Herb Research Foundation Separates Functional Food Facts From Frenzy
The Center for Science in the Public Interest called on the Food and Drug Administration to ban the sale of more than 75 functional food products, claiming they are "spiked with illegal ingredients" and are labeled with "false and misleading claims." The Herb Research Foundation believes that herbal extracts which are legally and safely sold in tablets or capsules or as liquid dietary supplements are not suddenly dangerous when added to foods like fruit smoothies.

Exercise May Help Fight Depression
Exercise works at least as well as a popular prescription drug in treating clinical depression and keeping the condition from returning. Scientists at Duke University Medical Center tested exercise against Zoloft, and found the ability of either - or a combination of the two - to reduce or eliminate symptoms were about the same. But they found exercise seemed to do a better job of keeping symptoms from coming back after the depression lifted.

Menopause Not Only Happens To Aging Women, But Also To Men
The state of menopause is not excluded to aging women, but also to middle-aged and elderly men. Many of the symptoms accompanying the male menopause and the aging process in men are similar to those of hypogonadism. They include a decrease in such things as libido and sexual activity, less signs of virilism such as a thinning of male hair or beard growth, a decrease in muscle mass and strength, lack of energy, ostopenia (weakened or soft bones), a decrease in cognitive functions, irritability, excessive sweating with occasional hot flushes, and a lowering of the feeling of general well-being. We can attribute at least some of these symptoms to an age associated decrease in testosterone levels.

Chain Of Fools?; Genetically Engineered Foods: Are We Creating A Monster Or Making Life Better? Therapies To Supplement Primary Treatment
Whether its called genetically modified foods, transgenic foods or Frankenfoods, there's a debate about uses of biotechnology as it applies to the dinner table. Supporters say biotech foods have the potential to pack more nutrition into fruits and vegetable and help farms become more productive. Those who oppose the industry say foods are released on the market before they are adequately tested, without anyone knowing the environmental damage or health concerns that could result. A significant portion of soybean and corn crops are genetically modified and are used in products like cooking oils, veggie burgers and breakfast cereals. It's estimated that 60-70 percent of processed foods on the market contain genetically engineered ingredients.

FDA Promises Rules On 'Engineered' Foods Critics Want Detailed Labeling, As In Europe Therapies To Supplement Primary Treatment
Responding to consumer safety concerns, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) told Congress September 26th that it would soon detail new regulations covering genetically modified foods. But several members of the Senate said they are not satisfied and will press for labeling of foods with genetically altered contents. Sen. Dodd, co-chairman of the new Senate biotechnology caucus, predicted the labeling issue would spark a major debate in Congress next year. FDA's Center for Food and Nutrition will soon issue regulations requiring producers to notify the FDA at least four months in advance of placing any genetically modified food on the market. In addition, the FDA would require producers to supply information that would help the agency determine whether genetically modified foods raise safety or labeling concerns.

Dr. Galland's Integrated Medicine
A large body of research over the past ninety years has demonstrated the preventive value of eating foods fermented with Lactobacilli or their cousins, Bifidobacteria. In the column "Friendly Bacteria" Leo Galland, M.D. explains how eating these friendly bacteria prevents intestinal infection due to viruses or pathogenic bacteria and preserves intestinal permeability in the face of infection or other types of injury, can prevent antibiotic-induced diarrhea and travelers diarrhea, and can lower serum cholesterol levels. Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria also show anti-cancer activity, by two mechanisms: they inhibit the growth or activity of cancer-promoting bacteria and some strains actually produce chemicals which inhibit tumor growth.

The Healer Within
Slow, non-intense, daily practice of moderate exercise, as it has been done in China through Qigong and in India through Yoga for centuries, is now emerging, with scientific authorization as the fitness enhancement practice of choice, according to Dr. Roger Jahnke in this column, "Gentle Movements and Postures, Part I." While it seems belated in a culture so scientifically evolved, this information is a real miracle in a time of serious crisis in our health care. Now, especially when we look to how the Asian traditions have refined this idea over time, the unwell, the bedridden, those limited to wheel chairs, elders and even the partially paralyzed can derive significant fitness building through moderate self-applied practices of Qigong and Yoga.

Mind Body Health Newsletter
More and more women work outside and inside the home. Do the double demands shouldered by working moms pose a threat to their physical health? In "A Woman's Work Is Never Done" David S. Sobel, M.D. sites evidence of the physiological impact of "role overload" among working mothers, and his suggestions to help balance the demands of job and home.

Dr. Weil Self-Healing
Some 12 million Americans practice yoga regularly, a number that's doubled in the past five years. While some see yoga as a gentle form of exercise, others use it as a relaxation technique, or as valuable therapy for conditions ranging from asthma to back pain to hypertension. Still others consider it a path to spiritual fulfillment. In the column "Stretching the Body, Mind, and Spirit" Andrew Weil, M.D. addresses the benefits of yoga, how to get started, and safety issues.

Keeping Fit with Dr. Wayne Westcott
The column "Keeping Fit: Strength Training in Senior Living Facilities" by Dr. Wayne L. Wescott is "must reading" for everyone who knows someone in a nursing home. Dr. Wescott reports on a 14-week strength training study of elderly patients (average age 88.5 years) in a nursing home, most of whom were confined to wheelchairs at the start of the study. The column outlines the six training exercises that resulted in participants exhibiting better physical and mental fitness, more endurance, and less low back pain. Share this with individuals who have difficulty standing up and walking, and also suffer from poor posture.

Care2 Ask Annie
In her latest column for environmentally conscious consumers Annie Berthold-Bond offers recipes for an alcohol-free skin toner and astringent, solvent-free furniture polish and natural hair spray. She also provides natural tips for preserving fall foliage and cleaning silver.

"The White House Commission On Complementary And Alternative Medicine Policy" With James Gordon, M.D.
In this wide-ranging interview with Dr. Daniel Redwood, James Gordon, M.D. describes the goals of The White House Commission On Complementary And Alternative Medicine Policy, the key areas it will address, and the Commission's desire to elicit the broadest possible input from both the alternative health and conventional health communities. He also discusses the current status of CAM research for cancer and recent steps toward greater integration of CAM in medical education.

Healthy Recipes
Regardless of what ingredients are used, if the cook's consciousness is not prayerful, loving, or joyful ... that food will not be a healing food. Period. It is important to have a state of mind that is free of anger when you are preparing any meal. Instead be filled with heartfelt love for those (including the self!) who will be eating the food, joy in its preparation, and, most importantly, a sense of the Divine coming into the food. This October column for "There's a Yogi in the Kitchen" by Siri-Ved Kaur Khalsa shows why restaurant food becomes so tiring. It only satisfies the belly; rarely does it elevate, nurture and heal.

Healthy Travel
Celebrate your passage into 2001 sharing the timeless wisdom of the Hawaiian culture. The December 28, 2000 through January 2, 2001 "New Years Celebration on Kauai" offers you the opportunity to take part in specially-designed workshops, enchanting performances, and fascinating presentations that will embody the true beauty of Kauai's gracious culture and her people. Return inspired to weave the heart-filled spirit of aloha throughout your daily life - with unforgettable memories of a celebration worthy of ending the Millennial Year 2000 and "officially" beginning the 21st Century.

Healthy Child Update
Diarrhea, or frequent and watery stools, is the body's way of ridding itself of toxins and foreign substances. Most cases of simple diarrhea should not be suppressed too quickly. It may be healthier to allow your child's body to flush itself clean, while supporting with adequate fluids. In the article "Diarrhea" Janet Zand, OMD, LAc expands a parent's knowledge of symptoms, causes, dietary guidelines, and prevention. She presents a broad range of treatment options - conventional, herbal, homeopathy, Bach flower remedies, acupressure, and nutritional supplements, plus general recommendations.

Healthy Man Update
In this article "Herbal Therapy and the Male Reproductive System" David Hoffman, BSc addresses benign adenomatous hyperplasia of the periurethral prostrate gland. This condition is commonly seen in men over age 50, causing variable degrees of bladder outlet obstruction. A small number of enlarged or inflamed prostates may be cancerous. This fact underlies the need for a proper medical investigation. If the symptoms are not markedly impairing the patient's life-style, and if recurrent, serious, or resistant infections or kidney damage are not present, conservative therapy may be adequate for long periods of time.

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 specializing in eye care? The Vision Care/Vision Training Section includes the Optometric Extension Program Foundation member database.

Medical Cybrarian Research Service
Facing a major health-related research project? The HealthWorld Online Medical Cybrarian has the experience and expertise to tackle any size challenge.

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 Health Freedom Forum poses an interesting question regarding the pros and cons of insurance covering alternative medicine. Check this out and add your options.

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
Psychosynthesis International (PSI) is a holistic type of psychology that includes the healing of the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual parts of each of us. PSI offers a three-year Independent Study Program in which one is taught to apply the healing principles of Psychosynthesis to oneself and one's exterior world. "A very cathartic and enlightening experience."

Visit Psychosynthesis International

Global Health Calendar -- Hot Picks

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

Canadian National Health Shows - Edmonton Health Show
Edmonton, Alberta CANADA
November 4-6, 2000
Contact: Canadian National Health Shows - 604-885-4239

Clinical Training in Mind/Body Medicine
Boston, MA USA
November 6-10, 2000
Contact: Center for Training in Mind/Body Medicine
- 617-632-9542