The ANH was invited to help sponsor Abu Dhabi’s first major natural products expo, Arab Naturals 2007, held at the Rotana Beach Hotel, Abu Dhabi, between 4-6 December.

Dr Robert Verkerk, ANH’s executive and scientific director, provided a keynote address to the conference, entitled “Why natural healthcare is the exiled heir to mainstream medicine”. Dr Verkerk revealed why citizens of the Gulf States needed to reflect on their own heritages and indigenous diets, and embrace new approaches to diet and lifestyle, if they are to offset the ravaging impacts of western diseases such as obesity and type-2 diabetes, which occur in the region at some of the highest incidences anywhere in the world. Drug-based approaches, while seemingly convenient for the consumer, can do little to stem the tide of such diseases.

While in Abu Dhabi, the ANH held meetings with the Zayed Herbal Research Complex, which has been appointed as a collaborating centre for herbal medicine with the World Health Organization. The ANH also continued to strengthen its links with key elements of the Indian Ayurvedic community which was well represented at the show. The ANH is hopeful that it can work cooperatively with partners in the United Arab Emirates to help facilitate the development of education and related programmes within the region, which focus on diet, lifestyle and other aspects of natural health.