Optimal Health & Wellbeing

The Importance of Health Screenings

Health Awareness The Importance of Health Screenings Health screenings can identify and assess the following health risks: diabetes, metabolic syndrome, high cholesterol, overweight and obesity, osteoarthritis, cancer, heart disease, chronic inflammation, depression, etc. Dr Arien herself is an example of why regular health screenings are so important. A very unpleasant surprise awaited her when she did […]

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Inflamm-Ageing

Inflamm-Ageing It’s the current buzzword in the anti-ageing world. We explore the way chronic inflammation accelerates ageing and how to slow things down – Lynne Gidish The word “inflammation” comes from the Latin word “inflamatio”, which means “to inflame or set on fire”, explains Dr Arien van der Merwe, owner of Healthy Living Space in Pretoria (www.drarien.co.za). Click here for page 1 of Dr

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Inflammation: Both friend and foe

Inflammation: Both friend and foe Click here to read Dr Arien\’s article in Destiny Magazine As foe, the common denominator present in all chronic degenerative diseases The word ‘Inflammation’ comes from the Latin word ‘inflamatio’, which means to inflame, to set on fire.  Chronic inflammation is the fuel that flames the fire of today’s chronic

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Holistic Approach to the Role of Emotions in Cancer

Holistic Approach to the Role of Emotions in Cancer Cancer and emotions The distress caused by certain trapped or blocked, unconscious and deeply buried emotions, do play a role in all the chronic diseases of lifestyle, of which cancer is an important example. This is not to say anybody causes their cancer on purpose! It’s

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Holistic, Integrative Approach to Cancer

Holistic, Integrative Approach to Cancer Written by Dr Arien van der Merwe MBChB FRSPH MISMA NHA Medical doctor and author who specialises in holistic, integrative medicine In recent years oncology (the study and treatment protocols of cancer) has developed into various sub- specialities, becoming more and more intricate. A patient may need a surgical oncologist to

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Natural Remedies to Counterbalance and Prevent the Side Effects of Chemotherapy

Natural Remedies to Counterbalance and Prevent the Side Effects of Chemotherapy  Written by: Dr Arien van der Merwe MBChB FRSPH MISMA NHA Herbal Remedies and Micronutrients Herbal remedies can help relieve side effects of chemotherapy (most common are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue, hair loss, anaemia, lack of energy and despondency or full blown depression), while supporting

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A String of Pearls: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

A string of pearls: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) A Natural Approach to PCOS Written by Anri van der Merwe (Physiologist and Fitness Specialist) What is PCOS? PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) or PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease) is a common endocrine system disorder among women of reproductive age, affecting 5-10% of women. PCOS involves irregular ovulation in

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