Optimizing overall health to manage liver disease
Conventional medicine can offer liver patients the very latest in medications, surgeries and interventional procedures to treat liver conditions. However, preventing liver disease can be very challenging. Integrative hepatology uses both conventional medicine and complementary approaches like diet and exercise to help prevent or manage liver disease and to help optimize liver health, wellness and vitality. It focuses on the whole person, not just symptoms, for improved and long-lasting outcomes.
Integrative Hepatology is an innovative field that combines traditional hepatology practice with evidence-based complementary and alternative healing practices to enhance the well-being of individuals living with liver disease. This holistic approach not only addresses liver health but also promotes overall well-being.
Dr. Lai
Dr. Lai, a board-certified hepatologist and a physician nutrition specialist, leverages her expertise and affiliation with the Osher Collaborative for Integrative Health to lead this discipline. Her methodology incorporates nutrition, mind-body therapies, and traditional healing systems, such as acupuncture, to complement conventional hepatology care and improve patient outcomes. “As I reflect on my journey in medicine, I’m driven by a profound question: How can I enhance the care I provide to my patients? With years of experience as a physician-scientist, I’ve seen firsthand the powerful impact of combining conventional care with holistic approaches – integrating nutrition, mind-body therapies, and traditional healing practices into patient care.” Dr. Jennifer C. Lai, MD, MBA, PNS.