Category Archives: Integrative Medicine

Medical staff at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut, have long been believers in meditation as a powerful integrative wellness method. However, many of the staffs issues with the use of meditation in a clinical environment revolve around the consistency of meditations, the variety of meditations and the scalability of meditation.

THE PROBLEM

In looking for a way to provide consistency to patients, Hartford Hospital sought to partner with a local company with expertise in both meditation and technology that thought in a similar way to the hospitals staff.

HIMSS20 Digital

Our partnership requirements included four things, said Dr. Eric R. Secor, chief of integrative medicine at Hartford Hospital. First, provider and practitioner involvement in the process. Second, high-grade, consistent meditations designed using evidence-based rubric. Third, ease of access. And fourth, ability to track the patients use of the meditations.

Hospital staff need to understand who is using meditation, how often they are using meditations and which ones they are using. In addition, the ability to collect data on outcomes was a critical decision-making factor for staff.

PROPOSAL

Hartford Hospital went with MediGrade, a vendor of machine learning-powered mobile health technology designed to reshape pain therapy and enhance self-care.

Dr. Eric R. Secor, Hartford Hospital

The company was very proactive in working with granting agencies such as the Connecticut Innovations, the state of Connecticuts venture arm, to raise funds with the goal of collecting data, Secor explained. In my 25 years in integrative medicine, we have seen a wide variety of breadth and depth of experience of folks who wanted to provide meditations, whether it be in hospital, in the ambulatory setting or in group settings. All these folks, although well-meaning, had such a wide diversity in experience and certifications that it was very difficult to provide a consistent meditation experience.

The nice thing about the mobile health platform, he added, is once its built and deployed, anyone within the hospital, in the ambulatory setting or at home can use the same, consistent meditation no matter where they are being seen throughout the health system.

MEETING THE CHALLENGE

Our app, which is now in a clinical pilot, eliminates the dependency on individualized meditation facilitators and the logistics of hosting group meditation events, Secor said. Our app provides us with a reliable, consistent, data-driven solution that allows us to solve the issues and bridge the gap.

To start, staff has deployed the m-health, machine learning meditation app to patients who are being treated for chronic pain, specifically neck pain, back pain, neuropathy and migraine headache. A future integration with Hartford Hospitals Epic EHR is in the early planning stages. Staff also is piloting bringing in telehealth access into Epic MyChart Plus to broaden use on the patient end.

RESULTS

Secor is in the process of writing the next innovations grant and preparing to analyze clinical pilot data.

Weve learned a lot about not only partnering with the folks on the digital meditation side, but also who are the champions for meditation within our system, he said. This grant had two big phases. Phase one was to build and deploy a white-labelled app within Hartford Healthcare, which we have achieved. Phase two was to launch a feasibility pilot, which is underway.

Now there is widespread interest in the digital delivery of meditation across the organization. In the process of building the app, it was surprising to Secor that there were more interested parties among more subspecialists than he ever thought possible.

Just in the process of hearing about the app, downloading the app and trying the app, we generated interest from specialists in addiction, orthopedics, oncology, womens health and migraine headache, he noted. Our migraine center is now interested in customizing some aspect of the app in their practice for their patients.

ADVICE FOR OTHERS

Partner with reputable people who understand how health systems operate and are reliable business partners, Secor advised. Your partner should possess expertise in delivering a high-quality application, but also offer evidence-based rubric in their writing that includes provider and patient input, high-quality voiceover talent, and custom-composed ambient music. Your partner should be able to edit, update and change your app with agility, and be flexible.

This movement is advancing Hartford Hospitals patients ability to become even more active members on their own wellness team, Secor concluded.

Twitter:@SiwickiHealthITEmail the writer:bill.siwicki@himss.orgHealthcare IT News is a HIMSS Media publication.

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Meditation app improves pain management at Hartford Hospital - Healthcare IT News

When Black Lives Matter protests started around the world, Reiki Level 3 student, Indra Gandy, decided to use her skills in the alternative healing technique to help.

"At this point, I become a conduit of positive energy," Gandy described the Reiki ritual she performed on a pier bench, a walking distance from her Staten Island home. "You are purposely giving them love and pure energy, health, stability and positive strength."

Reiki, which was developed in Japan in early 20th century, is often described as alternative medicine through energy healing.

In Japanese, the first part of the word, 'rei,' means "spiritual" and the second, 'ki,' stands for 'vital energy' or 'life force.'

Practitioners believe that a Reiki treatment can be performed from a distance.

"A Reiki practitioner doesn't actually have any secret powers," said Reiki Master Erin Tschantret. "Anyone can practice Reiki. It's really, like, if a plumber were to open up a pipe and then suddenly water can flow through it, the practitioner is the pipe in the Reiki is the water. And it works on every level, so mental, emotional, physical, spiritual."

Tschantret's client, Rachel Garbow Monroe, said distance Reiki helped her fight COVID-19.

"The first time I talked to her when I was ill, I had had almost an entire week of a fever," Rachel Garbow Monroe said. "And the next day, my fever broke."

Tschantret's another client, writer and an author of a book "Zen Bender," in which she explored many alternative healing techniques of dealing with stress, Stephanie Krikorian, said distance Reiki has been helpful in the coronavirus era.

"People are afraid, we are at the end of our rope and feeling very stressed and anxious," Krikorian said. "You can do something without being near somebody, when we're all sort of separated and trying to hunker down and things are easing up a little, but everybody is still not comfortable."

Over the past 20 years, Reiki has become more and more popular in some of the most respected American hospitals, such as Yale Cancer Center.

Story continues

"I'm not going to be the first person to tell you that there's a ton of evidence behind it," said Dr. Gary Soffer, who runs the Integrative Medicine Program at the Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital in New Have, Connecticut. "But what I will tell you is that when we deal with patients one on one, it's really meaningful, and it's really helpful."

Several studies showed that Reiki helps diminish negative side effects of chemotherapy, recover from surgery, regulate nervous system, and deal with pain.

But there is no research paper that explains how Reiki works.

There is also no proof that healing energy can pass between people on command.

(Production: Aleksandra Michalska)

- They treating us like this.

- You are visualizing in your heart and minds the protesters, and the fear, and the anger, and all the things that are happening. And you are purposely giving them love and pure energy, health, stability, and positive strength.

- So what a Reiki practitioner does is they channel that energy to the person. So it's like you're getting flooded with this intense energy, knowledge, intelligence that knows how to get you to your best place. So it only ever works for your highest and greatest good. And it works on every level, so mental, emotional, physical, spiritual. And it helps get you back in alignment.

- I suffered both from COVID, and then a few weeks later, I had another acute illness. And she took care of being in touch with me and asking how I was doing. And you know, she believes very strongly in the power of Reiki, whether she's in the room or not.

And I leave it to you to determine the results. But I-- the first time I talked to her when I was ill, I had had almost an entire week of a fever. And she was incredibly sweet, and solicitous, and wanted to know how I was feeling and what specifically I was struggling with. And the next day, my fever broke.

- It's a great thing for the time. Distance Reiki, that you can do something without being near somebody when we're all sort of separated, and trying to hunker down. And things are easing up a little, but everybody's still not comfortable.

- The first question we ask ourselves in integrative medicine is, is this invasive? Is this going to be harmful to the patient? And then the next question is, is this helpful? Right? Is there evidence behind it?

So with Reiki, I'm not going to be the first person to tell you that there's a ton of evidence behind it. But what I will tell you is that when we deal with patients one on one, it's really meaningful, and it's really helpful. And because it's non-invasive, because it does no harm to our patients, it's a really meaningful and helpful intervention for them.

Continue reading here:
Reiki that - how some Americans use alternative medicine to deal with stress - Yahoo News

Nutrition plays an important role in the maintenance of a persons health and well-being. While system level solutions to address physician burnout are most effective, self-care can also play a role. And a big part of self-care for physicians is eating right. By learning more about nutrition and keeping the topic front and center, physicians can take better care of themselvesand their patients.

TheCME module, Nutrition Science for Health and Longevity: What Every Physicians Needs to Know, isenduring material and designated by the AMA for a maximum 4 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit, and helps physicians begin an effective nutrition conversation with patients. The four-hour, self-paced course is developed and hosted by the Gaples Institute for Integrative Cardiology, a nonprofit focused on enhancing the role of nutrition and lifestyle in health care.

The course includes four modules that are distributed in collaboration with the AMA Ed Hub, an online platform with high-quality CME/MOC from many trusted sources to support lifelong learning of physicians and other medical professionals. With topics relevant to youincluding numerous CME modules on physician burnoutthe AMA Ed Hub also offers an easy, streamlined way to find, take and track educational activities in one place, with automatic CME/MOC credit reporting for some state and specialty boards.

Nutrition is a huge gap in physician training, said AMA member Stephen Devries, MD, a cardiologist and executive director of the Gaples Institute in Deerfield, Illinois. As a result, physicians tend to make decisions about their own health the same way the general public does, often based on what they read in the lay press.

Interestingly, recent physician training program guidelines stress the importance of a healthy diet for physician self-care and mitigation of burnout, but how can physicians make meaningful dietary changes themselves without a solid background in nutrition? he said.

Dr. Devries shared these key tips that can help physiciansand their patients.

Many physicians are stressed and dont have enough time to do what they need to do. And when it comes to eating, physicians are like many other Americans and too often choose a quick and convenient option such as fast food.

Although the donut or bag of fries might seem like an appealing distraction during a stressful day, most people find so-called comfort food to be distinctly uncomfortable half an hour later. However, meals made from colorful vegetables, whole grains, predominantly plant sourced proteins (beans and tofu) and fruit leave them feeling more alert and in a brighter mood throughout the day.

Its also important to think about the culture of eating in medical settings. Hospital noon conferences are often accompanied by pizza and sugar sweetened drinks, exactly the foods we urge our patient to avoid.

Learn more with the AMA about how to give patients good nutrition advice when time is short.

When physicians adopt healthy lifestyle practices, they are more likely to counsel their patients to do the same. Doctors should lead by example on healthy eating.

As a first step, look in the mirror and work on making positive changes in your own diet, first and foremost because you deserve it, said Dr. Devries. But the kicker is that better self-care also translates into better patient care. You will be sharper and more available to your patients, and also more likely to counsel them to adopt healthier habits.

Sharing how physicians overcame lifestyle related health challenges in their own livessuch as lack of time and stresscan also help advance discussions with patients.

Most patients want to feel like their physician has a personal interest in them and nothing conveys a personal interest more than a physician or nurse who shares a bit of their own personal story and how it led to their own better health, said Dr. Devries. That is a great opportunity to increase trust.

Read more about how burnout can hinder patient-physician communication.

Another factor that promotes burnout in medicine is a sense of lost professional purpose.

Medicine has become so mechanized and algorithm-driven and electronic medical record-focused that some of the original appeal of medicine can get lost, said Dr. Devries, adding that connecting with patients for even a brief period of time on the topic of nutrition and lifestyle really brings physicians back to why they went into medicine in the first place.

Learn more about AMA CME accreditation.

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Why smarter self-care is a win-win for doctorsand their patients - American Medical Association

As states gradually reopen even as the pandemic wears on, many of us are concerned about our health and well-being. Especially now, with some continuing to stay at home and social distance while others join the throngs at nationwide Black Lives Matter protests, it may even be a priority.

From state to state, the loosening of restrictions vary, and within our local communities, the reality is that not only do people have different ideas on what constitutes social distancing but for many others still, in the face of racial inequality, the desire to create social change far outweighs the potential risk of spreading or catching the virus.

Its all the more reason to make sure were taking the best care of ourselves to fortify against the disease. But while living a healthy life may be a desired goal, how to achieve it is another story.

Even if youre someone whose healthful habits were perfected to a tee during pre-pandemic times, you may find yourself struggling to engage in even the most basic self-care in these increasingly unpredictable days.

Thats where a wellness routine can come in handy.

Im not talking about a spa escape every so often or even regular massages or chef-prepared meals (though all of that may sound really nice). Im talking about creating your own personalized routine that will benefit you physically and emotionally, one that simply requires a regular commitment to yourself.

Creating a wellness routine allows you to shift from diet culture and adopt healthy habits that easily fit into your daily lifestyle. Whats more, having a routine allows you to focus on health goals by creating structure and organization, which can be particularly beneficial when things seem out of your control, like life during an unprecedented pandemic and simultaneous upheaval as people fight against social injustice.

In fact, predictable routines, or ritualistic behavior developed as a way to induce calm and manage stress caused by unpredictability and uncontrollability, heightening our belief that we are in control of a situation that is otherwise out of our hands, according to researchers at Tel Aviv University.

We need an internal structure because our external lives have become totally unstructured and that triggers anxiety and stress, said Robin Foroutan, a New York City-based integrative medicine dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

In the beginning, we thought this was going to be a little break; a couple of short weeks, and then wed resume life as we knew it. Now we know that probably is not going to be the case. We dont know how long this will last, but we can find ways to stay steady and structured on the inside amidst the chaos outside.

Engaging in a wellness routine with a focus on good nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress management can boost our health and well-being and strengthen our immunity during a time when we may need it most.

And while social obligations, travel and other commitments typically make it challenging to start new habits, being stuck at home without these distractions provides an opportune time to start creating a wellness routine that is accessible, doesnt require a lot of money and is something that you can count on during this uncertain time and in the future, too.

Health experts say its important to create a manageable routine that you can stick with as part of a lifestyle not something overly ambitious that you cant sustain. One way to do that is to start small and build upon it, as you feel comfortable.

Here are some tips to get started in creating your personal wellness routine.

Most people feel better when they are going to bed and waking up at consistent times, eating regular meals and snacks and getting a steady dose of exercise, said Marysa Cardwell, a registered dietitian, nutrition therapist and certified personal trainer based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

For sleep: Everyones sleep schedule is different, and thats OK, as long as you stick to your natural circadian rhythms, experts say. That means going to sleep when the sun is setting (or a bit later) and waking up when sun is rising (or a little later, according to your individual needs).

Aiming for seven to nine hours of sleep is key, as it helps to reduce the stress hormone cortisol and your adrenal load, Cardwell said.

Getting adequate sleep also bodes well for engaging in other healthful behaviors by going to bed at a reasonable hour, youll be less likely to engage in nighttime eating or mindless eating in front of the TV, and youre more likely to wake up early and start exercise, Cardwell explained.

For eating: Setting regular meal times, and taking a break to eat your food mindfully is key, Cardwell advised, but when you actually eat is up to you. Some do well on three meals per day with an afternoon snack; others prefer three smaller meals and three snacks.

Regardless of the pattern you choose, aim to eat at least every four hours, which prevents blood sugar from crashing and can lead to overeating. For example, if youre eating three meals and one afternoon snack, you might choose to eat breakfast at 8 a.m., lunch at 12 p.m., a snack at 4 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m.

Taking a few deep breaths, enjoying the wonderful smells of the food you are about to eat and chewing food really well can all help make mealtime a healthful ritual, Foroutan explained.

Additionally, dinnertime can become a daily social ritual by sharing the meal with family or friends, advised Jen Scheinman, a Denver-based registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Jen Scheinman Nutrition, a virtual nutrition coaching practice. Even a Zoom dinner with a friend if youre by yourself can help you feel connected.

For fitness: Pick a time that youre most likely to stick with. That might mean taking a morning walk before your day gets started, or scheduling your favorite fitness class on your calendar so you wont forget.

I shut my day down with a run or yoga at around 5:30 p.m. Thats my last thing for the day. The more you can make it a routine, the less you have to think about it, Scheinman said.

Planning what you will eat and how you will exercise means that you are more likely going to do what you intend to do, which will ultimately help you achieve your health goals. For example, planning meals in advance means youll be less likely to reach for quick sugary snacks when you run out of energy. It also helps to limit shopping trips.

Not only does planning your meals ahead of time help cut down on the number of times youre going to the grocery store, but it can also help reduce food waste and ensure you have meals that were intentionally picked to fit your nutritional goals, said Denver-based registered dietitian nutritionist Kelli McGrane.

For food: Eating a nutrient-rich breakfast sets the stage for making other healthful choices throughout the day.

Choose protein-rich breakfasts like egg whites, cottage cheese or smoked salmon on a bagel; Greek yogurt, smoothies with low-fat milk, high fiber cereals with milk or peanut butter on whole wheat toast.

Scheinman recommended preparing breakfast foods ahead of time, like making overnight oats with milk. It makes the breakfast routine less daunting.

For lunch and dinner, Cardwell encouraged a fist-size portion of protein, such as fish, chicken or beans; a fistful of carbohydrates like whole wheat pasta or brown rice; and a half plate of veggies. This will help meet your micronutrient needs, as well as fiber. Use fats sparingly, as a condiment, to make your food taste better, but limit fried foods and saturated fat, Cardwell advised.

For snacks, choose protein and carb combos, like cheese with crackers, sliced fruit with peanut butter, nuts and seeds with dried fruit or Greek yogurt. Pairing protein with carbs helps keep your blood sugar level stable, and helps you stay fuller longer, Cardwell said.

Scheinman recommended using the weekends for batch cooking, like making chili or soups, which you can freeze to enjoy later in the week. Washing and chopping veggies and fruit during the weekend can also save you time during the week.

For fitness: Pick a fitness activity that inspires you and is doable. There are a lot of fitness apps offering free trials and online Zoom fitness classes, so you can use this time as an opportunity to try something new. Cardwell recommended aiming for at least 30 minutes per day, if possible.

If you are looking for a simple at-home cardio workout, MaryAnn Browning, founder and CEO of Browningsfitness in New York, recommended jumping jacks, high knees, butt kicks, burpees and switch jumps during which youll jump to turn 180 degrees and then back again for 15 seconds each. Then repeat the circuit five to 10 times, depending on what you can handle.

For at-home fitness essentials, Browning recommended getting a set of yellow, green and red resistance bands, which can be used for back, bicep, triceps, shoulders and leg work. She also recommended looped bands to go around the calves or thighs, which strengthen the glutes and can help prevent knee and back injuries.

If you want to weight train but dont have equipment, anything that will give you muscle tension will be beneficial, such as jugs of water, books or even your children. I use my kids Ill do planks and have them sit on me or Ill do leg presses while letting them do airplane, Cardwell said.

And dont forget to keep moving throughout your day. Tracking apps like Lose It! are a good way to see how normal daily activities can all count toward our daily fitness goals.

Dancing with your kids or partner, yard work, house projects, sex and cleaning are all trackable activities. Doing these activities with intention and extra vigor all count towards a healthy lifestyle, said Cardwell, who is also a contributing dietitian for Lose It!

For sleep: Engage in a bedtime routine where you can quiet down and prepare for sleep. Turn off electronics, including the TV, iPad, and cell phones an hour before bedtime, Scheinman advised. This helps to reduce exposure to blue light, which the brain perceives as daylight, so your brain is not quite getting the signal that its nighttime and melatonin is not produced.

Unplugging also prevents you from checking one more email or scrolling through social media while in bed, which can be stimulating and interfere with sleep, Scheinman explained.

Most experts recommended engaging in a morning ritual that brings you pleasure. Starting your day with the same routine each morning can bring steadiness and calm to the rest of the day. You are starting from a more grounded and positive place, versus waking up; grabbing the phone and checking the news and getting stressed out, Foroutan said.

The morning is a nice time to start integrating things you didnt have time for previously like taking the dog for a longer walk in the morning, making a nice cup of coffee you can sit and enjoy or engaging in a meditation practice, Scheinman added.

It sets the day off with a healthy intention, with a sense of comfort. I know this is what I do, Scheinman said.

Foroutan enjoys waking up and writing down three things she is grateful for. Starting the day with a thought about gratitude can be really centering. Writing it down does something extra it solidifies the thought and intention. Not every day is good but theres something good in every day. Even if its one small thing that gives you a sense of gratitude thats really grounding and it can help shift your perspective.

Stretching your body after you wake up or doing a sun salutation can help to get your blood flowing and your body moving in the morning.

Its also important to prioritize self-care. Make stress relievers like enjoyable activities a non-negotiable right now, Cardwell said. That may include knitting, taking an extra-long shower or bath, reading, taking a tea break, enjoying a glass of wine or calling family members. Even better, schedule these stress relievers into your day just like mealtimes and other obligations.

Were taking stock of whats important and [our] health is important. Doing these things now can help you deal with the stress of right now, Cardwell said.

It can also keep you healthy and feeling good well into the future, too. Thats a gift from quarantine life if there ever is one.

More:
Why a wellness routine is your top priority amid protests and the pandemic and how to start - ABC17News.com

The report titled, Health Coaching Market boons an in-depth synopsis of the competitive landscape of the market globally, thus helping establishments understand the primary threats and prospects that vendors in the market are dealt with. It also incorporates thorough business profiles of some of the prime vendors in the market. The report includes vast data relating to the recent discovery and technological expansions perceived in the market, wide-ranging with an examination of the impact of these intrusions on the markets future development.

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Impact of Covid-19: Health Coaching Market Climbs on Positive Outlook of Excellent Growth by 2027: Aetna, American Association for Health Education -...

Study investigates potential for the intestinal microbial community to alter drug safety and efficacy.

Researchers at Princeton University have developed a systematic approach for evaluating how the microbial community in our intestines can chemically transform, or metabolize, oral medications in ways that impact their safety and efficacy.

The new methodology provides a more complete picture of how gut bacteria metabolize drugs, and could aid the development of medications that are more effective, have fewer side effects, and are personalized to an individuals microbiome.

The study was published today (June 10, 2020) in the journal Cell.

Researchers at Princeton created a system for evaluating how the bodys gut bacteria alter the safety and efficacy of everyday drugs. The system can be used in pharmaceutical research to improve drug discovery and development. Credit: Janie Kim. Published in Cell

Previous studies have examined how single species of gut bacteria can metabolize oral medications. The new framework enables evaluation of a persons entire intestinal microbial community at once.

Basically, we do not run and hide from the complexity of the microbiome, but instead, we embrace it, said Mohamed S. Donia, assistant professor of molecular biology. This approach allows us to gain a holistic and more realistic view of the microbiomes contribution to drug metabolism.

The team used the approach to evaluate the gut microbiomes effect on hundreds of common medications already on the market. The intestines are the primary region where pills and liquid medications are absorbed into the body.

The researchers identified 57 cases in which gut bacteria can alter existing oral medications. Eighty percent of those had not been previously reported, emphasizing the potential of the method for revealing unknown drug-microbiome interactions.

These alterations range from converting the medicine into an inactive state which can reduce its efficacy to converting the drug into a form that is toxic, potentially causing side effects.

The framework could aid drug discovery by identifying potential drug-microbiome interactions early in development, informing formulation changes. The approach can also help during clinical trials to better analyze the toxicity and efficacy of drugs being tested.

The intestines are home to hundreds of species of bacteria. The makeup of these communities what kinds of bacteria and how many of each species can vary considerably from person to person.

This inter-person variability underscores why studying a single bacterial species makes it impossible to compare the microbiomes metabolism of drugs between individuals, Donia said. We need to study the entire intestinal microbial community.

The researchers found that some peoples microbiomes had little effect on a given drug, while other microbiomes had a significant effect, demonstrating how important the community of bacteria rather than just single species is on drug metabolism.

Everyones microbiome is unique, and we were able to see this in our study, said Bahar Javdan, an M.D.-Ph.D. student in molecular biology and a co-first author on the study. We observed three main categories drugs that were consistently metabolized by all the microbiomes in our study, drugs that were metabolized by some and not by others, and drugs that were not subject to any microbiome-derived metabolism.

The methodological approach could be valuable for personalizing treatment to the microbiome of each patient. For example, the framework could help predict how a certain drug will behave, and suggest changes to the therapeutic strategy if undesired effects are predicted.

This is a case where medicine and ecology collide, said Jaime Lopez, a graduate student in the Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics and a co-first author on the study, who contributed the computational and quantitative analysis of the data. The bacteria in these microbial communities help each other survive, and they influence each others enzymatic profiles. This is something you would never capture if you didnt study it in a community.

The framework involves four steps for systematically evaluating the intestinal microbiomes effect on drugs.

First, the researchers collected 21 fecal samples collected from anonymous donors and cataloged the bacterial species living in each individual. They found that the donors each had a unique microbial community living in their guts, and that the majority of these personalized communities can be grown in a lab culturing system that they developed.

Next, they tested 575 FDA-approved drugs to see if they are chemically modified by one of the 21 cultured microbiomes, and then tested a subset of the drugs with all the cultured microbiomes. Here, they found microbiome-derived metabolites that had never been previously reported, as well as ones that have been reported in humans and associated with side effects but their origins were unknown. They found cases where all the donor microbiomes performed the same reactions on the drug, and others where only a subset did.

Then they examined the mechanisms by which some of the modified drugs are altered by the cultured microbiomes. To understand exactly how the transformations occurred, they traced the source of the chemical transformations to particular bacterial species and to particular genes within those bacteria. They also showed that the microbiome-derived metabolism reactions that are discovered in this manner can be recapitulated in a mouse model, the first step in adapting the approach for human drug development.

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Reference: Personalized mapping of drug metabolism by the human gut microbiome by Bahar Javdan, Jaime G. Lopez, Pranatchareeya Chankhamjon, Ying-Chiang J.Lee, Raphaella Hull, Qihao Wu, Xiaojuan Wang, Seema Chatterjee and Mohamed S. Donia, 10 June 10, 2020, Cell.DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.05.001

Additional contributors to the study were postdoctoral research associates Pranatchareeya Chankhamjon, Qihao Wu and Xiaojuan Wang; graduate student in molecular biology Ying-Chiang J. Lee, graduate student at Cambridge University Raphaella Hull; and Seema Chatterjee, research lab manager.

Funding for this study was provided by the Princeton Department of Molecular Biology, the National Institutes of Health, the New Jersey Commission on Cancer and the National Science Foundation.

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Princeton Researchers Catalog the Gut Microbiomes Impact on Medications - SciTechDaily

Your brain could be the road map to better health. CONTRIBUTED

Think of your brain as the road map to better health.

It can tell you exactly how to get to the root cause of nagging health issues then the best way to solve it.

Calgarys Neurvana Health uses that map to deliver results-oriented care to its patients and has since 2016. They dont want to just manage symptoms; they want to fix your health problems.

One of the co-founders and the groups medical director, Corey Deacon, who has degrees from the University of Alberta and University of Greenwich in Neuroscience and Biomedical Science, was on a mission to find answers to his own health issues.

At the time, he was a researcher, finishing up his bachelors degree.

I started getting some problems with memory and focus and attention. I started developing anxiety and it slowly worked into the point where I was getting panic attacks every day, said Deacon.

Doctors couldnt tell him why. They told him as a student he was dealing with a great deal of stress and anxiety, so here, take this pill, Deacon said.

Being a researcher, Ive been taught to figure out whats the answer, why is this happening? Deacon said.

Deacon considers himself more research based than anything else. Hes pulled together the best of different principles of medical care. Thats when he found brain mapping.

One of the most profound discoveries there are all these good doctors utilizing technology to basically figure out whats going on in somebodys brain, he said.

Once he plugged into the neurological aspect of disease, Deacon said it helped him further understand what was going on with patients health.

The brain is essentially talking to us all the time, he said, calling the brainwaves a language.

Weve just been learning how to decipher it.

Using a database of more than 5,000 brain maps, Deacon and his team can navigate a patients specific condition and deliver potential treatments.

Its called quantified electroencephalograph qEEG is easier. Its a non-invasive way to track body function based on the brains electrical activity.

It measures what MRI or CT scans cant necessarily see: Brain function.

Once a they pinpoint a potential problem, theyre able to employ a plan of action to get results.

You get an actual objective measure, said Deacon.

Deacon said they use an integrative approach to care. They provide patients with options, including naturopathic and homeopathic remedies, acupuncture, chiropractic and aromatherapy whatever achieves the ideal patient results.

Theres a place for traditional medicine, too.

The problem that Ive found is that weve taken traditional medicine and weve tried to put it into every single box, Deacon said.

And it doesnt fit in every box.

He said quite often they bring in traditional medicine when theyre working on primary conditions that take some time to deal with. Traditional medicine comes in to take the edge off, Deacon said.

Its not about ignoring conventional medicine because theres a place for it, Deacon said.

It just doesnt fix everything.

In the end, Deacon just wants to use all the tools at his disposal to find the cause and fix it. Not just manage the symptoms.

We know the body has an innate ability to heal, he said.

We just need to remove the barriers that are preventing it from getting that and give the body what it needs to heal. And it will.

If you have a nagging health issue and you want a different approach to find the root cause, visit the Neurvana Health website for more information.

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Calgary's Neurvana Health maps your brain to deliver results-based wellness solutions - LiveWire Calgary

By Zach Bush MD, Paul J. Mills, PhD, Rudolph E. Tanzi, PhD, Michelle A. Williams, ScD

and Deepak Chopra MD

As our nation dives into sorrow and outrage over another merciless killing of a black man without cause, we must take the opportunity to transform a deep mindset. To achieve this, we will have to collectively shake off deep patterns of subconscious and conscious beliefs and experiences. The frequency of these instances of wrongful deaths and centuries of racially motivated abuses throughout the world creates hopelessness in our minds. For all of the rhetoric and grandstanding of our politicians and special interest groups, we do not see fundamental change happening. This hopelessness breeds violence, resignation, isolation, paranoia, and of course more fear.

Whatever the current crises happen to beright now it is COVID, racial injustice, police brutality, and street demonstrationsa familiar pattern has been nearly impossible to break. The crisis generates a public outcry, humanitarians face off against reactionaries, and once the worst of the crisis simmers down, things go back to normal. The great hope now, however, is that normal will finally be seen for its distorted abnormality.

In our view, this abnormality runs deeper than a pandemic or heart-rending injustice and inequality. A much-needed shift cannot take place until humankind passes through an identity crisis. How we see ourselves is presently through a distorted lens, and our illusions extend to the very basis of Nature herself. Human activity has despoiled Nature without conscience because humans, at our core, feel that this is our right as the planets superior life form. The contradiction here is that a truly superior life form would respect all of life, seeing the wonder and fragility of the miracle known as biodiversity.

Like many scientific terms, biodiversity sounds abstract and dry. To bring it home and give it vitality, one has to start with a simple fact: Each of us is as biodiverse as the entire planet. Our DNA was built from viral and bacterial DNA, and the constant communication between the genetic material of these micro-organisms keeps us dynamically alive, protected from disease and an intimate part of the chain of life everywhere.

Sadly, human activity has threatened biodiversity, and the stress we have placed on micro-organisms, even more perhaps than the extinction of species, is coming back to haunt us. The threat of COVID isnt isolated or unique. Natures most powerful urge is to keep life diverse and flourishing from the fundamental level of fungi, viruses, and bacteria, whose DNA outnumbers ours by a factor measured in millions and billions, if not more. Only in the past 30 years has research into the microbiome (the total mass of micro-organisms) brought to light how crucial Natures balancing act actually is. Without the bacteria, viruses and fungus that inhabit our bodies, human life would not be possible. As Earth is a symbiotic collection of diverse species cohabitating to give our planet life, so are we, and as with Earth, balance is the key.

The recent science discoveries in the microbiome have been a mind-bending experience as this once unseen world has come alive under our microscopes, through genome sequencing and through advances in computational biology. The notion that human DNA is somehow superior and separate from the DNA of bananas, mice, a cold virus, or mushrooms has toppled. It is humbling to realize that we arent at the center of life on earth. We mingle with planetary DNA with every breath, and the jet stream regularly populates the local air with viruses spinning around the globe in a matter of days. The ecosystems around us and within our own bodies team with millions of species of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and parasites that vastly outnumber us and, humbling to realize, make us viable. We are at once a genetic speck in the vast thriving microcosmos of life, yet also in a position of critical responsibility to help maintain this extraordinary diversity.

The human gut microbiome, which is essential for digesting food, contains trillions of bacteria, outnumbering our human cells by more than 10 to 1, and this is not even considering the far more diverse kingdoms of fungi and protozoa within us. Beyond the confines of the gut, each internal organ, from the liver to the breast, kidneys, and even the brain, is now recognized to depend on unique ecosystems of microorganisms that keep our cells healthy. Over 90% of the work done by enzymes in the human body is done by the microbiome. The same non-human life force works with endocrine cells within the gut to produce over 90% of serotonin, a neurotransmitter necessary for our much-touted human brain to function.

Once you realize that you and the planets biodiversity are one, nothing less than a shift of identity follows. An adage from ancient India, As is the greatest, so is the smallest, has never been truer. Microbiome diversity is the foundation for health and longevity, while the destruction of this diversity is the beginning of chronic disease of every variety. The adage could be expanded to As is the outside, so is the inside. The global microbiome functions as a communication network that actually passes electrical information throughout the cellular matrix to coordinate everything life needs to thrive at the cellular level, not simply nutrition and reproduction but repair and adaptation to changing conditions.

Nature is managing its own identity crisis now. Natures fluent communication network cannot be produced by a single species, but it can be threatened by one. At the exact moment in history when our existence is being understood as one thread woven in the tapestry of life as a whole, we are tearing the fabric apart, and all life forms will suffer. To give one instance, every year over 4 billion pounds of glyphosate (the active ingredient in the most commonly used herbicides) is sprayed into our soil, water, air, and foods, sterilizing the microbiome and harming the creatures, including us, that the microbiome nourishes.

Life on earth is at risk for extinction because of our war against diversity. The scale of damage is too frightening to contemplate, much less measure. We must transform now. The victims of this war are standing right in front of us. The soil, wind, and water, the First Nations, African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and the tide of refugees. The worlds dispossessed and disenfranchised depend on us to emerge from our false assumed identity of superiority over and separateness from the whole of life. Reconciliation can begin today. Train your mind and eye to seek out and cherish diversity in every element of your life.

Breathe and explore a new ecosystem this week. Create and listen to a more diverse community, both within your body and all around you. Plant a seed and a new relationship this week. Get curious and explore what is different from you, so that we can quickly discover what we all share. Life everywhere calls out to be saved. Life everywhere calls out to be loved.

DEEPAK CHOPRA 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.

ZACH BUSH, MD is an internationally recognized educator and thought leader on the microbiome as it relates to ecology, human health, and consciousness. Board certified in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism, and Hospice Care, his published biomedical research ranges from chemotherapy development to the role of the microbiome and agricultural toxins in human health and disease. He is founder and CEO of Seraphic Group, Inc., an IP development firm committed to developing root-cause solutions to bring balance to the biome of our planet. His non-profit, Farmers Footprint, is raising awareness of the synonymous nature of human and soil health, and working to create a roadmap to end chemical food production and ecologic destruction through the universal adoption of regenerative agriculture.

Paul J. Mills, Ph.D. is Professor and Chief in the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health and Director of the Center of Excellence for Research and Training in Integrative Health at the University of California, San Diego. He has expertise in Integrative Medicine and psychoneuroimmune processes in wellness and disease, with approximately 380 scientific manuscripts and book chapters on these topics.

Rudolph E. Tanzi, Ph.D. is the Vice-Chair of Neurology, Director of the Genetics and Aging Research Unit, Co-Director of the Henry and Allison McCance Center for Brain Health, and Co-Director of the MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease at Massachusetts General Hospital. He also serves as the Joseph P. and Rose F. Kennedy Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Tanzi discovered several Alzheimers disease genes, including all three early-onset familial Alzheimers genes, and serves as director of the Alzheimers Genome Project. He is also developing therapies for treating and preventing AD using human mini-brain organoid models of the disease, pioneered in his laboratory. Dr. Tanzi has published 600 papers, received numerous awards and was on the 2015 TIME100 Most Influential People in the World list. Dr. Tanzi is a New York Times bestselling author, who has co-authored Decoding Darkness and three bestsellers with Deepak Chopra: Super Brain, Super Genes, and The Healing Self.

Michelle A. Williams, SM 88, ScD 91, is Dean of the Faculty, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and Angelopoulos Professor in Public Health and International Development, a joint faculty appointment at the Harvard Chan School and Harvard Kennedy School. She is an internationally renowned epidemiologist and public health scientist, an award-winning educator, and a widely recognized academic leader. Prior to becoming Dean, she was Professor and Chair of the Department of Epidemiology at the Harvard Chan School and Program Leader of the Population Health and Health Disparities Research Programs at Harvards Clinical and Translational Sciences Center. Dean Williams previously had a distinguished career at the University of Washington School of Public Health. Her scientific work places special emphasis in the areas of reproductive, perinatal, pediatric, and molecular epidemiology. Dean Williams has published over 450 scientific articles. She was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2016. The Dean has a masters in civil engineering from Tufts University and masters and doctoral degrees in epidemiology from the Harvard Chan School.

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Nature's Identity Crisis and Ours - SFGate

This week, June (and Gemini season) comes into full swing as the astrological intensity of 2020 continues. Weve already witnessed the game-changing power of this years transits with the historical alignment between Saturn, Jupiter, and Pluto in Capricorn that happened in mid-March at the onset of the COVID-19 breakout in the United States. Its safe to say that the cosmic backdrop to this year correlates with global transformation.

Now that we are officially in eclipse season, amid Venus retrograde, with Mercury in his retrograde shadow, too (Mercury stations retrograde on June 18), we see no signs of this intensity letting up. But intensity can also make way for positive change: With a massive social-justice movement afoot right now, we are collectively being called to make change and globally heal by understanding the connection between our values, our societal ethos, and our health.

As the wellness consultant and social worker, Minaa B., LMSW, stated so eloquently in a recent Instagram post, Healing is not just a good vibes only chant, its a social-justice issue. Healing goes beyond the inner work we do for ourselves; it extends to our community.

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bringing this back: I come across a lot of comments, emails and DMs from folks on what it means to do the work, and the reality is that doing the work is such a vague concept and it is much more complex than we like to admit. To do the work, requires self-healing, but healing is not just limited to you as an individual, it extends to the people around you, and it even extends to a macro-level when it comes to systems and institutions, who we vote for, how we exercise our rights and how we treat others. I hate talking about what it means to do the work sometimes because the reality is the work I need to do to heal will look completely different from other folks because none of us are equal no matter how hard we want act like we are. I am a black woman living in America. Just sit with that for a second and really ask yourself if you think my healing will look the same as white man or womans. The work I have to do to heal and the work you have to do to heal just isnt the same. Ive noticed that insta-therapy has created this idea that feeling through our emotions is how we get better. With no talk about how fighting injustice is a crucial role in helping us move from a role of surviving versus thriving. Healing is a social justice issue. It requires tackling issues from sexism to racism, all the way to redlining and health inequity. I encourage you to think broader when it comes to your healing because this is how we shift generations. Healing can happen for all of us, but it doesnt stop at us. When we thrive, our communities thrive. And community care should not be isolated from self-care. I wont tell you how to do the work. But I encourage you to look beyond yourself as you heal.

A post shared by Minaa B., LMSW (@minaa_b) on Jun 3, 2020 at 6:30am PDT

Lets break this down by beginning to understand what Venus recent conjunction with the sun means. Venus represents what we love and why we love it. Currently retrograde in Gemini, Venus aligned with the sun at 13 degrees on June 3 in the sign of the twins at 1:43 p.m., ET. When retrograde, Venus calls our attention to where we are and where we are not congruent with the ethics that guide our lives. Venus alignment with the sun last week allowed us to start a new cycle of growth as it relates to honoring our values.

How have your values made themselves more apparent in your life over the last few weeks? What have you learned? What do you need to shed or release to be more congruent with your values as they evolve? What truth do you need to own for yourself?

The interplay between astrological events and current events beckons introspection, action, and soul-driven choices.

While I was studying behavior change at Duke Integrative Medicine in pursuit of my health coach certification, I learned that having a clear connection with our values is fundamental to our health. And now, the interplay between astrological events and current events beckons introspection, action, and soul-driven choices. I see this current Venus retrograde cycle (through June 25) and the planets recent inferior conjunction with the sun in Gemini as calling us to realign with the truth emerging from within as we face the systemic challenges of the society in which we live.

With eclipse season shining a light on truths in the shadows, we can begin to understand that these truths are essential to living our healthiest lives as individuals and society.

Eclipse season kicked off at 15 degrees of Sagittarius (the sign of blunt truth) on June 5. This south node, lunar eclipse asked us to release old patterns and behaviors that no longer serve us, so we can let a new truth emerge. The lunar eclipse in Sagittarius asks us to get into touch with the philosophies that guide our lives and make space for the evolution of new viewpoints. Doing so serves both our individual and our collective freedom. Freedom is a quintessential aspect of lessons of Sagittarius.

With the moon now waning, its imperative to continue the cathartic work of grieving and integrating the new truths emerging from within during this eclipse season, with a solar eclipse happening on the summer solstice in Cancer, as well as a lunar eclipse on July 4/5 (depending on your time zone). Please do the work you need to take care of yourself, as eclipses can feel incredibly disruptive and disorienting, even more so if they occur at critical placements in your chart. So, take time and rest. Nourish yourself. Exercise. Drink plenty of water. Tend to your pleasure.

Remember, we are still in a pandemicyour immunity matters. In in the face of digesting and responding to difficult news, its essential to reconstitute yourself and bolster your resilience as often and as much as you can. Thankfully, the cosmic dance grants us a moment to regroup on Monday and Tuesday, so use it to your advantage. Spend time meditating, in prayer, reading up on anti-racist education, and unpacking privilege.

As the week goes on, well contend with the impact of the sun in Gemini squaring Neptune in Pisces. This mutable square may feel particularly intense. (The sun officially squares Neptune on Thursday, June 11 at 5:37 a.m., ET.) Even more so, since Mars conjoins Neptune, too. (The Mars/Neptune conjunction perfects on Saturday the 13th at 10:12 a.m., ET.) To help you through, a meditation practice canhelp you gain perspective, reduce stress, and bolster resilience.

Your health and the health of the collective, by proxy, will benefit from self-care practices right now. Remember, honoring your evolving values supports you to ride the waves of this volatile year, astrologically and otherwise, and make the impact in the world you are here to create.

Jennifer Racioppiis the creator of Lunar Logica philosophy that integrates the deep wisdom of both science and spirituality, and blends her expertise in astrology, positive psychology, and womens healthto coach high-achieving female entrepreneursto reach their next level of success.

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Eclipse season is underway, and its a welcome time to check in with personal values and grow - Well+Good

When it comes to fighting viruses, everyday precautions such as washing your hands often and avoiding sick people are key. But experts say that boosting your immune system may also give you an edge in staying healthy. Here are five smart steps to add to your to-do list now.

Stay activeWorking out is a powerful way to boost your immune system, says Mark Moyad, M.D., M.P.H., Jenkins/Pokempner director of preventive and alternative medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center. It causes your bodys antibodies and white blood cells to circulate more rapidly, which means they may be able to detect and zero in on bugs more quickly. Being active this way also lowers stress hormones, which reduces your chances of getting sick, Moyad adds.

Research suggests that exercises effects may be directly relevant to virus fighting, too. According to a recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, of 1,002 people surveyed, those who exercised at least five days a week had almost half the risk of coming down with a cold as those who were more sedentary. If they did get one, they reported less severe symptoms. There also may be a protective benefit from the sweat in your sweat session: Research has shown that simply raising your body temperature may help kill germs in their tracks.

The key to exercise, however, is to do it in moderation. Like many other things, theres a sweet spot doing too much can also put so much stress on your body, it depresses your immune system, explains Moyad. He recommends 30 to 60 minutes of exercise (either vigorous or moderate) most days of the week.

For the latest coronavirus news and advice go to AARP.org/coronavirus.

Watch your dietEighty percent of your immune system is in the gut, so when its healthy, we tend to be able to fight off infections faster and better, says Yufang Lin, M.D., of the Center for Integrative Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. When its not, our immune system is weaker and more susceptible to fighting off infection.

In general, Lin recommends that people focus on a Mediterranean style of eating, which means a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats, found in foods such as fatty fish, nuts and olive oil. This eating pattern is high in nutrients such as vitamin C, zinc and other antioxidants shown to help reduce inflammation and fight infection, she explains. Adults between the ages of 65 and 79 who followed a Mediterranean type of diet, along with taking a daily 400 IU vitamin D supplement for a year, showed small increases in disease-fighting cells such as T cells, according to a 2018 study published in the journal Frontiers in Physiology.

Its also important to limit meat, especially processed and fried foods, all of which are more inflammatory, Lin adds. Generally, I recommend a whole food diet, she says. Whats more, its smart to include fermented foods, such as yogurt, sauerkraut, miso and kefir, in your daily diet. These help build up the good bacteria in your gut, which, in turn, supports a healthy gut and immune system, Lin explains

Stay on top of stressTheres a strong link between your immune health and your mental health. When youre under chronic stress or anxiety, your body produces stress hormones that suppress your immune system, Moyad says. Research done at Carnegie Mellon University has found that people who are stressed are more susceptible to developing the common cold.

In one study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 276 healthy adults were exposed to the cold virus, then monitored in quarantine for five days. Those who were stressed were more likely to produce cytokines, molecules that trigger inflammation, and were about twice as likely to get sick. In addition, people who are stressed are less likely to pay attention to other healthy habits, like eating right and getting enough sleep, which can affect immunity, Lin adds.

Although you cant avoid stress in your life, you can adopt strategies to help you manage it better. A 2012 study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, looked at adults 50 and older and found that those who either did a daily exercise routine or performed mindfulness meditation were less likely to get sick with a respiratory infection than subjects in a control group, and if they did get sick, they missed fewer days of work.

Get enough sleepZs are another natural immune system booster. Your immune system is like your computer it needs moments of rest so it doesnt become overheated, Moyad explains. Sleep reboots the system.

When youre sleep-deprived, he adds, your body churns out stress hormones like cortisol to keep you awake and alert, which can suppress your immune system. People who got a full eight hours of shut-eye had higher levels of T cells than those who slept less, according to a 2019 study. Try to get at least seven hours of slumber a night, as a 2015 study, published in the journal Sleep, found that people who did so were four times less likely to come down with a cold than those who clocked less than six.

Be strategic about supplementsTheres no magic herb or vitamin you can pop to automatically prevent a cold, flu or other virus. But a 2017 review of 25 studies, published in the British Medical Journal, found that a moderate daily dose of vitamin D may offer protection if youre already low in the sunshine vitamin, points out Tod Cooperman, M.D., president and editor in chief of ConsumerLab.com.

The best way to find out if youre lacking in vitamin D is to get your blood levels tested; you should be between 20-39 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter). If youre within that range, a daily supplement of about 600 to 800 IU is fine. If youre low, talk with your doctor about additional supplementation up to 2,000 IU a day. Cooperman advises taking it with meals that contain fats or oils, to increase absorption.

The Cleveland Clinics Lin also recommends cooking with herbs such as garlic, ginger, rosemary, oregano and turmeric. All have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, she explains, and some, like garlic, have even been shown to be protective against colds. When my patients ask me about taking supplements to enhance their immune system, I always go back to food, food, food, she says. Food is medicine.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age.

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5 ways to boost your immune system - The San Diego Union-Tribune