ACAM Integrative Medicine (IM) Blog

Dr. Julian Whitaker Presenting At ACAM Vegas

The American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM) is pleased to welcome world renowned author and speaker Dr. Julian Whitaker to our Fall Conference and Trade Show in Las Vegas.

Dr. Whitaker will speak during the General Session, Optimal Health Through Integrative Medicine. His lecture will be on Sunday, November 7, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. on the topic of Mini-Fast, Exercise, and Thermogenic Supplements for Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome.

Dr. Whitaker graduated from Dartmouth College in 1966 and earned his medical degree at Emory University Medical School in Atlanta in 1970. He completed his internship at Grady Memorial Hospital, also in Atlanta. While in orthopedic surgery residency at the University of California in San Francisco he gained interest in nutrition and natural therapies. Then in 1974 along with four other doctors he formed the California Orthomolecular Medical Society. 

In 1979 Dr. Whitaker opened the Whitaker Wellness Institute in Newport Beach, California. His practice is now the largest, most comprehensive integrative medical clinic in the U.S. More than 40,000 patients have come to the Whitaker Wellness Institute to reverse "incurable" diseases. 

Dr. Whitaker is also the author of the well known Health and Healing monthly newsletter which has been in publication since 1991. He is also the author of 13 books including The Whitaker Wellness Weight Loss Program, Reversing Diabetes, Reversing Heart Disease, Reversing Hypertension, Shed 10 Years in 10 Weeks, and Dr. Whitaker's Guide to Natural Healing. 

For more information on Dr. Whitaker and the Whitaker Wellness Institute, visit: www.whitakerwellness.com.

Surviving Cancer - from Dr. Joseph Bosiljevac

The battle for cancer is still being fought. Different people from different walks of life have tried ways and means to finally defeat this monster. Author Joseph E. Bosiljevac, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., FACS shares his professional opinion regarding this matter by presenting a young woman’s struggle with breast cancer. Made available through Xlibris, Surviving Cancer is not merely a book about the importance of nutrition and detoxification; it is also a story of hope, of triumph, and of life.

This is the story of Donna, a patient with Stage III breast cancer who chose treatment using complementary and alternative methods over conventional medical therapy. She is currently seventeen years post diagnosis with no evidence of tumor. The initial part entitled “The Journey Begins” summarizes the author’s thoughts in lay terms and also gives an idea of his experience with Donna and others during his career. The next part of this book presents Donna’s story in her own words. Not only does this show her progress as she tries various alternative methods, but it also displays the psychosocial aspects as she fights for her life. This is a portrayal of her private life with which many can identify. This personal story is then followed by the author’s doctoral dissertation which serves as a medical case study. A commentary about use of conventional and alternative methods in cancer and overall health is also included.

A source of inspiration and enlightenment, Surviving Cancer is written to present a remarkable story about defeating this disease, introduce how to fit healthy living into an individual lifestyle, and arouse curiosity about complementary and alternative methods. For more information on this book, interested parties may log on to xlibris.com.

About the Author 
Dr. Joseph E. Bosiljevac, Jr., a third generation Croatian, attended the University of Kansas School of Medicine and was among the first class that spent clinical years at the Wichita branch. Graduating in the top ten percent of his class with his MD in 1975, he was selected for membership in the honorary society Alpha Omega Alpha. Dr. Bosiljevac spent one year at Charity Hospital in New Orleans in a rotating internship, then returned to Kansas and trained for five years in general, thoracic, and vascular surgery at Wesley Medical Center. Dr. Bosiljevac is board certified in general surgery and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). He has been in solo practice in Emporia, Kansas, since 1981 with Flint Hills Surgical Associates, PA. A Ph.D. in Natural Medicine was achieved December 2009, and he subsequently started a wellness practice and founded Flint Hills Natural Medicine with an emphasis on prolonging health and longevity. Dr. Bosiljevac has been certified in age-management medicine and worked with Cenegenics Medical and Research Institute. He is also a member of the American College of Advancement in Medicine (ACAM) and certified in chelation medicine. Married to a Colombian princess and with four grown children, he speaks fluent Spanish and is conversant in French.

Source: www.prweb.com. Defeating Cancer Through Complementary Methods. October 5, 2010. http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/10/prweb4603114.htm

Why Naturopathy?

by Stacey Kupperman, ND

We are in the midst of a paradigm shift.  Our understanding of health and medicine is broadening, and both practitioners and patients are embracing a holistic, integrated approach. Patients are becoming more informed via the internet, word of mouth, and diligent research that there is something significantly missing from medicine in the current standard of care in the American healthcare system.  What they are finding, and flocking to, is a group of physicians that have likewise embraced this broadened approach to medicine.  Some of these practitioners adopted a more holistic approach after realizing that there was something missing from their medical training, and sought out like-minded individuals and organizations such as ACAM to further their education in this new model of healthcare.  Other practitioners discovered their passion before entering medical school, and pursued the study of naturopathic medicine.

So this begets the questions, What is Naturopathic Medicine, and where does Naturopathic Medicine fit in the paradigm shift? 

What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic doctors (ND) are specialists in integrative medicine, combining extensive education and training in both natural and conventional allopathic medicine, emphasizing the use of the safest, least invasive methods to treat disease by restoring health. The education entails a 4-year graduate level program, national board examinations in basic and clinical sciences, and curriculum including basic sciences, clinical sciences, diagnostic techniques and tests, pharmacology, minor surgery, and range of naturopathic therapies including botanical medicine, nutrition and nutritional biochemistry, physical medicine, homeopathy, eastern and Chinese medicine and mind/body medicine. 

Integral to naturopathic medicine is a unifying philosophical approach to health summed up in The Principals of Naturopathic Medicine, which recognizes the body’s innate wisdom and healing capacity (Vis Medicatrix Naturae) and the physician’s role to treat disease by restoring the body to its natural and balanced state (Tolle Causum). Treatment programs integrate multiple modalities, which may include nutrition and lifestyle modification, homeopathy, botanical medicine, nutraceuticals, IV nutrient therapy, and when warranted, pharmaceutical intervention.  Naturopathic Doctors begin with the least invasive therapies and proceed to higher levels of intervention only as necessary.  This approach is outlined in what is called “The Therapeutic Order.”

ACAM Welcomes Dr. Mark Hyman to ACAM Vegas

The American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM) is pleased to welcome Dr. Mark Hyman as a keynote speaker at Optimal Health Through Integrative Medicine, the General Session at ACAM's annual Fall Conference and Trade Show. Dr. Hyman will speak on Friday, November 5, 2010 at 8:00 a.m. on Diabetes and Obesity.

Mark Hyman, MD has dedicated his career to identifying and addressing the root causes of chronic illness through a groundbreaking whole-systems medicine approach known as Functional Medicine. is a family physician, a four-time New York Times bestselling author, and an internationally recognized leader in his field. Through his private practice, education efforts, writing, research, advocacy and public-policy work, he strives to improve access to Functional Medicine, and to widen the understanding and practice of it, empowering others to stop managing symptoms and instead treat the underlying causes of illness, thereby also tackling our chronic-disease epidemic.

Dr. Hyman has testified before the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and has consulted with the Surgeon General on diabetes prevention. He has testified before the Senate Working Group on Health Care Reform on Functional Medicine, and participated in the White House Forum on Prevention and Wellness in June 2009. In June 2010, Dr. Hyman was nominated by Senator Tom Harkin for the President’s Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion and Integrative and Public Health,  a 25-person group to advise the Administration.

With Drs. Dean Ornish and Michael Roizen, Dr. Hyman crafted and helped to introduce the Take Back Your Health Act of 2009 into the United States Senate, to provide for reimbursement of lifestyle treatment of chronic disease. He continues to work in Washington on health reform, recently testifying before a Congressional hearing on Functional Medicine, nutrition and the use of dietary supplements.

Myasthenia Gravis Treated With ONDAMED's Biofeedback Device

Study done by William P. Work, MD

Patient: J.P., a 60 year old female, born on May 26, 1950, had 17 treatments as of March 26, 2010. 

Diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis (MG) after initial testing in her 40s for Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Symptoms included:

• Muscle weakness over whole body increasing with use
• Drooping eyelid on right side
• Sagging face on right side
• Lack of facial expression on right side
• Weakness of the hand muscles
• Extreme tiredness in daytime
• Sleep disturbance at night
• Equilibrium/Balance problems

J.P. experienced severe muscle weakness, drooping of right eyelid, sagging of right side of face and urgency incontinence. She didn't sleep well at night, but was sleepy during the day requiring frequent naps lasting more than one hour at a time. She was lethargic and had problems with balance, falling frequently.

ONDAMED treatments were started on January 18, 2010 at Ultimate Living Medical Clinic in Fresno, California. She received three treatments before I began seeing her on February 3, 2010. By her fifth treatment with ONDAMED, she started resting better. By March, she reported sleeping six hours a night undisturbed. The muscle tone of her face has greatly improved. (See comparison pictures.)

 

On March 10, I used the Program 160 on Janice. Immediately following the treatment, I gave her the treated bottle of water as usual only I forgot to open it for her. I usually opened the bottles because she had no hand strength to do so herself. J.P. took the bottle and without thinking, she opened the bottle. On a whim, she tried to walk one foot in front of the other, like a drunk-test, and was amazed she could do so for a few steps without stumbling or losing her balance.

On March 15, I began a 10-treatment protocol for her to address her main complaint - MG. J.P. started feeling more energetic and had to hold herself back from overdoing it. By the sixth treatment of the protocol, she reported not napping during the day at all, able to walk the drunk-test for seven steps without falling or losing her balance, and she had a bright, cheery attitude.

By treatment eight, she was sleeping six hours a night, undisturbed with no daytime napping. Her balance had improved to where she could walk the drunk-test for 20 feet without faltering and J.P. could stand on her tiptoes.

Breast Care in Honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

by Joel Lopez, MD, CNS

Breast cancer can be caused by a lot of things. These include hormonal imbalance (due to environmental toxins among others), ionizing radiation and trauma to the breast area, toxin build-up in the breast due to poor lymphatic drainage, tight bras (by impeding lymphatic circulation), genetic causes, etc.

In a recent article on yahoo.com, it was noted that breast cancer rates dropped with a decrease in the use of HRT (hormone replacement therapy). The study was done in Canada on postmenopausal women in the earlier part of the decade. However, there is no mention whatsoever on what kind of hormones these women were put on. Synthetic hormones (non-bioidentical, derived from animal sources) could cause more hormonal imbalance in a woman’s body because the body is not used to processing these substances (unlike bioidentical hormones whose structure is similar to what the body produces and therefore is not recognized as foreign).

It’s a good thing that there are bioidentical hormones available commercially now (at your regular pharmacies) as well as compounding pharmacies. All the risks and benefits should be taken into consideration before a person is placed on hormones. And for those women who prefer not be be on any hormones whatsoever, there are alternatives available including the use of herbal medications to alleviate the signs and symptoms associated with menopause. Homeopathic/spagyric remedies have also been used to help women go through perimenopause and menopause.

As far as treatment for breast cancer is concerned (or any cancer, for that matter), I believe that an individualized, holistic approach should always be taken. In Europe, they are able to test cancer cell sensitivity to different chemotherapeutic agents (whether synthetic cancer drugs or natural agents), similar to how we are able to test infectious agents' sensitivity to antibiotic medications. This test takes the guesswork out of what medication to use. For more information on this as well as other integrative approaches to cancer, please check out Suzanne Somers's most recent book called “Knockout”. Also check out www.breastcancerfund.org for more useful information on this subject.

Case Study on Autism Severity Associated With Toxic Metals

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship of children's autism symptoms with their toxic metal body burden and red blood cell (RBC) glutathione levels. In children ages 3–8 years, the severity of autism was assessed using four tools: ADOS, PDD-BI, ATEC, and SAS. Toxic metal body burden was assessed by measuring urinary excretion of toxic metals, both before and after oral dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA). Multiple positive correlations were found between the severity of autism and the urinary excretion of toxic metals. Variations in the severity of autism measurements could be explained, in part, by regression analyses of urinary excretion of toxic metals before and after DMSA and the level of RBC glutathione (adjusted R² of 0.22–0.45, P < .005 in all cases). This study demonstrates a significant positive association between the severity of autism and the relative body burden of toxic metals.

Background

Autism is a severe developmental disorder which involves social withdrawal, communication deficits, and stereotypic/repetitive behaviour. The pathophysiological etiologies which precipitate autism symptoms remain elusive and controversial in many cases, but both genetic and environmental factors (and their interactions) have been implicated. One environmental factor that has received significant attention is the body burden of mercury, lead, and other toxic metals [1-5].

Bernard et al. [1] discussed the many similarities between the symptoms of children with autism and children poisoned by mercury. An epidemiology study by Windham et al. [2] found that the amount of airborne pollutants, and especially mercury, correlated with an increased risk for autism. A study by DeSoto and Hitlan [3] found that blood levels of mercury did significantly correlate with the diagnosis of autism. A small study by Adams et al. [4] found that children with autism had a 2-time higher level of mercury in their baby teeth than typical children. A study by Bradstreet et al. [5] investigated the body burden of toxic metals by giving dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), an oral chelation medication approved by the FDA for treating infantile lead poisoning. They found that the children with autism excreted 3.1 times as much mercury into their urine (which is where DMSA is excreted), P < .0002, but lead and cadmium levels were not significantly different. Overall there is some evidence to suggest that mercury and possibly other toxic metals are related to the etiology of autism.

This study investigates the possible relationship of the severity of autism to the relative body burden of toxic metals. The severity of autism was assessed using four tools, a professional evaluation based on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule [6], and parental evaluations based on the Pervasive Developmental Disorders Behaviour Inventory (PDD-BI) [7], the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) [8], and the Severity of Autism Scale (SAS). The individual burden of toxic metals was assessed based on urinary excretion, both before and after taking oral dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA). DMSA is a licensed medication for treating lead poisoning and indicated in cases meeting toxic criteria. DMSA is, however, widely used off-label for other metal exposures, for example, mercury. It acts by forming sulfhydryl linkages to divalent metal cations, forming a chelated metal complex which is then excreted in the urine [9]. Urine measurements before and after taking DMSA provide an indication of both ongoing environmental exposures (before DMSA provocation) and the accumulated or relative body burden (postprovocation with DMSA). Red blood cell (RBC) glutathione was measured because it is one of the body's primary means for excretion of toxic metals.

This paper investigates the possible relationship of the severity of autism to the body burden of toxic metals and RBC glutathione levels. This paper is part of a larger study which investigates the safety and efficacy of DMSA therapy, including both the biological consequences [10] and the DMSA associated behavioural effects [11]. The larger study involves a 3-day round of DMSA, to screen for admission into a 3-month DMSA treatment study; only children with high levels of urinary toxic metals were admitted into the long-term 3-month treatment study.