The Alternative Medicine Blog

U.S. Gets a D- on the National Scorecard on U.S. Health and A Manifesto for A New Medicine

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The National Scorecard on U.S. Health System Performance, 2011, updates a series of comprehensive assessments of U.S. population health and health care quality, access, efficiency, and equity. It finds substantial improvement on quality-of-care indicators that have been the focus of public reporting and collaborative initiatives. However, U.S. health system performance continues to fall far short of what is attainable, especially given the enormity of public and private resources devoted nationally to health. Across 42 performance indicators, the U.S. achieves a total score of 64 out of a possible 100, when comparing national rates with domestic and international benchmarks. Overall, the U.S. failed to improve relative to these benchmarks, which in many cases rose. Costs were up sharply, access to care deteriorated, health system efficiency remained low, disparities persisted, and health outcomes failed to keep pace with benchmarks.

How can you protect yourself and your family, given the dim outlook on access to care, rising (unattainable) insurance premiums, and rising health disparities?

I give you a hint. It will be Self-Care that is Central to Health Care! Keep reading…

Man’s Best Friend Just Became Better: Cancer Sniffing Dogs

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The following abstract from an Ehman et al. (2011) describes promising research that sniffing out volatile organic compounds (VOC) in human breath can be a tool for early cancer detection. Scientists are training dogs to do just that, breath analyses to detect metabolic disorders, amongst them cancer (Seyfried & Shelton, 2010).

I found a paper by an Austro-Polish research team as an excellent starting point in the realm of breath analyses to serve as a biomarker for disease. The paper is titled “Human exhaled air analytics: biomarkers of disease.” In it Buszewski, Kęsy, Ligor, & Amann (2007) elaborate on the chemistry of VOCs, first discovered by Linus Pauling in the ‘70s.

Looking to human breath to detect disease is nothing new and dates back to the very early history of medicine. A perfect example is the smell of acetone in uncontrolled diabetes (Buszewski et al., 2007).

Back to cancer and breath analyses. Here is the abstract from Ehman et al. (2011).

Human Cancer Gene Gets Green Light for Patent

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In a 2:1 decision handed down by Judge Lourie, the United States Court of appeals of the Federal Circuit ruled that “On the merits, we reverse the district court’s decision that Myriad’s composition claims to ‘isolated’ DNA molecules cover patent-ineligible products of nature under § 101 since molecules as claimed do not exist in nature” (Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, 2011, p. 8).

The ruling further states that, “We also reverse the district court’s decision that Myriad’s method claim to screening potential cancer therapeutics via changes in cell growth rates is directed to a patent-ineligible scientific principle” (Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, 2011, p. 8).

The court acknowledged that one plaintiff had a standing challenge to the validity of Myriad’s patents due to the fact that he would like to start research on the BRCA 1/ BRCA 2 genes immediately, but couldn’t because of the patent protection of the genes.

5 Everyday Things That Are Bad for You

by Guest Author Mary Ward

Most of us are looking for ways to live healthier lives. And, many times we feel that, for the most part, we’re avoiding the things that are really bad for us. However, there may be some everyday items you’re still using that are bad for your body. Here are some common things in your home you might want to avoid.

1. Teflon – this non-stick coating used for many years on pans can be very harmful. The gases released when the pans are heated to a high temperature can be noxious – it has even been known to kill birds. In addition, as the pans get worn, the Teflon coating flakes off into our food and eventually ends up in our water system. The EPA’s outside science board has listed the PFC chemical used to make Teflon as a “likely human carcinogen”.
2. Carpet – Whether your carpet is new or old, it likely contains chemicals that are dangerous to your body. New carpets contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s), some of which are on the EPA’s list of extremely hazardous substances. Old carpet may be even worse, as some of the chemicals used in carpets in years passed have been banned. Other substances, such as adhesives and stain resistors may be dangerous when breathed in.
3. Plastic food containers – Most of our plastic food containers are harmless, unless they are exposed to heat. Plastics used to make food containers contains bisphenol A. When exposed to heat, the plastic melts just a little and the bisphenol A leaks into your food. The substance is believed to be related to an elevated risk for breast cancer, prostate cancer and diabetes. So, for the sake of your health, don’t microwave in plastic or drink from a plastic drink bottle that’s been exposed to heat. This same substance is found in most food cans, because it helps keep the food from tasting like the can. It’s believed to be safe in food cans as long as you don’t heat up the can itself.
4. Microwave popcorn – The fumes from microwave popcorn have been shown to be toxic, because of the substance diacetyl, which gives the popcorn its buttery taste. Several cases of lung disease have been directly related to inhaling large amounts of diacetyl. Check your microwave popcorn labels carefully. Many companies have already removed the substance from their brand because of health concerns, but it is still in a few brands.
5. Your humidifier – A humidifier need not be dangerous if it’s cleaned properly, but many people fail to clean theirs as often as needed. Humidifiers that are not kept clean can harbor all sorts of harmful bacteria, such as legionella, which causes respiratory infections, and several types of mold. Your humidifier should be cleaned with bleach at least twice a week if you use it regularly.

We all want to live in a safe home, and it’s frightening that there are so many items we take for granted that might be harming us. Keep your eyes open for things in your home that might make it less safe for your family.

That is great advice. Thanks Mary.

Beste Gesundheit,

Werner

Mary Ward is a freelance writer and likes writing about medical education topics, such as how to research and choose among online X-ray tech schools, how to apply for online college grants, and more.

In These Economic Times, Is An Investment In Cosmetic Dentistry Wise?

by Dr. Peter J. Pagano,
author of the upcoming book: Ageless Smile: What You Need to Know About Midlife Dentistry

With retirement age coming later for many of us than our parent’s generation and more people on the dating scene at midlife and older, a great smile is no longer just for the Hollywood types. It’s a great asset.

A new liposomal formulation of Gemcitabine is active in an orthotopic mouse model of pancreatic cancer accessible to bioluminescence imaging

It seems there is slowly but surely a certain target area of searches on the Alternative Medicine Blog emerging. The area of most interest seems to be in response to my post dealing with Pancreatic Cancer. Just recently Dinora posted a comment that was very heart warming and brought back memories of my dad's struggle with cancer. Here it is. "I definitely agree with you, we need to become more educated. My husband has Pancreatic Ca and this only helps me reinforce my thoughts of both western and alternative medicine. It is nice for someone like me that is 24-7 by my husband's bedside in the hospital and out to try to research on a lot of different alternatives. However, I know it needs to be done,but your article will give me a jump start. Thank you."

It seems that Dinora is doing the right thing in researching everything there is to know about her husband's disease. On the other hand, it encouraged me to hone in on the subject of pancreatic cancer in coming posts, to help Dinora and other's to find answers to pressing questions. Such as:

Water up Your Nose? The Benefits of Nasal Irrigation

by Danielle Grilli

Yes, we’ve seen it sitting there on the top shelf of our local health food store (that teapot, Aladdin lamp looking gravy boat contraption on sale for $14.99 in the supplements section). Yes, we know it has its benefits, and yes, I’m sure everyone has run across one person or another who swears by it – but seriously - you want me to pour salt water up one side of my nose until it rains out the other? 

It seems counter-intuitive, wrong in a way, the neti pot, and really, one might ask him or herself, how effective can it possibly be?  Can this really help me?  Well yes, apparently, it can.

Organic Foods and the New Business Model

To call organic farming a new business model is somewhat of a misnomer. Organic farming has been practiced ever since the dawn of civilization. In order to understand the recent growth of organic foods in what is perceived big business one must back up about one century. If you guessed that organic farming started with the industrial revolution, more specifically the second industrial revolution (1870-1914) you are probably pretty close.

FRESH, PURE AND DELICIOUS

Sure, organic ingredients are healthier – but they just plain taste better, too.

By PATTY LaNOUE STEARNS

From the August 2008 Lake Magazine Issue

The chef de cuisine at the Amway Grand Plaza hotel in Grand Rapids did his apprenticeship in Austria and cooked in several European ski resorts before he came to Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel in northern Michigan. He cheffed at Gasthof Gramshammer in Vail, Colo., and at the Scottsdale (Ariz.) Hyatt before joining Cygnus 27 at the Amway in August of 2003. He’s been paving the way to green gourmet ever since.

Werner Absenger wants you to think twice about what you put in your mouth. The 41-year-old chef has made it his mission to educate his customers – and anyone else who’ll listen – about the benefits of eating local and sustainable/organic foods. Not just because the typical American diet is laden with poor fuel, laced with hormones and pesticides, mind you, but also because fresh, local food tastes so fabulous. Continue...

Duke of Herbs

World-renowned ethnobotanist, Jim Duke, measures herbs against pharmaceuticals and reflects on a lifetime of plant medicine research, including his work with the U.S.D.A. and traditional healers of the Amazon. Here is definitely one gentleman who knows what he is talking about. Most people will know Jim Duke as the author of

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The Green Pharmacy

While watching this short documentary one thing will become apparent. There are many herbals out there doing just a great a job, or better (no nasty side effects) than multimillion dollar drugs. Enjoy!

Beste Gesundheit,

Werner