You may have read about the health benefits of turmeric, a spice native to southeast Asia. For more than 5,000 years, people have used it to treat a variety of ailments, such as skin disorders and digestive issues. Research suggests that its active ingredient, curcumin, may even help prevent or treat cancer. So should you ramp up your intake?

Jason Hou

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Integrative Medicine pharmacist Jason Hou says you can go ahead and add turmeric to your favorite foods. Dr. Hou manages MSKs About Herbs database, a hub of information on herbs and supplements as they relate to cancer care. But before you stock up on turmeric capsules or vitamins, talk to your MSK healthcare provider, especially if youre in active treatment.

Just because a product is labeled as natural does not always mean its safe especially for people with cancer, Dr. Hou says.

Heres what else Dr. Hou wants you to know about turmeric.

Turmeric reduces inflammation, which is at the root of many diseases, including cancer. Animal and lab studies show that turmeric can help prevent cancer growth and kill certain cancer cells, but we dont know if it has the same effect in humans. We need large clinical trials to figure that out, says Dr. Hou. The research community is on it. Dr. Hou cites a phase 2 study that combined curcumin and conventional chemotherapy to treat people with advanced colorectal cancer. The researchers found that curcumin is safe and tolerable in these patients, and when combined with conventional chemotherapy, has the potential to improve overall survival (how long someone lives after starting treatment) and progression-free survival how long someone is on treatment before cancer progresses. Other studies are ongoing.

Small studies among people with cancer show that turmeric can help improve quality of life. In one study, people who used a turmeric-based topical cream had reduced skin irritation caused by chemotherapy. In another, a mouthwash containing curcumin reduced mouth swelling. Turmeric can also help lower pain in some breast cancer patients with joint problems. This is encouraging, Dr. Hou says, adding that similar trials are underway in people with prostate, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer.

In fact, MSK is recruiting cancer survivors with pain in their muscles, bones, and joints for a study of a patch that contains turmeric. If youre interested in learning more, call 646-888-0844.

MSKs Integrative Medicine Service offers turmeric and curcumin supplements through its herbal dispensary program, located at MSKs Breast and Imaging Center. Patients must be referred to the dispensary after being assessed by an MSK Integrative Medicine physician or advanced practice provider.

Theres no evidence turmeric as a spice is harmful, Dr. Hou says. But for anything more than that, you should consult your healthcare provider or an Integrative Medicine specialist at MSK. Thats because consuming higher amounts of curcumin found in turmeric capsules, for example may interfere with certain chemotherapies, making them less effective. Turmeric can also increase the risks of bleeding and kidney stones, and too much can give you a stomachache.

If youd like to learn more about how turmeric may fit into your cancer care plan, you can book a consultation with a member of MSKs Integrative Medicine Service. Call 646-888-0845 for more information.

Key Takeaways

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What Are the Benefits of Turmeric and Can It Be Used to Prevent or Treat Cancer? Here's What the Science Says - On Cancer - Memorial Sloan Kettering

EastIdahoNews.com is highlighting hardworking people who make our local businesses a success. Every Sunday, were Getting to Know YOU!

1. Name, job title and company: Kate Roth MSN, ARNP, FNP-C, WHNP-BCP, ARBHRT-C Nurse Practitioner and Medical Director for Beacon Specialty and Family Practice

2. What does your company do and what are your responsibilities? We provide an array of family medicine services. I specialize in comprehensive womens healthcare and bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. She treats thyroid disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome, infertility and vaginal rejuvenation treatment. I also perform annual wellness examinations, family planning, treatment of migraine headache, pre-marital exams and bio-identical hormone pellet insertion for men and women. My responsibilities as medical director include maintaining compliance with regulatory state board regulations, HIPAA security services, staff training and competency evaluation in accordance with state and federal law.

3. Where were you born and when is your birthday (dont need to include year)? Champaign, Illinois, October 2

4. How long have you lived in eastern Idaho and what city do you live in now? Ive lived in eastern Idaho for 18 years. (Didnt want to say the city she lives in).

5. Tell us about your first job after high school/college. Hired as staff, then charge RN for the University of Illinois at Chicagos first bone, or stem cell, transplant center.

6. What is the best business decision youve ever made? Partnering with Beacon Integrative Medical Center.

7. Tell us about your family. Wonderful husband, three children all active in sports and school activities. We enjoy doing anonymous service projects, hiking, watching movies, reading books, traveling, and skiing together.

8. Tell us about a movie or book that has inspired you the most in life. (Didnt want to answer)

9. Tell us about a lesson you learned from a mistake you made in your career/business. Corporate healthcare is not for me. I believe in providing compassionate, comprehensive healthcare and making sure my patients feel heard.

10. What is a goal you hope to accomplish in the next 12 months? Grow personally, physically, spiritually and professionally. Always learning!

11. What is one piece of advice you have for someone who wants to do what youre doing? Listen to and love your patients.

12. If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently? Nothing at all. I am thrilled to be who and where I am today.

13. Where is your favorite place to eat in eastern Idaho? Home!

14. Tell us something surprising about yourself. (Didnt want to answer)

15. How do you like your potatoes? Roasted with garden-fresh herbs.

If you have an employee or co-worker who we should get to know, email rett@eastidahonews.com.

Originally posted here:
Getting to Know Kate Roth at Beacon Integrative Medical Center in Rexburg - East Idaho News

I think we can all agree that it would be nice to have a miracle drink for weight loss, one where we could just take a few sips and instantly shed the pounds.

But sadly, this doesn't exist. And even though there isn't a miracle weight loss beverage for us to enjoy, there are types of drinks that can help support our goals as we pursue a healthy lifestyle.

Tea is one of the most talked-about of these "weight loss drinks," so we decided to learn as much as we can about why it's so highly talked about among those wanting to lose weight.

To do this, we spoke to Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, author of The First Time Mom's Pregnancy Cookbook and Fueling Male Fertility and member of the Eat This, Not That! Medical Expert Board, and her response? That she supports using tea for weight loss as long as it's coupled with a healthy diet.

Read on to learn more about what Manaker has to say on how tea can help you lose weight, and for more healthy eating tips, make sure to sign up for our newsletter to get daily recipes and food news in your inbox!

The natural ingredients found in certain teas can make them great for supporting weight loss and weight management. For example, according to Manaker, "green tea contains catechins, which are antioxidants that have been linked to fat loss and an increased metabolism."

There are different types of catechins found in green tea, and one of the most predominant is known as EGCG. Many researchers attribute most of green tea's health benefits to its high quantity of catechins like EGCG.

Catechins in green tea have been known to support weight loss in a multitude of ways, including shrinking fat cells, blocking the formation of new fat cells, and regulating blood sugar.

RELATED: 11 Healthiest Drinks for Weight Loss

According to Manaker, "other teas, like black and oolong, have been shown to support weight loss too." There hasn't been as much research done on these types of tea as there has been for green tea, but current data shows they can still be helpful for your goals.

A study from the Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine discovered that obese and overweight participants who consumed a daily serving of oolong tea for six weeks saw a decrease in body fat. Part of oolong's health benefits could be attributed to its catechin content as well, but green tea still contains the highest amount.

A recent study published in the European Journal of Nutrition found surprising results related to black tea and its potential weight loss benefits as well.

Researchers in this study learned that black tea might actually be able to alter the bacteria in your gut, which can attribute to weight loss. However, this study was performed on mice, so more research still needs to be done.

RELATED: 5 Best Metabolism-Boosting Teas for Weight Loss

Teas like green, oolong, and black can be great for supporting your weight loss goals, but Manaker reminds us that how you drink your tea makes a huge difference.

"If the tea is replacing caloric drinks like regular sodas, any variety would likely be a good choice when supporting weight loss," says Manaker, "and as long as the tea isn't being enjoyed with a large amount of sugar, honey, cream, or other caloric additions, it can be a fantastic choice for weight loss support as well as overall health support."

So when reaching for a cup of tea to help you with your weight loss goals, just remember that although it can help you, it's your daily food, movement, and sleep choices that make all the difference.

For more healthy eating news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read these next:

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The Final Verdict on Drinking Tea for Weight Loss Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

By Crissy Fishbane, WRAL contributor

Going to the doctor can be intimidating.

I am guilty of putting off certain doctors appointments for years. Yes, you read that right. Not months, but years.

Of course, I am busy, as all moms are. Most moms I know spend entire afternoons carting their kiddos around to appointments and practices all over town, their own health and well-being often taking a backseat.

But we cant ignore the fact that going to the doctors office can be scary. We tend to put doctors on a pedestal and often feel overwhelmed as we head in for our 10 precious minutes of solo time with our healthcare provider (to ask a years worth of questions).

I often find myself wondering what the doctor is thinking as they poke and prod my body (which is rapidly approaching middle-age. Shh, dont tell!). Are they judging my weight gain? Do they shudder at the sight of my bunion or shake their head when they come across that regretful tattoo I got back in college?

I thought it would be helpful to ask a few doctors what it is they wish their patients knew. In my quest for insights I spoke with a medical doctor, gynecologist, and physical therapist. Heres what they had to say:

First, I spoke with Elizabeth Sierakowski, MD, DABFM, DABOIM. Sierakowski is the medical director & provider at the Raleigh & Holly Springs locations of Essential Health. She is triple trained in family medicine, integrative medicine and functional medicine and has practiced from coast to coast.

Heres what Dr. Sierakowski had to say:

Your relationship with your provider can be so much better. With any professional advisor:

1. Seek the right fit, and be clear about your goals. "Non-compliance" is when your goals and the doctor's goals for you don't align. You can always seek another opinion or another relationship. Many practices dont offer free Meet and Greet appointments, but you can always ask! Increasingly providers are on media, or have a video of them talking on their clinics website. That can help you get a feel for someone ahead of time.

2. Once you find your fit, stick with it for a reasonable amount of time. Too many cooks spoil the soup. Medicine is absolutely a blend of art and science. While some treatment plans are very cut and dry and you may get the same answer from several people, most have significant room for variability. Adding layers of opinion, herb, prescription, oils, & other treatments can make you sicker instead of better or at best can hinder progress.

3. Prepare for your appointments. Call ahead and make sure you state what your chief goal is. Like your hair appointments, if you're coming in for a quick cut and are expecting foils, it won't end well.

4. Navigate the conversation. Ask up front for: Listening (is this bad?), Advice (what can I do?), or Intervention (is there a treatment?). Sometimes your doctor will suggest more than what you've asked for, but that's our job, too.

5. Be Honest. If you feel you cant tell your provider about your supplement regimen, barriers to change, home environment, fears, or anything else critical to creating an appropriate treatment plan for you thats a big sign thats not the right relationship for you.

6. Give feedback! Both positive and negative. Your providers only ever get better if you can tell them when you've improved, or if something isn't working, or especially if you've found healing from someone else. Learning from the approach of my colleagues is critical to being able to help that many more people.

Sierakowski also said, As you seek a provider who treats you with humanity and respect, please remember we are human beings, too, doing the very best we can to alleviate suffering in the world.

Next up, I thought it would be interesting to hear from a physical therapist, so I spoke to Holly Durney, PT, OCS. Durney is an APTA Orthopedic Certified Specialist and has pelvic floor rehabilitation training from the Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute. She utilizes her knowledge of orthopedics to treat pelvic pain, pre- and postnatal issues and incontinence at Smart Athlete Physiotherapy.

Heres what Dr. Durney had to say:

I wish my patients knew that pregnancy and delivery can be treated as an orthopedic injury. Unlike ankle sprains and low back pain that typically get referred out for care, pregnancy is something that women are expected to be able to rehabilitate on their own unless there's a traumatic delivery or some sort of complication. But if you think about the postural changes, the ligament changes, the structural changes and the muscle damage that occurs during pregnancy and delivery, standard outpatient care is something that should be sought regardless of trauma or complication during delivery. My hope is to encourage women to seek care postpartum as a standard part of their postnatal care. I hope to encourage women to seek physical therapists advice in order to reactivate their muscles and reclaim their body after giving birth.

Finally, I decided to take it to the most intimate of doctor-patient relationships. Who doesnt wonder what their gynecologist would secretly love to tell their patients? So, I spoke to Polly Watson, MD FACOG NCMP, founder and owner of Hormone Wellness MD.

Heres what Dr. Watson had to say:

I wish you knew and could take to heart that self care isn't selfish. So many women wait far too long to seek medical care. And they've been suffering for years before they finally take some time for themselves. The best diet and lifestyle advice, the most complicated cutting edge test, the most advanced nutraceutical protocol, none of that can be optimally helpful with a patient that isn't able to set boundaries for self care at work and at home.

So I invite you to create some space for yourself to step forward. Look at your calendar, and find one thing that you can say no to or you can delegate. If you could claim back 30 minutes a day to take care of yourself imagine how your health would change. The world is a pretty stressful place, especially now. Your body and your mind deserve some rest that's restorative. So let's reimagine what's possible for women's health and start by stepping forward and creating some space for yourself and your own self care.

To open up more time for self-care, Dr. Watson suggested things like taking a break from social media, letting up on the Netflix habit or ordering groceries electronically and having them delivered rather than spending time at the grocery store.

She also suggested trying journaling as a time of personal reflection. To work on lowering cortisol Dr. Watson suggests exploring tapping, meditation, or visualization. She also stressed the importance of social connection and spending time connecting with a treasured friend.

What do all of the doctors suggestions have in common?

All the doctors expressed genuine compassion for their patients. It is vital to build a relationship with a trusted provider and to be honest with them in your communication. If you dont have that kind of relationship it may be time to seek out a new provider.

Of course, it goes without saying, doctors are human and are certainly not infallible. Its crucial that women learn to trust their body and follow their intuition. If something doesnt feel right and a doctor is not listening to your concerns it is worth pursuing a second opinion. There are plenty of good doctors out there who are willing to listen and want to help you find health.

Crissy Fishbane is the co-founder of HER Health Collective, a supportive community and resource hub for moms. She is a certified therapeutic exercise specialist, personal trainer, wellness coach, and former high-school psychology teacher. Crissy believes in a holistic approach to womens health and is a strong advocate of improved screening and treatment of perinatal mood disorders. She is passionate about building a supportive community for moms where they can make genuine connections and build authentic relationships.

Read the rest here:
We asked a family practitioner, gynecologist and physical therapist what they wish patients knew - WRAL.com

Design Academy Eindhoven graduate Laura Deschl has developed The Healing Imprint, a therapeutic garment that looks like activewear but is made to help heal trauma.

The project was developed to explore the potential of combining acupressure a non-invasive practice originating in traditional Chinese medicine with yoga-like movement to treat psychological trauma.

Deschl produced custom-knit garments with a grid stitched into them that allows small massage balls to be inserted and moved onto specific acupressure points on the body, feet, hands and head.

The garments' aesthetic is similar to activewear or leisurewear, and a full set includes a bodysuit, gloves, socks and a pillow.

The idea is to combine acupressure with an embodied movement practice based on yoga, which would allow a person's bodyweight to heighten the pressure at the targeted "acu-points."

Deschl based The Healing Imprint on research that shows how physical therapies can be incorporated into psychotherapy to help people heal from psychological trauma, in an approach known as integrative therapy.

She was particularly inspired by the work of Bessel van der Kolk, whose 2014 book The Body Keeps the Score documents the effects of trauma and an array of methods that can be used to treat it.

"I was inspired by how he is incorporating 'untypical' ways of healing trauma, such as through yoga, tapping and community," Deschl told Dezeen.

"My research also encompassed certain other thinkers, but their take on healing trauma through the body is somehow similar," she continued. "One thing is certain: they are all convinced that the body needs to play a major role in overcoming the imprint left on the body caused by a traumatic event."

Acupressure has been used to address symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as trauma-related anxiety and depression.

With The Healing Imprint garments, the acupressure aims to help the wearer access buried memories or emotions, while the trauma-sensitive yoga practice would facilitate introspection around those recollections.

Deschl said that a person's body and their emotions are "two elements that are crucial for one's sense of self, but are often highly impaired as a result of trauma".

"Many people with histories of trauma and neglect experience an extreme disconnection from their body due to a deep divide between the sense of self and sensory experiences," said Deschl.

"The goal of this project is to help patients train embodiment and thus bring them closer to their bodies."

One of The Healing Imprint garment sets is knitted from predominantly merino wool plated with an elastic yarn, which was produced specifically for the project.

A second set with meridian patterns is made from a recycled knitted athleisure fabric, while the massage balls are gemstones.

The Healing Imprint includes a set of illustrations showing where to place the balls for which symptoms, and Deschl worked with a psycho-motor therapist to facilitate test sessions with trauma patients.

Deschl tested the garments at Eindhoven mental health institute GGzE and is seeking funding to further develop the project.

A social designer and artistic researcher, Deschl has a background in fashion and textiles as well as yoga teaching.

The Healing Imprint is her graduate project from the Master of Fine Arts and Design at Design Academy Eindhoven and is emblematic of her interdisciplinary approach.

"The garment is not only an interface for an individual to access embodied knowledge and self-awareness, but also represents how design can converge fields such as science, business, medicine, psychiatry and textile-making," said Deschl.

Other designers to have made tools for therapy include Ariadna Sala Nadal, whose Balisa kit is meant to help children express their emotions, and Nicolette Bodewes, whose tactile objects are to assist adults in talk therapy.

Photography is by Iris Rijskamp.

See the article here:
Design and integrative therapy combine in Laura Deschl's garments - Dezeen

As anyone who is involved in drug policy can tell you, Afghanistan wasn't really America's longest war. That shady honor belongs to the war on drugs, which has been waged at the state, local, and federal levels for well over a century, even before President Richard Nixon officially declared in 1971 that he was starting "an all-out offensive" on the "drug abuse" he called "America's public enemy number one."

Yet it's obvious that the drug war is in fact winding down. In the 1990s, medical marijuana was legalized in various states. Now 16 states have legalized recreational marijuana, with more to come. Last fall, nine out of nine drug legalization or decriminalization measures passed at the ballot box, the use of MDMA to treat PTSD is in final clinical trials with the Food and Drug Administration, and there is an increasingly visible cultural shift that is welcoming to psychedelics and other mind-expanding substances. This November, LSD even comes to that safest of all cultural playgrounds, Broadway, with the musical Flying Over Sunset, a fictional account of a meeting between novelist Aldous Huxley, playwright/ambassador Clare Boothe Luce, and movie star Cary Grant, all of whom experimented with psychedelics in the late 1950s and early '60s.

Nick Gillespie's guest is the one person in the best position to explain and interpret the country's shifting attitudes toward drug prohibition and drug use. He's Ethan Nadelmann, the 64-year-old founder and former head of the Drug Policy Alliance, one of the oldest and most effective outfits fighting for pharmacological freedom. A former college professor who taught political science, Nadelmann brings together an academic's rigor and depth of knowledge with an activist's sense of urgency and energy (read a 1994 Reason interview with him conducted by Jacob Sullum).

Over the years, Nadelmann has allied and sparred with everyone across the political spectrum to make drug policy more humane and less punitive while also talking up the positives of responsible drug use. You can listen to him on his new weekly podcast Psychoactive, where recent guests have included psychedelic enthusiast and best-selling author Tim Ferriss, leading psychotherapist and psychopharmacologist Julie Holland, integrative medicine guru Andrew Weil, and advice columnist Dan Savage on "sex, drugs, and freedom."

This is a great and rollicking conversation about the past 50 years of drug laws and drug cultureand what comes next as America oh-so-slowly starts pulling out of its longest war.

Photo: Gage Skidmore.

Read the original:
Ethan Nadelmann: How To End the Drug War (and What Comes Next) - Reason