National College of Natural Medicine

PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ben Zimmerman, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher investigator at the Helfgott Research Institute at the National University of Natural Medicine, has received a grant from the Medical Research Foundation (MRF) to advance the understanding of aging-related health. This grant investigates natural medicine interventions and mechanisms for delaying or preventing age-related cognitive decline and dementia. Zimmerman's research project centers on the study of Centella asiatica, also known as gotu kola, and its potential impact on the vascular health of healthy adults between 50 and 85. The research will investigate whether a four-week treatment with Centella asiatica can enhance peripheral arterial endothelial function, an indicator of vascular health. Most studies tend to focus on cognitive interventions or pharmaceutical treatments for dementia. Dr. Zimmerman's approach, centered on vascular health and a traditional herbal remedy, is a refreshing departure from conventional avenues of research. This study plans to enroll 30 participants, half receiving the Centella asiatica treatment while the other half receives a placebo. The primary outcome measure will focus on the Reactive Hyperemia Index (RHI), an indicator of the body's ability to regulate arterial blood flow—a fundamental element of vascular health. Maintaining normal or improving peripheral arterial endothelial function may be a crucial defense against the vascular mechanisms of cognitive aging. It may pave the way for more targeted and effective interventions to delay or prevent age-related cognitive decline, dementia and, ultimately, improve the quality of life for aging populations. Zimmerman is an advocate for proactive healthcare and believes in addressing aging-related diseases at their core. He states, "I'm passionate about exploring potential interventions and mechanisms to postpone or prevent the onset of age-related cognitive decline and dementia. Preventing and delaying dementia is far more achievable than treating it once significant neurodegeneration has occurred." Zimmerman's research endeavors align with a desperately needed paradigm shift in healthcare, emphasizing early prevention over late-stage interventions. With more researchers like Dr. Zimmerman dedicated to addressing the initial signs of aging-related diseases, natural medicine interventions will hopefully extend health spans and elevate the overall quality of life for aging individuals. Established in 1956, National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) is the longest active, accredited naturopathic medical university in North America and a leader in natural medicine education and evidence-based research. Learn more at nunm.edu. Founded in 2003, NUNM's Helfgott Research Institute is a professionally independent, non-profit research institute conducting rigorous, high quality research on the art and science of healing. SOURCE National University of Natural Medicine

Findings from NUNM Helfgott Research Institute team show promise of individualized treatment for cognitive decline PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A proof-of-concept study led by Heather Sandison, ND, and implemented by researchers at National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) Helfgott Research Institute could have far-reaching, positive impacts on the future of cognitive decline research. While Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects approximately six million people in the U.S. and 50 million people worldwide, clinical trials have been disproportionately focused on a singular treatment method. Sandison and team instead tested an individualized, holistic approach to treatment involving changes to patients' lifestyle, including sleep, diet, and stress management. After initial assessments of unique biomarkers, each trial participant was provided a custom treatment plan, personal health coach, and treating clinician. Within six months of intervention, multiple measures of patients' cognitive function improved, indicating a multimodal, individualized treatment approach may be a more effective strategy than ones involving a single drug. Sandison believes these study findings, published this month in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, could be empowering to both patients and providers: "So far, more than 200 AD drugs have failed clinical trials. I hope this research encourages those living with the disease but also motivates researchers to explore previously unaddressed contributors to cognitive decline." Study co-author and Director of the NUNM Helfgott Research Institute, Dr. Ryan Bradley, underscored the importance of collaboration in moving AD research forward: "There's always a knowledge gap and activation energy necessary to move treatments from bench to bedside; these types of partnerships help bridge that gap. Instead of anecdotal evidence of hope or progress, research collaboration offers clinicians quantifiable evidence of patient benefit." Drs. Sandison and Bradley hope their initial findings lead to a national multisite control study to further evaluate multimodal, individualized treatment approaches to AD. "My big push is changing the narrative," said Sandison. "As scientists and care providers, we make a lot of assumptions and don't give patients enough credit. Hopefully these findings chip away at some of those assumptions. The goal is to make Alzheimers rare and optional." Read the full study in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease Volume (94) Issue (3). About NUNM Established in 1956, National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) is the longest active, accredited naturopathic medical university in North America and a leader in natural medicine education and evidence-based research. The NUNM Helfgott Research Institute is a professionally independent, non-profit research institute conducting rigorous, high quality research on the art and science of healing. Learn more at nunm.edu. About the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease Now in its 26th year of publication, the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (JAD) is an international multidisciplinary journal to facilitate progress in understanding the etiology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, genetics, behavior, treatment, and psychology of Alzheimer's disease. The journal publishes research reports, reviews, short communications, book reviews, and letters-to-the-editor. Groundbreaking research that has appeared in the journal includes novel therapeutic targets, mechanisms of disease, and clinical trial outcomes. JAD has a Journal Impact Factor of 4.160 according to Journal Citation Reports (Clarivate, 2022). The journal is published by IOS Press. j-alz.com SOURCE National University of Natural Medicine

Only 6% of regionally accredited postsecondary institutions earned a ranking position PORTLAND, Ore., April 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) has been recognized as one of the best schools for online learning at the master's level by OnlineMastersDegrees.org (OMD). NUNM's nutrition programs earned top honors for overall quality, affordability and commitment to student success. See where NUNM ranked. "This year, we focused on the schools making it easier for students to compete in today's increasingly difficult job market," said Kyle Darland, co-founder of OMD. "Each ranked school offers a fully or partially online master's program in nutrition at a time when earning a master's has become a minimum barrier to entry for many." Darland is referencing a recent survey from CareerBuilder, which found that "thirty-three percent of employers are hiring workers with master's degrees for positions that had been primarily held by those with four-year degrees." These employers cited an evolution of the skills needed to perform the jobs as the cause of the shift, and an increase in work quality, productivity and employee retention as the result. "Providing students with opportunities to get a master's online is only part of our rankings," said Darland. "Top-ranked schools also had competitive tuition rates and/or scholarships to help drive costs down. And with grocery, gas and other expenses on everyone's mind right now, an affordable master's is key." OnlineMastersDegrees.org analyzed more than 7,700 accredited universities by using data pulled from the schools themselves and from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). After the data was compiled, OMD's data science team then applied a proprietary algorithm to rank all qualifying schools for each of the different master's degrees specialties. Primary data points include: Academic counseling services Career placement services Student/faculty ratio Tuition Percent of students receiving school-based aid Amount of school-based aid per student To be eligible for ranking, a university must hold active regional accreditation and have at least one partially online master's program in the ranking subject. Just 8 percent of U.S. postsecondary institutions earned a ranking position. Established in 1956, National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) is the longest active, accredited naturopathic medical university in North America and a leader in natural medicine education and evidence-based research. Learn more at nunm.edu. SOURCE National University of Natural Medicine