Introduction to Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a system of medicine based on the laws of similars: "like cures like." Chosen remedies are infinitely small doses of a substance that at larger doses would produce similar symptoms of the illness. This is contrary to much of conventional or "allopathic" medicine which uses a substances (such as an antibiotic) that produce "different" symptoms than the illness at hand.

Think of homeopathy as a gentle nudge to the body to return to a healthy, balanced state.  Within each of us is a natural tendency towards health. Our bodies are built to maintain balance -- a concept known as "homeostasis."  Imbalances may present with specific physical and emotional symptoms, providing clues to how a person is trying to return to a state of balance.  Remedies are then individualized for each person based on the precise details of the illness. 

Homeopathic remedies are created from a starting substance by a series of dilutions and vigorous shaking (succussions) between dilutions.  The "potency" of a remedy describes how many sequential dilutions and succussions have been done.  Remarkably, in potencies of 12c or greater, it is unlikely that a single molecule of the original substance remains.  The water molecules used in the dilutions hold an imprint of the original substance, possibly by the structures of the molecules, the electromagnetic properties, and other interactions that belong in the realm of quantum physics.  Water (H2O) is a fascinating and unique molecule whose properties make life here on Earth possible.  (I like to think of how no two snowflakes are completely alike to truly appreciate the gift of water.)  Because the body is about 70-80% water, consider that an alteration in the body's water charateristics may potentially have a large impact on the whole.

Need more?  I would highly recommend reading Dana Ullman's article on nanopharmacology and how homeopathy works.  I also like Kellie Kirkpatrick's brief discussion of homeopathy and the vital force.

Get away from the TV, get into the real world

As you may have heard, Baby Einstein is no Einstein.  As a matter of fact, no video, TV show, or computer game can match the brilliance of the real world itself.  Just step out into nature to engage all your senses. Nature on TV is still no comparison to the sights, sounds, smell, taste, and touch of our world outdoors. Take a look at this brief Patriot Ledger article I wrote a couple of years ago.

For those of you upset by the Baby Einstein debacle, Disney is offering a free refund. See this NY Times article. Here's to Turn of the TV week.

Should we eat organic?

Pesticides are designed to be toxic in order to kill off living organisms, such as insects, plants and fungi that are considered "pests." Various pesticides are recognized by the government to disrupt the nervous system, to cause cancer, to alter the hormonal system, and adversely affect the eyes, skin, and lungs.

Although the government does have regulations, these regulations are too lax too protect the most vulnerable of us -- our infants and children, as well as developing fetuses.  Companies will argue that the amount of pesticides found in food products are negligible. However, there is insufficient research to prove that these already known toxins are NOT harmful to our infants and children.  Shouldn't we be more careful now rather than pay the price of our children's health later?

So, does it make sense to avoid pesticides?  In short, yes. But you don't have to break the bank to do so. Try to shop from your local farm stand or look for local produce at the grocery store.  First, local produce may have fewer pesticides, if any, as conventional products.  Smaller farms are not always able to afford the cost and time of becoming certified organic.  Second, you may find local produce fresher and therefore packed with more nutrients.   Third, local produce consumes less petroleum which benefits our health from a more global environmental perspective as well.

When possible, avoid buying conventional produce listed in the "Dirty Dozen." According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), by choosing organic for these fruits and veggies, you can reduce most of your pesticide consumption:

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Imported Nectarines
7. Imported Grapes
8. Sweet bell peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Domestic Blueberries
11. Lettuce
12. Kale/ Collard Greens

The "Clean 15" are the least contaminated with pesticides. Choose local, conventional or organic for these fruits and veggies:

1. Onions
2. Corn*  (*Buy non-GMO, See "Food Allergies on the Rise")
3. Pineapples
4. Avocados
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet peas
7. Mangoes
8. Eggplant
9. Domestic Canteloupe
10. Kiwi
11. Cabbage
12. Watermelon
13. Sweet potatoes
14. Grapefruit
15. Mushroom

You can visit the EWG site for a handy guide that you can print out or download. You might also want to check out this CNN article on pesticide residue.

Don't fret if all that is available is conventional produce.  Just rinse it off as best you can. It's a good idea to rinse off all produce well as even organic produce can have trace pesticides.

Probiotics

Probiotics are live, beneficial micro-organisms. They are similar to the "good bacteria" that already live in our gut.  These friendly bacteria play an important role in our immune system, partly by guarding us from other substances like viruses, unfriendly bacteria, and allergens that may make us sick.  These helpful organisms also aid in our digestion of food and absorption of nutrients.  With such vital roles, it is important for us to maintain a healthy balance of these beneficial micro-organisms within our digestive tracts.

Some factors can alter this balance of organisms in our gut. For example, antibiotics tend to kill off the "good bacteria" along with the bad they are targeting.  A diarrhea illness can also reduce the amount of beneficial bacteria.  In these cases, trying to increase the amount of helpful micro-organisms in our gut with probiotics makes sense. Doing so can decrease the risk of diarrhea from antibiotics as well as prevent or lessen the severity of an infectious diarrhea illness.  Recent studies have shown that probiotics may also help ward off and decrease the duration of cold and flu-like symptoms.

An easy way to increase the beneficial organisms in your digestive tract is to eat more probiotic foods. Probiotics are naturally found in cultured or fermented foods, such as yogurt, kefir, soy yogurt, miso, and vegetable pickles like sauerkraut.  There are also many probiotic supplements available in various forms including tablets, powders, and drinks.  The probiotic powders are a great option for kids since they can easily be mixed into a beverage.  If you do choose a supplement, be sure it is not expired as there will be fewer live organisms.

Take note that not all probiotics are equal. There are different groups of probiotics, such as Lactobaccilus and Bifidobacterium, as well as many different species, such as Lactobaccilus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidis, which are further subdivided into specfic strains.  What may hold true for one strain may not be extended to all strains.  As research continues, we will learn more about which strains may be most beneficial for certain illnesses.

Best in health,
Dr. Arlene Dijamco

Osteopathy

Osteopathy is a safe and holistic way to evaluate and treat a multitude of ailments, including headaches, colic, reflux, recurrent ear infections, swallowing difficulties, strabismus (lazy eye), neck pain, back pain, sciatica, joint pain, coordination difficulties, low or increased muscle tone, hyperactivity, anxiety, and autism, just to name a few.  Because osteopaths are also physicians, they may safely integrate these treatments with other therapies and recommendations (such as dietary and lifestyle changes) as necessary.
 
One of the main principles of osteopathy is that function is directly related to the "living anatomy" of the body, which includes the flow of fluids, motion of tissues, and mobility of joints and bones. The osteopath is highly trained to assess these subtle rhythms. Restrictions or strains on any part of the body can place pressure on nerves or cause alterations in blood flow or a myriad of problems. By applying a very precise amount of pressure, the osteopath can treat imbalances, gently encouraging the body to return to a healthier state. This type of treatment is called osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM).

There are various types of osteopathic manipulation. One of the most in-depth and gentle manipulations, cranial osteopathy, focuses on treating the subtle  rhythms of the head (cranium) and tailbone (sacrum). Disruptions to these rhythms can cause fluid retention (such as in ear infections and sinusitis), or alterations in blood flow (such as in migraine headaches), or irritation on nerves (such as vagal irritation in reflux). Restoring the natural flow of fluids and rhythms in the body can improve symptoms and even restore function completely. It is important to note that cranial osteopathy is not “cranial sacral,” since osteopaths are physicians whose training integrates their professional medical background with fine-tuned palpatory skills and in-depth understanding of anatomy, including the intricacies of the nerves, brain, bones, vasculature, and connective dura and fascia layers.  To find a cranial osteopath, please see http://www.cranialacademy.org/

Best in Health,
Arlene Dijamco, MD FAAP
 

KALE CHIPS

This is an easy and delicious recipe to make crunchy kale chips that may just keep you grabbing for more. Kale is power-packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatories and is also a good source of calcium.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Tear or cut off leaves from stems. Break leaves into bite-sized pieces. Make sure leaves are dry, otherwise they do not crisp as well. You may want to spin them dry with a salad spinner. Drizzle with olive oil. Use your fingers to coat both sides of leaves completely. Place on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle with sea salt or kosher salt (careful, a little goes a long way.) Bake for 15-20+ minutes. Watch carefully, as leaves will brown quickly. Yum!

Energy Medicine & Reiki

We are all energetic beings.  For example, we emit heat (thermal energy), we can move (kinetic energy), and our nerves conduct electrical currents. Based on our energetic properties, scientific advances have led to high-tech medical tools and devices such as EKGs (electrocardiograms), pacemakers, and MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging.)

Somehow, we humans have always been aware of our energetic properties. Humans have known this for thousands of years even without all our modern equipment. We are filled with a basic form of energy which makes us feel alive. Some call it our life force, "chi" or "ki."  When we feel happy, whole, and connected, our life force is flowing freely.  However, the natural flow of our life force may be disrupted by a variety of reasons including acute and chronic stressors, potentially causing illness.  Energy medicine focuses on restoring the balance to our life force.

There are many types of energy medicine. One of the simplest forms is Reiki.  It is a non-invasive, hands-on treatment done fully clothed.  Reiki can be used at any age for a variety of conditions from anxiety and depression to surgical recovery.  Reiki was recently recommended by integrative cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz (see the video clip here). My teacher, Reiki master Pamela Miles, presents a brief introduction to Reiki on her website and video.  Although Reiki treatments given by an experienced Reiki master may be more intensive, anyone can learn Reiki, even children. A regular self-Reiki practice for even a few minutes a day can have a remarkable effect on you and your family. Try it out for a couple weeks and see for yourself.

Best in Health,
Arlene Dijamco, MD FAAP

Walking On Sunshine... Vitamin D and You

Vitamin D is taking center stage these days.  It is important in bone health and calcium balance, preventing a bone-softening disease called rickets. Vitamin D also plays a role in optimal immune and neuromuscular function, anti-inflammatory effects, as well as the prevention of multiple sclerosis and certain cancers, including breast and colon cancer. Click here for details.
 
Unfortunately, our main source of Vitamin D - the sun - is not as accessible now that the days are short and we're bundled up for the winter. There are only a few food sources of Vitamin D, such as fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel), fortified milk and fortified orange juice. Recent studies have shown that over half of kids have insufficient levels of Vitamin D. Click here for more.  Last year, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) increased the recommended daily intake of Vitamin D from 200 to 400 units per day for infants, children, and adolescents. If you relied on milk alone for Vitamin D, you would have to drink 4 cups of milk a day.  During the cold months, an efficient way to obtain Vitamin D is via a Vitamin D supplement, which is available in combination or alone.  In addition, don't forget to get outside regularly!  Even a little winter sunshine warming our faces will be better than none.

Arlene Dijamco, MD FAAP

General & Integrative Pediatrics