Glandular Therapy for Thyroid and Adrenal Function
Transcription
Glandular Therapy for Thyroid and Adrenal Function
ISSUE 48 - MAY 2013 BANT British Association for Applied Nutriton & Nutritional Therapy Don’t forget to subscribe or follow us: Main photo: Melanie de Grooth www.melanie-jane.co.uk Welcome to May e-News Glandular Therapy for Thyroid and Adrenal Function Is glandular therapy safe and effective? Jane Nodder and Catherine Honeywell investigate arguments and evidence for and against glandular therapy. read more Inside this issue • Chair’s Report The latest on Nutrigenetic Counsellors • Featured Article Arguments and Evidence for and Against Glandular Therapy • A Leading Edge Approach to Health and Disease Video of the month • Strategic Plan - The Latest • The Latest BANT Approved Clinic Materials • Data Protection What Does it Mean for Nutritional Therapists? •N ew Media Resource for Members • R egional Co-ordinators Needed •S ports Nutrition CPD • FREE Tickets for BANT Members, Friends, Family and Clients • ANH International Update Looks at the pressing problems surrounding todays healthcare system and how this effects you and your clients • Nutrition Intern Needed • Recipe of the Month Cocoa Orange Flapjack • BANT Listed CPD and Conferences Chair’s Report Dear Members, As the weather slowly warms up, I would like to focus on some hot topics that have been the centre of heated discussions in recent days. The collective of professionals - both qualified and in training - forming the Nutritional Therapy community is growing. A larger community also means a potential larger number of sales targets. A “new market” has emerged, with our own specific needs. DISCLAIMER - BANT does not endorse any products, services, jobs or seminars advertised in the newsletter. read more Welcome page 2 Chair’s Report As the weather slowly warms advice to promote and maintain optimal health up, I would like to focus on through all life stages. The new paradigm of some hot topics that have personal health nutrition demands broadened been the centre of heated competencies and an increased capability of discussions in recent days. The collective of nutritional therapists to encompass areas such as professionals - both qualified and in training genetics, genomics, toxicology, risk assessment - forming the Nutritional Therapy community and communication, and an appreciation of the is growing. A larger community also means a ethical, legal and social issues surrounding the potentially larger number of sales targets. use of genetic information. First registration will Sales Cold Calls A “new market” has emerged, with our own specific needs. As a result, various organisations mushroom out of nowhere offering products and services that are “NT-specific”. We live in a free market economy where, by definition, each exchange is a voluntary agreement between two parties who trade in the form of goods and be based on experience in the field. If you have attended company-specific training in the past, e.g. the Genovations two-day course, you will soon be able to apply and be one of the first registrants. Members of the public will be able to find Nutrigenetic Counsellors from our member search facility, and you will be listed as such on your member page. services. I respect every individual’s decision to The first and most important pre-requisite is to exert their free will. pass all 3 existing Functional Medicine modules However, I would call for acute awareness of any deals that may sound suspicious or “too good to be true”. I would also call for use of common sense. If you feel bullied into making a decision or into making a payment over the phone, take a few seconds to breathe deep, get the control back in that situation and don’t be embarrassed by saying “thanks, but no thanks”. Those who’ve been following recent conversations on LinkedIn would know who I am referring to. When approached by any such organisations, I would ask you to think about who you’d like to be aligned with. By being aligned with those organisations with the highest professional standards only, you are making a on the Learning Zone with at least an 80% mark. Whether you have had previous training or not, you can at least prepare ahead and get going with those modules. They’re free to access to Strategy Update all BANT members and are an excellent way to read more revise your knowledge of Functional Medicine. If you have had no previous training and/or have never used Nutrigenetic testing before, please don’t worry. BANT will provide this training for you. More details on registration and training will be announced closer to the launch date, and the newly formed Nutritional Therapy Education read more during the summer. all of those who have registered for the BANT if in doubt, post your questions in the LinkedIn Subgroups. Clinical Questions @BANT and practical, I am delighted to announce that the Register of Nutrigenetic Counsellors will be launched on 1 June. This fulfils BANT’s commitment to the Human Genetics Commission (HGC) that it would set up an advanced practice register covering Nutrigenetic Counselling following the HGC’s ‘Genes Direct’ reports in 2003 and 2007. Advancing knowledge in nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics heralds a new era in the contribution of personal nutrition Communications training and an advanced practice framework too. Again, please use your common sense and, Now, moving onto something a little more read more at BANT Update And last, but not least, I would like to thank Nutrigenetic Counsellors Professional Practice Committee Update Commission will be consulting on standards for statement to yourself and to the rest of the world group. Monthly updates from BANT Committees and Teams Learning @BANT have really taken off and I’m absolutely thrilled that these are proving to be popular learning platforms. Those of you who have not joined each of the subgroups yet, please do so by clicking here and please pass on the message to your peers to do so too. Thank you. Wishing you a great month ahead, Miguel Toribio-Mateas Chair of BANT Council Regional Co-ordinators Update read more Continued Professional Development Committee Update read more Clinical Supervision Project read more Student Update read more Featured Article page 3 Glandular Therapy for Thyroid and Adrenal Function Jane Nodder Catherine Honeywell MSc Nut. Med., Dip ION, mBANT, NTCC and CNHC Registered Jane Nodder has been a BANT Director since February 2011. She was previously a member, and subsequently Chair, of the BANT Ethics Committee (now the Professional Practice Committee) for over eight years. Jane has an MSc in Nutritional Medicine from the University of Surrey and is Senior Clinic Supervisor and Course Leader for the MSc Nutritional Therapy programme at the University of Westminster. She is CNHC registered and practices nutritional therapy in a number of locations in London. Jane is overseeing the Clinical Governance workstream within BANT. As part of the endocrine system, glands produce messenger proteins (hormones) that regulate functions such as metabolism, immunity, growth and sexual development. As we have seen in previous articles on the thyroid and the adrenal glands, clients can be very unwell when the endocrine system malfunctions. The concept of glandular therapy is not new. Historically, animal glands have been used to support the function of the equivalent human gland and re-balance the endocrine system, whilst modern glandular therapy primarily involves the use of animal tissue concentrates in liquid or powder form to support the thyroid and adrenal glands in particular. Such products may be indicated when the endocrine system is under-producing a specific hormone, or when an organ is weakened or diseased, for example in clients with cancer, suppressed immunity BSc (Hons) Food Science, Dip RAW, MBANT, NTCC and CNHC Registered, Recognised PruHealth Provider Catherine Honeywell was previously Chair of BANT Council for two years and is currently Chair of the BANT Professional Practice Committee (PPC). Catherine has a BSc Honours in Food Science and Nutrition, a Diploma in Nutritional Therapy and is CNHC registered. She practises nutritional therapy in a number of locations in and around the South East and delivers regular corporate workshops, seminars and consultations to major multi-national companies in the UK and abroad, working closely with GPs, endocrinologists and oncologists. Catherine works with Jane on the Clinical Governance workstream and is a member of the Clinical Supervision Project team. or thyroid insufficiency. However, despite their traditional use and favourable reviews in natural medicine publications, primary research evidence for the use of glandular extracts is minimal, and opinion remains divided within the nutritional therapy profession with regards to the safety, efficacy and mechanism of action of glandular products. In this third article in the series on ‘Compromised Thyroid and Adrenal Function’, Jane Nodder and Catherine Honeywell address some of these issues to help practitioners inform their practice with individual patients. History of the Use of Glandular Extracts Adrenal cortical extracts have been used by doctors in the treatment of nonAddison’s type of hypoadrenia since they became commercially available in 1918 (Harrower 1939). Until the 1940s/1950s, glandular extracts were in worldwide clinical use as potent promoters of health, and were the subject of a considerable research into their use. Preparations were produced by several companies, including some leading pharmaceutical organisations, well into the 1960s. The basic hypothesis underpinning the mechanism of action of glandular extracts is that the oral ingestion of material from glandular tissue from animals will deliver cell, and gland, specific factors to improve the function of the corresponding human gland. The principle is that as biologically active proteins, glandulars remain stable in the gut, and a percentage of physiologically active molecules passes intact into the circulatory system. Following the arrival of synthetic cortisol in the early 1950s, many physicians Featured Article page 4 Glandular Therapy for Thyroid and Adrenal Function switched to treating patients with adrenal conditions with corticosteroids as the effects seemed much more ‘dramatic’ than the effects of adrenal extracts. Likewise, thyroid conditions were managed with thyroid hormone. As research focused increasingly on medications that were likely to be more profitable for the pharmaceutical companies, research into glandular extracts stopped and the use of whole glands or glandular extracts went out of favour. Unlike glandular extracts that contain the constituents of the original glandular tissue, corticosteroids replace the hormone they mimic. As such, they do not necessarily function exactly as the natural hormone which can result in detrimental side effects. Nevertheless, despite the negative effects, there has been no real large-scale return to using the original glandular extracts in orthodox medicine, although glandular therapy remains an important part of Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic Medicine. Glandular Food Supplements Most glandular-based food supplements are derived from beef (bovine) sources, with the exception of pancreatic extracts, which are most often derived from pork (porcine). The active hormone is generally removed. Those who favour the use of glandular products consider them to be an efficient way to provide raw materials such as nucleic acids, organ specific enzymes, glycosaminoglycans, glycolipids and phospholipids, together with essential vitamins, minerals and fatty acids all of which may support the repair and replacement of glandular tissue to optimise health and wellbeing. Dr Jeffrey Bland suggests that small polypeptide, protein-like substances in these products have specific messenger activity and act on target tissues even at low concentrations (Bland 1980). Evidence Base and Views of Other Healthcare Professionals According to James Wilson adrenal cortical extracts, in combination with lifestyle and dietary change, are the cornerstone of effective therapy for adrenal fatigue (Wilson 2001), and there are certainly some healthcare professionals who believe that glandular therapy has a part to play in managing hypoadrenia and thyroid function. However, even though the concept of glandular therapy is not new, it is still much debated by endocrinologists and other healthcare professionals who do not consider glandular extracts to be of therapeutic use. Controversy centres on a number of issues. Firstly, there are question marks as to whether the large protein macromolecules found in glandular extracts can be absorbed via the digestive tract into the circulatory system to have an effect on target tissues, and as to how much of an extract is actually absorbed. Secondly, much of the supporting evidence for the effectiveness of raw glandular preparations is largely empirical and in the form of testimonials considered by many to be ‘anecdotal’. There is no new or recent research into their safety and their clinical effects and benefits, and there are no clear approaches to standardised testing. Of course it is challenging to carry out research on natural substances that cannot be patented, and some practitioners believe a lack of clinical research should not negate the use of glandular extracts or their therapeutic value. On the other hand, without robust evidence, it is also challenging to convince healthcare professionals, who may have little awareness of glandular products or little confidence in prescribing an approach that is outside their normal protocol, about the effectiveness of glandular therapy. It is also difficult for practitioners to know how much glandular extract is required for a therapeutic approach to be safe and effective. A Word on Armour Thyroid and Thyroid Glandulars It is important to understand the difference between Armour Thyroid and thyroid glandulars sold as food supplements. In the USA in particular, there is considerable interest in the use of Armour Thyroid as an alternative to synthetic thyroid hormones. Armour Thyroid is a desiccated natural thyroid extract, usually from porcine sources. It contains both T4 and T3 in a ratio of around 4:1 (T4:T3) compared to 14:1 in the human thyroid. In the UK, Armour thyroid is not on the British National Formulary, nor is it a licensed therapy for thyroid conditions, although doctors can ‘prescribe an unlicensed medicine to meet a special clinical need for a patient, on their own direct personal responsibility’ (BTA 2007). What Should Nutritional Therapists Do in Practice? There are a number of factors to consider regarding the use of glandular products in practice: Patients who do not eat meat or use animal products: remember that glandular products are from bovine and porcine sources. This needs to be considered for those clients who do not consume animal products for any reason. Monitoring hormone status: be cautious in the use of glandular products to avoid any over stimulation, possible addiction or withdrawal symptoms, and make sure the client’s hormone status Featured Article page 5 Glandular Therapy for Thyroid and Adrenal Function and clinical signs and symptoms are monitored on a regular basis. Be alert for unusual reactions such as excessive stimulation, excessive fatigue, unstable blood pressure, insomnia and increased anxiety which can indicate too high a dose. Consider short term use where possible. Replacement thyroid hormone: remember that clients with certain thyroid conditions may need replacement thyroid hormone treatment for life. This must be discussed and monitored by their medical provider (see previous Newsletter article on Compromised Thyroid function). Working with other healthcare professionals: inform other healthcare professionals of protocols you plan to implement that include glandular products particularly if the client is also on replacement hormone therapy. Be prepared to explain the rationale for your approach to other healthcare professionals if requested. Sourcing products: source glandular products of the highest purity from reputable suppliers whose formulations adhere to strict specifications and use material from government inspected, grass-fed, animals raised in Australia and New Zealand, where animal husbandry regulations and feeding practices are among the strictest in the world. Knowledge and understanding: keep up-to-date with developments in this field if you do want to make use of glandular products. Speak to other practitioners who are experienced in their use about the results they achieve and the protocols they use. Conclusion Given the lack of human clinical studies, the use of glandular products ultimately comes down to the client’s preference and their medical position, and the nutritional therapist’s views of, and confidence in, the use of glandular products. Whether as a nutritional therapist you choose to use glandulars or not, remember that every client is unique with regard to their physiological capacity influenced in part by biochemical individuality and genetic tendencies. It is therefore vital to tailor a comprehensive, nutritional programme of diet and lifestyle change to meet the specific needs of the individual and to ensure that the programme is adapted as needs change over time. Resources Comprehensive searches for references in the main research databases did not identify significant literature on the use of glandular therapy in current practice. The following are offered as possible resources. Benedek TG (2011) History of the development of corticosteroid therapy. Clin Exp Rheumatol 29(5 Suppl 68):S-5-12. Bland J (1980) Glandular-Based Food supplements: Helping to Separate Fact from Fiction Bellevue-Redmond Medical Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA, pp. 20-21. British Thyroid Association Statement on Armour Thyroid (2007). Available at: http://www.british-thyroid-association.org/Guidelines/ Harrower HR (1939) An Endocrine Handbook. The Harrower Laboratory, Inc. Glendale, California. Harrower HR (1933) Endocrine Pointers. The Harrower Laboratory, Inc. Glendale, California. Lee R, Hanson WA (1947) Protomorphology: The Principles of Cell Auto-Regulation. (1st Ed). International Lee Foundation for Nutritional Research. Roberts SE (1868). Exhaustion Causes and Treatment: A New Approach to the Treatment of Allergy, Rodale Books, Inc., Emmas, PA. Look out for a future Newsletter article that will feature a client case study on the use of thyroid glandular in conjunction with thyroid hormone replacement. Video of the month page 6 BANT presents this Month’s Video Training Feature by Ajit Varki MD Primate Evolution and Human Disease Evolutionary biology is currently at the leading edge of science with new research and innovative insights set to profoundly impact medicine today. Find out how evolutionary biology can impact Nutritional Therapists in practice. Take a look at this month’s video – Evolutionary Medicine, its scope, interest and potential. Ajit Varki received basic training in physiology, medicine, biology, and biochemistry at the Christian Medical College, Vellore, The University of Nebraska, and Washington University in St. Louis. He also has formal training and certification in internal medicine, hematology, and oncology. He is currently distinguished professor of medicine and cellular and molecular medicine, and co-director of the Glycobiology Research and Training Center at UCSD. Dr. Varki is executive editor of the textbook Essentials of Glycobiology. He is also a co-director for the UCSD Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny and is an affiliate faculty member of the Living Links Center of Emory University. Dr. Varki is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Institute of Medicine, the American Society for Clinical Investigation, and the Association of American Physicians. Dr. Varki is recipient of a MERIT award from the NIH, an American Cancer Society Faculty Research Award, the Karl Meyer Award of the Society for Glycobiology and the International Glycoconjugate Organization (IGO) Award (2007). He is a member of the Faculty of 1000 and serves on the National Chimpanzee Observatory Working Group; the scientific advisory board of the Huntsman Cancer Institute (University of Utah), and the editorial board of Glycobiology. He is a specialist advisor to the Human Gene Nomenclature Committee. Significant past appointments include: Associate Dean for Physician-Scientist Training at UCSD (2003-10); cohead, Division of Hematology/Oncology (1987-89): president of the Society for Glycobiology (1996); editor-in-chief of the Journal of Clinical Investigation (1992-97); consulting editor for the Journal of Clinical Investigation (1998-2006), and PLoS Medicine (2004-2008); interim directorship of the UCSD Cancer Center (1996-97); president of the American Society for Clinical Investigation (1998-99); scientific advisor to the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center (University of Georgia); the Yerkes Primate Center (Emory University); member of the National Advisory Committee of PubMed Central (NLM/NIH); and coordinator for the multidisciplinary UCSD Project for Explaining the Origins of Humans (1996-2007). Monthly updates page 8 from BANT Committees and Teams Strategy Update - Exciting Times for BANT The last half of 2012 focused on developing the vision for BANT and the nutritional therapy profession. As part of this process we developed a five year strategic plan and delivery framework. The start of 2013 has been firmly focused on putting this into practice. In February, the first in the series of toolkits – Marketing and PR, was launched and the Business toolkit has followed in April. The GP Engagement exercise was launched at the AGM in March and the response has been excellent. Nearly 1,400 GPs and more than 375 practice managers and nurses have been nominated by members to participate in the programme and total of 50,000 leaflets and posters have been ordered by members. During April, a project manager and assistant project manager were appointed to lead the Clinical Supervision project and next quarter they will be seeking volunteers to join the project team to develop plans for the pilot phase. In March nearly 200 people attended a very successful BANT AGM with many also attending the follow on CAM conference. Social media, which started in October last year, has been well received by members with LinkedIn being the most popular with 700 members and many topical discussions being raised every day. In April CNHC and BANT signed a Memorandum of Understanding formalising the role of BANT as a CNHC Verifying Organisation. The next quarter will be focusing on a proactive programme of media engagement, as well as reactive media responses to current news items aimed at raising the profile of BANT and the Nutritional Therapy profession. BANT will also be initiating a programme of market research to start to compile information around target markets for nutritional therapists so that we can advise and support members on who to target to help boost referrals into their businesses. . BANT will also be kicking off the Centre of Excellence programme with the first steering group meeting debating BANT’s strategy and role in collating/supporting research, producing an online journal, developing a public education programme and producing webinars for members. Watch this space for developments in this area. Please remember that BANT is run by volunteers and we are always seeking new recruits. If you would like to become in any of the programmes mentioned above or detailed in the Strategic Plan then please contact Melanie De Grooth. Professional Practice Committee Update page 9 Welcome to the MAY PPC update. PPC REPORT FOR MAY NEWSLETTER It is very important for all BANT members to be maintaining professional standards and professional practice. To achieve these we all need to be providing the public with consistent messages, and working towards providing a united professional image. With this in mind the PPC would like to remind members of the following: As nutritional therapists we are not allowed to diagnose medical conditions - this is the sole domain of registered healthcare professionals. Naturally, we will come across symptom clusters that suggest certain conditions may be present. However, when this is the case, it is imperative that members refer such clients to their GP for a formal diagnosis. Simply to inform a client that they have a particular medical condition and then give them nutritional advice for this amounts to diagnosing and doing this is a breach of the Code of Professional Practice. It is important for members to be using the official Nutritional Therapy Descriptor to explain nutritional therapy on your websites and all marketing resources. You can find the official wording on the BANT website at the following link: www.bant.org.uk/bant/pdf/BANT_NT_ DESCRIPTOR.pdf Red Flag Reminder It is vital, not only for your client’s health, but also for your own protection that if your client reports any of the red flag symptoms outlined in the document below, you are quite clear that they must seek a medical opinion. Please be sure to record it in your case notes and put it in writing to the client. This does not mean that you cannot continue to work with them, but on subsequent appointments be sure to follow up that they have been to see their doctor. www.bant.org.uk/bant/jsp/member/ pdf/professionalPractice/RED_FLAG_ REMINDER.pdf Review Your Own Business or Practice As a therapist it is prudent to conduct an audit of your practice at least once a year in order to review your practice and to familiarise yourself with the process of self-audit. This audit tool can be used regardless of whether you practise from home, rent premises or are employed. It is based on the requirements for the training of Nutritional Therapists as set out in the NOS and NTC Core Curriculum and the current BANT Code of Professional Practice. http://www.bant.org.uk/bant/jsp/member/ pdf/CNHC/PRACTICE_AUDIT_TOOL.pdf Terms of Engagement We encourage members to use the BANT approved Terms of Engagement (ToE). You can download the most recent version from the PPC section of the website by using the following link: www.bant.org.uk/bant/jsp/member/ pdf/professionalPractice/TERMS_OF_ ENGAGEMENT_ISSUE_2.2_DEC_2012.pdf This relates only to the practice of Nutritional Therapy. It exists for your protection and that of your client and makes the remit of the consultation clear and transparent to all involved. Any additional information used by members or alterations made will not be endorsed by BANT and can therefore not carry the BANT logo. We have been asked over the past few months various questions relating to the ToE and would like to clarify the following: Students – Currently there is no specific BANT ToE for students. As a student the PPC feel that it is the college and clinic observers who would be ultimately responsible for such a form and you would not be practising under the BANT name. Clients under 16s - When children under 16yrs are accompanied by their parents to a consultation the ToE should be signed by the parent as the responsible adult. Additional written permission should be obtained for a Guardian to attend. In this case the parents should write a letter giving consent and should also complete the ToE on behalf of their child. The PPC have prepared a “Consent to Consult a Child” document designed to be signed by both the parent/guardian and practitioner member for consensual agreement to consult a child under the age of 16 year old. We expect all BANT Members to use this form for all relevant Nutritional Therapy consultations. By using this PDF version from the BANT website as a standard document you will have full BANT endorsement. We do not encourage members to use any other version of the Consent to Consult a Child document. www.bant.org.uk/bant/jsp/member/pdf/ professionalPractice/CONSENT_TO_ CONSULT_A_CHILD.pdf Electronic ToE - The PPC are aware of the rapid changes that are being made with regard to electronic records and would suggest that a NT asks the client to complete and sign the form and then either scan and email back to the NT or send by fax. Professional Practice Committee (PPC) Update Continued Data Protection The PPC were very interested by the points raised recently via the BANT LinkedIn. Data Protection is a legal issue and would normally be considered to be outside the PPC remit. However, we feel it is important to remind you that any BANT NT practitioner who processes and holds personal information (whether electronically or on paper) must follow the current BANT Code of Professional Practice and notify the Information Commission’s Office (ICO) at HYPERLINK “http://www.ico.gov.uk” www.ico.gov.uk in order to register and pay the annual fee. Current BANT code states the following: ‘You must therefore acquaint yourself with the Data Protection Act 1998, which sets out the requirements for handling personal data and sensitive personal data. Personal data include data that identify living individuals. Sensitive personal data are information about racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs or other beliefs of a similar nature, membership of a trade union, physical or mental health or condition, sexual life and the commission, FAQ The PPC were recently contacted by a BANT member who was about to see a new client for the first time and wanted some advice on how to handle one aspect of their care. Last year the client concerned had heard a ‘speaker’ give a talk about natural cancer cures and as a result carried out the Birmingham pin prick vitamin D test. Based on the test results they were then advised by the ‘speaker’ to take 15000IU/day of vitamin D3. The client had been trying to get back in contact with the ‘speaker’ but despite several emails and phone calls failed to get a response. The BANT member wanted advice on how to ensure that their client obtained the best care and whether it was prudent to seek page 10 it is never possible to eradicate the risk of loss or theft. However, the ICO states that anyone (whether employee or data controller) holding personal information should know the basics of encryption to protect such information. or alleged commission, of any offence and any related proceedings. The Data Protection Act applies to all forms of media including papers and images. It applies to confidential client information but is far wider in its scope. It covers the holding, obtaining, recording, using and disclosure of information. Under the Act, everyone that processes personal information must notify the Information Commission’s Office at www.ico.gov.uk The above can be accessed using the following link: www.bant.org.uk/bant/jsp/member/pdf/ professionalPractice/PROF_PRACTICE_ HANDBOOK_Issue_1.1_March_2011.pdf Given the nature of electronic storage devices like laptops and memory sticks, the client’s permission to write to their GP and outline the position and ask the GP to conduct a Vitamin D test. The PPC felt that from the information provided we agreed that it was advisable to seek the client’s permission to contact their GP and request a Vitamin D test to assess their Vitamin D status. In view of the dosage the PPC felt that it would be prudent to advise the client to gradually cease the supplementation and then get tested. The PPC would also recommend that the member research the latest thinking and evidence regarding Vit D especially in relation to cancer ‘treatment’ and prevention. A good starting point would be to visit the following website www.stewartnutrition.co.uk/supplement_ safety/medication-cancer_active_or_ recently_treated.html - this contains some additional information on supplementation and cancer, but we Protecting your data from unauthorised use is now more important than ever before with the great increase in viruses and spyware. One simple way to protect your data is to encrypt your hard drive by using the encryption program built-in to Windows 7: BitLocker Drive Encryption. Whether you want to decrypt or encrypt your hard drive, you’ll find that the process is straightforward. The PPC have therefore prepared a document that outlines the importance of Data Protection and offers some top tips on how to protect the personal data you hold about your clients. You can have a look at some of the tips at this link on the BANT website: www.bant.org.uk//bant/jsp/member/pdf/ professionalPractice/DATA_PROTECTION.pdf Catherine Honeywell Chair of Professional Practice Committee (PPC) [email protected] pointed out to the member that she should take care not to be seen to endorse what is being said in this website if she intended to discuss this with her client. In her research she would need to be transparent as to the evidence found. We also suggested that she read two articles written by Carol Granger and Catherine Honeywell for the BANT e-news, which carried articles, useful websites, very good up to date research papers on Cancer. As you are all aware Nutrition and Cancer is a very hot topic and an area where NTs are being scrutinised a great deal. All BANT members need to ensure that they are working within their scope of practice. Below is the link to the NT and cancer document on the BANT website: www.bant.org.uk/bant/jsp/member/pdf/ professionalPractice/Nutrition_Cancer_ The_Law.pdf Communications at BANT Update page 11 . Profile Your Practice BANT has secured a top deal for its members - allowing them to gain access to the contact details for all of their local and regional newspapers, magazines, online and broadcast media. Members can contact their local media to tell them about special courses, talks or services taking place in their practices. Use the PR Toolkit for ideas about what your local media might be interested in covering. The toolkit will also give some guidance on how to write a press release and how to approach journalists. The lists will be available through the Regional Co-ordinators from the 1st June. So members should attend their local meetings to find out more. Raising the Profile of Nutritional Therapy Over the coming weeks and months, BANT will be briefing key national and regional journalists about Nutritional Therapy and its benefits. This will be done through informal conversations, providing expert comment on topical news stories, with nutritional therapy/BANT features and through free consultations. Thank you to those who have offered to conduct free consultations for journalists in a bid to raise the profile of your practices, nutritional therapy and BANT. We still need more volunteers. If anyone is interested, please email Helen Barklam at [email protected] who will co-ordinate the free consultation programme. What is NTEC? In April CNHC and BANT signed a Memorandum of Understanding formalising the role of BANT as a CNHC Verifying Organisation. The agreement stipulates that members of the CNHC PSB sit as independent observers on the Nutritional Therapy Education Commission (NTEC), which is the education and training division of BANT. NTEC will now be responsible for recommending to BANT Council which training providers meet the requirements for their graduate Fast Track access to the CNHC register. NTEC will have a wide remit in training and continuing professional development programmes. Anyone interested in serving on NTEC should be in touch with the BANT Administrator – [email protected]. A formal notice of expression of interest in working in NTEC will be posted on the NTEC website shortly. Regional Co-ordinators Update It has been a busy month for the Regional Co-ordinator (RC) Team, we have been recruiting for a new Student Regional Co-ordinator to join Adrienne Wright-Buelow (Deputy Student Regional Co-ordinator) plus a third member of the student team for added support. The standard of applicants has been very high and it was a tough decision but it gives me great pleasure to announce that Susanna Regan has accepted the role of Student RC and Simone Luedecke will take on the Team Member role. Congratulations to them both and a warm welcome to BANT and the RC team. Expanding the RC team in this way will mean that we are able to reach out to more members and potential members, which will help ensure that BANT keeps going from strength to strength. The RC Team would like to take this opportunity to say a fond farewell to Ann Sinclair whose dedication, ideas and energy have helped so many students during her time with BANT. She will be sorely missed, but we are sure she is looking forward to focussing on her business in the future. Good luck and thank you, Ann! Co-ordinators are and with this we will see exactly where there is a need for a Regional Co-ordinator. In the coming month’s newsletters we will be publishing all the details with available roles. • Barnet / Enfield / Haringey • Camden / Islington • City / Tower Hamlets / Hackney / Newham • Wandsworth • Richmond / Merton / Kingston Deputy RC Team Leader: • Lambeth / Southwark We are still looking for a Deputy Regional Coordinator Team Leader. If you are interested in volunteering with BANT and getting involved then please email Corinna, a full briefing will be provided: [email protected] • Croydon / Bromley / Sutton PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU NEED TO BE A FULL BANT MEMBER AND CNHC REGISTERED TO BE ELIGIBLE. Regional Meetings: Should you not be able to find a group in your area, please let us know if you either like to become a Regional BANT Co-ordinator yourself or know someone in your area who would contact us: [email protected]. Positions Available in the Regional Co-ordinators Team: We currently have the following positions available in LONDON BOROUGHS. If you are a FULL BANT member and are CNHC registered you will eligible for these roles. Please note that one Regional Coordinator is required for each group of Boroughs (you can advertise for a deputy too if required). The groupings have been based on the amount of members in each borough and geographical proximity and they are all roughly equal and contain a manageable amount of BANT members. We are currently finalising a map for the rest of the UK (and eventually worldwide) to show where our members and respective Regional • Lewisham / Greenwich / Bexley Please email Corinna if you are interested in any of the above positions (full briefing will be provided) at [email protected] Student Group The new student group is now up and running and buzzing with ideas! The new schedule for webinars will be disseminated to student members shortly. Worldwide Regional Group Update The Worldwide (excluding Europe) Regional Coordinator is continuing to work with our overseas members to help them achieve their 8 active CPD hours. Moving Abroad & Practicing as a Nutritional Therapist If you are moving overseas (excluding Europe) and would like support please contact Nicola M Pearson at: [email protected] How the Worldwide RC supported a NT move from the UK to Australia Moving to a new country is a daunting prospect, and it was hard to know where to begin when setting up as an NT. Fortunately, my experiences have turned out positive from the start. Before moving to Perth, I had to tie up a few lose ends in the UK, and wound down my weight management business. I was able to sell the materials from the business to other NTs through page 12 advertising on the BANT website, and am continuing to do so from here in Australia. I then contacted Nicola, the Worldwide Regional Co-ordinator. She has been brilliant and immediately got in touch with my fellow Aussie settlers. They helped me by providing all the information I needed – insurance, professional bodies, supplement companies etc. – and the ongoing support has been great. I have been living in Oz for 6 months now and am working hard as an NT. I have two part-time jobs in health food shops, advising customers on supplement programmes, and in between am squeezing in private work with my own clients. It’s very reassuring to know that everyone in my group is just an email or Skype away if I need any help. Regional Co-ordinator Reminder Updates As the BANT membership registration and renewals have now been completed. Please contact the BANT administrator to receive an up to date membership list for your local area. As Regional Co-ordinators it is your responsibility to ensure your list of local BANT members is accurate. Contact Melanie at [email protected]. Other things you as Regional Co-ordinators can encourage your members to do and some guidelines for RCs: • Meeting Evaluation Forms can be downloaded here: www.bant.org.uk/bant/jsp/member/pdf/RC_ MEETING_EVALUATION_FORM.pdf • Remember to log your CPDs: www.bant.org.uk/bant/jsp/member/ memberHome.faces • It is also worth checking out other useful documents including the Regional Co-ordinator Guidance document at: www.bant.org.uk/bant/jsp/ regionalCoordinators.faces. Corinna Venturi BANT Regional Co-ordinator Team Leader Susanna Regan BANT Student Regional Coordinator Nicola Pearson Worldwide Regional Co-ordinator CPD Committee Update page 13 With the triathlon, cycling and road running seasons underway and the tennis and athletics seasons fast approaching, along with lighter nights encouraging people to get back in to sport, now is a good time to brush up on your sports nutrition knowledge. Over the next couple of months there will be a number of events covering this area and focusing on the personalised approach to sports nutrition. attend via the CPD evaluation form located at the following link: Please ensure you look at the BANT CPD approved listing to see what is coming up. This can be found on the CPD Events and Conferences page on the BANT website at the following link in the members section: or you can also simply e-mail the team. We really do appreciate this feed-back in order for us to ensure the quality of events approved and help us better meet your training needs. www.bant.org.uk/bant/jsp/member/ CPDandconferences.faces And then let us know what you think. Please send us comments on events you www.bant.org.uk/bant/jsp/member/pdf/CPD/ CPD_EVALUATION_FORM.pdf Happy learning! Elizabeth Foot Chair of CPD Committee [email protected] BANT Clinical Supervision Project page 14 Project Management Appointments We are delighted to announce that Kate Staunton has been appointed to the role of Project Manager for the BANT Clinical Supervision Project. Kate will be supported in this role by Sally Temple as Assistant Project Manager. Kate and Sally will work closely with Jane Nodder, BANT Director in charge of Clinical Governance and are currently getting to grips with understanding the requirements for implementing the project. Look out for a further update in the June Newsletter. BANT Register of Nutrigenetic Counsellors to go live on 1 June 2013 BANT Council is pleased to announce that the Register of Nutrigenetic Counsellors will be launched on 1 June 2013. This fulfils BANT’s commitment to the Human Genetics Commission (HGC) that it would set up an advanced practice register covering nutrigenetic counselling following the HGC’s ‘Genes Direct’ reports in 2003 and 2007. First registration will be based on experience in the field. The Nutritional Therapy Education Commission will be consulting on standards for training and an advanced practice framework during the summer. Further information on entry to the register will be sent to members shortly. Student Update page 15 I would like to introduce myself to all students of nutritional therapy as your man (or woman more accurately) on the ground for student issues at BANT. meet some of you during my upcoming visits to your colleges or at a future CPD event. Wishing you all focus and perseverance on your journey to become the best nutritional therapists you can be. My name is Adrienne Wright Buelow and I am studying nutritional therapy at CNELM. HP Adrienne Wright Buelow Student Representative for BANT [email protected] Please feel free to get in touch if you have any concerns or topics you would like to share. I hope to The Allergy & Free From Show 2013: Attend for FREE, thanks to BANT! The Allergy & Free From Show 2013 represents Europe’s largest annual gathering of people with allergies, intolerances and autoimmune diseases (such as coeliac disease), as well as the health professionals, like you, that help them. The show will deliver a vast array of strong nutritional and dietary content, across a range of interactive platforms; a place where visitors can discover the latest professional advice, treatment innovations and food producers that cater for varying ‘free from’ dietary needs. Attendance will cost you absolutely nothing, courtesy of BANT, who will be exhibiting at the show. To generate unlimited free tickets, visit www. allergyshow.co.uk/go/BANT Dietary and nutritionally focused public content includes: . Leading free from food exhibitors, showcasing their produce within the ‘Food Zone’ . Seminars from top Professors, Consultant Allergists and Dietitians . Free from cooking classes in the Event . Sainsbury’s Recipe exchange, where Date Sainsbury’s Cooking Zone visitors can share their favourite culinary creations Please note: if you have been to the show before, please remember that the show is in the National Hall at Olympia this year! Key Details The Allergy & Free From Show 2013 7-9 June 2013 Venue National Hall, Olympia, London W14 8UX Free tickets http://www.allergyshow.co.uk/go/BANT H ANH- Intl Update page 16 ANH International has been investigating both the problems with, and possible solutions for, broken national healthcare systems, including our own National Health Service (NHS). As a BANT practitioner, have you got suggestions that we could incorporate into our wider campaign to make healthcare systems more sustainable? Now in the second decade of the 21st century, you would perhaps expect rich industrialised nations like the UK to be populated by vibrantly healthy citizens, enabled and supported by rational, safe, effective and easily accessible healthcare systems. The technological marvels of modern science should be yielding widespread good health, and you would expect the medical profession to be empathic and sensitive to the varying needs and background of individuals. But the evidence suggests otherwise www.anh-europe.org/news/anh-exclusivenatural-health-products-ultra-safe-anddrugs-as-dangerous-as-war And BANT practitioners not only see the outcomes, but find themselves all too often picking up the pieces! In our recent ANH feature anh-europe.org/news/anh-intl-featurehealthcare-systems-are-broken-anddesperately-need-fixing we present what we see as the most pressing problems facing modern, universal-access healthcare systems like the NHS, followed key areas for change, all that are among our priorities at ANH. While we’ve identified 22 problems that we regard amongst the most pressing, this list isn’t exhaustive. As a BANT practitioner, you may want to suggest additional points that are of key concern. Please also take a look at the second part of our piece for our ideas and initiatives aimed at creating better, more inclusive, more efficient and more sustainable healthcare systems. All of these ideas are the subject of active, collaborative efforts by ANH to bring them to fruition. We’d love to hear from you if you have some more suggestions about what could be done to fix our broken healthcare system. Please use our comments section below the article, or email us at info@ anhinternational.org, if you’d like to add further suggestions or give us feedback. We’d especially like to hear from you if you are aware of, or are responsible for, other activities that might help to get our healthcare systems on a more sustainable track. Please supply us with evidence if you can, preferably by way of online links. We will be using this and related information in our ongoing advocacy campaign with EU and national regulators, as well as in the European Parliament. The DorkingShift 2013 This unique event could be the ideal opportunity to help you and your clients set new goals for health and vitality Do you or any of your clients want this to be the year you transform your health and achieve something more than you’ve ever managed before? Would you like to have an opportunity to train with the latest, cutting-edge guidance and reach your personal best with contributions from leading health, nutrition, sport science and bike experts, and perhaps using functional testing too, to determine performance and recovery potential?! Or would you or any of your clients just like to spend a ‘natural health’ day pampering your body with activities, food and relaxation, and being inspired to live your life differently? If any of this sounds appealing to you or your clients, you should know about the DorkingShift, to be held in and around Dorking and the beautiful Surrey hills region of southern England on 29th September! About the event The DorkingShift http://thedorkingshift. co.uk/ is a unique, one-of-a-kind natural health event for both cyclists and noncyclists taking place on Sunday 29th September 2013. The event is presented and organised by ANH-Intl’s new, soonto-launch, consumer initiative, Bite the Sun www.bitethesun.org, and is in aid of funds for the very worthy integrated cancer charity, Yes to Life www.yestolife.org.uk, and to further our work in ANH-Intl www. anh-europe.org. This is a cyclosportive health and vitality event, that includes the hallowed ground of the 2012 Olympic cycling route in Dorking, Surrey. It will feature 3 main cyclosportive events for different levels of ability: the 30mile FunShift http://thedorkingshift.co.uk/ the-funshift/, 50-mile SuperShift http:// thedorkingshift.co.uk/the-super-shift/ or the 100-mile HeroShift http://thedorkingshift. co.uk/the-hero-shift/ There is also a children’s KiddieShift http://thedorkingshift. co.uk/the-kiddie-shift/ that uses a private track in the nearby Denbies Wine Estate. Apart from the cycling, the day is packed with fun and activities to suit all age groups. There’ll be ‘get active’ sessions using ‘natural movement’ techniques, skipping classes, yoga sessions, educational talks and live demos from leading health and fitness experts, ANH Intl Update continued takeaway tips from experts on how to ‘get active’. There will also be a wide array of exhibitors in the dedicated food and drink marquee featuring healthy and quick cooking and tasting sessions. Leading edge information in nutrition and sports science Those signing up for the 3 main cycling events will be offered our optional free 3month webinar training programme prior to the event with expert guidance for bike and body prep. We’re also conducting a study with 30 cyclists in each of the three routes (30, 50 and 100-miles) in conjunction with Nordic Labs www.nordicgroup.eu and Knight Scientific www.knightscientific.com.We’re going to randomise the selection, but those who register before the end of June and are selected will effectively get £389 worth of functional testing for free, alongside a free 3-month webinar training series worth £840!! But to be in with a chance, you must register at: www.britishcycling.org. uk/events/details/87735/The-DorkingShift before the end of June! Aside from the study, and with contributions from leading health, nutrition, sport science and bike experts, our aim for the event is to inspire and share some of the latest, cutting-edge knowledge to help participants reach their personal best. For those who don’t get the test for free, we’ll be offering the option of selected functional tests at a special reduced rate before and after the event to determine performance and recovery potential. The pre-event webinar series is there to help you train in the best way possible. The day will end with our evening DownShift at the Friends Life Social Centre in Dorking, which will act as ‘basecamp’ for the day’s event. After an optional sports/ rehab massage, shower and sauna, and some super-fuel food, why not bliss out for an evening of music, soaking up some of the best talent from South-East England. Read more in our article: at http://anh-europe.org/news/thedorkingshift-2013-a-unique-event-to-helpyou-set-new-goals-for-health-and-vitality and book from the DorkingShift website: http://thedorkingshift.co.uk/2013/03/booknow/ Please share widely to support the event, and sign up quickly to secure your place! Other ANH-Intl stories, which may be of interest to BANT practitioners: Natural health product clampdown gathers steam http://anh-europe.org/news/naturalhealth-product-clampdown-gathers-steam What did we learn at Natural and Organic Products Europe 2013? http://anh-europe. org/news/what-did-we-learn-at-natural-andorganic-products-europe-2013 H2O dear: The rising problem of drugs in our water supplies http://anh-europe.org/ news/h2o-dear-the-rising-problem-of-drugsin-our-water-supplies page 17 EFSA nutrition panel observed on wrong tracks as usual http://anh-europe.org/news/ efsa-nutrition-panel-observed-on-wrongtracks-as-usual Was Andrew Wakefield right all along? http://anh-europe.org/news/was-andrewwakefield-right-all-along A plea for funding ANH-Intl is a donation funded, not-for-profit organisation. We’re currently one of the only organisations working to future-proof sustainable and natural approaches to healthcare at a regulatory and scientific level. Please help us to help you, by making a regular donation http://anh-europe. org/donate of whatever amount you can manage, or consider appropriate. £5/ month via a standing order, the equivalent of two coffees or teas a month, from just 50% of BANT members would make a huge difference to what we could achieve! Thank you, in anticipation. Many thanks for your ongoing support. Notice Board page 18 Nutrition Information Intern Needed Can you improve the quality of nutrition information provided to those living with the impact of cancer? Would you like to work for a lead cancer charity, producing information to the recognised Information Standard kitemark of quality? Penny Brohn Cancer Care is a national charity based in Bristol, which supports clients to live well with the impact of cancer through lifestyle information, self-management tools and support. We are recruiting an intern to research nutrition information in cancer care. The role will involve searching and appraising nutrition research to produce evidence based guidelines and information sheets. We are looking for a graduate with a nutritional therapy or other relevant degree and who has excellent desk research, writing and editorial skills. The role will be for three to six months, one or two days a week. You will be fully supported by the Lead Nutritional Therapist and the Information team. Closing date is 17th May 2013. Gluten Seminar Gluten Sensitivity With or Without Celiac Disease: How A ‘Good Food’ Can Become A ‘Sleeping Giant’ Causing So Much Misery Gluten and coeliac expert Dr Tom O’Bryan will be holding a free talk for nutrition specialists and health conscious members of the public at Odyssey Health Club in Knebworth on 23rd June. Ticket Details Booking details will be available here: www.odysseyhealthclubs.com/gluten Numbers are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. When Sunday 23rd June 2013 at 1pm. Where The Green Room at Odyssey Health and Racquets Club: Please contact the Volunteer Manager if you have any questions or would like an application form and role description. Tel. 01275 370 094 or email [email protected] www.pennybrohncancercare.org Registered Charity No:284881 Good quality nutrition and health related books for sale now There are number of good quality nutrition and health related books for sale now (67 new and second hand books in good condition), many which were on the reading list for the BSc Nutrition degree. Please click on the link www.dropbox.com/s/cboa0nae4qrfg34/ Books4Sale.xls to find a list to browse – you are welcome to reserve! Please note that the price excludes postage. If you live in London, happy to arrange personal hand-over to save postage costs. So, if you are interested to put your name against any of the books, please contact Lara Just ([email protected], 07791 991 199). Be quick and be the first!” Recipe of the Month Ingredients . 100g coconut oil . 90g blackstrap molasses . 15g dark muscovado sugar . 25g agave syrup . 240g rolled oats Cocoa Orange Flapjack . 50g pecans, roughly chopped . 50g cocoa nibs . grated rind of 1 orange Preparation . Preheat the oven to 180° (350°F) Gas Mark 4. Grease an 18 cm square tin. . In a large pan, melt together the coconut oil, molasses, sugar and agave syrup. Stir until the sugar has dissolved. . Pour in the remaining ingredients and mix together really well. . Pour into the prepared tin and level the top. . Bake for 18-20 minutes, then remove from the oven and leave for 2 minutes before cutting into squares. Leave to cool completely in the tin. Makes 9-12 page 19 Recipe courtesy of Joy Skipper BSc (Hons) Dip ION mBANT CNHC Registered Nutritional Therapist www.enjoynutrition.co.uk Food Stylist & Food Writer, specialising in health, fitness and nutrition www.joyskipper.co.uk www.thetravellingnutritionist.blogspot.com CPD and Conferences page 20 BANT CPD DEFINITION ‘A range of lifelong learning activities through which Nutritional Therapists maintain and develop their professional careers to ensure that they retain their capacity to practice safely, effectively and legally within their scope of practice; and to enrich and expand their professional skills and knowledge’. WHY IS CPD IMPORTANT? Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is important for the individual Nutritional Therapist and for the profession as a whole. BANT is working to achieve the recognition the profession deserves. With an ever increasing amount of research being conducted in the field, BANT members can help this process by committing to updating their knowledge on a regular and structured basis, thereby making CPD part of best practice of nutritional therapy. BANT CPD is now mandatory for all full members, including non-practising members, and all CPD will need to be entered onto the online BANT CPD Logging System. From January 2014 full members will not be able to renew their membership unless they have entered their CPD on the online BANT CPD Logging system. Members must enter a minimum of 30 hours CPD of which a minimum of 8 of these hours must be Active CPD. WHERE DO I FIND THE LIST OF BANT RECOGNISED CPD? This is located in the members section of the BANT website at the following link: www.bant.org.uk/bant/jsp/member/CPDandconferences.faces