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University of Natural Medicine |
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“The U’s Natural News” CONTENTS: * * * * * * * FROM THE EDITOR / DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES It is summer here with a vengeance! That means, not only are the days sunny and warm, but that we are in forest fire season. In fact, New Mexico (and other states in this region and in other areas of the country) is experiencing the worst drought in several decades. It certainly puts a damper (OK, the pun kind of works) on summer-enjoyment as most of the national forests are closed. Nevertheless, we are looking forward to the Natural Health Summer Solstice Conference 2002 which starts next week. We have had to cancel a number of events, but still are presenting what I think is a respectable roster of interesting events. This is your final chance to register for either Lynn Andrew’s Tree of Dreams program, or Dr. Chad Oler’s two intensives: Urine & Saliva Analysis According to Reams and Biological Terrain Assessment. Also, the by-donation evening lectures are still available. The Darkfield and Colon Hydrotherapy trainings are both full! We are already looking ahead to this fall as the time to offer more opportunities to our students and others interested in the field of alternative healthcare. Stay tuned! In this issue under “Save the Date!” you will find a series of courses and a lecture being presented by the Institute for Culinary Awakening through the University. I can vouch from personal experience that Chef Al Chase – a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America – is an extraordinarily gifted gourmet vegan chef. I urge all of you to consider these courses for credit toward your degree or nutrition programs, or simply for personal pleasure and vibrant health! A new world of delight and insight awaits you… And, do not forget to read the “Letters to the Editor” section. You will learn firsthand about the success of the University’s Professional Mentorship Program. We are healers living in a world in great need of healing.
Let your Light shine! * * * * * * * STUDENT AND FACULTY NEWS As of July 1, 2002 the University of Natural Medicine is revising its universal grading curve as follows. All students and faculty members are hereby advised of this. It is felt that this will contribute to raising the standards of academic excellence at the University. Any comments are welcome.
* * * * * * * (The following letter and article were sent by Roberto D’Lorm, a student enrolled in the University’s N.M.D. program. Roberto is participating in the University’s Professional Mentorship Program. –Ed.)Dr. Ximenes has been my mentor for my Naturopathic Studies all of this year. There is a lot of literature and movements promoting integrative medicine. He does not just talk about it, he actually practices it. His credentials are impressive, he is a very realistic and practical practitioner at the same time he is holistic and exceptionally well prepared. Now, this is a powerful combination not everyone can achieve. Dr. Ximenes not only reads about things that are of interest to him; he actually gets an advanced degree on each field that he wants to incorporate into his practice. During my rotations with him I have learned many things not only in our field of interest but also about his paradigm regarding the practice of medicine. He is a strong promoter of Naturopathic medicine as evidenced by him being the President of the Texas State Naturopathic association. At the same time, he not only has the knowledge but the personality that is needed to help the profession gain the well-deserved recognition. He once told me "if we want the proper recognition in front of other medical institutions we need to be prepared, we can not go to a medical conference and say - look I do not have double-blind studies about my theory or research but look at all the testimonials I brought with me". This does not work in our present environment. We must be professionals and we must excel in our education. I cannot thank enough the University of Natural Medicine and Dr. Ximenes for the wonderful opportunity they have given me by having Dr. Ximenes as one my mentors in my N.M.D. program. Regards, P.S. Please find enclosed an article on Dr. Ximenes that was published by the research journal from Standard Process: Dr. Rey Ximenes, M.D., Takes Dr. Rey Ximenes, M.D., heads the Pain and Stress Management Center in Austin, TX, emphasizing the integrative clinical treatment of pain. Ximenes is Board Certified in anesthesiology acupuncture, pain management, and naturopathy His patients are people with pain management problems, largely musculoskeletal, that other allopathic practitioners have been unable to treat. Common problems are lower back pain, failed back syndrome, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, cervical (neck) pain, limb pain, and headaches. Occasionally he has patients with chronic gastrointestinal pain, such as irritable bowel syndrome. Ximenes uses an integrative approach to pain management that draws on Western medicine, and the best practices in several other medical systems in the world. “I think we have a system in Western medicine that is better than any other system that has ever come about,” Ximenes said. “It has done more for longevity and quality of life than all other systems combined. Yet, there are still deficits in it. There are still things we cannot deal with, primarily chronic, constitutive types of symptoms. My idea of doing things with people is that if you allow the body to heal, it will, but you have to give it the right building blocks. If we can mix everything we know about nutrition with Western medicine, Eastern medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, Native American medicine, etc., and take the best of all worlds and combine them, then we should have a system of medicine that is more powerful than any other one alone.” In the treatment of pain, Ximenes has integrated acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, nutritional inputs, and more. He uses epidural steroids, anesthetic blocks, and even drugs when they are needed. He uses drugs sparingly and rather than telling people to stop taking them, he tries to wean people off them slowly whenever possible. “I see medications as a double-edged sword,” Ximenes said. “They can be helpful when used correctly, but they also add to the total body burden - everything that the body needs to do to fight off outside invaders and protect the internal milieu. Every time you take a drug, you may benefit one area, but then you have to detoxify and get it out of the system.” Ximenes has had success using “proliferative therapy,” or PROLO, a technique in which an irritant solution is injected into painful, inflamed areas in an attempt to encourage healing of the tissue by bringing blood flow to the area. It strengthens the tissue and relieves a lot of pain caused at the tendino-osseous junction where the tendon meets the bone. When a patient comes into the Pain Management Center, Ximenes conducts a full evaluation on them. This consists of questionnaires, an examination, and referrals for any necessary lab work. “We make sure that whatever problem they have has been looked at from a Western perspective first,” Ximenes said. “Then we move onward with what we do here. If someone has abdominal pain, I want to make sure they have seen a gastroenterologist first and he has told them their lower and upper GI is normal and there is nothing he can do. Then he referred the patient to us. Ximenes encourages patients to enroljl in a wellness program. A symptom survey, blood chemistry tests, and a written survey are examined. These are integrated with tongue and pulse diagnoses. “These are Eastern approaches to diagnosis that involve feeling pulses and the quality of the pulse at certain points in the body,” Ximenes said. “The Chinese use this as a diagnostic system to detect things like spleen deficiency and kidney yen deficiency For example, if I detect someone has a spleen deficiency, I might want to add in some Coflirtsonia root and horsechestnut that tend to cause spleen tonification. For kidney deficiency, I may use Drenamin® to tonify the kidney” While Ximenes is a proponent of using Chinese herbs he sees a problem with their use in Western medicine. “The problem is that America does not want to boil and drink those herbs,” Ximenes said. “And patent herbs already in capsules just do not seem to work as well and they are harder to work with. I have found it much easier to use Standard Process products as my Chinese herbs because I know what I am getting and I know it is pure and clean. I am not saying they are better than Chinese herbs, but I understand that system better so it is easier for me to work with them and I get results that I think are just as good.” Ximenes encourages a program of eating as well as possible, exercising, drinking clean water, stretching, and taking supplements. “Then we put this all together with what we are doing from a Western perspective for their pain problem,” he said. “The rest is trying to maintain the program, minimize the use of pharmaceuticals, and keep them going.” Ximenes is surprised to find that patients are able to maintain the prescribed protocols without too much difficulty Most are motivated to relieve their pain. Another part of this is that Ximenes gives them options to accommodate certain needs. For example, some people do not like to take pills. In this case, he tries to offer them what they want to work with~ However, sometimes he will tell patients that what they want isn’t working and they may need to try taking pills even if they don’t like to. Similarly, he tells them to exercise, but he does not tell them what kind of exercise to do. Ximenes began using Standard Process supplements about eight years ago when he was exposed to them at a series of nutrition conferences. He became intrigued with the idea of using whole food complexes rather than isolated ingredients. “In nature, an orange does not contain ascorbic acid,” he said. “It contains everything. And why doesn’t an orange have 1500 milligrams of ascorbic acid? It struck me as funny that we were playing with supraphysiologic doses of ascorbic acid and people were getting things like oxalate kidney stones as a result.” Ximenes is President of the Texas State Naturopathic Medical Association. He is amazed when other members tell him they are extracting the principles and nutrients from herbs and food and turning them into drugs. “They are taking nutrients out of the whole food matrix and interrupting the delivery system,” he said. “You’ve got people out there giving 20 grams at a time of intravenous ascorbic acid. They are using doses way beyond physiological amounts. We always put the blinders on and try to pull out the ‘active ingredient.’ Isn’t that what pharmaceuticals are - taking something out, concentrating it, and giving it in a supraphysiologic dose?” It is not just about absorbing nutrients, according to Ximenes. “You have to circulate nutrients and have blood flow, venous return, and lymphatic return. This is necessary to bring the nutrients and oxygen iti, but also to carry the metabolic wastes out. Exercise, hydration, and eating as well as you can are very important. Even though you are taking a supplement, until you put them all together you can’t get the synergistic effect.” . . . . . . . (Another research article in Ayurveda was submitted by Dr. Amritpal Singh from India. What follows is the “Abstract”. If you wish to read this article in full, please call or e-mail me at the University and I will send it to you. –Ed.)Distribution of Furanocoumarins in Plant Flora by, Dr Amrit Pal Singh, MD (Alternative Medicine),Medical Executive, Ind -Swift Ltd Furanocoumarins are well known for there utility in the treatment of pigment disorders. Psoralia corlyfolia and Ammi majus are important source of furanocoumarins, Psoralen and Xanthotoxin, which are mainly used in treating leucoderma. Recent research has thrown light on distribution of furanocoumarins in many herbs. The formulations used for treating pigment disorders furanocoumarins are irritant & phototoxic and treatment requires expertise and purified formulations. * * * * * * * NATURAL HEALTH SUMMER SOLSTICE CONFERENCE 2002 Overview The University of Natural Medicine is excited to announce the schedule of events for the Natural Health Summer Solstice Conference 2002. The Conference events range from practical trainings to lectures, seminars or classes. Most of these are open to anyone from the University student and faculty body, practitioners, and the general public, with some exceptions specified in the details of each event below. Events will be held at the University’s campus and at the Santa Fe Women’s Club. The events are being offered individually so you may attend and pay for only those you choose. There is some overlap so, unfortunately, you cannot attend everything being offered. Pricing sometimes features a University of Natural Medicine discount student and faculty rate, and then an “others” rate. Traveling and Accommodations Information on traveling to, and accommodations in, Santa Fe will be provided upon request. We have established some good “deals” on accommodations here in Santa Fe for attendees of the Conference. Give us a call and we can tell you about them. We also encourage you to visit the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce website for comprehensive information on visiting Santa Fe: www.santafechamber.com. Registering A Registration Form is provided at the end of the Description of Events. You may also request that a copy of it be e-mailed, faxed, or mailed directly to you. Schedule of Events To access the full schedule with all details, please visit the University’s website: www.universitynaturalmedicine.org DAILY CONFERENCE SCHEDULE Thursday, June 20 Friday, June 21 Saturday, June 22 Sunday, June 23 Monday , June 24 Tuesday, June 25 Thursday, June 27 The University of Natural Medicine presents * * * * * * * “Natural Health Summer Solstice Conference” June 20-27, 2002. . . . . . . . “LECTURE 2002 SERIES” • July 17 Chef Albert H. Chase, Jr. & Donna Benjamin . . . . . . . The following courses are presented by the Institute for Culinary Awakening (ICA) at the University of Natural Medicine. These courses are being offered for credit or CEU’s and may be applied toward degree or diploma programs with the University. Call the ICA (505/466-4597) or the University for more details. BASIC VEGAN CULINARY ARTS FEE: $75.00 GOURMET HEALTH-FULL CUISINE This 3 day workshop will take you on a deeper exploration of the many benefits of implementing organic, plant-based cuisine into one's lifestyle and culinary arena. Work hands-on in the kitchen with Chef Al as you travel on a Culinary Adventure and create Gourmet Vegan Cuisine! The adventure begins with a review of the many benefits of nutritional oils, natural sweeteners and organic pantry and produce items. Basic knife skills will be taught as well as how to prepare Vegan Soups, Salads and Desserts in a healthful way. Emphasis is on "Farm to the Table" culinary preparation and may include a visit to a local organic farm (depending on farmer's schedule). Gourmet Vegan Lunch is included each day. Add on the 1/2 Day Workshop above and you qualify for a Diploma in BASIC VEGAN CULINARY ARTS upon successful completion of all coursework! Please arrive on time and bring a note pad and pen. FEE: $500.00 INTERMEDIATE VEGAN CULINARY ARTS Instructor: Chef
Albert H. Chase, Jr. FEE: $2100.00 for one person; $1600.00 per person for
groups of 2-12 that you assemble . . . . . . . In “Save the Date!” news of upcoming events
of interest to the University’s constituents is printed. It features
any events taking place at the University in Santa Fe, but also notifies
you of any courses, workshops, or events being offered or sponsored
by University faculty members, alumni, students, and affiliated institutions.
Many students are interested in traveling to different venues to take
advantage of practical training in areas of interest to them. This is
an excellent opportunity for any of you to promote your offerings. The
University may be able to grant credit for many of these events. When
you make your submission, please be sure to include: * * * * * * * (The following article is exerpted from materials provided by the manufacturers of the Soft Heat ® infrared sauna.) BENEFITS NO WAITING . . . The most advanced infrared radiant heaters . . . Requires no warm-up time to obtain full benefits . . . Simply set time and temperature, step inside Infrared sauna and experience deep, soothing, pain-relieving heat and detoxification. Radiant heat is a form of energy that heats objects directly, without heating the air in between. This is also called "infrared heat" (never to be confused with ultra-violet light). Infrared heaters are used by hospitals to warm premature infants. Safety first. REMARKABLE PAIN RELIEF . . . In the Infrared saunas, the deep heat helps blood vessels dilate, bringing relief and healing to muscle and soft tissue injuries. Increased blood circulation carries off metabolic waste products and delivers oxygen rich blood to oxygen depleted muscles, so they recover faster. In Europe, radiant heat therapy is widely used to treat patients suffering from many forms of arthritis. Far infrared therapy in Japan has been effective in providing pain relief with those suffering from bursitis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, back pain, headache, sprains, strains, and many other muscular- skeletal ailments. Much of the stiffness and soreness that comes with aging is reduced or eliminated. WEIGHT LOSS . . . In the infrared saunas, your heart rate, cardiac output and metabolic rate increase to improve your overall cardiovascular fitness. You can burn 600 or more calories in just one 30-minute session. You lose weight - not just water. One can receive the "training effect" while reading and relaxing in the infrared saunas. NASA concluded infrared "passive exercise" was the ideal way to keep astronauts fit during space flight. ELIMINATE HARMFUL TOXINS . . . Take the detoxifying load off your liver and kidneys by the direct elimination of toxins through the skin. Two to three times more sweat is produced in the far infrared sauna than is possible in conventional hot air saunas. Greater detoxification of heavy metals is achieved, including: lead, mercury, aluminum, cadmium, and fat-soluble toxins. ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE . . . Muscles relax most readily when tissues are warm, for greater flexibility and range of motion. Top athletes are using the Infrared Sauna to warm their muscles before and after working out to prevent injuries and promote relaxation. Relieve stress and tension. CLEARS CELLULITE . . . Infrared Saunas help clear cellulite, the gel-like lumps of fat, water and debris trapped in pockets beneath the skin. European beauty specialists routinely incorporate daily saunas in programs to reduce cellulite. BOOSTS IMMUNE RESPONSE . . . This radiant therapy may shorten your recovery time from colds and flu and improve the immune response. It is reported to stimulate the body's own natural healing processes. IMPROVES SKIN . . . The profuse sweating achieved in the Infrared Sauna carries off deeply imbedded impurities and dead skin cells, leaving the skin glowing and immaculately clean. Skin tone and elasticity are improved. It has been shown to relieve acne, eczema, psoriasis, burns and also removes roughness. SURROUND YOURSELF IN SOUND. . Bring your own cassettes or listen to our selection. You can also bring your own CD player. FAR INFRARED VS CONVENTIONAL SAUNAS *A conventional sauna must rely only on indirect means
of heat: first, on convection (air currents) and then, conduction (direct
contact of hot air with the skin) to produce its heating effect on us.
In a far infrared sauna, less than 20% of the infrared energy heats
the air, leaving over 80% available to be directly converted to heat
within our bodies. Thus an infrared sauna can warm its user to a much
greater depth and much more efficiently than a conventional sauna. This
crucial difference explains many of the unprecedented health benefits
reported to be available through a far infrared sauna that are not attainable
through a conventional sauna. The far infrared sauna has been very beneficial in treating fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. A number of doctors now believe that the "toxic load" of these patients are very high and their detoxification pathways are often compromised. When one is able to reduce the toxins and heavy metals in those with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, their symptoms often greatly improve. A number of people are also suffering unknowingly from mercury poisoning or from other heavy metals such as lead and aluminum. The infrared sauna has been invaluable in accelerating the removal of these toxic metals. By raising the core temperature and creating a 'hyperthermia' effect the infrared sauna also improves a number of parameters in the immune system. HYPERTHERMIC DETOXIFICATION THERAPY USING THE FAR INFRARED SAUNA Introduction Saunas and steam baths have been used for centuries by cultures around the world to bring about detoxification. Traditionally, saunas have been used to improve mental clarity, to diminish pain and promote longevity. In the past few years, hyperthermic (sweat) therapy has been studied quite extensively and several papers on this subject have appeared in the scientific literature. Through this research, it has been shown that saunas greatly assist in the elimination of accumulated toxins. Toxic metals, including mercury as well as organic toxins such as PCB's and pesticide residues, are excreted in high quantities in the sweat during properly conducted hyperthermic therapy sessions. Heat causes toxins to be released from cells. The toxic molecules will then reside transiently in the lymph fluid. Since sweat is manufactured from the lymph fluid, toxins present in the lymph fluid will exit the body through the sweat. Because the liver and kidneys are not required for this process, these organs are largely unburdened by hyperthermic therapy and toxins are able to leave the body even when liver or kidney function is impaired. This may be a distinct advantage for chronically ill patients whose livers and kidneys may already be under toxic stress. Hyperthermic therapy also is one of the few things, which brings about a significant rise in the level of growth hormone, an important hormone that helps to maintain lean body tissue, including muscle. For the chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia patient, hyperthermic therapy helps to restore normal autonomic nervous system functioning. This is the part of the nervous system, which governs unconscious functions such as muscle tension, sweating, blood pressure, digestion and balance. Autonomic dysregulation is the term used to describe changes in the nervous system, which result in many of the symptoms of chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. Muscle pain, excessive body odor, digestive complaints, visual disturbances and dizziness are some of the many manifestations of autonomic dysregulation. Repeated sessions of hyperthermic therapy can greatly assist in the restoration of normal autonomic nervous system functioning. ADVANTAGES OF THE FAR INFRARED SAUNA Many people with chronic illnesses find the high temperatures inside a regular sauna or steam room intolerable. In these traditional systems, the inside of the body is heated completely from the surface of the skin. Even though you feel very hot in these units, the heating is quite shallow - only a few millimeters below the skin. In the far infrared sauna, invisible light rays emanate from several infrared emitters. This infrared light penetrates deep into the fat and muscles of the body, creating a more powerful detoxifying influence upon the deeper tissues of the body. As well, since the air temperature remains much lower than in a traditional sauna, the individual feels more comfortable. Sweating often begins before the person feels very hot at all and the sweating is more profuse than in a traditional sauna. Finally, unlike traditional saunas or steam baths, which can often leave a person feeling exhausted, the far infrared sauna is usually quite energizing. Many people actually use these before going to work in the morning, something that one would never do with a traditional sauna. Research conducted largely in Japan suggests that the far infrared sauna has a wider range of therapeutic effects than traditional saunas or steam baths, especially for detoxification. WHY IS IT NECESSARY? Because of the level of pollution we are exposed to and its many sources, as well as poor dietary and exercise habits, the therapeutic value of regular sweating has become immense. It has benefits for both body and mind and, in fact, is the primary benefit of exercise.One of the best passive exercises is the radiant heat of an infrared sauna, which causes a profound deep sweat. After about 30 minutes of exposure, the blood vessels of the skin dilate to allow more blood to flow to the surface to support the cooling process. The millions of sweat glands covering the body are infused with fluid from the blood. In turn, they empty to the skin's surface, thereby flushing large amounts of toxins, including toxic acids and heavy metals, from the body. Research shows that a radiant heat (infrared) sauna provides
the following benefits: SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES AND STUDIES ‘Electromagnetic Wave Emitting Products - Potentiate Human Leukocyte Functions’ Niwa Y; Iizawa O; Ishimoto K.; Int. J. Biometeorol 1993 Sept; 37(3):133-8 In their abstract, the authors conclude that materials
which emit electromagnetic radiation in the far infrared region, --------------------------------------------------------- Sherry A. Rogers, M.D., "The body can get rid of stored mercury through stool, urine or sweat. The sweat route is the most efficient and natural (man used to physically work before computers were invented). I used to hesitate to recommend something so expensive, but when you realize the lifelong incapacity and expense of diseases such as heart disease, chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, chronic pain syndromes, migraines, Alzheimer's, or any others caused by chemical and metal toxicity, a sauna is cheap." "A sauna used to be thought of as a luxury. ...as the first generation of man exposed to such an unprecedented plethora of daily chemicals, we have learned that stored or undetoxified chemicals can mimic any disease. 'Incurable' chronic diseases that were thought to have no known cause often disappear once toxic chemicals are gone. Since the far infrared sauna is the safest, most efficacious and economical way of depurating stored toxins, this makes it a necessity." As reported in the Journal of the American Medical
Association (JAMA), August 7, 1981 In Guyton's Textbook of Medical Physiology, we find that producing one gram of sweat requires .586 kcal. Infrared Saunas burn 600 or more calories in one 30-minute session! Calories a 150-pound person normally burns up in 30-minutes of exercise:
The JAMA citation referred to above goes on to state that, As a confirmation of the validity of this form of cardiovascular conditioning, extensive research by NASA in the early 1980's led to the conclusion that, infrared stimulation of cardiovascular function would be the ideal way to maintain cardiovascular conditioning in American astronauts during long space flights. A Soft Heat ® infrared sauna can therefore, play a pivotal role in both weight control and cardiovascular conditioning. This would be most valuable for those who don't exercise and those who can't exercise yet want an effective weight control and fitness maintenance program. This also allows for more variety in any ongoing training program. Some weight loss authorities believe that our bodies use fat to dilute toxins. As an infrared sauna is an unsurpassed expeller of toxins, it is also a great way to get rid of any fat our bodies are using to dilute toxins we are storing. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition. * * * * * * * Herbal Medications: Progressing With Time? 2000 B.C. - Here, eat this root. 1000 A.D. - That root is heathen. Here, say this prayer. 1850 A.D. - That prayer is superstition. Here, drink this potion. 1940 A.D. - That potion is snake oil. Here, swallow this pill. 1985 A.D. - That pill is ineffective. Here, take this antibiotic. 2002 A.D. - That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root. - Somewhere on the Internet! Please feel free to submit any quotations that touch on some aspect of "healing". * * * * * * * The deadline to receive submissions for the next issue (July 2002) of the University of Natural Medicine's newsletter is June 27, 2002. Submissions should be made electronically (e-mail or on disc) if possible. A Word format is preferable - for either PC or Mac. Send to the attention of: "Newsletter Editor". Thank you. * * * * * * * Welcome to our new readers. To share the University of Natural Medicine's newsletter with friends and colleagues, just forward the entire newsletter with a sentence or two saying why you like it. Only subscribers receive this newsletter. If a friend or co-worker sent you this copy, you can subscribe (it's free). If you would like to receive future issues, please send an e-mail to: info@universitynaturalmedicine.org with the words "Subscribe to the newsletter" in the subject line. NO SPAM: The University of Natural Medicine never rents, sells, or gives away subscriber information. If you are receiving this newsletter and would prefer not to receive future issues, please send an e-mail to: info@universitynaturalmedicine.org with the words "Unsubscribe to the newsletter" in the subject line. If you do not have e-mail, or otherwise prefer to receive a hard copy of this newsletter, annual subscriptions are $20 in the United States, $40 in foreign countries. If you are a full-time student with the University of Natural Medicine and do not have e-mail, you will receive a hard copy of this newsletter at no charge. * * * * * * * University of Natural Medicine
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