Osher Center For Integrative Medicine
September 2021
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Asking What, Not Why: Start Fall with Curious Introspection |
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The transition from summer into autumn is traditionally a time to celebrate the harvest, reaping the benefits of our hard work. Our world has had a year filled with challenges, and yet arising from those crises there have been moments of beauty, and growth and brilliance. As the lazier days of summer give way to the “back to school and work” mindset of fall, I encourage you to set aside some time for introspection and reflection to gather your own emotional harvest.
Research has shown that people who possess greater insight and understanding of themselves enjoy stronger relationships, more self-acceptance and greater well-being. But introspection can be the enemy of insight, if more time is spent asking yourself why things have happened instead of being curious about what you’re feeling and what can be done . As organizational psychologist Dr. Tasha EurichI states, “Why questions can draw us to our limitations; what questions help us see our potential. Why questions stir up negative emotions; what questions keep us curious. Why questions trap us in our past; what questions help us create a better future."
In this month's newsletter we hear from Osher researcher Dr. Inger Burnett-Zeigler on her latest book that addresses important questions around social justice, diversity, equity and whole-person health care for all.
We also invite you to save the date for our virtual community education symposium Integrative Approaches to Support Immunity on November 6th, 2021. To stay informed about this event and our work, please subscribe to this newsletter and see below.
Let's ask the "what" questions and forge a path of greater awareness and better future, together. I invite you to partner with the Osher Center as a patient, colleague, or supporter. To learn more please visit our website.
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New Book by Osher Faculty |
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Click the link below to read the full interview.
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NEW ARRIVALS
The Osher Center welcomes two new faculty to our community!
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The research of Jen Martinez, PhD is focused on addressing the mental health consequences of racial discrimination and adapting interventions such as mindfulness-based interventions to be responsive to the contextual needs of people of color.
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Ashley Dyer, DACM, MPH combines her training in East Asian Medicine with her public health roots to forward meaningful research, develop integrative health education, and incorporate natural medicine strategies into patient-centered healthcare.
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Notes From Osher
Research Director,
Judy Moskowitz, PhD
Despite the challenges of the past year, our research program has continued to thrive and grow. We said farewell to some of our core research members as they moved on to new phases of their careers and welcomed some members who are just starting out. We supported two pilot grants that will seed novel research directions, and continued sharing our research through journal publications, conference presentations, and in the popular press.
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Highlight: Research Grant on Nature
Congratulations to Osher-affiliated researcher, Theresa Horton, PhD and community partner Daniel Hostetler, Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center, for receiving a 2021 ARCC community-engaged research partnership grant to improve health equity through their project: Gardening for Recovery & Optimal Wellbeing (GROW): A Feasibility Study of PhotoVoice as a Therapeutic Tool.
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News You Can Use
Selected Integrative Medicine Research Developments
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A new study in Nutritional Neuroscience reports that drinking six or more cups of coffee a day is associated with smaller brain volume and a 53% increased risk for dementia.
TIP: Coffee is a rich source of antioxidants and can be part of a healthy diet in moderation. Keep your coffee intake to less than 4 cups a day, and skip the high-sugar coffee creations.
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The largest systematic review to date found that:
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Each 50 g/day higher intake of processed meat (such as. bacon, ham, and sausages) increased the risk of CHD by 18%.
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Each 50 g/day higher intake of unprocessed red meat (such as beef, lamb and pork) increased the risk of CHD by 9%.
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Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has been an innovator in bringing integrative approaches to veterans with the goal of empowering them to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. Now the VHA is expanding the WholeHealth model to its employees with bountiful outcomes.
TIP: Employees who have greater involvement in delivering whole health services report higher rates of identifying their facility as the best place to work, lower turnover, lower burnout, and greater motivation in their jobs.
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TIP: Up to 80% of the population will experience back pain in their lifetime. Acupuncture is an attractive option in place of opioids and pain medications. Osher Clinic has experienced acupuncturists for your personalized care.
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Osher In The News
Recent Media Highlights
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Listen: Dr. Melinda Ring was featured on The Podcast by KevinMD. She spoke on the unconscious biases against vitamins and supplements. You can tune in, here.
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Read: What burnout really is, and ways to prevent it, featuring Dr. Inger Burnett-Zeigler from July 5, 2021 in the Seattle Times, here.
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Watch: Dr. Danny Bega's segment Exercise in Parkinson's disease from April 13, 2021 on FOX 32, here.
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Look: We have rebranded and updated our Osher website! Please visit us here to see all of the changes we have made.
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Wellbeing Events and Resources
See How You Can Take Part!
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Osher Grand Rounds will begin again this fall. Please explore our upcoming and past lectures and register here to join us for these exciting talks by leaders in the field.
SAVE THE DATE for our virtual Integrative Approaches to Immunity on November 6th, 2021. Chaired by Dr. Anna Shannahan, this meeting will be a blend of practical information on diet and lifestyle approaches, combined with activities you can join from the comfort of your home. Appropriate for community members and patients as well as interested healthcare professionals. Keep an eye on our Osher Events Page, here for updates and registration.
TedX Chicago Dr. Melinda Ring will be giving a TEDxChicago Talk on October 14th. To purchase tickets, see here.
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September screams all things apple, so this month we're making homemade apple butter!
Homemade Apple Butter
Makes 16-20 ounces
Ingredients:
3 lbs. apples (Fuji and Golden Delicious are popular varietals)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 cup water
Click here for the full recipe and instructions
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Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Northwestern University | Website
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