Reject

God has given specific instructions on how to handle a person with leprosy. These instructions are found in the Old Testament and include creating isolated communities away from uninfected people. None of those who were shunted from society were allowed to mix with the general public unless they have shown themselves first to the high priest and he declared them clean. Interestingly enough, Jesus had pity on many of those lepers and healed who cried out for a miracle. We now know that leprosy is not highly contagious, and isolation probably was not needed. Was God wrong? The answer is simply "No". People in the biblical time did not know much about handling such a health crisis. The simplest solution was isolation. Our society in 2009 is not different from the past. We have new "leprosy"s that we are not advanced enough to handle. We use the method of isolation. It is a good enough method until we learn a better way.

Copycat

Copycat events occur in close proximity to each other time wise, so that people think of them as repeated events of one thing. The fact is that copycat events do occur all the time, it is just we do not "know" about them all the time. For example, people all over the world right now are swimming, dancing, laughing, crying, praying, blogging, or behaving badly. Anyone of these acts could be portrayed as a "copycat" act if we try to isolate it as a cluster. In this age of fast news delivery on TV or the Internet, one wonders whether the media is portraying such events as copycat, whereas all of these events are just things that people do all the time all over the planet.

The Black Swan

Author Nassim Nicholas Taleb wrote a book entitled "The Black Swan"---a New York Times Bestseller. In it, he argues that certain events in life cannot be predicted by any type of measures---mathematical models, statistics, or general science. We all can trace certain events in our own life to such "black swans". We may call them disasters, miracles, or misfortunes; the fact is that they came from nowhere and we do not know how or why they happened. The good thing about "black swans" is that they do not occur in a high rate. If one experiences an event like a "black swan", the event probably will not repeat itself ever, or will it? Who knows, it is a "black swan"!

Worry

"Do not worry about it", a phrase often used to assure the person that it was no problem and it is not something to spend time worrying about its consequences. The late great social philosopher Leo Buscalgia once said "we spend our time worrying about things that 95% of the time they will never happen". In statistics, an event that occurs in a rate of 5% or less is considered to be a "miracle". Miracles do happen, however, only to those who keep wishing them to happen. Stop worrying and live a productive life.

Blogger Buzz: Friend Connect: Grow Your Blog's Community

Blogger Buzz: Friend Connect: Grow Your Blog's Community

Anger

Anger is a natural human response. Some people respond to stress by unleashing their anger at others or objects. In the Bible, Jesus became angry when he found street sellers dealing with their merchandises in the Temple. Even Jesus got angry! He chased them out of the Temple with a rope. I do not know exactly what would have happened to Jesus if he had done it today. Probably someone would have called 911 on a cellular phone and got him arrested. Anger could be a stress relief if it is handled properly.(For example, one can go in an isolated room and scream, where no one else can hear or see him, or simply "hug a bear".) Anger can also lead to stress; stress in turn can lead to disease. Bodywork or energy work can be excellent modalities to help with anger. In addition, anger management centers or programs can help tremendously. Remember the old saying, count to 10 if you feel angry before you act. This can save everybody trouble.

Another Increase!

The State of North Carolina declared this week that the State's unemployment rate has reached a new high climbing to 11.3%.

Fava beans

Fava beans are commonly found in Mediterranean cuisine mixed with rice and lamb meat. Raw beans are green in color and darken to light or dark brown upon cooking. Eating too much of raw beans may cause toxicity due to the presence of a significant amount of dopamine in them. In particular, patients who are taking Levodopa to control their Parkinson tremor should avoid eating fava beans. Levodopa with fava beans intake can yield to dopamine overdose.

Immunization

There is a recent growing trends among "third world" countries to reject vaccination and immunization programs for their children. So far, several countries in Asia (Indonesia), Eastern Europe (the Ukraine), and Africa (Nigeria) have taken measures to either reject, delay, or use fear tactics to prevent the public from immunizing their children against major illnesses such as polio, diphtheria, and mumps among others. This scary trend could have severe consequences on the entire global health efforts for combating these diseases.

Research on Disease Transfer

Many transmitted diseases can move from an animal host to human. The latest scare of the transmittance of H5N1 virus (bird flu virus) from animal to man in Asia has prompted the government to become more vigilant about these diseases. Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts has recently received from the National Institutes of Health a grant totaling $9.5 million for establishing a research center in this area. The facility will be located in Grafton, MA.

IPS

IPS, also known as Induced Pluripotent Stem cells, were made by a Japanese scientist in 2006. Initially, Dr. Shinya Yamanaka injected normal mouse skin cells with a virus carrying genes to convert the cell to a "primitive" state known as primordial. These primitive states are then capable to be converted to any type of cells in the body, similar to stem cells. He repeated successfully his experiment on human skin cells in 2007. The importance of this discovery is that IPS cells are much simple to create than to get stem cells from embryos. Would Dr. Yamanaka's IPS eliminate the need for stem cells, and thus end the debate on them? We will have to wait and see how IPS gain acceptance in the scientific community.

PSA Test

The PSA test, or Prostate-Specific Antigen, is routinely done on patients who are 50 years of age or older. The importance of this test has been the subject of many debates in the medical and lay communities. The National Cancer Institute, a branch of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, provides answers and shed light on the importance of PSA test in clinical practice. Here is a link to this information on their site:

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/PSA

IRB

IRB stands for "Investigational Review Board". There are about 10,000 IRBs functioning in the U.S. that their main function is to approve clinical research intended to use human as subjects. A company with the name "Device Med-Systems" submitted a proposal to three independent IRBs involving the use of a drug with the name "Adhesiabloc"---a drug supposed to be use in surgery. Unbeknown to the three IRBs, this company was a fake company created by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and the drug under investigation was also not real. Two of the IRBs rejected the proposal out-right; the third IRB passed it unanimously. The GAO was also successful in registering with the US FDA a fake IRB agency with an address listed in "Cheatsville, Arizona"! Although the majority of clinical trials in the US are done appropriately and under tremendous scrutiny by IRBs, this report from TheScientist.com reveals that the system is imperfect and requires fine-tuning.

Acupuncture Points

The Muscular System

Radiation Exposure and Bones

Bones exposed to radiation, be it therapeutic or cosmic, can become frail and break upon excessive weight. Radiation was found to activates the osteoclasts (cells that destroy bones) and kills the osteobalsts (cells that build bones). The net effect is a disaster on bone health.

Wellness and Antiaging: How to Lose Weight with CLA

Wellness and Antiaging: How to Lose Weight with CLA

Blood Pressure and Cold Weather

When it is cold outside our peripheral blood vessels constrict to prevent heat of leaving our body. It is a basic survival mechanism that we have "evolved" against extinction. The constriction of blood vessels gives rise to blood pressure. Thus, cold weather leads to hypertension, albeit temporary until the person warms up again. Perhaps this mechanism can explain the so-called "white coat hypertension" (WCH). The WCH is due to nervousness or fear of being ill during a doctor's visit. This elevation in blood pressure is usually transient and subsides upon leaving the doctor's office. Unfortunately, many doctors prescribe anti-hypertensive medications to treat it! No wonder our health system costs so much. Often time the person feels cold in the examination room, and this contributes further to an elevation in blood pressure.

Anatomy & Physiology Students' Forum: Concept of the Week

Anatomy & Physiology Students' Forum: Concept of the Week

Black Tea

There are many forms of tea. I have watched servers at a Chinese restaurant cleaning tables with left-over tea. Tea is anti-bacterial and antiseptic. It is also an astringent. Black tea contains the highest amount of caffeine in it. Cup to cup, black tea contains about half the caffeine found in coffee.

Learning Botanical Medicines

One way to educate oneself is to read and study books. Learning about botanical medicines is not different than anything else. It amazes me how people, even highly educated individuals like physicians, assume that they can advise and make decisions on botanicals without learning it. A good way to start is to see what is available. Here is a quick look from Amazon.com on botanical medicines available today. Happy reading and studying.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Botanical+Medicines&x=22&y=25

Carrboro Acupuncture Clinic: What way to control cholesterol levels for optimum Cardiovascular health

Carrboro Acupuncture Clinic: What way to control cholesterol levels for optimum Cardiovascular health

Carrboro Acupuncture Clinic: NIH funded report on the effectivnes of Chinese herbal medicine on treating cancer

Carrboro Acupuncture Clinic: NIH funded report on the effectivnes of Chinese herbal medicine on treating cancer

Carrboro Acupuncture Clinic: An Appeal for Complementary, Integrated Health Care Modalities to Be a Part of Any Future American Health Care Plan

Carrboro Acupuncture Clinic: An Appeal for Complementary, Integrated Health Care Modalities to Be a Part of Any Future American Health Care Plan

Menopause

Menopause has various symptoms including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and night sweats. Naturopathic medicine recommends the use of several nutrients such as magnesium and calcium along with herbs. The most important botanicals for menopause, according to naturopathy, are soy isoflavones, Panax ginseng, chaste tree berry extract, black cohosh, and red clover. As an adjuvent herb, St. John's wort is often used to reduce tension and depression associated with menopause.

Egypt...The Mother of the World

March 21 is Mother's Day in Syria

Happy Mother's Day, mom. I love you.

Spring

Spring season is finally here. It signifies a new beginning. The old is gone; it is a new birth a new blank page. Spring is my favorite season of the year. Everything is renewed. I have noticed more birds this year in my backyard in Holly Springs, NC than ever before. May be we, as a species, become more aware of protecting this beautiful blue planet. Let's continue on this path and make birds sing their angelic chants.

How to prepare a herbal emulsion

Emulsions are stable mixtures of oil and water. Preparing emulsions can be challenging since oil and water do not mix well. Herbal aqueous extracts (the water phase) may be prepared by simply boiling the herb with water, covering it for few minutes (5-10 minutes) at low heat, straining, and then incorporating it in an oil phase. A good extra virgin olive oil may be used because of its emollient effect on the skin. Gummy material such as Gum Arabic or Tragacanth Gum can be used to emulsify the oil in water. Initially mix in a mortar 4 parts of oil with 1 part of Gum Arabic. Then add 2 parts of the herbal water extract all at once. Mix the two phases vigorously until a creamy mixture is formed. Transfer the creamy mixture to a measuring cup and bring to the final volume with the washings (the remaining of the herbal water extract) of the mortar. Most herbal emulsions are used externally as applications on the skin.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is extremely important for maintaining normal health. It comes from two sources---external from consuming foods and internal from the liver. Many organs depend on cholesterol for normal bodily function, including the brain. In excess, cholesterol can lead to cardiovascular diseases. Cholesterol exists under various forms in the blood. The most important of which are HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) and LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein). The higher the HDL and the lower the LDL the healthier the person is. Exercise and drinking alcohol in moderation can lead to an increase in HDL. However, since alcohol drinking could result in liver injury, drinking alcohol to increase HDL is not a smart decision. Reducing LDL may be achieved with prescription drugs (e.g., the statins) or by eating a diet with restricted cholesterol intake. Controlling high cholesterol level should be done under the supervision of a licensed physician.

Lipid Lowering Options

High blood cholesterol level can lead to serious cardiovascular diseases if not controlled properly. In western medicine, a variety of drugs are available to control high cholesterol concentrations, including the "statins". Naturopathic medicine suggests the use of a combination of "dietary supplements". A regimen of these supplements may include Fish oil (1000 mg; 4 times a day), Niacin (Vitamin B3, 500 mg; once a day), Red Yeast Rice (600 mg; twice daily), and Coenzyme Q10 (120 mg; once daily). Red Yeast Rice has an added benefit of reducing the LDL level as well (LDL is the "bad cholesterol"). High intake of niacin can cause liver damage. One of the unpleasant side effect of Vitamin B3 is face flushing (redness). Blood cholesterol control must be monitored by a licensed physician, including the use of dietary supplements. Do not attempt to control it on your own, as serious risks may occur even with the use of natural products.

Niacin

Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is effective in lowering blood cholesterol level. However, high level of niacin can cause liver damage. Whole grain rice is a good source of niacin, whereas corn is devoid of this important nutrient.

dandelion

dandelion

An Open Blog to Blog Authority: A Suggestion

This is a suggestion to those in charge of Blogs. Would it be possible to combine all the labels generated by all the blogs into a directory where people can access it for information? For example, a label such as "herbs" can generate thousands of blog entries for those who are interested in this subject. This directory is a better and a more concise way than say using the Internet search engines. It is just a thought. Thank you for reading.

Maggots and Leeches

In 2005, the US FDA gave the green light for the use of maggots and leeches for treating peripheral ulcers. Treatments with maggots and leeches was found to be equally effective in treating leg ulcers (a study conducted by the University of York) to treatment with hydrogel. Maggots and leeches have been used in the past for the treatment of wounds, and they are gaining popularity again, especially in Europe. Over 50,000 treatments with these invertebrates were applied worldwide in 2008.

Health Care Cost

One remedy for the health care cost is to reduce unnecessary doctor visits. If the health authority would create an entity to triage and to categorize patients into those with "true" diseases (20%) and those with an illness that can heal on its own (80%), then we could cut the health care significantly in this country. One possibility is that the government establishes Community Health Centers staffed with physician assistants and nurse practitioners and charges minimal fees for the visits ($5-$10). Only those with a "true" illness will be directed to further treatment. This system would insure only for "true" disease management, and the cost for health care would be cut by more than 75%. Health care is a right, and those with "true" illnesses deserve to be treated at an affordable cost.

The Placebo Factor

Most doctors would not admit it, but at one time in the US, physicians used to treat their patients with a magical pill---the all-powerful sugar pill. And these pills were given directly to the patient by the physician; there was no need to go to the pharmacy to get them. Nowadays, this practice has faded away, not because physicians do not believe anymore with the magical sugar pill, but rather for liability concerns. So much for practicing medicine the right way!

The Shaman Factor

We all hope to get better when we get sick. Health is so precious. We often seek help for our illnesses from health care practitioners. Majority of us get better; we give credits to the doctors and the medications for regaining our health. I often wonder what the success rate of healing did the shaman has---the "primitive" way for healing. He/She must have been somewhat successful, otherwise they would have lost their "authority to heal". Shaman used magic, herbs, and body work to restore health. They also used the power of being perceived as healers. Yes, herbs, medications, and body work may work some of the time in some of the cases, but for a good number of cases the mere act of "visiting the doctor office" and meeting the doctor for that short period of time is enough to restore health. Since 80% of diseases heal on their own, I think the best medicine we have is that the "shaman factor". It is a cure for all our ills.

Jobless Rate in NC

The State of North Carolina released today its jobless rate. It was 10.3%.

Gaia's Gifts: Nettle Clover Pesto: Invigorating the blood with Wild greens of spring

Gaia's Gifts: Nettle Clover Pesto: Invigorating the blood with Wild greens of spring

When in doubt...

I found this wrist bracelet on the ground of a soccer field one day while I was watching a soccer match. It read: "When in doubt...pray." I still do not know why I found it that same day...I really was looking for some answers to issues I faced during that period of my life. I guess I got my answer. God communicated in the past with people through different means---fire, dreams, face-to-face. Who said He stopped talking to us. I have a yellow bracelet to prove it.

Multimodal Anesthesia

The field of multimodal anesthesia has few stars, among them was Dr. Scott Reuben from Massachusetts. TheScientist.com reported that Dr. Reuben had falsified over 21 reports dealing with this same subject, including "making up entire studies". His collaboration with Pfizer on many research studies begged the question whether he also had falsified results in those studies as well. Experts in this field doubt that Pfizer's results were tainted citing "the level of auditing is just too intense" by the company to be able to fake results, according to TheScientist.com.

Breathing

Breathing clean air is definitely important for healthy life style. The skin plays an important role in breathing oxygen. It is estimated that about 17% of the oxygen we breath comes through the skin. Keeping our skin healthy and clean promotes healthy breathing.

Why Medicines Don't Always Work?

Most new drugs on the market are tooted as the best solution ever for a given disease. Once the "new drugs" become old, their "effectiveness" somewhat diminishes. This is because most, if not, all drugs carry with them a placebo effect. A quick look in the PDR (Physician Desk Reference) reveals that for some drugs the placebo effect may be as high as 50%! So, what is the secret behind this mysterious healing power that Traditional Western Medicine advocate for? Most doctors would not tell you that 80% of diseases heal on their own. That leaves us with 20% of disease states that may require some intervention. About 1/3 of the 20% disease states, the Traditional Western Medicine are clueless about. If you hear the word "Idiopathic", this means the Traditional Western Medicine have no clue what causes it, but yet they go and prescribe something to "treat" it. They even use the word Idiopathic to impress uneducated patients. Most of the diseases in the 20% category are related to cancer, cardiovascular illnesses, and other degenerative diseases. Traditional Western Medicine combats those with "burning, poisoning, or cutting" methods that often are unnecessary or at best limited in their effectiveness. Most illnesses the GP sees in a given day can be treated with a handful of drugs: the antibiotics, the anti-inflammatory, the anti-depressives, and the likes. Traditional Western Medicine cannot provide adequate disease management anymore. The cost is simply too high for such ineffective and limited treatments.

An Equation

Happiness =Reality/Expectations

Keep expectations low; accept reality ---------- greater happiness

A Holistic Way to Healthcare

The word "holistic" is often used to describe treating the whole body as a unit rather than individual parts. A patient who suffers from goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland) is not simply a case of "goiter"; treat him as a whole person. Naturopathic medicine treats the person in a holistic way. It encourages the promotion of the natural healing processes already present in our system. The reason we do not get infections from germs most of our life is because we have natural defense systems that kill any germs invading our body almost instantaneously, and not because we are loaded with antibiotics. Our muscles and organs are connected and wrapped together by a connective tissue known as fascia. The fascia in our big toe is distally connected to the fascia in our thumb. What happens down in the foot affects indirectly the hand; the entire body works holistically and requires a holistic approach to health care. It is time that western medical system recognized this fact and changed its attitude toward healing. Treat us holistically, and not as body parts.

Livistona chinensis Extract: The UCLA Story

Livistona chinensis, a Chinese herb, was studied on its effect on fibrosarcoma in mice by a former researcher at UCLA. The reason this researcher is a "former" researcher at UCLA is that she was accused by a Committee of her peers at the University of falsifying data in her publications on this herbal extract. The University has banned her from conducting research, and currently she is a surgical oncologists at UCLA School of Medicine. [From TheScientist.com]

It is unfortunate that in addition to the limited funding available to conduct botanical research experiments, the bad behavior of the few would make it harder to secure more funds for this type of research by other scientists.

Friday the 13th

People are naturally superstitious on Friday the 13th. This was the second time we had Friday the 13th this year. As for me Friday the 13th has been good for me. Happy Friday the 13th everybody.

Snow in Holly Springs, NC

Yes, it did snow again this year in Holly Springs, NC. But this time we had only a couple of inches. Schools were out, but most people worked that day. For the records, it began snowing on Monday morning (March 2, 2009) up until 9 AM (lasted about 6-7 hours). The entire East coast of the US was affected by this storm, all the way from down South to New England.

Have A Colorful Happy Sunday

Myrrh

Myrrh is a resin with antiseptic properties. In Naturopathic Medicine, Myrrh-containing preparations are used as a gargle for throat and mouth applications. Resins, in general, are exudates produced following an injury to plant. The fluid exudate hardens on the surface and form a protective film over the injured area. Resins are insoluble in water, however they are somewhat soluble in alcohol. Thus, preparations containing Myrrh should include some amount of alcohol in them to facilitate dissolution of the resin. Myrrh also possesses an astringent effect and can locally stimulate the natural defense system. Research in this area has shown that local applications of Myrrh can bring in to the affected area white blood cells, the body natural defense soldiers.

A New Test for Prostate Cancer

A new urine test for detecting prostate cancer was proposed. The test relies on the presence of "gene fusion" material in the urine of patients with prostate cancer. Compare to current PSA test, The gene fusions had a 'specificity' and 'sensitivity' for prostate cancer of 84% and 42%, respectively. The PSA test has a 'specificity' of 27%. Unfortunately, Only 50% of prostate cancer patients have this "gene fusion" element. The 'specificity' of a test is defined as the probability of the test being negative given the patient does not have the disease. So, 84% of those without prostate cancer test negative with this new urine method, and 16% of them test positive (a false positive result). The 'sensitivity' of a test means that the test is positive when the patient has the disease. Therefore, the new test is only positive 42% of the time when the patient has prostate cancer, 58% of the time the test is negative in patients with prostate cancer (a false negative result).

Medical News From Raleigh, NC

A Raleigh-based company,AM2PAT Inc, was cited in 2005 for failure to control and maintain its environment, according to the FDA. AM2PAT Inc. is a syringe manufacturer that according to legal and court reports have linked its products to five death and numerous bacterial infections. Subsequent visits to the company (2007) by the FDA revealed only a "labeling problems" according to court documents.

Warning: A Dangerous Epidemic in Our Backyard

The news agencies in Bolivia have reported an outbreak of Dengue Fever (an infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes and causes lethal hemorrhage). It was estimated that about 31,000 were infected, and 18 people already died from it since the beginning of 2009. Mosquitoes can travel easily among the countries nowadays via air travel by planes.

Getting Fat

Scientists from Ohio State University has discovered a link between eating high fat diet and a gene (protein kinase C beta). This gene was "stimulated" by the high fat diet, and mice that had this gene gained a significant amount of weight over those that did not have it. Both groups of mice ate the same high fat diet for 12 weeks.

HIV in Swaziland

Swaziland is an African country whose ruler is King Mswati III. The estimated cases of HIV infection among pregnant women in Swaziland has risen by 3% since last year, to 42% of all pregnant women in that country. In the year of 2009, it is the worst case scenario for HIV infection on the planet. Because of the country's geographic and political isolation, aid for the victims may be far away. Human may have the technology to get to Mars, how about getting to Swaziland first?

Physician Assistant Programs in the USA

Please click on the link above to learn more.

Tarragon

Tarragon is an herb originated in Russia. The French use it in their fine cuisine to enhance the flavor of foods. Many Middleastern cooking depends on Tarragon as an appetizer and flavor enhancer, especially with rice served with vegetables and lamb. Some use it with backed lamb patties (Kibeh). Tarragon is an excellent source for iodine. Some people suggest the use of its roots to calm a toothache. Chewing Tarragon leaves can result in a slight numbness of taste buds. This characteristic can be used to "mask" the taste of unpleasant drugs. Tarragon also contains a significant amount of vitamins A and C. Although Tarragon is not as popular in the United States as it is in Europe, it is usually found among Middleasterners and Europeans communities in the US. For those who get frequent indigestion when eating, Tarragon can be an excellent herb to help digestion.

Creating A Likeness: First watercolour.... first bird

Creating A Likeness: First watercolour.... first bird

WorldWalk-Peacetour: Camping in the Wild: Africa#links

WorldWalk-Peacetour: Camping in the Wild: Africa#links

Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials

The gold rule for conducting clinical research on drugs is the randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. This type of trials is used to ascertain the effectiveness of drug products and to determine their safety. Without this type of trials, it would be a hit or miss citation. If a drug was claimed to decrease the systolic blood pressure by 10%, and the placebo could produce a similar action, then the drug is not effective in reducing blood pressure. Unfortunately, rarely dietary supplements are subject to this kind of scrutiny by medical investigators, and most reports rely on either small clinical studies or information obtained from scientifically questionable methodologies. A lot of the information available on dietary supplements is simply based on undocumented scientific arguments, or worse, is based on case-report type communications. Until the gold standard for conducting clinical research is applied to dietary supplements, their effectiveness cannot be fully ascertained nor faithfully accepted.

Dietary Supplements vs. Drugs

In the United States, the FDA is charged with "licensing" drugs. This process is extremely vigorous and normally takes many years to be fully completed. Millions of dollars are normally spent for an agent to become a drug . For that, the agent should be tested for its safety and effectiveness. To that end, numerous tests are performed in test tubes, in cell culture, and in vivo (both on animals and human) to "prove" that the drug is effective for the condition being marketed for, and it is safe to use. When it comes to dietary supplements the assumption for effectiveness is not required, and it is up to the FDA to prove that a dietary supplement already available on the market to be dangerous to the public. It is a line from "Alice in Wonderland" story. All dietary supplements, without exception, cannot and should not be deemed effective for any malady, unless the FDA says so. Also, the public should be very wary about these products safety. No standardized measures have been taken so far by the government to assure the consumer the "safety" of these products. However, it is reasonable to suggest that if the FDA has not yet taken an official action on a particular product, that product "may" be safe. Consumers should not think that these dietary supplements are drugs, and should not use them as such. The FDA was put in place to protect the public, and it is doing a wonderful job at it.

Resistance Footprint

The Canadian Medical Association Journal published recently a series of manuscripts suggesting that people should be aware of their "resistance footprint" as they consume unnecessarily antibiotics, such as in cases of viral infections. The papers also stress the need for more awareness by the medical community concerning this important issue. The moral of this post is do not use antibiotics unless there is a recognizable need for them. By "abusing" antibiotics, we are creating future germs that are resistant and cannot be killed or eradicated by them.

Infections

Every year in the United States 90,000 people get infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, and 18,000 cases result in death. The good news is that this infection is on the decline, and the reported cases have decreased by 50% since last decade.

Melanoma

The skin cancer, melanoma, was found to become more aggressive in the presence of stress. The stress hormone, nor-epinephrine, when added to melanoma cells grown in vitro resulted in an enhancement of cell proliferation. Researchers from Ohio State University also found that drugs used in the treatment of high blood pressure were able to reverse or suppress the effect of stress on melanoma cells. Nor-epinephrine appears to induce certain protein markers (VEGF, IL6, and IL8), which in turn were instrumental in enhancing cell growth.

Heart attack risk lowered

A recent Canadian study found the vaccination against pneumonia has helped reducing risk from heart attack by 50%---a positive unexpected side effect. It seems that the vaccination helped with reducing the plaque build-up in blood vessels by an anti-inflammatory effect.

The 8-minute visit

Most visits to the doctor last about one hour---52 minutes in the waiting room and 8 minutes with the doctor. Many of the patients who seek alternative or complimentary therapies do so because of this lack of personalized health care by traditional Western doctors. However, increasingly people are checking the Internet to read other people's comments (negative or positive) about a given health care provider. Those who continue to provide personalized humane care will keep their business; the 8-minute visit ones will soon vanish from practice.

Bird Flu

China reported in January of 2009 five more cases of infection with H5N1 virus, the cause of bird flu. Other estimated that this number of 'declared" cases may be under-reported (unintentionally) due to the difficulty in distinguishing between a mild case of bird flu and "regular" colds and flu symptoms.

Gene Therapy for HIV

An experimental gene therapy for HIV was found to block the virus from duplicating inside the host cells. Not only the virus stop duplicating, but also the patient's immune system gained strength. Researchers claimed that one treatment with this gene therapy could replace years of anti-AIDS medications currently taken by patients with AIDS to control viral spread.

Sarcosine

Sarcosine is a substance found in urine of men with prostate cancer. The level of sarcosine in those patients was significantly elevated. Testing for sarcosine could become the new (PSA) test for the early detection of prostate cancer. It also appears that sarcosine plays a role in the development and growth of prostate cancer.

Licensing vs. Certification

In health care systems, licensing practitioners has become the norm. Physicians, dentists, chiropractors, nurses, etc. are all licensed professionals. Licensing is granted by the power of the state. It grants the bearer with the "power" of the state to practice a given trade. Certification, on the other hand, is a recognition from a group of individuals who practice certain area of health care that a person has the qualities and the knowledge for practicing. Certification is inclusive, whereas licensing is exclusive. With certification, the group of people cannot exclude anyone else from practicing that trade. Natural health professionals are for most certified and rarely licensed. They give the public a choice---an alternative choice for healing. Licensing natural health professionals would not be a step forward; let's keep certification be the rule rather than the exception.

Live the Moment

The power of living the presence cannot be overemphasized. Our mind always tries to wonder into the future or to rehash the past. Unfortunately, when it recalls the past, it goes into the darkest of it all. Which leads to unrealistic predictions of even darker future. It is a vicious cycle that feeds on itself. The solution is to live the moment. Forget about tomorrow and what it may bring, be present now. We could not change our past, except by not repeating it. Every moment is a new beginning for a brighter future. People judge us mostly on what they know of us from our past. Yet, what really matter is who we are now and how the current moment projects into our future. God is not limited to past, present, or future; God is not limited by time. Thus, everything for him is now. Living the moment is becoming you, your ambitions, and the life surrounding you. The old saying "take a moment and smell the roses" is just that, live it.

Sildenafil

Viagra contains the active agent Sildenafil. This agent was found in about one-third of "dietary supplements" sold on the Internet claiming effectiveness for erectile dysfunction. No wonder they work?! Sildenafil has serious side effects and has dangerous interactions with many drugs, in particular those containing nitrates.

Cancer

A frightening word, cancer remains a major killer despite all the scientific and medical efforts to eradicate it. When cancer strikes its victim, medicine offers chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. What can one do more? Like any other dividing cell, cancer cells need nutrients brought to them by blood supply. For that wherever cancer takes hold in the body, it begins developing new network of vessels to supply it with nutrients. There are certain foods/herbs that prevent new blood vessels from developing. Adding them to the diet deprives cancer cells from needed nutrients. Reducing stress in life by combating it with stress-reduction modalities, such as massage and energy work, can tremendously improve life of people with cancer. Other measures such as exercise and meditation are helpful for keeping cancer at bay and preventing it from taking over the body systems. Cancer may be a formidable enemy, approaching it from a holistic point of view may be the key for winning the war against it.

Hospitalist With A View: Fat Doctor Loses Her Job

Hospitalist With A View: Fat Doctor Loses Her Job

Gaia's Gifts: Tamarind Ginger Pork Ribs

Gaia's Gifts: Tamarind Ginger Pork Ribs

Vitamin B6

On Friday, February 13, 2009, the FDA announced its decision to list vitamin B6 as a "drug". This means that vitamin B6 can no longer be sold as a dietary supplement in the US. This decision was prompted by a company from North Carolina, Biostratum, declaring the availability of its product Pyrodorin, a medication containing vitamin B6 for the treatment of kidney injury associated with diabetes.

Low Back Pain

Low back pain is an extremely common complaint among adults. Most visits to primary care providers are due to this pain. In many cases among men, the low back pain is due to wearing the wallet in their back trouser's pocket. If the person stop wearing it in their back pocket, after two months they start feeling better, and after four months a complete healing of the back will happen. Drinking plenty of water also could help tremendously. As we get older we tend not to get enough water in our system, and this contributes to the back pain. Changing bed, receiving massages regularly, and be mindful to our posture are other measures we can take to help healing low back pain. Chiropractic treatment may also work in some cases, and in severe cases drug treatments and/or surgery may be needed. In all cases, consult your doctor about low back pain, because kidney, prostate, and urinary tract infections may be the culprits in causing the back pain.

SHE in China: Photo special: Lost in a forest in Yunnan

SHE in China: Photo special: Lost in a forest in Yunnan

Love

To love someone or even a critter (cat) is a positive energy. Love was found to improve the immune system, and people who fall in love live longer. To feel being loved by someone is perhaps the greatest feeling in the world. People attempt to define Love. I think no one needs to read the definition if you know it; it is a basic human feeling at its deepest sense. God is Love, says the Good Book. Love actually is not opposite to hate. It is opposite to emptiness, rejection, and hopelessness. Happy Valentine Day.

Dental Care

A new survey from England revealed that 1 out of 4 people treat their dental problems themselves because they cannot get to the dentist on time (dentists are too busy in the nationalized English system). That includes tooth extraction, filling their cavities with gums, and treating mouth inflammation and mucus irruptions.

Lymphatic system

Unlike the circulatory system which has the heart acting as a pump for blood movement, the lymphatic system lacks such a pump. Lymph circulates with the help of muscle contraction. One of the good way to get lymph to move and not to stagnate, in particular from lower areas of the body, is to breath deeply several times during the day. This helps to ease lymph's movement, and it is easy to do.

Homeopathy, Nature's Cure: What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy, Nature's Cure: What is Homeopathy?

Black cohosh

The main use of Black cohosh in naturopathy is in women's health. Black cohosh may be used to ease pain during labor, help with menopause symptoms, and facilitate normal menstrual cycle. It also has actions on the respiratory, circulatory, and nervous systems. Several formulas for Black cohosh are available commercially.

cindy massage: Polarity Therapy - The General Session#links

cindy massage: Polarity Therapy - The General Session#links

Update: This blog has been removed and no longer available. (updated June, 21, 2024)

Refrigerants

In naturopathy, the word "refrigerant" refers to an agent with an antipyretic effect (fever reducer). Some herbs in this category are chamomile, ginger, and vervain.

Syzygium cumini

This herb from India, also known as Jambul, has been suggested in Ayurvedic medicine to be used for diabetic control. The dried fruits of Jambul contain tannin (an astringent) and a volatile oil (a carminative).

Water

Humans cannot survive long without water. Lately, there has been some reports on the quality of water we drink in our communities. Some claim the presence of residual pharmaceutical drugs in our water. Although these drugs, if present, decompose into other products over time, there is no guarantee that we are not ingesting a significant amount of drug cocktails. Perhaps some of the explosion of modern diseases may be traced back to the presence of these chemicals in our water resources. Although these studies have not reached yet an official claim, more is needed by the health authorities and the environmental agencies to either support or dispute such claims. Until then, the public is waiting anxiously.

Cupping

An old medical method for treating minor respiratory tract conditions is Cupping. It is practiced by Traditional Chinese Medical doctors and Ayurvedic physicians. Nowadays, cupping is considered one modalities that belong to naturopathic medicine among others.

A Natural Gargle for Halitosis

Here is a formula for Halitosis:

8-10 drops of peppermint oil
1 zinc lozenge
1 teaspoon of myrrh powder
1 teaspoon of goldenseal powder

Mix the myrrh and goldenseal powders in about 500 ml (or 1 pint) of cold water. Bring to boil, cover, and steep for 10 minutes. Separate the hot liquid from the solid residue by decanting. Dissolve the zinc lozenge. Cool to room temperature. Add peppermint oil. Store in the refrigerator.

Uses: Only as a gargle. Do not swallow or use internally. For mouth wash and gargle only.

Bad Breath (Halitosis)

It is rare that any human being has not experience bad breath in their life time. Halitosis, or bad breath, can be transient or chronic. Only about 1 out of 4 people experience it on a chronic basis. Several approaches to fight bad breath may be available such as chewing gum, mouthwashes, and frequently brushing teeth. All of these might help temporarily, but their effects hardly last more than 30 minutes. A new generation of rinses are more effective and can eliminate bad breath for hours (sometimes up to 12 hours). Several of these are now available commercially including SmartMouth and TheraBreath. These new rinses are extremely effective, even for the most persistent odors. Bad breath can be very stressing socially and mentally, and these new rinses can be really a life saver.

Cranberry

Cranberry fruit is often used for urinary tract infections.

Blueberry

The "blue" in blueberry is due to the presence of anthocyanidins pigments. Research on these pigments has shown a strengthening effect on the connective tissues of blood vessels. Blueberry fruit consumption is good for the circulatory system.

Hummus Dip

My recipe for hummus dip:

3 cans of chick peas
1 fresh squeezed lemon
4 large tablespoons of tahini (sesame paste)
1-2 cloves of fresh garlic
salt to taste

Heat the chick peas and let it boil for 3 minutes. In a food processor, mix the tahini with garlic and salt. Add the chick peas with its sauce hot and mix. Add lemon. Mix. Let it stand at room temperature for one hour. Unused portions must be refrigerated.

Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis, Sambucus nigra)

Severe reactions can occur after consuming unripe fruits of elderberry. The ripe fruits or flowers may be used, according to naturopathic medicine, as remedies for common respiratory elements such as colds and flu. Some advocate the use of flowers in the treatment of bronchitis (a serious disease that must be treated and managed by a licensed physician.)

ARK

We all know about Noah's Ark. Noah was told by God to take with him on this ark one pair of every living creatures. God was about to flood the Earth with water by sending rain for 40 days and 40 nights.

Because of Noah's kindness toward all creatures the good and the bad, humanity and other creatures managed to survive from the wrath of God. I guess God was impressed with Noah's indiscriminate kindness, He promised Noah that He would not destroy the Earth anymore. As a sign of His promise, He gave us the rainbow. ARK stands for "Acts of Real Kindness".


by Wikipedia

Tax Time in the USA

Every April 15, the people of the USA pay their taxes to the goverment. For most people receiving a check from their employer, the employer withholds some money from their paycheck for tax purposes. Some people overpay their taxes by this method. So on April 15 when they file their taxes, they receive a check back from the government for the overpaid amount. The common comment these people make is that "I got money back from the government this year". They feel very happy about it.

MENSA organization asked its members this year to come up with new English words, by simply replacing a letter or adding/deleting a letter from currently use English words. One member suggested the following: INTAXICATED (from intOxicated, got it?). The MENSA member defined this "new" word describing someone who is extremely happy from the fact that he/she has received money back from the government.

Time for Action--Posted this morning

Time for Action!! Silent Crisis Looming In NC Healthcare.

Most consumers of natural health are unaware that their freedom to purchase, sell or access natural remedies or natural healthcare professionals could be eliminated with the single stroke of a pen!Powerful pharmaceutical companies and medical associations are vying for the right to control your access to natural supplements, herbs, vitamins and homeopathic healthcare. They're doing this through special legislation aimed at making Nature's remedies their sole domain while making other kinds of consumer access illegal.Citizens For Healthcare Freedom (CHF) has been working to protect your rights to natural and complementary healthcare in North Carolina since1995. This year, CHF will be working with North Carolina legislators to pass the Consumer Health Freedom Act.What is the Consumer Health Freedom Act?An amendment to the NC medical licensing law to protect the right to choose nutritional supplements and access alternative, holistic,complementary, or natural health providers or practitioners. The legislation would protect the right of health care providers to offer their services legally and safely, without fear of being prosecuted for"practicing medicine without a license" in NC.For more information on this proposed legislation and CHF, visit: http://www.ncchf.org/Support Us! It's imperative we raise funds immediately to cover the costs and expenses needed to pass The Consumer Health Freedom Act in the2009-2010 Legislative Session. CHF is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization supported solely by membership dues and donations. All donations are 100%tax deductible. Please support our vision of a health freedom state and a sustainable community by becoming a CHF member or by making a donation. To join or contribute with a credit card, visit our website: http://www.ncchf.org/ You can personally choose to be a part of this historic movement to protect our health care freedom in North Carolina. So, please give generously. Protect you, and your family's, health freedom!Contact Us! Please contact us if you have any questions or would like to volunteer your time or talents. With an all volunteer board, under the leadership of CHF President, Claiborne Holtzman, and Executive Director/Legislative Lobby is http://www.ncchf.org/newsletter.htmlt, Mike Causey, CHF is poised to accomplish something of great value to all North Carolinians this year. Now is the time to act. Our state and our country are undergoing change and now is the time to ensure our rights in natural health!

Sincerely,

The CHF Board of Directors Claiborne Holtzman, President – (252) 813-4950 Mike Causey, Executive Director/Legislative Lobbyist – (336) 210-1947Citizens for Healthcare Freedom P.O. Box 12893 • Raleigh, NC 27605www.ncchf.orgCitizens for Healthcare Freedom

Bodywork Benefits

Bodywork, such as massage, impart a relaxing effect on the body as a whole. Research in this area has revealed a very interesting benefit of massage; it enhances the immune system. The immune system provides protection from foreign invaders into the body (e.g., bacteria). It is thought as the army that defend the body from foreign attackers. Enhancing the immune system and relaxation effect both yield to better life. Massage counteracts stress, the major cause of about 80% of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Body work vs. Energy work

There was a time in the past where professionals who treated people with bodywork also used energy work (e.g., Reiki or polarity). Although some practitioners still practice both modalities, energy work is now a separate field and needs certification. The theory behind energy work is mainly spiritual, however, it utilizes holding patterns and energy field adjustment. Practitioners in this field claim success in restoring the person's well being by balancing the energy flow in the body. This vital energy, as it was known in ancient time, is the same as "qi" in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Many of the energy work holding points coincide with the acupuncture points practiced by Chinese physicians.