Students, faculty and members of the community interested in alternative and integrated health care gathered Thursday at The Pointe in The Walter Pyramid for the Fifth annual Donald P. Lauda Wellness Lectureship. The event was coordinated by the College of Health and Human Services and featured three guest speakers who are all experts in the field of herbs, supplements and medications.
The main purpose of this year’s program was not to endorse any specific therapy, but instead to educate and promote awareness of alternative medicinal options, such as herbs and supplements and their interactions with prescription medications, said development coordinator of the event Beri Kurtulaz.
“We have experts in traditional Western medicine, naturopathy and chiropractics, as well as experts in traditional Chinese medicine, here tonight to answer questions,” said Dr. Donald Lauda, founder of the lecture series.
Lauda said the topic for the lecture was chosen because of the rise of use of herbs and supplements. He said it is crucial that people understand the need to be informed of the possible interactions when combining these products with traditional prescription drugs. Lauda also said herbs and supplements “have values,” and that people are often unaware of potential interactions and side effects.
The first speaker of the night was Dr. Mark deDubovay, the founder/director of the Advanced Wellness Center in Long Beach. He is certified in traditional naturopathy, and studied chiropractics in Italy for three years, which was followed by one year of private practice in Paris. He talked about advanced nutritional strategies for autoimmune diseases, obesity-related health problems and neurobiology of mood and cognitive disorders, among others.
He also emphasized the importance of talking to your personal physician about herbs and supplements. He stressed a proper, well-balanced diet and added that the best way to absorb vitamins’ minerals and nutrients to maintain optimal health is through fruits and vegetables.
Dr. Sarah Sandell, who also spoke, received her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of California, San Diego. She is currently on the medical staff at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Long Beach and is an assistant clinical professor of medicine at UCLA. She described integrated medicine as a quest for alternatives to prescription drugs and questioned the concept of why most doctors are not trained in herbs and their uses’ benefits and side effects.
“Herbs are nature’s pharmacy,” Sandell said. “There are a lot of alternatives out there, but choosing the right one can be complex.”
Dr. Allen Arnette, the last speaker, is the founder and director of the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine department within the Advanced Wellness Center. He is an expert in the field of traditional Chinese medicine.
“When you say the word herb, a lot comes with it,” he said. He asked questions of the audience such as what is health? What is the goal of the individual? Is it prevention or treatment? He noted that herbs are not for specific symptoms, but are intended to be used to promote the way the body works.
He warned against falling into the habit of consuming vitamins of low quality. “If your vitamins stink, make you burp or fart, then they are working,” he said to the crowd.
“It was useful. It makes people wake up,” said nursing major Christina Waldl. “You are the only one responsible for your health.”
