A recent study at a local high school found that teenagers just needed a little something added to their vegetables to make them more appetizing.

Want kids to eat more vegetables? Try spicing them up.

Christopher DAdamo, PhD, Director of the Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, said a recent study at a local high school found that teenagers just needed a little something added to them.

We found that by simply adding spices and herbs to the vegetables in the National School Lunch Program offerings at Cristo Rey Jesuit [High School in Baltimore, Maryland], we were able to increase vegetable intake in a demographic that has been very challenging to do so, said DAdamo said.

On days when veggies were sprinkled with spices, teenagers ate 18.2% more compared to days when vegetables only were prepared with salt and oil.

DAdamo believes you can achieve the same results at home.

We did a whole bunch of sensory testing with flavor and aroma and sight and so on, and came up with some recipes, DAdamo said.

The spices and herbs were added to vegetables such as carrots, cauliflower, broccoli and green beans.

We used readily-available spices and herbs in this study things like black pepper, red pepper, ginger, cinnamon. Dill was a popular one, he said.

Frozen vegetables used in the study were steamed or sauted also with ingredients such as onion and garlic powders.

More people have access to frozen vegetables than they would fresh in a lot of the underserved communities where we work, he said.

According to the study, Black teens living in economically-underserved urban areas eat vegetables at levels far below recommendations. A goal of the study was to try to figure out how to change that.

DAdamo is optimistic about the studys findings because of the potential for broad public health impact.

The study was done on behalf of the National school lunch program that serves 30 million students each school day. Thats about five billion meals per year with a $13 billion annual budget.

Its been noted that vegetables have been getting thrown away in many instances, DAdamo said. And were helping the vegetables get consumed as opposed to getting thrown away so were very excited.

While DAdamo said getting kids to eat more vegetables could play a small but significant role in helping to prevent obesity and other diet-related health conditions, he notes that spices and herbs have been shown to help adults improve their diets too.

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Getting kids to clean their plates by jazzing up frozen vegetables - WTOP

Its safe to say many of us are under more stress than usual these days. And sure, youd love to do something to lower your stress and improve your health. But who has time for that?

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Actually, if you have 10 minutes a day, you have enough time to do qi gong. This ancient Chinese practice can reduce stress and help your body function at its best.

Integrative medicine specialist Yufang Lin, MD, talks about this age-old practice. It requires no special training or equipment and has some amazing potential health benefits.

Qi gong originated in China about 4,000 years ago. It is based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) principles, which state that qi, or energy, is present in everyones body.

According to TCM principles, a persons qi must flow throughout the body in order for people to feel their best, Dr. Lin explains. If qi becomes stagnant in a certain area, health problems can occur.

Qi gong uses simple poses and breathing patterns to promote a healthy flow and reduce stagnation of qi. Proper flow of qi can help the body engage its own healing processes. The literal translation of qi gong is to work with qi.

Qi gong is not a form of yoga. Yogas poses tend to require more strength, balance and stretching than qi gong. Yoga also originated in ancient India and is not rooted in TCM.

As a child in Taiwan, I would see people doing qi gong in the park on my way to school, Dr. Lin recalls. A lot of them were older people. The slow, purposeful movements of qi gong are less challenging to your balance. These movements are easy for most people to do and you can modify them. People can also do chair-based qi gong if they cant stand.

Dr. Lin says many smaller studies have shown that qi gong offers a variety of benefits. However, more large, controlled studies are needed to prove that qi gong can treat or even prevent health problems. Still, Dr. Lin says, qi gongs potential benefits make it well worth the effort. Its generally safe and easy for nearly anyone to try. Heres what the research says about qi gong:

One study found that qi gong could reduce symptoms of depression. In this study, those who practiced qi gong also experienced less anxiety and better moods as compared to those who didnt. Qi gong was also shown to have positive effects on bone and cardiovascular health and improve balance.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a common disorder that causes extreme tiredness. There is no known cause, and it doesnt go away with rest. It can be difficult or nearly impossible for someone with chronic fatigue to function in their daily life.

In a study, 64 people with chronic fatigue experienced improvements in their symptoms after four months of practicing qi gong. They had better mental functioning and less fatigue than those who didnt. If youre tired all the time, and your doctor has ruled out any medical conditions, qi gong could help.

Your immune systems job is to fend off unwanted guests like viruses, bacteria and diseases. Thats an important responsibility. And qi gong may give your immune system a little extra help.

A review of several studies found that qi gong had a noticeable impact on immune functioning. It increased levels of certain immune cells in people who practiced it regularly.

Many people who are undergoing cancer treatment need relief from side effects and the stress of treatment. Often, they turn to alternative medicine practices like acupuncture, yoga or massage. Qi gong may have a place on this list, too.

Some evidence suggests that using qi gong can help patients with cancer fight fatigue and mood disturbances. This boost may be a welcome relief.

Keep in mind that qi gong is not an overnight fix. Like any exercise, you need time to master it to get the full benefits.

While taking a class is helpful, Dr. Lin says this isnt necessary. Many people learn qi gong from online videos and instructions. Pay attention to the form and learn it properly. Then you can focus on breathing and being present, Dr. Lin says.

Qi gong can help you feel your best plus, its free, easy and doesnt require much time. Not many other wellness activities can make those claims.

Regular exercise such as 30 minutes of walking a day is also an effective way to improve your health, reduce stress and help you sleep better. If you exercise regularly or plan to start, qi gong is a great addition to your routine. Working it in could be the healthy one-two punch you need during stressful times.

Originally posted here:
What Are the Health Benefits of Qi Gong? - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

Even before the onset of the pandemic, which has increased the demand for all manner of so-called organic immunity elixirs, wellness-minded Americans were warming to mushrooms. To be clear, mushrooms dont cure Covid-19, but they are thought to provide a host of other benefits, from serving as an aphrodisiac to bolstering ones defenses to toxins. As Ligaya Mishan explains in her essay for Ts Fall Mens issue, Eastern cultures have long been enthusiastic about edible fungi, both in culinary and health contexts mushrooms are rich in umami, the Japanese fifth taste that denotes savoriness, and woody species such as reishi are often prescribed in traditional Chinese medicine while the West has been more ambivalent. Today, though, American cooks and diners delight in foraged morels and matsutakes, while others mix mushroom-based powders into shakes and teas. In an article published in 2014 over 80 years after the British scientist Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, the powerful group of antibiotics derived from the fungus Penicillium the mycologist Paul Stamets, best known for the TED Talk 6 Ways Mushrooms Can Save the World, described mushrooms as natures miniature pharmaceutical factories.

Fungi have the ability to soak up and escort waste from our cells, and have a digestive system almost identical to that of humans, says Liz Smithers, who studied Ayurvedic medicine and herbal sciences before launching the sustainable Kauai-based nutrition brand Laka Living with her sister, Kate, in 2015. The line includes a chocolate-flavored hemp protein ($34) containing mushrooms such as lions mane (shown in studies to reduce anxiety and prevent cognitive decline), and Super Shroom Dip ($30), a macadamia nut butter laced with a five-mushroom blend. At this point, only 7 percent of the worlds fungi have been discovered, and Hawaii, the most isolated archipelago in the world, has some of the most understudied species, says Benjamin Lillibridge, the Kailua-Kona-based founder of the wellness company Mlama Mushrooms, and of the Hawaii Fungi Project, a nonprofit dedicated to the discovery and responsible use of the islands native species. Of course, there are also plenty of noteworthy mushroom nutraceutical ventures Stateside see Shizu Okusas brand Apothkary, which has teams in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. but Lillibridges wider point, perhaps, is that with so much still to discover about fungi, who knows what heretofore unknown powers they may possess? Here, a list of just some of the beneficial properties mushrooms are thought to have, and where to find the best blends.

I grew up in a super-traditional immigrant Japanese family where my parents wouldnt give me Tylenol or Advil, says Okusa, who was instead given dark, oozy drinks of mushrooms and dried herbs that had been brewed for days in stone pots. Last year, she launched Apothkary, offering her Immunity Set ($45), a trio of different mushroom powders that draw on the blends of her youth: One pairs reishi with ashwagandha root to reduce inflammation, while another is made purely of ground reishi and meant to be used as a concentrated booster in teas and smoothies by advanced herb users, she says. Reishi by itself can be a bit more difficult, taste and potency wise. Meanwhile, Steven Gundry, a Palm Springs-based cardiologist, has grouped what he calls the big three reishi, chaga and coriolus, the latter two best known for their high antioxidant content and immune support benefits in his Gundry MD M Vitality immune support tonic ($66), drops of which can be applied directly to your tongue. If youd prefer something sweeter, consider Forest Juice ($31), a reishi- and chaga-infused maple syrup from Rainbo, a line of mushroom-based supplements and food products founded by the holistic chef and nutritionist Tonya Papanikolov.

Lions mane, which has the look of a shaggy, faux-fur ottoman, was found in a 2016 study published by the Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine to promote peripheral nerve regeneration in rats. For humans, the mushroom is typically used with the goal of enhancing concentration, memory and mental clarity. It has a mild taste and is fantastic sauted in butter, says Wooden Spoon Herbs founder Lauren Haynes, who gets hers from Oregon and upstate New York. For the brands Mushroom Cocoa powder ($38), a scoop of which can be added to your morning coffee, fruiting bodies of lions mane and other varieties are extracted via a long-simmer method and flavored with vanilla and mesquite. Another option for those hoping to improve recall is Gaia Herbss Mind Spring powder ($35), which contains lions mane and turmeric. Cordyceps, on the other hand, whose stems often resemble Cheetos in both shape and color, may contribute to physical acuity. In the 1993 Olympics, three Chinese runners were screened for steroids, but all the panel found were cordyceps, says the naturopathic doctor Nadia Musavvir. She recommends Four Sigmatics Instant Mushroom Coffee With Chaga and Cordyceps ($15) the chaga is purported to neutralize caffeine jitters.

Tremella is amazing for boosting gut and skin health from the inside out its been revered as a beauty mushroom in Asia for hundreds of years, Stephanie Park, the founder of the Brooklyn supplement label Wylde One, says of the vitamin D-rich variety. Wrapped in single-serving packets, the brands Golden Glow Up ($29) adaptogenic turmeric latte blend contains astragalus and tremella, also known as silver ear mushrooms, along with cardamom, black pepper and digestion-enhancing ginger. Another option is Moon Juices Collagen Protect powdered creamer ($58), which incorporates organic tremella extracts and rice bran-derived tocotrienols, or tocos, natural sources of vitamin E that lend a mildly malty finish. Picking up some raw shiitake mushrooms from your local farmers market might also be a boon: Jeannette Graf, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, says the familiar umbrella cap contains significant levels of vitamin D, selenium and zinc, which help to maintain skin health. And then theres Sun Potions Astragalus the Great Protector ($57), made with ingredients grown wild at high elevations, and filled with polysaccharides, which have long been endorsed as natural aids for hydration and soothing stomach ulcers.

The repeatedly invoked cure-all of functional fungi is reishi. Its most popular and well-known benefits are its ability to reduce stress and fatigue, and, in general, help chill you out, says Lillibridge, who suggests Mlama Mushroomss Reishi Mushroom Extract Powder ($30). When taken consistently, the multitasking queen healer, as reishi is sometimes called, is even believed to help regulate rest cycles: Its been shown to increase deep delta-wave sleep, Lillibridge says. For a soothing nightcap enjoyed half an hour before bed, try the reishi- and valerian root-filled Sleep Superfood Water Enhancer by BareOrganics ($12), which will dissolve in liquid at any temperature, or Kamu Labs Dream nightly sleep drops ($60), which enhance the mushrooms calming effects with those of CBD and California poppy. Its no wonder emperors of the Qing dynasty were said to exchange gifts of ceremonial ruyi scepters sculpted to resemble reishi, the so-called mushroom of immortality.

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Are Mushrooms the Future of Wellness? - The New York Times

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People work out at an exercise station near North Point Park on Lake Michigan Wednesday, March 25, 2020.(Photo: MIKE DE SISTI / MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL)

If your life these days is anything like mine, a pre-pandemic routine that included regular exercise and disciplined eating has probably given way to sedentary evenings on a big chair, binge-watching reruns of your favorite TV series while guzzling chocolate ice cream or mac n cheese.

But lets not beat ourselves up about it. Several doctors I spoke with recently said most of their patients and many of their colleagues are struggling to maintain healthy habits amid the anxiety of the pandemic. The Quarantine 15 (pounds, that is) is a real phenomenon.

The double challenge of protecting our health, including our immune systems, while battling unhealthy temptations is a struggle everyone is dealing with, says Dr. David Kilgore, director of the integrative medicine program at the University of California-Irvine.

Well before COVID-19, more than 40% of U.S. adults were obese, which puts them at risk for COVID-19s worst outcomes. But even people accustomed to physical fitness and good nutrition are having trouble breaking the bad habits theyve developed over the past five months.

Karen Clark, a resident of Knoxville, Tennessee, discovered competitive rowing later in life, and her multiple weekly workouts burned off any excess calories she consumed. But the pandemic changed everything: She could no longer meet up with her teammates to row and stopped working out at the YMCA.

Suddenly, she was cooped up at home. And, as for many people, that led to a more sedentary lifestyle, chained to the desk, with no meetings outside the house or walks to lunch with colleagues.

I reverted to comfort food and comfortable routines and watching an awful lot of Netflix and Amazon Prime, just like everybody else, Clark says. When I gained 10 pounds and I was 25, I just cut out the beer and ice cream for a week. When you gain 12 pounds at 62, its a long road back.

She started along that road in July, when she stopped buying chips, ice cream and other treats. And in August, she rediscovered the rowing machine in her basement.

But dont worry if you lack Clarks discipline, or a rowing machine. You can still regain some control over your life.

A good way to start is to establish some basic daily routines, since in many cases thats exactly what the pandemic has taken away, says Dr. W. Scott Butsch, director of obesity medicine at the Cleveland Clinics Bariatric and Metabolic Institute. He recommends you bookend your day with physical activity, which can be as simple as a short walk in the morning and a longer one after work.

And, especially if you have kids at home who will be studying remotely this fall, prepare your meals at the beginning of the day, or even the beginning of the week, he says.

If you havent exercised in a while, start slow and gradually get yourself up to where you can tolerate an elevated heart rate, says Dr. Leticia Polanco, a family medicine doctor with the South Bay Primary Medical Group, just south of San Diego. If your gym is closed or you cant get together with your regular exercise buddies, there are plenty of ways to get your body moving at home and in your neighborhood, she says.

Go for a walk, a run or a bike ride, if one of those activities appeals to you. Though many jurisdictions across the United States require residents to wear masks when out in public, it may not be necessary and may even be harmful to some people with respiratory conditions while doing strenuous exercise.

Its clearly hard to exercise with a mask on, says Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, a pediatrician specializing in infectious diseases at Stanford Universitys School of Medicine. We go hiking up in the foothills and we take our masks with us and we dont wear them unless somebody starts coming the other way. Then we will put the mask on, and then we take it off and we keep going.

If you prefer to avoid the mask question altogether, think of your house as a cleverly disguised gym. Put on music and dance, or hula-hoop, Polanco suggests. You can also pump iron if you have dumbbells, or find a cable TV station with yoga or other workout programs.

If you search on the internet for exercise videos, you will find countless workouts for beginners and experienced fitness buffs alike. Try one of the seven-minute workout apps so popular these days. You can download them from Google Play or the Apple Store.

If you miss the camaraderie of exercising with others, virtual fitness groups might seem like a pale substitute, but they can provide motivation and accountability, as well as livestreamed video workouts with like-minded exercisers. One way to find such groups is to search for virtual fitness community.

Many gyms are also offering live digital fitness classes and physical training sessions, often advertised on their websites.

If group sports is your thing, you may or may not have options, depending on where you live.

In Los Angeles, indoor and outdoor group sports in municipal parks are shut down until further notice. The only sports allowed are tennis and golf.

In Montgomery County, Maryland, the Ron Schell Draft League, a softball league for men 50 and older, resumes play early this month after sitting out the spring season due to COVID-19, says Dave Hyder, the leagues commissioner.

But he says it has been difficult to get enough players because of worries about COVID.

In the senior group, you have quite a lot of people who are in a high-risk category or may have a spouse in a high-risk category, and they dont want to chance playing, says Hyder, 67, who does plan to play.

Players will have to stay at least 6 feet apart and wear masks while off the field. On the field, the catcher is the only player required to wear a mask. Thats because masks can steam up glasses or slip, causing impaired vision that could be dangerous to base runners or fielders, Hyder explains.

Whatever form of exercise you choose, remember it wont keep you healthy unless you also reduce consumption of fatty and sugary foods that can raise your risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension all COVID-19 risk factors.

Kim Guess, a dietitian at UC-Berkeley, recommends that people lay in a healthy supply of beans and lentils, whole grains, nuts and seeds, as well as frozen vegetables, tofu, tempeh and canned fish, such as tuna and salmon.

Start with something really simple, she said. It could even be a vegetable side dish to go with what theyre used to preparing.

Whatever first steps you decide to take, now is a good time to start eating better and moving your body more.

Staying healthy is so important these days, more than at any other time, because we are fighting this virus which doesnt have a treatment, says the Cleveland Clinics Butsch. The treatment is our immune system.

Bernard J. Wolfson is a writer for Kaiser Health News. This KHN story first published onCalifornia Healthline, a service of the California Health Care Foundation.Kaiser Health News (KHN) is a national health policy news service. It is an editorially independent program of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.

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Exercise and diet are more important than ever with the coronavirus at large - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Last year, there were a lot of think pieces floating around the internet about Americas declining fertility rate. After much hand-wringing and editorializing, some concluded that perhaps the reasons behind fewer pregnancies were complicated at best.

As The Atlantic put it, Whatevers going on, people decide not to have children, or to delay having them, for all sorts of reasons, not always because theyre not interested. According to a survey of healthy, egg-freezing women in the United States and Israel from 2018, the number-one reason these ladies werent popping out babies just yet was not for lack of interest, but for lack of a partner.

Moreover, participants said there was a massive undersupply of college-educated men who are down to commit to things like marriage and kids. Well, amen to that, but in other news, this year we have bigger problems than a dearth of eligible bachelor(ette)s.

Were not sure if youve checked the news lately, but theres a pandemic swirling about, and the prospect of pregnancy might feel a bit daunting, even if you do have someone to shack up with or some other baby-producing arrangement that works for you.

So we spoke with six OB/GYNs to get their thoughts on baby making in the time of the coronavirus, as Mrquez would put it.

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If someone wanted to get pregnant right now, what would your advice be?

If youre under 35 and in good health, Id suggest waiting a year. There is a lot in the works with treatments and vaccines, which could potentially make being pregnant safer for mom and baby. Dr. Felice Gersh, OB/GYN, founder and director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine and author of PCOS SOS Fertility Fast Track

Talk to your OB/GYN about the risks of pregnancy due to COVID-19. Planning a pregnancy is a highly personal decision, and there are [many] factors that play into when a couple decides to conceive, including age, health risks, and professional and personal goals. Dr. Shweta Desai, OB/GYN and Love Wellness advisor

Ensure that both partners have been tested for COVID. There are reports in the literature that COVID has been found in semenand theres a question as to the possibility of it being transmitted sexually.

If there are any comorbid conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension, see a provider to ensure they are optimized, and take folic acid supplementation in the preconception period to decrease the incidence of fetal neural tube defects.

Assess your vitamin D levels, and begin supplementation, particularly if you are a person of colorvitamin D is made in the skin in conjunction with sunlight, and people of color possess melanin, which blocks the production of vitamin D.

Vitamin D is an essential vitamin that has a myriad number of functions in the body, boosts immunity, enhances bone metabolism in both mom and developing fetus, is good for mental and cardiovascular health, and, for pregnant women, may decrease their incidence of preterm birth.

Observing guidelines for mask wearing, social distancing, and keeping hands clean is particularly important for pregnancy, when immunological competence declines. Eat foods which boost immune functiononions, garlic, turmeric, et ceteraand take your prenatal vitamins with Omega-3. Dr. Kecia Gaither, double board-certified in OB/GYN and maternal fetal medicine and director of perinatal services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln

If youre thinking of trying to get pregnant right nowdont panic. Id start by taking a good prenatal vitamin with at least 400 mcg of folate two to three months before [trying to get] pregnant. Being pregnant increases your risk of severe illness from COVID-19 compared to non-pregnant women, so its important to take precautions.

Pregnant womens immune systems are repressed, making them more vulnerable to infections. Its recommended to limit your contact with people as much as possible to reduce exposure. You can also take steps to prevent getting and spreading COVID-19 by wearing a mask and practicing good hygiene when interacting with people.

In addition to pregnancy, many underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and obesity can possibly increase the severity of the disease if exposed. So before you get pregnant, make sure you are in the best possible health you can be. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), theres no documentation of increased risk of miscarriage or fetal malformations in pregnant women who are infected with COVID-19. Dr. Jodie Horton, OB/GYN and chief wellness advisor for Love Wellness

I would say that no one, not even your doctor, can make such an important decision for a woman. There are so many factors that go into the decision to become a parent that its impossible to know what any one woman and her partner may be considering.

There are key questions that go into that decision-making process, including, age, fertility, pre-existing medical conditions, economic, geographical (living close to family or support), healthcare coverage, and career. Connecting the dots for any woman, for any one family, is complex. Dr. Jane van Dis, OB/GYN and medical director at Maven Clinic

My advice is to go and get pregnant with the following precautions: Wash your hands frequently; wear a mask and other recommended PPE (if applicable) at work and in public; maintain physical distancing; and limit contact with other individuals as much as possible.

Whether youre pregnant or not, taking COVID precautions [is] essential. Also, it remains uncommon that COVID will affect the baby if you get the coronavirus. Dr. Zaher Merhi, OB/GYN and fertility expert at New Hope Fertility Center

What if a woman is in her thirties and feels the pressure of time?

Theres a sense that at age 35, womens fertility begins to fall off a cliff, but that isnt the right image or metaphor. The change in fertility rates between, say, 34 and 38 are minimal.

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, women ages 27 to 34 have an 86 percent chance of conceiving in a year, and women ages 35 to 39 have an 82 percent chance of conceiving in one year. How many children youd like to have matters as well.

If a woman at age 35 tells me she would like to have three children, my answer would be: Yes, you should probably start on that journey now. Ideally, women, if they have a cesarean, should wait 18 months between pregnancies, and while three vaginal deliveries is ideal, leaving some wiggle room for unforeseen bumps on a fertility and pregnancy journey is just good planning.

If a woman tells me she wants only one child, then that might change the pressure or calculus for how anxious she should feel. I understand the pressure of time, and I felt it poignantly myself, having had my twins at age 39. Reaching out for mental health support on this journey is also a great idea. Dr. Jane van Dis, OB/GYN and medical director at Maven Clinic

Even in your thirties, my advice to you would be no different now than before the pandemic. I wouldnt delay getting pregnant, but would [suggest that you] discuss your concerns with your doctor. Your prenatal care and delivery will look different, but the quality of the care wont change.

Pregnancy during a pandemic has changed what normal prenatal appointments, ultrasounds, and delivery look like. Many doctors offices are taking precautions to limit possible exposure. Its possible that your partner may not be able to come to all your prenatal visits, including your ultrasounds.

Telehealth has become a popular option in many offices. In the age of technology, we can see low-risk, uncomplicated pregnant patients virtually by video or phone. When its time to deliver, one support person may be allowed to be with you during your hospital stay, as long as your COVID-19 test is negative. Every hospital is different, so its always best to check with your doctor to see the current rules on labor and delivery. Dr. Jodie Horton, OB/GYN and chief wellness advisor for Love Wellness

If age is a major issue and you feel you cant wait even a year, then get as healthy as you can and plan on socially isolating for the duration of the pregnancy and for months afterwards, depending on what happens with the pandemic. Dr. Felice Gersh, OB/GYN, founder and director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine and author of PCOS SOS Fertility Fast Track

If someone is feeling the pressures of time, my advice would be to move forward with trying to conceive if you feel as though its the right time in your life. Dr. Shweta Desai, OB/GYN and Love Wellness advisor

What are the drawbacks of going through pregnancy at this time?

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists did release a statement in June with evidence suggesting that pregnant patients may be at increased risk for severe illness due to COVID-19, such as ICU admission and mechanical ventilation.

They also went on to state that the overall risk of these clinical interventions remains low and that pregnant patients dont appear to be at increased risk of death associated with COVID-19. So its important that pregnant patients take the appropriate precautions to prevent infection, particularly those who are at high risk of exposure. Dr. Shweta Desai, OB/GYN and Love Wellness advisor

The biggest drawback right now is that, public-health-wise, were still in a state of flux, not knowing how long until a vaccine for COVID will be available to healthy, reproductive-age women. [On the plus side], most OB/GYN care is going smoothly, in the prenatal course and in the hospital. We know a lot more about the virus than we did in March or April. Dr. Jane van Dis, OB/GYN and medical director at Maven Clinic

There are definitely risks to mom and baby with the coronavirus. Theres an increased risk of miscarriage, preterm labor, and other pregnancy complications. Pregnant women have become extremely ill, requiring intensive-care therapy.

Pregnancy does modulate the immune system to prevent the moms immune system from attacking the fetus, and this can heighten her risk for a more severe case of COVID. Dr. Felice Gersh, OB/GYN, founder and director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine and author of PCOS SOS Fertility Fast Track

Drawbacks are the inconvenience of going to the doctors office for your OB visits. And if you dont drive, taking public transportation or a taxi could be stressful if not taking the right precautions. My advice is to wear a mask and gloves if you take any public transportation or a taxi. Dr. Zaher Merhi, OB/GYN and fertility expert at New Hope Fertility Center

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What are the benefits of being pregnant right now?

Some pregnant women were able to find the silver lining while pregnant during a pandemic. Many women said they didnt have to hide their growing belly and got to avoid unsolicited comments and advice while in quarantine.

There were also fewer missed workdays from those suffering from nausea and vomiting, since many women are working from home. With flexible hours, women were able to adjust their schedules. Also, having a partner at home to help out was a bonus.

Telehealth appointments were easier to schedule, and many women were happy about no longer having to wait long periods of time to see the doctor. One surprising benefit that many moms have talked about is the number of visitors allowed in the hospital.

Having a baby can be overwhelming. New moms are exhausted and experiencing hormonal and body changes. They appreciated the quiet time to bond with their new baby without entertaining visitors in the hospital. Dr. Jodie Horton, OB/GYN and chief wellness advisor for Love Wellness

Pregnancy is, fundamentally, an act of hope for the future, and I think having that sense of making room for a new life is powerful. Personally, I push through anxiety and fear that I sometimes have about the future in part because the next generation needs to see that sense of hope. Dr. Jane van Dis, OB/GYN and medical director at Maven Clinic

A benefit to being pregnant right now is that if the timing is right for you and your reproductive timeline, then celebrate it! Congratulations, and dont let the pandemic take away from the joy that is pregnancy. Dr. Shweta Desai, OB/GYN and Love Wellness advisor

Working from home is now common, so getting pregnant and working from home could be a benefit. Additionally, staying at home usually means more homemade meals, which are much healthier for the pregnancy than eating in restaurants. Dr. Zaher Merhi, OB/GYN and fertility expert at New Hope Fertility Center

Anything in particular you would advise women to keep in mind if they do decide to go through with pursuing pregnancy right now?

According to the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology (ACOG), studies show that telehealth has provided similar health outcomes compared to traditional prenatal visits. The evidence suggests that the patient-physician relationship isnt compromised, and theres an improvement in patient engagement and satisfaction.

So despite not having all your appointments be in-person, the quality of care you receive will still be the same. Dr. Jodie Horton, OB/GYN and chief wellness advisor for Love Wellness

If youre considering becoming pregnant right now, the most important thing you can do to prepare is to have a conversation with your OB/GYN so that you can be appropriately informed about the risks of pregnancy during this time.

After that, its your reproductive choice, and you [would be] going into it with an informed decision. Personally, as an OB/GYN, I chose to become pregnant during the pandemic as it was the right time for me, and Ive been exercising the appropriate precautions.

I cant wait to welcome my baby girl in December and strongly believe that every woman has the right to choose their own reproductive timeline, as long as they are making an informed decision. Dr. Shweta Desai, OB/GYN and Love Wellness advisor

Id recommend ideally getting in good shape, mentally and physically, before getting pregnant. Meet with your primary care doctor or OB/GYN to address any medical conditions you may have, like asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression and anxiety, or obesity, in order to have the healthiest pregnancy possible. Making sure you have mental health support as well, I think, is key. Dr. Jane van Dis, OB/GYN and medical director at Maven Clinic

Try to do as much telehealth as possible with your doctor. Go to the office only when it is necessary. [Keep in mind that] pregnant women with COVID are not at increased risk of death compared to non-pregnant women with COVID.

If you have comorbidities such as obesity, diabetes, or hypertension, make sure you control those as much as possible before getting pregnant, because COVID in pregnant women with comorbidities can have more complications, such as ICU admission and the use of mechanical ventilation. Dr. Zaher Merhi, OB/GYN and fertility expert at New Hope Fertility Center

Pregnancy unfortunately adds risk to having a coronavirus infection. If you get pregnant, even though you are young and healthy, the risk for a very serious outcome exists and is increased. Pregnancy complications are increased.

Do all you can to avoid catching COVID while pregnant by staying healthy, getting restorative sleep, eating lots of vegetables and fruit, staying fit, and staying calm. Dr. Felice Gersh, OB/GYN, founder and director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine and author of PCOS SOS Fertility Fast Track

Photos: Getty

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What Its Like to Be a New or Expecting Mom Right NowCan I Do My Yearly Well-Woman Visit via Telemedicine?The Truth about Postpartum Anxiety During a Pandemic

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Everything You Need to Know about Getting Pregnant During COVID-19 - Coveteur

Doctor, if this wereyourmother, who would you send her to? Its aquery physicians often hear when they inform the adult child of an elderly parent or a patients spouse, mother, father or sibling that they are referring a relative for care.

The question, of course, reflects the desire to ensure that our loved ones are being diagnosed and treated by highly skilled practitioners. When we want to find the top doctors in aparticular specialty, we ask the people in a position to know best their fellow physicians.

So does Castle Connolly Top Doctors.

Each year for a quarter of a century, Castle Connolly has consulted tens of thousands of physicians across America to obtain their confidential recommendations regarding the Top Doctors in their specialty and region. Those nominations are the first step in a rigorous vetting process described in further detail below a process overseen by the physicians who lead the Castle Connolly research staff.

Physicians cannot pay to be designated a Top Doctor by Castle Connolly. Neither can they nominate themselves. Selection is a matter of meritocracy, pure and (in terms of the steps involved) not-so-simple.

The result is a thoroughly reliable list of Top Doctors that consumers can consult when seeking nearby physicians in various specialties. As in years past, Jerseys Best has partnered with Castle Connolly to provide readers with information on dozens of doctors across the Garden State who have been recommended by their peers and who have met Castle Connollys exacting criteria.

Those criteria are used to evaluate not only physicians professional qualifications, professionalreputationand disciplinary history, but also their interpersonal skills, such as communication, empathy and trustworthiness.

What Does It TakeToGetToTheTop?

While accolades abound in our status-conscious society, physicians recognize that selection as a Top Doctor by Castle Connolly is a hard-won, highly credible honor. As Joseph Feuerstein, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician and integrative medicine specialist who has made the list, noted, The Castle Connolly recognition in medicine is considered by physicians to be the only legitimate recognized category of excellence in American medicine.

The effort to identify physicians who merit that recognition begins with Castle Connolly sending out an annual survey asking thousands of licensed medical doctors (MDs) and doctors of osteopathy (DOs) across the United States to nominate their peers for consideration.

The process is anonymous and confidential. Each invitee is assigned a unique access code to the nomination website to ensure that doctors do not nominate themselves.Hospital presidents,CEOsand vice presidents of medical affairs at hospitals nationwide also are invited to take part in nominating doctors. Further, Castle Connolly communicates with hospitals marketing departments to publicize the annual survey and encourage participation.

In New Jersey, 2,229 distinct doctors received 5,413 nominations.

After a doctor has been nominated, Castle Connollys physician-led research teams evaluate the practitioner in terms of:

Once selected and approved by Castle Connollys editors, chief medical officer, chief research officer and research staff, each Top Doctor submits a comprehensive, professional biography.

Doctors Need Periodic Check-Ups, Too

Castle Connollys Top Doctors list is updated annually. It also can be revised in between those yearly updates if a physicians status should change. However, a doctors removal from a Castle Connolly list does not necessarily indicate something negative about the physician.

Reasons for removal include:

Similarly, while a Castle Connolly Top Doctors list is quite comprehensive, it does not encompass every excellent physician in the area or specialty covered. Rather, the list is apowerful tool patientscan use as they pursue the best care available. In addition to consulting the Top Doctors list, health care consumers also should weigh factors including:

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, more than 27,000 physicians were practicing in New Jersey in 2018, the last year for which statistics are available. Roughly one in three of those clinicians 8,705, to be exact was a primary care physician, while the rest practiced in specialties such as allergy/immunology, cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, oncology,orthopaedicsurgery, psychiatry, pulmonology and more.

New Jersey residents are fortunate to have many options when seeking medical care. Jerseys Best is proud to provide this years list of Castle Connolly Top Doctors to help readers find the physician who is tops for them. To see if your doctor is on the powerhouse list, click here (starts on page J88). To find a Top Doctor near you, click here.

Read more from the original source:
Top Doctors of N.J.: Meet the physicians who have achieved 'excellence in medicine' - Jersey's Best

Wednesday, 16 September 2020, 6:05 amPress Release: Australasian Integrative Medicine Association

Integrative medicine specialists are lobbying theAustralian and New Zealand governments to incorporateintegrative medicine into national health policy.

Twoof Australasias leading integrative medicineorganisations ACNEM and AIMA have written to state andfederal health ministers requesting a meeting to discussinclusion of evidence-based, cost- effective interventionsto improve public health.

200 integrative doctors andmore than 400 health practitioners have signed the letterwhich requests the inclusion of integrative medicine totreat chronic disease and improve immunity.

The letterIntegrativeMedicine: Essential to support the fight against COVID-19requests a meeting with health departments tooutline the evidence supporting integrative healthtreatments in reducing inflammation and increasing immunity(such as Vitamin D and Zinc) in response to COVID-19.

Chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovasculardisease and hypertension are important co-factors in themorbidity of COVID-19 patients. The petition states poornutrition and micronutrient depletion to be common in theseconditions and urges the Government to consider improvedhealth directives to boost societal immune function toprotect people from COVID-19 and other emergingviruses.

We are doctors wanting the best possibleoutcomes for our patients based on evidence and individualcare, AIMA President Dr Penny Caldicottsaid.

Now is the time to offer up our resources,skills and research to support the community to buildresilience not only to COVID-19 but also to the many chronicdiseases affecting our health.

Integrative medicalpractice successfully combines evidence-based nutritional,environmental and conventional strategies to treat chronicdisease and improve patient immunity, two crucial co-factors in the fight against COVID-19.

ACNEM PresidentDr Ron Ehrlich said integrative medicine can better preparehumanity for the novel viruses of the 21stCentury:

Government must acknowledge the future ofhealthcare lies with an integrative medicine approach. Aninvestment in this approach is an investment in our economyand our future, he said.

We are wanting aconversation with the Government to improve the health ofall people. We want to build a society which cares deeplyabout health and wellbeing for future generations. Byworking collaboratively with medicine and science we canachieve the best outcomes forall.

Scoop Media

Become a member Find out more

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Doctors Demand Integrative Medicine Be Incorporated Into National Health Policy - Scoop.co.nz

Frontier Nursing University hosts virtual event in celebration of National Midwifery Week.

Versailles, KY, Sept. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National Midwifery Week is the first week of October, and Frontier Nursing University (FNU) is celebrating by hosting a virtual event from Oct. 5-8, called Empower 2020: Year of the Nurse and the Midwife.

The event features four free sessions, including two continuing education opportunities, presented by FNU faculty, students, and alumni on the latest practices and topics influencing nurse-midwifery care:

Its the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife: Get the 411 on Becoming a Nurse-Midwife is for midwifery students or anyone who is considering becoming a nurse-midwife. Participants will hear from current midwifery students about their experiences and have the opportunity to ask questions during this live session.

Midwifery Pearls of Telehealth will provide an overview of telehealth from a midwifery perspective with special emphasis on the areas of patient engagement, group care, provider satisfaction and best practices for meeting compliance requirements.

Hot Topics in the Management of Perimenopause & Menopause: A Conventional & Integrative Approach will provide a review of the most common conventional and evidence-based integrative medicine interventions used during perimenopause and menopause.

Maternal and infant mortality affects black and indigenous women at a much higher rate than other races. In Racial Disparities in Maternity Care: Where Do We Go From Here?, FNU Assistant Professor Dr. Heather Clarke and FNU President Dr. Susan Stone will review the issues related to health care disparities and discuss how midwives can engage in meaningful strategies for change.

The World Health Organization (WHO) designated 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife in honor of the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingales birth. The designation brings awareness to the importance of nurses and midwives in the health and care of populations across the globe. According to the WHO, the world needs nine million more nurses and midwives to achieve universal health coverage by 2030.

Southern Cross Insurance Solutions is sponsoring the 2020 virtual event. National Midwifery Week was created by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) to celebrate and recognize midwives and midwife-led care. ACNM and its 7,000+ midwife members, physicians and womens health organizations observe National Midwifery Week each year. Dr. Cathy Collins-Fulea, FNU course faculty member and DNP graduate, is currently serving as president of the ACNM Board of Directors.

Frontier Nursing University is the birthplace of nurse-midwifery in the United States and has 80 years of experience in delivering graduate nursing and midwifery programs. This is the sixth consecutive year FNU has hosted a virtual event in support of National Midwifery Week.

Register for the Empower 2020: Year of the Nurse and the Midwife virtual event and learn more at Frontier.edu/MidwiferyWeek.

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FNU is passionate about educating nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners to serve women and families in all communities, especially rural and underserved areas. FNU offers graduate Nurse-Midwifery and Nurse-Practitioner distance education programs that can be pursued full- or part-time with the students home community serving as the classroom. Degrees and options offered include Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Post-Graduate Certificates. To learn more about FNU and the programs and degrees offered, please visit Frontier.edu.

Link:
Frontier Nursing University Virtual Event to Focus on Telehealth and Racial Disparities in Maternity Care - GlobeNewswire