Category Archives: Integrative Medicine

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The food you eat can help or hurt your skin health.

"Damp" foods like dairy and oils, as well as refined carbs and sugars, have been linked to acne.

Good fats - in avocados, nuts, and fish - and fiber are essential for healthy skin.

The idea of healing your skin through what you eat is not a new one.

Eastern systems of medicine, like the Chinese and Ayurvedic traditions, have long theorized that "damp" foods, such as dairy and oil, can cause problems with skin, Dr. Taz Bhatia said at the Environmental Working Group's annual CleanCon.

But it bears reminding that what you put in your body matters just as much as the products you put on your face, Bhatia - a doctor who is board-certified in holistic and integrative medicine - said in a discussion about skincare at CleanCon.

Modern life, Bhatia said, has given us too many options to choose from on both fronts, with harmful additives galore.

After running through some tips for buying non-toxic beauty products, Bhatia recommended some dietary themes for keeping skin clean and healthy. Here are a couple of food groups to avoid, and some others that may benefit your skin.

The old Chinese theory about dampness may have some truth to it. Many of the foods considered to be damp - like cheese, greasy chips, and egg yolks, Chinese medicine expert Mona Dan told Well + Good - have the potential to affect skin.

Dairy consumption has been linked to an increased risk of acne, although there's no evidence that eliminating dairy will improve skin. Some dairy products contain the hormone insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), which can spur oil production and worsen acne.

Foods containing oils and saturated fats can also lead to increased inflammation in the body. Inflammation underlies several skin conditions, including acne, eczema, and rosacea.

However, some tenets of traditional Chinese medicine don't line up with what we know about skin health today. For instance, raw fruits and veggies are considered "damp," but they contain essential antioxidants for skin in higher concentrations than their cooked counterparts.

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Refined carbohydrates - basically all the bread, pasta, and sweets you would expect to be unhealthy - have been linked to acne time and time again.

People with acne tend to consume more refined carbs than those with clear skin, studies have found.

Binging on sweets is especially tied to acne risk; one study found that people who frequently consumed added sugars had a 30% greater risk of developing acne. This may have to do with how refined carbs cause blood sugar and insulin to spike, which also leads to increased IGF-1.

Although some oily foods may mess with your skin, it's important to incorporate some healthy fats and oils into your diet.

Healthy fats - such as unsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids - are essential for keeping your skin plump and glowing.

You can use the Mediterranean diet to guide your choices of health fats and oils. Foods like avocados, olive oil, salmon, and tuna are known to contain unsaturated fats and/or omega-3 fatty acids, which may help fight inflammation.

Fiber is essential for keeping your bowel movements regular, lowering bad cholesterol, and feeling full for longer. On top of that, maintaining a healthy gut is a shortcut to healthy skin.

Poor gut health has been linked to increased inflammation, which in turn can exacerbate skin conditions like acne and dryness.

What's more, fiber helps your digestive system better absorb nutrients and antioxidants that may help your skin and overall health. If you've been loading up on nutrients like vitamin C and collagen while skimping on fiber, your skin might not be getting the full benefits.

Prebiotic fiber - which can be found in foods like bananas, artichokes, onions, garlic, and whole grains - is best for supporting a healthy microbiome and positively impacting skin.

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Avoid 'damp' foods if you're prone to breakouts, and try healthy fats to clear up your skin - Yahoo News

The NFL's reigning MVP isn't likely to unseat book club queens Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon orJenna Bush Hager anytime soon, but his Aaron Rodgers Book Club is rolling right along.

Each Tuesday during his appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," the Green Bay Packers quarterback ends his segment by revealing a recommended book. An avidreader, Rodgers told McAfee he started thinking about the idea after Packers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling asked him for a starter packof recommended reads during training camp.

His inaugural book club pick, "The Alchemist," got a retweet from its author. Rodgers has saidhe's heard from others who have thanked himfor talking about reading.

"We need more people reading and (less) people spending time sitting on their ass watching TV and other bull----," hesaid on the show.

Brown CountyLibrary, which has nine locations in greater Green Bay, has noticed an uptick in interest in the titles Rodgers has recommended to date, particularly since October, said Susan Lagerman, the library's community engagement manager. Several of the titles are checked out and others have waiting lists, she said.

Rodgers, who told McAfee he has a stack of 30 books he wants to get to, reads mostly nonfiction and leans toward philosophical, spiritual and self-help titles. He plans to choose 18 books through the season.

All proceeds from the saleof Aaron Rodgers Book ClubT-shirts through McAfee's online merchandise store will be donated to a reading advocacy program of Rodgers' choice.

Here's a breakdown of his picks so far:

Recommended on: Oct. 26

Quick summary:Tolle, aGerman-born spiritual teacher, on how living in the now offersthe truest path to happiness and a harmonious life. He wrote the manual in response to questions asked of himin seminars, meditation classes and private counseling sessions. For that reason, it uses a question-and-answer format. Chapters cover such topics as creative use of mind, inner body, enlightened relationships and state of presence. After certain passages, apause symbol encourages readers to take a break, be still and think about what they read.

Rodgers' take: "It's a fantastic book for anybody interested in what a spiritual practice looks like, how to better understand their mind, how to quiet your mind, mindfulness." If you liked Rodgers' earlier pick, "Be Here Now" by Ram Dass, you might like this one. He said they're quite similar.

Recommended on: Oct. 19 (two days after the "I still own you" Packers-Chicago Bears game)

Quick summary: Writtenmore than 2,000 years ago in ancient China, it's the first known study of the planning and conduct of military operations, but its reach extends beyond battlefield maneuvers to business, politics and personal conflicts. Among the classic'sfamed quotes:It is easy to love your friend, but sometimes the hardest lesson to learn is to love your enemy."

Rodgers' take: "It's a book that I think most great leaders have read at some point ... A lot of great wisdom in here and one-liners that you can use in your life and in press conferences down the road as well and in speeches to your team when you're trying to fire up the boys."

Recommended on: Oct. 12

Quick summary:Chopra, world-renowned as an author and speaker on integrative medicine and personal transformation,teams up with physicist Menas Kafatos to explore questions about time, space, the universe and humans' place in it.

Rodgers' take:He just finished reading the 2017 book and admits it's "a super dense book" with "some crazy concepts." At 288 pages, it's also one of the longer books he has chosen.

Recommended on: Oct. 5

Quick summary: First published in 1997, the long-running New York Times bestseller explores four agreements people can make with themselves to find happiness and freedom. They are: Be impeccable with your word; don't take anything personally; don't make assumptions; and always do your best.Winfrey has heralded the book three times on her television shows, in 2000, 2001 and 2013, resulting in huge sales spikes each time.

Rodgers' take: It's his go-to title when someone hits him up for a self-help book recommendation. It's a simple read at 140 pages and one he thinks everyone can relate to, especially the agreement about not to take thingspersonally.

"I think that'sthe motivation for most comments on social media," Rodgers said. "Somebody has said something and then somebody takes it personally and then they have to fire back."

RELATED: A full fridge and bidets: Randall Cobb talks about the perks of staying at Aaron Rodgers house

RELATED: Comedian Bert Kreischer hangs out with Aaron Rodgers, squeezes into tiny Packers jersey

Recommended on: Sept. 28

Quick summary: A 1971 book that offers guidance on meditation, yogaand finding your true self from the famed guru of the spiritual movement in America. It took off during the hippie movement in the '70s, offering readers a way to find peace, calmness andhigher states of consciousness without psychedelics and deliveringthe ultimate message tolive in the present.

Rodgers' take:"It's a good intro book, I think, for anybody interested in needing inspiration on their journey to a new type of spirituality. Some incredible quotes in here and a book that really meant a lot to me."

Honorary mention:It's not an official ARBC selection, but Rodgers did give a shoutout to"Chuck Norris CannotBe Stopped:400 All-New Facts About the Man Who Knows Neither Fear Nor Mercy" by Ian Spector, mostly because he ran across a copy on his home bookshelf.

Recommended on: Sept. 21

Quick summary: TheAmericanyoung adultnovel follows 12-year-old Jonas in a society that at first appears to beutopianbut is later revealed to bedystopianas the haunting story goes on. It won the 1994 Newbery Medal, awarded annually by the American Library Associationfor the most distinguished American children's book published the previous year.

Rodgers' take: "This book was on reading lists when I was growing up. It still stands up. It's, in my opinion, super relatable to what we're going through as a society now." Rodgers has read it four times.

Recommended on: Sept. 14

Quick summary: The story of the Arizona Cardinals safety who gave up a $3.6 million contractafter 9/11 to enlist in the U.S. Army and become an Army Ranger. Sent first to Iraq and then Afghanistan, Tillman was killed in 2004 by friendly fire, the details of whichwerekept from his family and the American public for several weeks after his death.

Rodgers' take: "One of my legitimate all-time favorites by an author who I have read many, many of his books."

Rodgers said he has given the book away so many times for others to read that he had to run to Barnes & Noble to pick up a copy for the segment.

"The best part about it is learning more about Pat Tillman, and Pat, which I didn't know, he's a deep thinker and, like myself, kind of grew up in and around the church but at some point really dove into Eastern religions and meditationand philosophyand journaling. He was a very curious guy and he had a lot of interests outside of football."

Recommended on: Sept. 7

Quick summary: First published in 1988, the international bestseller by the Brazilian author tells thestory of an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest ends up taking him to riches of a different kind. No. 70 on the list of 100 most-loved books from PBS' "The Great American Read,"itoffers lessons about listening to your heart, recognizing opportunity and following your dreams.

Rodgers' take:"One of my all-time favorite books, and it's an easy book, and it'sfiction, which, I don't read a lot of fiction, but it's been around for a long, long time."

Rodgers, who just finished reading itagain during training camp, highlighted some of his favorite excerpts with a blue marker somethinghe often does with books he reads.

ContactKendra Meinertat 920-431-8347 or kmeinert@greenbay.gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @KendraMeinert.

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Are you keeping up with the Aaron Rodgers Book Club? Here are all of his recommended reads so far, including the latest 'The Power of Now.' - Green...

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --Signaling the world's vulnerability to disease, the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn Vet) is launching the Institute for Infectious and Zoonotic Diseases (IIZD) to confront emerging and re-emerging zoonotic and vector-borne diseases, with a goal of fostering innovations in disease surveillance, treatment, and vaccine development.

With 75% of all newly emerging infectious diseases being zoonotic, there is an alarming and urgent need for early detection and prevention of these threats. The new Institute will rapidly scale up research on infectious agents and summon Penn Vet's extensive bench to tackle new or re-emerging disease. The Institute will have a particular focus on diseases within the northeastern United States. With four major ports of entry, and a population of more than 64 million people, the region is exceedingly vulnerable to spillover of disease between animals and humans; and across rural, agricultural, suburban, and urban landscapes.

The Institute mobilizes 30 Penn Vet faculty, 110 research investigators, and Penn affiliate faculty on broadening the understanding of viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens; vector biology; antimicrobial resistance; immune response; the role of wildlife and the environment; as well as antivirals and vaccines. The Institute's new Martin and Pamela Winter Infectious Disease Fellowship will provide support to graduate students focusing on infectious diseases of animals and humans; and the Institute's pilot grant program will fund research that supports infection diagnosis, surveillance, or treatments.

The Institute is led by Christopher Hunter, PhD, Mindy Halikman Heyer Distinguished Professor of Pathobiology who has advanced the understanding of cytokine networks in regulating immune responses to inflammation and infection.

"The public's awareness of infectious diseases has never been higher; the COVID pandemic has made it clear that there is an imperative to expand our focus to local and global infectious diseases," said Hunter. "This Institute represents a steadfast commitment to protect populations against deadly animal and human health threats such as rabies, West Nile virus, Lyme disease, and COVID-19."

"We have one of the largest zoonotic disease programs in the world. Bringing that expertise to bear on regional disease outbreaks gives us a significant geographic advantage in mitigating health risks that are literally in our own backyard," said Andrew Hoffman, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, the Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine. "The Institute will allow us to integrate communications across our veterinary health networks, respond to disease impacts in real time, and truly transform public health for the communities and economies that we serve."

The Institute's core leadership team, led by Hunter as inaugural director, includes De'Broski Herbert, PhD; Lisa Murphy, VMD; Dan Beiting, PhD; and Julie Ellis, PhD. The team will provide an ongoing source of integrative leadership and coordination for the Institute's research and outreach agendas, educational priorities, and disease response.

To learn more about the new Institute for Infectious and Zoonotic Diseases, visit http://www.vet.upenn.edu/IIZD.

Media Contact

Martin Hackett, University of Pennsylvania, +1 2158981475, mhackett@vet.upenn.edu

SOURCE University of Pennsylvania

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University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine Establishes Institute for Infectious and Zoonotic Diseases - The Wellsboro Gazette

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Global Integrative Health or Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market 2021 Growing Opportunity and Competitive landscape Arab Yoga Foundation...

Turning 40 feels like a milestone and, with life expectancy still hovering around 81 years for adults in the UK, it does indeed mark a halfway point. Undeniably, the body starts to work against us as we enter midlife and not just by making those unwelcome grunts when we ease into an armchair.

The risk of cancer starts to increase, as the cells become more damaged over time; for women the perimenopause may begin at this stage. Meanwhile, our body composition changes after the age of 30 we lose around 3-5 per cent of muscle per decade unless we include strength training in our regimes, and midlifers can find their waistline expanding, though whether this is down to the metabolism slowing down, or an increased cheese and wine habit, remains the subject of debate.

But lots of these downsides of ageing can be managed or even prevented by lifestyle tweaks; studies show that adopting healthy habits can decrease cancer risk by as much as 40 per cent. So if youre in your 40s, one of the best things you can do is have a health check.

From the age of 40, a full health screening should be a key date in your diary each year, Dr Ursula Levine, General Practitioner (Integrative Medicine), at Lanserhof at The Arts Club says. The earlier a change in your health is detected, the more efficient the treatment can be.

The NHS offer a free health check for over-40s every five years to check for early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia. But there are plenty of tests you can do at home, too...

Leading diabetes scientist Dr Roy Taylor recently said not being able to fit into the trousers you wore in your 20s can be a sign you are carrying too much fat and at risk of type 2 diabetes.

Waist size is an important indicator of health because fat stored around the middle can be especially harmful, building up around organs such as the liver and pancreas and raising the risk of insulin resistance and metabolic and cardiovascular disease.

But the jean size test is a bit rudimentary. Dr Michael Mosley, who created the 5:2 diet, has a different marker of good health. We know the waist to height ratio is a useful indicator of health ideally your waist circumference should be at most half of your height, he says. But you dont need a tape measure just grab a piece of string that is as long as you are tall. Fold it in half and see if it fits around your waist.

If it doesnt, dont panic, but it is something to work on. Reducing your waist circumference to half your height will likely improve your long-term health and boost your immunity, Dr Mosley adds.

If you want a quick test to see how your heart is coping, climb four flights of stairs (60 steps) and time yourself. If it takes you more than one-and-a-half minutes to ascend four flights of stairs, your health is sub-optimal, and it would be a good idea to consult a doctor, says Dr Jess Peteiro, a cardiologist at University Hospital A Corua, Spain, who presented his research at the European Society of Cardiology conference last year.

A recent study published in the journal Jama Network Open found that getting fit in your 40s and 50s lowers the risk of early death by about 35 per cent and is particularly protective against heart disease.

Women of all ages but particularly those in their 40s and upwards should check their breasts regularly. Dr Zoe Williams, the GP and broadcaster, recommends doing this ideally once a month and says that its not just lumps we should look out for. There are many different signs such as irritation or dimpling of the skin on the breast or flaky skin in the nipple area, she says. If you notice any unusual changes, its important to contact your GP as soon as possible.

Breast cancer screening is offered on the NHS from the age of 50. It is not recommended before then because theres not enough evidence that it would reduce deaths, and the tests have risks as well, says Sophia Lowes at Cancer Research UK.

Other red flag symptoms to have investigated include unusual lumps anywhere on your body, appetite loss, heavy night sweats and blood in stools. If you do notice something unusual, tell your doctor, Lowes says.

The ability to balance on one leg is a strong indicator of longevity and health, according to a study by the Medical Research Council, which tracked 5,000 people born in 1946 throughout their lives. Those who could balance on one leg for more than 10 seconds with eyes closed, and then to stand up and sit down in a chair 37 times in 60 seconds or 35 times for women tended to have a better life expectancy when they revisited them 13 years later.

Balance is something we take for granted, Dr Mosley says. It enables you to move confidently through life but unfortunately, our balance deteriorates when you hit your 40s. The brain uses messages from receptors in our inner ear, eyes, muscles and joints to keep us upright. If our balance is off, it can be an overall marker of decline of brain health.

Practising standing on one leg once a day is a simple way to improve your posture and balance. When Im brushing my teeth, I set a timer, and stand on one leg, switching from one leg to the other. Each day, try and increase the number of seconds and try and work up to a minute if possible, says Dr Mosley.

Nearly 40 per cent of adults have high or borderline high cholesterol, according to NHS statistics, and levels increase with age. The NHS advises asking for a test if you are 40 and over and havent had a test before, especially if high cholesterol or heart problems run in your family. High cholesterol has no symptoms, so the only way to tell is a blood test.

Blood pressure also rises with age, thanks to a reduction in elastic tissue in your arteries, and again it can be symptomless. Around 90 per cent of patients have no symptoms, says Dr Nighat Arif, a GP based in Buckinghamshire. But high blood pressure can have life changing effects, such as triggering a heart attack or stroke, damaging your kidneys or even losing your vision.

Women in particular need to be aware of raised blood pressure; researchers from Norway reported earlier this year that even slightly elevated readings from the age of 40 were a strong risk factor for a heart attack in the next 16 years.

170,000 Britons die a year due to heart attacks, strokes and circulatory conditions, according to Cambridge University research, and cutting your cholesterol and blood pressure through quitting smoking, exercising, losing weight and reducing salt can reduce the risk by four fifths.

Spinal degeneration and back problems become more common after the age of 40, says osteopath Nadia Alibhai. To protect the long term health of your back, she says keeping flexible is absolutely key.

In an ideal world, we should be able to touch our toes in our 40s, as it displays flexibility in your lower back, glutes, ankles and hamstrings. Flexibility is needed for proper blood circulation and muscle elasticity; touching the toes helps prevent muscles from contracting and becoming short and tight.

A study published in the journal Heart and Circulatory Physiology found that being able to touch your toes could mean that your arteries are in good shape, too. Researchers found a correlation between poor flexibility and atherosclerosis in a group of people aged 40 and above.

If you cant get down that far, you need to practise. If youre struggling, start with a slow forward fold, Alibhai says. Stretch upwards and lengthen your spine before folding forwards. Keep your spine straight and if you need to bend your knees, please do. Dont push yourself too far, slow and steady wins the race.

Im seeing so many people with back problems at the moment, says Dr Arif, and they are usually posture related from hunching over screens. If you know you can touch your toes, then you are extending the spinal cord and sciatic nerve and you know youve got good flexibility.

Your GP is trained to check moles, and you can ask them to do just that. However: I would always recommend getting a regular (once yearly) mole check at a specialist clinic once you turn 40, says Dr David Jack, an aesthetic doctor and skincare expert. Specialist mole clinics do this every day so if there is something unusual that might not be recognised by a GP then it can be quickly diagnosed and treated right away.

For Dr Michael Mosleys recipes to help with weight loss visit http://www.thefast800.com

Excerpt from:
Seven health checks to have once you turn 40 - Telegraph.co.uk

Rajsree Nambudripad, MD is a Northwestern-trained internist and a member of the medical staff at St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton. She is the founder and medical director of OC Integrative Medicine.

Dr. Nambudripad combines her strong background in conventional internal medicine, gastroenterology, and endocrinology with a broader and holistic outlook. Rather than treating symptoms, Dr. Nambudripad looks for root causes of disease and is able to reverse many common conditions using an Integrative/ Functional Medicine approach. Her expertise is in evaluation of the whole patient, to understand the imbalances present in the body, rather than simply treating the disease. She specializes in hormonal disorders, with significant experience in balancing thyroid, adrenal, and sex hormones. She is also trained in conventional and functional gastroenterology, and has found that addressing and healing the gut can have tremendous impact for ones health. By utilizing both conventional lab tests along with more advanced functional medicine testing and preventative approaches, she provides a incredibly effective 21st century approach to healthcare. Each patient is unique to her, and she devotes considerable time to understanding each and every individual. Please call our office at714-523-8900, or email us atocintegrativemedicine@gmail.comfor more information.

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OC Integrative Medicine Dr. Rajsree Nambudripad

According to the World Health Organization, health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. (14) Achieving or maintaining good health is a lifelong process that generally involves working with a variety of healthcare providers. There are various types of medical approaches that each provide unique viewpoints and contributions to the field of healthcare.

Continue reading to learn about conventional medicine and complementary medical systems, including integrative and functional medicine.

Conventional medicine also referred to as allopathic, mainstream, and Western medicine, is defined as a system in which healthcare practitioners use approaches, such as pharmaceutical medication, radiation, or surgery to treat symptoms and diseases. Conventional treatments are widely used by many healthcare professionals, including medical doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. (9) Medical literature suggests that while conventional care manages the symptoms of disease, the etiology (underlying cause) is often not considered. (3) This approach is said to focus on treating at the symptom level, rather than the individual as a whole. (4)

Did you know?Over 30 percent of U.S. adults and 12 percent of children use health care approaches outside of the conventional medical model. (10)

The various systems of medicine use different approaches and therapies to promote health. (3)(4)(8)(10)

In addition to the conventional healthcare model, there are a variety of different medical models collectively referred to as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). CAM systems differ from conventional medicine as they commonly view and treat dysfunction as an imbalance within the whole person, rather than as distinct issues occurring in a specific body system. (4)

For example, when treating hypertension (elevated blood pressure), a physician practicing conventional medicine may prescribe pharmaceutical medication to lower blood pressure. On the other hand, a functional medicine physician would assess possible inflammation, oxidative stress, and vascular immune dysfunctions involved and address them with lifestyle approaches including the use of antioxidants, exercise, meditation, nutrition, supplements, and weight loss, as well as pharmaceuticals in some instances. (2)

Examples of CAM systems include:

A CAM system generally uses several complementary techniques. For example, TCM, as a whole, incorporates acupuncture, botanicals, diet, environmental practices, and qi gong (a traditional Chinese practice of breathing, meditation, and movement) in individualized treatments. (4)

Alternative medicine is considered to be any non-mainstream practice used to replace conventional care. (10) For instance, when a natural product or special diet is used instead of a pharmaceutical medication to address a health condition, it is known as an alternative treatment. (9)

Conventional and alternative medicine dont necessarily exist exclusively. When a non-mainstream approach is used in combination with conventional medicine, it is known as complementary medicine. (10)

Approaches or techniques used in complementary medicine encompass natural products, manual therapies, and mind-body practices, including:

Did you know?The number of adults in the U.S. practicing yoga has increased, growing from 9.5 percent in 2012 to over 14 percent in 2017. (10)

Complementary and alternative medicine systems may use a variety of approaches, such as dietary supplements, meditation, and movement practices.

Many CAM systems have faced critique or marginalization as a result of differences between conventional and complementary medicine. Each CAM system has a unique underlying philosophy, with methods of diagnosing and treating individuals that often do not align with conventional methods. (4)

Conventional or Western research and medicine have identified certain concerns with CAM, including:

The above concerns may, in part, be due to limitations in research, resulting in an incomplete understanding of CAM and its benefits. For example, research may be driven by consumer interest in certain services over others. Additionally, the distinct philosophies and categorization of patients in each CAM system cannot easily be studied using the same scientific methods or outcome criteria as conventional medicine. (4)(8)

Conventional practitioners are faced with several challenges when discussing CAM practices with patients or making lifestyle and nutrition recommendations, (3)(11) which are commonly included in guidelines for managing chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. These challenges may include the practitioners level of knowledge or education in nutrition, their confidence in the scientific evidence available, as well as the limited time they may spend with their patients. (3)

Functional and integrative medicine share several common characteristics, including a focus on lifestyle and dietary factors.

Functional medicine (FM), pioneered by the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) in 1991, (5) is a system that addresses underlying symptoms and functional imbalances to reverse illness and promote optimal health and function. FM views biological functions as interconnected, and functional imbalances occurring as a result of interactions between genes and environmental factors, including environmental toxins, lifestyle, microbiome, and social determinants. (3)

A functional approach views these biological functions as factors that are changing, and disease as an endpoint to this process. In this approach, a healthy function is assessed at different levels, including the spiritual, social, body system, organ, tissue, cellular, or subcellular levels. (3)(5)

The FM practice model may include a functional medicine doctor as a primary care physician, as well as a behavioral therapist, dietician, and health coach as part of a care team. (3) To address the individuals functional needs, a personalized therapeutic program is developed (5) that may include diet, lifestyle interventions, medication, and dietary supplements. (3)

One study compared the self-reported quality of life in patients receiving care at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine (FM) or a Cleveland Clinic family health center (conventional medicine). The study included 7,252 individuals with a variety of conditions, including depression, diabetes, and hypertension. At both six and 12 months, the study found that greater improvements in quality of life were seen in the FM clinic group compared to the conventional care group. The self-reported quality of life measures included emotional problems, fatigue, mental health, overall quality of life, pain intensity, physical functioning, physical health, and satisfaction with social activities. (3)

The researchers suggest that the greater improvement in quality of life may be due to the long duration of the first FM visit, 60 to 75 minutes, as well as the multidisciplinary care provided by a team of practitioners. In comparison, one study found that primary care visits with a physician practicing conventional medicine are approximately 15 minutes, with individual health topics receiving attention for between one to five minutes of the appointment. (12) Additionally, the FM model involved therapeutic partnerships between the providers and patients, emphasizing open communication, giving patients responsibility for their health, and using empathetic language. (3)

Medical researchers and clinicians commonly understand Integrative medicine (IM) as combining conventional medicine with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches. However, this combination does not capture the full scope of integrative medicine and what it has to offer. (4)

The Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health provides this definition: Integrative medicine and health reaffirms the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient, focuses on the whole person, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic and lifestyle approaches, healthcare professionals and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing. (1)

IM is an umbrella system that approaches treating the individual as an indivisible whole, including community, emotional, environmental, functional/physical, social, and spiritual domains. (4)(8)(10) Healing is viewed as occurring from within the patient, rather than an action by the practitioner. (4)

The IM system focuses on coordination between various healthcare providers and institutions (10) to empower the patient through therapeutic, supportive relationships between the patient and practitioner. (11) The individual and practitioner work together to develop an integrative treatment plan that incorporates both conventional and alternative techniques that are evidence-based. (4)(8)(11)

Integrative medicine emphasizes a supportive relationship between the patient and the practitioner.

Scientific literature suggests that IM has been incorporated into clinical practice in various ways. One model combines the medical research and clinical experience behind both conventional and CAM approaches, resulting in a fairly equal partnership between the two. A second model uses only evidence-based aspects of CAM in conventional medicine. (13) IM is practiced to a varying extent at the practitioner, clinic, team, or health system level. (8) The CAM-conventional division can be understood as a scale, with some practitioners or clinics as more CAM-oriented, and others as more oriented toward conventional medicine. (8)

One study examined the model of care at the University of Arizona Integrative Health Center (UAIHC) primary care clinic. integrative medicine doctors at the clinic work alongside a multidisciplinary team including a behavioral health clinician, acupuncturist, chiropractor, dietician, health coach, and nurse who have received additional training in IM. The practice model includes a comprehensive patient health intake, assessing lifestyle factors (e.g., diet, physical activity, relationships, sleep, spirituality, stress), a Health Partnership Agreement between the individual and their provider, a decision-making process involving the individual, as well as groups, classes, and health coaching to support lifestyle changes. The study found that patient surveys reported that the UAIHC successfully provided integrative care (aligned with the IM model) that resulted in high overall patient satisfaction. (6)

IM has also been studied at the Benson-Henry Institute (BHI) for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. The clinic uses a comprehensive (mind-body-spirit) program known as the Relaxation Response Resiliency Program (3RP) intended to help individuals manage stress, increase resiliency, and develop coping skills. The program, facilitated by a team of nurses, physicians, psychologists, and social workers, focuses on preventing disease using lifestyle choices, self-care, and empowering techniques. In addition to reduced stress, research has found 3RP to be associated with a reduced number of medical visits and procedures. (7)

Various medical systems and approaches may be used to improve health, each with unique contributions to the field of medicine. Functional and integrative medicine are two systems that view health as a positive quality, rather than only as the absence of disease. (4)(5) When considering different approaches, we encourage you to research and think critically about the type of support you need and desire to maintain your health or achieve specific health goals.

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Conventional, & Complementary Medicine | Fullscript

NEW YORK, Oct. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The global pandemic being endured has led to an imbalance of physical and mental health throughout our society. To help address this challenge, Chopra Global, a leading wellness company led by world-renowned pioneer in integrative medicine, Deepak Chopra, is announcing its highly anticipated slate of upcoming integrative health retreats.

The exclusive retreats will offer immersive, one-of-a-kind programming and curated experiences that bring ancient practices backed by science into modern life for a wholistic approach to wellness. Taking place in breathtaking destinations across North America, each retreat is uniquely designed to inspire an unforgettable body/mind/spirit experience. Dr. Chopra will be on-site speaking at each retreat, along with other renowned experts in wellness, yoga, meditation and more.

The lineup of events will kick-off in one month at Well Within which will feature an exclusive chat between Dr. Chopra and Jewel, followed by an evening performance by the Grammy-nominated singer-song writer and mental health advocate.

Upcoming retreats include:

Each retreat includes hotel accommodations, meals, yoga, meditation, exclusive sessions with well-being thought leaders, and more. Through a unique combination of ancient wisdom, sensory experiences, and the latest research in practical health science, guests will learn personalized approaches to taking control of their own health and well-being.

"Each of these retreats is expertly curated to give attendees an opportunity to create a wellness movement within each individual," said Mallika Chopra, CEO of Chopra Global. "Wellness begins when we sleep deeply, eat food that nourishes, move our bodies, practice meditation, love ourselves and those around us, live with nature and truly understand how to create our collective reality. We are confident these retreats will inspire what's possible in terms of physical, mental and spiritual health."

In an effort to provide health and safety at this and all Chopra Global events, all guests, staff, and speakers attending Chopra retreats are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to arrival. For more information on our COVID-19 policy, including requirements for event attendees, please visit https://chopra.com/retreat-updates

About Chopra Global:Chopra Global is a leading integrative health company that is empowering personal transformation for millions of people globally to expand our collective well-being. Anchored by the life's practice and research of Dr. Deepak Chopra, a pioneer in integrative medicine, Chopra Global's signature programs have been proven to improve overall well-being through a focus on physical, mental and spiritual health. Chopra Global has been at the forefront of health and wellness for more than two decades with a portfolio that includes an editorial archive of more than 2,000 health articles, expansive self-care practices and meditations, a comprehensive and mobile app, masterclasses, teacher certifications, immersive live events and personalized retreats. By providing tools, guidance and community, Chopra aims to advance a culture of well-being and make a healthy, peaceful and joyful life accessible to all. For more information, interact with the team on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Media Contact:Kristen Marion623-308-2638[emailprotected]

SOURCE Chopra Global

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Chopra Global Announces Slate of Retreats to Calm the Mind and Rebalance the Soul - PRNewswire

Roger Newton 74 MS, 05 (HON) has been advocating for the School of Medicine and Department of Nutritional Sciences to collaborate since he was a UConn graduate student in the 70s. Now they will, thanks to a new fellowship that he and his wife, Coco, established through the Esperance Family Foundation.

The multiyear commitment will enable UConn medical student Nathan Gasek to study how nutrition can be used to promote health and longevity and alleviate aging-related diseases, such as Alzheimers.

Gaseks project will focus on nutritional interventions to prevent and treat Alzheimers and other age-related dementia. His work will supplement ongoing research by his advisor, Ming Xu, who has studied the increased prevalence of senescent cells in the elderly that accumulate with age and are thought to cause aging and aging-related diseases.

Basically, we are trying to slow down the aging process through functional medicine nutrition, says Xu, an assistant professor at UConns Center for Aging and the Department of Genetics & Genome Sciences. We are trying to make 80-year-old people have the health and well-being of 50-year-olds who have no or far less disease. We are trying to alleviate all kinds of diseases as a group simultaneously. Theres a lot of research being done by us and others showing that if you are able to decrease or prevent the presence of senescent cells in essential tissues, you can make people live longer and live healthier.

This gift is going to help us achieve our goal faster. In this case, were looking into whether it is feasible to offer some novel intervention to prevent and/or treat Alzheimers disease in the aging population, Xu says. This gift offers financial support, but also mental support. It gives us confidence that through our research, we will have a positive effect on a human condition that is not well understood but can be prevented and treated with nutrition and lifestyle changes.

UConns joint MD/Ph.D. program links many disciplines, but this is the first to connect the School of Medicine with the Department of Nutritional Sciences in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources.

The joint program requires Gasek to take nutrition courses to gain much-needed nutrition knowledge as a physician scientist and gives him access to faculty expertise in nutritional sciences, opening the door to future collaboration between the two schools, says Ji-Young Lee, professor and head of the Department of Nutritional Sciences. The overall goal is to use nutrition intervention to better inform medicine and patient care and to promote health.

If the project turns out as were guessing, if our hypothesis is correct, we could potentially create nutritional protocols that can target not just Alzheimers but, potentially, aging as a whole, says Gasek, who lost a grandfather to dementia. That could be really exciting, not just in terms of research, but in terms of actual clinical impact on patients who are suffering from these conditions.

Long-term supporters

The Newtons have previously supported a number of nutrition-related projects in the Department of Nutritional Sciences through their philanthropy from the Esperance Family Foundation.

We are thrilled to be involved in the Joint MD/Ph.D. Program, which will open doors for the collaboration of two disciplines, namely medicine and nutrition, that can be impactful to meeting the needs for both the healthy and unhealthy aging population, Roger Newton says.

He graduated from UConn in 1974 with a masters degree focusing on the regulation of lipid/cholesterol metabolism, and was awarded an honorary degree in 2005. After UConn, he attended UC-Davis, graduating with a Ph.D. in nutrition, focusing on the regulation of hepatic lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. He did a postdoctoral fellowship in the department of medicine at UC-San Diego in LaJolla, California, then began a 17-year career at Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he was the co-discoverer and product champion of the cholesterol-lowering drug, Lipitor.

Newton continued his career for more than 40 years in the pharmaceutical and biotech life sciences industries. He is the founder and former president/CEO/chief scientific officer at Esperion Therapeutics and is the co-discover and product champion of Nexletol, which recently received FDA approval and was launched in 2019 for the treatment of statin-intolerant patients and for those who cannot reach their LDL-cholesterol goals.

The Newtons met at UC-Davis, where Coco Newton graduated with a degree in nutrition and dietetics, completed her dietetic internship at University Hospital. She then attended and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a masters degree in public health nutrition and was employed as a specialist in hyperalimentation at three different hospitals in San Diego and Ann Arbor before starting her own nutrition practice called Lifetime Nutrition, LLC.

She currently works with ALS patients in North and South America and Europe, using specialized nutrition protocols to inhibit progression and promote regression of the disease. She has been an invited guest lecturer in UConns department of nutritional sciences, especially focusing on the use of functional medicine nutrition and its importance in health and treating a variety of diseases. Lastly, she was recognized in 2020 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) by receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award and, in 2021, she received the Visionary Award from the Dietetic Practice Group within AND called Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine.

Indrajeet Chaubey, dean and director of the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, says the fellowship will allow for a fresh interdisciplinary approach to aging.

This collaboration has the potential to lead to transformative breakthroughs, Chaubey says.

Bruce Liang, dean of the School of Medicine agrees.

I am so thankful to Roger and Coco for their deep commitment to enhance our students understanding of the role nutrition can have in improving patient health, Liang says.

Carol Pilbeam, director of the MD/Ph.D. program at UConn Health, said Gaseks project is the ideal for training a physician scientist.

We are extremely grateful for the award and hope to make Roger and Coco Newton proud, she says. This is the first time we have had such a collaborationa student with advisors for his Ph.D. work from both UConn Health and Storrs. We look forward to many more collaborations.

If youd like to find out more about supporting programs like this, please contact Amy Chesmer at achesmer@foundation.uconn.edu or (860) 336-6706 or Peter Lamothe at plamothe@foundation.uconn.edu or (860) 679-4962.

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Newton Fellowship Seeks to Expand Medical Education to Include Nutritional Interventions in Patient care - UConn Today - UConn Today

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A fungus isnt traditionally considered a good thing, dermatologically speaking, but mushrooms are now saving face - literally.

Mushrooms taste delicious on toast, but these days the edible fungus has moved far beyond the realms of breakfast food, with pills, powders and potions made from fungi popping up in the health and wellness market like, well, mushrooms.

The latest iteration is the most interesting, as mushrooms move into the skincare realm at a rapid pace.

While the Chinese have been tapping into the healing and health-giving properties of mushrooms for thousands of years, its taken the rest of the world a bit longer to catch on.

But scientists and others are now making up for lost time with a slew of products, ingestible and topical, to tackle everything that ails us. And that includes average skin.

READ MORE:* Fermented skincare: Five ferments for your face* Tired eyes: Five eye creams to help you look wide awake* Tips and tricks you need to know about treating Perioral Dermatitis* Are mushrooms a health food? We explore what this new hype is all about

There are more than 14,000 varieties of mushrooms, though not all of them come with benefits for humans. But there are a number of key ones that are now commonly associated with beauty and wellness from chaga, reishi, cordyceps, coprinus, and shiitake to trametes versicolor (or turkey tail), tremella and lions mane each with unique benefits.

Skincare brand Origins was the first to introduce the ingredient into mainstream beauty, in 2005, via its Mega-Mushroom line, created in collaboration with integrative medicine pioneer, Dr Andrew Weil, to try to tackle skin inflammation, which Weil believes is at the core of many skin concerns.

More than 15 years later, the mushroom beauty market is booming, with fungi featuring in everything from serums and shampoos to foundation and lipstick.

New wellness brand, Mother Made, created by Kiwis Emily Blanchett and Jessica Clarke, draws on many of the mushrooms that are hot topics in the beauty industry, with an offering of supplements in capsule and powder form.

The pair had experienced functional mushrooms overseas, where they are popular for supporting a healthy immune system, optimal wellbeing, and a normal stress response.

Their hero product, the PM powder blend, includes reishi, turkey tail and shiitake mushrooms, with relaxing and anti-ageing properties that they say helps with the best beauty sleep ever.

Naturopath Denise Melton, who works at Aucklands Tonic Room, agrees that recent studies have simply confirmed what traditional medicine practitioners have known for centuries: that certain mushrooms (such as maitake, cordyceps, reishi, turkey tail, shiitake, and chaga) contain compounds that exert various biological effects.

These compounds have been shown to have the ability to be reduce stress, stimulate the immune system, modulate both extracellular and intracellular immunity, have antimicrobial and antiviral potentials, rejuvenate a weakened immune system, have antidiabetic properties, protect the liver, and support a healthy cardiovascular system, she says.

In addition, wound healing and skin rejuvenation has been one of the most studied beneficial effects of mushrooms.

Adding a variety of mushrooms to your diet will probably reap a lot of benefit, but as with anything, quality and purity is important.

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