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Bastyr News

Issue # 31

July 2008

Bastyr E-News

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Welcome to Bastyr News!

In this issue of Bastyr News, we present to you stories of people from the Bastyr community who contribute to health and wellness through their vocations, their businesses or the continuation of a family tradition. As with so many "Bastyrians" — alumni, faculty, clinicians, students and staff — their stories are about believing in and committing to heartfelt personal missions that share a common thread: wellness and helping others.

I hope their stories and the other items below inspire you to explore an interest in natural healing careers through our summer admissions events, try the nutritious and yummy new protein bars developed by Bastyr University alumni, learn about a new whole-foods cookbook, and discover several health tips and recipes designed to help you live well and healthfully.

In health,
Sydney Maupin, Editor

Inside This Issue

Features

University Highlights

Natural Health News

Subscription Information



FEATURES
Brandon Leahy

Student Spotlight: Brandon Leahy Joins Brother and Father in Healing Work
"The nuts didn't fall far from the tree," says third-year acupuncture and Oriental medicine student Brandon Leahy, referring to the fact that he, his father and his brother all ended up on the tree-lined Bastyr campus during the same three years. His father served as president of the Leadership Institute of Seattle (LIOS), a counseling and coaching institution formerly affiliated with Bastyr. Brandon's brother enrolled in Bastyr's naturopathic and acupuncture programs, and one year later Brandon began the acupuncture and Oriental medicine program at Bastyr University. Brandon insists this convergence of their paths was "completely serendipitous," each of them following their individual passions to be holistic healers in unique ways that share a distinct family resemblance. Read more about Brandon Leahy's path to join his family in a mission to help others.

Alumni Spotlight: Eliza Carlson Delves into the Mental and Emotional Side of Health
Eliza Carlson, MS, an adjunct faculty member in Bastyr's nutrition department, always knew she wanted to study natural health, but she wanted to focus on the mental and emotional aspects of health. When she found the health psychology bachelor's program at Bastyr, she knew it was the perfect area of study for her. "I can't imagine another program that would have been closer to what I was looking for," she says. After graduating, she enrolled in another perfect Bastyr program: the Master of Science in Nutrition and Clinical Health Psychology — the only program of its kind in the country, combining clinical nutrition with clinical counseling. Now she works as a counselor helping people to manage their weight and improve their health and wellness on all levels. Learn more about Eliza Carlson.

Program Spotlight: Explore a Passion for Plants in Herbal Sciences Program
If you're interested in the healing powers of plants and want to explore this field further, enroll in Bastyr University's herbal sciences program. The program provides in-depth knowledge of the medicinal properties of herbs, hands-on experience in herb cultivation and preparation, as well as a comprehensive introduction to the herbal products industry. Nancy Welliver, ND, who has been teaching botanical medicine classes to naturopathic and herbal sciences students for many years, became the new program chair in May. Read more about our herbal sciences program.

Healthy Recipe: Celebrate Summer with Tropical Thai Salmon
Create an inspired summer meal that incorporates fresh-caught salmon and classic Thai ingredients, including coconut milk, garlic, ginger, cilantro and spiced peanuts with our featured recipe, Tropical Thai Salmon. This recipe, created by a team of nutrition students, won the first annual "Top Chef Bastyr" competition in 2007. Their vision: a tasty, gluten-free dish appropriate for people with celiac disease, an intestinal disorder caused by intolerance to gluten grains. Try this winning recipe.


UNIVERSITY HIGHLIGHTS
Bastyr University Campus

Explore a Natural Health Education at Summer Admissions Events
Summer is the perfect time to find out more about the growing range of options in the natural-health profession. Start by attending one or both upcoming Bastyr admissions events. If you are interested in a career as a naturopathic doctor, attend "Bastyr Experience" on Friday, July 18. At this full-day event, you can observe classes; take a campus tour; meet faculty, staff and students; and receive natural health care at our teaching clinic. If you prefer to explore all of our programs and their respective professions — including acupuncture and Oriental medicine, exercise science and wellness, herbal sciences, health psychology, and nutrition — come to "Evening at Bastyr" on Thursday, August 21. Find out more about these and other admissions events.

Five Bastyr Graduates Create "Zing" Nutrition Bars
Does the world need another energy bar? Maybe not, now that five Bastyr University graduates created the latest and greatest addition to the marketplace: Zing nutrition bars. Graduates Michael Kaplan, ND; Minh-Hai Tran, MS, RD; Sandi Kaplan, MS, RD; David Ingalls, MS, RD; and Kathleen Putnam, MS, RD, set out to create a bar that would serve their clients' needs for good nutrition while also tasting great. "We actually call it a 'nutrition' bar to make the point that it is a great balance of protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats," says Tran. "Taste is really important to us; we made no compromise on taste or nutrition. Life is too short to be eating things you don't like." What's more, the bars are free of the common allergens soy, wheat, and two of the bars are also gluten-free. The bars contain no artificial sweeteners or corn syrup derivatives. Find out more about Zing bars and their creators.

NIH Appoints Bastyr Alumnus to CAM Advisory Council
It is important to many naturopathic physicians to become involved in political efforts to advance the field. Doing this on a grand scale is Bastyr University graduate Tim Birdsall, ND, who recently joined the board of the National Advisory Council for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NACCAM). This esteemed council is the principal advisory body to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), the lead federal agency for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) research for the National Institutes of Health. Board members — including physicians, scientists, CAM practitioners and health consumers — meet three times yearly to offer advice and recommendations on all aspects of CAM research. Dr. Birdsall is a former faculty member at Bastyr University and is currently the vice president for integrative medicine at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Zion, Illinois. A well-published researcher, Dr. Birdsall was also founding editor-in-chief of Alternative Medicine Review. Find out more about this appointment.

2008 Bastyr Graduation Featured Graham Kerr, the "Galloping Gourmet"
Bastyr University's 27th annual commencement exercises took place on Monday, June 23, at McCaw Hall in Seattle, where 248 students received diplomas and began their journeys in the natural health science professions. This year's keynote speaker was Graham Kerr, known as the "Galloping Gourmet" and a passionate advocate for health and wellness. Kerr discussed the important role that lifestyle choices play in America's health crisis and encouraged Bastyr graduates to apply compassion, commitment and consistency to changing America's whole health picture. Read more about this year's graduation ceremony and speaker Graham Kerr.

Bastyr Magazine is Back — and Better than Ever
We are re-launching Bastyr Magazine with a fresh new look, and you get a privileged peek into the first issue by clicking on the link below. This Spring/Summer 2008 issue is packed with fascinating features, including a thought-provoking interview with Lisa Oz (wife of Dr. Oz, often a guest on "The Oprah Winfrey Show"), who explains why it's so important to take an active role in our health care. You'll also learn about Bastyr's research study on the health benefits of medicinal mushroom extracts, get an update on the growth of our herb garden and learn about the annual campus visit of Tibetan monks. Another inspiring article features Dr. Laura Louie, a graduate of Bastyr's naturopathic medicine and acupuncture programs, who established a free clinic in Thailand to treat people with HIV/AIDS. Enjoy this issue of Bastyr Magazine. (2MB PDF)


NATURAL HEALTH NEWS
Fruit

Summer Brings Fresh Foods to Farmers Markets
During the summer, your chances for improving your diet are multiplied, simply by the abundance of easily accessible fresh, local produce, which you can find at the grocery store as well as at a variety of farmers markets. At farmers markets, you can easily secure your daily servings of fruits and vegetables, and at some you can even purchase free-range eggs, humanely raised meats and fresh breads. In addition, when you buy local, you contribute to the community and preserve the environment. In the most recent issue of our clinic newsletter, Healthy & Wise, nutrition faculty member Kelly Morrow, MS, RD, CD, provides tips on farmers market shopping. Read the article.

Know Your Risk for Osteoporosis
If you are a postmenopausal woman, do you know your osteoporosis risk? If not, Jana Nalbandian, ND, a faculty member at Bastyr University, recommends that you obtain an assessment by your doctor to determine your risk. This should include a laboratory test to evaluate calcium loss and a baseline bone density scan. Dr. Nalbandian also recommends a variety of foods, lifestyle measures, and vitamins and minerals to support lifelong bone health. Read Dr. Nalbandian's advice on bone health for women and make an appointment at Bastyr Center for Natural Health to discuss health screenings with a knowledgeable health care team.

Consume Fermented Foods to Supplement a Healthy Diet
What do sauerkraut, yogurt, kefir, miso and kimchi have in common? They are all fermented foods, which are increasingly being acknowledged as key elements of a healthy diet. More widely consumed in other cultures including Asia, fermented foods are thought to support digestive health and immunity. The fermentation process encourages the growth of healthy bacteria similar to those found in probiotic supplements, which benefit the body in numerous ways. Find out what Bastyr University experts have to say about the benefits of fermented foods and start reaping the benefits now by making this recipe for homemade sauerkraut.

Vitamin C Helps Asthma Sufferers Decrease Daily Medicine Dose
If you suffer from asthma and use a corticosteroid spray to keep your symptoms under control, you may benefit from adding vitamin C to your regimen. According to a study conducted by British researchers and published in Respiratory Medicine, taking one gram of vitamin C every day can help reduce the need for this medication. This is good news, since long-term use of corticosteroids is associated with the development of cataracts, bone loss and suppressed immunity. Find out more about this study.

Study Shows Acupuncture Improves Chances of Pregnancy
If you are having trouble conceiving and are considering in-vitro fertilization (IVF), a new study shows you can boost your chances of success by pairing IVF with acupuncture treatments. A recent study published by BMJ (formerly the British Medical Journal) in February 2008 analyzed the treatment of more than 1,300 couples who received in-vitro fertilization treatment and found that acupuncture, used as a complement to IVF, increased the odds of achieving pregnancy. Read more about the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine in boosting fertility.

Featured Book: The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook
Are you seeking an improved dietary regimen that supports your health while at the same time preserving the planet? You'll find it in The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook: Whole Foods Recipes for Personal and Planetary Health. Written by two graduates of Bastyr University's nutrition program, Tom Malterre, MS, CN; and Alissa Segersten, BS, this book provides more than 200 recipes that demonstrate how to prepare foods that promote optimal health, prevent disease and energize the body. Malterre is a clinical nutritionist in private practice and Segersten is a cooking instructor. Find out more about this book and buy it today (proceeds from Bastyr's book sales support the University).


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Visit our Online Bookstore
Find unique, hard-to-find titles by authorities in various natural health fields at our online bookstore. Also, our "Bastyr Bookstore Recommends" section will point you toward the best books in many subject areas. Shopping with us is a great way to support Bastyr's educational programs and community health programs. Shop now!


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