Studies and Progress Notes (June 2008)

* *  SPIRITUAL AWARENESS AND WHOLISTIC HEALING * * 

Reiki alters heart rate and blood pressure in rats
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To determine whether application of Reiki to noise-stressed rats can reduce their heart rates (HRs) and blood pressures.
Rationale: In a previous study, we showed that exposure of rats to 90 dB white noise for 15 minutes caused their HRs and blood pressures to significantly increase. Reiki has been shown to significantly decrease HR and blood pressure in a small group of healthy human subjects. However, use of humans in such studies has the disadvantage that experimental interpretations are encumbered by the variable of belief or skepticism regarding Reiki. For that reason, noise-stressed rats were used as an animal model to test the efficacy of Reiki in reducing elevated HR and blood pressure.
Design: Three unrestrained, male Sprague-Dawley rats implanted with radio telemetric transducers were exposed daily for 8 days to a 15-minute white noise regimen (90 dB). For the last 5 days, the rats received 15 minutes of Reiki immediately before the noise and during the noise period. The experiment was repeated on the same animals but using sham Reiki.
Setting/location: The animals were housed in a quiet room in University of Arizona Animal Facility.
Outcome measures: Mean HRs and blood pressure were determined before Reiki/sham Reiki, during Reiki/sham Reiki, and during the noise in each case.
Results: Reiki, but not sham Reiki, significantly reduced HR compared to initial values. With Reiki, there was a high correlation between change in HR and initial HR, suggesting a homeostatic effect. Reiki, but not sham Reiki, significantly reduced the rise in HR produced by exposure of the rats to loud noise. Neither Reiki nor sham Reiki significantly affected blood pressure.
Conclusion: Reiki is effective in modulating HR in stressed and unstressed rats, supporting its use as a stress reducer in humans.
Source: THE JOURNAL OF ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTRY MEDICINE 
? Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
DOI: 10.1089/acm.2007.0753
Baldwin, Ann Linda; Wagers, Christina and Schwartz, Gary E. Reiki improves heart rate homeostasis in laboratory rats. J. Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2008, 14(4), 417?422.


IJHC ? WHR Observations

This is one of the first studies of Reiki on animals, showing significant effects.  The authors suggest that human studies are subject to effects of suggestion. Controls can be introduced to assess this component, using mock Reiki and/or distant Reiki healing.

**  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

Spiritual healing to alter blood pressure and heart rate in humans

This would be an easy study to do, using mock healing and/or distant healing in control groups. Hypertension is epidemic, with 30-50 percent of the population being identified as hypertensive, and an estimated 15 percent having undiagnosed hypertension. This would be a serious contribution to health care ? not only for direct benefits on blood pressure but also for reduced medication usage. Antihypertensive drugs are prominent among the medications causing the more than 100,000 fatalities recorded annually from all medications, properly prescribed.

If your topic is chosen, you will receive free access to the IJHC for a month, including the current issue and all back issues.
 
 

* *  WHOLISTIC APPROACHES * *

Vitamin D?the cure for many diseases?
 
C. Norman Shealy, MD writes:
"Recently I had the good fortune to spend a couple of hours with Dr. Joe Prendergast, an endocrinologist /diabetologist. http://www.uncommondoctor.com/;  http://www.endocrinemetabolic.com/.   He has managed over 1500 diabetic patients and, in the last decade, not one of his patients has had a stroke or heart attack.  Only one has even been hospitalized!  His secret ? 50,000 units of Vitamin D3 daily.  Dr. Joe further reports:
Reversal of advanced coronary disease
Reversal of advanced lung disease, avoiding a lung transplant!
Cure of multiple sclerosis
Cure of amotrophic lateral sclerosis
Regression of rheumatoid arthritis
Improvement in allergies
Control of many cancers including prostate, breast, colon, brain tumors, leukemia, myeloma, etc
Reversal of osteoporosis
Prevention of influenza
Cure of depression and many other mental disorders
Hashimoto?s hyperthyroidism
 
He slyly then mentions that men report that the penis grows an average of 10% in length and girth and that women report growth of the labia. 
 
Upon my return home, I searched the literature and found thousands of articles supporting in general every possibility Dr. Prendergast mentioned, except penis and labia growth.  Interestingly, I did not find a single article integrating all this remarkable potential benefit in virtually every disease.  Indeed, I know of no supplement or treatment that is so successful in such a broad variety of diseases.  One of D?s greatest effects appears to be immune modulation. Indeed, even tuberculosis is strongly correlated with deficiency of vitamin D!
Vitamin D enhances calcium absorption, which enhances milk production in pregnant women.  Suckling of the breast induces prolactin and oxytocin production (even in non-pregnant women) the nurturing and trust hormones. Everything is related to everything!
 
The recommended daily intake of vitamin D is only 400 units.  When I was in medical school dosages above 1000 units were thought to be toxic?perhaps because most of the D then came from cod liver oil and were associated with significant amounts of vitamin A.  Vitamin A is toxic at long term dosages above 10,000 units, although beta carotene is safe at dosages up to hundreds of thousands of units. There are several articles which emphasize the safety of Vitamin D up to 10,000 units. And a single article suggests that 50,000 units will not induce toxicity. Among the most interesting articles are many that emphasize the remarkable decrease in Type 1 diabetes in children given 2000 units of D throughout early childhood?up to 80% decreased incidence!  Dr. Prendergast recommends increasing to 50,000 units at puberty.  There are also suggestions that gluten sensitivity may be increased because of inadequate D. Since one-third of Americans have gluten sensitivity, D deficiency may be a contributor!
 
One article has stated that 15 minutes of exposure to sunlight on face and hands leads to production of 400 units of D.  Total body exposure might then be approximately 8000 units per hour.  One could argue that our forebears living, in the tropics, might have produced well over 50,000 units of D daily!!
 
Dr. Prendergast warns that patients taking 50,000 units of vitamin D3 SHOULD NOT TAKE ANY CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTS!  It is fine to have some milk products and the small dose of calcium in most multivitamins (400 mg) will not be a problem.  Since most adults seem to have deposits of calcium outside bones, in arteries, around joints, etc, perhaps the vitamin D assists in retrieving calcium from these undesirable deposits! The OTHER EXCEPTION TO THE 50,000 UNITS WOULD BE INDIVIDUALS WITH KIDNEY FAILURE?THOSE ON DIALYSIS. Although there is great evidence that D is needed and that D deficiency is related to kidney failure, the dose in these individuals should be monitored by blood levels!
 
In summary, the evidence for safety and remarkable efficacy of Vitamin D3 suggests that virtually ALL adults should probably take 50,000 units of D3 daily. This is certainly true for those with virtually any illness. If you are concerned about that dosage, then take six 50,000 unit capsules each month.  Children, pre-puberty should take 2000 units."  
References supporting Dr. Shealy's recommendations for Vitamin D http://www.selfhealthsystems.com/archiveletter.php?id=245

IJHC ? WHR Observations

Dr. Shealy is a meticulous researcher in CAM and wholistic therapies. I view his advice in matters such as these as very reliable.

Maternal stress may predispose their children to schizophrenia

Abstract:
Context  Most societies believe that a mother's psychological state can influence her unborn baby. Severe adverse life events during pregnancy have been consistently associated with an elevated risk of low birth weight and prematurity. Such events during the first trimester have also been associated with risk of congenital malformations.

Objective  To assess the effect in offspring of antenatal maternal exposure to an objective measure of stress on risk of adverse neurodevelopment, specifically schizophrenia in Denmark. We hypothesized that the strongest relationship would be to maternal exposures during the first trimester.

Participants  In a cohort of 1.38 million Danish births from 1973 to 1995, mothers were considered exposed if 1 (or more) of their close relatives died or was diagnosed with cancer, acute myocardial infarction, or stroke syndrome up to 6 months before conception or during pregnancy. Offspring were followed up from their 10th birthday until their death, migration, onset of schizophrenia, or June 30, 2005; admissions were identified by linkage to the Central Psychiatric Register.

Results  The risk of schizophrenia and related disorders was raised in offspring whose mothers were exposed to death of a relative during the first trimester (adjusted relative risk... Death of a relative during other trimesters or up to 6 months before pregnancy were not linked with a higher risk of schizophrenia.

Conclusions  Our population-based study suggests that severe stress to a mother during the first trimester may alter the risk of schizophrenia in offspring. This finding is consistent with ecological evidence from whole populations exposed to severe stressors and suggests that environment may influence neurodevelopment at the feto-placental-maternal interface.

Source: Khashan, Ali S. et al. Higher risk of offspring schizophrenia following antenatal maternal exposure to severe adverse life events, Archives of General Psychiatry 2008, 65(2), 146-152.

IJHC ? WHR Observations

Folklore tells us that if a pregnant woman is upset, this may harm her child. Conventional medicine has tended to dismiss this possibility as myth or superstition. It is most helpful to have confirmation of cultural wisdom of this sort.

On the positive side of this finding is that the preventive treatment of stress in pregnant women would be predicted to lower the incidence of schizophrenia. WHEE is an excellent self-healing method for stress relief.

 * *  COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES * * 

Recent research on CAM for asthma

The evidence update on CAM for asthma aims to identify, organise and present the latest information on this topic. We have searched a large number of databases for studies published or updated since January 2006. Previously published studies are addressed in sections 3.4 - 3.6 of the British Guideline on the Management of Asthma or can be found in the Library's collection.

Contents

Recent systematic reviews focusing on specific CAM interventions for the management of asthma:
    * Acupuncture
    * Breathing techniques/ Yoga
    * Dietary and nutritional therapies
    * Herbal medicine
    * Homeopathy
    * Relaxation techniques/ Hypnosis
Source: UK National Health Service, National Library for Health, Complementary and Alternative Medicine Specialist Library http://www.library.nhs.uk/SpecialistLibraries/

IJHC ? WHR Observations

It is very helpful to have this on line review service that can be of help to caregivers and careseekers in identifying therapies of demonstrated efficacy for specific health problems.

Meta-analysis shows that Transcendental Meditation ? is effective for hypertension

Background: Prior clinical trials suggest that the Transcendental Meditation technique may decrease blood pressure of normotensive and hypertensive individuals but study-quality issues have been raised. This study was designed to assess effects of Transcendental Meditation on blood pressure using objective quality assessments and meta-analyses.

Conclusions: The regular practice of Transcendental Meditation may have the potential to reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure by ~4.7 and 3.2 mm Hg, respectively. These are clinically meaningful changes.
Anderson, James W; Liu, Chunxu; and Kryscio, Richard J. Blood pressure response to Transcendental Meditation: a meta-analysis, Am J Hypertens 2008; 21, 310-316. www.nature.com/ajh/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/ajh200765a.html

IJHC ? WHR Observations

When many studies are combined for statistical analysis, and when this demonstrates significant effects, it is even more certain that the results are valid and that TM is helpful for hypertension

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

* * TECHNOLOGY * *

Advanced Google features
Download and install the Google toolbar. Not only does it put the Google search box into your browser full-time, but it also blocks pop-up ads and fills in forms for you. For Windows at http://toolbar.google.com/. (Ad blocking, form-filling, and Google's search box are already built into the Apple's Web browser, Safari.)

* Phrase your question in the form of an answer. "After all, you're not looking for Web pages that ask your question," explains director of technology Craig Silverstein. "You're looking for pages that answer it." So instead of typing, "What is the average rainfall in the Amazon basin?", you might get better results by typing "The average rainfall in the Amazon basin is."

* This is an old one, but very important: Put quotes around phrases that must be searched together. If you put quotes around "electric curtains," Google won't waste your time finding one set of Web pages containing the word "electric" and another set containing the word "curtains."

* Similarly, put a hyphen right before any word you want screened out. If you're looking up dolphins, for example, you'll have to wade through a million Miami Dolphins pages unless you search for "dolphins -Miami."
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/25/technology/circuits/25POGUE-EMAIL.html?ex=1201496400&en=88a4aa9f2a24f4ff&ei=5070

 IJHC ? WHR Observations

What a joy to have so much of the world at our fingertips!

Technical designs that help prevent and deter crime

The Design Against Crime Research center devises innovative gadgets and adapts everyday items to make theft as difficult as possible.

A slash-proof backpack, an alarmed laptop case and a barroom chair with space to hide your handbag inside are among the creations of a research centre fighting crime with design.

Sources: www.news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/7398527.stm
Design Against Crime Research Centre www.designagainstcrime.com/index.php?q=taxonomy/term/3

IJHC ? WHR Observations

Prevention is always preferable to remedy.

Hopefully, in similar manners, increasing numbers of manufacturers will consider prevention of pollution and recycling in their designs.

 

* *  ENVIRONMENT (HEALING OUR PLANET) * *

Calculate your personal carbon footprint
http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx
 

IJHC ? WHR Observations

Each of us is contributing to global heating. It is absolutely essential for the survival of our planet that we reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Every little bit makes a difference. We have no idea what the critical ?tipping point? is, beyond which our planet will be in an irreversible heating cycle.

This website provides an estimate of the contribution you are making, based on information about your lifestyle and environmental awareness.

* *  HUMAN ECOLOGY* *

Questions about the safety of plastics associated with food

(NewsTarget) For decades, the federal government and chemical-makers have assured the public that the hormone-mimicking compound Bisphenol-A is safe. This chemical is found in baby bottles, aluminum cans and hundreds of other household products.

But a recent investigation by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has found that studies and research are heavily funded by the same companies that produce the chemical. The article states that 80% of academically and government-funded research found that bisphenol-A is harmful in laboratory animals. Most of the industry-funded studies found there was no harm.

Last week, a panel commissioned by the National Toxicology Program released a report finding bisphenol-A to be of some concern for fetuses and small children. The report stated that adults have almost nothing to worry about.

Recommendations from the report could be used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other regulators to assess federal policies on how much bisphenol-A is safe and may have huge ramifications for the multibillion-dollar chemical industry.

The panel said it considered more than 700 studies by university scientists, government researchers and industry-funded chemists. It picked the work it felt was best and threw out the rest. The Journal Sentinel found that panel members gave more weight to industry-funded studies and more leeway to industry-funded researchers.

Bisphenol-A is a chemical compound that is widely prepared and sold, and various important polymers/plastics are made from it. Bisphenol-A was detected in the urine of 93% of participants in a recent study.

Harmful side-effects to bisphenol-A exposure include Breast cancer, Testicular cancer, Diabetes, Hyperactivity, Obesity, Low sperm counts, Miscarriages, Other reproductive failures

Bisphenol-A is currently used in plastic and epoxy resins. Bisphenol-A is also used as an antioxidant in plasticizers and as a polymerization inhibitor in PVC. Polycarbonates are widely used in many consumer products, including sunglasses, CDs, water and food containers, and shatter-resistant baby bottles. Some polymers used in dental fillings also contain bisphenol-A, while epoxy resins containing the chemical are popular coatings for the inside of food cans.

Bisphenol-A mimics naturally occurring estrogen, a hormone that is part of the endocrine system, the body's finely tuned messaging service. "These hormones control the development of the brain, the reproductive system and many other systems in the developing fetus," says Frederick vom Saal, Ph.D., a developmental biologist at the University of Missouri. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals can duplicate, block or exaggerate hormonal responses. "The most harm is to the unborn or newborn child," vom Saal says.

References:

www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=692145
http://www.wikipedia.org/
http://www.bisphenol-a.org/
www.thegreenguide.com/doc/114/bpa
www.azstarnet.com/metro/214210

Source: Bisphenol-A, Research Biased on Harmful Chemical BPA, New Report States
Friday, January 25, 2008 by: John Koshuta  www.newstarget.com/022548.html

IJHC ? WHR Observations

The public suffers from the corporate assumptions that a product should be considered safe when no immediate effects of chemicals are found. Long term effects are not considered ? and are, indeed, difficult to prove. Profits are regularly given priority over safety in many industries, by many companies. A better policy is the precautionary principle that states we ought not to use or expose ourselves to something until it is proven safe.

Multiple donor-recipient pairs swap kidneys simultaneously

"Six donor-recipient pairs interchanged kidneys in simultaneous group procedure

Surgical teams at Johns Hopkins performed what is believed to be the first six-way donor kidney swap among 12 individuals Saturday, April 5 (2008). The 10-hour surgeries used six operation rooms and occupied nine surgical teams at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.

All the patients, both donors and recipients, are doing well and recovering at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.

These surgeries were set into motion when five separate transplant candidates visited Johns Hopkins for evaluation, each with their own willing donor whose blood or tissue types were incompatible. Using a Hopkins-developed living donor matching system, the Hopkins transplant team introduced a so-called altruistic donor ? one who volunteers a kidney to no particular recipient ? into the mix and were able to arrange a six-way swap. This allowed all five original candidates to receive compatible kidneys from someone they had never met, while the remaining kidney went to the next patient on the United Network for Organ Sharing?s (UNOS) recipient list.

The Johns Hopkins transplant team pioneered the exchange of kidneys among incompatible donor-recipient pairs ? a procedure called kidney paired donation (KPD). Johns Hopkins performed the first KPD triple transplant in 2003, the first triple domino transplant in 2005 and the first five-way domino transplant in 2006?"

Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine, Media Relations and Public Affairs, http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Press_releases/2008/04_08_08.html

IJHC ? WHR Observations

This is a brilliant way to multiply the benefits of voluntary organ donations, getting around the problem of immune system incompatibilities. The surgeries are performed simultaneously so that once participants agree to the procedure, no one ends up getting an organ transplant from an anonymous donor while their voluntary donor backs out from the agreement.