Integrative medicine最新文献

Introduction: Individuals facing homelessness with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at increased risk for food insecurity. Financial difficulties increase the demand to donate blood plasma to support hardship. Excessive blood plasma donations may lead to micronutrient deficiencies exacerbating deficits derived from poor food habits. Therapies that may support these populations in securing foods and improving lifestyle habits may be diet, supplements, nutrition education, and holistic lifestyle recovery support group.

Case description: A homeless, 31-yr-old Caucasian female with ASD presenting with magnesium and calcium deficiencies, and ten year history of blood plasma donations sought medical nutrition therapy. Over 6 months and in conjunction with physician prescriptions, interventions were augmented with magnesium and calcium supporting vegetables; reduction of dairy, fast foods, and ultra-processed foods; nutrition education and holistic lifestyle recovery support group. Upon final visit, the patient had remarkable improvement of nutrition knowledge and food budgeting, in-kitchen housing stability, food access, and stress reduction.

Conclusion: Nutrition education improves nutrition knowledge and food budgeting facilitating food access, while holistic lifestyle recovery support groups can influence healthier living and stress reduction in homeless patients with ASD. Population-based clinical studies should be done to understand the role of these conjunctive therapies to support nutrition practice.

A 15-month-old patient, diagnosed with Molluscum contagiosum (MC), which began with a four-lesion skin rash, that spread across his upper torso (and scrotum) resulting in more than one hundred red, swollen, raised, and itchy lesions. MC is an infection caused by the pox virus and commonly heals without treatment, although this may take months or even years. In the pediatric population, infectious and contagious skin conditions which can spread through a daycare or school setting, are often treated. This patient's MC resolved over six weeks with Erchonia laser (low level violet light therapy) and oral and topical application of an herbal formula (Biocidin LSF). No side effects were noted or reported.

Context: Anti-inflammatory drugs and biologics can effectively treat inflammatory conditions and diseases but can also cause burdensome side effects. Many patients prefer to use time-tested, traditional medicinal products and dietary supplements, but such products seldom receive the rigorous testing required for regulatory approvals of drugs and biologics. Thus, it is advantageous to demonstrate by experimentation the pharmacological and toxicological properties of unapproved natural products and compared to benchmark approved drugs or biologics.

Objective: The studies intended to evaluate Samento^®, a commercial hydro-alcoholic extract of the pentacyclic chemotype of Uncaria Tomentosa (Willd.) DC, for the prophylactic and treatment effects of irritant-induced inflammation and antigen-induced arthritic inflammation in two rat models. The studies were also intended to create a clinical bridge rationale for the use of Samento^® in the treatment of inflammation in humans, with a suggested allometrically scaled starting dose.

Design: The research team performed two in vivo animal model studies of induced inflammation in rats.

Setting: The studies took place at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Lima, Peru.

Prophylaxis model of irritant-induced inflammation: Holtzman rats in five groups (five each per group) were administered 14 daily doses of Samento^® at 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg of wet weight, or 40 mg/kg of naproxen sodium as a positive control, or nothing as a negative control. At 14 days the right legs of the rats were challenged by injection into the connective tissue by the chemical irritant carrageenan. Two hours thereafter the weight of the irritant-injected right leg was compared to the non-injected left leg of each rat, to determine the level of irritant-induced inflammation.

Treatment model of antigen-induced arthritic inflammation: Arthritic inflammation was induced in five groups of Lewis rats (five each per group) by intradermal injection of the tail with non-allogeneic, bovine type II collagen in incomplete Freund's adjuvant. A sixth group was not injected with collagen antigen as a non-induced control. Ten days after the induction of arthritic inflammation in the five injected groups, individual groups were treated with Samento^® at 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg of wet weight daily for 21 days, or 0.2 mg/kg of methotrexate twice per week as a positive control, or nothing as a negative control. At 21 days the animals were assessed for antigen-induced arthritic inflammation and assigned an analog score ranging from 0 to 4.

Results: The research team confirmed the presence of pentacyclic oxindoles and the absence of tetracyclic oxindoles within Samento^®. In the prophylactic model, 14 days of pretreatment with oral

"Unimportant" Molecules?-Part 1 reviewed the research on how the loss from the food supply of molecules that are not considered required nutrients has substantially contributed to the chronic disease epidemic. In Part 2, I present more research on the clinical benefits of dietary and supplemental carotenoids, flavonoids, and other important plant molecules. The research is clear that regularly eating colorful, organically grown foods is required for health.

Context: One of the governing principles of naturopathic medicine is the concept of Unity of Disease and Unity of Cure (UDUC). Many naturopathic physicians and students find it challenging to provide a scientific basis for UDUC because conventionally every disease has varying etiologies.

Objective: The review intended to explore the basis of UDUC, examining the available theoretical evidence around this fundamental tenet of naturopathic medicine, to promote its effective use when consulting new patients and planning the subsequent treatment.

Design: The research team performed a narrative review by searching PubMed, PubMed central, Scopus, Google scholar databases, textbooks on naturopathy and websites of professional bodies representing naturopathic medicine. The search used the keywords 'Naturopathic Medicine', 'Naturopathy', 'Holism', 'Self-healing', 'Pyschosocial determinants and health', 'unity of disease and unity of cure', 'health and disease', 'Multi-model approach', 'whole-system practice' and 'Global naturopathic practice'.

Setting: The review took place at Sant Hirdaram Medical College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences for women in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Results: The present review provides a comprehensive overview of the scientific evidence behind UDUC under four layers: psychological factors, lifestyle factors, physiological alterations, and disease manifestation. The data presented in this review substantiate the presence of these four layers in the manifestation of various clinical conditions like musculoskeletal disorders, obstetric and gynecological disorders, cardiometabolic disorders, infectious disorders, and gastrointestinal disorders.

Conclusions: It's very evident that the global naturopathic profession embraces traditional philosophies as the core of their practices. However, the field needs measures, such as the formulation of international working groups and the organization of continuous medical-education programs, congresses, and exchange programs, to facilitate crosstalk among practitioners from different parts of the world, which may assert the importance of philosophical tenets such as UDUC in clinical practice.

Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) includes inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity as core symptoms and is associated with increased self-perceived stress.

Primary study objective: This article evaluates the impact of acupuncture (provided in addition to regular pharmacological treatment with Atomoxetine) on self-perceived stress and ADHD core symptomatology, compared to atomoxetine (ATX) alone.

Methods/design: In-depth single case study, involving a mixed methods approach with questionnaires and interviews was used. The participant completed two rating scales. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were held. Qualitative data were subjected to content analysis and both sets of data were triangulated.

Setting: Data collection/intervention (treatments) took place at an Acupuncture clinic in Hamburg, Germany, EU.

Participants: One adult, atomoxetine-taking ADHD participant.

Intervention: Acupuncture according to Chinese medicine-diagnosis twice/week, over the course of eight weeks, following a pre-defined but flexible point protocol.

Primary outcome measures: 1) The Current Symptom Scale (CSS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). 2) Semi-structured interviews.

Results: Acupuncture treatments in addition to regular ATX intake positively affected the participant's ADHD symptoms (PSS - 31%, total score of the CSS - 47%). There was a considerable decrease in subgroup scores (attention deficit - 39%; functionality impairment - 55%; hyperactivity/impulsivity - 53%; impulsivity - 30%). Post-interventional interviews showed perceived increased self-control, (self-) awareness and centeredness. Combined treatment was perceived as more beneficial than pharmaceutical treatment alone.

Conclusion: Acupuncture treatment appears to have a positive impact on both self-perception of stress and ADHD core symptomatology. Findings were partially congruent with the reviewed research literature but due to limitations/risks of bias (ROBs) associated with the design, no concrete conclusions regarding a potential method-related specificity can be drawn. Further research with larger samples and a more robust design is recommended.

An otherwise healthy and active 42-year-old woman, undergoing In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), developed a deep vein thrombus (a potential side effect of IVF) in her right lower leg after discontinuing the consumption of hibiscus tea. Hibiscus tea contains phytoestrogens which may affect hormone balance - on the one hand reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and on the other, interfering with the potential success of IVF-related hormone treatments.