Hi.
Welcome to my website. This is a portfolio of my writing work. Hope you have a nice stay!
Welcome to my website. This is a portfolio of my writing work. Hope you have a nice stay!
A selection of some of my published work in various media outlets.
For the latest digital stories I have published on Retail Pharmacy and Retail Pharmacy Assistants magazine platforms, visit:
According to a survey conducted by the Australian Dental Association (ADA) teeth whitening is on the rise, with more people opting for OTC whitening products compared to those whitening their teeth under dental supervision.
A recent study led by Flinders University has found a link between cognitive impairment and low vitamin C levels.
Research from Camp Australia, a provider of Outside School Hours Care (OSHC), has found children in Australia’s most locked-down states – ACT, NSW and Vic – have been most impacted by the pandemic.
Earlier this week Retail Pharmacy reported on the Pharmacy Guild of Australia Queensland Branch’s backing of a Queensland Government report calling for an expansion of primary healthcare services offered by community pharmacists.
MedAdvisor medical management platform, which aids adherence to medication regimes may help keep elderly patients out of aged care, according to MedAdvisor Chief Executive Officer Robert Read.
More than one in six voters reportedly say they or their families have been unable to purchase medicines due to cost.
Guardian Pharmacy will continue its relationship with the St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies) in 2022, it has been announced.
The Morrison Government has announced it is investing more than $100 million for seasonal influenza vaccines to protect Australians most at risk this winter.Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Sharing dignity with vulnerable women this Christmas
In the spirit of giving back to those in the community most in need, The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch has generously donated, sourced and packed more than 500 essential items, which will go towards the Share the Dignity national charity.
This comes following news earlier this week that Scotland has become the first nation to make period products free for all – a significant step in the fight against Period Poverty.
Scotland progressive in fight against ‘Period Poverty’
In global headline-making news, Scotland has, this week, unanimously passed the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill, becoming “the first nation to make period products free for all”, as reported by ABC News.
Oxford University breakthrough in Covid-19 vaccine
As the world continues to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic, the race is heating up to find a vaccine that could end the pandemic.
Following recent headline dominating vaccine news from a number of key players in the vaccine race (click here and here), the University of Oxford, in collaboration with pharmaceutical giant, AstraZeneca, has announced that interim trial data from its Phase 3 trials show its vaccine candidate, ChAdOx1nCoV-2019, is effective at preventing Covid-19 and offers a high level of protection.
photo (c) John Cairns
Australian-made Covid-19 vaccine shows promise
An Australian-made vaccine has made news headlines recently following Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt’s announcement that based on early data, the University of Queensland’s (UQ) Covid-19 vaccine, known as UQ-CSL V451, is “safe and effective”, “particularly in the elderly”.
“It’s producing what’s called a positive antibody response,” Minister Hunt is quoted as saying during an interview with Neil Breen on 4BC.
Major vaccine announcement from Pfizer and BioNTech
In what has been dubbed as a “great day for science and humanity” by Pfizer Chairman and CEO, Dr Albert Bourla, Pfzier Inc, and its German partner, BioNTech SE today announced that their mRNA-based vaccine candidate, BNT162b2, against SARS-CoV-2 has demonstrated an efficacy rate of more than 90% against Covid-19.
The case for marijuana as medicine
Medicinal cannabis has been the subject of heated debate for years and with its use on the rise, this month we explore its role within healthcare and what pharmacists need to know.
While medicinal cannabis is controversial and its use within healthcare hotly debated, there is a lot more to the product than meets the eye.
Iron disorder linked to liver cancer risk
Men with haemochromatosis are at greater risk of developing liver cancer, a new study published in JAMA has found.
Haemochromatosis Australia welcomes this latest research, led by the University of Exeter, which highlights the importance of early diagnosis, as well as monitoring and treatment of the condition to avoid harm and additional health complications.
A new report released by national government agency, Cancer Australia, has revealed some concerning statistics around medical services affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The report, Review of the impact of Covid-19 on medical services and procedures in Australia utilising MBS data: Lung and prostate cancers, shows notable national reduce in services for a range of both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures during the initial Covid-19 period, March to May 2020.
A season for beards
As the weather warms up and with Covid-19 lockdown restrictions easing in some parts of the country, it’s a timely reminder to stay sun safe and get your skin checked. And who better to talk with about the importance of skin checks than the founder of Beard Season, Jimmy Niggles Esq.
Passionately paving a new path forward
Sarah Wilson is a well-known former journalist and editor, TV presenter, activist and author. In our November issue, she shares with us her journey through the complexities of climate change, the pandemic and the lessons learned in getting back from a place of disconnection towards what really matters in life.
Image credit: Rob Palmer
Pregnancy in the Covid era
Pregnancy is supposed to bring joy, excitement and the anticipation of the journey ahead, but for many pregnant women – and new mums – the Covid-19 pandemic has probably created a sense of unease, anxiety and perhaps panic, with the many unknowns surrounding this novel, highly-contagious virus for which there is no vaccine available yet.
Pregnancy and caffeine: what do the experts say?
Nutrition is an ever-evolving science and while it may seem like advice changes by the minute, it is typically based on the best possible evidence available to healthcare professionals at the time.
The latest advice to hit the spotlight concerns the maternal consumption of caffeine – what effects does caffeine have during pregnancy?
RACGP welcomes TGA’s decision on HNB tobacco
Following yesterday’s interim decision by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to block the sale of ‘heat not burn’ (HNB) tobacco products in Australia, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) today released a statement welcoming the decision.
Low-cost steroid a potential treatment for Covid-19
The spread of COVID-19 earlier this year quickly saw the rise of trials towards potential vaccines and treatments.
One such trial, the RECOVERY (Randomised Evaluation of Covid-19 therapy) in the UK, which was established to test a range of potential treatments for Covid-19, including low-dose dexamethasone (a steroid treatment), has revealed some promising results.
Fight over advancement in women’s health
In response to last week’s announcement by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia that Queensland women will now be able to seek immediate advice and treatment, inclusive of the supply of antibiotics when appropriate, for uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) through their local community pharmacy, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) Queensland has come back swinging, stating that “doctors are outraged” by this decision.
Nation boozing at risky levels
New data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has revealed that, despite knowing the dangers and health outcomes associated with excessive drinking, many Australians are still drinking at levels that are putting them at risk.
Shining the spotlight on Scleroderma
It affects thousands of Australians, yet there’s limited awareness of scleroderma. Given that 29 June 2020 was World Scleroderma Day, in this month’s issue of Retail Pharmacy Assistants magazine we highlight the often-debilitating autoimmune condition.
Don’t forget your hands
As we’re still constantly reminded to wash our hands to help continue curbing the spread of coronavirus – for 20 seconds, to the tune of Happy Birthday if that helps – another issue facing some people, especially those who suffer from skin irritation or eczema, is dry hands.
The rise of DIY
As COVID-19 gripped the globe and social-distancing lockdown became almost universal, many industries had to innovate to maintain business and a customer base, including the beauty industry, which saw a rise in DIY.
L’Oreal Paris announces new international spokesperson
Known for her role as ‘Hannah Baker’ in the popular 13 Reasons Why Netflix series and for playing strong young female leads, Katherine Langford has been announced as L’Oreal Paris’ newest international spokesperson.
Supplement space dominated by women
New data out from Roy Morgan reveals that, while the overall purchasing of vitamins, minerals or supplements has increased over the last four years, women are dominating the buying market.
Along came the Sirtfood Diet
We’ve had the Cabbage Soup Diet, the Grapefruit Diet, the Alkaline Diet, The Zone Diet, the South Beach Diet – the list goes on and on – and now, the latest diet trend to make headlines is the Sirtfood Diet, which claims to be “the new way to shift weight quickly without radical dieting”.
How to look after your skin this winter
While on the one hand winter can be a time for cuddling up on the couch with a blanket, a hot drink and your favourite book or a time for displaying your skiing or snowboarding prowess on the slopes, it can also be a tricky time for your skin.
Not losing weight even though you're on a diet?
A dietitian reveals why
From guzzling apple cider vinegar to cutting out carbs, we reckon we've tried every weight loss tip under the sun. But sometimes, even when you're off to a flying start, the kilos just come creeping back.
So where are we going wrong?
We had a chat with accredited practising dietitian Margaret Mielczarek and she's revealed the most common mistake people make when it comes to weight loss - and we can 100 per cent relate.
Linsey Corbin’s Pinch of Passion
A splash of swim, bike and run, a dollop of exercise physiology with a focus on sports nutrition, and a pinch of passion, is what has lead to Linsey Corbin’s new venture – Hazel + Blue, ‘a platform all about food that tastes food and fuels good.’
Text by Margaret Mielczarek
Describing herself as a “competitive overachiever”, as someone who is “passionate about [her] dreams”, Juli Nievergelt knows what it takes to race competitively across all distances in triathlon both as a pro and age grouper. Juli has made her career in the sport last over the long haul despite many triathletes often burning out and losing interest in the sport after a few seasons. It is clear triathlon is more than just a hobby for her – it’s her passion, lifestyle, and a big part of what makes up Juli Nievergelt.
By Margaret Mielczarek
It’s not often you get an audience with a president – and not only that, a triathlon powerhouse, someone who is not only entirely dedicated to achieving her own goals both in sport and business, but who is passionate about helping those around her achieve success.
By Margaret Mielczarek
Susie O’Neill is the epitome of inspiration – from overcoming open heart surgery, to changing the lives of children in Australia for 25 years as the founder of the KIDS Foundation. We caught up with Susie to learn more about the foundation, and discovered just how triathlon saved her life.
Interview by Margaret Mielczarek
Love ya guts: A beginner's guide to gut health
Back at primary school, I wasn't one of the kids that others would want to swap their lunches with. My lunches were often pickle sandwiches, you see – but my (Polish) mum was onto a good thing.
Walk into any health food shop or supermarket these days and you’ll come across fermented foods and drinks like sauerkraut, kombucha, and kefir, all promising a range of health benefits, particularly for your gut. But what does that even mean?
By Margaret Mielczarek
Why meatless Mondays is one food trend that's here to stay
We’ve all heard it before: “Eat your veggies.” Sometimes the plea comes with the threat of no dessert: “No sweets until you eat your veggies.” That’s how it was in my household growing up. Thankfully though, I love 'em! Whether in a salad, soup, or as a snack, they’re my comfort food.
By Margaret Mielczarek
There’s a diet for just about everything these days, from high carb to no carb and everything in between! While no single diet is suited to everyone (ahem, apart from healthy eating), let’s take a look at the pros and cons of some of the popular diets out there to help you make an informed choice.
By Margaret Mielczarek
Did you know all packaged food in Australia is required by law to display labels that contain safety and nutrition information? These labels can help you make healthier choices when choosing products at the supermarket. But, where do you start? Right here!
By Margaret Mielczarek
If you’re anything like me, you're obsessed with making New Year’s resolutions each year: promises to eat better, drink more water, exercise more. Sadly though, sometimes these resolutions last until the second week of January, and then BAM, I’m back into old habits.
By Margaret Mielczarek
The 5 steps to meal planning success
Eating healthy and making the right food choices doesn’t have to be complicated or confusing, though it can be hard to stay consistent. The trick to making it easy? Meal planning!
By Margaret Mielczarek
Ever wondered what a dietitian really eats in a day? Fam, I’m spilling all the deets with my day on a plate!
Up and at ‘em at 4am (yes, really!) for training
I love to get my (triathlon) training done in the morning before work – lucky I’m a morning person!
By Margaret Mielczarek
Oxygen Magazine Australia
Men's Muscle & Health
Cover Features
Ed’s Notes
Behind the Brand Features
Product Reviews + Road Tests
Destination Feature
Features
Nutrition Features
Australian Triathlete magazine / #Inspo: Interview / Stephen Hadley
Australian Triathlete magazine / Race Report / Steffen & Chevrot take the win Ironman 70.3 Mandurah
witsup.com / Maintaining Strong Bones Through Nutrition: Calcium
witsup.com / The Female Triad - Don't Let Your Athletic Aspirations Be Sidelined
witsup.com / Caffeine Part 2: Is There A Recommended Protocol For Caffeine Intake During A Triathlon
witsup.com / Caffeine And Sports Performance
