NEW DELHI - Health Minister GhulamNabiAzad Friday urged the scientists to tap the potential of therapeutic cloning to heal and regenerate damaged body parts and find treatment for complex medical problems.
“Although India remains totally opposed to reproductive cloning owing to the doubtful nature of its safety, success utility and ethical acceptability, therapeutic cloning can be considered on case-to-case basis,” Azad said at an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) function.
He said the ICMR should “play an active role in realizing the potential of stem cell research and its technology in modern therapeutic and regenerative medicine”.
“A draft of guidelines for stem cell research/regulation on regulatory aspects of stem cell research and its applications prepared by ICMR will be very useful in this regard, Azad added.
V.M.Katoch, secretary for health research, told IANS: Therapeutic cloning is somewhat similar to stem cell research. This technique is useful to heal completely damaged body parts.
He said, the health ministry will try to bring in a legislation in parliament soon to regulate any deviation in therapeutic cloning and stem cell research. There should not be any (mis-) adventure. Everything should be for treatment.
After giving away ICMR awards to famous health scientists, Azad reiterated India’s progress on vaccine development especially on HIV. He said India has already completed phase one trial to develop vaccine for rota virus and HIV.
The two vaccines have completed phase I trials in India and there is promise of having a vaccine against this dreaded disease, the minister added.
Azad also expressed happiness over the initiation of setting up of a BSL 4 Facility in Pune, one of the higher level of bio-safety lab in the world and will be the first of its kind in India.
Four Things You Didn’t Know About Natural Medicine
If natural medicine still sounds too alternative for you, here are four things that may help mainstream the concept for you.
It’s not so “out there”
In addition to the 38 percent of all adults in the United States who have tried natural medicine, nearly 12 percent of children have used complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies. Veterinarians use it on pets, too. “It’s not just the fringe anymore,” says DonaldB.Levy, MD, medical director of the Osher Clinical Center for Complementary and Integrative Medical Therapies at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.
“It’s more widespread.” In fact, CAM is considered standard treatment in many European countries (including Germany, which regulates herbs, and France, where hospitals widely use acupuncture), so sometimes alternative treatments new to the States have already been researched and used for years abroad.
Our strong desire to “heal” ourselves with natural medicine has made alternative therapies hot items at spas and resorts. Some treatments may sound like a wacky mix of the scientific and the spiritual—Crystal Bowl Sound Healing (at Rancho La Puerta Fitness Resort and Spa in Baja California) claims to activate alpha waves in the brain; Spirit Flight treatment (at Miraval in Tucson, Arizona) is touted as a blend of energy medicine, full-body massage, acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, and spinal alignment, along with indigenous ceremonial rituals.
Lots of MDs use it
More than half of U.S. medical schools now include at least some courses in alternative medicine. And the government is pumping more money than ever into research. The current budget for the NCCAM is $121.5 million—that’s 61 times as much as it was in 1992, the year the department was founded.
Many people turn to alt med when conventional therapy doesn’t do the trick, says RichardNahin, PhD, senior advisor for scientific coordination and outreach at the NCCAM. The number-one concern: relief for chronic pain (in areas like the neck, joints, and lower back).
But adding complementary therapies like supplements (specifically, omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils), Tai Chi or yoga, mind-body therapies (such as biofeedback), and even spiritual practices (including forgiveness), to conventional medications for heart disease is getting a lot of attention and can lower risk, says Victor Sierpina, MD, chairman of the Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine.
Some docs use natural products along with prescription medication, Dr.Levy says. For instance, he may suggest that his patients who can’t tolerate migraine medication try Petasites hybridus (butterbur) root to ease the side effects. “It’s the perfect marriage with modern medicine,” he adds.
Insurance may pay for it
GE E-Care Plan reimburses for about 80 of out-of-pocket expenses for all alternative medicines and cover chiropractic care, acupuncture or acupressure, massage and nutrition therapy and biofeedback.
You may also be able to deduct some alt med treatments as medical expenses on your tax return if you itemize or as eligible expenses for most flexible-spending and health-savings accounts.
But treatments like these are very popular, and an arm of the National Institutes of Health called the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is researching their validity. In fact, you may be able to take part in a clinical trial for an alt med therapy being studied at a university near you. For information, visit the NCCAM’s Web site.
Many people are exploring herbal remedies and natural healing these days. The most exciting aspect of herbal medicine is utilizing the common plants found in backyards throughout Europe, Canada, and the United States. Do not take any herbs without talking to you doctor. If you buy your herbs you can file an insurance claim for the expenses at www.gembpatinets.com.
The White Cedar Evergreens that decorate many yards can be used for urinary, bronchial and vaginal infections. The twigs are know to have anti-viral and anti-fungal qualities. Leaves and twigs are also used to treat rheumatism and coughs.
The Lawn Daisy that is often found in meadows and grassy areas. The sap from the stem can be used on skin spots. A flower infusion (An infusion consists of 1 teaspoon of dried herb added to 1 cup of water. Boil the mixture for 5 minutes and strain.) can be used a skin wash for eczema. In some areas tea is made from the flowers to give energy to listless children. It has many positive uses, but the lawn daisy can exacerbate allergies in some people.
The Houseleek, which is also know as hen and chicks has many uses. The leaves can be eaten in salads. These are also used in baths to aid the skin, and made into tea to assist with mouth sores. The liquidy substance contained in the leaves can be soothing to skin abrasions, burns, and insect stings.
The Dandelion. which is quite prolific in lawns everywhere, has many hidden virtues. The leaves can be used as an effective diuretic. They can treat urinary disorders, and deal with fluid retention without depleting the body of needed potassium. The white sap that comes from the stem is used to treat corns and worts. The root is good for reducing inflammation, and can stimulate liver functioning. This all from a weed that many people try to banish from their yards.
The Cornflower is a beautiful annual that is often used in dried arrangements since they do not lose their color. Their flower has some antibiotic and stimulant qualities. A leaf or flower infusion can assist in digestion and lesson symptoms of rheumatism.
The French Marigold’s leaves are considered a hallucinogen; these were given by ancient Aztecs to calm victims of human sacrifice. Today secretions from the roots are used to repel harmful organisms in gardens and organic farms. Sometimes the flowers of the Sweet Marigold are used to make a condiment.
Queen Anne’s Lace can be found on the borders of wooded areas, in meadows, and in cultivated wildflower displays. The roots of this plant are rich in vitamin C and contain carotene. The seeds have been used as a hangover treatment. A herb tea made from the plant can be used as a diuretic and a urinary antiseptic.
The Morning Glory, which is found everywhere from the United States to Argentina, has many applications. The entire plant can be used as a purgative. The dried seeds are used as a hallucinogenic, although they are considered toxic. In some areas these are used to get rid of intestinal parasites, and treat constipation.
The Raspberry Plant, known to produce tasty berries has other uses. The fruit is used to treat anemia. In some areas raspberries are used to treat kidney problems and bedwetting.The leaves, prepared carefully to eliminate toxins, are used in the last trimester of pregnancy to tone the uterine muscles. A tea prepared from these leaves can relieve menstrual discomfort.
St. John’s Wort, which has gained popularity for its treatment of depression , grows wild in meadowlands in a variety of areas including Europe, the United States, and China. This versatile plant can be soothing when applied directly to burns. The leaves flavor salads and liqueurs. Extracts taken from the flower are used for its antiviral, astringent and sedative qualities. This is also used to treat hemorrhoids, cuts, and varicose veins. This simple meadowland herb is being investigated for its possible use in the treatment of AIDS.
It is exciting to learn about the herbs available to the suburban gardener. These herbs can be helpful in many areas of health maintenance. The world of herbs offers many other interesting treatments that are waiting for the inquiring naturopath to utilize. This list can be a beginning to your exploration in the amazing healing qualities of common herbs.
Researchers have found another good reason to go to the local espresso bar: Several cups of coffee a day could halt the progression of liver disease, a study showed Wednesday.
Sufferers of chronic hepatitis C and advanced liver disease who drank three or more cups of coffee per day slashed their risk of the disease progressing by 53 percent compared to patients who drank no coffee, according to the study, led by NealFreedman of the U.S. National Cancer Institute.
For the study, 766 participants enrolled in the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) trial all of whom had hepatitis C which had not responded to treatment with anti-viral drugs were asked to report how many cups of coffee they drank every day.
The patients were seen every three months during the 3.8-year study, and liver biopsies were taken periodically to determine the progression of liver disease.
“We observed an inverse association between coffee intake and liver disease progression,” meaning patients who drank three or more cups of java were less likely to see their liver disease worsen than non-drinkers, wrote the authors of the study, which will be published in the November issue of Hepatology.
The researchers put forward several ways in which coffee intake might protect against liver disease, including reducing the risk of Type 2 diabetes, which has been associated with liver illness; or by reducing inflammation, which is thought to cause fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver.
Even caffeine, the chemical that gives a cup of coffee its oomph, came under the spotlight, having been found in previous studies to inhibit liver cancer in rats.
But drinking black or green tea, which also contain caffeine, had little impact on the progression of liver disease, although there were few tea drinkers in the study.
According to the World Health Organization, 3 million to 4 million people contract hepatitis C each year.
Seventy percent of cases become chronic and can cause cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Sodium bicarbonate helps to save countless lives every day
It is our moral and ethical obligation to try to find the best solutions for the gravest and most painful disease of our time. When it comes to sodium bicarbonate in medicine it is an open and shut case. It is already in wide use and has been for decades!
In relation to bicarbonate, millions of people in the world either consume bicarbonate ions in drinking water or have been treated clinically with bicarbonate in hospitals, medical centers, or emergency units for the prevention and treatment of clinical acidosis as well as numerous other conditions. Sodium bicarbonate helps to save countless lives every day. It is also found in the corridors of orthodox oncology where it is used to keep the toxic chemotherapy agents from killing people too quickly.
Sodium bicarbonate is the time honored method to ’speed up’ the return of the body’s bicarbonate levels to normal. Bicarbonate is inorganic, very alkaline and like other mineral type substances supports an extensive list of biological functions. Sodium bicarbonate happens to be one of our most useful medicines because bicarbonate physiology is fundamental to life and health. So helpful and elementary it’s even instrumental in helping sperm swim up and enter the cervical canal. Like magnesium chloride administration possibilities are versatile: intravenous, oral, transdermal, and via catheter; it can be vaporized directly into the lungs and be used in enemas and douches.
Bicarbonate is the least expensive, safest and perhaps most effective cancer medicine there is.
Sodium bicarbonate cancer treatment focuses on delivering natural chemotherapy in a way that effectively kills cancer cells while dramatically reducing the brutal side effects and costs experienced with standard chemotherapy treatments. The costs, which are a factor for the majority of people of this particular treatment, are basically zilch. That’s the only problem with this treatment - it is too cheap. No one is going to make money from it so no one will promote it. Those that do will be persecuted for it. The trouble with doing new studies on bicarbonate is that they are expensive and no drug company is going to fund a study when they can’t profit from the treatment.
For one pound of sodium bicarbonate from one of the best sources (guaranteed aluminum free) is $2.61 plus shipping. At the supermarket you can get it even cheaper. For $2.61 or less one has a nothing-to-lose-everything-to-gain-cancer-treatment. None of us dreamed that sodium bicarbonate is already part of orthodox oncology and is included in many chemotherapy protocols to protect the patient’s kidneys, hearts and nervous systems. Now we find out on top of everything else that bicarbonate is also a world class anti-fungicide and could be responsible for the few cures allopathic oncology manages to come up with.
You will also be given lots of fluids (as a drip) and a drug called mesna with your cyclophosphamide to help prevent bladder irritation. Sodium bicarbonate will be given to you – usually as a drip – before and during your methotrexate treatment, to help protect your kidneys.
Oncologists are using extremely dangerous poisons and bicarbonate at the same time claiming it is the poisons that are helping when there is more than suggestion that it is the bicarbonate that is doing the heavy work. Worse for them, there are no studies separating the effects of bicarbonate from the toxic chemotherapy agents nor will there ever be. Administration of some forms of chemotherapy without bicarbonate would probably kill patients on the spot.
Most thought it was pretty strange when Dr.TullioSimoncini showed up on our medical radars. He is the oncologist from Rome who pointed to using bicarbonate as a main line cancer treatment and he was persecuted for it. Yet he has stood firm and continues to travel the world teaching doctors about the anti-cancer properties of sodium bicarbonate.
Sodium bicarbonate is one of the oldest workhorse medicines. So solid is bicarbonate’s position in orthodox oncology it would probably be considered malpractice to apply most forms of chemotherapy without it. It is commonly used prior to, during, and after application of chemotherapy. Some studies actually have already shown how manipulation of tumor pH with sodium bicarbonate enhances chemotherapy again pointing to the possibility that bicarbonate is the main chemo agent saving people from their cancers.
Since the very beginning sodium bicarbonate has been used with the premier chemotherapy agent made from mustard gas. Mechlorethamine also known as chlormethine, mustine, nitrogen mustard and HN2 and sold under the brand name Mustargen was the prototype anticancer chemotherapeutic drug. Use of mechlorethamine gave birth to the field of anticancer chemotherapy. Without baking soda orthodox oncology would never have been able to establish itself for all their patients would probably have died.
These chemo drugs are an analogue of mustard gas and were derived from chemical warfare research. Instructions for its use include: Dilute well with rapidly running IVF flush solution. After infusion is complete, give brisk bolus approx. 200 cc IVF to flush veins. The basic substances used in IVF flushes are sodium thiosulfate5and sodium bicarbonate. Without the bicarbonate and thiosulfate buffers patients would quickly succumb to the chemo poisons. It’s a picture right out of hell using mustard gas instead of something vastly safer.
Sodium bicarbonate, potassium chloride, and calcium
chloride are used to maintain pH and electrolytes
within normal values in intensive care units.
We are talking about serious medicine when we talk about sodium bicarbonate. Earlier and more frequent use of sodium bicarbonate is associated with higher early resuscitability rates and with better long-term neurological outcomes in emergency units. Sodium bicarbonate is beneficial during CPR. We are also talking about an exceptionally safe medicine when we talk about bicarbonate. Chemotherapy drugs and corticoids reduce the bone marrow production of cells. In addition, these drugs damage the integrity of the skin tegument, and of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, facilitating the penetration of microorganisms into the host. Bicarbonate does none of this.
Sodium bicarbonate lessens the development of polycystic kidney
disease in rats. Chronic administration of 200 mM sodium bicarbonate
to rats inhibited cystic enlargement and prevented thesubsequent
development of interstitial inflammation, chronic fibrosis, and uremia.
On the other hand cancer treatments, including the most commonly used chemotherapy agents as well as the newest biologic and targeted therapy drugs, can harm a patient’s heart - sometimes fatally. Cardiologists at The University of Texas found in their review of 29 anticancer agents that there is no class of cancer drug that is free of potential damage to the heart. It is the organ that seems to be most sensitive to toxic effects of anticancer agents. Even the newest targeted therapies, designed to attack only cancer cells, can cause cardiotoxicity.
Bicarbonate ions and water are two of
the most natural compounds on Earth.
We do not have to fear bicarbonate intake. And in fact, people who live in areas of the world with high amounts of bicarbonate in their drinking waters have a striking decreased mortality rate and a decreased prevalence of disease. Sodium bicarbonate, though often used as a medicine, is unlike pharmaceutical compounds. It is a natural non-toxic substance that does not require clinical trials for an assessment of toxicity. Spring waters contain bicarbonate ions which are coupled mainly with sodium, potassium, calcium or magnesium ions. A deficiency of bicarbonate ions in the body contributes to a range of diseases and medical conditions.
