Fwd: 100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall...

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:Mon, 26 Apr 2004 08:30:29 -0500

HSI - Jenny Thompson

100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall...

 

100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall...

 

Health Sciences Institute e-Alert

 

April 26, 2004

 

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Dear Reader,

 

" I certainly have experienced a success that has been a huge

blessing in my life. "

 

That comment comes from an HSI member named Margaret who

found acupuncture therapy to be exactly what she needed. And

she's not the only one. In the e-Alert " Stuck on You "

(4/7/04), I asked members to write and share their

acupuncture experiences - good or bad. So far, the many

responses are running all to the good and none to the bad.

 

Some of these comments may serve as a useful guide to those

who are thinking about trying acupuncture. But there are

also a few important details that need to be addressed as

well.

 

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Say it again...

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In the e-Alert " Cooking Up Trouble " (4/13/04), I told you

about a Norwegian study that showed acupuncture to be

extremely effective in treating chronic cystitis (urinary

tract infection). Coincidentally, it was recurring cystitis

that prompted Margaret to try acupuncture. She points out

that Western mainstream medicine " rarely gives acupuncture

and oriental medicine credit as a healing modality, " but in

her experience, acupuncture was a powerful healing

treatment. Margaret writes:

 

" I suffered from chronic cystitis for the better part of my

adult life. For years, probably every four to six weeks I

would have a good case of cystitis complete with bleeding

and awful pain. I would be given drugs. About 18 years ago

the infection came back after having just completed another

round of drug therapy. I had a friend who was a licensed

acupuncturist and I went and had a series of four

treatments, which included moxibustion. I have never, and I

say it again, never had another bladder infection. This has

been like a miracle. "

 

Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique in

which a cone of the flowering plant mugwort is burned on an

acupuncture point. Of course, the mugwort is removed before

any flame comes into contact with the skin.

 

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More than just needling

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In the e-Alert I sent you about acupuncture I offered this

suggestion: " If you'd like to try acupuncture for yourself,

it's very important to locate an experienced and board-

certified acupuncture practitioner. "

 

A member named Carolyn agreed with this suggestion, but

added some important details. Carolyn has been a successful

acupuncturist for more than 20 years, but never took the

National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and

Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) exam. The reason: the California

state exam is, " far more comprehensive. " She writes:

 

" The national folks want to separate herbal training from

needling, which is ludicrous, and an insult to real doctors

of Chinese medicine. Please clarify for people that you can

be a reputable and excellent acupuncturist (remembering that

needling is only one part of being a professional using

Chinese medicine) without having taken that specific exam!

Just make sure the acupuncturist has a license and no

complaints against him/her for unprofessional conduct or

malpractice with the state Acupuncture Board. "

 

Good advice. Of course, NCCAOM certification is still a good

indication that you're probably in the hands of a competent

professional.

 

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Shaking the shingles

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Another member named Jacqueline wrote to say that she's not

only tried acupuncture, she's relied on it to treat health

problems for 30 years. During that period, the only time she

required a visit to the hospital was to treat a broken

ankle. Jacqueline says she finds acupuncture to be " reliable

and effective, " and she adds:

 

" Recently, I suffered a severe attack of shingles and my

acupuncturist eliminated the virus in a matter of about

three weeks, whereas I have a friend who is still suffering

from this very unpleasant condition after two years of

conventional treatment. My acupuncturist uses Chinese herbs

and homeopathy as well. The results are always positive, no

matter what the condition. "

 

Jacqueline is fortunate to have found such an accomplished

acupuncturist, and her experience brings up a good point.

Many acupuncturists also practice Chinese medicine and

prescribe herbal formulations to complement acupuncture

therapy. But when it comes to herbal supplements, it would

be wise to act on the advice of these practitioners in the

same way as you would act on the advice of a mainstream

doctor who prescribes drugs: Before beginning an herbal

regimen, ask detailed questions and do your own research to

look for studies and reliable testimonials.

 

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What's up, Doc?

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In many e-Alerts I've suggested that before taking any

dietary supplements, it's a good idea to consult with your

doctor. The same can be said for acupuncture and Chinese

medicine. But what are the chances that the typical MD will

seriously entertain the idea that such therapies are valid?

A member named David wrote to address that question:

 

" Why do you tell people to consult their doctors when MD's

know nothing about nutrition? It would be like asking advice

about plumbing from an electrician. MD's are the ones that

peddle all the drugs and live off the FDA and pharmaceutical

company lies. "

 

That's a good point. And yet, because your doctor is (or

should be) fully aware of your medical condition, he's in a

position to advise you about supplements or procedures that

could complicate an existing condition or interfere with a

current therapy. The best way to address this dilemma is to

find a doctor who's knowledgeable about the techniques of

complementary and alternative medicine.

 

In response to the acupuncture e-Alert, I received an e-mail

from a member named Kathleen who's associated with Bastyr

University; one of the few established schools that teaches

natural medicine and health sciences. Kathleen writes:

 

" I wish that you would always include a caveat that people

seek guidance and information from a well-educated ND

(naturopathic doctor) or herbalist or TCM (traditional

Chinese medicine) practitioner. Herb/drug interactions are

a real issue and any kind of long-term use of supplements

ought to be discussed with your health care provider. Most

MDs know little about botanicals and supplements and either

dismiss them as completely ineffectual or harmful. I would

also suggest that consumers question closely their

provider's credentials. I would want my provider to be from

an accredited institution (accredited, that is, by a

legitimate, government-recognized body; not a made-up bogus

accreditation group). In the US, there are only 4 accredited

schools (Bastyr, National, Southwest and Bridgeport) for

NDs. Many more for acupuncturists. "

 

In the e-Alert " Sugar in the Morning, Sugar in the

Evening... " (9/4/02), I told you about a Complementary and

Alternative Medicine Camp hosted by Bastyr University. The

camp is actually a 60-hour seminar designed to give students

of conventional medicine a general understanding of

alternative options and techniques. The seminar includes

botanical field trips, instruction on cooking whole-foods,

lectures on naturopathic medicine, and acupuncture

demonstrations.

 

If there were more programs like this, it would be much

easier to find a doctor who's willing to discuss herbal

supplement use, acupuncture and other alternative therapies.

Better yet, more doctors would be educated in these

therapies, which have obviously been beneficial to many HSI

members.

 

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... and another thing

 

Whenever I say, " Drink up! " I hear about it.

 

Every now and then I tell you about a new study that reveals

the health benefits of wine or some other alcoholic

beverage. And when I do, I always receive letters and e-

mails from members who feel that suggestions encouraging any

alcohol consumption at all don't have a place in a health e-

letter.

 

Naturally, I agree with those who point out how important it

is to drink in moderation. And a new study perfectly

underlines that point.

 

Researchers at Vanderbilt University used magnetic resonance

imaging (MRI) to examine brain structures of nearly 100

subjects. Fifty-two subjects were classified as light

drinkers, while 46 of the subjects qualified as heavy

drinkers, averaging more than 100 drinks per month for at

least three years before the study began.

 

In addition to the MRI, subjects were also tested to

evaluate memory, learning ability, verbal skill, balance,

spatial awareness and other factors that are impaired by

excessive alcohol intake.

 

Researchers found that patterns of brain damage consistent

with alcoholism were detectable among a large number of

subjects in the heavy drinking group. In areas of memory,

balance and processing speed, the heavy drinkers, as a

whole, were described as " significantly impaired " compared

to the light drinkers.

 

The most revealing aspect of this study is that an average

of only 100 drinks per month were required to create brain

damage. At first glance, that may seem like a lot. But it's

just three beers, glasses of wine or hard alcohol per day,

with a couple of extra drinks thrown in on the weekends.

While that may seem high to some of us, it's a level that

many people easily reach without disrupting their lives. As

one researcher put it, these people are not in treatment and

function relatively well in their communities. But all

along, the alcohol is taking a steady toll on the brain.

 

I should note that 100 drinks per month defined heavy

drinking among men in this study. For women, only 80 drinks

per month qualified as heavy.

 

80 bottles of beer on the wall...

 

To Your Good Health,

 

Jenny Thompson

Health Sciences Institute

 

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To start receiving your own copy of the HSI e-Alert, visit:

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Or forward this e-mail to a friend so they can sign-up to

receive their own copy of the HSI e-Alert.

 

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Sources:

" Study: Heavy Social Drinkers Show Brain Damage " Reuters

Health, 4/14/04, reutershealth.com

 

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