Indholdsfortegnelse for Vol 4 Issue 93 i The Art of Healing

Caffeine pouches look and work a lot like nicotine pouches. Each small, pillow-shaped packet contains micro-ground caffeine, flavourings and sometimes herbs or vitamins. Slip one under your lip and the caffeine goes straight into the bloodstream through your gums – bypassing the digestive system. The result? A jolt of energy that lands far quicker than a cup of coffee or tea. Depending on the brand, each pouch delivers from 25mg to more than 200mg of caffeine. For comparison, a typical mug of instant coffee contains about 100mg of caffeine, a mug of tea 75mg, or a can of cola around 40mg. Some pouches therefore pack the caffeine punch of two cups of coffee in one hit. So how do they work? Caffeine perks us up by blocking adenosine, a brain…

A collaboration between researchers from the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) at UNSW Sydney and the Australian Catholic University (ACU) has found that living in walkable, green, and well-connected neighbourhoods - especially those with access to public transport, commercial services, and blue or green spaces - may help protect against memory and cognitive decline. The findings, published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia, come from the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study (MAS), and is one of Australia’s largest and longest-running studies of ageing and brain health. Over 1,000 adults aged 70 and older were followed for nearly 14 years to investigate the factors that predict cognitive stability, decline, and even improvement. Participants living in more densely populated, greener areas with better access to services were less likely to develop dementia. Conversely,…

More than 10 million Australians regularly invest in allied health services, from physiotherapy and rehabilitation to occupational and speech pathology sessions. However, experts agree that ensuring progress in between sessions is as crucial as the actual appointments. To carry this out, at-home therapy tasks must be practised in daily life. Allied health professionals provide expertise, care and coaching - only to see client progress stall due to the lack of performing exercises correctly at home - if at all. This is especially true when working with children with special needs and clients with cognitive challenges, who need demonstrated techniques to sustain any gains from the session. The lack of follow-through between sessions results in slower gains and deprives the practitioner of the success stories that are the building blocks of…

“Having diverse bacterial strains in the gut is important for supporting your gut microbiome,” says Ashley Baumohl, RD, a registered dietitian for the division of gastroenterology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. “Incorporating more gut healthy options, such as certain beverages, can help with not only increasing your beneficial bacteria but also give you vitamins and minerals along the way.” “And just as with probiotic-rich foods (foods containing beneficial bacteria), it’s important to ramp up slowly,” says Adiana Castro, RDN, a Registered Dietitian specialising in gut health and the owner of Compass Nutrition in New York City. “Increasing your fermented drink consumption too quickly can lead to digestive upset, so always begin with just 1 or 2 ounces per day and gradually increase to 4 to 6 ounces…

It’s not you, it’s milk. Or bread. Or possibility the 82 other foods your body’s quietly begging you to stop eating. New national data has revealed the surprising everyday foods thousands of Australians are unknowingly incompatible with. And it’s not about allergies, intolerance or even sensitives, it’s about a lesser known but increasingly widespread issue: food incompatibility. Australia has a well-documented food reaction problem. Around 1 in 4 people believe they have some form of food intolerance, while food allergies affect up to 10 per cent of children and four per cent of adults. Yet a third and largely overlooked issue is food incompatibility: a temporary mismatch between what you eat and your body’s current cellular or inflammatory state. According to FoodFit – a leading Australian food compatibility testing service…

In the first study of its kind, researchers have found that Ibuprofen and Paracetamol are not only driving antibiotic resistance when used individually, but amplifying it when used together. Assessing the interaction of non-antibiotic medications, the broad-spectrum antibiotic Ciprofloxacin, and Escherichia coli (E. coli) – a common bacteria that causes gut and urinary tract infections - researchers found that Ibuprofen and Paracetamol significantly increased bacterial mutations, making E. coli highly resistant to the antibiotic. It’s an important finding that has serious health implications, particularly for people in aged care homes, where multiple medications are regularly administered. The World Health Organization reports that antimicrobial resistance is a global threat to public health, and that bacterial resistance was directly responsible for 1.27 million global deaths in 2019. Lead researcher UniSA’s Associate Professor…

The InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is about a 20km drive from the Danang International Airport, and you’ll get a brief look at the local city of Danang (population.1.27 million, 2024) and the coastline on the way to the property. It is also halfway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Hoi An (27km from Danang), My Son Sanctuary (44km from Danang), and Hue (86km from Danang). Weatherwise, Danang enjoys a tropical climate with two seasons: a wet season from mid-September to mid-December, and a dry season from midDecember to mid-September. The InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort was opened in June 2012 and is built on 39 hectares over its four levels which rise up the forested hillside and are named Sea, Earth,…

You pass them every day. The colleague who powers through meetings despite chronic pain. The parent juggling life while silently battling fatigue. The friend who smiles at brunch but is carrying the weight of anxiety or depression. They don’t look sick. But they are. This is the reality of invisible illnesses - a broad term encompassing a range of chronic physical and mental health conditions that aren’t outwardly visible but deeply affect daily life. From autoimmune diseases and neurological disorders to anxiety, ADHD, and long COVID, these hidden battles are more common than you think. “You don’t always get the sympathy or understanding when your illness doesn’t show on the outside,” says Joy Selak, PhD, author of You Don’t Look Sick! Living Well With Invisible Chronic Illness. “But the pain…

In my recent trip to Vietnam (for the first time), coming out of the airport and being driven for almost 4 hours to my first stay, I was struck by the speed the driver was travelling – which was about 50kms all the way. Noticing my frustration and impatience growing, it made me think about how we drive in Australia – not just the speed, but our focus on needing to get to a destination for a particular purpose, and get there fast. Awareness (dare I say enjoyment) of the journey is completely non-existent … mostly. Fast forward a few days to when I was in Hanoi, I found myself reflecting on how often you see people (I felt mostly men, but you do see more women in the mornings)…

The number of patients using medicinal cannabis products in Australia has grown dramatically, from 18,000 in 2019 to more than a million by January 2024. Most of the cannabis clinics rely on telehealth rather than face-to-face consultations, and there is evidence of rogue clinics circumventing proper procedures and best practice. The current process requires patients to register online, then they briefly consult a nurse, and then they are referred to a doctor. A prescription is nearly always provided. In addition, many of these clinics operate a ‘closed loop' system whereby the telehealth prescriber sends the prescription to a dispensary owned by the same operation. So there’s an incentive to prescribe and dispense as many of these products as possible. Medicinal cannabis use was legalised almost 10 years ago and since…

Surprisingly, the risk for artificially sweetened soft drink is higher than sugar-sweetened beverages, where the risk was found to be 23 per cent higher. The research, conducted by a team from Monash University together with RMIT University and the Cancer Council Victoria, followed more than 36,000 Australian adults over nearly 14 years. The study – led by Distinguished Professor Barbora de Courten from Monash University and RMIT University, Associate Professor Allison Hodge, and published in Diabetes & Metabolism, adds to growing global concern about the health effects of both sugary and artificially sweetened drinks. “Drinking one or more of these beverages each day, whether sweetened with sugar or artificial substitutes, was linked to a significantly higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes,” said student Hussen Kabthymer, also involved in the…

In a paper published in Psychological Science, Yale psychologist Wendy Berry Mendes observed how more and less affluent people interact. The results reveal a complicated picture of how our minds and bodies manage difference. Based on the participants’ financial history, the research team assigned each person to the more affluent or less affluent group, then put them into 130 conversational pairs. Some pairs included participants from the same group, and some paired a more affluent person with a less affluent person (although participants weren’t told this). Mendes and her colleagues observed the participants’ non-verbal behaviour and monitored their heart rates as they talked. The researchers found that participants from upper and lower-class groups appeared comfortable interacting across class lines, although people from both groups were more at ease talking to…

The Hidden Truth Behind Your Favourite Snacks “People want healthier options, but they’re often misled by clever marketing,” says Jayne Travers-Drapes, Co-Founder of Box Divvy, a rapidly growing, community-led food co-op that’s transforming the way Aussies think about their pantry. It comes as no surprise. Supermarket shelves are flooded with products that look like they belong in the health food aisle, but a closer inspection reveals additives that keep us hooked, from hidden flavour enhancers to reconstituted starches that mimic real food. These ingredients don’t just mess with our tastebuds - they can have a lasting impact on our gut health, metabolism, and even hormone balance. So what’s really hiding in these ‘snacks?’ • Flavour enhancers like MSG or yeast extract that override your body’s natural hunger cues • Reconstituted…

From Researcher to User: A Personal Journey Dr. Andrea Grindrod, Director of La Trobe University’s Public Health Palliative Care Unit, is no stranger to the impact of life-limiting illnesses. With years of research under her belt, Dr. Grindrod developed the HELP program to help individuals and families build a private, collaborative care network. However, when her husband, Greg, was diagnosed with stage-four metastatic cancer, Dr. Grindrod found herself using the app in a way she never anticipated. “I was shocked when my research and personal life collided. I never expected to need palliative care at this stage in our lives,” Dr. Grindrod admits. “Using the app myself for support was a humbling experience.” A Support System at Your Fingertips The HELP app allows users to create a personalised care network…

Senna Wellness Retreat spans more than five hectares and is situated on the Ong Tu hill in the Bac Ninh province of northern Vietnam, about 41.3km north-east of Hanoi and about an hour’s drive by car from Hanoi airport. The purifying medicinal plant Phan Ta Diep (Senna alexandrina) and the lotus flower are the inspiration for this retreat, with senna representing purity and renewal, and the lotus flower serving as a compass for living in harmony with nature and tradition. Senna Wellness Retreat is a place where wellness and cultural heritage harmonise. With warm hospitality and a deep respect for local traditions, it has been created as an invitation to return to nature and is a doorway into the timeless cultural soul of Bac Ninh. “We have to understand ourselves,…

A New Manifesto For The Wellness Economy A new manifesto for the current wellness economy by Fitt Insider argues that while wellness is thriving, it’s increasingly out of touch. They note that with spending soaring, there’s never been a better time to build in the wellness space - if its done right. The wellness future in their view: 1) hype is out, hands-on help is in 2) a purposeful life trumps a perfect recovery score 3) wellbeing isn’t about elite optimisation, but shared growth 4) if wellness increases anxiety, division, or discontent, we’re doing it wrong. Fitt Insider Young Chinese Turn To Fortune Tellers As Anxiety About The Future Rises As China grapples with slowing economic growth, young people are feeling particularly anxious about the future. So more are turning…

With much of plastic being single-use, and less than 10% of plastic waste currently being recycled, the output of plastics will continue to foul land and marine environments around the world. Two studies published in Nature demonstrate the urgency of the situation: In the first study, researchers from Utrecht University in the Netherlands looked at the prevalance of nanoplastics (measuring less than 1 micrometre in diametre) in the Atlantic Ocean. They found nanoplastics in all of the samples they collected, from coastal regions to the middle of the ocean, and at various depths. In just the uppermost layer of the temperate to sub-tropical North Atlantic, the team estimated that there could be 27 million tonnes of nanoplastics. This is in the same range as the amount of marine plastic waste…

Over the years, the guidance on eating eggs has been wildly inconsistent, with some studies suggesting that the popular breakfast choice is deleterious to one’s health, while other studies prop them up as an excellent source of protein and other nutrients. But now a new study shows that eggs are actually really good for you. This study examined the discrete influences of saturated fat and cholesterol on levels of low-density lipoprotein (LPL), or ‘bad’, cholesterol in the body. “Eggs have long been unfairly labelled. They’re unique - high in cholesterol, yes - but low in saturated fat. Yet it’s their cholesterol level that has often caused people to question their place in a healthy diet,” says Exercise Scientist Jonathan Buckley of the University of South Australia. “In this study, we…

There’s nothing appetising about plastic, yet most of us consume it daily. “Once ingested, microplastics can enter the digestive system and disrupt gut health by triggering inflammation, damaging the intestinal lining, or interfering with nutrient absorption,” says Ying Chen, PhD, a research assistant professor at Tufts University School of Engineering in Medford, Massachusetts. Microplastics enter the food chain through several pathways, according to the World Economic Forum. Some types, such as microbeads used in face washes, are intentionally added to products during the manufacturing process. Others are shed from larger plastic items, such as car tyres, fishing gear, and single-use food and drink containers. These small pieces of plastic can infiltrate water, soil, and air, or seep into food and beverages directly during manufacturing, storage, or cooking. Although it’s impossible…

A study published in July 2024 investigated how often 1,425 people went number two, and compared those stats to their demographic, genetic, and health data. Pooping too often or too rarely were both associated with different underlying health issues, while the healthiest participants reported pooping once or twice a day – a ‘Goldilocks zone’ of bowel movement frequency. “This study shows how bowel movement frequency can influence all body systems, and how aberrant bowel movement frequency may be an important risk factor in the development of chronic diseases,” says University of Washington Microbiologist Sean Gibbons, the corresponding author of the report. “These insights could inform strategies for managing bowel movement frequency, even in healthy populations, to optimise health and wellness.” The study, led by a team from the Institute for…

The emergency services priority helpline provides fast-tracked assistance to police when dealing with community members exhibiting high-risk behaviour who may seem lost or disorientated. If the person is a DSA client, SAPOL and DSA will work together to ensure they can return them to their homes and loved ones. Helpline staff may also provide advice on behaviour management and effective ways to engage with a person who appears to have dementia. Mental Health Operations Support Supervisor, Sergeant Peter Benn says police are well-trained to respond to mental health incidents. “However, in cases where the individual has dementia, this may require a change in focus and response,” he said. “This new helpline will expedite a response and provide accelerated access to information for police, which will aid in returning people with…

Located in Uong Bi City, Legacy Yen Tu is about a 3 hour drive east of Hanoi towards the coast and about a 1 hour drive from Ha Long Bay. Legacy Yen Tu is surrounded by the green of Yen Tu Mountain which is also known as the cradle of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism in Vietnam, inheriting the rich culture and historical spirit since Tran’s dynasty. The story goes that King Trần Nhân Tông renounced his throne to pursue a life of Zen practice at Yên Tử and later founded the Trúc Lâm Zen tradition. The legacy of King Trần Nhân Tông, as both emperor and spiritual leader, is the inspiration for the philosophy of wellness and cultural immersion at Legacy Yen Tu. Inspired by ancient building methods and 13th-century…

Professor Jill Newby, Clinical Psychologist and NHMRC Emerging Leader at the Black Dog Institute and the UNSW School of Psychology in Sydney, says that whilst the internet and social media are relatively new tools, the motivating principle is not a new phenomenon. Before the internet, people sometimes relied on self-help or psychology textbooks to work through issues. But what concerns her is how accurate the information on the net is, the qualifications of the people who are producing it, and the way algorithms are designed to prioritise information based on popularity rather than suitability. “There’s a tendency for health information, in the way it’s presented online, to be quite alarming. “Even the way that Google searches are listed – the top clicked web pages are often stories about rare life-threatening…