Traditionally, herbs are widely utilized by acupuncturists as an important treatment tool. Acupuncturists have also, for centuries, used food and supplements to maintain, promote and restore health.
Chinese food therapy philosophy about nutrition and diet is imbedded in Asian culture. Today, many acupuncturists integrate their beliefs about nutrition, supplements and TCM into a mixed practice with the advantages of both the Eastern and Western diets.1,2
Unfortunately, it is very difficult and time-consuming for clinicians to keep up with the scientific evidence on the efficacy, safety and contraindications of most dietary regimens and supplements. To learn the most up-to-date information about diet and supplements, acupuncturists should consider attending an evidence-based nutrition and supplements conference such as the one organized by the Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine, held March 1-2, 2008 at the UCI campus. Expanding on the success of last year's conference, this conference will once again assemble an outstanding array of internationally known scientific researchers and clinicians whose work focuses on the interface between nutrition and good health.
Who should consider attending the conference? Those interested in the most current and up-to-date information relating to the incorporation of nutrition into their clinical practice; those who enjoy learning about the latest research findings on nutrition, diet and supplements as therapeutic interventions; and those who benefit from new knowledge on nutritional recommendations for management of specific conditions. Attendees include a wide variety of health care providers (physicians, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, acupuncturists, chiropractors, naturopaths and other professionals who incorporate nutritional recommendations as part of their clinical practice). The conference provides a great opportunity to learn and interact with other health care providers.
For more information about the conference, please visit www.sscim.uci.edu/index_2col.asp?page=16.
References
- Simpson PB. Family beliefs about diet and traditional Chinese medicine for Hong Kong women with breast cancer. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2003 Sep-Oct;30(5):834-40.
- Chen JD, Xu H. Historical development of Chinese dietary patterns and nutrition from the ancient to the modern society. World Rev Nutr Diet. 1996;79:133-53. Review.
Raheleh Khorsan is a research assistant with the Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California, Irvine.