Category Archives: Integrative Medicine

There are many types of basil from around the world, including Italian and Thai ones, but theres only one kind thats considered to be holy. Tulsi or the Indian holy basil has been celebrated for thousands of years and holds a revered place in Ayurveda for all the medicinal benefits it can provide.

As a study in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine published in 2014 says, mounting scientific evidence from around the world indicates that tulsi has a unique combination of pharmacological actions that can address physical, chemical, metabolic, and psychological stress. Nutritionally, tulsi is packed with vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, zinc and antioxidants.

Consuming tulsi regularly can, therefore, benefit you in many ways. This is especially true during certain seasons when health issues like infections thrive (for example, monsoons). Here is how tulsi can improve your immune system and overall health:

1. Protects against infections: Tulsi has potent antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic (or painkiller) properties, which means consuming it can help prevent infections and even heal wounds faster. Tulsi, therefore, is one of the best immune-boosters you can lay your hands on.

2. Manages blood sugar: Root, stem to leaves - every part of the tulsi can help you keep your blood sugar levels in check. It can increase insulin sensitivity and prevent hyperinsulinemia too. If you have type 1 or type two diabetes, tulsi is a must-have.

3. Helps lower cholesterol: Tulsi targets metabolic distress, it can lower LDL cholesterol levels and increases HDL cholesterol levels at the same time. This metabolic action can be attributed to eugenol, the oil found in tulsi, and it can improve the blood circulation in the body while improving heart health too.

4. Relieves pain: As mentioned before, tulsi has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Not only can it help relieve all types of aches and pains, but also the kind of pain associated with arthritis and fibromyalgia.

5. Improves digestion: Tulsi is great for your digestive system. Not only can it relieve acidity, but it can also prevent ulcers, indigestion and other digestive disorders. Tulsi tea, made with a dash of honey and ginger, can also alleviate the symptoms of heartburn.

For more information, read our article on Tulsi: Benefits, uses and side effects.

Health articles on News18 are written by myUpchar.com, Indias first and biggest resource for verified medical information. At myUpchar, researchers and journalists work with doctors to bring you information on all things health.

The information provided here is intended to provide free education about certain medical conditions and certain possible treatment. It is not a substitute for examination, diagnosis, treatment, and medical care provided by a licensed and qualified health professional. If you believe you, your child or someone you know suffers from the conditions described herein, please see your health care provider immediately. Do not attempt to treat yourself, your child, or anyone else without proper medical supervision. You acknowledge and agree that neither myUpchar nor News18 is liable for any loss or damage which may be incurred by you as a result of the information provided here, or as a result of any reliance placed by you on the completeness, accuracy or existence of any information provided herein.

Excerpt from:
Holy Tulsi: Health Benefits of Indian Basil You Shouldn't Miss Out On - News18

IMMH invites you to join us for our 11th annual Integrative Medicine for Mental Health Conference, August 20-23, now LIVE ONLINE!

This four-day international conference will give practitioners a holistic approach to successfully diagnose and treat underlying issues contributing to the symptoms of neurological, behavioral, and psychiatric disorders.

IMMH is the only conference annually dedicated to integrative medicine for mental health, which is brain health.

Who attends IMMH? Family physicians, psychiatrists, naturopathic doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, nutritionists and dietitians, psychologists, therapists and counselors, and more!

CME and CE credits are available!

27 speakers

32 presentations (half of the presentations will now be given live via Zoom and half will be pre-recorded and included in the full conference recordings, which all attendees receive)

Early bird rates expire after July 5th! Go to http://www.IMMH2020.com for all details and to register.

Speakers: Robert Lustig, MD, Terry Wahls, MD, Dale Bredesen, MD, Deanna Minich, PhD, Georgia Ede, MD

Category: Conferences | Science, Health and Medicine | CME (Continuing Medical Education)

Date and Time: Thursday August 20, 2020 at 8:00 am ends Sunday August 23, 2020 at 3:00 pm

The rest is here:
11th Annual Integrative Medicine for Mental Health Conference - Patch.com

Irvine, Calif., Aug. 18, 2020 UCI Health is pleased to announce the opening of its latest Newport Beach location, which is dedicated to preventing disease and managing health by considering all aspects of a patients mind, body and spirit. UCI Health-Newport Beach is the first to offer a comprehensive model of science-based medicine combined with a philosophy of care that makes use of all therapies and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing.

At UCI Health, we make a daily commitment to stop at nothing to meet and exceed the expectations of every member of our community, said Chad T. Lefteris, CEO of UCI Health. Our multidisciplinary clinical care teams provide world-class primary and specialty care driven by the discovery and innovation of Orange Countys only university health system.

UCI Health is built to advance knowledge that improves patient health and wellness, Lefteris said.

Advances in medicine are made every day. Community-based health providers treat patients within the standards of care, while academic health systems like UCI Health conduct the research that improves these standards. For example, UCI Health integrative health faculty physicians publish research into the effect of diet, mood and stress on specific conditions that they then translate into cutting-edge patient care.

UCI Health-Newport Beach is located at 2161 San Joaquin Hills Road, Newport Beach, on the corner of San Joaquin Hills Road and Avocado Avenue.

We take a balanced approach to wellness, said Shaista Malik, MD, PhD, associate vice chancellor for integrative health at the Susan and Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences. Integrative health means that when we care for you, we take into account every aspect of your life your health history, lifestyle, stressors and other factors to restore your well-being and quality of life.

This whole-person approach allows UCI Health caregivers to understand each patients unique circumstances and determine the most appropriate treatments and therapies, Malik said.

Our providers work together to develop treatment plans that adapt to your specific needs, to help you live a healthy and balanced life, she added.

Services available at UCI Health-Newport Beach include:

For more information or to make an appointment, visit ucihealth.org/newportbeach or call 949-386-5700.

UCI Health comprises the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. Patients can access UCI Health at primary and specialty care offices across Orange County and at its main campus, UCI Medical Center in Orange, California. The 418-bed acute care hospital provides tertiary and quaternary care, ambulatory and specialty medical clinics, and behavioral health and rehabilitation services. U.S. News & World Report has recognized UCI Medical Center among Americas Best Hospitals for 20 consecutive years. The enterprise is home to Orange Countys only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program and American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center and regional burn center. It is the primary teaching hospital for the UCI School of Medicine. UCI Health serves a region of nearly 4 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About the University of California, Irvine:Founded in 1965, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 30,000 students and offers 192 degree programs. Its located in one of the worlds safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange Countys second-largest employer, contributing $5 billion annually to the local economy. For more on UCI, visitwww.uci.edu.

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UCI Health-Newport Beach center offers science-based integrative health - UCI News

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif., Aug. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- "Through an evidence-based innovative program that merges modern integrative medicine with traditional martial arts, Kids Kicking Cancer addresses the overwhelming needs of children with illness," said Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg, founder and global director for Kids Kicking Cancer. He adds, "We offer one-on-one training and group classes for both pediatric inpatients and outpatients in over fifty hospitals and institutions around the globe."

"We are thrilled to help this extraordinary organization expand their programs as broadly as possible," states Roger Holzberg, co-founder of Reimagine Well.

Together the two organizations are partnering to launch the Kids Kicking Cancer Infusionarium Platform, available to any pediatric hospital that would like to have the educational programs, immersive healing experiences, and live events as a part of what they offer to their patients and families as they undergo treatment. If your hospital would like access to the platform; contact us and we will find a way to make it available to you.

A patient and family version of the program is also available 24/7, to provide support whenever and wherever it's needed, over the course of the entire patient journey. Patients and families are able to use it on their smartphones, tablets, or home computers. If you, or someone you care about, would benefit from the Kids Kicking Cancer patient and family platform - click hereto get started.

All services provided by Kids Kicking Cancer are at no cost to the children and their families.

About Reimagine WellReimagine Well provides a proprietary platform and programs designed for infusion therapy, assisted living, and more; and has compiled an extensive library of patient-directed immersive healing experiences and disease-specific 'Learn Guides' hosted by clinicians and medical experts. Roger Holzberg and Leonard Sender, MD, founded Reimagine Well. Sender is the Medical Director of the Hyundai Cancer Institute at CHOC Children's Hospital, Orange County, California. He is board certified in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and his primary interest is in immuno-oncology. Holzberg is the founder of My Bridge 4 Life, a former award-winning Disney Imagineer, the first (consulting) Creative Director of the National Cancer Institute and a 15-year cancer survivor.

About Kids Kicking Cancer Kids Kicking Cancer's mission is to ease the pain of very sick children while empowering them to heal physically, spiritually and emotionally.Kids Kicking Cancer provides services in 92 facilities in 7 countries. Their vision is to lower the pain of one million children by 2025. All services provided by Kids Kicking Cancer are at no cost to the children and their families. Children 3 years & older, and their siblings, are eligible for the program.

Contacts: Pam Carstens / (949) 793-8777 / [emailprotected]Cindy Cohen, MS, CCLS / (248) 864-8238 / [emailprotected]

SOURCE Reimagine Well

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Reimagine Well and Kids Kicking Cancer Partner on Innovative Platform for Patients and Families - PRNewswire

Whole grains may be better for your health, but figuring out which products are healthier by relying on whole grain labels can actually make it difficult to make healthy choices.

A new study found that these labels on cereal, bread, and crackers can be confusing for people trying to make smarter food choices.

The report published in the journal Public Health Nutrition detailed a survey of 1,030 U.S. adults. The participants were shown photos of real and hypothetical products with food labels. They were asked to identify healthier options for the hypothetical products or assess the whole grain content of the real products.

A significant number of respondents had the wrong answer for which product was healthier.

Our study results show that many consumers cannot correctly identify the amount of whole grains or select a healthier whole grain product, Parke Wilde, PhD, study author and professor at the Tufts University, said in a statement.

The authors wanted to find out if there was a strong legal argument that whole grain labels are misleading. Evidence could back up a movement for increased labeling requirements.

I would say when it comes to deceptive labels, whole grain claims are among the worst, added co-author Jennifer L. Pomeranz, an assistant professor of public health policy and management at New York University in New York City.

The labeling of whole grains has been a source of confusion and deception for a long time, said Dr. Amy Burkhart, an integrative medicine physician and registered dietitian based in Napa, California. Many brands use the term whole grain and others to influence customers purchasing decisions by creating a healthy product facade.

The term whole grain means that all portions of the kernel are included in the product, Burkhart explained.

The blurring of lines begins here, she said. The product only has to contain 51 percent whole grain ingredients to use the term whole grains.

For example, a label can say whole grain but up to 49 percent of the product may include processed grains.

There are whole grains and refined grains, said Vicki Shanta Retelny, RDN, a consultant for Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Whole grains contain three parts: the bran, germ, and endosperm layers. Refined grains have been stripped of the bran and the germ layers and, in turn, are devoid of fiber, iron, B-vitamins, fatty acids, and antioxidants, which are inherent in the whole intact grain.

Refined grains are white flour products that may be enriched or fortified with vitamins and minerals to provide nutritional value.

Whole grains that are wheat-based contain gluten. Wheat-free grains are typically gluten-free unless there is cross-contamination during processing of the grain, Retelny said.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agricultures 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, half of all grains consumed should be whole grains. Getting enough whole grains has been linked with lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.

The most common types of whole grains that contain gluten include wheat, barley, rye, and spelt. Gluten-free whole grains include corn, oats, brown rice, quinoa, buckwheat, brown rice, sorghum, teff, millet, and amaranth, Burkhart said.

Ancient grains such as farro and spelt are those that have not been changed by modern breeding methods over the last several hundred years. Nonwheat ancient whole grains include sorghum, quinoa, and millet, she noted.

This doesnt mean they are necessarily more nutritious but they do require a lower amount of pesticides and water to be grown which is beneficial to the planet, Burkhart said.

As part of the survey, the packages on the hypothetical products either had no front-of-package whole grain label or were marked with multigrain, made with whole grains, or a whole grain stamp. The packages on the real products displayed the actual product markings, including multigrain, honey wheat, and 12 grain.

When looking at the hypothetical products, people had to answer if they thought the product was healthier. For the real products, they were asked to assess the whole grain content.

Of the hypothetical products, 29 percent to 47 percent incorrectly identified the healthier item. Specifically, they had the wrong answer 31 percent of the time for cereal, up to 37 percent for crackers, and 47 percent for bread items.

Of the real products that were not mostly composed of whole grains, 43 to 51 percent of respondents overstated the whole grain content depending on the products.

Researchers found 41 percent overstated the grain content for multigrain crackers, 43 percent for honey wheat bread, and 51 percent for 12-grain bread.

However, respondents more accurately identified the whole grain content of an oat cereal that mostly included whole grain.

While experts find the labeling standards by the Food and Drug Administration confusing, other groups have pushed for more transparency.

The Whole Grains Council, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group, has created three stamps to guide consumers but they are not on all products.

Companies must apply to use the stamp. The 100 percent stamp includes products where all grains are whole grain and the product contains at least 16 grams of whole grain per serving. The 50 percent stamp means that 50 percent or more of the grains in the product are whole and the product contains at least 8g of whole grain per serving. The basic stamp means the item contains at least 8 grams of whole grain per serving, Burkhart explained.

Terms such as wheat, semolina, durum wheat, organic flour, stoneground, multigrain, fiber, and cracked wheat may or may not be whole grains.

When youre buying a whole grain product, such as bread or crackers, look for the first ingredient to be a whole grain ingredient such as whole grain flour or whole wheat flour, said Amy Gorin, MS, a registered dietitian nutritionist in New Jersey. Many whole grain products are made with whole grains but dont contain them as a primary ingredient.

On bread labels, for example, the first ingredient should be whole grain flour, whole wheat flour, or another whole grain ingredient. It should not, for example, be enriched wheat flour.

The fiber content on the nutrition label is another giveaway whole grain products are likely to be good or excellent sources of fiber, Gorin said.

Retelny advises her clients to focus on the ingredients list of a product for the word whole before the grain. For example, look for whole wheat or whole oats instead of enriched wheat or oats, because those are refined versions of the grain, she said.

Just because its a brown bread doesnt mean its whole grain, Gorin said.

Read more:
Whole Grain Labels Confuse People Trying to Pick Healthy Options - Healthline

Construction is complete on Mercy Hospital Souths new cancer center.

This week, patients walked in to the David M. Sindelar Cancer Care Center to receive the first treatments provided in the new, state-of-the-art, comprehensive cancer center. The centers first day of operation was Monday.

What these patients will find are services to meet all their needs, to treat any type of cancer, all under one roof, said Dr. Shaun Donegan, Mercy regional medical director of medical oncology. Were talking about more than just their medical needs. We are seeking to provide for their emotional, spiritual, nutritional and other needs that come with a cancer diagnosis.

The Sindelar Cancer Center is a standalone, 2-story, 78,000-square-foot facility located on the Mercy South campus across the main drive from the emergency department. Patients and visitors walking through the main entrance are greeted by the open, invitingBoniface FoundationAtrium filled with natural light. The Rooney Breast Center has its own dedicated entrance on the opposite end of the facility, providing patients with direct access to mammography and other breast health services.

Once inside, patients will have access to the infusion center, radiation oncology services, imaging, laboratory, integrative medicine, Mercy Clinic offices, chapel, specialty boutique, cafe, conference center and more. Specialized co-workers, including oncology nurse navigators, counselors, chaplains, social workers and dietitian, provide the individualized care to each patient.

Weve listened to our patients over the years about what we can do to improve their care, Donegan said in a news release. The infusion center weve created is a great example of taking those suggestions and putting them into practice to meet the varying needs of our patients.

The infusion center includes three different spaces where patients can choose to receive treatment based on the level of privacy they want. A community room allows them to spend time with other patients, especially those patients they may see on a regular basis because they receive treatment on similar schedules. The open room includes a fireplace, virtual aquarium and a great view of the outdoors from the second floor.

Patients seeking more privacy can choose to use a semi-private bay that allows them to close or open a curtain as they wish. Another option patients may choose is a private room by themselves.

The radiation oncology unit is where the newest technology is most obviously on display with two state-of-the-art linear accelerators, including one of only six Accuray Radixact with Synchrony machines in use in the United States. This device is able to pinpoint where it needs to deliver its radiation treatment and follow that targeted area even when a patient moves. This helps a patient relax because they do not feel the pressure to remain perfectly still during the treatment, which can help relieve some of their stress.

The Sindelar Cancer Center also houses an Elektra Versa HD linear accelerator.

Imaging services include MRI, CT, PET, X-ray, ultrasound, mammography (both 3D tomosynthesis and 2D) and bone densitometer.

Another example of the steps taken to improve the comfort of patients is the addition of sensory suites to the mammography rooms to create a more relaxing environment.

Mercy Clinic physicians located in the cancer center include medical oncologists and hematologists, surgical specialists, breast surgery specialists and palliative care.

Working close to each other allows us to better collaborate, said Dr. John Whitfield, Mercy Clinic colorectal surgeon. That collaboration between different specialties in turn leads to better care for our patients.

The cancer center is a special place because weve brought together all the services a patient and their caregivers need in one building, said Kim McGrath, executive director of cancer and imaging services. We have physicians, lab, imaging, financial counseling, navigation and integrated medicine all in one place to provide quality care and exceptional service to make the most of their experience and time.

Integrative medicine includes services some people might not associate with cancer care and traditional medicine, such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, healing touch therapy, massage therapy, reflexology, mindfulness and meditation, tai chi, Pilates and yoga.

The Comfortable Cup Caf provides patients and visitors with healthy options to meet the nutritional needs of cancer patients. A specialty boutique offers a variety of items designed specifically for cancer patients, such as wigs and scarfs.

Patients, their family and friends can rely on chaplains for help with their spiritual needs, and a chapel provides a prayer space. Much of the furniture in the chapel was built byAnew Naturefrom trees removed from the site to make way for the cancer center. Anew teaches job skills to felons through its internship and employment program.

The center also includes conference space and plentiful parking with an extensive number of handicapped accessible spaces.

There are a lot of these details, from massage therapy to the cafe, from the boutique to the chapel, and from all the natural light to the decor, that by themselves are nice to have, Donegan said. But when you put them all together the way we have, they create an environment that benefits our patients a great deal, lowers their stress and promotes healing.

The name of the cancer center honorsDavid Sindelarand the leadership he provided St. Anthonys Medical Center for many years through the decision to join Mercy. That agreement was reached shortly before Sindelar lost his own battle with cancer in March 2017. Groundbreaking for the cancer center that bears his name took place in September 2018.

The name of theRooney Breast Center honors Sara Sindelar, whose maiden name is Rooney, along with the rest of the Sindelar and Rooney families, for their continued support of this project and the mission to serve the south St. Louis County community.

Continue reading here:
Mercy South's new cancer center opens to public this week - Call Newspapers

Dr. Meyer to provide a full range of diagnostic and treatment services for fertility preservation, infertility and third party reproduction

NORWALK, Conn., Aug. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --RMA of Connecticut, a leading fertility practice whose exceptional quality and care helps couples and individuals grow their family, has announced that Laura Meyer, M.D. has joined their award-winning team of fertility specialists to deliver high quality care to patients in the region.

Born and raised in Westchester County, Dr. Meyer graduated magna cum laude from Duke University, and earned her medical degree at the NYU School of Medicine. She continued her medical training at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she completed both her residency in obstetrics and gynecology and fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. During residency, she was appointed Administrative Chief Resident and was the recipient of several honors, including the Distinguished Housestaff Award. Prior to joining RMA of Connecticut, Dr. Meyer was an Assistant Professor at NYU School of Medicine and practiced in Westchester and Fairfield Counties.

"RMA of Connecticut is very proud to add Dr. Laura Meyer to our award-winning team," says Dr. Mark Leondires, Medical Director and Founder of RMA of Connecticut. "Dr. Meyer's experience, coupled with her notable achievements and deep connection to the Westchester and Fairfield County communities will add tremendous value to our RMA of Connecticut team. We are thrilled that she has joined our team to continue to help our patients grow their families."

Dr. Meyer is experienced in ovulation induction, in vitro fertilization, preimplantation genetic testing, egg freezing, fertility preservation for cancer patients, recurrent pregnancy loss, and third party reproduction. She is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive endocrinology and infertility, and is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. She is fluent in Spanish.

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"I am honored to join the talented team at RMA of Connecticut, where I look forward to providing personalized, state-of-the-art care in a patient-centered environment," says Dr. Laura Meyer. "RMA of Connecticut is renowned for its commitment to treating the "whole patient," pairing world-class medical care with individualized emotional support and integrative programs such as nutrition, yoga and acupuncture. I am excited to offer all of these resources to my patients throughout their journeys to parenthood."

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit http://www.rmact.com.

About Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut (RMA of Connecticut) RMA of Connecticut is a leader in fertility care, specializing in a range of infertility treatments. Our assisted reproductive technologies (ART) include intrauterine insemination (IUI), in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT). RMA of Connecticut is Fairfield County's largest fertility clinic and egg donation center. Through RMA of Connecticut's Integrated Fertility and Wellness Center, we offer nutrition counseling, individual and couples psychological counseling, acupuncture and yoga, as well as financing and support services for our patients going through infertility treatment.

Our internationally recognized Gay Parents To Be program at RMA of Connecticut specializes in LGBTQ family building. For the last three years, RMA of Connecticut has been recognized as a Leader in Healthcare Equality by the Human Rights Campaign.

SOURCE Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut

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RMA of Connecticut Welcomes Dr. Laura Meyer to its Team of Board-Certified Fertility Specialists - Yahoo Finance

Dear Readers,

When it comes to physical activities, have you concluded that youre not as young as you used to be? Maybe you were once a runner and now the knees dont bend like they used to. Or perhaps you were a star athlete in high school and now your star just isnt as bright. The body has gotten older, the joints stiffer, maybe its even affecting your everyday life. Its a foe that sometimes rears its ugly head in mid-life - its arthritis.

In the U.S., as many as 54 million people suffer from osteoarthritis (OA). The word comes from the Greek "osteon" meaning bone, and "itis" meaning inflammation. OA is the most common form of arthritis and occurs when the cartilage that cushions bones wears down over time. Joints can become painful, swollen and difficult to move. The most commonly affected areas are knees, hands, hips, lower back and neck.

Some supplements claim to ease arthritis pain, but do they work? Glucosamine, chondroitin and curcumin (found in turmeric) are three dietary supplements we will explore.

Glucosamine and chondroitin, often sold in combination, are two of the top-selling natural remedies for OA. In a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (the gold standard for research) found that glucosamine was more effective than a sugar pill in alleviating joint stiffness. At the same time, chondroitin was better at improving pain and mobility. The analysis did not find enough studies to draw a conclusion about the combination therapy of the two.

In the 2019 treatment guidelines, the Arthritis Foundation and American College of Rheumatology gave a conditional recommendation of chondroitin sulfate for hand OA. However, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says the evidence on glucosamine for OA is unclear, and chondroitin isnt helpful. Still, these supplements have not found to be harmful.

Another popular remedy for OA is curcumin, the ingredient in turmeric that has anti-inflammatory effects. Another meta-analysis concluded that curcumin, in addition to conventional medicine, may be useful in treating arthritis symptoms. In another study, curcumin was found to be as effective in treating arthritis of the knee as the drug diclofenac. However, this study was small and only lasted one month.

When it comes to your health, be an informed consumer. A little homework may be necessary before purchasing a supplement for arthritis symptoms. The following websites will help you make a sound decision:

nccam.nih.gov/health/supplements/wiseuse.htm

nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/herb_All.html

consumerlab.com

Consult your doctor before beginning any dietary supplement.

Until next time, be healthy!

Dear Dietitian

Leanne McCrate is an award-winning dietitian with over 15 years of clinical experience. She is registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Have a nutrition question? Email it to DearDietitian411@gmail.com. The views and opinions expressed here are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect those of Texoma Marketing and Media Group.

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Dear Dietitian: Exploring the role of supplements in healing arthritis pain - Austin American-Statesman

News

Even people who experienced mild infection may have long-term symptoms.

Once the most severe phase of COVID-19 infection has passed, many patients experience long-term issues.These patients often describe themselves as long-haulers or as having long-COVID.As the number of Australians diagnosed with COVID-19 has grown, so too has the number of patients with post-acute issues.This has led many GPs to seek information on how to best manage these ongoing concerns. Melbourne-based GP Associate Professor Vicki Kotsirilos, founding Chair of the RACGP Specific Interests Integrative Medicine network, is one of them.I actually thought about that last week when I read an article about long-term effects [of COVID-19], she told newsGP.I thought, Okay, what will I be advising my patients?Associate Professor Kotsirilos says it is totally understandable that robust clinical guidelines are not yet in place to help GPs manage patients with long-term sequelae of COVID-19.COVID-19 is a new disease and it takes a while for health authorities to prepare clinical, treatment and even practice guidelines, she said.I dont think weve been slow to provide that information. In fact, if anything, I think the RACGP and health authorities have been excellent.That said, Associate Professor Kotsirilos says it is imperative GPs are provided with more detailed information when it comes to specific clinical guidelines on helping manage potential long-term effects, such as the hypercoagulable state seen in some patients.We clearly do need better and quicker clinical guidelines for us to access, she said.It is important for GPs to know the best evidence-based treatments in those situations from a long-term perspective.A new article, published in The BMJ on 11 August, explores management of post-acute issues in COVID-19 patients; though the authors acknowledge there are not yet definitive, evidence-based recommendations for management.We therefore used a pragmatic approach based on published studies on SARS and MERS, early editorials and consensus based guidance on COVID-19, a living systematic review, early reports of telerehabilitation (support and exercise via video link), and our own clinical experience, they wrote.According to the article, which is directed at primary care practitioners, approximately 10% of people remain unwell beyond three weeks after diagnosis with COVID-19.Post-acute COVID-19 long COVID seems to be a multi-system disease, sometimes occurring after a relatively mild acute illness, the authors wrote.They say such patients can broadly be divided into those who may have serious sequelae, such as thromboembolic complications, and those with a non-specific clinical picture, mainly characterised by symptoms such as fatigue and breathlessness.The authors define long-COVID as extending beyond three weeks from the onset of first symptoms, while chronic-COVID is defined as extending beyond 12 weeks.The authors list the symptoms of post-acute COVID-19 as:

On the other hand, severe breathlessness may require urgent referral. The following management principles apply:

Associate Professor Vicki Kotsirilos says clinical guidelines are needed to help GPs manage patients with post-acute symptoms of this infection.

FatigueFatigue is a common complaint following infection with COVID-19.It has also been called the most common and debilitating symptom in [ICU] survivors.A letter to the editor published in Medical Hypotheses on 27 June highlights the potential for a post-viral syndrome to manifest following COVID-19.After the acute SARS episode some patients, many of whom were healthcare workers, went on to develop a chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME)-like illness, which nearly 20months on prevented them returning to work, the authors of the letter wrote.We propose that once an acute COVID-19 infection has been overcome, a subgroup of remitted patients are likely to experience long-term adverse effects resembling CFS/ME symptomatology such as persistent fatigue, diffuse myalgia, depressive symptoms, and non-restorative sleep.The authors of the BMJ article say they found no published evidence on the efficacy of either pharmacological or non-pharmacological interventions on fatigue after COVID-19.Associate Professor Kotsirilos says she would advise patients experiencing fatigue to address lifestyle and behavioural factors.Ensuring that they eat well, that they rest, theyre cared for by other people, go to bed early for a good nights sleep and a graded exercise program, she said. It would be just like [management strategies for] patients suffering post-viral fatigue.Chest painThis is another common symptom after acute COVID-19, and clinical assessment should follow similar principles to that for any chest pain.Where the diagnosis is uncertain, or the patient is acutely unwell, urgent cardiology referral may be needed for specialist assessment and investigations (including echocardiography, computed tomography of the chest, or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging), the BMJ authors wrote.Ventricular dysfunctionThe authors advise intense cardiovascular exercise must be avoided for three months in all patients after myocarditis or pericarditis.Meanwhile, athletes are advised to take 36 months of complete rest from cardiovascular training followed by specialist follow-up.ThromboembolismIt is now recognised that COVID-19 can cause a hypercoagulable state with increased risk of thromboembolic events.The authors say many hospitalised patients receive prophylactic anticoagulation.Recommendations for anticoagulation after discharge vary, but higher risk patients are typically discharged from hospital with 10 days of extended thromboprophylaxis, they wrote.If the patient has been diagnosed with a thrombotic episode, anticoagulation and further investigation and monitoring should follow standard guidelines.It is not known how long patients remain hypercoagulable following acute COVID-19.Associate Professor Kotsirilos would like further detailed information for GPs on this topic, including whether the best anticoagulant in this situation is warfarin or another blood thinner, such as low-dose aspirin.That is important for GPs to know, she said.Clinical guidelines are required to help us keep up-to-date with evidence-based appropriate treatments such as the role of blood thinners when to prescribe them and for how long.Neurological sequelaePatients with serious complications such as stroke, seizures or encephalitis should be referred to a neurologist.Meanwhile, non-specific symptoms such as headaches, dizziness and brain fog require supportive management and symptom monitoring.Brain fog is a particularly common symptom reported by patients who describe themselves as long-haulers.Associate Professor Kotsirilos says measures that can help a patient manage fatigue are also applicable for brain fog.Brain fog has been seen with other post-viral chronic fatigue syndromes, she said.With brain fog, its all about resting, avoiding the computer, letting the head or brain rest, not returning to work too quickly, exercise especially outdoors for fresh air but gradually.Other measures include ensuring adequate sleep, reducing stress and eating well.Mental healthWhile a minority of patients may benefit from referral to mental health services, it is important not to pathologise the majority, the authors wrote.Patient organisations emphasise wellbeing, mindfulness, social connection, self-care (including diet and hydration), peer support, and symptom control.Associate Professor Kotsirilos agrees these measures can assist with mental health issues. However, she says regular check-ins with a GP and a mental health care plan may also be important if patients are not coping.Holistic management of the patientAssociate Professor Kotsirilos believes GPs are ideally placed to help manage COVID-19 patients with post-acute issues.When patients have suffered from COVID-19 infection and are suffering long-term effects like chronic fatigue, GPs are in a great position to validate their symptoms, reassure them, explain to them that it is a new disease, were only just coming to understand it, but it is common to get post-viral fatigue, brain fog and other symptoms, she said.GPs play an important role in helping patients make a full recovery post COVID-19 infection.She says GPs can also use this opportunity to discuss lifestyle measures, exercise, reducing stress and avoiding harmful substances like excessive alcohol and smoking.The BMJ authors agree primary care practitioners are in an ideal position to ensure ongoing patient care for those with post-acute symptoms of COVID-19.From the limited current evidence, we anticipate that many patients whose COVID-19 illness is prolonged will recover without specialist input through a holistic and paced approach, they wrote.GPs can also offer their patients much-needed reassurance throughout this process.Patients, many of whom were young and fit before their illness, have described being dismissed or treated as hypochondriacs by health professionals, the authors wrote.In these uncertain times, one key role that the primary care practitioner can play is that of witness, honouring the story of the patient whose protracted recovery was unexpected, alarming, and does not make sense.Log in below to join the conversation.

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By Deepak Chopra,TM MD and Menas C. Kafatos, PhD

As we go about everyday life, we are embedded in a mystery no one has ever solved. The mystery was voiced by one of the most brilliant quantum pioneers, Werner Heisenberg: Not only is the Universe stranger than we think, it is stranger than we can think. (There are variants of the quote that use reality for universe, and the remark has also been attributed to other famous scientists, but the gist is always the same.)

If we take this remark seriously, it turns out to be truer today than it was in 1900 when the quantum revolution began and the revolutionary new theory of quantum mechanics was put together. How can reality be stranger than we could possibly think? Look at the framework of your life. You pick up your morning coffee, and instantly you are acting in space and time. Your perception of the cup in your hand depends upon the five senses as communicated through the brain. You can think about anything you fancy as you sip your coffee.

These might not seem so mysterious, but there is one mystery after another nested inside everyday experience. Science can reach no consensus on the following:

Where did time come from? Why do properties of physical objects have their origin in invisible waves of probability of observation? Where does a thought come from? How did matter transform into mind? Is consciousness solely a human trait or is it everywhere in the universe?

The pioneers of quantum physics werent the first to ask such questions, but quantum physics got to the nub of how the physical universe is constructed. Everything in existence emerges from ripples in the quantum field, and underlying these ripples is an invisible or virtual domain that goes beyond spacetime, matter, and energy. In the virtual domain, the universe and everything in it is a field of infinite possibilities, and yet the virtual domain cannot be observed directly. As a result, contemporary physics can take us to the horizon of reality, the womb of creation, but it cannot cross the boundary between us and our source of existence.

Almost all the recent models that have gained popularity, including superstrings, the multiverse, and dark matter and energy, exist in so-called mathematical space, or Hilbert space, in recognition that they are not going to yield direct empirical evidence that can be perceived with our senses. Astrophysics had already gotten used to the fact that just 4% of the created universe is accounted for by the matter and energy visible to the eye or to telescopes. With dark matter and energy added in, most of what we see is not really what the universe consists of.

Leaving the technicalities aside, it has become far more difficult to foresee that the human mind can fully comprehend the nature of reality when so many crucial aspects are beyond the setup that our brains can grasp. The thinking mind needs the brain in order to operate, and the brain is a creation in spacetime consisting of matter and energy, that are in spacetime. We wear mind-made manacles. When this fact dawned on the late Stephen Hawking, he ruefully conceded that scientific models might no longer describe reality in any reliable or complete way.

When we discussed these issues in our book, You Are the Universe, the title reflected another approach entirely. Instead of founding the universe on physical things, however small, or even ripples in the quantum field, which are knowable only through advanced mathematics, reality can be grounded in experience. Everything we call real is an experience in consciousness, including the experience of doing science. Mathematics is a very refined, complex language, but there is no language, simple or complex, without consciousness.

The vast majority of scientists will continue to engage in experimentation and theoretical modeling without this venture into metaphysics, which is a no-no word in science (a famous put down when things get to speculative is Shut up and calculate). But it was quantum physics that brought the mystery of reality into the laboratory in modern terms, even though Plato and Aristotle also wondered about what is real.

A younger generation has proved more open-minded, and a growing cadre of cosmologists now hold to the notion of panpsychism, which holds that mind is built into reality from the start. This is a huge turn-around from the view that mind evolved out of matter here on Earth as a unique creation. The fact is that nobody in the physicalist camp could explain how atoms and molecules learned to thinkcreating mind out of matter was dead on arrival, even though the vast majority of scientists still hold on to this view as an assumption or superstition.

Ironically, to say that reality is stranger than we can think isnt confined to the queer behavior of atoms and subatomic particles. You cannot think about consciousness, either, any more than the eye can see itself or the brain know that it exists (without cutting through the skull to seethe brain from the outside). A fish cannot know that water is wet unless it jumps out of the sea and splashes back down again. We cannot think about consciousness without a place to stand outside consciousness, and such a place doesnt exist in the entire cosmos.

The source of space isnt inside space; the source of time isnt in time. Likewise, the source of mind isnt inside the mind. The ceaseless stream of sensations, images, feelings, and thoughts that run through your mind are the products of consciousness. Consciousness itself has no location. It is infinite, without dimensions in space and time, unborn and undying. Can you really think about such a thing as consciousness? And yet you know without a doubt that you are conscious. This is what allows us to make peace with reality being too strange to think about.

We can simply drop the strange part. Reality can be founded on knowing that you exist and that you are aware. Existence is consciousness. If science is dedicated to the simplest, most complete explanation of things, existence = consciousness is the simplest and most complete explanation. There is no need for religious or spiritual beliefs in order to accept this foundation for reality, since it is based on what science has arrived at. By removing our outdated allegiance to things existing independently of consciousness, the basis of reality can be seen clearly. In our everyday life we navigate with existence and consciousness at our side, indivisible, secure, inviolate, and unchallengeable. A whole new future may spring from accepting this simple but awe-inspiring fact.

DEEPAK CHOPRATM MD, FACP, founder of The Chopra Foundation, a non-profit entity for research on well-being and humanitarianism, and Chopra Global, a modern-day health company at the intersection of science and spirituality, is a world-renowned pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation. Chopra is a Clinical Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of California, San Diego and serves as a senior scientist with Gallup Organization. He is the author of over 89 books translated into over forty-three languages, including numerous New York Times bestsellers.His 90th book, Metahuman: Unleashing Your Infinite Potential, unlocks the secrets to moving beyond our present limitations to access a field of infinite possibilities. TIME magazine has described Dr. Chopra as one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century.

Menas C. Kafatos is the Fletcher Jones Endowed Professor of Computational Physics at Chapman University. Author, physicist and philosopher, he works in quantum mechanics, cosmology, the environment and climate change and extensively on philosophical issues of consciousness, connecting science to metaphysical traditions. Member or candidate of foreign national academies, he holds seminars and workshops for individuals, groups and corporations on the universal principles for well-being and human potential. His doctoral thesis advisor was the renowned M.I.T. professor Philip Morrison who studied under J. Robert Oppenheimer. He has authored 334 articles, is author or editor of 20 books, including The Conscious Universe, Looking In, Seeing Out, Living the Living Presence (in Greek and in Korean), Science, Reality and Everyday Life (in Greek), and is co-author with Deepak Chopra of the NY Times Bestseller You are the Universe (Harmony Books), translated into many languages and at many countries. You can learn more at http://www.menaskafatos.com

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The Spread of 'Stranger Than We Can Think' - SFGate