At mbg, we're no strangers to the benefits of functional medicine. Nutrition, sleep, exercise, stress levels, relationships, and genetics are all major contributors to chronic disease, and sometimes piling medication upon medication just won't cut it.

While we're not suggesting you skip out on your routine checkups, it's becoming increasingly popularcrucial, evenfor people to start thinking about the ways lifestyle factors can influence and help treat disease.

In fact, there's a new study (the first ofits kind, no less!) to actually show how a functional medicine model can provide unique health benefits for patients. What researchers found was that functional medicine can yield a greater quality of life compared to the standard, primary care model of medicine.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open, analyzed two groups of patients for two years: 1,595 patients treated at Cleveland Clinic's Center for Functional Medicine and 5,657 patients treated at a primary care health center. To assess each patient's quality of life, researchers used the PROMIS questionnaire, a validated measure by the NIH. This questionnaire assesses patients' global physical and mental health through factors such as fatigue, physical function, pain, gastrointestinal issues, and emotional well-being.

In as little as six months, they saw around 31% of functional medicine patients improve their PROMIS global physical health scores by 5 points or more, an improvement that has a very noticeable effect on daily life, according to the study. Only 22% of primary care patients were able to raise their scores this high.

There are a variety of reasons why functional medicine could have helped raise these patients' scores. Researchers believe that in addition to the holistic, functional medicine model itself, the types of patients seeking functional medicine and whether or not they believe in this model of care could have contributed to these global physical health improvements. While future research is needed to address these concerns, it's exciting that people are now starting to recognize functional medicine as deserving of these evidence-based experiments.

"This is a first-of-its-kind study to evaluate the impact of functional medicine model of care on patients' health-related quality of life," leader of the study Michelle Beidelschies, Ph.D., agrees. "In the past, evidence to support the model has been primarily anecdotal, published as case reports."

What's even more interesting about this study is that the sample of primary care patients actually had a higher median income than the functional medicine group. It speaks to the significant benefits of the functional medicine model that despite these patients' higher financial status, they still had a lower quality of life than the Cleveland Clinic group.

Perhaps these results can inspire even the most traditional of physicians to include integrative medicine into their practiceor, at the very least, allow them to regard functional medicine as a legitimate health care model.

"Functional medicine practitioners have suggested that their patients are improving with a systems-based approach to chronic disease,"Beidelschies says. "Now, they have evidence that their approach is associated with improved quality of life."

With respect to Beidelschies and this new study, it looks like holistic healing is truly becoming a practical measure for patient care. In this case, soul really is meeting science.

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Functional Medicine Linked To A Higher Quality Of Life, New Study Finds - mindbodygreen.com

True Food Kitchen has opened its first Miami-area restaurant at the Falls.

The health-driven restaurant has replaced the former T.G.I.Friday's and occupies more than 10,000 square feet with an indoor dining room, a patio, and a bar.

"At True Food Kitchen, we believe that every ingredient matters in everything we serve," True Food Kitchen brand chef Robert McCormick says.

True Food Kitchen was bornin Phoenix, Arizona, in 2008 when cofounder Dr. Andrew Weil didnt want to sacrifice flavor for the sake of healthy eating. The Harvard-trained Weil made a name for himself by embracing alternative medicine techniques. The doctor and author is known for books such as The Natural Mind: An Investigation of Drugs and the Higher Consciousness. The prolific doctor also hosts a podcast and sells skincare products and wild-caught seafood on drweil.com.

The integrative medicine doctor wanted to create a restaurant that served food people could enjoy and not regret eating.Eleven years later, there are 28 locations in 17 states, including New York, Louisiana, Colorado, and California. The Falls outpost marks the seventh True Food Kitchen in Florida, with other locations in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Tampa, Naples, and Jacksonville.

The entire menuis based on Weil's anti-inflammatory food pyramid, which stresses eating more fruits and vegetables and minimizing the consumption of processed foods. The menu offers dishesfilled with whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and limited carbohydrates. "Anti-inflammatory is a lifestyle," says Christine Ferris, senior marketing brand manager for True Food Kitchen.

Each menu item avoids causing the fatigue, bloating, and loss of energy that certain meals create, Ferris says. Even the higher-calorie items on True Food's menu, such as desserts and alcoholic beverages, should be enjoyed without any guilt, according to Ferris.

The menu also changes with the seasons."We change our menu quarterly because it allows us to showcase seasonal ingredients that are nutrient-dense and at the peak of their freshness and flavor, McCormick says. Most items are vegetarian, although chicken, seafood, and even steak are offered. All dishes can also be made gluten-free and can be customized for a particular diet.

True Food Kitchen has incorporated sea buckthorn an orange-red berry into its fall menu. The plant is used in some of the bar's drinks, from the antioxidant mimosa, infused with the berry, cava, honey, and pomegranate, to a ginger margarita ($12), made with ginger liqueur, organic reposado tequila, and honey.

"From nutrient-dense staples and carefully sourced proteins to little-known superfoods, we use the most responsible, creative, in-season ingredients we can find," McCormick says.

The menu includes permanent dishes too. The ancient grain bowl ($14) reflects each level of the anti-inflammatory pyramid by including miso-glazed sweet potato, house-made cilantro paste, turmeric, grilled portobello mushrooms, avocado, and hemp seed. Edamame dumplings, made with dashi and white truffle oil, are another staple on the menu.

The bar also serves organic, biodynamic, and sustainable wines, along with a wide selection of beers.

Ferris says the restaurant localizes its bright and approachable atmosphere by adding local artwork to embody Miamis culture. You will feel the energy when you walk in."

True Food Kitchen is an exciting addition to the shopping center, says the Falls' manager, Dailen Rodriguez. "The community is very wellness-aware, making the restaurant a great fit for our customers."

True Food Kitchen at the Falls. 8888 SW 136th St., Miami; truefoodkitchen.com.Monday through Saturday10 a.m. to 9 p.m.,Sundaynoon to 7 p.m.

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Dr. Andrew Weil's True Food Kitchen Opening in Miami at the Falls Mall in South Miami-Dade - Miami New Times

Diwali 2019: With a change in your diet because of festive indulgence, you may experience increased acidity. Try these home remedies suggested by nutritionist Nmami Agarwal for some effective results.

Acidity home remedies: Poor gut health can be the primary cause of acidity and gas

Diwali 2019: It is Diwali and sweets, fried food, nuts, seeds and even alcohol might be a part of daily diet for most of you. And believe it or not, the increased acidity can be credited to this change in diet and also poor gut health and digestive system. According to lifestyle coach Luke Coutinho, the first step towards preventing indigestion problems like constipation, bloating, acidity and gas is: improve your gut health. This can be done by increasing intake of probiotics and prebiotics, which provide healthy bacteria to your gut and improve overall gut flora. A healthy gut is directly proportional to a healthy digestive system and inversely proportional to the frequency of gas, acidity and other related problems.

In one of her posts on Instagram, nutritionist Nmami Agarwal says that acid is produced in the body to digest food. It is when this acid gets produced in excess that problems like excessive burping, gas, flatulence etc start popping up. In this article, we are going to talk about ways to combat acidity naturally.

Improper eating pattern, consumption of spicy and oily food, lack of physical activity, stress and even dehydration may be possible for acidity. So, regular exercise, a healthy and nutritious diet and sufficient intake of water are the first few steps towards reducing acidity.

Also read:Try This Jeera And Ajwain Tea To Get Rid Of Bloating, Gas And Acidity Once And For All

1. Chew your food properly: The first step of digestion begins right in the mouth, before food even enters the gut. Not chewing your food properly can reduce the action of enzymes present in the mouth. This in turn can lead to partially digested food and more acidity.

Acidity home remedies: Chew your food properly to prevent excess acid productionPhoto Credit: iStock

2. Have a glass of cold milk: Drinking a glass of cold milk is an excellent way to combat acidity. Milk is alkaline in nature and can neutralise stomach pH, thus reducing acidity.

3. Ajwain or carom seeds: Chewing ajwain seeds is the age-old, time-tested remedy for dealing with gas, acidity, bloating and flatulence. Nmami says that you can boil half tsp of ajwain in one glass of water. Strain it, add some lemon juice and a pinch of salt in it. Anti-acidic properties in ajwain can be effective in reducing acidity.

Also read:Here's How You Can Use Ajwain And Hing To Ease Gassiness And Indigestion

4. Mint chaas or buttermilk: According to Nmami, mint chaas or buttermilk too is an excellent remedy to reduce stomach acid. Not only is buttermilk hydrating in nature, it can also neutralise acid in the stomach. Mint on the other hand, is know to lower acid in the stomach. Whenever acidity is giving you a hard time, you can try having mint buttermilk for some quick and effective results.

Mint chaas or mint buttermilk can effectively reduce acidityPhoto Credit: iStock

5. Do not blindly take antacids: Regular consumption of antacids can lead to acid rebound. This means that you stomach begins to produce more acid than before. "This makes your entire gastrointestinal tract go for a toss," says Nmami. Constipation and diarrhoea are only a few of the many side effects of consuming antacids regularly.

Before you think of popping antacids, try the aforementioned home remedies. They might take a little time but they surely can reduce acidity effectively. Wishing you all a very happy, prosperous, safe and healthy Diwali!

Also read:Acidity: Foods To Eat And Avoid

(Nmami Agarwal is nutritionist at Nmami Life)

(Luke Coutinho, Holistic Lifestyle Coach - Integrative Medicine)

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

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Do Not Let Festive Indulgence Make Room For Increased Acidity; Try These Home Remedies To Stay Healthy This Diwali - Doctor NDTV

Among some natural health proponents, apple cider vinegar has gained a reputation as a cure-all. On the website PreventDisease.com, the alternative health author John Summerly writes, The question is not what apple cider vinegar can do, but what can't it do.

He goes on to cite research suggesting how the common kitchen condiment can help fight diabetes, heart disease, allergies, high cholesterol, cancer, and weight gain. Some evidence suggests that it might reduce the inflammation associated with psoriasis.

RELATED: What Is Schizoaffective Disorder?

Some sources, such as an article titled Schizophrenia & Natural Remedies on the website Jung Circle, list cider vinegar as an ingredient that can be used in a formula to soothe the body when you're coming off psychiatric medications.

Other online articles, such as one on Psycom,highlight evidence suggesting that what happens in the gut may be connected to what happens in the brain.

An investigation published in February 2019 in Science Advances suggests that the gut microbiome (the ecosystem of bacteria and microbes that live in the digestive tract) may be linked to schizophrenia (a chronic and severe neurological brain disorder). Based on stool samples, the researchers observed that people with schizophrenia have less-diverse microbiomes that people without schizophrenia.

RELATED: Mental Illness Signs, Symptoms, Treatment, and More

Some alternative health advocates hold that apple cider vinegar may improve overall gut health, and if the gut-mind connection is true, then this acidic natural fermented liquid has the potential to help ease the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Drew Ramsey, MD, a nutritional psychiatrist who incorporates evidence-based nutrition into his treatments, believes that what we eat can affect mental health. He makes dietary recommendations designed to help individuals with depression, anxiety, and emotional wellness concerns.

What we really look for is how do we help people eat a more nutrient-dense diet with foods and nutrients linked to brain health, says Dr. Ramsey, who is an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City.

His eating plans includeleafy greens, colorful vegetables, B vitamins, minerals like zinc and magnesium, and fish rich inomega-3 fatty acids. Ramsey bases his dietary guidance on studies such as one published in October 2019 in the journal PLoS One, which demonstrated a drop in depression among young adults who followed a Mediterranean-style diet for three weeks.

When it comes to apple cider vinegar and the brain, however, the proof of a relationship is just not there, according to Ramsey.

RELATED: The Truth About Apple Cider Vinegar and Hepatitis C

Apple cider vinegar really has no role in nutritional psychiatry and mental health disorders and to suggest such is to really be speaking without any evidence, he says. I probably prescribe more food to mental health patients than anyone else in America, and I have never prescribed apple cider vinegar.

Ramsey is concerned that some people think cider vinegar is a magic-bullet solution.

There is an idea behind it that drinking apple cider vinegar is going to enhance microbiome diversity, but there is not science behind it yet, he says. We want to guide people with evidence and not hype on the internet.

Ken Duckworth, MD, the medical director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), also warns against apple cider vinegar as a treatment for schizophrenia.

There is no evidence that it is helpful, he says. No rational person would recommend it.

That said, Dr.Duckworth does not discount the value of some natural remedies that may improve aspects of mental health. He points to research demonstrating a brain benefit from omega-3s,cranberries, and the spice turmeric.

For comprehensive information on evidence-based natural health solutions, Duckworth directs individuals to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, the federal governments lead agency for investigating complementary and alternative medicine.

I remain open to research that would help [establish]that there is an alternative remedy that demonstrates efficacy for schizophrenia, he says. Absence of proof is not proof of absence, but you need meaningful proof before you can make assertions."

When it comes to schizophrenia specifically, Dr. Ramsey highlights research published in the journal Nature Communications finding that long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in fatty fish such as salmon reduce the risk of psychotic disorders.

The study showed a significant decrease in the progression to schizophrenia in individuals who received omega-3s, he says.

RELATED: Early Treatment Programs for Schizophrenia Multiply

About 1.1 percent of the population in 2014 or about 2.6 million Americans age 18 and older live with schizophrenia, according to the Treatment Advocacy Center. An estimated 40 percent of individuals with the condition go untreated in any given year.

Common symptoms include delusions and hallucinations; alterations of the senses; an inability to sort and interpret incoming sensations, and an inability therefore to respond appropriately; an altered sense of self; and changes in emotions, movements, and behavior.

The American Psychiatric Associationpublishes guidelines for the treatment of schizophrenia, which features information on antipsychotic medications and therapy. Duckworth notes that these schizophrenia medications include Clozaril (clozapine), which is the only FDA-approved medication for suicide risk reduction in patients with schizophrenia.

Ramsey stresses that treatments need to be multimodal, with a combination of responsible medication management, a supportive care team (involving a peer counselor, a psychiatrist, and a case manager), and employment.

Working is good for mental health, he says. For people with psychotic disorders, it provides self-esteem, structure, and an income.

For people with schizophrenia, getting access to appropriate psychiatric and mental health care and supportive employment is much more important than apple cider vinegar, Ramsey adds.

To find resources and help for schizophrenia treatment, Duckworth recommends contacting the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

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Is There Evidence Behind the Use of Apple Cider Vinegar for Mental Illness? - Everyday Health