|
Greetings!
'  Flaming June' is nearly out - and surely there is something wrong - no mud at Glastonbury - no rain at Wimbledon and the glorious weather looks set to continue. We're all fired up and inspired here too - we've found loads of really fascinating news for you - the very latest in complementary and conventional medicine. Do enjoy these and let us have your feedback. Best wishes!
Jayney
President, Complementary Medical Association |
|
Have Your Say!
 Have your say here (Click to vote) Do YOU think the current attacks on Complementary Medicine in the media are detrimental to our profession?
In the last survey we asked you:
Do you think Swine flu is still a major threat?
|
"Acupuncture" Gold treatment relieves joint pain in dogs
 Recent research from Norway indicates that gold implants around the joints (hip) of dogs who suffer from severe chronic joint pain (through dysplasia) can relieve pain and lessen stiffness for several years.
Gold has been used to treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis in humans until quite recently, with 'gold shots'. These weekly injections fell out of favour because of the potential side effects - and because no-one could ever work out how they actually worked. Recent research has lead to a new interest in the use of gold as a medical treatment. (See With Our Complements; The Journal of The Complementary Medical Association: Autumn 2008). Click here to read more and for references |
|
The power of prayer?
 There have been various studies in recent years on the Power of Prayer in healing the sick. Several studies have been published which show positive conclusions.
A recent review of medical studies on the power of prayer as a healing tool by Wendy Cadge, a sociologist at Brandeis University, in the 'Journal of Religion' concludes that the studies are extensively motivated by the beliefs of the individuals undertaking them - and implies that the results of each study reflect these beliefs. Click here to read more and for references |
|
High doses of vitamins 'work'; low 'recommended' doses don't!
 In response to what they see as an 'anti-vitamin' media campaign in the US which follows on from the much talked about JAMA study, the Orthomolecular Medicine News Service has started to push for a greater understanding of exactly how beneficial vitamin supplementation, when taken at the 'right' levels is and what a crucial branch of Nutrition science it accounts for.
They point out that thousands of research studies exist on this topic - all of which prove that vitamins do help prevent - and treat - a whole range of serious disease from cancer to heart disease - WHEN THEY ARE DELIVERED IN HIGH DOSES.
|
|
Heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke: How to differentiate between these - and when to refer
 Given the current high temperatures that we are experiencing - and with the thermometer set to rise yet again this week - it is useful to be able to spot the difference between three heat related syndromes - and to know what to do about these - right away: Heat cramps are painful, brief muscle cramps that occur during exercise or work in a hot environment. The cramps are usually felt in the calves, thighs, abdomen or shoulders.
Heat exhaustion occurs when the body is not able to maintain normal functions because of the excessive loss of body fluids and salts. In effect, the body is trying to protect itself from a greater rise in body temperature. The symptoms include: heavy sweating, intense thirst, dizziness, nausea and a weak or rapid pulse.
Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency. It is the result of the body's inability to regulate its core temperature. As the body's water and salt supplies dwindle, its temperature rises to extreme levels. The symptoms include: a very high body temperature above 104 degrees (although heat stroke can occur at lower body temperatures), disorientation, confusion or coma. The skin may be hot and dry or sweaty.
To prevent all of the above syndromes:
-- Stay cool
-- Drink plenty of water
-- Drink water throughout the day, even if you think you aren't thirsty
-- Avoid alcohol and caffeine containing drinks - they are dehydrating
-- If you are unable to drink sufficient fluids because you have nausea or are vomiting, seek medical treament immediatley
If someone you are with becomes confused or disoriented, call 999 for help immediately.
|
How Hypnosis Works: the Scientific Evidence
 The effects of hypnosis are well reported, but a new scientific study in the journal Neuron (published by Cell Press, 25th June 2009), looks at how the hypnotic process actually works inside our brains. Researchers at the University of Geneva's Neuroscience Centre and Medical School studied the effect of hypnotic suggestion ("Your left hand is paralysed") on various areas of their test subjects' brains with the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging. Click here to read more |
|
A 'Ban' on the painkiller Co-proxamol in the UK has cut suicides
There have been concerns for a number of years over the prescription of Co-proxamol as a painkiller, in the UK, as its availability in the home was considered to be a 'suicide' risk.
In 2003 a paper entitled: Co-proxamol and suicide: a study of national mortality statistics and local non-fatal self poisonings undertaken by Keith Hawton, Professor of Psychiatry at The Centre for Suicide Research at the University of Oxford Department of Psychiatry and Sue Simkin, and Jonathan Deeks, from the Centre for Statistics in Medicine at the Institute of Health Sciences, was published in the BMJ.
It reviewed suicide statistics from 1997 to 1999 in the UK and concluded that Co-proxamol alone was responsible for around 18% of all suicides - as, almost, 'the drug of choice'.
|
A New Option for Crohn's Disease
 Crohn's disease causes constantly inflamed intestines that can be a life changing condition. It is still unknown what causes it, though it is currently believed that the immune system is responsible for attacking the intestines. It is also known that diet can affect the severity of symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. Typically, Crohn's causes ulcers in the intestines that can eventually lead to more severe conditions such as obstruction of the small intestine and bacterial infection of surrounding organs. Crohn's disease has similar symptoms and probably causes to other gastrointestinal conditions such as ulcerative colitis, both are inflammatory bowel diseases. Conventional drugs often have side effects - but there safe, effective answers in complementary medicine. Click here to read full article and for references |
|
New Breakthrough for Rheumatoid Arthritis
 A signal molecule made by the human body that triggers the immune system into action may be important in rheumatoid arthritis, according to new research published today in Nature Medicine. The authors of the study, from Imperial College London, say that if scientists could block this signal, it may be possible to develop more effective arthritis treatments.
Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common autoimmune disease, affecting around 1 in 100 people. It causes painful and persistent swelling in the joints that can result in damage to the bone and cartilage. Around half of all patients do not respond to one or more of the treatments currently available, and even these can become less successful over time. The researchers behind the new study say stopping the disease closer to the root of the problem could be the best way to treat it, and their results suggest a new target for therapies.
When a microbe infects the body, the body responds by turning on a molecular switch to set the immune system into action and protect the body from disease. Today's findings show that a signal molecule called tenascin-C can trigger the same molecular switch and also activate the immune system. Read the Full Story Here |
 A potential advance for the natural treatment of Alzheimer'sA food that has been eaten in Japan for centuries is now being heralded for its medical properties - especially in removing dangerous fibres from the brain - that are linked to diseases like Alzheimer's.
Natto consists of fermented soy beans and most people are put off by its 'pungent' and sticky texture. Advocates love it, not just for its unusual flavor and texture, but for its health benefits as well. Natto is full of a special 'long lasting' variety of vitamin K - MK-7, which is mixed with certain kinds of bacteria when it is fermented (Bacillus natto) which helps produce a range of amino acids, vitamins, antibiotics and enzymes.
The latest research on Natto just in from Taiwan (Hsu RL et al. 2009) indicate its ability to help prevent heart attacks and strokes, through its ability to prevent, or 'resolve' blood clots.
The latest results also indicate that enzymes from Natto may be even more beneficial for us - as they appear to break down part of the beta-amyloid plaque deposits that form in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. These deposits are associated with the increased brain cell damage and destruction - from oxidative stress from free radicals that occurs in Alzheimers. (The researchers believe Natto degrades the fibrils of amyloid protein that are part of this beta-amyloid plaque involved in this disease). Click Here for Sources and Further Reading |
The Possible Roles Of Solar Ultraviolet-B Radiation And Vitamin D In Reducing Case-Fatality Rates From The 1918-1919 Influenza Pandemic In EU
 Circa 50 million people died of H1N1 influenza in the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic. Many of these deaths were from ensueing bacterial pneumonia rather than directly from the viral infection. The United States Public Health Service conducted surveys in twelve cities and rural areas of the country in late 1918 to early 1919 to determine the case-fatality rate in each city or area.Overall there were 675000 deaths. Case-fatality rates varied from 0.78 deaths/100 cases in San Antonio, Texas to 3.14 deaths/100 cases in New London, Connecticut. The strong variation with location suggested that solar ultraviolet-B (UVB) irradiance, through production of vitamin D, reduced the risk of death following infection by this pandemic influenza. Click Here to read more |
|
Swine Flu raises a number of crucial issues for Complementary Medicine
 Key:
Deaths
Confirmed cases
Unconfirmed or suspected cases
With the current spread of Swine Flu - now upgraded to an official 'pandemic' - in this opinion piece, Dave Hawkins raises a number of issues and questions for complementary medicine to face - and for all practitioners to consider. You can read the full story here. |
|
Four 30 second bursts of intense exercise every few days dramatically cuts the risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease
 The health benefits of short, intense physical activity for reducing the risks of diabetes in later life have been studied at Heriot-Watt University. James Timmons, professor of exercise biology has studied the effects of quick exercise. In his study, published in the journal BMC Endocrine Disorders 16 men were put through a short, intense period of exercise three times a week for two weeks. All they did was a 30 second 'flat-out' sprint four times at each exercise period - with a few minutes rest in between.
At the end of the two week period he found a 23% improvement in insulin function. His study looks at the way our bodies break down the glycogen that it stores. Glycogen is stored in muscles which is where it should be, but when it gets free into our blood system it can cause damage.
Timmons said that we should think about diabetes as being "glucose circulating in the blood rather than stored in the muscles where it should be".
Normal exercise allows our bodies to oxidise glycogen, but it doesn't deplete the stores of glycogen in our muscles. When we deplete these stores our muscles have to take the glycogen they need from our blood.
"The only way to get to this glycogen is through very intense contractions of the muscles. If we can get people in their 20s, 30s and 40s doing these exercises twice a week then it could have a very dramatic effect on the future prevalence of diabetes."
So it is possible to gain significant health benefits without having to do the 30 minutes a day that is currently recommended. "Only 7.5 minutes of exercise each week -- if that is all that you find the time to do, is all you need", says. Timmons.
|
|
 Free Pack Offer
|
CMA Newsletter Readers Special Offer:
Buy 2 AloeRide packs - get one FREE!
Use it for patient-remedy testing or try it out yourself.
|
| Offer Expires: 31st July 2009 |
| Save £30! |
Developing YOUR Professional Practice Workshop
 This all-day event is hugely successful and sells out very quickly. Many new dates coming up.
Places are limited so call us on 0845 129 8434 to find out when the next event is and reserve your place.
Readers of this e-newsletter get a£30.00 discount off usual £120.00 fee.
Find out how the "Middle Aged Simplifiers" can help you grow your practice - profitably. See Jayney Goddard's article in the next edition of "CAM" Magazine. |
| *Remember to quote CMA Newsletter Special Offer | |
Natto Sources and Further Reading
Hsu RL, Lee KT, Wang JH, Lee LY, Chen RP. Amyloid-degrading ability of nattokinase from Bacillus subtilis natto. J Agric Food Chem. 2009 Jan 28;57(2):503-8.
Ko JH, Yan JP, Zhu L, Qi YP. Identification of two novel fibrinolytic enzymes from Bacillus subtilis QK02. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol. 2004 Jan;137(1):65-74.
Peng Y, Yang X, Zhang Y. Microbial fibrinolytic enzymes: an overview of source, production, properties, and thrombolytic activity in vivo. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2005 Nov;69(2):126-32. Epub 2005 Nov 12. Review.
Schurgers LJ, Teunissen KJ, Hamulyák K, Knapen MH, Vik H, Vermeer C. Vitamin K-containing dietary supplements: comparison of synthetic vitamin K1 and natto-derived menaquinone-7. Blood. 2007 Apr 15;109(8):3279-83. Epub 2006 Dec 7.
Taniguchi A, Yamanaka-Okumura H, Nishida Y, Yamamoto H, Taketani Y, Takeda E. Natto and viscous vegetables in a Japanese style meal suppress postprandial glucose and insulin responses. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2008;17(4):663-8. |
Co-proxamol continued
This study also pointed out that other pain killer drugs which were as effective, if not more so, than Co-proxamol, were available.
Following this study, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency in the UK announced in 2005, that Co-proxamol was being withdrawn and that it would have its drug licence fully revoked by 2007 and instructed doctors to switch patients to the other painkilling drugs available.
Since it has been withdrawn a follow-up study just published by the Hawton, et al, in the BMJ, has shown that this has been responsible for a reduction in the number of suicides and accidental deaths in England and Wales of 350.
(Doctors can still prescribe Co-proxamol, but on a "named patient" basis for patients they believe really need it, but they must do so - at their own risk - as it is unlicenced (over 380,000 prescriptions in 2008).
Over the period 2005 to 2007 prescribing of the drug fell 59% and deaths from Co-proxamol fell by 62%.
And the replacement of Co-proxamol by other painkillers had not simply switched the drug used for suicide to these other drugs, it had not been 'replaced' by these and the reduction is seen as a genuine cut in the number of suicides in the UK.
(The drug is still available in other countries, e.g. the US).
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/338/jun18_2/b2270 |
High doses of vitamins work - continued
By the same token, they admit that vitamin supplementation at low levels (as recommended by Governments) doesn't work - and any research studies based on these low levels of vitamin supplementation are almost certainly bound to fail.
Top cardiologist Thomas Levy, M.D says, "The three most important considerations in effective vitamin C therapy are dose, dose, and dose. If you don't take enough, you won't get the desired effects."
And when they talk about High Doses, they are effectively talking about levels that are "hundreds of times more than the US Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) or Daily Reference Intake (DRI)".
They say that these official levels are set extremely low because various 'experts' in the US and in the UK, have been concerned about potential toxicity from higher dosage levels. The often stated view that 'high doses of vitamins are not safe', is, they say a myth.
The official statistics in the US over the last 25 years show that there has not even been a single death from vitamin supplementation, despite the fact that around 50% of the US population take vitamin supplements every day.
Taken from an article in With Our Complements; The Journal of The CMA (Summer 2009 edition) http://www.orthomolecular.org |
Swine Flue Issues For Practitioners to Consider [cont'd]
 ISSUE 1
LIARS, FAKERS AND THIEVES? In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has started to order various websites to stop making "fraudulent" claims about specific products as 'Swine Flu treatments'. This is part of its strategy to identify and investigate individuals and businesses that wrongfully purport to promote products to prevent, or treat Swine Flu - and to take regulatory, or criminal action against them. This is seen by them as a move against all 'scams' for fake swine flu treatments and protective devices. As a result of this, a number of natural product and CAM sector associations in the States have gathered together to issue a warning to retailers not to stock or sell supplements that make these kind of claims. This 'edict' covered dietary supplements - as this group claimed they were "unaware of any scientific data supporting their use to treat swine flu". They did accept that a number of dietary supplements exist that "have much to offer in terms of enhancing general immune function." Now while most people will applaud any efforts to prevent individuals and companies that try to sell 'unproven' treatments, or products to 'unwitting consumers', especially at times when they may be uncertain what to do in times of panic over potential health threats, we do need to consider what this current 'stand' looks like to ordinary people. It looks as if all those "con-men", "fakers" and "alternative health gurus" have been "brought under control", doesn't it? It looks like a crackdown on Alternative Medical "quacks" and "snake oil" salesmen. The problem is that everyone is tarred with the same brush. Shouldn't someone be speaking up for legitimate Complementary Medical, Integrative Medical and Natural HealthCare professionals in this time of potential 'crisis', rather than standing back and watching what's going on, from the sidelines? Bad things happen when the good simply keep silent and watch? It's worth noting that amongst the many 'dodgy' products from these false prophets, one of the identified 'scams' concerns sophisticated (anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal etc.) UV light devices - identified as one of the products being sold that are "patently fake". Despite years of scientific research on the efficacy of UV light (especially from Eastern Europe) in killing viruses, it appears that the FDA can simply state 'facts' like these to support its crackdown on these supposed 'snake oil' salesmen. While the specific claims made for this particular UV light were certainly misleading ("the only air purifier on the market that can protect you from a sneeze anywhere in the room"), the way it has been reported may affect the sales and use of legitmate - scientifically proven UV light decontamination devices for the next decade. If the FDA have got it so very wrong about UV light devices, what other complementary medical therapies and natural healthcare treatments might the FDA lump into this Anti-Scam campaign? So if the FDA regards complementary medical and natural healthcare approaches to be nothing more than scams because they allegedly don't work - will the FDA prosecute 'Big Pharma'?
Governments world-wide are telling their doctors to prescribe Tamiflu - 'because it works' Will the FDA look at the US Government whose 'anti-flu' stockpile is made up of 80% Tamiflu? (What about our government here? - Or are they too busy dealing with yet more fallout from the 'expenses scandel?) Will other Health Regulatory bodies around the world start to look at their Governments, who have been stocking up on Tamiflu - and are now starting to distribute it as a swine flu treatment? We were told that resistance to Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) was rarely seen. Various laboratory studies suggested viruses that acquired Tamiflu-resistance would be weakened and, they hypothesized, consequentially less able to spread from person to person. But all that changed at the end of 2008, when the WHO tested Tamiflu on strains of H1N1 from various countries from around the world. Shockingly, 95% per cent of all H1N1 viruses tested worldwide, are resistant to Tamiflu. The earlier tests for the November - December period of 2008 showed almost 100% resistance to the effects of Tamiflu. Since then, in March 2009 (Dec - Jan 2009 data), the WHO issued another Official Report on Tamiflu resistance. It sampled H1N1 flu viruses from 30 countries - and found that there was almost TOTAL resistance to Tamiflu: 95% resistance (98% UK: 98% US; 100% Canada; 100% France; etc with China at just 14% (You have to consider that there may be an under-reporting issue from China)). So, Governments and Health Officials have known about the 'total' ineffectiveness of Tamiflu for a while. And, most people might infer from this that Tamiflu patently does not work against swine flu? And yet our Governments and Health Authorities continue to buy - and recommend it! Isn't that immoral? Shouldn't it be illegal? Will the FDA crack down on this multi-billion dollar 'hoax'? Perhaps ex- Secretary of State - Donald Rumsfeld could oversee an enquiry - unless he had to recuse himself due to a conflict of interests, as he is a shareholder in Roche? No 'effective Swine Flu vaccine' until September at the earliest? To be fair, despite their overt actions, the WHO and the UK and US Governments have always said that a Swine Flu Vaccine won't be ready until September: In light of this some commentators are asking the question of why there has been such urgency to make sure that everyone had access to a treatment (Tamiflu) that they know will NOT be an effective treatment against swine flu? http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread459275/pg1 While many commentators then go on to develop sinister conspiracy theories, the question is still a valid one. Perhaps the FDA's aggressive campaign will provide answers if it investigates Gilead/Roche and its distributors - which are various National Governments and Health Authorities? In the early days of this Swine Flu epidemic anecdotal evidence of the ineffectiveness of the anti-viral treatments did start to emerge on the internet, and interestingly - this information came from doctors in Mexico - who were faced with dying patients. ( http://www.nowpublic.com/health/eight-cases-swine-flu-queens-new-york)
ISSUE 2
THIS IS SERIOUS - BEST LEAVE IT TO DOCTORS WHO "KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING"
Since the outbreak of Swine Flu all of the public commentary and news has concentrated on the reactions of conventional healthcare and the distribution of 'essential drugs' to combat the threat of H1N1. What has happened to the voice of complementary medicine and natural healthcare?
From the outside it would appear that practitioners are taking the view that this is no time for us to get involved. "This is a serious health threat - so now's the time for us to take a back seat and leave it to the doctors - who 'know what they're doing"'. (The problem is 0 of course - that if you talk to any GP for example - most - if not all - report that they don't feel prepared to cope with a major flu outbreak - see next issue below for more about this.)
But, isn't it time for Complementary Medicine and all of its practitioners, to stand up and be counted? Does your complementary therapy work? Or is it really time to 'hand over to the professionals'?
No-one in the field of Complementary Medicine would expect all complementary medical therapies, or natural healthcare approaches to work in the treatment, or prevention of Swine Flu (e.g. chiropractic), but what do fully qualified, professional Complementary Medical Practitioners think?
What do professional acupuncturists, reiki practitioners, aromatherapists, homeopaths have to say? Are there treatments that they believe would work as a valid treatment for people who contract H1N1? Or do they see the limitations of their therapies in these areas? Do 'we' have a point-of-view on this - the most serious potential worldwide health threat since the Bubonic Plague?
What about the well researched, scientifically-based,credible complementary medical and natural healthcare prevention regimes and potential effective treatments for Swine Flu?
Having reviewed Jayney Goddard's book 'The Survivor's Guide to Bird Flu: The Complementary Medical Approach' in this Journal several years ago, we can see that there is, in fact, scientific evidence to support a range of complementary medical approaches to help prevent the spread of Swine Flu - and to treat it successfully. As the analyses in the book were mainly based on the H1N1 outbreak of 1918 - 1919 (The Spanish Flu), the findings still hold true today. One of the most successful treatments for H1N1 then, as it should remain today, was homeopathy.
In addition, the role of herbal treatments, essential oils and the correct approach to nutrition and hydration remain as crucial as ever.
ISSUE 3
"I'M NOT STAYING AROUND FOR ALL THIS!"
And what will happen in the UK, if doctors follow up with their threat and refuse to work through a pandemic - from fear of being sued? This threat comes from the British Medical Association (BMA) on behalf of their GP members. Whilst doctors who work in NHS hospitals are covered by NHS Indemnity Insurance, doctors who operate local surgeries are not - and they are concerned that their insurance cover might not protect them against any legal claims made against them during a pandemic for "death-in-service". One of the BMA's negotiators on Flu Planning said; "Doctors will be putting their lives on the line and it is only right they can feel assured they are properly covered if anything goes wrong. We don't want to be going into it with GPs feeling unsure where they stand. Doctors are only human and some will not want to go on the front line."
http://www.hc2d.co.uk/content.php?contentId=11759
But where does that leave individual Complementary Medical and Natural HealthCare Practitioners? Should they deliberately decide NOT to treat patients who come to them with Swine Flu, for risk of being sued? Or should they "boldly go" where GP's may refuse to tread?
(Certainly The CMA will be issuing a 'positioning' statement to all its Members which could be used before treatment of a person with swine flu. The CMA would propose that the patient, or their legal guardians would sign an acceptance and indemnification prior to treatment.)
ISSUE 4
KEEP TAKING THE DRUGS?
Unfortunately, as we have seen, Tamiflu is resistant to most strains of Swine Flu (H1N1), but other issues continue to be raised around it; A) The fact that individuals have been buying it directly - for their own use? B) People are using it as a 'Preventative' medicine? C) The Use By date - The indications are that Tamiflu has an official shelf life of 3 years - and most of the nationally stockpiled drugs may already have passed this date. (The European Medicines Agency said for the first time ever that a medicine could remain safe to use for seven years, in response to concerns of a global shortage of a drug that could help prevent and treat a pandemic flu virus; "The recommendation is don't throw it away," said a spokeswoman. The move may reduce short term pressure for additional stockpile orders by governments from Roche of Switzerland, which produces the drug, although this would strengthen its ability to sustain sales over a longer period. There are 220m treatments currently stockpiled worldwide and it (Gilead Roche) has a current production capacity of 400m.) http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/08208ec6-3be9-11de-acbc-00144feabdc0.html
ISSUE 5
WHAT'S IN A NAME & CRYING WOLF?
Has the WHO got it all wrong by calling this an Official "Pandemic". Everyone knows that this is the Top Level warning. It can't 'get any worse'.
This is officially a worldwide health threat for us all. So far, although over 40,000 confirmed cases have been reported, in most countries around the word, only 165 deaths have occurred this time around (0.5%). (Wikipedia - H1N1 pages - which are really more up to date than the WHO pages!)
However, despite the fact that the WHO has played by its own rules - and consulted with Governments around the globe, the danger is that, because of the low mortality rates (around the same level as 'normal' season flu which does, admittedly normally arrive in 'winter' and affect weaker sections of the population) members of the public, the press and health care professionals, will simply sit back and say; "If that's a pandemic, what are we worried about?" (By contrast, bird flu (H5N1) has had a mortality rate of around 60- 85% over the last 5 years - killing almost all those it infected)
The WHO will certainly need to address this issue of complacency - and fast - if it is to be believed that another wave of Swine Flu may come later in the year (The Spanish Flu had 3 distinct waves of infection) - or that Bird Flu may yet rear its ugly head.
We'd love to hear YOUR opinions of each and any of these contentious issues
Dave Hawkins can be contacted via The CMA at Info@The-CMA.Org.UK
|
Crohn's disease - Cont'd
People suffering from Crohn's disease are faced with a constant inflammation that requires constant treatment. Many over the counter or prescription anti-inflammatory medicines are hard on the liver and kidneys, especially with long term use and may eventually stop being effective. This can then leave Crohn's patients with a shortage of treatment options.
Unfortunately it is not widely publicized yet that Crohn's sufferers and those with related conditions such as ulcerative colitis may benefit from the all natural anti-inflammatory effects of aloe vera. Aloe has been used for external burns or cuts for years but it's loaded with important healing properties for internal conditions as well. For a long time aloe has been used to aid in the treatment of everything from diabetes to asthma. It's packed with important enzymes, amino acids, vitamins and even natural steroids.
Aloe vera is an attractive natural alternative due to its safety and efficacy. Before you rush out to get some aloe to treat your Crohn's disease though, remember that it contains compounds that are a powerful laxative as well, which can make Crohn's even worse so you must find a product without the laxative effect. Aloeride® is an organic aloe vera in capsule form, perfectly designed for those with Crohn's. The laxative portion of the plant has been removed but everything else is left intact in a pure, safe product.
Recently, more research studies are being performed, showing all the wonderful benefits of aloe vera internally. Research published in The Lancet in 2006 shows the benefits of immune modulation brought by aloe vera, which is thought to prevent or lessen the immune systems attack on the intestines leading to conditions such as Crohn's disease. Also a well-designed study showed that aloe vera is effective for ulcerative colitis. A laboratory study showed potential for aloe vera to be used as an anti-inflammatory treatment for inflammatory bowel disease.
Although medical research has not yet figured out exactly how and why aloe is effective for Crohn's disease and other related gastrointestinal conditions, it has already been shown that it is effective.
Marks DJ, Harbord MW, MacAllister R, Rahman FZ, Young J, Al-Lazikani B, Lees W, Novelli M, Bloom S, Segal AW. Defective acute inflammation in Crohn's disease: a clinical investigation. Lancet. 2006 Feb 25; 367(9511):668-78.
Langmead L, Feakins RM, Goldthorpe S, Holt H, Tsironi E, De Silva A, Jewell DP, Rampton DS. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral aloe vera gel for active ulcerative colitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2004 Apr 1; 19(7):739-47.
Langmead L, Makins RJ, Rampton DS. Anti-inflammatory effects of aloe vera gel in human colorectal mucosa in vitro. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2004 Mar 1; 19(5):521-7.
Langmead L, Dawson C, Hawkins C, Banna N, Loo S, Rampton DS. Antioxidant effects of herbal therapies used by patients with inflammatory bowel disease: an in vitro study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2002 Feb; 16(2):197-205. |
Vit D and 1918 Flu Cont'd
To investigate this possibility, the case-fatality rate data were compared statistically with solar UVB doses in July and January. Strong correlations with UVB doses were found for both indices.
There are two mechanisms whereby vitamin D can reduce the risk of death once the pandemic influenza virus infection took hold: reduced production of proinflammatory cytokines and reduced risk of bacterial pneumonia. The hormonal metabolite of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, reduces the production of cytokines from T-helper 1 type (proinflammatory). 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D also induces the production of human cathelicidin, LL-37, which has both antimicrobial and antiendotoxin properties. LL-37 has been found effective in reducing the risk of several types of bacteria, and is also thought to reduce the risk of respiratory viral infections including seasonal influenza.
Whether this finding is relevant to the current A/H1N1 influenza virus outbreak is unknown but should be evaluated.
"The authors propose a very interesting hypothesis based on intriguing observations that vitamin D deficiency and influenza infection share a similar pattern in incidence during the year. Recent work by several groups have demonstrated that vitamin D induced anti-microbial peptides that may be important for the immune defense against pathogens such as virus. As we are entering the fall and winter season, it may be worth considering addressing vitamin D status in individuals at risk for influenza infection."
Link to paper describing the ecological study.
Source
Sunlight, Nutrition and Health Research Center (SUNARC) |
"Acupuncture" with Gold for Canine Arthritis Cont'd
Using gold for the treatment of dogs with severe joint pain began in the 1970's when vets started injecting small grains of gold into acupuncture points. The theory was that this would stimulate the acupuncture points.
This two year study by Gry Jæger from the Department of Companion Animal Clinical Science of the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science shows a positive result in reducing pain, (after two years, 80% of the dogs still showed a positive effect of treatment). There was a measurable inflammatory response that developed around the grains of gold, which is what the pain-relieving effect is put down to.
But the debate now centres on whether this improvement is due to the effects of the gold on the immune system, or as a result of acupuncture.
http://www.veths.no/105/English/Kima/Gold-treatment-relieves-pain/
Messori, L.; Marcon, G. (2004). "Gold Complexes in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis". in Sigel, Astrid. Metal ions and their complexes in medication. CRC Press. pp. 280-301. ISBN 9780824753511. http://books.google.de/books?id=wgifUs8dFbgC&pg=PA279.
"BMJ: ''login required''". Besthealth.bmj.com. http://besthealth.bmj.com/btuk/conditions/14212.html.
Scott J Zashin., MD., Arthritis Without Pain - The Miracle of Anti - TNF Blockers
Harvard Medical School Researchers Discover How Gold and Other Medical Metals in its Class Function Against Rheumatoid Arthritis and other Autoimmune Diseases: HMS Press Release: Feb 26th 2006
http://www.nanoed.org/concepts_apps/AuNanoShells?InDepthIntroPg1.html
|
How hypnosis works: Cont'd
The
researchers discovered that there was no effect on the motor cortex of the brain in those test subjects under the power of suggestion/ hypnosis, so that these people were ready to 'move'/ act in response to the stimulus they were about to be given, indicating that hypnosis does not operate by turning off our brain's ability to 'act'.
What they did find was that there was a dissociation of these motor commands centres from other centres in the brain and that hypnosis was associated with an enhanced activation of the precuneus, a brain region involved in memory and self imagery - and with a reconfiguration of executive control mediated by the frontal lobes.
The lead author of the study, Dr Cojan, commented: "These results suggest that hypnosis may enhance self-monitoring processes to allow internal representations generated by the suggestion to guide behaviour but does not act through direct motor inhibition."
Source Wikipedia;
The precuneus is a structure in the brainpositioned above the cuneus and located in the parietal lobe. According to some authors, the precuneus is part of the limbic system. It is believed that it contains a sensory-based map of one's own body. (Scientific American )
Cavanna A, Trimble M (2006). "The precuneus: a review of its functional anatomy and behavioural correlates". Brain 129 (Pt 3): 564-83. doi:10.1093/brain/awl004. PMID 16399806.
The researchers include Yann Cojan, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Lakshmi Waber, University Hospital Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Sophie Schwartz, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Laurent Rossier, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland; Alain Forster, University Hospital Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; and Patrik Vuilleumier, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
Source: Cathleen Genova; Cell Press |
The power of prayer - cont'd
As a report in The Washington Post indicated a few years ago, although this area has inspired some researchers to attempt to use the tools of modern science to test the power of prayer to cure others, most skeptics believe that many studies have been deeply flawed. But those in favour of these studies reflect the views of Marilyn J. Schlitz of the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, who says: "It's one of the most prevalent forms of healing. Open-minded scientists have a responsibility to look into this."
The recent review of these 18 published 'medical' studies from 1965 onwards, shows a changing relationship between religion and science, rather than any firm evidence that the power of prayer to heal has been 'scientifically' proven.
"I do not know why physicians and scientists conducted these studies," said Cadge, "but personal religious beliefs appear to have played a role, along with curiosity. With double blind clinical trials, scientists tried their best to study something that may be beyond their best tools and reflects more about them and their assumptions than about whether prayer 'works."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/23/AR2006032302177.html
Byrd, RC. Positive Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer in a Coronary Care Unit Population; Southern Medical Journal; 1988; 81:826-829
William S. Harris. A Randomized, Controlled Trial of the Effects of Remote, Intercessory Prayer on Outcomes in Patients Admitted to the Coronary Care Unit; Archives of Internal Medicine; October 1999; 159:2273-2278
F. Sicher, E. Targ, D. Moore, and HS Smith. A Randomized Double-Blind Study of the Effect of Distant Healing in a Population with Advanced AIDS - Report of a Small Scale Study; Western Journal of Medicine; December 1998; 169:356-363
http://realityshifters.com/pages/articles/researchconfirmsdh.html
http://www.integral-inquiry.com/docs/649/empirical.pdf | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Job Opportunites for Qualified Practitioners
|
|
What is The CMA?
As you probably know, The Complementary Medical Association is one of the world's largest Professional Membership bodies for highly qualified Complementary Medical Practitioners, CAM Students and Training Colleges. However, there is so much more to us than that.
If you're not already a Member, Why not join The CMA today! More . . . |
Pure XP GliSODin is THE anti-ageing catalyst! |
Stay up to date with all CMA News
by joining
our Mailing List. Click on the button below:
 |
|
Latest World News
Brisbane Times - Brisbane,Queensland,Australia
... practitioners to work in emergency, a first for the Western world, said the lead researcher, Marc Cohen, a professor of complementary medicine at RMIT. ...
BBC News: Eating a diet high in red meat and dairy products is linked to an increased risk of pancreatic cancer, a US study has suggested.
Cholesterol test warning BBC News: Doctors warn thousands of people are unaware of high risk of heart disease because testing it patchy.
A specific combination of vitamins and other nutrients may significantly slow down the rate of sight loss in Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), a major cause of blindness in the elderly, according to new research conducted at Queen`s...
Scientists believe a molecule which controls blood pressure and male erections may also have a profound impact on the brain.
Previous News Items:
|
|
Submit an Article
The deadline for the next Complementary Medical Association Journal "With Our Complements" is July 28th.
|
|
Practice Room Available
A forward thinking pharmacist is actively including complementary therapies within his pharmacy. Because he knows that CMA Members are considered to be among the very best practitioners around, he contacted us to offer this space to CMA Members. The Pharmacy is in Belsize Park, London (UK). If would like to know more please contact Jonathan on: 07951571626 |
Can Complementary Medical Approaches Help Combat Swine Flu?
When researching ways in which complementary medicine could help combat Bird Flu, we had to look carefully at how the previous global pandemic performed. The previous pandemic was exactly the same virus as the one circulating now - H1N1. This means that the recommendations in this book are relevant and applicable to the current virus - which is a mix of bird, swine and human flus.
This excellent book incorporates a wealth of complementary healthcare recommendations supported by over 500 published scientific studies
|
You know that "They" say there is no evidence that complementary medicine works?
Here's your answer:
This amazing encyclopaedia, written by Dr Steve Bratman and edited by Jayney Goddard, contains data from over 10,000 double blind, random controlled trials across the entire field of complementary medicine. We even include a drug/herb/supplement interraction section which is of enormous importance. This book is geared towards the needs of the professional and lay reader alike. So if you need to know whether a complementary medical approach has been tested - and if so, does it work - you need look no further!
| |
