WELLBEING

With the flu season dragging on, many are conducting their own research into natural and safe alternatives that don’t have severe side effects. TRUDY KITHER recommends some extreme immune-boosting herbs..

Research has found that it is possible to safely and effectively use high antioxidant herbs and high-quality supplements to naturally increase the immune system.

To avoid colds and flu this winter, here are some natural and safe alternatives to boost immunity.

Maritime Pine: The extract contains bioflavonoids and catechin, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, procyanidins, and taxifolin. It has some of the most abundant polyphenolic substances in the plant kingdom. These are called Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs)

Jacques Cartier, a French explorer, led a winter expedition up the St Lawrence River in New York in 1534. His crew soon found themselves trapped by ice and were forced to survive on hard biscuits and salted meat. They then began to show signs and symptoms of scurvy long before anyone knew what caused it.

By chance, a Native American showed them how to make tea from the needles and bark of pine trees. To their surprise, the men got better and survived.

Maritime Pine contains a potent antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral activities.

Its benefits are currently used for antioxidant therapy, asthma, diabetes, cholesterol reduction, chronic venous insufficiency and leg ulcers as well as for hypertension, gingival bleeding/plaque, oedema, retinopathy, sunburn.

It is shown to have antioxidant activity in several in-vitro, in-vivo, and human studies. The extract reduces lipid peroxidation and oxidation of LDL (the bad cholesterol).

Sweet Wormwood: Extracts have been used in traditional Chinese medicine and are used for many infectious microbial and viral diseases worldwide.

Artemisinin, the extract of Sweet Wormwood, is a potent antimalarial. Its various synthetic derivatives are among some of the most widely used malarial drugs in the world.

In 2015, the Nobel Prize was awarded to researchers who created treatments for some of humanity’s most prominent diseases, including malaria, river blindness, and other parasitic infections.

There may be more to sweet wormwood than just the derivative of artemisinin. A clinical trial showed that a decoction of sweet wormwood effectively eliminated symptoms and dramatically lowered parasite burden in adults with chronic malaria. The cure rates were, on average, 74 per cent, despite providing far lower levels of artemisinin than used as an isolated drug.

Ongoing work is still needed to identify all the synergistic compounds in sweet wormwood. In 2021, an in vitro study found that sweet wormwood extracts inhibited SARS-CoV-2 (the infectious substance of Covid 19) infection. The extracts’ active component was likely something besides artemisinin (or combining elements) that block the virus’s entry into the body.

Andrographis: This herb has a very long history of use for bacterial and viral infections. Effective for treating symptoms of colds, including sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, hoarseness, cough, chills, and fevers. An essential scientific finding was that a dose of 6gms daily of Andrographis is equivalent to, if not better, than paracetamol to treat sore throats and fevers, especially in upper respiratory tract infections.

Zinc: Needed for over 200 enzymatic reactions in the body, zinc is crucial for the normal development and function of white blood cells. A deficiency will dramatically reduce the ability to fight viruses and bacteria. Zinc is essential to produce the antibodies needed to remember previous infections and protect against them in the future.

Vitamin C: In reasonably high doses, Vitamin C increases the activity of infection-fighting white blood cells. It is most effective when given at the same time as zinc. Most Vitamin C is held in the adrenal glands, which are essentially the stress glands of your body. If you have been unbder stress or unwell a considerable amount of time, chances are that Vitamin C stores have been depleted.

Vitamin D3: High Doses of Vitamin D3 are responsible for your immune system. It can help push auto-immune disorders into remission and helps protect against respiratory conditions, aids in regulating calcium and phosphorous for bone health, lifts mood by supporting neurotransmitter production, builds immunity against foreign pathogens and helps cognition. Vitamin D3 also soothes inflammatory conditions in the body, suppresses renin to lower blood pressure, and assists in the growth of new cells. Trudy Kither is a naturopath and owner of Nature’s Temple. Visit naturestemple.net

Andrographis has long been used for bacterial and viral infections.

INDUSTRY EXPERTS

AGED CARE

Vitamin C – are you getting enough?

Vitamin C is essential for the production of healthy collagen, the major protein that gives structure to your skin, bones and connective tissues.

It is also crucial for wound healing and helps absorb iron from your diet. As it is a powerful antioxidant, it protects bone cells from damage. It is also anti-inflammatory.

Older Australians who are housebound and people who rely on packaged meals are most at risk of Vitamin C deficiency.

The recommended daily intake of Vitamin C for adults over 70 is 45mg. There are many fruits and vegetables with good supplies of Vitamin C including mangoes, pineapples, papaya, rockmelon, berries, citrus, tomatoes, broccoli and capsicum.

If you enjoy coleslaw, one cup of cabbage has about 36 mg of Vitamin C.

Vitamin C levels drop once fruit is cut, so prepare when you are ready to eat.

Check with your doctor before taking Vitamin C supplements. Excess is excreted via the kidneys and an oversupply can put a strain on your renal system.

If you are concerned about your diet or that of an older family member, speak to your doctor. You may be eligible for support from a dietician.

KENDALL MORTON DIRECTOR, HOME CARE ASSISTANCE SUNSHINE COAST 42 BULCOCK STREET, 5491 6888 HOMECAREASSISTANCESUNSHINE COAST.COM.AU

XRAY & IMAGING

Effective pain relief that lasts

Radiofrequency neurotomy (or RFN) is a specialised, minimally invasive procedure that is used to provide intermediate to long-term pain relief from chronic pains, such as knee pain, neck pain and lower back pain.

Radiofrequency treatment is a 30- to 45-minute procedure that uses heat generated by radio waves to target the nerves responsible for your pain. This interrupts the nerves sending pain signals to the brain and can provide long-lasting pain reduction.

The nerves that have been treated will eventually grow back and when this happens the pain will probably return, at which time the procedure can be repeated. Some of our patients have been returning to us every year for more than 10 years with great results.

If you think you could benefit from RFN, ask your GP if you might be suitable for a referral to X-Ray & Imaging Pain Clinic for consultation, investigation and treatment with our specialist pain doctors.

For bookings, email painclinic@xrayimaging.com.au.

DR SALLY JOHNSTONE RADIOLOGIST X-RAY AND IMAGING 5436 0888, XRAYIMAGING.COM.AU

INDUSTRY EXPERTS

ENTITLEMENTS

Help is at hand to navigate the maze of Centrelink

The more I work with Centrelink the more I am amazed at the complexity of the whole assessment process.

So, you think it would be easy to write a column with so much to talk about. I tend to overthink things as I look for a topic that would appeal to the wider audience.Let me try this one – I am seeing a new trend out of Centrelink.

If you are applying for any of Centrelink’s payments and have had dealings with Centrelink in the past, you could be asked to justify an investment, bank account, business, or property etc. that you no longer own or are associated with.

This could be an asset/income from a couple years ago or, as I have seen, as far back as more than 10 years.

There are a number of ways we can help you find your way through the maze.

We can assist with informative guidance, with liaising with Centrelink on your behalf; and by ensuring that the assessment when done is correct and you are receiving the maximum pension you are entitled to.

NARELLE COOPER

DIRECTOR CAPA SERVICES CENTRE FOR AGE PENSION ADMIN SERVICES 07 5354 0144 OR 1300 043 197 ADMIN@CAPASERVICES.COM.AU

LEGAL

Do you know where your original Will is?

Recently, our firm assisted in a matter where the original Will of our client’s late father could not be located. Our client could only locate a copy of the signed Will.

The court ended up admitting the copy of the Will to probate and the administration of the estate was able to progress, however it required a significant amount of research, evidence and a court order. The court must be satisfied that: a) there was actually a Will, adopting or purporting to embody the deceased’s testamentary intentions; b) the document revoked all previous Wills; c) the presumption that a Will has been destroyed by the testator when not produced must be overcome (i.e. ‘did the deceased destroy the original on purpose with the intention that it no longer be his/her last Will?’); d) there is evidence of the terms of the Will; and e) there is either evidence of due execution or that the deceased person intended the document to constitute his/her Will.

To avoid extra hassle and expense it is best to keep your original Will safe (preferably in a safe).

FUTURE CHOICES

There are ways to care for the carers suffering burnout

Carer fatigue and burnout is a real experience and can silently affect even the strongest people.

Whether living with an older person or trying to support them from a distance, the caring role can have real health impacts for the carer.

There are a few ways to reduce carer burnout, such as taking a break and getting assistance from services.

Respite care can be provided in-home or in aged care.

The government provides 63 days annually for people approved for residential respite care.

In-home respite care is provided as part of the home care package.

These services help you to care for your loved one over a longer period of time, reducing the stress and enhancing the experience.

It is important to find services that will work in partnership with you as a carer.

Contact Your Future Care to discuss how together we can explore the aged care industry and find a suitable solution.

TRENT WAKERLEY DIRECTOR, KRUGER LAW LEVEL 3, OCEAN CENTRAL, OCEAN STREET, MAROOCHYDORE. 5443 9600 KRUGERLAW.COM.AU CARMEL MORGAN DIRECTOR YOUR FUTURE CARE, 0488 221 678 CARMEL@YOURFUTURECARE.COM.AU YOURFUTURECARE.COM.AU

ORTHOPAEDIC

Shoulder pain

Shoulder pain is one of the most common reasons for a patient to see an orthopaedic surgeon. Sometimes there is a clear injury such as a shoulder dislocation. Pain may develop after lifting something too often or too heavy. More often there may be no incident at all that leads to shoulder pain. Pain can be felt anywhere from the neck to the elbow.

Minor shoulder problems may be due to inflammation in the bursa causing pain with movement, or perhaps inflammation in the joint causing a frozen shoulder. These conditions often do well with conservative treatments such as steroid injections and physiotherapy.

More serious conditions such as rotator cuff tears and tearing of the shoulder lining (labrum) may require surgery to repair. These types of shoulder problems often result in more than just pain but loss of shoulder movement and loss of strength and function. Specialist shoulder surgeons often take further fellowship training internationally and are able to repair rotator cuffs and labrums through minimally invasive keyhole techniques.

DR SHANE BLACKMORE SUNSHINE COAST ORTHOPAEDIC GROUP SUNSHINE COAST UNIVERSITY PRIVATE HOSPITAL. SUITE 12, 3 DOHERTY STREET, BIRTINYA. 5493 8038. SCORTHOGROUP.COM.AU