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Bastyr News |
Issue # 33 |
November 2008 |
If you would like to subscribe or forward to a friend, please see the subscription information section of this newsletter. Also of interest may be our academic program information and latest Bastyr news and events.
Welcome to Bastyr News!
Bastyr University is a vibrant place full of people wholly dedicated to promoting health and human well-being — a vitality and commitment on full display in this issue of Bastyr News. First, you will meet two long-serving faculty members bringing fresh energy to new positions. Nancy Welliver, ND, new chair of the Department of Botanical Medicine, joined Bastyr six years ago after experiencing first-hand the amazing healing power of herbs during 10 years in private practice. As one of his first undertakings in his new position, Tim Callahan, PhD, senior vice president and provost, spent a week in Italy meeting with universities and developing study abroad opportunities for Bastyr students. You will also meet Bastyr research scientist Don Messner, PhD, who, with the help of a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant, is exploring the potential of a common cooking spice to prevent liver cancer and disease. In addition, you will learn about several events coming up at our Kenmore campus, including a holiday concert, a lecture on "Naturopathic Medicine in the Context of Global Warming," a panel discussion on "Reforming Health in a Post-Election America" and courses perfect for getting you started on your New Year's resolutions. And, as ever, Bastyr's expert nutritionists have concocted a recipe "sure to make any vegetarian's heart sing."
In health,
Jordan Lindstrom, Editor
Inside This Issue
Features
University Highlights
Natural Health News
Subscription Information
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FEATURES
Faculty Spotlight: New Botanical Medicine Department Chair Nancy Welliver, ND
Known around campus for her catchphrase "herbs work, really," Nancy Welliver, ND, new chair of the Department of Botanical Medicine, joined Bastyr University as a professor after observing first hand the "medical miracles" worked by herbal medicine during 10 years in private practice. In her new position, Dr. Welliver looks forward to developing classes designed to give her herbal sciences students more career options upon graduation and prepare her naturopathic medicine students for the rigors of private practice. Learn more about Dr. Nancy Welliver and her plans for the botanical medicine department.
Bastyr in Italy: Tuscany Proving a Rich Learning Environment for Bastyr Students
"A powerful learning environment," "a great opportunity," "life changing" … all phrases used to describe the annual Herbal Medicine in Italy course last September. And that was just the student experience. Also on the trip was Tim Callahan, PhD, the University's new senior vice president and provost. His goals: to solidify a teaching exchange with the first medical university in Western Europe and develop a unique opportunity for Bastyr nutrition students to take a three-week cooking course in the heart of Tuscany. "There's such a history there," Dr. Callahan said of Italy. "What better place to study nutrition than someplace with such a passion for food." Learn more about Herbal Medicine in Italy.
Program Spotlight: Good News for ND Students Interested in Naturopathic Midwifery
Good news could be on the horizon for Bastyr University ND students also studying for a Certificate in Naturopathic Midwifery. A recent report prepared for the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) named two keys findings: (1) that midwives actually save, by keeping new mothers out of the hospital, the state's health care system about 10 times as much as it would cost to subsidize a midwifery licensure program; and (2) that low-risk, midwife-assisted home births are essentially as safe as low-risk hospital births. View the report. The analysis was prepared for the DOH with a view toward subsidizing midwife licensing fees in the state. What does this mean? Now could be excellent time to pursue a career as a midwife. Bastyr naturopathic medicine students who also earn a certificate in naturopathic midwifery offer clients an exceptional level of care from pregnancy through pediatrics. Learn more about our program.
Healthy Recipe: Rice and Walnut Loaf with Cashew Gravy
Take a chance on a novel, healthy approach to a classic dish. Try this nut-filled combination of ingredients sure to make any vegetarian's heart sing. Nuts, seeds and whole grains supply a variety of plant-based proteins in this main dish entrée. Pile the rest of your plate with freshly steamed vegetables and greens. Breathe deeply, and enjoy this restaurant-worthy cuisine at home. View the recipe. |
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UNIVERSITY HIGHLIGHTS
Free Dec. 12 Holiday Concert for the Community
The holiday season is upon us, and Bastyr University has just the thing to get you in the mood for a month's worth of snow angels, sugar cookies and shopping — a holiday concert. On December 12 the University will host Breath of Aire, an acclaimed Pacific Northwest choir, in its elegant and acoustically exceptional chapel. The free concert is a gift to the community from Bastyr University President Dan Church and his wife, Lorinda. Friends and families of the University, as well as the general public, are invited to attend. Learn more about the free concert.
Discussion Series Continues with Look at Health Care in Post-Election America
With the elections behind us and the new U.S. president set to take office in January, it's time to take stock of the new administration's potential for reforming the American health care system. Bastyr University's six-part discussion series examining "The Politics of Health in America" resumes in January with an appropriately themed discussion on "Reforming Health in a Post-Election America." Held in the University's auditorium, all events in the series are free, open to the public and feature a panel of at least three prominent regional health care experts. Learn more about the series.
Dec. 6 "Holiday Extravaganza" Sale at Bastyr Dispensary
Find that perfect gift as you explore the benefits of natural healing … and cookies. Join us for this year's Bastyr Dispensary "Holiday Extravaganza" at Bastyr Center for Natural Health in Wallingford/Fremont. The annual event is Saturday, December 6, from noon to 4:30 p.m. In addition to a 20 percent discount on a variety of natural care products, gifts and books (excluding prescriptions and food), there will be skin-care product giveaways, sweet-treat samplers and demonstrations by Bastyr Center for Natural Health faculty and advanced students. Drop by and pick out thoughtful gifts for everyone on your list. Learn more about the "Extravaganza."
Distinguished Anthropologist to Discuss "Naturopathic Medicine in the Context of Global Warming"
What role does naturopathic medicine play in a world increasingly affected by climate change? Distinguished author and speaker Hans Baer, PhD, lecturer at the University of Melbourne, will discuss this topic in a talk titled "Naturopathic Medicine in the Context of Global Warming" on December 2 in the Bastyr University auditorium. The free talk combines Dr. Baer's considerable knowledge of the history of holistic medicine and medical anthropology with information from his latest book, Global Warming and the Political Ecology of Health.
Learn more about the lecture.
Save the Date: Community Ed Classes Help You Start the New Year Right
January is a time to recover from the holidays and get an early start on your New Year's resolutions. To that end, Bastyr University's Certificate, Community, and Continuing Education Department is offering several opportunities in January to learn a new skill, take up a hobby or deepen your understanding of health. Start thinking now about how you can succeed in your 2009 pursuits — both health related and otherwise — with the help of Bastyr's community education classes. Courses include:
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NATURAL HEALTH NEWS
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New Cancer Research at Bastyr Research Center
With about 1 in every 300 Americans affected by the liver disease hemochromatosis, it is the most common genetic disease in the country for people of European descent, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Now, a new study at Bastyr University Research Center is exploring a common cooking spice as a possible treatment for this and other liver diseases. Funded through a recently awarded K01 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bastyr research scientist Don Messner, PhD, is investigating the potential of turmeric and its components for preventing liver damage caused by severe iron overload. Turmeric, a member of the ginger family, is the primary ingredient in curry powders. Dr. Messner's research also focuses on understanding whether turmeric could offer an effective treatment for liver cancer, which is "a prime candidate for prevention because major risk factors are known," Dr. Messner says.
The purpose of the K01 award is to support the career development of scientists new to research in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Working closely with Bastyr professor of chemistry Gowsala Sivam, PhD, MS, Dr. Kris Kowdley at the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason and investigators at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Dr. Messner is schedule to complete the study in 2013. Learn more about this and other current studies at the Bastyr University Research Center.
Featured Book: The Body Toxic: How the Hazardous Chemistry of Everyday Things Threatens Our Health and Well-being
As an award-winning journalist, Nena Baker took on Nike's third-world labor policies and scandals in the Catholic Church. Now with her first book, the former reporter for The Oregonian challenges the chemical companies that have a significant affect on our daily lives. The Body Toxic, released in August 2008, offers an eye-opening look at the chemical cost of modern convenience. It explores the historical trends — from manufacturing breakthroughs to policy decisions, political pressures and the demands of popular culture — that have led to the buildup of toxic chemicals in our bodies. Learn more about this book, available now online at the Bastyr Bookstore.
Cranberries Shown to be Superheroes of the Antioxidant World
Everyone knows cranberries are packed with mouth-pursing flavor. Now a new study has shown they are packed with nutrients, too. The study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, found that cranberries, cranberry juice and dried cranberries are some of the best sources of antioxidants in the natural world. Cranberries were found to have the highest antioxidant levels among commonly eaten fruits. In fact, a serving of 100 percent cranberry juice is richer in antioxidants than a serving of Concord grape juice and has a similar antioxidant capacity (how well it prevents oxidation) to red wine. Compared with other dried fruits, dried cranberries have the highest antioxidant content. Read more about this study.
Muscle Strength May be a Key to a Long, Healthy Life
Regular cardiovascular exercise is a known way to optimize health and prevent disease. Now research suggests that pumping iron may be equally important. A new study found that as muscular strength increases in men, the risk of death from all causes — including cancer — decreases. The study, published in BMJ (British Medical Journal), assessed the upper and lower body strength of 8,762 men from 20 to 80 years of age. After nearly 19 years of follow-ups, the study showed the death rate was greater for those men in the lowest third of muscle strength compared with those in the middle- and upper-thirds of muscular strength. Find out more about this study.
Not Just an Old Wives' Tale: Experts Count Breakfast Most Important
It turns out moms do know a little something about being healthy. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Breakfast is literally the meal that "breaks" the overnight fast, jump-starting the body's metabolic processes after a night of inactivity. In fact, going without it on a regular basis can contribute to weight gain, obesity and the development of diabetes. A recent Swedish study found that obesity was more often associated with irregular meal patterns than total caloric intake, while other studies have shown eating breakfast regularly can enhance alertness and prevent overeating later in the day. Learn more about the science behind the importance of breakfast and some breakfast "dos" and "don'ts" from Bastyr's expert nutritionists. |
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