May is a special month filled with various festivities and rituals that bring us closer together. We enjoy celebrating Mother's Day, reflecting on Memorial Day, and practicing mindfulness during National Meditation Month. We also have the excitement of Derby Day, the vibrant culture of Cinco de Mayo, and a unique royal coronation taking place halfway across the globe.

These holidays and events remind us of the importance of rituals and how they help us honor the people and practices we care about. Rituals are powerful tools for managing strong emotions and stress. Studies have found that people who engage in rituals feel more in control and resilient. Even the simple act of recalling a past ritual can be helpful in managing emotions in the present.

As we embrace the upcoming month, rituals can help us process our complex feelings, giving us the safety to confront them head-on. We encourage you to take some time to practice a few rituals that help you explore your needs and celebrate your desires. Go for a run, meditate, treat yourself to your favorite flowers, make a meal worth repeating, connect with a loved one, journal for 5-10 minutes, or reminisce about those who have passed. Whatever ritual nourishes and supports you is just right.

We also invite you to make integrative medicine apart of your ritual by joining the Osher Center for Integrative Health as a patient, colleague, or supporter. To learn more please visit our website. We look forward to supporting your health. 

To Your Well Being,

Melinda Ring, MD

Executive Director

www.drmelindaring.com

Who's Who at Osher

Dr. Ginamarie Papia

Diet and Lifestyle Changes May Reverse Biological Age in Middle Aged Women

Results from a recent study suggest that biological age reduction may be possible through healthy diet and lifestyle measures.

The investigation included six healthy women ranging from 46 to 65 years. Each participant was instructed to follow specific guidelines for their diet, sleep schedules, and exercise routines. The guidelines also included various lifestyle tips and relaxation coaching sessions. Participants were also given a greens powder and a probiotic twice a day. Researchers measured the women’s biological age through DNA methylation analysis both before and after the intervention, which lasted for eight weeks. Results showed that the participants’ biological age reversed by an average of 4.6 years after the trial period.



Tip: In the above study, the diet intervention was largely plant centered but includes key nutrient-dense animal protein from 5-10 eggs per week, 6 oz of animal protein daily, and three 3-ounce servings of liver per week. Participants also ate all food within a 12-hour window each day to incorporate a basic level of intermittent fasting and drank 8-cups of water per day. Consider trying some of these tips to support optimal aging.

NAD Therapy Offers Anti-Aging Possibilities for Patient Care

A molecule found in all living organisms, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) contributes to hundreds of metabolic functions in the body including cell division, DNA repair, and ATP (mitochondrial energy) production. NAD is gaining popularity as a supplemental approach that some say may help slow the process of aging and revitalize the body.

NAD therapy is available through oral supplementation and intravenous (IV) therapy,. While there are many potential benefits, NAD supplementation also comes with risks. Please make sure you consult your doctor if you are interested in trying NAD therapy. The best and safest way to increase NAD is through nutrition and lifestyle.

Tip: To naturally support NAD levels, include foods in your diet containing apigenin, like parsley and chamomile, quercetin, like onions, dill, skins of red apples or other healthy options that increase NAD like fish, mushrooms, and green vegetables. Also, exercise, specifically interval training, may help raise NAD within muscle tissues.

Connect: Less Stress & Better Sex? From increasing libido to bettering immunity and bringing down high blood sugar, Ashwagandha is having its moment in the sun. Dr. Melinda Ring and Dr. Anand Dhruva, professor of medicine and director of education at the UCSF Osher Center shares their expert opinions with the NYT. 



Learn all about it, here.

Support: Ricky Hill, research assistant professor at NU Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Feinberg and associate member of the Osher Center for Integrative Health at Northwestern weighs in on their concern of rolling back growing protections for trans people in the U.S. and the mental health of trans youth.

Read about it, here.

Discover: Dr. Inger Burnett-Zeigler explains why stress is a silent killer for pregnant Black women in this important article on how racism in health care likely contributes to the misidentification of symptoms, mistreatment of conditions and inadequate access to high-quality health care resources.





Get informed, here.