About Integrative Medicine
Integrative Medicine is currently defined as that of integrating evidence based complementary medicine with mainstream medicine. IM doctors are interested in modalities that treat the patient with non pharmacological treatments. These modalities included acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutritional medicine, bio-energetic medicine and mind body medicine.
Recommended text book:
A Guide to Evidence-based Integrative and Complementary Medicine (by Vicki Kotsirilos, Luis Vitetta, Avni Sali) presents non-pharmacologic treatments for common medical practice complaints – all supported by current scientific evidence.
The must-have integrative and complementary medicine reference from experts in the field. This exhaustive textbook is ideal for anyone with an interest in integrative and complementary medicine in Australia; including General Practitioners, medical students, integrative clinicians and health practitioners.
This practical health resource profiles myriad approaches in integrative and complementary medicine, such as mind-body medicine, stress management techniques, dietary guidelines, exercise and sleep advice, acupuncture, nutritional medicine, herbal medicine, and advice for managing lifestyle and behavioural factors.
It also looks at complementary medicines that may impact the treatment of disease.
A Guide to Evidence-based Integrative and Complementary Medicine contains only proven therapies from current research, particularly Cochrane reviews, systematic reviews, randomised control trials, published cohort studies and case studies.
Research on CIM (Complementary and Integrative Medicine)
About Effects of complementary and integrative medicine on cancer survivorship.
Curr Oncol Rep. 2015;17(5):445. doi: 10.1007/s11912-015-0445-1.
Frenkel M1, Sierpina V, Sapire K.
- 1Department of Family Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA, frenkelm@netvision.net.il.
Abstract
Cancer survivorship has become a topic of great interest in the past few years. Unfortunately, even with successful treatment as well as good follow-up care, many patients continue to experience unmet physical, emotional, and spiritual needs as well as having an unsettling fear, fear of recurrence, a fear which most survivors share, even many years after their treatment ended. As a result, patients are continually looking for additional ways to address these needs and fears. Among the most popular approach is the use of complementary and integrative medicine (CIM). Most studies on CIM use among cancer patients and survivors concentrate on symptom improvement and improvement of quality of life and do not touch a crucial question if these therapies can affect patients’ survival in terms of prolongation of life. Interestingly, in recent years, there are a growing number of studies that suggest that approaches such as mind-body interventions, enhanced general nutrition, nutritional supplements, physical activity, and other CIM approaches may have a positive effect on survival of cancer patients. Although additional studies are needed to confirm these findings, given the low cost of these CIM interventions, their minimal risk, and the potential magnitude of their effects, these approaches might be considered as additional important tools to integrate into cancer survivorship care plans.
Reference:
PMID: 25749658 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-015-0445-1 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]
About Nutrition, metabolism, and integrative approaches in cancer survivors.
Semin Oncol Nurs. 2015 Feb;31(1):42-52. doi: 10.1016/j.soncn.2014.11.005. Epub 2014 Dec 3.
Sierpina V, Levine L, McKee J, Campbell C, Lian S, Frenkel M.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
To review emerging issues about metabolic changes occurring in cancer survivors during and as a result of therapy, the role of nutrition, weight control, stress management, nutritional supplements, and other complementary diet therapies, methods of mitigating side effects of treatment affecting dietary intake, and to suggest future research directions.
DATA SOURCES:
Literature review and professional clinical experience with oncology patients.
CONCLUSION:
Enhancing cancer survivorship requires knowledge and application of nutritional science and integrative health care approaches.
IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE:
Reliable, personalized, team-generated nutritional advice must be provided to cancer patients and cancer survivors to reduce risk of recurrence, optimize energy balance, and improve quality of life.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS:
Nutrition; complementary cancer therapies; dietary supplements; energy balance; integrative oncology; mind-body therapies
Reference:
PMID: 25636394 DOI: 10.1016/j.soncn.2014.11.005 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]
About Preventative & Anti Ageing Medicine
The practices of Preventative & Anti-Ageing Medicine aim to improve and maintain wellness as a means of extending the length, and improving the quality of our lives.
ANTi-AGEiNG THEORIES:
The following five anti-ageing theories regarding longevity.
1. Inflammation theory – the Silent killer – Although inflammation is blamed for many chronic diseases, and ageing, we don’t always know what causes it. There are blood tests that measure pro-inflammatory cells, called cytokines that give you some idea of the presence of inflammation in your body. (Dr Michael Elstein, You have the Power! Why didn’t my doctor tell me about this?)
Eating bad foods, not getting enough sleep, and exposure to the sun create inflammation at a cellular level (i.e. when there’s no visible sign of inflammation.) This kind of inflammation can be responsible for many age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Cancer, and Heart disease. Eating a whole foods diet, and exercise, is a great start to minimizing inflammation. By doing so, you can curtail disease, extend life and look younger.
2. Hormonal theory – Levels of key hormones—estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), thyroid, and human growth hormone (HGH)— all drop as
we start to age. Increasing one or more of these essential biochemicals may improve health, and hinder the ageing process. However, doing so requires the careful supervision of a specialist Anti-Ageing Physician. As you modify one hormone, you affect the others. According to Anti- Ageing Physician, Dr Ronald Klatz *, hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) adjusts each hormone so you can achieve a more youthful state of the major hormones across the board. Similarly, certain foods, combinations and quantities can be used to help restore hormonal balance.
3. Antioxidant theory – Antioxidants and vitamins A, C and E protect the body’s cells and help to prevent free radical damage. Prevention of free radical damage, caused by ageing, stress, sun and pollution, in the body and the skin can avert and forestall the ageing process. A good multivitamin, or topical application that contains the antioxidant vitamins, as well as minerals is essential to help combat free radical activity. Zinc, Iron and other essential minerals also play a key role in supporting overall wellness.
4. Lifestyle theory – Our lifestyle– what we eat, drink and expose ourselves to, can influence how quickly or slowly we age. Stress increases the production of the hormone cortisol, and this can directly affect how we age. From an early age, we have the ability to make decisions and be in control of our lifestyle, which will determine how fast we age. Stress and how we deal with it plays a key role in how we age. The ‘flight-or-fight” response increases production of the ‘stress-hormone’ cortisol, which has been identified as an age accelerator. Not only does
it impact on hormones and skin ageing, but it also makes us gain body fat, lose muscle mass and memory. Additional facts such as sugary and fried foods, alcohol and smoking which we often turn to when stressed, causes cortisol and insulin levels to rise, accelerating the ageing process.
5. Detox theory – When the body’s ability to detoxify itself is impaired by external and internal toxins, it can’t find equilibrium which is important for maintaining good health. This leads to fatigue, trouble with cognitive function and eventually significant diseases such as cancers. Toxins affect the skin when foods high in fat, sugar, and other chemicals in the diet cause a hormonal, nutritional and cellular change that impair the body’s ability to detoxify itself. They manifest in acne, dry patches, sallowing of colour, dark circles, wrinkles and more. A detox program begins with what you eat. A healthy diet, free from sugar, and ample water is essential in order to clear out toxins. Special Anti-Ageing Eating Programmes take food combinations (chemical activity) and quantities into account for healthy eating.
Reference:
* The Official Anti-Aging Revolution. Ronald Klatz, M.D., Robert Goldman, M.D. Basic Health Publications, Inc.