Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients back issues from January 2004:
Letter from the publisher.
Jan 01, 2004; ... With the holiday season we are bombarded each fall with great recipes for the Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, followed like clockwork with "resolutions" to diet and lose weight in the New Year. (We resolve to do neither to our readers.) However, this issue which had the best intentions ...
Metagenics helps lead the charge towards Naturopathic Doctor licensing.
Jan 01, 2004 ... Metagenics, Inc., announced its support of the recently passed Naturopathic Doctors Act, SB 907. Introduced by Senator John Burton and sponsored by the California Association of Naturopathic Physicians (CANP), the bill to license naturopathic doctors in California passed the State's ...
2003 American Holistic Veterinary Conference healing animals & ourselves.
Jan 01, 2004; ... The September 2003 American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA) Annual Conference in Durham, North Carolina, proved that alternative and complementary therapies are benefiting animals as well as humans. Founded in 1982, by Carvel G. Tickert, DVM and a small group of ...
Obituary--John Lee, MD.
Jan 01, 2004; ... John Roland Lee, MD is an American icon. He changed the face of women's medicine, and he changed me--forever. I first met John in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, 1995 during one of his lectures. Just a short five weeks earlier, I was sent his two self-published books, Optimal ...
Some problems persist with Ginseng supplements but overall quality improves according to ConsumerLab.com.
Jan 01, 2004 ... In contrast to its testing three years ago in which nearly 60% of Asian and American Ginseng supplements were found to have significant problems, testing of recently purchased products by ConsumerLab.com found problems with a far lower percentage--17%. In one of five products claiming to ...
Don's Tale--a tribute to Dr. Donald Carrow, MD.
Jan 01, 2004; ... From his first breath, Dr. Donald Carrow was unique, destined to be newsworthy. His birth in 1934, announced in newspaper headlines, hailed his arrival--the first baby born at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital's brand spanking new maternity ward. When he died unexpectedly 69 years ...
Shorts.
Jan 01, 2004; ... Bone Density Tests Many consider osteopenia (a symptomless measurement of low bone density) to be an early sign of osteoporosis, but an article by New York Times science reporter Gina Kolata questions the significance of this diagnosis. In 1992, the World Health Organization ...
Literature review & commentary.
Jan 01, 2004; ... Unreliability of hair analysis A split hair sample taken from near the scalp of a single healthy volunteer was sent to six commercial laboratories, which perform 90% of the hair mineral analyses in the United States. For 12 of the 31 minerals analyzed, the inter-laboratory ...
The war on cancer; Femara takes the cancer world by storm--Part 1.
Jan 01, 2004; ... It is being hailed as the biggest break-through in the treatment of breast cancer in years. An anti-estrogen drug called Femara (letrozole) has been found to decrease the risk of recurrences in post-menopausal women who have been treated for early-stage hormone-sensitive breast cancer ....
Chinese medicine update: tongue diagnosis in Chinese medicine.
Jan 01, 2004; ... Keywords: Chinese medicine, pattern discrimination, tongue diagnosis In last month's issue of The Townsend Letter, I described the role of pulse diagnosis in standard professional Chinese medicine. This month I would like to discuss tongue diagnosis or, more properly, tongue ...
Healing with homeopathy; the use of laboratory tests in a classical homeopathic practice.
Jan 01, 2004; ... Homeopathic Physicians Often Order Fewer Lab Tests Homeopaths are famous for spending long periods of time with patients and delving into nearly every imaginable aspect of the person that is relevant to finding the correct medicine. Our patients share with us a wealth of ...
Phytotherapy review & commentary; measuring herbal quality--the role of laboratory analysis.
Jan 01, 2004; ... For most herbs there exists considerable debate and uncertainty as to the definition of a high quality product. In particular, the phytochemical components which are necessary for therapeutic activity are usually not known. This then poses the question: "What do I measure in the herbal ...
Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology review and commentary.
Jan 01, 2004; ... Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology describes the unity of mental, neurological, hormonal and immunological functions with its many potential applications. PNIE addresses the impact of cognitive images of the mind (whatever its elusive definition) on the central nervous system and consequent ...
Highly effective treatments for pain and fatigue; eliminating food allergies.
Jan 01, 2004; ... I have found that most of my patients' food and other sensitivities resolve when I treat their underlying yeast overgrowth, parasitic infections, and underactive adrenal glands. Sometimes food sensitivities persist, however, and are often hard to isolate or verify because of the diversity ...
Laboratory food allergy testing: evaluating the necessity for this diagnostic approach.
Jan 01, 2004; ... Headaches, arthritis, joint pain, depression, fatigue, hypoglycemia, recurrent infections, mood swings, acne, eczema, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and attention deficit disorder (ADD). These are just some of the health problems many individuals and some doctors attribute to hidden food ...
The clinical relevance of IgG food allergy testing through ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay).
Jan 01, 2004; ... Allergic reactions to foods may be classified as either IgE-mediated or nonIgE-mediated--the role of the former in food allergy being well-established. However, interestingly enough, the majority of food allergies are associated with specific nonIgE-mediated immune sensitivities. As such, ...
Clinical importance of delayed immune reactions to antigens and haptens detected by functional Lymphocyte Response Assays (LRA by ELISA ACT tests) in primary management of chronic disease--part II.
Jan 01, 2004; ... Procedure, method & clinical results for LRA by ELISA/ACT tests The LRA by ELISA/ACT procedure is straightforward. It requires a 12 hour period of water only followed by a one-ounce blood draw. This is the amount of blood the bone marrow produces in about one hour. ...
A natural liquid cartilage extract brings new hope for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
Jan 01, 2004; ... Abstract The latest progress and trends in antiangiogenic therapy were recently presented at the "Angiogenesis: New Opportunities & Solutions for Drug Development" meeting held on September 29-30, 2003 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The conference featured Dr. Judah Folkman, MD, ...
Definitions of Clinical laboratory reference limits.
Jan 01, 2004; ... Introduction It is clearly established that macro and micronutrient factors play important roles in the etiology of most diseases that are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in modern society. (1) Clinical laboratories now have reliable methods for measuring a patient's ...
Food allergies: establishment of diagnosis.
Jan 01, 2004; ... Allergies, it seems, are everywhere. And does it not seem like more and more of the people you know are developing some type of allergic symptoms that they did not have before? A highly complex phenomenon, allergies and their increased incidence are a puzzling problem. With 50 million ...
A new benchmark for reliability in food allergy testing; testing for all four IgG sub-fractions leads to over 90% reproducibility, verified by blind split-sampling results.
Jan 01, 2004 ... Changing food habits have led to rapid growth in the incidence of food allergies. Food allergies have been linked with migraine headaches, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), arthritis, ADHD in children and many life-threatening conditions resulting from a compromised immune system ....
Seasonal Affective Disorder: avoiding the winter blues.
Jan 01, 2004; ... Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) sometimes known as "winter depression" or "winter blues" belongs to a group of depressive disorders known as major depressive disorder. Characterized by ongoing or recurrent depressive episodes that are associated with changing seasons into the winter ...
The healing power of full-spectrum light.
Jan 01, 2004; ... Ultraviolet Light: Myths and Facts America has a phobia, an irrational fear, about ultraviolet (UV) light. In a new science fad, unwise practices are being urged on us. The resulting sickness and misbehaviour will mystify yet enrich physicians, psychiatrists, dentists and ...
Naturopathic urinalysis.
Jan 01, 2004; ... Abstract: Naturopathic physicians employ objective tests to not only diagnosis common health complaints, but also look for the early warning signs of our silent killers--cardiovascular disease, looming malignancy, and prerenal failure. Urinalysis is an objective and relatively inexpensive ...
Microscopy and the search for the soul.
Jan 01, 2004; ... The search for the essence of living beings has found an obscure outlet in microscopy. This search for the invisible, the driving force, the soul or nature behind living things, included the 1860s heated debate between Louis Pasteur and Antoine Bechamp, with Bechamp's claim that a ...
Clinical value of 24-hour urine hormone evaluations.
Jan 01, 2004; ... Background Hormone replacement therapy is the corner stone of anti-aging medicine. It represents a means by which physicians can make a great impact on the health and well being of their patients. Exciting developments in urinary hormone testing have allowed practitioners ...
Saliva hormone testing.
Jan 01, 2004; ... Introduction As I frequently write on the topic of laboratory testing and analysis of steroid hormones in saliva, I have chosen to collect and augment my writings for purposes of this article, to encompass the advantages and disadvantages of the methodology as it compares with ...
MS is not "hopeless".(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
Jan 01, 2004; ... Editor: I was happy to receive the November TLfDP with the focus on MS by the various health care disciplines and disappointing but not surprising--there are no mentions of a cure (or a permanent remission if you prefer). In fact, nothing but reams and reams of speculation on ...
My experience with mercury toxicity.(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
Jan 01, 2004; ... Editor: After dissolving yet again into tears of frustration, pain, and perplexity, I went to a local Emergency Room (ER) in March of 2002. Approximately six months prior to my ER visit I had begun feeling slowly progressing lower leg pains and discomfort that grew to searing ...
Hiatal Hernia/Vagus Nerve Disorder: a leading cause of allergies & chronic illness.(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
Jan 01, 2004; ... Editor: In this update to my article on the Hiatal Hernia/Vagus Nerve Disorder Syndrome, (1) I will emphasize two new, related matters. One is a common, but serious additional stomach/esophagus anomaly that may actually be causing some of the problems attributed to the hernia ...
Foot in mouth?(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
Jan 01, 2004; ... Editor: I must comment on Dr. Gaby's remarks about mercury amalgams in his "Literature Review & Commentary" from November's Townsend Letter. While I agree that patients need to realistically weigh the potential benefits of amalgam replacement against cost, trauma, etc., your ...
Correction/clarification.(Letters to the Editor)(Correction Notice)
Jan 01, 2004 ... In the November 2003 issue, a review of the book What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Autoimmune Disease, by Stephen Edelson, MD and Deborah Mitchell, incorrectly stated that the authors believed that autism is an autoimmune disease. Rather, the authors state, "It is my ...
Clinical validity of hair tissue mineral analysis (TMA): a psycho-physiological viewpoint.(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
Jan 01, 2004; ... Editor: A few years ago in the Townsend Letter Dr. Alan Gaby wrote some critical editorial comments about hair tissue mineral analysis (TMA). Dr. Gaby's editorial comments were a useful stimulant to discussion of several important technical and clinical issues related to this ...
Hair mercury testing: an accepted and viable test.(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
Jan 01, 2004; ... Editor: Recently, it was brought to my attention that an inaccurate article on mercury testing appeared on a website that is dedicated to discrediting and eliminating alternative health therapies. The article titled "Dubious Mercury Testing" appears to be focused on ...
Blood vs. saliva.(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
Jan 01, 2004; ... Editor: What is the Issue? Many medical doctors question the effectiveness of transdermal steroid hormones such as testosterone and progesterone. They say that these hormones are not appreciably absorbed into the bloodstream from the skin, and therefore, they do not ...
Before you order that lab test ... part 2.(Editorial)
Jan 01, 2004; ... In the last issue of the Townsend Letter, I argued that, for many patients, an appropriate diagnosis and effective treatment plan can be developed solely from a careful history and physical exam, supported by a few basic lab tests. More-detailed laboratory testing, including some so-called ...
Medical journalist report of innovative biologics: friends in the US Senate need our support to strengthen the influence of DSHEA within the FDA.
Jan 01, 2004; ... Readers encouraged to speak out in support of US Senate Bill S.1538.IS The year 1994 stands as a milestone on the rocky road for advancement of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in the United States. Just nine years ago, the 103rd Congress led our country in a ...
Non-prescription Healing aids.
Jan 01, 2004; ... Healing Without Medication by Robert S. Rister Basic Health Publications, 8200 Blvd E., N. Bergen, New Jersey 07047 USA Oversized quality paperback, notes, index, 2003, $24.95, 738 pp Healing Without Medication is a comprehensive guide to ...
Refining the blood labs.
Jan 01, 2004; ... Blood Chemistry and CBC Analysis, Clinical Laboratory Testing from a Functional Perspective by Dicken Weatherby, ND and Scott Ferguson, ND Vis Medicatrix Press; Jacksonville, Oregon USA; 888-378-3224; www.Health-Alliances.com, Softcover; $65.00; 295 pages, ISBN ...
The Genius of Royal Rife.
Jan 01, 2004; ... The Rise and Fall of a Scientific Genius (video) written & directed by Shawn Montgomery Zero Zero Two Productions, 3 Baldoon Rd., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1B 1V6; www.zerozerotwo.org 74 minutes; available in North American standard and European Standard ...
Physical, emotional & spiritual health at midlife.
Jan 01, 2004; ... Yoga and the Wisdom of Menopause by Suza Francina Health Communications, Inc., 3201 SW 15th Street, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442 USA; 800-851-9100; kimw@hcibooks.com Quality paperback, 2003, $12.95, 269pp. Today more women than at ...
Medical anthropology: anthropometrics testing and design of human-compatible technologies.
Jan 01, 2004; ... Anthropometrics is the study of quantitative measurement of human variation. Traditionally, it has been limited to studies of physical variation in terms of human body measurements such as weight, height, waist to hip ratio, and skin-fold thickness (body composition), and nutritional for ...
Acupuncture and moxibustion: Akabane testing: a simple way of measuring the qi in acupuncture channels.
Jan 01, 2004; ... Keywords: Chinese medicine, acupuncture-moxibustion, Japanese acupuncture, Kobe Akabane, Akabane testing, jing well points Kobei Akabane was a Japanese acupuncturist practicing 50-plus years ago. He came up with a novel diagnostic method for measuring the qi in the 12 main channels of ...
Medicinal properties in whole foods; assessing individual susceptibility to increased herbicide exposure caused by the production of genetically engineered crops.
Jan 01, 2004; ... This month's article is the second part of a two-part discussion on GMO foods, focusing in particular on the role that genetically engineered (GE) herbicide-resistant crops play in disrupting detoxification mechanisms in humans and increasing the risk of health challenges including cancer ....
Calendar.(Calendar)
Jan 01, 2004 ... CALL FOR ABSTRACTS for 1st INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON PARADOXICAL EFFECTS IN BIOPHYSICS & MEDICINE. Conference is December 12-17, 2004 @ Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, California. The Symposium will provide a platform for exchange of credible scientific observations that ...
Women's health update: Rhodiola rosea.
Jan 01, 2004; ... An Overview of its Versatility, Effectiveness and Indications Fatigue? Depression? Stress? Tension headaches and sleep disturbances? Poor memory? Amenorrhea? A little known herb, Rhodiola rosea, could be the perfect solution for these varied problems. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...
Nutritional influences on illness.
Jan 01, 2004; ... Laboratory Testing in Nutritional Medicine--Part 2 Selenium The definitive test for selenium deficiency remains the response to selenium supplementation. (1) Of the available tests, blood glutathione peroxidase is one that has been shown to be a sensitive index of ...
Web page potpourri: a column devoted to informative alternative health resources on the internet.
Jan 01, 2004; ... Chemical Body Burden--Part 2 Last month I covered key reports on pollution in the human body, which is sometimes called the "chemical body burden." This month I focus on activist resources and tools for policy reform. Just knowing about the problem is not enough! ...