Healthy Update is a bi-monthly electronic newsletter from HealthWorld Online providing you the latest information, news and resources from the world of natural health, integrative medicine and Self-Managed Care™. All summaries in Healthy Update link to full articles or expanded resources and services in HealthWorld Online: http://www.healthy.net
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Survey Finds 'Alternative' Healthcare Supplements Traditional
The "alternative" in alternative medicine may be a misnomer, according to researchers who looked at Americans' forays into this increasingly popular realm of the medical world. Most people who try unconventional medical therapies aren't abandoning traditional healthcare, but are instead "adding on" some bonus strategies to improve their health, researchers report in Wednesday's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
In a national survey of more than 16,000 adults, just 1.8 percent said they used "unconventional services," such as chiropractic care or acupuncture, as their only form of healthcare. More often, patients who opted for non-traditional medicine did it on the side of their usual care, according to the findings of Drs. Benjamin Druss and Robert Rosenheck of Yale University in New Haven, Conn.
Vitamin C Eases Stressful Situations in Animal Studies
Research conducted on rats at the University of Alabama suggests that megadoses of vitamin C can in fact help prevent illness by reducing the production of stress hormones. The adrenal gland in rats, humans and other animals contain high levels of vitamin C. "It's really unclear what vitamin C is actually doing in the adrenal," said Campbell. "It was our idea that dietary vitamin C would turn down the production of stress hormones."
New Study Links Whole-Grain Foods with More Than 30% Reduction in Heart Disease Risk
A new Harvard Medical School study released today in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, involving more than 75,000 women, found that eating a diet rich in whole-grain foods like whole-grain breads, cereals and brown rice, may significantly reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Yet, according to a recent survey conducted by the Market Facts Tele-nation Service for Pepperidge Farm, Inc., most Americans are not eating these nutrient-dense foods, and are not aware of whole-grain food sources. Fortunately, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now allows an on-package health claim that will educate Americans on whole-grain foods and their benefits.
To keep up-to-date with news in the world of health and
medicine, visit our Daily Health
News.
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 Dr. Leo Galland in his latest column, "Immune Power for Kids, that 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.
Natural Medicine Research Update
It seems that every year several new supplements are introduced to the over the counter market. It becomes difficult to separate the ones that are effective from those that do no live up to their promise, notes Dr. Ray Saheliann in his latest column S-Adenosyl-methionine (SAMe). SAMe, a compound made from the amino acid methionine, has been available by prescription in Europe for many years but has been available over the counter in the US only since about 1996. Dr. Ascanio Polimeni, a physician in Rome, Italy, says, "SAMe is a wonderful supplement. Some doctors prescribe it in Europe as therapy for depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, and fibromyalgia." Studies have shown that SAMe influences the formation of brain chemicals and helping the preservation of glutathione, an important antioxidant. Furthermore, SAMe is involved in the formation of myelin, the white sheath that surrounds nerve cells. Most individuals who take SAMe notice an increase in concentration, energy, alertness, and wellbeing.
Understanding Homeopathy
Homeopathic medicines are indeed powerful tools but they are not effective in treating all diseased states, according to nationally-recognized homeopathic expert Dana Ullman latest column, "The Limitations and Risks of Homeopathic Medicine." Some conditions do not respond to microdoses because they require surgical intervention, others require immediate and certain relief of symptoms, others are addressed by simple nutritional or lifestyle changes, still others are relieved only upon reduced exposure to certain environmental stresses---and then, there are those who don't experience improvement from homeopathic medicine for unknown reasons.
The Healer Within
The technique described in Dr. Roger Jahnke's latest column, "Alternate Nostril Breathing," has been employed by practitioners of Yoga in India for thousands of years who were aware of the significance of balancing the breath in both nostrils and employed this knowledge to enhance health and consciousness. In alternative nostril breathing, you hold one nostril closed while inhaling and exhaling slowly and deeply. Then hold the opposite nostril closed, inhale and exhale deeply. This breath is often done in preparation for deep relaxation or meditation. You will notice that usually one or the other of the nostrils is more open. If you breath on a small hand mirror, the patch of mist from one nostril will be larger than from the other. Western science did not notice this phenomena until the 1800's. It has been found recently, through the application of current neuro-science, that the practice of alternate nostril breathing helps to balance the right and left hemispheres of the brain.
Keeping Fit with
Dr. Wayne Westcott
After the more relaxed pace of summertime living we are now into the faster and busier daily schedule of school, work, and a variety of extracurricular activities. For many of us, the more hectic lifestyle is associated with greater psychological stress and the potential for higher blood pressure readings. While this is not necessarily the case, it is probably a good idea to have your blood pressure checked at some point during the fall season, according to Dr. Wayne Westcott in his latest column, "Facts About Blood Pressure . Whether your blood pressure is assessed by a physician, nurse, health care professional or family member, the procedure provides the following information.
To read all of our bi-monthly columns visit Columns from the
Experts
"Brain Longevity" with Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D.
Dharma Singh Khalsa's groundbreaking work on age-associated memory loss addresses an issue of rising concern for an aging population. Because many physicians believe that memory loss and decline in overall mental function are a normal part of aging, active treatment for people undergoing such changes is relatively rare. Dr. Khalsa contends that this is a tragic error, and offers a broad-based complementary medicine program for maintaining and restoring peak mental function. His approach includes diet, exercise, meditation, nutritional supplements, and in certain cases prescription medications. (Interviewed by Daniel Redwood, D.C.)
To read more interviews visit Interviews on the Leading Edge
Healthy Travel - Third World Congress on Qigong
Reserve your calendar for this cutting edge event, the
Third World Congress on Qigong and The Second American Qigong Association Conference, Nov. 19-21, 1999 in San Francisco, CA., Everybody's favorite city by the Bay! An unparalleled subtle energy and spiritual healing experience.
Professional Referral Network
We are pleased to announce the addition of the international listing of Bach Flower Remedies practitioners to the Professional Referral Network. The Professional Referral Network contains searchable directories from 19 leading professional associations in complementary and integrative health care, with over 10,000 professionals. You can search for acunpunturists, homeopaths, naturopathic physicians, nutritional experts, practitioners of holistic health care, behavioral optomentrists and more.
Medical Cybrarian Research Service
Need help in researching a difficult health issue? Want to be able to effectively search Medline and other medical databases? Need to have a professional who can do this fast and efficiently? Let an experienced medical librarian do it for you. HealthWorld Online's innovative Medical Cybrarian Service searches the Internet and and other databases, provideing you with information on diseases, treatments (alternative and/or mainstream), drugs, statistics, and patient information that is summarized for your research needs. This "Cybrarian" carefully gathers and selects bibliographic citations, points you to useful Web sites, and annotates or summarizes pages or documents that would be useful to you for reasonable fees.
Association Network -- Hot Pick
Citizens For Health is the national grassroots advocacy organization
committed to protecting and expanding consumer natural health choices.
Through a nationwide network of community-based chapters and members,
Citizens For Health initiates and monitors legislation with the goal of
ensuring access to health information and the freedom to choose from a
broad range of health options.
Visit Citizens For Health.
Global
Health Calendar -- Hot Picks
The Natural Business Retail Strategies Summit
Sept. 22-24, 1999. The Broker Inn. Boulder, CO
Phone: 303.442.8983
Website: www.naturalbusiness.com
Third Annual Natural Pharmacy East: Prescriptions for Success in the New Millennium
October 1-3, 1999. Arlington, VA USA.
Contact: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. & BioConferences International, Inc. (914) 834-3100
Council for Responsible Nutrition '99 Annual Conference
October 3-6, 1999. Palm Springs, CA
Contact: Council for Responsible Nutrition
Phone: (202) 872-1488
Website: www.crnusa.org
Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice: An Evidence-Based Approach.
For physicians, nurses and other health care professionals.
October 8-9, 1999. Ann Arbor, MI USA.
Contact: University of Michigan Health System (877) 800-9887
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Practical Applications and Evaluations.
First Annual Conference.
October 15-17, 1999. San Francisco, CA USA
Contact: Stanford Center for Research in Disease Prevention & Center for Alternative Medicine Research (781) 279-9887
Body & Soul - Boston
October 22-24, 1999. Boston, MA USA
Contact: New Age Publishing and Omega Institute (800) 944-1001
Natural Products Expo East: New Life Choices For The 21st Century
October 22-24, 1999. Baltimore, MD USA
Contact: New Hope Natural Media (303) 939-8440
SupplySide West '99:
The Natural Product Industry's Premier Executive-Level Trade Show and Conference
November 11-13, 1999. Las Vegas, NV USA
Contact: Virgo Publishing, Natural Products Division (602) 990-1101
Third World Congress on Qigong and Second American Qigong Association Conference:
Qigong, Ancient Chinese Healing for the 3rd Millennium
November 19-21, 1999. San Francisco, CA USA.
Contact: East West Academy of Healing Arts (415) 788-2227
| Editor, Healthy Update: James Strohecker
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