Obesity is a problem in the U.S. that continues to grow. While there's no definite answer as to why we have a chronic weight problem, obesity can cause significant health problems such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 42.4 percent of adult Americans are obese. "From 1999 2000 through 2017 2018, US obesity prevalence increased from 30.5% to 42.4%. During the same time, the prevalence of severe obesity increased from 4.7% to 9.2%." Eat This, Not That! Health talked to medical experts who share their insights on obesity and signs that you're overweight. Read onand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID.

Dr. Mir Ali, MD, bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA explains, "What we look at to determine if somebody is obese, is the Body Mass Index; normal range for BMI is 18 to 25; if somebody has a BMI over 30, that is considered obese and they are at risk for developing health problems due to their weight.

Some of the symptoms patient may experience are:

If a patient has any of the above symptoms or has a BMI approaching 30, then they should seek lifestyle changes or medical help with their weight."

Dr. Shadi Vahdat, MD, assistant clinical professor and hospital physician at UCLA and medical director at LiveWell Integrative Medicine. states: "Stretch marks that commonly develop on the abdomen, breasts, buttocks or thighs are a common occurrence with sudden and rapid weight gain . During pregnancy this skin sign is quite normal and common but in its absence may be a sign that you are too overweight. While some people have a greater family history for this condition, the mechanical stress on the skin and hormonal factors are thought to be some of the reasons why it develops in the first place. While this condition is usually harmless and non life threatening, there are rare cases where there are additional systemic signs or symptoms that may require a visit with the doctor to rule out an underlying serious medical condition."

RELATED: Things to Never Do After Age 40, Say Health Experts

"Having a rash in skin folds and creases such as the armpits and groin or any other place where two skin surfaces come into contact can be a sign of being too overweight," Dr. Vahdat explains. "While the appearance of the rash and list of reasons for it can be broad and include a lot of genetic, inflammatory, infectious and other conditions it is always best to see your dermatologists for further evaluation. Treatment may involve anything from topical treatments to a more systemic approach if related to an underlying medical condition."

Dr. Vahdat says, "If people are always commenting about your loud snoring, gasping or worse yet having brief episodes where you stop breathing during your sleep there is a good chance you may be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea; a potentially dangerous sleep disorder that occurs from the throat muscles relaxing and obstructing the airway. Unfortunately the risk of this condition increases six fold for every 10% increase in weight and if untreated can result in a higher risk for heart disease, memory loss, daytime fatigue, and type 2 diabetes."

RELATED: The #1 Cause of Your Obesity, Says Science

Christina Mamada MSc Nutrition, BSc Biology, and Nutrition Associate at Vitl states, "Recurring gastroesophageal reflux (acid reflux), may be an indicator of increased abdominal weight, that structurally pushes the stomach and its content towards the esophagus. Of course, there are a number of other causes of acid reflux, so if you are suffering from those, please talk to your doctor or healthcare professional to help you identify the exact cause."

According to Mamada, "Having some amount of fat throughout our body is absolutely normal and necessary, as fat provides us with essential fatty acids that the body cannot produce on its own. It also helps us absorb and store fat soluble vitamins like A, K, E and D. However, there is a big difference between our fat on our thighs, legs and arms with that around our belly. Excess abdominal fat (at our waist area), can be an indicator of increased visceral fat, which is the fat that is deposited around vital organs, like our heart, pancreas and liver. Increased deposition of fat tissue around these organs, increases the risk of developing metabolic disease, heart disease, diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia and many other severe health conditions. Although a scale can be a good indicator to check your entire's body weight, it is your waist circumference that is positively correlated with your visceral fat, and therefore, can provide insights of the risk of developing certain cardiometabolic diseases. The cut offs of a healthy waist circumference and the risk for metabolic disease, varies with age, sex, and lifestyle factors like diet, smoking and exercise, so make sure to have an expert or medical health professional examine you before jumping into any conclusion."

RELATED: Places You're Most Likely to Catch Omicron, Say Experts

"Sweating from walking up a flight of stairs is not normal. Try exercising at least 15 minutes three times a week to see if this helps," says Dr. Pri Hennis, M.D. Family Physician | Functional Nutrition Coach.And to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don't miss these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.

See more here:
Signs You Have "Too Much Fat," Say Experts Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

Dr. Mitsie Vargas| Ledger columnist

The Integrative medicine approach can save lives or at least offer an alternative to managing chronic conditions while maintaining a high quality of life. In some cancer cases, it provides a way to provide comfort and hospice care. In my practice, I try to get the pet owners to understand that a cancer diagnosis does not necessarily mean you need to euthanize your pet right then.

Cancer is a rising concern and we keep diagnosing all sorts of cancerous processes in dogs, catsand exotics. Western medicine offers certain options like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy that will eradicate the tumors or at least attempt to. There is a lot of research regarding vaccines to protect pets against certain kinds of cancer. We are lucky to have the University of Florida involved in several clinical trials and advancing many of these options.

In my opinion, an integrative approach offers the best quality of life for the affected pets. In some cases, getting rid of the tumor surgically then following up with herbals, food therapy, and acupuncture will raise the immune system and relieve pain resulting in a longer lifespan.

What happens when the tumor is inoperable or there are no Western options? Well, then we focus on the Traditional Chinese Veterinary medicine approach and discover the underlying pattern in hopes that addressing that will result in minimizing the cancer process. This is the most remunerating aspect for me as a practitioner; when I can offer hope to pets in dim situations.

I wanted to share a successful case of a kitty named Peaches that came to us with a diagnosis of suspected Lymphoma. He had been vomiting daily, would not eat, and was rapidly declining. His mom was referred to us by her veterinarian. He had been through some Western treatment options and had an ultrasound confirming the infiltrative nature of the lymphoma in his gastroenteric tract

I told the owner that Peaches did not know about his diagnosis so he was living in the present moment and could fully enjoy life if we could help move the gut in the right wayand improve his appetite. It would be our job to provide as much love and support while using Vitamin B12 aquapuncture, food therapy, and herbal medicines to care for him.

A diagnosis of Spleen Qi/Yin deficiency was made. He was put on the herbal formula Happy earth and given some food recommendations. Some supplements like probiotics and bentonite clay were prescribed.

The best thing about this story is that Peaches is currently doing well oneyear post-diagnosis and continues receiving herbal therapy and biweekly aquapuncture treatments. His latest Lymphoma test blood panel confirms his diagnosis and although we know the cancer is there, we are pleased it is not causing disease. He has stopped vomiting and has gained almost 2 poundssince we started therapy. This case exemplifies how TCVM for palliative care can extend the longevity and quality of life and perhaps keep a cancerous, invasive tumor from proliferating.

Dr. Mitsie Vargas is at Orchid Springs Animal Hospital in Winter Haven. She can be reached at drv@osahvets

Original post:
Additional methods of treating cancer in pets - The Ledger

Alcohol is ingrained in our society and socially acceptable at most events. During the holidays, drinking is almost a given. Theres the Christmas cocktails, coquito, spiked hot chocolate and the popping of champagne for the new year.

A 2019 Denver Public Health survey showed that more than one in four Denver adults, about 27%, binge drinks. In 2018, about 30,000 people came to Denver Health emergency rooms for a substance-abuse issue and about 36% were due to alcohol abuse. Also in 2018, 38% of fatal crashes in Denver involved alcohol.

So, during that holiday party, what happens if youre practicing sobriety? In recovery? What happens if youre just sober-curious?

Awake, a coffee shop by day and an alcohol-free bar at night at 2240 Clay St. Unit 100 in Jefferson Park, encourages sobriety, one zero-proof cocktail at a time.

The bar is owned by Christy and Billy Wynne. Bohemian eyes line the back wall, which is filled with bottles of spirits and wines, all zero-proof. The couple decided that alcohol no longer served them, so instead of treating it as a loss, they opened the bar.

Theres an underlying assumption that somethings wrong or that its this sad thing when someone quits drinking, Billy said.

Our deep conditioning in our society is that we need to have alcohol to somehow up level experiences, Christy said. Theres a huge spectrum of people who are reevaluating their relationship with alcohol. I think its just important to have spaces like this to start the conversation and normalize the choice to not drink alcoholSo that its not such a weird thing in our society, where obviously you must have a problem if you quit drinking. It shouldnt be like this.

In 2019, the Wynnes realized that their relationship with alcohol was no longer viable. Billy said after 25 years of drinking he had seen and felt it all and was tired of the routine.

It was taking up a lot of mental space, he said. Even if I wasnt drinking or drinking a lot, I was thinking about drinking. Id be thinking about how I was avoiding it or thinking about what would be on the menu that night. It was taking up a lot of mental energy to participate in alcohol.

Christy said shed been drinking for about 32 years and got good at it because we get good at what we practice. But at one point, she just didnt feel well.

It was interfering with how I felt, she said. You dont have to say you have a drinking problem for drinking to be a problem. We really dont have to wait around for some sort of rock bottom. Some people are like well, I havent gotten a DUI or havent had this, so they justify that their drinking is fine because they havent had those big things happen but what are you waiting for? Are you waiting for a rock bottom? Were allowed to exit out early before we hit those rock bottom places.

The Wynnes noticed that more and more non-alcoholic products were being released and offered in stores.

I feel like for a lot of people, the reason they choose to drink is because nothing else is offered to them, Christy said. Its either you have this glass of wine or you can have a soda or a water. Its like, well, I dont want to be at the kids table, drinking a Shirley Temple. I want the wine. I think if other things were offered and accessible, I believe people would be more open to choosing the alcohol-free option.

The bar had a slow start due to the pandemic. The Wynnes officially opened Awake in November 2020, but mainly focused on the coffee and bottle shop portion of the business.

In May 2021, they officially opened the bar, becoming Denvers first and only sober bar.

The Wynnes said some of their products, such as their tequilas and wine, mimic the taste of their alcoholic counterparts, while some of their drinks are herbal based.

The current winter mocktails on rotation include, gingerbread house nog with vegan eggnog, nutmeg, ginger snaps and a choice of Rum-ish or Lyres American Malt, two zero-proof spirits. Christy said their most popular drink is the smoked sage honey bee. Bartenders smoke sage in a glass before pouring Mockingbird Tequila and lemon juice in it.

During the day, Awake serves coffee from Queen City Collective Coffee, baked goods from Aspen Baking Company and, of course, breakfast burritos.

Christy said some patrons have told her they havent stepped foot in a bar in years because they werent comfortable, but they feel safe in Awake.

The Wynnes said more bars around Denver have started to add zero-proof drinks to their menus, and they hope the trend continues.

Christy is an integrative medicine physician assistant and certified sobriety coach and has two main tips: mindfulness and good planning.

Wynne says be mindful of your physical and mental health. How have you been eating? Have you been drinking enough water? How have you been nourishing yourself?

If it doesnt go as plan, dont beat yourself up for it, Wynne said.

Billy added, My little bit of advice is be proud. Youre making a choice that is healthy and empowering. Maybe you have a rum alternative or a microbrewed IPA from Denver that you can whip out at a party and its something new and different that you can talk about if people are interested.

Christy will be hosting some dry January workshops next year. She said Awake plans to host meetings to help those who are interested in sobriety.

If youre struggling with alcohol abuse, call Denver CARES Detoxification and Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation at 303-436-3500.

You can also call the Denver Area Central Committee of Alcoholics Anonymous at 303-322-4440. Both are open 24 hours a day.

Visit link:
Awake, the first 'sober' bar in Denver, is all about partying without drinking - Denverite

Age is really just a number. While everyone ages differently, healthy habits, outlook on life and attitude varies from person to person which means how old someone is doesn't always match up how someone looks and feels. Staying young at heart can be a positive way to go through life and Eat This, Not That! Health talked to experts who revealed how to stay youthful no matter your age and look young. Read onand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID.

Dr. Scott Kaiser, MD, a board certified geriatrician and Director of Geriatric Cognitive Health for the Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA says, "To many, it may seem like commonsense at this point, but it can never be emphasized enough: Exercise is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. The benefits of regular physical activity are so numerousespecially for our brain healththat, in a sense, exercise is the closest thing we have to a miracle drug. To achieve one's daily recommended level of exercise you do NOT need to do it all at once. Your activity can be spread throughout the day and, in fact, there may even be unique benefits to short bursts of vigorous activityhigh-intensity intervals. When it comes to brain-healthy exercise, evidence suggests that there is an added boost when you combine aerobic and cognitive challenges. Studies conducted at the Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF) sought ways to optimize brain function in healthy older participants. While the positive effects of both regular physical exercise and memory training activities on cognitive function and brain health are well established, the investigators explored the impact of combining exercise and memory training in novel ways. Because exercisinggetting into a healthy aerobic zone promotes healthy brain metabolism and growth, the investigators hypothesized that the effects of memory training could be potentiated if performed while participating in heart-rate monitored exercise regimens. After testing a variety of ways to combine exercise and memory training the investigators identified positive impacts of combined physical exercise and memory training on cognitive performance and developed several insights about ways we might harness these tools to enhance our brain health. For starters, if you were to learn a new dance routine you would not only reap the benefits from getting up and getting your blood pumping but also from the mental challenge involved in learning the steps and keeping yourself coordinated (especially if, like me, you have two left feet!). When you consider the opportunity for creative expression, the joy of connection, and that smile you've just put on your face (all brain health boosting factors) the benefits really start to add up."

According to Dr. Kaiser, "A robust and rapidly expanding body of research captures the numerous benefits of meditation. While there are many forms of meditation and contemplative practices that one can spend a lifetime cultivating, the brain health benefits can come with simple first steps. For example, just taking some mindful breathssimply bringing your attention to your breathing and taking a moment to notice this automatic function with some sense of curiositycan initiate a very positive cascade of events in our mind and body. For one, this simple practice can actually help you curb 'stress' while initiating a physiologic 'relaxation response' in your body resulting in a slowing of the heart rate, change in blood vessel tone with reduced blood pressure, boosting of immune factors, lowering of blood sugar, improved mood, and on and on. As you bring your attention to your breath, you may even be filled with a sense of wonder and appreciationmarveling at the many ways our body keeps us moving through life and noticing seemingly simple things we may take for granted. With mounting evidence supporting the many benefits of 'gratitude,' you may have just unlocked another brain-health boosting bonus."

RELATED: Daily Habits That Wreck Your Body, Say Experts

Dr. Thomas Berk, Medical Director at Neura Health and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Department of Neurology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, explains: "Sleep is crucial at any age, but especially as we get older. Sleep is one of the most important things that your brain does. Your brain spends a third of its life in the sleeping state, and it is the time when your brain is most coordinated. It allows not just rest, but also the ability to consolidate memories. People who have migraines are very sensitive to many different kinds of changes, some external to them, and some changes related to their own bodies. Your body thrives on predictability, and the same goes for sleep. The more predictably you sleep, the better your migraines tend to be."

RELATED: The #1 Cause of Your Obesity, Says Science

Nutrition Expert, Author, and Celebrity Chef Mareya Ibrahim explains, "Protein, aka essential amino acids or EAAs are boldly referred to as the building blocks of life because they're that important. Bodybuilders have known about EAAs for years and manipulated them for optimal performance. The truth is, they're critical to your ability to thrive. As humans, nine amino acids are considered essential, but as adults, our bodies require eight of them to function properlyand I mean they're mandatoryand our only sources of these essential eight are from food. It would make sense that if these amino acids are at the core of building life, our meals should be based around them, right? According to the UC Davis Integrative Medicine blog, amino acids account for 75 percent of dry body weight, 95 percent of muscle (including your heart), and 100 percent of hormones, neurotransmitters, and neuropeptides (the pilots and air traffic controllers of your nervous system that keep you from crashing or ending up in Cuba when you were headed for Miami). They're also important for building muscle and stoking your metabolism so you don't end up with that dreaded 'menopot' but what's great about proteins like turkey and chicken is they're also high in tryptophan, which helps to mellow you out and also gives you the sustained energy you need to keep your mental and physical acuity going. We need all the energy we can get! Natural collagen sources are also important for keeping connective tissue healthy to avoid injury, which becomes crucial after 40 especially since we considerably slow down production after 35. Try to avoid meats that have nitrates or nitrates, as they can cause headaches and other side effects, and added salt, as that encourages water retention. If you don't eat meat, other amino acid-rich, plant-based foods include quinoa, beans and rice, soy and coconut amino acids."

RELATED: Places You're Most Likely to Catch Omicron, Say Experts

Ibrahim says, "After 40, our hormones begin changing and adapting to all kinds of changes. In order to help facilitate perimenopause and menopause, for example, healthy fats are required to help keep the body from going haywire not to mention, supporting brain function and metabolic health. Nuts, avocado, olives, fatty seafood and Omega 3-rich plant-based foods like chia seeds and flaxseed can play a very important role in helping to prevent Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease while also helping to prevent diabetes and other blood sugar-related conditions. Replacing carbohydrates and saturated fats with healthy fats, such as polyunsaturated fats, lowers blood sugar levels and improves insulin control." And to protect your life and the lives of others, don't visit any of these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.

Go here to read the rest:
Everyday Ways to Never Get Old, According to Science Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

(The Daily Dish) Dr. Russell Osguthorpe, Chief Medical Officer with Prime Meridian Healthcare and a pediatric infectious diseases doctor joined Nicea today to talk about how and why Prime Meridian Healthcare became involved with doTERRA.

Both Prime Meridian Healthcare and doTERRA are focused on integrative healthcare and treating lifestyle diseases. Each year, Trillions of dollars are spent on healthcare and everyone is better when they look at treating the outcomes of lifestyle disease, not the causes.

As Dr. Osguthorpe says tis the season for gym memberships. He suggests looking for options for your family and friends that will help create lifestyle changes rather than treats and sweets.

Prime Meridian Healthcareis an onsite medical clinic that offers primary healthcare services to doTERRAs employees and families, along with surrounding businesses, and nearby residents. They also provide virtual care to residents throughout Utah. They have developed an innovative health technology platform to enable better virtual care for the treatment and reversal of metabolic disease.

Their mission is to change an individuals health trajectory. Remember, Lifestyle diseases require lifestyle changes.

Their mission is a simple one:

Prime Meridian Healthcare focuses on a persons overall vitality and lifespan vs. healthspan. They are focused on extending their patients years, but not the life within the years. Their goal is to intervene early to provide patients with a greater vitality to be able to increase the years of GOOD health in a persons life.

People often focus on weight loss as a measure of getting healthy. This isnt true.

Prime Meridian Healthcare focuses on a holistic approach to your life: in your relationships, stress reduction, your cardiorespiratory fitness, the foods you eat, and those things that lead to a vital life. They surround patients with a team of people who take care of the patients whole health, not just the symptoms. Often people dont think about relationships as a contributor to their health, but we all need to take a look at these connections and see how theyre impacting us.

Patients often say Its in my genes or ask if it could be related to their genes. From a medical perspective, of course, your genes matter, but what makes a bigger difference is the choices each of us makes each day. At Primary Meridian Healthcare theyre focused on lifestyle changes. Understanding your genes can guide you and your physician in helping guide you in your lifestyle choices but our genes do not define us; our lifestyle choices can have a bigger impact than our genes. One area of research for Prime Meridian is to focus on metabolic protocols, and integrative medicine to reduce the side effects of many prescription drugs.

For more information about Prime Meridian Healthcare, you can visit their website.

*Sponsored Content.

Read more:
Lifespan VS Healthspan. Know the difference? If not, its time to check it out! - ABC 4

As the days get colder and the nights get longer, the rates of winter seasonal depressionincrease. In some parts of Sweden, depression rates can increase up to 10% in the wintertime. Harvard Health says this can occur due to a lack of light exposure, which throws off your circadian cycle, affects your mood, and releases less serotonin (the feel-good hormone) than normal. Typically consumers look for ways to combat feelings of depression with supplementation, and one of the most commonly used supplements includes omega-3 fatty acids.

And yet, while previous analyses have made links between omega-3 fatty acid consumption to prevent depression, a new study published in JAMA Network debunks the myth by stating that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation does not prevent depression in adults.

This randomized clinical trial included 18,353 adults over the age of 50, who didn't have depression or clinically relevant depressive symptoms to start. The study had some participants consuming an omega-3 supplement compared to a group that took a placebo over a five-year treatment period. Through mood scoring, researchers found no significant differences in the omega-3 group compared to the placebo group. They concluded that the use of omega-3 supplementation is not advised as a depression preventer for adults.

RELATED: Get even more nutrition news straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter!

These findings are shocking when held up to other previous research, which states the opposite about omega-3 supplementation.

One Nutrients study published in 2020 was able to link consumption of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)a type of omega-3 fatty acidand feelings of happiness and fulfillment for a study of 133 participants. This type of omega-3 is found in cold-water fish, like salmon.

Another review in Neuroscience & Therapeutics, evaluated three different studies regarding omega-3 fatty acids as a treatment for depression and concluded that consumption of EPA saw benefits for adults with depression, but only for a very small number of participantsbetween 8 and 28 for each study.

Nevertheless, one report published in Integrative Medicine Research evaluated different studies that claim omega-3 fatty acids as an effective depression treatment and found no connection with their findings. The most recent JAMA Network study solidfies this conclusion through their randomized controlled trial, with over 18,000 participants contributinga significantly higher number compared to other conducted studies.

Whether it's seasonal, clinical, bipolar, postpartum, or the other types of depression that can occur, there is no conclusive evidence to show that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation will work to prevent it.

For more nutrition news, read these next:

Read more from the original source:
Taking This Supplement To Prevent Depression Is A Myth, Says New Study Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

Below is a list of the top and leading Acupuncture in Milwaukee. To help you find the best Acupuncture located near you in Milwaukee, we put together our own list based on this rating points list.

The top rated Acupuncture in Milwaukee, WI are:

Milwaukee Community Acupuncture offers low-cost, quality, and customized acupuncture treatments to individuals of all means and backgrounds. Their objective is to break down the barriers to healthcare and share the benefits of acupuncture in hopes of bringing physical and emotional health to their community as a whole. Milwaukee Community Acupuncture endeavors to make a friendly and safe setting for everyone in their community.

They understand that by seeking treatment their patients are putting an enormous level of trust in their clinic and they respect and honor their relationships with their patients.

Products/Services:

Acupuncture, Cupping & Gua Sha, Infrared Sauna, Healium Restore Yoga

LOCATION:

Address: 435 E Lincoln Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207Phone:(414) 943-2915Website: http://www.milwaukeecommunityacupuncture.org

REVIEWS:

I have been doing acupuncture with Amy since April 2019. She is professional knowledgeable kind and friendly, Always compassionate and patiently listening, and being very helpful! I feel grateful I have found her as my very first acupuncturist, providing excellent treatments at affordable rates! All the staffs there are super nice too. Thanks! Highly recommended! Ying W.

Carrie Murphy, L.Ac. Acupuncture & Chinese Herbs particularizes in integrative internal medicine. She works mainly with patients who are also experiencing western medical treatment for conditions. Carrie Murphys main focus is to help patients maximize their vitality while minimizing the number of medications and surgeries they have to undergo. She is a doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine in Milwaukees historic third ward.

Products/Services:

Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Distance Healing

LOCATION:

Address: 316 N Milwaukee St, Milwaukee, WI 53202Phone:(414) 389-8881Website: http://www.carriemurphylac.com

REVIEWS:

Carrie helped me with Plantar Fasciitis. She takes great care with her patients. Not only did she rid me of this awful pain, she also explained why I had it so that I have been able to exercise and keep it from happening again. She is currently working on an eye issue for me. I have recommended Carrie to everyone interested in acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Milwaukee is very fortunate to have her and her wonderful healing abilities. Adrienne La R.

Healing House Acupuncture & Wellness provides acupuncture services incorporated with other non-needle TCM therapies to aid you to improve your well-being and maintaining healthy habits. Their approach concentrates on preventative and wellness care. They promote the value of a healthy and clean diet, physical activity, an optimistic outlook on life, and the connection of mind, body, and spirit to achieve optimal health.

With over 4 years of clinical experience, Sonia Coln Medina offers acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine services to people and community groups. Her approach focuses on preventive and wellness care. She believes that when taking care of the body they are simultaneously taking care of mind and spirit. This is the key to wellness and balanced life.

Products/Services:

Acupuncture, Electro-Acupuncture, Auriculotherapy, Acupressure & Tui Na, Cupping, Gua Sha, Moxibustion, Herbs & Chinese Nutrition

LOCATION:

Address: 4727 S Howell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207Phone:(414) 744-0774Website: http://www.healinghouse.co

REVIEWS:

I have had a wonderful experience here and it has tranquil energy. I would highly recommend Healing House Acupuncture and Wellness. Sonia has a caring presence to her and she really takes the time to understand your concerns and needs. Amber M.

Dr. David Dai Acupuncture Day & Day Clinic is a nationally board-certified and WI state licensed acupuncturist. In 1982, he got his M.D. degree from Shanghai Medical University, one of the top medical schools in China, and obtained the best medical education and clinical training in both Chinese and Western Medicine. He came to the United States in 1989 and worked at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Dr. Dai started Day & Day Acupuncture Clinic in 1995 and has successfully treated numerous patients with many kinds of tough health problems since. Today, he is the number one acupuncturist referred by many doctors, other health providers, and patients.

Products/Services:

Acupuncture & More

LOCATION:

Address: 7020 W North Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53213Phone:(414) 476-8388Website: http://www.drdaiacupuncture.com

REVIEWS:

Ive had right-hand wrist pain because I used my wrists constantly at work. I have never had acupuncture treatment before in my life. Dr. David Dai gave me the first acupuncture session and I could feel my pain relief after finishing. Dr. Dai is very professional and I wont be nervous about my next acupuncture anymore. SRS

KeleMarie Lyons Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine has spent her entire life as a seeker, working with master teachers who propelled her toward inner transformation so that she could share the ancient healing techniques with individuals, like you, who are ready to heal. Its KeleMaries privilege to help people in transition to step into their power through an exceptional combination of therapies including herbal medicine, acupuncture, nutrition, mindfulness meditation, and more.

KeleMarie has worked with persons in the transition for more than 25 years. In fact, she has helped corporate leaders, individuals, athletes, and householders around the world, from the US to Angola and India to China.

Products/Services:

Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Nutrition, Mindfulness, Movement

LOCATION:

Address: 9205 W Center St Suite 209, Milwaukee, WI 53222Phone:(414) 737-6000Website: http://www.kelemarielyonsacupuncture.com

REVIEWS:

KeleMarie is a truly genuine person. She believes in what she is doing and proves it because when your unhurried very pleasant session is over, one feels the same confidence-satisfaction that was presented to you during the entire session. a SMILE and overall GREAT feeling is with you have long after you leave. A few appointments with KeleMarie will effect your life in a positive way and you cant help but feel youve met a truly concerned and caring friend. Viva La KeleMarie. Tom F.

Shera Elliott graduated from the New Mexico State University with a major in biology and a minor in Biological Basis of Behavior & Health Care Management. Shera grew up in Los Angeles, but moved to Las Cruces for college. Shera has written for several major publications including the Albuquerque Journal and NPR. Shera is a community reporter and also covers stories important important to all Americans.

Read the original here:
5 Best Acupuncture in Milwaukee, WI - Kev's Best

Newswise HOUSTON Patients with melanoma who reported eating more fiber-rich foods when they began immunotherapy treatment survived longer without cancer growth than patients with insufficient dietary fiber intake, according to new research from The University of Texas MDAnderson Cancer Center published today in Science. The benefit was most noticeable in patients who did not take commercially available probiotic supplements. Parallel pre-clinical studies supported the observational findings.

Research from our team and others has shown that gut microbes impact response to immunotherapy treatment, but the role of diet and probiotic supplements has not been well studied, said co-senior author Jennifer Wargo, M.D., professor of Genomic Medicine and Surgical Oncology. Our study sheds light on the potential effects of a patients diet and supplement use when starting treatment with immune checkpoint blockade. These results provide further support for clinical trials to modulate the microbiome with the goal of improving cancer outcomes using dietary and other strategies.

Patients who reported eating more fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains met the study threshold for sufficient fiber intake. The 37 patients with sufficient fiber intake had improved progression-free survival (median not reached) compared to the 91 patients with insufficient fiber intake (median 13 months). Every five-gram increase of daily fiber intake was associated with a 30% lower risk of cancer progression or death.

When the patients were further grouped according to high- or low-fiber diet and commercially-available probiotic supplement use, response to immunotherapy was seen in 18 of 22 patients (82%) who reported both sufficient fiber intake and no probiotic use, compared to the response seen in 60 of 101 (59%) patients who either reported insufficient fiber intake or probiotic use. Response was defined as complete or partial complete or partial tumor shrinkage or stable disease for at least six months. Probiotic use alone was not associated with a significant difference in progression-free survival or odds of response to immunotherapy.

Dietary fiber is important for gut health, just as it's important for overall health, and the two things are very tightly intertwined, said co-senior author Carrie Daniel-MacDougall, Ph.D., associate professor of Epidemiology. In this study, we saw that dietary fiber also may be important to cancer treatment, which brings us to a point where we can design interventional studies to answer the questions that patients really want answered: Does what I eat now matter and could it impact my treatment outcome? Were united in working to find answers for our patients.

Differences in gut microbiota and pre-clinical models

The study began with analyzing the gut microbiome profiles of 438 melanoma patients, 321 of whom had late-stage disease and were treated with systemic therapy, and 293 of whom had an evaluable response to treatment over follow-up. The majority of these patients (87%) received immune checkpoint blockade, most commonly PD-1 inhibitors. A total of 158 patients also completed a lifestyle survey of antibiotics and probiotics usage; of these, 128 completed a dietary questionnaire as they began immune checkpoint therapy.

The research team reinforced their prior findings, which showed a higher abundance of Ruminococcaceae and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii well-known and potentially beneficial bacteria involved in the digestion of fiber or starch in patients who responded to immunotherapy. In contrast to the previous findings, overall diversity of gut bacteria was not associated with response to immunotherapy, potentially due to the larger size of this patient cohort.

The researchers also tested higher versus lower fiber diets and probiotic use in several preclinical melanoma models to shed light on the potential mechanisms behind the observational findings from the patient cohorts. In multiple models, probiotic use was associated with impaired response to immune checkpoint blockade, larger tumors, lower gut microbiome diversity and less cytotoxic T cells in the tumor microenvironment. A high-fiber diet was associated with slower tumor growth and significantly higher frequency of CD4+ T cells in pre-clinical models treated with PD-1 inhibitors.

Clinical trial to build on findings, test effect of dietary intervention

Based on the early study findings, a randomized clinical trial (NCT04645680), led by co-first author Jennifer McQuade, M.D., assistant professor of Melanoma Medical Oncology, will examine how whole-food-based diets with varying fiber content affect the microbiome and immune response. The study is currently enrolling patients with stage III-IV melanoma who are receiving immunotherapy.

Our research teams within the Program for Innovative Microbiome and Translational Research (PRIME-TR) and Bionutrition Research Core at MD Anderson are collectively working to transform cancer therapy by modifying the microbiome, Wargo said. Were grateful to the patients and families who have participated in our research and are hopeful that this work will ultimately provide evidence-based guidance to help patients take control of their own diets to improve their odds against cancer.

The study was supported by the Melanoma Moon Shot, part of MD Andersons Moon Shots Program, a collaborative effort designed to accelerate the development of scientific discoveries into clinical advances that save patients lives. Additional research support included funding from National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute (1R01 CA219896-01A1, P30 CA016672), the Andrew Sabin Family Fellowship Program, Department of Defense, MD Anderson Multidisciplinary Research Program, MD Anderson Physician Scientist Program, Melanoma Research Alliance, Sean Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at MD Anderson, Stand Up to Cancer and U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation.

In addition to Wargo and Daniel-MacDougall, MD Anderson co-senior authorship also included Lorenzo Cohen, Ph.D., professor of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine. Wargo is an inventor on a U.S. patent application that covers methods to enhance immune checkpoint blockade responses by modulating the microbiome. A full list of co-authors and their disclosures can be found in the paper.

- 30 -

Originally posted here:
High-fiber diet associated with improved progression-free survival and response to immunotherapy in melanoma patients - Newswise

We know the vaccines are effective and safe, and they decrease the symptoms that people get even if they have breakthrough infections. So anybody who's vaccinated and gets a breakthrough infection is more likely to have milder symptoms and prevent hospitalization and death. We do think that people who have breakthrough infections may still be able to get long COVID, but the hope is that their symptoms are milder and that their resolution is faster.

Zackary Berger: There's some indication that vaccinated individuals who have COVID symptoms have a lesser chance of developing long COVID. But a lot of the literature is difficult to interpret, and it's still in the early days.

We have to see the right kind of evidence, and then when a patient needs answers, we try to get them answers. But long COVID is very difficult clinically. People want answers, and sometimes they don't even have a doctor to go to and cant even get testing, and that's where we need to work just as hard as we do determining which tests to do.

Juliet Morgan: We have to be very humble when discussing mental health and long COVID because, at least from the patients I've taken care of, I can't imagine that this is entirely generated by a primary psychiatric illness. We also know that there are these abnormal markers when we are looking at research studies that suggest that there's more going on beyond psychiatric manifestations.

It's hard for an ailing body not to then generate an ailing emotional response. I haven't taken care of a long COVID patient who doesn't have anxiety and depression. Many people who had anxiety and depression before they had long COVID have experienced worsened symptoms.

Upinder Singh: Now, a year and a half into the pandemic, we have an understanding that there is a very real, very physical condition called long COVID. I would really encourage individuals to talk to their primary care physicians, and if their primary care physicians are not comfortable with or don't have the experience with long COVID, seek out a long COVID clinic.

Although two different long COVID patients can experience some overlap, their symptoms are often quite distinct. So you do really need a multidisciplinary approach where you can have a central provider who has some expertise in long COVID, who can then call in a neurologist if you're having neurological issues or call in a cardiologist if you're having cardiac issues. This is a very tough disease to go through alone.

Juliet Morgan: Along with Dr. Jobs, a palliative care physician at UCSF, I run a long COVID integrative medicine skills group for recovery, so we've seen a lot of long COVID patients.Unfortunately, Angela's story is nothing rare. I wish that we heard stories that were different from hers, but we had many, many participants who have been suffering and felt invisible, unheard and really invalidated.

We bring people together with knowledgeable physicians to think about how we're going to tackle long COVID together. We looked at what interventions have worked in other chronic conditions where people have increased inflammation or an over-activated, sympathetic nervous system, and we decided we wanted to emphasize interventions like mindfulness, coping strategies, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

The most important part of this recipe was bringing people with long COVID together into the same space so they could teach each other.

Zackary Berger: We must understand long COVID as a multi-domain phenomenon. So there's the individual body of the person that undergoes a variety of symptoms which can be really unique from person to person. Then there's the social body; the collective. The collective is more than just the sum of individuals.

COVID has been a social phenomenon that has affected many groups in our society. So, COVID and long COVID acts on multiple levels at once, which makes it hard to define and to treat. This means that these symptoms of long COVID are exacerbated by social phenomena, which people tend to overlook as outside the realm of medicine, and that's completely false. This leads us to a concentration on biomedical solutions when there's a lot that needs to be done for patients suffering from long COVID that's not made in a lab or found in a lab test.

Juliet Morgan: Long COVID is bringing all of these other long-haul illnesses out from the shadows. However, our medical system has had difficulty with understanding how we treat this population, and I am very hopeful that all of this research and all of this thought being put into long COVID will help us to expand how we can help people who've identified with post-viral post-infectious syndromes for 20 or 30 years and have felt really abandoned by our medical system.

Zackary Berger: Because long COVID as a disease that develops in time differently from person to person, it requires a multidisciplinary team of people. Relief of pain is really important. Physical activity is really important, and providing specific treatment for symptoms like myocarditis and lung conditions associated with long COVID is really important. Unfortunately, there isnt one specific answer to long COVID, but there are treatments out for their very specific things. Sometimes what works best is an incremental approach to chronic symptoms.

Juliet Morgan: There isnt a one size fits all approach to long COVID; it's about finding a provider, a practitioner that you feel is hearing you and that you develop with that person a plan for each of the issues going on with you.

Link:
What is Long COVID? Experts Explain Symptoms and Answer Common Questions - KQED

Allarity Therapeutics has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA for use of the multikinase inhibitor dovitinib as a third-line treatment for patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).1

Support for the NDA comes from a prior submission from Allarity for premarket approval (PMA) of Dovitinib-DRP, the companys companion diagnostic used to identify patients with RCC who are most likely to respond to dovitinib.

As a clinical oncologist looking for new therapies for my RCC patients, I am enthusiastic about Allaritys NDA filing together with its Dovitinib-DRP companion diagnostic, Roberto Pili, MD, associate dean for Cancer Research and Integrative Oncology at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, stated in a press release. These patients, and their treating oncologists, are greatly in need of new precision medicines, coupled with validated companion diagnostics, to help select and treat the most likely responders. I look forward to working with Allarity to advance this new personalized cancer care approach for RCC patients."

Previously reported phase 3 data showed similar efficacy between third-line dovitinib and sorafenib (Nexavar), a standard treatment for RCC.2

The study included 570 patients with clear cell metastatic RCC who received 1 previous VEGF-targeted therapy and 1 previous mTOR inhibitor. Overall, there were 284 patients assigned to dovitinib and 286 assigned to sorafenib. The median progression-free survival was 3.7 months with dovitinib versus 3.6 months with sorafenib (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.72-1.04; P = .063).

Commenting on the FDA application, Allaritys CEO Steve Carchedi stated, This NDA submission for dovitinib, in connection with the Dovitinib-DRP companion diagnostic, is a historic milestone for our company and an important step for late-stage renal cell carcinoma patients awaiting new treatment options. Over the past decade, we have worked diligently to advance our novel oncology therapeutics pipeline together with our unique DRP diagnostic technology to realize the promise of personalized cancer care for patients. We greatly look forward to the approval of dovitinib and to introducing the clinical value of DRP companion diagnostics to oncologists and their patients.

References

1. Allarity Therapeutics Submits New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. FDA for Dovitinib for Third-Line Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC). Published online December 22, 2021. Accessed December 22, 2021. https://yhoo.it/3ehH24z.

2. Motzer RJ, Porta C, Vogelzang NJ, et al. Dovitinib versus sorafenib for third-line targeted treatment of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma: an open-label, randomised phase 3 trial. 2014;15(3):286-296. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(14)70030-0

View post:
Dovitinib application submitted to FDA for third-line renal cell carcinoma - Urology Times