Generational Trauma, Family, & War
GW Integrative Medicine
Today, we talk about generational trauma and healing with Aliza Scharf-Bendov, LCSW, MSW, psychotherapist, family therapist, and nondual Kabbalistic healer. Over the past 17 years, Aliza has done extensive work with parents and families addressing a variety of challenges, including adjustment to life transitions, mood and behavioral challenges, adoption, single parenting, co-parenting and coping with serious illness. Her current therapeutic focus is on parent support and guidance, trauma-informed interventions, and building resiliency in children and families. Aliza also facilitates workshops...
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Nutrition & Chinese Medicine
GW Integrative Medicine
We talk about Traditional Chinese Medicine and nutrition with , MSOM, LAc, a nationally board certified, licensed acupuncturist, Chinese herbalist, and co-author of “.” She specializes in Chinese dietetics and its application in a Western clinical setting. Ellen’s integrative body centered and intuitive approach to care is grounded in decades of study and experience which are key to collaborating and working with people to help them reach their goals. In 2001 she co-founded Pearl Natural Health, an integrative naturopathic and Chinese medicine clinic, and she maintains a practice in...
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Save the Microbes, Save the World
GW Integrative Medicine
Today we’re going to talk about broccoli, sulforaphane, and combating inflammation, as well as the new research and education discipline of microbes and social equity, with Sue Ishaq, PhD, founder of the Microbes and Social Equity Working Group, Principal Investigator at the Ishaq Lab, and assistant professor of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at the University of Maine School of Food and Agriculture. The Ishaq lab investigate solutions for using microorganisms to resolve disordered communities and host health by increasing our understanding of the interactions between animal (or human) hosts...
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The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly of Nutrition Studies
GW Integrative Medicine
Today on the pod, we talk about nutrition studies and how to understand them with nutrition scientists , and , of Sigma Nutrition. Sigma Nutrition provides objective, high-quality, evidence-based information on nutrition. It produces educational content aimed at dietitians, nutritionists, health & fitness professionals, nutrition science academics, and those interested in the details of—and gaining a better understanding of—nutrition science. Danny is the founder of and head of content for Sigma Nutrition and Alan is the company’s research communication officer and founder of Alinea...
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Improving Cannabis Science
GW Integrative Medicine
In the summer of 2024, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released a Hemp Plant Reference Material to help labs accurately measure the amount of THC, CBD, toxic elements and other compounds in cannabis products. It will also help producers and state regulators ensure that cannabis products are safe to use and accurately labeled. Today, we’re going to talk about NIST's Hemp Plant Reference Material and about improving cannabis science with leading experts in the field of cannabis medicine. Our guests are Dr. Bryon Adinoff, president of the Doctors for Drug Policy...
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Polyvagal Theory, Nutrition, Sleep & Embodiment for Trauma
GW Integrative Medicine
Today, we talk about polyvagal theory, nutrition, sleep, and embodiment for trauma with scientist Catherine Justice, DPT, PT, C-IAYT, E-RYT, CST, FAIHM. Polyvagal theory emphasizes the role the autonomic nervous system, especially the vagus nerve, plays in regulating our health and behavior. An expert in Physical Therapy, Integrative Medicine and wellness, Dr. Justice uses holistic and creative approaches to Physical Therapy and wellness including therapeutic yoga, posture training and somatic education, and craniosacral therapy. Dr. Justice serves as the Program Manager for Integrative Health...
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The Science of Weight Cutting
GW Integrative Medicine
Today on the pod we talk about the science of weight cutting with nutritional scientist Danny Lennon, MSc, founder, CEO, and lead content creator of Sigma Nutrition. He is also the co-author of the recent book, “Making Weight: The Ultimate Science Based Guide to Cutting Weight for Combat Sports.” He is currently a member of the Advisory Board of the Sports Nutrition Association, the global regulatory body responsible for the standardisation of best practice in the sports nutrition profession. Danny has a master’s degree (MSc.) in Nutritional Sciences from University College Cork, during...
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PPIs & Dementia Risk
GW Integrative Medicine
Proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, are a class of popular drugs that reduce the amount of acid produced in the stomach. They are often the first-line treatment for conditions related to acid, such as esophagitis, non-erosive reflux disease, and peptic ulcer disease. We talk about PPIs and dementia with Misha Kogan, MD, ABIOM, RCST, medical director of the GW Center of Integrative Medicine and associate professor of Medicine here at GW. Studies show that people who take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for more than four years and are 45 or older have a 33% higher risk of developing dementia than...
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Nutritional Neuroscience
GW Integrative Medicine
Today on the pod we are going to talk about the science behind nutritional neuroscience with Stephen Fleming, PhD. This scientific discipline studies the effects various components of the diet such as minerals, vitamins, protein, carbohydrates, fats, dietary supplements, synthetic hormones, and food additives have on neurochemistry, neurobiology, behavior, and cognition, according to the journal Nutritional Neuroscience. An expert on nutrition and cognitive development, Dr. Fleming is also the co-founder and CEO of Traverse Science, Inc., a company that helps researchers at global nutrition...
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Cancer Survivorship
GW Integrative Medicine
Today on the pod we talk about cancer survivorship with Sanna Ali, MSN, CRNP, an Oncology nurse practitioner (NP), cancer survivorship researcher and advocate, and PhD student at the School of Nursing at George Washington University. She currently practices at the GW Center for Integrative Medicine. In her role as an NP, she saw first-hand the multifaceted, complex issues that burden cancer survivors. She decided to pursue her PhD to develop the research skills needed for knowledge generation and scientific discovery that will improve the quality of life and outcomes for cancer survivors. She...
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