StemCell Therapy

Please select the ethnicity that matches yours most closely.

African Americans are more likely to suffer from these vision problems:

Cataracts Learn Moreclose (x)

Not only are African Americans more likely than Caucasians to develop cataracts, but they are five times more likely to develop blindness as a result.

Glaucoma Learn Moreclose (x)

African Americans are five times more likely than Caucasians to develop glaucoma, and four times more likely to suffer blindness as a result.

The African American population is also at high risk for these health conditions that can impact vision:

Diabetes Learn Moreclose (x)

African Americans are about twice as likely as non-Hispanic whites to have diabetes. Diabetes can lead to diabetic retinopathy and cataracts, and is the leading cause of blindness among African Americans aged 20 to 44. The good news is, 90% of diabetes-related blindness can be prevented, and diabetes can be detected through a comprehensive eye exam.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) Learn Moreclose (x)

African Americans are 40% more likely than non-Hispanic whites to have high blood pressure, and are 10% less likely to have it under control. Its important to take control by seeing an eye care professional, because high blood pressure can lead to hypertensive retinopathy..

Asian Americans are at high risk for a number of eye-related issues.

Glaucoma Learn Moreclose (x)

The Asian American population is more likely than the national average to develop angle-closure glaucoma, which is caused by rapid or sudden increases in pressure inside the eye. Glaucoma is often characterized by the loss of peripheral vision and can progress to complete vision loss without treatment. People of Japanese descent are also more prone to a particular type of the disease, called low-tension glaucoma.

Myopia (nearsightedness) Learn Moreclose (x)

This common, and correctable, vision condition is even more common among Asian Americans.

Asian Americans are also more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, which can impact eye health.

Diabetes Learn Moreclose (x)

This can contribute to diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma all of which can lead to blindness without proper treatment. Because Asian Americans are less likely to struggle with weight issues that are commonly a risk factor, doctors are often late in diagnosing Asian Americans as diabetic.

The Caucasian population is at high risk for cataracts.

Cataracts

While cataracts are more common among African Americans and Hispanics, Caucasians are also at risk. Extended exposure to UV rays from the sun is also a risk factor, so protect your eyes outdoors just like you protect your skin.

The Hispanic American population is at high risk for these eye health issues:

Cataracts Learn Moreclose (x)

Three times more common among Hispanics vs. Caucasians and African Americans, cataracts are the leading cause of visual impairment among Hispanic adults. Extended exposure to UV rays from the sun is a risk factor, so protect your eyes outdoors.

Glaucoma Learn Moreclose (x)

Among Hispanics, open-angle glaucoma caused by rising pressure in the eye is the most common cause of blindness.

Hispanic Americans may also be affected by these overall health issues, which can impact eye health:

Diabetes Learn Moreclose (x)

One in 10 Hispanics has diabetes, which is three times the rate of the general population. Diabetes can contribute to diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma all of which can lead to blindness without proper treatment. The good news is, as many as 95% of Hispanics with diabetes have preventable, type 2 diabetes, which can be detected through an eye exam.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) Learn Moreclose (x)

Roughly 29% of Hispanics are affected by high blood pressure. It can lead to hypertensive retinopathy, which causes blurry vision and even blindness. High blood pressure can sometimes be detected through an eye exam.

Those with a varied ethnic background can be at risk for a number of eye and overall health issues, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, which can impact vision.

Your risks increase depending on your lifestyle, gender and age.

Regular, comprehensive eye exams can detect these problems early, and early diagnosis means early treatment and better management of the disease.

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Genetic engineering is the process to alter the structure and nature of genes in human beings, animals or foods using techniques like molecular cloning and transformation. In other words, it is the process of adding or modifying DNA in an organism to bring about great deal of transformation.

Genetic engineering was thought to be a real problem just a few short years ago. We feared that soon we would be interfering with nature, trying to play God and cheat him out of his chance to decide whether we were blonde or dark haired, whether we had blue or bright green eyes or even how intelligent we were. The queries and concerns that we have regarding such an intriguing part of science are still alive and well, although they are less talked about nowadays than they were those few years ago.

However, this does not mean that they are any less relevant. In fact, they are as relevant today as they ever were. There are a number of very real and very troubling concerns surrounding genetic engineering, although there are also some very real benefits to further genetic engineering and genetic research, too. It seems, therefore, as though genetic engineering is both a blessing and a curse, as though we stand to benefit as well as lose from developing this area of science even further.

With genetic engineering, we will be able to increase the complexity of our DNA, and improve the human race. But it will be a slow process, because one will have to wait about 18 years to see the effect of changes to the genetic code.Stephen Hawking

Although at first the pros of genetic engineering may not be as apparent as the cons, upon further inspection, there are a number of benefits that we can only get if scientists consider to study and advance this particular branch of study. Here are just a few of the benefits:

1. Tackling and Defeating Diseases

Some of the most deadly and difficult diseases in the world, that have so resisted destruction, could be wiped out by the use of genetic engineering. There are a number of genetic mutations that humans can suffer from that will probably never be ended unless we actively intervene and genetically engineer the next generation to withstand these problems.

For instance, Cystic Fibrosis, a progressive and dangerous disease for which there is no known cure, could be completely cured with the help of selective genetic engineering.

2. Getting Rid of All Illnesses in Young and Unborn Children

There are very many problems that we can detect even before children are born. In the womb, doctors can tell whether your baby is going to suffer from sickle cell anemia, for instance, or from Down s syndrome. In fact, the date by which you can have an abortion has been pushed back relatively late just so that people can decide whether or not to abort a baby if it has one or more of these sorts of issues.

However, with genetic engineering, we would no longer have to worry. One of the main benefit of genetic engineering is that it can help cure and diseases and illness in unborn children. All children would be able to be born healthy and strong with no diseases or illnesses present at birth. Genetic engineering can also be used to help people who risk passing on terribly degenerative diseases to their children.

For instance, if you have Huntingtons there is a 50% chance that your children with inherit the disease and, even if they do not, they are likely to be carriers of the disease. You cannot simply stop people from having children if they suffer from a disease like this, therefore genetic engineering can help to ensure that their children live long and healthy lives from either the disease itself or from carrying the disease to pass on to younger generations.

3. Potential to Live Longer

Although humans are already living longer and longer in fact, our lifespan has shot up by a number of years in a very short amount of time because of the advances of modern medical science, genetic engineering could make our time on Earth even longer. There are specific, common illnesses and diseases that can take hold later in life and can end up killing us earlier than necessary.

With genetic engineering, on the other hand, we could reverse some of the most basic reasons for the bodys natural decline on a cellular level, drastically improving both the span of our lives and the quality of life later on. It could also help humans adapt to the growing problems of, for instance, global warming in the world.

If the places we live in become either a lot hotter or colder, we are going to need to adapt, but evolution takes many thousands of years, so genetic engineering can help us adapt quicker and better.

4. Produce New Foods

Genetic engineering is not just good for people. With genetic engineering we can design foods that are better able to withstand harsh temperatures such as the very hot or very cold, for instance and that are packed full of all the right nutrients that humans and animals need to survive. We may also be able to make our foods have a better medicinal value, thus introducing edible vaccines readily available to people all over the world

Perhaps more obvious than the pros of genetic engineering, there are a number of disadvantages to allowing scientists to break down barriers that perhaps are better left untouched. Here are just a few of those disadvantages:

1. Is it Right?

When genetic engineering first became possible, peoples first reactions were to immediately question whether it was right? Many religions believe that genetic engineering, after all, is tantamount to playing God, and expressly forbid that it is performed on their children, for instance.

Besides the religious arguments, however, there are a number of ethic objections. These diseases, after all, exist for a reason and have persisted throughout history for a reason. Whilst we should be fighting against them, we do need at least a few illnesses, otherwise we would soon become overpopulated. In fact, living longer is already causing social problems in the world today, so to artificially extend everybodys time on Earth might cause even more problems further down the line, problems that we cannot possibly predict.

2. May Lead to Genetic Defects

Another real problem with genetic engineering is the question about the safety of making changes at the cellular level. Scientists do not yet know absolutely everything about the way that the human body works (although they do, of course, have a very good idea). How can they possibly understand the ramifications of slight changes made at the smallest level?

What if we manage to wipe out one disease only to introduce something brand new and even more dangerous? Additionally, if scientists genetically engineer babies still in the womb, there is a very real and present danger that this could lead to complications, including miscarriage (early on), premature birth or even stillbirth, all of which are unthinkable.

The success rate of genetic experiments leaves a lot to be desired, after all. The human body is so complicated that scientists have to be able to predict what sort of affects their actions will have, and they simply cannot account for everything that could go wrong.

3. Limits Genetic Diversity

We need diversity in all species of animals. By genetically engineering our species, however, we will be having a detrimental effect on our genetic diversity in the same way as something like cloning would. Gene therapy is available only to the very rich and elite, which means that traits that tend to make people earn less money would eventually die out.

4. Can it Go Too Far?

One pressing question and issue with genetic engineering that has been around for years and years is whether it could end up going too far. There are many thousands of genetic scientists with honest intentions who want to bring an end to the worst diseases and illnesses of the current century and who are trying to do so by using genetic engineering.

However, what is to stop just a handful of people taking the research too far? What if we start demanding designer babies, children whose hair color, eye color, height and intelligence we ourselves dictate? What if we end up engineering the sex of the baby, for instance in China, where is it much more preferable to have a boy? Is that right? Is it fair? The problems with genetic engineering going too far are and ever present worry in a world in which genetic engineering is progressing further and further every day.

Genetic engineering is one of the topic that causes a lot of controversy. Altering the DNA of organisms has certainly raised a few eyebrows. It may work wonders but who knows if playing with the nature is really safe? Making yourself aware of all aspects of genetic engineering can help you to form your own opinion.

A true environmentalist by heart . Founded Conserve Energy Future with the sole motto of providing helpful information related to our rapidly depleting environment. Unless you strongly believe in Elon Musks idea of making Mars as another habitable planet, do remember that there really is no 'Planet B' in this whole universe.

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Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering - Conserve Energy Future

A portrait of Khan Noonien Singh, a man who was a product of genetic engineering

Genetic engineering, genetic programming or genetic manipulation was a process in which the DNA of an organism was selectively altered through artificial means. Genetic engineering was often used to produce "custom" organisms, such as for agricultural or medical purposes, as well as to produce biogenic weapons. The most common application of genetic engineering on intelligent beings in the Federation was corrective DNA resequencing for genetic disorders. A far more dubious application of genetic engineering was the genetic enhancement of individuals to produce improved senses, strength, intelligence, etc.

During Earth's 20th century, the efforts of ambitious scientists' to produce "superhumans" eventually resulted in the Eugenics Wars. Genetically engineered individuals such as Khan Noonien Singh attempted to seize power. (TOS: "Space Seed")

This would lead to the banning of genetic engineering on Earth by the mid-22nd century, even research which could be used to cure critical illnesses. This ban was implemented because of the general fear of creating more tyrants such as Khan. It was also felt that parents would feel compelled to have their children genetically engineered, especially if "enhanced" individuals were allowed to compete in normal society.

Some, including geneticist Arik Soong, argued that it was simply convenient for Humanity to denounce the attempts at genetic "improvement" of Humanity, that it was inherently evil because of the Eugenics Wars. He argued that the source of the problem, in fact, wasn't the technology, but Humanity's own inability to use it wisely. Imprisoned for, among other crimes, stealing the embryos of a number of Augment children, Soong wrote long treatises on the subject of genetic augmentations and improvements. His works were routinely taken and placed into storage (although his jailers often told him that his work was vaporized). Though Soong himself gave up genetics to begin research in cybernetics, Captain Jonathan Archer expressed his hope to Soong that research into genetic engineering could cure life-threatening diseases would someday be resumed. (ENT: "Borderland", "The Augments")

Symbols used to indicate presence of genetically engineered lifeform

Others, however, chose to establish isolated colonies, as became the case with the Genome colony on Moab IV, which was established in 2168. It became a notable and successful example of Human genetic engineering in which every individual was genetically tailored from birth to perform a specific role in society. However, after a five-day visit by the USS Enterprise-D when the ship came to the colony in an effort to save it from an approaching neutron star which, eventually, the craft was able to effectively redirect twenty-three colonists left the colony aboard the craft, possibly causing significant damage to the structure of their society. The reason for the societal split was that those who left the colony had realized their organized, pre-planned world had certain limitations, lacking opportunities to grow that were offered by the Enterprise. (TNG: "The Masterpiece Society")

By the 24th century, the United Federation of Planets allowed limited use of genetic engineering to correct existing genetically related medical conditions. Persons known to be genetically enhanced, however, were not allowed to serve in Starfleet, and were especially banned from practicing medicine. (TNG: "Genesis", DS9: "Doctor Bashir, I Presume")

Nevertheless, some parents attempted to secretly have their children genetically modified. (DS9: "Doctor Bashir, I Presume") Unfortunately, most of these operations were performed by unqualified physicians, resulting in severe psychological problems in the children due to their enhancements being only partially successful, such as a patient's senses being enhanced while their ability to process the resulting data remained at a Human norm. (DS9: "Statistical Probabilities")

In some cases, genetic engineering can be permitted to be performed in utero when dealing with a developing fetus to correct any potential genetic defects that could handicap the child as they grew up. Chakotay's family history included a defective gene that made those who possessed it prone to hallucinations, the gene afflicting his grandfather in Chakotay's youth, although the gene was suppressed in Chakotay himself. (VOY: "The Fight") In 2377, The Doctor performed prenatal genetic modification on Miral Paris to correct a spinal deviation, a congenital defect that tends to run in Klingon families; Miral's mother and grandmother had undergone surgery to correct the defect at a young age, but the modification meant Miral would not need surgery herself. Unfortunately, learning of this capability, B'Elanna briefly became obsessed with having her child modified to remove all Klingon DNA traits to try and 'protect' her daughter from the discrimination she had experienced as a child, even going so far as to reprogram The Doctor so that he would believe these changes were necessary to prevent later illness, but she was talked out of it by her husband (VOY: "Lineage").

The Founders of the Dominion performed extensive genetic modifications on their two servant races, the Jem'Hadar and the Vorta, in order for them to better serve their roles and to ingrain a fanatical devotion to the Founders. (DS9: "The Abandoned", "Ties of Blood and Water") As a result of these modifications, neither species reproduced in the traditional biological sense. (DS9: "To the Death")

According to Vorta legend, they were originally ape-like creatures who were gifted sentience by the Founders after they helped a changeling escape pursuit. (DS9: "Treachery, Faith and the Great River")

It is unknown whether the Jem'Hadar had any such ancestral species.

The Dominion also genetically engineered biological weapons, such as the blight they unleashed against the people of the Teplan system. (DS9: "The Quickening")

During the 22nd century, the Suliban were no more evolved than Humans. However, a number of Suliban, from a faction known as the Suliban Cabal, became recipients of some very sophisticated genetic engineering thanks to a mysterious humanoid from the 28th century. These enhancements included subcutaneous pigment sacs, a bio-mimetic garment, modified alveoli, more bronchial lobes and eyes with compound retinas which allowed them to see things starship sensors likely could not detect. The Suliban considered these "enhancements" as "progress". (ENT: "Broken Bow")

When they were captured by a pre-warp civilization in 2152, Jonathan Archer and Malcolm Reed claimed to be prototypes of a new breed of supersoldiers to conceal the existence of alien life from the civilization. (ENT: "The Communicator")

Genetic engineering had been employed on Denobula since the twentieth century, to generally positive effect. (ENT: "Borderland")

Genetic programming was Surmak Ren's major field of study at the University of Bajor. (DS9: "Babel")

The Angosians used psychological and biochemical modifications and mental programming to make the perfect soldier such as Roga Danar. (TNG: "The Hunted")

The Tosk were engineered by the Hunters to be prey for their traditional hunts. (DS9: "Captive Pursuit")

The Son'a used genetic manipulation as part of a range of strategies to retard aging. (Star Trek: Insurrection)

The Brunali were proficient at genetic engineering, which they used to create modified crops capable of surviving on their Borg-devastated homeworld. However, they also genetically engineered some of their children to produce a pathogen deadly to Borg. These children were then allowed to be assimilated, so that they could spread the infection to their Borg vessels. Icheb was one such child, the pathogen causing the cube that he was on to break down, killing all of the active drones and causing the young drones in their maturation chambers to activate before they were fully processed into the Collective. (VOY: "Child's Play")

The Taresians used genetic engineering in tandem with a form of biological weaponry to manipulate the DNA of other species. This occurred to Ensign Harry Kim in 2373, who was infected with a virus that altered his DNA to make him a potential Taresian mate. (VOY: "Favorite Son")

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The Trump administration is considering cutting $100 million worth of crucial medical research into developing new vaccines and treating diseases like Parkinsons and Alzheimers.

It will slow some projects down that are vital for sick Americans, Larry Goldstein, the director of UC San Diegos stem cell program, toldPolitico, blasting the proposal by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to discontinue National Institutes of Health (NIH) research that uses fetal tissue.

Research on stem cells derived from fetal tissue isabsolutely essentialto medical progress. It brought us the vaccines for polio and measles, and its currently being used to develop potential vaccines for HIV/AIDS and influenza, as well as treatments for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinsons, Alzheimers, ALS, and more.

There are strict ethical guidelines on how to obtain the fetal tissue, which comes from miscarriages and legal abortions, and which hasunique propertiesthat give researchers insights they often cant find elsewhere.

This fetal tissue would just get thrown away if it werent being donated to research and that research could save future babies by finding treatments for the Zika virus and other prenatal problems.

But Trump is willing to throw all of that progress out the window just to pander to the same religious extremists whowant to banbirth control and fertility treatments.

An HHS spokesperson told Politico that the department is holding multiple listening sessions with various stakeholders [like] scientists, pro-life groups, ethicists on whether to ban this medical research.

Among those pro-life groups is the Susan B. Anthony List, an extremist lobbying group thats basically like theNRAof the movement against reproductive health and rights.

But groups like SBA List do even worse things to science and medicine than the NRA, which hasblockedgovernment research on gun violence.

The anti-choice extremist movement in Americaoperatesa lot like the climate change denial movement: Making up garbage lies and peddling garbage experts in order to confuse people about the validity of well-established science.

Thanks to the lobbying of these extremists, doctors are often forced tolie to womenabout basic health issues or useoutdatedmedical practices. They risk losing their license or even jail time if they cant figure out how to follow badly written laws thatmake no medical sense. And women are evenarrested for miscarriagewhen prosecutors abuse laws that were intended to protect pregnant women.

So when the Trump administration says its consulting scientists, ethicists, and pro-life groups about medical research, its a lot like saying NASA is consulting engineers, astrophysicists, and used car salesmen before launching the next space probe.

The real scientists arent happy about this at all and some worry that theyre being listened to just so that the Trump administration can cover its ass and do what its been planning to all along.

I dont know how much time anyone has to give a compelling case, one anonymous representative of a scientific organization on the listening tour told Politico. Is this just a fait accompli and window dressing to say that you listened to people?

Trump, probably taking the advice of the virulently anti-choice Vice President Mike Pence, has already stuffed HHS full ofanti-science hackswho push abstinence-only sex education for teenagers and who want to defund basic family planning and health programs.

When Pence was governor of Indiana, he signed a law that would have forced women who had miscarriages to seekfunerary services for their fetuses.

And of course, the Trump administration and the GOP have tried to ruin health care across the board by systematicallysabotagingObamacare.

Once again, Trump and his lackeys are working hard to sacrifice human health at the altar of right-wing extremism.

Published with permission of The American Independent.

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Trump Calls Halt To Medical Progress Over Stem Cell Research

Meet Dr. Firshein

Dr. Richard Firshein, DO , is board-certified in family medicine, and the leading authority in the fields of Integrative, Anti-Aging, and Precision- Based Medicine. He embarked on his journey as a physician over 25 years ago and founded the Firshein Center for Integrative Medicine on Park Avenue in New York City. Dr. Firsheins inspiration to practice medicine began with his own personal battle with asthma and food allergies but was also deeply influenced his mother battle breast cancer, and as a teenager after losing his two best friends to leukemia and the loss of his father to heart disease. These early experiences motivated his lifelong pursuit to find alternative and complementary treatments to often complex diagnostic conditions and illnesses. As an early pioneer in Integrative medicine, his mission has been to help each of his patients achieve not only an optimal health span but an extended lifespan.

It became apparent to me that the current system of medicine had numerous shortcomings and failed to treat patients in a holistic way. I received thorough medical training, became a board-certified acupuncturist, and set my sights on integrating the best practices from traditional medicine with alternative therapies proven to assist in disease prevention and the healing process.

Dr. Firshein has treated over 25,000 patients who have often experienced life-saving as well as life-enhancing results while receiving the most intensive, state-of-the-art, and personalized treatment available. At the Firshein center, he uses cutting-edge, DNA-based, diagnostic, nutritional, gut biome, and allergy based testing to create customized longevity and anti-aging protocols for his patients. As the best-selling author of the groundbreaking book The Nutraceutical Revolution, Dr. Firshein was the first physician to recommend a precision-based Nutraceutical approach for treating patients by utilizing a customized vitamin supplements and an individualized dietary approach. Known specifically for his detailed consideration of each patients medical history and markers for chronic conditions, he has developed a reputation for a uniquely compassionate, and effective form of medical care. He treats a wide variety of chronic issues, including asthma and allergies, chronic lyme, chronic pain, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis, menopause and cancer utilizing therapies which he says are the best of both worlds. Early on in Dr Firshein's career he advocated for a variety of cutting edge therapeutics which were considered avant grade at the time including IV Therapy, food allergy desensitization drops and bio-identical hormones.

Dr Richard Firshein is the author of the best-selling books the Vitamin Prescription for Life, Reversing Asthma and Your Asthma Free Child. In addition to being an Osteopathic Physician, Dr. Firshein is also a Certified Medical acupuncturist trained at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), incorporating both Eastern and Western modalities into his therapeutic regimen. Dr Firshein has helped other doctors come up through the ranks by serving as assistant professor of Family Medicine at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, and as director of residency training in Family Medicine and director of medical education at Brookdale and St. Claire's Hospital in New York City.

In addition to his professional/medical experience, Dr. Firshein belongs to numerous medical organizations, such as The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, the American Board of Forensic Medicine, the New York County Medical Society, the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians, and the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, the American Osteopathic Association and the American Medical Association

Dr. Firsheins innovative approach to holistic treatment methods and his considerable experience have garnered him numerous awards, such as Castle Connelly's Top Doctor and The Vitals Most Compassionate Doctor Award, and was also recognized as one of "The Leading Physicians of the World" as well as a Healthgrades Honor Roll physician. His groundbreaking approach to medicine has made him a consistently sought-after medical expert on numerous television programs, including CNN, FOX News, CNBC, HLN, Good Day New York, WPIX Morning Show, CBS Morning News, and The Food Network. Dr. Firshein also hosted his own highly successful radio show, House Calls, for over 10 years. He has traveled the world and spoken at numerous prestigious medical conferences educating physicians, pharmacists and the lay public

As a contributing editor for Psychology Today, Dr. Firshein explored the connection between mind, body, and nutrition. He has been prominently featured in numerous popular magazines including Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, People, Self, Good Housekeeping, Men's Health, and Bottomline Health. His precision-based approach was featured in Town and Country magazine, which highlighted his work and research on the role of precision-based medical treatments, allergies, and diet. On the professional side, his clinical approach to health has been featured in the international medical journal Biomed where he authored numerous articles for an International physician based audience looking to incorporate advanced medical therapeutics

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Firshein has spent time researching natural therapies, specifically the role of alkylglycerols ( found in Greenland shark liver oil) as a treatment modality for cancer. His research was published at the American Association of Oncologists' annual meeting. His work was supported by a grant from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. Ultimately, Dr. Firshein was awarded a patent for the Treatment of Cancer Using Alkylglycerols

Outside of his practice, Dr. Firshein advocates and supports a number of philanthropic organizations, including Oceana, We Are Family, The Northside Center, and the Paul Sorvino Asthma Foundation, where he developed the "Breath of Life Program" for children as medical director. The program he designed for asthmatic children via the Paul Sorvino Asthma Foundation; was recognized by both the AMA and the NYC Mayors Office.Dr. Firsheins approach sets him apart from other physicians because of his belief in proactive healthcare; rather than reactive. Instead of waiting to see how a person reacts to a certain medication or treatment, he is able to analyze their DNA, taking a close look at their genetics, underlying deficiencies and potential underlying risk factors . From there, he is not only able to treat diseases and prescribe medications, but can also create a personalized approach to overall health by creating a completely customized supplements and a dietary plan that will optimally benefit the patient.

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Richard Firshein, D.O.: Integrative Medicine Upper East ...

Aristo VojdaniPhD, MSC, CLS

Ashley Koff RD

Barbara Bartlik MD

Belleruth NaparstekACSW

Dane DonohueDC

David BradyND, DC, CCN, DACBN, IFMCP

David Fogel MD

David PerlmutterMD, FACN, ABIHM

Donald AbramsMD

Geo Espinosa ND, L.AC, IFMCP, CNS

Isadora Guggenheim ND

Jack Wolfson D.O., FACC

James Greenblatt MD

Janet Mindes PhD

Jeffery BlandPhD, FACN, FACB, CNS

Joel Evans MD

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Josh AxeDNM, DC, CNSSpecial Guest

Kathie SwiftMS, RDN, LDN, FAND

Kenneth R PelletierPhD, MD

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Marcelle PickNP, OB/GYN

Mark BreinerDDS, FAGD, FIAOMT

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Mary Beth Augustine RDN, CDN, FAND

Michael RuscioDC

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Ronald HoffmanMD, CNS, FACAM

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Integrative Healthcare Symposium Annual Conference

Ok, I admit it. I am a Dummie! Especially when it comes to Science! I do hold a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Berkeley but its not exactly the type of Science degree you need when your children are dying from a rare cholesterol disease that causes dementia.

All of a sudden topics like gene therapy and stem cells are very important topics in our household as research into these areas could lead to life-saving treatments for our twins. But learning complex scientific topics like stem cells can be intimidating to many people.

Dr. Larry Goldstein, professor of cellular and molecular medicine and director of University of California San Diegos stem cell program, has written a book in plain English on stem cells called Stem Cells for Dummies. The book is intended for anyone who wishes to learn more about stem cells, where they come from and the potential use of stem cells in medical research and in treating disease.

What is the difference between Embryonic stem cells (ESCs), Adult stem cells (ASCs) or iPS cells (Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells)? What are the many objections to stems cell use in research and why is it such a highly controversial topic? The book is written for the layperson, doctors or even someone in the medical research field who is not familiar with stem cells.

Stem cell derived neurons will someday allow scientists like Dr. Goldstein determine whether breakdowns in the transport of proteins and lipids within cells trigger the neuronal death and neurodegeneration that is a hallmark in Alzheimers and Niemann-Pick Type C disease.

Stem Cells for Dummies is a fantastic book that allows anyone to brush up on basic biology and learn about critical stem cell research at the same time. You can read the index of topics here. Learning about stem cells today could be life-saving for you or someone you love in the future as the world moves closer to regenerative medicine.

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Stem Cells For Dummies: The Controvery, Pros and Cons ...

Stem Cell Therapy for Neuropathy Concerning Foot and Ankle Conditions

For many people, especially those who have diabetes, peripheral neuropathy most often occurs in the feet. The discomfort caused by peripheral neuropathy in people, whether they are diabetic or not, is most commonly described as a sharpness, shooting, or burning. Some describe the nerve pain as feeling as if they were getting electric shocks.

No matter how the pain or tingling is described, the core reason for it is nerve damage, and an effective neuropathy pain treatment must address damage to the nerve cells. Stem cell-based therapy for peripheral neuropathy works to repair damaged nerves and rebuild new nerve connections, even in diabetic patients.

This new stem cell therapy for neuropathy does more than just heal nerve damage; stem cell treatment for neuropathy also addresses glial cells and cytokine inflammation, which has a significant role in both the development of and the progression of neuropathy.

Neuropathic pain, including that produced by idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, doesnt always respond well to pain medication or other pharmaceutical drugs. Even when it does, there are often unwelcome side effects that accompany the response to such forms of neuropathy pain treatment, including weight gain, drowsiness, dry mouth, or negative mood changes.

The National Stem Cell Institutes proprietary stem cell therapy for neuropathy uses mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from the patients adipose tissue or bone marrow, so you dont have to worry that our new therapy for neuropathy is adding to the risks and side effects of any medication.

The stem cells used in our stem cell therapy for neuropathy are not embryonic stem cells or cells from fetuses. Instead, these regenerative cells come straight from fat stores in your own body just a few hours before they are injected back into your body and put to work to heal disease or dysfunction such as peripheral neuropathy. The safety of stem cell therapy procedures has been well established in countless studies and research, and it extends to our stem cell therapy for peripheral neuropathy.

After stem cell therapy for neuropathy, patients experience relief from Neuropathy Pain.* Scar tissues begin to heal and reverse to healthy tissue while inflammation and pain are relieved. This relief to peripheral neuropathy after a stem cell transplant allows patients to increase their daily activities and movement, getting them back to a healthier, happier life.

NSIs proprietary stem cell therapy for neuropathy requires no overnight stays in a hospital. Its done on an outpatient basis with little to minimal downtime post-procedure. Most people return to their usual, everyday activities the very same day that they undergo stem cell treatment for neuropathy.

Continue reading here:
Stem Cell Therapy for Neuropathy | NSI Stem Cell

At Virginia Mason, we understand the importance of caring for the whole person. And that each individual's path to optimal health is unique. That's why we have partnered with the Bastyr Center for Natural Health to expand our continuum of care by creating the Center for Integrative Medicine.

Integrative medicine offers a balanced, holistic approach to health. It combines the latest breakthroughs in Western medicine with the centuries-old wisdom of natural therapies. We find this approach safe, appropriate, and effective for our patients.

At Virginia Mason's Bainbridge Island and downtown Seattle locations, our caring experts offer natural therapies along with traditional medical approaches. We believe in the interconnection of mind, body and spirit, and our goal is to empower you to be a co-creator of your own wellness.

This approach offers:

Dr. Astrid Pujari, the center's medical director, is board-certified in both Internal Medicine and in Integrative Holistic Medicine. Dr. Pujari has extensive experience in integrating nutritional, herbal and mind-body therapies with Western medicine.

The Center for Integrative Medicine at Virginia Mason has partnered with the renowned natural health experts at the Bastyr Center to offer a variety of services, including:

Cash or credit card payment for these services is due at the time of treatment. Upon request, we can provide documentation for you to send to your insurance company.

Our Integrative Medicine program is evidence-based and data driven, providing the same quality standards we hold throughout our healthcare system. It is part of our team approach to medicine, and we work together with our other medical experts at Virginia Mason.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (206) 341-1202.

Continued here:
Integrative Medicine - Natural Therapies at Virginia Mason ...

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Whats the latest information on using stem cell therapy to treat an arthritic shoulder that causes excessive pain?

ANSWER: New efforts in regenerative medicine, including stem cell therapy, could dramatically affect orthopedic surgery over the coming years. Much of this hope is pinned on using stem cells to treat degenerative conditions such as shoulder arthritis. Although it shows promise, stem cell treatment for arthritis isnt widely available at this time, as its still being researched.

Stem cells are the basic building blocks of all human tissue. Stem cells hold potential as treatment, in part, because they can communicate valuable information about tissue growth and healing to other cells in the body. Arthritis involves joint degeneration due to loss of the cartilage that cushions bones. Recently researchers have begun to look to stem cells for orthopedic conditions such as shoulder arthritis. Progress using stem cells to treat arthritis already has been reported, with the ultimate goal of using stem cells to regrow cartilage.

When discussing stem cell therapy, its important to understand that pure stem cells are not currently available to U.S. patients outside of a clinical research study. A handful of clinical research trials, monitored by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are ongoing at this time to study stem cell treatment for arthritis. The early findings from these trials are encouraging.

Unfortunately, the excitement surrounding emerging stem cell therapy has led some patients and health care providers to overlook the lack of scientific evidence to support its use at this time. Stem cell therapies currently used outside clinical studies do not contain pure stem cells. Instead, they are a mix of a variety of cells, of which only a very small percentage are stem cells. It is possible that many of these treatments do not contain enough stem cells to help.

It is also important to recognize that many stem cell therapies now marketed directly to patients are conducted without the required biologics license from the FDA. Also, some forms of mislabeled stem cell therapies do not contain any living stem cells. Such practices are cause for concern, as these treatments can mislead patients and the public, and delay the scientific progress needed to turn stem cell therapies into cures.

What the research into stem cells and arthritis shows is that there are opportunities for stem cell treatment to be used as injection therapy alone and in addition to orthopedic surgical procedures. Successful stem cell therapies thus far have resulted mostly in pain relief and improvement in function or quality of life. Only a few limited early studies have demonstrated improvement in new cartilage or bone formation needed to cure arthritis. Exactly how that cartilage regrowth occurs, or even how pain relief is achieved, is still unknown. That means if you have a stem cell procedure, it will be used to treat the symptoms of arthritis only. The ability to cure the disease entirely is not yet available.

No major research studies have specifically investigated stem cell treatment for shoulder arthritis. Much of what is known about stem cells in arthritis comes from research into knee degeneration. Its not known if the successes treating knee arthritis will prove to be similarly beneficial when used for the shoulder. Therefore, current recommendations to treat shoulder arthritis remain the judicious use of gentle pain relievers, exercise and occasional steroid injections. In severe cases, shoulder replacement can provide long-lasting pain relief.

With demonstrable safety and mounting evidence of the effectiveness of stem cell therapy for some orthopedic conditions, potentially all orthopedic disease could be treated with stem cell therapy in the future. But, first, doctors and patients will have to wait until the scientific evidence catches up to the excitement around this promising option. Dr. Shane Shapiro, Orthopedic Surgery and Center for Regenerative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida

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Mayo Clinic Q and A: Stem cell therapy for arthritis Mayo ...

Houston Lake Animal Hospital, Warner Robins, GA

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Arthritis, or inflammation of the joints, is the most common extraintestinal complication of IBD. It may affect as many as 25% of people with Crohns disease or ulcerative colitis. Although arthritis is typically associated with advancing age, in IBD it often strikes the youngest patients. In addition to joint pain, arthritis also causes swelling of the joints and a reduction in flexibility.

In IBD, arthritis may appear in three different forms. These are:

Peripheral arthritis usually affects the large joints of the arms and legs, including the elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles. The discomfort may be migratory, moving from one joint to another. If left untreated, the pain may last from a few days to several weeks. Peripheral arthritis tends to be more common among people who have ulcerative colitis or Crohns disease of the colon. The level of inflammation in the joints generally mirrors the extent of inflammation in the colon. Although no specific test can make a definitive diagnosis, various diagnostic methodsincluding analysis of joint fluid, blood tests, and X-raysare used to rule out other causes of joint pain. Fortunately, IBD-related peripheral arthritis usually does not cause any lasting damage.

Also known as spondylitis or spondyloarthropathy, axial arthritis produces pain and stiffness in the lower spine and sacroiliac joints (at the bottom of the back). Interestingly, and especially in young people, these symptoms may come on months or even years before the symptoms of IBD appear. Unlike peripheral arthritis, axial arthritis may cause permanent damage if the bones of the vertebral column fuse togetherthereby creating decreased range of motion in the back. In some cases, a restriction in rib motion may make it difficult for people to take deep breaths. Active spondylitis generally subsides by age 40. Therapy for people with axial arthritis is geared toward improving range of motion in the back. Stretching exercises are recommended, as is the application of moist heat to the back.

A more severe form of spinal arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a rare complication, affecting between 2% and 3% of people with IBD. It is seen more often in Crohns disease than in ulcerative colitis. In addition to causing arthritis of the spine and sacroiliac joints, ankylosing spondylitis can cause inflammation of the eyes, lungs, and heart valves. The cause of AS is not known, but most affected individuals share a common genetic marker. In some cases, the disease occurs in genetically predisposed people after exposure to bowel or urinary tract infections. Occasionally, AS foretells the development of IBD. AS typically strikes people under the age of 30, mainly adolescents and young adult males, appearing first as a dramatic loss of flexibility in the lower spine. Rehabilitation therapy is essential to help maintain joint flexibility. But even with optimal therapy, some people will develop a stiff or ankylosed spine. Symptoms of AS may continue to worsen even after surgical removal of the colon.

It is not always easy to determine whether the arthritis is linked to the intestinal condition. In general, the arthritis that complicates IBD is not as severe as rheumatoid arthritis. The joints do not ordinarily undergo destructive changes, and joint involvement is not symmetric (affecting the same joints on both sides of the body). Except for ankylosing spondylitis, arthritis associated with IBD usually improves as intestinal symptoms improve.

In the general population, people with peripheral arthritis may use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and swelling of the joints. However, as a rule, these medicationswhich include aspirin and ibuprofen are not an option for everyone with IBD because they can prompt a disease flare by irritating the intestinal lining and intensifying the inflammation. (It should be noted, though, that some people with IBD can tolerate NSAIDs and find these medications helpful in relieving symptoms of arthritis.) Corticosteroids also may be used to treat the arthritis symptoms as well as IBD.

In most cases, doctors manage the symptoms of peripheral arthritis by controlling the inflammation within the colon. Once that has subsided after a course of a medication such as prednisone or sulfasalazine, joint pain generally disappears. Similarly, the newer biologic agents such as infliximab (Remicade) have also been shown to be effective in reducing joint inflammation and swelling. Infliximab has even shown good results as a treatment for ankylosing spondylitis. Only axial arthritis seems not to improve as the intestinal inflammation resolves. Unlike peripheral arthritis, there is no correlation between treatment of the underlying IBD and improvement in axial arthritis symptoms.

In addition to medication, doctors may recommend resting the affected joint as well as the occasional use of moist heat. Range of motion exercises, as demonstrated by a physical therapist, may also be helpful.

The Crohns & Colitis Foundation of America provides information for educational purposes only. We encourage you to review this educational material with your health care professional. The Foundation does not provide medical or other health care opinions or services. The inclusion of another organizations resources or referral to another organization does not represent an endorsement of a particular individual, group, company or product.

For further information, call Crohn's & Colitis Foundation's IBD Help Center: 888.MY.GUT.PAIN (888.694.8872).

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation provides information for educational purposes only. We encourage you to review this educational material with your health care professional. The Foundation does not provide medical or other health care opinions or services. The inclusion of another organization's resources or referral to another organization does not represent an endorsement of a particular individual, group, company or product.

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Arthritis | Crohns & Colitis Foundation

The procedure is carried out in one day as an outpatient, and patients generally do not need an overnight stay with us.

We need some blood tests for anesthetic safety. Once we are happy with these, we administer a short general anesthetic. Typically this lasts 30 to 90 minutes.

We need to take x-rays of the affected areas and also a chest x-ray. Where recent x-rays are available from your own vet, we will not need to repeat these.

We then harvest approximately 40 grams of fat from a site behind the shoulder or just inside the tummy. At this time we may inject Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) into the affected joints. This reduces inflammation and pain in the joint and prepares it to receive stem cells, should they be required. Your pet is then woken from the anesthetic. There may be a few stitches that need to come out in 10 days.

The fat is processed in our lab to isolate, concentrate and activate stem cells and this takes 10-14 days. Once we have the healthy stem cells, we organise a second appointment for a sedative to allow us to inject the cells directly into the affected joints.

Well then book you follow up consultations at 30, 60 and 90 days.

We ask you to send us follow up videos and updates on a weekly basis so we can keep a close eye on progress.Where repeat visits are difficult because of travel distances, we can arrange telephone consultations.

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Stem Cell Vet UK Treat Arthritis in Dogs & Cats

You can view a list of potential veterinary career paths here.

Whether they're pets, livestock or working animals, animals matter to individuals and society. Every community needs veterinary professionals to provide animal health care, but veterinarians also do many other kinds of jobs. They make sure the nation's food supply is safe. They work to control the spread of diseases. They conduct research that helps both animals and humans. Veterinarians are at the forefront of protecting the public's health and welfare.

Besides medical skills, veterinarians often take a holistic approach to human well-being and animal welfare that, combined with communications and problem-solving skills, makes veterinarians uniquely qualified to fulfill a variety of roles. Many veterinarians, of course, provide care for companion animals through private medical practices, but veterinarians are also involved in promoting the health and welfare of farm animals, exotic animals, working animals (like those in the equine industry), and those that need a healthy environment in which to thrive, whether that environment is a rain forest, a desert or even the ocean.

Outside of companion animal practice, the largest employer of veterinarians in the United States is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service, but veterinarians are found throughout government in roles where they contribute to public health, the environment, and even homeland security, as well as working in research and public policy.

Many veterinarians are engaged in work at the intersection of both human and animal health. For example, veterinarians play an important role in food safety, where epidemiological research is crucial to forecasting the threat of food-borne diseases and outbreaks. They work to keep cattle and other food animals healthy by developing and testing various farm control methods that help to detect, limit, and prevent the spread of food that might be contaminated by salmonella, E coli or other pathogens. And theyre often on the front lines of surveillance where their extensive medical training can help them to detect and treat the outbreak of diseases that have the potential to make the jump from animals to humans.

Unmet needs for veterinary expertise exist in some sectors of veterinary medicine, such as public health, biomedical research, and food safety. To help address the lack of veterinarians in biomedical research, the AAVMC is a co-sponsor of the Merial Veterinary Scholars Program. The program's mission is to expose veterinary medical students in their first or second year of veterinary school to biomedical research and career opportunities in research. The program culminates in the Merial NIH National Veterinary Scholars Symposium, where veterinary students participating in the program gather from all over the United States and Canada to present their research findings and share experiences from their various programs.

Learn more about how to embark on a path that will lead to a veterinary medical career on our Students, Applicants and Advisors portal.

Read more here:
Careers in Veterinary Medicine - aavmc.org

It's not so much the acutal medical risks, but the ehtical and moral implications of conducting research in the field.

The following is an excerpt from a research paper I recently wrote concerning stem cell research:

Embryonic stem cell research raises immense ethical and religious concern: The issue of research involving stem cells derived from human embryos is increasingly the subject of a national debate and dinner table discussions. The issue is confronted every day in laboratories as scientists ponder the ethical ramifications of their work. It is agonized over by parents and many couples as they try to have children or to save children already born. The issue is debated within the church, with people of different faiths- even many of the same faith- coming to different conclusions. Many people are finding the more they know about stem cell research, the less certain they are about the right ethical and moral conclusions. (Bush Embryonic Stem Cell Decision 1) Quite often, the status of an embryo is debated among scientists, politicians, theologians, philosophers, and even everyday people. There are many ideas circulating the globe as some vie to protect the embryo and others hope to use it to benefit society. Those that oppose stem cell research claim that the methods scientists use are not morally justifiable. Human embryos, in their minds, are not mere biological tissues or clusters of cells; they are the tiniest of human beings (Espejo 49). According to the Human Embryo Research Panel and the National Bioethics Commission, the embryo should be considered a living organism from its earliest stages (Espejo 46-50). People therefore claim that scientists are alienating the rights of living human beings by performing experiments on embryos: The painful lessons of the past should have taught us that human beings must not be conscripted for research without their permission- no matter what the alleged justification- especially when that research means the forfeiture of their health or lives. Even if an individuals death is believed to be otherwise imminent, we still do not have a license to engage in lethal experimentation- just as we may not experiment on death row prisoners or harvest their organs without their consent. (Espejo 49) The widespread Christian view that life begins at the moment of conception has caused many to believe that the destruction of the human embryo is murder (Espejo 4). People also believe that is irrelevant whether the embryos are capable of implanting in a uterus and developing, as they are embryos nonetheless (Morris 2). As Morris questions, are we willing to recognize life, even if its living in a Petri dish? (2). Those that sympathize with these concerns feel that research requiring the destruction of a human embryo should be banned. Others argue that since IVF procedures often generate more embryos than needed, the excess embryos should be used for potentially life-saving research rather than being discarded (Espejo 36-37). Also, they claim embryos do not have the same rights as adult humans. The suggestion that a mass of 50-100 cells with no heart and no brain is entitled to the same protections is unprecedented and not embodied in American law (Espejo 38). With this in mind, it seems that embryonic stem cell research should not be undermined by the aforementioned arguments. There are additional concerns however. The use of SCNT is often criticized by those opposed to cloning, as a majority of people view cloning as morally wrong. SCNT has been used in reproductive cloning, such as the cloning of Dolly the sheep. In the publics mind, the distinction between this form of cloning and therapeutic cloning, which involves SCNT used for medical purposes, has blurred. The two should not be confused however, as they are completely separate procedures. Outlawing the use of SCNT would prevent the development of very promising techniques for curing disease, such as the one mentioned earlier (Scott 49-56). Finally, there are claims that the science will not live up to the hope that has been generated. Opponents of stem cell research are quick to point out that stem cell technologies are still at a developmental stage and it is virtually impossible to predict the eventual outcomes of innovation in the field (Stem Cell Controversy 2). Some have even claimed that researchers have falsely raised peoples expectations in an attempt to secure funding and support (Stem Cell Controversy 2). Such statements should not be regarded as wholly true, but with ideas such as these spreading around the globe, it is no wonder why the topic has become so controversial.

Granted, it's somewhat lengthy, but there is alot of information in there. If you want me to send you the whole paper sometime, just let me know. But please, if you're using this for your own schoolwork, avoid plagarism.

Hope this helps!

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what are the negative aspects to stem cell therapy ...

This information is intended for general information only and should not be considered as medical advice on the part of Health-Tourism.com. Any decision on medical treatments, after-care or recovery should be done solely upon proper consultation and advice of a qualified physician.

What is autism?

Autism is an array of disorders which are characterized by visible abnormalities in social interactions and communication. The common medical findings associated in children with the disorder are a chronic immunologically mediated inflammatory condition in the gut and reduced oxygenation in specific areas of the brain.

Current research aims at attempting to reverse the abnormalities through administration of anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotic and hyperbaric oxygen. However, none of these approaches address the underlying causes of the intestinal inflammation or oxygen deprivation.

It is thought that mesenchymal stem cells may help reverse inflammatory conditions and regulate the immune system. The umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells are administered intravenously by a licensed doctor.

Adult stem cells used to treat autism are harvested from human umbilical cord tissue also called allogenic mesenchymal. The human umbilical cords are donated by mothers after healthy and normal births. They are thoroughly screened and tested for bacteria and viruses.

They are idea for the treatment of autism because they allow for the administering of uniform doses and do not necessitate any stem cell harvesting from the patient, which can be quite concerning for the parents and terrifying for the autistic child. Because the stem cells are collected immediately after birth the umbilical cord-derived cells are much more effective than their counterparts such as bone marrow derived cells.

In addition the umbilical cord derived mesenchymal cells are not rejected by the patient because they do not recognize them as foreign. This is due to the fact that the HUCT stem cells are less mature than other cells. HUCT stem cells also differentiate/proliferate better that older cells and are therefore considered to be more potent.

A typical autism treatment protocol takes about 5 days and involves blood tests and physical examination. Intravenous infusions of the mesenchymal cells are then administered.

The cells are not rejected because the HUCT mesenchymal stem cells are immune system privileged and Human Leukocyte (HLA) matching is not required.

Screening and testing of the best stem cells can be conducted to ensure that the best immune modulating capacity, anti-inflammatory and regeneration stimulation cells are selected.

Administering of uniform dosages with high cell counts can be done with the allogenic stem cells.

The umbilical cord tissue provides a supply of mesenchymal stem cells in abundance.

There is no need to harvest stem cells from the patient under anesthesia which can be very unpleasant t the child.

Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells are thought by researchers to be more robust than mesenchymal stem cells harvested from other sources.

Proper follow up after the procedure is necessary to ensure that the patient is progressing well.

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Stem Cell Therapy for Autism in Turkey - health-tourism.com

Part I INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

1. The Philosophy of Integrative Medicine

2. Creating Optimal Healing Environments

3. The Healing Encounter

4. The Whole Health Process

Part II INTEGRATIVE APPROACH TO DISEASE

Section 1. Affective Disorders

5. Depression

6. Anxiety

7. Attention Deficit Disorder

8. Autism Spectrum Disorder

9. Insomnia

10. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Section 2. Neurology

11. Alzheimer's Disease

12. Headache

13. Peripheral Neuropathy

14. Multiple Sclerosis

15. Parkinson's Disease

Section 3. Infectious Disease

16. Otitis Media

17. Chronic Sinusitis

18. Viral Upper Respiratory Infection

19. HIV/AIDS

20. Herpes Simplex Virus

21. Chronic Hepatitis

22. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

23. Lyme Disease

Section 4. Cardiovascular Disease

24. Hypertension

25. Heart Failure

26. Coronary Artery Disease

27. Dyslipidemia

28. Cardiac Arrhythmia

Section 5. Allergy/Intolerance

29. Asthma

30. The Allergic Patient

31. Food Allergy and Intolerance

Section 6. Metabolic/Endocrine Disorders

32. Insulin Resistance and the Metabolic Syndrome

33. Diabetes Mellitus

34. Hypothyroidism

35. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

36. Osteoporosis

37. Obesity

38. MTHFR, Homocysteine and Nutrient Needs

39. Adrenal Fatigue

Section 7. Nephrology

40. Chronic Kidney Disease

Section 8. Gastrointestinal Disorders

41. Irritable Bowel Syndrome

42. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

43. Peptic Ulcer Disease

44. Cholelithiasis

45. Recurring Abdominal Pain in Pediatrics

46. Constipation

Section 9. Autoimmune Disorders

47. Fibromyalgia

48. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

49. Rheumatoid Arthritis

50. Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Section 10. Obstetrics/Gynecology

51. Preconception Counseling and Fertility

52. Labor Pain Management

53. Postdates Pregnancy

54. Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy

55. Menopause

56. Premenstrual Syndrome

57. Dysmenorrhea

58. Leiomyomata

59. Vaginal Dryness

Section 11. Urology

60. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

61. Urolithiasis

62. Chronic Prostatitis

63. Erectile Dysfunction

64. Testosterone Deficiency

Section 12. Musculoskeletal

65. Osteoarthritis

66. Myofascial Pain Syndrome

67. Chronic Low Back Pain

68. Neck Pain

69. Gout

70. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

71. Epicondylosis

Section 13. Dermatology

72. Atopic Dermatitis

73. Psoriasis

74. Urticaria

75. Aphthous Stomatitis

76. Seborrheic Dermatitis

77. Acne/Rosacea

Section 14. Cancer

78. Breast Cancer

79. Lung Cancer

80. Prostate Cancer

81. Colon Cancer

82. Palliative and End of Life Care

Section 15. Substance Abuse

83. Alcoholism and Substance Abuse

The rest is here:
Integrative Medicine - 9780323358682 | US Elsevier Health ...

Kathryn Glad

Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT)View Profile Video

Kathryn is a board-certified, licensed massage therapist who is dedicated to using massage to improve the lives of others. She has experience in both clinical and spa settings and offers a variety of massage styles designed to fit each patients unique needs. Her specialties include deep tissue, prenatal, oncology, aromatherapy, Thai, Swedish and reflexology.

Kathryn is passionate about the benefits of massage and feels its effects can be life changing. She enjoys working with patients to assess their individual health needs and determine how massage can help. As massage can be a great complement to traditional medical care, Kathryn often partners with other health care providers to help patients reach their treatment goals. She has a personal interest in using massage to relieve the effects of cancer treatment.

Kathryn is licensed by the state of Michigan and board certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. She received her training from Irenes Myomassology Institute one of Michigans oldest and highest regarded schools of massage therapy. She has an additional certification in oncology massage through Beaumont Hospital.

Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT)

Anita M. Gosselin is a board-certified, licensed massage therapist at the Henry Ford Center for Integrative Medicine. She is dedicated to helping people improve their health, stress and quality of life and believes massage therapy is a vital part of overall health and wellness.

A seasoned practitioner, she understands that each patient comes to her with a unique story. Anita enjoys talking with patients to better understand their concerns and developing personalized treatment plans to address their individual wellness goals. Her treatment plans include effective massage techniques to increase relaxation, reduce stress and pain, and have patients back to performing their daily activities. Anita enjoys working with chiropractors and other professionals to create a holistic approach for each patient.

She is experienced in a variety of massage types, including Swedish, deep tissue, prenatal, sports, oncology, therapeutic and integrated massage, as well as trigger point therapy.

Anita is licensed by the State of Michigan and is board-certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. She received her associates degree in Health Science from Baker College.

Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT)

Erin Covert is a board-certified, licensed massage therapist and meditation instructor at the Henry Ford Center for Integrative Medicine. As a seasoned practitioner of integrative medicine, she is committed to providing the best and safest treatments to support the bodys natural healing mechanisms. She believes that mental and physical relaxation can greatly contribute to anyones overall healing experience.

An experienced practitioner, Erin has been providing massage therapy for more than 15 years in a variety of settings. She caters each session to her patients unique needs and uses a variety of techniques to achieve the desired result. With advanced training in therapeutic work, relaxation, deep muscle, neuromuscular techniques, trigger point therapy, Reiki, sports massage, prenatal, and geriatric massage, her specialty is in treating neck and shoulder issues, pain conditions, and stress.

As a life-long wellness and natural-healing enthusiast, Erin began practicing yoga and meditation at age 14. She also currently teaches meditation classes to help promote mental and physical relaxation as well as mindfulness in her students.

Erin is licensed by the State of Michigan and board-certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. She received her Bachelors of Applied Science in Massage Therapy from Siena Heights University. She is recognized as a Master Bodywork Practitioner by the Health Enrichment Center School of Therapeutic Massage. Erin is also a level II reiki practitioner. She is currently completing her meditation instructor certification from the American Institute for Health Care Professionals (AIHCP).

Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT)

Lamiita Cical, LMT is a board-certified, licensed massage therapist at the Henry Ford Center for Integrative Medicine. As a practitioner of integrative medicine, Lamiita believes in the numerous health benefits of massage and is committed to promoting optimal wellness in all of her patients. Lamiitas belief is that increased relaxation or stress and pain relief can be achieved through personalized massage therapy.

With more than 15 years of experience in massage therapy, Lamiita is very knowledgeable on a wide variety of massage modalities, including reflexology, Swedish massage, prenatal massage, sport massage, lymphatic massage, deep tissue massage, and geriatric massage.

Lamiita is licensed by the State of Michigan and board-certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. She attended the University of Timisoara in Romania before graduating with academic excellence from the High Tech Institute of Minnesota, a health-career school that offers training programs specifically for massage therapists and medical assistants.

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Center for Integrative Medicine Team - Detroit, MI

Overview of Biotechnology

Biotechnology is the use of biological techniques and engineered organisms to make products or plants and animals that have desired traits.

Describe the historical development of biotechnology

Biotechnology: Brewing (fermentation of beer) was an early application of biotechnology.

People have used biotechnology processes, such as selectively breeding animals and fermentation, for thousands of years. Late 19th and early 20th century discoveries of how microorganisms carry out commercially useful processes and how they cause disease led to the commercial production of vaccines and antibiotics. Improved methods for animal breeding have also resulted from these efforts. Scientists in the San Francisco Bay Area took a giant step forward with the discovery and development of recombinant DNA techniques in the 1970s. The field of biotechnology continues to accelerate with new discoveries and new applications expected to benefit the economy throughout the 21st century.

In its broadest definition, biotechnology is the application of biological techniques and engineered organisms to make products or modify plants and animals to carry desired traits. This definition also extends to the use of various human cells and other body parts to produce desirable products. Bioindustry refers to the cluster of companies that produce engineered biological products and their supporting businesses. Biotechnology refers to the use of the biological sciences (such as gene manipulation), often in combination with other sciences (such as materials sciences, nanotechnology, and computer software), to discover, evaluate and develop products for bioindustry. Biotechnology products have made it easier to detect and diagnose illnesses. Many of these new techniques are easier to use and some, such as pregnancy testing, can even be used at home. More than 400 clinical diagnostic devices using biotechnology products are in use today. The most important are screening techniques to protect the blood supply against contamination by AIDS and the hepatitis B and C viruses.

Genetic engineering means the manipulation of organisms to make useful products and it has broad applications.

Describe the major applications of genetic engineering

Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, is the direct manipulation of an organisms genome using biotechnology.

New DNA may be inserted in the host genome by first isolating and copying the genetic material of interest, using molecular-cloning methods to generate a DNA sequence; or by synthesizing the DNA, and then inserting this construct into the host organism. Genes may be removed, or knocked out, using a nuclease.

Genetically manipulated mice: Laboratory mice are genetically manipulated by deleting a gene for use in biomedical research.

Gene targeting is a different technique that uses homologous recombination to change an endogenous gene, and can be used to delete a gene, remove exons, add a gene, or introduce point mutations. Genetic engineering has applications in medicine, research, industry and agriculture and can be used on a wide range of plants, animals and microorganisms.

Genetic engineering has produced a variety of drugs and hormones for medical use. For example, one of its earliest uses in pharmaceuticals was gene splicing to manufacture large amounts of insulin, made using cells of E. coli bacteria. Interferon, which is used to eliminate certain viruses and kill cancer cells, also is a product of genetic engineering, as are tissue plasminogen activator and urokinase, which are used to dissolve blood clots.

Another byproduct is a type of human growth hormone; its used to treat dwarfism and is produced through genetically-engineered bacteria and yeasts. The evolving field of gene therapy involves manipulating human genes to treat or cure genetic diseases and disorders. Modified plasmids or viruses often are the messengers to deliver genetic material to the bodys cells, resulting in the production of substances that should correct the illness. Sometimes cells are genetically altered inside the body; other times scientists modify them in the laboratory and return them to the patients body.

Since the 1990s, gene therapy has been used in clinical trials to treat diseases and conditions such as AIDS, cystic fibrosis, cancer, and high cholesterol. Drawbacks of gene therapy are that sometimes the persons immune system destroys the cells that have been genetically altered, and also that it is hard to get the genetic material into enough cells to have the desired effect.

Many practical applications of recombinant DNA are found in human and veterinary medicine, in agriculture, and in bioengineering.

Describe the advances made possible by recombinant DNA technology

Recombinant DNA technology is the latest biochemical analysis that came about to satisfy the need for specific DNA segments. In this process, surrounding DNA from an existing cell is clipped in the desired amount of segments so that it can be copied millions of times.

Construction of recombinant DNA: A foreign DNA fragment is inserted into a plasmid vector. In this example, the gene indicated by the white color is inactivated upon insertion of the foreign DNA fragment.

Recombinant DNA technology engineers microbial cells for producing foreign proteins, and its success solely depends on the precise reading of equivalent genes made with the help of bacterial cell machinery. This process has been responsible for fueling many advances related to modern molecular biology. The last two decades of cloned-DNA sequence studies have revealed detailed knowledge about gene structure as well as its organization. It has provided hints to regulatory pathways with the aid of which gene expression in myriad cell types is controlled by the cells, especially in those organisms having body plan with basic vertebrae structure.

Recombinant DNA technology, apart from being an important tool of scientific research, has also played a vital role in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases, especially those belonging to genetic disorders.

Some of the recent advances made possible by recombinant DNA technology are:

1. Isolating proteins in large quantities: many recombinant products are now available, including follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Follistim AQ vial, growth hormone, insulin and some other proteins.

2. Making possible mutation identification: due to this technology, people can be easily tested for mutated protein presence that can lead to breast cancer, neurofibromatosis, and retinoblastoma.

3. Hereditary diseases carrier diagnosis: tests now available to determine if a person is carrying the gene for cystic fibrosis, the Tay-Sachs diseases, Huntingtons disease or Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

4. Gene transfer from one organism to other: the advanced gene therapy can benefit people with cystic fibrosis, vascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and specific types of cancers.

Bacterial genetics can be manipulated to allow for mammalian gene expression systems established in bacteria.

Describe the sequence of events in a genetically engineered expression system

Gene expression is the process by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a functional gene product. These products are often proteins and are produced after the process of translation. An expression system that is categorized as a genetic engineering product is a system specifically designed for the production of a gene product of choice. This is normally a protein, although may also be RNA, such as tRNA or a ribozyme.

The genetically engineered expression system contains the appropriate DNA sequence for the gene of choice which is engineered into a plasmid that is introduced into a bacteria host. The molecular machinery that is required to transcribe the DNA is derived from the innate and naturally occurring machinery in the host. The DNA is then transcribed into mRNA and then translated into protein products.

In a genetically engineered system, this entire process of gene expression may be induced depending on the plasmid used. In the broadest sense, mammalian gene expression includes every living cell but the term is more normally used to refer to expression as a laboratory tool. An expression system is therefore often artificial in some manner. Viruses and bacteria are an excellent example of expression systems.

The oldest and most widely used expression systems are cell-based. Expression is often done to a very high level and therefore referred to as overexpression. There are many ways to introduce foreign DNA to a cell for expression, and there are many different host cells which may be used for expression. Each expression system also has distinct advantages and liabilities.

Expression systems are normally referred to by the host and the DNA source or the delivery mechanism for the genetic material. For example, common bacterial hosts are E.coli and B. subtilis. With E. coli, DNA is normally introduced in a plasmid expression vector. The techniques for overexpression in E. coli work by increasing the number of copies of the gene or increasing the binding strength of the promoter region so as to assist transcription.

Bacterial Flora: E. coli is one of the most popular hosts for artificial gene expression.

Genetic engineering enables scientists to create plants, animals, and microorganisms by manipulating genes.

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of producing genetically engineered proteins in bacteria

The first successful products of genetic engineering were protein drugs like insulin, which is used to treat diabetes, and growth hormone somatotropin. These proteins are made in large quantities by genetically engineered bacteria or yeast in large bioreactors. Some drugs are also made in transgenic plants, such as tobacco. Other human proteins that are used as drugs require biological modifications that only the cells of mammals, such as cows, goats, and sheep, can provide. For these drugs, production in transgenic animals is a good option. Using farm animals for drug production has many advantages because they are reproducible, have flexible production, are easily maintained, and have a great delivery method (e.g. milk).

Synthetic Insulin: human insulin produced by recombinant DNA technology.

Recombinant DNA technology not only allows therapeutic proteins to be produced on a large scale but using the same methodology protein molecules may be purposefully engineered. Genetic modifications introduced to a protein have many advantages over chemical modifications. Genetically engineered entities are biocompatible and biodegradable. The changes are introduced in 100% of the molecules with the exclusion of rare errors in gene transcription or translation. The preparations do not contain residual amounts of harsh chemicals used in the conjugation process. Bacterial expression systems, due to their simplicity, are often not able to produce a recombinant human protein identical to the naturally occurring wild type. Bacteria did not develop sophisticated mechanisms for performing post-translational modifications that are present in higher organisms. As a consequence, an increasing number of protein therapeutics is expressed in mammalian cells. However the low cost and simplicity of cultivating bacteria is an unbeatable advantage over any other expression system and therefore E. coli is always a preferable choice both on a lab scale and in industry.

Many mammalian proteins are produced by genetic engineering. These include, in particular, an assortment of hormones and proteins for blood clotting and other blood processes. For example, tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) is a blood protein that scavenges and dissolves blood clots that may form in the nal stages of the healing process. TPA is primarily used in heart patients or others suffering from poor circulation to prevent the development of clots that can be life-threatening. Heart disease is a leading cause of death in many developed countries, especially in the United States, so microbially produced TPA is in high demand. In contrast to TPA, the blood clotting factors VII, VIII, and IX are critically important for the formation of blood clots. Hemophiliacs suffer from a deciency of one or more clotting factors and can therefore be treated with microbially produced clotting factors. In the past hemophiliacs have been treated with clotting factor extracts from pooled human blood, some of which was contaminated with viruses such as HIV and hepatitis C, putting hemophiliacs at high risk for contracting these diseases. Recombinant clotting factors have eliminated this problem.

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Human genetic modification is the direct manipulation of the genome using molecular engineering techniques. Recently developed techniques for modifying genes are often called gene editing. Genetic modification can be applied in two very different ways: somatic genetic modification and germline genetic modification.

Somatic genetic modification adds, cuts, or changes the genes in some of the cells of an existing person, typically to alleviate a medical condition. These gene therapy techniques are approaching clinical practice, but only for a few conditions, and at a very high cost.

Germline genetic modification would change the genes in eggs, sperm, or early embryos. Often referred to as inheritable genetic modification or gene editing for reproduction, these alterations would appear in every cell of the person who developed from that gamete or embryo, and also in all subsequent generations. Germline modification has not been tried in humans, but it would be, by far, the most consequential type of genetic modification. If used for enhancement purposes, it could open the door to a new market-based form of eugenics. Human germline modification has been prohibited by law in more than 40 countries, and by a binding international treaty of the Council of Europe.

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Human Genetic Modification | Center for Genetics and Society