Group to host free lecture on inflammation
Community members can take advantage of a chance to learn more about inflammation at an upcoming, free lecture to be hosted by the Yuma Friends of the University of Arizona (UA) Health Sciences.
The presentation, titled “Inflammation: Friend or Foe,” is to be presented by Mary Marian who is currently the director of the Didactic Program in Dietetics and assistant professor of practice of the Department of Nutritional Sciences at UA.
According to a UA of Health sciences news release, she is also a faculty member of the UA Center for Integrative Medicine and the nutritionist/dietician for Arizona Oncology Associates.
Marian’s presentation will take place on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Goodwill Yuma Career Center, 3097 S. Eighth Ave.
The role of lifestyle and nutrition to combat inflammation and reduce the risks of developing disease or for managing chronic disease will be discussed by Marian at the presentation, the UA news release showed.
While inflammation is an important part of the body’s immune response, it is also part of the body’s attempt to heal itself after injury — a defense against viruses and bacteria and to repair damaged tissue.
It is noted in the release that inflammation plays a role in some chronic diseases. Acute inflammation is shown to arise after a cut or scrape in the skin, a sprained ankle, a sore throat, or other conditions causing tissue damage and is short term.
In contrast, chronic inflammation is long-term and occurs in wear-and-tear conditions such as osteoarthritis, autoimmune diseases (such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis), allergies and asthma, the release stated.
Marian’s biography showed that she has been “widely published” and has give numerous presentations nationally and internationally.
Her biography stated she has served on various committees for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as well as the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN).
Marian has been the chair for Dietitians in Nutrition Support and served on the board of directors for ASPEN. She has also received numerous honors and awards including the Excellence in Clinical Practice from the American Dietetics Association.
Back in 2014, she received the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Medallion Award. In addition, her biography showed she is associate editor for Nutrition in Clinical Practice, the journal published by the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, and has served as lead editor for several books, including “Integrating Therapeutic and Complementary Nutrition.”