Biomedical Research Accomplishments

Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine has numerous collaborations with conventional medical institutions to conduct research projects. Recent collaborations have provided additional resources and innovative educational experiences, creating more opportunities for our faculty and students.  For example, through the Arizona CAM Research Training Program at the Program in Integrative Medicine, University of Arizona, funded by NIH’s NCCAM, our students enjoy research training opportunities. SCNM is the Naturopathic clinical research affiliate. The program enrolls predoctoral, postdoctoral and short-term research training positions. This program prepares clinicians for the complexities of medical research through high-quality didactic instruction and mentored research projects. This multidisciplinary learning program provides a unique environment to acquire fundamental clinical research skills. 

Selected Notable Research Collaborations

• Research consortium to develop Naturopathic Medicine research on chronic inflammatory conditions associated with diabetes.
• Multidisciplinary research program to study research methodologies from preclinical to clinical trials for menopause and natural hormone replacement therapy.
• Development of research on environmental medicine, metabolic processes and chronic subclinical toxicity.
• Collaborative research projects with the Department of Microbiology, and the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at Arizona State University; the Department of Exercise and Wellness at Arizona State University East; College of Nursing at Arizona State University; Program in Integrative Medicine at University of Arizona; and College of Pharmacy at University of Arizona.
• Exploratory Center for Frontier Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center. Faculty from Southwest College’s Department of Homeopathy will collaborate on clinical trial intervention studies.
• Other collaborations in academic institutions and patient-care centers include the Arthritis Health Clinic in Arizona, the Department of Biochemistry at Emory University, and the International Child Development Resource Center in Florida.
  

Recent projects:

• Effects of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis of knee and hip, Linda Kim, ND and Leslie Axelrod, ND, 2004.
• The effects of four weeks of dietary supplementation with hyaluronic acid for osteoarthritis. Jan Highfield, ND and John Schmidt, PhD, 2004-5.
• Efficacy of topical herbal formulation on fine lines and age spots. A preliminary clinical trial. Jan Highfield, ND and John Schmidt, PhD, funded by Garden of Life. 2005-6.
• Bioavailability of glutathione from oral dietary supplement intake of glutathione, anthocyanins and L-cysteine: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, Sponsor: ITI, Jami Kupperman, ND, Debra Wollner, PhD, 2004-6.
• Nutritional intervention on risk assessments associated with high cholesterol. The proposed clinical trial obtained data on the effects of combination nutrient intervention on lipid profile and biomarkers commonly used to assess inflammation. A prospective preliminary clinical trial. Linda Kim, ND. 2004-2005.
• Effects of homeopathy in allergic rhinitis. A randomized controlled clinical trial, Linda Kim, ND, 2002.
• Effects of dietary nutritional supplements in increased intestinal permeability. A preliminary prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Efficacy in chronic gastrointestinal symptoms was evaluated using subjective and objective outcomes. Linda Kim, ND. 2002-2004.
• Preliminary trial on the effects of herbs and nutrition on reducing symptoms associated with chronic fatigue. A prospective 4-week clinical trial. Linda Kim, ND. 2003-2004. Conducted by the Department of Research.
  

The Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine research projects have been seen in various publications.  Click here to view a list of recent publications.