Introduction to Naturopathic Medicine

Dr. Steven M. Rissman, ND

Metropolitan State College of Denver

Naturopathic Medicine

A system of medicine that combines the safe and effective use of ancient healing traditions with current medical science and technology to bring the whole person into a dynamic state of health and wellness.

Principles of Naturopathic Medicine

First Do No Harm The Healing Power of Nature Identify and Treat the Cause Doctor as Teacher Treat the Whole Person Prevention

First Do No Harm/ Primum non nocere

The naturopathic physician chooses the least invasive techniques with the least potential to cause harmful side effects.

Sometimes doing no harm means doing nothing. For example, if a person is experiencing grief after death of a loved one, is an anti-depressant necessary?

The Healing Power of Nature/Vis medicatrix naturae

The Naturopathic physician works to restore and support the powerful and inherent healing mechanisms of the body and mind.

Naturopathic medicine harnesses the vast potential of the natural world to stimulate the process of healing.

Identify and Treat the Cause/ Tolle causum

The primary goal of the naturopathic physician is to determine and treat the underlying causes of illness, rather than only the symptoms.

For example, if a person suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, instead of simply providing anti-inflammatory medications, the ND would also treat the gastro-intestinal tract to deal with the root cause.

Doctor as Teacher/ Docere

The naturopathic physician educates patients with the knowledge and tools to empower the individual to become responsible for his/her own health.

Treat the Whole Person/ Cura totum hominem

The naturopathic physician treats the whole person, not the disease, taking into account the complex interaction of physical, mental, emotional, dietary, genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors.

Removing a tumor doesn’t cure the cancer, the tumor is the result of the cancer. It is important to optimize the immune system, connect with the the spiritual/ psychological being, re-evaluate the surroundings of the patient, etc.

Prevention/ Praeventum

The naturopathic physician applies all of the above principles in a proactive form of prevention against the development of more serious chronic or degenerative diseases.

The time to prevent osteoporosis is during childhood, making sure that the child is exercising to build bone, taking in appropriate calcium sources, etc.

Naturopathic Medical Schools Accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education

Bastyr University- Seattle, Washington National College of Naturopathic Medicine-Portland,

Oregon Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine- Tempe,

Arizona University of Bridgeport- Bridgeport, Conn Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine-Toronto,

Ontario Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine- Vancouver,

British Columbia National University of Health Sciences- Chicago (Applied

for Accreditation.)

CNME

The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education’s mission is quality assurance: serving the public by accrediting naturopathic medical education programs that voluntarily seek recognition that they meet or exceed CNME’s standards. Students and graduates of programs accredited or preaccredited (candidacy) by CNME are eligible to apply for the naturopathic licensing examinations administered by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE), and are generally eligible for state and provincial licensure in the U.S. and Canada.

 Founded in 1978, CNME is accepted as the programmatic accrediting agency for naturopathic medical education by the four-year naturopathic colleges and programs in the United States and Canada, by the American and Canadian national naturopathic professional associations, and by NABNE. CNME advocates for high standards in naturopathic education, and its grant of accreditation to a program indicates prospective students and the public may have confidence in the educational quality of the program. The U.S. Secretary of Education recognizes CNME as the national accrediting agency for programs leading to the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (N.D. or N.M.D.) or Doctor of Naturopathy (N.D.) degree.

Naturopathic Medical Programs

Most are four year programs with the first two years focusing mainly on basic sciences including anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, neuroanatomy, histology, microbiology and introduction to botanical medicines. In addition, naturopathic philosophy, nutrition, counseling and lab diagnosis are examples of classes in these years.

The 3rd and 4th years are focused on more specific sciences including cardiology, oncology, dermatology, gastroenterology and pediatrics and therapeutic-based classes.

The practice of naturopathic medicine includes(depending on the state law): Physical

examinations Laboratory testing Gynecological exams Nutritional

assessment Allergy testing X-ray/ultrasound and

other imaging tests

Botanical medicine Homeopathy Therapeutic nutrition Pharmacology Minor surgery Hydrotherapy Physical Medicine

Research- SCNM

Effects of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis of knee and hip, Linda Kim, ND and Leslie Axelrod, ND, 2004.

The effects of four weeks of dietary supplementation with hyaluronic acid for osteoarthritis. Jan Highfield, ND and John Schmidt, PhD, 2004-5.

Bioavailability of glutathione from oral dietary supplement intake of glutathione, anthocyanins and L-cysteine: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, Sponsor: ITI, Jami Kupperman, ND, Debra Wollner, PhD, 2004-6.

Effects of homeopathy in allergic rhinitis. A randomized controlled clinical trial, Linda Kim, ND, 2002.

Effects of dietary nutritional supplements in increased intestinal permeability. A preliminary prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Efficacy in chronic gastrointestinal symptoms was evaluated using subjective and objective outcomes. Linda Kim, ND. 2002-2004.

Research- Bastyr University

Mechanisms of Immunomodulatory and Anti-tumor Actions of Polysaccharide KrestinPrincipal Investigator:  Mary Disis (UW), Co-Investigator:  CA WennerProject Period:  September 2007 – August 2011Mushroom extracts have long been used in Asia as immunopotentiating agents. Previous studies have shown that ingestion of mushroom extracts can cause tumors to shrink or stop progressing in animal models of cancer and in cancer patients. However, how these agents induce anti-tumor effects is unknown. The proposed study will use the neutransgenic (neu-tg) mouse, a model of breast cancer, to study the effects of protein-bound polysaccharide Krestin (PSK), an extract from the woody mushroom Trametes versicolor, on anti-tumor immune responses. The goal of this study is to determine in the neu-tg model whether PSK induces an anti-tumor immune response, thus reversing immune suppressive effects of the tumor microenvironment.

Research- Bastyr University (cont.)

Echinacea for Preventing Colds in Children, Subcontract with Child Health Institute Principal Investigator: James Taylor (UW), Co-Investigator: Wendy Weber Project Period: April 1, 2006 - September 30, 2009An unexpected result of an earlier randomized controlled trial was that patients receiving Echinacea had fewer subsequent upper respiratory infections (URIs) during the 4-month study period than children who received placebo for treatment of acute symptoms. This study is designed to further delineate the potential efficacy of Echinacea in preventing URIs in children.

Research- Bastyr University (cont.)

Phase I/II Randomized Open-Label Dose-Finding Study of IdB 1016 in Hepatitis C (UW collaboration, Bastyr subcontractor)Principal Investigator: C Krowdley, Co-Investigator: L J Standish Project Period: June 1, 2002 - April 30, 2004The aim of this study was to gather evidence for dose-dependent safety and tolerability of an oral silybinphosphatidylcholine phystosome (Siliphos TM) at three doses in subjects with chronic hepatitis C with stages II, III, and IV of liver fibrosis. Effects were measured by certain changes that occur during the 12-week treatment and the 4-week follow-up. This study was to determine an optimal dose based on measured safety, tolerability and therapeutic effects for a future phase II randomized double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Research- NCNM (Helfgott Institute)

A Feasibility Study on the Effects of Gymnema sylvestra on Menstrual Cyclicity in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common and significant health problem, affecting 4-6% percent of reproductive aged women.  Irregular menses, anovulation, androgen excess, hirsutism, obesity, acne, and hyperinsulinemia all characterize this complicated syndrome. Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of insulin-sensitizing compounds such as Metformin in reducing PCOS-associated hyperinsulinemia and diminishing endocrine and metabolic abnormalities found in women with PCOS. It has been proposed that Gymnema sylvestra, could be used as an alternative to Metformin in PCOS. The primary goal of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of studying Gymnema sylvestra as a natural treatment for PCOS. The secondary goal of this feasibility study is to examine Gymnema sylvestra as a possible natural treatment for women with PCOS.  This is a randomized 8-month double blind placebo controlled study of generally healthy women with PCOS.  Women are given either Gymnema sylvestra or placebo once a day for 6 months after a 2 month screening period where they learn to track their menstrual cycle.  Menstrual disturbances, PCOS related hormones, and markers of insulin metabolism will be measured.Investigator(s): Ashley Haywood, ND, MSOM, LAc

States That Currently License Naturopathic Medicine Alaska California Idaho Maine New Hampshire Utah Washington District of Columbia

Arizona Connecticut Hawaii Kansas Montana Oregon Vermont US Territories

How can you help promote naturopathic medicine in Colorado?

Go to the CANP website and find a list of credible naturopathic physicians

Support the CANP in it’s effort to regulate the practice of naturopathic medicine to ensure safety standards for Colorado citizens

Contact your legislators and ask that they support H.B. 1064

Contact your insurance company and ask that they cover naturopathic medicine.

Naturopathic Resources

www.coanp.org - the website for the Colorado Association of Naturopathic Physicians

www.aanp.org - the website for the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians

www.aanmc.org- the website for the American Association of Naturopathic Medical Colleges

www.cnme.org- the website for the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (accrediting body)

Textbook of Natural Medicine- by Michael Murray, ND and Joseph Pizzorno, ND

Thank You!Steven M. Rissman, ND

Contact Information:srissman@mscd.edu

Metropolitan State College of Denver303-556-3130