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Top Stories 31ST
ANNUAL CONVENTION! Legislation Journal
of the American Naturopathic Facts |
STEM CELLS - Blueprints of Cellular Genesis SOLUTIONS - Dietary Supplements Which Attenuate The Pathways of Aging A New Form of Vibrational Medicine: The Link Between The Thyroid & The Voice Keep What You Have, Grow What You Got
The President's Corner
By: Mary Dunlap, N.D. for Dr. Charles Curtis
It’s that time of year again, the birds are chirping, trees are budding, and ANMA is knee deep in harmful legislation introduced throughout the country. ANMA is currently opposing legislation in the following states: Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Please see our website at www.anma.org/legislativebillopposed.html for bill numbers and links to the legislation. If you practice in any of above mentioned states, please make certain to contact your representative via mail, email, fax, or phone and tell them you are strongly opposed to this new legislation. Again, please see our website at http://www.anma.org/writingyourrepresentative.html for tips on how to find your representative’s contact information and sample letters. With the support of our dedicated members, ANMA has played a major part in defending the rights of the Naturopathic profession for over twenty-eight years and will continue to do so for years to come. ANMA’s strength is in our numbers and ANMA’s will to fight for your right to practice. Don’t sit back and let someone else take these rights from you, contact your representative today. Once you are finished contacting your representatives, be sure to take a sharpie and mark your calendar for the upcoming ANMA Educational Convention July 25, 26, & 27 at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Judging from inquiries and enthusiasm, this year’s convention promises to be one of our best! In our effort to constantly improve, we will have exhibitors with the very latest products for your practice. The main purpose for each annual convention is to bring together members, ANMA officers and board of directors, merchants and many others. Equally important, ANMA offers continuing educational credits by presenting current updated health information to enhance your knowledge and practice abilities. It’s important to your future to attend the convention annually. The choice is yours... Be an active member. Lastly, I would like to thank all of ANMA’s sponsors and companies who advertise on ANMA’s website and in ANMA’s publications. It is imperative that ANMA members support the companies who support you and your association. Please make it a point to give our supporting companies the chance to earn your business. Start by taking careful mention of the companies that have advertised in this JANMA and then I’ll see you at the 28th annual convention . I’m very excited and can’t wait to meet and talk with everyone at the convention. “United we stand, divided we fall.” Aesop
STEM CELLS
By: Asad Shahsavari, NMD, PhD, MD (MA) Echoing in the hallowed halls of science are bold whispers of brave new concepts quickly gaining momentum as the next generation of 21st century phenomena. As scientific circles flex their mental muscles with cloning, nanotechnology, alternative energy options and quantum physics wrapped in strings theories, one of the new kids on the block has earned its medical degree. Stem cell research has made its mark and is progressing in leaps and bounds, promising to bring both science and humanity closer to unraveling the mysteries of cellular regeneration. It appears that science fiction has, once again, evolved into science fact. Despite concerns regarding ethical use of embryos that sparked the fueling of political and religious censures, stem cell research is currently advancing with discoveries of options in harvesting vital stem cells apart from prior exclusive embryonic donors. As with all novel ingenuity, we are infatuated with the thought of consummate control over ourselves and our surroundings. That process has brought us everything from paper clips to washing machines to atom bombs and global warming. Too often, we catapult over the edge of invention, unaware of the pitfalls and catastrophic effects we have set in motion. At this point, stem cell research appears to have more pluses than minuses to its medical credit. Such unbridled excitement accompanied the first documented success stories of cloning. While it may ensure a duplicate entity, cloning also erases the branches of a family tree, which may give rise to eventual emotional and mental challenges for cloned children whose lives have inherited an amputated lineage. Nano tech proposes injecting microscopic robots into humans that may alter their genetic flaws and repair diseased organs, yet, there are critical unanswered questions as to the disposal of nanorobots in the environment and the possible toxicity and rejection of the fabricated mechanisms, much like the morbidity and mortality issues associated with current iatrogenically-induced drug overdoes, interactions and anaphylactic reactions. Stem cells, however, offer medical choices that are within the natural domain of the being and are complimentary and bio-identifiable to human physiology. Rather than merely fabricating, mimicking or manipulating living systems, stem cells are the archives of the original blueprint for cellular genesis. Historically, stem cell research may have found an unsuspecting parent in a Moravian monk of the late 1800’s. Best known for his work on hereditary components in the hybridization of plants, Gregor Mendel became science’s first documented geneticist and quite possibly, paved the way for the love affair with cell cultures, organ regeneration and the eventual stem cell research that dominated human medical advancements in the early 20th century. Others have dabbled with stem cell mentality that eventually led us to contemporary advancements. Of particular note is the combined work of aviation superstar, Charles A. Lindbergh and medical revolutionary, Dr. Alexis Carrel. In 1938, they co-authored The Culture of Organs, a publication which outlined a specific technology involving nutritional requirements for cellular and organ regeneration. According to Carrel, proper nutrition was the secret to revitalizing any diseased organ. “To bring about the regeneration within the pancreas of the Langerhans’ islands would be a far more efficient method of treating diabetes than to inject insulin daily into the body of the patient.” Carrel’s partner in this venture, Lindbergh, gained international fame when he successfully crossed the Atlantic in a solo flight in 1927. His interest in biomedicine was piqued when his sister, Maria, developed heart disease. He was overwhelmed with the idea of inventing a method that would allow operations on vital organs, such as the heart. His work culminated in an organ perfusion pump that set the stage for biological mechanics. Together, with Carrel’s landmark work in keeping heart muscles tissue from a dead chicken viable in the lab, they crossed the boundaries of empirical complacency and challenged the status quo. They wrote in their book, “A new era has opened. For the first time, medical science is capable of apprehending bodily structures in the fullness of their reality, of understanding how the organs form the organism, and how the organism grows, ages, heals its wounds, resists disease, and adapts itself with marvelous ease to changing environment.” Today, cellular medicine acknowledges the nutrient substances that Carrel and Lindbergh held so sacred in organ regeneration as molecules known as growth factors. Among their many functions are the crucial regulation of mitotic activity in cell division and proliferation. This is foundational to the research in genetics and stem cells. If only Carrel and Lindbergh had survived their own mortality, they would have witnessed the dawn of an age of biotechnology that skirted around the edge of their visions and has come full circle to the nucleus of stem cell research. Perhaps, Lindbergh’s flirting with death in daring machines dominion over skies and surgery and Carrel’s brief encounter with immortality of the cell, carved a path through the mountain range of human curiosity and became the alarm clock for biomedical technology’s awakening. The following time line is extracted from the online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, regarding the chronology of stem cell research development:
Although this article strives to open an intelligent and perhaps, inspired dialogue centering on stem cell research and contemporary biomedical technology. It is not intended as an instructional text. Therefore, minimal space is dedicated to the technical aspects and more emphasis is placed on the ethical and philosophical components. However, in the interests of those who may have no prior experience with the field, a few basics will be covered. The classic definition of a stem cell includes qualities of self-replication and specialization. Although original stem cell research centralized solely on embryonic stem cells, usually found at varying stages of fetal development, there are currently numerous studies conducted throughout the world that identify the presence of stem cells in adult tissues that are raising increased awareness of their specific talents in tissue and organ regeneration. Simplified, stem cells fall into three major categories: Totipotent stem cells, present at the earliest stages of embryonic development and referring to the total capacity of these cells to serve as progenitors of all cellular types, including the formation of complete organisms Pluripotent stem cells, namely, embryonic, which have the ability to generate a multiplicity of cell types, but unable to generate a total organism Multipotent stem cells, denoting a limited capacity to generate certain cell types Adult stem cells, present in mature tissues, are considered multipotent in that they are organ or tissue specific and are primarily associated with regenerating cells that perish from normal die-off process or degeneration from disease or injury. Embryonic stem cells, being pluripotent, are capable of generating many cell types, but, only the union of the sperm and egg at conception creates the single totipotent cell, capable of generating an entire functioning organism. Progenitor cells, incapable of self-renewal, yet, able to experience cell division and maturation, thereby giving rise to specialized cells, have been found in varying types of mature tissues, such as bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, skeletal muscle, skin, blood, retina, dental pulp, liver, brain and pancreas. Work in bone marrow transplantation, which won E. Donnell Thomas a Nobel Prize in 1990, revealed mesenchymal cells, a form of multipotent stem cells that can produce cell types found in bone, cartilage, adipose and connective tissues. One of the most prolific stem cells researched are hematopoietic or blood stem cells. This process, which originates in the bone marrow, is known as hematopoiesis and is evidenced by the daily production of billions of new blood cells. Recently, umbilical cord blood has shown promise of a source of blood stem cells which is being studied for future use in transplantation. Another more recent discovery of interest dispels the old adage that nerve cells could not regenerate. Adult neural stem cells, found in the hippocampus, subventricular and ventricle zones of the adult brain, have been isolated and shown to be capable of regenerating new nerve cells. Although adult stem cells, as multipotent, have been generally recognized as restricted to cellular production of only specific tissues, current studies are confirming fresh possibilities with a phenomenon known as stem cell plasticity. This refers to a remarkable crossing of tissues boundaries, in which adult stem cells of one tissue specificity appear capable of generating cells of a uniquely different tissue, under expressed conditions. Stem cell plasticity is exciting researchers to the possibility of adult stem cells being harvested from easily accessed blood stem cells in bone marrow or umbilical cord blood and redirected in differentiation to become the more highly specialized heart and nerve tissues. Stem cell research has caught the eye of medical vanguards who are impressed with realistic future applications in treating such life-threatening diseases as cancer, ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, ocular degeneration, rheumatoid arthritis and others. Already, bone marrow transplants are standard treatment in leukemia and have played a central role in lowering rates of leukemia-related mortalities. Spinal cord injuries are a common source of paralysis and other serious debilitations. Bradley Hughes, former fellow at the Witherspoon Fellowship- Family Research Council’s professional fraternity for civic and cultural leadership development, has written extensively on current success stories involving stem cell therapy. A complete article on these actual case histories may be found at: www.cogforlife.org/adultStemCellSuccess.htm. Here are a few instances, cited from Hughes’ article, on actual stem cell recoveries. Laura Dominguez, a sixteen-year old girl from San Antonio, Texas, was attending summer school in 2001. Her car hit an oil spill, spun out of control, and she was left paralyzed from the neck down with a C6 vertebral fracture. After various hospital stays, she was informed that she would never walk again. Her family relocated to San Diego and Laura was admitted to a protracted physical therapy program. Several spinal cord specialists there mentioned about a cutting-edge stem cell procedure in Portugal. The procedure, known as olfactory mucosa transplantation, involves stem cells from the nasal region being transplanted into the injured area. Dr. Carlos Lima, a neuropathologist of Egaz-Moniz Hospital in Lisbon, leads the procedure. Lima’s procedure has proven successful in 26 patients, states Dr. Jean D. Peduzzi-Nelson, a co-researcher at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. Dominguez was the tenth person in the world and the second American to undergo the surgery. After the surgical implantation of the nasal stem cells into the spinal cord, Laura returned to San Antonio and an MM showed that her spinal cord injury had begun healing with 70% of the original lesion recovered into normal spinal tissue. Six months later, she had acquired sensation down to the abdominal region. By 2004, she gained upper body agility and could stand for extended periods of time with the aid of a walker. She also reported improved motor skills, the ability to stand on her toes and contract her quadriceps and hamstring muscles. She announced she had walked more than 1400 feet with the use of braces and outside help. Laura hopes to celebrate her 21st birthday by walking unassisted. Germany has been a leader in molecular cardiology since 2003 with Dr. Andreas M. Zeiher, the chairman of the department of internal medicine at the University of Frankfurt, and Dr. Stefanie Dimmeler, head of the division of molecular cardiology at the same institution. Twenty-eight subjects received blood and hematopoietic (blood-forming) stem cells transplantation into their heart arteries an average of 4.7 days after their respective heart attacks. Over 90% of the patients reported an increased ability to pump blood. A French study found that skeletal muscle stem cells taken from a heart patient was implanted back into his heart. This was the first documented adult stem cell treatment that successfully treated cardiac degeneration. Another study in Brazil, investigating 14 patients showed notable improvement in their heart capacities after implantation of their own stem cells. Scientists stated that oxygen capacity increased from 17 percent to 24 percent. The remarkable capability of adult stem cells to regenerate damaged and diseased heart tissue was evidenced in 2003 with the case of Dmitri Bonnville. Dmitri, a 16-year old from Michigan, was accidentally shot in the chest by a nail gun and suffered cardiac arrest a few days following. After recommendations of a possible heart transplant and rigorous courses of medications, the family opted to try stem cell extraction from his own body transplanted into his heart. Dr. Cindy Grines, Dr. William O’Neill and Dr. Steven Timmis at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan performed the stem cell procedure which had never been conducted on a human patient in the United States. Within a week of the surgery, Dmitri’s heart pumping capacity had increased from its previous 25 percent to 35 percent. Studies are also underway in Europe and Hong Kong with cardiac regeneration through stem cell implantation. In the field of ophthalmology, limbal stem cell transplantation is giving hope to patients suffering with corneal degeneration, blindness, and other ophthalmalogic diseases. Once extracted, the limbal stem cells are implanted into the patient’s defective eye. The stem cells then differentiate into corneal epithelial cells which improve the health of the outermost layer of the eye. Michael May, a business owner from Davis, California, had been exposed to a chemical explosion as a child, losing his left eye and becoming blind in his right. Forty-three years later, he regained his sight in the right eye after a limbal stem cell transplant complemented by a corneal transplant. Five months following the operation, May had reacquired limited vision and within two years had recovered his sight. In other areas, Harvard researchers have shown complete reversal of juvenile diabetes in mice using adult spleen cells, and are now preparing for the first patients trials using these adult cells. A girl with systemic lupus erythematosus, had experienced pneumonia, lung weakness, and blood deficiency, among other ailments. At eighteen, she underwent a transplantation of blood stem cells. Fifteen months after the operation, she had attained complete and vibrant health. Readers are encouraged to read the full disclosures within Hughes’ informative article at the mentioned website, which also includes footnotes with medical indices’ links. There are many who would stand against stem cell research on religious moral convictions, while still supporting the horrors of vivisection, by which drug companies and medical research labs torture and execute millions of innocent animals in the name of science. We now have an opportunity to impact the lives of generations to come by mandating that every child born will be protected by establishing a stem cell bank extracted from their umbilical cord blood and stored for future use. This could avoid the often invasive and ineffective methods to treat the major diseases of cancer, diabetes and heart, in addition to countless others. It may also save trillions of dollars in wasted medical costs in expensive hospital, surgical and drug interventions. Stem cell research is at the forefront of medical biotechnology and represents a more holistic therapeutic process than currently accepted modalities involving dramatic amputations, resections and replacement surgeries, as well as, lifetime dependency on toxic drug regimens. Perhaps, the nutrient cocktail that Alexis Carrel used in the 1930’s for his immortal cell experiment, will eventually toast the success of the new biomedical technological era. It may well be found that the very same constituents that comprise the inner workings of nutrients on a micro-molecular level, the minute particles of life-generating and life-sustaining elements, will be discovered as the identical elements within stem cells that empower them as designers of organic life. It stands to reason that whatever gave you life, may save your life. The closer we tune ourselves to the natural flow of life-force, the closer we become to understanding its mastery. Rather than attempting to invent a new language, filled with complications and confusions, we may be well advised to become fluent in the language of universal law. While the jury may still be out on the exact science behind stem cell applications, the evidence is impressive, if not, irrefutable. Utilizing the genetic blueprint and the cellular advanced understanding of stem cell research beyond embryonic harvesting, we are witnesses to one of humankind’s authentic breakthroughs in healing. Interestingly, the very qualities of stem cells: adaptable, creative, authentic, flexible and energetic may also be applied to an open mind and inspired consciousness. As we continue to explore the frontiers of vibrational medicine, we will recognize the evolution of our existence is universal, from the microscopic masters of stem cells to the creative energy that permeates the cosmos. It is all embraced in a single cell; an internal mirror reflecting the face of life-force. Asad Shahsavari, NMD, MD (MA)
SOLUTIONS
By: Dr. Eliezer Ben-Joseph For centuries, scientists have been looking for a way to reveal the mystery of cellular genetics, a way to deconstruct the cell in order to master its construction. Thanks to the work of people like Gregor Mendel and Wilhelm Johannson, we now know that various physical and behavioral traits are inherited, communicated to each cell through the genetic mechanism of the 23 sets of chromosomes with which each person is born. This genetic symphony is the creation of life and its orchestration determines all of a human being’s components, from hair color, eye color, and height, to hormones, proteins, enzymes, etc. Genes direct the phenomenal growth that occurs during gestation and the regulation necessary after birth. As we age, many of the active, functioning genes begin to deactivate, resulting in the loss of genetic power. Environmental conditions and lifestyle choices contribute to the aging process in many ways, one of which is the deactivation of genes. Genetics can also be altered by other means. Calorie restriction, or CR as it is called, can extend the maximum life span while still offering the necessary nutrition the body needs and a genetic component of this action has recently been identified by researchers. Studies conducted on animals and insects show that among the many health benefits of CR are lower body temperature, less chronic disease, lower insulin and glucose levels, and the hormone levels similar to those seen in youth. These laboratory animals have experienced a life extension of up to 60%, tantamount to establishing a life span for humans of 140-160 years. A class of longevity genes has recently been discovered by scientists. Known as sirtuins, they seem to function as the universal regulators of the aging process in all living organisms. When these genes become activated, they initiate certain responses, including slowing the metabolism and increasing cellular oxygen uptake. As promising as CR is for the extension of the maximum life span, for humans to implement it would necessitate a caloric intake of only 1,750 calories per day. This regimen is fundamentally a constant state of hunger and near starvation, rather spartan and austere for the average westerner. Consequently, the quest for substances that imitate CR is underway with nutritional supplementation in pill form being the desired end result. Already there has been discovery and success, with many of the effective dietary ingredients identified. The following substances are the most critical in slowing the aging process and increasing the life span: Acetyl-L-Carnitine IGF-1 Benfotiamine Some of its more significant capabilities are evident in the successful treatment of diabetes-related conditions, such as neuropathy, deafness, blindness, retinopathy, and stroke. It has even been credited with reviving affected organs like the heart and kidneys. Benfotiamine also has the ability to balance glucose metabolism in cells, thereby inhibiting the glycation and inflammation processes, two of the causes of premature aging. In addition, recently conducted studies indicate that Benfotiamine may be beneficial in the treatment of a wide variety of neurological illnesses, such as Bell’s palsy, Parkinson’s, shingles, tinnitus, Tourette’s syndrome, and herpes simplex with no known adverse side effects or drug interactions. Carnosine Meat is the chief dietary source of Carnosine, making it one of the few ingredients a vegetarian diet lacks. Levels of this dipeptide decrease with age and are exacerbated by trauma, infection, and stress. Only daily supplementation can perpetuate its benefits in the body. Co-Enzyme Q10 Also known as ubiquinone, its main function is maximizing each cell’s oxygen uptake, facilitating greater mitochondrial energy production. The heart, liver, and cellular components of the immune system contain the greatest concentrations of CoQ10. The treatments of cardiovascular diseases, such as congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, angina, arrhythmias, and hypertension with CoQ10 have shown consistent and significant beneficial results. There are different forms of CoQ10 and, as with most supplements, the natural form is the more desirable. Like so many other substances, levels of CoQ10 diminish as we age, allowing for the concomitant drop in oxygen levels. The presence of oxygen in each cell is vital in performing all its various functions, including the prevention of disease and premature aging. In addition to CoQ10’s capabilities in restoring and maintaining organ health, benefits have also been seen in skin condition, hair growth, and energy levels. Digestive Enzymes PABA and DMAE When taken orally, procaine breaks down during the digestion process into two fundamental metabolites: paraaminobenzoic acid (PABA), a B vitamin, and its precursor, diethylaminoethanol (DEAE). The orally administered procaine product known as H-3 plays a part in controlling monoamine oxydase (MAO), the enzyme that acts as a trigger to breakdown the neurotransmitters in the monoamine family which include epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. MAO levels directly affect the aging process, particularly when it comes to depression and other mood disorders. If left unregulated, MAO levels would rise, causing neurotransmitter levels to fall and the door to depression, anxiety, and senility to open. In addition to the neurological benefits, procaine also promotes healthier skin, better sleep, improved sexual function, greater joint mobility, heightened muscle strength, and nail and hair growth. DMAE is a natural substance, found in fish, which helps defend against the degradation of cell membranes. A highly potent anti-inflammatory, DMAE has been shown to improve the tone, appearance, and firmness of skin by supporting the fundamental components of collagen and elastin. Central nervous system disorders have also been treated with DMAE, beginning with ADD. Now conditions like mental fatigue, poor attention span, inability to concentrate, irritability, and depression have also been shown to respond favorably. Glutathione Glutathione is instrumental in a variety of cell functions, including protein synthesis, enzyme catalysis, cell maturation, and intermediate metabolism. Although present in other organs, the liver, which is the second largest organ in the body, contains the highest levels of this antioxidant, facilitating the critical physical process of detoxification. The body’s ability to rid itself of toxins is paramount to good health and, since the liver performs up to 75% of the detoxification that takes place, Glutathione is recognized as a springboard for the entire process. A high concentration can also be found in the lower portion of the lungs allowing the body to defend itself against airborne intruders such as cigarette smoke and pollution. One of the most extraordinary benefits of Glutathione is its unique ability to aid in restoring the effectiveness of other antioxidants that have been oxidized. Glyconutrients Sugars, such as glucose, mannose, xylose, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine, and fucose all participate in maintaining inter-cellular communication, boosting immune function, and balancing hormones. While some of these sugars may be found in everyday foods like milk and plant products, the rest are typically deficient in the average diet. These monosaccharides bind with proteins and fats creating the large molecules of glycoproteins and glycolipids, respectively. Paired together, they are known as glycoforms and coat the surface of all cells in the body, promoting critical cell-to-cell communication. Without this ability to dialogue, the cellular functions of nutrient absorption, detoxification, and repair would not be possible. All mental and physical demands on the body rely on Glyconutrients to take place. Rhodiola Rosea Alone, it can lower stress levels, improve energy, and provide an enhanced feeling of well-being. In combination with other supplemental substances, its benefits are multiplied, offering improved mental and physical energy, diminished stress, anxiety, and depression, improved thymus gland function, increased production of muscular ATP, and enhanced sexual function in the areas of both erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) Focusing his research specifically on the anti-aging aspect, Dr. Frank experimented with both oral and topical administrations of RNA. Understanding that it is the deprivation of oxygen in skin cells due to inhibited microcapillary circulation that causes skin to wrinkle and degrade, he used RNA’s ability to enhance oxygen’s effectiveness to breathe new life into each cell. With this improved oxygen metabolism, new cells become more robust and mobile, readily replacing old cells on the skin’s surface, thereby creating smoother, more supple skin. When combined with additional nutrients, supplemental RNA can enter the cell and initiate regeneration, revitalizing its metabolism and stabilizing its enzyme synthesis. The diminishment of decay can retard the aging process and reverse its damaging effects, effectively lengthening one’s life span. It would not be improbable to suggest that, in appropriate doses, RNA has the potential to transform an 80 year old man into the biological equivalent of a 40-50 year old. I would like to invite you to listen to my radio show weekly to hear more about the above article and the many aspects of natural health that are available to address the causes of disease and aging. If you would like further information regarding this article, feel free to call my offices at 915-833-0222 & listen to NaturalSolutionsRadio.com live every Saturday from 8-10am MST. I would be happy to answer your questions.
A New Form of Vibrational Medicine: By: Sydney Ross Singer & Soma Grismaijer
What you are about to read is a new theory about the cause, and prevention, of thyroid disease. We believe a simple lifestyle issue that characterizes modern life is leading to thyroid dysfunction. It's something you can test for yourself, on yourself. The concept itself will change the way science thinks about thyroid function. If correct, this theory has the potential of significantly reducing the need for thyroid medication, and may help prevent thyroid disease, potentially causing significant loss of revenue for the multi-billion dollar thyroid treatment industry. This information is therefore being shared directly with the public without peer review, since the peer reviewers are part of that treatment industry. The issue has to do with a commonly known feature of the thyroid, something which everyone knows about the thyroid, but has failed to recognize as a significant feature. It has to do with the location of the organ. The thyroid is located directly beneath and partly around the thyroid cartilage, or the Adam's apple, in the throat. Tilt your head back and feel for the most prominent cartilage sticking out. That's the Adam's apple. Underneath it is your thyroid gland, shaped like a butterfly. While the thyroid is on the outside of the Adam's apple, on the inside is the larynx, or voice box. You can tell this by placing your hand on your thyroid and humming. Try this, hum by saying, "MMMMMMMMM". Then say it louder and louder, until you are yelling. You will feel your thyroid vibrating. The louder you hum, the more it vibrates. What happens to the thyroid when it vibrates? The thyroid is filled with a gel-like material that is the storage form of thyroid hormone. The gel releases hormone when the thyroid is massaged, which is why massage therapists avoid throat massages for hyperthyroid patients. There have also been medical studies that show certain types of occupational vibrations cause injury to the thyroid. The thyroid is clearly affected by vibration. It is logical, then, to conclude that the vibration of the thyroid by using your voice also stimulates the release of thyroid hormone. If true, this is a natural mechanism the body has for thyroid stimulation. This would also explain why Nature has designed the thyroid to be surrounding the voice box. In its wisdom, Nature developed a way that our activity level can influence our thyroid function. That makes sense when you consider the function of thyroid hormone. This hormone is responsible for overall metabolic rate. Too much thyroid hormone, and you essentially burn up. Too low, and you can't get your fire started. So when your life is full of excitement and stimulation, and you talk, sing, or yell a great deal, your thyroid gets stimulated to release more hormone, stoking your fires and keeping your energy up. When you have times of being restful and quiet, your voice gets a rest and your fire gets turned down. The throat is essentially functioning as an activity indicator, since activity is usually associated with using one's voice. We are social animals, and our activities usually involve other people with whom we communicate by using our voice. And this is true for other social animals, as well. Groups of social animals keep in constant vocal contact with one another, whether it is geese honking, chickens clucking, dogs barking, or humans chatting. In all mammals and most vertebrates, the thyroid gland is associated with vocal structures. Which raises a question regarding mute humans. If the thyroid is stimulated by vocalizing, and if the person is mute, then you would expect that person to have an under stimulated thyroid. Indeed, that is the case. One of the common problems mute children face as they grow up is their thyroid gland does not function properly, and they soon are put on lifetime thyroid medication. But what if these mute children had their throats vibrated for them, perhaps by some voice simulator? Or what if they had their thyroids massaged? Surely, something could be done to replace the lost stimulation caused by mutism. Unfortunately, the link between vocalization and thyroid function is not considered, so these therapeutic alternatives to drugs are not tried. Of course, mutism is the extreme case of under utilization of the voice. What about the millions of speaking people, mostly women, who are being told they have low thyroid and need lifetime medication and doctor visits? Could some of these people be under utilizing their voices, too? Are people these days not speaking as much as they used to? When you think about the reality of modern life, that could certainly be the case. For example, people used to talk to each other in person or over the telephone. Now, they email instead of using the phone. We can communicate with people all over the world, but that communication is electronic, not vocal. Then there were the evenings, not long ago, when people used to sit together and read books aloud, tell stories, and sing songs. People made their own entertainment, and this usually involved using their voices. Now, people silently listen to IPods, watch videos, or surf the Internet. We now silently consume entertainment. We also have less exposure to other people in our daily lives. Many jobs today involve little contact with other people, except over the computer. In addition, more people are working at home, further reducing interpersonal contact. More people are living alone, too, due to record divorce rates and a general trend towards single living. For many people, there's just nobody to talk to. These people may be suffering from their silence by having an under stimulated thyroid. They may benefit from singing, humming, massaging their throats, or even letting a purring cat caress their throats. They need throat stimulation to keep their fires burning. On the other hand, there are those who overuse their voices, and overstimulate their thyroids. Hyperthyroidism is associated with stress, and many people who have stress in their lives yell. Yelling really vibrates the thyroid, and could cause vibrational injury. This could cause too much hormone to be released, resulting in temporary hyperthyroidism until the vibrational injury can heal. In fact, most cases of high thyroid get better by themselves, assuming the doctor hasn't already destroyed the thyroid with radioactive iodine or surgery. We have already recorded several case histories of people who developed hyperthyroidism after experiencing months of stress that included intense fits of yelling. So that's the new discovery. The thyroid vibrates when you use your voice, and this stimulates the thyroid to secrete hormone. It is another axis for thyroid hormone control, along with the well recognized feedback mechanism from the brain's hypothalamus and pituitary. It is something that is obvious, and yet has gone unrecognized by medicine. Perhaps telling a patient to talk or sing more is something that should be added to the medical pharmacopoeia. Of course, this theory still needs more research. Despite its sensibility and the supporting evidence briefly mentioned above, there need to be biochemical studies. It should be easy to check the circulating thyroid hormone levels before and after extreme vocal thyroid stimulation, such as yelling, to see if there is an increased release of thyroxine as a result of the stimulation. But these studies will have to be funded, and drug companies, and the government agencies they influence, will probably not be interested in funding them (and if they are, beware of the results!) Fortunately, naturopathic physicians do not have to wait for the medical/pharmaceutical industry to considers these comments, (and the potential impact of this information on drug revenues and professional fees.) You can start patients singing right now, unless, of course, they have high thyroid, in which case you may want them to whisper for a while. Other forms of vibrational therapy could include the use of tuning forks applied to the thyroid. As a guess, we would expect that frequencies of a tuning fork that are near those of the person's natural voice would be most effective in establishing a resonant vibration in the thyroid. Thyroid massage may also help. We realize that there are other factors that lead to thyroid disease. Nutrition certainly plays a part. Dental x-rays are probably a factor, as well. Tight neckties may also contribute to thyroid problems. However, for patients who are depressed, quiet, and are told they have low thyroid, this new theory of vocal stimulation of the thyroid is something they can shout about. For those who are hyperthyroid, it may simply be the result of recent vocal overuse, and a period of silence may be all they need. And please let us know the results you see with your patients if you chose to try this. We would be happy to hear from you. Visit our website at SelfStudyCenter.org. For more information on the thyroid, you may want to see our book, “The Doctor Is Out! Exposing the High Blood Pressure, Low Thyroid, Diabetes Scams” (ISCD Press, 2001). BIO: Sydney Ross Singer & Soma Grismaijer are medical anthropologists and directors of the Institute for the Study of Culturogenic Disease, located in Hawaii. Their unique form of applied medical anthropology searches for the cultural/lifestyle causes of disease. Their working assumption is that our bodies were made to be healthy, but our culture and the attitudes and behaviors it instills in us can get in the way of health. By eliminating these causes, the body is allowed to heal. Since most diseases of our time are caused by our culture/lifestyle, this approach has resulted in many original discoveries into the cause, and cure, of many common diseases, including their groundbreaking research into the link between breast cancer and bras. They can be reached at: Institute for the Study of Culturogenic Disease
Keep What You Have, By: Jim Carr, MBA, Certified Business Coach Do not underestimate the need to satisfy and retain present clients. Most businesses put too much money, time, and effort into chasing new clientele/prospects and far too little resources trying to keep their current ones. However, we all know that you cannot fill up a bucket if you do not plug the current leaks. Real profits and stable revenue streams come from long-term relationships and repeat business with your current loyal, profitable clients. Some experts declare that 80% of a company’s future growth comes from existing clients, if served and cultivated properly. As such, client satisfaction and retention should be your #1 marketing priority. Many people in the health care field would suggest the purpose of any business is to provide excellent product, care or services to their clients. Which is admirable however, in order to do that they must attract and retain clients. You cannot grow and remain in business without keeping the clients you currently have. First, you must measure your current attrition rate (loss of clients) and set a goal for dramatically reducing this rate. For example, let us say, on average, that you lose 20% of your clients every year. A realistic goal would be to reduce this attrition rate to 10% per year. Bottom line, it is easier and nearly eight times cheaper to serve and retain current clients/customers than to pursue new ones. Second, once you have plugged the holes in your attrition bucket, you want to serve better and get closer to these profitable and worthy clients. You want to better understand their needs and then fulfill as many of these needs as possible with additional products and services. Make strategic alliance with other companies that you could, selectively, cross sell to each other’s client base. • Continually communicate with your clients. The single easiest way to grow a business, once the client base has been established, is to ask them to tell other in their circle of influence about the great products and or service they have received from you. Ask them to open up their network to your services. There could be a misconception of the products and services offered by alternative healthcare professionals and it is up to you to educate your clients so they can not only increase the frequency of purchase of your product and or services, but to also become part of your sales team. Communicate with them: Do not worry; you cannot over-communicate with your customers. Like employees, keep them informed, involved, and inspired to continue doing business with you. Also, repeatedly ask your customers the following questions: • “How are we doing?” Your objective is to provide them with more value, more frequently and as a result, you will benefit with more profits. Never sell a customer only once. Real profits come from repeat business. As such, set goals to increase the frequency and size of repeat business. You want ongoing relationships and ongoing sales.
The views and opinions expressed in this online newsletter are not necessarily those of the American Naturopathic Medical Association, its officers or its members, nor are they necessarily in accordance or agreement with its policies.
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