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Prevention of disease: How to get an ounce

Greetings!

The topic for the next four months is preventative medicine because it can be the most economical way for us to care for our health when used wisely. In this four part series you will learn about how natural medicine (Naturopathic medicine, Acupuncture, etc.) can provide you with the resources you need to help yourself and your family to stay healthy. Most chronic disease is preventable, such as, Diabetes and Heart disease, with dietary and lifestyle changes. Using natural medicine for preventative healthcare will help you and your family save money on medical expenses in the future.

Make sure to bring a friend to our annual healthy harvest fair on November 7th from 11am-3pm where you can receive discounted treatments and get a jump start on holiday shopping.

Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy autumn season.

Sincerely,

Revive Wellness Center

What is really the answer to disease prevention: Vaccines, Screening, or more?

The first in a four part monthly series

How does naturopathic and holistic medicine prevent disease? Does it go above and beyond conventional medical care? Could holistic medicine potentially save and extend your life? Could holistic medicine save our country billions of dollars? The answer to all three questions is yes, yes, yes, and yes!. What it would take to nationally implement the life and cost saving benefits of holistic medicine into our healthcare system is another story, however, it is available for everyone right now.

Conventional medical preventative strategies include screening methods (mammography and colonscopy), pharmaceutical drugs (i.e. statins to prevent heart disease), surgery, and vaccines. Naturopathic medical techniques of prevention include the same screening methods that conventional medicine utilizes (mammography, colonoscopy, etc.) with judicious advice on drugs, vaccines, and surgery and additionally includes education on diet and lifestyle changes, correction of nutrient deficiencies, individualized natural supplements plans, and help with stress reduction. Research has shown that 80% of illnesses are due to stress, so the benefits of stress reduction alone are an important part of preventative medical care that has been largely ignored in conventional medicine.

The goal of prevention in conventional medicine is to pick up pathology that can be treated with pharmaceutical drugs. The goal of prevention in naturopathic and holistic medicine is to educate and provide patient's with the natural means of achieving an optimal state of health and wellness so that they can help themselves and are not dependent on pharmaceutical drugs for the rest of their lives. Prevention in natural medicine means learning how to better care for yourself and healing your body so that you will not get sick in the future. Alternative to the use of pharmaceutical drugs for prevention, natural medicines include herbs, supplements, and expert diet and lifestyle advice. In most cases, natural medicine is just as effective as pharmaceutical drugs, in some cases they need to be used in conjunction with pharmaceutical drugs, and in all cases natural medicine has the additional benefit of preventing pathology before it begins. The most important piece is you and what you are willing to do to reach optimal health with the guidance of your Naturopathic physician.

The way that Naturopathic medicine goes above and beyond conventional medicine in prevention is by working with patients on wellness and diet and lifestyle changes that have been proven to prevent disease before the disease process begins. Wellness does not simply mean the absence of disease, it means that you are feeling your best, are "bouncing back" after stress, have good energy and digestive function, and are feeling generally well. By addressing wellness, disease is prevented pre-clinically, before it shows up on lab tests and by addressing the symptoms your body is presenting with before it leads to disease. There are also a number of nutrient deficiencies that may or may not be apparent of laboratory tests whose correction can prevent disease and protect against the disease process.

Naturopathic medicine seeks to change the culture of disease. Therefore, every visit to a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) includes preventative healthcare because every visit addresses imbalances, stress, nutrition, and lifestyle issues that impact the disease process.

Naturopathic physicians are the only physicians trained in clinical nutrition. The diet and lifestyle changes recommended by Naturopathic physicians could reduce the healthcare expenditures by $930 billion over the next 5 years if applied to all patients with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and prostate and breast cancer (1).

Vaccines and the Flu

What is the rate of death by influenza, anyway? Influenza deaths have increased substantially in the last 2decades. Annual estimates of influenza-associated deathsincreased significantly between the 1976-1977 and 1998-1999seasons for all 3 death categories. For the 1990-1991 through 1998-1999 seasons, the greatest mean numbers of deaths were associated with influenza A (H3N2) viruses, followed by RSV, influenza B, and influenza A(H1N1). For underlying respiratory and circulatory deaths, 90% of influenza- and 78%of RSV-associated deaths occurred among persons aged 65 yearsor older. Influenza was associated with more deaths than RSV in all age groups except for children younger than 1 year (2). It is interesting to note that influenza deaths rates are going up while the rate of vaccinations has been about the same. We will not know until next year whether the rates of influenza deaths by the feared H1N1 strain will continue to increase (like they seem to do every year), who will truly be most susceptible, and how well the flu vaccine really is protective. According to the CDC: "In some years when vaccine and circulating strains were not well-matched, no vaccine effectiveness can be demonstrated in some studies, even in healthy adults. It is not possible in advance of the influenza season to predict how well the vaccine and circulating strains will be matched, and how that match may affect the degree of vaccine effectiveness.

Current recommendations for a mass influenza vaccine for H1N1 seem premature for generally healthy people considering that more information on safety and efficacy is still needed. There already have been complications from getting the influenza vaccine of a seemingly not-so-different-from-the-regular-flu response strain of H1N1. Time will only tell, and in the mean time the best decision to make is an informed decision where you are able to weigh the costs and benefits to your health of getting the vaccine. Be careful of propaganda and fear being your primary motivators and make sure to keep your immune system strong this flu season by getting enough rest, taking your vitamins (especially Vitamin D, C, and probiotics) and reducing stress which suppresses the immune system. I have not found any studies showing how well stress reduction, optimal sleep, good diet, Vitamin D, and natural supplements help to prevent complications due to the flu (getting the flu is not dangerous for most people), however, one of my wise patients told me how she survived the Spanish flu back in 1918 as a child before mass vaccinations were in place at a time when natural medicine was the primary source of care. Interviewing our healthy elderly population on how they survived many flu seasons without vaccinations and in many cases before antibiotics is of great interest to those of us who believe that our body is designed well and knows how to respond when in optimal condition. I hope in the future, even though there is no financial gain to the pharmaceutical companies, there will be more studies comparing how taking good care of your self naturally can be just as effective as vaccinations. We do know that stress, nutrient deficiencies, and suboptimal sleep are detrimental to your immune system, which is essential for your body to be protected against complications due to any illness.

Is the flu vaccine really protecting our elderly?

Observational studies report that influenza vaccination reduces winter mortality risk from any cause by50% among the elderly. Influenza vaccination coverage amongelderly persons ( 65 years) in the United States increased frombetween 15% and 20% before 1980 to 65% in 2001. Unexpectedly, estimates of influenza-related mortality in this age group alsoincreased during this period. For people aged 65 to 74 years, excess mortalityrates in A (H3N2)-dominated seasons fell between 1968 and theearly 1980s but remained approximately constant thereafter.For persons 85 years or older, the mortality rate remained flatthroughout. Excess mortality in A (H1N1) and B seasons did not change. All-cause excess mortality for persons 65 years or oldernever exceeded 10% of all winter deaths. We could not correlate increasing vaccination coverage after 1980 with declining mortality rates in any age group. Because fewer than 10% of all winter deaths were attributable to influenza in any season, we conclude that observational studies substantially overestimate vaccination benefit. (3)

What about our children?

One hundred fifty-three influenza-associated deathsamong children were reported by 40 state health departments during the 2003-2004 influenza season.The median age of the children was three years, and 96 of them(63 percent) were younger than five years old. Forty-seven ofthe children (31 percent) died outside a hospital setting, and 45 (29 percent) died within three days after the onset of illness. Bacterial co-infections were identified in 24 of the 102 childrentested (24 percent). Thirty-three percent of the children had an underlying condition recognized to increase the risk of influenza-related complications, and 20 percent had other chronic conditions; 47 percent had previously been healthy. Chronic neurologic or neuromuscular conditions were present in one third. The mortality rate was highest among children younger than six months of age (0.88 per 100,000 children; 95 percent confidence interval,0.52 to 1.39 per 100,000) (4).

Is the average child at high risk of mortality due to H1N1?

Two-thirds of 36 children who died from 2009 H1N1 influenza infection had underlying conditions, and many of the rest had subsequent bacterial infections, reported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The children's underlying conditions were primarily cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or longstanding respiratory or cardiac disease. Some children without underlying conditions suffered bacterial co-infection, prompting clinicians to suspect bacterial infection in children who return with high fever after apparently getting better. One of the best natural anti-biotic is garlic to which there have been no cases of resistance.

Are antiviral drugs useful for the flu?

In July 2009, two girls residing in the same camp cabin in North Carolina developed oseltamivir-resistant 2009 (H1N1) virus infection while receiving oseltamivir as part of a mass prophylaxis program during an influenza outbreak. Both girls recovered fully. One girl continued to receive prophylactic (not therapeutic) doses of oseltamivir during the first 4 days of her illness, which could have contributed to the development of resistance. The new recommendations include to not use antiviral drugs for postexposure prevention in healthy children or adults to manage outbreaks in the community, school, camp, or other settings. In conclusion, both young campers fully recovered from the H1N1 flu and giving antiviral medication may not make a difference in flu recovery or could lead to resistance to the antiviral drug and making it useless.

What about pregnant women?

Here is a case report of a real patient with H1N1 from the California Department of Public Health in April 2009. A previously healthy woman aged 29 years, who was 28 weeks pregnant, sought care at an emergency department on April 26 with complaints of subjective fever, productive cough, and increasing shortness of breath during the preceding 10 days. Upon initial evaluation, the patient's vital signs were notable for low grade fever (99.6°F [37.6°C]), a respiratory rate of 38 breaths per minute, blood pressure of 112/57 mmHg, heart rate of 104 beats per minute, and oxygen saturation of 87% on room air. A chest radiograph revealed bilateral perihilar interstitial infiltrates with mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Her complete blood count and chemistries were normal except for an elevated white blood cell count of 11.4 cells/mm3 with a differential of 42% segmented neutrophils, 45% bands, and 9% lymphocytes. The patient was admitted to the ICU and started on broad spectrum antibiotics (azithromycin and ceftriaxone). Serial fetal ultrasounds were normal. Multiple blood, urine, and sputum cultures were unrevealing; rapid antigen test was positive for influenza A, with subsequent confirmation of novel influenza A (H1N1) at the CDPH VRDL. She was not treated with antiviral medications. She gradually improved and was discharged on amoxicillin after 9 days. This is not the case that was put front and center in the media.

Are antivirals useful for pregnant women with the flu?

An influenza drug, Relenza (zanamivir) Inhalation Powder, killed a pregnant woman on mechanical ventilation who received a solution made from dry powder product from a rotadisks via nebulizer for three days. Death was attributed to obstruction of the ventilator. The reporting physician believed that the obstruction in the ventilator was due to stickiness caused by lactose (from RELENZA Inhalation Powder) in the nebulizing solution. Allergic-like reactions, including oropharyngeal edema, serious skin rashes, and anaphylaxis have been reported in postmarketing experience with Relenza. Relenza is indicated for treatment of uncomplicated acute illness due to influenza A and B virus in adult and pediatric patients 7 years of age and older who have been symptomatic for no more than 2 days. (October 8th, 2009 reported by Glaxo Smith Kline). Uncomplicated acute illness due to influenza A and B in pregnant women may be better and more safely treated with rest, chicken soup, ginger, and garlic.

What about the regular healthy adult?

During the follow-up period,consisting of the 1994-1995 influenza season (December1, 1994, through March 31, 1995), those who received the vaccine reported 25 percent fewer episodes of upper respiratory illnessthan those who received the placebo 43 percent fewer days of sick leave from work due to upper respiratory illness, and 44 percent fewer visits to physicians' offices for upper respiratory illnesses. (5). Keep in mind that for most people getting the H1N1 flu in it's current form is not dangerous, getting the flu provides the best protection of your immune system from getting the flu again, and that taking natural medicines, such as, elderberry syrup, has been shown to shorten the duration of colds and flu's.

Are the "other" ingredients in the flu vaccine harmful?

Dr. Donald Miller, MD, said that two-thirds of this year's flu vaccines contain 25 micrograms of thimerosal. Thimerosal is 49 percent mercury by weight. We already know not to eat too much fish due to the high mercury content since nearly all fish contains trace amounts of methylmercury with tuna fish containing 9.2 micrograms per ounce(6). This is why purified fish oils are recommended over eating fish until we can clean up our water.

Each dose of these flu vaccines contains more than 250 times the Environmental Protection Agency's safety limit for mercury. The population most at risk for brain damage due to this extra mercury in the vaccine is children and fetuses (caution in pregnant women) because mercury is a neurotoxin and their brains are still developing. In addition to mercury, flu vaccines also contain other hazardous ingredients like: Formaldehyde -- a known cancer-causing agent, Aluminum -- a neurotoxin that has been linked to Alzheimer's disease, Triton X-100 -- a detergent, and Phenol (carbolic acid). Why these are added, I don't know, but I do know that the "other" ingredients in the flu vaccine may pose a risk to some people that get the vaccine and that risk may be greater than the benefits of getting the vaccine.

In conclusion, the best protection against the influenza is having a healthy immune system and maximal protection is afforded by actually recovering from the H1N1 flu, which many people have done so thus far. If you are showing signs of the cold or flu, natural supplements and Acupuncture can help you recover faster. There is always a risk to using any pharmaceutical medication- weigh the facts and talk to your doctor before you take the plunge. Keep checking with the cdc.gov for updated information on the flu and know that your best protection against any illness is taking good care of yourself.

Stay well by being well this flu season.

Sincerely,
Dr. Artemis Morris, ND, L.Ac
Medical director, Revive Wellness Center

REFERENCES
1. Hyman, M. Alternative Therapies. 2009;15 (5): 20-23.
2. JAMA. 2003;289:179-186.
3. Arch Intern Med. 2005;165:265-272
4. NEJM 2005 353:2559-2567
5. NEJM 1995 333: 889-893
6. http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/Product-SpecificInformation/Seafood/FoodbornePathogensContaminants/Methylmercury/ucm115644.htmKnow your target audience.

This month at Revive

• Martial Arts: Kung Fu
• Belly Dancing
• Musical Folk for Kids
• Holistic Personal Training

For an updated schedule, go to the Studio section.

STRESS MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP

In honor of Alexander Awareness Week, a complimentary private lesson is included in the $35 workshop fee.

To register for the stress management workshop with Linda call 203-362-1844.

HEALTHY HARVEST FAIR

Discounted treatments in Acupuncture, Massage therapy, and more. Get a head start on holiday shopping with Gratitude collection jewlery, aromatherapy, gemstones, and others.

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