Since 2020, it is estimated that over 600 million people globally have been infected with SARS-CoV-2.1 With the increasing number of infections, there are emerging trends of some individuals who do not improve, showing symptoms even after the acute infection has resolved. These cases have been termed “long haulers”, with the multi-system lingering symptoms now known as long-covid. Currently, 1 in 20 Australians experience symptoms three months post-infection2, and this figure is expected to increase.
With research continuously developing, we now have a significantly different understanding of the virus since the start of the pandemic. In this seminar, the latest developments and understanding of SARS CoV-2 will be discussed, with emerging evidence on post-acute sequelae of Post-COVID-19 conditions (PCC), also known as long COVID.
We will explore how our knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 has changed since the beginning of the pandemic. Variants of concern will be discussed, along with the emerging evidence surrounding reinfections.
Topics covered will include:
- The key role of innate immunity in health, and the defence mechanisms within the body when posed with a viral threat.
- The mechanisms behind key symptomatology and risk factors of PCC or long covid.
- Herbs, nutrients, dietary and lifestyle interventions to support immune health and wellbeing
Materials included:
- Video Recordings
- Audio Recordings
- Digital notes
- Certificate of Attendance
Sessions
Session 1A: A Research Review into the SARS CoV-2 Landscape
Dr Elizabeth Steels
Our knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 has changed significantly since the beginning of the pandemic, with the developing landscape presenting unique challenges, such as variants and reinfections. This presentation will focus on a scientific research review on the developments within SARS-CoV-2 published research, including the innate immune system as a first line of defence and the mechanisms underlying the increasing prevalence of reinfections.
The evolving published research around nutritional interventions, known as nutritional immunology, will also be examined in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Session 1B: A Critical Review of the Published Herbal Research into SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Professor Kerry Bone
This presentation provides a critical and comprehensive examination of the published research of Western herbs in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The focus will be on clinical trials, although some of the strengths and weaknesses of test tube antiviral research are briefly featured. A selection of the many clinical trials on Chinese herbal medicines will also be offered, especially where those herbs are used in the West.
Session 2: Understanding Long COVID and its Pathophysiology
Professor Kerry Bone
Session 1A: A Research Review into the SARS CoV-2 Landscape
Dr Elizabeth Steels
Session 1A: A Research Review into the SARS CoV-2 Landscape
Dr Elizabeth Steels
Our knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 has changed significantly since the beginning of the pandemic, with the developing landscape presenting unique challenges, such as variants and reinfections. This presentation will focus on a scientific research review on the developments within SARS-CoV-2 published research, including the innate immune system as a first line of defence and the mechanisms underlying the increasing prevalence of reinfections.
The evolving published research around nutritional interventions, known as nutritional immunology, will also be examined in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Session 1B: A Critical Review of the Published Herbal Research into SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Professor Kerry Bone
This presentation provides a critical and comprehensive examination of the published research of Western herbs in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The focus will be on clinical trials, although some of the strengths and weaknesses of test tube antiviral research are briefly featured. A selection of the many clinical trials on Chinese herbal medicines will also be offered, especially where those herbs are used in the West.
Session 2: Understanding Long COVID and its Pathophysiology
Professor Kerry Bone
Health authorities are warning about a coming tsunami of people suffering from long COVID. It has been described as: “Not so much a single illness, as a ragbag of different diagnoses, mixing a large dollop of post-viral syndromes together with a variety of infection-related end organ damage”.
You will learn that the current evidence points towards ongoing inflammation and possibly infection, microvascular and endothelial dysfunction, and neurological damage as being key underlying factors in many of the symptoms experienced by long COVID sufferers.
The main topics discussed are:
- Definitions and terminology
- A long COVID overview
- Post-COVID clinical issues:
- symptoms
- pathology and pathophysiology
- complications
Session 3: Functional Herbal Therapy (FHT) for Modern Health Challenges
Professor Kerry Bone
More people are suffering from ongoing inflammation, chronic infection, microvascular and endothelial dysfunction, and neurological damage than ever before. FHT strategies to address these significant health challenges will be outlined, together with an exploration of how herbs can help boost and maintain immunity and resilience in the face of the ever-increasing health challenges of living in a modern world.
Session 4. Applying Naturopathic Principles in Challenging Times
Dr Elizabeth Steels
Recent years have presented unique challenges with the intersection of communicable and chronic diseases in increasingly stressful times.
This presentation provides a multifaceted approach to building immune resilience, exploring the role of innate immunity, while decreasing susceptibility to stress and infection.
Key learnings include the application of a layered response to support a robust immune response, through the use of key herbs, nutrients, diet, and lifestyle modifications.
References
1. WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard. 2022. Available from: https://covid19.who.int/
2. UNSW Sydney. One in 20 COVID-19 cases report long-term symptoms. 2021. Available from: https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/health/one-20-covid-19-cases-report-long-term-symptoms
Speakers
Professor Kerry Bone
BSc (Hons), DipPhyto, FNIMH, FNHAA, MCPP, FANTA
Professor Kerry Bone is the co-founder and innovation driver at MediHerb, where he serves as Director of Research and Development. He regularly lectures in Australia and overseas and is a prolific author, with six published herbal medicine texts and over 40 scientific papers on herbal research, including original research and systematic reviews. His new seventh book on Functional Herbal Therapy has been published this year. As a recognition of his research role, in 2016 MediHerb was awarded the American Botanical Council’s (ABC’s) Varro E. Tyler Award for excellence in Phytomedicinal (Herbal) Research.
In 2015 Kerry’s lifelong contribution to the field of herbal therapy was recognised with his receiving the prestigious Lady Cilento award from the complementary medicine industry in Australia. Kerry still maintains a busy herbal and naturopathic practice in Toowoomba Queensland where he has been in continuous service for 36 years.
Dr. Elizabeth Steels
Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, PhD, BSc(Hon), GradDip(Nutr), GradCert(Ed)
Elizabeth is a clinical biochemist and nutritionist with over 30 years’ experience in clinical practice, research, clinical trials, formulation and regulatory affairs. She runs a consulting and research clinic in New Farm, Brisbane. She is also an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, and has a growing team of clinical naturopaths now enrolled in MPHIL and PHD students, who are now also becoming researchers to further support natural health research. The projects vary from metabolic disease and diabetes, pain and peripheral neuropathy, GIT health, candida overgrowth, and of probiotics for bone health in menopause. She is well published and often speaks at academic and industry events.
Dr. Elizabeth Steels
Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, PhD, BSc(Hon), GradDip(Nutr), GradCert(Ed)
Elizabeth is a clinical biochemist and nutritionist with over 30 years’ experience in clinical practice, research, clinical trials, formulation and regulatory affairs. She runs a consulting and research clinic in New Farm, Brisbane. She is also an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, and has a growing team of clinical naturopaths now enrolled in MPHIL and PHD students, who are now also becoming researchers to further support natural health research. The projects vary from metabolic disease and diabetes, pain and peripheral neuropathy, GIT health, candida overgrowth, and of probiotics for bone health in menopause. She is well published and often speaks at academic and industry events.
Investment
Practitioners: $49.00 Students: $29.00
Duration: 3 Hours
Note: All registrations and payments are handled directly by Integria Healthcare in Australian Dollars (AUD).
CPE Points
This event is recognised for 3 contact learning hours. Check with your association for details.