White House Panel Looks At Alternative Medicine: "Research Is Crucial"
The commission established earlier this year by President Clinton to recommend ways to assure Americans the maximum benefits of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) began what its chairman called the panel's first "substantive" hearings October 5th in Washington. Dr. James S. Gordon, a professor at Georgetown University Medical School in Washington DC and founder of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, told reporters "a huge percentage of people in this country are using [complementary and alternative therapies] as a significant part of their health care." He went on to say "As a commission, we're concerned with trying to figure out how we can bring the benefits of complementary and alternative medicine to all people in America," and announced the next town hall meeting for October 30-31, 2000, in Seattle, WA.

Lower Prescription Drug Costs Are Not Just Topic For Political Debates: Study Shows Doctors, Patients Can Make Difference
Because doctors are often unaware of prescription drug costs and patients' out of pocket expenses under varied insurance plans, doctors often prescribe expensive medications when a less expensive one would be equally effective. This was the finding of a study by Mount Sinai School of Medicine researchers published in this week's issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. For many common conditions there are numerous medications on the market that work equally well but vary greatly in price.

New Types Of Care Gaining Favor
With at least 50 percent of Americans doing something to enhance their health that's outside the bounds of traditional health care, doctors and policy makers are rapidly making room for "complementary medicine." The reality is, most patients get some of both, and the realization has come to providers that they better learn about what can work together and what might counteract other treatment or do outright harm to patients.

Dietary Vitamin C May Lower Stroke Risk
Add another star to the health status of vegetables -- and more mystique to vitamin C. A long-term study reports that the higher the level of vitamin C in the bloodstream, the lower the odds of suffering a stroke. But the question remains as to which factor is the white knight: Vitamin C itself, a combination of diet and healthy lifestyle, or the symbiotic mix of nutrients in vegetables -- with vitamin C acting as a marker of a produce-rich diet.

Dr. Galland's Integrated Medicine
In this column "EatingFoods that Heal" Dr. Galland discusses detoxifying foods which protect against the effects of environmental pollution, free-radical induced cell damage and cancer through dietary anti-oxidants. Foods that are richest in these anti-oxidants are red, yellow and green vegetables, uncooked nuts and seeds (like almonds and sunflower seeds), and fish. He also outlines the important infection-fighting foods such as garlic, ginger, onions, and tumeric, as well as vegetables containing a high concentration of a group of natural chemicals called saponins, which have immune-stimulating and antibiotic effects--soybeans, chickpeas, bean sprouts, asparagus, tomatoes, potatoes and oats.

The Healer Within
When an individual purposefully seeks a state of deep relaxation, a number of very important physiological mechanisms are triggered. Many disease states are aggravated by the over activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Inducing the relaxation response can resolve or balance the effects of over activity or stress in the body. In "Relaxation Practices" Dr. Roger Jahnke explains how the preliminary level of the self applied health enhancement methods include very simplified but highly effective techniques of progressive relaxation.

Dr. Weil Self-Healing
In an age when Alzheimer's disease gets so much publicity, anxieties about forgetfulness by people in their late forties and older are common and understandable. In the column "Ten Steps to Better Memory" Dr. Andrew Weil shares that most people who fear that their memory is "going" are more likely suffering from stress or a simple lack of attention. Research is pointing to the value of everything from exercise to nutrients to mind games in sustaining mental fitness.

Mind Over Matter
While physicians of our era do not use Star Wars type miniature diagnostic scanning modules the size of Palm Pilots, doctors in Beverly Hills are now offering comprehensive whole body CT (computerized tomography) scans to detect diseases before they're otherwise apparent...even for their healthiest patients. The people who can afford these procedures are convinced such screening can actually benefit them by detecting early signs of disease. In the column "Beam me up, Scotty: technology at a cost" Barry Bittman, M.D. addresses two elements needed prior to offering routine CT scans to the public; research to determine the cost-effectiveness of CT scanning in disease prevention, and reducing the cost of the procedure.

Mind Boosters
Vinpocetine is chemically related to vincamine, an alkaloid found in the periwinkle plant. It was introduced into clinical practice in Europe more than two decades ago for the treatment of cerebrovascular disorders and related symptoms. In "Vinpocetine" Ray Sahelian, M.D. reports that experiments with vinpocetine indicate that it can dilate blood vessels, enhance circulation in the brain, improve oxygen utilization, make red blood cells more pliable, and inhibit aggregation of platelets; and may even have antioxidant properties.

Understanding Homeopathy
A growing number of professional athletes and weekend warriors are spelling relief H-O-M-E-O-P-A-T-H-Y. Although homeopathic medicines have a reputation of helping people who are suffering from chronic diseases, these natural medicines are wonderfully effective in treating common sports injuries. In the column "Homeopathic Medicines For Sports Injuries" Dana Ullman, M.P.H. offers helpful information about single remedies vs. formulas, internal and external remedies, and frequency of doses.

"Moving Chiropractic Forward" With Bill Meeker, D.C., M.P.H.
In this "Moving Chiropractic Forward" interview with Dr. Daniel Redwood, Bill Meeker, D.C., M.P.H. discusses recent developments at National Institutes of Health related to chiropractic and other complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) methods and explains why CAM approaches are sometimes held to higher standards than conventional medicine. He also describes an evolving chiropractic culture, in which research is beginning to move beyond its historic focus on proving chiropractic's validity toward a future where its primary goal is the improvement of chiropractic practice.

Fabulous Functional Food
Garlic oil is a handy thing to have in the refrigerator. It saves you the time it takes to clean and chop garlic. Danish chef Oscar Umahro Cadogan tells us how to create "Garlic Oil" to use for frying, where both garlic and extra virgin olive oil is called for. You can also use it as a substitute for garlic butter and in dressings and sauces calling for both garlic and extra virgin olive oil.

Healthy Bookstore
In "Guided Imagery in Self-Healing: An Essential Resource for Anyone Seeking Wellness" Martin Rossman teaches us a step-by-step method of harnessing the power of the mind to further our own physical healing. Versatile and easy-to-learn, mental imagery as explained by Dr. Rossman, can be used to: Achieve deep physiological relaxation, stimulate healing responses in the body, create an inner dialogue and gain a better understanding of one's health, and improve health and general well-being. A practical and helpful book not only for those facing specific health problems but for all who wish to use the imagination for a wide range of individual purposes unlimited to health situations.

Healthy Travel
Join Dr. Beverly Nelson on a 10 day journey to the "Spiritual and Cultural Cradle of Civilization - Israel" November 30 to December 9, 2000. During the trip, there will be a variety of opportunities to learn about the culture as well as yourself. Discussions will include mind/body techniques and new ways to bring balance into your lifestyle.

Healthy Child Update
In the article "Migraine Headaches and Food Sensitivities in a Child" Drs. James A. Jackson, Hugh D. Riordan, and Ron Hunninghake present the case history of a nine year old boy with chronic migraine headaches. Parents may find interesting clues in following the tracking of symptoms and positive response to nutritional treatment.

Healthy Woman Update
Are you tired and weak? Does the lining of your lower eyelids look pale? If so, you could be anemic. This may mean that either your red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin (oxygen-carrying protein) in your red blood cells is low. This article "Anemia" compiled by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine provides practical information on several types of anemia, treatment options, and self-care procedures.

Professional Referral Network
The Professional Referral Network contains searchable directories from 20 leading professional associations in complementary and integrative health care, with over 16,000 professionals. Looking for a healthcare professional specializing in herbology? The Herbalism section includes the American Herbalists Guild member database.

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 Vaccinations Question Forum has a question waiting for your help. What do you have to share with the woman concerned about risks from unvaccinated children?

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 Holistic Dental Association (HDA) members are dentists committed to considering the ramifications of dental care on the entire person; dentists who will choose dental materials that are biocompatible to the patient's physiology, and who do not perform any service without the person's informed consent to that service.

Visit Holistic Dental Association

Global Health Calendar -- Hot Picks

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

4th Scientific Wholistic Aromatherapy Conference
San Francisco, CA USA
November 10-12, 2000
Contact: Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy - 415-479-9121

Long Beach Marathon
Long Beach, CA USA
November 12, 2000
Contact: Long Beach Marathon - 562-590-8686

MindBodySpirit Medicine
The Professional Training Program
Hilton Head Island, SC USA
November 12-18, 2000
Contact: Center for Mind-Body Medicine - 202-966-7338