Homeopathy

[TeleMad]

I quickly found these warnings, and note that these are sites trying to sell you their supplements.

Zinc in amounts greater than 200 mg a day can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Taking even 100 mg a day in supplement form over long periods can result in problems, including lowered levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol and diminished immune-system function.

An association between excessive zinc and Alzheimer's disease has been made but requires further investigation. (http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshel...,10071,00.html)

Intake of zinc should be kept to under 100 mg per day as larger amounts may result in nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness and hallucinations.
(http://www.anyvitamins.com/zinc-info.htm)

So I guess the best advice is not to take megadoses of zinc like some people do with other vitamins and nutrients.

[Biochemist]

Originally Posted by TeleMad

So I guess the best advice is not to take megadoses of zinc like some people do with other vitamins and nutrients.

These are good refs, TM. For all of the larger diameter non-trace metals (iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc) they have a lots of complicated toxic effects based (I think) mostly on the stuff they chelate in your gut. This gives each one a characateristic malabsorbtion syndrome. They tend to also each have their own native toxicity, like the ones you mentioned for zinc. The smaller diameter non-trace metals (sodium, potassium) they tend not to have any real toxicity directly, because our kidneys are pretty good at handling sodium-potassium balance. However, when we get older and our kidneys lose capacity, these metals tend to mess up fluid balance.

The trace minerals (manganese, chromium, cobalt, etc) are almost all pretty toxic if we get them in high doses. Fortunately most of those metals (except chormium) are hard to run across.

[tarak]

Integration of different streams of medicine: How does that happen? May be we are towards it. There is a renewed interest in our old/ancient systems of medicine.Modern biologies are developing the absorption power for sucking up what is useful from all forms and philosophies.Some are disproved like the water molecule memory, and some are strongly proven may be like a particular herb's antiseptic properties. Then there is this holistic approach for healing,the mind and matter thing. In this regard I feel that there should be an integration at a higher level for solving problems at the downstream.

[Qfwfq]

Originally Posted by tarak

Some are disproved like the water molecule memory, and some are strongly proven may be like a particular herb's antiseptic properties.

While the water memory stuff is utter crap, apothecary is the origin of pharmacy, it just got overriden by industrial synthesis of drugs. Where do quinine and aspirin come from? These are only two examples.

Originally Posted by tarak

Then there is this holistic approach for healing,the mind and matter thing.

Doctors should certainly pay attention to the "people", as well as to the "patients". The best doctors do. The placebo effect is very important, it can work miracles and that's why it needs to be screened out when testing the actual effect of a substance. So many types of stimulus can be relevant, accupuncture seems to not lack effect.

[Fishteacher73]

Not to downplay some "alternative" medications, but we really do not even understand the placebo effect even if we know it to be a placebo. These methods may have biological merrit, or the results could be completely psychological. It is hard to see the forest because of the trees on this one IMO.

[Biochemist]

Originally Posted by Qfwfq

...Where do quinine and aspirin come from? These are only two examples.

There are probably hundreds of current pharmaceuticals that are sourced from plants or microbes. Morphine (and the semi-synthetics, heroin and codeine), cocaine, digoxin, many antineoplastics (vincristine, vinblastine,asparaginase), and many of the original antibiotics (penicillin)

... accupuncture seems to not lack effect.

Accupunture seems to activate the same receptors that are activated by morhine in the paraaqueductal grey matter.

[Qfwfq]

Opium!!! From poppy seed, yes, I hadn't thought of that one, or laudanum.

Animals, as well as plants... insulin...

[Qfwfq]

Originally Posted by Fishteacher73

...but we really do not even understand the placebo effect even if we know it to be a placebo. These methods may have biological merrit, or the results could be completely psychological.

We do understand the placebo effect, and of course it's psychological! Better yet... psychosomatic! No need to look at the trees, just see through them and see the forest!

[Robust]

On the plus side....Homeopathy supports use of the biochemic tissue salts.

[McGyver]

Here's the most popular Vitamin/herb cold supplement for the past Winter, "Airborne Formula." It is intended to strengthen the immune system of users in high risk environments such as airplanes, crowded restaurants, and parties. It contains Vitamins A, C, E, Riboflavin, Magnesium, Zinc, etc, and is a tablet dropped into water. I tried it a few times, but can't confirm its effectiveness. It was also featured on major U.S. news this Winter, and often times was sold out.