~ Vale ~
In loving memory of Henry Osiecki 1949- 2025
BOOK REVIEW
Honouring the life and legacy of the founder of BioConcepts.
It is with great sadness that Bio Concepts announces the passing of our founder and distinguished nutritional biochemist, Henry Osiecki.
Henry was a trailblazer in the industry, recognised for his pioneering work in biochemistry and nutrition. Beginning in the early 1980s, he was among the first clinical practitioners to champion the role of biochemistry and nutrition as both a viable alternative and a complementary approach to traditional medicine.
A passionate educator, Henry dedicated his life to raising awareness about the vital role nutrition plays in health. His commitment to sharing knowledge empowered countless practitioners, and his many published books have become cornerstone resources for students and professionals alike. Henry’ s unwavering belief in the transformative power of natural medicine, particularly for those facing complex, chronic conditions, has left an indelible mark on the industry.
Henry’ s larger-than-life presence and his genuine warmth earned him the admiration and affection of so many. His influence is felt far and wide, and his remarkable legacy will live on through his beloved family— his devoted wife, Dr. Vera, and their children, Michael and Mariangela.
In 2018, Henry entrusted the leadership of Bio Concepts to his son Dr Michael Osiecki, who has since continued to honour his father’ s philosophy while further expanding the company and the Orthoplex brand. Henry’ s vision, dedication, and legacy will undoubtedly endure, inspiring future generations in the fields of natural medicine and nutritional biochemistry.
At this time of grief, the Osiecki family kindly requests privacy as they mourn his passing.
Yours in Health, The Bio Concepts Team
Planning Parenthood in the Age of Autism
Nyema Hermiston
Karuna Publishing. 2025. Paperback. Page Count: 160. ISBN: 978- 0-6484144-8-3. AUD 35.95.( Discounts available for bookshops and practitioner orders( 5 or more copies for on-selling to patients)
Reviewed by Stephen Clarke.
With this publication Karuna Publishing has made yet another important contribution to our knowledge of the relationship between the contemporary environment and public health, and what we can do about it. Here, Nyema Hermiston’ s particular focus is on the external factors that affect neurodevelopment before conception and during pregnancy, infancy and early childhood, with particular reference to the significant world-wide increase in diagnoses of autism and its related disorders( e. g., ADHD).
One of the great values of the book is its broad examination of the extensive research supporting the author’ s claims for the harmful effects of so many substances and lifestyle practices that permeate contemporary life: fluoridation of public water supplies, the global use of glyphosate in agriculture, the penetration by forever chemicals and plastics of our seas, skies and soils, air pollution caused by numerous industrial and domestic practices are all exposed by the many studies she cites as factors in developmental health( e. g., PFAs are endocrine disruptors which have been found in in the blood of 98 % of people tested globally and to increase the risk of ADHD and autism).
Hermiston points to the links between toxin-related oxidative stress, chronic inflammation and organ damage, including to the brain, as warnings to individuals and families to avoid all these environmental risk factors. The logical extension of these welldocumented cases is to apply pressure on relevant authorities to rein them in as a public health policy priority. We must hope that such a process will be an outcome of reading this book. Its clarity and scholarship certainly merit that.
Planning Parenthood in the Age of Autism not only identifies the risk factors for neurodevelopmental disorders, but also offers potential solutions, including vitamins, minerals and nutrients that may contribute to promoting healthy development. Parents, prospective parents, and in fact anyone involved in caring for the health of themselves and their families will find it of great value.
188 | vol31 | no3 | JATMS