Homeopathy: The Good, Bad, and Healed!

PRO’s of Homeopathy	CON’s of Homeopathy
Case studies show dramatic improvements in well being following homeopathic treatments.1,2	Lack of clinical trials supporting homeopathy and non-systematic gathering of evidence.5
There are over two centuries of clinical observation and trials to support homeopathic medicine.1,2	There is not a clear understanding/explanation of how homeopathy works based on current knowledge of chemistry and physiology.1,2,5,6,7
There is an extensive data-base of clinical treatments build on patient treatment successes, and clinical and toxicological research.1	Dilution rates of remedies are so high that it is unlikely the original ingredient is left in the final remedy. 2, 4
Holistic system of medicine, treating the individual and their specific symptoms.1,2	Meta-Analysis published in Lancet 2005 indicated that homeopathic remedies were consistent with placebo. 4,  According to Dr. Shalt’s lecture
Utilizes natural medicines, some which have been used for over 200 years.1	Pharmacists have concern about having homeopathic remedies in pharmacies due to the violation of ethical boundaries, bound to practicing evidenced based medicine. 4
Studies show improved quality of life and patient satisfaction with care in homeopathic treatment when compared with allopathic treatments.1	Low profit.1
Homeopathic treatment cost are cheaper than allopathic treatment cost.1	Consistent standards and academic rigor are lacking in most homeopathic schools and training programs  and there is no centrally designated authority governing these programs in the U.S.1
Homeopathic medicines are regulated by the FDA.2	There are a limited number of Homeopathic Practitioners.1
Fewer adverse events with better patient satisfaction has been seen in several studies comparing homeopathic treatment with both placebo and allopathic treatments.2	Lack of regulation of practitioners may result in improper use and non-homeopathic use of reputable homeopathic products, increasing the risk of adverse drug reactions.2
Homeopathy, like other CAM treatments does not see a need to be explained by Western medicine standards.5	Low quality effectiveness for the for homeopathy.5
When you are ill, your body becomes hypersensitive to homeopathic preparations.5	Scientists believe that it cannot have curative effects since it is chemically identical from water.5
Homeopaths believe that we do not understand the biological mechanism behind some allopathic medications so it shouldn’t be necessary with homeopathy either.5	Scientists do not support that homeopathic remedies that are chemically identical from each other can have different effects in the body.5
Effectiveness is incredibly strong.5	Scientists believe homeopathic solutions will have trace impurities beyond those of the active ingredient.5
Patients exhibit sudden and sometimes astounding improvements after receiving a homeopathic remedy.5	The placebo effect.5
Patients tend to improve regardless of treatment.5	Due to the enormous amount of unexplained mysteries with homeopathy,  answering those mysteries would require massive revision of standard chemistry and physiology.5
Homeopathy is more than just a placebo effect.6	Homeopathic uses need to be more thoroughly evaluated.6
Homeopathic treatment appears to have clinical pathways to a specific prescription that exist.6	Homeopathic products may be legally recognized as “drugs” but that does not mean that the FDA recognizes them as effective.7
Patients consulting  a physician using homeopathy cited the fact that the physician incorporated homeopathy into their medical practice as the main reason for seeing that physician.6	Since many homeopathic remedies contain no detectable amount of active ingredient, it is impossible to test whether or not they contain what their label says it does.7
Suggests that homeopathy can be evaluated in clinical trials.1,2,6	Unlike most drugs, they have not been proven effective against disease by double-blind clinical testing.7
Homeopathic philosophy emphasizes self-healing and patients using homeopathy appear to regard their practitioners and the treatments they prescribe as having less of an influence on their health than the patients treated  with  conventional  medicine.6
Use of homeopathy is rapidly growing in the US and Europe.6
The U.S. Congress passed a law in 1938 declaring that homeopathic remedies are to be regulated by the U.S. FDA and can be purchased without a physician’s prescription.7
Homeopathic remedies are required to meet certain legal standards for strength, quality, purity, and packaging.7
Used worldwide.7
The remedies work by stimulating the body’s immune system, rather than by suppressing it.7
The remedies work by stimulating the body’s immune system, rather than by suppressing it.7

References:

1.      Whitmont R. The Science of Homeopathy: Part I. American Journal of Homeopathic Medicine[serial online]. Winter2009 2009;102(4):177-185. Available from: Alt HealthWatch, Ipswich, MA. Accessed October 13, 2011.

2.       Sehon S, Stanley D. Evidence and simplicity: why we should reject homeopathy. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice[serial online]. April 2010;16(2):276-281. Available from: CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Ipswich, MA. Accessed October 13, 2011.

3.       Whitmont R. The science of homeopathy, part II. American Journal of Homeopathic Medicine [serial online]. March 2010;103(1):12-21. Available from: CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Ipswich, MA. Accessed October 13, 2011.

4.       Johnson T, Boon H. Where does homeopathy fit in pharmacy practice?. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education. February 2007; 71(1): Article 07. Accessed October 12, 2011.

5.    Sehon S, Stanley D. Evidence and simplicity: why we should reject homeopathy. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice [serial online]. April 2010;16(2):276-281. Available from: CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Ipswich, MA. Accessed October 13, 2011.

6.    Riley D, Fischer M, Singh B, Haidvogl M, Heger M. Homeopathy and conventional medicine: an outcomes study comparing effectiveness in a primary care setting. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine [serial online]. April 2001;7(2):149-159. Available from: CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Ipswich, MA. Accessed October 13, 2011.

7.       Valverde J. Homeopathy: The lost of credibility of the Institutions. Pharmaceuticals Policy & Law [serial online]. January 2011;13(1/2):79-90. Available from: Business Source Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed October 13, 2011.

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Phoods For You

We all know that proper nutrition is necessary for a healthy body. A diet with a variety of foods and a variety of colors will keep our bodies running well. A diet high in fiber with a lot of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates will help our bodies to run optimally. Today there is a new group of foods called functional foods, or phoods for the pharmaceutical element. Functional foods are only one aspect of diet, and diet is only one aspect of a comprehensive lifestyle approach to good health, which should include regular exercise, tobacco avoidance, maintenance of a healthy body weight, stress reduction, and other positive health practices. Functional foods can sometimes be part of an effective strategy to promote good health, but they should never be considered a substitute for other good health habits and they should never be used instead of medically prescribed therapy for any health problem.

All plant foods are functional at some physiological level; the American Dietetic Association (ADA) states that functional foods that include whole foods and fortified, enriched, or enhanced foods have a potentially beneficial effect on health when consumed as part of a varied diet on a regular basis, at effective levels. All foods have a function when consumed in proper balance as part of an overall healthy diet. Functional foods include whole foods (eg. fruits and vegetables). Those foods that have been fortified, enriched, or enhanced with nutrients, phytochemicals, or botanicals, as well as dietary supplements, also fall within the realm of functional foods. Functional foods do more than meet minimum daily nutrient requirements, they also can play a role in reducing the risk of disease and promoting good health. Functional foods provide health benefits beyond the provision of essential nutrients, when they are consumed at efficacious levels as part of a varied diet on a regular basis.

While functional foods potentially offer health benefits, it is important to keep these in perspective and that they are enjoyed in the knowledge not that they offer a magic bullet against health problems, but that they are a positive, health enhancing addition to an overall balanced diet and active lifestyle.  Adding a food that contains a particular nutrient to one's diet does not necessarily mean that the nutrient will have the desired effect; issues like effective dosage also must be considered.  These "functional foods" are not a substitute for a well-balanced diet, which is the cornerstone of good nutrition.  While some products have merit for certain consumers, we should all remain skeptical about whether these "functional" foods are useful for everyone.

Functional foods are a current trend that has very little scientific evidence to back them up.  Many food components are under investigation for their health benefits, but only few are proven.  The word functional also means useful, practical or purposeful.  So for a food to be termed ‘functional’ it means that it must do its’ job to provide energy, or calories, or vitamins/minerals to our bodies.  If the food we are ingesting is going through the metabolic process, providing our cells with energy and keeping our bodies alive, it is a functional food, it is purposeful.  Provided that there are foods that do better at disease prevention, nourishment, repair and sustained growth than others, but is this trend of functional foods just another ploy by the supplement manufacturers to sell more products?  “The probiotics in yogurt are functional, but this brand of yogurt is better.” “Skip the yogurt completely and buy our tablet.”  “More fruits and vegetables are great, but you don’t have to eat any if you buy are supplement.” “Eat more omega-3’s, but if you don’t like fish, buy our brand of fish oil.” If we continue to eat a well balanced diet of the foods we were eating before the trend, proper nutrition can be obtained.

References

Clare M. Hasler, 2002 The American Society for Nutritional SciencesJ. Nutr. 132:3772-3781, December 2002 Functional Foods: Benefits, Concerns and Challenges—A Position Paper from the American Council on Science and Health

"Functional Foods." Encyclopedia of Food & Culture. Ed. Solomon H. Katz. Vol. 2. Gale Cengage, 2003

Meister, K. MA. Facts About Functional Foods retrieved on 11/20/11 from http://www.acsh.org/publications/pubID.348/pub_detail.asp

Eat Right, The American Dietetic Assoc. Functional Foods, Volume 109, Issue 4, Pages 735-746 (April 2009)

The New York Times, Business Day. Foods with Benefits, or So They Say. Retrieved on 10/20/11 from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/15/business/15food.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1

European Food Information Council. FOOD TODAY 12/1999 Functional Foods

Torpy, J. (2002) Medical News & Perspectives Integrating Complementary Therapy Into Care. [Electronic version] JAMA. 287(3):306-307.

Ebbing, M; Bonaa, K; Nygard, O; Arnesen, E; Ueland, P; Nordrehaug, J; Rasmussen, K; Njolstad, I; 
Refsum, H; Nilsen, D; Tverdal, A; Meyer, K; Vollset, S. (2009) Cancer Incidence and Mortality After 
Treatment With Folic Acid and Vitamin B₁₂[Electronic version] JAMA. 2009;302(19):2119-2126.

Zhang, S; Cook, N; Albert, C; Gaziano, J; Buring, J;  Manson, J. (2008) Effect of Combined Folic Acid, Vitamin B₆, and Vitamin B₁₂on Cancer Risk in Women: A Randomized Trial. [Electronic version]   JAMA. 2008;300(17):2012-2021.

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Yin & Yang and Today's Medical Paradigm

The light and dark side of the mountain: the symbolism of energy within and without.  The two opposing forces which consists in every aspect of being, yin and yang, impacts our very existence. Within our existence, is our life force energy, or qi, which flows in everything and through everyone.  Maintaining a proper balance of qi, particularly yin and yang, creates harmony, a sort of homeostasis; similarly, an imbalance begets disharmony. It is this imbalance that allows our entire being to succumb to disease, our organs to fail and increases our susceptibility to disease.

Understanding a little more about qi: Master Duan Zhi-Liang Wuji Qigong Master Shur Qigong Master

One major disease yin and yang imbalance is associated with is cancer. It is suggested that lin28/let-7 signaling link can be viewed much like a yin and yang balancing act. Consistent with this concept, lin28 and let-7 have been shown to have opposing expression patterns suggesting that this yin and yang imbalance is mainly associated with tumor progression and functions in development and tumor progression.  In mast cells where the suppressor and activator roles of mast cells in allergic inflammation are opposites. During allergic exacerbations there is an imbalance of mast cell functions which result in the symptoms related to allergic asthma and food allergy. During remission the balance is restored.  

One more disease viewed differently in Chinese medicine is diabetes, which is called xiao ke, or "wasting thirst syndrome". It is believed in Chinese medicine that there is a deficiency of yin, thus creating fake heat which affects the lungs, stomach and kidneys. The Chinese medicine understanding of what causes diabetes is very similar to Allopathic medicine in that those who eat/drink too much alcohol, sugar or fat (all yang foods) and live a sedentary life will develop xaio ke. Toxic heat develops which is thought to consume vital organs’ fluids and causes malfunction and disharmony between lung, stomach and kidney.
The combination of Allopathic and Chinese medicine can be shown in the example of insulin and glucagon:
We can ascertain by their functions, insulin would represent yin energy while glucagon represents yang energy.  One cannot function without the other, and without both in balance, the body becomes diseased.

Knowledge of yin and yang energy can help in the prevention, diagnosis, and cure of diseases, even where Allopathic medicine lacks.  It would behoove Allopathic medicine greatly to adopt this paradigm, and it would also benefit the millions of people who suffer from diseases in which there is no known cure for in Allopathic medicine.  The incorporation of such knowledge into our medical paradigm could potentially save millions of lives.





Sources:
A.D. Kraneveld, et al., The two faces of mast cells in food allergy and allergic asthma: The possible concept of Yin Yang , Biochim. Biophys. Acta (2011)
Ageless Herbs. Traditional Chinese Medicine .Yin Yang Theory. Catherine Browne, L.Ac., MH, Dipl.Ac . Retrieved on 11/4/11
Ho, L. Robertson, M. The Yin and Yang of Diabetes. Exploring Chinese medicine's understanding of diabetes mellitus.
J.B. Soriano, A. Agustı, Eur Respir J 2008; 32: 1426–1427 COPD: or balancing repair (yang) and inflammation (yin)
Junfang Ji, Xin Wei Wang A Yin-Yang balancing act of the lin28/let-7 link in tumorigenesis
Journal of Hepatology Volume 53, Issue 5, November 2010, Pages 974-975
K. Maiese, Yin Yang: A Balancing Act for Oxidative Stress, Volume 3 (2010), Issue 4, Pages 227-227, Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
Monti, Daniel A. and Yang, Jingduan, "Complementary medicine in chronic cancer care" (2004).Jefferson Myrna Brind Center of Integration Medicine Faculty Papers.
Source: adapted from"Protein Power."
Diabetes Health, Investigate, inform, inspire. Yin and Yang: Balancing Insulin and Glucagon. Retrieved on 11/4/11 from http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2000/02/01/1789/yin-and-yang-balancing-insulin-and-glucagon
Shen-Nong Limited 2002-2005 “Understanding Kidney Yin and Kidney Yang” April 25-2009 http://www.shen-nong.com/eng/principles/kidneyyinyang.html

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