Note: This article is a paid placement and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Billy Penn at WHYY.

With the United States long at the forefront of medical breakthroughs, why do so many Americans still get sick with preventable illnesses?

Around 60% of adults in the U.S. have a chronic disease, according to the CDC, and over 40% have more than one.

The fast-growing field of integrative medicine looks to address that problem. Its practitioners are trained to consider the whole patient the person instead of just the symptoms or the disease. Its the driving philosophy behind the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health Jefferson Health in Philadelphia, where doctors just published a book with insights and tips on how you can use this thinking to further your own health.

Called Tapestry of Health: Weaving Wellness into Your Life through the New Science of Integrative Medicine (Kales Press), the book is by Marcus Institute founding director and CEO Daniel Monti, MD, and Medical Director Anthony Bazzan, MD.

It presents a step-by-step plan of evidence-based restorative approaches and emerging cutting-edge strategies. Its been well-received by readers, rocking a 4.4-star rating on Amazon, and by other experts in the field,

This book is so incredibly timely and important, writes Sara Gottfried, a doctor with four NYT best-sellers who provided the new books forward, because it helps you understand this new paradigm of health a massive shift that affects healthcare providers and patients alike,

As its currently structured, the authors say, the medical field suffers from an overemphasis on acute care, which is a reactionary approach. Under this model, when a person gets sick, medical care is sought and a standard treatment be it drugs or surgery is prescribed. Theres no doubt this approach has saved many lives. But it is not enough.

Heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes are leading causes of death and disability in the U.S., accounting for the majority of the nations $4.1 trillion a year in health care costs.

In many cases, these illnesses are significantly exacerbated by key lifestyle risk factors. Some, such as tobacco use, are straightforward and easy to understand. Others, including the vital role of diet and specific nutrients, physical inactivity, and stress effects on immunity, are more complex.

In the case of immune resilience, the pandemic is a perfect example of how acute care medicine dominated the conversation.

Everyone understandably became very focused on the COVID-19 pathogen. However, what got lost was the state of the host i.e. people! For example, we know nutritional status affects the immune response to the virus, and that stress in general affects the immune system in very measurable ways. So while we very much needed an effective vaccine, we also needed tools to maximize immune wellness to maximize the host response to infection. That largely did not happen.

Some in medicine have begun to recognize the gap, which is why a new paradigm is emerging that integrates the best of modern medicine with proactive, holistic and preventive care.

Thomas Jefferson University is at the forefront of this movement. The Philly institution recently created the first-ever Department of Integrative Medicine & Nutritional Sciences at Sidney Kimmel Medical College. The new department includes the clinical programs of Jefferson Healths Marcus Institute of Integrative Health. These programs have introduced an approach to care that is a multifaceted partnership, connecting all aspects of well-being, including the physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, social, and nutritional.

To learn more about the book and other resources, visit the Tapestry of Health website.

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Jefferson doctors publish new book, 'Tapestry of Health,' with tips on wellness - On top of Philly news - Billy Penn

One simple breathing technique that takes just over a minute to complete could help you fall asleep faster and get a better night's rest overall, according to experts.

The technique, known as 4-7-8 breathing, was developed by Dr. Andrew Weila trained medical doctor and founder of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine.

Weil developed the technique, which is based on breathing exercises found in yoga, for the purposes of managing stress and anxiety.

But experts told Newsweek the technique can also be useful for people who are having trouble sleeping.

Sleep is crucial to our physical and mental health, enabling our body to recover and wake up feeling refreshed.

But large portions of the population don't get sufficient sleep, have poor sleep quality, or have trouble falling asleep as a result of sleep disorders, medical conditions or mental health issues.

According to the American Sleep Association, 50 to 70 million adults in the United States have a sleep disorder, with insomnia being the most common one.

Around 10 percent of adults suffer from chronic insomnia, while many more suffer short-term issues. Meanwhile around 25 million U.S. adults have obstructive sleep apneaa sleep disorder characterized by repeated obstruction to the airway during sleep.

In addition, 35 percent of adults report getting less than seven hours of sleep during a typical 24-hour periodless than the minimum recommend amount.

"The 4-7-8 breath that I teach is the most powerful relaxation method that I've discovered," Weil said in a video demonstration of the technique. "It's very simple, requires no equipment, takes very little time, costs nothing."

This is how to practise the technique correctly:

The speed with which you do the technique is not necessarily important. What is important is maintaining the 4-7-8 ratio between the counts.

According to Weil, this is a technique that you have to practise regularlyat least twice a dayto benefit from fully.

"You can do it more frequently than twice a day but never more than four breath cycles at one time," Weil said in the video.

According to Weil, it may take four to six weeks before you notice any physiological changes from the practise.

Over time he said it could help to lower heart rate, lower blood pressure, improve digestion, improve circulation, and to help people fall asleep.

"It is the most effective anti-anxiety techniques that I've found," he said. "I've taught it to patients with the most extreme forms of panic disorder, who eventually brought that under control, just relying on this breathing technique."

According to Patrick McKeown, a leading international expert on breathing and sleep, and author of bestselling books like The Oxygen Advantage, changing our breathing can have a profound impact on our physical and mental states.

"With breathing exercises one can down-regulate and up-regulate, giving us control over how our minds and bodies react to external stimuli," McKeown told Newsweek. "For sleep, breathing and mental health, functional breathing is instrumental.

"Knowing what exercises to practise can be life changing as we learn to change states. It's not about taking the deep breath. It's much more than that!"

According to McKeown, how a person breathes during the day will influence our breathing patterns during sleep.

"If our breathing patterns mean we are breathing through the mouth, with a faster rate and from the upper chest, (rather than from the diaphragm) this will increase the risk of sleep issues including insomnia, snoring and sleep apnea."

McKeown said that for people with functional breathing who are able to slow down their respiratory rate to around three breaths per minutelike during 4-7-8 exerciseextended exhalation will help activate the bodies relaxation response.

"When the rest and digest response is activated, one feels sleepy and experience increased watery saliva in the mouth," he said. "Slowing breathing rate also enables a better gas exchange to take place from the lungs to the blood.

"Practising this breathing technique before going to bed will not only help people fall asleep but will noticeably improve quality of sleep and when practiced regularly, will lead to a better quality of life all around."

Michael Breus, a clinical psychologist who is a diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and a fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, told Newsweek he is a "huge fan" of the 4-7-8 breathing technique.

According to Breus, the technique lowers the heart rate to the point it needs to be at night when some is trying to fall asleep.

"I have adopted this method, as both a 'help you fall asleep' but more of a 'help you get back to sleep' method," Breus told Newsweek. "Most people do not know this metric, but in order to get to a state of unconsciousness you need a heart rate of 60 or below, to get there. So, when you wake up in the middle of the night and your anxiety is high because you looked at the clock, this can help you get back to sleep."

In addition, Breus said there is plenty of data to show that diaphragmatic breathing helps to lower anxiety, which has been linked to difficulties falling and staying asleep.

"Most people are what we call 'shallow breathers' meaning that they do not use their full lung capacity, unless during full-on physical activity," Breus said. "This type of breathing requires more breaths per minute to get the required volume of air to live. More breaths per minute equals increased heart rateand we know we need to get to 60, which is usually down from where people tend to sit naturally (unless you are an athlete)."

Breathing for four counts in will slowly fill the lungs, holding for seven enables oxygen exchange to the fullest, and breathing out for eight pushes all the excess carbon dioxide out of the lungs and allows more fresh, highly oxygenated air to enter the system, and so the heart does not have to work as hard, according to Breus. This leads to a lowering of the heart rate.

McKeown said it is important to note that not everyone will be able to practise 4-7-8 breathing.

"People with poor breathing already experience a breathlessness that we call 'air hunger'. Slowing down the respiratory rate to three breaths per minute will be impossible for them to practise. It could even cause a disruption to their breathing," he said.

Read the rest here:
The Breathing Trick That Could Help You Fall Asleep Almost Instantly - Newsweek

Your immune system works hard to fight off forein invaders like infections and germs to keep you healthy and it never gets a break. It works around the clock everyday to protect you, so helping your immune system stay strong is vital to your overall well-being. So how can you help strengthen your immunity? Eat This, Not That! Health spoke with Dr. Michael Hirt, a Board Certified Nutrition from Harvard University and Board Certified in Internal Medicine and is with The Center for Integrative Medicine in Tarzana California who shares what to know about your immune system, signs it's too weak and how to help boost it. As always, please speak with your physician for medical advice. Read onand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID.

Dr. Hirt tells us, "You know exercise can make your heart stronger. You know puzzles can make your brain smarter. However, even after two years of pandemic health lessons, people are still puzzled as to how to reliably make their immune system stronger. Like your cardiovascular and nervous systems, the immune system is subject to the same lifestyle choices that affect the rest of your body. Eat too much sugar, drink too much liquor, shorten your sleep hours, and you should not be surprised that you are going to wake up with your heart pounding, brain fogged in, and the start of a sore throat. You are the sum of your choices, and a robust immune system is no exception to your cumulative health investments (or lack thereof)."

"The innate programming of your immune system is only to attack microbial threats and coordinate repairs ranging from skin scrapes to broken bones," says Dr. Hirt. "Under the influence of environmental toxins, intestinal imbalances (from diet and bacteria), and genetic tendencies, some parts of your immune system can go 'rogue' and attack the body it was sworn to only defend. This is called an auto-immune condition because the immune system is attacking parts of self like joints, skin, or internal organs. This is never supposed to happen, serves no evolutionary benefit, and requires major lifestyle changes, detoxification, and medical interventions to stop the attack and remove the triggers of self-attack. Without a coordinated healing effort, the immune system will likely continue to attack itself and require strong, immune-suppressive measures."

Dr. Hirt shares, "If you're thinking of trying to boost your immune system, consider how you would boost the effectiveness of your nation's defense forces. To have a stronger, more effective military, you would feed them healthy food, ensure they are well rested, avoid unnecessary stress, house them on clean bases, provide cutting edge equipment, and have plenty of munitions so they never run out of bullets and missiles. Same with your immune system. Eat the healthiest food you can, in the cleanest environment you can, under the least stress you can, having had the most restful sleep you can, and taking the best vitamins you can including zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin D. Just like our military, your immune system never gets to take a collective break from defending you from all threats, both foreign and domestic."6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Dr. Hirt states, "Most adults get a cold or flu 2 3 times yearly. If you're calling in sick on a monthly basis, you could have a more significant immune deficiency that needs testing and treatments."

"When you cut your self, superficial wounds typically take seven days to heal," Dr. Hirt tells us. "If you are watching your skin take weeks to heal, then your immune system may be compromised."

According to Dr. Hirt, "When you get an upper respiratory infection, most people with healthy immune systems can fully recover in ten days. If your symptoms go on for most of the month, then there may be issues with the strength of your immune responsiveness."

"There are many reasons to be tired," Dr. Hirt says. "Many people are surprised to learn that one of them is a weak immune system, or low white blood cell count. If you are experiencing unusual fatigue, make sure your healthcare provider includes a screening test for your immune system."

Heather Newgen

View original post here:
Sure Signs Your Immune System Isn't as Strong as it Should Be Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

In a recently published report, Northwestern Health Sciences University (NWHSU) has identified seven domains of knowledge, skills, and behaviors that clinicians need to provide the best integrative care.

Integrative care has many elements. At NWHSU, the concept of integrative care extends beyond multi-disciplinary care, including team-based and holistic care, interprofessional collaboration, and partnerships between patients and communities. Integrative care also includes interdependent considerations such as genetics, social determinants of health, community support and resources, and beliefs and habits that influence health.

Domain 1, values, ethics, culture, and diversity: In integrative care, clinicians work with colleagues in other professions in a climate of mutual respect and shared values, with the recognition that there is diversity in and between disciplines as well as diversity in patient populations.

Values, ethics, culture, and diversity are the connective tissue of integrative care and a transdisciplinary approach to healthcare, says Michele Renee, DC, director of integrative care at NWHSU. "It is the shared mindset that unifies diverse paradigms of healing, creating a dynamic approach in which each point of view is honored and yet not sufficient in and of itself. We are also acknowledging the importance of social factors, from socio-economic status to religion to cultural norms, and professional diversity, from indigenous healing to mainstream medicine to complementary and integrative healthcare approaches. All these differences are important considerations in providing robust, multifaceted, and individualized approaches to care."

Domain 2, patient-centered care: Clinicians should seek out, integrate, and value contributions and engagement of the patient, family, and community in designing and providing care.

Patient-centered care acknowledges the pivotal role of patients in their care, Renee says. "Patient-centered care calls out the importance of acknowledging the bio-psycho-social-spiritual nature of whole person care. It is vital that healthcare providers are not doing to the patient, but rather with the patient. Our patients are active participants in care and the most important person in a healthcare team."

Domain 3, roles and responsibilities: Clinicians should use knowledge of their role and the role of other professions to identify and address the healthcare needs of patients, families, and communities.

"For team-based care to work, we must each understand the part we play, the unique skills others bring, and how we all fit into the larger picture. This is a dynamic process, created uniquely for each person we serve. These skills are essential to ensure care is complete and wraps around our patients and communities," Renee says.

Domain 4, interprofessional communication: Clinicians should be responsive and responsible in their communication with patients, families, communities, and other healthcare professionals, which helps establishing a team approach to health and the treatment of disease.

Communication is often where healthcare fails, so shared communication competencies are essential, Renee says. "This includes understanding ourselves, acknowledging biases, identifying and resolving conflict when it arises, and documenting care in a way that is universally understood. Multilayered communication is key to building trusting relationships."

Domain 5, team and teamwork: Clinicians should practice relationship-building values and embrace team dynamics to perform effectively in different team roles to plan, deliver, and evaluate patient-centered care that is safe, timely, efficient, effective, and equitable.

Patients and communities rely upon their healthcare teams knowing how to evaluate, plan, and deliver care, Renee says. "This involves designing and implementing evidence-informed systems that support effective teamwork, and creating accountability for each care team member to focus on all aspects of patient and population focused problem solving. Team-based care goes beyond what happens in the treatment room or hospital to include social determinants of health and health equity."

Domain 6, collaborative leadership: Clinicians should foster shared leadership and collaborative practice of care.

Healthcare professionals need to cultivate the skill of passing the baton as needed, Renee says. "One provider may be providing the primary intervention at one moment in time and complementary care at another. The needs of the patient change over time and the care team needs to be prepared to collaborate and share leadership accordingly, leaning on one another's unique insights and expertise as needed."

Domain 7, well-being and resilience: Clinicians need to recognize that the health of an individual has positive and negative effects on their ability to make change around them and adopt sustainable strategies to address challenges, while remaining committed to their sense of purpose.

Building a resilient healthcare system starts with the well-being of healthcare professionals, Renee says. "Health creation begins with prioritizing self-care, which in turn reduces burnout and improves job performance and satisfaction. Learning the skills to identify one's circle of influence, develop a growth mindset, and cultivate grit prepare providers to better support patients in their own health creation by putting the focus on well-being and resilience instead of disease management."

Christopher Cheney is the senior clinical care editor at HealthLeaders.

More:
Qualities Clinicians Need to Have to Deliver Integrative Care - HealthLeaders Media

While the ideal amount of water varies for each person depending on your geographic location, body type, and more, according to Dana Cohen, M.D., integrative medicine physician and co-author of Quench, you should aim to drink about half of your body weight in ounces of water each day to ensure youre staying adequately hydrated.

However, while it would take a lot to reach the point of "overhydrating," it is, in fact, possible to drink too much water. "In overhydration an excess of water dilutes the electrolyte concentrations in the blood, causing imbalance throughout the body's many systems," physician Catherine Waldrop, M.D., previously told mbg.

In fact, drinking too much water can even lead to an electrolyte imbalance called hyponatremia, that can have some fairly gnarly side effects on the body. "Mild hyponatremia is characterized by gastrointestinal tract symptoms, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite," one study revealed. In short, hyponatremia is essentially low sodium in the blood.

See more here:
Can You Really Drink Too Much Water? We Investigated - mindbodygreen

Summary: DKT, a Japanese herbal remedy containing ginger, pepper, ginseng, and maltose, reduced symptoms of colitis in mice, a new study reports.

Source: RIKEN

Zhengzheng Shi and colleagues at the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS) in Japan report the effects of a common herbal remedy on colitis, one of two conditions that comprise inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Published inFrontiers in Immunology, the study shows that DKTa standard formula containing ginger, pepper, ginseng, and maltosereduced the severity of colitis in lab mice by preventing the characteristic imbalance in gut microbes and by increasing levels of immune cells in the colon that fight inflammation.

Colitis is a chronic inflammation of the colon, characterized by an imbalance ingut bacteriaand an abnormal immune response. Prevalence has doubled over the last 20 years, and its currently a global health concern, particularly in Europe and North America. Although treatments are numerous, they are only partially effective.

This has led some researchers to take a closer look at traditional herbal medicines that originated in China, and are now commonly used in Japan and other Asian countries.

Daikenchuto (DKT) is a formula containing specific amounts of ginger, pepper, ginseng, and maltose, and is one of 148herbal medicinescalled Kampo, which have been developed in Japan and are often prescribed by doctors to treat a variety of illnesses.

Previous research has hinted that DKT might be useful for treating colitis, but evidence, particularly at themolecular level, has been lacking. Thus, Shi and the team of researchers at RIKEN IMS led by Naoko Satoh-Takayama conducted a detailed examination of its effects on a mouse model of colitis.

Colitis was induced in mice using dextran sodium sulfate, which is toxic to the cells that line the colon. When these mice were given DKT, their body weights remained normal, and they had lower clinical scores for colitis. Additional analysis revealed much less damage to the cells lining the colon.

Having thus shown that DKT does indeed help protect against colitis, the researchers proceeded to analyze the gut microbiome of the mice and expression levels of anti-inflammatory immune cells.

Gut microbiomes contain numerous bacteria and fungi that aid in digestion and help the immune system.

Colitis is associated with an imbalance in thesegut microbiota, and analysis showed that a family of lactic acid bacteria were depleted in the colitic mice of this study. Also depleted was one of their metabolites, a short-chain fatty acid called propionate.

Treating the model mice with DKT restored much of these missing bacteriaparticularly those from the genus Lactobacillusand levels of propionate were normal.

Colitis is also associated with an abnormal immune response that causes the characteristic intestinal inflammation.

When the team looked at innate intestinal immune cells, they found that levels of a type called ILC3 were lower in the untreated colitic mice than in the DKT-treated colonic mice, and that mice engineered to lack ILC3 suffered more and could not benefit from DKT treatment.

This means that ILC3s are critical for protecting against colitis and that DKT works by interacting with them. Lastly, qPCR analysis indicated that these important immune cells had receptors for propionate, called GPR43, on their surface.

Daikenchuto is commonly prescribed to prevent and treat gastrointestinal diseases, as well as for reducingintestinal obstructionafter colorectal cancer surgery, says Satoh-Takayama.

Here we have shown that it can also alleviate intestinal diseases likecolitisby rebalancing Lactobacillus levels in the gut microbiome. This likely helps reduce inflammatory immune responses by promoting the activity of type 3 innate lymphoid cells.

Author: Press OfficeSource: RIKENContact: Press Office RIKENImage: The image is in the public domain

Original Research: Open access.A Japanese Herbal Formula, Daikenchuto, Alleviates Experimental Colitis by Reshaping Microbial Profiles and Enhancing Group 3 Innate Lymphoid Cells by Zhengzheng Shi et al. Frontiers in Immunology

Abstract

A Japanese Herbal Formula, Daikenchuto, Alleviates Experimental Colitis by Reshaping Microbial Profiles and Enhancing Group 3 Innate Lymphoid Cells

Daikenchuto (DKT) is one of the most widely used Japanese herbal formulae for various gastrointestinal disorders. It consists ofZanthoxylum Fructus(Japanese pepper),Zingiberis Siccatum Rhizoma(processed ginger),Ginseng radix, and maltose powder. However, the use of DKT in clinical settings is still controversial due to the limited molecular evidence and largely unknown therapeutic effects.

Here, we investigated the anti-inflammatory actions of DKT in the dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis model in mice.

We observed that DKT remarkably attenuated the severity of experimental colitis while maintaining the members of the symbiotic microbiota such as family Lactobacillaceae and increasing levels of propionate, an immunomodulatory microbial metabolite, in the colon.

DKT also protected colonic epithelial integrity by upregulating the fucosyltransferase geneFut2and the antimicrobial peptide geneReg3g. More remarkably, DKT restored the reduced colonic group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s), mainly RORthigh-ILC3s, in DSS-induced colitis. We further demonstrated that ILC3-deficient mice showed increased mortality during experimental colitis, suggesting that ILC3s play a protective function on colonic inflammation.

These findings demonstrate that DKT possesses anti-inflammatory activity, partlyviaILC3 function, to maintain the colonic microenvironment.

Our study also provides insights into the molecular basis of herbal medicine effects, promotes more profound mechanistic studies towards herbal formulae and contributes to future drug development.

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How a Japanese Herbal Medicine Protects the Gut Against Inflammatory Bowel Disease - Neuroscience News

ReportLinker

Global Nutrigenomics Market 2022-2026 The analyst has been monitoring the nutrigenomics market and it is poised to grow by $ 690. 14 mn during 2022-2026, accelerating at a CAGR of 12.

New York, Aug. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Nutrigenomics Market 2022-2026" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06314557/?utm_source=GNW 4% during the forecast period. Our report on the nutrigenomics market provides a holistic analysis, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis covering around 25 vendors.The report offers an up-to-date analysis of the current global market scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. The market is driven by the increasing cost of medical treatment, growing investments by government and private stakeholders, and the rising number of health-conscious people.The nutrigenomics market analysis includes the application segment and geographic landscape.

The nutrigenomics market is segmented as below:By Application Obesity Cardiovascular diseases Cancer research

By Geographical Landscape North America Europe Asia Rest of World (ROW)

This study identifies the rising demand for training in and awareness of nutrigenomics technologies as one of the prime reasons driving the nutrigenomics market growth during the next few years. Also, increasing approval of grants and increasing prevalence of obesity will lead to sizable demand in the market.

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This robust vendor analysis is designed to help clients improve their market position, and in line with this, this report provides a detailed analysis of several leading nutrigenomics market vendors that include BASF SE, Cell Logic Pty Ltd, Cura Integrative Medicine, DNA Life, Fagron NV, geneOmbio Technologies Pvt Ltd., Genetic Healing, Genova Diagnostics Inc., Greenarray, Holistic Health International LLC, Koninklijke DSM NV, Metagenics Inc., My DNA Health Ltd., NutriFit Canada, Nutrigenomix Inc., ORIG3N Inc., Preventine Life Care, The Gene Box, and Xcode Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd. Also, the nutrigenomics market analysis report includes information on upcoming trends and challenges that will influence market growth. This is to help companies strategize and leverage all forthcoming growth opportunities.The study was conducted using an objective combination of primary and secondary information including inputs from key participants in the industry. The report contains a comprehensive market and vendor landscape in addition to an analysis of the key vendors.

The analyst presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters such as profit, pricing, competition, and promotions. It presents various market facets by identifying the key industry influencers. The data presented is comprehensive, reliable, and a result of extensive primary and secondary research. Technavios market research reports provide a complete competitive landscape and an in-depth vendor selection methodology and analysis using qualitative and quantitative research to forecast accurate market growth.Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06314557/?utm_source=GNW

About ReportlinkerReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.

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The Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT)s 10th director D. Srinivasa Reddys career reads like a fairy tale.

The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award winner hails from Shobhanadripuram village in Nalgonda district, studied in a Telugu medium school till his graduation, did his post-graduation from Osmania University and Ph.D. from University of Hyderabad (UoH) under the tutelage of eminent academic-scientist Prof. Goverdhan Mehta.

He is currently holding the additional charge of CSIR-Institute of Integrative Medicine (Jammu) and CSIR-Drug Research Institute (Lucknow). In this interview, Dr. Reddy talks about his life and plans for the premier chemical research institute.

a) You have been a project assistant here and have returned as the director!

A: My father was a farmer and I never thought of becoming a scientist. I came to Hyderabad for my Intermediate in Mahabub College and B.Sc (BZC) in S.P. College when I used to distribute newspapers, give home tuitions and worked in a timber depot loading logs to earn money. With a lot of difficulty I joined as a project associate in IICT. Later, I cleared my CSIR-NET exam and joined Prof. Mehta. From then on, it has been growing upwards though hard work and perseverance.

b) How did your switch from private sector to research in public labs happen?

A: After my post-doctoral studies in United States and seriously considering settling there, I was offered a job with Dr. Reddys Labs. Later, I moved to Advinus Therapeutics (Pune) after which I joined CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (Pune) as I wanted to pursue my passion for organic chemistry research, taking a huge pay cut. My wife, Vidya Ramdas, has been my co-researcher from UoH days and she continues to work in the pharma field. We have done some great work at NCL and I continue to have my lab with six research students. Soon, I will have a lab here and take in student researchers.

c) What are the areas of research you have been working on?

A: We developed the Silicon-switch approach for developing drug strategies for diseases affecting the central nervous system as most patents do not claim silicon derivatives. This has huge potential in discovering drugs in a short time. Our group has identified a few novel compounds that can protect from vector spreading diseases like dengue or zika virus and also kill the mosquitoes. We have filed a patent and talks are on with a private firm to develop this further for daily use. We have collaborated with different labs including CSIR-CCMB to authenticate the anti-cancer drug for use in Sickle Cell Anaemia.

d) What will be the areas of focus here in IICT?

A: We will be actively involved in the Anti-Virus Mission in association with other CSIR labs studying available molecules and re-purposing of existing anti-viral drugs to deal with SARS-COVID, Monkey Pox and several other viruses. We will soon have a BSL-3 facility here. We are actively assisting pharma and vaccine companies in their research. Our aim is to make the country self-reliant in APIs active pharmaceutical ingredients, KSMs- key starting materials and others with public, private partnerships. I am still trying to understand the various projects here.

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IICT to be involved in anti-virus mission & public, private partnerships for developing APIs - The Hindu

Zinc is an essential mineral for your health. It plays a role in:

Of all the trace minerals, only iron is found in higher concentrations in the body.

Yet even though zinc is important for your health, you can still get too much of it.

"The tolerable upper intake level (UL) for zinc, meaning the highest recommended daily amount, is 40 mg per day," says Dr. Jeffrey Gladd, an integrative medicine physician and chief medical officer at Fullscript.

Read on to learn the signs of a zinc overdose, how to get treatment, and what you can do to get the recommended daily amount of zinc.

A zinc overdose can involve different symptoms, depending on whether it's acute or chronic.

An acute overdose means you ingest a large amount of zinc in a short period of time.

Symptoms of an acute overdose usually won't appear until you ingest one to two grams of zinc, and Gladd says you don't need to worry about getting too much zinc from your diet.

A zinc overdose typically happens as a result of:

Symptoms of acute zinc overdose might include:

A zinc overdose can be life threatening. If you suspect you may have consumed too much zinc and have symptoms of an overdose, you'll want to contact 911 or a poison control center for emergency medical support, Gladd says.

The treatment for oral zinc overdose may include:

A chronic overdose means you've regularly consumed too much zinc over a longer period of time.

Chronic zinc overdose can occur when you ingest anywhere from 150-450 milligrams (mg) of zinc per day.

This generally happens as a result of taking too many zinc supplements, but using large amounts of zinc-containing denture creams can also expose you to excess zinc.

The symptoms of chronic excess zinc can affect your whole body and may include:

If you've taken more than the daily recommended amount of zinc for more than a few days and notice any of the above signs and symptoms, you should stop taking any supplemental zinc and check in with your doctor. Depending on how much zinc you've taken, and for how long, they may recommend treatment.

If you eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of zinc-containing foods, you likely don't need to supplement with extra zinc, Gladd says. This means, of course, you won't run the risk of getting too much zinc.

Foods that contain plenty of zinc include:

However, certain groups of people are more likely to have a zinc deficiency, including:

"If you're concerned about zinc levels, the best option is to get a zinc blood test. They are relatively inexpensive and allow you to get quick, accurate results," says Daniel Powers, herbal medicine expert and founder of the Botanical Institute.

Keep in mind it's always important to ask a healthcare professional before taking any supplement especially zinc, which you can easily overconsume.

The FDA doesn't regulate supplements, so it's important to check with your doctor if you're unsure about how much of any supplement to take. Opting for supplements that have undergone third-party testing can also help you ensure you get the supplement you want, in the advertised amount.

If you choose to supplement, keep in mind that experts recommend consuming no more than the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of zinc:

Zinc requirements for children and teens range from 2 mg to 11 mg per day, depending on age. If you think your child may not get enough zinc from their diet, it's best to ask your pediatrician about the correct dose.

Although you need zinc to maintain good health, you can take too much and excess zinc can have serious health consequences. If you've taken more than the daily recommended dose of zinc, you should get medical attention right away.

In most cases, a varied diet will provide enough zinc, and many people don't need to supplement. However, if you eat a limited diet, are pregnant or lactating, or have a health condition that affects zinc absorption, you may have a higher risk of zinc deficiency.

Your doctor or another healthcare professional can offer more guidance on how much zinc you should take for optimal health.

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Zinc side effects: Signs of overdose and how to treat it - Insider

image:Joseph D. Buxbaum, PhD, Director of the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai view more

Credit: Mount Sinai Health System

A new study of genes underlying neurodevelopmental differences has uncovered more than 70 that are very strongly associated with autism and more than 250 with strong links to the condition. The analysis is the largest of its kind to date and includes more than 150,000 participants, 20,000 of whom have been diagnosed with autism.

The results offer the most comprehensive look yet at diverse forms of genetic variation in autism and in more broadly defined neurodevelopmental conditions. The insights shed light on the molecular roots of brain development and neurodiversity, and provide new avenues for future research on the biology of autism.

The findings result from a collaboration involving scientists and datasets from the Autism Sequencing Consortium, the Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research initiative, the Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, the Population-Based Autism Genetics and Environmental Study, and the Center for Common Disease Genomics at the Broad Institute of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard. The work is the culmination of an investment several years ago by these consortia to conduct large-scale genetic analysis for neurodevelopmental conditions and share these datasets on autism.

The new work appears in Nature Genetics, alongside three related studies that use some of the same data to advance the understanding of the genetic basis of autism.

We know that many genes, when mutated, contribute to autism and in this unprecedented study, we were able to bring together multiple types of mutations in a wide array of samples to get a much richer sense of the genes and genetic architecture involved in autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. This is significant in that we now have more insights as to the biology of the brain changes that underlie autism and more potential targets for treatment, said co-senior author Joseph D. Buxbaum, PhD, Director of theSeaver Autism Center for Research and Treatmentat Mount Sinai, and Professor of Psychiatry, Neuroscience, and Genetics and Genomic Sciences, at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

In an analysis led by co-first author Minshi Peng, then a graduate student in the lab of co-senior author Kathryn Roeder, PhD, a professor of statistics and life sciences at Carnegie Mellon University, the scientists examined the expression, or activity levels, of the genes they uncovered in developing human neurons. They learned that genes linked predominantly to developmental delay tend to be active in early neuronal development, whereas autism-related genes tend to play a role in more mature neurons. Furthermore, in an analysis of more than 20,000 samples from individuals with schizophrenia, the researchers found that genes that are strongly associated with autism were also more likely to be associated with genes that increase risk for schizophrenia.

These analyses indicatethat there are shared genetic risk factors between autism and other neurological and psychiatric disorders, Dr. Buxbaum said.

Our discoveries were enabled not only by very large-scale, rich data collections in autism research and population genetic studies, but also by newly developed analysis methods, allowing us to explore the genetic roots of neurodevelopmental variability in new ways. In addition to the massive gene discovery efforts in the field, we are beginning to make inroads into understanding where, when, and how these genes exert their effects during neurodevelopment, said co-senior author Michael Talkowski, PhD, institute member at the Broad and director of the Center for Genomic Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Based on the study findings, Dr. Buxbaum said a precision medicine approach to autism would benefit patients, as treatments that work for individuals carrying a mutation in one gene may not work in other individuals carrying a mutation in a different gene.

A critical takeaway is that autism has many genetic mutations driving it and thus genetic testing is warranted, not just for the benefit of families and individuals at risk for autism spectrum disorder, but also to drive development of therapeutics, said Dr. Buxbaum. The more we can advance therapeutics, based on the targets identified in these genetic findings, the more people we have the potential to help, which could have a significant impact in addressing autism and developmental delay worldwide.

Additional co-senior authors on the study include Mark Daly, PhD (Broad and Center for Genomic Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital), Bernie Devlin, PhD (University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine), and Stephan Sanders,PhD (University of California, San Francisco).Additional co-first authors include Harrison Brand, PhD, an assistant professor in neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School; Jack Fu, a postdoctoral fellow in the Talkowski lab; and Kyle Satterstrom, a computational biologist in the Daly lab.

About Mount Sinai Health SystemThe Mount Sinai Health System is one of the largest academic medical systems in the New York metro area, with more than 43,000 employees working across eight hospitals, over 400 outpatient practices, over 300 labs, a school of nursing, and a leading school of medicine and graduate education. Mount Sinai advances health for all people, everywhere, by taking on the most complex health care challenges of our time discovering and applying new scientific learning and knowledge; developing safer, more effective treatments; educating the next generation of medical leaders and innovators; and supporting local communities by delivering high-quality care to all who need it.

Through the integration of its hospitals, labs, and schools, Mount Sinai offers comprehensive health care solutions from birth through geriatrics, leveraging innovative approaches such as artificial intelligence and informatics while keeping patients medical and emotional needs at the center of all treatment.

About Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount SinaiThe Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai conducts progressive research studies to enhance the diagnosis of autism and related disorders, discover the biological causes of those disorders, and develop and disseminate breakthrough treatments. With a vision to be the international leaders for precision medicine in autism and related disorders, the Center bridges the gap between new discoveries in basic science and enhanced care, while ensuring the community is aware of new and improved approaches to caring for people with autism. The Seaver Autism Center was founded through the generous support of the Beatrice and Samuel A. Seaver Foundation.

For more information, visitwww.seaverautismcenter.org, or find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Autism Sequencing ConsortiumCo-founded by Dr. Buxbaum in 2010, the ASC was first funded by the Beatrice and Samuel A. Seaver Foundation and the Seaver Autism for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai and subsequently continuously funded by the National Institute of Mental Health for almost a decade. The groups research has gained additional support over the past decade from the Simons Foundation for Autism Research Initiative, the National Human Genome Research Institute, sand the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

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Data/statistical analysis

People

'Rare coding variation provides insight into the genetic architecture and phenotypic context of autism

18-Aug-2022

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Study of more than 150,000 people identifies - EurekAlert

A rare genetic mutation may help explain why some families are more susceptible to diabetes and kidney failure, according to a new study led by University of Utah health scientists. They say the discovery, made within several generations of the same family, could eventually lead to better treatments for these conditions among a range of patients, whether they have inherited the mutation or not.

In the past, we have seen sporadic cases here and there, but this is the first family to demonstrate that this mutation may be inherited. Marcus Pezolesi, PhD, MPH, corresponding author of the study and U of U Health associate professor of internal medicine in the department of nephrology, says. What is exciting is that treatments are being developed that can improve this condition not only within this family but in the vast spectrum of patients with diabetes at risk of kidney disease.

The study, conducted in collaboration with the Joslin Diabetes Center and Harvard Medical School in Boston, appears in NPJ Genomic Medicine,

Scientists have long known that people who are overweight or obese produce less adiponectin, a hormone that promotes insulin sensitivity, inhibits cell death, and reduces inflammation. As a result, these individuals have a higher risk of developing insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, and other life-threatening conditions.

To determine whether there may be a genetic cause for diabetic kidney disease, Pezolsi and his colleagues analyzed DNA samples from 14 members of a family collected at the Joslin Diabetes Center. In all, six family members over three generations had diabetes and end-stage kidney disease.

Digging deeper, the researchers used whole-genome sequencing to isolate a defect in a gene called ADIPOQ, which encodes the adiponectin protein. The mutation shortens the gene, disrupting its ability to produce the hormone, which breaks down ceramides, a fatty substance similar to cholesterol. As a result, people with the mutation have higher levels of ceramides. Previous studies suggest that ceramides are a driving force behind the onset of type 2 diabetes and may contribute to diabetic kidney disease.

In laboratory studies of human embryonic kidney cells, researchers found that just one copy of this mutation was able to reduce adiponectin production. Researchers determined that this mutation occurs in about one out of every 57,000 people.

Overall, carriers of the genetic mutation had approximately 85% less adiponectin and 30% higher levels of ceramides circulating in their blood relative to non-carriers within the same family, who were used as a control group.

Whats most exciting to me is that this discovery allows us to confirm decades of research in animals, says William Holland, PhD, study co-corresponding author and U Health Associate Professor of Nutrition and Integrative Medicine. physiology. The biological effects of adiponectin in regulating insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance and ceramide levels are well established in rats, and the present study demonstrates that loss of adiponectin impairs metabolic health in humans.

Although the study was conducted in the same family, Holland says, its findings could have broad implications for the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions in many people. We can use these findings as a starting point for the development of personalized drugs that mimic the beneficial effects of adiponectin and reduce the risk of diabetes and kidney disease, he says.

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material provided by University of Utah Health, Note: Content can be edited for style and length.

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Detection Of Rare Genetic Mutation In A Family Could Lead To Better Diabetes Treatment - Nation World News

Inflammation. You've no doubt come across this nutrition buzzword. And like a lot of folks, you may not fully understand what it means or why it's such a hot topic. So, before getting into the worst eating habits that cause inflammation and may speed up aging, let's get solid on what inflammation really is.

Whether you're stung by a bee or burn your hand on the stove, your body has an immune response that fends off toxins, pathogens, and infections, causing short-term inflammation in the process.

The dark side of inflammation is when it becomes chronic and simmers in the background, the swelling and heat never abating because your body keeps sending out inflammatory cells to fight even when there's no invader.

This type of long-term, low-grade inflammation can damage tissues and joints. "You may even notice that your skin ages faster when you're constantly inflamed as inflammation can break down collagen and elastin, which are responsible for keeping your skin looking young and supple," says Dr. Rene Armenta, a surgeon with Renew Bariatrics.

Months and years of chronic inflammation may initiate such inflammatory diseases as cardiovascular disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, autoimmune disorders, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, according to research published in Nature Medicine. These inflammatory diseases and disorders are associated with aging.

Eating foods with anti-inflammation properties is part of a two-prong approach to avoiding aging-associated diseases. The other is ditching the following worst types of eating habits that may trigger inflammation and accelerate aging.

This is an unhealthy habit you'll want to break to avoid chronic inflammation. "Fruits like berries and oranges and green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale provide the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants we need to help keep our immune systems healthy and strong, which is essential especially as you age," says medical review board member Amy Goodson, MS, RD, a registered dietitian and the author of The Sports Nutrition Playbook. "Only 1 in 10 people eat the recommended amounts, which means 90% of us can do a better job."6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

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The high temperatures needed to fry foods can create harmful compounds called Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) that accumulate in the body as we age.

"Foods such as cooked red meat and refined carbohydrates like white bread contain AGEs," says Johna Burdeos, RD, owner of Dietitian Johna. "Consuming too much of these foods can result in cellular damage and inflammation, which can speed up the aging process and increase the risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The inflammatory response in the skin is seen in visible signs of weakened skin elasticity, like wrinkles, puffiness, and acne."

RELATED:The 11 Worst Foods Damaging Your Skin, Say Dermatologists

Processed meats like cold cuts, bacon, hot dogs, and junk foods like candy bars, cookies, sugary drinks, potato chips, ice cream, and fast foods are not the healthiest things to eat. Research suggests these ultra-processed foods, the hallmark of what's known as the Western Diet, can disrupt the delicate balance of healthy and unhealthy microbes in the gut or microbiome.

"When processed foods alter the bacteria that live in our gut, this triggers an altered immune response leading to chronic inflammation," says Kathryn Piper, RDN, LD, of The Age-Defying Dietitian. "Diabetes, heart disease, and dementia have been linked to chronic inflammation."

The remedy for an unhealthy microbiome is avoiding ultra-processed foods and making a habit of getting more dietary fiber, ideally 25 to 38 grams per day from foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, lentils, and legumes, says Goodson.

"Very few people eat enough fiber, but if you want to age gracefully with positive gut health and a healthy cholesterol, fiber is the key," says Goodson. "Make your goal to get 4 to 6 grams of fiber at every meal and snack throughout the day."

Drinking any alcohol may increase inflammation in your body, and excessive alcohol intake definitely increases your risk of chronic low-grade inflammation among other health hazards, says Piper.

"If you drink, limit your consumption to the recommended less than 1 alcoholic beverage per day for women and less than 2 drinks per day for men," she says.

RELATED:The Lifestyle Habits That Slow Down Aging, From a 100-Year-old Neurologist

Gluten is a protein found in wheat and other grains, which means it shows up in bread, pizza crust, pasta, baked goods, and cereals. Although many people digest gluten without issue, people who are sensitive to gluten (a condition called nonceliac gluten sensitivity) experience a different type of immune response that causes an inflammatory effect, according to a 2020 study in Gastroenterology.

"If someone experiences gut issues, has been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, or has had unexplained chronic symptoms that put them on the path to an autoimmune disease or another serious diagnosis, then going gluten-free will likely help," says Jenny Levine Finke, a Certified Integrative Nutrition Coach, and author of Dear Gluten, It's Not Me, It's You.

In a 2022 study published in Nutrition Reviews, researchers found that a gluten-free diet can "ameliorate" autoimmune-related symptoms in 64.7% of those with a nonceliac autoimmune disease. For clues to where you stand with gluten, ask your doctor or dietitian to know what's good for you as an individual.

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6 Worst Eating Habits Causing Inflammation and Aging You Faster - Eat This, Not That

Prof. Dr. Mattias Desmet explains his theory of mass formation as it relates to the COVID pandemic and responds to criticism

In an Epoch Health podcast, Dr. Ann Corson spoke with Prof. Dr. Mattias Desmet, the worlds leading expert on the theory of mass formation and its application on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Desmet discussed the degeneration of modern science and explained the effects this has had on society, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and how this had led to a global mass formation. He goes into great detail on what exactly causes mass formation and how people can resist the mass.

Prof. Dr. Desmet is a professor of clinical psychology in the Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences at Ghent University in Belgium and a practicing psychoanalytic psychotherapist. His work is widely discussed in Forbes, The Joe Rogan Experience, Fox News, The New York Post among hundreds of other media outlets and his interviews have millions of views. His previous works include The Pursuit of Objectivity in Psychology and Lacans Logic of Subjectivity: A Walk on the Graph of Desire and over a hundred peer-reviewed academic papers. In 2018 he received the Evidence-Based Psychoanalytic Case Study Prize of the Association for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, and in 2019 he received the Wim Trijsburg Prize of the Dutch Association of Psychotherapy. His latest book is the The Psychology of Totalitarianism, a psychological analysis that builds on the seminal The Origins of Totalitarianism by Hannah Arendt.

Dr. Corson has four decades of clinical practice. Her patient population includes people who are immunocompromised due to conditions such as Lyme disease and co-infections as well as mold-induced illness. She treats patients with an integrative approach and is known internationally for her success. Dr. Corson grew up in Southeastern Pennsylvania and obtained the Doctor of Medicine degree in 1982 from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. She has been board certified in Family Medicine and in Integrative Holistic Medicine. Today, she has a solo integrative practice in Philadelphia and cares deeply about medical ethics and humanity. In 2008, she joined the non-profit organization Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting (DAFOH) and currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of DAFOHs e-newsletter.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were many questionable methodologies used by the scientific community to justify their actions. However, in order for these actions to be taken in the first place, there needed to be a system in place to enable such things to happen. Dr. Desmet explained that science, once a form of truthful observation and thinking, devolved into a dogmatic ideology.

In the beginning, around the 17th century, science represented a discourse through which a minority went against an established discourse, namely established religion. In the beginning, science was a pragmatic form of truthful speaking, it was to listen to what nature had to say and observe the phenomena of nature, without being blinded or [deafened] because of the prejudices and the dogmas of the mainstream discourse, he said.

For us, slowly, this minority became the dominant, and the more it became the dominant discourse itself, the more dogmatic [it became]. It evolved from looking at the world in an open-minded way to an ideology or belief. Belief means prejudice, and people started to believe the universe was a machine, that nothing existed except material particles, that everything was logically deductible, he explained. Thats what science, the scientific ideology, represents.

When a certain theory, a certain view of the world, starts to become dominant, when the majority of the people start to believe in a certain discourse, that discourse becomes the privileged instrumentto manipulate society, to be successful, for instance, to win money, to have a grip on society and so on. And thats what happened with scientific discourse, he said. This resulted in this perverted state of science, especially in the medical sciences.

Dr. Desmet said that, for him, it all began in 2005, when it became clear that for instance, in the medical sciences, up to 85 percent of the papers cannot be reproduced, which is dramatic, of course. A separate research group, for example, would repeat the same analysis on the same data and find radically different results than the first research group.

It became clear that several factors played a role, such as massive errors in calculation and statistical analysis. Many scientists used [the] wrong methods to analyze data, [they used] sloppy, sloppy methods. And then also there was much more fraud than was ever before. So for all kinds of reasons, a lot of the academic research proved to be unreliable and without much value.

Dr. Desmet had done plenty of research in this regard and even wrote his PhD about this phenomenon. When addressing his colleagues and telling them about this phenomenon, most of [them] refused to see what I had when I tried to show them [they] even became angry with me.

I had the impression that the group dynamics and mass psychology were responsible for this blindness and for their radical incapability to see the absurdity of the research they were doing.

Science is however inherently flawed, Dr. Desmet claims. Scientists always had the ambition to validate the fact that only numerical or quantitative information is 100 percent accurate, so they began to separate things into one dimensional objects easy to quantify. So they want to measure everything and they forget that most objects in nature can never be measured adequately. Data measured in a scientific process can never tell the full story.

At the beginning of the pandemic, Desmet immediately saw that the way the dangerousness of the virus was measured was flawed.

I immediately had the impression that this research dramatically overrated the dangers, the dangers of the virus. Dr. Desmet said that people might be infected with COVID-19, but the deaths linked to COVID-19 were in fact mostly in those who already had serious comorbidities. There was plenty of data, showing that most people who were registered as corona victims actually suffered from three or four major other medical conditions.

They always make this measurement that confirms their own subjective preferences, meaning that in this case, all these global institutions such as the WEF, the WHO, the UN, all these institutions actually selected counting methods that confirmed the narrative that they wanted to distribute, namely, we are dealing with an extremely dangerous virus. Yet when Dr. Desmet published opinions and papers detailing the empirical evidence, it was clear that people didnt want to hear it.

So Dr. Desmet began focusing on the psychological processes in society and applied mass formation theory. But what is that exactly?

Mass formation has existed for as long as mankind exists, Desmet said. The Crusades, Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and many more phenomena were an example of mass formation. It will exist as long as mankind exists, and there are very specific conditions that need to be met for it to take place, he explained.

The first condition is a sort of isolation, where people feel disconnected from their environment.

Weve seen throughout the last few centuries that the number of people feeling isolated, feeling lonely, and disconnected from their environment is constantly increasing, he said. And thats a consequence of the industrialization of mechanization. Its clear that loneliness almost perfectly correlated to the industrialization and mechanization of development and the use of technology, which might sound [paradoxical], but it isnt.

Dr. Desmet said feeling disconnected will then lead to a lack of meaning that bridges over to anxiety, depression, and frustration, because as human beings experience meaning, we see that we have an effect on the otherand if the connection with the other deteriorates or disappears then these spontaneous experiences will maybe not manifest anymore.

Once people feel disconnected and struggle with lack of meaning [they] may typically be confronted with anxiety, free-floating anxiety, frustration, and aggression people feel anxious or aggressive but dont know what theyre anxious, frustrated, or aggressive for.

And thats an extremely precarious mental state, because if youre anxious, and you dont know what youre anxious for, you just feel completely out of control. You cannot protect yourself from something that makes you anxious if you dont know what makes you anxious. So in this state, people areif under these conditions, someone distributes a narrative, preferably through the mass media, indicating an object of anxiety and at the same time a strategy to deal with the object of anxiety, then all this free-floating anxiety latches onto the object of anxiety and there might be a huge willingness to execute this strategy to deal with the object of anxiety, even if the strategy is absurd.

This strategy turns into a ritual, which doesnt have to be rational. They [the rituals] have a social function, a personal function, and an effective function, which is all they need.

Dr. Desmet says that mass formation is extreme collectivism. It destroys individuals ethical self awareness and robs them of their ability to think critically.

A mass is a kind of group that emerges not because individuals connect to each other; the mass is a group that emerges because each individual separately connects to the collective. Meaning that this famous, typical solidarity that exists in a mass is never a solidarity between individuals. Its a solidarity between all individuals, separately, and the collective. The longer the mass formation exists, the more all the love and all psychological energy is sucked away from the connections between the individuals who bond with other individuals, and is invested in bond between the individuals and the collective, meaning that in the end, people feel much more solidarity for the collective than for someone else.

That explains, of course, why in the corona crisis, so many people were talking about solidarity, but at the same time, they accepted that if someones parents were dying in a hospital[that the children] were not allowed to visit their father or their mother. As this phenomenon unfolds, it becomes a kind of hypnosis that leads people to commit atrocities, Desmet explained.

During the course of the pandemic crisis, some have pointed at the elite as the true enemy and cause of the crisis. Desmet disagrees.

From the French Revolution onwards, you can say, a new elite, which immediately understood that the new leaders, the politicians, were not really leaders anymore. They were followers because they had to be elected by the masses, they knew that they couldnt really lead the masses. They had to follow the masses. And thats where the leaders of society started to realize that they needed something else. They needed propaganda and indoctrination to constantly manipulate the masses, and to constantly try to steer them when they wanted to get them. Indoctrination and propaganda it the subject of Desmets next book, which he is currently working on.

The elite is certainly powerful, and propaganda is real, Desmet said, but that is not what we are truly facing.

The real enemy is a certain way of thinking, its a certain view of man and the world, the mechanistic, rationalist view of man and the world. Its this delusional belief that we can understand everything on a rational basis, that we can control everything rationally, and that we should manipulate everything rationally. Its precisely this worldview that leads to an elite that would try to control society, he added.

Its this mechanistic thinking that is the real enemy, that leads to the development of this new elite and at the same time, that brings the population in this specific psychological state, where it is so sensitive for manipulation, where it is so sensitive for indoctrination propaganda.

Hannah Arendt says totalitarianism is always a diabolic pact between the masses and the elite, and thats true. But its wrong to say that its all the fault and only the fault of the elite. If we would destroy the elite, the problem would not be solved. The same elite would be recreated again if the population continues to be in the grip of this rationalist, mechanist view of man and the world. Thats why it is wrong to analyze everything in terms of one large conspiracy and nothing else. If thats the analysis you start from, then the logical, strategical conclusion, the tactical conclusion will be that we need a violent revolution against the eliteand if we do that, we will destroy ourselves, he said. The elite is also something that is created by the population.

As Solzhentisyn said, the dividing line between good and evil doesnt run between people, it runs through every heart, he said.

So how do we resist the mass? Dr. Desmet says the most important principle is that we always have to continue to speak out. Thats the most important principle. So mass formation is kind of [like] hypnosis, its identical.

Usually dissonant voices wont succeed [in] waking up the masses. But that doesnt mean that the dissonant voice doesnt have an effect, it has an effect. It has the effect that the mass formation doesnt become deeper.

As a human being, I believe we have the ethical duty to always articulate the words that seem sincere and honest to us and that in this pool of darkness, tries to represent a little bit of light, and gets more and more in touch with the ethical principles of humanity, and tries to live up to these principles.

Those who do usually go through a fast process of evolution, they become stronger and stronger and stronger as human beings Thats the most profound reason, the ethical reason, why we have to choose to continue to speak out also from a tactical point of view, this will be the best choice we can make.

If you, this group who doesnt go along with the narrative, makes the right choice, you will start to see that this crisis was meant to be there. We need this crisis. Its a process in which a large organism, a dominant society, puts a large pressure on a small organismand pushes it on a path where it would not go wrong, if there was this large path who puts this pressure on, he said.

But if we choose to remain silent, or if we refuse to try to reinvent and rearticulate the ethical principles of humanity in this period, in these times, then the opposite will happen. The masses will probably first destroy the people who do not go along with them, and then they will start to destroy themselves, and in the end, it will be one pure, destructive process.

But its absolutely critical that we do so peacefully and reasonably. While [the mass] probably will show the tendency to dehumanize us, we should not react in the same way, because if we react in the same way we will destroy ourselves and everything will become meaningless, he said.

If we are convinced that that the elite is pure evil and the rest of us are merely victims, then, as I said, the only conclusion is violence.

Its vital that we continue to speak in a sincere and honest way, not because we are convinced that we are the only ones who know the truth, and all the rest are liars and so on if we feel that, to our own best understanding something is right, sincere and honest, then we have to articulate it.

And you know, we dont have to be blind terrible things happened, wars were provoked, famine millions of people were sent into debt by the elite. Thats all true. Thats all true. And I know thats true. But its also true that the population is responsible, that the elite is also something that is created by the population that emerges from the population.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through our form here.

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