Blackmores Institute

With the continued demand for quality complementary medicine information, we're here to ensure you are well-equipped to confidently and safely work with your patients to support good health. Tailored for busy healthcare professionals, Blackmores Institute translates complex research into practical, easy-to-understand and apply, resources, and tools. Your FREE Blackmores Institute membership offers access you to our: 🔬 Complementary Medicine Interactions Guide 🔬 Natural medicines ingredient fact sheets 🔬 Conditions fact sheets 🔬 Latest research on natural, complementary, and integrative medicines 🔬 Pharmacist CPD accredited online education Join Blackmores Institute today to integrate quality, safety, and efficacy into the heart of your natural medicine recommendations. 👉 Sign up: https://brnw.ch/21wNQ8r #Research #Education #Innovation #NaturalHealth #ScienceCommunications #IntegrativeHealthcare #ComplementaryMedicine #ClinicalPractice #HealthcareInnovation #ContinuingEducation #CPDAccredited #CPD #CMIG

💪 ACTIVE INDIVIDUALS || Consider magnesium for energy, performance, recovery, and pain. We all know that regular physical activity is fundamental for health, however, experiencing fatigue, general aches and pains, or chronic pain, can significantly interfere with an individual’s ability to engage in exercise. Magnesium plays an essential role in supporting energy levels and musculoskeletal health - making it a key nutrient to support those who are active, or trying to increase their activity. Supplementation with magnesium has been found to support muscle cramps, reduce muscle soreness and improve bone mineral density. A recent study also found that the chance of experiencing chronic pain decreased by 7% for every additional milligram of magnesium consumed per kilogram of body weight. It is important to note that athletes, or people engaging in intense exercise, may have a higher demand for magnesium due to: ➡️ An increased elimination of magnesium through the sweat and urine ➡️ Increases in energy production demands with activity 👉 Learn more about the role of magnesium in supporting active individuals here: https://brnw.ch/21wNNCR #Magnesium #Musculoskeletal #Energy #Fatigue #Performance #Recovery #Pain #ChronicPain #Exercise #ComplementaryMedicine #EvidenceBased #ExerciseRecovery #MuscleCramps

DIGITAL EYESTRAIN (DE) || The supportive role of nutrients DE describes both eye and vision concerns resulting from the use of personal computers, smartphones, and tablets, as well as online gaming and virtual reality gaming headsets, known as visual digital terminals. While DE has been a known health issue for over 20 years and commonly impacts gamers and office workers, there is growing concern over its increased prevalence across all occupations and age groups, given the everyday reliance on digital devices in modern life. Recent statistics on internet use show that the typical global internet user spends close to seven hours a day online, across a variety of devices. Research has shown that a combination of several nutrients can have a protective and supportive role in vision and eye health, including: ✅ Lutein & zeaxanthin: Support macula and retina health, filter blue light, relieve eye strain, support mental concentration, provide antioxidant support. ✅ Vitamin B5: Supports energy levels. ✅ Vitamin C: Provides antioxidant support for eye health. Lifestyle factors such as improved diet, sleep hygiene, frequent rest periods when undertaking intense periods of screen time, blue light blocking glasses, and lubricating eye drops should also be considered to prevent or reduce DE. 👉 To read more about DE and discover key dietary and lifestyle recommendations to support eye health, read this article: https://brnw.ch/21wNJrb #WorldSightDay #DigitalEyestrain #Nutrients #ComplementaryMedicine #EvidenceBased #Eyestrain #EyeHealth #VisionHealth

🪫 WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY || Understanding burnout World Mental Health Day is an important day to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world. This year, the focus is on prioritising mental health in the workplace. Burnout is a result of chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed, and presents with emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. A recent national workplace health survey reported that almost half of Australian workers are feeling burnt out and fatigued. Research by Dr Christina Maslach reveals that the six key drivers to burnout include: 1️⃣ Workload: The balance between demands and resources you have to do the job, time, tools, etc 2️⃣ Control: The amount of choice and discretion that people have in carrying out their job 3️⃣ Reward: Positive feedback and recognition 4️⃣ Community: Work relationships, trust, support and belonging 5️⃣ Fairness: The presence of impartial and ethical practices and policies. 6️⃣ Values: Purpose, meaning in what you do, accomplishments. Attending to these are key to healthy mental wellbeing in the workplace. Additionally, it is important to: ✅ Prioritise your self-care through a healthy diet, mindset, movement, and downtime. ✅ Build a healthy work life balance ✅ Discover what motivates, energises and inspires you in the workplace. 👉 Find out more about World Mental Health Day here: https://brnw.ch/21wNCwv 👉 To further understand stress, mental fatigue and burnout, and learn more key approaches to healthy stress management, check out Dr Lesley Braun's Mental Wellbeing book here: https://brnw.ch/21wNCwu Reference: https://brnw.ch/21wNCww #WorldMentalHealthDay #Anxiety #Depression #MentalHealth #MentalWellbeing #WHO #WorldHealthOrganisation #Burnout #Stress #Anxiety #Depression #EvidenceBased #wmhd24

🔴 VESTIBULAR MIGRAINE || Non-prescription therapies may reduce symptoms Often occurring in post-menopausal women, vestibular migraine is a type of migraine where headaches may be replaced by episodic spontaneous vertigo, nausea and vomiting, bilateral tinnitus, and susceptibility to motion sickness. Prescription pharmaceutical therapy often fails to work and carries a burden of adverse effects for many patients. Therefore, finding natural alternatives is crucial. A recent 2024 study provided preliminary evidence that non-prescription therapies can effectively reduce the frequency and severity of vestibular migraine symptoms. Over a three-month period, patients were advised to optimise sleep, hydration, exercise, and nutrition, while taking a supplement containing: ➡️ CoQ10 ➡️ Feverfew ➡️ Magnesium ➡️ Riboflavin ➡️ Vitamin B6 ➡️ Folinic acid ➡️ Vitamin B12 Providing hope for those experiencing vestibular migraines, significant decreases in the frequency and severity of vestibular migraine were identified following intervention. Supplementation was well-tolerated with no serious adverse events reported. 👉 Read the full article to learn more about vestibular migraine and natural approaches for management: https://brnw.ch/21wNAhP #Migraine #MigraineManagement #VestibularMigraine #ComplementaryMedicine #CoQ10 #Feverfew #Magnesium #VitaminB2 #Riboflavin #VitaminB6 #FolinicAcid #VitaminB12 #EvidenceBased #NaturalMedicine

BONE AND JOINT HEALTH || Omega-3 fatty acids Omega-3 fatty acids are chondroprotective and reduce inflammation. These properties can result in significant improvements in pain and function in patients with arthritis. 🖐️ Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): Beneficial effects are seen with some symptoms of RA including joint swelling, pain, duration of morning stiffness, disease activity, and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). 🖐️ Osteoarthritis (OA): Whilst there is less clinical research on the use of omega-3 fatty acids in OA compared to RA, studies have confirmed beneficial effects in controlling symptoms. Dosage range: ≥2.7 g/day EPA + DHA. Benefits may be expected after supplementation for approximately 3 months. 👉 To read more about the role of omega-3 fatty acids in joint health and explore possible interactions and contraindications, check out our fact sheet here: https://brnw.ch/21wNvFt #JointHealth #BoneHealth #Omega3 #Omega3FattyAcids #ComplementaryMedicine #Nutrition #EvidenceBased #Osteoarthritis #RheumatoidArthritis

UBIQUINOL || Active coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) Ubiquinol accounts for 96% of total CoQ10 in human plasma. It has two key actions: ➡️ Energy production: Ubiquinol known as 'natures spark plug' for its critical role in the electron transport chain, necessary for the production of the energy molecule, adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ➡️ Potent antioxidant activity: Ubiquinol helps to decrease inflammation, reduce cellular free radical damage, and assist with the regeneration of other antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E. Through these key actions, ubiquinol exerts a wide range of health benefits through supporting: ✅ Cellular energy production ✅ Cognitive health ✅ Fertility health ✅ Heart function ✅ Immune health ✅ Menopausal symptoms ✅ Vascular health Insufficient levels have been associated with various health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, type II diabetes mellitus, muscular dystrophy, and statin-associated muscle symptoms. The combination of endogenous biosynthesis and dietary intake is usually sufficient to prevent deficiency in healthy individuals. However, factors such as ageing, nutrient deficiencies, oxidative stress, chronic conditions, use of certain medications, and genetic predisposition can impact levels of ubiquinol in the body warranting supplementation. #Ubiquinol #CoQ10 #Energy #Antioxidant #ComplementaryMedicine #EvidenceBased #NaturalMedicine #IntegrativeMedicine #CardiovascularHealth #HeartHealth #ImmuneHealth #CognitiveHealth

Elevate your understanding of natural medicines with our CMEd certification program, designed to enhance the confident, safe recommendation of complementary medicines. Key areas covered include: 🌱 Vitamins 🌱 Minerals 🌱 Herbs 🌱 Essential fatty acids 🌱 Probiotics 🌱 Delivering integrative care This CPD-accredited, flexible, online program empowers pharmacists with practical knowledge and skills, supported by case studies and research insights. Enrol in CMEd today and earn up to 35 CPD (Group 2) points, ensuring your practice remains at the forefront of patient care. 👉 Learn more here: https://brnw.ch/21wNmSM #PharmacistEducation #PharmacistTraining #ComplementaryMedicine #NaturalMedicine #IntegrativeMedicine #CPDTraining #PharmacistCPD #CMEd

THE STRESS RESPONSE || What's going on in the body? Stress is an inevitable part of being human, as we are continually engaging in responses to either perceived or actual threats. These threats, termed stressors, can be either physiological or psychological, with the stress response triggered by stressors such as changes in temperature to being stuck in traffic. Here's what happens in the body when it experiences a stressor: 1️⃣ The amygdala activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis 2️⃣ The hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) 3️⃣ CRH stimulates the pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) triggering the release of cortisol from the adrenal glands 4️⃣ The hypothalamus activates the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), triggering adrenaline and noradrenaline release from the adrenal glands. Adrenaline and cortisol are responsible for the physiological effects of stress. Whilst certain levels can be beneficial, prolonged stress can impair physical, mental, and emotional functioning. Due to the negative health implications associated with chronic stress, it is vital to ensure effective stress management through supportive dietary and lifestyle approaches, such as: ✅ Incorporating key stress-supporting nutrients such as B complex vitamins, magnesium, vitamin C, and the herbs ashwagandha and magnolia. ✅ Practicing meditation and mindfulness, engaging in regular exercise, and prioritising supportive social interactions. 👉 To explore more evidence-based, clinically relevant advice on how to support patients in the effective management of stress, check out Dr Lesley Braun's Mental Wellbeing book here: https://brnw.ch/21wNijp #Stress #Cortisol #Adrenaline #Wellbeing #StressManagement #EvidenceBased #MentalHealth

COENZYME Q10 (CoQ10) || Crucial for heart and muscle health Statin drugs are indicated for lowering cholesterol, and are the most widely prescribed medicines in Australia. The number of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin prescriptions totalled 29,080,627 in 2022-23. However, while statins are effective at lowering lipid levels, they also reduce the production of the heart essential nutrient CoQ10. At least 9 observational studies and 6 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) show statins reduce plasma levels of CoQ10 by 16–54%. Considering the target condition is cardiovascular disease (CVD), this is a concern, as reduced CoQ10 levels may lead to poorer cardiovascular outcomes and statin-induced myopathy. Therefore, CoQ10 may be a valuable support nutrient for patients with CVD who are taking statins. A recent 2023 meta-analysis of 50 RCTs found supplementation with CoQ10 resulted in a significant: 🔬 Reduction in total cholesterol 🔬 Reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol 🔬 Reduction in triglycerides 🔬 Increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Evidence indicates optimal effects at 400-500 mg/day for reducing total cholesterol levels, and ≥200 mg/day to reduce statin-associated muscle symptoms. Read more about the supportive role of CoQ10 in statin prescribing here: https://brnw.ch/21wNdQ8 #WorldHeartDay #CoQ10 #CoenzymeQ10 #CardiovascularDisease #CVD #HeartHealth #Cholesterol #NaturalMedicine #ComplementaryMedicine #EvidenceBased #Statins