Our body needs a healthy immune system to defend itself against germs. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and flu season, you need a healthy immune system more than ever.

Tereza Hubkova, MD, ABIHM, ABIM, is an integrative medicine physician at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission. According to Dr. Hubkova, our immune system is strongly influenced by our lifestyle: the foods we eat, how we sleep, our physical activity and even our mood and level of stress.

Proper nutrition is key. You want to make sure your diet provides all the nutrients your immune system needs and that your body is not in a pro-inflammatory state in case you would catch COVID.

The life-threatening complication of COVID, the cytokine storm, happens when the immune system goes into overdrive and the immune response itself causes too much collateral damage. Our Western diet full of processed foods, sugar, salt and unhealthy fat puts many Americans at risk. Instead, we need fresh produce full of vitamins and colorful polyphenols, minerals, fiber, protein and healthy fats (including omega 3 fatty acids from seafood).

Our age affects our immune system as well children and young adults are less likely to be affected by COVID than older people.

Even just one night of poor sleep severely impairs our ability to deal with viruses, said Dr. Hubkova. When partially sleep deprived, we produce 75 percent less natural killer cells that could eliminate viruses. As we get older, we also produce less melatonin, a hormone crucial for a healthy immune system. Stress and blue light from our electronic screens suppress melatonin production as well.

Dr. Hubkova also advises to be sure your Vitamin D level is in the optimal range.

Patients in intensive care due to severe COVID almost always have low vitamin D level, said Dr. Hubkova.

We make Vitamin D in our skin when we are exposed to sunshine, but our modern indoor lifestyle means that Vitamin D deficiency is extremely common. We do not get much Vitamin D from food, so besides spending more time outdoors, taking a Vitamin D supplement may be the next best solution, especially in the winter.

Between the COVID pandemic and cold weather, many people are not getting out much and interacting with others, which is likely contributing to anxiety and depression and affecting our immune system as well.

Our immune system has receptors for the molecules of emotion, said Dr. Hubkova. It knows when we are happy or sad, and it works much better when we are in a positive state of mind.

Finally, is there any advice for COVID vaccination?

In general, we do not respond well to vaccines when our immune system is weakened, such as by stress or sleep deprivation, said Dr. Hubkova. While we do not know everything about the COVID vaccine yet, try to get a good nights sleep the night before you get vaccinated.

Dr. Hubkova has created the 21-day immunity challenge designed to get your immune system in better working order by addressing a few key lifestyle habits, one day at a time. Learn more about the 21-day immunity challenge at MyHealthKC.com.

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The immune system and COVID-19 - Shawnee Mission Post

Posted: Jan 18, 2021 / 12:02 PM CST / Updated: Jan 18, 2021 / 12:02 PM CST

Wellness Expert Taz Bhatia, MD. Explains How to Put Yourself Back Together & Recover from the Stresses of 2020

2020 has been a very stressful year with challenges that we havent faced in recent times. We have collectively experienced trauma which can wreck havoc on the body, and as a result, many people are experiencing new health issues. So, how do we recover? We have one of the top integrative medicine physicians in the nation available to share timely tips for making a full recovery from 2020 and getting back on track for 2021.

Dr. Taz Bhatia will tackle a critical topic as we move into the New Year. Shell share her 2020 Recovery Checklist and explain how some new supplements can help with better sleep, boost energy, lose weight and maintain overall health. Dr. Bhatias practice is nationally recognized for creating specialized treatments plans. Her unique approach has earned her guest appearances on the Today Show, Dr. Oz, and numerous other network TV shows. Some of her best-selling books include: WHATDOCTORS EAT, THE 21-DAY BELLY FIX and SUPER WOMAN RX.

Dr. Taz Bhatia, M.D. is an integrative medicine physician and wellness expert who gained national recognition as a best-selling author of the books, What Doctors Eat, The 21 Day Belly Fix, and Super Woman Rx. Her integration of Eastern medical wisdom with modern science has led to featured segments on The Today Show, Dr. Oz, Live with Kelly & Ryan and eventually the premiere of her own PBS special Super Woman RX with Dr. Taz. She is also the host of the Super Woman Wellness with Dr. Taz podcast. Personal health challenges in her twenties led Dr. Bhatia to opening her now nationally recognized practice. Today, Dr. Taz and her team work to help patients understand their core health issues and develop personalized treatment plans, pulling from multiple systems of medicine, including integrative, functional, Chinese, and holistic medicine.

For more information visit TheEastWestWay.com & DoctorTaz.com.

Sponsored by The East West Way. Opinions expressed by the guest(s) on this program are solely those of the guest(s) and are not endorsed by this television station.

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Learn How Diet & Supplements Can Jump Start Your System For Better Overall Health With The East West Way - KXAN.com

GRAND RAPIDS We all know the past year has tested our mental health in new ways and now in the middle of winter, it can become even more a challenge. But the power of the great outdoors could be more beneficial than you realize. Studies show that just five minutes of outdoor exposure can lead to improved mental health.

We're finding that spending time in nature actually boosts our immune system by strengthening our levels and numbers of natural killer cells. And that is so important right now, because we know that our body needs to have a strong immune system, says Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller, M.D who is an OB-GYN and Integrative Medicine physician.

A number of studies are finding that there's something magical about the 20 minute mark, and that 20 minutes of time in nature at doing the activity of your choice can again reduce salivary amylase and cortisol levels, these stress hormones. Another one found that spending time in nature reduced rumination, which is that concept of just repeating thoughts in your mind that you can't stop, this cycle of stressful thoughts, and that rumination is associated with anxiety and depression, she said.

This is also something that can be accomplished in the middle of winter. Studies have show that people are able to derive health benefits in fairly unlikely ways.

It might be sitting on your porch, it might be looking out your window, and being able to take some time to just slowly go through the senses. And just notice what you're seeing, what you're hearing, what you're feeling in a tactile way. This can even be done with an indoor potted plant, if you can believe that. And just taking the time, we talk in forest bathing about the concept of a sit spot, which is spending 20 minutes with no agenda, doing nothing other than just seeing what you see, hearing what you hear, noticing what you notice about nature around you and it can be done really anywhere.

This is something that can be very beneficial for children too, especially during these times. Holistic Child Psychologist, Dr. Nicole Beurkens says it improves focus, attention, learning, anxiety and mood.

Just a five minute reset of saying to our kids during a hectic day of virtual learning, or their attentions not so good, or they're just in an irritable mood, go outside, even in the cold. Even just being outdoors in that space for five minutes can be a great shift. Then when we come back inside, our kids come back in and can get back into what they were doing and just have their brain and their body be in a better place to do that. So it doesn't have to be a long drawn out thing, we think oh, you know, this is going to be a hassle but it can be quick, it can be easy.

Plus, its free and there is a lot of it.

If I were to give just a recommendation, a prescription for time spent in nature, which I do prescribe to all of my patients, it would be to come up with something that you enjoy doing for even small, small increments of time and treat it as a prescription. It might be that you decide, what it is your your prescription, your medicine and how often you do it on a regular basis." said Dr. Hackenmiller.

Dr. Beurkens and Dr. Hackenmiller have a podcast if you want to learn more about forest bathing, you can find that here.

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Rebound: The power of the great outdoors and improved mental health - Fox17

The best tea for fat loss is any plain unsweetened tea that you choose to drink instead of some other unhealthy beverages like these belly busters: sweet tea, soda, juice, smoothies, beer, etc.). (For more background, here are 7 Ways Tea Can Help You Lose Weight.)

Disappointed with that answer? Don't be. It's the honest truth: If you are looking for a magic bullet for weight loss, you won't find it in a teacup. Drinking tea alone is no more effective than any other fat-loss technique if you don't combine it with other healthy eating practices. In other words, a cuppa plain tea won't cancel out the tea biscuits.

That said, unsweetened tea is second only to water as the weight loss beverage most recommended by nutritionists and other health experts. For good reason: Plain tea contains zero calories and is rich in natural compounds that have many health benefits.

But which is the best type of tea for fat loss? One could argue that green tea is tops simply because green tea has been clinically studied more than any other kind of tea. Many studies have shown that the bounty of antioxidants in green tea may reduce inflammation and lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Research suggests that special compounds called catechins and the caffeine in green tea stimulate thermogenesis and boost metabolism. Other studies correlate drinking several cups of green tea a day for longer than six weeks with weight loss.

Of course, any calorie-free tea can help with weight loss if it replaces a high-calorie beverage. To get the biggest fat-loss benefit from tea, pick your favorite from these tea types recommended by nutritionists and pair it with one of The 6 Best Diets That Will Make You Live Longer.

"One of the best teas that support fat loss is black tea," says Tiffany Joy Yamut, a registered nurse, certified nutritionist, and co-founder of the keto diet resource Ketogenic Buddies. Black tea is made from leaves of the same plant from which green tea is made:Camellia sinensis. The big difference is how it's processed. Black tea leaves are exposed to air and allowed to oxidize into that trademark dark brown color. "A 2016 study published in Molecules showed that polyphenols in black tea can prevent obesity; one of its mechanisms is that it inhibits lipid (fat) absorption," says Yamut. "I follow a low-carbohydrate diet and black tea suits my lifestyle well since it contains no carbs plus some caffeine to jumpstart my metabolism." However, black tea isn't for everyone, she cautions. "Tea has caffeine, which can worsen gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms."

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"Any plain tea without sugar, honey, and syrups is great for weight loss," says Amanda A Kostro Miller, RD, LDN, who serves on the advisory board for Fitter Living. "Not only can you get fluid for hydration, [but you're also] filling up your stomach for only a few calories." If you run out of tea, you can always hydrate for fat loss by knowing This Is How Much Water You Need to Drink for Weight Loss.

This traditional Chinese tea, also known as black dragon, is made from the leaves of the same plant that yields green and black teas. The only difference is that unlike green tea, oolong is allowed to oxidize, but not long enough to turn into black tea. The result is a flavor that is less bitter than black tea, lighter, and more "grassy." Oolong tea has not been studied to the extent of green tea, but studies do point to its potential as a weight-loss beverage. In one study published in the Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 102 overweight people consumed 8 grams of oolong tea, or about four cups a day for six weeks. Measuring body fat and body weight levels, researchers found that 70% of the heaviest subjects lost a little more than 2 pounds while 22% lost more than 6.5 pounds. Also, 12% of subjects experienced a decrease in subcutaneous fat.

Plant-based nutritionist Stephanie Mantilla's favorite weight-loss tea is caffeine-free rooibos from South Africa. Studies have shown that the red tea "helps block the creation of fat cells and increase metabolism," says the founder of Plant Prosperous.

Because the herbal tea is high in antioxidants and contains anti-inflammatory properties, one South African researcher is investigating its effect on fat stem cells. Dr. Hanl Sadie-Van Gijsen of the Division of Medical Physiology at Stellenbosch University is seeking to addressthe inflammation and oxidative stress within the fat tissue to relieve whole-body inflammation and insulin resistance. She says inflammation and oxidative stress are hallmarks of "dysfunctional fat," and responsible for many of the diseases associated with obesity.

Peppermint is a time-honored home remedy for indigestion, and it is believed to be a metabolism booster. "This tea's antifungal nature is also responsible for its ability to help improve digestive health," says nutritionist Lisa Richards, author of The Candida Diet. "A cup of peppermint tea after a meal can help alleviate gas and bloating while also speeding along digestion and potentially metabolism through this means as well."

Ginger tea is a favorite of Trista Best, RD, a registered dietitian with Balance Once Supplements, due to its robust flavor and antioxidant richness. "Ginger is unique for weight loss in that it contains compounds known as gingerols and shogaols, compounds that reduce the oxidative stress that exacerbates obesity," she says. "This damage occurs at the cellular level and once those damaged cells replicate the body's natural processes that maintain homeostasis can become disrupted leading to decreased metabolism, energy, and more."

A number of experts told us that green tea, matcha (a powdered green tea), and green tea extract are considered to be some of the best for supporting healthy weight loss because they are particularly high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds including EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate).

"EGCG seems to help block the formation of new fat cells and may also reduce hunger and cravings, plus caffeine in green tea has appetite-decreasing effects," says Dr. Josh Axe, D.N.M., CNS, founder of Dr.Axe.com.

This catechin abundant in green tea is also thought to improve recovery from exercise, boosting metabolism and potentially reducing fat storage. "Antioxidants found in green tea can support metabolic health by lowering oxidative stress, plus they keep blood sugar levels more balanced which is beneficial for controlling fat storage," says Axe.

"The ECGC in green tea can deactivate the genetic triggers for diabetes and obesity," says Kelly Choi, author of the Eat This, Not That! book The 7-Day Flat-Belly Tea Cleanse.

To learn how drinking green tea changed Choi's life, read I Tried a Tea Cleanse for 7 Days and This is What Happened.

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The #1 Best Tea for Fat Loss, According to Nutritionists | Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

Five top anti-vaccine advocacy organizations that have spread medical misinformation throughout the COVID-19 pandemic received funding from the Trump administration's Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), The Washington Post reported Monday.

The loans from the Small Business Administration totaled more than $850,000, according to the report.

"Lending money to these organizations so they can prosper is a sickening use of taxpayer money," Countering Digital Hate CEO Imran Ahmed told The Washington Post. "These groups are actively working to undermine the national COVID vaccination drive, which will create long-term health problems that are felt most acutely in minority communities and low-income neighborhoods."

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Mercola, a businessman and doctor of osteopathic medicine, is himself a major donor of the NVIC. The Washington Post reported in 2019 that Mercola gave the NVIC $2.9 million, making up roughly 40% of the group's funding. Mercola has millions of followers on Facebook.

The Pew Research Center said in a December report that about 39% of Americans said they would definitely not, or probably not, get the vaccine. 21% of American adults surveyed said they were "pretty certain" that new information about COVID-19 vaccination would not change their minds.

Anti-vaccine advocacy groups have played a major role in propagating that distrust, Viswanath said.

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The Trump administration gave more than $850,000 in PPP loans to prominent anti-vaccine groups - Business Insider India

Digital Health coaching has emerged worth $7 billion service market, with a strong growth outlook. An estimated 128,000 health coaches and health educators advise and motivate clients to change bad lifestyle habits and to manage chronic conditions such as diabetes. Consumers, employers and insurers are each now more seriously focused on improving health and being proactive, in light of the pandemic, rising obesity levels, and chronic health conditions.

Digital Health Coaching, conveniently offered online, is designed to deliver highly personalized, insight-driven behavior change programs to help your members better focus on their health and well-being. With periodic check-ins, these coaching programs are designed to encourage long-term engagement and participation.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 99,400 health educators and community health workers, including health coaches, employed nationwide in 2012. By 2022, this employment figure is projected to increase to 120,800, which expresses a +21% growth change.

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Digital Health Coaching Market 2021-28 looming business opportunities at $7 billion with Aetna, American Association for Health Education, American...

Dr. Mark Tager is an internationally recognized authority on integrative wellness and education.

VENICE, Fla. (PRWEB) January 14, 2021

Enzymedica, the leading natural digestive health and wellness brand, announced today that Mark Tager, MD, has joined the companys newly formed Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Tager, who is on faculty at Duke Integrative Medicine, is an internationally recognized authority on integrative wellness and education. He brings tremendous value to the board with his expertise and experience. Enzymedicas Scientific Advisory Board, an evolutionary turning point within the natural products industry, will have three key focus areas: research and development, content development, and consumer and retailer education. In addition to Dr. Tager, the new board will include noted experts in their fields who will provide dynamic perspectives and advice. Each will contribute to driving awareness of the science and efficacy of Enyzmedicas high-quality and innovative products, while advancing new education programs promoting behavior modifications to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

As the CEO of San Diego-based healthcare consulting firm ChangeWell Inc. for the past 20 years, Dr. Tager has been a leader in delivering unique educational programs that reflect the powerful connection between health and human productivity. He also is a serial entrepreneur who has held executive positions at several prominent healthcare companies, delivered more than 1,000 seminars, and is an accomplished author of ten books. His latest book Cash-Pay Healthcare: How to Start, Grow & Perfect Your Business (with Stewart Gandolf, MBA) presents a business-oriented map for all health-related practitioners.

A pioneer in holistic healthcare, the first of his ten books he authored was titled Whole Person Healthcare, advocating an integrative approach to medicine. He started his career as Director of Health Promotion for Kaiser Permanente and was the producer of an early cable health series entitled The Wellness Lifestyle. He went on to found a consumer health company that was acquired by the noted Times Mirrors Mosby Health division. In addition, he held executive roles at a variety of healthcare companies, where he was the driving force behind global product education teams and programs. Widely known for his education and training expertise, he has conducted Art of the Healthcare presentation training for the University of Miami Osher Center, Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, Duke Integrative Medicine, and the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine.

We are honored to welcome Dr. Tager, one of the most renowned experts in integrative wellness to our Scientific Advisory Board, said Scott Sensenbrenner, President & CEO of Enzymedica. We believe Dr. Tagers unparalleled expertise in integrated health and education will be a tremendous asset as Enzymedica continues to be a pioneer in the natural products industry by creating new learning platforms that are both innovative and revolutionary.

Enzymedica is addressing a large unmet need by delivering accuracy and accessibility in education to consumers, retailers, and healthcare professionals, Dr. Tager commented. I am pleased to join Enzymedicas Scientific Advisory Board and look forward to collaborating with other top industry experts as we work together to advance education in the natural products industry.

About EnzymedicaEnzymedica is a Florida-based, natural digestive health company since 1998 that sells to over 30,000 stores worldwide and online. Its top-selling enzyme brand is No. 1 in America. In addition to high quality products, Enzymedica also is dedicated to its People & Planet initiative, which is a core pillar within the companys mission - to leave a legacy that will make the world a better place. The company has received more than 50 industry awards including multiple Better Nutrition Magazines People's Choice Awards, many Best of Supplements Awards and numerous VITY and Nexty Awards. Visit https://enzymedica.com/ for more information.

Media ContactRia RomanoRPR Public Relations, Inc.Tel. 786-290-6413

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Enzymedica Announces Newly Formed Scientific Advisory Board and the Appointment of Renowned Integrative Wellness Expert Dr. Mark Tager as a Key Member...

DUBLIN, Jan. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "The U.S. Health Coaching Market" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Health coaching has emerged as a $7 billion service market, with a strong growth outlook.

An estimated 128,000 health coaches and health educators advise and motivate clients to change bad lifestyle habits and to manage chronic conditions such as diabetes. Consumers, employers and insurers are each now more seriously focused on improving health and being proactive, in light of the pandemic, rising obesity levels, and chronic health conditions.

You are most likely to find a health coach in private practice, at a healthcare insurer, or via a corporate wellness program. Large self-insured companies are using coaches to improve employee health and cut claims costs, as are healthcare insurers. However, like coaching in general, the industry is loosely defined and certification in many cases is performed by many competing organizations. However, national standards have been developed and CPT billing codes and reimbursement are on the near-term horizon.

This new report covers the following: market definition - types of health coaches, what they do, where they work, their number, annual salaries, market structure, market size: 2006-2025 forecast, effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, profiles of the 8 major certification organizations, profiles of insurance company users (Aetna, Cigna, Humana, United Health Group), MD and Veterans Administration programs, demand factors and usage by consumers, findings of telephone interviews with key market influencers, list of the top health coaching apps, and the industry's major issues, obstacles and growth drivers. Includes list of 75 approved certification training programs.

Key Topics Covered:

Introduction: Study Scope & Methodology

Market Definition and Summary

Market Status Report

Market Size & Growth

Tables:

Profiles of leading Health Coach Certification & Training Organizations (Descriptions of organizations and their certification programs)

Consumer Demand Factors & Outcome Studies

Large Healthcare Organizations' Usage of Health Coaches

List of Most Popular Health Coaching Apps

Reference Directory

Companies Mentioned

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Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.

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United States Health Coaching Market Report 2021-2025 with Discussion of Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Operations/Growth - PRNewswire

The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while nature cures the disease. Voltaire

These days, every sniffle, cough or sneeze makes us and everyone around us jumpy that we might be carrying COVID. Yes, colds, flu and allergy symptoms are still with us, though at a reduced rate because of isolation, masking, hand-washing and the rest. The pediatric wards are nearly empty, with major decreases in the usual respiratory infection surges seen this time of year with children largely out of school.

Colds, flu and allergy are each a different upper respiratory entity and may be difficult to tell from COVID or even each other. Flu, compared to the cold usually is more intense; I call it the run over by a truck syndrome, though getting the flu vaccine can decrease symptoms significantly.

As north winds bring us the gift of pollens from the mainland, winter allergies develop causing sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, clear nasal discharge and earaches.

Colds dont generally start with the high fever, fatigue, sore throat, shortness of breath, low oxygen levels seen in COVID, though a bad flu can look and feel more like moderate to severe COVID.

When in doubt, call your health care professional or go in for a COVID and/or flu test. Get your COVID vaccine as soon as you can.

The common cold is actually related to the coronavirus. It has been around for a long time without such serious harm. And it brings its own brand of misery, runny nose, cough, low-grade fever, headache and other familiar symptoms. School and work absences result.

As a primary care doctor and student of home and folk remedies, Ive learned that treating colds is more a matter of art and tradition than science. I observe, for example, that many folks seem to come down with a cold after a particularly stressful period in their lives.

The National Institutes of Healths National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine just reviewed research literature on alternative and over-the-counter treatments for the common cold. Check it out at: http://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/providers/digest/the-common-cold-and-complementary-health-approaches?nav=govd

Among these were zinc, vitamin C and nasal saline rinses ranking best in safety and efficacy. However, as with elderberry, probiotics, honey, garlic and geranium extract, the research to support most of these remedies was generally weak. Plus, antibiotics dont work for colds.

People still have used such remedies in their own cultures and homes for centuries. They just want to do something to feel better, benefitting from the placebo effect and tincture of time for relief. Or just maybe some remedies actually do work, having stood the test of time.

Adequate rest is hugely important in supporting our immunity. Keeping well hydrated prevents mucosal membranes from drying out and thus losing their protective barriers. Nasal irrigation is helpful to remove not only mucus but inflammatory chemicals. Hot soups and steam inhalation or vaporizers help.

So, be sensible and cautious this winter, and use the best ideas that science and grandma have to offer.

Dr. Victor S. Sierpina is the WD and Laura Nell Nicholson Family Professor of Integrative Medicine and Professor of Family Medicine at UTMB.

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How do we treat the now uncommon cold? - Galveston County Daily News

As always with any new product or DIY experiment, do a patch test before slathering on; just because you can consume the spice doesn't mean your skin will tolerate it the same way. Sometimes people can have unexpected reactions to the topical treatment, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Finally, we'd be remiss not to discuss traditional turmeric's bright orange hue, which makes for a beautiful mask, sure, but turmeric is also notorious for staining (your clothes and your skin, it turns out). To avoid tinging your face orange, using just a small amount of the spice in your DIY adventures. Or, you can find the aforementioned kasturi turmeric and avoid this problem altogether.

And the worst case scenario: The staining only temporary. So don't freak! "Curcumin, the main component of turmeric, is oil-soluble," says Plescia. So a gentle oil cleanser should be able to remove the pigment, even if it does take a couple of times for it to totally clear. Even if you leave the stain alone completely, the sebum in your skin will lift off the pigment eventually.

As for ingesting the spice, if you take too much curcumin, it can cause bleeding and bruising, says Yufang Lin, M.D., an integrative medicine specialist at Cleveland Clinic. So stick to the typical dosing, which is usually around 500 milligrams max per day. "Allergic reaction and intolerancesuch as stomach upset, diarrhea, and refluxare possible," Lin adds, but this is extremely rare.

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The Golden Ingredient Of Ayurveda: A Complete Guide To Turmeric & The Skin - mindbodygreen.com

The pandemic is having a devastating effect on the childhoods of children and young people across the country. Growing numbers of hard-pressed families are being swept into poverty, with more than 4 million children living in poverty even before Covid wrecked the economy. The closure of schools has widened the yawning education gap and the spiralling numbers of young people suffering mental illness and psychological distress look certain to increase with every day that lockdown keeps them isolated and uncertain about their futures.

These challenges are taking place just as the local services that children and their families rely on to keep them safe are reeling from the combined effect of more than 2bn in funding cuts over the last 10 years, coupled with unprecedented demand for their help.

Childrens welfare has become a national emergency. An independent commission, to inform a cross-government strategy to steer children and young people clear from the lingering effects of Covid-19, could avert this. This commission should bring together representatives from across the sector, including charities, school leaders, teaching unions, education experts, doctors and mental health professionals, as well as the childrens commissioner.

A strategy to protect children from the worst effects of the pandemic should build on the principles for recovery set out by leading childrens charities and must involve children, young people and parents in creating a vision for their futures. At present, we have piecemeal solutions and stopgap measures. The next generation deserves better.Anna Feuchtwang, CEO, National Childrens Bureau and chair, End Child Poverty; Cathy Creswell, professor of developmental clinical psychology, University of Oxford; Jo Revill, CEO, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health; Melanie Armstrong, chief executive, Action for Children; Dr Marian Davis, GP and chair of the Adolescent Health Group at Royal College of General Practitioners; Kathy Evans, CEO, Children England; Emma Thomas, chief executive, YoungMinds; Peter Grigg, CEO, Home-Start UK; Mark Russell, CEO, The Childrens Society; Katharine Sacks-Jones, chief executive, Become; Joseph Howes, CEO, Buttle UK; Thomas Lawson, chief executive, Turn2Us; Niall Cooper, director, Church Action on Poverty; Dr Wanda Wyporska, executive director, The Equality Trust; Dr Lee Hudson, clinical associate professor, Great Ormond Street UCL Institute of Child Health; Leigh Middleton, CEO, National Youth Agency; Dr Marian Davis, GP and chair of the Adolescent Health Group at Royal College of General Practitioners; Dr Ronny Cheung, consultant paediatrician and clinical lead for State of Child Health programme, Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health; Dr Carol Homden, CEO, Coram Group; Essi Viding, professor of developmental psychopathology and co-director of Developmental Risk and Resilience Unit, division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London; professor Pasco Fearon, chair of Developmental Psychopathology, research department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London; Paul Bywaters, professor of social work, University of Huddersfield; Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, professor of psychology and cognitive neuroscience, University of Cambridge; Frances Mapstone, interim CEO, Just for Kids Law; Louise King, director, Childrens Rights Alliance for England; Dr Damian Roland, honorary associate professor in paediatric emergency medicine, Leicester University; Ann John, professor of public health and psychiatry, Swansea University, lead of the Adolescent Mental Health Data Platform; Helen Dodd, professor of child psychology, University of Reading; Tamsin Ford, professor of child and adolescent psychiatry, University of Cambridge; Dr Bonamy Oliver, associate professor in developmental psychology, UCL Institute of Education; Thalia Eley, professor of developmental behavioural genetics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Kings College London; Sally McManus, senior lecturer, School of Health Sciences, City University of London; Robin Banerjee, head of the school of pPsychology and professor of developmental pPsychology, University of Sussex; Sarah Halligan, professor of child and family mental health, University of Bath; Siobhan ONeill, professor of Mental Health Sciences, Ulster University and interim mental health champion for Northern Ireland; Sam Cartwright-Hatton, professor of Clinical Child Psychology, University of Sussex; Dr Kathrin Cohen Kadosh, reader developmental cCognitive neuroscience, University of Surrey; Dr Nick Owen, CEO, The Mighty Creatives; Laura Payne, campaign manager, 4in10 Londons Child Poverty Network; Willem Kuyken, Ritblat professor of mindfulness and psychological Science, University of Oxford; Angelica Ronald, professor of Psychology and Genetics and joint editor of Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, University of London; Dr Maria Loades, child and adolescent clinical psychologist and senior lecturer in clinical pychology and NIHR researchfellow, University of Bath; Sarah Hughes, CEO, Centre for Mental Health; Sir Norman Lamb, chair, Children & Young Peoples Mental Health Coalition; Claire Donovan, campaigns manager, End Furniture Poverty; Jane Streather, chair, North East Child Poverty Commission; Monica Holton, CEO, The Loveinspire Foundation; Irene Audain, chief executive, Scottish Out of School Care Network; Andrew Copson, chief executive, Humanists UK; Julie Anderson, professor of modern history, University of Kent; Laurence Guinness, chief executive, The Childhood Trust; David Holmes, CEO Family Action; Becca Lyon, head of Child Poverty, Save the Children UK; Dr Robbie Duschinsky, head of the Applied Social Sciences Group, Primary Care Unit, University of Cambridge; June OSullivan, CEO London Early Years Foundation; Purnima Tanuku, chief executive, National Day Nurseries Association; Dr Xand van Tulleken, presenter of Operation Ouch; James Matheson, GP and chair of the Health Inequalities Group, Royal College of GPs; Alison Garnham, CEO, Child Poverty Action Group; Dr Elvira Prez Vallejos, associate professor Mental Health and Technology, the University of Nottingham; The British Psychological Society

How I enjoyed reading the excerpt from the late, lamented Katharine Whitehorns Sluts column, even though I still have the original safely stashed away somewhere in my muddle of memorabilia (Thank you, Katharine Whitehorn, for giving all the female reprobates a voice, Comment). The references to black stockings and white gloves were poignant. As a young fashion editor myself, in awe of the Katharine I would spot at fashion shows, it was always white gloves that famous photographic models (who would get out of bed for a mere three guineas an hour in those days) were required to bring on fashion shoots.

Happy memories of a bygone age, beautifully chronicled in your pages over the years by a brilliant writer whose words, I hope, will be savoured by generations to come.Jenny FroudeBeckenham, Kent

Andrew Rawnsley writes: Mr Trump has done far more damage to trust in Americas system of government than Vladimir Putins battalions of cyber-agents ever managed (Tyrants gaze with glee at what Trump has done to American democracy, Comment). However, it is questionable whether Trump would ever have been in a position to wreak such havoc without Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election.Robert SaundersBalcombe, West Sussex

I wish I could share Will Huttons optimism about I ending and we returning (The only way to vanquish the pandemic is for the age of national self-interest to end, Comment). But I fear the age of I is too hard-baked into the DNA of too many. It will take a generation at least to dissolve it.

I speak from experience, having been part of the yuppie generation spawned and nurtured during the Thatcher era. I look back in shame and disbelief at how great swaths of us behaved. How possessions were accumulated with little reason other than the desire to show ones wealth and status.

This government actively encourages the I society. Weve had a brief glimpse of the we returning but it requires more than a handclap for our NHS. This is where Sir Keir Starmer and Sir Ed Davey need to pool their resources. Theres a world of we supporters waiting for leadership.Michael NewmanShefford, Bedfordshire

Philip Oltermanns article on integrative treatment of Covid-19 in German hospitals is biased against anthroposophic medicine but rightly highlights how complementary treatments are provided in addition to state-of-the-art conventional treatments, including for critically ill patients in the intensive care ward (Ginger root and meteorite dust: thats what Covid patients can expect in Rudolf Steiner clinics, World). Anthroposophic medicine is fully integrated into the German healthcare system in line with the World Health Organizations traditional medicine strategy that has set integration of traditional and complementary medicine into healthcare systems as a strategic goal.

There are many peer-reviewed studies on anthroposophic medicine and anthroposophic medications have been in use for decades, with an excellent safety record. Mr Oltermanns critique that patients should provide consent for such treatments does not hold because the treatments are not experimental and are provided in addition to standard care, based on long clinical experience and in hospitals openly publicising their integrative medicine approach. As the article reports, German insurance companies pay flat-rate payments for hospital treatment of coronavirus patients; the additional anthroposophic treatments are financed out of hospital budgets.

Mr Oltermann links anthroposophic medicine with those who are anti-vaccination. While this might be true for certain individuals, a recent statement by the International Federation of Anthroposophic Medical Association (IVAA) welcomes the Sars-CoV2 vaccines and supports their rollout worldwide.Thomas Breitkreuz and Tido von Schoen-Angerer, president and vice-president of the International Federation of Anthroposophic Medical AssociationsBrussels

The publishing project that draws attention to hitherto neglected black writers, led by the author Bernardine Evaristo, is to be applauded (The lost novels of black Britain: Booker winners mission to put forgotten writers back in print, News).

An almost forgotten black writer of great literary merit is George Lamming. He came to Britain in 1950 from the West Indies when he was 23. His first novel, In the Castle of My Skin, won the Somerset Maugham award for literature in 1957. Perhaps his most challenging and appropriate work for our post-colonial times was Natives of My Person. Lamming went on to have a fine academic career in the US and the West Indies, as well as publishing several other acclaimed works. He deserves greater recognition.Peter BunyanBillericay, Essex

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Letters: our children are in crisis and need help - The Guardian

It is a new year, a collective sigh of relief to be moving on, yet we are still very close to the winter solstice, the deepest darkest day of winter. In 2020, we all experienced a massive slow down, halting social gatherings and various hobbies or activities. For many, like me, this has been difficult on the psyche, challenging our beliefs about what forward momentum and success looks like. We live in a society that congratulates us for doing more and pushing harder; it is the measure of who we are, or is it?

In eastern traditions, winter is the time of the year that is the most yin, we call it yin within yin. Yin is likened to darkness, quiet, night, rest, regeneration and stillness. It is the time when we restore, when our body does its deepest healing and regenerating. We are at the most opportune time of year to conserve energy and slow down. Overdoing during this time of year can be counterproductive and actually cause the release of the stress hormone cortisol. By honoring the winter season annually, it sets us up for a more successful year mentally and physically. This is the time of year that sets the stage for the other seasons to follow: the spring when we want to move, plant a garden and have extra energy for new projects, the summer when we have long days, tend the garden and often sleep less, as well as the fall with the continued momentum from the year, the harvest and finishing up of various projects.

This is the time of year when best practices include the following:

Get more sleep. Deep sound sleep is restorative and feels amazing but can sometimes be illusive. Sleep could also mean a nap or a rest in the middle of the day.

Consider your movement. Just because its winter and maybe we feel less motivated to exercise doesnt mean we shouldnt. This is a time when slower, more fluid movement is vital to lubricate the joints, stretch the connective tissue, allow for proper circulation throughout the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems.

Habits that restore and replenish are important as we have become so deeply embedded in electronic entertainment. Finding things to do that truly invoke cellular restoration provide a formidable response that can be felt within. Some suggestions include: epsom salts bath, reading a book, meditation, get out in nature, journaling, breath work, gratitude practice, drink a cup of tea, take a nap.

Hydration: Almost everyone can drink more water. Especially if you are noticing that your skin is dry, your hands or feet or your lips are cracked, this means you are dehydrated. We should each be getting approximately half of our bodys weight in ounces daily. If you are having any caffeine or alcohol, or if you are sweating more than a little, you will need even more water daily. Its best to drink water earlier in the day, which is not a habit many of us are into; however, it ensures the daily intake is more, and we are not up in the night too often. Starting your day with a large warm glass of lemon water, you can add cinnamon or ginger for an even more warming drink, aids in eliminating toxins, ensures daily bowel flow and sparks our metabolic fire.

Food therapy: Choose foods that grow naturally during the winter. Items such as squash, potatoes, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, root vegetables such as beets, greens, carrots, mushrooms, apples, pears and cabbage, are great. During the winter months, cold foods like salads and raw foods should be avoided as they can deplete the immune system because their thick cellulose wall causes them to be difficult to digest. There are foods that specifically target and nourish the organ system in eastern medicine that is working the hardest for us during this time of year the kidneys. These foods include kidney and black beans, beef, goose, duck, lamb, chicken, dark leafy greens, garlic, ginger, walnuts, quinoa, asparagus, celery, onion, fennel, scallions, cloves, watercress and turnips.

Stay warm: Keeping our skin specifically, feet, hands, head and lower back covered and warm this time of year increases our bodys ability to fight off viral infections and supports the balance of flexibility versus contraction in the musculature. This allows for ease of physical movement in the spring and summer months.

Creating healthy habits this time of year will support you as the seasons progress. By honoring the current season and your body, you are enabling innate healing to occur.

Dalite Sancic, DAOM, L.Ac, MS, is a doctor of East Asian Medicine at Rutland Integrative Health.

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Rutland Integrative health: Winter survival guide | Weekend Magazine | rutlandherald.com - Rutland Herald

NEW YORK, NY What if you never again need to make a New Years resolution to lose weight or go on a diet because your most-of-the-time way of eating empowers you to eat and weigh less? Original, pioneering research by holistic nutrition researcher Deborah Kesten, M.P.H., and behavioral scientist Larry Scherwitz, Ph.D.authors of the award-winningWhole Person Integrative Eating: A BreakthroughDietary Lifestyleto Treat the Root Causes of Overeating, Overweight, and Obesityreveals that replacing the complex reasons you overeat calledovereatingstyleswith the scientifically sound Whole Person Integrative Eating (WPIE)dietary lifestyle(meaning, WPIE is a way of life; its not a traditional diet) may make weight-loss resolutions obsolete.

Now is the time to reset and rethink what and how we eat; to replace traditional dieting with a scientifically sound way of eating thatlessens overeatingand that leads naturally to weight loss, health and healing, says Kesten.

Kesten and Scherwitz share a simple yet powerful premise: Identify the reasons you overeat (your overeating styles) and gain weightwith the illuminating self-assessment quizthen overcome overeating and lose weight by replacing your overeating styles with the antidotes: the elements of the Whole Person Integrative Eating program.

By shedding light on the root causes of overeating, Kesten and Scherwitz present a program that empowers readers with a personalized plan, and in turn new hope and new choices to help them reduce overeating, lose weight and keep it off.

WPIE isnota diet that a person goes on then off. It is a scientifically sounddietary lifestyledesigned to be practiced for a lifetime.

If people follow the revolutionary program outlined in this game-changing, insightful book, it may be the most helpful step they can take toward losing weight and keeping it off, says bestselling author Kenneth Pelletier, M.D., Ph.D., clinical professor of medicine at University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco.

The authors paradigm-shifting message is that food influences not only the physical dimensions of health, but also our emotional, spiritual and social well-being. Their dietary lifestyle can build bridges between the millions who struggle with overeating and weight issues and the medical community. And it can inspire us all to re-envision our relationships with food, eating and weight, so that each time we eat, we are nourished for life.

Deborah Kesten, M.P.H.,is an international nutrition researcher, award-winning author and health journalist, with a specialty in preventing and reversing obesity and heart disease.She is also an experienced, expert speaker and presenterfrom TV and podcast interviews to large conferences and small-group workshops.

Kesten served as Nutritionist on Dean Ornish, M.D.s first clinical trial for reversing heart disease through lifestyle changes, the results of which were published in theJournal of the American Medical Association. She was Director of Nutrition at cardiovascular clinics in Europe and on the Board of Directors of the American Heart Association, San Francisco.

Kesten has published more than 400 nutrition and health articles. Her first book,Feeding the Body, Nourishing the Soul, received the first-place gold award in the Spirituality category from the Independent Publisher Book Awards.Whole Person Integrative Eatinghas been honored with the No.1 gold, best-book award in the Health category by Book Excellence Awards and is a No. 1 Amazon best seller. Kesten is a VIP Contributor at Arianna Huffingtons Thrive Global, and is married to behavioral scientist and co-author ofWhole Person Integrative Eating,Larry Scherwitz, Ph.D.

For more information, please visitwww.IntegrativeEating.com. You can also connect with the author on the following social media sites:https://www.instagram.com/integrativeeating/;

https://www.facebook.com/WholePersonIntegrativeEating;https://twitter.com/IntegrativeEat1.

Short URL: http://www.vannuysnewspress.com/?p=37986

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Make 'Go on a Diet' Resolutions Obsolete With The Whole Person Integrative Eating Program - Van Nuys News Press

Deepak Chopra, Special to SFGate

When a society is deeply divided, a paradox is in force. On the one hand, people cry out for unity, while on the other hand, they keep on doing the very things that incite division. We are seeing this paradox grow stronger year by year in politics, but at bottom what were facing is a broken relationship. Society is a huge bundle of relationships, nothing more.

To stop being trapped in a paradox, you need a little practical psychology. The first step when a relationship falters, if you consider the situation psychologically, is to stop doing more of what didnt work in the first place. The same holds true in a divided society.

As long as both sides engage in futile behavior, ending the divide between them isnt going to happen. At a certain point a futile tactic turns into a fantasy. Here Id define fantasy as a belief that runs contrary to reality. If you confront the realities of a situation but continue to ignore them, you are indulging in a fantasy.

Here are five fantasies that surround us right now. Ill couch them in terms of a broken relationship.

Fantasy No. 1: You need to listen to me. Meanwhile, I refuse to listen to you.

When two opposing sides stop listening to each other, the relationship has reached an impasse. Communication has shut down. In its place, rigid rituals are acted out. These rituals consist of repeating the same argument over and over, shouting to try and be heard, and freezing the other side out with rude contempt or silence.

Fantasy No. 2: Everything will be okay if you change. I certainly dont need to change.

This is the classic disguise for blame. When you demand that the other person change, you are judging against them without really coming out and saying so. What fuels this fantasy is the delusion that others change if you blame them enough. The other part of the fantasy is a self-righteous confidence that you dont need to change because the other person has no right to blame you.

Fantasy No. 3: You are here to make me happy. Until you do that, I cant relate to you.

This fantasy is a holdover from childhood. Young children pout and cry when they are unhappy, and as long as they are unhappy, they dont relate. They are too sunk in their own feelings. When carried over into adulthood, however, the same attitude becomes narcissistic. No one outside your marriage or intimate partnership is here to make you happy. To cut off ties because you are waiting to be made happy leads nowhere if your aim is to bring people together.

Fantasy No. 4: Im better than you. Thats why I have the right to tell you what to do.

Much of social discord can be laid down to a mutual superiority complex. Tune in to commentators for the other side, and you will probably be shocked at their sense of superiority, especially if you think that only your side has the right to feel superior. In reality, neither side has the right to feel superior. If this fact is ignored, there is no chance for reconciliation.

Fantasy No. 5: I deserve to win, and once I do, you will be sunk once and for all.

This is the emotional equivalent of a zero-sum game. The Super Bowl is a zero-sum game because only one side can win. But human affairs are tidal. One day you are down, the next day you are up. The belief that you can be up forever and never down again is pure fantasy.

If two people, two factions or two nations find themselves stuck at an angry impasse, these five fantasies are almost always in play. Perhaps not all of them at once, and perhaps not everyone is honest about how they feel, yet this makes no difference. Each fantasy is based on two underlying tendencies. The first tendency is holding judgments; the second tendency is us-versus-them thinking. Each fantasy expresses these two tendencies in a slightly different way. But you can be sure that they are present.

Calls for unity, comity, and healing dont lead to actual healing until both sides stop engaging in more of what never worked in the first place. By looking closely at how we indulge in fantasy, we can get much closer to turning good intentions into reality.

DEEPAK CHOPRA MD, FACP, founder of The Chopra Foundation, a non-profit entity for research on well-being and humanitarianism, and Chopra Global, a whole health company at the intersection of science and spirituality, is a world-renowned pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation. Chopra is a Clinical Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of California, San Diego and serves as a senior scientist with Gallup Organization. He is the author of over 90 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. For the last thirty years, Chopra has been at the forefront of the meditation revolution and his latest book, Total Meditation (Harmony Books, September 22, 2020) will help to achieve new dimensions of stress-free living and joyful living. TIME magazine has described Dr. Chopra as one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century. http://www.deepakchopra.com

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Five Fantasies That Keep Us Apart - Laredo Morning Times

Feeling young is great, but acting like an adult means taking care of your health

Mentally, 73 percent of Americans feel younger than they really are. So while they are feeling oldphysically they are young at heart, but perhaps this youthful spirit could be misleading them to believe they can eat and drink as they did in high school. It's time to change our diets to reverse the clock, not replicate our happy days.

The top struggle of growing up is being responsible for their physical health, 4 in 10 people said, including making their own doctors appointments.The same proportion of respondents admitted to not buying nutritious food when grocery shopping.

Sixty-three percent of respondents say they feel much older than they expected to at their current age.

The survey data reveals that nutrition gaps are more than common among adults in this age group, but thats not necessarily a surprise. For example, its understandable that busy adults dont necessarily have time to cook the recommended servings of fish per week, even though it is an excellent source of Omega-3s that support heart and immune health, said Dr. Taz Bhatia, Integrative Medicine Physician. (Note that the Mediterranean Diet includes fish while a plant-based diet gets Omega-3s from algae and plant-based sources.)

If you cant add more of these foods to your diet, one of the best ways to mitigate these nutrient gaps is with high-quality supplements, she added. Look at how the supplements are sourced, the quality and quantity of the ingredients, and any third-party testing.Sixty-three percent of respondents said that as theyve gotten older, the number of vitamins and supplements they take has increased. However, two-thirds still feel like they should be taking more than they currently do.

The biggest challenges ofbecomingan adult, according to the survey

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To Be Healthier, Boost Immunity, Reduce Pain, Just Go Plant-Based - The Beet