Restoration Ecology: Applications for Human Health Care
Dianne Watkins, P.O.W.E.R. HaltonOctober 13, 2012
OUTLINE
introduction
overview
summary
acknowledgements
works cited
in-depth: defining ‘pristine’ or healthy
reference condition approach
restoration
monitoring
caveat
Q&A
1992
2010
2010
introduction...UN convention on biological diversity
introduction2011-2012 strategic plan; Aichi targets
CBD, 2010
www.mainstreambiodiversity.c a
introductionmainstreaming biodiversity
introductionmainstreaming message
Miller, 2012
introductionstaying on message: love, not loss
Futerra, 2010
“Ecosystems and human health and well-being are interconnected...” (MEA, 2005)
introductionbiodiversity, human health and well-being
reference condition approach
indicators
coarse- and fine-filter approach
restoration
monitoring
overviewecosystem restoration and human health
assessment
reference condition approachassessment: disturbed vs pristine ecosystems
coarse vs fine-filter approachsystems, or species?
ecological indicatorsecosystem nutrient cycles
ecological indicatorsnutrient deficiency
lettuce: nitrogen sufficiency and deficitcorn: magnesium deficit
corn: zinc deficit and sufficiency
corn: H2 O, Mg, N, K & P deficits, sufficiency
ecological indicatorsinvasive species and nutrient cycling
“The invasive species Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) increases soil nutrient availability... plots invaded by A. Petiolata were consistently and
significantly higher in N, P, Ca and Mg availability, and soil pH...
...The results presented here... suggest that this invasive plant may change soil nutrient availability in such a way as to create a positive feedback
between site occupancy and continued proliferation....” (Rodgers et al, 2008)
restoration & monitoringterrestrial ecosystems
“Invasive species can influence nutrient cycling processes...” (Ehrenfeld, 2003)
ecological indicatorshuman nutrient cycles
ecological indicatorshuman nutrient deficiency
“...vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) is associated with history of an unrelenting search for the cause of the ancient hemorrhagic disease scurvy....” (Iqbal et al, 2004)
... Ascorbic acid deficiency has been shown to be a conditioning factor in the development of gingivitis. When humans are placed on ascorbic acid deficient diets there is increased edema, redness
and swelling of the gingiva...” (Nakamoto et al, 1986)
restoration & monitoringhuman ecosystems
in-depthrestoration for human health care
reference condition approach
indicators
coarse- and fine-filter approach
restoration
monitoring
assessment
health and disease
vitamin C
vitamin Avitamin D
vitamin E
magnesium
SELENIUM
zinc
fatty acids
Cu:Zn
O6:O3
in-depthassessing human ecosystems
health? disease?
in-depththe problem:
what is ‘deficient’?
what is ‘normal’?
what is ‘optimal’?
what is ‘excess’?
in-depthresearch reference (‘normal’) values
values collected from a large, apparently healthy population
in-depthlaboratory reference (‘normal’) values
values collected from a potentially smaller, less healthy population
11.5 18.5
8.6 18.5
10 20
9 14
research range
lab range (deficiency outlier)
lab range (>reference)
lab range (<reference)(infectious disease clinic)
in-depthcomparing reference (‘normal’) values
in-depthin search of ‘healthy’
most people
question: are most ‘apparently healthy’ people actually in ‘optimal’ condition?
A B C D
patients 8 7 2 10
controls
in-depthhealth and disease studies:
patients vs ‘healthy controls’
8 8 8 8
in-depthresearch ‘healthy control’ values
meta-analysis: replicated values collected from multiple healthy populations
headache
fatigue
IRRITABILITY
tics
depression
SPASMS
cramps
Mganxiety
in-depthindicator: magnesium
Cardiovascular
disease
tetanyinsulin resistance
hypokalemia
dementia
elevated triglycerides
immune system
virusesBACTERIA‘leaky gut’BLOATINGCONCENTRATION
libido
Zn
fertility
in-depth
prostate cancer
liver cirrhosis
birth defects
allergy
multiple sclerosis
BREAST CANCER
indicator: zinc
Mg 0.70 1.10(mmol/L)
most people sampled
in-depthtarget indicator values
‘normal’ vs healthy
Zn 11.5 18.5(umol/L)
most people sampled
in-depthtarget indicator values
‘normal’ vs healthy
in-depthtarget indicator values
health and disease spectrum
Zn(µmol/L)
11.5 12.6 13.6 36.25.85.6chronic
liver
disease
MS healthy controls
zinc toxicityadvanced breast cancer
persistent
diarrhoea
9.8T1DM
10.5T2DM
18.5
research reference range
17.6
Adapted from Gusau et al, 1990; Bitarakwate et al, 2003;
Al‐Maroof & Al‐Sharbatti (2006);
Palm & Hallmans, 1982; Gupta et al, 1991; ...
D3 20 >100(nmol/L)
50 80rickets
osteoporosisosteomalacia
reduce risk of immune disease
>250hypercalcemia
in-depthtarget indicator values
bone health
health and disease spectrum
in-depthtarget indicator values
five indicators in health and disease
in-depthtarget indicator values
in context of the ‘normal’ range
restorationdiet
whole
diverse
nutrient-dense
rich in omega-3s
anti-inflammatory (overall)
low glycemic index
restorationinteractions
food pairing
manage anti-nutrients(e.g. phytate, gluten, oxalate, lectin)
e.g. improve iron absorption via foods rich in vitamin C...
Heme and non- heme iron sources
Vitamin C-rich peppers, citrus
Boiling off phytate, oxalate
Soaking, boiling or sprouting grain, legumes
manage/avoidexcessive loss
Hydrate, avoid athletic nutrient depletion
Avoid or minimize tobacco, alcohol
restorationsupplements
quality food comes first
choose the most bioavailable forms
high quality multivitamin/mineral
pay close attention to dosage
optimize absorption through timing
guard against toxicity
recommended amounts may be low
monitoringbloodwork
(doctor, naturopath)
request personal copy of results
washout period prior to testing
evaluate/adjust regimen
request lab requisition
assess costs; check coverage
follow-up
keys to successEcosystems People
Understand general processes and
unique site‐specific circumstances
Document symptoms, timing.
Assess a sample 3‐day diet diary.
Understand site /public
/stakeholder context
Consider family history. Social
and/or professional support highly
variable from patient to patient.
Select goals that are: specific,
achievable, measurable,
understandable, flexible
Serum values of nutrients are
widely tested in research. Targets
are generally easy to achieve,
measure and understand.
Conduct long‐term monitoring
and evaluation
Do regular blood work, document
changes in function/symptoms,
adapt regimen if/as needed.
Conduct more in‐depth
investigations when needed.
summary
in-depth: defining ‘pristine’ or healthy
reference condition approach
restoration
monitoring
“Ecosystem restoration ... is generally far costlier than
protecting the original ecosystem... it is rare that all
of the biodiversity and services of a system can be restored...” (MEA, 2005)
“A stitch in time may save nine...” (Fuller, 1732)
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...”
(Franklin, 1735)
Restoration ecology and mainstream human health care in Canada are typically reactive approaches.
By employing proactive approaches to human and ecosystem health, better outcomes can potentially be achieved for all.
caveat
works cited...Al‐Maroof RA & SS Al‐Sharbatti (2006). Serum zinc levels in diabetic patients and effect of zinc supplementation on
glycemic control of type 2 diabetics. SAUDI MEDICAL JOURNAL 27(3):344‐350 Retrieved from URL
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16532095
Bitarakwate E, Mworozi E & A Kekitiinwa (2003). Serum zinc status of children with persistent diarrhoea admitted
to the diarrhoea management unit of Mulago Hospital, Uganda. AFRICAN HEALTH SCIENCES 3(2):54‐60.
Retrieved from URL http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2141599/
Convention on Biological Diversity. (2010). Strategic plan for biodiversity 2011‐2020 and the Aichi Targets.
Retrieved from URL http://www.cbd.int/doc/strategic‐plan/2011‐2020/Aichi‐Targets‐EN.pdf
Ehrenfeld, JG (2003). Effects of Exotic Plant Invasions on Soil Nutrient Cycling Processes. ECOSYSTEMS
2003(6):503–
523 http://www.falw.vu.nl/en/images/ehrenfeld_tcm24‐80025.pdf
Futerra Sustainability Communications. (2010). Branding Biodiversity: A New Nature Message. Retrieved from URL
http://www.futerra.co.uk/downloads/Branding_Biodiversity.pdf
Gupta SK, Shukla VK, Vaidya MP et al (1991). Serum trace elements and Cu/Zn ratio in breast cancer patients.
JOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY 46(3):178‐81. Retrieved from URL
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2011029
Gusau KA, Elegbede JA, Idoko JA et al (1990). Zinc status is chronic liver disease; studies in Nigerian patients. WEST
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE 9(4):245‐51. Retrieved from URL
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2083200
Iqbal K, Khan A & M Khattak(2004) Biological Significance of Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) in Human Health – A Review.
PAKISTAN JOURNAL OF NUTRITION
3(1): 5‐13. Retrieved from URL http://pjbs.org/pjnonline/fin170.pdf
Liebscher, D‐H & Liebscher, D‐E. (2004) About the Misdiagnosis of Magnesium Deficiency. JOURNAL OF THE
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF NUTRITION
23(6):730S–731S. Retrieved from URL
http://www.jacn.org/content/23/6/730S.full.pdf
...works citedMillennium Ecosystem Assessment. (2005). Biodiversity Synthesis
Report. Retrieved from URL
http://maweb.org/documents/document.354.aspx.pdf
Miller, G. (2012). Biodiversity: A Nation's Commitment, An Obligation for Ontario. Environmental Commissioner of
Ontario Special Report. Retrieved from URL http://www.eco.on.ca/uploads/Reports‐special/2012‐
Biodiversity/Biodiversity‐A‐Nations‐Commitment‐An‐Obligation‐for‐Ontario.pdf
Nakamoto T, McCroskey M, Mallek HM (1984). The role of ascorbic acid deficiency in human gingivitis‐‐a new
hypothesis. JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL BIOLOGY 108(2):163‐71. Retrieved from URL http://
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6748685
Palm, R and G Hallmans (1982). Zinc and copper in multiple sclerosis. JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, NEUROSURGERY
AND PSYCHIATRY
45:691‐698. Retrieved from URL
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1083158/pdf/jnnpsyc00052‐0029.pdf
Rodgers, VL, Wolfe BE, Werden LK et al (2008). The invasive species Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) increases soil
nutrient availability in northern hardwood‐conifer forests. OECOLOGIA 157(3):459‐71. Retrieved from URL
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18612654
acknowledgementsacknowledgementsDr. Stephen Murphy, University of Waterloo
Krista Blackborow, Environment Canada
Leslie Adams, Protect Our Water and Environment Resources (P.O.W.E.R) Halton
Lindsey Jennings, Credit Valley Conservation
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed
scholar.google.ca
www.nutritiondata.com
www.whfoods.com
...and many more!
Thank you.
COMMENTS/QUESTIONS?
Dianne Watkins
P.O.W.E.R. HaltonHalton-Peel BioDiversity Network
biodiversity :: _ : powerhalton.ca