Skeptics in the UK are overdosing on homeopathic medicine to show that it has no effects as a medicine.  They believe this type of medicine is simply a placebo.  To proof this, they are protesting in front of popular drug stores that are carrying homeopathic products.

  Boot's pharmacy, a popular pharmacy chain in the UK, is the target of these attacks.  Boot's pharmacies are all over England.  They are easily accessible to many english people.  Skeptics are urging the store not carry homeopathic medicines along side pharmacetical drugs.  Boots standard medicine director has said  "The pharmacy follows the advise of the Royal Pharmacy of Great Britainon on complimentary medicine.  This medicine is used by the National Healthcare System(NHS) of England."

  Boots has no plans to stop offering homeopathic medicine despite the protests.  Almost 1 in 10 people in the UK have tried homeopathic medicines.  The popularity of these medicines seem to be growing despite the protests.

  Protests are planned by skeptics in other countries including Spain, Canada, Australia and the US.  

  A study funded by the US government and administrated by Women's Health Inititative effort attempted to figure out if daily use of multivatimins would combat heart disease, bone health and cancer.  The study was done over a period of 8 years.  Data was collected from 40 doctors around the US on multivatamin usage.    The study had 161,808 participants in the trial.  The trial participants were women experiencing menopause.   

  Past multivatamin studies showed that there may have been a potiential benefit from taking a multivitamin daily.  These trials were small and less rigorous than the current trial.  Previous large and rigor trials showed getting vitamins and nutrients through fruit and vegetables does combat heart disease, helps fight cancer and improves your general health.  

  This trial showed no benefit in taking a multivatamin.  The multivatamin did not help with heart disease, bone health or fight cancer in menopausal women. Women who took stress vitamins that had higher doses of vitamin B and vitamin C did show a reduction of a heart attack by 25%.  However, this was a small group of 3,741 women.  This is certainly not conclusive evidence about stress vitamins.  

  There were not any reported harmful side effects with the vitamins.  The doctors found the multivitamins not too be harmful in any way to the body.  The doctors also did not recommend people to stop taking multivatamins.  

  The research confirms that people can not skip eating fruits and vegetables.  Many people take multivatamins so they do not have to eat fruits and vegetables.  People can continue take their multivitamins but they also should eat many servings of fruits and vegetables per day in their diet if they want to remain healthy

References

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center 

Multivitamin Use and Risk of Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease in the Women's Health Initiative Cohorts

Marian L. Neuhouser, PhD; Sylvia Wassertheil-Smoller, PhD; Cynthia Thomson, PhD, RD; Aaron Aragaki, MS; Garnet L. Anderson, PhD; JoAnn E. Manson, MD, DrPH; Ruth E. Patterson, PhD; Thomas E. Rohan, MD, PhD; Linda van Horn, MD, PhD; James M. Shikany, DrPH; Asha Thomas, PhD; Andrea LaCroix, PhD; Ross L. Prentice, PhD

Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(3):294-304.

Go to the homeopathy links blog and vote your favorite links.

 100 Useful Tools For Your Own Alternative Health Care

   Great resource guide on alternative health and medicine.

Women with Breast cancer Turn to Complementary  Therapies          

Women are using complimentary therapies with breast cancer
such as green tea and other diet supplements.

The case for homeopathic medicine by Dana Ullman.
Historical and scientific evidence of Homeopathy

Homeopaths Without Borders.
Updates from homeopaths in Haiti helping earthquake victims.

The Mystery Of HGH.
Discusses the human growth hormone and the benefits of it.

  A British Medical Journal Lancet published an article saying that vaccines can cause austism.  Lancet recently recanted this article saying the research was bias and horribly inaccurate.

  Andrew Wakefield, the lead author of this study stands by the claims that is research is valid. Dr. Wakefield never claimed any scientific evidence of the link between autism and vaccines. The research just showed that young children given vaccines may have a tendency to develop autism.  Dr. Wakefield recommended that vaccines be given at least a year apart from one another instead of all together.  Dr. Wakefield himself stated that this was a small study with only 13 children and further studies were needed.  Wakefiield research was found to be unpopular with in the UK medical community.  

  Claims were made that the Dr. Wakefield fudged the data to reach his own hypothesis.   Allegations were made that he was paid by parents of children of autism and British trial lawyers to conduct this research.  10 of the 13 authors of this study say they no longer support their findings.  

  The British medical council found Dr. Wakefield and two of his colleagues of irresponsible and dishonest behavior and professional misconduct.   Subsequent studies linking autism to vaccination show no evidence that autism is caused by vaccines.  However, Dr. Wakefield has said there is another study that shows that there may be a potential link.  

  Dr. Healy is a physician, educator, and health administrator who was the first woman to head the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the USA.  She says more research needs to be done on this.  Officials have been too quick to dismiss that vaccines may cause autism.  There may be a suspectible group of children where vaccines are not safe. 

  Do you think Dr. Wakefield research is dishonest?  Do you think the medical community did not like his conclusions so they are trying to discredit him?  Why does the Lancet not review their articles before publishing?  What are your thoughts on vaccines in general?  This British medicial journal published an article saying the "End of Homeopathy." Most researchers found this research to be totally false but the Lancet never recanted that article. 

References

http://www.healing-arts.org/children/mercury_in_vaccines_autism_research/drbernadinehealynihvaccinate.htm#Dr_Healy_interview_Vaccines

  A terrible earthquake had struck Haiti.  The earthquake measured on the richter scale 7.0.  After shocks are continuing to measure 4.3 and upwards on the richter scale.  This earthquake has left 100,000+ of people died.  Many more people are homeless, without food or water and proper medical care.  There are many relief agencies helping.  However, relief will take some time.  We are going to list some of the agencies helping and what they do 

  Homeopaths without borders helps with medications to orphanages and instructs caregivers on how to give homeopathic medications into Haiti. These medications will be much easier to bring in and distribute than conventional medicines.  Homeopaths without borders has worked in other countries providing healthcare for the poor.  Once the security situation improves in Haiti, they will make a trip.

  Another agency helping is Doctors without borders.  These are doctors and nurses across 60 countries helping people in need of castrophe medical care.  Two weeks after the earthquake, the needs of this organization are changing.  Post operative care is needed more to prevent infection.  If minor wounds go untreated, they could become fatal.  Less amputation and emergency care is being done now.  Mental health care is now available to people so they can deal with this tragedy.     

  Other agencies included the Red Cross, Unicef and Samaritan Purses. The Haiti infrastructure is terrible.  Trying to get help to the people of Haiti is very difficult.   There is really no distribution system or security system in place in this country.  However, all of these agencies are trying their best to help the people of Haiti.

  If you know some other organizations helping in Haiti, list them in the comment section.

  Pfluger is a German homeopathic company that has just recently enter into the US homeopathic market.  One of their popular combination remedies are Immuno Support.  A trial was conducted to see if this Immuno Support is effective in treating acute repiratory tract infections.

  The Immuno support combination remedy consists of the following homeopathic ingredients which are Arnica Montana, Baptisia, Calendula, Echinacea, Ferrum Phos, Lachesis Mutus and Silicea.  Most ingredients are in a low potency such as 3x or 4x.

  Fifty patients has received the Pfleuger Immuno Support Drops, 4 times a day for 7 days. The control group was given Vitamin C , Satural, and Acetaminophen 3 times a day for 7 days. The control group was also given Xylomentazolin nasal drops if necessary.

  The Pfleuger immuno support showed to be slightly superior to the conventional methods.  The Pfleuger group recovered from the upper respiratory tract infection in 5.3 days.  The control group took 6 days.  The Pfleuger group had 4.16% of patients needing antibiotic treatment where as the control group was 4.76%. 

  The Pflueger therapy showed no side effects with this treatment.  29% of the control group suffered from drug side effects and intolerance.  

  Pfleuger Immuno support suggests that this type of medicine may be effective at the onset of a respiratory tract infection.  Larger trials are needed to confirm this.  Further testing with a placebo group should be conducted to confirm this product's effectiveness.    

  So far we have had a very cold winter in most of the US.  However, still to date there has not been a major H1N1 outbreak.  Albama was the only state to have a widespread H1N1 outbreak.  You can track H1N1 outbreaks by tracking H1N1 updates.

  There are several reasons for the H1N1 not spreading.  The first reason is that H1N1 outbreak has been somewhat contained.  The virus has not spread very rapidly as once believed.  The virus was discovered sometime last year.  Doctors were afraid that the virus may mutate. This mutation could be very dangerous.  However, it looks like a dangerous mutation of this virus does not exist as of now.

  Another reason the H1N1 has not been widespread as of yet is because it may have not peaked.  The flu season can be variable.  This flu season may last for several more months so an outbreak is still possible.  It is still wise to use the same precautions as always with this flu virus.

  The final reason for the H1N1 not spreading is awareness.  Most people are not panicking about H1N1.  People are using precautions such as washing their hands, not going around sick people and covering their noses when they sneeze. These small little steps really help contain the virus which can help an epedemic from occuring.  

  Vaccinations are important to people at risk.  However, the vaccinations have not proven to do anything to contain the H1N1 virus.  The vaccinations have been slow to arrive.  They have not been delivered rapidly in the US as well.  Most people in the US are still not vaccinated against the H1N1 virus.

  During these holiday seasons, things can get really hectic.  Relatives, friends and some people that you had not heard from in years are in town.  Worst is that you may have to travel to visit them.  Here are some recommended homeopatic and natural remedies to help deal with the holiday season.

Bach Rescue Remedy -  Use this to help you control stress.  Things can get hectic when shopping for last minute items, wrapping gifts and cooking for more people than you would like.

Rhus Tox -  This remedy is used if you are feeling air sick.  This remedy should help you get through the flight if you are feeling nausea.  Borax can be used if you fear the downward motion of the plane landing.

Nux Vomica  - This remedy is used to help with the holiday stress headache.  If you start to get a head ache, lay down on a bed.  Take some Nux Vomica and some water.  Nux Vomica is also a great hang over remedy if you have drank too much alcohol.

Natrum Phos -  Use this remedy if you are having hyper acidity after eating your holiday meals. This remedy is really useful if you had a very large meal.

Pulsatilla - This is a good remedy to give to your kids if they over eat.  Kids that eat too much rich food may need some help to digest their foods.

   Start these remedies in a 6X potency.  Take 4 to 6 pills every few hours until the symptoms subside.  Drink plenty of water as well to get the most out of your homeopathic treatment.  Wishing everyone a happy holiday season.  If you know of some other useful homeopathic remedies for the holidays, please put them in our comments sections.

  The NHS is the United Kingdom health care system that covers health care for most citizens in England.  The NHS total expenditure for their citizens is almost 100 billion pounds (98.7 pounds).  The NHS is paid primarily by general taxes include payroll and employee tax.  The NHS is facing major budget shortfalls over the next several years due to an aging population and severe worldwide recession.  The current shortfall will be approximately 15 billion for 2009.  

   Homeopathy has come into eyes of many when trying to cut costs in the NHS.  Homeopathy medicine has always enjoyed a prestigious place in England. Homeopathy is used by many English celebrities and the royal family.  Homeopathy care and treatments are covered by the NHS system. The total cost of homeopathy for the NHS is 10 million dollars.

  Critics point to Homeopathy as unproven treatment.  They also say that the science in homeopathy is physcially impossible.   There are really no large evidence based trials done in homeopathy.  Most homeopathy trials are too small to be used as evidence.  The few large trials have not been replicated over and over as required by evidence based medicine. There is really not too much research money given to homeopathy.  Many doctors are saying that all homeopathy funding should be cut with the current budget shortfall.  

  However, some ministers and doctors say that patients choice is really what is important.  They acknowledge that there is no strong scientific evidence to support homeopathy.  However, patient satisfaction with homeopathy with very high.  Most homeopathy patients in England have found the treatment to be effective for their conditions.  Doctors also point to the cost of homeopathy in the NHS is 10 million dollars. This cost is trival compared to the 15 billion dollar deficit. 

  What do you think is going to happen with homeopathy in the NHS?  Do you think it will be cut?  Should it part of the NHS at all?  

   Evidence based medicine is the scientific look at how medicine works.  The evidence base medicine must be throughly examined by researchers with peer reviews.  Specific procedures must be followed.  Data is examined.  Much of the data is discarded if the quality is deemed to be not satisfactory.  Researchers conducting the trials do not know which patients are getting the placebo and which person is actually receiving the medicine.  These trials have been used to evaluated prescription drugs.

   Critics point that few homeopathic trials exist showing this type of complementary medicine actually works.  The ones that do show homeopathy working are too small and not well designed.  The trials that do show promise have not been replicated enough.  Larger well designed trials show homeopathy does not work.  Supporters point out that there are many trials showing homeopathy does work.  Many of these are well designed. 

   Which side is right is an interesting question?  The answer is neither side is correct according to evidence based medicine.  Evidence based medicine requires several larger trials in the 700 to 1000+ people.  These larger trials are replicated over and over again to see if the results are reproduced.  Smaller trials produce too many errors.  Larger trials in the 700 to 1000+ people range that are replicated over and over again are what evidence based medicine deems to be effective.

  There are many limitations to evidence based medicine such as publication bias and randomization of trial users.  However, these limitations can be addressed if the trial is done correctly.

  The biggest issue with evidence based medicine is the true cost.  The only people doing evidence based medicine are drug companies because they can afford the cost of these trials.  Most trials with homeopathy are just too small to draw any definite conclusions. Evidence based medicine can not really make a judgement on homeopathy because the large trials and replications have not been performed.

  The largest trial in homeopathy is with Oscillococcinum.  This trial was a large one with about 700 plus patients showing reduction of the flu.  It also had a similar trial showing this medicine did nothing to help prevent the flu.  All the other trials in homeopathy are just too small for evidence base medicine to say whether these conclusions are accurate or not.  

  Sometimes evidence base medicine gives results that people do not like.  Evidence based medicine says breast cancer screening need not be done on a yearly basis.  They recommend doing breast cancer screening every 2 years for women 50 to 74 years of age.    The test was not really necessary for women younger than 50 with no history of breast cancer.  However, many doctors disagreed with this outcome.  Many doctors feel it is still necessary to do breast screening on a yearly basis for many women.

  This may happen with homeopathy trials on a large scale.  I think the skeptics will not accept the results if homeopathy works in a large scale well replicated trial.  Proponents will still continue using homeopathy if the results from a large scale trial that was replicated many times over was negative.  

  Going forward what type of homeopathy trials should be done due to a limited budget.  Should homeopaths do small trials with classical homeopathy where all remedies are prescribed by a doctor?  These type of trials in large numbers may prove to be extremely problematic and expensive.  It would be very difficult to do this type of trial with replication and limiting publication bias. Another option would be to carry out further large trials with Oscillococcinum to see if a replication is possible.  Should these trials with a couple hundred of people even be carried out since evidence based medicine says their conclusions are pretty much irrelevant?  

  What trials do you think homeopathy should be doing?  Should they go after the promising results such as Oscillococcinum or do classical homeopathic trials or hundreds of small trials for various health conditions?