October 2012 Classical Medicine Health and Wellness Journal

 

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October 6, 2012

 

It's fairly safe to generalize and say we Americans like things "big." Big sky, big country, big dreams, big hearts. On the flip side, big soft drinks (now banned in New York City?), big waistbands, big debts. We also like our research big and last month produced a good harvest of big studies with big results, like:

 

*    The synopsis a six-year study financed by the National Institutes of Health, using data from 18,000 patients, which proved acupuncture helps ease migraines and arthritis and other forms of chronic pain. Now if we could only convince insurance companies and Medicare to cover it...

 

*    A Gold Standard study (meaning double-blind, with placebo, randomly controlled) of a French homeopathic formula called Acthéane documented a 33% reduction in hot flashes. The formula produced a "near-immediate drop" in the severity of hot flashes which continued throughout the trial, a blessing only a menopausal woman can fully appreciate.

 

*    A huge study launched in India reminds us that "necessity is often the mother of invention." Like the situation in Cuba last year, both need and an absence of funds has motivated the government to distribute "homeopathic drugs" to combat dengue fever to 25 lahk (ie, 2.5 million) residents of the Chittoor region in southeast India. We'll post updates on results as we find them, since it's not terribly likely you'll be reading about this one in any other outlet.

 

* Yet another big result for medical marijuana proponents. After 20 years of research, two scientists are ready for the first human trials of Cannabidiol, a non-toxic, non-psychoactive chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. Laboratory and animal testing have found Cannabidiol can stop the spread of aggressive cancers like breast, brain and prostate when administered in highly concentrated dosages.

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September 2012 Classical Medicine Health and Wellness Journal

 

  

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September 3, 2012

 

Seems only fitting to send an update on Labor Day, seeing it's been two months since last we wrote. Happily, CMJ readers kept busy without any prompting and new readers continue to seek out the topics we scour the web-world to bring you.

 

Away from the shores of the beautiful Gulf of Mexico, it's been a long hot summer -- perhaps one reason why Mark Bittman's opinion post on some consequences of the greenhouse effect drew a lot of interest. In food news, a love-letter to the avocado details the nutritional value and cancer-fighting compounds in this potassium-dense fruit. Speaking of, it's been recently discovered that strawberries contain compounds that may protect skin against the adverse effects of UV-A radiation. Sunscreen never tasted so good? Anyone with arthritis might want to try swigging some tart cherry juice; do your own version of the study and drink it twice a day for three weeks. Best case, inflammation is reduced; worse case, you get a tasty tart reminder of summer everyday.

 

High-tech medicine continues to make headlines for advancements that hold great promise for treating a host of serious conditions with a minimum of side-effects. There's exciting research from USF using hyperbaric chambers to treat brain injuries (current tests may lead to improved treatment for wounded veterans); a study has begun in Japan using minimally-invasive cryoablation to treat early-stage breast tumors; and from the University of Missouri, a study showing a compound in tea delivered via radioactive gold nanoparticles may be an effective treatment for prostate cancer.

 

Low-tech medicine has a place, too. An article first published in Family Practice News suggests regular qigong may reduce chronic fatigue symptoms (only 30 minutes a day, three times a week). Thanks to the 2012 Olympics, there were stories galore about athletes and alternative therapies: acupuncture for the Korean women's volleyball team; acupuncture and homeopathy for Usain Bolt; and even McKayla Maroney finds acupuncture impressive for emergency rehab (although with such a severely broken toe, it's amazing she was able to compete at all).

 

But now it's time to say adieu to summer and focus on remaining sane, polite and patient with each other as issues are debated, accusations fly, and civil discourse gets lost in the cacophony. Of course, the hottest of topics is the future of heath care in America, meaning mainstream medicine. Here's a new article from the venerable New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) challenging doctors and hospitals and insurance companies to consider that we the people want health as opposed to after-the-fact care. Might not sound radical for a CMJ reader but for the NEJM, it's a bold start to asking new questions.

 

Happy Labor Day and welcome back from the summer.

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June 2012 Classical Medicine Health and Wellness Journal

 

  

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June 6, 2012

 

Our northern neighbors may be onto something big from the tiniest of the tiny. The Canadian Forest Service's investment in "transformative technologies," technologies that create "core rather than marginal changes," has led to some startling developments in the field of nanotechnology...yes, nanotechnology may prove a boon to sustainable forestry. It has to do with "buckyballs," a super-strong molecule comprised of 60 carbon atoms in an arrangement that looks surprisingly like a soccer ball (and/or, Buckminister Fuller's famous dome). A 16 year old Canadian student won the 2012 BioGENEius Challenge for binding tiny particles in tree pulp (nano-crystalline cellulose) to buckyballs to create a "super anti-oxidant compound" that works like a vacuum to "suck-up and neutralize free-radicals." Put less scientifically, it's just possible that the fountain of youth may be flowing through the trees all around us and tiny, tiny nano vacuum cleaners -- crafted from carbon and tree pulp -- may someday erase the effects of aging.

 

But until the Nano Fuller Brush Man comes to the door, diet can boost health and vitality. A handy summary of benefits, expected and not, from a host of common herbs was the #1 most-read CMJ story in May. First published in the Daily Mail, the original story presents the information not unlike a popularity contest. Follow the link at the bottom of our post for some cross-cultural journalistic voyeurism. Don't miss the other most-read food story detailing new research the proves you need -- yes, need -- to eat almonds, macadamias, pistachios, walnuts and cashews. The benefits of nut consumption (ie, moderate snacking) range from lower BMI to lower risk of heart disease and diabetes. Now will you move cashews off the guilty pleasure list?

 

Finally, in honor of Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee, we call your attention to a new story with some light-hearted insight into the practical precautions the Queen takes to maintain her health and composure during her busy schedule of non-stop duties. Of course, there's a plug for homeopathy in the mix but there are also some charming details of the wisdom gained from a life of spectacle and service.

 

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May 2012 Classical Medicine Health and Wellness Journal

 

  

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May 3, 2012

 

Who, within a fairly wide certain age band, doesn't remember the blistering line from A Few Good Men when Jack Nicholson snarls at Tom Cruise: "You can't handle the truth!" Classical Medicine Journal readers stared down the temptation of blissful ignorance and learned the truth about dangers lurking in our food supply through two breaking stories detailing the surprising cocktail of drugs found in factory-farm-raised chicken and a more detailed explanation of the drug residue in chicken and feather meal which is fed back to chickens. Surely motivation to opt for organic whenever possible, hoping against hope that the "USDA certified organic" label has teeth.

 

CMJ readers turned from snarling Jack to sweet, smiling Mahatma with other top stories, seeking simple ways to "be the change" by adding foods to reduce stress (all good stuff like salmon, basil, blueberries, Greek yogurt, broccoli, quinoa, edamame), learning about new research into aspirin's benefits (traces reportedly found in medicines from as long ago as 400 BCE) and getting suggestions for foods high in vitamin C to help alleviate allergy symptoms (usual citrus and fruit suspects but also sweet peppers, broccoli again, Brussels sprouts, kale, cauliflower and peas). Yum. Eating right is sounding better and better -- and like a perfect diet for summer.

 

But we cannot tell a lie and the truth is, one story in April clobbered all the others in number of new readers. Once again, some random Internet robot phenomena happened and our post on a new documentary highlighting the successful results of a small study using topical cannabis extract to treat skin cancer blew up. This is a purely medical application of a drug which has suffered under a propaganda campaign since the 1930's. At some point, clearer heads must prevail and its benefits investigated in a sober manner. No joke.

 

If you want to get a jump on next month's "hot topics," check out the story just posted about a researcher using folk wisdom passed along by her grandmother to address oil spill clean-up. Maybe there's more truth than we realize in old knowledge?

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April 2012 Classical Medicine Health and Wellness Journal

 

  

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4 April 2012

 

"It's all in your head."

 

Who hasn't heard -- or said -- those words in a multitude of circumstances? When you're on the receiving end, this is sometimes a comforting concept. But sometimes, it sounds pejorative or dismissive. It might also be factual. According to the Tampa Bay Times, new evidence in brain scan technology is showing that meditation changes the brain's reaction to pain. So the pain from the brain can be tamed ... with a lot of practice, focus and perseverance. Still, an encouraging idea and for dedicated meditators, life-altering. Must be why this was the #2 most-read Classical Medicine Journal story in March.

 

What held that #1 spot? Thanks to the vagrancy of the Internet, a story we ran last March about The Who front-man Roger Daltrey crediting homeopathy with saving his son's life. Some celebrities have an eternal shelf life and it's always nice when one voices support for a non-mainstream alternative. Their words resonate.

 

A handful of the other top stories were focused on "don'ts." No one likes a know-it-all so we're glad readers forgave us a bit of crowing about our early reports on some statin complications (new FDA warnings); and kept reading even though the news discouraged diet soda consumption (potential link to heart disease); and even pushed through a study on the perils of eating red meat (increases risk of heart disease and cancer by 20%).

 

But don't let this news keep you up at night. No, really; don't. Because another new study warns of the danger of consistent use of sleeping aids thought safe until very recently. Reactions among MDs are mixed but it's well worth a read if you or anyone you love uses the products on a regular basis.

 

Looks like there's only one answer: we need to grow our own vegetables, eat no meat, drink no diet sodas and above all else, meditate. If the Debbie Downer news we share today isn't sufficient motivation to practice the latter, watch a classic except from Bill Moyers' ground-breaking special on China that features a qi gong demonstration by Master Shi. There is no trick photography at work here. The slight elderly man is literally up-ending the young bucks with a flick of his wrist. If that.

 

If you're in the Tampa Bay area and want to learn a little qi gong for yourself, class info is here. If you want to veg, check out PCRM's Kickstarter Plan. But above all else, vow to make this your summer quaff:

Cheers!

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For appointment information or to send a message to Martin Keane, AP, CCH

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