October is a month bubbling over with national awareness and advocacy campaigns. ADHD Awareness, Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, Breast Cancer Awareness, LGBTQ History Month, and Vegetarian Awareness are just a few of the national "month events" that we can choose to celebrate and support. 

In contemplating the importance of advocacy and awareness for so many worthy causes, I wanted to touch base on the importance of our own focus for October: health equity for all. In the past couple of years, stories of injustice, trauma, and loss have been pervasive, leading to a much-needed conversation about our roles as individuals and organizations in addressing bias, inequities, and racism.

In our own program, we have explored both internal processes, as well as the need for systemic change across our healthcare system. As integrative health promotes a preventive approach, we need to have courage to manifest change needed to heal these public health issues. We are committed to identifying ways that integrative medicine can work with patients and communities to overcome the unfair and avoidable differences in health status that arise from social determinants of health, and advance health equity. We are steadfast in our commitment to serving and engaging all communities through whole-person care, and strive to incorporate this through our clinical care, education programs, research studies, and community initiatives.

We invite you to experience health equity through integrative medicine 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, FACP, ABOIM

Executive Director

IG @DrMelindaRing

Left to Right: Dr. Melinda Ring; Ms. Isra Hassan; Mr. Bernard Osher; Mrs. Barbro Osher; Ms. Mary Bitterman; Ms. Kalinda Marshall; Dr. Anna Shannahan

On September 19th, members of each of the ten Osher Centers gathered in Seattle for a three-day conference to discuss successes and challenges and gain insights from colleagues across the Osher Collaborative. It was the first in-person gathering of the Osher Collaborative since 2019 and included representation from our newest Osher Centers: University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Cincinnati, University of Vermont, and University of Utah. The collaborative also celebrated Mr. Osher’s 95th birthday at the National Nordic Museum.

Registration is Open! 

On Saturday, November 12, 2022 from 9am to 3:30pm, we invite you to attend our annual community education symposium. This year we focus on sharing holistic care options across Northwestern Medicine. Here you will be able to meet Osher-affiliated clinicians to learn about their integrative medicine practices, as well as participate in experiential classes during the day. Please register on our website. 

For additional Osher events, please visit our events page for info and registration. 

Certain dairy products associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes

New research indicates that certain dairy products may help prevent type 2 diabetes (T2D), while red and processed meat could increase risk. According to the study, consumption of 200 g daily (almost 1 cup) of milk was associated with a 10% lower risk of T2D, and 100 g (3.52 oz) of yogurt correlated with a 6% risk reduction. Cheese and full-fat dairy did not appear to effect diabetes risk, according to the study.

Conversely, consumption of 100 grams per day of total meat increased the risk of type 2 diabetes by 20%, and 50 grams per day of processed meat increased risk by 30%. . 

Tip: Reduce your intake of red and processed meats to help lower your risk of type 2 diabetes. If you can tolerate or wish to implement dairy into your diet, moderate amounts, especially low-fat products, milk and yogurt, may help reduce the risk. 

Do different types of exercise impact mental health and cognition?

A recent study found that exercise’s effects on mental health and memory may depend on the duration and intensity of physical activity. Researchers found that participants who generally participated in moderate intensity exercises often did better on episode memory tasks and participants who exercised at high intensity rates tended to do better on spatial memory tasks. In contrast, those who rarely exercised generally performed worse on spatial memory tasks.

Tip: As research evolves, we may be able to fine tune exactly what exercise helps most before stressful events like taking and exam or giving a presentation. For now, to maximize the benefits of exercise on cognition/memory and mental health, variety is the spice of life. Try incorporating a varied schedule like walking/running twice a week, yoga once a week and strength training twice a week 

Lifestyle modifications key to preventing many breast cancer cases

Expert reports, highlighted by 2019 The North American Menopause Society conference, estimate that one in three breast cancer cases could be prevented by lifestyle modifications.

According to The World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research, for postmenopausal women there is a 1.5 to 2.0 times increased risk of breast cancer if a woman is obese and weight is suggested to increase cancer risk as a result of high insulin, increased estrogen, and inflammation. Alcohol intake is also strongly associated with an increased breast cancer risk.

Tips:  Modifications that can help include weight management, physical activity, nutrition, and curtailing alcohol consumption. 

• Follow an anti-inflammatory diet such as the Mediterranean Diet
• Stay active-physical activity alone could prevent 1 in 8 breast cancer cases.
• Limit alcohol-As of 2020, alcohol is a carcinogen attributable to 5% of world wide breast cancer cases. 
• Stop smoking
• Eat your veggies-non-starch vegetable consumption is associated with lower breast cancer risk.
• Get regular mammograms

Traditional Unani medicine appears to have a strong anti-psoriatic effect

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory disorder of the skin and despite modern therapeutic options, is incurable and recurrent. Some of the prescribed medications are associated with serious adverse effects, opening the door for the exploration of alternative treatments. 

In recent trials, patients with chronic plaque psoriasis, were treated with Unani (Greco-Arab traditional medicine) herbs for 12 weeks. The trial formulation appears to have a strong anti-psoriatic effect, superior to control drugs PUVAsol and petrolatum in terms of safety, efficacy, and tolerability in the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis. 

Tip: What's old is new: traditional healing practices are being explored as therapeutic options. Incorporating anti-inflammatory diets as well as exploring whole healing systems such as Unani, Ayurvedic or traditional Chinese medicine are options to address dermatologic conditions ranging from psoriasis to eczema to acne. Check with your dermatologist or integrative doctor about whether these could help you.

Read: With concerns rising over the safety of white mulberry leaf, Dr. Ring weighs in on the benefits of this effective herb. 

Read the NY Times article, here.

Relax: From reducing stress to soothing inflammation and boosting post-workout recovery, Dr. Ring shares her expertise regarding the 5 Potential Health Benefits of Infrared Sauna Therapy.

Read about it, here.

Take Part: Our fellow Osher Center at the University of Cincinnati is hosting a free, food as medicine, virtual event on October 20, 2022.

To get more info and register, visit the UC news article, here. 

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