Nancy Reye's Schools

• Wayne St. U. School of Medicine , Class of 1998 MD in Medicine

Nancy Reye's Publications

• The Humane Society of the United States November, 2010 by Nancy Reye Many know The Humane Society of the United States as the largest and most prominent animal protection agency in the nation. The Humane Society works to reduce the suffering of animals by investigating cases of animal cruelty, advocating for animal protection laws, and providing care and shelter for abandoned or wounded animals. Many people in search of animal companions choose to adopt one from the Humane Society. In addition to providing its ongoing and extremely effective endeavors to aid animals, the Humane Society takes part in equally important, if less well-known, efforts to rescue and improve the lives of all animals on the planet. In one example of the organization’s commitment to animal protection, The Humane Society filed a federal lawsuit to protect critical habitat for North American right whales in conjunction with Defenders of Wildlife, the Center for Biological Diversity, and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society. The successful suit resulted in a revision of the current standards affecting the whales’ habitats by the National Marine Fisheries Service. The right whale is an endangered species, and existing habitats where the whales may feed and give birth safely are crucial to their ultimate survival. The population of these whales currently stands at a mere 400, making each whale invaluable. The recent decision will limit dangerous activities, including oil drilling and shipping, which pose extreme hazards to the whales. In lauding the decision and speaking eloquently of the urgency to provide full protection for these magnificent and important creatures, Regina Asmutis-Silvia, Senior Biologist for the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, said, “Current Critical Habitat boundaries are akin to protecting our children in certain areas of their schools and specific rooms in their homes with no protection for them as they move between home and school.” The Humane Society depends on the generosity of its many dedicated donors to carry on its lifesaving work.

• Reducing Inflammation Through Diet, by Dr. Nancy Reye December, 2010 [CC-by-sa karimian] Dr. Nancy Reye frequently talks to her patients about the role of nutrition in the prevention of illness and the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Below, Dr. Nancy Reye offers some advice on choosing foods that minimize inflammation and can reduce the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and other common inflammatory conditions. The simplest anti-inflammatory diet advice consists of avoiding refined foods. The more highly processed a food, the more likely it is to cause inflammation. There are several reasons why this rule holds true. First, processed and refined foods like white bread, fast food, and instant oatmeal have had many of their natural components stripped out in order to increase shelf life. Consequently, these foods concentrate sugars, arachidonic acid, trans fats, and saturated fates, all of which have been linked to increased inflammation. Second, processed foods often contain many chemical preservatives that the human body has simply not evolved to digest. When your body sees these chemicals, it can react with an inflammatory response. From these basic principles, many specific rules can be derived. For example, avoiding sugar will reduce inflammation. Substituting white bread and rice for their whole-grain alternatives will also reduce inflammation, as will increasing the proportion of vegetables in the diet. Eat raw vegetables and other minimally prepared foods as much as possible, and avoid cooking techniques that substantially alter the molecular state of the food, such as deep-frying. Another way to reduce inflammation through diet is to emphasize foods high in omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon, herring, tuna, sardines and other oily, cold-water fish are high in omega-3s. Naturally raised meats also have a relatively high omega-3 content; look for meats labeled “100% grass fed,” “pasture raised,” or “grain-free diet.” The inverse rule also prevents inflammation: Reduce intake of inflammatory omega-6 and omega-9 fats. These inflammatory fats can be found in corn, soybean, and canola oil, as well as in commercially raised meats. To learn more about diet and inflammation, talk to your doctor.

• National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation December, 2010 by Nancy Reye As a family practice physician I am passionate about keeping children healthy and happy. Among my philanthropic commitments, in this vein, is the National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation for which I have served as regional coordinator for Southeastern Michigan. Occurring almost only in children, Reye’s Syndrome is an inflammatory disease often associated with early exposure to aspirin. The National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation dedicates its efforts to generating awareness among the general population regarding risks connected to aspirin usage, the symptoms of the syndrome’s onset, and available treatments. The foundation also provides afflicted families with support and guidance as they cope with the experiences of the disease and contributes to research activities exploring the cause, prevention, and treatment of Reye’s Syndrome. A team of eight medical scientists from Canada and the United States comprise the Scientific Advisory Board of the National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation. Together, these scientists manage and organize the foundation’s many awareness, support, and research enterprises. Since its inception in 1974, the National Reye’s Foundation has successfully realized a multitude of awareness campaigns. The foundation’s award-winning documentary, Reye’s Syndrome: A Real and Present Danger, is available to the general public on its website. A medical DVD created specifically for and available only to medical professionals, Reye Syndrome and its Mimickers, provides health care experts with critical information about the disease. Dick Van Dyke aided the foundation in its promotional endeavors as national spokesperson of television and radio public service announcements for the foundation. Every year the foundation distributes informative brochures and materials to schools across the United States so that educators may effectively alert parents and children about the risks of taking aspirin. Additional information about Reye’s Syndrome can be found at www.reyessyndrome.org. This website also provides a breadth of materials for parents and teachers as well as medical professionals.

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