Nicotinamide riboside (NR) has recently been discovered as having several health benefits as an anti-aging and longevity vitamin, including increasing energy, boosting cognitive health, reducing the risk of heart disease and promoting DNA repair, due to its ability to raise coenzyme NAD+ levels. So, what exactly is it, how does it work, and does it…

We know that our diet and our mental health are inextricably linked. Extensive research has demonstrated that good nutrition is associated with better mental health outcomes and a poor diet can lead to a number of different conditions such as depression and anxiety. But why is this so? And what can we do about it?…

A growing number of athletes, trainers, celebrities and wellness influencers are espousing the use of cold-water immersion therapy. But what is it, how do you do it properly and can it really be of benefit to our health? When practiced on a regular basis, cold water immersion therapy can provide long-lasting changes to your body’s…

The rate of mental health issues in Australia is increasing. The National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing conducted in 2007 found that an estimated 1 in 5 (20%) Australians aged 16–85 experienced a mental disorder in the previous 12 months (ABS 2008). 1 With such a high proportion of our communities reporting mental health…

Stress is the body’s reaction to harmful situations – whether they’re real or perceived. When you feel threatened, a chemical reaction occurs in your body that allows you to act in a way to prevent injury. This reaction is known as “fight-or-flight” or the stress response. During the stress response, your heart rate increases, breathing quickens, muscles…

The Link between brain inflammation and Mental illness in Australia and worldwide is getting a lot more validated research.  Neurologist, Dr. Perlmutter, stated: most brain diseases are diseases of brain inflammation. But when the brain is inflamed, it doesn’t effect you like inflamed joints or a sore throat. It takes form as other cognitive problems.…

Brain fog, also described as mental fatigue, is a symptom of other medical conditions. It’s a type of cognitive dysfunction involving: memory problems lack of mental clarity – slow thinking or not thinking clearly poor concentration inability to focus  feeling confused or forgetful a kind of haziness or mental fatigue When is brain fog a…

  More than 70% of menstrual migraines sufferers in Australia are women. And more than half of them get severe, debilitating headaches before or during their periods. This is often caused by estrogen levels dropping sharply at that point in a woman’s menstrual cycle. (1) These hormone-triggered migraines can have a profoundly negative effect on…

The concepts of Functional Medicine are well suited for disorders like Autism Spectrum Disorder. The development of autism involves multiple organ system imbalances, including the brain, gut and immune systems and detoxification pathways. There is a wide range of severities and causes for children and adults with autism, so not everyone should be treated in…

  Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neuropsychiatric disorder in children and is increasing in prevalence in Australia. Six percent of children are now being treated with ADHD medication and ADHD diagnoses have increased by 42 percent in the past eight years.(1) While medication can certainly help, Functional Medicine focusses on what…