Happy New Year!

Jan 22
Welcome to the new year! Here is what's on this month...

A SYSTEMS APPROACH TO IRON MANAGEMENT with Lara Zakaria - 4 hours

Iron is a key mineral needed in a variety of physiological mechanisms, with complex mechanisms for homeostasis. Often dismissed as a marker of malnutrition or specific to patients prone to anaemia, we’ll explore the role of iron status beyond a basic nutritional marker.
In this comprehensive 3-part series, we review iron's role in metabolism, ageing, neurological health, detoxification, and GI function and microbiome balance. We’ll also discuss Functional approaches to assessment and personalised intervention strategies.

Lesson One
This session is the first of a series of 3 lectures and will set the foundation for understanding the systems-based approach to iron homeostasis. We’ll review the overlapping physiological mechanisms that both rely on iron balance and impact iron levels. These include metabolic health, mental health and cognition, immune function, detoxification capacity, GI function, microbiome balance and the liver-GI axis.

Lesson Two
This session focuses on assessment considerations for iron status. We’ll review signs and symptoms, advanced laboratory considerations, and explore case-based examples.

Lesson Three
The final session is where we apply what we’ve learned about iron physiology, homeostasis, and assessment to develop a comprehensive and highly personalised, functional medicine intervention plan. We’ll consider all aspects of lifestyle - including diet, environment, daily habits - as well as nutraceutical prescription in an effective strategy that goes beyond the standard strategy for more holistic and effective patient outcomes.

From this course we will:
  • Review the physiological foundations of iron homeostasis in the body.
  • Discuss the bidirectional relationship between iron status and physiological demand based on a systems medicine approach.
  • Review the evidence regarding the pathophysiology impact of various chronic disease pathophysiology on iron status.


ENGAGING CLIENTS WHO RESIST CHANGE
with Sharon Curtain - 1 hour


The traditional health care approach makes assumptions and is traditionally good for acute conditions however there may be other approaches to ensuring the best outcomes for clients. Sharon Curtain's vision is to upskill health professionals with practical tools that enable them to support people in all stages of change. Supporting people to identify their motivators for change and build confidence using effective communication allows people to take the actions to implement positive mindsets and behaviours.

This course provides a new way to look at the assumptions clinicians may make about a client. It will look at ways to improve communication skills and be able to increase motivation, confidence and helping them to overcome barriers to change. A fresh way to look at how we might best help our clients and some tools and skills for the best outcome for our clients and therefore you as well.

From this course you will:
  • Have an increased awareness of stages of change and strategies to evoke change talk.
  • Understand the benefits of effective questioning to promote insight.
  • Heighten your confidence in your ability to support people to change health behaviours.
  • Strengthen your ability to connect clients to their inherent motivation to make a change.
  • Enhance your competency in using reflections, summaries and affirming to increase readiness to change.


REISHI - THE MUSHROOM OF IMMORTALITY
with Chris Hobbs - 1 hour


Reishi has been revered for centuries in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine and for good reason. The clinical uses for Reishi are surprisingly wide and very well supported by research. The list of conditions that Reishi use is supported for is very long and includes many of the common presentations that you see each day.

This is a medicine that seems to be underutilised by natural clinicians and could be applied much more and in many more situations than it is currently being used for. In this discussion, Chris shares many of his clinical gems and special use cases for this fascinating mushroom.

From this course you will:
  • Discover the rich history of Reishi mushroom and its role in traditional medicine.
  • Gain insights into the bioactive compounds found in Reishi such astriterpenes and polysaccharides and how they contribute to its substantial medicinal properties.
  • Learn to use Reishi to enhance immune function and why it is a subject of interest in areas such as immunotherapy and cancer research.
  • Explore how Reishi may help maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
  • Delve into the stress-relieving properties of Reishi and its role in promoting mental well-being and quality sleep.
  • Receive guidance on safe and appropriate Reishi mushroom consumption, including dosage and potential interactions with medication.