Naturopathic Medicine Gaps in Policy Presented at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health

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September marked a milestone for policymakers, stakeholders, and nutrition experts as many convened for the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. It’s been more than 50 years since the last conference in 1969. At that time, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and federally-supported school lunches were established to address the crisis of hunger and malnutrition. 

The issues a half-decade ago have been replaced with rising obesity rates, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and other chronic diseases in children, teens, and adults. While these problems continue to plague our nation, previously established nutrition policies have done little to change the unhealthy landscape. 

The White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health recommendations presented a repeat of previous policies that will not move the needle forward when addressing widespread chronic disease caused by poor eating and lifestyle.

However, we did see cracks in the walls of many institutions that guide nutrition policy, which could facilitate improvement. However, it will take out-of-the-box thinking and taking advantage of resources that may never have been considered, such as naturopathic medicine and private-public partnerships. 

The following are INM’s recommendations to the naturopathic medical community and our health partners. 

1.    Nutrition Education in Medical Schools. Director of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Susan Mayne, PhD, is leading reforms to mandate more nutrition education in medical schools. “The national strategy recognizes that we need to do better,” she said. Her organization is calling for nutrition to be a part of the medical exam boards. She believes this will incentivize medical school graduates to learn more about healthy eating and food as medicine. “Physicians need to really understand nutrition because they are a key gateway to communicating to consumers,” Mayne said. 

INM’s Comments: While our organization applauds the suggestion to educate more physicians about nutrition, changing eating habits takes more than a few nutrition classes. In their four years of medical school, licensed naturopathic physicians receive nutrition classes and hundreds of hours of behavioral training. Poor eating habits can be a combination of access, awareness, and social, cultural, and psychological behaviors. Nutrition is only one aspect of making healthier food choices. 

Many of the White House recommendations at the conference rely heavily on taxpayer dollars for services that pay for Medicare and Medicaid. Since conventional medical student residencies are paid for as a part of Medicare funding, it is INM’s opinion that the concept of Food as Medicine, as well as nutrition and behavioral education, should play a significant role in medical school and residency programs (more below). 

Given that educating others—including patients and the medical community—is part of a naturopathic physician’s education, the profession is ready to play the role of “doctor as teacher.”   The word doctor is derived from the Latin doctore, meaning to teach. 

Naturopathic medicine has a history of working with conventional medical providers in various clinical and educational settings. Naturopathic doctors are ideally suited to train medical students in Food as Medicine, as well as nutrition and behavior training to empower patients and promote healthy choices. 

2.    Food as Medicine. Currently, the Food as Medicine: Food Insecurity program is limited to an HIV-related Comorbidities, Coinfections, and Complications plan. This program falls within the oversight of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR). 

INM’s comments: Food as Medicine is a vital part of wellness for all communities. Imagine if a Food as Medicine program was applied to at-risk communities across the country for the most common chronic conditions, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and multi-complex metabolic disorders. Studies show it has remarkable potential. 

Adherence to the current dietary guidelines from the public is as low as 50%. When food as medicine principles are applied to applied to individuals with chronic diseases of heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease, compliance rises to 90%, according to this 2022 food as medicine study. 

Outcomes included: 20-30% cardiovascular (CV) event risk reduction; 

5–10% LDL cholesterol reduction; 

4-11 mmHg systolic blood pressure reduction; 

30% reduction in metabolic syndrome prevalence; 

3–5% weight reduction; 

56% lower chronic kidney disease mortality rates, increased dialysis-free time of  2—5 years;

and heart failure patients— 16% fewer hospital readmissions.

Heart disease and diabetes cost employers and the healthcare system more than $550 billion annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control. As much as 61% of costs are due to high hospitalization and readmission rates. 

When the cost savings for a Food as Medicine program are applied, here is how it shakes out: 

  • Decreased CV event saves $5–11 billion annually and $1 to $8 billion in hospitalization costs; Dialysis rate reduction saves $14 to $29 billion annually;
  • For heart failure patients, a savings of $234,096 per 100 patients and a 38-day shorter length of stay (saving $79,425 per hospitalization).

3. The White House recommendations list a number of government programs for childhood nutrition education, including the Healthy Kids, Healthy Future Technical Assistance Program (TAPS), which funds 10 states to improve and expand nutrition and physical activity through existing state programs. In 2020, the program’s total reach was 2,246 childcare programs and 70,000 young children. 

INM’s Comments: While it’s well understood that school-embedded programs increase fruit and vegetable consumption and decrease sugar intake, our organization would like to see more private, public partnerships for youth culinary nutrition. There are more children who need culinary nutrition education than the government can support. The solution is private-public partnerships with well-funded corporate entities, community engagement leaders from food banks, YMCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs, and other like-minded non-profits. 

Hands-on programs like the Food as Medicine Everyday (FAME) series promotes the learning of healthy eating and culinary skills to give adults and children the information they need to make healthier choices. Children who participate with adults identify new foods, gain confidence to try different foods, and show enthusiasm for assisting with food preparation at home. INM has partnered with FAME in our Naturally Well kid’s culinary nutrition program, which launched in the fall of 2022 in southern Arizona. 

Ours is a hybrid learning model, using videos, hands-on classes, a pre-written curriculum, in-class rewards, and smartphone apps to reinforce learning. INM would like to see more programs like this; however, that can only come true if corporations provide financial support. Click here for more information on Naturally Well.  

This article is provided by the Institute for Natural Medicine, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, partnered with the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. INM’s mission is to transform healthcare in America by increasing both public awareness of naturopathic medicine and access to naturopathic doctors for patients. INM believes that naturopathic medicine, with its unique principles and practices, has the potential to reverse the tide of chronic illness that overwhelms existing health care systems and to empower people to achieve and maintain their optimal lifelong health. INM strives to achieve this mission through the following  initiatives:

  • Education – Reveal the unique benefits and outcomes of naturopathic medicine
  • Access – Connect patients to licensed naturopathic doctors
  • Research – Expand quality research of this complex and comprehensive system of medicine

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Deb Hubers

Debra Hubers is a serial entrepreneur and has started seven businesses; ranging from an advanced genomics to an employer health care purchasing cooperative. Deb has over 35 years of experience in healthcare finance, education, technology, and pharmacogenomics.

Ms. Hubers has dedicated her career to measuring and improving healthcare outcomes. Her expertise is leveraging technology to deliver personalized, preventative medicine. Ms. Hubers co-founded La Vita Compounding Pharmacy in 2007. Collaborating with her business partner, physicians and strategic partners, Deb has grown La Vita to be one of the most respected and sought-after personalized medicine providers on the west coast. She is also Co-Founder of EpigeneticsRx, a leading provider of precise, personalized, prevention which positively impacts genetic expression.

Alex Keller, ND

Dr. Alex Keller, ND, AFMCP is a graduate of the University of Ottawa with an Honours Bachelor in Health Sciences and Psychology. Although originally intending to attend conventional medical school, following a three-month volunteer internship at a rural Kenyan hospital where he observed how doctors used local food to treat patients, he shifted his career goals and pursued a degree in naturopathic medicine at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto.

After one year of practicing with the esteemed Dr. Chris Pickrell, ND, RH in a community acupuncture setting, in 2015 he and his wife Dr. Jenn Keller, ND moved to rural Ottawa, Canada where they started an organic farm and retreat center. In the same year, Alex and his athletic therapist sister Jess Keller combined their practices to form Keller Active Health, an integrative physical therapy clinic.

Ever curious and passionate about the education of evidence-based natural medicine, in 2017, Dr. Keller joined a fledgling Ottawa-based health tech startup named Fullscript. He serves as its Medical Director and oversees the development of medical education content for practitioners across North America.

Prior to medicine, Alex worked in the renewable energy sector, where he developed a deep passion for sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship. This connection between medicine and agriculture now drives Alex to focus much of his energy on bringing awareness to the quality and sourcing standards in the supplement and organic agriculture supply chains.

Today, he splits his professional time practicing as a clinician, working for Fullscript, and expanding the farming operation while chasing his kids with Jenn and occasionally running ultra-marathon trail races. He is also currently completing an Executive MBA through the Quantic School of Business & Technology with a focus on supply chain innovation.

Pamela Snider, ND

Pamela Snider, ND, is Executive and Senior Editor for the Foundations of Naturopathic Medicine Project, producing a first of its kind international textbook of Naturopathic medicine through a series of international retreats and symposia. A nationally recognized integrative health and policy leader, she is active in both national and regional integrative health initiatives. Dr. Snider serves on the Board of Directors, was founding Executive Director and co-founder of the Academic Consortium for Integrative Health (ACIH/ACCAHCa consortium of the councils of schools, accrediting agencies and certifying bodies of the licensed, traditional and emerging integrative health professions, and is currently Vice Chair and co-founder of the Integrative Health Policy Consortium (IHPC).  Dr. Snider served as a founding Board Member of the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine from 2014-2016. Her public policy work includes completing a two year appointment to the DHHS Center For Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee (MCAC); serving as a Steering Committee Member for  the HRSA funded American College of Preventive Medicine NCCIM Integrative Medicine in Preventive Medicine Residency program, co-directing in USPHS Region X the Building Bridges Between Provider Communities Group, an exploration of interdisciplinary collaboration and common ground between public health and CAM; serving for 22 years on Washington State’s Health Professional Loan Repayment and Scholarship Program Advisory Committee (HPLRSP); providing technical assistance to and developing key language for the enabling legislation for NIH Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCIH/NCCAM); and staffing Joseph Pizzorno ND during his appointment as Commissioner on the White House Commission on CAM Policy.

From 1994-2003, Dr. Snider served as Associate Dean for Public and Professional Affairs and Naturopathic Medicine at Bastyr University, dividing her work between academic and public affairs activities, including chairing the Naturopathic Medicine Program Curriculum Review Committee.  Dr. Snider has been teaching, publishing and lecturing widely on Naturopathic philosophy, theory integrative health, public policy, and other topics for over 30 years. Currently, an Associate Professor at National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) in Portland, OR, Dr. Snider also continues at Bastyr University in her 22nd year as a faculty member teaching naturopathic medicine history, clinical theory, and global context. Among her Naturopathic medicine professional roles she serves on the Institute for Natural Medicine’s Leadership Council.  In 1989, she co-led the naturopathic profession with Dr. Jared Zeff, in developing a unifying definition of naturopathic medicine and its principles of practice adopted unanimously by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) House of Delegates. She was a co-investigator in the 2004 NIH NCCAM research study, the North American Naturopathic Medical Research Agenda and CAM Advisor in NIHCCAM’s Financing Integrative Health Care (University of Washington).  Her areas of experience include healthcare education; naturopathic and interdisciplinary clinical theory, curriculum development; clinical practice; government and legislative affairs, public policy, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community organizing.  Dr. Snider has received the Ontario Naturopathic Physician of the Year Award, the Physician of the Year Award from the AANP, the President’s Outstanding Vision Award and Distinguished Alumnus Award at Bastyr University, AANP’s President’s Award, an honorary Doctorate of Naturopathic Philosophy from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM), the William A Mitchell Vis Award from the AANP and The Gathering – NMSA’s Beacon Award. She received her ND degree in 1982 from Bastyr University of Natural Health Sciences and is a licensed naturopathic physician in the State of Washington. She lives with her husband and children at their homestead in North Bend Washington, in the beautiful mountain to sea landscape and home of The Revival – Restore the Vis, an annual student-led community gathering.

Susan Haeger

Susan Haeger is Founder/Principal of Transformative Health Solutions Inc. She has applied her twenty plus years in executive leadership to help shape and drive adoption of progressive health policy for whole person healthcare. She was a section contributor to the 2021 INM/AANP published professional white paper, Naturopathic Physicians as Whole Health Specialists: The Future is Whole Person Health Care that provides supporting evidence for the profession’s significant and unique contributions to preventive, whole person care and models of integrative clinical practice.

Bruce Barlean

Bruce Barlean is an owner and founder of Barlean’s, a global dietary supplement manufacturer located in the Pacific Northwest in Ferndale, WA. Bruce has been actively involved in the Natural Products industry since 1989 and is passionate about making a difference in the world and positively impacting the lives of others.

Bruce believes that people can make a difference in the world through ordinary purchases. He is committed to improving the quality of life for every person on the planet by making the best products and by using the profits to support outreach programs. Bruce summarizes it simply, “We make good stuff to do good stuff”.

In the late 1980’s Bruce became passionate about how health could be dramatically improved with Flax Oil Supplementation. Bruce along with his entrepreneurial parents saw the potential to improve the lives of many people and in 1989 they began selling Flax Oil under the Barlean’s name. From 1989 – 2000 the business grew an average of 40% year over year. While most companies saw a decline in business in the 2001 recession, Barlean’s continued to grow and soon became America’s #1 selling flaxseed oil and continues to be to the present. The brand has since expanded to include additional oils, green food concentrates and other premium supplements. Bruce continues to drive innovation and over the years his products and company have won countless awards including: Eight consecutive Vity Awards for #1 EFA, Six consecutive Vity Awards for #1 Greens Food Supplement, Natural Choice Award for Best Specialty Supplement, Best Product of the Year, Best New Product, Gold Medal Taster’s Choice Award, Gold Medal American Masters of Taste Award, #1 Health Food Store Brand for Consumer Satisfaction by Consumer Lab, and Manufacturer of the Year.

In 2013 as the company was on the eve of celebrating the 25th year in business Bruce and his parents decided to take their desire to help people to a new level that they call Pathway to a Better Life – which is now seen in the Barlean’s logo. Bruce and his parents had always been generous in their giving and support of charities, but as part of the Pathway to a Better Life they decided to increased partnership with charitable organizations such as: Vitamin Angels, Compassion International, KidsTown International, Autism Hope Alliance, Engedi Refuge, Project 92, and others. And because so many people are unable to meet basic nutritional needs, Bruce created a comprehensive Omega-3 and multivitamin formula that he distributes free-of-charge to local food banks. In addition, Bruce decided the company would supply food banks with organic coconut oil to provide people with a health alternative to standard cooking oils.

Always generous with his time Bruce has served as a youth leader for his local church for several years and continues to mentor youth. He has been on several not for profit boards including; Whatcom County Pregnancy Center (2003-2006), Natural Products Association (dates?), and the Institute for Natural Medicine Leadership Council (presently).

The Barlean family have been avid supporters of Bastyr University since the 1990’s and in 2013 were given Bastyr’s most prestigious honor, the Mission Award, which recognizes their leadership over time in improving the health and well-being of the human community.

Bruce currently resides in Ferndale, WA with his wife Lisa and their two dogs: Heinz & Shadow. When he’s not helping others he can be found fishing (catch & release).

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Michelle Simon, PHD, ND

President & CEO

As president and CEO of INM, Dr. Simon brings her passion for working with organizations dedicated to improving the quality and delivery of healthcare. This desire stems from her years of practice as a licensed naturopathic physician. In addition to holding a Naturopathic Doctorate from Bastyr University she also holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

She has served on boards for the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), the Naturopathic Physicians Research Institute (NPRI), and several advisory boards. Dr. Simon served nine years on the Washington State Health Technology Clinical Committee, as Ambassador to the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM) and was recognized as 2018 AANP Physician of the Year. Dr. Simon shares with her husband a passion for adventure travel, preferably by boat or motorcycle. She also enjoys teaching a women’s off-road motorcycling class.