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Please note: The information in this document is provided as a guide only. You should always check the latest information with a Thai Immigration official or professional visa agent.

Thailand remains a popular world location for retirees the beaches, climate, access to good medical care and great food.

There may be a few more potholes in the roads and some cultural aspects will remain perpetually confusing. But there is always adventure in Thailand and the infrastructure continues to improve every year as the Kingdom takes its place as south east Asias second largest economy, after Indonesia.

The cost of living is still relatively low, first-rate healthcare is available in the main population centres and the weather is conducive to a healthy lifestyle.

According to International Living, Thailand ranks ninth in the world as a place to retire with relative ease.

Nestled between Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, Thailand enjoys the warm-water coastlines of both the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. This is a country that has never been colonized by any Western or European countries, so Thai culture is untouched, rich, and ancient. Whats more, its ideal for expat living International Living

Within a few hours you can visit a myriad of exotic countries, cultures and sites. Getting around is increasingly easy with a growing number of airlines flying in and out of the Kingdom. Many western passports will give you access to most of the countries nearby with either visa-on-arrival or minimal visa requirements.

Theres already an international expatriate community in Thailand, moreso than in the past when a handful of Europeans, British, Americans and Australians were the most populous expat populations. Now many Japanese, Chinese, Koreans and eastern Europeans also call Thailand home making expat life richer and more exotic. Many retirees were here for work and decided to stay. Others moved here for retirement.

You can get just about any food you like in Thailand now, but international foods are not cheap, whilst the local Thai fare is ubiquitous and available on every street in the country, fresh and aromatic. Yes, you can still get a Thai meal for less than 50 baht!

On the downsides, you need to be careful when driving but, statistically, if youre over 30, dont drink and drive, wear a hemet (if riding a motorbike) or drive a car youre, statistically, in no greater danger than 70% of the worlds roads. Thailand is currently ranked in sixth position as the most dangerous place to drive (WHO).

Theres also a long list of cultural faux pas and misunderstandings awaiting you in the Land of Smiles. The smiles can be very real, but theres also hidden dangers and scams awaiting the newbies. A few hours on the internet will save you a lot of pain. Really, its no different than most other places in the world in that regard.

Top 10 scams in Thailand. Read HERE.

Top 10 things NOT to do in Thailand. Read HERE.

Top 10 hard truths of living as an expat in Thailand. Read HERE.

On the plus side, there is an established expat community, outdoor activities are almost endless and youre living in one of the most dynamic and stable economic regions of the world.

Politics

Mmmm, this is a difficult one to explain to foreigners. From the outside it looks like Thailand is run by a quasi-military government with a veneer of democracy and elections. From the inside Thai life stumbles along with a growing economy and, compared to many other countries, a stable economy.

Thailand has a long history of military coups since it became a constitutional monarchy in 1932. The Thai Royal Family still enjoys strong respect amongst Thais. The new King, HM Maha Vachiralongkorn, has certainly become more hands on than his father (King Bhumibol Adulyadej who was on the throne from 1946 2016). But The King, with the support of the Royal Family, remains as the Head of State in all Thai constitutions since 1932.

All governments, even Army coups, need the support of the Thai monarch to be enacted.

Bottomline, the daily political life of Thailand provides, despite plenty of criticism, a stable country for its citizens.

There is a focus, certainly by Thai media, on the machinations and drama of Thai politics, but, in truth, Thailand has proven a stable and safe place for expats and retirees over the past five decades.

Visas

The first obstacle to entering any country is getting a visa. Retiring to Thailand is so popular that there is a specific visa classification for that the Non-Immigrant O visa covers a number of reasons for entering Thailand, as the name suggests, and one of them is retirement.

To qualify for a retirement visa, you need to meet two basic requirements:

You must be at least 50 years old You must have proof that you can financially support yourself You can either have a monthly income of 65,000 baht Or you must have 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account

For the 800,000 option, you need to be able to prove that the money has been in your account for at least two months before applying for the visa. You must also still have at least 400,000 baht in your account for at least three months after you get the visa.

In other words, you need to actually have the money you cant just borrow it for a few days to meet the visa requirements. The visa will need to be renewed annually and youll still need to meet these requirements each time.

You need to report to an Immigration Office every 90 days, any immigration office around the country is OK. These days the 90 day reporting can be completed online, once registered.

If you decide to do a 90 day report in person, it doesnt take long, once you get to the front of the queue. Arrive early if you want to keep your visit short. Dressing with a neat collared shirt will always go down well at the Immigration offices (actually that goes for just about anywhere in Thailand).

Youll also need

Visa application form, completely filled out Passport or travel document with at least 18 months of validity remaining Recent passport-sized photograph (3.5 x 4.5 centimetre), taken within the past 6 months Evidence of adequate finances (as above) Proof that you have retired

Applying for the Non-Immigrant O visa isnt too difficult but requires the paperwork to be properly prepared. There are also many agents in Thailand who will do the legwork for you and advise you as you go, for a fee. Getting a recommendation for a reliable visa agent is always better than trawling through the internet and hoping for the best.

There WILL be a few bumps along the way all the paperwork and forms are in Thai language to start with and an agent on your team will make things a lot smoother. Of course you can do all this by yourself but prepared for a few speed bumps. All immigration offices in the main population centres, have volunteer international staff who are an excellent first stop when you visit Immigration. They will check your documentation and advise before you end up sitting in front of a Thai immigration official.

While the requirement of an income when youre supposed to be retired is counter-intuitive, this can take the form of a pension or passive income. So youll therefore need to set up a means of regularly transferring money into the country.

There are various options available for transferring your pension, or other passive income into the country. Thai banking is very modern and all banks have safe phone apps to do international transfers.

The quickest and simplest approach to transferring money from an international port is to use a remittance service as the fees are lower, the transfer is instant and the exchange rate is better. Using a bank transfer is also possible, but is slower and generally less cost-effective.

If youre looking at how to retire in Thailand from the UK, its worth looking into QROPS (Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme), which may enable you to relocate your pension to Thailand so that it pays out directly into your Thai bank account, according to blog.deemoney.com.

However, retirees from other countries may have to look into private pension schemes and particularly into the regulations regarding how they pay out.

Cost of living in Thailand

The good news is that 65,000 baht per month (or an 800,000 baht lump sum) can go a long way in Thailand, particularly if you pick where to retire with a degree of care. Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Hua Hin are the most popular. Theres also a growing expat community in the north-east of the country, aka. Isaan. Each region has its own benefits and attractions. Cities and tourist areas are going to be more expensive than up-country in central Thailand.

Bangkok is a large Asian city with a cosmopolitan culture and everything youd expect, and more, than any other major city in the world. Getting around is increasingly easy if youre willing to go public and take short hops on motorbike taxis. Driving yourself around Bangkok will drive you insane.

Phuket is the largest island in Thailand, on the Andaman Sea. It was once a tropical paradise. Now its a growing urban island but still has all the same amazing beaches, just a lot more tourists. Approximately, the west side of the island is expensive and where a lot of the tourists hangout. The east side is a lot cheaper and residential.

Koh Samui is the second largest island in Thailand, but in the Gulf of Thailand. Its a smaller version of Phuket with more of an island feel than its larger cousin. It suffers from an airline monopoly that makes it expensive to get there by air. Theres also ferry services connecting you to the mainland.

Pattaya is, well, Pattaya. It became famous as an R&R location for American soldiers during the Korean War, then the Vietnam War. Then it built on its R&R reputation by becoming a popular destination for western tourists, mostly male, in the 70s and 80s. Since then its thrived as a sex-tourism destination but, over the past decade, has become much more cosmopolitan and cleaned up its act with classy tourism attractions, food scene and hi-rise condos.

Chiang Mai is the northern Thai capital. Very laid back and steeped in the Lanna culture. Its a flat, easy-to-get-around city, surrounded by beautiful hills and a growing eco-tourism scene.

Hua Hin is a quieter seaside destination. A favourite for Bangkok weekenders, it now attracts a growing expat scene. Its a coastal strip, facing the Gulf of Thailand, about 3-4 hour easy drive to the capital.

Cost of living

When it comes to figuring out some basic costs of retiring in Thailand, your personal cost of living will vary a LOT depending how and where you choose to live. You can, probably, live as cheaply as 30,000 40,000 baht per month if youre prepared to live as a local and rough it a bit, and not in a touristy area.

For Bangkok

A comfortable one-bedroom apartment about 10-15,000 baht per month

Utilities (including internet, phone, water and electricity) about 2,500 -4,000 baht per month

Food (eating local food) 100 300 baht per day

Food (eating mostly foreign food) about 300 1000 baht per day

1 beer 100 150 baht, depending on the brand and where you buy it

Comprehensive medical insurance 4,000 10,000 baht per month (you would be MAD not to have full medical insurance)

Some other notes on cost of living

Foreign goods can be heavily taxed and may cost more in Thailand than where you came from

Anything involving local labour will likely cost a lot less massages, maintenance, car services, etc

If you choose to live in a beach resort, near the beach, eating international food and drinking imported beer all day, it will cost you more than you think

Health insurance

Health insurance is a big consideration for older expats and will eventually become a critical issue. Whilst Thailand has an excellent, and mostly free, public health system for Thais, and employees (including foreigners) of Thai companies, that doesnt extend to Retirees.

As an expat you can use the Thailands public health system, for a cost. The public system gets mixed reviews by foreigners but, generally, the medical care is good, if not as glamorous as the private hospitals.

But public will cost you a LOT less than the countrys private hospitals. These are very good indeed but come with a high price tag. But note that most of the Thai doctors working in the Private system in Thailand usually work in the Public sector as well.

Once youre over a certain age (70 maybe 75) many international private health schemes will drop you off their list. You need to check these details, the age limits, and your options once you are left to fend for yourself.

Your best health asset as a Retiree is to avoid ending up in a hospital in the first place. Preventative health is your best option and opportunities for a fun and healthy lifestyle abound in the Land of Smiles. Sadly, there are many stories of expat Retirees that get into bad habits, end up with health problems (and no insurance) who then fall between the cracks of Thai life and wither away. Dont let this be you.

Property

You can rent or buy property depending on what your goals are. The Thaiger would always recommend renting, at least for a while, to see how you settle in perhaps even renting for a month in a number of locales to give yourself a chance to try before you buy and commit to a long-term stay.

Buying property in Thailand is an entire post of its own. Heres a detailed website for just about everything you need to know about purchasing property in Thailand. Dont even THINK of buying property in Thailand until you have done your homework on the matter.

To look for Thailands largest range property, and rental properties available, go too FazWaz.com

Information originally published on blog.deemoney.com

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Retiring in Thailand, most of the things you need to know - The Thaiger

Motivation is a fickle beast: Some days, youre smashing your PB like nobodys business. Others involve the overwhelming need to stay under the covers and watch back-to-back eps of The Handmaids Tale.

Take it from Laura Henshaw. The Keep It Cleaner co-founder has been through enough workout lulls to know that the key to firing yourself up again is to stick with it no matter how badly youd rather be in bed.

Determination is checking in with yourself and knowing you can do it even if you cant find motivation and getting it done anyway, she captioned her latest Insta post a video of herself running like a MACHINE on the treadmill. It is proving to yourself on the days you dont want to get out of bed and dont think you can do it that you can.

RELATED:24 Hours With Keep It Cleaner Co-Founder Laura Henshaw

Its about digging deep and finding the confidence to know you can get through it.

Motivation doesnt show up straight away every day, but it will come, she added. I promise. It is so extremely powerful to prove it to yourself every now and then. You can do it.

She continued: Today I got to a speed and sustained it for the longest I ever have (I got to speed 22.9 and did 1 minute) I find pushing myself out of my comfort zone the most rewarding feeling. I never compare myself to anyone - just to my last personal best

So many fans thanked her for inspiring them to get their daily workout done. This made me get up and do a run this morning that I couldn't motivate myself to do. Thankyou! one read.

[This] was me today! Didnt want to get out of bed, went for awful jog/walk but went anyway! added another.

RELATED:Laura Henshaws Post About Chocolate Is Exactly What We Needed To Hear

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Laura Henshaw's Words Are Guaranteed To Get You Through A Workout When Motivation Wanes - Women's Health

Las Vegas, NV, Dec. 20, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 27th Annual World Congress concluded on Sunday, December 15th at the Venetian/Palazzo Resort in Las Vegas. As the largest event in Anti-Aging medicine worldwide, the conference hosted thousands of the industrys leading clinical professionals including renowned practitioners, innovative companies, and like-minded partner organizations. The annual conference boasted an extensive agenda featuring five pre-conference workshops, a brand new Aesthetics Symposium, the annual MedTech Impact on Wellness symposium, an extensive variety of session topics, and a faculty panel consisting of the foremost clinical experts and thought leaders in Anti-Aging and Integrative medicine. Rooted in a forward-focused mission to redefine modern medicine, this conference disseminated the most valuable knowledge, recent updates, and clinical expertise within Anti-Aging medicine available.The event began with five pre-conference workshops covering a broad range of topics. Led by industrys experts, pre-conference attendees gained valuable and in-depth knowledge during workshops focused on Precision Medicine and Diabetes, Hormones and Chronic Disease, Peptides and Aging, Stem Cells, and Practice Management. In placing an emphasis on equipping practitioners with the advanced capabilities to improve clinical outcomes and enhance practice efficiency, these pre-conference workshops offered clinicians the opportunity to begin the conference with actionable knowledge ready to be integrated into practice.The congress featured three keynote speakers from a diverse range of clinical backgrounds but each serving, in their own respective right, as a pioneering leader in a new and transformative form of healthcare. On the first day of the conference, attendees heard Dr. Anna Lembke, MD share her keynote presentation titled: The Opioid Epidemic: From Freud to Fentanyl. Currently serving as the program director for the Stanford Addiction Medicine Fellowship, psychiatrist Dr. Lembke, was one of the first in the medical community to sound the alarm regarding the epidemic of over-prescribing opioids. During the second day of the conference, attendees learned from Dr. Robert Pearl MDthe former CEO of Kaiser Permanente and longstanding prominent authority on healthcare culture and delivery. Dr. Pearl provided listeners with valuable and timely insight during his presentation on Fixing American Healthcare: Structure, Reimbursement, and an Aging Population. On the third day of the conference, Dr Louise Aronson, MD took the stage to share her presentation titled Future of Elderhood: Life, Vitality, and Transformation. A Harvard graduate, leading geriatrician, Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and the author of the New York Times bestseller Elderhood: Redefining Aging, Transforming Medicine, and Reimagining, Dr.Aronson is a well-respected thought leader and practitioner surrounding geriatric care and the process of aging. In questioning the status quo and pushing well-beyond traditional standards of medicine, these speakers helped lead attendees in envisioning and ultimately practicing a redefined form of medicine. The conferences newest educational offering, The Aesthetics Symposium, provided in-depth understanding surrounding one of the most quickly expanding industries: aesthetic medicine. Hosted in partnership with the South Beach Symposium and led by aesthetic medicine experts Mark S. Nestor, MD, PhD, and Michael H. Gold, MD and anti-aging thought leader, Patrick Bitter, MD, The Aesthetic Symposium provided an in-depth and comprehensive examination of the latest advancements, novel technology, and market knowledge available within modern aesthetic medicine. The conference additionally featured the MedTech Impact on Wellness symposium, an annual educational symposium centered upon the emerging clinical value in digital health. The event hosted digital health stakeholders, clinicians, health IT executives, entrepreneurs, and researchers to promote the development of patient-centered medical technology. Speakers covered a diverse range of topics including application interoperability, telemedicine, the role of artificial intelligence in clinical decision making, and data-driven healthcare among various others.Throughout the entirety of the conference, attendees broke off into afternoon sessions highlighting an extensive variety of topics including targeted approaches to brain and pain, CBD, intermittent fasting, oncological care, gut health and much more. With over 75 educational sessions, 18 learning tracks, 9 Professional Medical Education workshops, and 10 Product Theater presentations, attendees were given the opportunity to customize their conference experience to best suit their clinical needs and interests. The conference additionally provided attendees access to an Exhibit Hall that hosted over 400 companies, showcasing key therapeutic products, devices, and services in Integrative, Anti-Aging, & Aesthetic Medicine: including pharmaceutical products and diagnostic testing, CBD, nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals, digital health devices, and the most recently available medical technologies. Collectively, the companies offered attendees the opportunity to leave home with valuable resources to integrate into practices across the globe.

Story continues

Sarenka SmithAmerican Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M)561-997-0112 x7912a.aloi@a4m.com

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The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine Concludes the 27th Annual World Congress - Yahoo Finance

Sons of the Silent Age, a David Bowie tribute band, will be performing "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust" and "Station to Station" on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at Metro Chicago. Funds raised will benefit integrative medicine therapies for NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) Kellogg Cancer Center adult and pediatric patients.

An opening set will be performed by The Ready Freddies, playing the music of Queen. Tickets are now on sale at https://foundation.northshore.org/IMConcert. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. General admission is $25 in advance; $30 day of; VIP Tickets are $122/each, and include reserved balcony access, an exclusive pre-show party with the artists and a signed poster from the artists. VIP Table Tickets, $222/piece and sold only in pairs, include all VIP benefits, plus a reserved table and seats for two.

Sons of the Silent Age is composed of nine Chicago musicians, when Chris Connelly (Revolting Cocks, Ministry) and Matt Walker (Filter, Smashing Pumpkins and Morrissey's band) joined forces in 2012 to pay tribute to their hero David Bowie.

For the third year, the concert is benefitting the NorthShore Integrative Medicine program, as one of the largest and most-well established programs in the country. Each of the parties involved in the benefit concert from the Sons of the Silent Age bandmates, to the owner of Metro, to the NorthShore Integrative Medicine team share a common bond of commitment to the cause, and for some, cancer survivorship.

"We are again honored to receive proceeds from the fabulous Sons of the Silent Age Benefit Concert at Metro in 2020. Over the past 2 years, concert proceeds and donations have provided free integrative therapies for our patients with limited means to help ease their symptoms from cancer while promoting health and wellness," said Leslie Mendoza Temple, MD, NorthShore Integrative Medicine Medical Director. "We appreciate the dedication of Joe Shanahan, Chris Connolly, Matt and Char Walker, and the band Sons of the Silent Age for their heartfelt contributions to the life and health of our patients."

Integrative medicine programs are designed to relieve pain and neuropathies, reduce fatigue and sleep issues, boost immunity, provide stress relief, improve their appetite and their overall quality of life.

NorthShore cancer patient and stage four cancer survivor, Steve Merola, benefited from the funds raised at last year's benefit concert.

"The integrative medicine services have given me the additional tools and guidance I need to withstand the rigors of chemotherapy and radiation," he explains.

Merola worked with Dr. Mendoza to develop a personalized integrative medicine plan. Through his therapy, Merola noticed the significant impact relaxation had during his fight for recovery. "Thanks to Dr. Mendoza Temple and her team, my stress has been relieved with a program of exercise, meditation, acupuncture, and supplements to help with appetite and stress. With all these services combined I found that I had body, mind, and spirit all aligned to win my fight. It's not over yet, but I am confident I will prevail."

NorthShore's Integrative Medicine Program uses safe, evidence-based complementary therapies and communicating fully with patients' traditional western medicine physicians and specialists optimizes each patient's health and a heightened sense of well-being. Learn more about NorthShore's Integrative Medicine Program or support the cause at foundation.northshore.org/imconcert.

NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) is an integrated healthcare delivery system consistently ranked as a Top 15 Major Teaching Hospital in the U.S. The NorthShore system, headquartered in Evanston, Illinois, includes four hospitals Evanston, Glenbrook, Highland Park and Skokie. NorthShore also includes a 950+ physician multispecialty group practice, NorthShore Medical Group, with more than 130 practices in the Chicagoland area. NorthShore is a Magnet recognized organization, the first in Illinois to receive this prestigious honor as an entire system that demonstrates nursing excellence and high standards in patient care. The system also includes the NorthShore Research Institute; the NorthShore Foundation; and the NorthShore Home & Hospice Services. As a not-for-profit organization, NorthShore provides $235 million in charitable care and services to the communities it serves, while philanthropic support from individuals and organizations enhances clinical care, research and education programs across the system.

One of the nation's most renowned independent music venues, Metro has hosted thriving local talent and international headliners for 35 years and counting. From industrial champions Ministry and Revolting Cocks to alt-rock pioneers The Smashing Pumpkins and Liz Phair and pop-punk royalty Alkaline Trio and Fall Out Boycountless Chicago artists have laid their roots in Metro as a business, sanctuary, and springboard.

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David Bowie Tribute Band at Metro to Benefit NorthShore Patients - Patch.com

Casa Perez Furnishings to open on First Street in Prescott Valley

You may know Juan Perez as the owner of the popular Casa Perez Family Mexican Restaurant at 3088 N. Glassford Hill Road in the Frys grocery store shopping center in Prescott Valley.

Early next year, youll know him for Casa Perez Fine Family Furnishings, which will be located toward the back of the former AAMCO auto repair building at 6871 E. First St.

Two signs currently hang on the tan stucco building in Prescott Valley. They read Casa Perez Fine Family Furnishings and Coming Soon! on the metal paneling that stretches across the top of the building facing Highway 69 from the south side.

Perez said he grew up in a town near Guadalajara, Mexico. In a community nearby, a group of families makes furniture, as well as chandeliers and flower pots, among other furnishings.

When Perez bought some of the families furniture for his Prescott Valley restaurant, which he opened two years ago, he found that customers were asking him how they could buy the furnishings, too.

We have 2,500 square feet, Perez said of the space he will have for furniture at Casa Perez Fine Family Furnishings, but our goal is to expand.

Rickety Cricket in downtown Prescott closes

The Rickety Cricket Brewing Tap Room at 214 S. Montezuma St. in Prescott closed nearly a month ago, but it doesnt appear that the space will be vacant for long.

Ive heard the owner of the building has bought the liquor license and will be reopening, possibly by Dec. 31, local musician Don Cheek stated in an email to the Courier on Dec. 6.

Rickety Cricket still operates two locations in Arizona, including its main brewery, restaurant and swag shop in Kingman, and its tap room in Flagstaff.

Dr. Stout joins Harmony Integrative Medicine in return to Prescott

Harmony Integrative Medicine, 518 E. Gurley St. Suite 101, and Dr. Jean Painter have announced veteran Dr. Reggie Stout as a new member of their staff.

Stout brings 30 years of clinical experience from Tucson to Prescott, where he had lived previously.

Dr. Stouts broad experience and training include a doctorate in Pain Management, training in homeopathy and 17 years teaching acupuncture medical students for the residency program of Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizonas School of Health Sciences in Tucson.

Stouts experienced in handling patients who suffer from chronic ailments related to pain syndromes, internal medicine, digestive disorders, geriatric, genitourinary/prostate problems, stroke-related hemiplegia, fibromyalgia and neurological conditions.

Harmony Integrative Medicine and Dr. Painter have been a mainstay in the Quad Cities for advanced Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine for nearly 16 years.

For more information, call 928-776-4895 or visit harmonyintegrativemedicine.com.

To submit items for the Couriers Need2Know, email editors@prescottaz.com; for legal advertisements, email ssialega@prescottaz.com.

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Need2Know: Casa Perez Furnishings to open soon on First Street in Prescott Valley; Rickety Cricket pub in downtown Prescott closes; veteran pain...

Ive never understood how sucking down a rock booger is supposed to make you, like, really horny. I get the intent whenever a guy invites me out for red wine and oysters, but the whole presentation (and my general aversion to seafood) is always a turn off. It does make you wonder, do aphrodisiacs work, and if so how do they trick our mind and bodies into peak arousal? Well, in a few different ways, in fact.

Aphrodisiacs have been studied forever, mention of aphrodisiacs has been found in texts from various ancient civilizations, including Hindu, Egyptian, Chinese, and Roman. In modern times, there have been many interesting studies on how aphrodisiacs may make subjects frisky. As Sally Fisher, MD, integrative medicine specialist and medical director atSunrise Springspoints out, searching aphrodisiacs in the virtualNational Library of Medicine returns 830 peer reviewed scientific studies. How plants or herbal products might effect the body or mind really varies based on the aphrodisiac.

Some examples of effects include increasing hormones like testosterone, or certain neurotransmitters in the brain, or dilating blood vessels to increase blood flow, or affecting molecules in the body such as, for example, nitric oxide, the molecule that Viagra affects, says Dr. Fisher.

And sometimes the studies just note that certain herbs make animals want to bang more. Basically, its complicated to deduce what will potently work on a person, although she has one herb in mind.

I tend to recommend Tribulus terrestris, used in folk medicine for hundreds of years, because of modern research on sexual function improvement in both women and men, but Id emphasize that Id approach this integratively, and if there is room for improvement, put lifestyle changes foremost, says Dr. Fisher.

Sexual health is complex and involves cognitive, neurochemical, hormonal, and genetic factors, she says. That means that, in part, shifting your overall diet might be what helps amp up your sexual wellness. Embracing a healthy diet might decrease the risk of sexual dysfunction in women, defined generally as more fruits and vegetables, and less refined grains, meat, sugar, fried food.

There is, as then might be expected, promising data on theMediterranean diet alleviating sexual dysfunction in women, says Dr. Fisher. Its helpful to think of the Mediterranean diet as a plant-based diet; other whole foods plant-based diets have not been formally researched but may be expected to have the same beneficial effect.

Opa! Okay but if you cant prioritize a full diet upheaval right now, are there good mood foods thatll make you like, really horny in one slurp? Yes and no. According to Brigitte Zeitlin, RD, and owner of BZ Nutrition in New York City, its hard to directly link food and sex drive. However, there are particular compounds within [certain] foods that can have a connection to certain hormones and sexual reactions, she says.

Among Zeitlins top picks are foods with red ginseng, fatty fish that increases your feel good dopamine hormones for a stronger orgasm, cayenne pepper, and maca.

[Maca] root has been linked to boosting those frisky feelings and has shown to be a helpful fertility food as well by multiple studies, says Zeitlin. One study actually found that maca improved sex driveon people taking certain medications where the side effect was decrease of sex drive; think anti-depressants, hair-loss meds, anti-anxiety meds.

If youre truly about to make a quick bodega run before a potential boink fest (weve all been there) Zeitlin has a good power combo in mind.

Dark chocolate, 70 percent or higher, contains compounds that actually boost the release of feel-good hormones getting you more in the mood for some togetherness and even more feel-good hormones, says Zeitlin. Pair it with some dried apricots for extra pro-longed sexy energy, as the amino acids in apricots can trigger more stamina.

As for oysters, well, theyre rich in zinc, which supposedly to help with erectile dysfunction, so that means Im off the hook forever. Like anything, utilizing a so-called aphrodisiac feels like a personal journey with room to experiment. Our recommendation? Grab a hottie or your favorite vibratorand conduct some research yourself.

If youre looking for other ways to boost your sex drive naturally, we have a few recommendations. And learning about spontaneous and responsive desire might help you get turned on.

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Do aphrodisiacs actually work? Trying to have better sex over here - Well+Good

It's the defenseless children of the world that are bearing the bulk of environmentally-related diseases such as asthma that can be traced to air pollution, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

WHO estimates more than 40 percent of the burden of environmentally-related diseases and more than 88 percent of the burden of climate change is borne by children younger than 5 years old. In the United States, disorders such as asthma and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are prevalent in children and have been increasing over time. Asthma has a prevalence of about 8 percent and ADHD has a prevalence of 10 percent. ADHD is the most commonly studied and diagnosed mental disorder in children and adolescents.

WHO said even disorders with lower prevalence such as autism represent a growing public health concern. Autism affects one in 60 U.S. children.

There is a monetary price to pay for the growth in these afflictions. A new study has, for the first time, quantified the cost of diseases caused by fossil fuel air pollution.

The study by researchers at the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health (CCCEH) at Columbia Mailman School of Public Health is the first to compile the estimated per-case costs of six childhood health conditions linked to air pollution estimates that can be incorporated into benefits assessments of air pollution regulations and climate change mitigation policies.

Published in the journal Environmental Research, the study reports case-specific monetary estimates for these six childhood health conditions: preterm birth, low birth weight, asthma, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and IQ reduction in children. Previous scientific evidence has shown the six are among the known or likely health consequences of prenatal and early childhood exposure to air pollution. Globally, 80 percent of air pollution can be linked to burning of coal, oil, diesel and gas.

"Impacts on children's health are generally under-represented in benefits assessments related to environmental pollution," study co-author Frederica Perera, professor of environmental health sciences and director of translational research at the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health, said. "Policies to clean our air and address the serious and escalating problem of climate change will yield numerous benefits for children's health and for the financial health of families and our nation."

The study cited previously published estimates of health costs. It agrees $23,573 is being spent for childhood asthma not persisting into adulthood. A further $3.11 million is being spent for a case of autism with a concurrent intellectual disability. Researchers also provided an example of cumulative costs. About $267 million can be saved from a reduction by just one percent in the number of pre-term births in the U.S. attributable to particulate matter (PM) with a size of 2.5 microns, or PM2.5. PM is a measure of particulate matter, one of several harmful air pollutants.

The study prioritized monetary estimates that factored in both immediate medical costs and longer-term and broad societal costs. It warned its monetary figures are likely underestimates because it didn't adequately capture the long-term health and societal impacts such as effects over the full life course or losses in economic productivity.

A previous study published in 2014 by the same Columbia Mailman School of Public Health showed air quality can influence cognitive development en utero. The team that arrived at this conclusion previously found a correlation between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and developmental delays, reduced IQ and attention problems in children of ages 3 to 6 years old. In this research, the Columbia researchers focused specifically on how PAHs might be connected to concentration and contribute to ADHD symptoms in children. PAHs are pollutants emitted in the air from burning fossil fuels like car exhaust or heating.

This study should not come as a surprise," Dr. Sandy Newmark, founder of the Center for Pediatric Integrative Medicine in San Francisco, said. "Although there is a strong genetic component to ADHD, there is an equally strong environmental influence, and this influence begins with the prenatal environment."

"Other research has shown that ADHD incidence increases with exposure to pesticides and other environmental pollutants during childhood. The bottom line is that the developing brains of our children are highly susceptible to environmental influences of many kinds, and we need to continue to research these exposures and prevent damage whenever possible.

In 2014, study found that air pollution from power plants that used fossil fuels caused nearly 16,000 premature deaths in the U.S. Pixabay

Link:
New Study Reveals Financial Cost Of Air Pollution Borne By Children And Their Families - Medical Daily

The party gained the coveted first position on the NSW Senate ballot in 2016, from where it received 1.18 per cent of first preference votes and negligible results in three other states.

Dr Golden's PhD contended that homeopathic immunisation had a 90 per cent success rate on his own patients. He sells "nosodes" or homeopathic vaccines from his Gisborne clinic. The World Health Organisation (WHO) this year described "vaccine hesitancy" as in its top 10 threats to global health. This month Samoa was ravaged by a measles epidemic in unvaccinated children during which 78 people died.

Dr Golden stood for the Senate in 2016 and for a Victorian lower house seat in 2018. He admits his historical role in the cult. The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald understand he has never publicly disclosed his role in the cult despite political ambitions, two university affiliations and a thriving homeopathic practice. He describes himself in party material online as a globally respected researcher, author, and speaker who has worked for the Indian and Cuban governments as a world authority on homeopathic vaccines.

Isaac Golden was involved right from the start, said a former cult member who spoke on the condition of anonymity. He didnt have a particular role as such because Lowe was basically a dictator. But I would say he was definitely part of the unofficial hierarchy. He was pretty well up at the top as far as the men went. There is no suggestion Dr Golden was involved in or encouraged any child sexual abuse perpetrated by Lowe.

The cult practised polygamy and wife-swapping. Many of the wives and children were given Hawaiian names by Lowe, who decreed he be called 'The Controller' and limited his followers' access to food, according to court and police files. Former The Bachelor star Keira Maguire has said she is one of Lowes children, although she was removed from the cult by her mother when she was five.

Cult child Keira Maguire at this year's Melbourne Cup.Credit:Getty Images

Lowe required some male followers to effectively hand their daughters to him to look after in the cult's run-down Bells Beach compound while the men lived elsewhere. At the time it was not obvious that he was abusing some of the children.

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The children were often unaware who their real parents were. They were home-schooled then sent en masse to Torquay Primary School. Lowe told followers he was a reincarnated God or Jesus figure, that extra-terrestrial spirituality was real and he was able to see visions from other worlds.

Lowe bestowed two cult identities on Dr Golden, according to former cult members. One was as "Yitsach" Golden and the other was as the reincarnation of Samuel Hahnemann, the German homeopathy pioneer from the 1700s. Corporate records show Lowe was a business partner of Dr Goldens in a Victorian-based natural medicine business called Aurum at the time the child rapes were occurring.

Dr Golden was awarded a PhD by Swinburne Universitys Graduate School of Integrative Medicine in 2004 and was attached to Federation University in Ballarat as an honorary research fellow until 2016. Two years after his Swinburne PhD the university discontinued complementary medicine programs.

Ian Lowe, or Alistah Laishkochev.Credit:A Current Affair

Lowe was jailed in 2000 for seven years and six months' for 20 child sex offences and one charge of reckless injury after he threw a plank of wood at the head of one of the children. Court records show the child offences involved four cult children aged between seven and 11 in sheds and bedrooms on the Bells Beach property. One of them was Laishkochav's own child. The other three were the children of devotees.

The cult leader faced further charges in NSW in 2003 over alleged indecent assaults on two children in the 1970s. He was deported to New Zealand after being released from jail and died in 2012.

The former Victorian policeman who pursued Lowe was Detective Sergeant Doug Smith, who also led Taskforce Sanos sex crime investigations into Cardinal George Pell. He says Lowes crimes were a despicable breach of trust against young, vulnerable children who couldnt defend themselves against someone they saw as a God-like figure.

Ian Lowe and some of his nine wives and 63 children.Credit:A Current Affair

Court documents from Lowes trials show that he shared a futon bed with a roster of his "wives" but also roamed the two-storey beach-house at night raping cult children and isolating them in sheds and toilets, where rapes and assaults also occurred. One survivors testimony shows that he made her promise not to tell anyone what had happened and that God would punish her if she did.

He would always be wearing a sarong, one survivor told police when she was 15, and try to wake me up shaking me and kissing my face and mouth.

Former policeman Doug Smith says many of the cults survivors were severely traumatised but Lowe refused to admit his crimes despite eventually being found guilty on multiple counts. By the time I charged him he was a broken old man who denied every allegation.

Psychological reports heard in court reveal Lowe had no diagnosed mental illnesses, no history of drugs, alcohol or other crimes, and was dishevelled easy-going but very suspicious. One psychiatrist who saw Lowe in August 2000 wrote that he had an ongoing personality disorder of the narcissistic and charismatic type.

Former cult leader Alistah Laishkochav (former name Ian Lowe) outside court in Melbourne.Credit:Simon Schluter

The Age and Herald have established through police and court files that Lowe was raised by his grandparents in Auckland and left school at 15. He became a baker, a policeman and then worked in the electronics industry. He married a Cook Islander and became a Mormon and then moved to the United States. He arrived in NSW in 1969, changed his name by deed poll to Alistah Laishkochev and started preaching that he was a God-like figure.

The former cult member says all former members regret their involvement with Lowe. We trusted him with our lives, the man says. I cant believe we were so blind. I knew there was something not right, and it is the biggest regret of my life.

The Health Australia Party did not respond to requests for comment. A legal letter from Dr Golden's lawyer, Ralph Manno, said any imputation that Dr Golden "enabled or encouraged the offending by Mr Lowe" would be "a very serious defamation and grossly irresponsible".

"Any allegation is entirely without substance," the letter said.

Chris Johnston is co-author of The Family, about Anne Hamilton-Byrne's Melbourne cult.

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Cult member, anti-vaxxer, Senate candidate: The bizarre past of Isaac Golden - The Age

Weight loss: Lemon water must be avoided if you have stomach or mouth ulcers

Lemon water side effects: Lemon water is a popular morning tonic that people take for better metabolism and even quick weight loss. However, the same lemon water might not show the same consequences for everyone. The mindset to overdo something is not something which will work in your favour, according to lifestyle coach Luke Coutinho. In one of his recent live sessions on Facebook, he mentions that lemon water does make your body more alkaline, which in turn helps in burning of fat. This, however, does not mean that the more lemon water you drink, the more fat you will burn.

It is important to understand that just because lemon water is a popular remedy for digestion, metabolism, etc, it doesn't mean that it will show the same effects on your body. Whenever you are trying something new, it needs to be done slowly and safely, while observing if it suiting your body or not.

Also read:Follow Lemon Detox Diet Plan For Quick Weight Loss And Better Health

Lemon water is a rich source of Vitamin C and can work as a great immunity booster, if it suits you. It definitely helps in alkalising the body. But, there are some side effects of drinking it, which cannot be ignored.

1. 1-3 cups of lemon water in a day is good enough to reap benefits from it. Drinking lemon water throughout the day can cause damage to tooth enamel. This is because lemon water is acidic in nature.

Drinking lemon water in excess can cause damage to tooth enamelPhoto Credit: iStock

2. For those who already have a weak enamel, even 1 or 2 cups of lemon water can cause damage. Drink lemon water through a straw to prevent damage to your enamel.

3. Consuming lemon water with sugar in can worsen tooth cavities. Cavities contain bacteria that feeds on sugar.

Also read:Diabetes Diet Chart: Here's What Nutritionist Suggests To Keep Blood Sugar Under Control

4. Lemon water must be avoided when you have mouth ulcers as it can aggravate ulcers.

5. Lemon water can be considered to be an excellent remedy for acidity. But, lemon water can also make some people highly acidic. If you feel uneasy after drinking it, then it is not suiting you and you must avoid its consumption.

6. This drink must also be avoided if you have stomach ulcers.

7. Drinking lemon water can also be harmful if you joint pain and arthritis pain as it can aggravate the pain.

Lemon water may worsen joint pain and arthritis painPhoto Credit: iStock

8. People with migraine and severe headaches should check their lemon water consumption. Luke says that there is a direct connection between citrus and migraine headaches. If you get these symptoms too often, its time to cut back on intake of lemon water.

Also read:5 Myths About Migraine Pain You Must Stop Believing

(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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Lemon Water Helps With Weight Loss, But May Cause These Side Effects Too: Take Note Of Them, Says Luke Coutinho - NDTV News

Total Health Institute Reviews

Chicago, IL, Nov. 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dr. Keith Nemec the clinic director ofTotal Health Institute in Chicago has received yet another fellowship in his advanced research. Most recently Dr. Nemec received his fellowship in Stem Cell Therapy to add to his other fellowships in Regenerative Medicine and Integrative Cancer Therapies.

Dr. Nemec has overseen patient care for the last thirty-five years at Total Health Institute which is an alternative and integrative medical facility. Total Health Institute has seen over 10,000 patients who have traveled from around the world to seek Dr. Nemecs guidance in their healing journey.

Total Health Institute uses unique approach developed by Dr. Nemec called theSystems Sequence Approach to balance cellular communication between the cells, tissues, organs, glands and systems of the body. Dr. Nemec explains It is like knowing the combination to open the lock to complete healing. To open this lock, you must not only know the right systems to balance but also in the right sequence.

Dr. Keith Nemec is very excited about the research in stem cells and stem cell therapy that is why he focused his concentration in this area. According to Dr. Nemec All health and healing starts at the stem cell level. Whether a person has cancer, autoimmune disease or chronic diseases of aging they are all involving stem cells. In cancer, an inflammatory environment has mutated a normal stem cell into a cancer stem cell which is not killed with either chemotherapy nor radiation. This is why many times with conventional cancer treatment alone one tends to see improvements for a season but then return the cancer stem cell retaliates with a vengeance. Dr. Nemec also states Since all cells come from a base stem cell then the answer to all chronic disease can be found in activating the stem cells to produce an anti-inflammatory niche and continual healthy cell renewal.

Dr. Nemec is a member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine which is the largest and most prestigious group of Regenerative and Anti-Aging Medicine doctors in the world. He received his masters degree in Nutritional Medicine from Morsani College of Medicine. He has also published 5 books including: The Perfect Diet, The Environment of Health and Disease, Seven Basic Steps to Total Health and Total Health = Wholeness. Dr. Nemec has also published numerous health articles including: The Single Unifying Cause of All Disease and The answer to cancer is found in the stem cell and for 18 years he hosted the radio show Your Total Health in Chicago AM1160.

Total Health Institute boasts all 5 starreviews on RateMDs, an A+ rating onBBBand is top rated on Manta.

(630) 871-0000Keith@thi.co

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Leading Alternative Healing Director of Total Health Institute Reviews and Receives 3rd Fellowship in Stem Cell Therapy - Yahoo Finance

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Newswise Irvine, Calif. November 15, 2019 Researchers from the University of California, Irvine developed a breakthrough cell therapy to improve memory and prevent seizures in mice following traumatic brain injury. The study, titled Transplanted interneurons improve memory precision after traumatic brain injury, was published today in Nature Communications.

Traumatic brain injuries affect 2 million Americans each year and cause cell death and inflammation in the brain. People who experience a head injury often suffer from lifelong memory loss and can develop epilepsy.

In the study, the UCI team transplanted embryonic progenitor cells capable of generating inhibitory interneurons, a specific type of nerve cell that controls the activity of brain circuits, into the brains of mice with traumatic brain injury. They targeted the hippocampus, a brain region responsible for learning and memory.

The researchers discovered that the transplanted neurons migrated into the injury where they formed new connections with the injured brain cells and thrived long term. Within a month after treatment, the mice showed signs of memory improvement, such as being able to tell the difference between a box where they had an unpleasant experience from one where they did not. They were able to do this just as well as mice that never had a brain injury. The cell transplants also prevented the mice from developing epilepsy, which affected more than half of the mice who were not treated with new interneurons.

Inhibitory neurons are critically involved in many aspects of memory, and they are extremely vulnerable to dying after a brain injury, said Robert Hunt, PhD, assistant professor of anatomy and neurobiology at UCI School of Medicine who led the study. While we cannot stop interneurons from dying, it was exciting to find that we can replace them and rebuild their circuits.

This is not the first time Hunt and his team has used interneuron transplantation therapy to restore memory in mice. In 2018, the UCI team used a similar approach, delivered the same way but to newborn mice, to improve memory of mice with a genetic disorder.

Still, this was an exciting advance for the researchers. The idea to regrow neurons that die off after a brain injury is something that neuroscientists have been trying to do for a long time, Hunt said. But often, the transplanted cells dont survive, or they arent able to migrate or develop into functional neurons.

To further test their observations, Hunt and his team silenced the transplanted neurons with a drug, which caused the memory problems to return.

"It was exciting to see the animals memory problems come back after we silenced the transplanted cells, because it showed that the new neurons really were the reason for the memory improvement, said Bingyao Zhu, a junior specialist and first author of the study.

Currently, there are no treatments for people who experience a head injury. If the results in mice can be replicated in humans, it could have a tremendous impact for patients. The next step is to create interneurons from human stem cells.

So far, nobody has been able to convincingly create the same types of interneurons from human pluripotent stem cells, Hunt said. But I think were close to being able to do this.

Jisu Eom, an undergraduate researcher, also contributed to this study. Funding was provided by the National Institutes of Health.

About the UCI School of Medicine: Each year, the UCI School of Medicine educates more than 400 medical students, as well as 200 doctoral and masters students. More than 600 residents and fellows are trained at UC Irvine Medical Center and affiliated institutions. The School of Medicine offers an MD; a dual MD/PhD medical scientist training program; and PhDs and masters degrees in anatomy and neurobiology, biomedical sciences, genetic counseling, epidemiology, environmental health sciences, pathology, pharmacology, physiology and biophysics, and translational sciences. Medical students also may pursue an MD/MBA, an MD/masters in public health, or an MD/masters degree through one of three mission-based programs: the Health Education to Advance Leaders in Integrative Medicine (HEAL-IM), the Leadership Education to Advance Diversity-African, Black and Caribbean (LEAD-ABC), and the Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC). The UCI School of Medicine is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Accreditation and ranks among the top 50 nationwide for research. For more information, visit som.uci.edu.

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Researchers develop cell therapy to improve memory and stop seizures in mice following traumatic brain injury - Newswise

How can we confront the faith-health care gap?

Source: Source: Pixabay

There are many instances of successful merges between faith-based care and health care which reveal a substantial pool of best practices for confronting the challenging work of bridging the gap. The following are some of the challenges in creating faith-health collaborations, and how best to address those challenges.

Definitions and Terminology

One of the major challenges in creating faith-health collaborations involves definitions and terminology. The concepts of communities of spirit and faith-based, as well as whole person and integrative health, are attractivebut these terms need clear definitions. What are the core components of a whole person that need to be addressed if humans are toflourish? Could faith and health care communities establish a simple set of dimensions for what we consider a whole human being? Perhaps clearly agreeing that humans consist of at least mind, body, spirit, and social dimensions is a start. Then we can agree that providing whole-person integrative health care means taking all these dimensions into consideration, regardless of ones professional lens.

Creating a Common Language

Having common language for communication between faith and health communities is also key. Do love and social support intersect and have similar goals? How about convening and community? At a recent workshop that focused on faith-health care, an attendee spoke of the continuous challenge of attending to the intangible (e.g., prayer, belonging, compassion) and of needing to highlight the negative health aspects of activities that can come from both faith and health communities. For example, one speaker pointed out the negative aspects of some religious behaviors, such as judgment, exclusion, theological ideas that demean . . . or frighten people, and the negative aspects of medical treatment behaviors that perpetuate the racial and ethnic disparities in poor outcomes and low-quality care. It is critical for both sides to understand their strengths and weaknesses.

Answering the "Why"

Repeatedly returning to the why of any collaboration is essential. Isnt the answer to that why always to enhance the health, well-being, and humanflourishing of all people? Another workshop attendee commented on the moral incongruity of faith-based health care organizations acting on the impulse to garner resources and market share in communities at the expense of resources for other key determinants of health, such as adequate housing, education, and so forthcontributing to a health care industry that struggles to improve population health. That observation is key to better aligning resources to help population health strategies succeed.

Finding a Common Moral Ground

Do health care and faith-based care have a common moral basis that guides bothfields toward enhancing population health and well-being? Or do they have different goals that conflict and interfere with each other, leaving the person to contend with only the negatives from both faith care and health care? Hospitals may find themselves in competition with faith-run community health centers (e.g., competition for patients who could visit the emergency department or use primary care services). This competition puts the two immediately at odds, rather than fostering collaboration that could be mutually beneficial.

If faith-based health care prevents the need for high-cost medical industry in the same city, will the more powerful health care organizations restrict the growth and delivery of faith-based health care? So often, world-class health care organizations and hospital systems sit right in the middle of settings for some of the worst health disparities in the country. This is a health-faith issue that needs to be more explicitly addressed. Faith-health collaborations should talk about the imperatives of both the faith and health communitiesbe they moral or economicand how those imperatives can be leveraged to work together on a larger scale to ensure universal access to whole-person health and well-being services for all.

As community, government, and business leaders become aware that health and well-being come primarily from factors outside the medical environment, more partnerships between faith-based and health care organizations like those presented at this workshop will hopefully emerge.

Adapted from "Faith-Health Collaboration to Improve Community and Population Health" by Wayne B. Jonas, MD (Samueli Integrative Health Programs) and Rev. Maeba Jonas, MDiv (Johns Hopkins University), published by the National Academy of Medicine on August 12, 2019. You can read the full article here.

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Confronting the Faith-Health Care Gap - Psychology Today

FLOWER MOUND, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mannatech (NASDAQ: MTEX), the global health the wellness company, announces the following promotions and changes to their organization, effective immediately. Promoting from within our company shows we are an organization that values our employees and supports an environment of growth and opportunity, said Al Bala, CEO & President.

Dr. Steve Nugent promoted to Chief Health and Nutrition Officer.

With Mannatech since February 1999, Dr. Nugent has 40 plus years of experience in the integrative health and nutrition industry. He has tested more than 6,000 dietary supplement products and has formulated more than 160 dietary products in his career. He earned a PhD in Psychology specializing in health and wellness psychology from the University of the Rockies and earned three degrees with a focus in business administration, including a Masters degree from National University. Dr. Nugent has served as President of the International Association of Complementary Medicine and is President Emeritus of the American Naturopathic Medical Association (ANMA) and is currently a professional member of the American College of Nutrition. In this new role, he will contribute more to the areas of product development, technology, marketing, and corporate sales while continuing to lead the Global Scientific Advisory Board.

Landen Fredrick now has Global Marketing added to his responsibilities and his new title is Chief Sales and Marketing Officer.

Landen has played a key role in strategizing and developing sales strategies to contribute to Mannatechs growth and worldwide success. He has worked closely with the GMs to positively grow and develop the global sales strategies with direct involvement with Korea, Greater China, and North America. In addition to his sales role responsibilities for all markets worldwide, he will now oversee the global marketing operations and will work to facilitate greater collaboration and standardization of marketing resources globally. His goal is to enhance Customer and Associate satisfaction through improved sales and marketing synergy and processes. Landen serves as the Chairman of the Board for the M5M Foundation.

Stephanie Lusk is promoted to Vice President, Global Human Resources.

In her recent role as HR Senior Director, Stephanie oversaw Corporates Human Resources, Benefits, Payroll, Recruiting, Employee Engagement, and other HR-related activities. Stephanie collaborates with her team to bring important infrastructure improvements, effectively using online systems to improve efficiencies, and ensuring Mannatech provides competitive benefit packages for employees while reducing costs. For the past two years she has worked diligently with her team and an outside resource to begin a grass-roots effort to significantly impact the employee engagement within headquarters. She will begin incorporating these practices within other global offices. Her expanded role will now oversee Corporate Facilities and her scope broadens to encompass global HR. Her main focus will be to facilitate the implementation of standardized human resource processes globally including areas of recruiting, onboarding, employee engagement, performance reviews, merits/bonus timelines/processes, employee relations reporting, and exit interviews.

Ron Norman now has Supply Chain and Logistics added to his Treasury, Tax, and Business Systems responsibilities and oversight.

Rons background, knowledge, and involvement of Finance and International Operations, will be beneficial in this expanded role of creating net value, continuing to build a competitive infrastructure, leveraging worldwide logistics, synchronizing supply with demand, and measuring performance globally.

Patty Anthe now leads the Customer Service department in addition to her role of managing Events, Incentives, and Recognition. Her new title is Senior Director, Associate Experience.

Anthe has worked diligently over the past several years to elevate the fields experiences at Corporate-sponsored events, incentive trips, and ensuring proper recognition for the accomplishments of our Associates. Her recent involvement and leadership of the Call Center Care Campaign is one of many items she will work towards in creating a synergistic experience for our Associates and Customers.

For more information please visit http://www.Mannatech.com.

About Mannatech

Mannatech, Incorporated is committed to transforming lives through the development of high quality integrated health, weight management, fitness and skin care products distributed through its global network of independent associates and members. The company has been operating for more than 20 years with operations in 26 markets^. For more information, visit Mannatech.com.

^ Mannatech operates in China under a cross-border e-commerce platform that is separate from its network marketing model.

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Mannatech Supports a Strong Workforce by Promoting from Within - Business Wire

5 foods that help you lose weight

It's an amazing world today. With increased longevity, there are many centenarians, but have you heard of supercentenarians, or persons over 110 years? Well, hear about them now! What marks them out? No one knew for long, but now scientists from the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Science (IMS) and Keio University School of Medicine in Japan have an inkling.

Scientists used single-cell RNA analysis to figure out that an exclusive kind of immune cells called cytotoxic CD4 T-cells determine the longevity of humans. The research was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

You know that supercentenarians are a class apart because they live longer than most people. However, here are some more amazing facts: firstly, they are "rare". So in Japan in 2015, there were more than 61,000 who crossed 100. Yet there were only 146 supercentenarians. Research also shows that those over 110 years are more resistant to illnesses such as infections and cancer as long as they lived. Hence, they might have a particularly strong immune system, which is under study right now.

Hence, scientists explored the circulating immune cells of supercentenarians and then some younger control groups. They picked out 41,208 cells from seven of the species. It worked out to an average of 5,887 per subject and 19,994 cells for controls (which again meant an average of 3,999 per subject) from five persons in the 50 to 80 group.

Scientists discovered that while the number of B-cells seemed to be lower among supercentenarians, the number of T-cells seemed to be the same, and in fact one subset of T-cells was actually more among supercentenarians. Hence, the supercentenarians seemed to show a larger number of cytotoxic cells that could decimate other cells. Sometimes, they amounted to 80 percent of all T-cells, vis--vis just 10 or 20 percent among controls.

According to Kosuke Hashimoto of IMS, the first author of the paper, "We were especially interested in studying this group of people, because we consider them to be a good model of healthy aging, and this is important in societies like Japan where aging is proceeding rapidly."

IMS Deputy Director Piero Carninci, one of the leaders of the groups, says, "This research shows how single-cell transcription analysis can help us to understand how individuals are more or less susceptible to diseases. CD4-positive cells generally work by generating cytokines, while CD8-positive cells are cytotoxic, and it may be that the combination of these two features allows these individuals to be especially healthy.

"We believe that this type of cells, which are relatively uncommon in most individuals, even young, are useful for fighting against established tumours, and could be important for immunosurveillance. This is exciting as it has given us new insights into how people who live very long lives are able to protect themselves from conditions such as infections and cancer."

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If you are a 110-year-old supercentenarian, thank your cytotoxic T-cells, shows study - International Business Times, Singapore Edition

The nonprofit Chopra Foundation in California is bringing its Sages and Scientists Symposium to Bentonville this weekend beginning Thursday. Itll be held at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

Deepak Chopra, the foundations namesake and the co-founder of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing in Carlsbad, Calif., is the organizer of the conference. Chopra moved from India to the U.S. in his early 20s to continue his study of Western medicine. Following a residency in New Jersey, he landed in Boston, where he quickly rose to chief of medicine at New England Memorial Hospital.

Now 73 years old, Chopra is considered a pioneer of integrative medicine, which recommends mixing mainstream Western medicine with alternative treatments. He has written nearly 90 books on the topic, many of them The New York Times bestsellers.

Chopra organized the first Sages and Scientists in 2010 in Carlsbad, where it was held annually through 2014. The most recent Sages and Scientists was in Beverly Hills in 2016.

In a recent interview, Chopra discussed his rationale for choosing Bentonville for this years event, which will attract thought leaders from around the world. The interview has been edited slightly for brevity and clarity.

Paul Gatling: How did you decide on having Sages and Scientists in Arkansas? Whats the appeal of having the event here?

Deepak Chopra: We decided to do it at Crystal Bridges for two reasons. One is Alice Walton was very gracious to give us the venue to do the conference. I have been to Bentonville several times over the years and to Crystal Bridges. And of course Northwest Arkansas has a great tradition of various things: food, culture, music, film and so on. I have a special proclivity to be enchanted by this kind of culture, so we decided to come to Bentonville, Ark., and people are coming from all over the world.

Gatling: Whats your take on Bentonville versus maybe what your preconceived idea of Bentonville was before visiting? I cant imagine youve been to Arkansas too many times.

Chopra: I have, actually. I have been there several times. Over the course of a year I come out at least three or four times. I love the atmosphere. Bentonville, particularly, has grown over the years. I remember it from the late 1980s, and it keeps getting even more culturally, unusually attractive to me. People are unaware of the fact there are direct flights from New York and Los Angeles. Once they come there, they find it very enchanting.

Gatling: How long have you known Alice Walton?

Chopra: I have known her since 1988. I knew Sam [Walton] as well. And I have known the [Walton] family for several years.

Gatling: Sages and Scientists, in general, what was the goal when you first began to organize these events?

Chopra: To bring together luminaries and thought leaders in academia, and also entrepreneurs from Silicon Valley, and also thought leaders in business and philanthropy in three areas. No. 1, well-being; No. 2, humanitarianism; and No. 3, a deeper understanding of the nature of reality or what we call the cosmos. We have thought leaders in every field, from machine learning to deep learning to understanding genetics and neuroscience and cosmology. We have the professor from MIT who created the VR for the landing on Mars. She very kindly accepted the invitation to speak about virtual reality and how that will have immense applications, not only for exploring intergalactic space but right here at home with the treatment of illness and disease.

Its going to be amazing, and every time weve done this conference, it has evolved to a new level of understanding. We have 3.5 days. The first day is the future of well-being and then the future of humanity and the future of the cosmos. Its a very ambitious program.

Gatling: You have said Sages and Scientists Symposium is a catalyst for your work to improve global well-being trends? Which trends need the most work? What is most concerning to you as a thought leader in that space?

Chopra: Right now, we know that only 5% of disease-related gene mutations are fully penetrant, which means they predict the disease. So if somebody has the BRCA gene for breast cancer, its almost 100% likely they will get breast cancer. But that applies to only 5% of all chronic illness, including cancers. For those kinds of mutations, there are new technologies emerging.

You may have heard of CRISPR, which is basically gene editing and splicing. Just like you can read a barcode of an item at the grocery store or cut and paste an email, you will soon be able to its already being done you can actually read the barcode of a gene and delete the defective gene and insert the healthy gene. Even that only helps 5% of chronic illness.

So 95% of chronic illness is related to inflammation in the body low-grade inflammation in the body, low-grade depression, anxiety, stress. If you pay attention to things like sleep, stress management, exercise, movement, yoga, deep breathing, healthy emotions and relationships, nutrition and the connection with nature that is why we also chose Northwest Arkansas then you can actually prevent a lot of chronic illnesses.

So the future of well-being is predictable. It requires your participation. Its preventable, and in many cases even reversible. We want to highlight what the future of health and well-being is. Right now, the discussions around health are not really about health. Theyre about insurance. Everybody needs to be covered, but I think people need to realize that a lot of disease is preventable, and they can participate in their own well-being.

Gatling: You are a proponent of alternative medicine. Whats your definition of alternative medicine? An alternative to what?

Chopra: So I dont use that word, even though I have been given that designation. Its integrative medicine, which means you use whatever works. Pharmaceuticals, surgery, radiation they all work in selective cases, and also particularly in acute illness. Integrative medicine means mostly lifestyle and stress management and nutrition and healthy emotions. Even things like good sleep. We have been doing studies on aspects of well-being, and we were among the first to be published in peer-reviewed journals how you can change the activity of your genes toward health and well-being or self-regulation, instead of inflammation.

Gatling: Whats the single biggest barrier thats keeping integrative medicine from the mainstream?

Chopra: There are special interest groups that have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo, and thats not going to change unless theres public awareness of what it means to be healthy.

Gatling: How would you say you spend the majority of your time these days? Writing, speaking, traveling, advising, podcasting? What occupies most of your time?

Chopra: Writing and public speaking, but also at the Chopra Foundation. We collaborate with other researchers at places like Harvard and Duke and Scripps [Health] and UCLA on looking at integrative modalities. And we publish a lot of research in peer-reviewed journals.

Gatling: Suicide prevention is something that you are specifically focused on through some of your podcast work. Why are those rates so high in America or around the world?

Chopra: This is an epidemic that has reached a proportion that we never envisioned, and a lot of attention has been brought to it recently because of very successful people, celebrities, committing suicide. It is the second most common cause of death in younger people as well, between the ages of 10 and 30.

We need to do something about it. If you bring awareness to people, if you help them create social networks, both online and offline much in the way of Alcoholics Anonymous without the stigma then we can actually do something about the epidemic. And we need to, for the next generation.

Gatling: What are your thoughts on technology today a necessity versus a necessary evil? Smartphones for example. Good or bad?

Chopra: I actually am a big fan of technology. I also think its part of our human evolution, and by itself its neutral. Neither good nor evil. Its up to us how we use it. You can use it to hack elections. You can use it to create a better world. Its all up to us. We should schedule technology time, just like we schedule other times for exercise, sleep, relationships.

Gatling: How old are you?

Chopra: I am chronologically 73, but biologically I feel very young.

Gatling: Still a practicing physician?

Chopra: I have a group practice in California, and I maintain my license in Massachusetts and also California. But I mostly consult with other physicians who are part of our group practice. Once in a while when I am in California I will see patients that are intriguing to our group. Our group practice [Mind-Body Medical Group] in San Diego has lots of physicians internists, oncologists and others who are trained in internal medicine and in some specialties, but also have expertise in integrative medicine.

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Q&A: Deepak Chopra on Bentonville, health and well-being - talkbusiness.net

From left to right: Don Noel, President of Port Orleans Brewing Co.; Chip Turner, District Manager at Winn-Dixie; Elizabeth Lapeyre, MD, Director, Integrative Medicine Program for Ochsner; Brian Moore, MD, FACS, Director, Ochsner Cancer Institute (Photo: Business Wire)

In October, Port Orleans Brewing Company teamed up with grocery chain Winn-Dixie for the Lend a Helping Can campaign to raise money for the Ochsner Cancer Institute. The campaign was overwhelmingly successful: on Thursday, November 14, the two businesses donated a total of $71,127 to the Ochsner Cancer Institute to help patients in their fight against cancer.

The Ochsner Cancer Institute treats more than 34,000 patients each year. According to Brian Moore, MD, FACS Director of the Ochsner Cancer Institute, The Ochsner Cancer Institute is committed to providing expert cancer care where its patients live, in large and small communities alike, and provides support and services to bring more good days to patients undergoing treatment. In the Spring of 2020, the newly expanded Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center at Ochsner Medical Center will double in size and provide even more access to the latest cancer treatments, research, and multidisciplinary care that treats the whole patient physically, mentally, and emotionally. Philanthropic support from organizations like Port Orleans and Winn-Dixie make what we do possible. We are very thankful to them and all Lend a Helping Can participants.

While this years Lend a Helping Can campaign was the first time that Port Orleans Brewing Company and Winn-Dixie have teamed up together, both businesses have said that they look forward to expanding the partnership next year.

Its an honor to participate in this campaign with Winn-Dixie, said Zach Strief, Owner and Co-founder of Port Orleans Brewing Co. Our community is founded on the values of charity and service, so its important for us to also give back to the community that gives so much.

We cannot thank our customers and associates enough for their generous donations to such an important organization, said Joey Medina, Regional Vice President at Winn-Dixie. The incredible work that the Ochsner Cancer Institute does for the Gulf Coast region is crucial to the wellbeing of the communities we serve. It is an honor to build on our relationships with Port Orleans and Ochsner as we all continue to do our best to make an impact on the everyday lives of the people in our community.

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Were so grateful to our friends, our families, our neighbors, and especially our readers for chipping in, sharing, and donating to the cause of local progressive media. Your support has lifted us up so much and will most assuredly not be lost or forgotten.

If you care about local independent progressive media in an era where multi-millionaires such as John Georges are monopolizing our local press, then please donate any amount you can to make our operation a success. We can do this! Do not give up.

What else can you do if youve already donated and cant donate anymore? Share our content on Facebook and tell people about our fundraising operation. Call and email others who may be able to give. We believe in you because you believe in us and together we can ensure Big Easy Magazine becomes a progressive icon for New Orleans and an inspiration for the expansion of progressive media around the world.

Thank you,Scott PloofPublisherBig Easy Magazine

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Port Orleans Brewing Co and Winn-Dixie Team Up to Give Over $70k to Ochsner Cancer Institute - Big Easy Magazine

To evaluate the effects of Xiaojin Pill () in the treatment of Peyronie's disease (PD) in a rat model.

Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups with 6 in each: sham operation, PD model, vehicle control and Xiaojin Pill groups. The rats in the sham operation group received penile tunica albsginea (TA) injection with 50 L vehicle, while the rats in the other 3 groups received 50 L penile TA injection of 50 g transforming growth factor (TGF)-1. Forty-two days after the injection, rats in the vehicle control and Xiaojin Pill groups received 0.5 mL water and Xiaojin Pill solution (107 mg/kg of body weight), respectively by gavage for 28 days, while those in the sham operation and PD model groups did not receive any intervention. After intervention, the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 2/9 (MMP2/9), nitric oxidesynthase (NOS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured.

Rats in the PD model and vehicle control groups presented obvious fibrosis in corpus cavernosum (CC) and demonstrated a significantly increased expressions of MMP2 and MMP9 in the CC compared with the sham operation group (all P<0.01). In contrast, the expressions of MMP2 and MMP9 in the Xiaojin Pill group were significantly down-regulated (both P<0.01). In addition, the levels of NOS and MDA in CC were significantly increased while the activity of SOD was decreased in the PD model and vehicle control groups compared with the sham operation group (all P<0.01). After Xiaojin Pill treatment, the levels of MDA, NOS and SOD appeared to be corrected (all P<0.01).

Xiaojin Pill could reduce fibrosis in the CC by decreasing the expressions of MMPs, NOS and MDA, and by increasing the activity of SOD. Therefore, Xiaojin Pill might be a therapeutic option for PD.

Chinese journal of integrative medicine. 2019 Oct 24 [Epub]

Qiang Geng, Fu Wang, Qiang Han, Shao-Feng Chen, Bin Ouyang, Zhong Li, Yu Zhao, Qing-He Gao, Guo-Jin Yu, Jun Guo

Department of Andrology, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China., Department of Andrology, Beijing's Capital Medical University Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Beijing, 100010, China., Department of Andrology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, China., Department of Andrology, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China. .

PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31650486

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Antioxidant Mechanism of Xiaojin Pill () for Treatment of Peyronie's Disease in Rats Based on Matrix Metalloproteinases. - UroToday

People living with asthma use a variety of methods to keep their condition under control. Common methods include taking daily medicine to lower inflammation in the airways, and using inhalers for quick relief when an asthma attack strikes, according to theNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Asthma

For some people, complementary treatment options can boost the effectiveness of conventional treatments and help keep symptoms under control. Two such complementary options include acupressure and acupuncture.

Acupressure is a form of massage (also known as bodywork) thats been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years as a treatment for illness and pain, according to theUCLA Center for East-West Medicine. Its based on the same ideas as another type of traditional Chinese medicine: acupuncture.

Both forms of therapy involve stimulating pressure points on the body, but in acupressure the practitioner uses the hands and elbows to apply physical pressure, and in acupuncture he or she inserts very thin needles in the skin; the needles are activated through gentle movements of the practitioners hands or with electrical stimulation, according toJohns Hopkins Medicine.

The idea is that by stimulating various pressure, or acupoints, on the body, you can work on bringing about therapeutic effects for a given condition, according to Malcolm B. Taw, MD, the director of the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine in Westlake Village and an associate clinical professor in the UCLA Department of Medicine in Los Angeles. A review published in 2015 in the journal Pain Medicinelooked at current research and evidence on the definition and function of acupoints and concluded that they may release certain substances or sustain certain changes in ways that adjust the function of specific organs, maintain homeostasis in the body, or affect symptoms of various diseases.

Pressing acupoints via acupressure, for example, can help release muscle tension and promote blood circulation, according to theMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. More specifically, applying pressure to acupoints can signal to the body to turn on self-healing or regulatory mechanisms, sending vital energy (known as qi, pronounced chee) through natural pathways in the body called meridians. Research suggests that once the pressure point is stimulated, the qi flows from the pressure point through the meridian and into the target area. Similarly, stimulating pressure points with needles via acupuncture is thought to stimulate the central nervous system to release chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain, which may kickstart the bodys natural healing abilities, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

There are many acupoints that may be used to treat asthma symptoms. A few include bladder 13 (located on the back), conception vessel 17 (located on the chest), as well as lung 1 and kidney 27, which are located along the front of the torso, according to Dr. Taw.

Acupuncture has been shown to be effective for relieving allergic asthma, according to Maeve OConnor, MD, the chair of the Integrative Medicine Committee for the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology and an allergist in private practice at Allergy Asthma & Immunology Relief in Charlotte, North Carolina. Allergic asthma is a type of asthma where symptoms are caused by allergens like dust, mold, pollen, and food, she notes.

RELATED: What Type of Asthma Do I Have?

In one study published in April 2017 in theJournal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, patients with allergic asthma who added 15 acupuncture sessions to routine care over the course of three months saw greater improvements in disease-specific and health-related quality of life compared with patients who received only routine care.

Another study found that patients with allergic asthma who received 12 acupuncture sessions that targeted the pressure points thought to be connected with asthma over four weeks reported a greater improvement in general well-being compared with a control group of individuals who received the same number of acupuncture treatments, but ones that didnt necessarily target pressure points linked to asthma.

Plus, blood tests of those individuals who received asthma-specific acupuncture showed reductions in inflammatory cytokines (small proteins that influence how other cells communicate) after four weeks. Why does this matter for people with asthma? Well, asthma is a condition that leads to inflammation of the airways. The study shows that acupuncture can influence the physiological processes found in asthma by lowering levels of specific mediators involved with inflammation, Taw says.

In addition, a review and meta-analysis published in the January 2019 issue of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that using acupuncture in addition to conventional asthma treatments led to a statistically significant improvement in symptom response rates, and resulted in lower levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a protein your body produces in response to infections and injuries. Too much IL-6 can contribute to chronic inflammation, according to research published in the October 2014 issue of Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology. And as weve already seen, chronic inflammation is a hallmark of asthma. Therefore, the review and meta-analysis suggests that acupuncture may help lower inflammation in people with asthma by lowering levels of pro-inflammatory proteins like IL-6.

Ultimately, acupuncture is a good add-on to conventional asthma treatments, according to Taw. But acupuncture shouldnt replace your usual asthma treatments. We wouldnt advise patients to stay away from conventional treatments, Taw says. But if they wanted to add it on, we have no problem adding acupuncture to help with the symptom response.

While several studies have looked at acupunctures effects on asthma (including the aforementioned ones), few have investigated the effectiveness of acupressure for helping with asthma. And while acupressure and acupuncture are therapies that follow similar principles, we cannot conclude with certainty that acupressure will create the same effects shown in acupuncture research studies, according to Taw.

But Taw adds that there are few safety concerns for acupressure for asthma when it is done correctly, and may be worth trying for some despite the lack of evidence behind it. Acupressure is very safe, with minimal to no risk overall, Taw says.

But its always a good idea to check with your doctor before beginning acupressure or any other complementary treatment. You should be especially cautious with acupressure if youre pregnant, as stimulating certain pressure points such as the large intestine 4 (known as he gu) may induce labor and could cause harm, according to the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine.

Its possible to perform acupressure on yourself (the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine offers this handy guide to locating the various pressure points), but you may want to seek help from someone whos trained in this form of bodywork to better learn how to do it safely and effectively. Ask your doctor and people you trust for recommendations.

Studies have mostly focused on asthma and acupuncture, and so far, the research suggests that adding acupuncture into your asthma treatment plan may improve your quality of life, boost your immune system, and ease symptoms.

Unfortunately, the research on asthma and acupressure is lacking, so we cant know how effective it is. While acupressure and acupuncture are therapies along a similar continuum, we unfortunately cannot conclude that acupressure will also lower inflammatory mediators, improve quality of life, and reduce symptoms, Taw says.

That said, acupressure may help with symptoms, and there are very few safety concerns. But again, its a good idea to talk with your doctor or healthcare provider about adding any new complementary therapy whether acupuncture, acupressure, or another modality to your care.

If youve talked to your doctor and have decided its a good idea to try acupuncture or acupressure, find a practitioner you trust. Receiving acupuncture treatment in particular from an unqualified practitioner may result in complications, mainly through the use of nonsterile needles or improper delivery of treatments, according to theNational Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Though relatively few complications have been reported, improper delivery of acupuncture treatments can lead to serious health effects, including infections, punctured organs, collapsed lungs, and central nervous system damage.

Ask your doctor and trusted friends for referrals, or find a practitioner through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

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Do Acupuncture and Acupressure Help With Asthma? - Everyday Health

Live stage productions seem to be leading the pack in the entertainment and cultural events field this weekend as we move into the middle of November.

Playhouses that have been preparing their season openers are ready to take them to the stage. Student actors at Florida Atlantic University will present their second production of the season, a 180-degree jump to comedy from the theater-of-mood wrought by Anton Chekov's Uncle Vanya, the troupe's season opener.Plus, the newly renovated Kravis Center in West Palm Beach will offer a Broadway phenomenon.

The Museum of Discovery and Science will deliver a nontheatrical package: an uplifting tale of animals saved from extinction.

Heres a closer look at whats happening this weekend:

Friday, November 15

Youre in luck if your Halloween mask hasnt been packed away for next year. Its time for another fabulous party to benefit Beyond Nine Cat Rescue. This time, the theme of the festivities is Masquerade Madness, and prizes will be awarded for the best mask. Your $20 donation at the door Friday night includes valet parking, a cocktail of your choice, dinner, and dessert. Therell be a lot of great stuff in raffles and a silent auction.Established in 2007, Beyond Nine Cat Rescue is a nonprofit, all-volunteer group dedicated to giving felines the opportunity to live safe, healthy, and happy lives. It has about 200 cats waiting for forever homes, so give adoption serious thought. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, November 15, at Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa, 1200 N. Ocean Blvd., Pompano Beach; beyondninecatrescue.org. Admission is a donation of $20 at the door.

Student thespians at Florida Atlantic University are set to stage a production that Bostonians would call "a wicked pissa." Urinetown, a play by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis, will run this Friday through next Sunday, November 24, at FAUs Studio One Theatre on the Boca Raton campus. Set during a catastrophic water shortage when the use of private toilets has been banned, this hysterical musical satire of corporate greed and political malfeasance has an unlikely hero: a man who needs to pee and refuses to pay for it. The winner of three Tony Awards, Urinetown is an outrageous, modern comedic romp. Make sure you visit the restroom before you take your seat. 7 p.m. Friday, November 15; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, November 16; and 2 p.m. Sunday, November 17, through Sunday, November 24, at FAU's Studio One, 777 Glades Rd., Boca Raton; 561-297-6124. Tickets cost $22 via fauevents.com.

Fiddler on the Roof runs through Sunday at the Kravis Center.

Photo by Joan Marcus

Not many plays earn the descriptor beloved. Fiddler on the Roof is among the few and it's a distinction well earned and enduring. The tale of hard-working families in a small Russian village circa 1905, with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and a book by Joseph Stein, is about to conclude its run at the revamped Kravis Center in West Palm Beach.Fiddler is based on Tevye and His Daughters, a series of stories written in Yiddish by Ukrainian writer Sholem Aleichem and first published in 1894. The musical centers on Tevye, the father of headstrong daughters seemingly bent on flouting his Jewish religious and cultural traditions. The classic production is rich with Broadway hits, including To Life (LChaim), If I Were a Rich Man, Sunrise, Sunset, Matchmaker, Matchmaker, and Tradition. The original Broadway show, which opened in 1964, was the first musical in history to surpass 3,000 performances. 8 p.m. Friday, November 15; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, November 16; and 2 p.m. Sunday, November 17, at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 561-832-7469; kravis.org. Tickets start at $39.

Experience an unforgettable evening as South Floridas top female impersonators transform into legendary music stars. The show, Icons: The Art of Celebrity Illusion, brings Cher, Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Judy Garland, and Liza Minelli together for one night only. Join host and drag superstar Nicole Halliwell for an hour of fabulousness, glamour, outrageous costumes, musical hits, and plenty of surprises. 8 p.m. Friday, November 15, at Mizner Park Cultural Center, 201 Plaza Rd., Boca Raton; 844-672-2849; miznerparkculturalcenter.com. Tickets cost $29.

The cast of Andy and the Orphans, a new comedy by Lindsey Ferrentino, opening Friday in Boca Raton.

Photo courtesy of Primal Forces

The theater troupePrimal Forces will open its sixth season this Friday (its second in Boca Raton) with a powerful and poignant comedy by Lindsey Ferrentino, Andy and the Orphans. The play, which debuted last year at New Yorks Roundabout Theatre, follows a Jewish family on a road trip that uncovers an old scandal and some shattering family secrets. I am honored to bring together such a distinguished ensemble cast for this production, director Keith Garsson says. Though the play is often hilarious, Garsson says it also "explores a real family drama and lays bare topics that are not as readily discussed." The plot involves a couple of unhinged siblings who, after their fathers death, reunite with Andy, their movie-loving brother neither has seen in years. Together they careen down the Long Island Expressway while navigating strip malls, traffic jams, and some serious and not-so-serious family drama. The cast includes Edward Barbanell, a longtime Coral Springs resident, who understudied his role in its original incarnation in New York City. 8 p.m. Friday, November 15, and Saturday, November 16, and 2 p.m. Sunday, November 17, through December 8 at Sol Theatre, 3333 N. Federal Hwy., Boca Raton. Tickets start at $40 via primalforces.com or 866-811-4111.

Saturday, November 16

The Distinguished Speaker Series at the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale is back for its 2019 autumn season. Visitors of all ages are invited to learn from renowned researchers and scholars, who will educate, entertain, and inspire new ways of thinking about marine-related topics. This event will include an AutoNation IMAX 3D Theater screening Saturday of the critically acclaimed documentary Back From the Brink, which explores true stories of animals rescued from the edge of extinction. Several screenings are planned for Saturday, along with a distinguished speaker presentation at 2:30. 9 a.m. Saturday, November 16, at Museum of Discovery and Science, 401 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale. Admission is free to museum members; nonmember tickets cost $16 to $19.

In an effort to face our nations growing health crisis, curb the opioid epidemic, and deal with mental health issues, Integrative Medicine US and Lost Legacy Martial Arts will host their second-annual Integrative Health Expo and Legacy Kung Fu Tournament this Saturday and Sunday. The goal is to engage the community in exercise, mindfulness, andlifestyle and dietary changes aspreventative healthcare. The free event will include classes forbeginners on tai chi, qi gong, yoga, boot camp fitness, break dancing, and stationary surfing, as well as exhibitors providing information about and treatments in acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, dentistry, CBD, and more. For details, visit integrativemedicine.us or lostlegacysystems.com. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, November 16, and Sunday, November 17, at Coral Springs City Gym, 2501 Coral Springs Dr., Coral Springs. Admission free.

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The Seven Best Things to Do in South Florida This Weekend - New Times Broward-Palm Beach

Deepak Chopra is one of the most influential integrative medicine and meditation experts in the world. However, he wasnt always the epitome of calm. Early in his medical career, as a resident, Chopra turned to smoking and alcohol to combat the stress he was feeling. But noticing that these habits werent working, on an impulse, he decided to change the course of his life. I was very busy taking care of patients. I wanted them to feel better, but I couldnt give them any advice because of my own situation, he tells Thrive. So I decided to be the change I was seeking in others. I started getting good sleep, cultivating healthy emotions like compassion, joy, kindness, and peace, changed my diet to a more plant-based diverse diet, exercised, and started yoga.

This was over 50 years ago. Since then, Chopra has written over 85 books, founded The Chopra Foundation and Chopra Global, serves as a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California in San Diego, and hosts the podcast Deepak Chopras Infinite Potential. TIME has described him as one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century.

Chopra sits down with Thrive to discuss his latest book, Metahuman: Unleashing Your Infinite Potential, how you can be present anywhere, how to handle criticism, and his advice for managing your relationship with technology.

Thrive Global: What is your morning routine?

Deepak Chopra: I wake up anywhere between 4:00 to 6:00 in the morning, depending on what time I go to sleep, but I get eight hours of sleep every night. Then I do about two hours of a combination of meditation, reflection, breathing, yoga, and I set my intentions for the day, which are always the same joyful, energetic body, love and compassion in the heart, reflective alert mind, and lightness of being. Then, I just do what needs to be done.

TG: For someone who wants to start meditating, what are your tips to begin the practice?

DC: Meditation simply means going beyond the conditioned mind or thought. You can be in that state any moment by being fully aware of any experience, like attending to your breath, to a thought, to a sensation in the body, to an image in the mind, or to using a mantra. So if you want to be in that space right now, close your eyes and ask yourself, I wonder what my next thought is going to be. And there is silence. Thats meditation. You can be in that state all the time.

TG: Often, people are hesitant resistant, really to change. What advice would you give to someone to embrace change?

DC: I think one can be stuck in a rut and a routine because of the addiction to security. Actually, the addiction to security is the biggest cause of insecurity. We dont live in the past. The past is the known. We live in the present that actually creates the future. So if youre not present to experience right now if youre not enjoying experience right this moment, because youre constantly thinking of the future then when the future arrives, even the future that you want, you wont be present for it. The key to actually creating a more meaningful life, a life of purpose, and ultimately a life of success, is to know that we live, breathe, and move in the unknown. Take a risk, otherwise youll be a victim of the past. If you want to be a pioneer of the future, take a little risk.

TG: You have written over 90 books, which is remarkable. What inspires you to come up with new material and new ways of sharing your experience?

DC: My training. Im a physician. My career has evolved from being an internist to being an endocrinologist to a neuroendocrinologist, to somebody interested in mind-body medicine, which then evolved to integrative medicine. Now, Im going a little bit beyond that, into a deeper understanding of what is fundamental reality. We think that reality is this body, this mind, and this world, but actually, theres a more fundamental reality beyond the conditioned mind. I am obsessed with what the wisdom traditions call higher states of consciousness. So every book that I write is actually just a little step further than the previous book, because I think of evolution as a spiral staircase. When I write books, I dont actually think about who Im writing for, or who the exact audience is. Im sharing my own evolution as it has occurred over the last 50 years.

TG: Are there any principles that have really remained steadfast from book one to book 90?

DC: The main principle that has stood through the whole range of books that Ive written, numbers one through 90, is healing. The word healing comes from the word wholeness, which means all-inclusive mind, body, spirit, environment, personal relationships, social interactions, work, well-being, social well-being, community well-being, financial well-being, physical well-being, emotional well-being, and spiritual well-being. Theres a lot to cover, but it all has to do with healing.

TG: With so many distractions around, whats the best way to quiet the noise?

DC: You can quiet your internal dialogue just by being present in the moment to any sensory experience. Right now, even with your eyes open, just be aware of sound, without labeling it, or be aware of your breath, or be aware of the sensations in your body, or simply ask yourself, Am I present? We are distracted by experience without ever being aware of who or what is having the experience.

TG: What is your relationship with technology?

DC: I believe technology is neutral. Technology can destroy the world, but technology today can also help us in rewiring. The internet is the global brain. Everything about the human condition is there. When we personally evolve in the direction of joy, empathy, and compassion, and we share our spiritual practice with others, then we create a sangha. A sangha is a community. Today, with technology, I personally have a sangha, or a community, of 15 million people and its growing. If we keep doing that, then technology becomes a divine tool to create joy and healing. You use technology, dont allow it to use you. Its that simple.

TG: How do you handle criticism?

DC: Social media is a reflection of who we are, collectively, just like the world is a mirror of who we are collectively. So if you really want to make a difference in the world, then you have to be independent of both the criticism and the flattery you get from people who engage with you. If somebody flatters me, I just acknowledge them with a thank you, but internally, it doesnt make a difference. If somebody criticizes me, sometimes I also acknowledge them with a thank you, but internally Im independent of both. If youre dependent on other peoples opinions of yourself, then be prepared to be offended for the rest of your life.

TG: What is your evening routine?

DC: I stop working at around 5:00. I engage with friends and family for a little bit. Usually I also go for a little walk, eat a very light meal before sunset, and ideally go to bed before 10:00 in a totally dark room with total silence and no technology.

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Deepak Chopra On Finding Calm Anywhere You Are - Thrive Global