Health Presentations
These topics are aimed at creating an understanding of how the human body functions, how certain health conditions affect the body, and the related chemical processes taking place inside the body.
A list of the general seminar topics follows, but Health Insight can also prepare and present any other health-related topic, as required for a special occasion.
Seminar Topics
The Circle of Health
Cancer and ways to reduce risk
How often, when least expected, are we suddenly confronted with the diagnosis of cancer in family, friends or ourselves. Our genetic book of life, (with its 23 chapters) that we inherit from our parents, generally plays a very small role in the development of cancer. So many other factors that talk to our genes continuously can result in disturbed metabolism that can lead to chronic inflammation and cancer.
Health is personal and there is biochemical individuality between us; however, what we bathe our genes with, through our daily lifestyle choices, will determine genetic stability and reduce the risk or further the risk of cancer development.
In this talk on cancer Prof Nola Dippenaar will explore all areas of lifestyle intervention, including foods that speak to our genes and can modulate signal transduction and hormone secretion, and therefore play a major role in cancer prevention.
Brain Health
Insights into Metabolism
- What chemical reactions drive metabolism?
- What you eat is what you get – or not?
In this talk Prof Nola Dippenaar will share some recent insights into the complex processes taking place during metabolism.
Pros and Cons of Banting
Fat is a very important component of our daily diet and both the type and amount of fat we consume daily need to be carefully considered. During this talk Prof Nola Dippenaar will take us on a journey to discover the truth about fats and carbs in our diet, and you’ll also find that she is the undisputable expert in this field, as she did her PhD in this area of biochemistry.
Genetic screening and what it can mean for your health
Genetic screening (“testing”) can be combined with lifestyle and nutrition assessment, to more accurately identify risk factors, as well as the level of risk (high risk or low risk) for chronic diseases in an individual. These results can then be used to determine far more effective intervention in aid of good health.
Prof Nola Dippenaar will explain what exactly genetic screening could reveal about us, and show us the application through some case studies.
Insulin Resistance and Diabetes
There are about 3,6 million South Africans diagnosed with diabetes, while another estimated 5 million are unaware that they are living with it as they do not experience the typical symptoms yet.
Prof Nola Dippenaar will take us through these conditions, point out the risks and show us how to take control of the symphony.
Fats of Life
Prof Nola Dippenaar will take us on a journey to discover the truth about fats. The journey starts at the molecular level and will lead to an understanding of the essential role that fats play in our bodies. The different fats we eat are used, amongst others, to make cell membranes, the unique barrier that protects the contents of cells, allowing them to function properly. In addition, each fast-conducting nerve fiber in the body is sheathed in a layer of myelin, a special type of fat. This has to be made in the body from appropriate building blocks found in the fat of food. In fact, fat is a very important component of our daily diet and both the type and amount of fat we consume daily needs to be carefully considered.
Come listen to the undisputable expert in this field. After all, Prof Dippenaar did her PhD on this subject.
Understanding the human gut, the microbiome and our second brain
Surrounding the gut we find the large enteric nervous system, known as the “second” brain. There is a tremendous flow of communication, continuously, between our second brain and our first brain situated in the skull.
The saying “You are what you eat” will get a whole new meaning during this talk.
The effects of nuclear radiation on the human body
So what happens in the human body in the event of exposure to nuclear radiation? The danger lies in the dose. High levels of radiation over a short term affects for example the skin, cells, organs, etc. Lower level exposure over the long term has different effects, for example the development of cancer and genetic mutations. On a continuum of ever increasing exposure to nuclear radiation, damage to the human body increases dramatically.
During this talk Prof Nola Dippenaar will also cover topics such as: What are considered as “safe” levels of exposure? What exactly happens in the human body at different levels of exposure? What effect would distance from radiation have on the human body? What about the effects of other sources of radiation, such as X-rays, CT scans, even cell phone towers?
Inflammation
During this talk Prof Nola Dippenaar will take us on a discovery on what inflammation is all about and what exactly happens, even at cellular level, when inflammation occurs. There are a wide variety of causes of inflammation with different signs in the body. The human body responds in different ways to combat inflammation. This talk will also indicate ways to reduce and even prevent the occurrence of inflammation.
Dementia and brain health
The brain has the natural ability to fight outside threats, but when these threats are chronic and multiple in nature, continuing unrelenting and intense, the brain’s natural protective mechanisms respond accordingly and can cause the harm that is associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s is what happens when the brain tries to protect itself from of a wide range of metabolic and toxic threats, that can be summarized in three main categories:
• Inflammation (resulting from dietary sources, infection, or many other causes).
• A decline in, or shortage of nutrients, hormones, and other brain-supporting molecules.
• Exposure to toxic substances such as metals (for example, mercury) or biotoxins (which are poisons produced by microbes, such as mold).
The brain’s protective mechanism can then result in damage to the brain cells and connecting structure. While dementia usually affects people over 65, it can also affect younger people.
The Ketogenic diet and other “fatty” insights
In a true Ketogenic diet, a low intake of carbohydrates is combined with adequate protein and high fat dietary intake in order to induce ketosis in the body.
Is this a wonder diet to burn excess fat in the body?
It is important to first understand the essential role that fats play in our bodies, as fat is a very important component of our daily diet and both the type and amount of fat we consume daily needs to be carefully considered. Secondly it is important to also understand the difference and relevance of another type of fat, cholesterol, which is found in every cell in the human body.
Prof Dippenaar did her PhD in this area of biochemistry and physiology, and will explore the vital role of fat (lipid) in human metabolism during this talk.
Stress
Small amounts of stress are needed by all of us to be effective in our daily lives. However, the accumulation of many small stressors each day (most of which are generated in our own minds and by our lifestyle) very quickly can lead to “distress”.
The full physiological mechanisms that then occur in the human body is discussed in detail so as to understand the consequences of each of us unleashing chronic “cortisone” release into our bloodstreams. The devastating effects and the typical symptoms experienced will be fully explored.
Guidance will also be given of how to identify stressors and implement related de-stressors into one’s daily life. Stress is not isolated – too much stress leads to illness and ill health gives you more metabolic, physical and physiological stress – the two feed off each other!
The latest insights into Cholesterol
During this talk Prof Nola Dippenaar will share the latest insights into cholesterol and the important role that cholesterol plays, and what blood tests reveal about the true picture of cholesterol in the body and your risk for heart disease.
Healthy ways to reduce waist circumference
Inner fat plays a major role in a variety of health problems, much more so than subcutaneous fat, and has been linked, amongst others, to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic disturbances. The larger the store of inner fat, the greater one’s waist circumference.
During this talk Prof Nola Dippenaar will deal with healthy ways to reduce your waist circumference – a more vital number than your weight.
What services do Health Insight offer?
Individual consultations
At Health Insight we firmly believe in the saying “Your health is your wealth” and we have over time developed the tools to enable individuals to take responsibility for the state of their health, their most precious possession.
Health Presentations
A wide range of presentations on health-related matters have been developed over time and presented to local and international audiences.
Corporate Interventions
Four different health interventions are available separately or as a comprehensive health improvement intervention, with benefits to both the employer and employees.
Personal Health – Circle of Health
An intriguing exploration of all the factors that affect one’s health. This unique approach has culminated in a unique model that integrates all of these factors.