Digest Number 427

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/27/02 6:29:04 AM, Gettingwell writes:

 

<< This Acid thing >>

 

Wayne,

I do not remember where I got this info but it might help some. I am

quoting now but did not write down the source. One might want to search for

acid forming food chart. I use 1 tablespoon of Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar to

balance my pH and eat raw food too!

Jane

 

Acid versus Alkaline

The acid issue is also significant. The ph of our body is slightly alkaline

and although we have a number of chemical and physiological buffering systems

to keep our body's ph balanced, a steady diet of highly acidic foods and

beverages can strain the acid buffering system of our biochemistry.

Eventually, acidic waste is stored in our connective tissue which leads to a

host of degenerative diseases. Along with meat and shellfish, coffee and tea

are at the top of the acid forming food chart.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/15/04 12:38:40 PM,

Chinese Medicine writes:

 

<< Pam writes: Perhaps you can politely answer this one question, please: If

 

you knew March 8 2001 or soon thereafter, that the FDA approval might take a

 

turn for

 

the worst, did you notify the manufacturing companies and fellow practitoners

 

that there was still a serious problem that needed to be addressed

 

immediately? I didn't receive any other FDA information about the problem

until quite

 

recently. Most of the info I read from Richard was about your new group, the

 

anti-trust law suit, and in the past couple months the now-in-effect FDA law.

 

Sure, I'm only in a couple of groups, but they happen to be the same ones

you're

 

in. Did I inadvertently miss it? >>

 

Hi Pam - I can tell you that back in 1995-1996 the AAOM began trying to rally

and educate the profession, schools, herbal manufacturer's etc about CODEX

and the coming herbal problems. No one seemed to be concerned and there was

little care about these issues, we were told by many that we were worried about

nonsense, it would never affect us here. When the AA issues began (I believe

in 1999, though I could be wrong on the year). Again the AAOM initiated an

herbal coalition with the manufacturers and leaders within the acupuncture

community. It was agreed upon that if the AAOM could set up research protocols

to

prove the safety of these herbal products that many of the herbal companies

would be willing to support the research financially since it would benefit

their

businesses. The AAOM spent quite abit of time and money getting FDA approved

research protocols set up and the exact tests defined, the labs lined up

etc.. Unfortuneately, those who had said that they would support the work, did

not put their money where their mouth's were. (One of my patients actually

donateed $10,000.00 for this work to be accomplished, but that was a drop in the

bucket for what was needed) It seemed that the manufacturers were willing to

give up on AA and allow those herbs be taken away. We told everyone who would

listen that this was a mistake and that we needed a strong and firm action from

our profession. Unfortuneately, what happened is what seems to happen a

great deal of the time in our profession - no one was able to work together-

every

group went in their own direction with their individual visions. What has

been lacking and still is -is a unified voice and a sense of cohesiveness in

our profession. When gov't agencies have 7 or more different groups all saying

that the represent the OM profession (or some portion of it) and every group

has a different vision and angle, the powers that be dismiss all of us.

 

Even after the White House commission and a year of testimony concerning

alternative medicine, the commisssion came back to our profession and said,

'there

are too many differing opinions coming from our camp and that we needed to

have a solid unified vision as to how the profession should grow, if we were to

have any input.

 

I believe it is extremely important for our profession to find a way to come

together and to speak with one united voice on the large issues. Without this

type of power in numbers and without a firm focused vision we will not get

the bureaucratic agencies to listen. I am clueless as to how this can be

managed.

 

This is not meant to disparage all of the unique voices we have speaking for

our profession or to toot any one organization's horn. It is only meant as a

very brief history, and to let others know that many have been painfully

aware of what has been transpiring for many years now...

robbee fian LAc

[Guest guest]

Thank you Robbee for verifying our real challenge here in the US, division,

not unity!

 

For whatever reason, our profession refuses to put down egos, join

collective forces, and move forward as a strong, united voice. On the other

side of the coin, it all comes down to power and money. The legal issue

with 'Asian' herbs is the insiders have the power and money to demand more

than we can provide. That's the crux of the whole thing. We and our herb

manufacturers in the US don't have that advantage.

 

In a previous post, I stated it's all about testing. That's the legal way

the other side of the coin can take us out. They can't just go into every

AP'ers clinic and shut us down anymore, as has happened in the past with

another profession. No, that won't work this time and even 'they' know it.

So they use a different tactic, legally, and here we are. Upset and still

not united. IHO, more national organizations is not the answer, either, and

no offense intended. Two is one more than we need!

 

As you mentioned, Robbee, back in the mid-90's, many of us did band together

and support the Hatch bill (Utah senator). Remember it took his own

constituents, who would have been forced out of business with regard to

their western herb plants, to convince him to do something quickly, (by that

time, it was the eleventh hour), but it worked or at least we thought it

did!

 

What to do?? You got me! Even the AMA, with all those extremely yang

personalities, can get it together, you'd think we could, too.

 

Thank you to all the people who have put forth effort over the years to try

and solve our professional problems on a national level. I really appreciate

it.

Respectfully, Pam Price

 

 

 

> What has

been lacking and still is -is a unified voice and a sense of cohesiveness in

our profession. When gov't agencies have 7 or more different groups all

saying

that the represent the OM profession (or some portion of it) and every

group

has a different vision and angle, the powers that be dismiss all of us.

 

Even after the White House commission and a year of testimony concerning

alternative medicine, the commisssion came back to our profession and said,

'there

are too many differing opinions coming from our camp and that we needed to

have a solid unified vision as to how the profession should grow, if we were

to

have any input.

 

I believe it is extremely important for our profession to find a way to come

together and to speak with one united voice on the large issues. Without

this

type of power in numbers and without a firm focused vision we will not get

the bureaucratic agencies to listen. I am clueless as to how this can be

managed.

 

This is not meant to disparage all of the unique voices we have speaking

for

our profession or to toot any one organization's horn. It is only meant as

a

very brief history, and to let others know that many have been painfully

aware of what has been transpiring for many years now...

robbee fian LAc