Doctors in for a dose of alternative medicine

Doctors in for a dose of alternative medicine

Above is the link of an Australian news article summarizing recent trends in Integrative Medicine.  

Dr. Andrew Weil has provided leadership in the academic medical settings resulting in more than 20% of the U.S. Medical Schools belonging to a consortium in integrative medicine.  In addition, he has trained hundreds of physicians through the Program in Integrative Medicine.  

I feel fortunate to have completed two programs with Dr. Andrew Weil as an Osher Fellow.  The first program was a residential fellowship program where I saw patients with Dr. Weil at the University of Arizona's Medical Center.   This option is no longer available due to the expense of running a residential program.  In addition, to the residential fellowship program, I also completed Associate Fellowship (now referred as Fellowship) using internet distance learning model.

The article also updates evidence based approach to integrative medicine.  Not surprisingly, acupuncture has strong base of evidence.  I have written several review articles evaluating the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating numerous conditions including weight loss, back pain, asthma, knee osteoarthritis, and depression.  

In Georgia Integrative Medicine, we provide integrated assessments including:

• Western Medicine
• Chinese Medicine
• Classic Homeopathy
• Energy Medicine
• Medical Intuition
• Nutrition 

Since there is no studies looking at an integrated approach, it is not possible to comment on the effectiveness.  However, if the separate components work, then it is likely that a well-orchestrated variety of healing modalities will likely to help. 

There is a growing consensus that the tools of science is too limited to study complex phenomenon.  I think this is true.  

John Kim, MD MPH FAAMA

Healthy Cooking 101

Please Join Dr. Kim & Nola Daniel CNC for Workshop on Health Cooking 101 July 26, 2008 2 PM to 5 PM. Cost is $ 50 per person.

Contact dcarey@welljourney.com or call 678.814.1333 x 1. Space limited to 6 people.

Red Wine May Slow Aging

NY Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/04/health/research/04aging.html?_r=1&ref=health&oref=slogi ) article cites a drug company sponsored start up firm performing research on creating a medication that mimics resveratrol, a compound found in wine.

Resveratrol is a natural compound found in grapes, mulberries, peanuts, and other plants or food products, especially red wine, that may protect against cancer and cardiovascular disease by acting as an antioxidant, antimutagen, and anti-inflammatory. (American Heritage Dictionary)

The article points out that the original research dose on mice was equivalent to 35 bottles a day of red wine. Resveratrol can also be obtained in the form of capsules marketed by several companies. It is postulated by the researchers resveratrol can mimic many of the effects of a caloric-restricted diet “at doses that can readily be achieved in humans.”

My teacher Dr. Andrew Weil states that we can obtain resveratrol simply by eating more fruits with deep red and purple color, such as grapes, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and cranberries.

Cancer and Healing

Summer 2008 issue on Cancer and Healing is available on line
Click below to access

Summer_2008.pdf

What is Integrative Medicine?

Integrative medicine is healing-oriented medicine that takes account of the whole person (body, mind, and spirit), including all aspects of lifestyle. It emphasizes the therapeutic relationship and makes use of all appropriate therapies, both conventional and alternative.

The Principles of Integrative Medicine Include Following:
1. Patient and practitioner are partners in the healing process.
2. All factors that influence health, wellness, and disease are taken into consideration, including mind, spirit, and community, as well as the body.
3. Appropriate use of both conventional and alternative methods facilitates the body's innate healing response.
4. Effective interventions that are natural and less invasive should be used whenever possible.
5. Integrative medicine neither rejects conventional medicine nor accepts alternative therapies uncritically.
6. Good medicine is based in good science. It is inquiry-driven and open to new paradigms.
Alongside the concept of treatment, the broader concepts of health promotion and the prevention of illness are paramount.
7. Practitioners of integrative medicine should exemplify its principles and commit themselves to self-exploration and self-development.

Integrative Medicine has become popular; ask the provider about their training. It is taught only in a few medical schools including University of Arizona where Dr. Andrew Weil has established Program in Integrative Medicine where Dr. John Kim trained for two years.

Spelt Bread Advantage

Nutrition is an important aspect of integrative approach to healing. At our clinic, Chef Nola prepares organic, gluten-free, fish-vegetarian cuisine. As part of the nutrition, Chef Nola uses spelt flour to bake delicious breads. Spelt, unlike conventional wheat, has not been genetically altered. Spelt is a complex carbohydrate, providing vitamins and minerals while slowly releasing glucose to prevent blood-sugar spikes.

Spelt is also higher in watersoluble vitamins, especially B-complex, and fat-soluble vitamin-A; it has a higher mineral uptake from the soil and is naturally higher in trace elements than common wheat flour.

Spelt has a high fiber content, both soluble and insoluble, rendering the gluten
in spelt more digestible. Spelt also contains all the essential and non-essential
amino acids needed to make protein; it also contains plant sterols known to lower cholesterol, and is high in potassium content and low in sodium-important in managing hypertension. Spelt flour, though not completely
gluten-free, contains gluten molecules which are significantly different than
those in conventional wheat flours, and is well tolerated by most individuals who are wheat and/or glutensensitive.

Holistic Nursing

Nursing profession has embraced Holism and Wellness ahead of the medical profession. American Holistic Nurses Association (www.ahna.org) has been providing nurses with community and leadership.

I am very pleased to share that holistic nursing is now a part of services at Georgia Integrative Medicine. Holistic nurses provide a vital link between patients and providers at Georgia Integrative Medicine and currently, I am completing one year Energy Medicine internship.

I look forward to contributing to this column.

Dorothy Carey RNC