Cancer is one of the main health burdens in developed countries. The increasing cancer survival rate has seen more people now living after cancer diagnosis and for longer. This brings with it a myriad of different requirements for these people. One area that is highly debated is the nutritional advice given to patients after cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment. Research on dietary regimens post-cancer treatment have had varied opinions, which can cause confusion for patients as well as health practitioners. Examining the research on post diagnosis has found that after people are diagnosed with cancer, it provides an opportunity for health practitioners to assist change, as it is seen as a ‘teachable moment’. This means that a majority of cancer patients are open to change once they have been diagnosed. Health practitioners are very well placed to assist these patients to bring about changes in both their diet and lifestyle. However, having the current knowledge behind the correct dietary advice is extremely important. What has been well established is that the Western diet is detrimental and a healthy, unprocessed/prudent diet has been found to be beneficial.
Keywords: Cancer, diet, healthy diet, ketogenic diet.

Background: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a viral liver disease characterised by oxidative stress and inflammation leading to fibrosis, liver injury, cirrhosis and increased risk of liver cancer and reduced quality of life (QOL). Antioxidant phytonutrients have potential to limit inflammation and reduce co-morbidities associated with CHC. This randomised, placebo-controlled trial investigated the effects of two naturopathic treatments consisting of antioxidant nutrients and herbal medicines against placebo on liver function and QOL in people with CHC.
Methods: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in three Australian teaching hospitals in New South Wales. One hundred and eighteen participants with compensated CHC-related disease were recruited through liver outpatient clinics and randomised to one of three groups: silymarin; silymarin with 13 other antioxidants (SOX); or placebo. Study duration was 48 weeks: 24 weeks on active treatment or placebo, and 24 weeks follow-up post treatment. Outcome measures included alanine aminotransferase (ALT), F2-isoprostanes (oxidative stress), HCV RNA (viral load), FibroTest (liver damage), and QOL.
Results: The use of silymarin with antioxidants (SOX) achieved a higher rate of ALT normalisation (primary outcome) than placebo (P=0.02) or silymarin alone (P=0.003) at week 24. In addition, there was significant improvement in the Hepatitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (HQLQ) Mental Component Summary (MCS) in the SOX group (P=0.002). There were no significant changes in F2-isoprostanes, HCV RNA or FibroTest.
Conclusions: This study has shown that the use of a complex naturopathic herbal and nutritional treatment can normalise ALT and improve QOL in participants with compensated CHC-related disease.
Keywords: Silymarin, antioxidants, chronic hepatitis C, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, quality of life, vitality, naturopathy.
ANZCTR clinical register: ACTRN12614000966695

A significant proportion of patients who present with skin disorders have concomitant psychopathology. It has been suggested that besides its primary physiological roles, the skin may also be an organ of expression or outlet for anxiety and emotional issues, and psychological stress may manifest on the skin in the absence of any identifiable skin disease.
This case study describes the treatment of skin pathology of unknown aetiology where the manifestation corresponds with periods of emotional and psychosocial stress. It demonstrates the importance of a naturopathic treatment strategy that incorporates emotional health considerations and treatment with herbal formulations. The skin condition in this case was successfully treated and the beneficial effects of herbal medicine extended to improved nervous system function, with better sleep and emotional health and digestive tract function with reduced bloating. This case illustrates a naturopathic approach for the successful treatment of a perplexing skin condition.
Keywords: Anxiety, psycho-emotional, psychosocial, naturopathic medicine, skin disorders, herbal medicine.

These abstracts are brief summaries of articles which have appeared in recent issues of herbal medicine journals, some of which may be held in the NHAA library.

These abstracts are brief summaries of articles in recent issues of medical journals. Articles selected are of a general nature for the information of practitioners of naturopathy and herbal medicine. A dominant theme is often present throughout the journals, which will be reflected in the reviews.

The AJHNM-based CPE questionnaire system is a voluntary system designed to assist members in the accumulation of NHAA CPE points. Questions are divided into the appropriate subject categories (herbal medicine and medical science) and each question refers to an article in this issue of the Australian Journal of Herbal and Naturopathic Medicine. Points accumulated through completion of these questions should be recorded in the NHAA CPE diary. Each completed question is worth one mark in the relevant category. Your completed CPE diary should be returned with your membership renewal at the end of the calendar year. For further information please see the NHAA CPE Member’s Manual on the NHAA website www.nhaa.org.au.