Inspiring Choices

18/12/2019

Wishing everyone a great Holiday Season and a wonderful New Year 2020 - Inspiring Choices

07/11/2019

UPDATE: Natural Therapies Review 2019-20

05/10/2019

There is a growing body of research indicating that fasting, when done correctly, activates powerful cellular adaptation mechanisms which promote longevity and wellbeing, and prevent chronic disease. However, research has also yielded unexpected, conflicting and even concerning results, leaving many health professionals wondering what media information is hype and what form of fasting is best suited to their clients.

‘Fasting does not mean no food intake, it reflects the body’s ability to meet nutrient requirements largely from the body’s energy reserves without endangering health.’

In a recent 2017 randomised clinical trial, researchers set out to determine if alternate day fasting was more effective for weight loss and cardiovascular protection when compared with daily calorie restriction. They unexpectedly found that while both methods were successful for weight loss, alternate-day fasting did not produce superior adherence or results and actually increased LDL cholesterol when compared to a standard low-calorie diet.
In contrast, a 2019 randomised controlled trial on overweight adults who practiced early time-restricted feeding (an eating window from 8am-2pm) had significantly superior results when compared to a normal daily eating schedule (from 8am to 8pm), even when both groups consumed the same amount of calories.
Reviews of the most recent research on fasting, suggest at least 8 key stand-out principles which have been shown to work optimally for longevity, disease prevention and weight loss whilst minimising risks. These key principles include:
• The circadian timing of food is important when fasting
• Eating a healthy diet on both fasting and non-fasting days produces better long-term results
• The benefits of fasting can be mimicked from eating specific food groups
Bio-Practica
Complementary and Natural Medicine

Article references:
• Ravussin, E., Beyl, R. A., Poggiogalle, E., Hsia, D. S., & Peterson, C. M. (2019). Early Time‐Restricted Feeding Reduces Appetite and Increases Fat Oxidation But Does Not Affect Energy Expenditure in Humans. Obesity, 27(8), 1244-1254.
• Trepanowski, J. F., et al. (2017). Effect of alternate-day fasting on weight loss, weight maintenance, and cardioprotection among metabolically healthy obese adults: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA internal medicine, 177(7), 930-938.

01/10/2019

29/09/2019

What Does The Australian Government Want From Natural and Complementary Medicine?

Q: What do the Australian Government and Complementary Healthcare professionals have in common?

A: The desire to see complementary medicine unified and represented as one.

Over the last 18 months, Complementary Medicines Australia (CMAustralia), the Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS), the Naturopaths & Herbalists Association of Australia (NHAA) and the Complementary Medicine Association (CMAssociation) have developed a working paper that represents the common needs of practitioners and industry.

Introducing… OneCAM

The purpose of OneCAM:
1. To maintain a minimum representative standard across all sectors of the complementary medicine industry and its practitioners.
2. To represent a diverse yet united professional body representing the majority of Australian complementary medicine practitioners and industry, which includes:
• input into government policy formation and interpretation
• providing a united media response
• coordinating a proactive role in advocating and promoting the benefits of natural medicines to the general public
• promoting the professional sector of complementary medicine as a united front to benefit both industry and professionals within natural medicine.
OneCAM IS NOT ANOTHER ASSOCIATION and will not replicate the work of any professional association. However, when an issue such as health fund rebates occurs and affects us all, OneCAM will stand up with one clear, unified voice.

A small but representative group have been working together to form the basis of OneCAM. The current steering committee are:
• Daniel Baden: Chair, Practitioner Committee, CMAustralia
• Peter Berryman: President, ATMS
• Natalie Cook: President, NHAA
• Kristy Hollis: President, CMAssociation

What’s next for OneCAM?
1. Invite all relevant practitioner associations to join.
2. Develop a sustainable funding model.
3. Write to all state and federal health offices to let them know that the overwhelming majority of Australia’s complementary health professionals, supported by our own industry, can finally speak with one voice on issues that affect us all.
There is much to be done and so much more to come, but this is an exciting new chapter for complementary medicine in Australia.

Want to add to the conversation? Please contact any of the Committee Members above via the OneCAM page: https://www.facebook.com/onecam.au/

07/05/2019

UPDATE - YOUR VOICE HAS BEEN HEARD
Thanks to your incredible efforts, the Government has bowed to public pressure over the axing of natural therapy rebates.

Just days after the removal of health fund rebates for natural therapies came into effect on 1 April, Greg Hunt MP has announced $2 million for updated natural therapy reviews to re-examine which therapies should once again be eligible for Subsidy through the Private Health Insurance rebate.

The review update will also look at removing the 'banned' list so insurers can cover whichever therapies they want, even if they won't attract the Subsidy.

A huge thank you to the 13,323 of you who took the time to send a personalised message to Minister Hunt and LNP MPs and Senators. This outcome is a direct result of your actions - you have moved government! All major parties now recognise this is an important public issue that won't go away. To read more https://yourhealthyourchoice.us16.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ace398f0ab1ef2844ca0301bf&id=cbaa0dbd92&e=1ce17c46f5

While some might see this as just a means to neutralise angered voters prior to the upcoming election, it is an opportunity to have the evidence for natural therapies reviewed fairly and ethically. This time, almost 110,000 people who have signed up to the YHYC campaign will be watching over their shoulders.

We'll keep you updated as events unfold and will keep working hard to ensure the new reviews are done properly and remain free from hidden agendas.

As the dust settles on the rebates issue, a new threat to consumer choice has emerged: the Medical Board of Australia is now moving to target Integrative doctors who offer complementary and "unconventional" medicine and emerging treatments. We'll send you more information on this in the coming days.

More than ever, it is imperative that the community stands together to maintain the pressure and continue protecting consumer healthcare choice in Australia.

Once again we thank you, our supporters as well the many people behind the scenes who have helped turn the tide and keep this issue alive.
Best wishes,


Your Health Your Choice.

8 April 2019 Review of natural therapies for private health insurance The Your Health Your Choice consumer campaign welcomes the Liberal National Government’s announcement to commission an updated review of natural therapies, including a five year update to its 2014-15 review of natural therapies ...

30/03/2019

World-first review supports whole-system, multi-modality naturopathic medicine

​​​This year the government has cut private health insurance cover for over a dozen natural therapy modalities in light of them supposedly having ‘no clear evidence demonstrating the efficacy of the excluded natural therapies.’ However, it appears evident that the scientific review that led to the health funding cuts was not conducted in the same way as a recently published systematic review by Southern Cross University, which focused on the evidence for whole-system, multi-modality naturopathic medicine worldwide.

With an abundance of research on individual ‘tools of the trade’ (e.g. dietary supplements, herbs etc), but limited evidence evaluating the complexity of naturopathic care as a whole system, the researchers sought to gather qualitative scientific evidence in naturopathic medicine as a modality, not on single treatment or preventative agents.

Reviewing research from America, Canada, Germany India, Australia, United Kingdom and Japan, across a range of chronic clinical conditions, they discovered predominately positive results across cultures and health outcomes.

In clear contradiction of the review of naturopathy for the private health insurance reforms, the researchers concluded that ‘To date, research in whole-system, multi-modality naturopathic medicine shows that it is effective for treating cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal pain, type 2 diabetes, polycystic o***y syndrome, depression, anxiety, and a range of complex chronic conditions.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​*References available upon request.

READ FULL ARTICLE >>http://bwellness.ontraport.com/c/s/Z0H/UPo3/6/tX/662/6hrxxy/U5aDwnCM8a/P/P/3t

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/acm.2018.0340?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%3Dpubmed&

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary MedicineVol. 25, No. 2Review ArticlesOpen AccessOpen Access licenseThe State of the Evidence for Whole-System, Multi-Modality Naturopathic Medicine: A Systematic Scoping Review Stephen P. Myers, and PhD, BMed, ND Vanessa Vigar, BNat (Hons) Stephen P. Myer...

09/02/2019

YOUR HEALTH YOUR CHOICE
The removal of the Private Health Insurance Rebate for Natural Therapies is a watershed moment for all natural medicine practitioners in Australia, with far reaching impacts (see below).

Last year thousands responded to the call to flood Health Minister Greg Hunt with emails asking him not to proceed with the policy, based on flawed reviews.

It almost worked. A compromise was about to be made but then quashed due to the Liberal National Party (LNP) leadership spill.

With the Government realising it faces political defeat, there is still a window for democracy to take effect and have this flawed & unpopular policy changed.

All Minister Hunt needs to do is amend the Health Insurance Business Rules by 1 April 2019 to allow insurers to offer rebates – without having to go through Parliament. It’s that simple.

HOW TO ACT

Simply fill in this form at;
https://www.yourhealthyourchoice.com.au/save-rebates/

and ask your family and friends to do the same. We will arrange for your personalised email to be sent to Minister Hunt, your state LNP Senator/s and if you reside in a LNP seat, your local Federal Member.

We are also encouraging you to engage your clients in the campaign by emailing them this form so that they can also have their say. You can also help spread the word further by sharing this post to your page.

We nearly succeeded last time – the incentive to get politicians to act this time is even greater. Politicians consider each personalised message to be worth 100 votes – so every message generated really counts.

IT'S NOT JUST REBATES AT RISK
Behind the decision to cut rebates are flawed Government reviews claiming there is ‘no evidence’ for 17 popular therapies, including Naturopathy, Herbal Medicine, Pilates, Yoga and Aromatherapy. The Your Health Your Choice petition is putting the heat on the first and most damaging of these reviews – if it falls, the rest are likely to topple.

As a result of the rebate cuts:
It has become difficult (in some cases impossible) for universities/ researchers to conduct research into natural therapies
Hospitals and organisations are no longer able to offer these therapies (eg, yoga programs for returned servicemen with PTSD are already being shut down)
The incentive to maintain high education standards is being eroded
The viability of multiple Australian small businesses has been impacted.

These reviews are being used to justify:
Labor’s pledge to add GST to Naturopathy and Herbal medicine consults
Banning sales of some natural medicines and ingredients
Funding cuts for natural therapy courses
Targeting therapists for providing services ‘not backed by science’

As a united voice, there is much we can achieve. Let the LNP know you want health fund rebates for natural therapies restored.

"Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much." Helen Keller

Your Health Your Choice.