Health & Nutrition

Credit: Instagram/sargunmehta Sargun Mehta is a successful Indian actress and producer known for her work in Hindi television and Punjabi films. Take a look at some of her most popular and notable Hindi serials. Credit: Instagram/sargunmehta This series was Sargun Mehta’s television debut, and it is where she met her future husband, actor Ravi Dubey

Schools across Delhi-NCR and several Indian states will observe closures this week due to festivals, Teacher’s Day, and adverse weather conditions. Students and parents are advised to check local notifications for updates. Are schools in Delhi-NCR closed on September 5? (Representative image: Getty Images) New Delhi, UPDATED: Sep 4, 2025 17:34 IST Several schools in

Regenerate your body with good nutrition, clean water, exercise, the right supplements designed specifically for what you need, good sleep and fresh air. The human body is an extraordinary system of self-healing, self-repair, and self-renewal. Contrary to what many believe, the body’s natural progress is to regenerate – not decline. Every second, cells are dying and being replaced. Tissues are repaired, hormones are balanced, and immune responses are recalibrated. This isn’t a rare miracle; it’s happening all the time. The key question is: are you supporting or blocking your body’s ability to regenerate? Unfortunately, many conventional approaches to health focus on suppressing symptoms, rather than supporting regeneration. Medications can interfere with natural healing mechanisms, providing short-term relief at the cost of long-term wellness. Good nutrition helps us align ourselves with the body’s natural mechanisms and unlock its remarkable capacity to regenerate. Regenerate nerve cells and your whole nervous system Once believed to be irreversible, damage to nerve cells is now understood to partially regenerate with the right nutrients and lifestyle input. Some natural compounds that help regenerate nerve cells include: blueberries, green tea, curcumin (from turmeric), lion’s mane mushroom, apigenin (found in celery), ginseng, ashwagandha, theanine (from green tea) and royal jelly Other non-food interventions such as music, love, and meditation have also shown potential in promoting neuro-regeneration as much healing is multidimensional. However, nutrition remains a foundational part of how we regenerate nerve tissue and cognitive function. You can also regenerate your liver The liver is the most regenerative organ in the body. It can regenerate lost tissue even after surgical removal of large portions. Supporting the liver with the right nutrients enhances this process and improves detoxification and metabolic balance. Some of the most powerful liver-regenerating compounds include: glycyrrhizin (from Licorice root), curcumin, rooibos tea, vitamin E and korean ginseng By incorporating these into your diet, you help your liver regenerate more effectively which is especially critical in our toxic modern world. Pancreas to reverse diabetes Type 1 and advanced Type 2 diabetes are marked by the destruction of insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas. While conventional medicine focuses on insulin replacement, nutritional science has discovered that beta cells can regenerate given the proper environment. Natural compounds shown to stimulate beta-cell regeneration include: Gymnema Sylvestre, Nigella Sativa (black cumin), Vitamin D, Arginine, Avocado, Bitter melon and Broccoli sprouts (sulforaphane). These foods support the pancreas to regenerate which can promote diabetes reversal. Hormones: rebuilding these body messengers Hormones don’t just fade with age – they can regenerate. While many turn to hormone replacement therapy, few are aware that specific nutrients can help the body regenerate its own hormones. Vitamin C, for example, is a potent antioxidant that helps regenerate degraded hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone. When paired with foods that support glandular function – like healthy fats, cruciferous vegetables, and adaptogenic herbs your body can rebalance hormones naturally. This regenerative approach to hormone health offers an empowering alternative to synthetic intervention, particularly for women navigating menopause or individuals managing adrenal fatigue. Cardiac regeneration in healing the heart For decades, science believed that the heart couldn’t regenerate. Research shows though that cardiac cells can be regenerated under the right conditions. Nutritional compounds known as neo cardiogenic substances can stimulate cardiac cells to become functional heart cells. These heart-regenerating compounds include: resveratrol, red wine extract, Siberian ginseng and N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) Joints, cartilage, and spine Joint pain, arthritis, and spinal injuries don’t have to mean permanent damage. Multiple studies confirm that certain nutrients can regenerate cartilage and connective tissues. These nutrients include: curcumin, resveratrol, glucosamine, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, collagen peptides and omega – 3 fatty acids. Remember that Omega’s are best in a 3,6,9 combination. Including these in your daily nutrition can help regenerate worn-down joints, improve mobility, and reduce pain—naturally and sustainably. What else do I need to do to regenerate? Targeted nutrients are powerful. They do however need to be absorbed properly. True regeneration is a whole-lifestyle process. It is necessary to create an internal environment where the body can regenerate so consider your sleep habits as deep rest is when the body heals and regenerates tissues best. Also focus on your movements with gentle exercise as it stimulates circulation. Water is critical for detoxification and cellular repair and stress reduction imperative as chronic stress interferes with regeneration at every level. By aligning your nutrition with these daily habits, you empower your body to regenerate continuously and efficiently. Remember that regeneration is your natural state Modern medicine often treats the body like a machine that breaks down over time but you are not a machine. You are a living organism designed to regenerate. Good nutrition isn’t just about avoiding disease – it’s about activating your body’s potential to heal, rebuild, and renew. From nerves to hormones, liver to heart, the power to regenerate your health lies largely in the choices you make every day especially what you put on your plate. It’s important to move beyond symptom suppression and embrace regeneration as a way of life so your body doesn’t just survive – it thrives. Go to https://www.wellbeing.com.au/body/nutrition/gmo-genetically-modified-food-and-its-effects-on-the-human-body.html to also find out what foods can harm your body. It’s a great idea to consult your natural therapist, nutritionist, naturopath for what foods and supplements suit you best. Find out what causes your inflammation and allergies and get them to put together a plan to help you heal www.stressfreehealthmanagement.com (Pic thanks to Matthew Henry) Read More

Discover your September–October 2025 Horoscope. Eclipses, shifts, and cosmic cycles bring change, growth, and new beginnings. Virgo Virgo, your solar month has some tricks in store. You get a total eclipse at September 8’s Full Moon and a rare two New Moons, indicating fateful times. Planet Saturn brings the odd reality check, via people important to you. Plus, the Uranus theme of shifts and changes in your worldly roles continues with some pleasant surprises. September 18 to 22 challenges you when your second New Moon, an eclipse, opposes Saturn. Yet, this also begins an important cycle when you can prove yourself in new ways, and eclipse old fears. Navigate early October with care, then October 15 to 19 and 25 to 29 provide great opportunities. Libra When Mercury enters Libra on September 18, you get a first taste of the rare Air sign harmonies supporting you. Mid-September to October 31 is a memorable wild ride. With Neptune moving through your partner sign, someone close may seem strange or mysterious. Give this time to cook, then it will free you up to be more truly yourself, to stretch your mind like never before. October 7’s Full Moon will illuminate issues that are best parked, for later attention. While Venus is weak in Virgo, pressured by Saturn, you are distracted. Once Venus enters Libra on October 14, you get the best of the wild ride. Scorpio Synchronicity rules for Scorpio! First September 22’s New Moon sees Mars enter Scorpio, its home and hearth. This energises you. Then October 21’s New Moon is when Mars meets Mercury in Scorpio, driving insights, research, communication and strategy. This empowering cycle is accelerated by Sun’s shift into Scorpio on October 23. Having the extra strength of Mars in Scorpio during Sun’s cycle is quite rare, since Mars only returns every 26 months. This makes the waxing Moon cycle from October 21 through early November a special time. First long-needed conversations, then renewed confidence, open you to a new era, a fresh start. Sagittarius Usually cruisy, Sagittarius is now under some pressure from Jupiter in your sign of shared resources. Everyone may seem to need something from you. At the very least, you could be putting too much pressure on yourself. September 8’s Full Moon brings family strongly into focus. Make sure you share your time with an important project that is a chance to shine creatively. From September 22 to October 8, creative projects develop well. Likewise, love relationships benefit. Business planets, Jupiter and Saturn, hold Water harmonies through the rest of October into early November: Working from home or unexpected financial assistance can help you reach your dreams. Capricorn September’s Virgo energy is in tune with your practical bent, urging you to complete tasks that are unfinished. Dreams of adventure are equally strong, and the first week of September best supports plans and research. Since September 8 is an eclipsed Full Moon, emotional dramas may emerge. Capricorn understands suffering and is usually ready to help those close who suffer. Now Saturn is back in compassionate Pisces, you may find that September 18 to 22, and October 11 to 14, have a theme of helping others. While these periods ask a lot of you, the Saturn-Jupiter harmonies from October 19 to 31 come with many blessings. Aquarius With Pluto in Aquarius for years, most everything is intense. In September, tedious financial details require attention. A total lunar eclipse on September 8, and a partial eclipse on September 22, both emphasise your resources and money management. Make time in early September, to be nicely prepared, as your rulers, Saturn and Uranus, are both challenged from September 21 to 23. Once the Libra Sun engages harmoniously with Pluto and Uranus on September 24, a new era takes shape. A sometimes-challenging transition lasts until mid-October. From then, creative juices, interesting surprises and inspiring collaboration make transformation fun. Pisces Currents and tides are as true of Pisces as of the ocean; Pisces mutates. On September 1, Saturn returns to Pisces for the last five months of a 30-month stay. With a total lunar eclipse in Pisces on September 8, plus Saturn challenges from September 21 to 23, it is wise to respect the flow of this fateful trajectory. Maybe, to let something go. Regular periods of seclusion, growing things, soaking up nature’s beauty will midwife the renewal this cycle brings. October 21’s New Moon accelerates your progress, with Jupiter in a three-way Water harmony. Fixity of purpose and expanded sense of adventure help you manifest a dream. Aries Impatient to act is the Aries way. Obstacles have forced a slower pace since June, but on September 1, Saturn backs out of Aries precipitating change. Also, deepening family bonds coincide with fortunate Jupiter in watery Cancer. Once your ruler Mars enters Scorpio on September 22, those bonds are strengthened but more complex. Do not let financial issues spoil loving links from September 24 to October 4. Important tasks call you around Aries Full Moon of October 7, and a role you love, which has strangely lapsed, regains creative force. Through most of October, Neptune in Aries leads an outer planet dance, which opens a new path. Taurus Taurus, you embody Earth’s fertility, its holding power. The earthy harmonies of September suit you well, particularly September 4 and 12 to 16. With Venus in Virgo, many demands also come. If September 20 to 24 impose pressures, just hold firm to your true priorities. Then no regrets. Venus helps you process a family hurt, which is emotionally freeing. Energies shift from October 8 to 15: First Jupiter harmonies, then Venus links with Uranus, giving you an edge, new clarity. A helpful strategy takes shape from October 15 to 18. Three-way planet harmonies of October 21 to November 5’s Taurus Full Moon are reminders that life is sweet. Gemini In Gemini since July, Uranus will shift realities in your sign for many years. Seeds of change take root from September 6 to 8.

Discover how one lifelong worrier handles letting go of worry through mindfulness, self-compassion & surrender to live with ease. I was an Olympic champion of worriers. Someone should have given me a medal. I worried about work, the state of the world and all the wrong things I’d done and couldn’t undo. I was particularly skilled at creating multiple future scenarios and running each one through to its worst possible conclusion. My prominent topic, and the one that can still have me lying awake at night, is worrying about my family members. If any adult or child is having a challenging issue, I go into a fretting frenzy. What shifted? I was so exhausted by all the worrying that I knew something had to change. My never-ending loops of thoughts were always a form of fear, which had me in a constant state of anxiety. I was stuck in my mind, unable to connect with the small daily pleasures of my life. Worrying did not help in any way. I wasted so many days worrying about things that didn’t eventuate! Mark Twain is often quoted as saying, “I’ve had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened.” How it began I see now that worrying was an unconscious strategy by my childhood self. At times, that child felt unsafe in an environment of reactive and dysregulated adults. The big emotions of fear, confusion and insecurity created an emotional charge that was overwhelming for her developing nervous system. As a clever protective adaptation, she locked away those too-big feelings and ran off into her mind, attempting to create meaning and a sense of control. The endless thoughts were trying to protect the younger me from the overwhelm of feelings. They still do that now. Other people’s struggles bring up buried pain in me, then worrying thoughts take over to distract me from that pain. Changing this unhelpful habit For me, it’s an ongoing four-step process: Stop, regulate, feel, surrender. Stop: Interrupt and reframe If I can catch myself before I jump onto the worry- train, I say a simple word that helps me step back from the platform. “Stop”. I also make a conscious effort to challenge and let go of my self-identity that says, “This is just who I am. This is how I love.” Having compassion for my younger self’s attempt at protection, I internally say to the worrying thoughts, “Thank you. You gave me some semblance of control during that childhood stage, but it’s not helping now.” Regulate: and settle my nervous system This happens by doing anything that has me in the flow state — connected to my senses and the present moment. Establishing a daily mindfulness meditation practice is essential. This allows me to relax, drop into deep breathing patterns and, crucially, discipline my mind to witness my thoughts instead of being embroiled in them. Other ways I settle my nervous system include spending time in nature, bubble baths, relaxation, breathwork, exercise, singing, dancing, drawing, gratitude practices and journaling. Feel: the feels Inevitably, life continues to present triggering situations that flush up the exact emotions that have been buried in my cells for years. Now that my system is more regulated, instead of running away into my mind, I can sit with the bodily sensations that are signposts to an emotional charge that’s been locked away and is ready to be released at last. Like a new version of a parent, I imagine holding myself as I would a little child, rocking her and saying soothing words like, “I’ve got you. It’s safe to feel this now. Let it pass through.” Surrender: Hand it over Only after navigating these four steps does a wonderful option arise. I can trust that there are powerful forces protecting and helping all situations, often through subtle miracles. It’s not up to me to hold it all. It never was, and it never will be. Anchored and joyful Nowadays, I’m more relaxed and steady in the world. But how am I doing with my prominent worry trigger — my family having challenging issues? Now, I can gently hold the feelings that are triggered in me when my loved ones are having their issues. I can be present for them in a way that holds space and validates their emotions without trying to rescue them. I can remind myself to trust in their resourcefulness and in the higher power that is guiding the unfolding of events. As a by-product, when I’m not trapped on the worry-train to nowhere, I am more present to the joyful moments in my life. Article Featured in WellBeing Magazine 217 Read More

At 87, illness left her weak and fearful, until a vitamin D deficiency was revealed. Supplementing restored her health and vitality. I had an amazing experience a couple of years ago. I was 87 years old, perfectly healthy and not on any medication. One Saturday afternoon, as I stood in the kitchen making a pot of tea, I began to feel so ill that all I could do was walk down the passage and fall onto my bed. I remained there for the next couple of hours, wondering what had gone wrong since I wasn’t in pain or even nauseous. I just felt very, very ill. Eventually, I summoned enough energy to phone a friend and ask her to take me to the emergency department at the nearest hospital. All I could tell the doctor was that I “felt dreadful”. He gave me a thorough examination and asked lots of questions, but I could see he was as nonplussed as I was. The only problem he found was that my blood pressure was slightly high, so after an hour, he told me to go home and rest. In the next 10 days, I landed in the emergency room twice more. On the second occasion, I had managed to drive myself to an appointment with my eye doctor. When I collapsed in her office, she put me in a wheelchair and told her receptionist to take me to the Emergency section in the hospital next door! This was the only time I found anything remotely funny about my situation. Again, the doctor on duty could find nothing wrong, but this time he had me admitted to the hospital immediately and ordered a brain scan. That evening, my blood pressure measured 224/110 (very high) but the nurse who took it didn’t seem alarmed, so I decided I would not be, either. After a sleepless night, I had the scan, which declared me to be perfectly healthy. My own doctor was equally puzzled. He arranged for two urine tests that came back negative. Then, after a couple of telephone discussions with a specialist, he decided it would be helpful if I had exploratory surgery for a suspected four-syllable condition in the region of my liver (I declined). All this time, I continued to have peaks of very high blood pressure and he would sometimes phone me in the evening to ask how I was. By now, six weeks had passed and I thought I might be dying. I would wake in the mornings feeling normal but within hours my heart would start racing with my ears singing, face flushed and body hot. I had no appetite and sometimes just walking to the kitchen to make a cup of tea seemed impossible. I felt weak and very ill most of the time. A friend suggested I get a second opinion from Dr B, who combined conventional and alternative medicine in his practice. He, too, could find nothing wrong with me, but he sent a blood sample away to be tested for vitamin and mineral deficiencies. The cause of my problem was revealed: I was very low in vitamin D. Instead of having a healthy level of about 70, I had a dangerously low level of 8. I went to the pharmacy with a prescription for vitamin D3 and magnesium citrate (without calcium). It’s recommended to take them together because they are synergistic and magnesium is required for the conversion of vitamin D into its active form. Within 48 hours, I could feel the difference. A week later I was ready to run around the block. I continued to take the two vitamins for several months as insurance and I have remained in good health ever since. While writing this, I thought I would do a little survey of my own, so I asked 15 friends and acquaintances what they knew about vitamin D. Thirteen of them looked blank before remembering a connection with sunshine and rickets. Another had a friend who had taken it but she didn’t know why. And one had actually been prescribed it by her doctor but had stopped taking it because she felt she was on too many medications. Vitamin D seems to be the forgotten vitamin. Most people are more familiar with vitamin C and the B vitamins (especially B12), but recent research suggests that D3 is coming into its own and could help with a whole raft of health problems; it might even help prevent some chronic diseases. The owner of a health shop told me that 15 minutes in the sun around 12–2pm every day was sufficient to keep normal levels topped up. I was then living in a flat with a sunny garden, so that was easy, although I could not tell how much it was helping. I have moved to a retirement home and these days, just in case, I take my newspaper into the garden three or four times a week when it’s sunny. I had my D levels tested a month ago and they were good. I’ve read that quite a large percentage of the population is under-supplied with vitamin D, which isn’t surprising when you consider how many people nowadays spend their lives in offices with artificial lighting or in accommodation without gardens. When I told my doctor about what I felt was almost a miraculous recovery, he was too polite to say so, but I could sense the word “coincidence” hovering in the air. But, believe me, this was no coincidence. Two inexpensive little bottles of pills brought me back from the brink. Article featured in WellBeing Magazine 178 Read More

A holiday accident led to surgery, but recovery inspired mindful eating, self-care and Pilates, transforming health and wellbeing. A midwinter break on an island in the Whitsundays was just what I needed. I worked hard in my business, and holidays were few and far between. But major abdominal surgery and two weeks in a hospital interstate were not supposed to be on the agenda. White clouds drifted by the window of our small plane while endless turquoise water merged with a blue horizon below. After a bumpy landing, my husband grabbed our bags and broad grins filled our faces as we boarded the water taxi to our island home. After check-in, we decided to catch the sunset over the ocean. A short walk behind our villa led to the top of the island, giving us idyllic views of a tropical paradise. As darkness settled, we headed back down the slope. The path was slippery with fallen leaves, and I stumbled, falling heavily onto one knee and twisting my ankle. I groaned in pain as I tried to stand, unable to put weight on either leg. My husband struggled to get me safely back to our room and, as we were both remedial therapists, we knew the routine for injuries: rest, ice and elevation. We settled in for a quiet first night. Around midnight, waves of nausea woke me. With one knee badly swollen and my sprained ankle strapped, I crawled to the bathroom just in time. I vomited violently throughout the night, presuming the shock of the fall was the cause. However, the purging continued throughout the next day, so relentlessly that I stopped going back to bed and curled up with a blanket in the bathroom. By the end of the second day, my stomach was bloated and sore to the touch. I was deliriously weak and dehydrated, even regurgitating water. By day three, there was no change. Sick bag in hand, we made the trek to the nearest town with an outpatient facility, where I was admitted for overnight observation. My husband went back to the island, planning to collect me in the morning. Around midnight, my temperature spiked; my stomach had become more distended and painful. I was rushed to the nearest major hospital, two hours away, where scans revealed a ruptured bowel. Doctors performed emergency surgery, removing 30cm of my small intestine and effectively saving my life. I woke slowly, surrounded by white walls and ceilings and the beeping of medical machines. Instinctively, my hands went to my stomach, and I could feel a large bandage covering most of my abdomen. I no longer felt nauseous, so I allowed myself to drift in and out of sleep. It had been nearly four days since I had last slept properly. It was another 10 days before I was allowed food; my stomach had to gurgle or my bowels pass wind before it was deemed safe to eat again. “It’s inexplicable,” said the surgeon on that first day. “Perhaps the fall set off a chain reaction.” My husband returned to Sydney for work and it felt very strange to be left alone in a hospital interstate. The hospital’s dietitian said it would be 12 months before my digestive tract would be back to “normal”. During that time, I was advised to stay on a low-fibre, smooth-food diet. I was terrified of eating. Observing the hospital’s routine of regular mealtimes and small, balanced meals allowed me to reflect on my health. I had tolerated years of abdominal upsets: irritable bowel symptoms, bloating and weight gain. I had worked as a massage therapist and run a small business for 25 years but my role had become all paperwork and people management, a role I didn’t enjoy. My unhappiness and stress controlled my thinking. I had no relationship with food, good or bad — I ate what I “should” because it was deemed “healthy”. I gave no thought to whether I enjoyed what I was eating. I stuck to my “smooth food” diet strictly for the first year, terrified that something might go wrong. Intuitively, I began to practise mindful eating — eating with intention and attention. Being present and focused when I ate built an awareness of how I felt after eating, physically and emotionally. I discovered feelings that had stopped me from nourishing myself; I had an over-developed sense of responsibility for other people’s health, but had ignored my own. Could I allow my own health to be as important as my clients? Having a second chance to care for my body, I began to treat food as more than fuel; it became a love affair with my soul. I was nourishing every aspect of myself. One year after the accident I finished my Pilates teacher training; I was only three months into the one-year course when I had the fall. I never imagined I would ever get back into it, but watching my body heal, as well as listening to its responses to food and exercise, gave me a massive amount of respect for its innate capacity to recover. I sold my business two years later. Pilates philosophy is all about strengthening your core. I used to consider that purely physical but my renewed respect for my body and my deeper connection with nourishing myself added a wonderful three-dimensional aspect to the exercise. I get a huge amount of satisfaction from teaching Pilates, helping people strengthen their core and develop a mind–body connection that feeds their whole being. The fall and subsequent operation were such a blessing in disguise. My detachment from food was indicative of how detached I was from my inner self. I now eat for enjoyment and nourishment; it fuels my body, soul and spirit. Article featured in WellBeing Magazine Article 176 Read More

Diagnosed with MS at 22, one woman shares how natural therapies, self-discovery and resilience transformed her journey to health and wellbeing In 1997, my life changed forever. As a healthy 22-year-old, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a condition of the central nervous system affecting the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. According to the doctor there was no cure and how MS would affect my functioning, the frequency of relapses and level of impairment were all unknown. My first episode of immobility was confusing. For the first time ever, I experienced the disconnect between mind and body. At work in an office with all eyes on me, my mind knew I needed to walk but my legs were unresponsive. My foot dragged. I tripped, holding on to anything I could to make it back to my desk. From this moment, my life was dominated by my condition. Everything I did or didn’t do was because of MS, whether experiencing a relapse, recovering from a relapse or envisaging the next period of dysfunction. I was filled with fear and frustration. MS made living the life I’d created difficult and my dreams for the future seemed impossible. My career, my inner-city lifestyle, even plans for overseas adventures all assumed good health. But that was no longer a given. As the relapses became more frequent and aggressive I became more and more despondent. I was at a loss as to how to stop the avalanche of poor health. All I could manage was to tweak my existing life. I wasn’t willing to compromise my corporate career, so I withdrew socially to conserve energy and hopefully prevent another relapse. It didn’t work. I was merely reacting to symptoms and, a few years after being diagnosed, I had a massive relapse. This meant months in hospital, initially bedbound then confined to a wheelchair. I was petrified I would never walk again. Eventually, I regained mobility and “walked” out of the hospital, determined never to return. I decided my health and well-being could no longer be an added extra; instead, somehow, they needed to be central to all aspects of my life. For me, this shift was instigated by exploring natural therapies. Meeting people with different approaches to wellbeing challenged my existing frame of reference — the filter I’ve always used to understand health, wellbeing and life. The perfect example was my first experience with intuitive healing, which encouraged me to embrace the unknown. My logical and rational mind couldn’t make sense of what was happening. I couldn’t see the energy or chakras or where the blockages were. I didn’t understand how the practitioner received messages about past lives, insights into childhood experiences or visions about my future. In my existing framework, it didn’t make sense, yet it felt right. I knew these sessions were providing clarity I’d never experienced before. I learnt to stay grounded and became aware of the flow of energy through my body. I also became increasingly intuitive, tuning in to what my higher self was saying, which in turn enriched my life. I don’t write as an expert on a particular natural therapy. I’ve tried intuitive healing, kinesiology, Psych-K, The Body Code, neuro-physiotherapy, osteopathy, myotherapy, Feldenkrais, Chinese medicine and acupuncture, mindfulness meditation and various diets. For me, it has been the learnings I’ve taken from all of my experiences that continue to improve my overall being — physically, emotionally and spiritually. My learnings from natural therapies include these benefits: Being present. When diagnosed, my mind raced ahead. I feared that walking sticks and wheelchairs would be my future. Learning the importance of staying in the now, I no longer envisage every possible catastrophe. What’s the point of worrying when it may never come to fruition? And if it does, I’m now confident that I’ve gained insights to ensure that I will not only cope but grow through the experience. Quietening the mind. Staying calm in the midst of uncertainty is invaluable. A quiet mind has made it easier to follow my heart, be aware of energy and signs around me and make decisions that feel right — feeling rather than thinking my way through life. Embracing difference. My life path is different from what I had envisaged, but embracing that difference has been freeing. It has also given me the confidence to explore new approaches to wellbeing without worrying about what others may think. People may question the validity of some natural therapies, but that doesn’t mean my experiences aren’t valid and right for my journey. Focusing on self. After my diagnosis, my focus was external, researching and learning about MS. However, such thinking didn’t acknowledge the impact I could have on my prognosis. Knowing that my response to MS will define my life experience has been the motivation I needed to continue working on myself. Taking time to focus on myself isn’t selfish; it’s necessary. Being proactive. I’d always been reactive in my health and wellbeing. If sick or injured, I’d go “get fixed” then continue until the next interruption. I no longer sit and wait for another relapse but keep my mind and body healthy with massage, exercise, meditation, clean eating and osteopath appointments. It has been 20 years since my diagnosis. My life is unrecognisable, with changes in my career and relationships, overseas adventures and a sea change. Although at times I struggle with walking long distances, the relapses have stopped. I feel good. I feel healthy. And I am genuinely excited about my future. MS has become a vehicle for self-discovery. Although I continue to be guided by a neurologist, natural therapies have opened my mind to new ways of understanding and experiencing my life. This has undoubtedly improved my overall wellbeing and created opportunities I never dreamt of when diagnosed with MS. Article featured in WellBeing Magazine 174 Read More

Kagan Williams didn’t set out to launch an oral care company — but what started as a personal search for a safer, more effective toothpaste quickly turned into Peg Paste, a brand now trusted by families across Australia. We sat down with Kagan to learn more about the journey, the products, and the impact Peg Paste is having on people’s everyday lives. Your story is such a unique one. Can you share how Peg Paste first came to life? I didn’t set out to create a toothpaste brand. I just wanted a toothpaste that was natural, fluoride-free, and still supported enamel health (because my dentist said that was important). Turns out, that combination was harder to find than expected. Most natural options dropped the fluoride but didn’t replace it with anything meaningful or effective. So we created Peg Paste:– Powered by hydroxyapatite– Free from fluoride, SLS, and artificial additives– Designed for both adults and children I’m not a dentist or a chemist, just someone who knew there had to be a better option. Turns out, a lot of other people felt the same way. For someone new to the brand, which product would you recommend they start with and why? We usually recommend new customers start with our Intense Mint toothpaste. It’s an everyday formula that consumers stick to long-term and offers everything Peg Paste stands for: Powered by hydroxyapatite (a natural alternative to fluoride) to strengthen and protect enamel Enriched with prebiotics for healthy oral microbiome support. Made with clean, vegan ingredients that are safe and gentle. Free from fluoride, SLS, parabens and artificial additives. Delivers a fresh, minty taste that feels familiar and effective. If a customer has sensitive teeth or is buying for a child, we suggest starting with our Natural Mint. This formula is mild in flavour for more delicate mouths while still supporting enamel health. What has been the biggest highlight for you on the Peg Paste journey so far? Without a doubt, it’s the stories I hear from our customers. People tell me Peg Paste has truly changed their lives – and that never gets old. From post-chemo patients who are no longer suffering with painful tooth sensitivity, to parents of neurodivergent kids who’ve finally found a toothpaste that doesn’t cause distress, to people who used to struggle with mouth ulcers and can now brush comfortably again. These stories are everything. Peg Paste toothpaste may seem like a simple swap, but for many, it’s a huge relief. Hearing that our product is making that kind of difference is the real highlight. Where can people find Peg Paste? Online via www.pegpaste.com.au or from one of our many stockists nationwide around Australia. Read More

Can AI and nanotech extend human life? Explore ageing, longevity, and the future of immortality in this thought-provoking article. How long would you like to live? That is, of course, if you’re healthy and having a good time. Decrepit and dysfunctional, it’s hardly worth it. Say then if things are going well … 30 more years? Fifty maybe? How about forever? Flip back just over 100 years and you probably wouldn’t even be reading this article. At the beginning of the 20th century, you could expect to live until a miserly 47 years (in the US). Fast forward to the middle of the last century and chances of living a much longer life had improved considerably to around 66 years for men and 71 for women. This was largely due to improved sanitation, babies and children dying less and the power of antibiotics to treat infections. In essence, the average extension of our lives had precious little to do with our own efforts or lifestyles. Technological advances had just rendered us more insulated and protected. Advance to the end of that century and life expectancy increased to about 78 years. This may have been linked to heart disease prevention, which gained momentum in the early ’60s, with a focus on cholesterol and dietary strategies — tactics we’ve embraced ever since to slow the rise of a modern plague that, to this day, remains the leading cause of premature death in the Western world. Despite the advent of powerful medications and even more potent industrial-strength pharmaceuticals, heart disease remains our primary nemesis. By the end of the last millennium, we had on average managed to elongate our chances of survival to our late 70s, which led scientists to examine if this projected increase in life expectancy had been maintained into this fresh millennium. What they uncovered was rather disappointing. Except for South Korea and Hong Kong, where an increase in life expectancy persisted, most countries experienced a downward trajectory living on average shorter lives than we enjoyed 30 years ago. This is not by much, but what experts are asserting is that while some of us might live to a ripe old age, most of us are governed by the biology of ageing. The malicious forces of nature simply limit how long we are currently able to survive. None of this has reckoned with the emergence and rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI). Almost overnight, we have invented a cognitive powerhouse that has the capacity to digest and assimilate masses of information within a very short space of time and churn out highly informed advice beyond the capability of any human. Already this technology has been utilised to expedite the rapid development of the Moderna mRNA Covid vaccine, to analyse millions of antibiotic possibilities and expeditiously generate the appropriate treatment. We can expect this sophistication to enable cancer therapies that wisely outsmart any resistant tumours that have hitherto managed to survive and become lethal. Once AI has mapped out the intricate workings of the human brain, we will be able to understand exactly how neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s manifest and unfold, allowing for the unveiling of preventive measures, which will halt this destructive march, long before it even gets out of the starting blocks. The other mammoth leap forward will witness the arrival and growth of nanotechnology, which will involve the engineering of minute-size systems, for example microrobots or nanobots, that will, with the assistance of AI, be able to repair and replace any defects in our bodies, essentially propagating perfected humans and immortalising them. Experts are predicting that this technology will become available possibly within the next 10 years. There is also the possibility of using AI to fuse our brains with our smartphones, thereby perpetuating our higher consciousness in the cloud. Either or both, for those who cannot bear the thought of their existence ending, the choice is there to enshrine your essence to eternity. Needless to say, all these technologies can go horribly wrong. Both AI and nanobots can go rogue, hellbent on destroying us. With pundits still asserting that biology is destiny and that all we can currently do to remain vital is to exercise, eat healthy and sleep well, I’m going to continue wolfing down all my anti-ageing potions and do whatever I can to anticipate the anti- ageing revolution, be it apocalypse or regenesis. Article featured in WellBeing Magazine 217 Subscribe Subscribe to a newsletter to receive latest post and updates Dr Michael Elstein Dr Michael Elstein is a Sydney-based anti-ageing physician and writer. He is the author of three books including his latest, The Wellness Guide to Preventing the Diseases of Ageing. He has also designed the app The Diet Guide to Ageing Prevention. Read More