Time for wellness

About

Few people are truly in a state of optimal health. Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is a complete state of physical and mental wellbeing, not merely the absence of disease. With the pressures of modern life including increasingly high levels of stress, poor quality food, and lack of exercise it should not be surprising that every year tens of millions of people suffer from poor health and die a premature death [1]. In fact, between 70% and 90% of deaths from chronic illnesses are believed to be caused by poor nutrition, lack of exercise and smoking [2].

According to the World Health Organization's global statistics [3], each year, at least:

  • 4.4 million people die due to raised total cholesterol levels.
  • 7.1 million people die due to raised blood pressure.
  • 2.6 million people die due to being overweight or obese.
  • 4.9 million people die due to tobacco use.

Although considered an inevitable consequence of ageing, chronic diet and lifestyle related diseases such as overweight and obesity, heart disease, type-II diabetes, osteoporosis and dementia are known to be largely preventable. There is now a large body of scientific evidence demonstrating very clearly that simple lifestyle changes have the power to prevent, slow or even reverse the major chronic diseases [4-9].

Time for wellness is devoted to the promotion of optimal health and prevention of disease through dietary and lifestyle change, the cultivation of personal awareness and self empowerment. Currently this objective is achieved primarily through the provision of evidence based practical health information.

Benjamin Brown N.D.

Benjamin BrownRaising awareness of the intimate connection between the environment, our lifestyle, diet and health is Benjamin's personal interest and passion. In pursuit of his passion over the years Benjamin has had a combination of clinical, technical and educational experience.

Benjamin is considered an authority on complementary medicine and has lectured to thousands of health professionals and students throughout Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Currently Benjamin lectures regularly to students at the British College of Nutrition and Health and to practicing health professionals for Nutri, a leading supplier of professional natural medicines and lifestyle programs in the United Kingdom. Within his educational role Benjamin has also been involved in the development of successful lifestyle and dietary programs including the Vitality, Longevity and Healthy Ageing program in Australia, and FirstLine Therapy in the United Kingdom.

Having authored many articles on complementary medicine Benjamin now regularly contributes articles to CAM Magazine and CAM Lifestyle, both leading professional and consumer publications in the United Kingdom. In Australia and New Zealand Benjamin regularly contributes to My Options, a free to consumer health publication.

Within the Complementary Medicine Industry, Benjamin has worked in product development, education and technical research for Metagenics, a global leader in natural medicine and currently acts as a consultant for Nutri where he leads their innovative professional development programs.

Benjamin, a Member of the Institute of Functional Medicine, obtained his Diploma of Applied Science in Naturopathy in 2001 from the Academy of Natural Therapies Australia where he was awarded excellence in Nutrition. Naturopathic medicine is a distinct profession of primary health care, emphasizing prevention, treatment and the promotion of optimal health. Naturopathic medicine integrates conventional clinical medicine and diagnostics with a broad range of natural therapies including therapeutic lifestyle change, nutritional and herbal medicines. Benjamin is currently furthering his academic study and keeps abreast of advances in the field of complementary medicine regularly attending conferences and through leading scientific journals.

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References:

  1. Yach D et al. The global burden of chronic diseases: overcoming impediments to prevention and control. JAMA. 2004 Jun2;291(21):2616-22.
  2. Aldana SG, Greenlaw RL, Diehl HA, et al. The behavioral and clinical effects of therapeutic lifestyle change on middle-aged adults. Preventing Chronic Disease 2006;3(1):1-16.
  3. World Health Organization. Overview—Preventing chronic diseases: A vital investment. Geneva, WHO, 2005.
  4. KennedyET. Evidence for nutritional benefits in prolonging wellness. Am J Clin Nutr.2006 Feb;83(2):410S-414S
  5. RobertsCK, Barnard RJ. Effects of exercise and diet on chronic disease. J ApplPhysiol. 2005 Jan;98(1):3-30.
  6. Gordon NF , Salmon RD, Franklin BA, et al. Effectiveness of therapeutic lifestyle changes in patients with hypertension, hyperlipidemia,and/or hyperglycemia. Am JCardiol 2004;94(12):1558-61
  7. Merrill RM et al. The effects of an intensive lifestyle modification program on sleep and stress disorders. J Nutr Health Aging. 2007 May-Jun;11(3):242-8.
  8. Aldana SG, Greenlaw RL, Diehl HA, SalbergA, Merrill RM, Ohmine S, et al. Effects of an intensive diet and physical activity modification program on the health risks of adults. J Am Diet Assoc2005;105(3):371-81
  9. Fairfield KM, Fletcher RH.Vitamins for chronic disease prevention in adults: scientific review. JAMA.2002 Jun 19;287(23):3116-26.