MEET OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS

PROFESSOR MAJID ALI, MB BS (PUNJAB), FRCS (ENGL), FACP (USA), FAAEM (USA), is a surgeon turned pathologist, turned immunologist, turned allergist, turned teacher in self-regulation. He has written many books and has had more than 154 papers published in various medical journals. Professor Ali is deeply committed to his work in what he calls ‘an emerging new possibility of a molecular medicine’, a medicine that seeks to reverse chronic disease and preserve health using non-pharmacological molecular protocols of nutrition, allergy and chemical sensitivity, self-regulation and fitness. He is the author of The Principles and Practice of Integrative Medicine

DR GUY ASHBURNER, BSC (HONS) OST (UK), DPO (UK), is an osteopath registered with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa and the General Osteopathic Council, UK. Before graduating from the British School of Osteopathy, Guy qualified and worked as a personal trainer in Kengsington, London. His interest in babies, children and cranial osteopathy led him to complete a Diploma in Paediatric Osteopathy at the Foundation for Paediatric Osteopathy in London, an institution renowned for its specialist treatment, quality care and education. His private practice in Cape Town embraces holistic osteopathic principles with focused rehabilitation for people of all ages.

	GLENN ASHTON is a writer and researcher working on health, food safety and security and environmental issues. He has written extensively on the topic of genetically modified foods and is considered an authority on the subject. He contributed a chapter and edited the recent book A Patented World? The Privatisation of Life and Nature, published by Jacana.

BARBARA BRENNAN, PHD, is a world-renowned spiritual leader, healer, educator, and the best-selling author of Hands of Light, Light Emerging, and the inspirational Seeds of the Spirit series of poetic channeLlings. She is the founder of the Barbara Brennan School of Healing®, the Barbara Brennan School of Healing Europe®, and the Barbara Brennan School of Healing Japan®. The schools are global healing institutes where students from around the world study her unique modality of healing through the human energy field.

DR BERNARD BROM, MB CHB (UCT), CEDH (FRANCE), DIP ACUP, is a founding member of Natural Medicine and co-Chairman of the South African Society of Integrative Medicine (SASIM). Dr Brom started his practice in 1976 using a holistic approach incorporating natural medicines, homeopathy, herbal medicine, nutritional medicine and lifestyle management. His special interests include energy medicine, integration of the art and science of medicine, development of intuition, questioning the nature of health and healing, and a deeper understanding of the nature of Spirit in the practice of medicine.

JACQUELINE BROOK is a professional practising astrologer and tutor of The Tradition. She qualified in horary and natal astrology under John Frawley and continues with her studies under his guidance. A published author in both local and international journals, she is a contributor to the South African Journal of Natural Medicine and serves on its Panel of Experts. She is the founding director of Astrologers of the Real Tradition of Astrology (AORTA).

	CARI CORBET-OWEN, MA (CLIN) PSYCH, is a clinical psychologist and author of the Mind over Fatter Programme and Mind over Fatter: Learn to Feel Great without Ever Dieting (Oshun 2007).

SALLY-ANN CREED, DIP CLIN NUTR. Having suffered from various disorders, Sally-Ann was fortunate to meet a nutritionally oriented medical doctor, Dr Robbie Simons. Through diet and wise supplementation he led her back to health – within a few months Sally-Ann was off 17 prescription drugs and had her health back for the first time in her life! She went on to qualify as a clinical nutritionist and has since helped thousands of people worldwide. Her story is related in her book ‘Let Food Be Your Medicine’. Sally-Ann and her husband Bill (who holds a medical physiology degree) present in-depth nutrition courses together.

BERYN DANIEL and her husband Peter trained as chefs in the UK and worked in France for a while. Later they discovered the vegan and raw food communities in the UK and went on to do their raw food chefs’ training, converting their cooked-food skills into gourmet raw culinary delights. As raw food chefs, Beryn and Peter run courses around South Africa, focusing on how to prepare raw plant foods in the most interesting, healthy and delicious ways possible.

ANDREA DU PLESSIS, is a registered dietician. Following her initial career as consulting nutritionist, she furthered her studies in the field of sports nutrition with a Master’s degree in sports science. She has extensive experience in the complementary health industry, with 10 years of consulting privately and at the High Rustenberg Hydro and the Sante Wellness Centre. This exposure inspired her to pursue a career in nutritional and complementary health care. She is currently responsible for the consumer care and education portfolio in one of South Africa’s leading vitamin and health foods companies, where she has been working for the past 8 years.

HEIDI DU PREEZ, PR SCI NAT, is a professional natural scientist with a Masters degree in Food Science. She is currently specialising in Nutritional Medicine. Heidi consults for both the food and health industries. She began specialising in natural health while living in the UK. Heidi uses a holistic, naturopathic approach, incorporating diet, supplementation, detoxification and spiritual wellbeing into her treatment regimen. Heidi serves on the Council of The South African Association for Nutritional Therapy and she is also the author of the recipe book Naturally Nutritious.

DR LES EMDIN, MB CHB (UCT), CEDH (FRANCE), DIP ACUP (SAMAS), uses an integrated medicine approach at his family practice in Cape Town. He incorporates energy medicine techniques using the modalities of Rife Resonator, QX/Scio, bio-electric field enhancement (Q2 and Body Cleanse), pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (Bemer), laser acupuncture, Zen Chi, Bioptron light, Quanterra laser, Alphastim (cranio-electro stimulation) and EEGer (neurofeedback) therapies.

JILL FRASER-HALKETT DIP CLIN NUTR, CLINICAL NUTRITIONIST. Jill’s imagination was fired many years ago when she discovered a simple solution to what had become a constant health problem, and her passion to find the truth about the food we eat and what it does to our bodies began. She qualified as a Clinical Nutritionist and practices from her home in Stanford, where she also grows organic vegetables. Jill has helped hundreds of people and also does phone and e-consulting around the country and overseas, while being available for talks and presentations on all aspects of her passions.

	DR RAOUL GOLDBERG, BSC (MED), MB CHB, CEDH (HOM), practises anthroposophical medicine in his general family practice in Cape Town. He has been a school doctor in the Waldorf school movement for many years and has lectured widely on many subjects related to child development and health. His work is inspired by the knowledge that the foundations for a healthy life are laid down in childhood

	PAUL JACOBSON, is a pet food nutritionist and qualified chef and owner of Vondis Holistic Pet Nutrition. Vondis has been producing natural pet food for 14 years and is a registered nutritional pet food stocked by a wide spectrum of vets, homeopaths, health stores and pet shops. Vonis is also actively involved in educating the public.

HANNAH KAYE BSC (HONS) NT, BJOURN, MSAANT, MBANT is a qualified nutritional therapist. Hannah obtained her BSc in Nutritional Therapy through the UK College of Nutrition and Health and Greenwich University. She treats all areas of health, with a special interest in female health and child nutrition, and believes that a functional approach to health, good nutrition and a more natural way of living can improve the quality of life of everyone. Hannah practises in both Cape Town and Johannesburg.

DR KEVIN LENTIN, BSOC SC, DC (USA), DIP CLIN NUTR (AUSTRALIA), ILS PARAMEDIC (SA).  Chiropractor and health and lifestyle coach, Dr Kevin Lentin, qualified initially in social science before graduating Doctor of Chiropractic from Life Chiropractic College, USA in 1984. His fascination for the nutritional sciences led to a Diploma in Applied Clinical Nutrition from the Academy of Nutrition in Australia. For 17 years Dr Lentin has focused his practice on a ‘functional medicine’ approach to health and wellness, incorporating his skills in the musculoskeletal, bio-nutritional and psycho-emotional realms. Dr Lentin also works as a volunteer intermediate life-support paramedic.

CHANTAL MEIJER , has a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree in Clinical Psychology and Organisational Psychology (University of Cape Town) and an Honours degree in Clinical Psychology (Stellenbosch University).She is a certified Health Coach (Dip Nat Med), has a Diploma in Nutrition (Plaskett) and is currently studying for her Diploma in Nutritional Medicine (Plaskett). She is passionate about health, nutrition and wellness and assists in guiding people towards making sustainable lifestyle changes.

CAROL MURRELL, BSC (HONS) is a qualified nutritional therapist who trained at the Centre for Nutrition and Lifestyle Management in the UK, a leading provider of nutritional therapy courses in Europe. A keen runner and cyclist, her areas of special interest include sports nutrition, women’s health and cancer care. She is also a qualified NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) practitioner and uses these powerful techniques to help individuals effect change in their lives. Carol is an accredited member of the South African Association of Nutritional Therapists (SAANT) and practices in Cape Town.

DR ALEX NIVEN, BVMS, MRCVS, SAVC, has a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery degree. He is a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and a member of the South African Veterinary Council and the South African Veterinary Association. He completed a classical, human homeopathy course for medical practitioners in Johannesburg, and following the extensive success of clinical homeopathy with animals he formulated his own range of products marketed under the Eco-Vet label. His research into the many applications of homeopathy in animal species is ongoing

DR DAVID NYE, MB CHB (UCT), MFHOM (UK), DIP HOM (CEDH), is a registered medical doctor, homeopath and acupuncturist practising integrative medicine. He has been in family practice since 1982 in Observatory, Cape Town, and now runs the Greenhouse Holistic Health Centre together with his wife Dr Sandi Nye. He has held office in the South African Complementary Medical Association, the Homeopathic Association of South Africa and the South African Society of Integrative Medicine over the past 10 years.

DR SANDI NYE is a naturopath, with a special interest in aromatic medicine. She is multi-registered with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA) and currently serves as the AHPCSA representative for therapeutic aromatherapy in South Africa and on two AHPCSA Professional Boards. Sandi also holds qualifications in numerous other complementary health disciplines, as well as nursing and midwifery. She has been in private practice in Cape Town for 25 years, with her husband, Dr David Nye, GP, homeopath and acupuncturist, and is also a health educator, writer and editorial board member for various publications.

ADELE PELTERET, HDE, DIP CN (AUS), is a qualified nutritional therapist and teacher. She has a private practice in Pinelands, Cape Town, where she uses nutritional ‘medicine’ as treatment and support for a wide range of disorders, illnesses and diseases. A member of the South African Association for Nutritional Therapy, the Nutrition Society of South Africa and the South African Association for Integrative Medicine, Adele also writes articles for various websites and magazines, as well as hosting corporate health and wellness workshops and talks.

LELA RABIE is a natural nutritionist and freelance writer based in Greenpoint, Cape Town. She grew up on a smallholding ‘with solar power and goats and 45 km from anywhere’ in the Western Cape, and after completing school spent several years living in the UK, where she studied natural nutrition. Her health aim is to live as naturally as possible within the constraints imposed by city living. She holds a Diploma in Anatomy, Physiology and Body Massage from Morley College in the UK and is also a Reiki Master.

MEGAN RICH. Complete Nutrition Solutions (CNS) comprises a group of dynamic dieticians who are changing attitudes, beliefs and behaviours with regard to eating habits. They achieve this in a fun, practical and sustainable way. With specific focus on the South African workplace, they are making employees and leaders healthier, and more energetic, resilient and positive. This increases productivity and output! Their approach is simply all about lifestyle change – no fads, no gimmicks, just sound practical advice that works!

MARGARET ROBERTS is a herbal pioneer in South Africa. For almost 40 years she has imported and trialled herb seeds and cuttings for South African gardeners and farmers. She lectures and consults on herbs, medicinal foods and environmentally safe natural insecticides at tertiary institutions countrywide and at her Herbal Centre at De Wildt. She was one of the first true organic farmers in South Africa, and has shared her knowledge through over 30 books and ongoing radio and television series. Margaret received a Laureate Award from Pretoria University in recognition of her outstanding contribution to this field.

	PROFESSOR W J SERFONTEIN, MSC, PHD (LEIDEN). Following a distinguished career in research and teaching, Professor Serfontein has now turned his attention to publishing. He is author and co-author of more than 70 publications and has also presented papers at several major international scientific congresses.

VALERIE SHAYNE is a freelance writer, life-skills coach and mother of three. Born and schooled in Zimbabwe, she completed a commercial degree through UNISA as well as diplomas in business communication, special needs teaching (UK) and life-skills coaching (UK). The role of a life-skills coach includes listening without judging, asking key questions that lead to self-discovery, assistance in setting goals, and support through periods of transition. In this capacity Valerie facilitates personal enrichment workshops for women from her home in Cape Town, providing a forum for inner nurture, self-awareness, self-expression and discussion.

LEE-ANN VAN DEN BERG,  BSC (FOOD SCIENCE), DIP CLIN NUTR,  is a food scientist and member of the South African Association of Nutritional Therapists (SAANT) with a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Nutrition through the International Academy of Nutrition in Australia.  She has a passion for nutrition and living holistically, and works as a nutritional therapist in private practice in Johannesburg, consulting across the spectrum of health ailments. Lee-Ann believes in educating clients to make informed food choices, to listen to their bodies, and to achieve balance of body, mind and spirit. Lee-Ann’s mantra is ‘Eat to live and not live to eat’. Tel.: 083-417 8241.

FRANCES VAN REENEN, BSC (HONS), DIP ION FDSC, is a qualified nutritional therapist and health writer who trained at the Institute for Optimum Nutrition in the UK – founded by Patrick Holford and classed as the leading school for training nutritional therapists in Europe. She is an accredited member of the South African Association of Nutritional Therapists (SAANT). Frances practices in Durbanville, Cape Town.

DR ARIEN VAN DER MERWE is a medical doctor specialising in workplace wellness, natural medicine and stress management. She is the author of many books on health and wellness and currently focuses her work on peer educator training in the workplace and communities to address the chronic diseases of lifestyle, or health challenges as she prefers to call them. She also presents three short courses in peer educator training, wellness and stress management at the University of Pretoria, through the Department of Social Work. Her dream remains to be involved in a truly integrative wellness sanctuary and retreat centre.

DR DAVID VAN VELDEN, MB ChB (Stel), M Prax Med (Pret), M Phil (Journalism) (Stel), is a lecturer and director of the Student’s Health Services at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch. He is interested in holistic wellness through the prevention of disease and the promotion of health using diet, exercise, music and meditation. He is the author and co-author of numerous published opinions and scientific articles on the health benefits of moderate intake of wine as part of a healthy lifestyle, and has appeared as a public health spokesman on numerous TV and radio programmes.

ROSE MARIE WILLIAMS, MA (SOCIOLOGY) has been president of the Cancer Awareness Coalition, a grassroots health and environmental organisation since 1995. She has also participated in international conferences on breast cancer research and reporting and is a frequent lecturer on environmental issues and health risks. She is a featured columnist for the Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, a publication on alternative and complementary medicine, and a contributing writer to Health and Healing, among other wellness publications. Rose Marie has been a guest on several radio and TV health-talk programmes. She is an eternal optimist, advocate and activist for a healthier society.