September 3rd, 2010 You’ve probably heard of omega-3 fatty acids, the nutrients that make fish oil so healthy. You may even have heard of particular ones, such as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) or EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid).
Continue reading at Los Angeles Times.
August 27th, 2010 According to ancient Chinese legend, black rice was so rare, tasty, and nutritious that only the emperors were allowed to eat it.
Times have changed. Although black rice is still relatively rare, researchers are trying to bring its distinctive flavor and mix of antioxidants to the masses — or at least to a grocery store near you.
Continue reading at CNN.
August 19th, 2010 The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) just held its 25th annual convention in Portland, OR. This event is a great opportunity for naturopathic physicians (NDs) to stay up-to-date on the latest news, research, and clinical pearls as well as to celebrate the steady growth of our profession. This year’s convention was full of exciting news.
One of the most exciting was the announcement of a $3.1 million grant awarded to study complementary and integrative care for breast cancer patients. The grant, awarded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), was given to Bastyr University and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA.
Bastyr University, founded in 1978, is a pioneer in naturopathic medicine and natural health sciences. In February 2009, they opened the Bastyr Integrative Oncology Research Center (BIORC). The center’s mission is to improve quality of life in individuals living with cancer; reduce the risk of cancer recurrence; and track the effectiveness of complementary, alternative, and integrative therapies in treating the disease. The center offers comprehensive support for patients in each stage of the cancer experience – from diagnosis to treatment decisions and restoration of immune function and health when conventional treatment is complete. Participants receive care from licensed naturopathic physicians, dietitians, acupuncturists, and mind-body counselors, all of whom have advanced oncology training.
This research grant will allow clinical investigators at Bastyr University and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center to follow outcomes of women diagnosed with breast cancer. They will compare the women who received standard treatment alone with those who received standard treatment along with integrative care at Bastyr.
Integrative cancer care is making its way into the most prestigious cancer treatment centers worldwide. The opportunity to thoroughly investigate all the benefits to patients is a great stride for naturopathic medicine. Funding for integrative medicine research and clinical trials has historically been low. This grant is an opportunity to provide patients with more information on the benefits of naturopathic medicine.
For more information:
Integrative Cancer Care in Indiana
Goshen Center for Cancer Care – www.cancer.goshenhealth.org
Cancer Care Partners – www.cancercarepartners.org
Naturopathic Oncology
Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians – www.oncanp.org
Bastyr Integrative Oncology Research Center (BIORC) – www.bastyr.edu/research/BIORC
August 19th, 2010 In the United States, more patients are turning to alternative and complementary medicine as part of their health care. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health say that nearly 40 percent of adults have used some type therapy that isn’t taught in medical schools. But more than 40 U.S. universities, including Stanford, UCLA, Duke and The George Washington University have integrative medicine centers.
July 29th, 2010 The family sitting in front of me is here for their father, George, who two weeks ago was diagnosed with cancer. The lump in George’s throat, that was originally thought to be an infection, continued to grow despite antibiotics. After a referral to a physician who performed a biopsy, George and his family were told the lump was cancer. George knows he’s looking at seven weeks of radiation treatment to the right side of his neck and tonsils. The Radiation Oncologist, the physician who’ll be monitoring George’s radiation treatments, has already warned him and his family that radiation therapy to the head and neck can be difficult: dry mouth, hoarseness, taste changes, pain and difficulty swallowing are just some of the complications George could experience.
July 27th, 2010 Insulin, the well-known blood sugar hormone, may have a newly discovered function in the body that will rattle your bones—regulating skeletal growth and breakdown.
Continue Reading at Scientific American.
July 24th, 2010 It’s not your family’s health that is at risk from everyday household cleaners. Phosphates, volatile organic compounds, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, or EDTA are harmful to the environment, which pretty much means they are harmful to all of us. WebMD has a good article about keywords to look for on packaging: Read more…
July 22nd, 2010 Green cleaning is a smart and easy way to protect your family from indoor pollutants, and it’s also good for the planet. Harmful chemicals are found in common household cleaners, as well as air fresheners, beauty and laundry products. These chemicals can cause headaches, skin and respiratory irritation, allergies, and cancer. Even the so called “natural” products aren’t always safe, so be cautious and learn to read labels to recognize potential harmful ingredients. It’s so simple to switch over to natural and earth-friendly cleaning supplies…you may already have many of them in your kitchen!
July 14th, 2010 The Obama administration on Wednesday will unveil new rules specifying which preventive health services will be free to consumers under the new health law.
Cancer screenings, including mammograms and colonoscopies, as well as obesity prevention services, immunizations, blood pressure screenings and tobacco cessation services are among those that will be available to consumers without a copayment or other direct costs for consumers on new health plans after Sept. 23.
Continue Reading at Wall Street Journal.
July 12th, 2010 Improved living and diet habits — including lots of physical activity, regular tea-drinking and sufficient vitamin D levels — could reduce the risk of brain decline, according to three studies presented Sunday.
“These are encouraging,” says William Thies, chief medical and scientific officer of the Alzheimer’s Association. “These types of studies make people think, ‘Well gosh, maybe I can do something about this disease.’ ”
Continue reading at USA Today.