SFI Health makes proven, natural healthcare solutions accessible by bridging the gap between naturopathy and clinical healthcare. We speak with Patrick Harrison, SFI Health’s Scientific and Educational Coordinator, to learn more.
Can you explain the role and value of naturopathic principles and how they guide your work at SFI Health?
Two core principles of naturopathy are “vis medicatrix naturae,” which translates to the healing power of nature, and “first do no harm.” Conducting research on a particular formulation—or following research—gives the practitioner confidence in the effects they can expect to see in their patient over a given period of time. Safety data from clinical trials, market observation of the product, and post-marketing data provide additional assurance in clinical decision-making. Practitioners can discuss these expectations with patients, which builds trust in the therapeutic relationship.
As research progresses, we understand more about the causes of disease. This encompasses the other principles of naturopathy: “Identify the cause”, “Treat the whole person” and “Prevention”. The emergence of the gut-brain axis in research is an example of this. SFI Health has specialized in this area for many years and continues to do so to ensure that we remain true to the principles of naturopathy.
How does SFI Health bridge the gap between naturopathy and clinical healthcare?
By closely examining and advancing research, SFI Health provides greater assurance on how a therapeutic product can be prescribed. Understanding the chemistry of a plant or therapeutic product is a key step, and ensuring that chemistry remains standardized as it is in clinical trials. Additionally, pharmacokinetics, how the therapeutic product is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated from the body must be considered to have the desired effect (pharmacodynamics). This includes safety and potential interactions. Finally, how the product is packaged must be considered.
For example, let’s look at SFI Health’s Ellura cranberry product. Research has isolated a specific antioxidant, A-type proanthocyanidins (PACs), which are essential at a specific dose to achieve the therapeutic effect of preventing bacteria from adhering to the urothelium (urinary tract). To achieve this, we have reliable sources of cranberries with high PAC content. The cranberry extract must then be concentrated to match the therapeutic dose defined in the studies. This process takes place in a state-of-the-art facility with the capacity to scale to the clinically studied therapeutic dose of 36 mg of PAC. Finally, blister packaging to prevent oxidation is essential to prevent degradation and ensure the therapeutic dose is present throughout the shelf life.
Randomised placebo-controlled trials demonstrate efficacy, but we also need to monitor post-marketing data. We encourage practitioners to report any adverse events to us, as this allows us to prescribe as safely as possible. Practitioners can then work confidently with other healthcare professionals with research and data to support their prescribing.
Why do you think the healthcare practitioner-patient relationship is vital?
While there are multiple answers to this question, I will highlight two. Again, using Ellura as an example, when we tested generic cranberry products on the market for PACs, there was a varying fraction and levels of PACs – none of them had the ability to achieve a therapeutic dose. Without the trust of a therapeutic relationship with a practitioner, a consumer who has done their research will understand that cranberry may be effective, but may not know how different the extracts may be. It is the practitioner’s role to prescribe therapeutic doses based on the individual’s presentation.
The other answer I would raise is that we do randomized placebo controlled trials for a reason. Placebo almost always triggers a positive response. It provides reassurance that the treatment is therapeutic relative to placebo, but the study design also recognizes how beneficial the caring therapeutic relationship is.
How does SFI Health support the healthcare practitioner-patient relationship through partnerships with industry bodies like NHAA and NICM?
As we seek to advance research, partnership with institutes, universities, and associations is essential. We continually engage in discussions that lead to research to improve our understanding of natural medicine. It is essential that we also share information freely with these academic institutions and professionals. Often, students themselves bring new perspectives that can also lead to future research.
What are the main initiatives implemented by SFI Health to promote sustainability?
We are about to release our second global sustainability audit across the company. This has provided us with areas of focus where we can work and make the biggest improvements. Through these audits, SFI Health is leading the industry in its commitment to sustainability. New product development gives us the opportunity to achieve sustainability by design.
An example of this is our Pure Mg+ Magnesium range, where wastewater from salt harvesting in Western Australia is used to become a source of magnesium. Simply through solar drying, we are able to extract the magnesium from this water. The remaining wastewater returned to the ocean more closely mimics the mineral composition of what was originally taken from the ocean. Through circular economy principles, this helps to mitigate the environmental impact of salt harvesting.
How does SFI Health provide business support to naturopaths?
Wardle et al., (2019) reported that only 6.2 per cent of the Australian adult population consult naturopaths. Approximately half (50.3 per cent) of Australians use complementary medicine (Harnett et al., 2019). This exposes many more people to our brand and therefore the benefits of evidence-based natural medicine. Naturopaths are the health professionals who have the potential to understand our products in the most detail and apply this knowledge to the individual to achieve the best efficacy and safety. We advocate for this at all levels.
Once a practitioner has registered with one of our sales team members, we add them to our searchable web tool where the public can find practitioners we support through training. Often, we receive product support calls from consumers asking questions that ethically should be addressed with a practitioner. We never step outside our scope of practice, which often leads us to advise consumers to consult their healthcare professional. It is often appropriate to advocate for evidence-based naturopathic care, as these healthcare professionals are best trained to help. Ultimately, this allows for greater access and understanding for consumers, while supporting efficacy and safety.
We have also conducted our own surveys, mapping the actions taken by consumers for specific health issues. Confidence in therapeutic outcomes are major determining factors.
The SFI Health Professionals portfolio is “practitioner-only” and available behind the counter at pharmacies or health food chains.
What do you see as the role or potential benefit of industry support for new and aspiring naturopathic practitioners?
I recognize that we have competitors in the market. This should only encourage us to seek better health outcomes. Our range is clinically tested or research-based in the early stages with a single nutrient or herb. When we combine two therapeutic products together, the synergy is very interesting. We have seen this when combining Panax Ginseng with Ginkgo Biloba, where higher doses were no more effective than placebo and lower doses of Ginkgo were more beneficial when combined with Panax. This is rooted in traditional herbal knowledge, but through research we can further improve our understanding of the chemistry of natural medicine, synergy and optimal dose therapy. Traditionally, the quality of natural medicines has been controlled by cultivation methods and standards, as well as traditional extraction methods, improved and learned through trial and error. This is still true, but with modern commerce, the quality of the plant material supplied often does not offer the therapeutic potential and safety needed. I believe we must remain true to testing standards to ensure that we are true to the therapeutic potential and safety of any given natural medicine in order to ensure the future of our profession.
Contact SFI Health today.
T: +61 2 9431 7299
W: sfihealth.com.au
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