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Archive for the ‘Integrative Medicine’ Category

Column: Medical innovation in WNY continues, with wide implications – Buffalo News

Tuesday, January 28th, 2020

Forget chicken wings for a moment when it comes to Buffalo inventions.

Dr. Frank Hastings Hamilton tried the first successful skin graft here in 1854 at Sisters Hospital.

Wilson Greatbatch created the first implantable pacemaker in 1958, while tinkering in his barn.

Groundbreaking research in the 1970s by researcher T. Ming Chu at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center led to the creation of the standard screening test for prostate cancer.

Researchers in the region today predict more groundbreaking innovations to come.

Collectively, we have transformed Western New York from a place with individual pockets of research excellence, each doing their own thing, into a rich and stimulating community, powered by researchers and innovators building on each others expertise and taking their work in new directions, said Dr. Michael E. Cain, dean of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo.

The Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus in spaces that include the Jacobs Institute, UB Clinical and Translational Science Institute, and Roswell Park help make it so.

The Jacobs Institute is named for Dr. Lawrence D. Jacobs, a world-renowned neurologist who advanced multiple sclerosis care. A drug his work in Buffalo helped develop is made in Boston because this region didnt have the medical infrastructure to carry out full development and manufacturing.

We're bringing some of the best innovative startup ideas in the world to Buffalo, cultivating them here, and trying to get these technology companies to advance to the prototype stage with the hope that theyll someday commercialize their technologies here, said William J. Maggio, the institute's CEO.

In 2016, the institute was designated a 3D Printing Center of Excellence in Health Care by Israeli-based Stratasys Ltd., a leading 3D printing manufacturer. In early 2018, the institute created an Idea to Reality Center, known as i2R, to foster collaboration between entrepreneurs, doctors, engineers and researchers.

UB and Kaleida Health established what is now known as the Clinical and Translational Science Institute in 2012, on the floors above the Jacobs and Gates Vascular institutes and alongside Buffalo General Medical Center, to bring researchers from several university departments closer to doctors and patients.

One successful outcome: University departments of biomedical informatics and microbiology are investigating using low-level electrical stimulation to thwart infection at prosthetic device sites (think knee and hip joint replacements), an effort bolstered by a $500,000 Department of Defense grant to work with Garwood Medical Devices, a Buffalo company, to fast track an FDA-approved device to market.

Roswell Park continues innovation it started in 1898, when it became the first hospital in the nation completely focused on cancer.

Last June, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, based on the work of researcher Ben Seon, approved Polivy, a chemotherapy/immunotherapy course for patients with an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

A team led by Dr. Kunle Odunsi, executive director of the Center for Immunotherapy, continues work on a process to remove patient cancer cells, re-engineer them and inject them into the same patients to bolster an immune defense against cancer.

Lung, brain, ovarian, breast, melanoma and sarcoma tumors are among those that could one day succumb to these "cellular immunotherapies" being developed at Roswell and by Odunsi and others in spinoff company Tactiva Therapeutics, also on the medical campus.

Meanwhile, Dr. Carl Morrison, Roswell Park senior vice president of scientific development and integrative medicine, directs the lab at a Buffalo subsidiary he helped found, OmniSeq, which tests the genetic makeup of cancer tumor biopsies to give oncologists a better sense of what treatments will be least and most effective.

Precision medicine was born out of lung cancer and melanoma, two major cancer killers which, when found in late stages, usually limited survival to six months.

Today in melanoma, in 35% to 40% of people were starting to think about the word cure, Morrison said. "And at least now, a significant percentage of lung cancer [patients], probably up to 30% to 40%, are pushing along into a chronic disease where your survival is in the range of at least five years.

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The Divine Feminine and the Power to Change the World – SFGate

Tuesday, January 28th, 2020

By Deepak Chopra, MD

The time has come to think about womens power and not just womens rights. When the New York Times editorial board recently split over which Democratic presidential candidate to endorse, the debate was over two women, and eventually both Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar were selected. This is a sign of our collective exhaustion with a president who expresses the most extreme and worst aspects of masculine behavior. The best hope for turning the tide is said to be the suburban womens vote, which already showed its power in the 2018 mid-term elections.

But something much deeper is going on. Masculine behavior has run its course as the model for power. The arms race, world wars, civil conflicts, and an insane buildup of atomic bombs symbolize masculine aggression reaching some kind of apex that is also a dead end. The urge to fight and to turn competitors into enemies, nations into armed fortresses, and everyone into winners and losers wont save a planet that needs emergency medicine.

We find ourselves in a drastic state of imbalance because one entire half of the human psyche, the feminine, has been suppressed, violated, or ignored. The human mind isnt a chaotic morass. For at least 30,000 years, dating back to the rapid evolution of the higher brain, Homo sapiens has lived by themes and motifs that guide our actions. The pioneering psychiatrist Carl Jung called these concentrated themes archetypes, but there is no need for special jargonat this moment every person taps into the same themes tht permeate civilization back to its roots.

As modern people we see ourselves as beyond mythology, and in fact superior to myths, which feel superstitious and irrational. But if you look at the Greek goddessesAphrodite, Hera, Athena, Demeter, and moreeach symbolizes a divine feminine energy that must be included in a complete human being, no matter of what gender, or even without gender if that is a conscious choice.

The most basic listing of the divine feminine indicates instantly what is missing on the world stage right now. The leading qualities of the feminine are

Mothering, the source of tenderness, affection, nonjudgmental acceptance, and nurturing.

Abundance, the freely given gifts of food and water supplied by the earth.

Beauty in every form.

Sexual charm and attraction.

Inspiration, in the form of intuition, insight, and the muses that inspire art and music.

Peace, the impulse to live as a family in harmony.

If the ancient Greeks, Indians, and Chinese could identify and express all of the qualities, not to mention valuing them as divine attributes, how advanced are we who turn our backs on them? There is a concerted call for more women leaders because the rampant behavior of out-of-control masculine energies cannot be tolerated any longer. But the whole point of calling feminine energies divine is that they apply to everyone.

The most reviled leaders in modern history are Hitler and Stalin, neither of whom had the slightest trace of the feminine and whose pure masculinity doomed tens of millions of people to death and suffering. The most revered leaders were Lincoln and Gandhi, both of them repositories of peace and reconciliation. (They both wore shawls,, a gesture toward womens dress, and Gandhi sat beside a loom, which became the central symbol of Indias flag.)

The choice to express masculine and feminine energies has been unbalanced for a long time. As one psychologist wryly noted, from kindergarten onward boys are trained to be winners who wield power while girls gain their worth by attracting men who are winners and wield power. Daring to break out of the mold of the second sex has carried social disapproval and rejection as a constant threat.

All of this is well known, and the modern womens movement has strived to redress the imbalances that society has tolerated and encouraged. But even when more women assume leadership roles, as they are doing and will continue to, if men dont respect the feminine archetype, they will never allow it to be part of themselves. The painful truth is that the same men who were motived to kill 100,000,000 people in the twentieth century are just as wiling to kill the planet.

The so-called goddess movement has been vital for several decades but still exists on the fringes. Its most basic aim is to give a woman a sense of self-esteem and worth in her own right, not as an adjunct to a man. This message has widely taken hold in developed countries and has seeped, with aching slowness, into the less privileged world. The next step should be simultaneously personal, social, and spiritual. It should be a movement toward wholeness for everyone.

You cannot make yourself whole; you can only realize the wholeness that has always been inside you. We all live right now in separation, not primarily because of political divisions but because we are divided in ourselves. The divided self tries to live as if one half of itself, the masculine, stands for the whole. It doesnt and never will.

Everyone needs to take steps to express the suppressed aspects of wholeness. Right now the suppressed aspects are feminine, which has been true for centuries. But wholeness cant be destroyed, only hidden. You are the agent of peace, nurturing, abundance, beauty, and inspiration. You either express these values or you dont. The choice involves a conscious decision, and when enough people make the decision, the world will change. Everyone needs to look to the divine feminine. This is the dominant challenge that faces every society, and the future of humanity depends upon meeting the challenge as consciously and as soon as possible.

DEEPAK CHOPRA MD, FACP, founder of The Chopra Foundation, a non-profit entity for research on well-being and humanitarianism, and Chopra Global, a modern-day health company at the intersection of science and spirituality, is a world-renowned pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation. He is a Clinical Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of California, San Diego and serves a senior scientist at Gallup Organization. Chopra is the author of over 89 books translated into over forty-three languages, including numerous New York Times bestsellers. His 90th book and national bestseller, Metahuman: Unleashing Your Infinite Potential (Harmony Books), unlocks the secrets to moving beyond our present limitations to access a field of infinite possibilities. TIME magazine has described Dr. Chopra as one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century.

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Learning Which Type of Meditation is Best for Your Wellbeing – Chiang Rai Times

Tuesday, January 28th, 2020

In the past few years, meditation has become a highly recommended and widely practiced solution to all sorts of physical and mental health issues. If you are interested in meditation but have no idea where to begin, you certainly arent alone. Many of people become overwhelmed in choosing the right type of meditation and have trouble deciding which one is best for them.

In this practice, you will be lead through a meditation that aims to encourage feelings of love and kindness towards everything in your life. This includes negative feelings of anxiety, stress or anger. You will begin by trying to open your mind into a receptive state that allows you to receive love and kindness. You will then send messages of love and kindness out into the world to specific people or feelings.

This type of meditation can help those struggling with feelings of frustration, resentment or with a particular noxious relationship.

One of the most popular forms of meditation, mindfulness aims to bring awareness and acceptance to the practitioner. The guide will lead you a series of instructions that encourage you to remain present in the current moment. This type of meditation can also be practiced unguided, and many people choose to practice mindfulness throughout their day as they go about their daily tasks.

This type of meditation can help with anxiety caused by dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. It has also been proven to help improve negativity, focus and memory.

You may find a body scan is included in other forms of meditation, but it is also available on its own. In this meditation, you will focus on your breath before working to release various areas of tension throughout the body. Ideally, the practice leads to a state of both physical and mental relaxation.

This type of meditation can help with stress and insomnia.

Kundalini is both a form of meditation and yoga. It is a moving form of meditation in which you will move through a series of postures while focusing the mind on the breath and on a series of mantras.

This type of meditation can help with bodily pain, depression and anxiety.

Transcendental meditation may be what first comes to mind when you imagine meditation. It involves sitting in a still position while attempting to remove oneself, or transcend, above the immediate circumstances and the immediate state of being. You will focus your mind on a single mantra or a repeated word or phrase. In most cases, the teacher will determine this mantra.

This type of meditation can lead to spiritual experiences and mindfulness.

Hopefully this list has helped you to determine which type of meditation might be best for you. If you are still unsure which form of meditation will help you personally. Its also a good idea to try visiting an integrated healthcare center. Where they can address any physical or mental ailments you may have simultaneously.

Click here for more information about integrative medicine doctors from Phoenix.

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Dr. Dori Borjesson named dean of the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine – WSU News

Tuesday, January 28th, 2020

Dr. Dori Borjesson

PULLMAN, Wash. Dr. Dori Borjesson, chair of the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology at the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, has been selected as the new dean of the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine.

Borjesson was chosen following a nationwide search to replace Dr. Bryan Slinker, who had announced plans to retire before being tapped to serve as interim provost. She will assume her new responsibilities leading WSUs cutting-edge veterinary, biosciences and global health departments on July 20.

The strength of Washington State Universitys research and its potential to impact communities locally and across the globe impressed me during the interview process, as did its dynamic clinical programs and the Washington-Idaho-Montana-Utah Regional Program in Veterinary Medicine, Borjesson said.

Im looking forward to building on Dr. Slinkers tremendous tenure of leadership, she continued. The enthusiasm for WSU among the community is impressive, and I look forward to building on that momentum.

In addition to her role as a department chair and full professor at UC Davis, Borjesson works as a clinical pathologist and is actively engaged in clinical service and laboratory test development. She served as the inaugural director of the Veterinary Institute for Regenerative Cures from 2015 to 2019 and continues to direct the Clinical Regenerative Medicine Laboratory.

Dr. Borjesson brings an important combination of strengths and experience to make her the right leader for the college, Slinker said. Shes a long-serving, highly regarded, and very effective academic leader, and an excellent clinician/scientist, at an aspirational peer institution. This background, combined with her intellectual rigor, openness, and compassion make her a great fit to lead the college in its next phase of growth and development as one of the nations top veterinary colleges.

Borjesson said shes thrilled to meet with WSU students, staff and faculty, as well as meeting with college and university stakeholders in the near future.

Being from the Pacific Northwest, this feels like a homecoming, said Borjesson, who was raised in Portland, Ore. Increasing engagement and outreach across the state is a top priority for me upon taking up this new role. In addition to engagement and strategic planning, Im also eager to face some of the critical issues facing members of the veterinary profession, including student debt and enhancing the well-being of our faculty, students and staff.

Among her more notable research contributions is using large animal models of disease to study cell therapy for inflammatory diseases.

Borjesson holds two patents in the area of mesenchymal stem cells and immunomodulation and has contributed to more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, and in 2014 received the Zoetis Research Excellence Award. Alongside her own work, she has mentored more than three dozen veterinary residents and graduate students.

She and her colleague Dr. Aijun Wangs work with stem cells was highlighted in an extensive piece in the Los Angeles Times in 2018 about UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.

Borjesson received her undergraduate education from the Colorado College in 1988, her Master in Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from UC Davis in 1995. She completed a residency at UC Davis in clinical pathology in 1999, followed by her PhD in comparative pathology at the Center for Comparative Medicine at UC Davis in 2002.

After completing her PhD, Borjesson accepted an assistant professorship at the University of Minnesota, where she worked for four years before returning to UC Davis as an associate professor in 2006. She became a full professor in 2012. She has led the Integrative Pathobiology Graduate Group at UC Davis and is actively engaged in veterinary and graduate student curriculum development, teaching and mentoring.

Established in 1899, the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine is proud of its distinguished past as one of the oldest veterinary colleges in the United States. It is equally proud of its contemporary leadership nationally in offering programs for student wellness, its Teaching Academy, which leads its commitment to advancing the state of the art in both health professions and STEM education, and its research and graduate education programs. The breadth of research to discover foundational knowledge and to conduct research targeted to improve animal and human health both domestically and around the world places it in the top 10% of veterinary colleges in receipt of competitive federal research funding.

Phil Weiler, vicepresident for marketing and communications, 5093351221, phil.weiler@wsu.edu

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‘The Goop Lab’ and other controversial documentaries: Why Netflix is facing criticism for promoting ‘pseudoscience’ – Yahoo Lifestyle

Tuesday, January 28th, 2020

Netflix is stirring up controversy by giving Gwyneth Paltrow a platform to share what several critics are calling pseudoscience with her new show, The Goop Lab, which debuted this week.

The show, which Netflix files under provocative and quirky, is described as the following: Leading with curiosity, Gwyneth Paltrow and her goop team look at psychedelics, energy work and other challenging wellness topics.

The topics being tackled in the series range from energy healing, psychic mediums and orgasm workshops to taking psychedelics as a form of therapy and plunging into freezing water to stimulate the immune system.

Along with the Daily Beast calling the show a nightmare, Time writer Judy Berman writes: As with the brand itself, whats disturbing about the show is that when you combine Gwyneths aura of trustworthiness with a mishmash of real science, New Age nonsense, vague female empowerment rhetoric, naked commercialism and some startling knowledge gaps in areas where Goop claims expertise, the result has its unique dangers.

Related Video: Gwyneth Paltrows The Goop Lab: Fact-Checking the Health Claims

But in the shows defense, some of the featured wellness practices are supported by science. In one episode, for example, it appears that Paltrow is getting a PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, facial (what some call a vampire facial, which is a trademarked term) an anti-aging treatment thats popular with celebrities.

With the facial, venous blood is taken from the patient and separated into the cellular component and the plasma component, Nava Greenfield, MD, of Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City, explains to Yahoo Lifestyle. The plasma is then injected or topically applied back to the patient in specific locations. It can be used for hair loss, or in combination with microneedling for the face. Microneedling is a popular procedure where tiny needles are used to induce a specific kind of injury to the first and second layer of skin, promoting collagen synthesis. When used in combination with PRP, superior results are often obtained.

Although it may sound out there, the facial stimulates the production of collagen to help tighten, smooth, and improve skin tone, according to the Cleveland Clinic. As with any injection, the treatment does carry a small risk of bleeding, pain or infection, but is considered safe.

In another episode, people really, Goops employees who have volunteered to try these experimental wellness treatments take psychedelic drugs, leaving one employee sobbing on the floor and then later saying, I went through years of therapy in about five hours.

David Spiegel, MD, director of the Stanford Center for Integrative Medicine, tells Yahoo Lifestyle that theres actually some interesting research on the psychotherapeutic effects of psychedelics (such as MDMA and magic mushrooms), with one 2018 National Institutes of Health study calling the therapy potentially life-preserving. Some clinical trials are showing it helps with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression in people nearing the end of life, he says. It can help people come to terms with impending death.

But Spiegel emphasizes that psychedelic drugs need to be used in a controlled setting and in combination with psychotherapy for these mental health benefits.

Gwyneth Paltrow getting a PRP (or platelet rich plasma) facial on an episode of Netflix's The Goop Lab. (Screenshot: Netflix)

Still, plenty criticize The Goop Lab (or really, anything Goop or Gwyneth Paltrow-related, for that matter), and question the legitimacy and safety of some of the practices in the series, pointing out the lack of objective experts. But while many may view the decision as an oversight, Elise Loehnen, chief content officer at Goop and executive producer of The Goop Lab, suggested to Fast Company that it was deliberate: We felt like we would be manufacturing drama by trying to find a detractor.

Timothy Caulfield, research chair in health law and policy and professor in the Faculty of Law and School of Public Health at the University of Alberta in Canada has been vocal about his criticism of The Goop Lab, writing on Twitter that the series is an infomercial for [Paltrows] pseudoscience business a business worth an estimated $250 million.

The topics covered are classic wellness woo: a mashup of the supernatural, spiritual and science-y, Caulfield tells Yahoo Lifestyle. Some topics, like the cold therapy, use the familiar strategy of a powerful testimonial the 'inventor Wim Hof with an extreme experience cold! and a dash of scientific speculation to make it seem credible.

Spiegel is also wary of the series, telling Yahoo Lifestyle: Goop is her company so its an infomercial, basically. Shes a great actress, but that doesn't make her an expert on these so-called treatments. Its fine to explore things as long as you dont pretend your exploration is more than what it is. I dont like the pretense of it being a scientific examination.

Several other doctors, most notably Jennifer Gunter, MD, have repeatedly called out Paltrow and Goop in the past for what Business Insider calls scientifically indefensible and potentially harmful health information and products, including the now-famous jade and rose quartz vaginal eggs. Goop claimed the stone eggs provided health benefits when inserted vaginally namely, balance their hormones, regulate menstrual cycles, prevent uterine prolapse and increase bladder control, according to the Los Angeles Times. But after a lawsuit was filed by 10 state prosecutors in California over advertisements not backed by competent and reliable scientific evidence, the company ended up paying $145,000 in civil penalties. (Jade eggs, $66, are currently unavailable on the site.)

Goop has some fine advice, for example, [in] an article on sleep on their site, Gunter said in a statement provided to Yahoo Lifestyle. They also distribute some dangerous advice, for example drinking goats milk to treat parasites (the parasites are non-existent). When good information is next to harmful and presented in the same way, how can people distinguish? In addition, they sell useless and potentially harmful products, such as supplements.

Gunter continued: Finally, they have used their international platform to advance harmful ideas, many of which are medical conspiracy theories. For example, bras cause breast cancer (they don't), fears about vaccine safety and concerns about fluoride, adding, The supplements are not supported by science. At all. The idea that a medium can help with health is as anti-science as one can be; it is the definition of snake oil. So you'll have to ask Goop for the science behind their myriad of false claims.

Critics are concerned that those misleading claims will now have an even bigger platform on The Goop Lab, with Netflixs 167 million subscribers worldwide. Ars Technicas Beth Mole writes that, on the show, Paltrows ignorance and lack of critical thinking skills are on full display as a parade of questionable experts with the noted exception of sex educator Betty Dodson, PhD and ridiculous claims about health and science march across the small screen unchallenged.

Caulfield tells Yahoo Lifestyle, The spreading of misinformation can have a real impact. Just being exposed to this nonsense can make it seem more plausible, especially if it is packaged in a memorable manner.

He adds, I also think that a show like this adds more noise to an already confused health information environment. In this age of misinformation, it is disappointing to see an entity like Goop, which has a long history of profiting from misinformation, have the opportunity to push more pseudoscience. We shouldn't forget that Goop and Gwyneth benefit financially from the growth of their brand, which is what this show does. It is an infomercial for Goop, not an independent science-informed documentary.

Critics have also called out Netflix, saying this isnt the first time the streaming service has created controversy with its health documentaries. As HuffPost U.K. (HuffPost U.K. and Yahoo are owned by the same parent company, Verizon Media) put it: The streaming service has a history of producing irresponsible health programs that could potentially affect viewers.

In 2019, RealClearScience.com posted a list of multiple shows that have aired on Netflix, which the publication dubbed anti-science documentaries, while the American Council on Science and Health shared their own list back in 2017. The documentaries called out include What the Health, Cowspiracy and The Magic Pill.

In What the Health, Vox wrote that the film cherry-picks studies about nutrition and often exaggerates their findings or reports them out of context, to drive home his case for veganism and cranks the food fear sirens to irresponsibly high levels, such as claiming that eating processed meats is as bad for you as smoking.

As Vox points out, theres a causal link between eating processed meat and certain types of cancer in humans, chiefly colorectal cancer. But the actual risk is quite modest and far, far smaller than the cancer risks from smoking. According to the World Health Organization, processed meat has been classified in the same category as causes of cancer such as tobacco smoking and asbestos... but this does NOT mean that they are all equally dangerous.

In The Magic Pill, Australian chef Pete Evans claims that the popular keto diet can treat type 2 diabetes, cancer and autism. Michael Gannon, then president of the Australian Medical Association (AMA), called The Magic Pill hurtful, harmful and mean and compared it to the controversial film, Vaxxed, telling the West Australian in 2017 that both films were competing in the awards for the films least likely to contribute to public health.

In 2018, the current AMA president, Tony Bartone, MD, shared his own opinion about The Magic Pill, telling the Sydney Morning Herald: All forms of media have to take a responsible attitude when trying to spread a message of wellness. Netflix should do the responsible thing. They shouldn't screen it. The risk of misinformation... is too great.

While noting that Netflix has some incredible documentaries, HuffPosts Todd Van Luling (HuffPost and Yahoo are owned by the same parent company, Verizon Media) writes that many of the documentaries the streaming service adds each month make dubious claims that wouldnt withstand scrutiny from a fact-checker.

But in at least one case, Netflix appears to have listened to critics by pulling the documentary, Root Cause, in March 2019, which came under fire after several medical organizations, including the American Dental Association, said the film falsely links the root canal procedure to breast cancer and heart disease, employing baseless claims gleaned from discredited 1920s research, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Yahoo Lifestyle reached out to Netflix for comment but has not yet heard back.

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Research thrives at Mindfulness Center – The Brown Daily Herald

Tuesday, January 28th, 2020

As students take a step into another year and another semester, exams and busy schedules, the Mindfulness Center at Brown continues to connect University researchers from diverse areas of study.

The Mindfulness Centers mission is to develop research and provide evidence-based mindfulness programs that are inspiring and accessible to communities worldwide, said Eric Loucks, director of the Mindfulness Center and associate professor of epidemiology, behavioral and social sciences and medicine. Its principal aims are in research, mindfulness programs, training experts in the field and collaborating with other organizations to produce system-wide impacts, he added.

Mindfulness involves increasing peoples awareness of their emotions and bodily reactions so that they may alter their behavior as needed, said Jud Brewer, the director of research and innovation at the Mindfulness Center and associate professor of behavioral and social sciences at the School of Public Health. Mindfulness training is there to help people live better lives, and that involves changing both physical behavior, (and)also mental behaviors, like judging ourselves or worrying.

Since the Center opened in the Jewelry District in 2017, it has connected investigators who incorporate mindfulness into their research, The Herald previously reported. These researchers come from various Brown-affiliated institutions, including the School of Public Health, Warren Alpert Medical School and neighboring hospitals.

A study on the effects of mindfulness on blood pressure was published in November. The results from the clinical trial were part of a larger project funded by a five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health in 2015, The Herald previously reported. The project team, consisting of researchers from multiple disciplines and universities, conducted systematic reviews on how mindfulness influences self-regulation and self-awareness, Loucks said. He was one of the principal investigators of the study.

If hypertension, or high blood pressure, is not properly controlled as is the case in about half of people with the condition it can cause stroke and heart disease, which are the biggest killers in the world, Loucks said. The study sought to determine whether mindfulness skills like self-awareness, emotional regulation and meditation could reduce hypertension when applied to medical regimens that affect blood pressure, such as exercise and eating, he added.

Participants of the study, who had been unable to regulate their blood pressure through physical activity, diet or medications alone, underwent nine weeks of mindfulness training. Afterwards, they were asked to incorporate the techniques into other daily behaviors of their choosing, Loucks said. Prior research on the reduction of blood pressure through mindfulness without the application to other behaviors yielded inconsistent, and less significant, findings, Loucks said. But this clinical trial resulted in a significant drop in average blood pressure among the participants, and these decreases were noticeable as early as three months following the program.

Whereas the intention of this first trial was geared towards determining the acceptability and efficacy of the mindfulness interventions, the research team is currently finishing a second, randomly controlled clinical trial for which Loucks hopes to have results by this summer. This study includes a control group that did not undergo mindfulness training a component that was absent from the first trial. If this subsequent study confirms the results of the November study, the next steps may include improving the efficacy and efficiency of the studied mindfulness techniques, and offering this kind of program to the public, he added.

Director of Integrative Cardiology and Prevention and Associate Professor Monica Aggarwal at the University of Florida, who was not involved in the study, researches the effects of nutrition and lifestyle on cardiovascular health. Seeing more studies showing an integrative approach to managing cardiovascular risk factors is excellent, Aggarwal wrote in an email to The Herald. I believe we will be seeing more and more studies showing that an integrative approach works in the coming years.

But seeing more metabolic parameters of stress and more clinical parameters would have been great, Aggarwal wrote.

Another principal investigator of this project, Willoughby Britton, assistant professor of psychiatry and human behavior and of behavioral and social sciences, has also researched meditation. Britton directs the Clinical and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory with Visiting Professor of Religious Studies Jared Lindahl.

After Britton came across a counterintuitive and surprising finding in a previous study that meditation reduced sleep she has further investigated potential consequences of mindfulness.

As part of the Varieties of Contemplative Experience project the largest study ever conducted on negative meditation experiences Britton studied meditation teachers and 60 meditators who were experiencing difficulties resulting from meditation, she said. Britton has also been investigating the bodily and mental effects associated with various meditation practices and how outcomes may differ among people with varying personalities or conditions, she added.

From a clinical perspective, Brandon Gaudiano, a psychologist and associate professor of psychiatry and human behavior and of behavioral and social sciences, conducts research at Butler Hospital. His work involves the application of acceptance and commitment therapy an approach that alters peoples behavior using their values in those with psychotic disorders and depression, Gaudiano said.

He has partnered with Associate Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Psychiatry and Human Behavior David Williams on an ongoing investigation using mindfulness to help increase physical activity in those who have depression, Loucks said.

The Center has been innovative in its incorporation of technologies such as digital therapeutics and functional MRI an imaging technique that can be used to show how meditation affects brain activity, Brewer said.

In his own lab, Brewer investigates meditations impact on the brain and mindfulness apps effects on health. For example, the Unwinding Anxiety program used a mindfulness application targeting anxiety, and the results revealed significant reductions in anxiety after a couple of months, he added. The findings illustrate how mindfulness training reduces peoples susceptibility to their emotions, which alleviates anxiety, Brewer said.

Amidst the stresses of college, the free Mindfulness-Based College program at the Mindfulness Center has showed positive results in a clinical trial, Loucks said.

In its research, the Mindfulness Center has also addressed diversity.

After expanding to the west from eastern cultures, wealthy communities have become the primary beneficiary of mindfulness programming, said Assistant Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences and of Psychiatry and Human Behavior Jeffrey Proulx.

But Proulx, who joined the Mindfulness Center Sept. 2019, works to bring mindfulness research to underserved populations. Proulx came to the University because the Mindfulness Center here is one of the premier locations of people who guide the policies of mindfulness around the world, he said. Proulx, who is Native American, has focused on bringing mindfulness to Native American communities to alleviate prevailing distress and intergenerational trauma, he added. Stress can elevate heart rate, reduce brain volume and negatively impact the immune system, Proulx said.

Unlike other researchers studying mindfulness in Native American communities, Proulx is creating unique interventions for them, he said. His current projects include studies of mindfulness programs with Native American communities in Oregon and California, the Eastern Band Cherokee in North Carolina, and the Narragansett Tribe in Rhode Island. Proulx receives feedback from communities in attempt to find parallels between Native American traditions like berry picking, dancing and meditation and mindfulness practices, he said.

Proulx focuses his work on bringing mindfulness interventions in really respectful ways to Native American communities His ability to navigate through diversity and inclusion is inspiring, Loucks said.

Im just excited that Im at Brown and at the Mindfulness Center, especially because of their commitment to diversity, Proulx said. The Mindfulness Center is filled with people that have such an open focus on the future and on being inclusive.

Although the researchers affiliated with the Mindfulness Center are based in many different locations, the establishment has enabled collaboration amongst the researchers and between them and mindfulness educators, Loucks said. We have very strong mindfulness research, but then we also have very strong mindfulness teacher training programs so theres a lot of synergies between those two.

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Rebuilding the YMCA – MPNnow.com

Tuesday, January 28th, 2020

The opening of one of the largest YMCAs in the nation in Pittsford comes as Ys in Clifton Springs and elsewhere undergo major overhauls

From the splashy new $40 million YMCA in Pittsford to a revamp of the oldest YMCA building still used in the nation, in Clifton Springs, YMCAs across the region are undergoing big changes.

The next-generation YMCA is evident at the Schottland Family Branch, which opened last fall at the corner of Clover Street and Jefferson Road in Pittsford. The 140,000-square-foot facility on 20 acres offers everything from a golf and sports simulator to a gigantic aquatic center with a pirate shipwreck-themed splash pad, whirlpool and current channel. In an exercise your mind center, find sound and recording booths for music and video production not to mention a whole host of health and wellness programs and the latest in fitness equipment.

Its not your grandfathers YMCA, but the Schottland Family Branch one of the largest in the country is a prime example of what the organization founded in England in 1844 has been up to in recent years.

It doesnt stop there. YMCAs in rural communities are stepping up, too, to upgrade outdated buildings and revamp how they deliver programs and services.

Modern Y for historic village

The Palace Theatre in Clifton Springs, an early 20th-century building that oncehoused a theater downtown, has been part of the Clifton Springs YMCA for decades. Reconstruction of the facility, which is set to begin April 1, will create a modern wellness center with a fully accessible welcoming lobby and space ideal for personal training, indoor sports and youth fitness programs. Without compromising historic architectural features, the 3,300-square-foot renovation of the Palace will be the first phase of a $1.5 million upgrade that includes the YMCAs original building across Crane Street that dates back to 1879.

A $300,000 state grant recently announced by the Regional Economic Development Council is the icing on the cake, said Todd Freelove, executive director of the Clifton Springs Family YMCA. The grant puts the Y closer to meeting its fundraising goal for the Palace renovation, Freelove said. The Clifton Springs Y is eyeing renovation of its original building to tentatively begin this fall. The 5,500-square-foot upgrade of the original YMCA building will triple the size of the weight room and create a spacious area for child care, among other programs.

Freelove talked about the community support that has made the project possible as he showed off the aging facilities with uneven floors, narrow hallways and fitness machines crammed together.

A native of Phelps, Freelove said the Y has been part of his life for a long time. He has worked at other YMCAs in the area and now calls the Clifton Springs YMCA home.

This is my place to be, he said.

Situated above the desk in his office, a bulletin board is filled with photos of kids, cards and drawings. He said he sees the YMCA fulfilling its mission of serving the community and promoting core values respect, responsibility, honesty and caring and he is excited to be part of that.

Not just a health club

At the Geneva Family YMCA, a $750,000 state grant announced in 2018 is going toward a 9,600-square-foot expansion and renovation of its facility on Williams Street. It will create more space for health and wellness programs that include chronic disease prevention and recovery. The Y will continue to play a role in economic development through expanded on-the-job training and certification programs for youths.

The YMCA is not just a health club, said Charles Evangelista, chairman of the Geneva Ys Capital Campaign Steering Committee. We really listen to what the community needs and weve aligned our programs for those needs.

The fastest growing demographic is senior citizens and so more space and programs need to be devoted to this group, Evangelista said. At the same time, the Y provides programs for all ages and the entire family, he added. A nonprofit organization, the Y provides scholarships and financial help so people who couldnt otherwise afford the Y benefit, he said. Evangelista mentioned that this is especially important in Geneva where the poverty rate is higher than many other communities.

If Ys are not out there doing work for the community and making sure everyone has access, regardless of ability to pay, we might as well be just another gym down the street, he said.

Evangelista said the $4.5 million upgrade of the Geneva Y is a necessity to have a modern facility that meets the needs. He sees the goal within reach and a possible groundbreaking this spring.

Look to the future

Back in the 1990s, Laurie OShaughnessy visited a YMCA in North Carolina that partnered with the medical community. The concept is catching on with YMCAs in New York state, said OShaughnessy, CEO of the Canandaigua Family YMCA. Though New York is late to the game, it has allowed us the opportunity to perfect those relationships, she said.

The YMCA of Greater Rochester, which oversees 11 area Y branches including the new Schottland Family Branch, is behind this concept of marrying Y fitness and wellness offerings with healthcare. A collaborative agreement announced in 2018 gives area residents greater access to UR Medicine wellness programs and clinical services at all YMCA of Greater Rochester sites. The Schottland branch includes a 15,000-square-foot wellness hub with medical services for Y members and the community at large.

The Canandaigua Y, which is an independent YMCA and so not under the Greater Rochester umbrella, is also working to strengthen community health and well-being, OShaughnessy said.

Integrative health is a trend nationally and the YMCA of Greater Rochester and UR Medicine are proud to be part of that trend, she said. In the future, Canandaigua would welcome that opportunity.

The Geneva Y, also one of 48 independent YMCAs in the state, is exploring a partnership with a healthcare system, Evangelista said. As part of its renovation and expansion, the Geneva Y has had discussions with UR Medicine Thompson Health and Finger Lakes Health, to see which partnership would make the best fit, he said. Evangelista said it makes sense to have a one-stop shop where you can visit a healthcare provider and benefit from health and wellness programs.

Recent developments at the Canandaigua Y include a two-year management agreement that was signed this Jan. 1 with the YMCA of Greater Rochester. The YMCA of Greater Rochester will provide the Canandaigua Y with consultation and help in areas including membership, programs, marketing, fundraising, IT, human resources and property management.

Rich Buch, who has been the Canandaigua YMCAs director of business and finance for seven years, is now employed by the YMCA of Greater Rochester as the Canandaigua branch director. OShaughnessy and Buch are working closely leading up to OShaughnessys retirement March 31.

Discussions are also underway regarding use of a recent $20,000 state grant through the Regional Economic Development Council to upgrade Canandaigua Y facilities. OShaughnessy said she is excited for the future of the YMCA, where she has worked for three decades.

We are constantly looking at all options to better the Y, serve the community and ensure long-term sustainability, OShaughnessy said.

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Moxibustion and Muay Thai: we try Amanpuri Phuket’s holistic wellness retreats – The National

Tuesday, January 28th, 2020

The smell of burning mugwort fills the air. Tiny bundles of the spongy, earthy herb, used for thousands of years to facilitate healing in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), have been attached to the acupuncture needles protruding from my stomach. Subtle pinpricks of heat weave their way under my skin as I breathe in the pungent scent. The distant patter of rain forms an impromptu soundtrack as a tropical shower sweeps through the jungle canopy directly outside my treatment room.

This is my first experience of moxibustion an ancient acupuncture technique used to warm the meridians, with the aim of smoothing the flow of both blood and chi. I am four days in to a Wellness Immersion programme at Amanpuri, and much is being done to address sluggishness and imbalance in my body.

Aman Resorts flagship property opened in Phuket, Thailand, in 1988, setting the bar for its signature brand of intimate luxury, now found in 21 destinations around the world. Last year, Amanpuri also became the first of Amans properties to launch integrative medical services, supplementing its already expansive wellness offering with a dedicated medical centre. Its exactly the kind of multilayered, 360-degree approach that todays affluent, holistic, health-conscious travellers have come to expect.

Amanpuri, which is Sanskrit for place of peace, is located on a private headland on the west coast of Phuket, with sweeping vistas of the Andaman Sea and Bangtao Beach. The resort was recently extended and enhanced, and is home to 40 Thai-style pavilions and 40 private villas. I am staying in one of the latter a villa that artfully combines traditional Thai design features with a contemporary minimalist aesthetic, set across three floors and engulfed in dense tropical vegetation, with dedicated staff and a dark-tiled infinity pool offering views across an expansive white-sanded bay.

I am greeted on my first day at the propertys new Holistic Wellness Centre by the beaming, baby-faced Ms Pimchanok, who, I learn, has a masters in movement and exercise science, and a gentle way of breaking less than savoury news. Our first stop is the 3D scanning machine, which serves up photorealistic images highlighting the consequences of my largely sedentary, office-bound, exercise-poor lifestyle. It is a searing dissection of every contour of my anatomy hip, waist, thigh, bust and bicep measurements; waist-to-hip and trunk-to-leg volume ratios; a body shape rating that measures the relationship between my shape and cardiovascular-related risk factors; and a detailed assessment of my posture that determines everything from the tilt of my head to how my weight is distributed when I stand. It is a sobering read, softened slightly by Pimchanoks cheery delivery.

Next up is a consultation with a doctor, who recommends a bout of physiotherapy when I mention a recurring issue with lower back pain, and then a lengthy discussion with the centres TCM specialists, Kimberly Rose, Amanapuris immersion manager, and Shinichi Kiyose, the resorts spa and wellness director. There is a confessional air to the experience, as I answer intimate questions about my sleeping habits, stress levels and attitudes towards food. Both Rose and Kiyose examine my tongue and perform a pulse diagnosis an age-old technique that involves taking the pulse at three points on the wrist. The quality of the pulse at specific points offers up information about the status of particular organs in the body, and Rose and Kiyose ascertain that there is an imbalance in my spleen and stomach, as well as blockages in my liver and gallbladder. I head off to lunch as all of this information is pored over and used to create an entirely personalised schedule of treatments for me.

A daily wellness menu forms part of the experience, serving up a choice of healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Nutritious morning dishes include white quinoa porridge with almond milk, cinnamon and walnuts; a mango-colada smoothie bowl; or acai, beet and nut power smoothie bowl to be eaten in the privacy of your villa or overlooking the resorts 27-metre infinity pool. Lunch and dinner consist of soups, salads and mains highlights include a zingy Tom yam soup with tofu and vegetables, a seaweed and kale salad with an orange miso dressing, and courgette fettuccine al a fungi. Its all tasty, fresh and filling, although, given the constant temptation of the propertys Japanese, Italian and Thai restaurants, the choices on the wellness menu can sometimes feel limited. Luckily, healthy snacks are placed in my room every evening, including a moreish salted dark chocolate concoction, to keep late-night cravings at bay.

Amanpuris Wellness Immersions offer four pathways: weight management, detox and cleansing, mindfulness and stress management, and life reset. Medical services range from chemical peels to physiotherapy, while TCM therapies include cupping, four-handed Abhyanga oil massages and Acu-Laser therapy. The immersions can vary in duration and generally include a combination of spa treatments, medical sessions and private or group movement classes, including yoga and Muay Thai.

My treatment plan starts with a Grounding Massage a signature treatment designed to address fatigue and jet lag. Earthy essential oils lull me into a meditative state, counterbalancing the deep pressure of the massage, which is meant to provide relief from physical pain. Also on my schedule is Chi Ne Tsang, a deep abdominal massage that is meant to rebalance and enhance digestion and energy levels, and clear out blockages. My therapist, Khun Maam, kneads away, eliminating toxins, before sending me off with a series of dietary suggestions, recommending that I consume more ginger, pepper, milk thistle, dandelion tea and turmeric.

Treatments are interspersed by visits to the resorts hydrotherapy facilities trying to withstand 30-second stints in the sub-Arctic cold plunge pool and then defrosting my extremities in the hot pool, steam rooms and infrared sauna. The days are marked by intermittent tropical showers, best enjoyed in the spas open-sided relaxation areas, where I lie on a lounger reading my book as the rain falls in dramatic sheets all around me. Place of peace is right.

Programme lengths and packages vary; an Intensive Wellness Immersion starts from $1,840 (Dh6,757) per night, based on single occupancy

Updated: January 26, 2020 05:18 PM

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An integrated approach to healthcare | News – Grand Haven Tribune

Wednesday, January 22nd, 2020

One organization is aimed at providing an integrative approach to address a patients mind, body and spirit.

PrivaMD, 16986 Robbins Rd., Suite 180, works to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western medicines. Instead of being a sick fix, physicians work to get to the root cause of a patients problem and treat them as a whole person, said Heidi Naperala, PrivaMD CEO and founder.

Were trying to shake up healthcare a little bit, she said.

PrivaMD started in October 2018, and the Grand Haven facility opened in May 2019.

Naperala has worked in healthcare since 2005 and has consulted in the United States and Canada. Naperala said they current healthcare system is broken, filled with patients who have long waits to see a doctor and dont get answers, and physicians who are busy and unable to practice the way they want.

Naperala said they wanted to provide something different, so they met with a panel of patients and perspective clients who helped them create PrivaMD. Naperala explained its the wisdom of Eastern medicine with the benefit of Western medicine technology, and providers can choose what works best for their patient.

Its the best of both worlds, she said.

Four PrivaMD physicians see patients for primary care/family medicine, womens health, functional medicine for women, and pain management/medical acupuncture. Theyre also working to add an additional provider. Two social workers also see patients. Naperala said its a collaborative environment to address the whole patient.

Providers see patients ages 5 and older.

The providers are independent and contract with PrivaMD for practice management. Naperala said the structure allows physicians to focus on getting to know patients and getting to the root cause of issues, while also giving physicians flexibility on who they refer patients to for various services.

Instead of seeing dozens of patients each day, physicians typically see eight patients daily, Naperala said. Appointments usually range from 30 minutes to an hour to provide the physician time to get to know the patient and find the underlying cause of a problem instead of masking the issue with pharmaceuticals.

We dont just pull out a chart, Naperala said. We pull up a chair.

Wellness services are also offered through PrivaMD, and individuals who arent patients can access them. Some of the services offered include IV nutrition therapy, infrared sauna, ionic foot detox, acupuncture, diagnostic testing, health cooking classes, and massages.

While insurance is accepted, Naperala said some patients opt to forego using insurance because of coverage limitations. PrivaMD also offers membership options for clients to receive services.

U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, recently toured the Grand Haven facility. During the congressmans visit, staff shared their journey and experiences in the healthcare field.

Huizenga credited PrivaMD for innovatively thinking and approach to delivering healthcare.

Huizenga said that although he doesnt believe the Affordable Care Act was the right answer to address healthcare, he believes it started asking the right question about what can be done to change healthcare.

While alternative medicine isnt for everyone, Huizenga said it shouldnt be excluded.

Since opening, PrivaMD continues to see an increase in patients seeing their services. One day last week alone 18 new patients signed up, Naperala said.

In the future, Naperala said plan to grow along the Lakeshore and add additional services for patients.

For more information about PrivaMD, call 616-213-0253 or visit privamd.org.

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Processed Foods Highly Correlated with Obesity, Study Finds – WholeFoods Magazine

Wednesday, January 22nd, 2020

Washington, D.C.Processed foods are highly correlated with obesity, according to research from George Washington University (GW).

GW researcher Leigh A. Frame, Ph.D., MHS, said in a press release: When comparing the U.S. diet to the diet of those who live in blue zonesareas with populations living to age 100 without chronic diseasethe differences are stark. Many of the food trends we reviewed are tied directly to a fast-paced U.S. lifestyle that contributes to the obesity epidemic we are now facing. Dr. Frame is Program Director for the Integrative Medicine Programs, Executive Director of the Office of Integrative Medicine and Health, and Assistant Professor of Clinical Research and Leadership at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and co-author of the paper.

The rising obesity epidemic in the U.S., as well as related chronic diseases, are correlated with a rise in ultra-processed food consumption, says the press release. The foods most associated with weight gain include potato chips, sugar sweetened beverages, sweets and desserts, refined grains, red meats, and processed meats. Other dietary issues include insufficient dietary fiber intake and an increase in food additives.

Dr. Frame added: Rather than solely treating the symptoms of obesity and related diseases with medication, we need to include efforts to use food as medicine. Chronic disease in later years is not predestined, but heavily influenced by lifestyle and diet. Decreasing obesity and chronic disease in the U.S. will require limiting processed foods and increasing intake of whole vegetables, legumes, nuts, fruits, and water. Health care providers must also emphasize lifestyle medicine, moving beyond a pill for an ill.

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Pendulum Therapeutics Announces Formation of Scientific and Medical Advisory BoardsGlobally Recognized Metabolic Experts and Industry Luminaries…

Wednesday, January 22nd, 2020

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 21, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pendulum Therapeutics, an evidence-based microbiome company, announced today the formation of its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) and Medical Advisory Board (MAB). The two boards comprise experts in metabolic disease, computational biology, genetics and microbiology who are faculty members at world-leading medical institutions.

Pendulum Therapeutics is the first and only microbiome company to apply the discoveries of high-resolution, long-read DNA sequencing to the development and commercialization of microbiome interventions targeting specific diseases. Advisory board members are working closely with Pendulums leadership team as the company seeks to apply genomic discoveries to the continued development of microbiome interventions.

We are incredibly fortunate to have these world-class experts support our work by providing ongoing guidance to our scientific and medical strategy and tactics, said Colleen Cutcliffe, co-founder and CEO. Together, we have created the first microbiome intervention for type 2 diabetes with both scientific and medical data. We are excited to work with our advisors, both collectively and individually, to further our mission of making millions of lives healthier through microbiome-targeted medical probiotics.

Ive long believed that the next major medical breakthroughs would come from analyzing and deciphering the complex world of the microbiome through rigorous excellent DNA science, said Eric Schadt, dean for Precision Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and founder and CEO of Sema4. Pendulum Therapeutics has built a microbiome discovery and development platform that stands at the center of this new field of medical innovation and is poised to revolutionize how we address chronic diseases through paradigm-shifting medical innovations.

Pendulums Scientific Advisory Board (SAB):

Pendulums Medical Advisory Board (MAB):

About Pendulum TherapeuticsPendulum Therapeutics is the first and only microbiome company to apply the discoveries of high-resolution, long-read DNA sequencing to the development and commercialization of microbiome interventions targeting specific diseases. Pendulums proprietary innovation platform enables identification of microbiome mechanisms of action and rapid translation from discovery and development through human clinical validation. Founded in 2012 by a diverse team of scientists with deep microbiology, biochemistry, computational and clinical expertise, Pendulum has raised $57 million to date. Sequoia Capital led its Series B with repeat participation from Mayo Foundation, True Ventures, Khosla Ventures, AME Cloud Ventures and others. Formerly Whole Biome, Pendulum Therapeutics is headquartered in San Francisco. For more information, please visit http://www.Pendulum.co.

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Global Nutrigenomics Testing Market By Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2025. – NY Telecast 99

Wednesday, January 22nd, 2020

We, Global Marketers.biz, after comprehensive analysis, have introduced a new research study on Global Nutrigenomics Testing Market. The report provides a unique competitive analysis of the size, segmentation, competition, trends, and outlook in the manufacturers operating in the industry. It covers the key manufacturers profiles in detail along with market entry strategies, production analysis, market share, revenue forecast and regional analysis of the Nutrigenomics Testing industry. It particularly delivers wide-ranging analytical information on regional segmentation.

Download Free Sample PDF Report Inquire Before Buying

The researchers team presents the analytical data and figures in the report in an effectual way with the help of graphs, diagrams, pie charts, and other pictorial illustrations. The report focuses on providing the clients and other readers with all the necessary information regarding Nutrigenomics Testing market share, new product launch, applications, provinces, businesses, economic growth, and supply and demand rate. It examines the Nutrigenomics Testing industry potentials for each geographical region with respect to the client purchasing patterns, macroeconomic parameters, market demand and supply states, and evolution rate.

This study considers the Nutrigenomics Testing market value and volume generated from the sales of the following segments:

Growth Drivers and Industry Trends:

The Global Nutrigenomics Testing Market is divided into different segments with reference to the geographic, types, applications, and manufacturers. Our team of scholars has followed a focused and realistic research outline in order to inspect the vital market dynamics like drivers, restraints, and opportunities in many areas across the world.

Regional Analysis:

The report covers a forecast and an exploration of the Nutrigenomics Testing Market on a global and regional level. The historical data is given from 2015-2020 and the forecast period is from 2020-2026 based on revenue (USD Billion). The Nutrigenomics Testing industry was estimated at XX Million US$ in 2020 and is probable to grasp XX Million US$ by 2026, at a CAGR of XX% throughout 2020-2026.

Key Focused Regions in the Nutrigenomics Testing market:

Table of Content

1 Global Market Overview

1.1 Scope of Data

1.1.1 Scope of Yields

1.1.2 Scope of Companies

1.1.3 Scope of End-Use

1.1.4 Scope of Product Type

1.1.5 Scope of Geographies

1.2 Global Market Size

2 Regional Market

2.1 Regional Sales

2.2 Regional Demand

2.3 Regional Trade

3 Key Manufacturers

3.1 Company A

3.1.1 Company Info

3.1.2 Product & Services,

3.1.3 Corporate Data (Capacity, Sales Revenue, Volume, Price, Cost and Margin)

3.1.4 Recent Expansion

3.2 Company B

3.2.1 Company Info

3.2.2 Product & Services

3.2.3 Corporate Data (Capacity, Sales Revenue, Volume, Price, Cost and Margin)

3.2.4 Recent Expansion

3.3 Company C

3.3.1 Company Info

3.3.2 Product & Services

3.3.3 Corporate Data (Capacity, Sales Revenue, Volume, Price, Cost and Margin)

3.3.4 Recent Expansion

3.4 Company D

3.4.1 Company Info

3.4.2 Product & Services

3.4.3 Corporate Data (Capacity, Sales Revenue, Volume, Price, Cost and Margin)

3.4.4 Recent Expansion

3.5 Company E

3.5.1 Company Info

3.5.2 Product & Services

3.5.3 Corporate Data (Capacity, Sales Revenue, Volume, Price, Cost and Margin)

3.5.4 Recent Expansion

3.6 Company F

3.6.1 Company Info

3.6.2 Product & Services

3.6.3 Corporate Data (Capacity, Sales Revenue, Volume, Price, Cost and Margin)

3.6.4 Recent Expansion

3.7 Company G

3.7.1 Company Info

3.7.2 Product & Services

3.7.3 Corporate Data (Capacity, Sales Revenue, Volume, Price, Cost and Margin)

3.7.4 Recent Expansion

4 Major End-Use

5 Market by Type

6 Price Overview

6.1 Price by Manufacturers

6.2 Price by End-Use

6.3 Price by Type

7 Research Conclusions

8 Appendix

8.1 Methodology

8.2 Research Data Source

Customization of the Report: This report can be modified to meet the clients requirements. Please connect with our sales squad (inquiry@globalmarketers.biz), who will guarantee that you get a report that suits your necessities.

To know More Details About Nutrigenomics Testing Market research Report @: https://www.globalmarketers.biz/report/medical-devices/global-nutrigenomics-testing-market-2019-by-company,-regions,-type-and-application,-forecast-to-2024/141806 #table_of_contents

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Quinn on Nutrition: Nuts that are not nuts – TribLIVE

Tuesday, January 21st, 2020

Question: You have helped me out in the past so I thought Id get your opinion on this. On a recent show, a doctor was talking about which foods to eat and which to avoid. He said that you should be eating nuts, but dont eat cashews, as they are not a nut, but rather a seed, and contain high levels of lectin. I always thought that cashews were a tree nut just like walnuts, etc. Can you shed some light on this for me?

Answer: In this case, Im afraid my opinion would not be worth much. I needed the expertise of horticulturist, Pat Regan, who humbly describes himself as a friend who spends a lot of time pondering plant parts and identification.

Pat explains that the names we commonly use often distort the scientific terms for plant parts. Fruit and vegetable are typically considered the worst abused but nut probably comes in first place, he says.

All true nuts are seeds, but not all seeds are nuts, says Pat.

Kind of like all trees are plants but not all plants are trees?

Absolutely.

So a nut is a type of seed. Got it.

Botanically, he continues, a nut is a dry fruit with one seed and a thick hard shell. Think of acorns, hazelnuts, chestnuts or hickory nuts. On the other hand, cashews come from a fleshy fruit, not a hard shell. They are more like plums, apricots, cherries and olives.

Cashews, says the Integrative Medicine Department at UC Davis, are technically not a nut. Although they grow on trees, they are really seeds that grow from a strange-looking fruit called a cashew apple.

Incidentally, Pat continues, peanuts (a legume), walnuts, almonds and pecans are not true (botanical) nuts, either. Nor are pine nuts, pistachio nuts and Brazil nuts, and yet most would call me a nut for saying so.

As for lectins, these are proteins that occur naturally in most raw plants, including cashews. The good news is that cooking destroys the activity of these proteins one reason why cashews are always sold roasted or steamed.

The other reason is that raw cashews are enclosed in a shell that contains a resin called urushiol, the same rash-causing substance found in poison ivy. Heat inactivates urushiol another reason cashews are always sold shelled and roasted or steamed.

One last word about nuts in general, including the not true nuts. They are a good source of protein, micronutrients, healthful fats and disease-fighting antioxidants. And according to the Micronutrient Information Center at Oregon State University, consuming a variety of nuts on a regular basis is associated with a lower risk for heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.

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Biomedical Applications of Zeolitic Nanoparticles, with an Emphasis on | IJN – Dove Medical Press

Tuesday, January 21st, 2020

Hossein Derakhshankhah, 1, 2,* Samira Jafari, 1, 2,* Sajad Sarvari, 3 Ebrahim Barzegari, 4 Faezeh Moakedi, 5 Milad Ghorbani, 6 Behrang Shiri Varnamkhasti, 1 Mehdi Jaymand, 7 Zhila Izadi, 1, 8 Lobat Tayebi 9

1Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran; 2Zistmavad Pharmed Co., Tehran, Iran; 3Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Science, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA; 4Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran; 5Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA; 6Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; 7Nano Drug Delivery Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran; 8Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran; 9Marquette University School of Dentistry, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Zhila Izadi; Lobat Tayebi Email izadi_zh@razi.tums.ac.ir; lobat.tayebi@marquette.edu

Abstract: The advent of porous materials, in particular zeolitic nanoparticles, has opened up unprecedented putative research avenues in nanomedicine. Zeolites with intracrystal mesopores are low framework density aluminosilicates possessing a regular porous structure along with intricate channels. Their unique physiochemical as well as physiological parameters necessitate a comprehensive overview on their classifications, fabrication platforms, cellular/macromolecular interactions, and eventually their prospective biomedical applications through illustrating the challenges and opportunities in different integrative medical and pharmaceutical fields. More particularly, an update on recent advances in zeolite-accommodated drug delivery and the prevalent challenges regarding these molecular sieves is to be presented. In conclusion, strategies to accelerate the translation of these porous materials from bench to bedside along with common overlooked physiological and pharmacological factors of zeolite nanoparticles are discussed and debated. Furthermore, for zeolite nanoparticles, it is a matter of crucial importance, in terms of biosafety and nanotoxicology, to appreciate the zeolite-bio interface once the zeolite nanoparticles are exposed to the bio-macromolecules in biological media. We specifically shed light on interactions of zeolite nanoparticles with fibrinogen and amyloid beta which had been comprehensively investigated in our recent reports. Given the significance of zeolite nanoparticles interactions with serum or interstitial proteins conferring them new biological identity, the preliminary approaches for deeper understanding of administration, distribution, metabolism and excretion of zeolite nanoparticles are elucidated.

Keywords: zeolite, mesoporous, nanostructure, biosafety, biomedical applications

This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License.By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.

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Ellsworth Public Library wants to help people be active, happy in winter – WABI

Tuesday, January 21st, 2020

ELLSWORTH, Maine (WABI) - Keeping your body moving and your mind in a good mood can be harder to do in the winter.

But the Ellsworth Public Library wants to help you out.

The library will be hosting four free exercise classes to help people active this winter. The classes will be on Saturdays at 1 p.m.

Tai Chi with Nina Zeldin is set for January 25. Essentrics Apprentice Class with Wendy Lessard, LMT will be February 15. Yoga with Machelle LaHaye wis scheduled for February 22. Pilates with Charlotte Clews will be March 28.

Because of the popularity, an additional class time may be added, too.

This programming is made possible through a grant from the National Library of Medicine in conjunction with Healthy Acadia. Space is limited and registration is required. All materials for the classes will be provided.

To sign up, call the library at 667-6363 or visit http://www.ellsworthlibrary.net.

The library and Acadia Integrative Medicine are also partnering to present "Stay Happy this Winter" Thursday, January 23 at 6 p.m.

Dr. Christy Seed will share information about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and different ways to treat it. The talk will focus on the benefits of light therapy and the importance of Vitamin D and exercise during the winter months. A brief Q&A will follow.

The library now offers two light therapy lamps for patrons to check out and one lamp for library use. Recommended usage is 20-30 minutes per day. Always consult your physician before starting a light therapy program. You can call the library for more information.

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Ellsworth Public Library wants to help people be active, happy in winter - WABI

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Preventive Health Care is Key to Long Life: Experts at India’s First Anti-Aging Conference – India New England

Tuesday, January 21st, 2020

New DelhiThe medical community from India, Asia Pacific and the USA joined the speakers here in New Delhi on Sunday at a two-day conference and workshop over fundamental doctrines of anti-aging.

As many as 300 doctors, including world renowned clinicians and researchers in the field of integrative medicine, participated in the conference to sensitise people on the importance of intermittent fasting and long life.

American Academy of Antiaging Medicine (A4M) with Smart Group conducted Indias first anti aging International conference.

Speaking at the event, Dr. B K Modi,Founder-Chairman, Smart Group said, There is an uncanny similarity between ancient Indian science fundamentals of Anti Aging, it is my earnest wish that India leads this global anti aging era.

I am very glad that doctors in India are taking a keen interest in preventive health. I wish more people discover the benefits of preventive health, and can lead happy & healthy lives, beyond 100, he added.

Dr Modi also announced to create wellness cities in New Delhi and Modipur and Rampur Aby 2025.

A host of converging technologies like artificial intelligence, Robotics, Virtual Reality, Digital Biology, sensors, will clash into 3D printing, blockchain, quantum computing and global gigabyte networks in the near future and it will completely change the dynamics of the healthcare industry and how it will be delivered, said Preeti Malhotra, Chairman, Smart Bharat & Chairman, Organising Committee Smart A4M India Conference.

Preventive healthcare has a profound effect on human longevity, awareness and mental wellbeing. I am very happy that we have been able to bring A4M to India to initiate this conversation, much needed in a country like ours, she noted. (IANS)

Related

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Preventive Health Care is Key to Long Life: Experts at India's First Anti-Aging Conference - India New England

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10 Ways to Resolve All Conflicts and End War – SFGate

Tuesday, January 21st, 2020

Deepak Chopra, Special to SFGate

By Deepak Chopra, MD

The recent reckless skirmish between the U.S. and Iran held a deep irony. Neither side wanted to go to war, and yet neither side could talk to each other except in terms of war. Language and action go together. If you are stuck in the metaphor of war, with its winners and losers, revenge, enmities that last for generations, and the macho image of the warrior, you can never end war even though you want to.

There is no clean end to war once you are in a war mentality. Winners in one war become losers the next, and combat runs into a quagmire in which it is obvious that neither side will be able to claim victory, war thinking keeps stubbornly drilling home the same metaphor of war. As history teaches us from World War I to Vietnam and now Afghanistan, wars are at once pointless, relentless, and endless. War heroes on one side are war criminals on the other.

There is a way to end war, and one sees signs of the solution appearing wherever people realize that we share the same goal, to achieve a prosperous, healthy, sustainable planet. War doesnt serve this shared goal, and the question is how long it will take for a positive global purpose to overshadow the metaphor of war that is embedded in nationalism, tribalism, racial and ethnic divides, and the other fellow travelers of war. All of these divisions are mind-made. They exist because we constructed them, and the secret is that whatever you made you can unmake.

In the face of so much blood and death, it seems strange to root war in a misguided concept. What William Blake called our mind-forgd manacles are a form of self-imprisonment. Change your concepts, and only then will the manacles fall off. Here are some of the replacements for the whole concept of war.

These ideas work in any negotiation, whether between nations or in a family. When we lack these ideas, we cannot turn them into coping mechanisms. War is the worst of all coping mechanisms, yet in many cases conflict is the first response we make when we feel resistance, obstacles, and pushback.

When people dont know how to cope, nations dont either. The basis of peace is peace consciousness in individuals. Even though you and I cant change how nations interact, we have the choice to be units of peace consciousness and to put the ideas listed above into daily practice. The survival of the planet depends on as many people hearing the call in the shortest possible time.

DEEPAK CHOPRA MD, FACP, founder of The Chopra Foundation, a non-profit entity for research on well-being and humanitarianism, and Chopra Global, a modern-day health company at the intersection of science and spirituality, is a world-renowned pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation. He is a Clinical Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of California, San Diego. Chopra is the author of over 89 books translated into over forty-three languages, including numerous New York Times bestsellers. His 90th book and national bestseller, Metahuman: Unleashing Your Infinite Potential (Harmony Books), unlocks the secrets to moving beyond our present limitations to access a field of infinite possibilities. TIME magazine has described Dr. Chopra as one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century.

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10 Ways to Resolve All Conflicts and End War - SFGate

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Healthy Ageing APAC Summit 2020: Academic and industry experts from Singapore, India, Thailand and Malaysia join the bill – FoodNavigator-Asia.com

Tuesday, January 21st, 2020

The event, which this year returns to Singapores Hilton hotel from July 7-9, will feature speakers from the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, National University of Singapore and Mahidol University / The Food Science and Technology Association of Thailand (FoSTAT),

There will also be sessions revealing the latest insights from the Malaysian Dietary Supplements Association (MADSA), Food Industry Asia and Mercer.

Delegate registration is now open, with an earlybird 20% discount offer.

The event takes place as the number of older persons in the region is expected to more than double from 600 million today to nearly 1.3 billion by 2050.

Organised by the publishers of FoodNavigator-Asia.com and NutraIngredients-Asia.com, the event brings together brands, suppliers, regulators and market experts to assess how the industry can meet the food and nutrition needs of older consumers of today and tomorrow.

Editor-in-Chief of both titles, and Regional Head of APAC at publisher William Reed, Gary Scattergood, said:Crucially, the event comes from the perspective that healthy ageing begins from conception. It assesses innovative food and nutrition solutions across all age spans, which will ultimately help people enjoy a healthy, as well as longer, older age.

Confirmed speakers include:

John Hellmann, Vice President, Government Affairs, Asia Pacific, Herbalife

Dr Yong Shan May, Principal Scientist, Bioefficacy and Bioactive Discovery, Brands Suntory

Dr Sam Henderson, Chief Scientific Officer, Cerecin

Dr Lesley Braun, Director, Blackmores Institute

Tana Limpayaraya, CEO, Amado Group (Thailand)

Dr. Mario Chin, Co-founder & CSO, Avant Meats

Associate Prof Satoshi Fukumitsu, Innovation center manager, NIPPN

Assistant Professor Anadi Nitithamyong Mahidol University / FoSTAT

Dr Jung Eun Kim, Assistant Professor, Department of Food Science and Technology, National University of Singapore

Dr. Ram Vishwakarma, Director, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine Jammu

EE Fern Wong, Board Member, Malaysian Dietary Supplements Association

Godelieve van Dooren, Partner, Mercer

Some of the key themes for the 2020 event will include:

Snacking for seniors:How the worlds leading FMCG brands can create options that aid Healthy Ageing

Reformulation and fortification:Expert insights on how to tackle the ticking economic and social timebomb of obesity and diabetes through reformulation strategies

Innovation for infants:How the latest research and product innovation is helping infants make the best start in life leading to tangible health outcomes in later life

Functional foods focus:The regions leading functional foods pioneers will share their healthy ageing strategies and experience in our dedicated showcase

Protein potential:The latest research around intake levels, product innovation and muscle health.

Indigenous insights:Research is booming in areas such at TCM, Ayurveda and Maori/Aboriginal botanicals and how they can be used for food and nutrition innovation. Well be hearing from an expert panel

Retail revolution:The regions leading retailers will share their views on how they can meet the needs of senior consumers, both online and offline.

Medical and clinical case studies:Well be hearing about the key advances being made in the area of foods for hospital patients as well as clinical nutrition solutions.

Markets and policy:Regulatory experts, decision makers, economists and trends analysts will be sharing the latest date into the economic, social and policy impacts of ageing.

To find out more, and view our highlights video from the 2019 event, please visit theevent website.

If you are from a major finished product brand and would like to discuss speaking opportunities, email gary.scattergood@wrbm.com

And to find out about our comprehensive partnership and sponsorship opportunities, email sueann.peh@wrbm .com and tim.evans@wrbm.com

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Healthy Ageing APAC Summit 2020: Academic and industry experts from Singapore, India, Thailand and Malaysia join the bill - FoodNavigator-Asia.com

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#MondayMotivation: This Week, Try To Make These 6 Lifestyle Changes For Better Health And Weight Loss – NDTV News

Tuesday, January 21st, 2020

Try to have your meals at the same time every day, Luke Coutinho suggests

Every Monday comes with an opportunity to work towards improving your health and fitness goals. Taking care of your health, weight is fitness is important because of many reasons. It makes you look and feel good. It is important to keep you disease-free. And more importantly, staying fit and healthy can also make you happy. In one of his recent videos on Facebook, lifestyle coach Luke Coutinho shares 6 tips that can follow this week for better physical, mental and emotional health.

Within the next five days, you need to follow these lifestyle changes every day and it can help in improving your health.

Try to get an early dinner, preferably by sunset. Luke suggests that you should have your dinner by 6.30-7 pm in case sunset happens around that time. Try to keep a gap of 2 hours between your dinner and bed time. Having early dinner is one practice that can help you sleep better, improve your sleep quality, reduce your weight, appetite, cravings to sugar, caffeine and much more.

This week try to eat dinners early, preferably by sunsetPhoto Credit: iStock

For the next 5 days, try to eat your breakfast, lunch, dinner and the other mid meals at the same time. Achieving this goal can control cravings effectively.

Organise your day in a way that you sleep at the same time every day and also wake up at the same time. Starting today, sleep at the same time every day and wake up at the same time. Doing this can reduce the lethargy and fatigue

Aim for exercising regularly this week. Aim for an hour, half hour or even 15 minutes if you can this week. Regular exercise is the most effective way to achieve good health, lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. It can help in getting your heart rate up, regularise your blood pressure, and much more.

Every morning when you wake up, just spend 5 to 10 minutes in doing what you love. It should be something that calms you down and motivates you to go ahead with the day on a positive note. It can either be meditation, or making a to-do list for the day, prayer, music, yoga or anything else that you would like to start your day with.

Have a morning ritual that calms you down and helps you start your day on a refreshing notePhoto Credit: iStock

Restricting use of social media is important for your own mental peace. It can help you get some me-time and also reduce your screen time which strains both your eyes and brain. Organise your day in a way that by the time you reach home, you are completely off social media.

These small yet highly effective lifestyle changes can do a lot in terms of improving your health, physically and mentally.

(Luke Coutinho, Holistic Lifestyle Coach - Integrative Medicine)

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

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#MondayMotivation: This Week, Try To Make These 6 Lifestyle Changes For Better Health And Weight Loss - NDTV News

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Alternative therapies to cope with workplace stress – The Sunday Guardian

Tuesday, January 21st, 2020

Therapies like yoga, meditation, mindfulness and sound healing programmes can help us manage work-realted stress, which often translates to ill health and low productivity levels.

Increasing job uncertainty, grueling work hours and an abject lack of work-life balance often translates to heavy stress in our professional lives. Rapidly changing nature of jobs, 24/7 connectivity and the resultant pressure of constant deadlines have turned Indian workplaces into pressure cookers where thousands of young professionals struggle to maintain mental balance. Rates of burnout or exhaustion syndrome are high among bright professionals who fail to reach their full potential because stress gets the better of them on their way to success. A survey by insurance company Cigna TTK found that a whopping 89% of people were suffering from stress, with work and finances being the primary causes of stress.

Interestingly, a number of corporate organisations have realised the negative impact stress is having on their employee productivity, and holistic wellness programmes have gained much traction. However, it is important to educate people at individual levels as well to learn to cope with stress on a daily basis. While we cannot change the stressors, we encounter every day, we can most certainly change the way our mind deals with them.

A number of alternative therapies can help individuals achieve better mental health and wellness. These therapies can be adopted as a way of lives as coping mechanisms for the mind. A study published in the BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine journal concluded that yoga, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy were very effective in promoting overall mental health and preventing burnout due to work-related stress among participants.

Lets take a look at some alternative therapies that can help you cope with professional stress:

Mindfulness:

Mindfulnessis a psychological process through which one tries to maintain complete awareness of the present moment. It trains the mind to prevent distractions of the future or past musings. Achieving a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, acts, sensations as well as the environment plays a very impactful role in reducing stress. When you are bathing, you are focusing completely on the act of water interacting with your body; when you are eating, you are doing it so mindfully that all your thoughts are focused on your movement from the plate to the palate and beyond. A study published in theJAMA Internal Medicinereview found that a mindfulness-based programme helped reduce anxiety symptoms in people with generalised anxiety disorder. Another study published in the journalBiological Psychiatry found significant changes to the brain on scans after just three days of mindfulness meditation on 35 unemployed people experiencing major stress of a job search.

Mindfulness works by inducing a sense of calmness and improving focus. Mindfulness is even associated with lower levels of inflammation markers.

Yoga:

Yoga and meditation are widely known to induce benefits for mental health including stress management. Yoga combines the physical and mental disciplines to help achieve a peaceful alignment between the body and mind. When combined with meditation, yoga relaxes and soothes the nerves, aligns the mind towards a calm centre and helps an individual become more mindful of the present. Approach has significant benefits for stress and anxiety. Yoga doesnt just help in stress management, it also helps curtail the negative impact of stress on the body and reduces risk factors for chronic diseases, such as heart disease and high blood pressure. Yoga modulates the stress response systems by training the mind to perceive stress and anxiety differently.

Sound Healing:

Sound healing or music therapy is another highly under-utilised therapy that has significant benefits on stress and anxiety healing. It can effectively be termed as vibrational medicine with the use of music, singing, and sound tools that release vibrations to better the mental, emotional and physical state of a person. Sound healing creates a shift in our brainwave state by using entrainment; a bio-musicological sense that refers to the synchronisation (e.g. foot tapping) of humans to an external perceived rhythm such as music and dance. Entrainment creates a stable frequency in the brain. This allows for the mind to go from the normal beta state (normal waking consciousness) to the alpha state (relaxed consciousness). Quite similar to meditation which regulates the breath, sound healing influences the shift in the brain through its frequency.

Sound healing particularly helps in reducing anxiety, stress, and sleep disorders. A study published in the Journal of Evidence-based Integrative Medicine examined the impact of sound meditation, specifically Tibetan singing bowl meditation, on mood, anxiety, pain, and spiritual well-being. It found participants experienced a significant reduction in tension and feeling of spiritual well-being also significantly increased through sound healing.

The author is the director, Poddar Wellness Ltd and managing trustee, Poddar Foundation

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Alternative therapies to cope with workplace stress - The Sunday Guardian

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