JANUARY 2012 NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2012

Homeopathic Flu Prevention
Each year the Flu is a hot topic.  Each cold and flu season, the question is asked if there is a homeopathic alternative to the flu vaccine. The short answer is yes. If you are satisfied with the short answer, you can stop reading now. If you are intrigued to know more, read on to get the somewhat longer answer.

Decades before the conventional flu vaccine existed, some homeopaths were already attempting to prevent the flu using a homeopathic medicine made from the influenza virus, the virus that causes flu. This preparation is called Influenzinum. Unfortunately, there has never been more than anecdotal evidence that it is effective—until now.

In September 2011, a group of Brazilian researchers published a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial that showed for the first time what many homeopaths have suspected for decades: Influenzinum is effective at preventing the flu.[1] The study followed 600 children ages 1-5 for one year. 450 of the children completed the study. Some of the children were given a homeopathic preparation of Influenza A virus (Influenzinum) plus ARI, a homeopathic preparation of 3 microorganisms that cause other flu-like respiratory infections that commonly circulate during cold and flu season. The remaining children were given placebo, dummy pills containing no medicine at all. During the year that the children were monitored, there were 3 times as many respiratory infections and flu cases among the placebo group. There were no side effects registered among the children who took the Influenzinum and ARI, no deaths, and, according to the researchers, the homeopathic preparations can be produced at low cost.

This is an important issue for a couple of reasons. First, contrary to popular belief, flu is not always a harmless disease. In the 30 years from 1976-2007, annual deaths from seasonal flu in the United States ranged from a low of 3,000 people to a high of nearly 49,000.[2] There are also more than 200,000 people hospitalized nationwide each year due to influenza virus infections.[3] That said, most people who get the flu don’t die, but they are miserably sick for days. Second, as of the end of November 2011, only 36.3% of the U.S. population had been vaccinated for flu.[4] This is not a large enough percentage of the population to produce herd immunity, so most of us will be exposed to the flu virus during this flu season.

While the homeopathic version of the flu vaccine has not been compared directly against the conventional vaccine in a controlled trial and one study of 450 children does not prove indisputably that homeopathic vaccination works, the Brazilian study suggests, at the very least, that the homeopathic flu vaccine may be a safe, effective, and inexpensive alternative to conventional flu vaccination, especially for the more than 60% of Americans who have, thus far, chosen not to get a flu shot at all.

[1] Int J High Dilution Res 2011; 10(36): 174-176. Proceedings of the XXV GIRI Symposium and VIII CBFH; 2011 Sep 04-07; Foz do Iguacu (Brazil).

[2] http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5933a1.htm

[3] http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/hospital.htm

[4] http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/national-flu-survey.htm


Cancer Prevention: Tips For A Healthier Lifestyle

There are many speculations about the causes of cancer, but no one honestly knows how or why cancer starts growing in our bodies. There are several models of carcinogenesis, i.e. the pathway that leads to cancer. Two of the most cited include: the idea that cancer is a disease of damaged DNA and the idea that certain events at the cellular level lead to the growth of a malignant tumor. Both models illustrate the complexity of cancer growth and emphasize that it can take decades to occur. According to the World Health Organization, at least one-third of all cancers are preventable. This is an excellent statistic!

Here are a few thoughts on how to prevent cancer:
  1. Quit smoking. Cigarette smoking has been established as a cause of cancers of the lung, mouth, larynx, esophagus, throat, bladder, kidney, pancreas, stomach, cervix and also acute myelogenous leukemia. Tobacco use is the single greatest avoidable risk factor for cancer worldwide. This includes second hand smoke exposure.

  2. Curb alcohol intake. Drinking alcohol increased the risk for cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver, colorectum, and breast. Cancer risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed.
 
  3. Get moving. There is a link between overweight and obesity and cancers of the esophagus, pancreas, colorectum, breast, endometrium, and kidney. People who are more physically active have a lower risk of certain cancers.
   
  4. Eat the rainbow. Diets high in fruits and non-starchy vegetables may have a protective effect against cancers of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, colorectum, and lung. Life-long dietary patterns are important in either inducing OR preventing cancer – be aware of what you are eating.

  5. Visit your doctor. Infectious agents such as HPV, Hepatitis B and C, Helicobacter pylori, and Epstein-Barr virus are associated with cervical cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer, and Burkitt lymphoma, respectively. Pay attention to your body and the symptoms it’s presenting to you, early detection is one of the best preventions.

Currently there is a lack of evidence to support vitamin and mineral supplements for cancer prevention, though research into anti-cancer properties of vitamins and minerals is ongoing.

It seems that overall health and wellness contribute the most to preventing cancer. In other words, the healthier you are, the less likely cancer will develop. Consider adding homeopathy, a safe and natural way to stimulate your body’s ability to heal itself, to your wellness plan.


Herbs & Supplements to Support Liver Health

With the start of the New Year many people commit to cleaning up their diet and detoxing from the overconsumption that is common during the Holiday season. In addition to eliminating alcohol and junk food, some may want to further support their liver during detoxification by including certain herbs and supplements.

Milk thistle can help protect the liver from damage caused by drugs, alcohol, and even viruses. The active compound found in milk thistle, silymarin, even appears to help the liver regenerate cells after damage has occurred. Do not take milk thistle if you are allergic to ragweed, daisies, chamomile, or marigold.

Dandelion, the common yellow yard weed, has long been used to support liver health and treat various liver conditions. It also increases the production of bile from the liver and gall bladder, which helps carry toxins out of the liver. Artichoke also helps stimulate bile production.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) helps the body make more glutathione, an important antioxidant involved in liver detox. NAC is commonly used to reduce liver and kidney damage from acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdoses.


Alpha Lipoic Acid is a potent antioxidant that is both fat and water soluble. It also helps boost glutathione levels and is thought to have chelating properties which means it may help remove heavy metals from the body.


The spice turmeric (a common ingredient in curries) has been shown to boost bile production. Animal studies have also found that turmeric can help protect the liver from certain toxic substances.

Top 5 Recipe Substitutions:
  1. Unsweetened applesauce for sugar - Using applesauce in place of sugar can give the necessary sweetness without the extra calories and, well, sugar. While 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce contains only about 100 calories, a cup of sugar can pack more than 770. Perfect for oatmeal raisin cookies.
 
  2. Brown rice for white rice - When white rice is processed, the “brown” bran layer gets stripped away, cutting out essential nutrients (like fiber). Opt for brown rice for a fuller nutritional profile.
 
  3. Quinoa for couscous - While couscous is made from processed wheat flour, quinoa is a whole-grain super food packed with protein and nutrients— and they have almost the exact same texture.

  4. Turnip mash for mashed potatoes - While 1 cup of mashed potatoes made with whole milk racks up about 180 calories (before the inevitable salt and butter), a cup of mashed turnip (which doesn’t need milk or butter to get that creamy consistency) has only 51 calories. Add some fresh herbs in place of the salt and it’s a much healthier version of the classic mash.

  5. Spaghetti squash for pasta - Roasted and pulled apart with a fork, spaghetti squash is a great low-carb and lower-calorie substitute for pasta.