Studies and Progress Notes (Aug 2009)

* * * STUDIES and PROGRESS NOTES* * *       

* *  SPIRITUAL AWARENESS AND WHOLISTIC HEALING * *       

Research shows external qigong can enhance and retard bacterial growth in the laboratory     

Abstract     

Background: The existence and characteristics of external qi (EQ) in qigong therapy has long been subject to scientific debate and rigorous examination. The therapist's intent has played an important role in many studies. This study investigates the effect of EQ with opposing intentions on the proliferation of Escherichia coli.     

Methods: We performed two studies with the same design. In study 1, 75 5-mL tubes containing test samples (3mL each) were randomly divided into three groups: control, promoted, and inhibited group (25 each). In study 2, three 96-well plates with test samples (200μL each) were randomly designated as control, promoted, or inhibited. Test samples were placed 60cm apart on a bench with control in the middle. A qigong therapist performed EQ with either promoting or killing intent for 15 minutes each on the treatment groups. After incubation for 24 hours, optical density of the E. coli samples was measured at 600nm (OD600).

Results: In the initial experiment of both studies, the OD600 value of the promoted group was significantly higher than that of control (p<0.05), while the OD600 value of the inhibited group was significantly lower than that of the control group (p<0.01), suggesting that the healer's intent played a critical role in the effects of EQ on E.coli proliferation. However, subsequent experiments did not replicate the initial finding in either study and showed a pattern of declining effect.

Conclusion: A healer's intent may affect the proliferation of microbes with specificity and directivity, so future studies of bioenergy healing should take the role of intention into consideration. The circumstances surrounding replication of the results in such biofield studies need further exploration.

Shao, Linxiang et al. Effects of external qi of qigong with opposing intentions on proliferation of Escherichia coli. J Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2009, 15(5): 567-571. www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.2008.0408

IJHC – WHR Observations

It is helpful to have further confirmation of healers' abilities to influence bacterial growth. This provides support for anecdotal reports that healers have been able to facilitate physical healing of infections in the body.

**  FUTURE RESEARCH IN WHOLISTIC HEALING * * 

The IJHC/WHR E-Zine features monthly suggestions for future research in healing.
READERS ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT SUGGESTIONS FOR TOPICS TO STUDY
If your topic is chosen, you ill receive free access to the IJHC for a month, including the current issue and all back issues.

Healing for infections in humans

There have been no studies to date on healing for bacterial infections in humans. Common problems such as boils, hangnails, urinary infections and appendicitis are good candidates for study.

* *  WHOLISTIC APPROACHES * * 

Exercise prevents heart attacks better than percutaneous angioplasty, and also benefits other heart problems

Research in 2004 demonstrated this, and research just reported from the European Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation meeting recently held in Barcelona, Spain confirms these findings.

In addition, research reported at the same meeting shows that "…exercise reduced the markers of heart disease in patients following coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). What's more, it improved indications of disease in people with heart failure, a condition usually thought to be incurable and often just treated with symptom-relieving drugs."
Sources: Hambrecht, Rainer et al. Percutaneous coronary angioplasty compared with exercise training in patients with stable coronary artery disease. Circulation 2004, 109, 1371-1378.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15007010
Baker, SL. New Evidence: Exercise helps heart disease, increases survival better than angioplasty
http://www.naturalnews.com/026596_disease_heart_disease_angioplasty.html

IJHC – WHR Observations

While this is not good news for cardiovascular surgeons, it is very good news for anyone who wants to use self-treatment for their heart disease. Graduated, supervised exercises are strongly recommended!

Research shows dietary and lifestyle changes can reverse cancerous genetic changes.

Abstract: Epidemiological and prospective studies indicate that comprehensive lifestyle changes may modify the progression of prostate cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms by which improvements in diet and lifestyle might affect the prostate microenvironment are poorly understood. We conducted a pilot study to examine changes in prostate gene expression in a unique population of men with low-risk prostate cancer who declined immediate surgery, hormonal therapy, or radiation and participated in an intensive nutrition and lifestyle intervention while undergoing careful surveillance for tumor progression. Consistent with previous studies, significant improvements in weight, abdominal obesity, blood pressure, and lipid profile were observed (all P < 0.05), and surveillance of low-risk patients was safe. Gene expression profiles were obtained from 30 participants, pairing RNA samples from control prostate needle biopsy taken before intervention to RNA from the same patient's 3-month postintervention biopsy… [Results demonstrated that ] Intensive nutrition and lifestyle changes may modulate gene expression in the prostate. Understanding the prostate molecular response to comprehensive lifestyle changes may strengthen efforts to develop effective prevention and treatment. Larger clinical trials are warranted to confirm the results of this pilot study.

Source: Ornish, Dean et al. Changes in prostate gene expression in men undergoing an intensive nutrition and lifestyle intervention, Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, 2008, 105(24), 8369-8374.
http://www.pnas.org/content/105/24/8369.short

IJHC – WHR Observations

The reversal of genetic expression with nutritional and lifestyle changes is a landmark finding. Not only is this a helpful clarification of a probable mechanism of action for these interventions, but it also increases hope for people with cancer – demonstrating that this diagnosis is not a death sentence.

* *  COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES * * 

2007 National Health Interview Survey by the National Institutes of Health     
 
According to statistics released in July 2009 from a nationwide government survey, U.S. adults spent $33.9 billion out-of-pocket on visits to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners and purchases of CAM products, classes, and materials.     
 
    * Learn More in the Press Release (07/30/2009), below     

    * Cost of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States Fact Sheet
     
    * Download the Full Cost Data Report (16 pages, 200KB PDF) (DOWNLOAD IS NOT FUNCTIONAL!!)
Press release below provides a summary

Source: Nahin, RL, Barnes PM, Stussman BJ, and Bloom B. Costs of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and Frequency of Visits to CAM Practitioners: United States, 2007. National health statistics reports; no 18. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2009.


PRESS RELEASE:
Americans spend $34B for alternative medicine

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE and MIKE STOBBE (AP) – 1 day ago

ATLANTA — Americans spend more than a 10th of their out-of-pocket health care dollars on alternative medicine, according to the first national estimate of such spending in more than a decade.

Chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturists and herbal remedies are commanding significant consumer dollars as people seek high-touch care in a high-tech society, the report released Thursday by the government shows.

Altogether, consumers spent an estimated $34 billion on those and other alternative remedies in 2007, the report found.

"We are talking about a very wide range of health practices that range from promising and sensible to potentially harmful," said Dr. Josephine Briggs, director of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the federal agency that leads research in this field...  (Read more)

IJHC – WHR Observations

Them drug companies and insurance companies and conventional medical lobbies and politicians on the take from all of the above can see that people are voting with their feet and their money for complementary therapies in a big way.

If they were interested in health care, rather than in maintaining an illness industry, they would be working towards Integrative Care, to provide the broadest spectrum of modalities for the greatest benefits of the consumer.

Chemical from green tea is found effective in treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia

"Mayo Clinic researchers are reporting positive results in early leukemia 
clinical trials using the chemical epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), an 
active ingredient in green tea. The trial determined that patients with 
chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) can tolerate the chemical fairly well 
when high doses are administered in capsule form and that lymphocyte count 
was reduced in one-third of participants."

Source: Shanafelt, Tait D. et al. Phase I trial of daily oral Polyphenon E in patients with asymptomatic Rai Stage 0 to II Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Journal of Clinical Oncology, February 9, 2009  10.1200/JCO.2008.21.1284

IJHC – WHR Observations

While this is truly good news, one has to wonder whether green tea itself would be just as effective.

U.S. FDA warns women and children about mercury dental fillings, settles lawsuit

After 32 years of delay, the Food and Drug Administration has finally agreed to comply with the law and set a date to classify mercury amalgam as a substance that poses a health risk to pregnant women and unborn babies, and children. This about-face resulted from settling, earlier this week, our lawsuit, Moms Against Mercury et al. v. Von Eschenbach, Commissioner, et al. Stating it was an “unreasonable delay” and “an reasonable case of failure to act.” As reflected in the May 16, 2008 court transcripts, Judge Ellen Huvelle states that the “probability of harm is enormous,” and asked the FDA: “How could you drag your feet for 32 years? Do what you are supposed to do.” Judge Huvelle also states that she couldn’t “order a ban, but can compel to act,” observing that this was “government at its worst” and that she wanted this “public safety issue to be resolved.” The FDA must now finish classification within one year of the close of the public comment period on its amalgam policy, that is, by July 28, 2009.

As part of the settlement, the FDA agreed to and, with uncharacteristic speed, has already changed its website— dramatically. The Updated June 3, 2008 FDA website now states, for example:
“Dental amalgams contain mercury, which may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetus.” “Pregnant women and persons who may have a health condition that makes them more sensitive to mercury exposure, including individuals with existing high levels of mercury bioburden, should not avoid seeking dental care, but should discuss options with their health practitioner.”

The FDA website also now states that “Some other countries follow a “precautionary principle” and avoid the use of dental amalgam in pregnant women” and provides links to advice about amalgams from regulatory agencies in other countries, including Canada , France and Sweden…

Source: http://mercurypolicy.org/?p=10   June 10th, 2008

IJHC – WHR Observations

This is a major step forward in eliminating mercury fillings. Further limitations on the use of mercury amalgams appear warranted, in view of the frequent reports of its contributions to fibromyalgia, chronic headaches, immune system disorders and more.

More CAM reviews at
www.naturalhealthvillage.com
www.mdlinx.com/FamilyMDLinx 
 www.ucalgary.ca/~camig/litsearch.html
AMSA website
www.amsa.org/humed/camresources/camnews.cfm

* * TECHNOLOGY * *

How Technology May Soon "Read" Your Mind

The technology that is transforming what once was science fiction into just plain science is a specialized use of MRI scanning called "functional MRI," fMRI for short. It makes it possible to see what's going on inside the brain while people are thinking…

Whatever you want to call it, what Just and his colleague Tom Mitchell at Carnegie Mellon University have done is combine fMRI's ability to look at the brain in action with computer science's new power to sort through massive amounts of data. The goal: to see if they could identify exactly what happens in the brain when people think specific thoughts. 

They did an experiment where they asked subjects to think about ten objects - five of them tools like screwdriver and hammer, and five of them dwellings, like igloo and castle. They then recorded and analyzed the activity in the subjects' brains for each. 

"The computer found the place in the brain where that person was thinking 'screwdriver…" 

"Screwdriver isn't one place in the brain. It's many places in the brain. When you think of a screwdriver, you think about how you hold it, how you twist it, what it looks like, what you use it for... " The computer was able to identify the individual patterns for 10 different objects.

Source: 60 Minutes: Incredible Research Lets Scientists Get A Glimpse At Your Thoughts http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/1998/07/08/60minutes/main4694713.shtml

IJHC – WHR Observations

The brain imaging and computer technology is very far away from doing anything more than a rough identification of brain patterns that can be repeatably correlated with know responses to images in a particular individual.

Much more successful is the use of the human instrument as a means for mind to mind communication. This makes many people very uncomfortable, as we are unused to telepathic exchanges of information and we may be anywhere from squeamish to frightened that another person could know our thoughts and feelings, or that we might become aware of theirs. The experience of intuitives, psychics and healers is that information becomes available from another person according to the needs of the participants. It is not possible to read another person like a book. Very spotty information is available in this manner.

Clearly, many animals possess the abilities to communicate through a collective consciousness. Flocks of birds and schools of fish swim in coordinated movement; ants, bees and termites coordinate the activities of their colonies as though they are of one mind. Research confirms that most humans have a measure of this ability.

What might our world be like if all living beings were able to communicate in these ways?

* *  ENVIRONMENT (HEALING OUR PLANET) * *

Wind-generated electricity has been vastly underestimated

Abstract

The potential of wind power as a global source of electricity is assessed by using winds derived through assimilation of data from a variety of meteorological sources. The analysis indicates that a network of land-based 2.5-megawatt (MW) turbines restricted to nonforested, ice-free, nonurban areas operating at as little as 20% of their rated capacity could supply over 40 times current worldwide consumption of electricity, and over 5 times total global use of energy in all forms. Resources in the contiguous United States, specifically in the central plain states, could accommodate as much as 16 times total current demand for electricity in the United States. Estimates are given also for quantities of electricity that could be obtained by using a network of 3.6-MW turbines deployed in ocean waters with depths less than 200 m within 50 nautical miles (92.6 km) of closest coastlines.

http://www.pnas.org/content/106/27/10933.abstract?sid=84cf32f5-01e1-44c4-8d18-bf78793a437d

IJHC – WHR Observations

Wind is probably the cleanest renewable source of energy – after taking into account the costs of building the windmill generators and power lines.

Antibiotic resistance bacteria in recycled human sewage

As water becomes increasingly scarce, water recycling is increasing. As petrochemical-based fertilizers and pesticides are increasingly recognized as hazardous and as serious contributors to our planetary carbon load, human waste may be an appealing fertilizer.

This article points out a serious caution that is needed in using sewage sludge as fertilizer.

Source: Sahlström, Leena. Vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) in Swedish sewage sludge. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 2009, 51:24   doi:10.1186/1751-0147-51-24  http://www.actavetscand.com/content/51/1/24

IJHC – WHR Observations

This is not an indication that recycled sewage should not be utilized. It simply points to a factor that needs attention in its use.

* *  HUMAN ECOLOGY* * 

Energy efficient vehicles are not a solution to pollution

"IMPROVEMENTS in energy efficiency will lead to greater use of fossil fuels, according to research published this week.

Terry Barker, director of the Cambridge Centre for Climate Change Mitigation Research, predicts that by 2030, half the carbon emission savings gained from more fuel-efficient transport, buildings and industry will be cancelled out by a corresponding rise in consumption of fossil fuels.

He argues that what he calls a “rebound effect” has been seriously underestimated by policymakers, who will have to impose drastic measures such as high petrol taxes to tackle the problem.

Source: Rebound effect will raise fossil fuel use, The Sunday Times May 31, 2009
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6395498.ece

IJHC – WHR Observations

This is a wise caution. Education for conservation of resources; public transportation; and alternative energy sources will provide more substantial reductions in fuel use and carbon emissions.

Understanding the meanings of illness with Reorganizational Healing

Abstract
Reorganizational Healing, (ROH), is an emerging wellness, growth and behavioral change paradigm. Through its three central elements (the Four Seasons of Wellbeing, the Triad of Change, and the Five Energetic Intelligences) Reorganizational Healing takes an approach to help create a map for individuals to self-assess and draw on strengths to create sustainable change. Reorganizational Healing gives individuals concrete tools to explore and use the meanings of their symptoms, problems, and life-stressors as catalysts to taking new and sustained action to create a more fulfilling and resilient life. ‘‘Instead of being meaningless, people’s problems become diseases of meaning, enabling people to see that things are not necessarily ‘‘going wrong’’ but are, in fact, helping them become stronger, to live more fully and with more understanding.’’ —Jobst, Shostak, and Whitehouse, 19991
‘‘We conceptualize wellness as the generalized self-perception of health. From this perspective, wellness is distinct from health-illness; an individual can deem themselves to be in an acceptable state of wellness whether they experience suboptimal ‘‘health’’ in any given domain or area of functioning.’’
—Schuster, Dobson, Jaregui, and Blanks, 20042

Source: Epstein, Donald M. Senzon, Simon A. and Lemberger, Daniel.  Reorganizational Healing: A paradigm for the advancement of wellness, behavior change, holistic practice, and healing, J. Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2009, 15(5), 475–487 www.liebertonline.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1089/acm.2009.0043

IJHC – WHR Observations

Reorganizational Healing is a helpful wholistic paradigm, coming from the direction of bioenergy therapy and enlightened chiropractic conceptualizations.