May 2007 Newsletter

Prof Mark Wahlqvist AO, MD, FRACP Immediate Past President International Union of Nutritional Science

Welcome to the May edition of the HEC newsletter

Dr Antigone Kouris-Blazos PhD, Grad Dip Diet, BSc (Hons) Honorary Nutrition Research Fellow, Monash University

Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition Read abstracts of the new edition vol16 (1) Read abstracts of the edition vol16 (2) Subscribe to APJCN for only $195 hardcopy and online or $150 on-line only

WHAT'S NEW IN RESEARCH

Ginseng

Ginseng is appearing in some 'energy drinks' and in some vitamin supplements.
What is it and does it confer any health benefits or risks?

Asian/Korean ginseng (or Panax Ginseng) has been a part of Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. The first reference to the use of Asian ginseng dates to the 1st century A.D. The botanical name Panax means "all-heal" in Greek, and was applied to this genus because Linnaeus (Swedish botanist, 1775) was aware of its wide use in Chinese medicine. Ginseng is commonly used by elderly people in the Orient to improve mental and physical vitality.

There are three different herbs commonly called ginseng: Asian or Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) , American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) , and Siberian “ginseng” ( Eleutherococcus senticosus ). The latter herb is actually not ginseng at all.

Asian (Panax) ginseng is a perennial herb with a taproot resembling the shape of the human body. It grows in northern China, Korea, and Russia. The rhizome is most often available in dried form, either in whole or sliced form. Ginseng leaf, although not as highly prized, is sometimes also used mainly in energy drinks, functional foods or herbal teas; as with the rhizome it is most often available in dried form.
Commission E is a German government regulatory agency composed of scientists, pharmacists, toxicologists, physicians and herbalists that produce a series of evidence based documents known as herbal monographs. These are formal reviews of medicinal herbs based on the available scientific evidence as well as evidence from traditional use, case studies and the experience of modern herbalists. These monographs are considered to provide authoritative information, including approved uses of the herbs and their side effects, interactions and doses. What does Commission E say about ginseng? It approves its use for fatigue, debility, declining capacity for work and concentration and during convalescence. It may also be beneficial in prediabetes and diabetes more...


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New Products for Health and Fitness

STEP FIT Exercise or rehab step for fitness & weight loss

Boreham et al., (British J Sports Med, 2005; 39: 590-593) have shown that as little as 11minutes of stepping per day improves fitness and cardiovascular risk factors and to be equivalent to a 30min walk.

Compared with some plastic aerobic steps, stepfit is cheaper ($120 includes free delivery anywhere in Australia), better suited for all ages, for rehab and for larger builds (suitable for weights up to 300kg). It has a unique design because it can be assembled/ disassembled in seconds without nails/screws and can be flat packed and posted anywhere in the world weighing only 2kg. go to stepfit website Purchase with PAYPAL OR download order form and pay by CHEQUE or DIRECT DEBIT

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NUTRITION RESOURCES ON THE WEB

If you need help with your diet, why not consult a dietitian.
They can assess your nutritional status and prepare dietary plans and recommend supplements to correct nutritional inadequacies; they can help you manage various disorders like diabetes, high cholesterol, fatty liver, hypertension, kidney problems, gastrointestinal problems, oesteoporosis, allergies, weight management etc.

To find a dietitian in your state (Australia) click here

Please note that Dietetics is now on Medicare through the Enhanced Primary Care Plan.
Up to 5 visits to a dietitian are allowed on this plan in a calender year for eligible patients - ask your doctor for eligibility and for the referral. Many dietitians are bulk billing these visits (or charging a small gap).

If you live in Melbourne why not come and see Dr Antigone Kouris, who is now consulting at 5 clinics -
see home page
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