The natural products industry has done a poor job of regulating itself thus far, making it difficult for many doctors who are committed to natural medicine to know which products they can trust. An overhaul of the regulatory system is long overdue.
Not all interactions between dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals are negative. In fact, there are many cases in which a nutrient or herb can improve the effect of a drug or reduce drug side effects. Michael Traub, ND, explores some of these beneficial interactions.
Conventional treatment of asthma relies on corticosteroids, Beta-2 agonists, and antibiotics, all of which can have considerable long-term side effects. Naturopathic medicine focuses on identifying and eliminating infectious and allergenic triggers of asthma, and in using various nutrients and herbs to down-regulate the chronic inflammation that characterizes the disease.
For several years, columnist Michael Traub, ND, has been working collaboratively with MDs in the care of women with breast cancer. He describes the naturopathic principles for cancer care and discusses the dynamics of interdisciplinary practice.
The Congressional Caucus on CAM provided holistic health care professionals and their public supporters with an unprecedented opportunity to educate Congress people and their staff, about what natural medicine has to offer.
Helping patients to make lasting healthy lifestyle changes is one of the biggest challenges facing prevention-minded physicians. It is also one of the most important aspects of medical practice. The naturopathic disciplines are uniquely suited to helping patients make the shift.
The appointment of a naturopathic doctor to the AMA's CPT advisory committee has provided the naturopathic profession with an entr
Much of the research in "complementary and alternative medicine," has been done by investigators with little experience practicing the therapies they study. Over the last few years, leaders in the naturopathic community have developed an agenda for naturopathic research which better reflects the unique features of naturopathic practice.
The widespread lack of flu vaccines has many people looking for naturopathic ways to prevent and treat the flu. Elderberry, Ginseng, Echinacea, Vitamin C and many other botanical and nutritional products can help.
Can antioxidant vitamins and immune-system enhancing herbs be combined with conventional chemo- and radiation therapy for cancer? This is one of the most hotly debated topics in cancer care. There are no simple cut and dry answers, but if oncologists and natural medicine practitioners work together, they can usually tailor a comprehensive treatment plan that will benefit their patients.
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