Desert Health News - May-June 2024

weight. Furthermore, its antioxidant properties may help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, contributing to overall health and well-being. Olive oil , a cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet, is renowned for its exceptional health benefits and culinary versatility. Rich in monounsaturated fats, particularly oleic acid, olive oil is celebrated for its ability to support heart health by reducing LDL cholesterol levels and lowering the riskof cardiovascular disease. Its anti- inflammatory properties, attributed to compounds like oleocanthal and oleuropein, contribute to its role in combating chronic diseases such as arthritis and metabolic syndrome. Moreover, olive oil is abundant in antioxidants, including vitamin E and polyphenols, which help protect cells from oxidative damage and also promote skin health. Turmeric , a golden-hued spice derived from the Curcuma longa plant, is prized for its therapeutic properties. The active compound in turmeric, curcumin, is renowned for its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Curcumin’s ability to modulate inflammatory pathways in the body makes it a valuable ally in combating chronic inflammation which underlies many chronic diseases such as arthritis, heart disease and cancer. Turmeric is also revered for its potential to support cognitive function and mood, with studies suggesting it may offer neuroprotective benefits and alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Whether incorporated into culinary creations or utilized in medicinal preparations, the vast therapeutic potential of every day foods can be harnessed to achieve overall health as part of a balanced diet. From the immune-boosting properties of allium vegetables to the anti-inflammatory effects of ginger and turmeric, each of these natural remedies offers a unique array of health benefits rooted in centuries of traditional wisdom and supported by modern scientific research. By embracing the principles of naturopathic medicine and harnessing the healing power of nature's bounty, individuals can cultivate a deeper connection to their health and vitality, fostering a balanced and harmonious approach to wellness. Emma Bermudez, C- FNP, aesthetic injector, is owner of Desert Bloom Beauty Medical Spa located in Palm Desert and offers a variety of services to enhance beauty and wellness. She also works as a nurse practitioner for a local, federally funded clinic. She can be reached at (760) 636.6112 or on Instagram@desertbloombeautypd. Sources: 1) Ahmed, Mr & Kabrah, Ahmed & Faidah, Hani & Ashshi, Ahmed & Safaa, Mrs & Turkistani, A. (2016). Antibacterial Effect of Onion. Scholars Journal of Applied Medical Sciences (SJAMS). 4. 4128-4133. 10.21276/sjams.2016.4.11.53; 2) Arshad, M. S., Sohaib, M., Nadeem, M., Saeed, F., Imran, A., Javed, A., … Yildiz, F. (2017). Status and trends of nutraceuticals from onion and onion by-products: A critical review. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 3(1); 3) Chauhan, Mukul. (2018). Blood Circulation Stimulation Properties of Cayenne Pepper: A Review. 11; 4) Chen, G. (2023). Vinegar, A Potential Source of Healthy and Functional Food with a Special Reference to Sugarcane Vinegar [Photograph]. Frontiers in Nutrition; 5) Dorrigiv M, Zareiyan A, Hosseinzadeh H. Onion (Allium cepa) and its Main Constituents as Antidotes or Protective Agents against Natural or Chemical Toxicities: A Comprehensive Review. Iran J Pharm Res. 2021 Winter;20(1):3-26. doi: 10.22037/ijpr.2020.112773.13940. PMID: 34400937; PMCID: PMC8170763; 6) Park S, Han N, Lee JM, Lee JH, Bae S. Effects of Allium hookeri Extracts on Hair-Inductive and Anti-Oxidative Properties in Human Dermal Papilla Cells. Plants (Basel). 2023 May 8;12(9):1919. doi: 10.3390/plants12091919. PMID: 37176977; PMCID: PMC10181221. May/June 2024 Integrative Medicine The Valley ' s Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 15 www.DesertHealthNews.com Core Services Specialty Services Cryotherapy • Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (mHbOT) • IV Drip Therapy • Intramuscular (IM) Shots • NAD+ Therapy • Biomarker Assessments • Cryoskin • HydraFacial ® • Circadia Oxygen Facial ® Desert Hydration Special $132 Express IV 500ml Local ’s Summer Special Offered May 1 - June 30 Level Up Membership - $100 First Month Includes 8 Core Services Call our wellness representatives for details. Infrared Sauna Red Light Therapy Compression • Relieve pain, swelling and stress • Promote healing and athletic recovery • Boost mood, energy and sleep • Promote energy and healing • Improve circulation and heart health • Detoxify heavy metals, relieve inflammation • Improve mood and energy • Relieve pain and inflammation • Optimize sleep • Improve lymphatic function and circulation • Reduce muscle aches and pain • Improve flexibility and mobility (760) 505-3000 73-567 Highway 111, Suite G-1 (Jensen’s Shopping Center) rhw_palmdesert rhwpalmdesert Learn more: Create your customized plan today and get ready to meet the best version of You! Chris van Tulleken, MD, PhD is an infectious diseases physician at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in London. He trained at Oxford and has a PhD in molecular virology fromUniversity College London. He is best known in England for his interest in food science and the harms caused by corporations making ultra-processed foods (UPF). He has won two British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards and is a frequent broadcaster on the BBC covering how UPF affects children and adults. In his book Ultra-Processed People , Dr. van Tulleken argues that the ultra-processing of foods is the primary reason that diets result in the many health problems we face today including metabolic dysfunction and other chronic diseases. While his work is backed by significant science, a difficulty with this topic is a precise definition of ultra-processed food. Foods with five or more ingredients is often referenced, but this is lacking in specifics about the ingredients. Van Tulleken recommends use of the NOVA Food Classification System designed by the Center for Epidemiological Studies in Health and Nutrition at the School of Public Health in Sao Paulo, Brazil. In that system, food is divided into four groups: group 1 is unprocessed or minimally processed food such as with vegetables, fruits and meat; group 2 is processed culinary ingredients such as natural oils, butter, sugar, salt, vinegar and honey; group 3 is processed food such as ready-made mixtures of groups 1 and 2 processed for preservation or taste such as tins of beans, salted nuts, smoked meat, canned fish, freshly made bread and chunks of fruit in syrup; group 4 is ultra-processed foods defined as “formulations of ingredients, mostly of exclusive industrial use and made by a series of industrial processes.” Ultra-processed foods have ingredients that you would not find in your kitchen. These ingredients are foreign to our body and cause harm. In the book, van Tulleken describes a long dialogue he had the Gary Taubes, the science writer who exposed that excess sugar and refined carbohydrates - and not fat - is the cause of insulin resistance, metabolic dysfunction and chronic diseases. The carbohydrate/insulin axis leading to visceral fat storage is now widely accepted as the primary cause of overweight, obesity, and their many co-morbidities such as fatty liver and dementia. Van Tulleken disagrees and has a chapter arguing, “Why it isn’t about sugar.” I find this binary argument lacking because both are right; most ultra-processed foods are loaded with refined carbohydrates. Van Tulleken does not discuss the epidemic of type 2 diabetes and how insulin resistance leads to it. Ultra-Processed People is a very useful and informative book and puts food- processing front and center as to how what we eat can be harmful. It made me throw away a bagof dark chocolates that were over-processed. Integrative gastroenterologist Robynne Chutkan ( The Microbiome Solution and The Anti-Viral Gut ) discusses how ultra-processed foods wreak havoc with the health of our vitally important microbiome. “Eat real food” is simple advice and Ultra-Processed People describes why this is vitally important for our health. Dr. Scherger is founder of Restore Health Disease Reversal in Indian Wells, a clinic dedicated to weight loss and reversing chronic medical conditions. To schedule a consultation, call (760) 898.9663 or visit www.restorehealth.me . Dr. van Tulleken’s Ultra-Processed People By Joseph E. Scherger MD, MPH Turmeric is the star of the spice cabinet boasting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Medicine in Your Kitchen Continued from page 14