tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85034433842743818822024-03-13T14:20:01.622-07:00Natural Healing TherapiesA spiritual, emotional, and physical exploration of alternative health with a focus on further reading.Christopher Maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08479264461347128466noreply@blogger.comBlogger162125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503443384274381882.post-86192247413443841632015-10-19T11:01:00.002-07:002015-10-19T11:01:15.606-07:00You and Your Microbiome, Are You Talking?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
While we may feel stressed in the world, most of us would like to think of our own bodies as a calm place where we are in charge. But that may not be the case.<br />
<br />
In the past ten years, we've discovered a vast unexplored region in the body, hidden in the gut. Research is showing that your gut bugs are not just for breakdown. They can affect everything from how your belly feels to how your brain functions.<br />
<br />
So how well are you communicating? If you clear a room or have to leave your home spraying deodorant behind you with every number 2, then maybe your gut is trying to tell you something you don't want to hear.<br />
<br />
There's so much about this subject, I wrote a short book for my patients. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dr.-Christopher-J.-Maloney-N.D./e/B007LZSCIO/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0" target="_blank">Have a look at your inner rainforest (and it is a rainforest). </a><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Christopher Maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08479264461347128466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503443384274381882.post-31102598091528982022013-06-03T07:46:00.000-07:002013-06-03T07:46:16.067-07:00A World Without Cancer By Margaret Cuomo, M.D.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A World Without Cancer by Margaret Cuomo (yes, Mario Cuomo’s
daughter)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m a sucker for M.D.’s coming up with a complete cure for
cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just love the idea of
addressing the global issues of cancer and coming clean about the fact we need
to have a different paradigm.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr. Cuomo spends the first half of her book talking about
the ills of the current cancer system, and the second half listing basic things
that we can do to reverse the tide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Midway along, we get a call for a new institute based on the idea of
preventing cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So that’s how we’ll
get a World Without Cancer: start a new institute.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In looking at the information, the discussion of the ills of
the current system was far more informative than the cursory overview of what
we can do about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr. Cuomo makes general claims about cancer care, but most
of them apply to breast cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
discussing breast cancer, mammograms reduce breast cancer deaths from 3.5 to 3
per 1000 patients (p.47).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have an
interesting take on the need to get informed consent from patients:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“some will become informed consumers…Many
will not, and that’s reasonable too” (p.55).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In a disturbing insight about what constitutes a clear margin in cancer
surgery:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“no strict agreement on how
large it should be, leaving surgeons to make decisions” (p.61)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We get another support of the lumpectomy over
complete mastectomy, and the fact that the choice is not given to many women (p.62).</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On p. 72 we learn that Gleevec cures CML, the rare exception
to chemotherapy drugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(In a follow up,
Gleevec is no longer first line therapy as of 2011 as CML is too often
resistant (http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/103/4/E1.long)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we move into the money matters, things get really ugly.
</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The pharmaceutical industry is the most profitable industry
in America, holding monopolies on its products for twenty years (p.86).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oncology drugs provide the highest source of
growth for the industry (p.84). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Medicare
and Medicaid are barred from negotiating prices for drugs, unlike the Veteran’s
Affairs Department which pays 48% less on the most frequently prescribed drugs
(p.87).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1991 Medicare paid 7,100 on
average for lung cancer chemotherapy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
2002, the same treatment cost $40,000, an increase of 500% without any increase
in survival rates (p.88).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Despite discussions of market economics, the disconnect
between insurance payer and covered patient shows that consumption of the drugs
is not significantly altered by costs (p.92).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>New drugs on the market may be called “new standards” (1.2 months more
life at $80,000 cost) or “game changer” (2 months more at $120,000 cost).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In comparison, placing patients in
end-of-life hospice care provides an average of 3 months more life (p.99).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pretend we can afford to pay for
everything (p.109) and institutes looking at patient outcomes are barred from
considering cost as part of their evaluations (p.110).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Despite being insured, we are currently seeing rationing
with cancer drugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Prescribing
different medicines to different patients based on their health care plans.”
(p.111).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of households affected with
cancer, 25% used up all savings, and 11% were unable to meet basic necessities
despite having insurance (p.120).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adults
with Medicare can pay as much as $6,000 out of pocket for cancer therapies of
marginal benefit (p.121).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Doctors get paid to prescribe and administer treatment
(p.159).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One third of oncologists felt
uncomfortable discussing the costs of chemotherapy with their patients
(p.123).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dr. Cuomo ends her discussion of
the current state of cancer care by asking us to change our whole gestalt
(complete picture) and not to demonize any one player (drug companies, doctors,
FDA) while we look for other solutions. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr. Cuomo’s solutions are not a prescription for a world
without cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are a step in the
right direction. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a radiologist, she
takes issue with the ordering of so many CT scans, each one equaling 100 to 800
chest X-rays (p.172).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The CT machines themselves
have a 13 fold variation between highest and lowest exposure to radiation depending
on how the machine is calibrated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
most people are getting more radiation than they need to during a CT scan
(p.173).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The diet piece of cancer prevention reads like every cancer
prevention diet:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>fruits and vegetables,
berries, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli), tomatoes, dark leafy greens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We should buy organic, eat more fiber and
fish, drink green tea, limit alcohol, and avoid processed foods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add turmeric to your diet and avoid red
meat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Limit alcohol and avoid processed
foods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr. Cuomo is not a fan of supplements except to gush over
vitamin D, recommending fairly high doses of that and calcium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I picked up the book, I was looking for a paradigm
change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I got was a reality check
that a trillion dollar cancer-war industry needs to change (ie. lose an
enormous amount of money).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That industry
has, since the war on cancer started, gone in one direction (more drugs, more
expensive drugs) and has every incentive to keep doing more of the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
meantime, I’m supposed to eat well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
Christopher Maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08479264461347128466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503443384274381882.post-57220119933189872932013-05-08T16:26:00.002-07:002013-05-08T16:26:29.342-07:00Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh: Which of These Was Most Useful?We've all heard the story. Matthew 2:11 talks about Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. So which of these was the most useful?
From a strictly monetary point of view, it was the gold. That would allow mom to buy some things for the baby. But what of the other two?
Myrrh is a powerful natural antibiotic. It is part of a formula I use successfully to treat sinusitis. In his early years, the baby would have benefitted from having this around for the illnesses of youth.
Frankincense is a powerful pain reliever for arthritis. Now we have multiple randomized studies showing that it <a href="http://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/article_content.asp?edition=1&section=2&article=420">benefits arthritis sufferers</a>. So all three were equally valuable for the child. Christopher Maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08479264461347128466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503443384274381882.post-25554313610590706852012-12-05T14:33:00.003-08:002012-12-05T14:33:51.642-08:00I just finished listening to the short book Many Lives, Many Masters by Brian Weiss. It's always hard when someone goes from being a nonbeliever to being someone who says: "this is exactly what the afterlife looks like, and here is the meaning of life for everyone." Clearly the rendition of what was said by his patient in hypnotic state was in line with what would translate for him. The Masters said as much, and even his patient didn't want to listen to the recordings.
But it was interesting to hear about his search of the literature and the extensive research that has been done on these issues. I simply don't see any of this literature making its way into the hospital wards and nursing homes, which is unfortunately where most of us go to die. I've also talked to several hospital pastors who are more and more non-denominational these days. Hospice seems to do the best in terms of dealing with spiritual issues, but if someone is dying of an acute illness (and therefore needs the most help quickly) we don't have the resources in place to address their spiritual needs. I know it will never be a hospital priority, but it doesn't even seem to be on the radar in most locations.
<a href='http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802463762&pid=UBM9788498724349&adurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdsbooksdvds.com%2Fproduct.jhtm%3Fsku%3DUBM9788498724349&usg=AFHzDLtgo5XehQpXrkO__GraCM-CjKHtag&pubid=603470' rel='nofollow'>Muchas vidas, muchos maestros / Many Lives, Many Masters By Weiss, Brian (Google Affiliate Ad)</a>Christopher Maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08479264461347128466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503443384274381882.post-66533312004068981032012-09-12T20:23:00.002-07:002012-09-13T17:56:46.620-07:00Strange Things For The Sake of Science: Ben Franklin Fries a Turkey<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Most of us know that Ben Franklin did things with electricity. But few of us realize we almost lost him on Dec. 23, 1750. Ben and his buddies were fixing to fry themselves a turkey, using a built up charge of this magical new electricity. Franklin got distracted and sent the charge through himself instead. Fortunately for him and for all of us, his charge was only enough to daze him for a few minutes. Later on he got together a bigger charge and fried a turkey with it. <br />
<br />
Read this anecdote and many more in the aptly named Electrified Sheep by Alex Boese. Bed time stories for the geek in all of us. <iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=naturhealit09-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1250007534&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>
</div>
Christopher Maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08479264461347128466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503443384274381882.post-64266686905536020462012-04-16T21:55:00.001-07:002019-10-30T14:49:02.742-07:00Good Calories, Bad Calories: Ignoring the Paradox And Trashing Carbs.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In reading <u><a href="https://amzn.to/2WqrvWe" target="_blank">Good Calories, Bad Calories</a></u>, there is a hope that the author will give a balanced viewpoint of the situation. He disproves the idea that fat causes weight gain, then takes issue with the idea that carbs cause weight gain. <br />
<br />
In a chapter entitle the Paradox, he points out that when you starve people they lose various amounts of weight. He also shows that when you stuff people they gain various amounts of weight. So any blanket statement about weight gain and weight loss is moot. It doesn't exist.<br />
<br />
Then, because everyone needs an ending, he goes back to carbs and makes them the villain. It isn't just the carbs, it's the insulin imbalance caused by the carbs. But wait, didn't we just show that it wasn't straight carbs and that any weight gain or loss is a highly individualized process? Under those circumstances, wouldn't it be possible that some individuals might even gain weight by eating fat? <br />
<br />
What starts off extremely well becomes one more carb trash fest while glorying the joys of meat and fat. What's missing from all this is some allowance for the fact that we all cannot eat meat and survive as a planet. It isn't a sustainable eating pattern, and it isn't terribly healthy. We've got other books that make that clear. They are focused on lifespan, rather than weight loss. </div>
Christopher Maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08479264461347128466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503443384274381882.post-40042753980114450742012-04-15T07:05:00.002-07:002012-04-16T21:58:27.095-07:00The End Of Illness. David Agus' Inability to See His Own Prejudices.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
One day I too hope to write the definitive book on the cure for Cancer. But I think I will base my treatment protocols on more than one reference book. <br />
<br />
Let me begin by saying I like much of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1451610173/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=naturhealit09-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1451610173">The End of Illness</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=naturhealit09-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1451610173" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. Dr. Agus and I agree on many things, including that Michael Pollan does a wonderful job of talking about food. But my admiration for Pollan does not distract me from the simple reality that Pollan is one of hundreds of opinions about food and what we should eat. <br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=naturhealit09-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0143114964&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
So, I do not base my recommendations about food while referencing a single author, no matter how authoritative. <br />
<br />
Given that Dr. Agus' focus is on food, and that he spends a great deal of time trashing supplements of all kinds, I would expect a little more emphasis on what will be the most curative diet. For it is diet alone, and nothing else, that will impact our genetic inheritance and help us live. <br />
<br />
I disagree with the concept that we'll be getting personalized medication any time soon. Perhaps the very wealthy will be able to afford the sort of technological testing Dr. Agus describes, but the reality is that for almost everyone modern medicine is too expensive already. <br />
<br />
And here is the the fundamental flaw I see in the End of Illness. Dr. Agus dedicates a huge section of the book to really making readers second-guess taking even a multivitamin because of the possible health consequences. But he waxes rhapsodic about the benefits of the Statin medications and baby aspirin, taking both himself for "preventative purposes." Hello? We're not talking about inert medications. A statistic percent of those following Dr. Agus' recommendations of daily statins and baby aspirins will suffer debilitating muscle pains and/or hemorrhagic stroke as a result of his "preventative" pharmaceutical supplements. While we have large studies that show possible risks from overuse of multivitamins, we have no large scale studies that confirm the benefits of statins or aspirin for the general population without the real risk of side effects for a minority of those individuals. <br />
<br />
To place preventative supplementation off limits as a clear negative while recommending pharmaceutical medications as healthy and safe clearly shows a prejudice and double-standard for conventional medical "solutions." Given the cost and safety profile of the statins, they are at least as dangerous for the general population as the Vitamin E supplements that Dr. Agus so effectively vilifies. And aspirin is as dangerous to elderly populations as their multivitamin. So we are left with food as the only panacea, and that needs a bit more book time that simply gushing over Pollan's ideas. </div>Christopher Maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08479264461347128466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503443384274381882.post-19812094989763223352012-04-12T11:58:00.001-07:002012-04-12T11:58:21.915-07:00On the Joys of Dieting.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
People who diet are facing themselves in a battle of desperation against an implacable foe. The survival instinct, honed by God or thousands of years of evolution, is pitted against fear of death and the need to look pretty. They wrestle over and over in the mind, as the gluttonous smorgasbord that is modern society trundles by around them. At a given moment, the fear of death wins, pinning its slathering foe beneath the boot of rational denial. But just as victory seems apparent, the irrational mind throws up a dust screen of distraction and when it clears the bewildered fellow finds his face smeared with Boston creme donuts and wallowing in a tub of frosting with two giant Twinkies outfitted in scanty swimwear. Such is the reality of the modern dieter, a creature so pitiful even Tantalus in his agony reaches out and plucks the forbidden fruit to offer sustenance to the sufferer. <br />
<br />
But look! There on the horizon is another toned body, chiseled with rippling muscles. This genetic freak, this Darwinian throwback that would not have lasted a single hungry season, has news for the the desperate dieter. Eat this way, in this proportion, and you too can look like me! Honest, look at this science. Ignore all those other diets that don't work, mine will work because I have more pretty pictures of airbrushed bodies joyfully starving per square inch. <br />
<br />
And at what altar does the dieter pray? No God affixes their altar. It is a humble object placed on the bathroom floor, worshiped and venerated beyond all else. Quietly the dieter approaches the object, stripped of all, cleaned inside and out, ready for the sacrifice. Trembling feet adjust themselves to cold metal, and the object speaks. It is a cruel God, dispensing grief and joy seemingly without justice. One day a slight down tick of its face sends the body into rapture. The sun is out and the birds are singing the Hallelujah chorus! The next day without cause it dispenses an uptick that destroys moods, egos, and sanity.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7BULbt1oJeM/T4cluODhgtI/AAAAAAAAAGA/377LWQmWyxo/s1600/beach+Aug10+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7BULbt1oJeM/T4cluODhgtI/AAAAAAAAAGA/377LWQmWyxo/s320/beach+Aug10+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Such is the life of a dieter. </div>Christopher Maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08479264461347128466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503443384274381882.post-11105920173202749552012-04-01T07:44:00.001-07:002012-04-01T07:44:38.086-07:00Should You Become A Naturopathic Doctor?A huge number of medical students have written to me personally over the years to ask me questions about Naturopathic Medicine versus becoming a D.O. or an M.D. or a N.P.
What they don't realize is that the other professions are overwhelmingly variations on a theme, and being an N.D. in today's world is another direction entirely. So I wrote a book that really spells out the differences. Send it to anyone you love who is confused. They shouldn't be by the end.
Available at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/M-D-N-D-What-Should-Be/dp/1467940429">Amazon</a> (with free preview.)
http://www.amazon.com/M-D-N-D-What-Should-Be/dp/1467940429Christopher Maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08479264461347128466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503443384274381882.post-49255043464585340542012-03-08T08:21:00.001-08:002012-03-08T08:50:21.324-08:00Should You Become A Naturopathic Doctor? It Takes A Book.In the last decade I have had enough conversations with confused students to want to make it a little clearer that we are talking about fundamentally different professions.
Naturopathic doctors and medical doctors treat the same patients. They collaborate on care. So to patients the professions seem similar. But the framework of how the professions work, and how the people in those professions function, is like comparing the earth to the moon.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/M-D-Or-N-D-What-Should/dp/1467940429/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1331222986&sr=8-8
">Do you need this book</a>?
What are twenty-six hindsight clues that should have told me I absolutely had to become an N.D.?
What percentage of medical students have been physically attacked?
The rate of drug dependence of physicians is what percentage of the general population?
Is it three times lower, three times higher? More? Less?
What are the three assumptions about you that any skeptic will have if you are an N.D.?
What percentage of his or her income does the average N.D. make on supplements?
Learn these facts and the ten fundamental differences between being an M.D. and an N.D.
https://www.createspace.com/3640348
<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=naturhealit09-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1467940429&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>Christopher Maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08479264461347128466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503443384274381882.post-19396081590119986472012-02-11T20:26:00.000-08:002012-09-13T17:57:55.486-07:00No Child Left Waiting For SupermanAs the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/09/no-child-left-behind-waivers_n_1264872.html">states opt out of The No Child Left Behind Act</a>, it is clear that we aren't getting where we need to go using a national model. Looking at a documentary like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKTfaro96dg">Waiting for Superman </a>shows a very clear need for a ground-up model. We need to make changes at a local level to help our children learn. Our children are literally the only real health insurance. It doesn't matter how good your policy is if your nurse's aide can't read and can't do the math for your injections.
<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=naturhealit09-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B003Q6D28C&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>
Christopher Maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08479264461347128466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503443384274381882.post-74067947918045069472012-02-06T19:20:00.000-08:002012-09-13T17:58:49.317-07:00Mu: Do We Really Need Complexity to Be Happy?I was reading Zen Flesh, Zen Bones, which rarely references itself, and came across an anecdote referencing the Gateless Gate's first koan. It goes something like this: Does a dog have Buddha nature? The answer given is Mu (no-thing).
In the anecdote a man is given this one paradox and thinks about it for two years. In this way, he becomes enlightened. Really? He didn't need a doctoral thesis? He didn't need five hundred retreats with Tolle or whatever puckish German fellow replaces him? Just one single paradox, and a great deal of thought.
Here in Maine we momentarily pause for rest. They are called snow days, or ice days, or "the weathermen panicked and we cancelled even though there isn't any snow" days. But the rest of the country just keeps building speed. We're hamsters on a wheel that's accelerating down a hill to nowhere.
<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=naturhealit09-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0804831866&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>
Christopher Maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08479264461347128466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503443384274381882.post-42891429487455427232012-01-17T18:46:00.001-08:002012-01-17T18:48:20.622-08:00Two Pennies at Amazon: Lithgow History Comes Alive!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Amazon now has Two Pennies! Start your new year out right with a children's story that teaches you some very cool history and the money goes to a good cause!
<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=naturhealit09-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1466320354&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Christopher Maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08479264461347128466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503443384274381882.post-6423873541826997252011-12-14T15:39:00.000-08:002011-12-14T15:39:30.558-08:00My Two Cents: Two Pennies For Lithgow Library<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It often seems in this crazy world we cannot make a dent in things. But all you can do is throw in your <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_two_cents_(idiom)">two cents</a>. I just did in the local library debate by writing a book based on the history of our library (don't worry, it's full of Masonic intrigue-really). Buy the book to support the library, because they get any profits. Just my two cents. I gave my granpa authorship credit for reaching his 100th birthday.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://royleroy.com/">Go to the booksite here</a>.</div>Christopher Maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08479264461347128466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503443384274381882.post-49538216573433721582011-11-21T15:34:00.001-08:002011-11-21T15:51:35.661-08:00Is Organic Better? Yes, Mostly.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've addressed the various issues with judging whether organic foods are better than conventional produce on my website. <a href="http://www.maloneymedical.com/id156.html">http://www.maloneymedical.com/id156.html</a><br />
<br />
The short answer continues to be that organic produce does, in fact, have more of some nutrients than its conventional cousin. It varies from season to season and crop to crop. Let's acknowledge that, and move on. Unfortunately, places like <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/organic-food/NU00255">the Mayo Clinic</a> like to sound like authorities, and so cite one review (covering the last fifty years? Don't get me started on soil depletion, changing farming methods, etc.) and say probably there's no difference. I'd say some researcher needs to take the Twinkie out of his mouth and realize he's just set the debate back to the dark ages of the 1960's. <br />
<br />
Our current discussion needs to focus on the process of becoming locavores. This term needs to enter the mainstream in the same way that vegetarian is now part of common knowledge. If you are unfamiliar with this concept, <a href="http://www.maloneymedical.com/id134.html">here's a starting point</a>. Many people here in Maine have been locavores for decades, but have subsidized an otherwise exemplary diet full of fresh and flash frozen vegetables from their giant gardens with deep fried food. All they need to do to get healthier is stop eating out.<br />
<br />
For the crunchies among us, put down that Ecuadorian arugula. It isn't in season, and you've just consumed a full tank of gasoline along with your "spring veggies." Oh, I'm guilty as well, and everything in moderation. But let's all keep humble and have a look at what our neighbors are doing right. If we focus, necessity and intention meld together to make it more and more obvious that our only possible way out of our issues is to work together on every issue. </div>Christopher Maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08479264461347128466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503443384274381882.post-40318442665303358282011-11-14T05:25:00.001-08:002011-11-14T05:41:37.139-08:00EU Stops the Regular Use of Antibiotics For Animals, Time for Homeopathy To Shine?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I first read about the transition from the <a href="http://www.nationalcenterforhomeopathy.org/content/eu-to-phase-out-antibiotics-for-farm-animal-diseases">homeopaths at NCH</a>, but I doublechecked and confirmed at the <a href="http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/solutions/wise_antibiotics/european-union-bans.html">Union of Concerned Scientists</a>, which gives a different, supportive take on the banning of antibiotics in animal feed. <br />
<br />
From a <a href="http://www.nationalcenterforhomeopathy.org/content/eu-to-phase-out-antibiotics-for-farm-animal-diseases">homeopaths' viewpoint,</a> the banning of antibiotics is an opportunity to test whether homeopathy can be helpful. In the never-ending, howling skepticism of homeopathy its critics have failed to notice reports of better outcomes for animals placed on homeopathics. The data is good enough to inspire the EU to invest "1.8m in a pilot research project to examine the effectiveness of homeopathic treatments on farm animals." <br />
<br />
The arguments against homeopathy pale when we are faced with a very real possibility that within our lifetimes we will not have antibiotics as an effective tool. It is far preferable to deal with the realities of commercial farming without an antibiotic buffer now than to wait until complete resistance is the norm. <br />
<br />
Here's a recent study:<br />
<br />
<div>
<div>
<span class="nowrap" id="result_sel"></span><input name="EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_ResultsController.ResultCount" sid="1" type="hidden" value="1" /><input name="EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_ResultsController.RunLastQuery" sid="1" type="hidden" /></div>
</div>
<div class="rprt_all">
<div class="rprt abstract">
<div class="cit">
<a abstractlink="yes" alsec="jour" alterm="Homeopathy." href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20129177#" title="Homeopathy : the journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy."><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="highlight">Homeopathy</span>.</span></a> 2010 Jan;99(1):57-62.</div>
<h1>
<span class="highlight">Homeopathy</span> as replacement to antibiotics in the case of Escherichia coli diarrhoea in neonatal piglets.</h1>
<div class="auths">
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=%22Camerlink%20I%22%5BAuthor%5D"><span style="color: #333333;">Camerlink I</span></a>, <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=%22Ellinger%20L%22%5BAuthor%5D"><span style="color: #333333;">Ellinger L</span></a>, <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=%22Bakker%20EJ%22%5BAuthor%5D"><span style="color: #333333;">Bakker EJ</span></a>, <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=%22Lantinga%20EA%22%5BAuthor%5D"><span style="color: #333333;">Lantinga EA</span></a>.</div>
<div class="aff">
<h3 class="label">
Source</h3>
Biological Farming Systems Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands. Irene.Camarlink@wor.nl</div>
<div class="abstr">
<h3>
Abstract</h3>
<h4>
BACKGROUND: </h4>
The use of antibiotics in the livestock sector is increasing to such an extent that it threatens negative consequences for human health, animal health and the environment. <span class="highlight">Homeopathy</span> might be an alternative to antibiotics. It has therefore been tested in a randomised placebo-controlled trial to prevent Escherichia coli diarrhoea in neonatal piglets.<br />
<h4>
METHOD: </h4>
On a commercial pig farm 52 sows of different parities, in their last month of gestation, were treated twice a week with either the homeopathic agent Coli 30K or placebo. The 525 piglets born from these sows were scored for occurrence and duration of diarrhoea.<br />
<h4>
RESULTS: </h4>
Piglets of the homeopathic treated group had significantly less E. coli diarrhoea than piglets in the placebo group (P<.0001). Especially piglets from first parity sows gave a good response to treatment with Coli 30K. The diarrhoea seemed to be less severe in the homeopathically treated litters, there was less transmission and duration appeared shorter.<br />
Copyright 2009. Published by Elsevier Ltd.</div>
<div class="aux">
<div class="resc">
<dl class="rprtid">
<dt>PMID: 20129177</dt>
</dl>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>Christopher Maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08479264461347128466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503443384274381882.post-16899194969993202552011-11-05T13:05:00.000-07:002011-11-05T13:05:27.151-07:00Kubler-Ross and the Autumn<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Stages of Fall: Transition Into Winter<br />
<br />
I've noticed the stages of dealing with the autumn mimic the stages of Transition here in Maine.<br />
<br />
First, we work through our denial. It isn't just the people, the plants are just as busy trying to outgrow each other. Winter won't come our way if we don't look at it. <br />
<br />
With the first early winter snow this year before Halloween, we have moved into the anger stage. Racks of shovels adorn every store. The armamentary of snowblowers and snow melters and heaters line our sidewalks. We will battle snow with every ounce of our will. <br />
<br />
But already we've moved into the bargaining stage. We're trying to limit the damage. I've already said, "no more than twelve feet this year." As if somehow I could bargain with the winter winds. Will six inches really make a difference to my year?<br />
<br />
And I've seen in my patients the depression beginning. They talk about the cold winter months and getting out of Maine for the season. Many will, but those that do will be gone by November. The rest of us will hunker down for the season. Days will shorten to mere slivers, and the long, windy nights will swallow up the sun. <br />
<br />
Even as I write, I feel the creeping of acceptance. It is a relief to let go of having to be everywhere on time. Whole days can just come crunching to a halt. Plans will be remade, or cast aside. And the sun will come again. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dNIRwaSuHtM/TrWW80eg1FI/AAAAAAAAAFM/6uNu9QbBVW0/s1600/Autumn+Leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dNIRwaSuHtM/TrWW80eg1FI/AAAAAAAAAFM/6uNu9QbBVW0/s320/Autumn+Leaves.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Here's a link to <a href="http://grief.com/the-five-stages-of-grief/">Kubler-Ross' stages of grief</a>. </div>Christopher Maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08479264461347128466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503443384274381882.post-31172860638968301242011-10-29T21:07:00.000-07:002011-10-29T21:07:33.351-07:00Live First, Work Second: Understand the Young<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
New book out with a lovely title: Live First, Work Second. Thanks to Candyce Carden-Deal of Candidness for bringing it to my attention. She has <a href="http://candidness.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/live-first-work-second/">a great blog post that describes the book</a>.</div>Christopher Maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08479264461347128466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503443384274381882.post-63037283885184853322011-10-20T04:43:00.000-07:002011-10-20T04:43:58.561-07:00Is Andy Kaufman dead?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There is a documentary out about <a href="http://www.hollywoodsoapbox.com/?p=4574">Andy Kaufman asking whether he really is dead</a>. I was intrigued because the director shares my name. But really, if Andy was alive, he'd be doing something else besides laying low. On the other hand, the weathermen taught us that you can hide in plain sight.</div>Christopher Maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08479264461347128466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503443384274381882.post-29727191414861807552011-10-17T07:01:00.000-07:002011-10-17T07:01:54.043-07:00Walking Dead: Shocking? Really? Isn't Everyone Supposed To Die?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I had the misfortune to develop an interest in the Walking Dead recently. Blame it on the recent Austen/zombie book. I wanted to see what a drama would be like played out against a zombie backdrop. <br />
<br />
In the first episode, we begin with the hero blowing away a young blonde girl turned zombie. So children getting shot is how the series begins. Imagine my surprise when in the opener of the second season they...have a child getting shot. <br />
<br />
Evidently my memory is longer than <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2011/10/walking-dead-recap-zombies-andrew-lincoln-frank-darabont-amc-tv.html">the reviewers,</a> who are all atwitter (pun intended) with what it means to the morals of television now that a child has been shot. Really? Did you miss the horse getting eaten? How about the walkers getting beaten to second death with bats? Did you close your eyes during the moment when a man has to shoot his walker wife in the head? <br />
<br />
My biggest issue with Walking Dead is that I do not believe our hero survived the initial slaughter lying comatose in his hospital bed. First, the walkers can smell people, so a bed across the door isn't going to deter them. Second, there is no way he didn't die of thirst while his beard grew to the length it did. World full of zombies who never die, fine. But don't fake dehydration. <br />
<br />
I also found that I don't really care about the characters, so I stopped watching. </div>Christopher Maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08479264461347128466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503443384274381882.post-47612406380467851362011-09-27T09:29:00.000-07:002011-09-27T09:29:41.460-07:00Dead Sea Scrolls: At Last Something Worth Reading Online.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Well, the scrolls are out! <a href="http://dss.collections.imj.org.il/">http://dss.collections.imj.org.il/</a> has all the scrolls, but I was severely disappointed that, unlike the Great Isaiah scroll, the war scroll isn't readable as an instant translation. Come on, we'd be talking endless online comparisons to end-time current day war activity as everyone and their brother tries to fit different players into the narrative. <br />
<br />
But we do have some pretty exciting reading. Here we have a PG 13 section: <strong>Chapter 3 : Verse 17</strong><br />
"Therefore the L-rd will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and HaShem will lay bare their secret parts." A bit further on: <strong>Chapter 4 : Verse 1 </strong>"And seven women shall take hold of one man in that day, saying: 'We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel; only let us be called by thy name; take thou away our reproach.'"<br />
<br />
We also have some poetry: <strong>Chapter 5 : Verse 18</strong><br />
Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope,<br />
<br />
So I'm looking forward to lots of sermons and interpretations from our biblical preachers worldwide. Not just the scholar types, but the ones who preach everyday from the current texts. How will the scrolls factor in?<br />
<br />
</div>Christopher Maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08479264461347128466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503443384274381882.post-60679385539569774032011-09-25T16:26:00.000-07:002011-09-25T16:26:54.811-07:00Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I just finished listening to the book and I was pleasantly surprised by the author's ability to pay homage to Austen without losing a reasonable, though implausible, storyline. </div>Christopher Maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08479264461347128466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503443384274381882.post-22490641876869479072011-09-09T19:09:00.000-07:002011-09-09T19:09:16.858-07:00How Do We Undo The Obesity Epidemic? The Australian Solution.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=maloneynd4&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B004EK5JCG&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span><span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fat-Sick-Nearly-Dead/dp/B004EK5JCG?ie=UTF8&tag=maloneynd4&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=maloneynd4&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B004EK5JCG" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span>It's hard to make weight loss into a movie, and it's harder to make it inspiring without a hard sell approach. I was impressed by <u>Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead</u>. Unlike almost any weight loss program I've seen, it really is about people getting well without any money in it for the producer. <br />
<br />
The movie is available at Netflix streaming, but you could also get a copy (so you can hand it to your relatives where it will sit on the shelf gathering dust until they have heart attacks like Bear in the movie did). <br />
<br />
If anyone is looking for someone to monitor the fast and do blood work, this is one I can get behind. It's not permanent, but it is sustainable over time, and it's based on fruits and vegetables.<br />
You can just <a href="http://www.fatsickandnearlydead.com/">look at the diet</a>, but I'd watch the movie. It's not often you see a trucker become an actor and make the transition gracefully. </div>Christopher Maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08479264461347128466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503443384274381882.post-17995064011167719012011-07-01T18:34:00.000-07:002019-10-30T14:50:11.664-07:0017 Day Diet, Really the 68 Day Diet<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />Well, like anyone I was intrigued by the idea of a 17 day diet. Really? That's all it takes to conquer obesity in America? How could we have been so foolish? <br />
<br />
But then I found out it was really four cycles of 17 days, and I thought: this guy's been watching too many late night infomercials: "Just four cycles of 17 days each..." but the 68 day diet just doesn't sound as sexy.<br />
<br />
You can do the <a href="http://www.dietsinreview.com/videos/the-17-day-diet-workout/">17 minute workout</a>, get the <a href="http://www.dietsinreview.com/diets/the-17-day-diet-meal-plan/">17 day meal packages</a>, spend a great deal of time thinking about why it isn't the 15.7 day diet or the 18.33 day diet. When you <a href="http://www.dietsinreview.com/diet_column/12/dr-mike-moreno-man-behind-the-17-day-diet/">watch Dr. Moreno defend the 17</a> there really isn't any reason why the other two numbers wouldn't work. Wouldn't part of a day be better at confusing the body? <br />
<br />
In the end, it's one more young, healthy male doctor explaining to middle aged women that they just need more discipline when really it's a matter of hormones.<br />
<br /></div>
Christopher Maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08479264461347128466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503443384274381882.post-38565118429566919352011-06-20T21:27:00.000-07:002011-06-20T21:28:53.962-07:00Guillain-Barre: An Unknown Taking Down the Healthy Or A Worsening Chronic Infection?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=maloneynd4&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1932603565&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>A recent story on ex-quarterback <a href="http://technorati.com/sports/football/article/ex-nfl-quarterback-suffering-from-guillain/">Danny Wuerffel getting Guillain-Barre Sydrome</a> has been in the news recently.<br />
<br />
In looking at his symptoms, he came down with a stomach virus, and now is at 50% muscle strength. Not only is this terrifying, it leads to the thought that none of us is safe. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">For anyone living in a box, Guillain-Barre has historically been associated with vaccinations. More recent re-analysis of previous studies poo-poo any possible association, but have a look at the 1978 original study: "<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">that the risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome among individuals receiving immunization against influenza A/New Jersey is 7.3 times the risk among the nonvaccinated." (Adv Neurol. 1978;19:249-60.)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It is a miniscule risk, and shouldn't deter anyone from vaccination for that reason alone, but the association makes sense if one thinks about the fact that the virus is often simply weakened, not entirely dead. In a very few susceptible individuals it may spark an autoimmune cascade. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The truth is that we've got a pretty good idea of what is causing this cascade. It may vary from individual to individual, but the majority have antibodies that correspond to both an infectious agent and their own neural tissue. A recent study (<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">J Neurol. 2011 Apr 24. ) found that a quarter of all patients had been infected by <span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Campylobacter jejuni. Another recent study in China concludes: "<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our results suggest that the antecedent C. jejuni infection triggered this GBS outbreak in China." (Foodborne Pathog Dis. 2010 Aug;7(8):913-9.) </span>So at least 25% of patients might benefit from antibiotic treatment. M<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">inocycline has been used to successfully treat an animal model of Guillain-Barre. (<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">J Cell Mol Med. 2009 Feb;13(2):341-51. )</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Currently the standard of care for Guillain-Barre involves intense rehabilitation, IV antibodies, and exchanging plasma for patients. All of these may be effective only if the body does not continue to generate antibodies from an ongoing infection.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For individuals without medical resources (and that is more and more people here in the U.S.) there are preliminary studies on the effect of ginger, licorice, calendula, and fenugreek. (Phytother Res. 2010 May;24(5):649-56.)</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It shouldn't take a celebrity case to bring the standard of care of this illness in line with the most recent research. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>Christopher Maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08479264461347128466noreply@blogger.com0