StemCell Therapy

One of the defining events of 2019 was Extinction Rebellion, the global protest movement bolstered by activists like Greta Thunberg to make the climate emergency a priority for governments around the world.

Since its founding in 2018, XR, as its known, has mobilized thousands of people in dozens of countries, brought sections of London, New York, and Sydney to a standstill, and spawned 3,000 arrests in the UK alone (purposeful arrests are a core part of its strategy).

While the movement has received its share of criticism as it has grown in size and powernamely around its lack of diversityits sheer numbers and degree of international press coverage point to an enviable level of operational success.

A key to this success? Choosing an effective organizational model early on, informed by the latest management science. XR is a decentralized network designed to resemble a holacracy, an operating structure for self-organization tested by tech companies like Google, Zappos, and Medium. Anyone can join XR so long as they adhere to its 10 core principles and values, including a commitment to nonviolence.

While holacracy, too, has received its share of criticism as it, too, has gained traction, the system is credited for providing a basic framework for effective self-organization. At a holacracy training session at Zappos, the online shoe retailer, in 2013, HolacracyOne co-founder Brian Robertson, who invented the system, described his creation as providing a rule system for anarchy.

Extinction Rebellions embrace of holacracy makes it the largest-scale use case to date, eclipsing Amazon-owned Zapposs high-profile trials with holacracy involving 1,500 employees. Like Zappos, which has quietly backed away from certain tenants of the system and has begun to experiment with its own, modified version of holacracy, XR is also taking a broader interpretation of holacracy.

Were not dogmatic about using holacracy; its an adaptive version, says Ronan Harrington, a UK political strategist who was personally recruited by XR co-founder Roger Hallam to join the movement.

XR is not formally engaging HolacracyOnes services. Instead, its leadership has trained itself using online videos and with guidance from advisors like Miki Kashtan, an international teacher of nonviolent communication and former McKinsey consultant Frederic Laloux, whose internationally bestselling book Reinventing Organizations profiles successful self-managed organizations, including HolacracyOne.

The defining feature of a holacracy is its circular hierarchical structure, which is quite different from the static pyramid hierarchies most organizations employ today. The flattened hierarchy, combined with a focus on granular roles over broader job titles, as well as distributed decision-making and clear frameworks for conflict resolution, makes holacracy a more dynamic and scalable option for self-organizing entities like XR.

Reflecting basic holacratic structure, XR has a number of core circles that focus on everything from finance and fundraising to legal, tech, and even the nature of self-organizing systems. The core circles send representatives to the main circle, led by XR co-founders Hallam and Gail Bradbrook. Feedback loops run quickly both down- and upstream. Those in core roles are empowered to make decisions as they see fit, so long as they consult with others who have expertise in order to make thoughtful decisions.

More complex decisions involve integrative decision making, a process where all proposals need to pass with no objection. When necessary, a rapid-response team makes faster decisions on strategy and other issues.

The movement has learned from the mistakes of Occupy Wall Street, which was weighed down by crowded general assemblies that made decisions by consensus, which quickly became a hindrance to progress. By contrast, holacracy is designed to protect against that kind of gridlock by empowering individuals to act with full sovereignty within the scope of their roles, while retaining a democratic bent through its governance and integrated decision-making processes.

Harrington notes that the average XR protester probably would not even know that they are operating within a holacracy (though the group does hold training sessions on holacracy in various local chapters). People know [holacracy] by the processes we have, he explains. For most people its their first experience in a self-organizing system.

Daniel Thorson, who has explored the concept of societal and ecological collapse through his podcast Emerge: Making Sense of Whats Next, participated in the UK protests this past autumn. While he wasnt initially aware of XRs holacratic design, he observed that anyone was empowered to act as they desired, so long as it was in accordance with the movements principles. He kept up-to-date on the campaigns UK strategy through a widely broadcast channel on Telegram, the encrypted messaging service. Transparent information flow is a core tenet of holacracy because it fosters trust, the lynchpin of all effective self-organized systems.

Thorson, who also participated in Occupy Wall Street, was struck by the way XR participants were noticeably more in control of their emotions than the Occupiers were, evidenced by a more cool-headed approach to protesting.

In Londons Trafalgar Square, youd come across a sign for therapeutic yoga and sound healing, right next to a table for the scientists of XR, and the Buddhists of XR, he said, referring to the mixture of the spiritual and the sacred within the context of the protest movement. At Occupy there would have been antipathy for that.

On Thorsons podcast following his visit to the UK, he interviewed Harrington, who pointed out that many XR protesters have done their shadow work, that is, healed traumas within themselves so they dont project dysfunctional conditioning onto others, namely law enforcement.

They have done inner work on antagonism, so they are projecting less onto the public, explained Harrington, noting the clear link between self-development and systems transformation. [When] an activist hasnt actually processed the rage and the anger that comes from issues with their mothers and fathers, they project that onto the system. And people feel that.

Thorson adds that the inherent discomfort associated with protesting can easily trigger unhealed emotional wounds. You can tell where trauma is if you get irritated, he says. There are so many opportunities for people to freak out. People were more angry and rageful at Occupy, whereas at XR people are pretty peaceful. Its more of a festival atmosphere.

The XR movement itself has its roots in the spiritual. In 2016, Bradbrook attended an ayahuasca ceremony in Costa Rica for activists with the intention of discerning the codes for social change. (Ayahuasca is a plant-based medicine thought to have a mind-opening effect.)

Not long after, Bradbrook, a former biophysicist, met Hallam, a former organic farmer who is pursuing a PhD at Kings College London centered on how to create social change; and together they began laying the groundwork for XR. The activists studied notable protest movements in modern history and determined that nonviolence, promoted by the likes of Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., has by far been the most effective strategy. Their message was bolstered by the work of Jem Bendell, a professor of sustainability leadership at the University of Cumbria, who published a viral academic paper in July 2018 discussing the need for deep adaptation in the face of impending ecological collapse.

Using holacracy as an operating system, they scaled XR globally in relatively fast order, starting with the groups official founding in October 2018 and accelerating with mass protests in April and October of this year. The campaign has brought attention to the climate emergency, but it is still far from persuading political leaders to meet its demands, which include a commitment by the British government to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. Based on their academic research, XRs leaders predict it will take 3.5% of the population getting involved to affect systemic change.

As XR strategizes for its next phase in 2020, it is also integrating lessons Hong Kongs pro-democracy movement, which is leaderless out of necessity. We admire their Bruce Lee, be-like-water approach, says Harrington, though he is quick to note a core difference between the two is XRs commitment to non-violence. Either way, he says, Hong Kong shows us the value of keeping something in the news long enough.

Original post:
Extinction Rebellion is using holacracy to scale its international movement - Quartz

Stressful news comes in all shapes and sizes. For some it is sudden news of financial struggle, and for others it comes in the form of being laid off from a job. In this weeks parsha we read how Yaacov dealt with his own stressful news.

The defining moment had come. The brothers had to tell their father, Yaakov, that Joseph was alive. There was arguing amongst themselves as to how to deliver this news. For all these years, Yaakov believed his favorite son, Joseph, was dead. To bring out these facts now, including the background story, could have such an impact on Yaakov that the brothers feared it would kill him upon hearing the news.

A genius solution appeared. Yaakovs cherished granddaughter, Serach, would be brought in. She would sing the story of what happened to Joseph through her beautiful, comforting voice. Serachs song would tell the tale of Josephs sale into slavery and how he came to be alive. Her lovely voice would create a soft arrow that would go from the story of Josephs life and travel into the tender interior of Yaakovs heart, allowing Yaakovs body to remain alive as he took in this jarring news.

I know I have invented my own methods for slowing down the impact of difficult news. When I opened my email to read the feedback forms (criticism) from the womens yoga retreat I ran at Isabella Freedman Retreat Center, I covered my eyes and read the reviews through the cracks of light in between my fingers, stockading myself for the worst. If I started to read something really upsetting, I could close my fingers tight and block the view. Ninety-nine percent of the feedback forms came back outstanding; the crowd raved! But there was that one voice, ok, maybe several voices, that said I talked too much, as well as some other points of criticism that made me feel glad I was reading them through the cracks of light through my fingers.

I have a low threshold for criticism. Still, I have gotten better through the years, and I attribute my growing ability to tolerate uncomfortable feelings to the consistent physical practice of yoga and breathing. Yes, breathing! Intentional deep diaphragm breathing lowers cortisol stress hormones and supports the neocortex part of the brain to make logical decisions during times of stress.

Not long ago, my 92-year-old mother (thank God) spent a day preparing for an unpleasant minor procedure to be done the following day. By the time she arrived for the procedure, she was all riled up, and her blood pressure was way too high to move ahead. My mother told the doctor that she was not going home until the procedure was done, no matter what. So, they brought in a nurse to breath with her in an attempt to lower her blood pressure enough to complete the procedure. My determined mother became focused and quiet, taking deep rhythmic breaths with the nurse. As her breathing slowed, she moved out of her fight-or-flight state and into a state of calm. Within the hour, her blood pressure was rechecked, and this time the anesthesiologist felt safe enough to move ahead with the procedure.

Worrying about a single event coming up, as with my mother, is one thing. But we can find ourselves in an ongoing, constant state of fight or flight, not even being aware of it. This is all thanks to stress hormones. These horomones naturally lower by nighttime, but if we are living day-to-day as if there might be a disaster ready to happen at any moment, a high rate of stress hormones will circulate and wont slow down enough to get a good nights sleep. This, we do not want.

Practicing the yoga poses and breathing deeply in an intentional way is a simple yet powerful tool for creating positive changes in our physiology, all while supporting our nervous system in an effort to calm down. Through the physical practice of yoga, blood pressure rates lower. Muscle tensions are released. Cortisol stress hormone rates come down. Heart rate variability increases, as does the release of serotonin in the brain, which naturally creates a sense of well-being.

There are specialists whose disciplines tackle these issues: Dr. Nancy Lentine has a private practice in integrative family medicine, specializing in the endocrine hormone system. Stephen Cope is the founder and director of the Kripalu Institute for Extraordinary livinga research institute that examines the effects and mechanisms of yoga and meditation.

With tools to calm our physical body, there is more ability to tolerate the difficult emotions and feelings that will come in our life experiences and memories. In the story of Yaakov, the news was told to him slowly and sweetly. He was able to keep breathing, sustaining his own life. His intellect had a chance to process the shocking story of his son and he was able to contain and hold the strong feelings, setting himself up for success.

Whether you are new to the practice of yoga or a seasoned practitioner, now is the time to check out the yoga and meditation classes at Freedom Within Yoga Studio in Teaneck. For more information call 201-920-7408 or go to http://www.freedomwithinyoga.com.

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The Art of the Yoga Practice - Jewish Link of New Jersey

You may associate essential oils with aromatherapy products and fancy day spas. But did you know certain varieties of these fairly inexpensive oils may have legit benefits when it comes to relieving anxiety and stress?

According to Yufang Lin, MD, an integrative medicine specialist at the Cleveland Clinics Center for Integrative Medicine, essential oils work through inhalation or through topical application and have mind-body benefits. For inhalation, essential oils can be easily used as a room spray or via diffuser. A few drops on a pendant worn close to skin also allows for a slow release over time.

Topically, essential oils can be added to a carrier oil and used as perfume, massage oil, cream, or salves. Last but not least, adding an essential oil to your bath is a wonderful way to relax at the end of a busy day, says Dr. Lin.

The quickest way to change ones mood is through smell, thus essential oil is an excellent way to reduce anxiety and support relaxation, says Dr. Lin. However, it takes a lot of herbs to make a small amount of essential oil, which makes it a strong medicine that should be used judiciously.

While research on essential oils for mental health benefits is still expanding, there is some info to suggest that certain oils may work for things like stress relief, better sleep, and more. The thing is, though, even if one study shows that a particular scent is great for, say, reducing anxious feelings, it may not work for every single person. If you don't enjoy a scent, you probably won't feel much better after sniffing it, for instance.

The essential oils below have been shown to reduce anxiety in human studies, says Dr. Lin. Other scents are also commonly used to reduce anxiety and support relaxation, but research beyond animal studies is needed to know if they have real benefits for people.

The essential oils ahead have been shown to help people feel calmer and more relaxed, says Dr. Lin. One potential caveat is that most people have scent memory. So, for instance, if a person has a negative memory associated with a particular scent, they may not feel relaxed when they smell that scent, she explains.

Its important to keep potential side effects in mind, as they can be mild to severe. For one thing, certain essential oils (citrus in particular) can cause photosensitivitymeaning you can get a sunburn more easily after using orange essential oil on the skin, says Dr. Lin. (This is why it's a common recommendation to dilute oils before applying them topically, just to be extra cautious.)

Additionally, some essential oils are safe in small amounts but can dangerous in higher doses. Tea tree and eucalyptus essential oils are commonly used for their antimicrobial benefits, but in excess, can cause nerve and liver damage, says Dr. Lin. Some essential oils are toxic in general and should not be usedarnica, parsley, rue, and tansy are a few that fall into this category.

Finally, do not ingest essential oil without supervision from a trained herbalist, and be extra cautious using essential oils around young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and small pets because they are most at risk for toxicity and side effects, she says.

The bottom line: Research on using essential oils to ease anxiety or for stress reduction is growing, but remains limited. But if you're a healthy adult and are using essential oils safely and at the guidance of your doctor, there is little harm in testing some oils out to see which ones help you feel mentally better.

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Majestic Pure Lavender Oil

$21.50

According to a 2012 study, lavender essential oil has been shown to help treat symptoms of anxiety and depression. This might be due to how it impacts the limbic system of the brain, which controls your emotions.

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Bergamot Essential Oil

Bergamot oil, which comes from bergamot oranges and thus has an energizing citrusy scent, has been shown to improve mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety, according to 2015 research.

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Now Essential Orange Oil

$8.37

If youre pregnant and hoping for a Zen birth experience, a 2015 study suggested that orange essential oil may help to lower feelings of anxiety during labor.

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Plant Therapy Peppermint Organic Essential Oil

$7.95

The menthol content in peppermint oil has been shown to help relieve tension and discomfort, which can in turn help you feel more calm and relaxed.

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Frankincense Essential Oil

$8.99

Frankincense comes from the resin of the Boswellia tree. Within 2008 research, massaging a blend of this oil in combination with bergamot and lavender oils helped to relieve anxiety, depression, and pain in terminal cancer patients.

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Pure Gold Myrrh Essential Oil

Similar to lavender, myrrh essential oil (which has a woodsy scent) may help you to feel relaxed and less stressed in general.

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Majestic Pure Rose Oil

$24.50

Rose essential oil, which has similar effects to those of orange oil, has been shown to reduce anxiety during labor in pregnant women when used in a foot bath, according to 2014 research.

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Plant Therapy Marjoram Sweet Essential Oil

$9.95

Although more research is needed, sweet marjoram (also known as oregano) is believed to help relieve headaches and anxiety, as well as promote calmness.

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Eucalyptus Essential Oil

$5.79

Similar to peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil contains menthol, which has a cooling effect that may help to relieve aches and tension, which can in turn promote relaxation and reduce feelings of anxiety.

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Handcraft TeaTree Essential Oil

$14.95

Although there isnt substantial research on it, tea tree oil is believed to reduce stress and even boost immunity and ward off sickness.

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Roman Chamomile Essential Oil

Chamomile isnt just a relaxing tea that can help you sleep. The oil can also have the same calming effect if added to an aromatherapy diffuser or hot bath.

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Jasmine Essential Oil Aromatherapy

$8.22

You may already love jasmine for its uplifting floral scent, but 2013 research showed that it can also promote feelings of well-being as well as reduce sleepiness and symptoms of anxiety.

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Valerian Essential Oil

If you tend to have trouble falling asleep, valerian oil can help you feel more relaxed and calm your nerves at bedtime.

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Patchouli Essential Oil

$7.49

Although there isnt sufficient research available, patchouli oil is believed to promote calmness and relaxation if youre suffering from anxiety, depression, or stress in general. It can be added to a warm bath or diffuser in combination with lavender oil.

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NOW Foods 100% Pure Clary Sage Essential Oil

According to 2015 research, clary sage can relieve tension and help to maintain optimal levels of the stress hormone cortisol in women. This is beneficial because high cortisol levels have been shown to increase the occurrence of anxiety and depression.

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Pure Gold Holy Basil Essential Oil

Rest assured: This isnt the same basil you put in your pasta sauce. Holy basil (also known as tulsi) has a minty scent and, according to 2014 research, it may help to alleviate mental stress.

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Best Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

$13.01

If youve ever gotten a professional massage, youre likely familiar with ylang ylang and the fact that it promotes relaxation. Additionally, per 2013 research, ylang ylang can help to reduce symptoms of anxiety and promote better sleep.

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Geranium Essential Oil

Similar to rose and orange essential oils, geranium oil has been shown to reduce anxiety for pregnant women in labor, in addition to decreasing blood pressure, according to a 2015 study.

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Cliganic Organic Rosemary Essential Oil

$9.95

Another one that isnt just for cooking, rosemary essential oil has been shown to reduce cortisol (stress hormone) levels, which can then, in turn, relieve anxiety, according to 2007 research.

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Art Naturals Lemongrass Essential Oil

$11.95

While research on lemongrass oil is fairly limited, a 2015 study showed that it can possibly provide a rapid response when used by people who experience anxiety and tension.

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The 20 Best Essential Oils For Anxiety And Stress, Per Research - Women's Health

By Deepak Chopra, MD

Reality contains many mysteries, some so impenetrable that even the greatest minds are baffled. Albert Einstein was among them. Even though quantum physics had achieved a huge success, Einstein had doubts about its description of reality. These doubts were crystallized in an anecdote. As related the acclaimed modern physicist Lee Smolin, He once walked back from the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton with the late Abraham Pais. The moon was out and Einstein asked Pais, Do you really believe the moon is not there when you are not looking at it?

Einstein was defending two of the most basic principles in everyday life, first, that physical objects exist out there as real things, second, that they exist independent of an observer. It would seem impossible that these two propositions arent true. Of course, we say, the moon exists as a real thing, and it was around for billions of years before the first human gazed at it. But this view, technically known as naive realism, is fatally flawed.

Imagine that you have a red light bulb hanging in a room of your house, and every time you walk into the room, the bulb is on. Does that mean that it is on all the time? The possibility exists that it only turns on when you walk into the room. This sounds far-fetched, but in fact you cannot prove that the red light ever turns off. It would have to turn off when you arent looking, and yet the only way to check on it is to walk into the room and look.

Quantum physics has many theoretical arguments that have raged for over a century, but among its greatest pioneers, Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg stated that nothing in Nature, not just a red light but all the basic stuff in creation, such as electrons and photons, cannot be proven to exist unless someone looks at them. This is only one of the strange behaviors exhibited in the quantum world, but it is probably the most crucial for figuring out the mystery of reality.

Bohr and Heisenberg were pioneering an idea that came to be known as the participatory universe, which holds that human beings, far from being insignificant compared to the vast operation of cosmic laws, are key players. As Heisenberg put it, electrons and other particles are not real but exist only as ideas or concepts. They become real when someone asks questions about Nature, and depending on which question you ask, Nature obligingly supplies an answer.

What exists outside our questions? That is the core mystery. The quantum revolution did away with the common-sense view that physical objects out there can be taken for granted. Einstein knew this, of course. Having discovered relativity, he understood that time and space are not actually the time and space of everyday perception. He wanted the moon to be real for a deeper reason: the unity of Nature. He was fairly young when he made headlines around the world with E=mc2, and for the remaining decades of his career he strived to come up with a method, mathematically speaking, that would unify quantum mechanics and relativity.

In that project he failed, and no one has succeeded to this day. Why should this matter to the average person? Because right now quantum reality behaves in its strange way and the everyday world behaves in a mostly common-sense way. The two are in flat contradiction, as evidenced very close to home in the human brain.

The brain, like all physical objects, can be broken down, layer by layer, until you reach the level of the quantum. At that point, it basically vanishes. Seemingly solid matter diffuses into clouds of energy, these clouds spread out as ripples in the quantum field, and the ripples cannot be conceived except as mathematical configurations in hyperspace. It doesnt matter whether you start at the top or the bottom of the heap. You cant make mathematical configurations learn to think, and you cant keep the brain intact as a solid physical object.

To bring the issue even closer to home, your brain is like the red light bulb in the room. You cant prove that it exists without you to observe it. If Heisenberg was right and electrons are merely ideas that Nature turns into particles when human being dream up questions about electrons, then the brain is also an idea. It happens to be a huge, complex idea. The brain is Natures answer when someone asks, what does the mind look like?

Once you ask this question, the whole field of neuroscience pops into existence. Nature has tons of tiny answers about neurons, synapses, serotonin, and so on to fill out the one big answer. But the brain doesnt become real just because it provides lots of facts. These facts are linked to the basic rule that nothing can be real without an observer. To put it simply, every experience needs three things: an observer, the thing observed, and the process of observation. Einstein wanted to reduce the three parts to one: the thing observed (in this case, the moon).

His contention doesnt hold up, however, because as with the red light bulb, the whole universe cant be separated from an observer and the act of observation. You have to back up quite a few steps to reach this conclusion, too many steps for the average person, including the vast majority of scientists. But physics is still haunted by Einsteins question: Is anything out there real by itself?

Physics is in a funk today because it cant make this question go away. Two or three decades ago, physical stuff was real, and this whole business about the observer could be ignored, at least for workaday purposes like building high-speed particle accelerators. But the ground has shifted. Stuff has become our current model of matter and energy, and no one can agree on what this model should be.

A sizable quotient of very smart physicists believes that consciousness is an innate part of creation. This idea comes from thinkers who were backed into a corner. They couldnt, no matter how hard they tried, show how mind came aboutall physical explanations failed and continue to fail. Secondly, they couldnt take out the pesky need to include the observer and process of observationthe universe has to be participatory.

Revolutions often occur when old thought and received opinions are backed into a corner. That is happening right now, and in the next post well discuss why Einstein being wrong about the moon actually changes everything.

(to be cont.)

DEEPAK CHOPRA MD, FACP, founder of The Chopra Foundation, a non-profit entity for research on well-being and humanitarianism, and Chopra Global, a modern-day health company at the intersection of science and spirituality, is a world-renowned pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation. He is a Clinical Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of California, San Diego. Chopra is the author of over 89 books translated into over forty-three languages, including numerous New York Times bestsellers. His 90th book and national bestseller, Metahuman: Unleashing Your Infinite Potential (Harmony Books), unlocks the secrets to moving beyond our present limitations to access a field of infinite possibilities. TIME magazine has described Dr. Chopra as one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century.

Excerpt from:
Why Einstein Was Wrong About the Moon - SFGate

Cough and cold remedies: If you have spent this winter sneezing and coughing, then including this immunity boosting turmeric latte in your diet can help you! Know the health benefits right here.

Cough and cold: Turmeric latte with nutmeg and black pepper can boost immunity in winter

Cough and cold: Winter is the time when you need a strong immunity to prevent catching cough, cold and infections every now and then. Your diet and lifestyle play an important role when it comes to strengthening your immunity and protecting your body from viruses, bacteria and other pathogens try to enter your body on a daily basis. Lifestyle coach Luke Coutiho recently shared an immunity boosting drink in one of his recent posts on Instagram. It is none other than turmeric latte, or the traditional haldi doodh. However, apart from milk and turmeric, he adds a variety of other spices that not just impart a soothing flavour to the drink, but also makes it more powerful and effective in terms health benefits.

Luke prepares his turmeric latte in coconut milk. Other ingredients that he adds are black pepper and nut meg.

Coconut milk is a healthy alternative for cow milk. It can be great for people with lactose intolerance as well. Coconut milk contains beneficial medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), which can be beneficial for aiding weight loss, improving body composition and metabolism. Additionally, coconut milk contains many beneficial compounds like antimicrobial lipids, capric acid and lauric acid, all of which have antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. These properties can be made to use during the cold winter months when the body is more prone to catching diseases and infections.

Turmeric latte can be prepared with coconut milk as wellPhoto Credit: iStock

Also read: Coconut Water Or Coconut Milk; Which One Is Healthier?

Health benefits of turmeric can be magnified when consumed in combination with black pepper. Curcumin in turmeric and piperine in black pepper are the two active ingredients that contribute to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and disease fighting qualities. Adding a pinch of black pepper to your turmeric latte can thus have amazing immunity-boosting benefits for your health.

Turmeric and black pepper can together help in boosting immunityPhoto Credit: iStock

Also read: 7 Ways To Use Turmeric For Reducing Pimples And Keep Them Away Forever

One of the many benefits of nutmeg is that it boosts immunity. It is rich in iron, calcium and manganese. The spice has a calming effect on your body and can help in treating insomnia when consumed regularly. Essential volatile oils like elemicin, eugenol, safrole and myristicin can help in dealing with joint pain-which tends to worsen in cold winter months.

Take a cup of coconut milk and add to a pan. Add a pinch of nutmeg, black pepper and 1 tsp honey to sweeten the taste. Bring to the boil or heat it till it is suitable and comfortable for consumption. Have it before bed time every day.

Also read: Five Health Benefits of Nutmeg

If you have spent this winter sneezing and coughing, then including this immunity boosting turmeric latte in your diet can help you! Try it and let us know how it works for you.

(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.

DoctorNDTV is the one stop site for all your health needs providing the most credible health information, health news and tips with expert advice on healthy living, diet plans, informative videos etc. You can get the most relevant and accurate info you need about health problems like diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, weight loss and many other lifestyle diseases. We have a panel of over 350 experts who help us develop content by giving their valuable inputs and bringing to us the latest in the world of healthcare.

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Constant Cough And Cold Giving You A Hard Time? Try This Immunity Boosting Turmeric Latte For Some Relief - Doctor NDTV

A Migliore,1 G Gigliucci,1 RJ Petrella,2 RR Bannuru,3 X Chevalier,4 E Maheu,5 R Raman,6 G Herrero-Beaumont,7 N Isailovic,8 M Matucci Cerinc9

1Rheumatology Unit, San Pietro Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Rome, Italy; 2Department of Family Medicine, School of Kinesiology Western University, Western Centre for Public Health & Family, London, Ontario, Canada; 3Center for Treatment Comparison and Integrative Analysis Division of Rheumatology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; 4Department of Rheumatology, Hpital Henri Mondor, Creteil, France; 5Rheumatology Department, AP-HP, Saint-Antoine Hospital, Paris, France; 6Academic Department of Orthopaedics, Hull and East Yorkshire NHS Trust, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, UK; 7Joint and Bone Research Unit, IIS-Fundacion Jimenez Diaz UAM, Madrid, Spain; 8Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy; 9Division of Rheumatology AOUC, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

Correspondence: N IsailovicDivision of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Humanitas Research Hospital, Via A. Manzoni 56, Rozzano 20089, Milan, ItalyTel +39-02-8224-5118Email natasa.isailovic@humanitasresearch.it

Abstract: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a rheumatic disease that affects the well-being of the patient, compromises physical and mental function, and affects other quality of life aspects. In the literature, several evidence-based guidelines and recommendations for the management of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) are available. These recommendations list the different therapeutic options rather than addressing a hierarchy between the treatments and defining the real target. Therefore, a question arises: are patients and physicians satisfied with the current management of KOA? Actually, the answer may be negative, thus suggesting a change in our therapeutic strategies. In this article, we address this challenge by suggesting that it is time to develop a treat to target strategy for KOA.

Keywords: osteoarthritis, knee osteoarthritis, treat to target

This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License.By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.

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It Is the Time to Think About a Treat-to-Target Strategy for Knee Oste | TCRM - Dove Medical Press

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