NMCD--what's in it for you?

Have you checked out the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (NMCD) lately? NMCD provides unbiased, scientific clinical information on complementary, alternative, and integrative therapies. And the best part for SCAN members is that access is free, one of many SCAN member benefits.

Today I put in the search term: omega-3. As you can see from the screenshot below there is a full monograph that summarizes safety, effectiveness, mechanism of action, etc. and a reference list.

If you are a SCAN member, it is easy to access the NMCD. Here are the instructions:

Login as a member to the SCAN website (http://www.scandpg.org/)

Under Nutrition Info, click on Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (in the pulldown menu or near the bottom of the column on the left hand side of the page)

Click on the NMCD icon

You should be automatically logged in. You will know you are logged in by looking at the top upper left corner. Next to Home, it should say Logout (meaning you are currently logged in).

Many of you have a lot more experience with the NMCD than I do. Please post any tips or suggestions so we can all learn more. Best, Marie

Marie Dunford, PhD, RD

SCAN's volunteer Web Editor

A Resource for Educators

Need a resource for teaching students about evaluating dietary supplements or how to organize, plan, and present a heart healthy culinary demonstration? SCAN can help.

SCAN's webinars have been popular and some educators have asked about showing some of the webinars in their classrooms. There are currently two Educators versions of webinars available for purchase:

Be Supplement Smart (http://www.scandpg.org/store/products/10087/)

The Registered Dietitian's Heart Healthy Culinary Kit (http://www.scandpg.org/store/products/10090/).

The Educators version allows for unrestricted access to the files for educational purposes (no commercial use is permitted). The files are available as both a QuickTime Video file and a Window Media file for use with both Macs and PCs. Any handouts, such as powerpoint slides or other resources, are included and may be copied and distributed to the viewing audience.

Videos add another dimension to a classroom presentation and are a life saver if the faculty member needs to be away to attend a conference or is ill (let's hope not, but it does happen sometimes). When I was a faculty member I always tried to make it as easy as possible for one of my colleagues to "cover" my classes while I was away at a conference. These are resources I wish I had had. Best, Marie

Marie Dunford, PhD, RD

SCAN's volunteer web editor