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Thursday, October 24, 2002
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By Darin Ingels, ND
Healthnotes Newswire (October 24, 2002)—Women who take multivitamins before and during pregnancy may reduce the risk of their children developing neuroblastoma, a type of brain tumor found almost exclusively in children, according to a study in Epidemiology (2002;13:575–80).
Neuroblastoma affects nine out of every million children under age 15 in the United States, and is the most common type of cancer in infants. Many scientists believe that neuroblastoma is the result of abnormal fetal development, because this type of cancer occurs so early in life; however, the exact cause remains unknown. Some studies suggest neuroblastoma may be caused by maternal exposure to environmental toxins, cigarette smoke, alcohol, or certain occupational exposures, but other studies have failed to show any such associations. The results of this new study are encouraging, as they suggest that mothers may be able to prevent this devastating disease from occurring in their children.
In the new study, over 1,000 mothers were questioned about their vitamin and mineral supplement use before and during pregnancy. Specific information regarding frequency and duration of use, and the amounts taken was recorded. The results showed that daily multivitamin use up to one year before conception or during any trimester of pregnancy resulted in a 30 to 40% decrease in neuroblastoma risk. This means that neuroblastoma may be prevented, even if a woman does not start taking a multivitamin until her second or third trimester. Taking a multivitamin less frequently than daily did not reduce neuroblastoma risk.
Scientists were unable to determine which nutrient or nutrients in the multivitamin was responsible for its beneficial effects, but they speculated that folic acid, which is found in many multivitamins, may play a key role in preventing neuroblastoma. Other studies have shown that folic acid may help prevent colon cancer and other types of cancer. Vitamin A, also found in some multivitamins, may help prevent brain cells from transforming into cancer cells. More research is necessary to clarify the association between nutrient intake and neuroblastoma. Women who are pregnant or considering getting pregnant should discuss nutritional supplementation with their doctor.
Darin Ingels, ND, MT (ASCP), received his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and his Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA. Dr. Ingels is the author of The Natural Pharmacist: Lowering Cholesterol (Prima, 1999) and Natural Treatments for High Cholesterol (Prima, 2000). He currently is in private practice at New England Family Health Associates located in Southport, CT, where he specializes in environmental medicine and allergies. Dr. Ingels is a regular contributor to Healthnotes and Healthnotes Newswire.
Copyright © 2002 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of the Healthnotes® content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Healthnotes, Inc. Healthnotes Newswire is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a healthcare professional. Healthnotes, Inc. shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Healthnotes and the Healthnotes logo are registered trademarks of Healthnotes, Inc.
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4:36:35 PM 
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By Matt Brignall, ND
Healthnotes Newswire (October 24, 2002)—A product called Genistein Combined Polysaccharide® (GCP) induced remission in a person with biopsy-proven prostate cancer, according to a case report published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2002;8:493–7).
The authors of this paper report the case of a man with an early stage prostate cancer who was scheduled for prostate removal surgery (prostatectomy) six weeks after his diagnostic biopsy. During this six-week waiting period, he took 1.5 grams of GCP per day. When the prostate tissue was analyzed after removal, no evidence of residual cancer could be found.
It is possible, though unlikely, that this man's prostate cancer resolved on its own without treatment. In a prior study, two of 3,038 patients with biopsy-proven prostate cancer had no evidence of residual disease upon removal of the gland.
GCP is a product made from the fermentation of a soy extract with a complex sugar derived from the basidiomycetes mushroom. Preliminary evidence suggests that genistein, a natural constituent of soy, has anticancer activity. The manufacturers claim that the fermentation process changes the structure of genistein in a way that increases its absorption and efficacy.
Genistein is thought to work against prostate cancer through its weakly estrogenic action. Other estrogenic treatments, such as diethylstilbestrol (or DES) and the herbal product PC-SPES, have been successfully used to treat prostate cancer.
Soy products have long been suspected to have therapeutic activity in people with prostate cancer. Studies have correlated high intake of soy products with decreased incidence of prostate cancer. Animal and test tube studies have shown a direct treatment effect of soy against prostate cancer cells. This is the first published report on the use of this particular preparation of soy.
One barrier to this product gaining wide usage is its considerable expense. A one-month supply of GCP retails for $600.
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer, and the second most common cause of cancer death in males. It is commonly treated with surgery, radiation, and medications that block the hormone testosterone.
Controlled clinical trials will be necessary to prove that GCP has activity against prostate cancer. Until then, individuals with prostate cancer should talk to their doctors before taking GCP.
Matt Brignall, ND is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Bastyr University. He works at the Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center, where he specializes in complementary medicine approaches to cancer. He has been published in several journals, including Alternative Medicine Review, Coping With Cancer, and the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Brignall also teaches clinical nutrition at Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA. He is a regular contributor to Healthnotes, Healthnotes Newswire, and the Healthnotes Quick!Reference series.
Copyright © 2002 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of the Healthnotes® content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Healthnotes, Inc. Healthnotes Newswire is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a healthcare professional. Healthnotes, Inc. shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Healthnotes and the Healthnotes logo are registered trademarks of Healthnotes, Inc.
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4:36:02 PM
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By Matt Brignall, ND
Healthnotes Newswire (October 24, 2002)—An extract of pine bark (Pycnogenol®) is at least as effective as horse chestnut seed extract for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), according to a clinical trial published in Phytotherapy Research (2002;16:S1–S5).
CVI is a common condition, particularly in women, in which the large veins in the legs function poorly, allowing backflow of blood, which in turn increases pressure and fluid retention in the lower leg. CVI can lead to more serious problems, such as infection or blood clots. Conventional management of CVI includes compression stockings, elevation of the legs, and often surgery.
In this new study, 40 people with CVI were randomly assigned to be treated for four weeks with either 600 mg per day of a standardized extract of horse chestnut seed (Venostasin®) or 360 mg per day of Pycnogenol®. Each participant rated their symptoms and underwent a medical examination before and after receiving the treatment.
The people taking Venostasin® experienced no significant reduction in symptoms (such as pain, cramps, or heaviness in the legs) and no significant improvement in leg swelling. Those taking Pycnogenol®, however, experienced both symptomatic relief and a reduction in leg swelling.
Pycnogenol® is a patented extract from the bark of a French maritime pine tree. This extract is rich in compounds known as proanthocyanidins. These constituents are potent antioxidants, and are thought to protect the lining of blood vessels from damage. Many other commonly used herbs are high in proanthocyanidins, including grape seed extract, green tea, and cranberry. However, these herbs have not been studied as a treatment for CVI.
At least four preliminary clinical trials have shown this pine bark extract to be superior to placebo for the treatment of CVI. The results of the new study suggest that Pycnogenol® is also more effective than horse chestnut seed extract, an established herbal remedy for this condition. However, it may be premature to conclude that Pycnogenol® is the preferred treatment for CVI. The superiority of Pycnogenol® in this study was attributable to the fact that participants taking horse chestnut seen extract did not experience much improvement. It is difficult to explain why the results with horse chestnut seed extract were negative in this study, since it has been found to be effective in several other clinical trials. There was some evidence that the disease severity of the two treatment groups was not well matched.
While it is still not clear which of these two treatments is more effective, there is a dramatic difference in the costs. The amount of Pycnogenol® used in this study would retail for roughly $135 per month, whereas a one-month supply the horse chestnut standardized extract would cost less than $25.
Matt Brignall, ND is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Bastyr University. He works at the Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center, where he specializes in complementary medicine approaches to cancer. He has been published in several journals, including Alternative Medicine Review, Coping With Cancer, and the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Brignall also teaches clinical nutrition at Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA. He is a regular contributor to Healthnotes, Healthnotes Newswire, and the Healthnotes Quick!Reference series.
Copyright © 2002 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of the Healthnotes® content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Healthnotes, Inc. Healthnotes Newswire is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a healthcare professional. Healthnotes, Inc. shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Healthnotes and the Healthnotes logo are registered trademarks of Healthnotes, Inc.
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4:35:24 PM
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Dear Editor:
My comments are in response to Mr. Stephens' recent series on "Massage Education Failing." (Editor's note: The five-part series by Ralph Stephens, BS, LMT, NCTMB, is available online at www.massagetoday.com/columnists/stephens/articles.html.) From Ashley Montagu's Touching comes the quote: "I know that touching was and still is and always will be the true revolution." When we touch people with bodywork, we have the power to change their lives and and our own. This power comes not only from technical skill, but from our intention. In a recent guest editorial in Massage Magazine, Dr. John Upledger wrote: " I think loving compassion is the kind of medicine that is needed today... if you keep your attitude and intention positive, you're going to do a lot of good… you will be offering compassion."
I've been a massage instructor and program supervisor for nearly 10 years, and while I agree that the quality of massage education could use improvement, I totally disagree with Mr. Stephens' suggestions! I wonder, has he ever taught an entry-level class? Many of my students have struggled with academia all of their lives; massage school is finally a place for them to succeed in a hands-on profession. These students bring their hearts and hands to their work and offer their clients the loving, nurturing touch so desperately needed to help heal our society. To require them to complete two years of college as a prerequisite for entering massage school would put an undue burden on them -- for what gain? Many of my students with masters' degrees cannot hold a candle to students with GEDs who put their hearts and souls into their work. Academic success does not translate into great bodywork.
Unfortunately, all of Mr. Stephens' ideas (including mandatory accreditation!) are based on such traditional, academically oriented approaches to schooling. Massage demands an entirely new perspective. This perspective can be found in Howard Gardner's book, Frames of Mind, The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Written in 1983, this book proposes that most education targets language/logic learning approaches, to the detriment of those with other learning styles. Certainly academic achievement is predicated on reading, writing and arithmetic! Mr. Gardner details multiple intelligences or learning styles: intrapersonal; interpersonal; visual/spatial; musical; bodily/kinesthetic, naturalist; and of course linguistic and logic/mathematical. Can you guess which styles are strongest among massage therapists? As an educator, I adhere to the Latin meaning of educate: "to bring forth the potential within." When we limit our teaching to fit preconceived, outmoded approaches to learning, we lose many potentially successful students. The challenge of quality education is not to standardize teaching that promotes only the academically gifted, but to seek creative approaches that embrace all learning styles.
I sincerely hope that massage schools will succeed where our traditional institutions of "higher learning" have failed so miserably!
Gail Frei, LMT
Hobe Sound, Florida
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1:45:00 PM
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The average ratio of the general population to massage therapists in the United States (50 states and the District of Columbia) is 3266 to 1. Amazingly, of those 20 states with a better ratio -- that is, having more access to and choice of massage therapists -- fully 85% (17) are licensed states. For convenience, I am counting those few certification states in the licensing category as well. Of those 31 states with a massage therapy "shortage" (below the U.S. average), more than half (17) are unlicensed states.
Here's another way to evaluate the data. In the 31 licensed states (evaluated as a whole), the availability of massage therapy, measured by the per-capita ratio, is 40% greater than in the unlicensed states. Starkly, those above-average 17 licensed states have an availability that is over three times greater than the availability in the below-average 17 unlicensed states.
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1:37:12 PM
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The word "client" means "One who uses a professional service." A "patient" is "A person to whom something is done."
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1:30:40 PM
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Pennsylvania massage therapy regulations in the works. [Massage Today]
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1:09:40 PM
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HOW THE SOFTWARE INDUSTRY WORKS
Programmer to Team Leader:
"We CAN NOT do this proposed project. It will involve a major
design change and no one in our team knows the design of this
system. And above that, nobody in our company knows the
language in which this application has been written. If you
ask my personal opinion, the company should never take these
type of projects."
Team Leader to Project Manager:
"This project will involve a design change. Currently, we
don't have any staff who has experience in this type of work.
Also, the language is unfamiliar to us, so we will have to
arrange for some training if we take this project. In my
personal opinion, we are not ready to take on a project of
this nature."
Project Manager to 1st Level Manager:
"This project involves a design change in the system and we
don't have much experience in that area. Also, not many
people in our company are appropriately trained for it. In
my personal opinion, we would need more time than usual to
complete it."
1st Level Manager to Senior Level Manager:
"This project involves design re-engineering. We have some
people who have worked in this area and others who know the
implementation language. So they can train other people. In
my personal opinion we should take this project, but with
caution."
Senior Level Manager to CEO:
"This project will demonstrate to the industry our cap-
abilities in remodeling the design of a complete legacy
system. We have all the necessary skills and people to
execute this project successfully. Some people have
already given in house training in this area to other
staff members. In my personal opinion, we should not
let this project slip by us under any circumstances."
CEO to Client:
"This is the type of project in which our company specializes.
We have executed many projects of the same nature for many
large clients. Trust me when I say that we are the most com-
petent firm in the industry for doing this kind of work. It
is my personal opinion that we can execute this project
successfully and well within the given time frame."
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10:26:37 AM
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Touch of Hope exists to touch the lives of seriously ill children and their families with encouragement, love, and hope. Touch of Hope allows these children and their families to tell their stories, and allows the rest of the world the opportunity to support them. We who founded Art for Hope and the Touch of Hope project know firsthand just how powerful this support can be, and this project is the first part of an effort to give back to a world that has given so much to us.
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10:12:17 AM
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Chemical Sensitivity Tied to Anxiety, Depression. Anxiety and depression may be important features of multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), a controversial diagnosis given to some people with apparent allergic reactions to a range of everyday exposures. A small study of MCS patients found that they were more likely to suffer depression than either healthy individuals or people with asthma. And both asthmatics and those with MCS showed greater-than-average "anxiety sensitivity," an exaggerated response to anxious feelings that... [HeartMath Report]
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8:37:51 AM
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Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. "There is no need to go to India or anywhere else to find peace. You will find that deep place of silence right in your room, your garden or even your bathtub."
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8:22:40 AM
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© Copyright
2002
Rick@Leaders.net.
Last update:
11/18/2002; 10:55:13 PM.
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