FX Medicine Podcast Central

Dr Chris Shade's background as a pharmacist, environmental chemist and organic farmer eventually led him down an interesting path, doing clinical mercury research. In today's podcast Dr Shade takes us through the various species of mercury and the synergistic layering that can occur with heavy metals, toxins and other environmental pollutants to the detriment of human health. Dr Shade has developed comprehensive detoxification systems designed to help peel away the layers of overlapping dysfunction using innovative liposomal technology that revolutionises nutrient delivery for healing.

There are far more people abusing legal drugs than there is illicit drugs, it's a much bigger problem! Some prescription drug classes cause major social issues with addiction or dependence with subsequent deleterious effects on personal health and family welfare. Following on from our previous podcast on the detoxification/withdrawal of illicit drugs, today Pharmacist and Integrative Medicine Practitioner Greg Mapp takes us through the safe and responsible detoxification of several classes of pharmaceutical drugs and instructs practitioners on the practical aspects of supporting patients through prescription drug detox.

The humble cup of tea has long been associated with inducing a "sense of calm”. As it turns out, tea is a key source of the non-protein amino acid, L-theanine, which has some profound calming effects within the brain and nervous system. In this episode, Andrew and Belinda expertly takes us through the mechanisms of action of this exciting new nutraceutical and how it can benefit adults and children in coping with the increasing demands of life.

N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) has been used in the medical arena for decades as a rescue for paracetamol overdose and as a mucolytic in Cystic Fibrosis, but newer research leans towards possible uses in Psychiatry. Although too early to provide guidelines, Professor Michael Berk takes us through the exciting possible future uses of this precursor to glutathione production. Professor Berk explains some of the more recent trials, where the link to Psychiatric benefit came from and where future research into NAC in mental health needs to head.

Growing up in rural New South Wales gave Sarah Lantz a grounded appreciation of food. A connection to food origins is something most of society has now lost, but its an area Sarah is passionate about. Her love for nutritious, local, wholesome food combined with her formal qualifications as a Nutritionist, and her concerns about the abundant and unregulated use of chemicals during food production gave her the perfect springboard to research the toxins transmitted between mother and baby. Suffice to say, analysis of cord blood led to some startling revelations! Today Dr Lantz takes us through her research and also reveals her journey into the world of fermented foods, which led to her latest venture "Buchi Kombucha", a traditional fermented tea company that is now teaching this lost art to the public.

Beth Bundy is a Melbourne based naturopath with a strong focus on the interplay of the thyroid, adrenals and sex organs. In this interview, she reveals the benefits of functional pathology as an objective measurement to show patient benefits of treatment over time. Beth takes our listeners through the differences in functional testing as opposed to standard pathology testing, and shows the practitioner some of the commonly useful tests to determine or confirm clinical suspicions of what's going on inside the patient's body.

Greg Mapp's history as an integrative pharmacist includes setting up a truly revolutionary drug detox centre for both illicit and prescription drugs on Queensland's Gold Coast. In Part one of a two part series Greg takes us through the history of the clinic and how medical care of illicit drug detox commonly involves integrative therapies and judicial supplementation to manage symptoms experienced by patients.

In today's podcast, Andrew discusses gut repair with Amie Skilton. As a naturopath, nutritionist and herbalist with 13 years experience, Amie takes us through some core Naturopathic Principles that form the vital components of a successful, and wholistic gut repair program. Drawing on her clinical expertise, Amie shares how she guides her patients through the practicalities of healing digestion, by teaching them how, what, when and why to eat, as well as herbal and nutritional supplements that she recommends with great success.

In the 1960s Denham Harman hypothesised the free radical theory of ageing, but was himself frustrated by his inability to prove it. Fifty years later the theory still remains unproven. Having recently won a prize for her presentation on this topic at the 2015 National Herbalists Association of Australasia (NHAA) Conference, Dr Janet Schloss takes us through why the molecules known as "antioxidants" do not actually operate as "free radical trappers" but instead function as chemical messengers to normalise DNA and other chemical signals in our body.

Not too long ago, beneficial bacteria was only thought about in relation to the gastrointestinal ecology. However in recent years we have discovered that the body plays host to a myriad of distinct bacterial colonies that play a vital role in health and disease. In this episode Andrew and Mark discuss the microbiome beyond the gut with a focus on the reproductive system. As well as offering up some diet and lifestyle interventions that we as hosts can use to ensure the health of our resident bugs.

Athletes are always looking for ways to improve performance and one of those ways is to reduce recovery time. In this podcast, Exercise Physiologist, Nick Morgan explores the research into SKINS compression wear and their influence on performance and recovery.

In today’s podcast Andrew is joined by dietitian Belinda Reynolds. Belinda has over 15 years experience in integrative medicine and has a true gift for pulling clinically relevant information from research. Today she takes us through extemporaneous dispensing of calcium-D-glucarate. Calcium-D-glucarate has some great clinical applications for gut and liver health, and plays an important role in preventing recirculation of toxins in the detoxification process.

Dr Lise Alschuler has just finished her Australia-wide Workshop Tour, and this week’s podcast gives us greater insight into both Lise’s personal and professional experiences with cancer diagnosis. Lise explores the emotional impact which patients have to endure when faced with a cancer diagnosis and the strategies to maintain optimism, she reveals some of the newer diagnostic criteria and tumour-activity markers, and discusses the place of safe, supportive care in cancer patients to aid in the orthodox treatment, including exercise, stress management, sleep and healthy, vegetable-based diet.

In this episode, Andrew was joined by Dr Amie Steel from ARONAH (Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists). Dr Steel is a true guardian of the naturopathic profession and she wants to protect safe and qualified naturopaths from the non-qualified persons who are sometimes highlighted by the media. This podcast is highly contentious because "Naturopath" is not a protected title, meaning that anyone who wants to call themselves a naturopath can freely do so. Today Dr Steel takes us through the legalities facing practitioners of natural medicines, the myths propagated by those fearful of registration and what ARONAH are doing to protect properly qualified and safe practising practitioners.

Please Note: Due to Stacey joining us from Chicago, some sections of audio are affected by some interference. However, this is limited to a couple of small sections and does not impede the overall continuity of the podcast. Today, we are joined again by Stacey Roberts, an internationally-renowned expert on natural fertility enhancement. Listen as Stacey takes us through her experience with Thyroid and Adrenal dysfunction and their deleterious effects on a successful pregnancy. Stacey, gives practical tips on testing and SAFE management of these frustrating and often overlooked conditions. She reveals the prevalence of Iodine and Selenium deficiency in Australia and how best to manage Thyroid and Adrenal conditions without side-effects. Stacey will also discuss how, because of her safe approach, she’s been able to gain the acceptance of both doctors and specialists as part of the healthcare team devoted to helping couples overcome fertility hurdles.

In today’s podcast Andrew chats with recent BioCeuticals Integrative Medicine Award (BIMA) winner for “Excellence in Chiropractic", Roberto de Souza. Roberto takes us through his career in Pre-Med in the USA, his subsequent calling to chiropractic care and how he came to specialise in treating children. Being a father of young children himself, Roberto discusses his caring approach and shares practical tips on how he improves patient compliance. Roberto also talks about how he manages four busy practices, his successful integration with the conservative medical community and maintaining work/life balance. This man certainly has found his calling!

Sarah Franklin is a Registered Nurse, Naturopath and Acupuncturist whose passion is supporting cancer patients before, during and after orthodox therapy. Sarah successfully uses an integrative approach to reduce the side-effects of orthodox treatments and enhance quality of life of her patients. Today, Sarah discusses how she manages both acute and chronic painful conditions with the use of herbs, nutrients, acupuncture, as well as simple yet powerful home treatments and lifestyle recommendations. Andrew and Sarah also touch on the medical use of cannabis for pain and its potential for the future.

Prof Marc Cohen has already had an illustrious career in integrative medicine and shows no sign of stopping! Prof Cohen is one of the co-authors of one of the principal integrative medicine textbooks "Herbs and Natural Therapies: An Evidence-Based Approach”. This book was voted in the top 4 resources for GPs to access unbiased information on natural therapies and is now in its 4th edition. Prof Cohen's approach has always been to highlight the evidence for natural therapies and cement their place in medical practice for the purpose of improving patient outcomes above "standard care". Patients are actively seeking alternatives above or alongside "standard care” to prevent lacklustre results or harmful side-effects in many chronic degenerative conditions. Prof Cohen guides both patients and practitioners alike to safe, complementary therapies and balances the benefits with the risks. In this podcast, as past-AIMA president, Prof Cohen talks about the upcoming AIMA Conference 2015 and discusses the various topics which are a must-see for all integrative practitioners to deliver safe, effective and holistic care.

In today’s podcast Andrew is joined by dietician Belinda Reynolds. Belinda has over 15 years experience in Integrative Medicine. She is a senior educator and lecturer for BioCeuticals, and has a true gift for pulling clinically relevant information from research. Today she takes us through extemporaneous dispensing of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC). Her expert clinical knowledge reveals just how broad the use of this compound is outside the conventional medical uses for paracetamol (acetaminophen) toxicity and respiratory disease.

Dr Kylie Dodsworth is an integrative general practitioner who specialises in treating chronic, complex and confounding conditions which in the modern medical model, are often ill-defined and poorly treated. Today, Kylie discusses the purpose and focus of the 2015 AIMA Conference, “Taking the Pulse of Integrative Medicine". She also shares with us her path to becoming an Integrative GP adopting a mind-body medicine approach.

On today’s FX Medicine Podcast Andrew talks to Nutritionist, Claudette Casey Freeman who recently won the BioCeuticals Integrative Medicine Award (BIMA) for "Student of the Year”. Claudette, along with juggling the many demands of new-motherhood, is also a regular contributor to many health magazines and also runs the "Nutritional Medicine Practitioners Network", a private Facebook community designed for practitioners of Nutritional Medicine to connect, network and share knowledge.

Our medical system is broken and patients are looking, indeed demanding, more integrative care from a diverse array of health professionals. In today’s podcasts, Dr Penny Caldicott, President of the Australasian Integrative Medicine Association (AIMA) shares the evolution of her thriving clinic which embraces a team of health practitioners from all walks of life and integrates seamlessly with the orthodox healthcare system. She also showcases the upcoming AIMA conference to be held in Melbourne, July 2015. The topic of the conference is "Taking the Pulse of Integrative Medicine”. The AIMA conference aims to educate Integrative Medicine practitioners in safe, effective natural therapies, whilst maintaining a pinnacle standard of medical care.

Elizabeth Cowley is a well-established Naturopath, Herbalist and Nutritionist who practices in a multi-modality clinic in Sydney's busy North Shore. Elizabeth is also committed to sharing her clinical knowledge with Naturopathic students at the famous Nature Care College, both by lecturing and supervising the clinic to ensure safe, effective delivery of naturopathic principles to patients. Elizabeth has a very broad scope of practice but today we focus on the many faces of pain and how to effectively manage various presentations with herbs, nutrients, diet, and lifestyle interventions.

Dr Janet Schloss is a well-known and highly respected Naturopath and Nutritionist who has recently completed her PhD thesis on nutritional supplementation in Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN). Indeed, so powerful were her discoveries during her research that she is now regularly asked to speak internationally to disseminate these clinical implications to improve patient care in hospitals. Today she shares her knowledge in this area as well as her expertise in treating chronic pain conditions with nutrition, herbs, and lifestyle interventions. Janet's multi-disciplinary approach creates new avenues of care for those suffering debilitating pain conditions and her humanity shines through as her driving force to improve the wellbeing of those under her care.

Our regular discussion with the esteemed Dr Mark Donohoe, will revisit the 2015 BioCeuticals Symposium and it's themes of Oxidation, Inflammation and Immune Dysfunction. Dr Donohoe also touches on the challenges facing modern medicine in the changing terrain of patients who don't fit into a "well-described diagnostic box". This will be the first in a series of podcasts taking practitioners through the clinical implications and practical implementation gleaned from the speakers at the 2015 BioCeuticals Symposium.

Dr Lise Alschuler is a Naturopathic physician from the U.S. who has spent the last half of her 21 years in practice specialising in integrative cancer support. In this interview, Lise talks to Andrew as a prelude to her forthcoming Integrative Oncology Seminar series across Australia in July 2015. Lise leads us through some of the differences in training and application of Naturopathy in the U.S. versus Australia. She discusses her own journey as a clinician, including her personal experiences with cancer and how they have shaped her practice and approach. Lise explores the latest dietary and lifestyle interventions open to cancer patients including the universal use of curcumin and medicinal fungi as well as broaching the antioxidant-fear-controversy often debated in cancer treatment. Listen in to find out what four major treatments make Lise’s “short list” for cancer care.

According to Dr Mark Houston, a world leading integrative cardiologist, the present medical system is broken and will go bankrupt. Unless we change the model and adopt a new paradigm that utilises a functional approach of prevention, we will inevitably face a very serious health crisis. In this interview, Dr Houston explains the concept of ‘infinite insults and finite responses’, which was the overarching theme of the 2015 BioCeuticals Research Symposium. He goes on to explain how inflammation, oxidative stress and immune dysfunction are the key drivers of chronic disease and any successful treatment must address the underlying causes driving these responses.

According to Dr David Haase, a keynote speaker at the 2015 BioCeuticals Research Symposium, the human body is a network of networks of networks. As a functional neurologist, Dr Haase is mindful of this fact when treating patients with neurodegenerative disease. He goes on to explain the difficulty faced when trying to influence someones health by addressing a single target of influence. Rather, a multidirectional, iterative approach, incorporating dietary changes and judicious supplementation is typically required, which can influence a whole host of biomolecules that interface with the body. In this podcast interview, David Haase explores the predisposing factors of neurodegenerative diseases and the functional clinical strategies he adopts when addressing these underlying causes of neurodegeneration in his patients.

Dr Joe Pizzorno is one of the world's leading authorities on natural and integrative medicine. He was a key note speaker at the 3rd BioCeuticals Research Symposium in April 2015 and spoke extensively on the critical topic of toxicity. When Dr Pizzorno began his research into toxic exposure and human toxic load he could not have imagined the extent of the problem. In this bonus feature interview conducted at this years symposium, Dr Pizzorno discusses the current human toxic load, the damage it can cause, symptoms of exposure and the range of treatments available.

According to Dr Jason Kaplan, a holistic cardiologist from Sydney, the cholesterol story is changing. When it comes to prevention of cardiovascular disease, cholesterol and LDL is only part of the picture. The reality is that the majority of people who are treated for heart attacks have normal cholesterol levels. In this podcast interview Dr Kaplan explains the need to take into account the whole patient. He identifies the key drivers of cardiovascular disease as being inflammation, lifestyle factors and poor dietary choices and discusses the approach he adopts to make the necessary changes in his patients to make a real difference.

Professor Nils Hoem is the chief scientist at Aker BioMarine, an integrated biotechnology company uniquely positioned to provide high quality, sustainable sources of krill oil. He was a guest speaker at the 3rd BioCeuticals Research Symposium on April 17-19 this year. In this bonus podcast interview, Andrew Whitfield-Cook and Professor Hoem discuss the current exciting research on krill oil and their unique phospholipid components. The major differences between krill and fish oils are explored in depth as Professor Hoem expertly explains the physiological role of phospholipids, triglycerides, EPA, DHA, as well as their relative bioavailabilities and clinical benefits.

Cardiovascular disease is still the major killer, along with cancer, in our society. It is responsible for 11% of deaths in Australia. As a preventable disease there is an opportunity to make a big difference for about 2 to 3 million Australians. In this podcast Dr Mark Donohoe and Andrew Whitfield-Cook discuss what clinicians need to know and do to reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Topics covered include: the truth about statins, the real role of cholesterol in the body, dietary and lifestyle factors that make genuine change and when drug therapy is required.

In November 2014 BioCeuticals embarked on it's inaugural mentorship program. Four students were selected to participate in an eight week program with the purpose of learning the process of product development from a company wide perspective. They spent time with each department and were each required to create a product concept, complete with a marketing and education plan. In this bonus podcast feature Andrew Whitfield-Cook interviews Shannon Chafkin and Rachel Bullen, two of the interns from this program, on their experiences.

Depression and anxiety disorders are exploding in prevalence. It is believed that at least 3 million Australians, at any given time, suffer from these conditions. And, while we do have standard medication for many psychiatric and psychological conditions, research shows that anywhere between 60-90% of people prescribed antidepressants fail to get a benefit that is superior to placebo. What these statistics suggest is that we are not addressing the underlying causes. The fact is that depression and anxiety disorders are multifactorial conditions that require a wholistic approach to treatment. In this episode of FX Medicine Andrew Whitfield-Cook interviews Belinda Reynolds on the numerous contributing factors that underpin mood disorders and explores the role of nutrition and lifestyle as an essential component to clinical therapy.

Listen in to hear FX Medicine host Andrew Whitfield-Cook interview delegates from the 2015 BioCeuticals Research Symposium. Hear first hand from attendees their highlights, clinical pearls and light bulb moments. BioCeuticals' 3rd Research Symposium was held on April 17-19 at the Hilton, Sydney. Keynote speakers were: Mike Ash ND, Dr David Haase, Dr Mark Houston and Dr Joe Pizzorno.

In this podcast Andrew Whitfield-Cook interviews Stacey Roberts on her approach to fertility, pregnancy and pre-eclampsia. Stacey is a former physiotherapist turned herbalist and naturopath who has been involved in healthcare since 1989, in both conventional and complimentary medicine. As an internationally recognised fertility and women’s health expert she has assisted people in over 32 countries with improving their overall health and wellbeing by addressing their physical, physiological and psychological wellbeing. Stacey is an international speaker and author who has written over seven books including the best seller 'The Fertility Bible'. She has been featured on television in World News, A Current Affair, Oprah, Discovery Channel and Sunrise in Sydney amongst many others. This is vital listening for anyone wanting to lean more about optimising health for pregnancy and preventing potentially serious conditions.

Dr David Haase is an expert in Integrative Holistic Medicine and specialises in functional neurology, neuroendocrinology and neuroelectrophysiology. He will be a keynote speaker at the 3rd BioCeuticals Research Symposium and will present several lectures and workshops on how to optimise the brain-body. In this podcast, Dr Mark Donohoe interviews Dr Haase on some of the key themes and insights attendees can expect at this upcoming event. This is fascinating listening for anyone who is interested in understanding the brain (and brain therapy) from a systems biology perspective.

Sarah Franklin is a registered nurse and naturopath with many years experience in oncology. Her special areas of interest lie in the successful integration of complementary medicine with conventional treatments. In this podcast interview, Sarah discusses how she approaches each cancer patient care in a very personalised way. Every patient that presents with a cancer is unique and complementary practitioners require an awareness of the risks and benefits of any chosen treatment. Sarah also reviews her approach to nutrition, diet and herbal medicines as well as interactions and contraindications. This is a very important podcast for anyone interested in cancer care and better patient support and outcomes.

For more than a century, scientists have recognised that Vitamin D3 is involved in bone health. The latest research, however, shows that Vitamin D3 deficiency is linked to a range of other health conditions such as depression, back pain, cancer, both insulin resistance and pre-eclampsia during pregnancy, impaired immunity and macular degeneration. While it is clear that a large percentage of individuals are deficient, what is also becoming apparent is that our previous understanding of adequate dosing is way off the mark. In this FX Medicine podcast Professor Michael Holick is interviewed on the latest evidence in support of higher dosing of vitamin D and the most recently identified health implications for deficiency.

Research into the neonatal microbiome is beginning to unearth substantial information, particularly with regard to immune programming. Infant microbial exposures profoundly influence the development of the microbiome and major diseases including allergy, autoimmunity and infection in large populations. In this podcast episode of FX Medicine Dr Mark Donohoe and Andrew Whitfield-Cook discuss recent important findings relating to the complex symbiotic nature of the microbiome and host in early life and the factors that influence this relationship.

In today's fast-paced and high-demand world adrenal exhaustion is one of the most common clinical presentations. in this podcast, Andrew Whitfield-Cook interviews Dr Bob Buist on the impact of chronic stress on adrenal function and how this may affect normal thyroid and immune function.

The relationship between the gut and the immune system is one of the most exciting and clinically relevant areas of research in molecular medicine. We have learnt that disturbances in gut homeostasis and microbial balance can activate the innate immune system in several ways causing wide and systemic dysfunction. In this interview Mike Ash, an immunologist and naturopath, discusses the latest research in this field. He explains how you can use gastrointestinal immunology to enhance mitochondria and consequently reduce activation of the innate immune system, reduce oxidative stress and reduce inflammation. Mike Ash presents a compelling view of how gut can be a point of intervention for the safe treatment of chronic disease while providing an opportunity for multiple organ system resolution.

Migraine is a severe neurological disorder that affects a significant proportion of the population. Prevalence estimates vary between 12 and 25% depending on the population studied. The disorder has a significant genetic component. In this interview, Andrew Whitfield-Cook interviews Professor Lyn Griffiths on her very promising research which looks at genetic profiling in conjunction with nutriceutical therapies. These clinical trial highlight the potential importance of nutritional interventions in this disorder.

Migraine is ranked as the third most prevalant health disorder worldwide and is considered among the top ten most disabling medical conditions. In this podcast episode Dr Mark Donohoe and Andrew Whitfield-Cook discuss some of the important research and clinical insights in support of functional and nutritional medicine for the safe treatment and prevention of this painful neurological disorder.

On April 17 - 19, BioCeuticals will be holding it's 3rd Annual Research Symposium. By extending the Symposium, from a 2 day event to a 3 day experience, we will be offering the opportunity to hear our expert guest speakers deliver a deeper and more comprehensive exploration of their topics. Together, Dr Mark Houston, Dr Catherine Willner, Dr Joseph Pizzorno and Mike Ash will deliver a masterclass in Functional Medicine. In a systematic series of didactic, workshop and group presentations they will explain how you can integrate this knowledge to create a cohesive, wholistic system of medicine. In this podcast Andrew Whitfield-Cook joins the BioCeuticals Education Manager, Danny Urbinder, and Dr Mark Donohoe, to discuss what attendees can expect from this exciting and important event.

Methylation is now a major focus for many health care practitioners. In each of us, this process occurs trillions of times every second and is involved in countless biochemical pathways. Efficient methylation is therefore essential to quality of life. But, is our approach to methylation disorders appropriate? According to Dr Mark Donohoe there is a tendency for practitioners to treat methylation issues with a sledge hammer and to approach this as if everybody needs treatment. In this interview, Dr Mark Donohoe explains his understanding of methylation, patient presentations and treatment considerations. This is essential listening for anyone who wants to better understand this vital process.

Recent studies have shown that women who supplement with vitamin D during pregnancy have a greatly reduced risk of complications, including gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and infection. In this interview, Professor Michael Holick reviews this research and provides invaluable recommendations for those considering vitamin D supplementation.

Dr Bird is a clinical rheumatologist who specialises in the treatment of Fibromyalgia. In this interview he discusses the broad lifestyle, nutritional and pharmacological approaches he adopts in managing this complex condition. Nutritional therapies features significantly in Dr Bird's approach, particularly when addressing those areas that have limited response to medication.

In this interview Dr Joseph Pizzorno discusses the exciting advances in our understanding and treatment of toxicity and detoxification. After reviewing over 10,000 research papers and trialling his protocols on thousands of patients, Dr Pizzorno is a leading authority on this critical area of health management. Dr Pizzorno will be speaking at the next BioCeuticals Research Symposium on April 17 - 19, 2015. He, along with 3 other world leading integrative health experts, will be delivering a 3 day masterclass program on the interrelated drivers of health and disease. For more information, visit the BioCeuticals website and click on the Education tab.

Chronic pain is typically a difficult condition to address, because it is perceived by the sufferer, often without any corresponding objective measure. In this latest FX Medicine podcast we interview Dr Mark Donohoe, an integrative GP with extensive experience in chronic pain management. By differentiating between the different types of pain and their underlying causes, Dr Donohoe offers numerous treatment options that he has found to be of genuine benefit to his patients.