Men's Health Week is a great time to address health disparities in men - men face unique health challenges and higher rates of certain health conditions than women, Shining light on these disparities can promote better awareness and understanding, improving healthcare outcomes for men.

Encouraging men to prioritise their health, seek appropriate care, and engage in preventive measures is crucial for promoting overall well-being and improving men's health outcomes.

Some key health disparities that affect men include:

Mental health issues: Men often face societal pressures to be stoic and not openly discuss their emotional well-being. This can lead to under-diagnosis and underreporting of mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Men may be less likely to seek professional help or support when they face mental health challenges.

Shorter life expectancy: Men tend to have a shorter life expectancy than women. Factors such as higher rates of risky behaviours, delayed healthcare-seeking, and lower engagement in preventive care contribute.

Higher rates of cardiovascular disease: Men are more susceptible to cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke. Contributing factors may include higher smoking rates, unhealthy eating habits, and sedentary lifestyles. Addressing risk factors via lifestyle changes and regular screenings is crucial for preventing these conditions.

Prostate cancer: Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men. Early detection through regular screenings, such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, can significantly improve treatment outcomes. However, reluctance to discuss symptoms or undergo screenings can hinder timely diagnosis and treatment.

Testicular cancer: This primarily affects young men, typically between 15 and 35. Self-examination and awareness of the signs and symptoms are essential for early detection and successful treatment.

Let’s talk!

By raising awareness of men's need to tackle these challenges during Men's Health Week and throughout the year, we can encourage men to prioritise their health, seek appropriate care, and engage in preventive measures. Supportive and open dialogue is vital to de-stigmatise mental and other health discussions and provide accessible healthcare resources to ensure men's overall health and well-being.

CMA welcomes the appointment of Mr Blair Comley, PSM, as the Department of Health and Aged Care Secretary. Mr Comley brings a wealth of experience from his distinguished career in the Commonwealth and New South Wales public sectors.

We welcome the appointment of Mr Blair Comley, PSM, as the Department of Health and Aged Care Secretary.

Previously serving as the Secretary of the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism, as well as the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency from 2011 to 2013, Mr Comley has showcased his exemplary leadership skills. Furthermore, his tenure as the Secretary of the New South Wales Department of Premier and Cabinet from 2014 to 2017 demonstrated his ability to navigate complex issues and drive positive change.

Currently, a director and partner at Ernst and Young Port Jackson Partners, Mr Comley's strong economic qualifications and proven leadership will undoubtedly contribute to the innovative and rigorous policymaking required to address the challenges and seize the opportunities within our health system and care for older Australians.

Complementary Medicines Australia would also like to sincerely thank Professor Brendan Murphy AC for his outstanding service to Australia's health sector. As the Chief Medical Officer since 2016 and Secretary of the Department of Health since 2020, Professor Murphy's remarkable contributions, including during the global COVID-19 pandemic, have played a pivotal role in keeping Australians safe. We wish him a much-deserved retirement filled with joy and fulfilment.

We look forward to working closely with Mr Blair Comley PSM to promote all Australians' health and well-being as together, we strive to achieve greater accessibility, safety, and efficacy in healthcare.

On behalf of the team at CMA, we express our sincerest congratulations to Carl Gibson on his upcoming retirement on June 14th, 2023.

Over the past ten years, Carl Gibson has significantly contributed to the growth and success of Australia’s complementary medicines industry. His leadership, vision, and strategic direction have guided our organisation through challenges and opportunities.

He has inspired and motivated team CMA and fostered a positive work culture while driving innovation and playing a pivotal role in the industry's accomplishments, from fostering research initiatives to championing innovative regulatory frameworks. His tireless efforts have elevated our industry's standing and strengthened the relationship between complementary medicines and mainstream healthcare in Australia. His strategic vision has fostered collaboration, synergy, and mutual understanding, propelling the industry into uncharted territory and redefining its role in our healthcare landscape.

Please join us in extending our warmest wishes to Carl on his well-deserved retirement. He will be missed!

Professor John Skerritt, a highly regarded figure in the Australian healthcare sector, recently announced his retirement from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Wishing Professor John Skerritt the healthiest retirement!

During his tenure as Deputy Secretary for Health Products Regulation Group, Professor Skerritt played a pivotal role in implementing regulatory reforms that significantly improved the efficiency and effectiveness of the agency's processes. Complementary Medicines Australia (CMA) has closely collaborated with Professor Skerritt and his executives, resulting in significant achievements for the industry and Australian consumers.

CMA has partnered with the agency in various capacities related to the appropriate regulation of complementary medicines in Australia. This collaboration included reviewing and reforming the regulatory framework for complementary medicines, introducing the TGA's Listed Assessed Medicines pathway, market exclusivity for new ingredients, and providing feedback and input to the TGA during the regulatory reform process. Professor Skerritt and CMA have worked closely to ensure that complementary medicines are safe, effective, and suitably regulated in Australia.

CMA CEO Carl Gibson says: CMA CEO Carl Gibson says: “We congratulate Prof John Skerritt on implementing an updated regulatory regime for complementary medicines. The Australian regulatory environment is the world's envy and ensures consumers access to safe, effective, quality complementary medicines.

We now have a system that rewards investment and protects clinical trials. This allows us to secure new world-leading new ingredients and a boost to evidence-based complementary medicines.”

Professor Skerritt has been widely respected in the healthcare industry for his expertise and leadership. His retirement marks the end of an era for the TGA, and his contributions to the agency will be remembered for years to come. However, he leaves behind a capable and solid team that will continue to build on his legacy. We wish you the best and healthiest of retirement!”

Our healthcare system is set for a much-needed shakeup. And as GPs struggle to retain guardianship and funding for referring patients to allied health professionals, these professionals are urging the adoption of mandates to provide more preventive care directly to individuals.

"There is no doubt that the government can do more to tip the balance from treatment to prevention when it comes to the health of Australians," says CMA Chief Executive Carl Gibson."

On the one hand, GPs want to retain the power to be health gatekeepers, referring patients to dietitians, physiotherapists and other allied health professionals. At the same time, allied health professionals are committed to providing more in the preventive health arena."We need to put more emphasis on wellness, rather than focus entirely on illness,” said Carl Gibson, adding that; “The vital role of preventive health is too important to be ignored”.

The human costs of being unwell are clear not just from the personal level but also for families and the community. The financial costs can mount quickly – including treatment costs, time off work, carers and childcare, for example. Feeling healthier can also boost overall wellbeing in work and home life with greater productivity, zest and resilience.Preventing future illnesses and complications from existing conditions is vital to the future sustainability of health systems with far-reaching effects affecting our planet.

According to the World Bank: "Encouraging early patient diagnosis and management/intervention and supporting patient compliance will promote longer, healthier living and reduce greenhouse gas emissions."It makes sense to prioritise prevention to help reduce risk factors and slow their progression.

“CMA looks forward to discussing these critical factors to ensure the country progresses to making the right choices - for all Australians,” ends Carl.

Recently, research confirmed that people who are overweight appear more likely to have low vitamin D levels than people within a "normal" weight range. It may be that because vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin it gets "stuck" in fat layers and is thus not available for use. Thus researchers suggest that losing body fat is one way to enhance vitamin D status. There are also several other factors that can affect vitamin D status.

The body produces vitamin D in a complex process that starts (UVB) light spectrum and is absorbed by the skin.

The action of sunlight on dehydrocholesterol in the skin produces most of our vitamin D, followed by metabolism in the liver and the kidneys; this eventually results in a bioavailable form.

Here are eight more factors that can influence vitamin D levels:

1. Where you live. Lower levels of UVB light reach the earth's surface in higher latitudes. Short winter days covered clothing also limit UVB exposure.

2. Pollution. Carbon particulates from burning fossil fuels scatter and absorb UVB rays. But holes in the ozone layer mean increased levels of vitamin D production.

3. Sunscreen. We are familiar with Australia's Slip Slop Slap sun safe message. Sunscreen protects by blocking UVB light, so sunscreen use lowers vitamin D levels. But only a few people apply enough to completely block all UVB light.

4. The colour of your skin. Darker skin contains more of the pigment melanin, which blocks UVB light. Dark-skinned people require more UVB exposure than light-skinned people to generate the same amount of vitamin D. However, pale-skinned people may keep out of the sun for fear of sunburn.

5. Temperature. Warm skin produces vitamin D more effectively than cool skin.

6. Your age. Older people have thinner skin and lower levels of the substance dehydrocholesterol than younger people.

7. Gut health. Vitamin D is absorbed in the small intestine, whether it is from food or a supplement. Gastric juices, pancreatic secretions, bile and the integrity of the intestine wall influence how much of the vitamin is absorbed. Conditions that affect the gut and digestion, such as coeliac disease, chronic pancreatitis, Crohn's disease, and cystic fibrosis, can reduce vitamin D absorption.

8. Liver and kidney health. Some types of liver disease can reduce vitamin D absorption because the liver doesn't produce bile. Levels of the bioactive form of vitamin D indicate kidney health, and the bioactive level of vitamin D decreases as the condition worsens.

On our 50th Anniversary, we acknowledge and congratulate the unique Marcus Blackmore with the Lady Cilento award.

Marcus Blackmore accepts the Lady Cilento Award at the 23rd Industry Awards and black and white with Dr Lendon Smith, the keynote speaker at the NNFA convention 1982.

This award is the complementary medicine industry’s most prestigious award recognising an individual’s lifetime achievement and outstanding contribution to the industry and community. The Lady Cilento award acknowledges an individual’s professionalism, the contribution of exceptional merit, and the reflection of high aspirations benefiting the complementary healthcare ethos.

Over a hundred years ago, in 1919, Lady Cilento advocated using vitamin D to treat severe rickets. She was called a maverick and a crank by the medical profession, yet, time has shown that she was a great visionary in nutrition and medicine.

At the 23 Industry Awards on Thursday last week, the 50th Anniversary of CMA in all its iterations, the industry honoured a true legend, the father of the Australian natural medicine industry, on whose shoulders the entire sector stands – Marcus Blackmore.

Marcus donates millions of dollars to research and the science of complementary medicines. Having served in military service where he was a second lieutenant ice in Vietnam, Marcus also does much for veteran affairs.

Marcus began working in his father Maurice’s food store in Brisbane before building the Blackmores brand into the incredibly successful business it is today.

Marcus was the foundation President of the Nutritional Foods Association of Australia. He started the Industry Association. On our 50th Anniversary, we cannot think of anyone more deserving.

Marcus also planned our Association’s very first convention back in 1977.

It was Marcus who proposed the industry contribution award, and it was first presented to Lady Phyllis Cilento at the opera House in 1977. Meanwhile, Marcus Blackmore was awarded NNFA Industry Award in 1981 but has yet to win the Lady Cilento Award - until now.

We offer our heartfelt congratulations to th

Australia joins global cohort to drive gender parity across the $5.5bn complementary medicines industry

SYDNEY, Australia (7 November 2022) – Women In Nutraceuticals (WIN), the non-profit spearheaded by a cohort of global nutraceutical leaders, today announced its formal launch across the globe in US, Europe and Australasia, with a vision to inspire, empower and motivate women in the global nutraceutical industry to achieve personal and professional success.

According to the latest audit by peak industry body Complementary Medicines Australia (CMA), industry revenue sits at $5.5 billion with 77 TGA-licensed finished complementary medicine product manufacturing sites, employing 2,515 people in the manufacturing sector alone.  Nearly 70% of the Australian population consumes a nutraceutical supplement.

“The contribution women make to the industry's success is immeasurable,” said London-based WIN President, Heather Granato, Vice President, Partnerships & Sustainability, Informa. “Yet in the US, the 2021 Women in the Workplace report showed that only 86 women to every 100 men are promoted to first-level manager, and women are under-represented in leadership roles across the nutraceutical industry.” 

“The lack of female leadership representation is a disservice to the industry as women represent the majority of consumers and consistently add significant value when they hold influential positions. WIN was formed to amplify women’s industry standing and provide them support, resources, and tools to achieve professional and personal success,” Granato said.

Women In Nutraceuticals is a non-profit global organization that champions the cause of women in the nutraceutical industry to achieve equal opportunity and representation of women in the boardroom and C-suite as well as maximising funding for women-led businesses championing more women in science and research initiatives in female populations.

WIN’s founding members represent organizations from around the globe, including the United States, Europe, Asia and Australasia.

“The Australian nutraceutical sector is one of the most highly regarded in the world, for its commitment to quality ingredients and manufacturing processes, for the best outcome for Australians. The industry employs 2515 people in the Complementary Medicine manufacturing sector alone, without considering research, retail and brand holders. Women have played an integral role in the success of the industry for decades, and it is our duty to strive for gender parity through our mission which is to empower women in nutraceuticals to unlock their personal and professional potential,” said WIN’s Australian-based Marketing Committee Co-Chair, Gillian Fish, CEO of The 6AM Agency.

“The support of the global industry in the space of a matter of weeks has been overwhelming and highlights the sentiment of both men and women across the supply chain that there is a clear need to help increase the percentage of women holding leadership roles, funding for female-led businesses, and women’s participation in research,” she said.

In 2022, WIN is focused on establishing benchmarking data on women’s roles in the industry across the globe, helping increase the percentage of women holding leadership roles, securing funding for female-led businesses and ensuring female representation in research. The organization will also foster connections through networking events and education.

WIN founding sponsors include Alkemist Labs, Amin Talati Wasserman, Arizona Nutritional Supplements, Artemis International, Avant Nutrition LLC, Cepham Inc, Council for Responsible Nutrition, Cypress Systems, DCC Health & Beauty Solutions USA, Industry Transparency Center, Informa, IngredientsOnline.com, Kemin, Know Agency, Kyowa Hakko, MAYPRO Group, Merical, Nutrasource, Nutrify Today, Nutrition Capital Network, Organic & Natural Health Association, The 6AM Agency. Founding media partners include Nutraceuticals World, NutraIngredients-USA, Nutritional Outlook, SupplySide/New Hope/Vitafoods, and WholeFoods Magazine.

For information about WIN Events, Membership and Sponsorship opportunities, visit WomenInNutraceuticals.org.

Can a product be "made in Australia" from imported ingredients?

The short answer is yes. The Made in Australia logo is widely respected, and more and more Australians want to support local makers knowing that the products they choose are "made in Australia." But when it comes to Australia's complementary medicine industry, this isn't always straightforward.

Specific growing conditions

It isn't always possible to grow all the herbs here in Australia. For example, alpine plants are adapted to harsh conditions such as low temperatures, dryness, ultraviolet radiation, wind, drought, and poor nutritional soil. They may also have a short growing season.

Another example is peonies which also come from cool temperatures in mountain regions in the northern hemisphere, including parts of China; they need cold winters, mild summers and deep, rich, moisture-retentive soils.

The popular herb Withania, or ashwagandha, grows best in well-drained, sandy or light soils, which the Indian state of Rajasthan provides and is said to produce some of the best quality herbs.  And in some instances, generations of growers have developed in-depth knowledge of the best cultivation practices. Thus, the intricate and individual growing conditions make it impossible to grow every ingredient in natural medicines here in Australia.

Strictly controlled, tested and regulated

When ingredients are imported from overseas, they are strictly controlled and tested for authenticity by Australia's complementary medicines industry according to the highest standards in the world. In an industry that is more highly regulated than any other complementary medicines in the world. And it is an Australian success story.

Growing the economy, securing jobs

Australian complementary medicine provides around AUD$1.8 billion to the economy yearly. Continued positive growth will grow our advanced manufacturing sector, boost Australian jobs and stimulate scientific evaluation and research.

Complementary medicines include vitamins, mineral and nutritional supplements, homeopathic, aromatherapy products and herbal medicines, plus traditional medicines, including traditional Chinese medicines, Ayurvedic, Australian Indigenous and Western herbal medicines. These are regulated in Australia as medicines under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.

Certifying products as being made here in Australia is a robust sales and marketing asset. It is only awarded if the company meets the criteria set out in Australian Consumer Law and the Australian Made Logo code of practice. This powerful emblem sends a clear message to consumers that the product is an authentic Australian alternative product made for Australians and discerning consumers overseas.

Australian Made, Australian Grown

The Australian Made, Australian Grown logo certifies a product is totally or mostly manufactured, processed or transformed in Australia. The logo tells your consumers that your product is genuinely made in Australia and positively impacts the Australian economy. A 2019 press release by Roy Morgan Research shows that 90% of Australians over fourteen are more likely to buy locally-made products.

Several kinds of "made in Australia" certifications are printed with the Australian Made logo. The customer can thus clearly see how or to what extent a product was made in Australia. For example, if a product is made in Australia from imported ingredients, it must meet specific criteria.

Made-in-Australia symbols explained

Australian Made

The product is significantly transformed in Australia, even if its components are from international suppliers. Yes, it can be made in Australia from imported ingredients!

Transforming the ingredients into the product is still beneficial to the local industry.

Australian Grown

Local farmers grow all of the significant ingredients in the product here in Australia. Additionally, all or nearly all of the processing occurs in Australia.

Product of Australia

All of the significant ingredients in the product come from around Australia. Additionally, the components are totally or mostly manufactured or processed in Australia; this differs from "Australian Grown" because those "ingredients" might not be crops or produce, for example.

The benefits of buying Made in Australia

In a few words, buying products made in Australia benefits consumers and the country. Each dollar can make a change since it directs resources to local businesses, local communities, and local families. You're buying products that are certified as safer, higher quality, and more trustworthy due to Australia's strict regulations. There's no downside to supporting local industry.

One new study suggests no evidence that taking vitamin D supplements reduces the risk of bone fractures in healthy older adults. However, this contradicts numerous other studies and expert authorities in osteoporosis and bone health.

This vital fat-soluble vitamin has a myriad of body functions. Technically a prohormone, vitamin D is made when the sun reacts with a. cholesterol-type substance in the skin – which is why it is called the sunshine vitamin. Some foods also contain vitamin D.

This essential vitamin maintains healthy bones and teeth and plays many vital roles, including regulating inflammation and immune function. It also has neuroprotective effects; it affects the production of proteins required for developing neurons (brain cells). Additionally, vitamin D helps protect nervous tissues from oxidative stress and ensures balanced calcium levels in our blood (and cells, including the nervous system).

Irrefutable evidence 

Certain people are at risk of vitamin D deficiency, and there is irrefutable evidence

to support the significant benefits of supplementing vitamin D in these groups.

Several factors can affect the body's ability to get adequate vitamin D from sunlight alone.

According to the National Institutes of Health, You may be less likely to absorb enough vitamin D from the sun to meet your needs if you:

• Live in an area with high pollution (which provides a barrier between the skin and the sun). 
• Use of sunscreen – safe sun exposure and sunscreen are highly recommended in Australia.  
• Spend most of your time indoors  
• Cover your skin for cultural or other reasons  
• Have darker skin (this is because the higher melanin levels mean that your body creates less vitamin D).
• Are older – as skin thins, the skin becomes less efficient in making vitamin D. Hence, vitamin D production becomes less efficient.
• Have inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease) 
• Can't digest fat normally

The link between obesity and low vitamin D levels

According to The Australian Bureau of Statistics, 67 per cent of Australian adults are overweight or obese (equivalent to around 12.5 million people). Being overweight may also affect vitamin D status and be related to several chronic health problems.  

The body needs certain enzymes to convert vitamin D into its active form; the enzyme levels between obese and non-obese individuals differ. So, obese people may need more vitamin D than normal-weight people. Also, vitamin D accumulates in excess fat tissues but is not readily available for use by the body when needed. Those who have had gastric bypass surgery since the upper part of the small intestine is removed, which is where vitamin D is absorbed.

Thus, a higher dose of vitamin D supplementation may be necessary to achieve a desirable blood level. 

Getting adequate vitamin D 

Vitamin D is found in two primary forms – D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol); D2 from plants and D3 from animals. D3 is the type that the body makes via the action of sunlight on the skin.

Research suggests that D3 is significantly more effective at raising and maintaining overall vitamin D levels than D2.

Vitamin D levels can be raised by:

Spending time in sunlight – but it is vital to practice safe sun

Enjoy fatty fish and seafood 

Choose mushrooms more often

Include egg yolks in the diet

Eat fortified foods

Take a vitamin D supplement.

So, for many people, taking a vitamin D supplement may be the best way to ensure adequate intake. Safe supplementation of vitamin D should be based on the needs of the individual. Australians should be guided by a healthcare professional to maintain sufficient levels of vitamin D. safely. How? Via safe sun, diet and supplementation when required.