informed, intelligent treatment decisions.

Genetic testing is a rapidly emerging area weaving its way into integrative medicine practice. Dr Denise Furness is a geneticist, as well as a qualified nutritionist and thus has the perfect blend of expertise to help practitioners navigate these new waters in a practical and safe way. Today, Dr Furness takes us through "Genetics 101", covering terminology, clinical relevance and shares some case studies of how she applies genetics in her clinical practice. This podcast will be the first in a series helping to demystify this area of medicine.

From his beginnings as a chef, Richard Sager went on to study Dietetics because he fell in love with the science of food. Early in his career, Richard witnessed how an integrative approach to nutrition and dietetics could make a difference to bariatric surgery outcomes. Richard went on to continually deepen his integrative approach and was recently awarded with a BioCeuticals Integrative Medicine Award recognising his industry leadership. Currently, Richard works in the 'Top End' (Northern Territory, Australia) where works with local communities to educate and inspire people to improve their health and wellbeing through food choices. Richard takes us through complexities of applying nutrient dense diets to his patients whilst overcoming cultural or even accessibility obstacles. His considered and collaborative approach is inspiring and really shows the layers to a career in applying nutrition within the public health sector.

According to Lara Briden, "Periods are the monthly report card of women's health". For generations now, women have been led to believe that issues with their periods are "normal", and that they're easily controlled or tamed with hormonal treatments, like the oral contraceptive pill. As a specialist in women's health Lara Briden has devoted her career to deconstructing these fictional views of women's health with her informative blog "Lara Briden's Healthy Hormone Blog" and a recently authored book "The Period Repair Manual". Today Lara talks to us about the hallmarks of healthy menstruation and what can go wrong.

It was Hippocrates who said "All diseases begin in the gut" and as science evolves, it seems to only continue to validate that notion. Whether you term it "leaky gut", "intestinal permeability" or by some other marker, such as zonulin… damage to the functionality of the gut and the microbiome pose tangible threats to health. But how do we assess it? Enter Beth Bundy, our resident expert in the area of functional pathology. Beth will take you through the various assessment methods open to health professionals to evaluate intestinal permeability, including any underlying pathology as well as measure treatment success or failure.

Is your home or workplace making you or sick? Headaches, nausea, gastrointestinal upsets, respiratory ailments and mood changes...all these symptoms and more may be explained by Sick Building Syndrome. Nicole Bijlsma is a naturopath, acupuncturist and pioneering researcher in the field of building biology. Nicole joins us today, ahead of her speaking engagement at the upcoming AIMA/CMA Annual Conference (September 2016) on the topic of Geomedicine. Nicole takes us through the many, often invisible, environmental culprits behind a plethora of chronic health conditions. She leads listeners through identifying the symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome, testing and risk-minimisation techniques. Sick Building Syndrome may be something to consider in confounding health conditions that aren't being resolved through traditional approaches.

Skin conditions can be notoriously challenging to treat and seborrhoeic dermatitis is no exception. Today we are joined by naturopath, Danny Urbinder to discuss his expertise in managing this stubborn condition. As a sufferer himself, Danny shares some excellent personal insights into the condition and discusses his successes and failures when it comes to treatment, including including nutritional and herbal supplementation, topical treatments, and dietary and lifestyle advice. Personal experiences tend to lead to an insatiable thirst for knowledge on the subject and a quest for answers which listeners can indeed benefit from.

Bloating, foul-smelling wind, chronic abdominal discomfort, nausea, even malnutrition. These are all symptoms of SIBO - Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. Unlike the large bowel, the small intestine is ordinarily home to much more modest numbers of bacteria under normal conditions. SIBO is largely caused through poor diet and digestion, overuse of antibiotics and antacid medications, or some physical abnormalities. Its characteristic symptoms often don’t respond to traditional GIT therapies making it essential to have an expert to guide you through treatment. This is where Nirala Jacobi comes in. Educated in the US, where naturopaths undergo pre-med before specialising in natural medicine, Nirala takes us through this rapidly emerging field of SIBO, including how to test, how to treat and where to gain further education in this area.

Psoriasis can be a devastating disease not just because of the outward expression of the red rash and silvery scales, but also because of the co-morbidities and frequently unsatisfactory results gained by medical management alone. Patients need natural practitioners with expertise in treating complex skin conditions and Ananda Mahoney is a wealth of both knowledge and clinical expertise. In this podcast, Andrew and Ananda discuss the management of psoriasis using natural medicine. Ananda also shares her history, and her learning curve to find out what natural medicines have worked and which haven’t, and provides practitioners with some simple strategies to safely work alongside medical therapy to successfully manage stubborn skin conditions.

Today's podcast explores "Coffee". Arguably the most popular beverage in the world, it has been the subject of much conjecture in the scientific literature. An ever-growing body of evidence suggests that coffee has numerous health benefits ranging from gout to cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. What truths can be gleaned from the amassed research? This is what we hope to answer in today's podcast with self-professed coffee enthusiast, Dr Lise Alschuler.

Arguably, one of the most exciting and promising areas of medicine is the emerging field of genomics. Our understanding of genomics in medicine is constantly changing and will continue to shape the future of modern medicine. In today's podcast, Dr Mark Donohoe gives us a taste of the complexities that make up this area of medicine and healthcare. Dr Donohoe gives us a brief introduction into this world of genetics and what this means for qualified healthcare practitioners and their patients.

Recorded live at the 4th BioCeuticals Research Symposium, Andrew talked with integrative cardiologist Dr Mark Houston about the changes he has witnessed in the management of cardiovascular disease. Dr Houston covers the relevance of patient genetics in understanding the progression of disease, as well as the modifiable risk factors and key methods of assessment based on his clinical experience. This insightful discussion shows there is a paradigm shift emerging in the understanding of cardiovascular disease.

In 1929, Henrik Dam of Denmark discovered an "anti-hemorrhagic factor” which came to be named vitamin K, from the German/Danish word koagulationsvitamin (clotting vitamin). We know that vitamin K presents in multiple varieties but most health professionals have only been taught about vitamin K1 (phytomenadione). In today’s episode, Dr Hogne Vik takes us through the many forms of vitamin K, their differing actions and the exciting clinical applications of vitamin K2 (menaquinone) MK-7. Discussing everything from the headline actions of vitamin K2 MK7 in the "calcium paradox" to the benefits for menopausal women and the future exciting research in the area of immune activation.

Recorded live at the 4th BioCeuticals Research Symposium, Andrew talks to Dr Deanna Minich about her background in conventional medicine and research at a time when "functional foods" and “functional nutrition" were newly emerging concepts. Dr Minich's research highlights the interconnectedness of whole food, food-combining and the influence cooking and preparation can have on optimal nutritional yield. She now takes a very broad and open-minded approach to food and health. In particular, Dr Minich has a keen interest in the connection of food and mood as well as the influence of genetic factors and how to unravel them to help people move towards greater wellness.

Currently there is a lot of debate about whether organically-grown produce is better for your health than non organically-grown produce. However, most of the arguments don't dig deep enough to get to the truth. In today’s podcast, Dr Liza Oates discusses her PhD research into this very topic to answer this question once and for all. Instead of measuring nutritive value, Dr Oates measured the effects of consuming an organically-grown versus non organically-grown diet and found startling results! Dr Oates also shares practical hints and tips whereby we can all gain the most from eating a truly healthy diet.

In today's podcast Belinda Reynolds takes us through the changing understanding of how the human microbiome is seeded from birth to infancy and beyond. It was previously understood that a baby was born relatively sterile, and was exposed to microbes as a result of the birth process; however, newer evidence has emerged that points to a pathway that translocates bacteria directly from the mother's gut and delivers it into the foetal environment, making the health of the mother's gut an important factor in the adequate maturation of infant microbial diversity even prior to birth and breastfeeding. Belinda also explores the various treatment options for optimising microbial diversity.

Dr Andrew Heyman is an internationally recognised expert in integrative medicine. As an integrative physician with a background in Traditional Chinese medicine, Dr Heyman's core areas of expertise include the effect of biotoxins on the immune system, chronic inflammation and consequent neuroinflammation. In today’s podcast, recorded at the 4th BioCeuticals Research Symposium, Dr Heyman guides us through the complex maze of interactions that are our stress response hormones and teaches us the critical detective work which practitioners can employ to help discover the underlying cause to stress-related disorders. Dr Heyman will also teach us his pattern-derived "triads" to assist in treatment of complex stress-related disorders and show us how to deal with the vast array of biological insults which send patients' health into a spin.

Pete Evans has become the iconic face of the Australian Paleo movement and has changed countless lives by inspiring people to adopt healthier eating practices. Beneath all the media hype, Pete Evans is passionate about feeling good through health and cooking. His craft is making flavourful, nutrient-dense food with fresh, natural ingredients using the advice and principles of some of the world's leading nutrition experts. In today's podcast Andrew talks to Pete about why he became a chef and his journey into the world of Paleolithic food preparation.

Today's podcast explores the many facets of healthy ageing. The medical term for age-related decline in health is “Sarcopoenia”. It is characterised by a progressive and generalised loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength which can result in adverse outcomes such as physical disability, poor quality of life and death. Chris Oliver is an expert in the area of nutrition, body composition and healthy aging and delivers an engaging discussion on the many modifiable factors of optimal ageing.

As an international best-selling author, Dr David Perlmutter needs little introduction. He is a leading expert in integrative neurology and a serial educator on the perils on grains in the modern diet. In today's podcast, recorded at the 4th Annual BioCeuticals Research Symposium in Sydney; Dr Perlmutter shares his expertise on the issues with the modern diet, our heavy reliance on grains and the disturbance these are having on gut, cognitive and behavioural function. Dr Perlmutter's passions also extends to grain agriculture including genetic modification and the use of glyphosate.

The role of diet in the management and prevention of chronic disease is a widely accepted notion, particularly amongst those who are already health conscious. What is perhaps lesser considered, is the relationship between diet and the acute immune system. As we enter into cold and flu season, we explore how what we eat may affect our ability to resist infection. In this week's podcast, Andrew and Dr Mark Donohoe navigate an interesting discussion on the role of diet in immunity, including sugar consumption, eating seasonally and making appropriate fresh food selections.

Mike Ash has spent the last two decades deeply immersed in the ever-changing landscape of integrative immunology. He has amassed an impressive reading, writing and publishing repertoire in his career and yet he applies his knowledge in a wholistic and considered way both through clinical practice and in educational capacities to his peers. Today on FX Medicine Mike speaks to Andrew about the pathological and positive immunological paradigms of parasitic infection and parasite therapy. This emerging area of immunology has some fascinating possibilities for the future of medicine.

In pursuit of a new drug therapy to treat cholera, Dr Alessio Fasano made a discovery that would inadvertently change the landscape of gastrointestinal disease in modern medicine. In 2000, Dr Fasano uncovered the protein zonulin as a mechanism which negatively influences the regulation of the intestinal tight gap junctions, and thus provided credence to the notion of a "leaky gut". In this podcast, Dr Fasano reveals the widespread clinical significance of zonulin, Coeliac disease and gluten sensitivity, as well as a myriad of disorders related to the ubiquitous nature of the zonulin protein, not just in the gut, but in diverse tissues throughout the body.

Dr Mark Donohoe is, without question, an expert at disentangling complex health conditions. In this episode Andrew and Dr Donohoe delve into the complexities of supporting, improving and/or treating pathological gut issues. Their comprehensive discussion touches on numerous wholistic and integrative methods of improving gut health and, by extension, overall wellbeing. From the bacterial, fungal and viral organisms living within and on our bodies, to the effect of targeted dietary and lifestyle modifications, join Dr Donohoe and Andrew as they explore digestion, biodiversity and wellbeing.

In this podcast we speak with Prof Marc Cohen about his work helping students conduct research, his passion for uncovering the evidence for complementary therapies and being the bridge between orthodox and integrative medicine. One herb Prof Cohen is most interested in is Holy Basil which he describes as the ultimate adaptogen. Prof Cohen will lead us through some of this herb's historical and clinical benefits. Prof Cohen's inclusive approach to wellbeing is a key reason as to why he is both a balanced industry ambassador and a true pioneer of the wellness industry.

Megan Bowness is full of life and she has good reason to be. She almost lost her life to Crohn's disease when a vital operation left her with a constantly draining fistula. In today's podcast, Megan takes us through her courageous journey and the role that complementary and integrative medicine has had in the successful management of her disease. Megan also talks about the joy she has gotten from giving back through her charity dedicated to helping seriously sick kids to get their very own personalised pair of "Dream Kicks"

Innovation is often borne out of necessity and Victus Health is no exception. Pauline O'Sullivan’s personal experience implementing elimination diets to identify and manage her daughter’s multiple food intolerances, gave her the idea for the Victus Health software. Teaming up with Michelle Ridgeway and capitalising on her IT expertise, Victus Health was born. Victus Health is a practical platform which aids practitioners to implement personalised nutrition plans. It bridges the gap between a practitioner identifying what you cant eat, and a patient implementing these dietary changes with a recipe system that can filter out key dietary concerns.

When it comes to media coverage of nutritional supplements and herbal medicines there is often a tendency towards sensationalism and a bias for negative outcomes. This distorted approach to health journalism is not only unnecessarily alarming and confusing to the public, it also unfairly damages our trust in complementary health care and can cloud our clinical judgement. In this podcast Andrew Whitfield-Cook and Dr Mark Donohoe discuss several papers covering a diverse range of clinical areas, including: the Low FODMAP diet in IBS, vitamin K2 and warfarin stability, the impact of food and exercise on the gut microbiome, as well as the CARET and ATBC trials which led to beta-carotene gaining a bad reputation.

Ligands are ions, molecules or a molecular group that bind to another chemical entity to form a larger complex. In this episode we're exploring the world of mineral ligands, the combinations of mineral complexes commonly found in nutritional supplementation and the many myths and misnomers perpetuated largely by marketing and hype. But what are the facts? What is the clinical opportunity or drawback to using say Calcium Sulphate vs. Citrate, or Magnesium Oxide vs. Magnesium Aspartate?. What is the evidence for amino-acid chelates and how they work in the body? How can you choose the right combination to yield the highest bioavailability or the best clinical outcome? Today we welcome back Dr Bob Buist arguably one of Australia's foremost leading experts in the field of nutritional biochemistry to dispel some myths and deliver some clinical pearls of wisdom about selecting the right combinations.

Dr Deanna Minich is a leading expert on nutrigenomics and personalised nutrition with a special interest in emotional eating; or the "food-mood connection". Dr Minich's true ambition for functional nutrition only presented itself when she was feeling unfulfilled as a pre-med student and decided to switch to a Masters Degree in Nutritional Biochemistry followed by a PhD in Nutrition. She professes to be "Switzerland" when it comes to diets, instead she takes a whole-self approach to nourishment.

Dr Robert Buist is a respected authority on whey, having extensively researched, formulated and used whey both commercially and clinically. He is a firm advocate of using whey to improve patient health. In this podcast, "Doctor Bob" will take us through the biochemistry of whey and how it exerts positive benefits at a cellular level. Learn from Dr Bob's decades of expertise on how the various constituents of whey can help manage conditions such as blood pressure, kidney disease and triglycerides, as well as helping to reduce hunger, lose weight and maintain muscle mass.

So you've tested a patient for MTHFR SNPs and for Mauve Factor/Kryptopyrroles. What now? Methylation and Pyrroles are hot topics in integrative medicine, yet controversy surrounds both their clinical significance and the best way to treat patients who have demonstrated aberrant biochemical results. In today's podcast, Belinda Reynolds takes us through the complexities, the realities and the traps which practitioners sometimes find themselves in when oversimplifying these seemingly simple biochemical "wheels"

Dr David Perlmutter is now a well-recognised champion of integrative medicine, being a board certified neurologist who embraces evidence-based natural therapies and the international best-selling author of Grain Brain. Dr Perlmutter's journey to integrative medicine started from a simple desire to seek for "MORE!" for his patients' health. This led to him exploring the dietary, lifestyle and supplementary regimes which importantly MODULATE (not block) inflammation which we know is a key driver in not just neurological disease, but is implicated in most modern diseases. Dr Perlmutter also describes his revelation of how many patients simply felt better when they eradicated gluten from their diet, whether they were diagnosed with Coeliac Disease or not.

Beth Bundy uses the analogy "The Three Legged Stool" to represent the triad of the adrenal, thyroid and sex hormones and their interplay. In this follow up podcast we dive deeper into appropriate & necessary use of functional pathology testing of the thyroid, adrenals and sex hormones . Beth expertly draws from her experience to paint a picture of the complex presentations patient's walk in with when one or all of these areas of their health are depleted.

In this podcast Dr Mark Donohoe shares his vast clinical knowledge of the functional aspects of low thyroid function. He coins the phrase a "hibernating thyroid" to explain why we shouldn't be so quick to stimulate the thyroid in those presenting with low metabolism, but rather seek to uncover the true cause of WHY thyroid levels plummet in patients. We explore the usefulness, cautions and paranoia of using such nutrients as iodine, selenium, tyrosine, and vitamin A in nourishing (rather than stimulating) the thyroid gland, as well as supporting both the adrenal glands and liver function to rejuvenate patients back to a normal metabolic rate.

Dr Lise Alschuler is best known for her expertise in supporting cancer patients on their journey through their therapy and how to thrive in their life afterwards. A core element in oncological care is supporting mental health, thus Dr Alschuler has amassed an impressive level of expertise in this area. In this podcast, Dr Alschuler will explore her evidence-based approaches to anxiety. She also takes an in depth look at some excellent integrative medicine interventions including phosphatidylserine, kava, lemon balm, magnesium and a specific phytopharmaceutical lavender product which is clinic-changing in its effectiveness.

Decades ago, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) was a rarely discussed condition. Now we know that 15-18% of women of reproductive age suffer from this condition, which carries its own infertility issues, plus increased risks to both mother and child, even upon successful pregnancy. In this podcast, Stacey (The BabyMaker) Roberts, takes us through the dysfunctional effects of excess and androgenised hormones upon fertility, and discusses the various options by which women with PCOS may emerge victorious using evidence-based natural therapies either alone or indeed in concert with drug therapy to maximise pharmaceutical management of fertility issues surrounding PCOS.

Today we're joined once again by the very knowledgeable Justin Sinclair for Part 2 in our series on the responsible clinical use of cannabis. Justin takes us on a journey through the complex phytochemistry and pharmacognosy of the various medicinal cannabis species. He talks about the merits and flaws in using isolated plant extracts with single active constituents versus using full, whole-herb extracts for their herbal synergy - or "The Entourage Effect". His knowledge of both the phytochemical aspects and the regulatory hurdles facing the medicinal cannabis industry is without equal.

Male infertility affects 20% of infertile couples, yet many ostensibly place "blame" on the female of the couple. In this 2nd podcast, Stacey (The BabyMaker) Roberts takes us through the physical and emotional rollercoaster facing infertile couples when trying to find "the reason" for their inability to have children. Stacey takes us on a journey to explore the causes, the nutritional treatments and the huge psychological burden placed on individuals by society, and even by friends and family. Stacey also discusses the various aspects of lowered male libido, the potential reasons and treatments available. Critically, Stacey reveals how practitioners can break the blame game of "who's fault it is", and coaches us through how to maximise the chances by which couples can conceive with the support of evidence-based natural medicines.

Moira's true clinical expertise shines in this enlightening podcast about her involvement in a multi-modality clinic treating complex eye disorders for which orthodox medicine has little to offer. This podcast will reveal how a multi-disciplinary, safety-orientated approach can offer real benefits for those with chronic visual disorders. Learn about the success and synergy of blending orthodox medicine, naturopathy and traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture.

Pyrrole Disorder has gained some notoriety in integrative medicine because it's often uncovered via screening of patients with mood or "disorders of socialisation" - particularly in children. The clinical presentation of Pyrrole Disorder has a close relationship with methylation and Dr Mark Donohoe articulates this relationship with poise. His overwhelming take-home message is that we cannot simply take a reductionist approach when treating those who present with pyroluria by boosting them up with the required nutrients but that we must look at the bigger picture and take a broader approach in the healing journey of these patients.

In today's podcast we are joined by Danny Urbinder, Head of Education at BioCeuticals. Danny has been the driving force behind pioneering new approaches to educational content in the integrative practitioner space. Today he takes us through how BioCeuticals evolved the educational format for their Research Symposium to what we know it to be today. He will also share with us the outstanding line up of international experts presenting at the 4th BioCeuticals Research Symposium. The topic for 2016 is "Revolutionary Strategies for Complex Diseases" and will feature; Dr David Perlmutter, Dr Alessio Fasano, Dr Deanna Minich, Dr Andrew Heyman.

We often think of good bacteria in our small and large intestines, but what about our mouth? Today we explore the oral microbiome with holistic dentist, Dr Steven Lin. Dr Lin reveals why the simple action of chewing good healthy food, drinking ample water and avoiding the highly sugared food that we are so accustomed to in our convenience-led lifestyles, can help you have a better smile, less dental caries and furthermore, balance a dysbiotic intestinal microbiota.

In this episode Mark Donohoe reviews key, evidence-based probiotic and nutritional therapies for the management of irritable bowel syndrome, Helicobacter pylori infection, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. He also explores the latest developments in faecal transplantation for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infection and inflammatory bowel disease.

The number of bacteria living on and in the body of the average healthy adult human are estimated to outnumber human cells by a ratio of anywhere from 3:1 to 100:1. Commensal bacteria provide numerous benefits to their host including production of vitamins and antimicrobial substances that are essential in maintaining the delicate balance between helpful colonies and pathogenic overgrowth. There is a school of thought that posits lactate-producing bacterial species will cause ill-health rather than promote health, particularly for patients suffering Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Short Bowel Syndrome. Today Belinda Reynolds explores the pathogenesis of D-Lactate and reveals it may not be the culprit first thought, but rather a victim of circumstance.

In today's podcast we capitalise on over two decades of Dr Mark Donohoe's experience and observation of patients undergoing detoxification programs. Dr Donohoe takes us through how detoxification approaches have changed and continue to change, as new information and research emerges. Dr Donohoe has a long history of helping patients with confounding presentations and he has a knack for helping those patients who fall outside medical diagnosis, but who are obviously unable to function because of fatigue, pain, mood disorders and immune dysfunction.

Justin Sinclair is a herbalist, pharmacognosist and educator with a true passion for caring for patients in severe need. In this podcast he discusses the therapeutic potential of one of the most important medicinal herbs, Cannabis. This 2-part series sees Justin delve into the history and extensive health benefits of medical marijuana as he dispels the many myths surrounding this controversial plant. Justin's extensive knowledge of phytochemistry and pharmacognosy informs the listener of the wide medical potential Cannabis has for treating many chronic illnesses, offering hope for patients whose current medical therapies have little to offer.

Today Beth will cover the importance of the liver in detoxification and how clinicians can effectively utilise functional pathology to assess liver function. Drawing on her vast experience in functional pathology and clinical practice, Beth takes us through the functional liver detoxification profile. Beth will also share some insightful practice points for managing imbalances in detoxification systems without causing unwanted side-effects in your patients.

Today we are joined by Belinda Reynolds to explore the many factors which may trigger autoimmunity, and explore the evidence behind the naturopathic tenet of treating the gut to restore normal function to seemingly disparate tissues. Supporting autoimmunity in those on medications can be done safely with natural approaches which balance, rather than block the immune system. Belinda expertly discusses the herbs, nutrients and lifestyle changes which have been shown to help manage autoimmune conditions.

The existence of Lyme-like disease is hotly debated in Australia, with many doctors being ostracised by their colleagues for even mentioning the four letter word. Today, we are joined by Jennie Burke of Australian Biologics, who is no stranger to the controversy surrounding the existence of Borrelia species in Australia. She shares with us her experience, the challenges with adequate testing, and the politics of this emerging Borrelia, or "Borrelia-like" infection - which may or may not be the classical tick-borne disease found in every other continent bar Antarctica.