American Research on Herbs and Supplements Proliferates
During the past six years, there has been a dramatic increase in funding for clinical research on herbs and supplements in the United States - a field that until recently has been dominated by European research. The upsurge in American research has largely been a result of improvement in US supplement regulations. The positive regulatory changes have helped educate the American public about complementary therapies while motivating manufacturers to conduct further research.

How Nettles Can Help with Prostate Problems
Most men develop prostate problems after the age of 50 and it is as much a part of growing older as greying hair and failing eyesight. If not prostate cancer, the cause of prostate enlargement is most commonly an over-production of a hormone found in testosterone called DHT. A number of natural products are becoming popular treatment options. Saw Palmetto, an extract made from the berries of a dwarf palm that grows in the US, contains fatty acids and plant sterols that help inhibit DHT. Nettle Root extract has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect on prostate tissue. Pumpkin seed oil inhibits the growth of the prostate, and zinc helps to build healthy testosterone. Certain vitamins are also essential for the prostate including B6, which helps with the absorption of zinc and vitamin D to inhibit prostate cancer cell growth.

Clinical Studies Support Magnetic Therapy Claims
A new form of therapy for the aches and pains that plague us all at one time or another is fast gaining acceptance in the United States. It's called magnetic therapy, and it's helping thousands to find relief from pain. Claims that magnets can help healing go back hundreds of years. There are several theories on how magnetic therapy works, but experts in the field believe that magnets promote healing by increasing blood and lymph circulation, reducing inflammation, and easing pain.

Report Shows Most Americans Living Longer, Healthier Lives
Americans are living longer, healthier and wealthier than ever before, but there are wide disparities based on age, race and sex, according to a federal report released August 10th. The 128-page report, which compiles data from more than a dozen federal agencies, is the first in a series that will track 31 key indicators of the nation's elderly population. It paints a graphic picture of a growing, thriving and increasingly more ethnically diverse population of Americans aged 65 and older. It also pinpoints areas where the elderly have not fared well.

Dr. Galland's Integrated Medicine
Asthma, allergic rhinitis, chronic otitis media and sinusitis are increasing at frightening rates among children in the United States. There are several measures that parents can take to effectively reverse this trend, according to Leo Galland, M.D. in his column, "Immune Power for Kids." These measures are supported by scientific research and have been very effective in his own clinical practice, including a nutritious diet, provision of a hygienic home environment, and regularity of rest and exercise.

The Healer Within
One of the self-healing methods of the ancients that is easy and inexpensive yet absolutely profound is breath practice. In his column, "Exhale to Compress the Organs," Dr. Roger Jahnke reveals a breath practice that is quite remarkable. This method takes the exhalation of the full chest and abdominal breath to a radical extreme that dramatically shifts the pressure in the pelvic, abdominal and chest cavities. The exhalation continues, until it feels as if the body and organs are compressing toward the center. This practice has a profound effect on the nervous system and the lymphatic elimination of waste from the tissues. It unleashes a powerful healing energy. It takes just a few moments, costs nothing is always with you, just a breath away.

Mind Over Matter
If you consider breast cancer unavoidable since your mother and sister both experienced it, you're in for a pleasant surprise. In the column "Cancer: it's not all in the genes!" Barry Bittman, M.D. reports on breakthrough research findings that signal good and bad news in our struggle to discover a cure for cancer. The bad news is that despite recent advances in elucidating the human genome, it now appears that genetic manipulation will not put a halt to cancer. While genes appear to account for a portion of the risk, the majority is attributable to lifestyle choices. On the positive side, the statistics indicate that even in the presence of the same genetic makeup (identical twins), the risk of developing the same type of cancer was surprisingly low.

Mind Boosters
Alzheimer's Disease is a progressive deterioration in mental functioning with onset most commonly starting in one's 80s, although it has been known to start as early as age 30. While scientists have not fully determined the actual causes of Alzheimer's disease, a number of treatment options have been proposed. These include the use of antioxidants, blocking the breakdown of acetylcholine, and improving blood flow to brain cells. In "Supplements For Patients With Alzheimer's Disease" Ray Sahelian, M.D. encourages everyone who knows someone with Alzheimer’s to urge them to explore nutritional therapies. His column references specific research-backed suggestions.

Dr. Weil Self-Healing
How can the simple act of touch promote health benefits? For one thing, the skin is the body's largest organ, containing more than five million touch receptors that send messages to the brain. Research shows that the rhythmic pressure of massage lowers your heart rate and blood pressure while improving blood circulation, ferrying oxygen and other nutrients to the cells and removing waste products (such as lactic acid) from the muscles. In the column "The Healing Power of Massage" Andrew Weil, M.D. explores the human need to touch and be touched. He explains what to expect during a massage session, and even tips for finding a massage therapist.

"Measuring Your Antioxidant Status" With Dr. Charles A. Thomas
Forget about your cholesterol number - what are your levels of CoQ-10, vitamin E, selenium, beta-carotene and vitamin C? You may eat well and take supplements, but do you know if they actually get into your system? Richard A. Passwater, Ph.D. interviews another nutrition expert, Dr. Charles A. Thomas, about "Measuring Your Antioxidant Status." Dr. Thomas reports on his research measuring the concentration of over 20 different substances in human blood serum that are somehow related to the individual's ability to avoid degenerative diseases, and discusses the anti-oxygen-radical-defense system?

Healthy Recipes
Originally made to be a topping for oven baked onions, Danish chef Oscar Umahro Cadogan’s recipe for "Lentil-Zucchini Mash With Nigella Seeds And Roasted Sesame Oil" can also be used like mashed potatoes or as a spread. Try adding chili, coriander, fresh basil, fish sauce, sesame seeds, or other condiments.

Healthy Bookstore
Do You ... Harbor guilt, gripes, or grudges from past relationships?Feel plagued by thoughts like "If only I had or "I wish I didn’t ..."?Think "Oh, no, not again!" when personal problems arise?Feel ashamed of things you’ve done? Wish you could apologize to someone you’ve wronged and be forgiven?Feel victimized by past experiences? Wish you could set the record straight-and finally be vindicated? Wonder why life hasn’t turned out the way you wanted? Feel anxious or depressed about your future? Seem to be less happy as time goes by?

If you answered yes to even one of these questions, you’ve come to the right place. It’s time for "Making Peace With Your Past: The Six Essential Steps to Enjoying a Great Future" by Harold H. Bloomfield, M.D. and Philip Goldberg. You will find a dynamic, psychospiritual approach, confusion replaced by wisdom, bitterness by gratitude, heavy burdens by a lightness of being. You will finally be able to put the past to blessed rest and create the future you always dreamed of-and deserve.

Healthy Travel
A two week adventure tour in Turkey is available from October through March. This "Winter Hiking Tour Of Turkey" concentrates on a small area of the wild and beautiful southern coast, wedged between the snowclad Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean. You will hike the deserted beaches and alpine trails which link the rich cluster of archaeological sites scattered along the seashore.

Healthy Child Update
Skin rashes come in all forms and sizes. Some are raised bumps, others are flat red blotches. Some are itchy blisters; others are patches of rough skin. Most rashes are harmless and clear up on their own within a few days. A few may need medical attention. The skin is one of the first areas of the body to react when exposed to something you or your child is allergic to. The column "Skin Rashes" prepared by American Institute of Preventive Medicine assists you to identify the most common skin rashes your child may develop, offers a guide for determining the severity of the condition, and suggests self-care tips for those not needing professional attention.

Healthy Woman Update
Endometriosis is the presence of uterine tissue outside its usual location on the inner lining of the uterus. Endometrial tissue may implant itself on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, pelvic ligaments, abdominal organs, old scars and in rare cases, the chest, lung, spinal cord and extremities. Over time the implants may enlarge, bleed, cause scarring and form tough fibrous adhesions between pelvic and abdominal structures. Up to twenty percent of women of childbearing age are affected by this troublesome condition. In the column "Endometriosis" David L. Hoffmann, M.N.I.M.H. addresses possible causes, the difficulty in diagnosing, and why various treatment options may be effective.

Professional Referral Network
The Professional Referral Network contains searchable directories from over 20 leading professional associations in complementary and integrative health care, with over 16,000 professionals. Looking for a healthcare professional offering the homeopathic approach? The Homeopathy Section of this Referral Network includes the member database for the Council for Homeopathic Certification (CHC) and Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians (HANP).

Medical Cybrarian Research Service
Medical librarians were formerly only available through a hospital or university medical library. Now referred to on HealthWorld Online as a "Cybrarian," this librarian in cyberspace can help you locate the really hard-to-find material on diseases and their treatments.

The Cybrarian offers you personalized research service, searching the Internet, books, MEDLINE and other databases, to find EXACTLY the information you require. The Cybrarian can custom design research for individual patients or healthcare professionals, as well as healthcare industry business people, including information on diseases, treatments, products, market research or statistics for alternative, complementary and conventional medicine. For reasonable fees, the Cybrarian carefully gathers and selects the information or points you to useful web sites and other sources, with the speed and searching techniques acquired from many years of professional research.

Participate in our Online Community--Join our Discussion Forums
The Mind-Body-Spirit Health Forum has a question getting contradictory responses. Do you have something to add about the use of the herb Nettles?

Join in the ongoing discussion in our "Health Freedom," "The Vaccination Question," "Genetically Modified Foods," "Issues in Integrated Health Care," "Mind-Body-Spirit Health," and "Qigong and Taiji" forums.

Association Network -- Hot Pick
The Optometric Extension Program Foundation (OEP) is an international, non-profit organization dedicated to educating the general public about the importance of visual hygiene, the prevention of visual and ocular problems, and the development and enhancement of vision. Behavioral optometry seeks to treat the causes of visual disorders rather than merely compensate for refractive error.

Visit Optometric Extension Program Foundation

Global Health Calendar -- Hot Picks

National Advisory Council on Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Bethesda, MD USA
August 28-29, 2000
Contact: NCCAM - 301-480-2802

Natural Products Northwest 2000
Bellevue, WA USA
September 8-9, 2000
Contact: NNFA Northwest Region - 360-385-1186

Natural Pharmacy 2000
Drugs, Nutrients, and Botanicals: The Successful Prescription for Growth
Palm Springs, CA USA
September 8-10, 2000
Contact: Natural Pharmacy & BioConferences Intl. - 914-834-3100

Natural Products Expo East
Natural and Organic Products Trade Show
Baltimore, MD USA
September 20-24, 2000
Contact: New Hope Natural Media - 303-939-8440

Yoga into the 21st Century
New York, NY USA
September 22-24, 2000
Contact: Yoga Journal & Omega Institute for Holistic Studies - 800-561-9398

Autism
Baltimore, MD USA
September 30 - October 2, 2000
Contact: Optometric Extension Program Foundation - 949-250-8070

A Spiritual Roadmap to Inner & Outer Prosperity
with Maria Nemeth - author of The Energy of Money
Indianapolis, IN USA
October 6-7, 2000
Contact: Midwest Association for Humanistic Psychology - 888-241-2443

The World of Aromatherapy III
International Conference and Trade Show
Seattle, WA USA
October 19-22, 2000
Contact: National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy - 888-ASK-NAHA

AHG Symposium, 2000
Clinical Practice and Assessment Skills
Watsonville CA USA
October 20-22, 2000
Contact: American Herbalists Guild - 541-201-0662

Renewing Body & Soul: The Workshop Series
Denver, CO USA
October 20-22, 2000
Contact: New Age Publishing - 800-862-7538

Soul in Education - International Education Conference
Findhorn, Forres, Scotland UNITED KINGDOM
October 21-27, 2000
Contact: Findhorn Foundation - 01309-691933

SupplySide West
Las Vegas, NV USA
October 22-24, 2000
Contact: Supply Side - 480-990-1101