May 2012 Classical Medicine Health and Wellness Journal

 

  

Please Load Images for best viewing

 

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?

Forward to a Friend (link below)

 

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

please call (727) 821-7771 or write

          

April 2012 Classical Medicine Health and Wellness Journal

 

  

Please Load Images for best viewing

 

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!

Forward to a Friend (link below)

 

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

please call (727) 821-7771 or write

          

November 2011 Classical Medicine Health and Wellness Journal

 

  

Please Load Images for best viewing

 

9 November 2011

 

Now that yoga is virtually mainstream and everyone has an older relative with at least one tai chi DVD sitting around (albeit dusty -- and perhaps it's a video tape), can qi gong be far behind?

This begs the question: what exactly is qi gong? Cue a stock photo of a contemplative person, probably a man, holding up his hands at 90-degree angles and peering off with a compassionate but firm look about him. Instead, here's a definition from the International Institute of Medical Qigong:

"Qigong is a combination of two ideas: "Qi" (pronounced chee), which means air, breath of life, or vital life-force energy; and "Gong" (pronounced gung, as in lung) which is the skill of working with, or cultivating, self-discipline and achievement.

Qigong is a mind-body practice that improves ones mental and physical health by integrating postures, movement, breathing techniques, and focused intention."

Articles recently posted in the Classical Medicine Journal highlight benefits of a regular qi gong practice (practice being the operative word here, as all once and future yogis will appreciate); perhaps making time for a regular qi gong class will become the next big thing. Here's some inspiration for that aspiration:

First, new research suggests practicing qi gong can help control diabetes symptoms.  And too, practicing qi gong can help regulate high blood pressure (it's in with the "Breathe Deeply" set of recommendations). Perhaps the most dramatic is an article published in the CMJ today which reports on new research suggesting qi gong massage for young children with autism, administered by a trained parent, "resulted in improvement of measures of autism as well as improvement of abnormal sensory responses and self-regulation." This is pretty exciting news by our accounting. Time to learn how to breathe deeply while standing and staring contemplatively off in space. Just teasing -- there's a lot more to it. But qi gong has to be the easiest form of "exercise" ever invented, and it was invented a long, long time ago.

More good news for couch potatoes (ie, most of us): even 15 minutes a day of exercise is beneficial. The excuses are getting harder and harder to find.

No sense in fretting over the inevitability of our need to "eat less, move more." Readers sought out an article on nine different foods that naturally elevate moods for good reason. How about some walnuts and sunflower seeds for that cottage cheese? Go ahead and binge on avocados and oranges. But somehow, bananas in lentils just doesn't sound appetizing.

One more story to check out if you missed it comes from Cuba, whose research seems trapped behind an iron curtain still. Then again, due to a lack of infrastructure and funding, Cuba has liberally experimented with various forms of alternative medicine and consequently, has large samples for their results. Good news about alternative therapies is not welcomed in all quarters of our own country, despite our much-touted freedom of the press. The recent article is about the release of the world's first the world's first therapeutic vaccine against lung cancer. Previously published articles detail stunning results using a homeopathic vaccine to divert a projected outbreak of a vile tropical fever -- not to mention the article about Vidatox, the so-called homeopathic anti-tumor cancer drug developed in Cuba from the venom of the blue scorpion.

Wishing you a peace-filled Thanksgiving and a happy holiday season. Don't let any scorpions bite you -- unless they're blue.

Forward to a Friend (link below)

 

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

please call (727) 821-7771 or write

          

September 2011 Classical Medicine Newsletter

 

5 September 2011

Since today is a national holiday, and since the weather is rainy in some parts of the country, we start our monthly recap with a highly unusual suggestion: Take the time to read the most amazing article you didn't (yet) see in the Classical Medicine Journal.

Published in last week's New York Times Science section, and promptly picked up on public and alternative radio, this fascinating analysis explains how scientists are using bacterial genome sequencing to solve medical mysteries ranging from random individual infections to plagues. Let your imagination run wild to imagine future applications. And once you're hip to the language and hooked on the subject, read the follow-up story detailing how scientists are trying to use the genome of bacterium from skeletons in a 14th-century graveyard in London to figure out what caused the Black Death.

"In other news..."

Most-read story in August was about break-through research and collaboration between Ayurvedic medicine and nanotechnology that is resulting in a very promising new treatment for prostate cancer. Seems that infusing gold nanoparticles in a chemical soup partly prepared from herbs such as tea leaves and cinnamon can eradicate some tumors without side effects, radiation, or chemotherapy. Another exciting example of East and West working together for the greater good of all.

Concerns about a possible link between diabetes and statin drugs continued to draw readers who are researching options for therapy. Since stopping these drugs can be dangerous, people taking a statin must work with their MD on any reduction. But before starting, consider trying some of the safer, natural alternatives first.

Another surprising story about mammograms and breast cancer mortality: Analysis of data from six European countries shows that the prevalence mammogram screening cannot statistically explain the reduction in breast cancer mortality in the countries. Any lower mortality rate is a good thing and breast cancer screening is a good thing but for reasons not yet understood, the later does not depend on the former. But no, this should not be viewed as an excuse to skip the screening method you choose.

Finally, some really good reasons to combine two super-foods for a tasty treat that's good for every part of you: Avocados and Cilantro. Fresh guacamole, anyone? Enjoy the flavors and aromas of summer as we prepare for the seasons to change anew. At leas, that will happen in some parts of the world. Here in Florida, we long for the season when every glass surface isn't covered with the condensation of the humid air outdoors.

Forward to a Friend (link below)

 

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

please call (727) 821-7771 or write

          

March 2011 Classical Medicine Newsletter

 

 

5 April 2011

 

March reader stats are in and one thing is clear: it's cold & flu season! Posts from January and February continued to dominate and all were focused on using homeopathy to treat colds, the flu and ear infections. If you want a refresher, here are the links: Most Commonly Prescribed Homeopathic Flu Medicines, Zinc for the Common Cold, and Homeopathy for Ear Infections.

 

The round-up of other hot topics follows, but scroll through the site to find articles on everything from nutritional information for Girl Scout Cookies to professional athletes using acupuncture to improve their health and performance.

 

The CMJ is updated as soon as we find news to share and we welcome your suggestions for topics, too (there's an email link at the bottom). If you'd prefer not to receive these monthly updates, please use the "to be removed" link.

 

MOST-READ STORIES OF THE MONTH:

Near and dear to our hearts, the video of two Third Graders discussing how one boy healed the other using Qi Gong (we would clarify, Medical Qi Gong) racked up many views. If you missed it, you should watch just for the adorable factor. But beyond that, this short clip goes a long way to introducing the practice of Medical Qi Gong, a field in which one of these boys seems destined to work.

 

Another story that got attention, this from the Huffington Post, offers a broad overview of what Qi Gong is and discusses aspects of developing a Qi Gong practice.

 

If it's true that "we are what we eat," what on earth does that say about us in this 21st century world of additives, pesticides and farming antibiotics? Several stories addressing food-related issues got the attention of CMJ readers, which leads us to speculate that you are concerned about what goes into your mouths -- and what went into the mouths of the creatures in our food supply. A story from Wired.Com suggests that antibiotic-resistant bacteria might be spreading from animals to humans. And not that there's any connection, but the Food & Drug Administration confirmed numbers that indicate animal agriculture consumes 80 percent of all antibiotics used in the United States, more than previously estimated. Let's not forget the rather amazing results of pesticides in orange-flavored sodas. No, wouldn't want to forget that.

 

But help might be as close as the spice cabinet. Very interesting and encouraging results from a study looking at how Curcumin (the active ingredient in the common spice, turmeric) may slow the spread of some breast cancers should make you long for some medicinal Indian food. And an extract from Milk Thistle may, some day, prove helpful for controlling the impact of Hepatitis C on a cellular level.

 

Finally, CMJ readers are staying informed while the age-old debate about the efficacy of homeopathy rages on. While the cacophony is louder on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean right now, an article from the Chicago Tribune discusses how homeopathy has not only survived, but prospered. And in a nod to the Oscar sweep of The King's Speech, Dana Ullman traces the use of homeopathy by four generations of British royalty.

Forward to a Friend (link below)

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

please call (727) 821-7771 or write