Medical and Nutrition

Listen And Learn Centre incorporates the services of a General Practitioner and Dietitian who emphasise a holistic model of health and wellbeing.

The Medical Service

The Nutrition Service

Nutrition is an integral part of helping people maintain and possibly regain their health. Rocco Di Vincenzo is an accredited practicing dietitian with over 15 years experience in the field of nutrition. Strategies incorporated in the treatment include optimum nutrition, strategic nutritional supplementation, allergy treatment and the use of functional pathology testing in the evaluation and treatment of a number of complex and chronic conditions.

The service incorporates a range of health screening assessments and questionnaires including functional testing regimes and blood tests where indicated. Nutritional supplements and dietary recommendations are provided according to a systematic and goal-oriented plan. The service caters for the needs of both children and adults.

Nutrition service - For Children

Effective dietary management and interventions can assist children with a range of difficulties, more…

Nutrition service - For Adults

Nutrition is an integral part of helping people maintain and possibly regain their health, more…

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The Medical Service

Dr Joe Nastasi is a medical physician who has been in practice for approximately 30 years. Over the last decade Dr. Nastasi has developed a strong interest in integrative medicine.

Dr. Nastasi has developed protocols of health screening assessments on a wide range of conditions. Investigation has encompassed both haematological, biochemical and microbiological assessment involving blood, urine, faecal and hair mineral analysis.

Dr. Nastasi has vast experience in assisting the treatment of:

Irritable Bowel and Generalized Gastro Intestinal disorders
Food intolerances and food sensitivity issues
Generalized Auto Immune disorders such as thyroid, pancreas, joint and muscle disorders like Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Metabolic Disorders such as Fatty Liver, Syndrome X and Diabetes

Neuropsychological Disorders such as ADHD/ADD, Asperger's Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorders Dr. Nastasi is experienced in identifying the symptoms of delayed developmental milestones in children and identifying co-morbidities which may be associated with developmental problems such as:

Skin conditions - Neurodermatitis, Eczema, Ammonia Dermatitis
Food allergies and sensitivities
Gastrointestinal tract problems, Intestinal Dysbiosis, constipation, diarrhoea, abdominal distension
Opportunistic infections and immunological down regulation, yeast overgrowth
Heavy metal levels
Liver toxicity and methylation issues
Sleep fragmentation

A biomedical approach to the treatment of neuropsychological disorders

Biomedical approaches have been commonly used to assist the treatment of neuropsychological disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD/ADD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders, Asperger's Syndrome, Epilepsy and Down Syndrome.

A biomedical intervention works to rebalance the body's biochemistry so that metabolic, immunologic, neurological and digestive systems are all working optimally. The biomedical approach is still a new area in health management and it is currently being researched by several key groups who are conducting scientific studies as to its effectiveness, such as the Autism Research Institute (www.autismwebsite.com), Defeat Autism Now! (www.danconference.com) and the Pfeiffer Treatment Center (www.hriptc.org).

Published medical literature regarding the biomedical approach to treatment of neuropsychological disorders, suggest that this approach may be of benefit to some children and that further research is needed.

Investigations

Dr Joe Nastasi provides specialised investigations which reveal:

Heavy metal burden eg. lead, mercury and others
Extended Faecal Analysis eg. Intestinal Dysbiosis where Streptococcal, Enterococcal and yeasts which are opportunistic bacteria are investigated
Biochemical abnormalities at the level of organelles (mitochondria) within cells
Deficiencies of Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, Selenium, Calcium, Vitamin D and B Group Vitamins

Mineral deficiencies Collated evidence from investigations serves to provide biomedical support to the alleviation of particular disorders. The goals are to achieve body balance by:

Removing opportunistic organisms in the bowel, bolstering commensal organisms and conducting a gut and liver rehabilitation program.
Replacing deficiencies such as Omega 3, Fatty Acids, multiple minerals and vitamins. This has the effect of refining biochemical pathways to run far more efficiently.
Removing certain foods and sugars to diminish the malabsorption from the intestinal wall.

Removing the heavy metal burden to reduce neurodegenerative deterioration.Some, if not all the strategies will assist in some way and these are:

Reducing refined sugars.
Strengthening the gastrointestinal system and liver function.

Improving nutrition and immunity.

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The Nutrition Service

Nutrition service - For Children

Effective dietary management and interventions can assist children with a range of difficulties including:

Gastrointestinal difficulties and disorders
Food allergies and intolerances
Weight issues
Neuropsychological disorders (e.g. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorders)

Optimum nutrition in infants and children

Nutrition and its effect on children with Neuropsychological Disorders

Rocco has a particular interest in how nutrition can assist the recovery of children with particular Neuropsychological Disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Typical behavioural manifestations of these sorts of disorders may include delayed speech, lack of eye contact, impaired or non-present social skills, shyness, repeated behaviours, delayed gross or fine motor skills, sensory integration issues (e.g. sound and touch sensitivity), not responding to one's name, inflexibility with transitions and changes in mood.

Typical physical manifestations of children with such disorders may include food allergies and eczema, general gastrointestinal distress, bloating, constipation and diarrhoea, yeast overgrowth, immune system dysregulation and sleep disturbances. Typically, functional pathology testing often reveals problems related to mineral and vitamin imbalances, system stress issues including heavy metal burden, neurotransmitter imbalances, compromised liver detoxification and methylation, oxidative stress and gastrointestinal dysbiosis (imbalanced gastrointestinal microflora).

Such factors can serve to slow or shut down normal biochemical pathways in the body and contribute to the physical and mental manifestations of these disorders. The ultimate goal of biomedical treatment is to remove the dietary and environmental obstacles which may be impeding biochemical pathways and boost those that are deficient. Reading about biomedical approaches to neuropsychological disorders can be overwhelming, but there is tentative evidence to suggest that certain strategies may be of benefit to some children. The three most significant strategies that have been identified in the literature are: 1. Identify and address food sensitivities. The following list is representative of some of the dietary components addressed:

a) Reduce or remove casein (dairy) and gluten (wheat) from the diet. Much has been written about the GF/CFdiet. The simple explanation is that gluten and dairy proteins can be difficult for the body to process. The caseomorphins and gluteomorphins (from dairy and gluten) can permeate the gut, enter the bloodstream and create a kind of brain fog. Most parents see some results when they remove foods containing these components. If this feels daunting, perhaps experiment with dairy removal first and see if you see any changes in your child.
b) Remove other food allergens from the diet. In addition to gluten and dairy, the other most common allergens are soy, eggs, and corn. Most children who are sensitive to dairy are sensitive to soy. (Use rice milk as a milk substitute, not soy milk).
c) Reduce levels of sugar and artificial colourings, flavourings or preservatives. Trans fatty acids (anything with the word hydrogenatedin it), artificial colours, artificial flavours, artificial preservatives, nitrates (e.g. in hot dogs), and aspartame (Nutrasweet) all add to the digestive load of the body. We recommend you switch to fresh foods and try to limit sweets as much as possible.
d) Modify cooking materials. Some research suggests that removing aluminium-based products in cooking may be beneficial. You may consider cooking using stainless steel pans (non-stick pans have aluminium) and avoiding aluminium foil. Consider avoiding the use of plastic containers in a microwave.

2. Strengthen the gastrointestinal system. When the gastrointestinal system is compromised, the immune system suffers as well. Some of the ways to strengthen the gastrointestinal system include:

Removal of food allergens. As mentioned above, gluten and casein seem to be the most common allergens.
Cod liver oil. Cod liver oil is a useful supplement that provides much needed Vitamin A and D and also helps to heal the sensitive walls of the intestine.
Probiotics. Probiotics are natural supplements that provide the gastrointestinal tract with good gut flora or bacteria.
Digestive enzymes. Digestive enzymes assist the body in breaking down foods, which can help eliminate large proteins gaining access to the blood stream.

Colostrum. Colostrum is a natural supplement that contains many gastro-intestinal and immune-system boosting properties. 3. Improve nutrient intake. A broad vitamin and mineral supplement is helpful for restoring health. Zinc, Selenium and Magnesium, for example, are particularly important for restorative health.

Nutrition service - For Adults

Nutrition is an integral part of helping people maintain and possibly regain their health. Rocco Di Vincenzo is an accredited practicing Dietitian with over 15 years experience in the field of nutrition. Strategies incorporated in the treatment include optimum nutrition, strategic nutritional supplementation, body composition determination, allergy treatment and the use of both conventional and functional pathology testing in the evaluation and treatment of a range of complex and chronic conditions.

The Nutrition and Dietetic Service offers individual consultations to patients referred by Specialists, General Practitioners and Allied Health Care Providers as well as those patients who refer themselves. The service caters for the needs of both children and adults.

Rocco is registered under Medicare via the Medicare Plus Enhanced Primary Care Program and Private Health Rebates are available including Veterans Affairs, TAC, and Workcover.

For adults the service incorporates a range of health screening assessments and questionnaires including conventional and functional testing regimes and blood tests where indicated. Nutritional supplements and dietary recommendations are provided according to a systematic and goal-oriented plan.

The Nutrition and Dietetic Service focuses on holistic and integrated health care, with the ultimate aim of focusing on the treatment of cause, rather than the treatment of patient symptoms alone. The focus is on nutrition education and counselling as part of a holistic and complementary approach to health.

Rather than handing out 'generic diets', the service seeks to work with patients to determine appropriate and sustainable nutritional goals; implement individually-tailored nutrition and supplementation care plans that are specific to the patient's individual needs and genetic constitution. The objective of the individualized eating plans is to meet the individual needs of the patient and improve health outcomes and long term prognoses.

The nutrition service can assist people who:

Would like to know more about nutrition and healthy eating for optimal health or
Are suffering from an illness and may benefit from individualised, strategic, dietary intervention

Rocco has a particular interest in individually tailored, patient-centred nutrition intervention programs and the justifiable, evidence-based, strategic use of pharmaceutical grade natural nutritional supplements (as a treatment adjunct) in treating the underlying drivers of dysfunction and alleviation of patient symptomatology. Nutritional supplements are only recommended when their likely benefit can be clearly demonstrated and as part of a systematic, strategic and goal oriented health plan.

General nutrition services include:

Healthy Eating And Lifestyle (H.E.L.P.)
Food allergies and intolerances
Optimum nutrition in bowel health and gastrointestinal distress including heartburn, bloating, wind, burping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation
Optimum nutrition for immune function
Pregnancy/Lactation, Gestational Diabetes, Preconception Care
Optimum nutrition for vegetarians: Lacto-ovo vegetarianism and veganism
Correction of identified nutritional deficiencies e.g. iron-deficiency anaemia
Optimum nutrition in mental function - concentration, focus, memory
Optimum nutrition during rehabilitation
Optimum nutrition in the elderly including for neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disorders

Optimum nutrition in sports performance including Body Composition Assessment and Intervention (BIA) Rocco has a special interest in how food and nutrition including nutritional supplementation can assist in the treatment of:

Gastrointestinal and liver dysfunction and disorders
Increased gastrointestinal permeability ie 'Leaky Gut Syndrome'
Liver disturbance and dysfunction
Functional and Reactive Hypoglycaemia
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Neurological/neuropsychiatric conditions such Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Eating Disorders and Asperger's
Autoimmune conditions such as Ankylosing Spondylitis, Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Metabolic Syndrome (otherwise known as Syndrome X) including people with diabetes, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease and obesity
Women's health issues - PMS, Mennorrhagia, Dysmennorhoea, PMS, Menopause
Adrenal and Thyroid disorders
Hormonal imbalances including Hormonal insufficiency, Oestrogen Dominance
Headaches and migraines

Cancer Rocco is formally trained in Integrative Functional Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (IFNEM). This area focuses on how one's nutritional status and one's environment impacts on one's health and seeks to develop and implement strategies that address both in the pursuit of optimum health and well-being.

Of particular interest to Rocco is the phenomenon of hypochlorhydria and achlorhydria (little or no stomach acid production) and its potential implication in the development and progression of a variety of chronic diseases as well as a range of undesirable symptoms, including digestive ones. He is one of the first practitioners in Australia seeking to make available technology together with Dr. Jo Nastasi, that allows for the objective measurement of gastric acid levels via the Heidelberg pH Capsule Gastric Analysis. It is hoped that this technology will be available to patients in early 2010.

Rocco believes that the development of an integrative medical model is the way of the future and patients' needs can best be met when a service facilitates the integration of evidence-based conventional and complementary nutritional and environmental medicine approaches.

	Irritable Bowel and Generalized Gastro Intestinal disorders
	Food intolerances and food sensitivity issues
	Generalized Auto Immune disorders such as thyroid, pancreas, joint and muscle disorders like Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis
	Metabolic Disorders such as Fatty Liver, Syndrome X and Diabetes

	Skin conditions - Neurodermatitis, Eczema, Ammonia Dermatitis
	Food allergies and sensitivities
	Gastrointestinal tract problems, Intestinal Dysbiosis, constipation, diarrhoea, abdominal distension
	Opportunistic infections and immunological down regulation, yeast overgrowth
	Heavy metal levels
	Liver toxicity and methylation issues
	Sleep fragmentation

	Heavy metal burden eg. lead, mercury and others
	Extended Faecal Analysis eg. Intestinal Dysbiosis where Streptococcal, Enterococcal and yeasts which are opportunistic bacteria are investigated
	Biochemical abnormalities at the level of organelles (mitochondria) within cells
	Deficiencies of Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, Selenium, Calcium, Vitamin D and B Group Vitamins

	Removing opportunistic organisms in the bowel, bolstering commensal organisms and conducting a gut and liver rehabilitation program.
	Replacing deficiencies such as Omega 3, Fatty Acids, multiple minerals and vitamins. This has the effect of refining biochemical pathways to run far more efficiently.
	Removing certain foods and sugars to diminish the malabsorption from the intestinal wall.

	Reducing refined sugars.
	Strengthening the gastrointestinal system and liver function.

	Gastrointestinal difficulties and disorders
	Food allergies and intolerances
	Weight issues
	Neuropsychological disorders (e.g. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorders)

	a) Reduce or remove casein (dairy) and gluten (wheat) from the diet. Much has been written about the GF/CFdiet. The simple explanation is that gluten and dairy proteins can be difficult for the body to process. The caseomorphins and gluteomorphins (from dairy and gluten) can permeate the gut, enter the bloodstream and create a kind of brain fog. Most parents see some results when they remove foods containing these components. If this feels daunting, perhaps experiment with dairy removal first and see if you see any changes in your child.
	b) Remove other food allergens from the diet. In addition to gluten and dairy, the other most common allergens are soy, eggs, and corn. Most children who are sensitive to dairy are sensitive to soy. (Use rice milk as a milk substitute, not soy milk).
	c) Reduce levels of sugar and artificial colourings, flavourings or preservatives. Trans fatty acids (anything with the word hydrogenatedin it), artificial colours, artificial flavours, artificial preservatives, nitrates (e.g. in hot dogs), and aspartame (Nutrasweet) all add to the digestive load of the body. We recommend you switch to fresh foods and try to limit sweets as much as possible.
	d) Modify cooking materials. Some research suggests that removing aluminium-based products in cooking may be beneficial. You may consider cooking using stainless steel pans (non-stick pans have aluminium) and avoiding aluminium foil. Consider avoiding the use of plastic containers in a microwave.

	Removal of food allergens. As mentioned above, gluten and casein seem to be the most common allergens.
	Cod liver oil. Cod liver oil is a useful supplement that provides much needed Vitamin A and D and also helps to heal the sensitive walls of the intestine.
	Probiotics. Probiotics are natural supplements that provide the gastrointestinal tract with good gut flora or bacteria.
	Digestive enzymes. Digestive enzymes assist the body in breaking down foods, which can help eliminate large proteins gaining access to the blood stream.

	Would like to know more about nutrition and healthy eating for optimal health or
	Are suffering from an illness and may benefit from individualised, strategic, dietary intervention

	Healthy Eating And Lifestyle (H.E.L.P.)
	Food allergies and intolerances
	Optimum nutrition in bowel health and gastrointestinal distress including heartburn, bloating, wind, burping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation
	Optimum nutrition for immune function
	Pregnancy/Lactation, Gestational Diabetes, Preconception Care
	Optimum nutrition for vegetarians: Lacto-ovo vegetarianism and veganism
	Correction of identified nutritional deficiencies e.g. iron-deficiency anaemia
	Optimum nutrition in mental function - concentration, focus, memory
	Optimum nutrition during rehabilitation
	Optimum nutrition in the elderly including for neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disorders

	Gastrointestinal and liver dysfunction and disorders
	Increased gastrointestinal permeability ie 'Leaky Gut Syndrome'
	Liver disturbance and dysfunction
	Functional and Reactive Hypoglycaemia
	Irritable Bowel Syndrome
	Neurological/neuropsychiatric conditions such Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Eating Disorders and Asperger's
	Autoimmune conditions such as Ankylosing Spondylitis, Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis
	Metabolic Syndrome (otherwise known as Syndrome X) including people with diabetes, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease and obesity
	Women's health issues - PMS, Mennorrhagia, Dysmennorhoea, PMS, Menopause
	Adrenal and Thyroid disorders
	Hormonal imbalances including Hormonal insufficiency, Oestrogen Dominance
	Headaches and migraines