Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Instructor: Lisha Vecchiarelli

Section One:

Complementary and Alternative Medicine is defined as an unconventional diverse group of systems that cover practices and products for use in health and medicine (NIH, 2013). “Complementary medicine includes natural products such as vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements, herbs, and probiotics, as well as mind and body practices, such as meditation, chiropractic, acupuncture, and massage” (NIH, 2013).

History of Medicine 2000 BC - Here, eat this root. 1000 AD - That root is heathen.

Here, say this prayer. 1850 AD - That prayer is

superstitious. Here, drink this potion. 1920 AD - That potion is snake oil.

Here, swallow this pill. 1945 AD - That pill is ineffective.

Here, take this penicillin. 1955 AD – “Uh Oh” Bugs mutated.

Here, take this tetracycline. 1960-1999 AD - 39 more “Uh Ohs”

Later. Here, take this more powerful drug.

2000 AD – Beyond -The bugs have won. Here, eat this root

~ Unknown

Science & Medicine

Holism…The Whole is Greater than the

Sum of its Parts

The Whole Human Experience

CAM Considerations: Safety and Efficacy

“Safety Issues in Complementary & Alternative Health Care explores issues related to the safe use of complementary and alternative therapies, the comparative risks of complementary and conventional care, and the specific safety concerns that emerge when conventional and complementary and alternative health care practices converge” (UNC School of Medicine, 2004).

Main things to consider when choosing a CAM Provider and services:

• Does your insurance cover the treatment or the physician service

• Is the provider or service accredited

• Providers area of specialty• Location and Hours• Treatment cost• Expectations of both patient

and provider• Number of patients and how

busy the office is

Recognize the different categories of CAM

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) groups CAM practices into four domains and recognizes that there can be some overlap. Studies of whole CAM systems moves across all domains and categorizes CAM into the following classifications):

Whole Medical Systems

These systems are constructed as complete systems of theory and practice. Frequently, these systems have developed apart from conventional medicine and began earlier than the conventional approach used in the United States (NIH, 2013). Whole medical systems that have developed in Western cultures will include homeopathic and naturopathic medicine. Whole medical systems that have developed in non-Western cultures will include traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda.

Biologically Based Practices:

Manipulative and Body-Based Practices

Energy Medicine: (There two types

of practice in energy medicine)

Biofield Therapies

Bioelectromagnetic-Based Therapies

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Instructor: Lisha Vecchiarelli

Section Two:

Founding Father of Medicine in its Natural Form

Examples of Vitamins, Properties, and Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA)

VitaminsVitamin ABenefits: Eyesight, appetite and taste.Deficiency: Night-blindness RDA: 800 microgramsSources: cod liver oil, carrots, green leafy vegetables, egg yolks, milk products and yellow fruits

(Vitamins and minerals, 2013).

Vitamin B1 Benefits:Nervous system, digestion, muscles, heart, alcohol-damaged nerve tissues.Deficiency: Tingling in fingers and toes, confusion, difficulties in maintaining balance, loss of

appetite, exhaustion and weakened powers of concentration.RDA: 1.4mgSources: yeast, egg yolk, cereal, red meat, nuts, and wheat germ (Vitamins and minerals, 2013). Vitamin B6 Benefits: Prevention of skin conditions, nerve problems, absorption of protein and carbohydrate.Deficiency: Inflammation of the skin.RDA: 2mg – women taking the contraceptive pill may need more.Sources: Fish, bananas, chicken, pork, whole grains and dried beans (Vitamins and minerals, 2013).

Vitamin B12 Benefits: Production of red blood cells and nerve formation.Deficiency: Fatigue, tingling and numbness in extremities (hands and feet), memory issues and anemia.RDA: 1 microgramSources: Eggs, shellfish, poultry, meat, milk products, and fortified cereal (Vitamins and minerals, 2013).

Vitamin C Benefits: Immune system, protection against viruses and bacteria, wound healing, cholesterol reduction, cell

longevity, and prevention of scurvy.Deficiency: fatigue, bleeding gums and slow wound healing.RDA: 60mgSources: Citrus fruits, kiwi fruit, berries, tomatoes, cauliflower, potatoes, green leafy vegetables and peppers

(Vitamins and minerals, 2013). Vitamin DBenefits: Strong bones and teeth.Deficiency: Unhealthy teeth, osteomalacia (bone softening), rickets in children.RDA: 5 microgramsSources: Sunlight – Vitamin D through Photosynthesis of sunlight and skin, cod liver oil, sardines, herring, salmon, tuna, and milk products (Vitamins and minerals, 2013).

Vitamins Continued Vitamin EBenefits: Production of red blood cells. Essential in first trimester in pregnancy for prevention of birth defects ie. spina

bifida, cleft palate or cleft lip.Deficiency: Fatigue related to anemia RDA: 200 micrograms. Women of child bearing age or those wishing to conceive should take a daily supplement of 400mcg

and continued for the first trimester in pregnancy.Sources: Carrots, yeast, liver, egg, yolks, melon, apricots, pumpkin, avocado, beans, rye and whole wheat and green leafy

vegetables (Vitamins and minerals, 2013). Minerals CalciumBenefits: Strong bones and teeth, nerve function, muscle contraction, blood clotting.Deficiency: Issues with teeth and brittle bones.RDA: 800mgSources: Milk, cheese, butter, yoghurt and green leafy vegetables (Vitamins and minerals, 2013).

IronBenefits: Red blood cells and muscle function, white blood cells and the immune system.Deficiency: fatigue, irritability, difficulties concentrating. RDA: 14mgSources: Red meat, oily fish, egg yolks, green leafy vegetables, nuts, whole grains and whole wheat (Vitamins and

minerals, 2013).

MagnesiumBenefits: Converting energy from food, cell repair, building strong bones, healthy teeth,

muscle building, and body temperature regulation.Deficiency: Muscle spasms, and has been associated with heart disease, diabetes, high

blood pressure and weak bones.RDA: 300mgSources: Green leafy vegetables, whole grains, and nuts (Vitamins and minerals, 2013).

ZincBenefits: Immune system, metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates.Deficiency: Lesions on skin, eyes and in throat, issues with loss of taste and smell, alopecia

(hair loss), diarrhea, slow wound healing and issues in growth regarding children.RDA: 15mgSources: Meat, shellfish, milk, brown rice and whole grains (Vitamins and minerals, 2013).

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Instructor: Lisha Vecchiarelli

Section Three:

Brewer’s Yeast

Brewer's yeast offers a myriad of vital nutrients and presents a assortment of potential health benefits for many health issues (Tracey Roizman, 2013).

Brewer’s Yeast

Diabetes Benefits

Brewer’s Yeast

Cancer Prevention

Brewer’s Yeast

Immune Function

Brewer’s Yeast

Brewer’s Yeast Nutrients

Wheat Grass

Online Resources:http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fpc/cww/CamBasics.pdfhttp://www.lls.org/diseaseinformation/managingyourcancer/

treatmentnextsteps/wellbeing/integrativemedicine/camtherapies/

http://www.whccamp.hhs.gov/fr2.htmlhttp://www.spineuniverse.com/treatments/what-doctor-

osteopathic-medicinehttp://nccam.nih.gov/sites/nccam.nih.gov/files/D347_05-25-

2012.pdfhttp://garytaubes.com/2012/03/science-pseudoscience-

nutritional-epidemiology-and-meat/http://www.ccfa.org/resources/complementary-alternative.htmlhttp://www.uptodate.com/contents/complementary-and-

alternative-medicine-treatments-cam-for-cancer-beyond-the-basics

http://www.acsm.org/docs/current-comments/whentoseeadoctortemp.pdf

Diet & Exercise Discussion

References

BUPA. (2013, October 19). Light therapy (phototherapy). Retrieved from http://www.bupa.co.uk/individuals/health-information/directory/l/light-therapy

Dacher, E. S. (2006). Integral Health-The Path to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach: Basic Health Publications, Inc.Jordan, H. (2013, October 19). Crop of Gold. Retrieved from http://www.sundayworld.com/top-stories/daily-world/crop-of-goldMayo Clinic. (2013, Ocober 19). http://www.mayoclinic.com. Retrieved from

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/wheatgrass/AN02108MIT. (2013, October 19). On Ancient Medicine . Retrieved from http://classics.mit.edu/Hippocrates/ancimed.3.3.htmlNIH. (2013, October 16). Are You Considering Complementary Medicine? Retrieved from

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/decisions/consideringcam.htmNIH. (2013, October 18). CAM Basics. Retrieved from http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fpc/cww/CamBasics.pdfNIH. (2013, October 17). Complementary, Alternative, or Integrative Health: What’s In a Name? Retrieved from

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscamRicks, D. (2013, October 18). Retrieved from http://www.wcpo.com/news/health/healthy-living/breast-cancer-survival-vitamin-

supplements-link-found-study-saysSiegfried Gursche, M. (2013, October 19). Let Food Be Your Medicine and Medicine Be Your Food. Retrieved from

http://www.alive.com/articles/view/17693/let_food_be_your_medicine_and_medicine_be_your_foodSusan Ann Vitale PhD, P. (2012, August). PATIENT SAFETY: What your patient needs to know about CAM. Retrieved from

http://www.nursingcenter.com/lnc/JournalArticle?Article_ID=1403789Tracey Roizman, D. (2013, October 19). Health Benefits of Brewer's Yeast. Retrieved from http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/health-

benefits-brewers-yeast-5425.htmlUltraViolet (UV) Therapy for IBD and Crohn's Disease. (2013, October 19). Retrieved from

http://www.crohnsforum.com/wiki/UltraViolet-UV-Therapy-for-IBD-and-Crohns-DiseaseUNC School of Medicine. (2004). The Convergence of Complementary, Alternative & Conventional Health Care: Educational

Resources for Health Professionals. Retrieved from http://www.med.unc.edu/phyrehab/pim/files/Safety.pdfVitamins and minerals. (2013, October 19). Retrieved from http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/vitamins_which.htmWHCCAMP. (2013, October 17). Overview of CAM in the United States: Recent History, Current Status, And Prospects for the Future.

Retrieved from http://www.whccamp.hhs.gov/fr2.htmlwww.mayoclinic.com. (2013, October 19). Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/light-therapy/MY00195