Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients articles from May 2001

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients archives from May 2001

Letter from the Publisher.
May 1, 2001... Well, here we are with the May issue hot off the presses and ON TIME! We had quite a thrill with the Seattle earthquake but happily the office of the Townsend Letter, the TypeSmith (layout and typesetting), and Consolidated Press (printshop)...

Ten Deadly Sins.(of conventional medicine)
May 1, 2001... Drawing from the Seven Deadly Sins of Saint Gregory the Great, the Federation of State Medical Boards, using an outdated source of expertise, has continued the inquisition of their colleagues who have studied and learned what our more...

Charting the Mainstream: A Review of Trends in the Dominant Medical System.
May 1, 2001... A Review of Trends in the Dominant Medical System IOM on Future Healthcare, Organizing via Holistic Principles, Newsweek's Therapeutic Order, Spiritual Advisor Cuts Inpatient Costs, Mission and Money in Perspectives on Hospitalists, Ellwood...

Literature Review & Commentary.
May 1, 2001... Does postmenopausal DHEA replacement cause cancer? Twenty-four women (aged 23-59 years) with primary (n = 14) or secondary (n = 10) adrenal insufficiency were randomly assigned to receive, in double-blind fashion, 50 mg/day of DHEA or...

Nasal Pathology in Patients with Chronic Airway Inflammation.
May 1, 2001... A single acute exposure to dust, smoke, or chemicals such as acetic acid, ammonia, chlorine, ethylene oxide, and sulfur dioxide can cause an asthma-like condition known as reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS). Bronchoscopic lung...

PCBs and IQ.
May 1, 2001... Although polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been banned in the U.S. since the 1970s, the chemicals are still found in soil and water, contaminating our food supply. Evidence indicates that PCBs contribute to impaired mental development in...

Neurotoxicity and Fluoride.
May 1, 2001... Dr. Phyllis Mullenix began studying the neurotoxicity of fluoride at the Forsyth Dental Center in 1987, at the request of the center's director, Dr. Jack Hein. Dr. Hein was the scientist responsible for adding monofluorophosphate (MFP) to...

Insurance Fraud.
May 1, 2001... State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Inc. has been a defendant in several lawsuits that accused the insurance company of knowingly using phony medical reviews from independent firms to deny or reduce claims from policy holders. Independent...

Union of EPA Professionals Opposes Fluoridation.(Environmental Protection Agency)
May 1, 2001... On June 29, 2000, Dr. J. William Hirzy, Vice-President of the National Treasury Employees Union Chapter 280, testified before the US Senate Subcommittee on Wildlife, Fisheries and Drinking Water. The union represents the professional employees,...

Drug Industry Control of Medical Research.
May 1, 2001... On 7/08/2000, Australian Broadcasting Corporation's news and current affair TV show Lateline aired a program on the drug industry's influence on medical research. In an interview for the program, Dr. Marcia Angell, former editor of the New...

Vitamin B12 & Vaccine Effectiveness.
May 1, 2001... Many people view vaccines as magic bullets that guarantee protection from various illnesses. They do not realize that the nutritional status of the person receiving the vaccine greatly affects the body's ability to create protective antibodies....

Noni Juice & Kidney Disease.
May 1, 2001... Juice from the fruit of the noni tree (Morinda citrifolia) is being sold as an herbal remedy. Proponents claim that it is helpful in a variety of conditions, including high blood pressure, menstrual cramps, arthritis, ulcers, sprains,...

Want to Live to 100? Get Your Good Cholesterol Level Up.
May 1, 2001... Centenarians retain a naturally heart-healthy cholesterol level throughout their lives -- and they pass the gift on to their children. This study suggests that these long-lived individuals have a genetic mutation that keeps their HDL levels...

Experts Change Low Thyroid Diagnosis Criteria.
May 1, 2001... The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) now says that TSH level between 3.0 and 5.0 uU/ml should be considered representative of hypothyroidism. This is a major reversal of the long held view that a person only had...

Fosamax Increases Ulcer Risk Especially if Taken With Anti-Inflammatories.
May 1, 2001... Fosamax and the anti-inflammatory drug Naprosyn both cause stomach ulcers by themselves. But when they are taken together, the rate of stomach ulcers is far greater than would be expected from adding the effects of the two drugs taken by...

MMR Links to 170 Cases of Autism.(measles, mumps, rubella vaccine)
May 1, 2001... Dr. Andrew Wakefield who first raised concerns about MMR vaccinations has disclosed that he has identified nearly 170 cases of a new syndrome of autism and bowel disease in children who have had the triple-dose injection. In the "majority" of...

Low Fat Diets Worsen Heartburn.
May 1, 2001... People who suffer from gastroesophogeal reflux disease (GERD) are often warned against fatty food, which is thought to exacerbate heartburn symptoms. After a review of several studies on the subject, an Italian researcher has concluded that too...

Many People May Be Deficient in Vitamin B-12.
May 1, 2001... A deficiency of vitamin B-12 is often thought to be a problem that only occurs in the elderly. But the vitamin deficiency can cause anemia, dementia, and severe nerve damage. Investigators found that nearly 40% of individuals had low-to-normal...

Vegetarians Told to Increase Intake of Vitamin A and Iron.
May 1, 2001... Strict vegetarians should consider increasing the amount of dark-colored vegetables in their diets in order to avoid deficiencies in vitamin A and iron, according to an Institute of Medicine report that adjusts recommended levels of vitamin A...

Small Reduction in Blood Sugar Can Improve Health.
May 1, 2001... A 1% reduction in blood sugar sustained over several years leads to substantial cost savings in the management of diabetes. The report found that adults who kept their blood glucose stable had fewer doctor visits, were hospitalized less often,...

Disease Starts Long Before You Have Symptoms.
May 1, 2001... Even diabetics who keep their condition under control and do not have any obvious symptoms of heart disease may be at risk for hidden heart problems. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is an impairment in the relaxation phase of the...

Low Cholesterol Causes Aggressive Behavior and Depressionfa.
May 1, 2001... Despite the fact that most people are worried about having cholesterol levels that are too high, yet another study has found that low cholesterol is actually associated with adverse behavioral effects such as aggression and depression. While...

Environmental Health in Egypt and the Netherlands: an Anthropological Perspective.
May 1, 2001... People in the US often read of the latest environmental threats to our health in popular media. Concerns focus on allergens or carcinogens that involve the immune system and are often invisible. We rely on the government and non-government...

Sneezing & Wheezing with Seasonal Allergies: How about Some Natural Relief?
May 1, 2001... "Tis the season for seasonal allergies. With Spring fast upon us, hay fever -- a.k.a. allergic rhinitis -- is once again causing problems for millions of people. According to Theron Randolph, MD, the father of environmental medicine, hay fever...

Springing into Spring, Naturally.
May 1, 2001... In spring our thoughts turn to renewal, whether of mind or body. It's time for cleaning out winter's clutter, heavy foods, and inactivity -- and expanding, growing, changing, and energizing. Ancient Chinese medicine looked at spring as the time...

The Lowly Nettle: An Original, Springtime Superfood.
May 1, 2001... What lowly, scrubby woodland plant -- considered a weed or a pest to many, and among the more painful to encounter, at that! -- nevertheless just might be an original superfood? How about something with loads more protein than other plants (try...

New Perspectives on Allergies & Seasonal Disorders.
May 1, 2001... An estimated 40 million Americans suffer from allergic disorders. Many individuals are finding themselves hypersensitive or allergic to substances that didn't bother them at all in the past. Other individuals are complaining that their...

Allergies and Seasonal Disorders.
May 1, 2001... Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology is the term describing the unity of mental, neurological, hormonal and immune functions with its many potential applications. PNIE addresses the influence of the cognitive images of the mind (whatever its elusive...

Allergic Rhinitis & Chinese Medicine.
May 1, 2001... Introduction The clinical symptoms of allergic rhinitis include paroxysmal attacks of sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, anosmia, and itching in the eyes and back of the throat caused by exposure to airborne allergens such as pollen...

Phytotherapy for Allergic Rhinitis.
May 1, 2001... Rhinitis is an inflammation of the lining of the nose characterized by one or more of the following symptoms: nasal congestion, nasal discharge, sneezing and itching. Allergic rhinitis is triggered by inhaled allergens and may be perennial (all...

Homeopathy: Highly Effective for Hay Fever.
May 1, 2001... 131 - 3rd Ave., North Edmonds, Washington 98020 USA Phone 425-774-5599 * Fax 425-670-0319 www.healthyhomeopathy.com Hay Fever is Here Again If you have a general or family practice or specialize in allergies or eyes, ears, nose, and...

The War on Cancer: The Strange Saga of Biopulse International.
May 1, 2001... The Strange Saga of Biopulse International In mid-February, BioPulse, one of the most highly publicized cancer clinics in Tijuana, was raided by Mexican health authorities and its most celebrated treatment was shut down. By coincidence, I...

Mercury Detoxification.
May 1, 2001... Since the advent of the Industrial Revolution in the late 19th century, we have all been unfortunately and undeniably exposed to an increasingly toxic and polluted world. Among the most dangerous of these pollutants is mercury, which is...

Pelvic Mechanics and Prolotherapy.(Historical Review of Prolotherapy, part 3)
May 1, 2001... This is the third part of the series prepared for the Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients. Part Three -- Historical Review of Prolotherapy The first description of the provocation of scar formation intentionally is found in...

Olive Leaf Extract as a Main Therapy in the Antimicrobial Supermarket.
May 1, 2001... During the period April 5th to July 20th, 2000, a noted 68-year-old writer/philosopher who we will call Rhoda (pseudonym) of Los Angeles, California came down with a variety of body debilitations. Her symptoms indicated that she suffered with...

The Thyroid Gland: Cures, Fallacies and Fixes.
May 1, 2001... "I just cannot believe this medication could make such a tremendous difference in the way I feel, both mentally and physically!" This grateful exclamation belongs to a woman who suffered for years from chronic fatigue, depression, severe...

Breakthroughs for Chronic Fatigue/Fibromyalgia, Allergic Disorders, Candidiasis, Parasites and Permeability.
May 1, 2001... Much of chronic, degenerative, physical and "emotional" illness is ultimately caused by allergies. Specific recent maladies are known to be intimately tied to allergies. These include Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Fibromyalgia, Candidiasis,...

A Powerful Technique for Maximizing Optimal Health: Neurostructural Therapy (NST).
May 1, 2001... What Is Neuro-Structural Integration Technique? NST is a subtle muscle/nerve/connective tissue technique. The work is gentle, non-invasive and can be performed through clothing. Background Neurostructural therapy (NST) is based on...

A Brief Overview of Immunity.
May 1, 2001... Nearly every cell, organ and tissue in the body is involved either directly or indirectly in the immune process. From the outside in, the skin and mucous membranes offer the first line of defense. The skin provides a magnificent and nearly...

Letters to the Editor.(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2001... On Injection Therapies for Pain and Chiropractic Manipulation Editor: In the November 2000 issue in the section "BookCorners," Jule Klotter reviews the book Arthritis by Anthony di Fabio, MA and Gus J. Prosch, Jr., MD. Ms. Klotter does...

The Vatican Denies EMF's Role in Leukemia.(electromagnetic fields )
May 1, 2001... Italian politics and life, for that matter, generally plays like a Fellini movie. In a conflict that should play high in the hearts of many TLfDP readers, the Italian head of Environment has decreed that the Vatican's shortwave radio...

Why All the Violence?(Prozac and other selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs))
May 1, 2001... It seems like every week or two another person goes on a shooting rampage, killing or wounding large numbers of schoolmates or coworkers. Each time, the violent act makes the news headlines, and each time the media swarms, usually finding a...

Enough Already!(US News & World Report criticizes natural products and dietary supplements)
May 1, 2001... It's bad enough when the "quackbusters" get their 15 minutes on the talk shows, but when a purported news magazine -- US News & World Report -- does a hatchet job on alternatives, it's downright aggravating. Their cover story "The Risks of...

Vice President Cheney Needs Chelation (Now!).
May 1, 2001... In a period of 4 months US Vice President Cheney has had 2 major cardiac events which have led to angioplasty, intensive cardiac care, and worry about future events. A workhorse For the Bush presidency, Cheney leads a type-A lifestyle which is...

Asthma, Lupus & Water.(Review)
May 1, 2001... ABC of Asthma, Allergies and Lupus by F. Batmanghelidi, MD Global Health Solutions, Inc., P.O. Box 3189, Falls Church, Virginia 22043 USA Phone 703-848-2333 or 800-759-3999; fax 703-848-2334; www.watercure.com Softbound, ISBN...

Body chemistry and Allergies.(Heal Yourself With Natural Foods)(Review)
May 1, 2001... Heal Yourself With Natural Foods By Nancy Appleton Published by Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. 387 Park Avenue South, New York, New York 10016 USA 1998, softcover, $14.95 US/$21.95 Canada, 144 pp. Few authors can explain...

Everything You Need to Know About Allergies.(Allergy Free)(Review)
May 1, 2001... Allergy Free by Konrad Kail, ND and Bobbi Lawrence, with Burton Goldberg Alternative Medicine.com.Inc, 1640 Tiburon Blvd, Ste. 2, Tiburon, California 94920 USA; www.alternativemedicine.com Softcover, 2000, $14.95, 410 pp Today, an...

Alternatives for Chronic Illness.(Overcoming Arthritis)(Review)
May 1, 2001... Overcoming Arthritis by David Brownstein, MD Medical Alternatives Press (888-647-5616 or www.drbrownstein.com), 256 pages; $15.00 Dr. David Brownstein's new book, Overcoming Arthritis is a must read for both practitioners and...

Prescribing Herbals According to Type.(Botanical Medicine: A European Professional Perspective)(Review)
May 1, 2001... Botanical Medicine: A European Professional Perspective by Dan Kenner and Yves Requena Paradigm Publications, 44 Linden Street, Brookline, Massachusetts 02146 USA 800-873-3946 or 617-738-1234; fax 617-738-4620; email:...

A Reliable Herbal Guide.(Herbal Prescriptions for Health and Healing: Your Everyday Guide to Using Herbs Safely and Effectively)(Review)
May 1, 2001... Herbal Prescriptions for Health & Healing -- Your Everyday Guide to Using Herbs Safely and Effectively by Donald J. Brown, ND Prima Health, Roseville, California, 2000 ISBN 0-7615-2410-X, U.S. $24.95/Canada $37.95 Since the...

EDTA and Osmolarity Calculating Software.(evaluation of McGuff Co. product)
May 1, 2001... McGuff Company continues their tradition of producing a worthwhile CD for those of us who mix and match injectable products or those whose practice includes chelation therapy. Their software allows for an easy and convenient method of...

When do you use Teas and When do you use Tablets?(discussion on herbal medicine administration techniques)
May 1, 2001... Andrew Gaedder[C] Many American practitioners assume that the only traditional way of preparing Chinese herbs is by decoction, yet this is not true. According to Xu Dachun, the great 18th century Chinese physician: "Decoctions move fast....

Contemporary Homeopathic Practices.(American Association of Homeopathic Pharmacists publishes Introduction to Modern Concepts of Homeopathic Pharmacy)
May 1, 2001... The American Association of Homeopathic Pharmacists (AAHP) publishes a reference handbook for the pharmacist titled Introduction to Modern Concepts of Homeopathic Pharmacy. In it, the AAHP introduces the various types of contemporary...

Dioxin: A Universal Toxin -- Part 2.(discussion of dioxin health risks)
May 1, 2001... Dioxin is considered by some scientists to be the most toxic substance known to man, possibly equal to plutonium. Dioxin refers to a family of chemicals that are the unwanted byproducts of the modern industrial age. They are created in metal...

Caring for Your Immune System.(with G-Jo Acupressure)
May 1, 2001... G-Jo Acupressure Executive Director, The G-Jo Institute P.O. Box 1460 Columbus, North Carolina 28722 USA In recent years, no aspect of health and healing, alternative or otherwise, has come under more intense journalistic scrutiny than...

Chaste Tree and PMS.(herbal treatment of premenstrual syndrome)
May 1, 2001... Previous uncontrolled trials on chaste tree and PMS have clearly demonstrated the value of chaste tree berry in treating symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. This newest study was a clinical trial on 170 women with PMS; the most well designed...

Fish Oils and Strokes in Women.
May 1, 2001... This was a prospective study of 79,839 women, aged 34 to 59, in the Nurses' Health Study cohort, who were followed up for 14 years. Free of prior documented cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia, these women...

Breast Cancer Risk in Women who Work at Night.
May 1, 2001... In a population-based case-control study, breast cancer risk was investigated among Danish women aged 30 to 54, who worked mostly at night; 7035 women with breast cancer were individually matched with controls from medical records. They found a...

Effect of Hormone Replacement Therapy on Sleep in Menopause.
May 1, 2001... Twenty-one postmenopausal women who did not have specific sleep problems, were studied for sleep efficiency and randomized into two treatment groups: One, with .625 mg conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin) and 5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate...

Soy Isoflavones Not Effective in Reducing Menopausal Symptoms.
May 1, 2001... Sixty-nine postmenopausal women with hot flashes and nightsweats were randomized to receive either 80 mg of soy isoflavones, soy protein excluding isoflavones or whey protein control. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect...

Early Pregnancy Detection.(with the ICON 25 HCG test)
May 1, 2001... The ICON 25 HCG is a one-step, rapid test for the early detection of pregnancy. It detects the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin within 3 minutes with urine and 5 minutes with serum. The test can be stored at room temperature and has a...

Body Piercing.(caring for patients with or who wish to have body piercings)
May 1, 2001... The popularity of body piercing continues to grow, and an increasing number of women are having other sites pierced beyond the ear, including nipples, genitalia and navel. Piercings in some of these locations may be done for religious purposes,...

Current Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy Prescription Options.
May 1, 2001... The following medications are prescription products, made by pharmaceutical companies, of exclusively natural hormones; (plant derived and biochemically identical to endogenous hormones). These products often contain a filler, binder, or...

Nutrients to Reduce Allergic Symptoms.(medical literature review)
May 1, 2001... While controlled clinical trials are often lacking, many nutrients appear to affect atopic allergic reactions. We will review some highlights from the literature. Vitamins Niacin Both niacin and niacinamide inhibit mast cell...

European Breakthrough in Allergy Therapy.(bio-energetic therapy)
May 1, 2001... Bio-energetic therapy has been in use in Europe for more than 23 years. One of its most broadly successful applications has been in the treatment of allergies. Well-trained allergy bio-energetic therapists are in high demand in Europe. Numerous...