The Zeneration is my attempt to bridge the information gap between people within the field of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and everyone else. The 2007 National Health Interview Survey found that about 38% of adults and 12% of children in the United States had used CAM the previous year; it is likely that these percentages are even higher now since CAM use is steadily increasing. Chances are you have used CAM within the last year whether you realized it or not; CAM encompasses a number of common health practices.
Since new scientific studies are constantly being conducted, the field of CAM is in a permanent state of flux and it can be hard to keep up! How do you know that the herbal supplement you bought at Whole Foods last week to boost your immune function is supported by legitimate research? That’s where The Zeneration comes in.
For basic background information about CAM, check out the “What is CAM?” page and the “CAM Modalities” drop-down menu. The Zeneration Blog will contain entries about more specific CAM topics including the most recent advances in research, CAM misconceptions, “Food as Medicine” Recipes, and CAM in the News. Have questions or comments about CAM? Check out The Zeneration Discussion Forum to share your insights and opinions. Also, feel free to use the Forum to request Blog topics if there is anything in particular you’d like to learn more about.
In a time when health care costs have skyrocketed, it is important to learn about preventative medicine and to take control of your health. Many CAM modalities focus on prevention and overall wellness and can be extremely helpful to that end. Welcome to The Zeneration!
ABOUT ME: In 2011 I completed my M.S. in Physiology/Complementary & Alternative Medicine at Georgetown University.
DISCLAIMER: This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. You should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.
Resources
1. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: The Use of CAM in the United States
2. Lee, M.Y., Benn, R., Wimsatt, L., Cornman, J., Hedgecock, J., Gerik, S., Zeller, J., Kreitzer, M.J., Allweiss, P., Finklestein, C., & Haramati, A. (2007). Integrating complementary and alternative medicine instruction into health professions education: organizational and instructional strategies. Academic Medicine, 82(10), 939-45. PMID: 17895652.
3. Amri, H., & Haramati, A. (2010). Using basic science to develop an innovative program in complementary and alternative medicine. Journal of the International Association of Medical Science Educators, 20(2), 48-55. PMID: 21243105.