Author Archives: Merril

Self prescribing vitamins and minerals and herbs can be a mindfield…..

Health Wellness No Comments

If the latest installment of the popular SBS program ‘Insight’ has taught us anything, it is the need to get qualified advice for taking supplements of vitamins, minerals and herbs.

The program looked at the current system of sales of nutritional and herbal supplements over the counter from chemists and health food shops in Australia.

Australia has some of the most rigorous safety requirements of any country in the world. It is regularly reviewed by the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) so that only ingredients which are deemed safe can be formulated into supplements sold in Australia.

Each year the TGA does a random audit of supplements on the market and any manufacturers who make unsubstantiated or illegal claims are promptly prosecuted.

The onus is on the pharmacy or health food shop to give quality advice based on the other medications the customer may be taking and their presenting health problem.

However, in a retail setting there are a lot of customers who simply know what they want and go in to buy it, without asking for advice.

Self prescribing is at best proactive and at worst Russian roulette. Customers may be doubling up on supplements when their prescribed medicines are given for the same complaint. They also run the risk of up regulating the effects of their prescription medicines.

With so much information available online with regard to supplements, it pays to ask the retailer if there are going to be any contraindications by taking a supplement with a prescription medicine.

If in doubt it is best to work with your GP and Naturopath/Nutritionist to make sure you are on the right track. There are some medications which create deficiencies of certain nutrients so co-prescribing these nutrients can elevate some of the side-effects of taking the medication.

This complementary approach is the best form of health maintenance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The latest on the fight to save your Naturopathic Health Fund Rebates

Health Insurance No Comments

The April 1st, 2019 deadline for health fund rebates to be cut for Naturopathy is looming large.

If you have been following the blog posts to date, you will see that over 100,000 people signed a petition which lead to the Federal Ombudsman being put on the case to investigate the flawed research that was used to conclude that Naturopathy was ineffective and that the health care rebates given by health insurers should be banned.

Since then, the Federal Health Minister, Mr Greg Hunt has received 11,000 emails calling for a lift on the ban on health funds to continue to offer health insurance rebates for Naturopathy.

With an upcoming federal election there has never been a better time to have your voice heard!

Feel free to send Mr Hunt your experiences and thoughts on how Naturopathy has benefited you.

The Your Health, Your Choice Campaign has recently published a world’s first study on the effectiveness of Naturopathy.

Please visit their website www.yourhealthyourchoice.com.au for more information.

 

Happy International Women’s Day – March 8

Women's Health No Comments

Today (International Women’s Day) we are reminded of the phenomenal contribution that women make to our society.

However, there is still a long way to go.

One area of the women’s movement that is seldom highlighted and where women need to make more progress, is in the field of women’s health.

Admittedly, women now have access to a huge array of medical interventions and services, however, what is really missing is work life balance to ensure that women’s health and wellness is maintained.

Far too often women are putting themselves last while attending to the needs of their family and career to their own determent.

My female clients are often so depleted and overwhelmed by their responsibilities that they forget all about their own self care until it becomes a major concern.

Improving the health and wellbeing of women is the primary focus of my clinic.

If women could recognize the early signs of not coping physically and emotionally they can get help before it becomes a major stumbling block.

Stress is undoubtedly the biggest underlying issue that women face.

As is eating foods that don’t nourish them but are quick and easy to prepare.

Without addressing these issues women can experience hormonal dysfunction, digestive issues, fatigue, recurrent infections and then more stress as it becomes harder and harder to simply get through a normal day and keep up with all of her responsibilities.

Prevention and early intervention is the optimal way to stay healthy. So if you’re feeling a little under the weather now is the time to take action.

Book online today to receive 20% an initial Naturopathic or Nutrition consult,…

Because You’re Worth It!

 

Feeling rundown following the change of seasons in Melbourne this March?

Health Wellness No Comments

The final burst of summer was exceptionally hot and dry in Melbourne this year. Temperatures in the high 30’s set the stage for sleep deprivation and difficulty finishing even the simplest of tasks, as we attempted to stay awake and motivated in the unrelenting heat.

This has been followed by a week of much milder temperatures, a chill in the air and a sprinkling of rain as we entered Autumn.

It’s certainly easier to sleep now the nights have cooled down. However with sun down now arriving earlier, there is also a sense of wanting to go to bed earlier and this is compounded by having more difficulty waking up, as it’s comfortably warm under the donna!

Hibernation mode is kicking in. It’s becoming harder to plan activities in the evenings now than it was on the long, warm sunny days. This is nature’s was of easing us into the cooler months of the year where we cocoon ourselves against the elements and stay indoors more.

The change of seasons also brings with it more colds, flus, runny noses, sneezing, headaches, muscle and joint aches and fatigue.

Thankfully there are lots of natural ways of dealing with these maladies. Getting enough sleep is crucial to recovery.

As is giving yourself some TLC and listening to what your body needs. If that means calling in sick for a day or two, it’s better to do that than push on and potentially make yourself worse.

Hot lemon, honey and ginger drinks, clear soups with onion and garlic and light nourishing foods should have you feeling tip top in no time.

However, if these simply measures don’t have you feeling better within a week, then you may have some underlying health or diet concerns that we can address to boost your immunity as we head into winter.

Don’t hesitate to book an initial Naturopathic consult if you experience any lingering health concerns.

 

Last chance to save your health insurance rebates in March!

Health Insurance No Comments

We are in interesting times in natural healthcare.

Legislation was passed through parliament earlier this year to prevent Australians from claiming Naturopathy (among other modalities) as a health insurance rebate. This will come into effect in April 2019.

And yet, I am still encountering clients who are completely unaware of these recent changes. Clients who have hundreds of dollars worth of potential rebates to use and have not been advised by their health fund that they will soon be unable to use them!

The current changes to health insurance and natural therapies have proven to be very unpopular with multitudes of Australians, who frequently enjoy the benefits of natural treatments to augment their conventional treatments. Especially those with chronic health conditions and health issues not resolved through standard medical treatment.

So much so, that there has been in excess of 100,000 signatures to petition a rethink of this legislation. This has resulted in an investigation by the Commonwealth Ombudsman, as to the lack of substance behind the research done to create this legislation by the NHRMC in 2015.

One final push to amend this legislation has come in the form of a written request to the Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt, to use his discretionary power to allow health funds to continue to provide rebates for natural therapies, irrespective of the government no longer providing funding for these rebates.

The ‘Your Health Your Choice’ campaign has been instrumental in providing a platform for consumers and practitioners, to impress upon the government the importance of access to natural healthcare for all Australians.

Thousands of letters have been sent to local federal MP’s and the federal Health Minister, outlining the disastrous consequences of this legislative change on local businesses, industry research and health care funding.

At present, the popularity of natural therapies in health funds has resulted in a boon for health insurers. When the public are proactive about improving their health and wellbeing, they are less likely to need expensive medical treatments. This reduces the impact of spiraling health care costs and strain on the public health system and Medicare funding.

However, without natural healthcare rebates, there is likely to be a significant decline in the continued uptake of private health insurance. Especially given the increasing cost of taking out private health cover.

As a democratic nation we believe in the importance of choice. And if we want our citizens to be healthy and happy, then we need to make the most of every opportunity to promote the health and wellness among all Australians.

 

 

How do I know if I’m dehydrated?

Health Wellness Uncategorized No Comments

Dehydration can affect anyone, any time, anywhere and in any season including winter.

However, in the warmer months it’s very easy to become dehydrated without even realizing it.

There are many people who are at an especially high risk of dehydration. They include the elderly who have a reduced sensation of thirst. Athletes and tradespeople who perspire at a higher rate due to the physical nature of their jobs. And young children and infants who need to be offered liquids frequently, as they are unable to ask or know when they need it.

But you don’t just have to be in a high risk group to be affected by dehydration. 

Picture this…..you’ve just put in a long day at the office and have had a couple of coffees to keep you going. After work you go out for drinks with friends.

You notice that you’ve hardly gone to the toilet all day and when you did go, it was a horrible dark brown color with a strong smell.

Feeling a little head achy and weak, you decided to have something to eat…assuming that you must be hungry. Oddly, you seemed to be craving salt so a big serve of French fries seemed like the perfect snack. After eating the fries you felt nauseous and really unwell. Your head started pounding and you felt like you needed to lay down.

You decided it’s time to go home, take some Panadol and go to bed. All the while not realizing that much of what you experienced was simply a lack of water.

Caffeine and alcohol exacerbated the dehydration problem by acting as diuretics further reducing your available water and the salt compounded the issue.

For many, the signs and symptoms of dehydration are often missed or attributed to something else entirely. For instance, nausea and headaches are common in people who need to rehydrate. As are feelings of fatigue and weakness, irritability, lack of concentration, palpitations, dry skin and muscle cramps and spasms.

The sensation of a dry mouth is one of the last symptoms that people experience and by the time that people register that they’re thirsty, they’re already dehydrated.

So how do you know if you are hydrated?

Well aside from a lack of the symptoms above, you will also have very light colored urine. This is really the best indication to go by.

Sometimes you have to drink water even when you don’t feel that you need it. This just keeps you topped up to account for all the body processes that use water continually to detoxify and purify your liver, bowel, kidneys, skin, etc.

So when in doubt aim for 2-3 litres of water a day. A small glass every hour or two is absorbed better than a whole litre at once! Keep a jug or water bottle within eyesight to prompt you to drink more and you body will thank you for it.

Are you ready to put yourself first & experience best energy of your life this February?

Health Wellness Women's Health No Comments

The long school holiday break can be a challenging time for parents.

The pace of modern life is such that even the holidays can seem like a marathon. Things that should be enjoyable become can unbearable, as the energy needed to keep everyone ‘busy’ throughout the break is slowly depleted.

Endless rounds of cooking, cleaning, washing and shopping, while keeping everyone entertained with sport and other activities, can make the holidays seem more like work than play.

Many parents are also juggling the holidays with busy jobs which can make for a pretty stressful and overwhelming couple of weeks, in particular if you’ve had family and friends to entertain as well.

While, none of these things are bad in themselves, when they coincide together for weeks on end, cabin fever can bring things to breaking point.

In the lead-up to the new school year, it’s not uncommon for parents to feel completely exhausted, as they drop their children off at school and finally take some time for themselves. (That is after they’ve cleaned the house…yet again!)

And once everyone is back to their usual work and school routine, things usually subside. Energy and mood improves and parents begin to feel like themselves again.

However, this is not always the case. For many people, the fatigue simply lingers on. They begin the new year feeling as though they’d had not break at all.

If you’re struggling with low energy take the time to put yourself first, you deserve it!

Make an appointment and take advantage of our 20% off for new Naturopathic and Nutrition consultations and reclaim your vitality this February.

 

 

 

Make the most of your Naturopathic Health Fund Rebates before it’s too late!

Health Insurance No Comments

If you have unused Extras cover for Naturopathy in your health insurance policy this is your last chance to use it.

After the 1st of April 2019 new government legislation will prevent you from attaining any health insurance rebates on Naturopathic consultations.

So you have a little over 2 months to regain your hard earnt dollars on the natural health advice you love.

If you haven’t already booked a Naturopathic consultation online with Getting Well Naturally, book on this website and use your rebate before it’s too late!

As a added bonus you will receive 20% OFF all online bookings as well.

 

 

Why calories don’t matter….when you eat the right foods

Nutritionist Melbourne Weight Loss Melbourne No Comments

Counting calories while embraced by many as a way of restricting unnecessary food intake, can also lull people into a false sense of security.  

Low calorie processed foods can contain little if any nutritional value. So while swapping a cookie for an ‘allowable low calorie option’ such as a muffin may feel empowering, you may actually be doing yourself a disservice. 

On the flipside, eating more fruit and vegetables which contain negligible calories, nourishes and fills you up at the same time due to their fibre and nutritional content. 

Some natural foods also burn more calories than they contain, so when you eat them the amount of energy the body expends on digesting that food outweighs the calories you consumed by eating them! 

Negative calorie and low calorie vegetables abound. They include awesome greens such as spinach and asparagus to celery and cucumber. Beetroot is another tasty option to add pizzas to your rocket and spinach salad! 

In the world of fruit opt for berries, watermelon and grapefruit. All nutritionally dense and delicious. 

Calories are not a problem when you eat a diet full of natural whole foods. 

And you don’t need to be a vegetarian or vegan to eat healthy, low calorie. Eating an array of healthy fats and protein foods is also advisable to balance your diet and provide all of the necessary nutrients and satiety to your meals. 

Please note these are general guidelines for healthy eating. 

If you find different nutritional advice confusing then you’re not alone. There is no one single way of eating that’s right for everyone. 

Merril offers tailored dietary advice and suggestions designed to work just for you! Whatever your dietary challenges are. Whether it be a lack of time, a lack of inspiration, a specific health concern(s) ie weight loss, fertility, low energy, bad skin or low immunity we have you covered. 

Let’s make 2019 your year to LOOK & FEEL great!

We are offering 20% OFF an initial nutrition consultations throughout January.  

Places are limited so be quick and BOOK ONLINE today.

Want to be a pro at reading nutritional labels, ingredients & packaging?

Uncategorized No Comments

Comparing groceries in terms of their health ratings, ingredients, nutritional profile and packaging can be difficult for the untrained eye.

How do you know if one product at the supermaket is better than another on the same shelf? The sheer volume of different choices all vying for your attention can be overwhelming.

Terms such as  low fat, gluten free, high fibre, lactose free, low sodium and sugar free can further complicate matters and make it more difficult to discern the best option for you and your family.

It’s often the small print on the ingredients list or nutrition panel that defines the best choice. Knowing how to read these key points can help you make an informed, healthy choice.

So with this in mind, I am offering Supermarket Shopping Tours in Yarraville for the first time in 2021!

It takes just 30 minutes to learn how to read ingredients lists, nutrition labels and to understand how to compare one product against another. This service would normally be $79, however, for a limited time you can book a 30 minute tour for just $50!

If you are interested in this service please email gettingwellnaturally@gmail.com.