Despite the awareness of its importance to health, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among Australian populations is increasing. As popularity of vitamin D supplementation intensifies, it is important to understand the key clinical concepts around correcting this nutritional deficiency. Increasingly, practitioners are reporting only a marginal improvement in patient pathology profiles when supplementing with vitamin D3. It does not appear that the solution to correcting these deficiencies lies with supplementing with vitamin D3 alone.

The body is a complex organism, relying on many inter-dependant mechanisms for survival. We all know that nutrients act synergistically within the body and the same can be said for vitamin D. Are we missing an important piece of the
‘vitamin D absorption’ puzzle by supplementing with single nutrient D3 formulas? Discover the essential cofactors required to maximise vitamin D absorption and improve clinical outcomes.

Key Seminar concepts include:

- Clinical relevance of vitamin D3
- Increasing rates of deficiency and the signs and symptoms to be aware of           
- Essential co-factors for maximising clinical outcomes
- New frontiers of vitamin D research

Date, Time & Cost:
Wednesday February 29th. 7.30-8.30pm ADST
Cost: $45 (includes notes and exclusive specials).   CPE: 1 point

Bookings:  PO BOX 7052, Alexandria NSW 2015. Telephone: 02 9698 7683 or 1300 884 702.   Fax: 02 9698 9556 www.biomedica.com.au

 MARCH

The Neurobiology of Stress and Mood Disorders - Seminar 1‚ 2012
How Your Biology Becomes Your Biography. A big problem rapidly getting bigger

Life presents us with an abundance of joys, yet many people are unable to enjoy life’s pleasures due to feelings of stress, anxiety and/or depression. In 2007, 3.3 million Australians were suffering from anxiety or affective (mood) disorder – that’s at least one in five Australians. Every year another 20,000 Australians are diagnosed with a mental illness, with similar figures found in New Zealand. Unfortunately, current orthodox medications and treatments fall well short of dealing with the problem effectively, with some studies suggesting they are no better than placebo. Holistic, efficacious treatment strategies designed to help restore optimal neurochemistry can help support mental health in our patients and therefore, help them live happier, healthier lives.
Understanding neurobiology is the key:
The complexity of mental health disorders can be overwhelming, with over 400 distinct conditions described. From a functional point of view, however, most mental conditions come down to a problem of disturbed neurobiology: neurons not working properly and messages not travelling around the central nervous system effectively. In this seminar we will explore why disturbances in neurobiology occur in the first place, and what physiological factors perpetuate and worsen the problem. You will see that treatment is not simply a matter of giving more amino acids to make more neurotransmitters. Mental disorders involve not only neurotransmitter levels, but receptor and transporter activity – which may be increased in one part of the brain and depressed in another at the same time! We shall explore how neurotransmitter receptor resistance and neuronal apoptosis can affect mood and behaviour. We will also see how increased blood/brain barrier permeability, microglial activation and glutamate signalling can impair a patient’s ability to simply be happy!
The role of energy in happiness:
The brain is an amazingly complex organ: a tiny piece of brain the size of a grain of sand may contain around 100,000 neurons with over one billion connections! The brain weighs just 2% of the body mass, yet it uses over 20% of the energy the body generates. Neurons which lack energy are unable to perform vital functions such as signal conduction and neurotransmitter synthesis. Therefore, if neurons run out of energy, mental dysfunction ensues. Chronic stress directly contributes to mitochondrial dysfunction, to the point where neurons may actually undergo apoptotic cell death, with actual brain shrinkage demonstrated in more severe cases of mental health disorders. Stress also increases neurological inflammation and oxidative stress, both factors that can also cause disturbances in neurobiology.
The stress response system – beyond the HPA:
Understanding the body’s responses to stress is crucial to the effective treatment of anxiety, depression and even schizophrenia. In this seminar we will expand on our understanding of the stress response system beyond the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, to include limbic structures, the locus caeruleus and the dorsal raphe nucleus. We will see how dysfunctions in our stress response system drive disturbances in neurobiology. We will also explore the emerging concept of cortisol resistance and its role in adrenal exhaustion, uncontrolled inflammation, and to mental health symptomatology.
New solutions and strategies to tame mental disorders.
In this seminar you will be introduced to new tools to help identify your patients’ different stress coping strategies, and a simple multi-step treatment program featuring new remedies to maintain and restore mental function. We will see how the simplest and most efficacious way to assess and treat patients is based on their presenting symptoms pictures and typical responses under stress. These symptoms give us a unique insight into the nature of their neurobiological disturbance and provide us with sign-posts to direct our herbal and nutritional treatment. In the seminar we will also cross the body/mind bridge and look at how behavioural modifications such as the “Art of Happiness” program and Sonia Lupien’s “NUTS program” can help our patients back to mental stability – we can’t always fix the stress, but we can certainly help them cope with it more effectively. Because life’s too short not to be happy!
What you will learn from attending this seminar:
- Understand how chronic stress results in disordered neurobiology, and how this manifests as different symptom patterns in patients.
-  Discover the pathophysiological basis of mental disorders and how the mind/body connection works.
-  Identify the chief drivers behind the development of mental disorders.
-  Develop treatment strategies to support key neurotransmitters and different patterns of behaviour caused by disturbed neurobiology.
-  Learn about the latest developments in natural medical treatment for patients with mental disorders and symptoms such as depression and anxiety.
-  Develop an appreciation for how psycho-social stress, toxicity, hormonal disturbances, nutritional deficiencies, sleeping problems, obesity and insulin resistance can drive neurobiological disturbance.

“The soul suffers when the body is diseased or traumatised, while the body suffers when the soul is ailing” – Aristotle (384-322 BCE)
Your seminar attendance includes:  Fully referenced, comprehensive seminar manual, Detailed treatment protocols, Technical product information, A certificate of attendance for continuing education credits, An executive summary of the material, An entertaining presentation delivered by a clinically focused, experienced natural health Practitioner, Our famous, healthy and delicious meal – a great opportunity to chat with the presenter and network with other Practitioners.

All Seminar Times (1st March - 1st April):  Registration: 2:30 to 3:00 pm
Session 1: 3:00 to 4:30 pm. Break: 4:30 to 5:00 pm
Session 2: 5:00 to 6:30 pm. Dinner: 6:30 to 7:30 pm

This Seminar has been approved for 6 QA and CPD points, and has been submitted for Chiropractic FLA points.
Speakers: Paul Mannion ND, BHSc. As Technical Director for Health World Limited, Paul combines his 20 years of clinical practice as a Naturopath with a keen interest in research and product development. Paul’s role is to ensure that clinicians have the tools, products, information and education they need to achieve optimal results with their patients. Paul’s broad clinical experience with HemaviewTM, VLA and other Metagenics concepts ensures that all seminars and programs are clinically focussed and relevant to the needs of today’s Healthcare Practitioners.

Roberta Barbiellini MEd, BHSc (Hons), Adv Dip Nat, Dip Hom, Dip Mass, Dip Comm. Roberta is the Technical Research Manager at Health World Limited. She is a Naturopath with 10 years of practice experience and five years of lecturing experience. Roberta’s backgrounds in science and naturopathy have given her a balanced perspective and thorough understanding of complementary medicines. With her years of educational experience and unique insights, Roberta’s seminars are always informative, thorough and interesting.

Claire Sullivan Grad Dip DD, BSc, Adv Dip HSc(Nat). Claire is the Research and Development Manager for Metagenics. She is a qualified Naturopath and her unique background in pharmacology and genetic research adds an extra dimension to her understanding of the actions and applications of Natural Medicines. Claire uses these insights to guide the development of innovative new products which combine the latest in scientific research with the wisdom of traditional practice.

Angela Carroll Adv Dip HSc (Nat), Adv Dip HSc (Acu), Adv Dip Herb Med, NFMC. Angela is the Metagenics Programs Manager. She is an experienced Naturopath, TCM Practitioner and Natural Fertility Management Counsellor. Angela has been in the Natural Medicine Industry for over 16 years, running her own successful clinic, and in her years at Metagenics, she has presented at our Practitioner Programs; VLA, HemaviewTM and Frequency Specific Microcurrent, as well as presenting clinically focused seminars to Practitioners throughout Australia and New Zealand. Angela has a thorough understanding of the needs and concerns of clinic practice.

Erica Smith BHSc (Comp Med), Adv Dip Nat, Adv Dip Herb Med. Based in New Zealand, Erica Smith has eight years of experience as a Naturopath with Health World’s Technical Support team. As a principal teacher of Hemaview™ and a regular Metagenics seminar presenter, Erica indulges her passion for helping Practitioners in Australia and New Zealand to develop effective holistic protocols for health promotion. With a warm and motivating presentation style, Erica translates scientific research into practical clinical strategies, helping Practitioners keep up-to-date with the latest in Natural Medicine.

Laurence Katsaras ND, BHsc (Nat), Adv Dip Herb Med, Dip Nut Laurence is a Technical Research Officer at Metagenics. He is a Naturopath and has a special interest in herbal medicines and the use of scientific research to validate traditional herbal remedies. With many years of clinical experience in Australia and overseas, Laurence’s presentations are an ideal blend of technical and practical knowledge. He is an engaging presenter with an entertaining, relaxed style.

Andrew Thurgood BNat, BA(Hons), Dip Herb Med, Dip Irid, Dip Mass. Andrew is a Technical Research Officer with Metagenics. Andrew works on the production of Metagenics seminars, technical data sheets and educational programs, ensuring they meet the Metagenics standard of technical excellence and practical relevance. He is a Naturopath with many years of clinical, educational and research experience in the Natural Medicines Industry. Andrew brings his years of practical experience and technical expertise to his presentations, making every seminar interesting, clinically relevant and extremely valuable.
Metagenics is committed to providing the best education to all Practitioners no matter where they are. That’s why Metagenics seminars are presented at 47 venues throughout Australia and New Zealand. There’s a seminar venue near you:  QLD,NSW,ACT,VIC,SA,TAS,WA,NT,NZ www.metagenics.com.au

Microscopy Live & Dried Blood Analysis Training -

Intensive 2 day workshop, hands on training using quality microscopes; darkfield, phase and brightfield microscopy. Exploring haematology and incorporating the works of Bradford, Hoekstra, Mattman and Enderlein.  150 page color training manual of powerpoint presentation and CD reference pics
Date, Cost and Venue: 3rd and 4th March.  Cost: $1,350.  Venue: 111 Charman Road, Beaumaris, Melbourne, Victoria 3193.
Presenter: Chris Ravesi N.D. , D.Ac. see www.comonatmed.com.au for presenters CV
Email shirley@comonatmed.com.au or phone 03 9585 0616

Practitioner Forum 2012:  Herbal Medicine & Maternity Care Presented by Amie Steel N.D.
A series of four webinars on evidence-based herbal supportin pregnancy, birth and postnatal care. When prescribing herbal medicines in pregnancy,  birth and postnatal  care, the safety of the mother and developing child is the primary consideration.  The contention around safety concerns of herbal medicines can cause confusion for the practitioner aiming to treat their pregnant or postnatal care client safely and confidently with herbs. Naturopaths and herbalists are becoming more involved in providing maternity care.    This requires obtaining the skills to confidently prescribe herbal medicines and share available evidence with medical practitioners.  Evidence to support the use of herbal medicines during maternity care comes in many forms and requires critical analysis.  Having the expertise to determine good quality sources of evidence over poor sources is essential. This webinar series delivers the keys to confident, safe practice, over the course of maternity care, by providing an understanding of:

The common maternity-related conditions presented to natural health practitioners
Therapeutic herbal support for these conditions
How to translate evidence and research on this area of women’s health
How studies and research around the topic of maternity, birth and postnatal care are currently conducted
How to interpret the current available evidence and research, and discriminate the information that is being presented.

Amie  Steel is a naturopath with a Master of Public Health and is currently completing her PhD, exploring the role of complementary and alternative medicine practitioners  in  pregnancy, labour and birthing in Australia. Along with 11 years of clinical experience, she has also been published in peer-reviewed  ournals and textbooks on topics relating   to evidence based naturopathic practice, complementary and alternative medicine, and maternity care.  Through her business, Embrace Holistic Services, Amie also runs successful nation-wide workshops and seminars for natural therapists, midwives and obstetricians on integrative management and support throughout maternity.

Cost (including notes): Practitioners: $44.00 inc GST per webinar session.  Students: $16.50 inc GST per webinar session
Early Bird Special:  Book in for all four webinars by Monday 12th March, 2012 Practitioner: $143.00 inc GST Student: $59.40 inc GST
BOOK NOW:  Phone: 1300 443 727 or 02 9755 1933  Email: sales@herbalextracts.com.au  www.herbalextracts.com.au
*CPE points vary with each association.  Please check with your association for quantity of CPE points awarded.

Date Time & Topic:
Webinar One - First trimester, Monday 26th March, 2012 7:00 - 8:00pm AEST*
Webinar Two - Second trimester Thursday 26th April, 2012
Webinar Three -Third trimester & birth preparation Monday 28th May, 2012
Webinar Four - Birth & postnatal care, Thursday 28th June, 2012
* There will be extra time at the end for questions.

APRIL

Biological Terrain Analysis : Utilizing urine , saliva , blood and physiological parameters for advanced nutritional diagnostics and therapeutics. Incorporating the seminal works of Revici, Reams, Riddick, Schenker & Vincent. Includes 120 page training manual of powerpoint presentation.
Date, Cost and Venue: 31st March and 1st April.  Cost: $1350.  Venue: 111 Charman Road, Beaumaris. Melbourne, Victoria 3193.
Presenter; Chris Ravesi N.D. , D.Ac: see www.comonatmed.com.au for presenters CV
Email:  shirley@comonatmed.com.au or phone 03 95850616