Bastyr UniversityBoucher Institute of Naturopathic MedicineCanadian College of Naturopathic MedicineNational College of Natural MedicineNational University of Health SciencesSouthwest College of Naturopathic MedicineUniversity of Bridgeport
Top 10 of '09
- Threat of H1N1 prompts focus on natural prevention.
- Cancer-related benefits
of natural remedies; research funded by stimulus package.
- NDs gain prescriptive authority in BC and Ontario, Canada.
- Naturopathic treatment more effective than psychotherapy in
treating anxiety.
- DMSA found safe and beneficial for children
with autism.
- Yoga shown effective for back pain and associated depression.
- NCCAM celebrates first decade; increased American spending on
CAM reported.
- UMC – home to the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine (ACIM) –
receives honors.
- AANP launches the
Natural Medicine Journal.
- Timothy Birdsall named AANP’s Physician of the Year.
Top 10 CAM News Stories 2009
(January 2010) — The coming year promises to be transformational in terms of health care. Prevention and wellness, two fundamental ideals of naturopathic medicine, form one of President Obama’s eight principles of health care reform, a fact that bodes well for doctors and patients alike. But as we look forward to 2010, let us not forget the accomplishments of the past 12 months, which have comprised yet another successful and progressive year in the world of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). As demonstrated by our top 10 news stories of 2009, public demand for safe and effective natural choices continues, as does the evidence-based research and treatment options to support this growing demand. Here’s what caught our attention in the past year:
1. The looming threat of H1N1 pandemic prompts focus on natural flu prevention strategies.
The slow release of the H1N1 vaccine, coupled with an overall mistrust of the vaccine’s safety and efficacy, led to scores of stories on natural and alternative approaches to flu prevention and treatment last autumn. The swine flu scare has created an opportunity for natural healing practitioners to promote the pillars of good health such as eating fresh and antiviral foods, like garlic; drinking enough water to keep mucous membranes lubricated so that pathogens don’t adhere; using probiotics and antiviral herbal remedies; practicing stress management and regular exercise; getting enough sleep; and utilizing frequent hand washing. Both airwave and Internet coverage of naturopathic methods explores topics like naturopathic prevention methods, alternatives and complements to the H1N1 shot, traditional healers’ treatment choices, H1N1 prevention and treatment guidelines and flu tips from Bastyr Center of Natural Health.
The slow release of the H1N1 vaccine, coupled with an overall mistrust of the vaccine’s safety and efficacy, led to scores of stories on natural and alternative approaches to flu prevention and treatment last autumn. The swine flu scare has created an opportunity for natural healing practitioners to promote the pillars of good health such as eating fresh and antiviral foods, like garlic; drinking enough water to keep mucous membranes lubricated so that pathogens don’t adhere; using probiotics and antiviral herbal remedies; practicing stress management and regular exercise; getting enough sleep; and utilizing frequent hand washing. Both airwave and Internet coverage of naturopathic methods explores topics like naturopathic prevention methods, alternatives and complements to the H1N1 shot, traditional healers’ treatment choices, H1N1 prevention and treatment guidelines and flu tips from Bastyr Center of Natural Health.
In a related development, Harvard scientists researching flu prevention discovered a group of naturally occurring proteins called interferon-indicible transmembrane proteins, which appear to protect us from flu, yet manage to avoid the typical side effects of interferons, which are commonly used to treat viral and autoimmune diseases. At the same time, the US Food and Drug Administration has compiled a list of 140 fraudulent “flu-fighting” drugs and devices.
2. Cancer-related health benefits of numerous natural remedies documented; CAM cancer research funded by stimulus package.
Naturopathic medicine’s importance to cancer prevention and treatment received multiple validations in 2009. Because of its focus on optimizing health, immune system support and modulation of chemotherapy side effects, the acceptance of naturopathic medicine as a complement to conventional allopathic cancer treatment continues to grow.
- The 100th annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research featured presentations on CAM cancer treatment techniques, including the anticancer effects of plant compounds, the role of vitamin K1 in killing kidney cancer cells, and the walnut’s ability to reduce breast tumor incidence, number and size.
- The Society for Integrative Oncology convened in New York this year. The group welcomed and evaluated research submissions on all aspects of integrative medicine and oncology, including acupuncture, botanicals, mind-body medicine, homeopathy and naturopathy. AANMC-school alumni, Drs. Dugald Seely, Timothy Birdsall, Dan Labriola and Heather Greenlee, presented.
- Although cancer survival rates reportedly have improved, several types of cancers are forecasted to increase worldwide. Recognizing the opportunity to curtail the impacts of this disease on vast numbers of patients, Congress granted the National Institutes of Health (NIH) $10.4 billion over two years for research and infrastructure through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The NIH’s Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine (OCCAM) is utilizing a portion of these stimulus funds to study three natural supplements for their chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effects on pancreatic and other cancers. Read more about the ARRA-funded research.
- Pancreatic cancer carries with it a very poor prognosis, which is why the reported success of naturopathic treatment protocol ALA/N (alpha-lipoic acid/low-dose naltrexone) is so important. Dan Rubin, ND, recently published a continuation of his work with ALA/N, in which he describes three patient cases as “alive and well” with “no signs of cancer” anywhere from four months to six and a half years after beginning treatment.
- Additional research in 2009 included a Columbia University study of milk thistle extract’s reduction of liver inflammation in leukemia patients; a Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland study on the prevention and possible treatment of colon cancer through sphingadienes, found naturally in soy; and a University of Michigan study documenting the ability of turmeric and black pepper to halt the growth of breast stem cells, which fuel a tumor’s growth.
- Also over the past year, Bastyr University opened its new Integrative Oncology Research Center; doctors at this facility, in conjunction with staff at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, will conduct research studies and offer integrated treatment for cancer patients.
In April 2009, British Columbia naturopathic physicians became the first CAM providers in Canada to gain the legal authority to prescribe to their patients. New regulations issued by BC Health services minister George Abbott now require naturopaths to complete a new certification course before being allowed to prescribe drugs, hormones and previously restricted vitamins, minerals and amino acids. This legislation will better position BC NDs to meet the escalating need for primary care, and it will allow better comanagement with other heath care providers, according to Dr. Christoph Kind, president of the BC Naturopathic Association (BCNA).
Similarly, an amendment to current Ontario law granting prescriptive authority to NDs passed royal assent in December. Some US states, most recently Oregon, already allow for prescriptive authority by NDs.
Comprehensive naturopathic treatment for anxiety was shown to be more beneficial than psychotherapeutic treatment in a 2009 study. Researchers at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) compared a holistic approach of dietary counseling, deep breathing relaxation techniques, multi-vitamins, and the herbal medicine ashwagandha to a control group receiving psychotherapy, deep breathing relaxation techniques, and placebo medicine. Beck Anxiety Inventory scores for patients in the naturopathic treatment group decreased by 56.5 percent, compared with a 30.5 percent decrease in the psychotherapy group. The implications of this study are far reaching, given that approximately 16 percent of the US adult population suffers from anxiety.
5. ND school research shows heavy metal influence on autism symptoms, proves a safe and effective treatment.
In 2009, researchers at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences (SCNM) conducted and published three studies on the use of chelation treatment for children with autism. The research revealed that the severity of autism was directly related to heavy metal toxicity, and that the use of a chelation treatment, dimercapto succinic acid (DMSA), effectively reduced some autism symptoms, including difficulties with language, cognition and sociability. DMSA was responsible for normalizing the levels of glutathione, which is the body’s primary defense against these metals, in almost all children tested after only three days of treatment. Glutathione levels have been shown to be much lower in children with autism than those of typical children. DMSA was well tolerated by the study participants and shown to be a safe treatment for them. The sharp incline of autism rates in the last two decades makes data on effective treatments such as chelation particularly important and valuable.
6. Qigong and yoga proven to be effective treatments for diabetes and back pain.
A Bastyr University clinical study showed the practice of qigong, a form of traditional Chinese energy medicine, to measurably reduce blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes patients. With more than 24 million Americans suffering from diabetes, and millions more worldwide, this study’s findings promise to be valuable in the ongoing effort to treat the disease.
A Bastyr University clinical study showed the practice of qigong, a form of traditional Chinese energy medicine, to measurably reduce blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes patients. With more than 24 million Americans suffering from diabetes, and millions more worldwide, this study’s findings promise to be valuable in the ongoing effort to treat the disease.
And patients with chronic lower back pain who practiced yoga experienced significantly less pain, less functional disability and less depression in a 2009 West Virginia University clinical study. These measureable changes were maintained six months after the intervention. Many of the 15-plus million Americans who practice yoga already understand its health benefits and have shown a willingness to make a substantial investment in this health-promoting activity. Even as most consumers were cutting back spending wherever possible, yoga practitioners nearly doubled what they spent on their practice — to almost $6 billion — over a recent four-year period.
7. NCCAM celebrates first decade of building evidence base for CAM modalities; increased American spending on CAM reported.
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2009. NCCAM director Josephine P. Briggs, MD, said that because of NCCAM’s decade of contributions to the evidence base for CAM interventions, a number of organizations representing the medical profession — including the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Academy of Pediatrics — have included CAM modalities in recent guidelines.
NCCAM/NIH also recently stated just how much Americans spend out of pocket on CAM: In a July 2009 report, Americans were reported to have spent close to $34 billion on CAM in 2007, up from an estimated $27 billion in 1997.
8. UMC – home to the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine (ACIM) – receives multiple honors.
The University of Arizona’s University Medical Center (UMC) – home to the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine (ACIM) – was widely recognized in 2009 as an innovative health care leader. Led by Drs. Andrew Weil and Victoria Maizes, the ACIM operates two University of Arizona clinics, conducts research, and offers a Fellowship in Integrative Medicine study program. In 2009, UMC Tuscon was honored by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of the Ten Best Hospitals in the country for “pushing the quality envelope in many directions.” Thomson Reuters recognized UMC Tucson as one of only 15 major teaching institutions on its list of Top Hospitals, and one of its top 25 hospitals overall. UMC also won the University HealthSystem Consortium's 2009 Quality Leadership Award and the regional 2009 Consumer Choice Award from the National Research Corporation.
The University of Arizona’s University Medical Center (UMC) – home to the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine (ACIM) – was widely recognized in 2009 as an innovative health care leader. Led by Drs. Andrew Weil and Victoria Maizes, the ACIM operates two University of Arizona clinics, conducts research, and offers a Fellowship in Integrative Medicine study program. In 2009, UMC Tuscon was honored by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of the Ten Best Hospitals in the country for “pushing the quality envelope in many directions.” Thomson Reuters recognized UMC Tucson as one of only 15 major teaching institutions on its list of Top Hospitals, and one of its top 25 hospitals overall. UMC also won the University HealthSystem Consortium's 2009 Quality Leadership Award and the regional 2009 Consumer Choice Award from the National Research Corporation.
The Natural Medicine Journal (NMJ) premiered in September 2009. A monthly e-journal and open-access website for integrative health care practitioners, students, and faculty in the field of natural medicine, the NMJ is the official journal of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP). NMJ’s purpose is toprovide scientifically valid, patient-centered health care information to the medical community. The format of the journal gives its visitors open, online access to clinically relevant, peer-reviewed information and resources.
AANP honored Timothy Birdsall, ND, FABNO, with its Physician of the Year Award. The AANP cited Dr. Birdsall’s longstanding leadership within the AANP; his legislative, policy and research initiatives; and his visionary integration of naturopathic medicine into health care as the key reasons for their selection. Dr. Birdsall is vice president of integrative medicine for Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) and a member of the department of naturopathic medicine at Midwestern Regional Medical Center, the flagship hospital for CTCA. Dr. Birdsall graduated from Bastyr University in Seattle in 1985, where he served on the faculty for five years. He has helped pioneer the role of naturopathic medicine in the treatment of cancer.
The topics above are not intended to compose an all-inclusive list of the CAM developments that happened in 2009, but rather to highlight just a few of the many advancements that occurred over the last 12 months. Naturopathic medicine is a dynamic, constantly expanding field, and naturopathic physicians are always looking for new methods and research that will help their patients. These stories are wonderful examples of the many ways in which naturopathic medicine is improving patients’ lives.
As more and more North Americans visit naturopathic doctors every year, complementary and alternative medicine is fast becoming an accepted sector of health care. Is 2010 the year you'll begin your naturopathic education? Explore ND career paths and opportunities.
And for the academic news highlights of year 2009, read Naturopathic Medical Schools - Milestones 2009.
Patty Bates-Ballard writes about diversity, ecology, wellness and politics. She is the owner of WordSmooth, co-author of Navigating Diversity, and developer of a series of diversity workshops implemented in school districts, non-profit, corporate and governmental organizations. Patty works from her home in Dallas, where she raises her sons, Kory and Kaden.