CCNM student awarded scholarship for research on osteoporosis

July 7, 2010

TORONTO, July 7, 2010 – The Institute for Natural Medicine (INM) recently announced the recipients of its 2010 Natural Health Scholar Award. Mélanie DesChâtelets, a class of 2010 graduate from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) was awarded the 2010 Standard Process Whole Foods Nutrition Scholarship of $500.

Selection of the scholarship recipients was based upon essays written by the candidates. The subject of DesChâtelets’ paper was a scientific dietary intervention as primary prevention on osteoporosis.

“The initial investigation arose from clinical inquiry as an intern. When individuals were recommended the hypoallergenic diet or recently discovered a sensitivity to dairy products many were concerned about its effects on bone health. I then followed up to investigate dietary influences on bone health in general,” says DesChâtelets.

One of the main findings of her research shows that a whole foods diet promotes healthy bone metabolism by various mechanisms. A few highlights include:

• Soy and flax contain phytoestrogens which positively influence bone metabolism in post-menopausal women.
• Phytochemicals such as lycopene and polyphenols in tomatoes and plums respectively, decrease bone resorption, promote osteoblasts and bone mineralization.
• Blueberries have been shown to increase bone mineral density.
• Specific trace minerals and vitamins that are available in a whole foods diet such as magnesium, strontium, vitamin K, boron, zinc, manganese and copper appear to synergistically work with calcium to increase bone mineralization.
• In addition, a whole foods diet avoids or has moderate consumption of alcohol, soda pop and caffeine that have been negatively associated with calcium balance.

“It’s important for students to take part in these initiatives to further scientific research skills that enable us to answer clinical questions posed by patients,” she adds.

The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) is Canada's premier institute for education and research in naturopathic medicine. CCNM offers a rigorous four-year, full-time doctor of naturopathic medicine program. The College educates, develops and trains naturopathic doctors through excellence in health education, clinical services and research that integrate mind, body and spirit.

Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are primary healthcare practitioners. Interns at CCNM’s Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic improve their patients’ health by identifying and treating the underlying causes of illness, employing therapies such as lifestyle counselling, nutrition, botanical medicine, acupuncture/Asian medicine, manipulation, homeopathic medicine, and hydrotherapy/massage.



For more information contact:
Karamjit Singh
Media and Community Relations Officer
CCNM
Phone: 416-498-1255 x 263
Email: ksingh@ccnm.edu
Website: www.ccnm.edu

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