Dr Tristan Carter

Preventive health is a cornerstone of Naturopathic practice. Paternal preconception care is a preventive paradigm prioritizing the health roles and responsibilities of males
before having a child, optimising pregnancy, and offspring outcomes by addressing diet, lifestyle, and environment while limiting any modifiable risk factors. Indeed, such
precautions sustain public health, preserving male health, the health of children and future generations. A systematic review exploring paternal preconception modifiable risk factors for adverse pregnancy and offspring outcomes. Studies were included if observational, reporting associations of modifiable risk factors in the preconception
period among males (e.g., identified as reproductive partners of pregnant women and/or fathers of offspring for the outcomes reported) with adverse pregnancy and
offspring outcomes. 36 cohort and three case-control papers were identified, albeit the evidence from this review is limited and heterogeneous. Papers assessed as good quality showed that paternal smoking may increase the risk of birth defects and higher paternal BMI was associated with higher offspring birthweight. Nonetheless, further high-quality research is necessitated for men and couples to prepare for healthy pregnancies and children. Naturopathic prudence acknowledges paternal preconception health and care in clinical practice, assisting to identify and address men’s preconception modifiable risk factors and/or health behaviours that influence adverse pregnancy outcomes. This research strives to promote and influence paternal preconception bi-directional translational research, a continuing cycle of new knowledge with the
potential to further research and ultimately translate to clinical practice, enriching health care and/or public health.

Background: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID’s), a considerable burden on the community and the economy, significantly impact an individual’s health-related quality of life. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMS) are often utilized to obtain qualitative, validated measures of patient health status and outcomes of treatments. Naturopathic students studying at Endeavour College of Natural Health apply PROMS, including the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), to assess patients suffering FGID’s. Two clinical cases are summarised of patients treated by student naturopaths for FGID’s, utilizing the GSRS.
Case Summary: Jane (case one) initially presented with extensive moderate digestive issues experienced as reactions to certain foods, coupled with other ailments including stress. Rona (case two) initially presented with minimal digestive complaints, constipation and abdominal discomfort, plus fatigue. Individualised combinations of herbal formulas, dietary changes and lifestyle alterations were prescribed in each case.
Outcomes: Case notations suggest Jane’s symptoms improved considerably despite a negligible overall reduction from the GSRS baseline score. Inversely, Rona’s generalizable and minimal case notations suggest negligible symptom improvements; however, GSRS score changes indicate considerable symptom improvements after a single consult, completely subsiding after four consults.
Implications: Holistic assessment of emotional, social and physical functions, incorporating PROMS, is important for clinicians to understand the severity of individual patient complaints and the outcomes of treatment for FGID patients. Potentially informing future clinical research in this area, naturopathic treatment approaches for FGID’s combining dietary changes and lifestyle prescriptions alongside other therapies such as herbal and nutritional medicine emphasise the complex interventions prescribed in realworld settings.