Category Archives: Integrative Medicine

Many people use alternative medicine to treat ulcerative colitis (UC) in addition to conventional treatment or as an alternative option. However, many individuals do not discuss this approach with their doctor, which could lead to adverse effects or interactions with their medication.

UC is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affecting between 600,000 and 900,000 people in the United States.

UC involves inflammation that starts in the rectum and can extend through the colon. Symptoms include:

People with UC have periods of relapse and remission. However, the disease is lifelong, and doctors aim to manage symptoms with medication in the long term. A person may also explore alternative treatment options, such as diet or complementary therapies, to relieve symptoms.

This article looks at alternative medicine and defines different approaches. It explores what the research says about the potential benefits of alternative medicine for UC and advises when to consult a doctor.

People often use the terms complementary, alternative, or integrative medicine interchangeably.

However, there are some differences between these terms. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health explains that when people use nonmainstream approaches with conventional medicine, the term for this is complementary.

However, if someone uses a nonmainstream approach instead of conventional medicine, the term is alternative.

Integrative health combines conventional and complementary approaches, treating the whole person rather than one organ system or condition. Sometimes people use the term complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to describe combined methods and therapies.

A 2020 review estimates that 2177% of IBD patients may use CAM, which has become more popular worldwide in the past two decades.

Possible reasons that people with IBD may use CAM include:

However, the same review notes that a significant concern is that people with IBD do not tell their doctors they are using alternative approaches or withdrawing from conventional treatments.

The Crohns and Colitis Foundation advises that some studies have shown that complementary medicine may benefit IBD, but scientists need to carry out more research to confirm this. Some of the potential benefits of a complementary approach may include:

However, the foundation cautions that complementary medicine will not cure IBD and that people should not use therapies to replace conventional healthcare.

There are various approaches to UC that someone may wish to consider. These may include:

A person may use a combination of different strategies to manage their symptoms.

The following looks at what the research says and outlines some potential benefits of various therapies on UC and IBD. It is important to note that certain research on alternative medicines effects on IBD is inconclusive. Scientists need to conduct larger-scale human trials for medical professionals to recommend alternative treatments.

Read on for the different types of alternative medicines.

The Mediterranean diet may avoid malnutrition and improve disease activity and inflammation.Other diets may help restore gut bacteria and improve inflammation, such as:

A 2015 research study demonstrated that curcumin, the ingredient in turmeric, in combination with the medication mesalamine, may induce remission in people with UC.

Omega-3 fatty acids, which often feature in fish oil, feature anti-inflammatory properties which may help relieve intestinal inflammation in UC.

Other supplements, such as vitamin D and probiotics, may decrease inflammation, benefit the microbiome, and improve the quality of life for a person with UC.

A 2016 study investigated the use of complementary and alternative medicine in people with IBD and found an improvement in pain relief, well-being, and symptoms.

Research from 2015 exploring herbal and plant therapy found that aloe vera gel and wheatgrass induced remission. The research authors added that curcumin helped maintain remission. Additionally, boswellia serrata gum resin and plantago ovata seeds were as effective as the medication mesalazine.

The European Crohns Colitis Organisation recommends the following techniques for adults with IBD to improve their quality of life, such as:

The most common CAM among people with IBD was massage, according to a 2016 study.

Most individuals who used massage found it positive, adding that it was relaxing, provided pain relief, and improved well-being.

A 2022 review study demonstrated that Chinese herbal medicine had the potential to relieve abdominal pain, diarrhea, and inflammation.

Voluntary exercise positively affects mood, weight maintenance and osteoporosis in people with UC.

Research from 2015 indicates that although there is a high prevalence of CAM use among people with IBD, many do not discuss this with their doctors. Instead, many individuals get information about therapies from their family and friends.

Other studies suggest that a reluctance to discuss alternative medicine with a doctor may impact a persons adherence to conventional treatments.

However, someone considering alternative treatments for UC must discuss this with a healthcare professional, as herbal remedies or supplements may not be safe to take. Additionally, some supplements may interact with a persons medication or cause adverse effects. Finally, restrictive diets may lead to nutrient deficiency, so a person must discuss their intentions with a dietitian before commencing a specific diet.

Nutritional, physical, and psychological therapies may benefit people with UC. These include supplements, herbal medicine, and massage. Additionally, some specific diets may help alleviate symptoms, but people must check with a dietitian first, as these eating plans could lead to a nutrient deficiency.

Many people who use CAM therapies do not discuss this with their doctor. However, consulting a healthcare professional is essential, as these medications may interact with supplements or herbs or lead to adverse effects. It is advisable to continue conventional treatment unless a doctor suggests otherwise.

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Alternative medicine for UC: Types, benefits, and more - Medical News Today

Note: This article is a paid placement and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Billy Penn at WHYY.

One thing thats become apparent over the past few years is that peoples priorities around health care are shifting. People who seek health care are looking for (and even demanding) practitioners who listen and empathize, who treat them as the complex beings they are not just a collection of symptoms waiting to be diagnosed.

Its a smart choice, since studies show overall health outcomes improve when practitioners deliver care that is more individualized, holistic, and focused on the patients physical, emotional and social wellbeing

Americans are realizing this. Over 42% of people in a recent study said they access a combination of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine.

Forward-thinking health professionals physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and many others understand this shift in patient expectations, and know they need additional tools to deliver more comprehensive care. But until recently, the health care industry has not prioritized all the touchpoints of the patient experience, and obtaining training on how to do so has been a challenge.

Good news: In keeping with the citys reputation as a hub for biomedical research, Philadelphia is at the forefront of healthcare education, and there are opportunities for health providers to learn approaches to holistic health and wellness often left out of traditional programs.

Several of these opportunities can be found at Thomas Jefferson University, which recently created a historic, first-of-its-kind Department of Integrative Medicine & Nutritional Sciences at Sidney Kimmel Medical College.

In doing so, Jefferson has become the first medical school in the country to provide this type of education, and offer the training that will define the next generation of health care professionals

The new department includes Jefferson Healths Marcus Institute of Integrative Health, and many of the programs are run in collaboration with the universitys College of Health Professions. The educational mission of the department and the Marcus Institute is to provide foundational training in nutrition, mind-body health, and advanced wellness strategies all key to the eclectic, diverse, and wellness-focused care people are seeking. The departments approach is to train practitioners to be evidence-based, patient-centric, and integrative.

Integrative medicine embraces the best of current medical education and enhances it with emerging and innovative approaches for the best overall evidence-based care. This changes the focus of care from the disease to the whole person.

Layered within the necessary medical interventions for the patient are the complementary approaches that can help make the person more resilient, recover faster and better and stay well longer. This comprehensive approach is especially important when supporting patients with chronic problems like autoimmune issues, pain, diabetes, cancer, hormonal disruptions, fatigue, brain-related concerns and many other chronic health challenges.

Thomas Jefferson University offers certificate programs, masters degrees, fellowships, and conferences for a broad range of health care practitioners who want to offer a more integrated approach to medicine one that also empowers their patients on their journeys to better health and well-being.

If you or someone you know is a health care professional looking to change the way patients lives can be impacted through integrative health practices, you can learn more here.

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Philly is at the forefront of next-gen health care, with education programs that offer training in integrative medicine - Billy Penn

Get to know Adult-Geriatric Nurse Practitioner & Gerontologist, Hema Patel, who serves patients throughout the State of California.

(ProNewsReport Editorial):- New York City, New York Jul 18, 2022 (Issuewire.com)Hema is a board-certified adult-geriatric nurse practitioner and gerontologist. She has advanced education in mind and body medicine, integrative medicine, and functional medicine. She also specializes in diagnosing and treating lifestyle diseases, with a special focus on diabetes management, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, obesity, stress, and healthy aging.

In collaboration with UCI Health, she is affiliated with UCI Health Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, UCI Health H.H. Chao Comprehensive Digestive Disease Center, and UCI Health Newport Beach. She is also the Co-Founder of Age Forward (since January 2019), giving everyone access to the best minds in health and wellness.

As a nurse practitioner, Hema delivers a unique blend of medical and nursing care to treat the whole person. She is committed to determining the root cause of health concerns and creating personalized treatment plans for optimal health.

Academically, she graduated with her Nurse Practitioner degree from the University of California, San Francisco, and a Masters degree in Gerontology from the University of Southern California. She also completed professional training in mind & body medicine at the Center for Mind and Body Medicine in Washington D.C.

Excelling in her field, Hema is a Fellow of the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine, as well as an active member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Adult-Geriatric Nurse Practitioners (AGNPs) focus on the care and treatment of adults from later adulthood to the end of life. This population has unique needs, as the body is no longer developing after the age of maturity. As patients age, the ability of their bodies to respond to stressors and heal declines.

Gerontologists are health care professionals who may have patients, but they arent medical doctors. Gerontologist is simply a catch-all term for experts in the field of gerontology the scientific study of aging and its effects on medical treatment and well-being.

Learn More about Hema Patel:Through her online profile, https://todaysnurse.org/network/index.php?do=/4148822/info/ or through Mind and Body Medicine, https://www.mindandbodymed.com/about-us

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Hema Patel, AGNP, an Adult-Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Gerontologist with Mind and Body Medicine - Pro News Report

BARRINGTON Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital has been named to the 2022 Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals list.

This is the first time Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital has been recognized with this honor. Advocate Good Shepherd is the only top performing medium community hospital in Illinois. The annual list was published by Fortune.

Merative, a data, analytics and technology partner for the health industry, has identified the top hospitals from a rigorous evaluation of 2,650 short-term, acute care, non-federal hospitals in the U.S. The annual list recognizes excellence in clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, patient experience and financial health. Merative, formerly IBM Watson Health, established the list to help identify best practices that may help other health care organizations achieve consistent, balanced and sustainable high performance.

I couldnt be prouder of the care our team provides to our community and we are thrilled to be recognized as one of the best hospitals in the country, said Karen Lambert, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital president. From our investments in integrative medicine to our commitment to bringing the latest treatments and technologies to heart patients and people facing cancer, our team puts patients first in everything we do. We are always looking ahead to the next advancements in health and wellness, combining the latest treatments with a commitment to supporting whole person health. This award celebrates the contributions and efforts of each one of our team members and is especially meaningful after the challenges of the pandemic.

Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington is a leader in delivering the most advanced medical technologies and comprehensive health care services available in Illinois northwest suburbs, including the Center for Health and Integrative Medicine, which offers coordinated, holistic and evidence-based therapies such as acupuncture, medical massage and yoga to achieve optimal health, according to a news release. The hospital is nationally recognized for surgical outcomes, nursing excellence, maternal care, heart care, cancer services and safety. The emergency room has special designations to care for seniors and children. The 176-bed hospital is staffed by 926 physicians across 66 specialties and 571 nurses. Advocate Good Shepherd is part of Advocate Aurora Health, a top 12 nonprofit health system.

According to Merative, as compared with similar hospitals, the hospitals included on the Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals list had better results on key clinical and operational performance indicators. These include survival rates, patient complications, health care associated infections, 30-day mortality and 30-day hospital-wide readmission rates, length of stay, throughput in emergency departments, inpatient expenses, profitability and ratings from patients.

For more information, visit http://www.100tophospitals.com/.

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Headquartered in Tampa, FL, AAPS, Inc. is the governing body of the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS).

TAMPA, Fla., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc. (AAPS) is pleased to announce its governance for 2022-23, including its Executive Committee and Member Boards representatives to the Board of Directors. Headquartered in Tampa, FL, AAPS, Inc. is the governing body of the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS).

Incoming President Jerry A. Allison, MD, MSH, CPE, FAAEP, FACEP, succeeds Elizabeth Maxwell-Schmidt, MD, FAAEP, FACEP, who remains on the Board as Immediate Past President. Replacing Dr. Allison as President-Elect is Arthur Cooper, MD, MS, FACS, FAADM.

Following is a complete list of the 2022-2023 AAPS Executive Committee Members and Board of Directors.

Executive Committee: Jerry A. Allison, MD, MSH, CPE, FAAEP, FACEP, President Arthur Cooper, MD, MS, FACS, FAADM, President-Elect Elizabeth Maxwell-Schmidt, MD, FAAEP, FACEP, Immediate Past President Sarah E. Gilbert, MD, FAAEP, Vice President Ann Marie Chiasson, MD, MPH, Secretary/Treasurer Leslie Mukau, MD, FAAEP, FACEP, Membership Officer

Board of Directors: Paul E. Gourley, DO, MBA, FACEP, CPE, Administrative Medicine Representative Marcos G. Rosado, MD, Anesthesiology Representative Kenneth A. Wallace, III, MD, Dermatology Representative Karl David Kelley, MD, FAADM, Disaster Medicine Representative Stuart G. Rasch, MD, Emergency Medicine Representative Hilton C. Ray, MD, Family Medicine Representative Melinda R. Ring, MD, Integrative Medicine Representative Douglas L. Marciniak, DO, FAAIM, Internal Medicine Representative Lawrence N. Stein, MD, FAASOS, Orthopedic Surgery Representative Mark DeSantis, DO, MS, FAAR, Radiology Representative Jack V. Greiner, MS, OD, DO, PhD, FAASS, Surgery Representative Lingappa S. Amernath, MD, FAAEP, ABPS Chair Mary L. Jackson-Hammond, MD, ABPS Vice Chair Alex John Beuning, MD, FAAEP, CME Committee Chair Judy L. Smith, MD, MS, CPE, FACS, Strategic Planning Chair Lewis W. Marshall, Jr., MD, JD, FAAEP, FAADM, Basic Documents Chair (Non-Voting)

Founded in 1952, AAPS and ABPS have provided qualified physicians with a choice in board certification since 1960. ABPS is a nationally recognized multi-specialty certifying body that offers both allopathic and osteopathic physicians board certification options in a variety of specialties. ABPS is a patient care-driven organization, therefore, its Member Boards administer clinically based examinations to determine physician competency in the medical specialty being practiced.

Please join us in congratulating and welcoming our 2022-23 AAPS Executive Committee and Board of Directors.

Media Contact

James Marzano, American Board of Physician Specialties, 8134332277, jmarzano@aapsus.org

SOURCE American Board of Physician Specialties

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The American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc. (AAPS) is pleased to announce its governance for - Benzinga

MONDAY, July 18, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- For thousands of years, people have used meditation to help diminish their pain but how the process works has always seemed rather mysterious.

Today, advanced brain scan technology has revealed how this ancient practice alters brain function and provides pain relief to its practitioners.

A first-of-its-kind study used MRI scans to discover that mindfulness meditation can interrupt the communication between brain areas that process pain and the neural network that produces a person's sense of self, researchers recently reported in the journal PAIN.

Essentially, pain signals still move from the body to the brain, but the meditating person feels less ownership over those pain sensations. As a result, their pain and suffering are reduced.

"It's still going to be painful. It's just not going to bother you as much," said senior author Fadel Zeidan, an associate professor of anesthesiology at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine. "The significance of what it means for who you are as a person is being diminished. This is no longer my pain. It just is."

For the study, Zeidan and his colleagues taught meditation to 20 people through four separate 20-minute mindfulness training sessions. Another 20 people listened to a book on tape for the same amount of time, to serve as a control group.

The researchers then placed all participants in an MRI scanner with a plate on the back of their leg that produces painful sensations of heat without causing a burn. Participants received painful heat for 10 episodes -- 12 seconds on, 12 seconds off, Zeidan said.

Participants reported their levels of pain during each brain scanning session, with the people who were taught meditation using the practice to diminish their pain.

People reported a 33% decrease in pain when they used meditation, Zeidan said.

In fact, the people in the control group who didn't know how to meditate experienced a 20% increase in their pain from the beginning to the end of the MRI session, as they became more sensitive to it, Zeidan said.

These results were expected. More interesting is what the MRI scans revealed.

Researchers found that meditation was associated with reduced synchronization between the thalamus -- part of the brain that relays incoming sensory information -- and a group of brain regions known the default mode network.

The default mode network is most active when a person is mind-wandering or processing their own thoughts and feelings. One part of this network is the precuneus, a brain area involved in fundamental features of self-awareness and one of the first regions to go offline when a person loses consciousness.

"The precuneus is super cool," Zeidan said. "It consumes the highest caloric metabolic energy in the brain, and is situated in the brain to integrate all sensory systems into one cohesive stream of self-referential consciousness."

The MRI scans showed that meditation produced greater decoupling between the thalamus and the precuneus, he said.

"We think what happens is that greater pain relief is being driven by the lack of communication between the thalamus and the precuneus," Zeidan said. "The thalamus takes in all this pain-related information from the body, but it stops sending it to the precuneus. That stops the integration of this pain-related sensor information into self, into self-reference."

In other words, he said, the two regions are decoupling the appraisal of what that information means to them. "The more they're able to do that and let go, the better the pain relief," Zeidan said.

The default mode network "has been a very hot topic in neuroscience for the last 10 years, because the more you're involved this self-reference network, the less happy people are, the more depressed or anxious, and the more chronic pain they have," Zeidan said.

"This is the first study to show that this network can play a pain-modulatory role, which is pretty exciting," he said.

If this proves out, meditation could become a common practice taught by doctors or pain specialists to help people deal with problems like chronic low back pain, Zeidan said.

"If you think about it, is there anything out there that we can use to reduce someones chronic pain immediately, so they can move on with their day?" he said. "I don't know of anything, really. You can take ibuprofen or whatever, but youve got to wait 45 minutes, if that works even. Meditation can immediately produce benefits."

Dr. Houman Danesh, director of Integrative Pain Management at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, reviewed the findings.

This study provides "a good basis to start doing more research into" meditation for pain relief, he said.

"What they're saying with the regions of the brain that are involved and how it decouples, it makes complete sense," Danesh said.

He added that this gets into how complex pain really is.

"We often think of pain that when you touch something hot and you pull your hand back, but it's not that simple," Danesh said. "There are hundreds of thousands of inputs that go up into the brain and hundreds of thousands that come down. And then that overall process is how you experience pain."

Studies like this, which use rigorous science to better understand meditation, could help the practice become as widely accepted as acupuncture -- another ancient art for which the medical evidence has become so compelling that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services now covers its use, Danesh said.

"We all agree that the mind and body are connected, and then when you start trying to delve further into it is when it starts sounding a little bit hokey and a little standoffish," Danesh said. "But in reality, the premise of the mind and body are connected is accepted by almost everybody. And so being able to tap into that can literally transform the way pain is controlled in our society."

More information

The U.S. National Institutes of Health has more about meditation and mindfulness.

SOURCES: Fadel Zeidan, PhD, associate professor, anesthesiology, University of California San Diego School of Medicine; Houman Danesh, MD, director, Integrative Pain Management, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City; PAIN, July 7, 2022

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Mindfulness Can Help Ease Pain, and Scientists Think They Know How - HealthDay News

This story is part of Health by the Numbers, CNET's deep dive into how we quantify health.

Is punching health data into your phone or constantly checking your watch to see how much oxygen your blood has starting to feel like a chore?

We live in a time where the line between our bodies and our data is getting increasingly blurry. With the availability of apps that track our menstrual cycles and watches that can tell how stressed we are, there's pressure to keep tabs on any incremental changes to our health metrics. If we don't, how can we possibly know if we're healthy?

While tracking such metrics can be helpful (or even fun), it's not necessary to live a healthy life. In fact, if you stay tuned in to your body, you'll be able to gauge your well-being through some key patterns.

Here are a few health clues.

This applies to both bowel movements and menstrual cycles (for people that have one). Just like the nonexistent hands on our smartwatches, our bodies like to keep a rhythm.

Having at least one bowel movement a day is a good sign that your digestive system is working properly, and anywhere from three a week to three a day is considered normal. (Bonus points if you normally go around the same time each day.) Painful or infrequent bowel movements could be signs of constipation or irritable bowel syndrome -- conditions that flag a reason for a doctor's visit.

Regular bowel movements may also be signs of a healthy gut microbiome, which some researchers believe we're just beginning to scratch the surface on how connected it is to our other body systems.

Another pattern: regular menstrual cycles (occurring each month between 24 and 35 days) are not only a sign of reproductive health and regular ovulation, but they're also a signal that your hormones are balanced. Hormonal imbalances can be a product of stress (which has a myriad of effects on well-being), over-exercising or illness, like thyroid disease. For people who menstruate, the monthly cycle can be one of the first things thrown off track when there's a disruption in the carefully orchestrated hormonal dance. (Note that while you're taking hormonal birth control pills or have a hormonal IUD, your body won't have a "normal" menstrual cycle and a missed or late period may not be as big of a deal.)

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, adults should get at least 7 hours of sleep for optimal health. And while there's no shortage of reasons why many people are behind on their sleep, or even chronically sleep deprived, lack of sleep contributes to a variety of social and health problems, including hormonal imbalances, mood issues and even a greater risk of a heart attack.

If you're feeling sluggish, foggy or just plain tired many days, a more refreshed feeling might come after a schedule change or stress reduction. But if you're getting at least 7 hours and feel you should be a lot more energized than you really are, it could signal a more serious health problem such as sleep apnea or a nutrient deficiency like iron. If that's the case, make an appointment with a health care provider to get to the bottom of it.

Read more tips on how to get better sleep.

When you're getting enough shut-eye and wake up most days feeling refreshed, that's a good sign your body's getting the rest it needs.

A little morning or onion breath is par for the coursem and your breath might be a little off if you're dehydrated. But a weird taste or smell in your mouth during the day after you've already brushed your teeth could be a sign something is up.

"Fresh breath is a good indication that your gut health is balanced," Dr. David Borenstein of Manhattan Integrative Medicine told The Healthy.

"For example, overly fruity smelling breath can be an indication of diabetes, foul-smelling breath can be associated with reflux, a fishy smell could mean kidney failure, a sour mouth can be a sign of sleep apnea," he said.

Like our gut microbiome, there's evidence that suggests a disruption in the microbiome in our mouths can affect our health in more general ways. According to the Mayo Clinic, poor oral health (including tooth decay or gum infections) could increase your risk for developing heart problems, pregnancy complications or even pneumonia.

Urine that's pale yellow is a clear indication that you're hovering around a healthy level of hydration, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Drinking enough water is one of the easiest ways to keep your body healthy, as hydration aids important processes like regulating body temperature, preventing infections and improving cognition (hello, dehydration brain fog). So if you normally pee a lighter shade of yellow as opposed to a strong, dark color, you can find some peace that your body is getting enough water. How much you need, of course, varies by many factors including activity level.

Read more: How Much Water Do You Really Need to Drink Each Day?

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Believe it or not, eating enough fat is not only good for you but also essential for your health. And there are a growing number of dietitians and nutritionists who find more health benefits in building plates around core nutrients, rather than cutting out or singling out any foods as "bad." The more restrictive diets, or diets that require you to track the calories of each food you eat, can lead to disordered eating and yo-yo dieting with no lasting health results.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

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5 Ways to Tell If You're Healthy -- Without Any Tools or Tests - CNET

Research News

By ELLEN GOLDBAUM

A UB scientist has launched two pilot studies that focus on how dietary interventions might affect cancer treatment. One study will determine if patients on chemotherapy do better when they eat less just prior to treatment days and if they follow a plant-based diet.

The second pilot study will assess whether low protein meals may help the immune system. This study may be the only one in the country focusing on a specific dietary intervention for patients undergoing immunotherapies for cancer.

Open to patients currently undergoing chemotherapy or immune therapies for any cancer, the studies are a first step in finding out how dietary interventions may impact how tumors respond to treatment. These dietary interventions also may reduce the side effects of chemotherapy.

The studies are currently enrolling 30 patients each. More information on the studies is atclinicaltrials.gov. Patients interested in participating can call 716-878-3317.

The double goal of our studies is to improve the efficacy of therapies and perhaps to reduce the side effects from treatment, said Roberto Pili, MD, principal investigator, associate dean for cancer research and integrative oncology and chief, Division of Hematology and Oncology in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at UB. We want to know, can lifestyle interventions help patients on cancer treatment do better?

Pili is inaugural director of UBs new Sciences, Nutrition and Cancer (SNAC) Center, which is establishing a program for integrative oncology, where dietary interventions, exercise and mind-body medicine are integrated into cancer patient care.

A better response to cancer treatment

Pili noted that there is scientific evidence that calorie restriction while patients are undergoing chemotherapy may improve their response to treatment. One small study on women with breast cancer who underwent calorie restriction for a few days prior to chemotherapy before surgery had a higher response rate to their treatment than those who didnt undergo calorie restriction.

Calorie restriction was initially proposed to ameliorate side effects from chemotherapy, explained Pili, noting that a number of studies have shown that patients who fast the day before chemotherapy may experience less nausea and vomiting.

But an even more critical advantage was observed in a recent study showing that calorie restriction also made chemotherapy more effective, allowing patients to have an improved response to treatment.

In one case, chemo completely destroyed the cancer

In one case we followed, a woman with breast cancer who agreed to undergo calorie restriction and a plant-based diet during chemotherapy prior to surgery achieved a complete response, he said. That means once they removed the breast tissue and tested it, they could not find any evidence of cancer. With the restriction in calories, the chemotherapy was able to completely destroy the cancer.

Pili said that kind of response from conventional chemotherapy prior to surgery is achieved only in about 20-30% of breast cancer patients.

With calorie restriction and a plant-based diet, we want to see if we can increase that response rate, he said. If its a 20% response rate, can we increase it to 30-40%? Could we boost that number so that more patients achieve a complete response to treatment?

Patients enrolling in the study would limit their calories every other day, starting a few days before each chemo treatment, under the direct supervision of Colleen Barrientos, registered dietician and nutritionist and a medical student in the Jacobs School, and Kyle Pasquariello, clinical oncology research coordinator in the Department of Medicine and research coordinator with General Physician, PC.

For example, if a patient has chemotherapy on a Wednesday, then calories would be restricted on the previous Friday, Sunday and Tuesday, and also on the day of treatment, Wednesday. The patient would resume a normal diet in terms of calories after the chemo administration but would remain on the plant-based diet.

Pili noted that patients who enroll will need not only to be motivated to participate, but they will also need significant support from their families. He stressed that significant scientific evidence demonstrates that patients should see a benefit.

Normal cells are more resilient to glucose starvation, he explained, but tumor cells are more sensitive to a lack of glucose, so they will be more vulnerable to the additional insult of chemotherapy. Cancer cells do not handle stress well, so they may be more vulnerable to concomitant chemotherapy and calorie restriction.

Low-protein diet may boost immune response

The potential advantage of plant-based diets is based on what is known so far about the effects of lower animal protein consumption on the incidence of certain cancers, such as prostate cancer 1.

Based on our preclinical studies, we propose a low protein diet for a couple of immunotherapy cycles, he said. It seems that the low protein diet primes the immune system, and once primed, it is easier to maintain the immune response with drugs. The low protein diet helps wake up the bodys immune response.

Results from these preliminary studies are expected within 2 to 3 years.

These are the frontiers of integrative oncology, Pili said of the pilot studies, noting that its a frontier that requires a multidisciplinary approach.

UB has all the expertise in place to bring together people from so many different disciplines, to deliver the personalized medicine and to personalize the lifestyle changes that can make each patient diagnosed with cancer have a better outcome, he said. This is not just a promise, its becoming a reality.

We know that the body has so many resources that if we leverage them, we will be able to achieve the best results from therapy and, ultimately, defeat cancer, he said.

The study is being funded by the Jacobs School and Kaleida Health through the Great Lakes Cancer Care Collaborative.

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For those diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome extreme exhaustion is their daily reality.

In our busy lives theres little room for extreme exhaustion; however, for those diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome that is their daily reality.

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Chronic fatigue syndrome, also referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis, is a little understood and complicated illness. Its hallmark symptom is extreme and persistent exhaustion. The severity of the symptoms can vary from day-to-day, completely disrupting a persons personal and work life and putting strain on their relationships and ability to make or keep plans.

By definition, chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms must be ongoing for at least six months, says Dr. Srivani Sridhar, a family physician with UW Health Northern in Rockford, Illinois. It can last several years or a lifetime without treatment. Symptoms can also wax and wane over months and years.

[READ: Adrenal Fatigue: Is It Real?]

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms

The most common symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome include:

Challenges with memory, concentration and focus.

Dizziness created from the movement of lying down to either sitting or standing which improves when the person lies back down.

Enlarged and possibly tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpits.

Joint pain without swelling or redness.

Persistent or extreme fatigue that is not helped by rest or sleep and affects someones ability to carry out day-to-day activities.

Post-exertional malaise which is the worsening of symptoms following either physical or mental effort.

Unexplained muscle weakness.

According to a report from the National Academy of Medicine, formerly called Institute of Medicine, an estimated 836,000 to 2.5 million Americans suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, and at least one-quarter of patients are bed- or house-bound at some point in their illness.

Chronic fatigue syndrome strikes people of all ages, including children, across racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. It is diagnosed two to four times more often in women, says Dr. Avi Nath, clinical director at the National Institutes of Healths National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in Bethesda, Maryland.

[See: Top Medications That Can Make You Tired.]

Where Does Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Come From?

Researchers have yet to definitively determine what causes chronic fatigue syndrome, but potential culprits may include:

Infections. Some people develop chronic fatigue syndrome after an illness. One in 10 people who have contracted Epstein-Barr virus, Ross River virus or Coxiella burnetii will develop symptoms that meet the criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Genetics. Researchers have found that in some cases a person has a higher chance of contracting chronic fatigue syndrome if other family members have had it. No gene has yet been definitively proven to play a role, however.

Hormones. The hypothalamus is a center in the brain that produces hormones that maintain bodys internal balance, called homeostasis. Fluctuations in hormones can be caused by sleep disturbances, infections, toxins, physical or mental stress, poor diet and autoimmune conditions. The bodys way to protect itself is to decrease energy demands on the body, resulting in fatigue.

Immune system changes. Immune systems of those with chronic fatigue syndrome appear slightly impaired, but it hasnt been determined if that plays a role in contracting the disease.

Mitochondria. Present in almost every cell in the body, mitochondria are the power houses of the cells that generate energy. When they are working inefficiently or being overused, it can lead to fatigue.

Physical or emotional stress. Some people report that shortly before their symptoms began, they experienced significant physical or emotional stress.

[See: Possible Causes of Sleepwalking.]

Diagnosing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

CDC research showed that less than 20% of American chronic fatigue syndrome patients have been diagnosed. Diagnosing chronic fatigue syndrome remains a challenge because the symptoms overlap with many other diseases and because its a diagnosis that comes only after other illnesses are ruled out.

Most often doctors are trying to exclude other underlying diseases such as diabetes, cancer, autoimmune disorders or other brain diseases. Testing is targeted to the symptoms that they present with. There is no standard battery of tests, Nath says.

The CDC criteria for diagnosing chronic fatigue syndrome includes severe fatigue that lasts longer than six months, as well as experiencing four out of the following symptoms:

Headaches with new patterns or severity.

Joint pain without swelling or redness.

Muscle pain.

Post-exertional malaise that lasts longer than 24 hours.

Significant impairment in short-term memory or concentration.

Sore throat.

Tender lymph nodes.

Unrefreshing sleep.

A diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome is one of exclusion and therefore requires a thorough medical workup by your doctor. Oftentimes, people are referred to specialist doctors to rule out other illnesses, says Dr. Houman Danesh, director of integrative pain management at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.

According to Danesh, the most common illnesses that chronic fatigue syndrome is mistaken for are:

POTS, or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, which goes undiagnosed in a lot in these cases.

Mono.

Flu.

HIV.

Lyme disease.

Hypothyroidism.

Addisons disease.

Lymphoma.

Depression.

Fibromyalgia.

Polymyalgia rheumatica.

Sjogrens syndrome.

Sleep apnea.

Parkinsons disease.

Multiple sclerosis.

Rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatment for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Currently there is no cure for chronic fatigue syndrome. Current treatment focuses on symptom relief. The most troublesome or disabling symptoms are typically addressed first, Nath says.

Common ways to manage chronic fatigue syndrome is to schedule activities that take into account energy levels that can help relieve some stress that the illness puts on people.

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, cognitive behavior therapy and exercise that gradually increases over time have been shown to moderately improve fatigue levels, help patients with their day-to-day activities and manage anxiety and post-exertional malaise.

Depending on the person, chronic fatigue syndrome can last anywhere from six months to a few years, making it important to work with a health care team to find effective ways to find symptom relief and develop strategies that improve quality of life.

Take your health in your own hands and be proactive in finding an integrative or functional medicine provider that can guide you through a multi-pronged approach to support your body while it recovers and heals, eventually eliminating your symptoms, Sridhar says.

Preparing for Your Doctor Visit

Before seeing a doctor prepare a brief history that summarizes your health. Try to include:

A list of your symptoms starting with the ones that are most impactful to you.

When your symptoms started and if they began shortly after an illness or impactful event.

What makes your symptoms worse.

How the symptoms affect your day-to-day activities.

The frequency of symptoms.

In helping your doctor to make an accurate diagnosis make sure you rule out POTS by taking your pulse and blood pressure laying down, sitting and standing. Wait two minutes after changing positions. Take these recordings to your doctor who may order further tests, Danesh says. Your doctor also may repeat the tests in office.

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