Finding balance between trend and truth

By Samiksha Chemukula •

Kenzie Warren, sophomore nursing major, starts off her day by making an organic fruit smoothie, going to class, working out at the gym and meditating before going to bed.

“I pride myself in living a healthy lifestyle, and some people refer to my way of life as being ‘granola,’” Warren said. “I use methods that are holistic when I’m sick as well as I prioritize my mental health by meditating and going to farmer’s markets, which I learned from social media.”

Commonly practiced holistic health trends include avoiding ultra-processed foods, use of plastics and synthetic chemicals.

Gousikaa Suresh, sophomore neuroscience major, tries to incorporate the lifestyle into her diet and has seen a change in her health.

“I know my mood depends on the food I eat. Since I have a kitchen, I have been trying to follow a well-balanced diet and try to avoid frozen meals and plastic containers,” Suresh said. “As a result, I have noticed improved skin, less bloating, and mood improvement.”

NSU helps students incorporate a holistic lifestyle with the reflexology path in the Healing and Medicinal Garden, which is a 66-foot pathway, embedded with therapeutic stones, based on ancient Eastern practices that promote self-healing by stimulating various pressure points on one’s feet, through walking on an intricate pattern of stones. At NSU, students can also take part in Conscious Yoga club, group fitness classes and 5K runs, which further support a holistic lifestyle.

“Through this movement, I learned about acupressure,” Warren said. “I am very active, as I go to the gym regularly and also work as a nanny for young children, so I’m constantly on my feet. When I have the time, I use the Reflexology [Pathway], and I have seen pain improvement.”

Marilyn Gordon, associate professor in the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine and registered dietitian nutritionist, said when it comes to holistic health, there are some practices that can support treatment.

Gordon, also a yoga instructor, said there is a meaning behind the poses taught during yoga and cautioned against online practices, like YouTube videos.

“Where you put your foot and where the pressure is accentuated makes a difference. You’re not gonna get those subtle points without someone experienced to give in-depth instruction and to keep us from getting injured,” Gordon said.

Barry Nierenberg, professor of psychology in the College of Psychology, has been researching the intersection between psychology and medicine.

As an expert board-certified, rehabilitation psychologist, he highlights a new approach to medicine incorporating health and wellness called network medicine.

“Network medicine is the integration of mind, body and spirit, in an evidence-based way,” Nierenberg said. “It is important to know the type of person that has a disease, as opposed to the type of disease the person has. This allows providers to treat patients from the root and see results.”

Nierenberg said that as holistic health is increasing, this type of individualized, evidence-based care is already being applied at the Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine at NSU. The testing involves understanding different presentations of diseases in a person and providing care unique to each individual.

Nierenberg highlights an experience of a student at NSU who had gained weight. She went to several doctors and did heavy cardio to reduce weight but found her health symptoms worsened.

“She eventually went to the Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine, where advanced blood testing using nanotechnology was done to see which stimuli turned her genes off and on,” Nierenberg said. “It was discovered that she had a unique autoimmune disorder triggered by heavy exercise and carbs. Her unique treatment plan prohibited carbs and recommended light exercises, such as pilates, yoga and tai chi. The student saw a noticeable change in her symptoms.”