Endeavour College of Natural Health

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a common condition with complex psychological and biological background. While its aetiology is still unclear, chronic stress stands amongst major risk factors to MDD pathogenesis. When researching on MDD, it is necessary to be familiar with the neurobiological effects of several prominent contributors to the chronic stress factor experienced across hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, neurotransmission, immune system reflexivity, and genetic alterations. Bi-directional flow of MDD pathogenesis suggests that psychological factors produce biological effects. Here, a summary of how the MDD expresses its mechanisms of action across an overactive HPA axis, the negative impacts of reduced neurotransmitter functions, the inflammatory responses and their gene x environment interactions. This paper builds on these conceptual factors and their input towards the MDD symptomatology with a purpose of synthesising the current findings and create an integrated view of the MDD pathogenesis. Finally, relevant treatment implications will be summarised, along with recommendations to a multimodal clinical practice.

In 2012, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners in Australia became nationally-registered allied health professionals in three categories: acupuncturist, Chinese herbal medicine practitioner, and Chinese herbal medicine dispenser. Australia was the first Western country to introduce national registration for Chinese medicine, followed by Portugal and, recently, New Zealand. The practice of TCM in Australia can be traced back to the beginning of Chinese immigration to Australia during the Victorian Gold Rush which began in the 1850s. The process which led to national registration commenced in the early 1970s with the establishment of the first acupuncture courses. Decades of gradual development of courses from unaccredited part-time diplomas to accredited bachelor degrees, and the development, by the profession, of national consensus on educational standards were essential elements in the process which led to registration. Professional associations, such as the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association Ltd (AACMA), also developed a framework of professional self-regulation, including Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, ongoing professional development requirements and Infection Control Guidelines, and provided leadership in the development of the profession. After decades of tribalism and division within the TCM profession, the National Academic Standards Committee brought almost all stakeholders together to reach a consensus on the Australian Guidelines for Traditional Chinese Medicine Education which were published by AACMA in 2001. Professional associations also collaborated on joint submissions to the government in support of registration, which was introduced first in the state of Victoria in 2000, and subsequently became national in 2012. Despite national registration, some barriers still remain, and professional associations continue to lobby the federal government for inclusion in Medicare, chronic disease management scheme, and Veterans Affairs.

An estimated 42% of Australians who consult complementary medicine (CM) practitioners have a mental health diagnosis. Preparedness of CM practitioners in managing such diagnoses is currently unknown. A cross-sectional survey of 257 CM practitioners who reported caring for people with a mental health diagnosis. Practitioners’ mental health literacy, educational needs, and confidence in the assessment, management, and treatment of mental health—including suicide risk—were analysed. Most (59.1%) participants had no formal qualifications in mental health and 44.3% indicated they had not completed any training in psychological therapies. Only 20% were trained in mindfulness-based techniques or goal setting. Over 50% reported their undergraduate qualification contained insufficient mental health content to prepare them for clinical practice. Over one-half had attended continuing professional education on mental health. Practitioners reported greater confidence in assessing, managing, and treating mental wellbeing over complex mental health disorders and suicide risk. These findings uncovered a deficit in the CM practitioner’s surveyed mental health education. As these CM practitioners are a primary point of contact for patients with mental health diagnoses, there is a critical need to expedite skills development in this workforce to support the delivery of safe and effective primary mental health care.

Depression is a multifaceted condition with diverse underlying causes. Several contributing and inter-related factors such as genetic, nutritional, neurological, physiological, gut-brain-axis, metabolic and psychological stress factors play a role in the pathophysiology of depression. Methods This review aims to highlight the role that nutritional factors play in the aetiology of depression. Secondly, we discuss the biomedical and functional pathology tests which measure these factors, and the current evidence supporting their use. Lastly, we make recommendations on how practitioners can incorporate the latest evidence-based research findings into clinical practice. This review highlights that diet and nutrition greatly affect the pathophysiology of depression. Nutrients influence gene expression, with folate and Vitamin B12 playing vital roles in methylation reactions and homocysteine regulation. Nutrients are also involved in the tryptophan/kynurenine pathway and the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Additionally, diet influences the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) response and the composition and diversity of the gut microbiome, both of which have been implicated in depression. A comprehensive dietary assessment, combined with appropriate evaluation of biochemistry and blood pathology, may help uncover contributing factors to depressive symptoms. By employing such an approach, a more targeted and personalised treatment strategy can be devised, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is an irreversible neurodegenerative disorder clinically manifesting in uncontrolled motor symptoms. There are two primary hallmark features of Parkinson’s disease—an irreversible loss of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta and formation of intracellular insoluble aggregates called Lewy bodies mostly composed of alpha-synuclein. Using a clinical improvements-first approach, we identified several clinical trials involving consumption of a specific diet or nutritional supplementation that improved motor and nonmotor functions. Here, we aimed to investigate if and how pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) compound disrupts preformed alpha-synuclein deposits using SH-SY5Y cells, widely used Parkinson’s disease cellular model. SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, incubated in presence of potassium chloride (KCl) to induce alpha-synuclein protein aggregation, were treated with PQQ for up to 48 hr. Resulting aggregates were examined and quantified using confocal microscopy. Overall, nutritional compound PQQ reduced the average number and overall size of intracellular cytoplasmic alpha-synuclein aggregates in a PD cellular model.

Background: Over 48.5 million couples are reported with infertility worldwide. Health policy recommends folic acid in women of childbearing age, particularly in preconception and pregnancy which results in women purchasing over-the-counter prenatal multivitamins containing folic acid through pharmacies and other retail outlets. Emerging studies are investigating whether other forms of supplemental folate are more suitable, particularly for those with methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms. This case series aimed to document variations in forms and dosage of folate prescribed by Australian practitioners to patients with diagnosed infertility and MTHFR polymorphisms. Methods: Australian practitioners were invited to complete a retrospective case report form for patients that presented with unexplained infertility. This case report form documented the form and dose of folate that practitioners were prescribing to their infertility patient with MTHFR polymorphisms, together with their fertility history. Results: Six practitioners submitted case information for 12 patients with diagnosed infertility and MTHFR polymorphisms. All patients had been advised by their practitioner to remove folic acid in supplemental form and were prescribed 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) or a combination of 5-MTHF and folinic acid, at higher doses than the Australian recommended dose (mean daily maximum prescribed dose: 2325μg). Eleven patients conceived within the treatment period (average treatment of one year) and ten were reported as having a live birth. Conclusion: This case series has highlighted clinical practices that vary from the recommendations by Australian policy. Further research is required to verify the clinical importance of variations in folate prescriptions for women with MTHFR polymorphisms and how folate recommendations may need to change depending on these polymorphisms. This has direct relevance to those prescribing at the pharmacy and retail level, specifically pharmacists and pharmacy assistants.

Introduction: Marginalized populations experience health inequities and are often underserved within existing health systems. Australian marginalized populations and their use of complementary medicine, including acupuncture, lack investigation. We have collected information on the health-seeking behaviors of marginalized individuals who utilize an acupuncture service within a community-based integrative health setting. Methods: A secondary analysis of pre-existing data involving the linking of three datasets. Information was collected across four domains: health characteristics, socio-demographics, health services utilization, and vulnerability markers. Bivariate analysis using Fisher's exact and chi-square tests additional to logistic regression analysis were conducted to determine the characteristics of the study population. All data once analyzed were then presented as a cumulative statistic. Results: Study participants (n = 42) included 28% of individuals with reported histories of homelessness (n = 12) and 32% with a history of psychological trauma (n = 13). Eighty-three percent (n = 31) of the population sought acupuncture to manage pain and 91% (n = 36) for musculoskeletal conditions. Sixty-three percent (n = 24) reported a mental health diagnosis, most commonly depression (n = 18). Participants were most likely to engage with three other health services within the study setting, in addition to acupuncture. Participants with an illicit substance abuse problem were 12 times more likely to seek a greater number of acupuncture treatments, and individuals with trauma histories were twice as likely to attend the acupuncture clinic eight or more times. Discussion: Our study findings suggest a robust level of engagement with acupuncture treatment among the target population and a willingness to engage with integrative health services when barriers to uptake such as accessibility and affordability are removed. Findings support current evidence pertaining to acupuncture's use as an adjunct to managing pain in marginalized populations as well as a perceived acceptability and feasibility of the integration of acupuncture within conventional health settings. There is the further observation that acupuncture in a group setting is suitable for a marginalized population and an interest in commitment to treatment among individuals with substance abuse problems.

Background: The 2018 Declaration of Astana identifies traditional knowledge (TK) as one of the drivers for strengthening primary health care systems through the use of technology (traditional medicines) and knowledge and capacity building (traditional practitioners). While TK underpins both traditional practice and the use of traditional medicines, facilitating the use of TK in contemporary health care systems has been difficult to achieve. The aim of this study was to identify key factors related to the translation of TK into contemporary settings to help establish tools to support the knowledge translation process. Methods: This study used World Café methodology to collect the observations, ideas, and perspectives of experts who use TK in their practice. These experts (n = 9) were from a variety of contexts, including clinical practice, research, education, policy, and consumer advocacy, participated in the 1-day event. Data were collected into NVivo 12 software and analyzed using inductive-deductive thematic analysis. Results: Thematic analysis identified five themes: the need to define the elements required for critical evaluation of sources of TK as evidence, the importance of applying a tradition-centric lens when translating TK for contemporary use, the need to bridge gaps between TK and its contemporary applications, the value of critically evaluating the TK translation process itself, and the recognition of traditions as living systems. Taken together, the themes showed holistic interpretation of the translation process that incorporates critical analysis of the TK itself and accountable, transparent, and ethical processes of translation that consider safety, socioeconomical and intellectual property impacts of TK in contemporary use. Conclusions: Stakeholders identified TK as a valid and important source of evidence that should guide practice in a range of contemporary settings (e.g., policy and clinical practice), and outlined important consideration for critiquing, evaluating, communicating, and using TK within these settings.

Objectives Naturopathy is a traditional medicine system informed by codified philosophies and principles, and an emphasis on non-pharmacologic therapeutic interventions. While naturopathy is practised by approximately 75 000–100 000 000 naturopathic practitioners in at least 98 countries, little is known about the international prevalence of history of consultation with a naturopathic practitioner. This study reports a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies describing the global prevalence of history of consultation with a naturopathic practitioner by the general population. Setting The included literature was identified through a systematic search of eight databases between September and October 2019, as well as the grey literature. Participants Studies were included if they reported the prevalence rate of consultations with a naturopathic practitioner by the general population. Interventions Survey items needed to report consultations with a naturopathic practitioner as defined in the country where data was collected, and not combine naturopathic consultations with other health services or only report consulations for illness populations. Primary and secondary outcome measures Primary measures used for the analysis was consultations in the previous 12 months. Other prevalence timeframes were reported as secondary measures. Methods Meta-analysis of prevalence data was conducted using random effects models based on individual countries and WHO world regions. Results The literature search identified eight manuscripts summarising 14 studies reporting prevalence for inclusion in the review. All included studies had a low risk of bias. Meta-analysis of the included studies by world region found the 12-month prevalence of history of naturopathy consultations ranged from 1% in the Region of the Americas to 6% in the European and Western Pacific Regions. Conclusions There are up to sixfold differences in the prevalence of naturopathy consults over 12 months between and within world regions, which may be driven by a range of policy, legislative and social factors. PROSPERO registration number CRD42020145529.

Elevated oxidative stress is a common denominator between pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and diabetes complications, prompting the use of antioxidant compounds in diabetes therapy. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), has been investigated for its role as a potent antioxidant in diabetes treatment and the results from clinical trials indicate improved glucose metabolism, reduced oxidative stress, improved endothelial dysfunction, a decline in platelet reactivity and moderate improvements to weight loss yet conflicting data regarding insulin metabolism. ALA inhibits nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB), chelates divalent transient metal ions and induces the expression of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). This narrative review explores the results from clinical trials investigating the role of ALA in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Background The transition from student to practitioner can be challenging, resulting in stress, burnout and attrition. While there has been ample research examining graduate medical and allied health practitioner experiences of transitioning to practice, there is a paucity of research exploring such experiences in newly qualified naturopathic medicine practitioners. In light of this knowledge gap, the objective of this study was to ascertain the experiences of practicing as a naturopath in Australia within the first 5 years post-graduation. Methods Using a qualitative descriptive approach, recent graduates of an Australian Bachelor of Naturopathy (or equivalent) program were invited to participate in a semi-structured telephone interview to address the study objective. Data were analysed utilising a framework approach. Results A total of 19 new graduates (94.7% female; 57.9% aged 40–59 years) undertook an interview. Five inter-related themes emerged from the data: practitioner, practice, proprietorship, professions, and perceptions. Connected with these themes were contrasting feelings, multiplicity of duties, small business challenges, professional collaboration, and professional identity, respectively. Conclusions Participants were generally content with their decision to become a naturopath. However, most were confronted by a range of challenges as they transitioned from graduate to practitioner, for which many felt ill-prepared. In light of the complexity of the issue, and the potential impact on the sustainability of the profession, it is evident that a multi-pronged, multi-stakeholder approach would be needed to better support graduate naturopath transition to practice.

IntroductionLinking places to people is a core element of the UK government's geospatial strategy. Matching patient addresses in electronic health records to their Unique Property Reference Numbers (UPRNs) enables spatial linkage for research, innovation and public benefit. Available algorithms are not transparent or evaluated for use with addresses recorded by health care providers. Objectives To describe and quality assure the open-source deterministic ASSIGN address-matching algorithm applied to general practitioner-recorded patient addresses. Methods Best practice standards were used to report the ASSIGN algorithm match rate, sensitivity and positive predictive value using gold-standard datasets from London and Wales. We applied the ASSIGN algorithm to the recorded addresses of a sample of 1,757,018 patients registered with all general practices in north east London. We examined bias in match results for the study population using multivariable analyses to estimate the likelihood of an address-matched UPRN by demographic, registration, and organisational variables. ResultsWe found a 99.5% and 99.6% match rate with high sensitivity (0.999,0.998) and positive predictive value (0.996,0.998) for the Welsh and London gold standard datasets respectively, and a 98.6% match rate for the study population. The 1.4% of the study population without a UPRN match were more likely to have changed registered address in the last 12 months (match rate: 95.4%), be from a Chinese ethnic background (95.5%), or registered with a general practice using the SystmOne clinical record system (94.4%). Conversely, people registered for more than 6.5 years with their general practitioner were more likely to have a match (99.4%) than those with shorter registration durations. ConclusionsASSIGN is a highly accurate open-source address-matching algorithm with a high match rate and minimal biases when evaluated against a large sample of general practice-recorded patient addresses. ASSIGN has potential to be used in other address-based datasets including those with information relevant to the wider determinants of health.

Ovarian cancer has the lowest survival rate in gynaecologic malignancies with a 5-year survival rate of 43%. Platinum resistance is one of the main drivers of ovarian cancer mortality, of which aberrant methylation has been cited as a significant contributor. Understanding the essential role of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase enzyme (MTHFR) on DNA synthesis and repair, and how nutrient status can vastly affect its performance, led to the investigation of MTHFR status and dietary influence on platinum response in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients. Twenty-five adult female patients who completed first-line platinum-based chemotherapy for primary ovarian cancer were selected from Icon Cancer Centres in Australia. Participants were grouped based on platinum response. A full medical and family history, food frequency questionnaire and single blood test were completed, testing for MTHFR polymorphisms, serum folate, serum and active B12 and homocysteine levels. Nineteen of twenty-five participants had an MTHFR polymorphism. Of those, 20% were compound heterozygous, 12% were heterozygous C677T (CT), 4% homozygous C677T, 12% homozygous A1298C and 28% were heterozygous A1298C (AC). Statistically significant associations were found between dietary zinc (p = 0.0086; 0.0030; 0.0189) and B12 intakes in CT genotypes (p = 0.0157; 0.0030; 0.0068) indicating that zinc or vitamin B12 intakes below RDI were associated with this genotype. There were strong associations of vitamin B6 intakes in AC genotypes (p = 0.0597; 0.0547; 0.0610), and dietary folate in compound heterozygotes with sensitive and partially sensitive disease (p = 0.0627; 0.0510). There were also significant associations between serum folate (p = 0.0478) and dietary B12 (p = 0.0350) intakes above RDI and platinum sensitivity in wild-types as well as strong associations with homocysteine levels (p = 0.0886) and zinc intake (p = 0.0514). Associations with dietary B12 (p = 0.0514) and zinc intakes (p = 0.0731) were also strong in resistant wild types. Results indicate that dietary zinc, B12 and B6 intakes may be associated with platinum sensitivity dependent on MTHFR genotype. These results require further research to clarify the dosages necessary to elicit a response; however, they provide a novel foundation for acknowledging the role of diet on treatment response in EOC.

Introduction To report for the first time the image quality of mammograms performed in Papua New Guinea (PNG) using the Perfect, Good, Moderate, Inadequate (PGMI) image evaluation system (IES); and to benchmark the image quality against BreastScreen Australia (BSA) National Accreditation Standards (NAS). Methods A retrospective image quality analysis of the de-identified mammograms of 102 women imaged at the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) was undertaken using the PGMI IES. Each craniocaudal (CC) and mediolateral oblique (MLO) image was assigned a grade and the reasons for the grade recorded. Age was recorded in years. Simple frequency analysis was undertaken and comparison with BSA NAS 2.4 was made. Results Women were aged between 25 and 74 years. There were 111 CC views and 109 MLO views. The most frequent individual grade for the CC view was G (83.8%) and for the MLO view M (72.48%); and for a routine series (four images), P and G combined (14.8%). Non-visualisation of the IMA (28%), nipple not in profile (26%) and short length of pectoral muscle (12%) were the most cited reasons for assigning an M grade. Conclusion The reported image quality is not commensurate with that required by BSA (P and G > 50%) and while common positioning errors can be rectified through education and training, it is also important to recognise the complex challenges faced by PNG radiographers in obtaining mammographic images that extend beyond education and training and reflect the emerging nature of the modality as well as wider health, economic and other issues. This work raises the need for national standards, dedicated equipment, and radiographer education to best serve the women of PNG.

Ativishadi churna is a traditional classical formulation pioneered by the science of Ayurveda. The very first reference regarding the formulation was documented in the Charka Samhita under title Ativishadi Yoga. The main indication of this formulation is to cure diarrhoea due to pitta dosha vitiation. It contains an equal part of powdered and dried Ativisha roots, Kutaj bark and Indrayava (dried Kutaj seeds). The polyherbal formulations comprise a wide range of bioactive compounds and the standardization of such formulations is a great concern these days. Hence, the present study evolves around standardizing Ativishadi Churna, for this purpose physicochemical parameters were performed of individual drugs by keeping the values of API as a standard. A complete pharmacognostic profile of ingredients has been validated to authenticate plant materials and to confirm the absence of any adulterants or impurities in the formulation. The preliminary phytochemical tests, Pharmacognostic and phytochemical standardization of the formulation were performed as a part of an SOP development. The formulation besides has been proven to possess antimicrobial properties against pathogens responsible for common infectious diseases in humans. The recent concern lies in the fact that some traditional medicines have been claimed to possess heavy metals. For this purpose, the heavy metal content has also been determined which shows that the formulation is devoid of heavy metals that may cause toxicity. The pharmacognostic and phytochemical study of this formulation would be very important for establishing standards in the future.

Background Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in women is persistent, intermittent cyclical and non-cyclical lower abdominal pain, lasting for more than 6 months. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a popular treatment option for women’s health conditions, but little is known about how treatment for CPP is delivered by TCM practitioners. The aim of this survey was to explore practitioners understanding and treatment of women with CPP, and how they integrate their management and care into the health care system. Method An online cross-sectional survey of registered TCM practitioners in Australia and New Zealand between May and October 2018. Survey domains included treatment characteristics (e.g. frequency), evaluation of treatment efficacy, referral networks, and sources of information that informed clinical decision making. Results One hundred and twenty-two registered TCM practitioners responded to this survey, 91.7% reported regular treatment of women with CPP. Treatment decisions were most-often guided by a combination of biomedical and TCM diagnosis (77.6%), and once per week was the most common treatment frequency (66.7%) for acupuncture. Meditation (63.7%) and dietary changes (57.8%) were other commonly used approaches to management. The effectiveness of treatment was assessed using multiple approaches, most commonly pain scales, (such as the numeric rating scale) and any change in use of analgesic medications. Limitations to TCM treatment were reported by over three quarters (83.7%) of practitioners, most commonly due to cost (56.5%) and inconvenience (40.2%) rather than safety or lack of efficacy. Sources informing practice were most often Integration within the wider healthcare system was common with over two thirds (67.9%) receiving referrals from health care providers. Conclusion TCM practitioners seeing women with various CPP symptoms, commonly incorporate both traditional and modern diagnostic methods to inform their treatment plan, monitor treatment progress using commonly accepted approaches and measures and often as a part of multidisciplinary healthcare for women with CPP.

Background Cannabis for cancer is very topical and, given the use of illicit cannabis preparations used in this vulnerable population, research investigating standardised, quality-assured medicinal cannabis is critical to inform clinicians and assist patient safety. Methods A randomized trial involving adult patients diagnosed with a high-grade glioma, no history of substance abuse, liver or kidney damage or myocardial infarction were eligible for inclusion in a tolerability study on two different ratios of medicinal cannabis. Baseline screening of brain morphology, blood pathology, functional status, and cognition was conducted. A retrospective control group was used for comparison for secondary outcomes. Results Participants (n=88) were on average 53.3 years old. A paired t-test assessed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy for Brain Cancer (FACT-Br) between groups from baseline to week 12 found that the 1:1 ratio favoured both physical (p=0.025) and functional (p=0.014) capacity and improved sleep (p=0.009). Analysis of changes from baseline to week 12 also found 11% of 61 participants had a reduction in disease, 34% were stable, 16% had slight enhancement, and 10% had progressive disease. No serious adverse events occurred. Side effects included dry mouth, tiredness at night, dizziness, drowsiness. Conclusion This study demonstrated that a single nightly dose of THC-containing medicinal cannabis was safe, had no serious adverse effects and was well tolerated in patients. Medicinal cannabis significantly improved sleep, functional wellbeing, and quality of life. Clinical Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) http://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=373556&isReview=true , identifier ACTRN12617001287325.

Objectives The aim of this literature review is to examine the relationship between Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms and assisted reproductive technologies in men and women accessing fertility services. Design Systematic literature review using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Methods This systematic literature review involved searches conducted through the Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL and Scopus databases to identify observational studies examining MTHFR polymorphism incidence in infertile couples seeking support through In vitro fertilisation and/or Fertility clinics. Results The included studies (n=16) identified an association with male infertility including azoospermia, oligozoospermia and teratozoospermia for the Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms C677T and A1298C. A newly-identified AA allele of the MTHFR G1793A polymorphism was found to be protective against oligospermia and males with this polymorphisms had higher sperm counts. Studies also associated the new allele MTHFR179GA GG allele with female infertility. A strong association between individuals with C677T homozygous alleles receiving assisted reproductive technology and higher AMH levels, implantation failure, and lower ovarian responsiveness was also reported. Women with A1298C polymorphisms had few follicles, lower E2 levels and were less likely to have a viable pregnancy or live birth after in vitro fertilisation. Implantation failed in one in four embryos that were homozygous for C677T. Conclusions The MTHFR genetic polymorphism may be associated with infertility in couples seeking assisted reproductive technologies.