The Health Method of Homeopathy and its Benefits

What Is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a comprehensive system of medicine in which practitioners use solutions containing minute amounts of animal, vegetable and/or mineral substances to promote healing. Homeopathic practitioners (homeopaths) believe in what they call the "law of similars." This means that "like cures like" and that illnesses can be treated by giving patients a small dose of a substance that produces similar effects to those of the illness. This is the same principle used in allergy treatments and immunizations.

Homeopaths evaluate and treat each patient as a whole. They consider psychological, behavioral, and genetic factors--not just the immediate physical symptoms of the disease--when prescribing the remedy that will have the most powerful healing effect on the patient.

The system of homeopathy is based on the work of Samuel Hahnemann (1753-1843), a German physician and chemist. Deeply disturbed by practices such as bloodletting and purging, which were mainstream medicine in his time, Hahnemann quit his medical practice and began a quest to understand the healing properties of drugs.

In his research, Hahnemann tried out various substances on his followers and on himself, and carefully recorded the details of their effects. Armed with this information, he then applied them to the treatment of the sick based on the "law of similars." His work led him to conclude that an imbalance in the body's vital energy caused disease and that a slight stimulus from the correct substance could trigger the body's ability to heal itself. Hahnemann also found that by progressively diluting and mixing a drug preparation, he could make an increasingly potent remedy with few or no side effects.

Hahnemann's research and writings were synthesized into a system of homeopathic medicine in the mid-nineteenth century. It wasn't long before homeopathy became an accepted medical discipline in many nations throughout the world, and by the early 1900s it was widely practiced in the United States. Interestingly, the original legislation that created the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1938 included the regulation of manufacturing standards for homeopathic drugs.

Conventional medical doctors and scientists, however, scoffed at the dilution principle of homeopathy, preferring to think that direct chemical actions were necessary for drugs to be effective. After a decline during the middle of the twentieth century, homeopathy regained status and today has a broad following in Europe, South America, and India. With preliminary scientific studies documenting the effect of some homeopathic treatments, along with the widespread interest in "natural healing," homeopathy has once again become a more accepted method of treatment in the United States.

How Does Homeopathy Works?

A homeopathic remedy is made by crushing a plant, animal, or mineral substance, then putting it into a solvent such as grain alcohol. The extract is then further diluted in a mixture of alcohol and water and shaken with each dilution; this emphasizes the signature healing effects of the substance being diluted. The process is repeated many times to achieve a therapeutic dilution with few chemical side effects.

Homeopathic remedies are labeled with numbers and letters that indicate their dilution, or "potency." A solution labeled "30C," for example, has been diluted 30 times at a ratio of one part substance to 99 parts alcohol and water ("C" is for "centesimal," as the ratio is 1:100). A solution labeled "6X" has been diluted 6 times at a ratio of one part substance to 9 parts alcohol and water ("X" stands for "decimal potency," or a ratio of 1:10). After it has been properly diluted, the medicine can be administered in one of many forms, including tablets, ointments, liquid, or spray.

Advocates of homeopathy believe that the dilution process produces a potent healing "essence." Critics argue that most homeopathic remedies are so diluted that chemical laboratory tests cannot detect the original active substance. They suggest that homeopathic cures are the result of a placebo effect caused by the patient's belief in the practitioner or the method. Some well-run recent research, however, suggests that there is more than a placebo effect inherent in homeopathy.

What You Could Expect From it?

If you'd like to be treated homeopathically for a chronic illness, it is best to seek out a licensed naturopath, osteopath, or medical doctor who regularly uses homeopathy as a treatment modality. Because there are over 2,000 substances used in homeopathic remedies, it helps to have professional advice.

A homeopathic practitioner should begin your initial visit by taking a detailed health history. You will probably be asked how your current complaint started, how it has developed, and how it makes you feel physically, mentally, and emotionally. You will also be asked to explain exactly what kinds of symptoms are involved, precisely where your symptoms are located, and what kinds of events or actions, times of day, or types of weather make the problem better or worse. You may even be questioned about what foods you like and don't like.

The answers to these questions will help the homeopath determine what kind of problem you have, what kind of person you are, and what remedy to prescribe to encourage your body's natural healing processes. The homeopath may prepare the recommended remedies for you, or you may be told where to purchase them.

Homeopathic remedies can be used to treat a specific problem, to support resistance to disease, or to strengthen the body in general. Homeopaths will give you the dose best suited for your system (it could be daily, weekly, or just once) and follow your response. If the remedy recommended by your homeopathic consultant fails to improve your ailment, you may need to move on to another remedy or some other form of treatment.

If you have a minor acute condition, homeopathic remedies are an excellent choice for self-care. Over-the-counter homeopathic remedies have label indications for their use, and there are many effective home-care guides to using homeopathic remedies such as Arnica montana for bruising injuries, Ignatia amara for the emotional stress of sudden grief or loss, or Nux vomica for overeating or alcohol hangover symptoms.

A unique aspect of homeopathy is that two people with different conditions but similar symptoms might be treated with the same remedy. Homeopathic self-help guides can counsel you on how to choose the best remedy based on your symptoms.

In addition to the specific single-drug remedies, mixtures of homeopathic remedies are sold for common conditions. A flu remedy, hay fever remedy, or bladder symptom remedy, for example, might contain four to eight specific agents. Many homeopathic remedies can be found at heath-food stores, drug stores, and natural pharmacies.

The Health Benefits

While many mainstream physicians believe that the much-diluted homeopathic remedies are at best placebos, homeopaths argue that the remedies do work--for all types of ailments from hay fever to seasickness.

There is now a growing body of clinical evidence concerning homeopathy's efficacy. However, the need for more solid research in the future is clear.

While many clinical trials have indeed shown homeopathic remedies to be no better than placebos, other studies have found them to be effective. A number of conditions, including hay fever, postoperative ileus (intestinal obstruction following surgery), rheumatoid arthritis, influenza, asthma, and sprains appear to respond to homeopathic remedies.

A recent German study tested 146 patients with hay fever and showed that the homeopathic nasal spray Luffa comp.-Heel (a mixture remedy) worked as well and as quickly as the conventional treatment cromolyn sodium spray.

How To Choose a Practitioner

Homeopaths are licensed in only three states in the United States (Arizona, Connecticut, and Nevada), although some practitioners may hold other medical licenses. In addition, the American Board of Homeotherapeutics (ABHt) grants Diplomate (advanced specialty) status (D.Ht.) to those medical and osteopathic physicians who successfully pass a written and oral exam. Licensed physicians, advanced practice nurses, and physician's assistants can also take a Primary Care certification exam offered by the ABHt, which recognizes entry-level diagnostic and therapeutic skills.

The Council for Homeopathic Certification (CHC) also offers homeopathic certification to individuals who have a health-care license ( M.D., R.N., D.C., and so on) as well as to trained homeopathic prescribers who are not licensed in any biomedical profession. However, in order to qualify for the certification exam, individuals must submit documentation proving that they have completed coursework in and have sufficient knowledge of the health sciences.

In addition, The Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians offers Diplomate certification (the DHANP certificate) for naturopaths who specialize in the full classical specialty of homeopathy.

In order to avoid a potentially dangerous misdiagnosis of your condition, it is best work with a licensed and/or certified homeopath who will cooperate with your conventional doctors, or to seek out a licensed M.D., R.N., D.C., D.O. or N.D. who regularly incorporates homeopathy into their licensed scope of practice treating health conditions. A licensed health-care practitioner will also be able to offer you a more well rounded treatment plan for your ailment.

Cautions

Because the practice of homeopathy is only minimally regulated in the United States., a homeopathic practitioner may be a self-educated person with minimal training. Be sure to check into the practitioner's credentials.

Some unlicensed practitioners "diagnose" the need for remedies by the use of electrical diagnostic devices. This method, even when practiced by trained M.D.s, is controversial within the homeopathic community. Do not accept such diagnostic advice from a person who is not otherwise licensed as an M.D., D.O., D.C., or N.D.

Although the manufacture of homeopathic remedies is regulated under the Food and Drug Administration for safety and purity, the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies has not been tested the same way that new pharmaceutical drugs are tested before coming to the U.S. market.

If you are pregnant, consult your doctor before taking drugs, homeopathic remedies, or supplements for self-care.

Even though the doses of alcohol are very small, it is wise to avoid taking homeopathic remedies in an alcohol base if you are pregnant, a recovering alcoholic, or otherwise need to avoid alcohol.

Don't keep taking the same homeopathic self-care remedies once they have helped you recover from a specific problem, or if you have not noticed improvement within a week. Some people can develop annoying symptoms from overused or poorly chosen remedies.

Don't rely solely on homeopathic remedies to treat a serious illness such as cancer, depression, high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease.

And Remember; Live Healthy, Long and Strong.

Live 100 Years!

Alzheimer's Disease Tips and Special Diets

How can overall health and well-being be maintained in a person suffering from Alzheimer's disease?

It's important for the person with Alzheimer's to be under the continual supervision of a qualified medical doctor in order to stay in the best overall health possible. Poor overall health is associated with greater symptoms of Alzheimer's, so maintaining healthy habits may reduce symptoms. Attention must be paid to proper exercise, diet and to any new or long-standing health problems. Hearing and vision should also be evaluated regularly and treated appropriately if faltering. Ongoing consultation with a primary care physician may be supplemented with visits to specialists or other health professionals as necessary to address specific needs.

Co-existing medical conditions should be identified and properly managed, as they may negatively impact Alzheimer's behaviors. For example, frequent urinary tract infections may increase wandering, and depression disrupts sleep and deepens social withdrawal. Click here for more information on co-existing medical conditions.

Do people with Alzheimer's need to follow a special diet?

People with Alzheimer's should eat well-balanced, nutrient-rich meals, but a special diet is usually not necessary. However, even healthy older people experience changes in eating habits as they age: Food may not smell or taste the same; it may become more difficult to chew and digest food, and our cells may not be able to utilize the energy from food as efficiently. These problems may be more pronounced in people with Alzheimer's and may be compounded by other challenges posed by the disease. In addition, Alzheimer's may cause appetite control systems in the brain to malfunction as nerve cells in those areas deteriorate, resulting in extreme eating behaviors (overeating or not eating at all).

In early stages of the disease, people with Alzheimer's may have difficulty preparing meals. They may forget they have food in the oven or cook something and forget to eat it. Step-by-step written or verbal instructions clearly delineating what to do to prepare and eat meals may be beneficial in such cases.

Food preparation problems may progress to difficulty eating. Nerve cell death eventually steals the ability to recognize thirst or hunger. At the same time, depth perception may be compromised due to changes in the visual and "mapping" areas of the brain, making the process of eating more frustrating. The person may no longer know how to use a knife or fork and may lose interest in food altogether.

Severe eating problems put the person with Alzheimer's at risk for weight loss, dehydration and malnutrition. See your doctor if you notice significant weight loss or changes in eating behavior. Ask about ways to increase your loved one's food intake and find out if nutritional supplementation might be warranted. Keep in mind that supplements should be used with caution and only under a doctor's supervision, as they may interact with prescription medications.

Is it important for a person who has Alzheimer's to exercise?

Maintaining a reasonable level of exercise is important for many reasons, both for overall health and to address issues specific to Alzheimer's. Exercise can improve mobility and help one maintain independence. In normal people, moderately strenuous exercise has been shown to improve cognitive functioning.

In people with Alzheimer's, studies show that light exercise and walking appear to reduce wandering, aggression and agitation. Incorporating exercise into daily routines and scheduled activities can also be beneficial in alleviating problem behaviors. The type of exercise should be individualized to the person's abilities. Talk with your doctor about what is right.

What kinds of complementary health approaches might benefit a person with Alzheimer's?

Health treatments for people with Alzheimer's disease can also employ so-called "complementary" health approaches. These may include herbal remedies, acupuncture, and massage. This area of treatment is presently the subject of a great deal of research, with far more proposed. It's important to understand that complementary or alternative health approaches, including vitamins and herbal supplements, are not subject to the same kind of critical government review for safety and efficacy that new drugs are, so one must be cautious when considering such approaches. While there are a growing number of legitimate researchers investigating these approaches, there is also a great deal of misinformation in the public domain, and unsubstantiated claims are rampant. Ask your doctor to help you understand the benefits and risks of such approaches, and do not take herbal or vitamin supplements without first discussing it with your doctor, since many of these pills can interact negatively with prescription or nonprescription medications.

Gingko biloba, an herbal supplement with antioxidant properties, has been the subject of much hype regarding it's supposed effects on cognition and memory. Some studies have shown that some people with dementia (of unspecified types) may benefit from gingko biloba supplements, but rigorous evidence of the herb's effectiveness is so far lacking. More studies are ongoing, including ones that are investigating whether gingko biloba can help improve symptoms of Mild Cognitive Impairment. Like other herbal supplements, gingko biloba can have side effects and may interact with prescription medications, so it should only be taken under a doctor's supervision.

Acupuncture, a core component of traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for thousands of years to treat all manner of health complaints, has recently been investigated for its use in Alzheimer's disease. Scientists at two medical institutions, the Wellesley College Center for Research on Women in Wellesley, Mass. and the University of Hong Kong, reported the promising findings of two small studies at a recent medical meeting for Alzheimer's researchers.

In the Wellesley study, 11 people with dementia (10 with Alzheimer's, one with vascular dementia, a related condition) were treated with acupuncture twice a week for three months. Tests completed before and after the study measured cognitive function and mood in the study subjects, and an analysis showed that the treatments significantly reduced depression and anxiety. The Hong Kong study, in which eight patients with Alzheimer's were treated for a total of 30 days each, demonstrated significant improvements in cognition, verbal skills, motor coordination and in an overall measure of the severity of Alzheimer's symptoms. Additional studies are ongoing to repeat the results and further explore the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating mood and behavioral disturbances associated with Alzheimer's disease.

The Spine

More than 31 million visits were made to physician offices in 2003 because of back problems (Source: National Center for Health Statistics; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2003 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey.) Eight out of 10 people will experience back pain at some point in their lives. Low back pain is one of the most frequent problems treated by orthopaedic surgeons.

What is the lower back?
Your lower back is a complex structure of vertebrae, disks, spinal cord, and nerves, including:

five bones called lumbar vertebrae - stacked one upon the other, connecting the upper spine to the pelvis
six shock absorbers called disks - acting both as cushion and stabilizer to protect the lumbar vertebrae
spinal cord and nerves - the "electric cables" which travel through a central canal in the lumbar vertebrae, connecting your brain to the muscles of your legs
small joints - allowing functional movement and providing stability
muscles and ligaments - providing strength and power and at the same time support and stability

How does the spine work?

The lower or lumbar spine is a complex structure that connects your upper body (including your chest and arms) to your lower body (including your pelvis and legs). This important part of your spine provides you with both mobility and strength. The mobility allows movements such as turning, twisting or bending; and the strength allows you to stand, walk and lift. Proper functioning of your lower back is needed for almost all activities of daily living. Pain in the lower back can restrict your activity, reduce your work capacity and diminish your quality of life.

What are the common causes?

Low back pain can be caused by a number of factors:
-Protruding Disk
-Age
-Osteoporosis and Fractures
-Low Back Sprain and Strain

The muscles of the low back provide power and strength for activities such as standing, walking and lifting. A strain of the muscle can occur when the muscle is poorly conditioned or overworked. The ligaments of the low back act to interconnect the five vertebral bones and provide support or stability for the low back. A sprain of the low back can occur when a sudden, forceful movement injures a ligament which has become stiff or weak through poor conditioning or overuse.

Prevention

Back pain caused by lifting can be prevented if you use proper lifting techniques and exercise regularly to improve your muscle strength and overall physical condition. The normal effects of aging that result in decreased bone mass, and decreased strength and elasticity of muscles and ligaments, can't be avoided.

However, the effects can be slowed by:

-exercising regularly to keep muscles that support your back strong and flexible
-using the correct lifting and moving techniques
-maintaining your proper body weight; being overweight puts a strain on your back muscles
-avoid smoking
-maintaining a proper posture when standing and sitting; don't slouch

Staying in shape

You can reduce the risk of back pain if you stay in good physical shape.
Recreational activities such as swimming, bike riding, running or walking briskly will keep you in good physical condition. There also are specific exercises that are directed toward strengthening and stretching your back, stomach, hip and thigh muscles as well as exercises to decrease the strain on your lower back. Consult your physician about a proper exercise program.

And remember, live longer, healthier and happier.

Live 100 years!

Alternative Remedies by Rural Elderly

Alternative medicine is just as popular in rural North Carolina as it is in America's urban centers.

But a new study finds older North Carolina adults are more likely to use home or folk remedies such as vitamins, Epsom salts, or a daily "tonic" of vinegar rather than acupuncture, homeopathy or massage therapy.

Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem surveyed 701 diabetics, aged 65 and older, in two rural North Carolina communities. They found that most of the respondents did not use complementary and alternative therapies to treat diabetes or other chronic diseases.

"They are using complementary and alternative medicine for prevention or for treating symptoms (a headache, a sore throat, a cut), but not for treating a chronic condition," the researchers said. In fact, alternative remedies "are largely a form of self-care" in this older, rural population, the study authors wrote.

It's common for these people to use some complementary and alternative medicine therapies, such as vinegar or honey, as a general "tonic," noted lead researcher Thomas Arcury.

"I've talked to older adults who'll tell you should take two tablespoons of vinegar every day in a glass of warm water because it's good for you. They aren't treating anything in particular," he said in a prepared statement.
More than half (52 percent) of the respondents used food home remedies (honey, lemon and garlic), and 57 percent used other home remedies (tobacco, Epsom salts and salves). Vitamins were used by 45 percent of the respondents, and minerals were used by 17 percent. Only 6 percent used herbs for self-care.

Ethnicity played a major role in the use of alternative therapies. Blacks and Native Americans were 81 percent and 76 percent, respectively, more likely to use food home remedies than whites and more than twice as likely to use other home remedies.

"We want to understand how people make decisions about managing their health. If we understand how people are treating themselves, the information can be useful for physicians," Arcury said.

And remember, live longer, healthier and happier.

Live 100 years!

Healthy Levels of Cholesterol

Your total blood cholesterol level

Your total blood cholesterol will fall into one of these categories:
Desirable — Less than 200 mg/dL
Borderline high risk — 200–239 mg/dL
High risk — 240 mg/dL and over

Here is some more explanation about each of these categories.

Desirable- If your total cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dL, your heart attack risk is relatively low, unless you have other risk factors. Even with a low risk, it's still smart to eat foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and also get plenty of physical activity. Have your cholesterol levels measured every five years — or more often if you're a man over 45 or a woman over 55.

Borderline high risk- People whose cholesterol level is from 200 to 239 mg/dL are borderline high risk. About a third of American adults are in this (borderline) group; almost half of adults have total cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dL.

Have your cholesterol and HDL rechecked in one to two years if:
Your total cholesterol is in this range.
Your HDL is less than 40 mg/dL.

You don’t have other risk factors for heart disease.

You should also lower your intake of foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol to reduce your blood cholesterol level to below 200 mg/dL. Your doctor may order another blood test to measure your LDL cholesterol. Ask your doctor to discuss your LDL cholesterol with you. Even if your total cholesterol is between 200 and 239 mg/dL, you may not be at high risk for a heart attack. Some people — such as women before menopause and young, active men who have no other risk factors — may have high HDL cholesterol and desirable LDL levels. Ask your doctor to interpret your results. Everyone's case is different.

High risk- If your total cholesterol level is 240 or more, it's definitely high. Your risk of heart attack and stroke is greater. In general, people who have a total cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL have twice the risk of coronary heart disease as people whose cholesterol level is 200 mg/dL.
You need more tests. Ask your doctor for advice. About 20 percent of the U.S. population has high blood cholesterol levels.

Your LDL cholesterol level

Your LDL cholesterol level greatly affects your risk of heart attack and stroke. The lower your LDL cholesterol, the lower your risk. In fact, it’s a better gauge of risk than total blood cholesterol. Your LDL cholesterol will fall into one of these categories:
LDL Cholesterol Levels
Less than 100 mg/dL Optimal
100 to 129 mg/dL Near Optimal/ Above Optimal
130 to 159 mg/dL Borderline High
160 to 189 mg/dL High
190 mg/dL and above Very High

The key point to remember is, the lower your LDL cholesterol, the lower your risk. Your doctor may prescribe a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, regular exercise and a weight management program if you're overweight. If you can't lower your cholesterol with these efforts, medications may also be prescribed to lower your LDL cholesterol. Check these categories and the goals for treatment that can lower your risk of heart attack.


Your HDL cholesterol level
In the average man, HDL cholesterol levels range from 40 to 50 mg/dL. In the average woman, they range from 50 to 60 mg/dL. HDL cholesterol that's less than 40 mg/dL is low. Low HDL cholesterol puts you at high risk for heart disease. Smoking, being overweight and being sedentary can all result in lower HDL cholesterol. If you have low HDL cholesterol, you can help raise it by:

Not smoking
Losing weight (or maintaining a healthy weight)
Being physically active for at least 30–60 minutes a day on most or all days of the week

People with high blood triglycerides usually have lower HDL cholesterol and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Progesterone, anabolic steroids and male sex hormones (testosterone) also lower HDL cholesterol levels. Female sex hormones raise HDL cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol ratio
Total blood cholesterol is the most common measurement of blood cholesterol. It's the number you normally receive as test results. Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). Knowing your total blood cholesterol level is an important first step in determining your risk for heart disease. However, a critical second step is knowing your HDL or "good" cholesterol level.

Some physicians and cholesterol technicians use the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol in place of the total blood cholesterol. The American Heart Association recommends that the absolute numbers for total blood cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels be used. They're more useful to the physician than the cholesterol ratio in determining the appropriate treatment for patients.

The ratio is obtained by dividing the HDL cholesterol level into the total cholesterol. For example, if a person has a total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL and an HDL cholesterol level of 50 mg/dL, the ratio would be stated as 4:1. The goal is to keep the ratio below 5:1; the optimum ratio is 3.5:1.

Your triglyceride level

Your triglyceride level will fall into one of these categories:
Triglyceride Level Classification
Less than 150 mg/dL Normal
150–199 mg/dL Borderline-high
200–499 mg/dL High
500 mg/dL or higher Very high

Many people with high triglycerides have underlying diseases or genetic disorders. If this is true for you, the main therapy is to change your lifestyle. This includes controlling your weight, eating foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, exercising regularly, not smoking and, in some cases, drinking less alcohol. People with high triglycerides may also need to limit their intake of carbohydrates to no more than 45–50 percent of total calories. The reason for this is that carbohydrates raise triglycerides in some people and lower HDL cholesterol. Use products with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

Smokers benefit from vitamin C supplement

Treatment helps maintain levels of protective antioxidant nutrients
Researchers have found that a smoking habit depletes the body of essential antioxidant vitamins, but taking supplements can help restore the balance. In fact, taking vitamin C supplements not only increases levels of this nutrient but also blocks the depletion of vitamin E, according to Maret Traber of Oregon State University's Linus Pauling Institute.

Vitamins C and E are antioxidants that help protect cells from damaging molecules called free radicals that are generated inside the body and are also present in cigarette smoke and other pollutants.
Traber and her colleagues studied 11 smokers and 13 nonsmokers, asking them to eat a diet low in fruits and vegetables for three months so they had low levels of vitamin C. One group of smokers and nonsmokers then took 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C each day, while a second group took inactive pills.
Smokers who received the vitamin C supplements lost vitamin E from their blood at about the same rate as nonsmokers. But smokers who were still deficient in vitamin C lost vitamin E about 25 to 45 per cent faster than nonsmokers.

"A lot of nutrition research in the past has been done by studying one nutrient or another in isolation, sometimes with conflicting results," Traber says in a statement. "What this and other studies like it are showing is that the protection we get from proper diet or supplements often comes from combinations of nutrients working together. This has implications not only for smokers but also for many other people."

Remember, live longer, healthier and happier.
Live 100 years!

A Health Tip- Bonding With Baby

Bonding is an intense attachment that develops between parents and their baby, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

Although babies and their mothers usually bond quickly, the process may take more time for fathers.

The AAFP offers these suggestions for new fathers:

• Participate in labor and delivery.
• Touch your baby.
• Establish eye-to-eye contact.
• Communicate vocally with your baby.
• Feed and change the baby.
• Mirror the baby's movements.
• Let the baby touch you.
• Use a front baby carrier while performing routine activities.

Remember, live longer, healthier and happier.

Live 100 years!

Supplements and Knee Pain

There's another article I have found that I want to share with you. The title is "Supplements May Help Relieve Moderate-to-Severe Knee Pain". I think it has very interesting information. It says.....

A combination of the popular dietary supplements glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate appears to relieve knee pain associated with moderate-to-severe arthritis, according to a large federally funded study.
The results of the study of more than 1,600 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, however, showed that the supplements don't significantly relieve knee pain and other symptoms suffered by people with milder arthritis.

The study's authors, led by Dr. Daniel Clegg of the University of Utah, cautioned that the 354 patients in the moderate-to-severe group was considered small and that a larger study of patients with more severe osteoarthritis would need to be conducted before concluding the supplements really work.
The study's results are being published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.

"This rigorous, large-scale study showed that the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate appeared to help people with moderate-to-severe pain from knee osteoarthritis, but not those with mild pain," said Stephen Straus, the director of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, one of the two National Institutes of Health units that paid for the study.

More than 20 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease caused by the breakdown of cartilage in between the joints, and at least five million of them use glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are natural substances found in cartilage. The supplements are made from material extracted from shellfish and animal cartilage.

The study followed about 1,600 patients for six months. They were assigned to receive one of five treatments daily: glucosamine alone, chondroitin sulfate alone, a combination of the two supplements, a placebo, or Pfizer Inc's Celebrex. Researchers measured improvement as a 20% reduction of pain at six months compared to the start of the study.

The study found that, overall, there were no significant differences between the supplements and the placebo. Researchers found that those taking Celebrex experienced statistically significant pain relief compared to those taking placebo. About 70% of patients taking Celebrex reported pain relief compared to 60% in the placebo group. But researchers said 79% of the 72 patients in the moderate-to-severe pain subgroup who took the glucosamine combined with chondroitin sulfate reported pain reduction compared to 54% in the placebo group.

John Hathcock, the vice president of scientific affairs for the Council for Responsible Nutrition, a Washington group that represents supplement makers, said glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are typically sold as a combined supplement by most large manufacturers. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate products are among the top 10 nutritional supplements in terms of annual sales. Americans shelled out $734 million for the products in 2004, according to the Nutrition Business Journal.

Dr. Clegg said he and other researchers are conducting a smaller study to see whether glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate can stop or slow the progression of osteoarthritis. Results from that study should be available in about a year.

by JENNIFER CORBETT DOOREN at the WSJ

Arthritis Supplements

I have found a very, very interesting article fom the Wall Street Jounal that I want to share with you. It says....

What's Next for Arthritis Sufferers: Doctors Hold Out Hope for Supplements

A long-awaited study of the popular arthritis supplements glucosamine and chondroitin was supposed to be the final word on the popular treatments. Instead, it has just reignited the debate over them.
Although the study didn't find any overall benefit to the supplements, many doctors don't think patients should give up on the treatments just yet. Some doctors reason that traditional arthritis pain remedies carry so many risks, the unproven treatments still might be worth a try. Many medical researchers, however, remain skeptical, saying it's unlikely the treatments have any effect at all.


Glucosamine, derived from shellfish, and chondroitin, made from cow cartilage, are among the most popular supplements on the market today, with combined sales in excess of $700 million. Many arthritis sufferers swear by the treatments, and a handful of studies, most of which have been sponsored by the supplement industry, have suggested the supplements really do help relieve arthritis pain.

The Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial, or GAIT, was hailed as the largest-ever study of the supplements. The $12.5 million study was paid for by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, part of the National Institutes of Health. At first look, the results of the GAIT study, released in the New England Journal of Medicine last week, appear to debunk the notion that the treatments really work. In the six-month study of more than 1,580 arthritis sufferers, most of whom had mild to moderate arthritis pain, glucosamine and chondroitin didn't offer any more pain relief than a placebo pill.
But the study researchers and other experts say it's not time to write off the supplements. In a group of sufferers with moderate to severe pain, the glucosamine/chondroitin combination appeared to work. In that group, 79% of glucosamine/chondroitin users reported their pain had dropped by at least 20% after treatment. By comparison, only 69% of patients taking the popular drug Celebrex reported similar benefits. About 66% of patients taking glucosamine alone felt better, while 61% of taking just chondroitin felt better. That compares with about 54% of the placebo group who experienced some pain relief.

However, the study had only about 350 patients with moderate to severe arthritis pain. And then those patients were divided up into five separate groups taking various combinations of the supplements, Celebrex or a placebo. In the end, the part of the study with the most promising data was really only a study of 142 patients -- 72 taking glucosamine and chondroitin and 70 taking a placebo.

"I think the subgroup finding is a clinically important finding," says Daniel Clegg, the study's lead author and chief of rheumatology at the University of Utah School of Medicine. "But it should be interpreted cautiously."
Even so, Dr. Clegg says the results were promising enough that he plans to seek funding for another study looking directly at the effect of glucosamine and chondroitin on moderate to severe arthritis sufferers.
While it might seem like grasping at straws to focus on the results of such a small study group, the truth is, arthritis sufferers don't have many other options. In recent years, new health worries have emerged about popular prescription pain relievers, and one of them, Vioxx, was withdrawn from the market because it was linked with a higher rate of heart problems.

Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, found in Advil, or naproxen, found in Aleve, is also highly risky. Each year, side effects from NSAIDs cause nearly 103,000 hospitalizations and 16,500 deaths. The drugs can lead to indigestion, peptic ulcer disease and damage to the small intestine and colon, resulting in internal bleeding, bowel perforation and other life-threatening problems. In one recent study comparing arthritis patients who used NSAIDs to those who used Tylenol or took nothing for pain relief, nearly 60% of NSAID users developed ulcers or erosions in the small intestine compared with 17% of nonusers.

Vijay Vad, sports-medicine specialist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, says he is concerned the study results will prompt people to start using traditional pain relievers. "We have fewer options for treating arthritis today than we did five years ago," Dr. Vad says. "What I don't want happening is for people to switch over to anti-inflammatory drugs in giant numbers. I think there are positives in this trial that show these supplements are potentially valuable for a certain subset of arthritis patients."

Another reason researchers don't want to give up on glucosamine and chondroitin is that most arthritis treatments simply don't work that well for a lot of people. Notably, in one part of the GAIT study, Celebrex, a proven pain reliever, didn't offer significant pain relief for half the people who used it.

The supplements, which cost about $30 a month, are considered safe -- the main risk is for people who have shellfish allergy. As a result, doctors typically advise patients to use them for three months to see if they notice a difference. And if the subgroup finding from the study is to be believed, the biggest effect comes from taking both glucosamine and chondroitin, not just one.

In addition, the first GAIT trial isn't over yet. About half of the GAIT participants will be treated for an additional 18 months. Researchers will compare X-rays taken at the beginning of the study and after one and two years to determine if the treatments result in any noticeable changes in the knee joint. (No one knows exactly how the supplements work but they might have a mild anti-inflammatory effect or slow the erosion of joint cartilage.) Results are expected in about a year.

by Tara-Parker Pope, wsj.com