Innholdsfortegnelse for Vol 3 Issue 92 i The Art of Healing

I recently tripped and fell when I was out walking a friend's dog, and whilst I tried to blame my new sports jogging shoes, think it was probably a plant root on the ground that I hadn't seen .. but did you also know that 1 in 4 people who are aged 65 and over have at least 1 fall per year? Not the most encouraging statistic I have ever come across. Six weeks with a cast on certainly showed me all the things I really needed two hands for .. and to appreciate them a lot more. It has also made me take a lot more care and have a lot more focus when I walk. I also observed just how many obstacles there are around us that can…

If you're looking for a new way to get your coffee fix, you might be enticed by cloud coffee, an iced drink that's topped up coconut water. Fans of cloud coffee swear it's better for you than an ordinary cup of coffee. One TikTok creator racked up almost half a million views raving about this “hydrating elixir of electrolytes.” While recipes vary, this person started by pouring a shot of espresso over ice, then added coconut water and a splash of nut milk. Others add coconut cream or coconut flakes or use a frother to make the drink extra cloudy. “Whether or not cloud coffee is healthy depends on the ingredients,” says Samantha Heller, RD, a Registered Dietitian in New York City. While coconut water does have benefits, some versions…

“There are some microplastics in normal, healthy arteries,” Dr. Ross Clark, a University of New Mexico medical researcher who led the study, told Business Insider before he presented his findings at the meeting of the American Heart Association in Baltimore earlier this year. “But the amount that's there when they become diseased is really, really different,” Clark said. Compared to the walls of healthy plaque-free arteries, plaque build-up had 16 times more plastic – just in the people who didn't have symptoms. In people who had experienced stroke, mini-stroke, or vision loss, the plaque had 51 times more plastic. “Wow and not good,” Jaime Ross, a Neuroscientist at the University of Rhode Island who was not involved in the study but has studied microplastics in mice, said after reading the…

James Cook University music psychology scholar Dr Amanda Krause co-authored the study which centred on whether a focused listening experience might buffer the impact of self-stigma and encourage help-seeking. Estimates suggest that less than half of Australians who are experiencing mental illness seek support, with the self-stigma of help-seeking a widely cited barrier. The case study focused on the Indigo Project's Listen Up event, where participants engaged with a curated music playlist (which draws on soundtrack, ambient and experimental music) along with oral guidance provided by a psychologist. “A lot of people have a self-stigma where they think ‘Oh, I'm not feeling good but I can't get help because then that would mean something's wrong with me.’ But the Why Try model suggests that if we can intervene and give…

On TikTok, @byzareefa says that her daily olive oil and lemon juice shot helps her achieve healthy, glowing skin; @thejenjones says her olive oil-based “elixir” helps with lymphatic drainage, detoxification, and immunity. Extra virgin olive oil evangelist @ oliveoilqueen, a new mother, claims that drinking the oil boosts her breast milk quality, postpartum skin, and energy levels. These claims may have you wondering: Should you supplement with olive oil? What Are the Potential Health Benefits of Olive Oil? Olive Oil and Disease Prevention “Including olive oil in the diet has been linked to improved heart health and reduced risk of certain types of cancers, as well as promoting satiety and overall digestive health,” says Emma Laing, PhD, RDN, the Director of Dietetics at the University of Georgia in Athens. One…

The stark contrast of use in Australia compared to other countries highlights a cultural and systemic issue in Australia's approach to pain management, with potential consequences for residents, including dependency and withdrawal symptoms that can mimic or exacerbate cognitive decline, such as dementia. The Scale of Painkiller Use in Australian Aged Care Approximately 178,000 Australians aged 65 and older reside in permanent aged care, with women nearly doubling men in number. The high prevalence of opioid prescriptions (up to one-third of residents according to prior studies), reflects a therapeutic goal of alleviating pain, often prioritised over non-pharmacological alternatives. Professor Dimity Pond, a General Practitioner with extensive experience in aged care, notes that Australia's approach is heavily medication-focused. “We don't like to see [older people] in pain, and that's kind of…

Dr Andrew Leech FRACGP, MBBS, B.Science, DipChildHealth is a GP and Clinic Director at The Garden Family Medical Clinic in Perth. He has a special interest in child and adolescent mental health and works closely with families navigating complex emotional and developmental challenges. Andrew is a speaker, author, educator, and advocate for compassionate, early mental health care. Sometimes, despite years of training in communication, clinical judgement and diagnosis, the only words I can find to say are, “I'm so sorry.” Jessica had only recently confessed to her Mum what had been happening. She'd been hiding food, calorie counting, skipping meals, and sticking to fewer than 500 calories a day. She was exercising more, and becoming increasingly fatigued and moody. She'd done what so many young people do when things feel out…

To predict how long you'll live, you don't need any fancy wearables or expensive blood tests. Instead, a new study suggests, just see how easily you can sit on the floor and stand back up without help. This ‘sitting to rising’ test is backed up by new research, which found that middle-aged adults who could sit down on the floor and stand back up with no or little assistance from their hands or knees and without wobbling were much less likely to die prematurely from natural or heart-related causes compared with people who struggled. No Hands and No Knees Means A Perfect Score To perform the test, researchers asked each participant to sit on the floor with their legs crossed in front of them and then get back up, using…

Microba Delivers Landmark IBD Results and Signs Major Gastro Partner Microba Life Sciences Limited, a precision microbiome company based in Australia, has announced the release of their MetaPanelTM gastrointestinal pathogen test, and the signing of a strategic clinical partnership with the Colonoscopy Clinic and its partner Integrated Gut Health, one of Australia's leading gastroenterology services. Two independent clinical studies have demonstrated that the test identifies gastrointestinal pathogens in >35% of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients experiencing flares, with >60% of these missed by current routine testing methods. Superpower raises $30 million for first ‘super app’ that helps people detect health issues before symptoms appear For $499, the startup offers biannual lab testing that analyses over 100 blood biomarkers. The app then considers results with past medical records, fitness trackers, and…

Here's a short breakdown of their key findings: Overall Accuracy Fitness trackers are most accurate for heart rate tracking (76.35%), followed by step count (68.75%) and energy expenditure (56.63%). The Apple Watch leads in accuracy for heart rate (86.31%) and energy expenditure (71.02%), while Garmin excels in step count tracking (82.58%). Step Count Accuracy Garmin (82.58%), Apple (81.07%), and Fitbit (77.29%) show strong accuracy. Jawbone (57.91%) and Polar (53.21%) are less reliable, often mistaking other movements for steps. Heart Rate Accuracy Apple Watch (86.31%) and Fitbit (73.56%) perform well. Garmin (67.73%) and TomTom (67.63%) are less accurate, with reduced precision for darker skin tones due to reliance on light sensors. Energy Expenditure Accuracy Only the Apple Watch (71.02%) provides strong accuracy. Other brands like Fitbit (65.57%), Jawbone (50.23%), and Polar…

“Most people know that we should eat less meat for both environmental and health reasons. But it's hard to relate to how much ‘less’ is and whether it really makes a difference in the big picture,” says lead author Caroline Gebara, an Environmental Scientist at the Technical University of Denmark. That's why she and her team calculated a tangible figure – 255 grams (9 ounces) of poultry or pork per week. That's roughly two chicken breasts. And the study suggests red meat – especially beef – cannot be part of an environmentally sustainable diet. That's probably because a lot of land must be cleared to farm animals like cows and sheep, which then emit methane (a greenhouse gas 28 times more potent than CO2) and nitrous oxide (270 times more…

Computed tomography (CT) scans, which can detect everything from cancer to blood clots, may not in every case provide enough benefit to outweigh the risks of radiation exposure, a new analysis finds. A team of researchers came to this conclusion after calculating that radiation exposure from CT scans could eventually cause roughly 5 percent of all new cancers diagnosed in the United States every year. “While CT scans are very valuable, the potential harms of this type of medical scan are often overlooked,” says Rebecca Smith-Bindman, MD, an epidemiologist at the University of California in San Francisco School of Medicine, who led the research. “It's seen as a ‘freebie’ - you get the information you need without any harm.” Why Do Doctors Order CT Scans? CT scans produce highly detailed…

Sleep Like It's Your Job Sleep sharpens focus, balances mood, and helps your brain actually work. Dr. Paul Losoff, Clinical Psychologist, says a solid sleep routine is foundational. Step one? Put down the phone at night. That blue light isn't doing you any favours. Then introduce the following sleep boosts: Stick to a routine bedtime Avoid heavy meals late at night Dim the lights if you are spending time in your bedroom before sleeping Move your body during the day Create a relaxing bedtime ritual Move in a Way That Feels Good Forget punishing workouts. Whether it's yoga, a dance break, or a stroll to your favourite café, the key is to find and practise movement that feels joyful. Regular movement boosts endorphins, lowers stress, and gets your brain firing.…

As you prepare your breakfast, think of others (do not forget the pigeon's food) As you conduct your wars, think of others (do not forget those who seek peace) As you pay your water bill, think of others (those who are nursed by clouds) As you return home, to your home, think of others (do not forget the people of the camps) As you sleep and count the stars, think of others (those who have nowhere to sleep) As you liberate yourself in metaphor, think of others (those who have lost the right to speak) As you think of others far away, think of yourself (say: “If only I were a candle in the dark”)…

Unless you're a devoted reader of vegan cooking blogs or a Nigella Lawson fan, you've probably never considered cooking with a banana peel. But not only is it perfectly safe, scientists have demonstrated it really is good for you. When the products baked with banana peel were taste-tested against other baked goods, consumers reported they were just as happy with the flavour. Plus, the banana peel foods contained much more fibre, magnesium, potassium, and antioxidant compounds. On the downside, adding too much banana peel flour resulted in the baked goods becoming brown and hard, possibly from all the extra fibre. But when batches were made with flour containing 7.5 percent banana peel, the texture had a far more appealing balance. As a bonus, they also kept well on the shelf…

Macular degeneration affects millions worldwide and becomes more likely as we age. Damage to the macular, located in the retina and containing light-sensitive photoreceptor cells, causes blurring and other vision issues. And while there are treatments available to slow the progression of AMD, they don't reverse it. “This is a new type of retinal prosthesis that has the potential to restore vision lost to retinal degeneration without requiring any kind of complicated surgery or genetic modification,” says biomedical engineer Jiarui Nie, from Brown University in Rhode Island. “We believe this technique could potentially transform treatment paradigms for retinal degenerative conditions.” Here's how the new treatment works: very fine gold nanoparticles, thousands of times thinner than a human hair, are laced with antibodies to target specific eye cells. They're then injected…

An ACN White Paper, Achieving a Socialised Model of Health Care in Australia with Nurse Leadership proposes a fundamental shift away from the current model, which focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases rather than addressing social determinants of health. A more holistic approach to health is critical amid growing inequities in health and soaring rates of chronic disease and lifestyle-related conditions - many of which are preventable. Implementing a socialised healthcare model, where more attention is given to preventive health and circumstances that lead to illness would better address the health needs of the most vulnerable in the community. Nurses are already delivering socialised care in Australia via nurse-led primary care clinics, school-based youth health nursing initiatives, and mobile nurse-led street health services, but they are excluded from access to…

Coeliac disease is one of the most common autoimmune illnesses in Australia, caused by an immune reaction to the gluten protein found in wheat, rye and barley. More than 350,000 Australians currently live with the condition. While early diagnosis is critical to minimising long-term complications of the disease, up to 80% of cases around the world remain undiagnosed. The diagnostic process can be confusing for patients and non-specialist doctors, as the reduction in symptoms from a gluten-free diet is not always a marker of coeliac disease. Current coeliac testing methods – serology blood tests or gastroscopy with intestinal biopsy – do not work reliably for those on a gluten-free diet, and require regular gluten consumption to be effective. As a result, many people are deterred from seeking a definite diagnosis…

From ancient philosophers to modern science, the humble act of putting one foot in front of the other has quietly carried some of the most profound health benefits known to humankind. As far back as 400 BC, Hippocrates famously declared, “Walking is man's best medicine.” Over two millennia later, it turns out he wasn't wrong. The Magic Number Myth Today, wearable tech nudges millions toward the much-celebrated goal of 10,000 steps a day. But here's a surprise: that number didn't come from a lab. It came from an ad. In 1960s Japan, marketers launched the world's first commercial pedometer, the manpo-kei, meaning “10,000 steps metre.” The catchy goal stuck. However new research shows, that while walking more is better, the optimal number of daily steps to take may be slightly…

New research reveals that specific foods and eating habits can naturally boost the same hormones targeted by these medications, offering a promising, drug-free and more healthy long-term approach to weight loss. The Science Behind Satiety The key player in this story is GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), a hormone that slows digestion, enhances satiety, and helps regulate blood sugar. Semaglutide medications work by amplifying this hormone's presence in the body, giving users a sustained feeling of fullness that curbs appetite and reduces calorie intake. But here's the twist: you don't necessarily need the medication to harness GLP-1's power. “Strategic dietary choices can trigger similar hormonal responses, often with broader benefits for long-term health,” says Dr. Mary Scourboutakos, a family physician and nutrition scientist. She advocates for eating smart, rather than stricter dieting,…

That's the finding from a new University of South Australia study involving 235 people from the general population comparing attitudes towards binge eating, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and depression. The study, published in the Journal of Eating Disorders, demonstrates the social stigma surrounding eating disorders, particularly binge eating, which was perceived as the most trivial. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups and asked to fill out a questionnaire that measured levels of stigma associated with their allocated psychological condition. “Despite one million Australians experiencing an eating disorder, and binge eating accounting for almost half of this number, there is a strong social stigma attached to these conditions,” according to lead author Carlye Aird. “Our findings show that people with eating disorders face significant social stigma, which can…

As a criminal defence lawyer, Jahan Kalantar has helped people in their most desperate hour, from hardened jailbirds to accidental offenders, disadvantaged delinquents to undeserving scapegoats. And along the way he has learned that it's not always the smartest person in the room who wins the day. There are other, more important skills: like being able to ask for help, stick to your values, listen without judgement, know when to be sceptical, and apologise like you mean it. This is an extract from his book Talk Your Way Out of Trouble, and is an insider's look at how the law really works, and why its lessons are vital for everyone - in and out of the courtroom. Talk Your Way Out of Trouble by Jahan Kalantar is published by Macmillan Australia,…