Special Updates
Archives 2020

Free AHHA monthly Reports

The monthly Special Updates from the AHHA are Reports with items of interest to those actively enhancing their health and well-being. Each Report features a health or health freedom issue. It also features a research item and an AHHA resource.

These free Reports are sent out to subscribers.
You can have these AHHA Special Updates sent to you personally by signing up online.

The Archives of these AHHA Special Reports are maintained here for those who have not yet signed up to receive them by email and those who wish to review past issues.


December 18, 2020

FEATURED RESEARCH
New approach to help PTSD
“A properly functioning brain is entirely dependent on balanced and healthy function of the immune, digestive, and endocrine systems.” So consider diagnosing PTSD as a “neuro-endocrine-immune problem” and treating with Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) “to address over activity and inflammation in specific parts of the brain, raise serotonin levels, quiet central sensitization, quiet inflammation generally, and specifically increases vagal tone.” from a Townsend Letter research article, Mental Health, the Brain, and PTSD” by Carolyn McMakin, MA, DC.

For other health conditions, check out AHHA’s Evidence-based Research Articles database.

FEATURED ISSUE
COVID-19 vaccine understandings
As the first COVID-19 vaccines become available for administration, it is very apparent that there are highly differing views on the seriousness of the side effects and what degree of protection the vaccines provide. Learning more about these various viewpoints may prove valuable as you prepare to decide whether or not you will be participating.

You may want to review a variety of reports on what actual side effects have been experienced by those in the vaccine trials. Do any concern you ? Do any of them appear to be related to a specific pre-existing condition you have?

You will find lots of statements about the percentage of “effectiveness” of a vaccine. It may be helpful to learn how these statistical percentages are calculated. I may also be helpful to look for a clear definition of what each vaccine is designed to do. Is it to prevent you from becoming infected with the COVID-19 virus or is it to minimize the severity of how sick you get when you catch the COVID-19 virus?

Issue: What are your impressions of the new COVID-19 vaccines?

AHHA strives to maintain a neutral position on issues and views knowledge as power. For those interested in this month’s issue the articles cited below were selected to offer you some resources to begin your research to better understand some of issues related to COVID-19 vaccines.

Positive
FDA releases detailed data on effectiveness, risks of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine (12/8/20)
by Noah Manskar
New York Post

As coronavirus vaccine begins to roll out, FDA seeks to reassure the public on safety (12/12/20)
by Laurie McGinley
The Washington Post

How safe are the new COVID-19 vaccines? And how do mRNA vaccines work? (12/4/20)
by Dennis Thompson
Chicago Tribune

Covid-19 Vaccine Trials Are a Case Study on the Challenges of Data Literacy (12/11/20)
by Bart de Langhe
Harvard Business Review

Negative
Emergency COVID-19 Vaccines May Cause Massive Side Effects (12/9/20)
by Joseph Mercola
Mercola.com via LeeRockwell.com

COVID Vaccine: What We Don’t Know (12/3/20)
VAX Insider

Nurse Shares COVID Vaccine Side Effects from Trial (12/7/20)
by Marcia Frellick
WebMD

UK issues allergy warning about Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine after patients fall ill (12/9/20)
by Lee Brown
New York Post

As always, you are encouraged to go to our blog at https://ahha.org/blog and post your comments.

FEATURED AHHA RESOURCE
Your spiritual self
The holistic, or whole person, approach sees “the whole as more than just the sum of its parts.” This means that the whole of you is an integrated union of your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual selves. AHHA’s website offers a list of books that can support you in developing a richer connection with your spiritual self. Take a look at the books in the Connecting to Your Spirituality database to find the books that will speak to you.

AHHA IS OVER 30 YEARS OLD
30th Anniversary eBook
The special eBook compiled to celebrate AHHA’s 30th anniversary contains inspiring essays written by thirty thought leaders in the fields of holistic health, integrative medicine, and wellness. One example is “For Future Healers” by Rosalyn L. Bruyere, DD. “The measure of a life long healer, is in their dedication to life long learning,” she writes, “so that they can become a better vessel for the miracle that is healing.”

AHHA is honored to give this eBook to you as a gift in exchange for a minimum charitable donation to AHHA of only $30.

Click here for more exciting details

Click here to make your $30 donation to honor AHHA’s 30 years and receive the gift eBook.


November 13, 2020

FEATURED RESEARCH
New first-line tip against acid reflux
“Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), more commonly known as acid reflux, is a common and chronic disorder that affects up to 20% of people in the US.” “The three treatment options are lifestyle changes, medication, and surgery. A fourth option proposed improving breathing patterns along with loosening clothing to decrease the hydraulic pressure on the stomach.” from a Townsend Letter research article, Can Acid Reflux Be Reduced by Breathing?” by Erik Peper, PhD, Richard Harvey, PhD, Lauren Mason, Lisa Wolski, and Jasmine Torres.

For other health conditions, check out the Evidence-based Research Articles database.

FEATURED ISSUE
Face mask issues
Are you confused by the contradictory information on face masks? The following was compiled to support you with sources related to several of the key concerns you might be having.

As wearing a mask is mandatory in a great many communities, we have gathered what are listed as important safety recommendations for wearing a mask:
A medical mask is to be disposed of after one use, never reused.
A cloth mask is to be washed after each use.
Wash your hands before and after handling a mask.
Position your mask to securely cover your nose and mouth.
Never touch your mask while wearing it.
After prolonged mask use or when your mask becomes damp or dirty, wash your face and change to a clean mask.
Handle a used mask as though it were contagious.

There are two premises for wearing a face mask: (1) To protect you by preventing your nose and mouth from contact with droplets, splashes and sprays from others as they talk, cough, or sneeze. (2) To protect people around you by reducing their exposure to your saliva and respiratory secretion droplets released when you talk, cough, or sneeze.

Issue: What might your issues be around face masks?

Capacity of a mask to filter out the COVID-19 virus
Consider the size of the pores of the masks you are using.
The size of the COVID-19 virus is about 0.125 microns.
A larger size can be factored in if the virus “sticks” to respiratory droplets that can be 5 to 10 microns.
Be aware that the pores of cloth masks get larger with repeated washings.

Impact on air you are re-breathing
Mask must fit snugly to be effective.
Mask material needs to allow air to flow in and out.
If you should react negatively to increased carbon dioxide and decreased oxygen, don’t ignore this warning.

Breathing loose particulates into your lungs
When you receive a package of face masks, check for possible loose fiber particles in the masks and/or debris from mask manufacturing or packaging.
Be careful about these particles so that what you breathe in will not result in minute foreign objects in your lungs.

Is wearing masks enough?
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) posted a scientific study showing over 70% of the participants testing positive for COVID-19 reported they had regularly worn masks. It further stated that “direction, ventilation, and intensity of airflow might affect virus transmission, even if social distancing measures and mask use are implemented according to current guidance.” [see more study data in article “CDC Study Finds…” below] Might this be a CDC message to consider all possible preventive options?
For highest degree of safety some people incorporate both extremes in their attitude–wearing their mask properly (for protection), but acting as if it doesn’t work (just in case it doesn’t work as well as desired).

Always check with your physician regarding any health concerns.

AHHA strives to maintain a neutral position on issues and viewsknowledge as power. For those interested in this month’s issue the articles cited below were selected to offer you some resources to begin your research to better understand the variety of issues related to wearing a face mask.

Articles viewing masks positively
Do Masks Work? (5/13/20)
by Steven Novella
Science-Based Medicine

COVID-19: Mayo Clinic expert answers questions about masks after CDC updates its recommendation (4/6/20)
by DeeDee Stiepan
Mayo Clinic

Face masks have negligible negative effect on CO2 and O2 levels (10/7/20)
by Timothy Huzar
MedicalNewsToday

How to Select, Wear, and Clean Your Mask (10/29/20)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Considerations for Wearing Masks (11/4/20)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Articles viewing masks negatively
CDC Study Finds Overwhelming Majority Of People Getting Coronavirus Wore Masks (10/12/20)
by Jordan Davidson
The Federalist

Masks, false safety and real dangers, Part 2: Microbial challenges from masks (November 2020)
by Boris Borovoy, Colleen Huber, Maria Crisler
Primary Doctor Medical Journal

Masks cause oxygen depravation and permanent neurological damage, especially in the developing brains of children (10/5/20)
Justice4Poland.com

Need for assessing the inhalation of micro(nano) plastic debris shed from masks, respirators, and home-made face coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic (10/6/20)
by Jie Han and  Shanshan He
Elsevier Public Health Emergency Collection

As always, you are encouraged to go to our blog at https://ahha.org/blog and post your comments.

To review past ISSUES, visit the Special Updates Archives.

FEATURED AHHA RESOURCE
Holiday gifts can include health tips
Are you looking for a special holiday gift that will motivate a loved one to get more involved in his/her quality of wellness? AHHA members have written books and created CDs and DVDs that are filled with tips for improving your health.You can learn more at Health-related Books, CDs, DVDs… and the Books/ Other Media section of the AHHA Organizational Member list.

AHHA IS 30 YEARS OLD
30th Anniversary eBook
The special eBook compiled to celebrate AHHA’s 30thanniversary contains inspiring essays written by thirty thought leaders in the fields of holistic health, integrative medicine, and wellness. One example is “The Evolution of Holistic Nutrition” by Ed Bauman, PhD, which states that “Holistic nutrition is evolving into sustainable nutrition. People are making food and lifestyle choices that are good for the economy, ecology, and their health. Shopping for value rather than price and convenience shows a new level of awareness and social responsibility.”

AHHA is honored to give this eBook to you as a gift in exchange for a minimum charitable donation to AHHA of only $30.

Click here for more exciting details

Click here to make your $30 donation to honor AHHA’s 30 years and receive the gift eBook.


October 16, 2020

FEATURED RESEARCH
Reducing inflammation to improve kidney patients’ prognosis
“Advanced kidney disease can blunt the immune response, while at the same time inducing constant low-grade systemic inflammation.” “…addressing inflammation may go a long way to improving the long-term prognosis of kidney patients,” from a Townsend Letter research article, “Uremia and Inflammation” by Jenna Henderson, ND.

For other health conditions, check out the Evidence-based Research Articles database.

FEATURED ISSUE
Vitamin D gaining respect against COVID-19
There has been a remarkable upsurge in early October 2020 in including vitamin D with other treatments for preventing and treating COVID-19. What started with official pronouncements that there was no data to recommend the use of vitamin D progressed to a recent touting of vitamin D as being a silver bullet solution. If you have been on the fence about your own nutritional supplementation to enhance your immune system, there are now numerous studies that you can review and discuss with your family physician. You may want to keep closer track of your own vitamin D level and develop a better understanding of the potential negative impact of being deficient, especially related to your susceptibility to COVID-19.

Issue: Do you understand the role of vitamin D and COVID-19?

AHHA strives to maintain a neutral position on issues and viewsknowledge as power. For those interested in this month’s issue the articles cited below were selected to offer you some resources to begin your research to better understand the media’s changing role in presenting vitamin D’s role related to COVID-19.

Can vitamin D protect against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)? (10/2/20)
by William F. Marshall, III MD
Mayo Clinic
[There isn’t enough data to recommend use of vitamin D to prevent infection with the virus that causes COVID-19or to treat COVID-19, according to the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization.]

Vitamin D and COVID-19 (10/3/20)
International SOS
[So far Vitamin D has not been proven to be effective in treating or preventing COVID-19.]

Scholarly Heat and Light and Vitamin D in the Pandemic (10/6/20)
ConscienHealth
[If you are deficient in vitamin D, that does have an impact on your susceptibility to infection.]

What to Know About Vitamin D and COVID-19 (10/7/20)
Healthline
[Several studies have linked vitamin D deficiency to coronavirus infection and more severe COVID-19.]

5 ways in which Vitamin D can help prevent multiple organ damage from Covid (10/9/20)
by Subhasree Ray
The Print
[Among the hospitalized Covid-19 patients, 20 per cent develop Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and need ICU admission. Vitamin D, an immunomodulatory agent, could have protective effects against these severe outcomes in Covid-19 patients.]

Is Vitamin D a Silver Bullet? (10/9/20)
by Mikko Paunio, MD, MSH
Lockdown Sceptics
[Vitamin D now appears to provide us with a silver bullet solution to protect the most vulnerable and provides us with the means to get rid of these socially disastrous lockdowns even before there is a vaccine available.]

As always, you are encouraged to go to our blog at https://ahha.org/blog and post your comments.

FEATURED AHHA RESOURCE
Discover new wellness options
AHHA Organizational Member companies offer innovative wellness-enhancing products and services to support your journey to a higher level of wellness. In our online Resource section, check out the PRODUCTS and SERVICES categories of the AHHA Self-Help Tools searchable database.

AHHA IS 30 YEARS OLD
30th Anniversary eBook
The special eBook compiled to celebrate AHHA’s 30thanniversary contains inspiring essays written by thirty thought leaders in the fields of holistic health, integrative medicine, and wellness. One example is “The Personalized Medicine Paradox” by James Maskell, which states “For people who are disempowered, individualized medicine is a fairytale.”

AHHA is honored to give this eBook to you as a gift in exchange for a minimum charitable donation to AHHA of only $30.

Click here for more exciting details

Click here to make your $30 donation to honor AHHA’s 30 years and receive the gift eBook.


September 11, 2020

FEATURED RESEARCH
Importance of early detection
In a Townsend Letter research article, “Diagnostic Tests for Early Detection of Cancer: An Integrative Approach” by Leigh Erin Connealy, MD, this integrative physician with expertise in cancer treatment describes little-known diagnostic tests that permit early detection—when treatments and lifestyle change are most effective.

For other health conditions, check out the Evidence-based Research Articles database.

FEATURED ISSUE
Protecting Organic Standards
There is promising news for those of you who are organic food consumers. While for over a decade there have been concerns about regulation loopholes that allowed pesticide contamination of organic crops, now in 2020 there is a proposed national rule that could protect the organic industry’s supply chain. Specifically, the United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA) is proposing that each entity in the supply chain be required to have organic certification through the National Organic Program (NOP). In addition, international imports of organic products would need equivalent certification and trackable and auditable verification that a specific shipment complies with USDA organic regulations. This proposal is out for comments until October 5, 2020. So far, the organic industry appears to be supportive of the proposed rule. It will be interesting to see what, if any, changes are made at that point.

Issue: Will the latest proposed USDA rule improve protection of organic products?

AHHA strives to maintain a neutral position on issues and viewsknowledge as power. For those interested in this month’s issue the articles cited below were selected to offer you some resources to begin your research to better understand the proposed regulation change being proposed.

History
2010 – 2011 Pilot Study Pesticide Residue Testing of Organic Produce  (November 2012)
Unites States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service

Spring 2020 gathering for input
National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Meeting – Seattle, WA (April 2019)
National Organic Standards Board

Proposal
Strengthening Organic Enforcement Proposed Rule
Unites States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service

Opportunity to submit comments
National Organic Program; Strengthening Organic Enforcement (8/5/20)
A Proposed Rule bytheAgricultural Marketing Service; Comments until 10/5/20
Federal Register

Industry viewpoint
USDA-NOP Strengthening Organic Enforcement Proposed Rule SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS (July 2020)
Organic Trade Association

Consumer viewpoint
You Can Stop Fake Organics (7/30/20)
Alliance for Natural Health USA

As always, you are encouraged to go to our blog at https://ahha.org/blog and post your comments.

FEATURED AHHA RESOURCE
Change a life
Check out the AHHA Gift for a Better Life single-sheet flyer that introduces the powerful concept of the holistic approach.It’s available for free!. Who do you know who could benefit from receiving a copy? You can download the flyer and share by emailing it or hand delivering a printed copy (double-sided). It can empower that person’s life. Note that this flyer is available in both English and Spanish

AHHA IS 30 YEARS OLD
30th Anniversary eBook
The special eBook compiled to celebrate AHHA’s 30thanniversary contains inspiring essays written by thirty thought leaders in the fields of holistic health, integrative medicine, and wellness. One example is “Being Holistic About Getting Behavioral” by Michael Arloski, PhD, PCC, CWP, NBC-HWC. “Today,” he writes, “health and wellness coaching provides a way to operationalize wellness for the individual. To do so we must view our client through a holistic lens, not focusing on changing just one behavior or accomplishing only one goal. Lifestyle improvement is a lifelong task that leads to a new way of living.”

AHHA is honored to give this eBook to you as a gift in exchange for a minimum charitable donation to AHHA of only $30.

Click here for more exciting details

Click here to make your $30 donation to honor AHHA’s 30 years and receive the gift eBook.

EXTRA ITEM
AHHA extending its Board of Directors
The American Holistic Health Association (AHHA) is interested in expanding its Board of Directors. Candidates need to value and have passion for supporting AHHA’s mission. While AHHA is seeking candidates with expertise in fund raising, grant writing, and social media and those who have grant foundation connections, all interested candidates are encouraged to apply. Email to mail@ahha.orga brief statement of what expertise you can offer. Also include your curriculum vitae or resume.


August 14, 2020

FEATURED RESEARCH
Underlying allergy causes
Allergies can be treated effectively by addressing the whole person and their individual underlying conditions.” Learn to consider nutrition, diamine oxidase, nasal sinus relief, treating the gut, parasitic infection, and allergy tolerance in aTownsend Letterresearch article,“The Whole-Body Approach to Treating Allergies”by Clement Lee, NMD.

For other health conditions, check out the Evidence-based Research Articles database.

FEATURED ISSUE
Another FDA step against cBHT
Please remember that the American Holistic Health Association (AHHA) supports you in your efforts to be well educated about what you can do in your daily life to enhance the quality of your health. Should symptoms of an illness arise, we encourage you to be well-informed about all of your treatment options, both pharmaceutical and natural. We want you to research healthcare options until you feel well-prepared to confidently and effectively make your health decisions. We also alert you when we hear rumblings that there might be a threat to your access to any of your desired treatment options.

This month we are updating past alerts to the potential loss of access to compounded bioidentical hormone therapies.

Issue: How serious is the threat to continued access to compounded bioidentical hormone therapies?

AHHA strives to maintain a neutral position on issues and viewsknowledge as power. For those interested in this month’s issue and wanting to learn more about this topic, the articles cited below were selected to offer you some resources to begin your research to better understand what might impact you and your loved ones.

The AHHA Issue in our 5/10/19 Special Updates Report was Proposed regulation changes for custom meds. We reported that the FDA can classify a substance as Demonstrably Difficult to Compoundand then forbid your pharmacist from compounding your formulation with that substance.”

The AHHA Issue in our 11/22/19 Special Updates Report was Possible threat to compounded bioidentical hormones? We reported thatbioidentical hormones had been nominated to be added to the Food and Drug Administration’s Demonstrably Difficult to Compound List. And that the fate of compounded bioidentical hormones appeared to have been turned over by the FDA to the Clinical Utility of Treating Patients with Compounded “Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy” study committee of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM).

This month we report that the NASEM special committee report was published July 1, 2020. The recommendations could severely restrict access to compounded bioidentical hormone therapies.

Because the FDA position has been consistently against natural forms of hormone therapy products, the negative NASEM report on cBHT was not a surprise. Here is what is currently on the FDA website…
Menopause: Medicines to Help You (updated 8/22/19)
U.S. Food & Drug Administration
[We did not find any mention of natural or bioidentical hormone therapy options.]
links to
Menopause & Hormones: Common Questions
U.S. Food & Drug Administration
[“Are herbs and other ‘natural’ products useful in treating symptoms of menopause?
At this time, FDA does not know if herbs or other “natural” products are helpful or safe.”
“Are compounded ‘bioidentical hormones’ safer or more effective than FDA-approved hormone therapy for menopause?
Many marketed products that are called ‘bioidentical hormones’ are compounded drugs, which are not FDA-approved. FDA does not have evidence that compounded ‘bioidentical hormones’ are safe and effective, or safer or more effective than FDA-approved hormone therapy.”]

There is a specific Office of Women’s Health (OWH) within the FDA…
Office of Women’s Health (updated 12/2/19)
U.S. Food & Drug Administration
links to
For Women: Office of Women’s Health (updated 8/3/20)
U.S. Food & Drug Administration
[Mission and Goals: OWH serves as the principal advisor to the Commissioner and other key Agency officials to protect and promote the health of women through policy, science, education, and outreach.]
links to
Office of Women’s Health Strategic Priorities; Establishment of a Public Docket; Request for Comments (7/10/20)
Federal Register
[This Request for Comments is seeking suggestions and information during development of OWH’s scientific, educational, and outreach priorities. Deadline 9/8/20.]

The FDA Request for Comments mentioned above is related to…
Clinical Utility of Treating Patients with Compounded “Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy”
Consensus Study Report: Publication (7/1/20)
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Because accessing the full July 1 NASEM report is difficult, here are some sources for key points…
Prescribers Should Restrict the Use of Non-FDA-Approved Compounded Bioidentical Hormones, Except for Specific Medical Circumstances (7/1/20)
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
[“Bioidentical” hormone therapies (BHTs) contain hormones that are chemically and structurally identical to those produced by the human body. They are available as FDA-approved products or non-FDA-approved compounded preparations. Unlike FDA-approved BHT products, compounded preparations have not been subjected to regulatory oversight or rigorous safety, efficacy, and quality control testing. Further, because cBHTs are custom-blended in different doses and forms — such as pills, creams, or pellets — the lack of standardization can increase the possibility of overdosing, underdosing, or contamination, says The Clinical Utility of Compounded Bioidentical Hormone Therapy: A Review of Safety, Effectiveness, and Use.”
“The report recommends that the FDA’s Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee review 10 BHTs as candidates for the agency’s Difficult to Compound list, which prohibits pharmacies from compounding certain products that are complex in terms of formulation, delivery mechanism, and bioavailability (the extent to which the drug is absorbed by the body and has an active effect). These 10 candidates are: estradiol, estrone, estradiol cypionate, estriol, dehydroepiandrosterone, pregnenolone, progesterone, testosterone, testosterone cypionate, and testosterone propionate.”]

July 2020 – The Clinical Utility of Compounded Bioidentical Hormone therapy (cBHT): A Review of Safety, Effectiveness, and Use: Recommendations
PCCA – Professional Compounding Centers of America
[“Recommendation 1: Restrict the use of cBHT preparations. Recommendation 2: Review select bioidentical hormone therapies and dosage forms as candidates for the FDA Difficult to Compound List. Recommendation 3: Improve education for prescribers and pharmacists who market, prescribe, compound, and dispense cBHT preparations. Recommendation 4: Additional federal and state-level oversight is needed to better address public health and clinical concerns regarding the safety and effectiveness of cBHT.”]

There are groups that identify serious omissions in the research referenced in NASEM report. They also disagree strongly with many of the report’s recommendations…
NASEM, FDA, and the cBHT study (7/2/20)
Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding

NASEM Report on the Clinical Utility of Compounded Bioidentical Hormones (7/1/20)
Womens Hormone Network

FDA Turns Its Back on Women (7/23/20)
Alliance for Natural Health USA

For those who wish to share a comment with the FDA…
The FDA has set up a site where individuals and organizations can submit comments online related to Office of Women’s Health Strategic Priorities. Deadline September 9, 2020.
Request for Comments

Note that these priorities are directly related to how the FDA will handle compounded bioidentical hormone therapies in the future.

If you currently using or anticipate using any of these hormones–estradiol, estrone, estradiol cypionate, estriol, dehydroepiandrosterone, pregnenolone, progesterone, testosterone, testosterone cypionate, and testosterone propionate–you may want to consult with your physician and local pharmacist to explore other potential options in case you may need them in the future. Unfortunately, as you do your own research on natural/ bioidentical vs. synthetic/ chemical hormone products, you may find that information documenting the safety of compounded bioidentical hormone therapies (cBHT) that formerly was easily available is currently more challenging to locate online.

As always, you are encouraged to go to our blog at https://ahha.org/blog and post your comments.

FEATURED AHHA RESOURCE
Your Power of Choice
More and more diseases are being documented as being the result of poor lifestyle choices. AHHA’s booklet, Wellness From Within: The First Step, reminds you of the power of the decisions you make throughout the day. Take time to review the options included in this FREE booklet and choose to change one thing in your everyday routine. Check out the various formats of the booklet, which is available online in EnglishSpanish, and MP3 format.

AHHA IS 30 YEARS OLD
30th Anniversary eBook
The special eBook compiled to celebrate AHHA’s 30thanniversary contains inspiring essays written by thirty thought leaders in the fields of holistic health, integrative medicine, and wellness. One example is “Health Care Crisis” by Bernard S. Siegel, MD, which includes the assertion: “The diagnosis may help the doctor but it doesn’t help the patient. For there the key thing is the story. For it alone shows human background and human suffering and only at that point can the doctor’s therapy begin to operate.”  Carl Jung.

AHHA is honored to give this eBook to you as a gift in exchange for a minimum charitable donation to AHHA of only $30.

Click here for more exciting details

Click here to make your $30 donation to honor AHHA’s 30 years and receive the gift eBook.

EXTRA ITEM
AHHA extending its Board of Directors
The American Holistic Health Association (AHHA) is interested in expanding its Board of Directors. Candidates need to value and have passion for supporting AHHA’s mission. While AHHA is seeking candidates with expertise in fund raising, grant writing, and social media and those who have grant foundation connections, all interested candidates are encouraged to apply. Email to mail@ahha.orga brief statement of what expertise you can offer. Also include your curriculum vitae or resume.


July 24, 2020

FEATURED RESEARCH
Create space for spiritual well-being
“Spirituality, or acknowledging spirit, shape clinician interactions with patients in a way that can benefit individual care…Creating space for spiritual well-being takes into account the deep need for connectedness, as part of the human existence, especially at a time of vulnerability in illness.” from a Townsend Letter research article, “In the Spirit of Connectedness” by Aparna Taylor, MSc, ND.

For other health conditions, check out the Evidence-based Research Articles database.

FEATURED ISSUE
Another FDA step against cBHT
Please remember that the American Holistic Health Association (AHHA) supports you in your efforts to be well educated about what you can do in your daily life to enhance the quality of your health. Should symptoms of an illness arise, we encourage you to be well-informed about all of your treatment options, both pharmaceutical and natural. We want you to research healthcare options until you feel well-prepared to confidently and effectively make your health decisions. We also alert you when we hear rumblings that there might be a threat to your access to any of your desired treatment options.

This month we are updating past alerts to the potential loss of access to compounded bioidentical hormone therapies.

Issue: How serious is the threat to continued access to compounded bioidentical hormone therapies?

AHHA strives to maintain a neutral position on issues and viewsknowledge as power. For those interested in this month’s issue and wanting to learn more about this topic, the articles cited below were selected to offer you some resources to begin your research to better understand what might impact you and your loved ones.

The AHHA Issue in our 5/10/19 Special Updates Report was Proposed regulation changes for custom meds. We reported that the FDA can classify a substance as Demonstrably Difficult to Compoundand then forbid your pharmacist from compounding your formulation with that substance.”

The AHHA Issue in our 11/22/19 Special Updates Report was Possible threat to compounded bioidentical hormones? We reported thatbioidentical hormones had been nominated to be added to the Food and Drug Administration’s Demonstrably Difficult to Compound List. And that the fate of compounded bioidentical hormones appeared to have been turned over by the FDA to the Clinical Utility of Treating Patients with Compounded “Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy”study committee of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM).

This month we report that the NASEM special committee report was published July 1, 2020. The recommendations could severely restrict access to compounded bioidentical hormone therapies.

Because the FDA position has been consistently against natural forms of hormone therapy products, the negative NASEM report on cBHT was not a surprise. Here is what is currently on the FDA website…
Menopause: Medicines to Help You (updated 8/22/19)
U.S. Food & Drug Administration
[We did not find any mention of natural or bioidentical hormone therapy options.]
links to
Menopause & Hormones: Common Questions
U.S. Food & Drug Administration
[“Are herbs and other ‘natural’ products useful in treating symptoms of menopause?
At this time, FDA does not know if herbs or other “natural” products are helpful or safe.”
“Are compounded ‘bioidentical hormones’ safer or more effective than FDA-approved hormone therapy for menopause?
Many marketed products that are called ‘bioidentical hormones’ are compounded drugs, which are not FDA-approved. FDA does not have evidence that compounded ‘bioidentical hormones’ are safe and effective, or safer or more effective than FDA-approved hormone therapy.”]

There is a specific Office of Women’s Health (OWH) within the FDA…
Office of Women’s Health (updated 12/2/19)
U.S. Food & Drug Administration
links to
For Women: Office of Women’s Health (updated 8/3/20)
U.S. Food & Drug Administration
[Mission and Goals: OWH serves as the principal advisor to the Commissioner and other key Agency officials to protect and promote the health of women through policy, science, education, and outreach.]
links to
Office of Women’s Health Strategic Priorities; Establishment of a Public Docket; Request for Comments (7/10/20)
Federal Register
[This Request for Comments is seeking suggestions and information during development of OWH’s scientific, educational, and outreach priorities. Deadline 9/8/20.]

The FDA Request for Comments mentioned above is related to…
Clinical Utility of Treating Patients with Compounded “Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy”
Consensus Study Report: Publication (7/1/20)
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Because accessing the full July 1 NASEM report is difficult, here are some sources for key points…
Prescribers Should Restrict the Use of Non-FDA-Approved Compounded Bioidentical Hormones, Except for Specific Medical Circumstances (7/1/20)
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
[“Bioidentical” hormone therapies (BHTs) contain hormones that are chemically and structurally identical to those produced by the human body. They are available as FDA-approved products or non-FDA-approved compounded preparations. Unlike FDA-approved BHT products, compounded preparations have not been subjected to regulatory oversight or rigorous safety, efficacy, and quality control testing. Further, because cBHTs are custom-blended in different doses and forms — such as pills, creams, or pellets — the lack of standardization can increase the possibility of overdosing, underdosing, or contamination, says The Clinical Utility of Compounded Bioidentical Hormone Therapy: A Review of Safety, Effectiveness, and Use.”
“The report recommends that the FDA’s Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee review 10 BHTs as candidates for the agency’s Difficult to Compound list, which prohibits pharmacies from compounding certain products that are complex in terms of formulation, delivery mechanism, and bioavailability (the extent to which the drug is absorbed by the body and has an active effect). These 10 candidates are: estradiol, estrone, estradiol cypionate, estriol, dehydroepiandrosterone, pregnenolone, progesterone, testosterone, testosterone cypionate, and testosterone propionate.”]

July 2020 – The Clinical Utility of Compounded Bioidentical Hormone therapy (cBHT): A Review of Safety, Effectiveness, and Use: Recommendations
PCCA – Professional Compounding Centers of America
[“Recommendation 1: Restrict the use of cBHT preparations. Recommendation 2: Review select bioidentical hormone therapies and dosage forms as candidates for the FDA Difficult to Compound List. Recommendation 3: Improve education for prescribers and pharmacists who market, prescribe, compound, and dispense cBHT preparations. Recommendation 4: Additional federal and state-level oversight is needed to better address public health and clinical concerns regarding the safety and effectiveness of cBHT.”]

There are groups that identify serious omissions in the research referenced in NASEM report. They also disagree strongly with many of the report’s recommendations…
NASEM, FDA, and the cBHT study (7/2/20)
Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding

NASEM Report on the Clinical Utility of Compounded Bioidentical Hormones (7/1/20)
Womens Hormone Network

FDA Turns Its Back on Women (7/23/20)
Alliance for Natural Health USA

For those who wish to share a comment with the FDA…
The FDA has set up a site where individuals and organizations can submit comments online related to Office of Women’s Health Strategic Priorities. Deadline September 9, 2020.
Request for Comments

Note that these priorities are directly related to how the FDA will handle compounded bioidentical hormone therapies in the future.

If you currently using or anticipate using any of these hormones–estradiol, estrone, estradiol cypionate, estriol, dehydroepiandrosterone, pregnenolone, progesterone, testosterone, testosterone cypionate, and testosterone propionate–you may want to consult with your physician and local pharmacist to explore other potential options in case you may need them in the future. Unfortunately, as you do your own research on natural/ bioidentical vs. synthetic/ chemical hormone products, you may find that information documenting the safety of compounded bioidentical hormone therapies (cBHT) that formerly was easily available is currently more challenging to locate online.

As always, you are encouraged to go to our blog at https://ahha.org/blog and post your comments.

To review past ISSUES, visit the Special Updates Archives.

FEATURED AHHA RESOURCE
How to find a progressive physician
Are you searching for a medical doctor who delivers care that is more than just drugs and surgery? Check our Holistic Practitioners database. But if this does not help you locate such a physician in your geographic area, the Practitioner Referral Sources list is a useful next step. This list includes a wide variety of healthcare modality associations that give referrals, some of which are exclusively for medical doctors. Physicians who are affiliated with the organizations in our databases are definitely the open-minded, progressive ones who have gone beyond drugs and surgery. Where else but with AHHA can you find so many of these special physicians so easily?

AHHA IS 30 YEARS OLD
30th Anniversary eBook
The special eBook compiled to celebrate AHHA’s 30th anniversary contains inspiring essays written by thirty thought leaders in the fields of holistic health, integrative medicine, and wellness. One example is “The Age of Personalized Medicine” by William Collinge, PhD, MPH. “With applied personal health informatics,” he writes, “people can now participate in personalized medicine on a wide scale.”

AHHA is honored to give this eBook to you as a gift in exchange for a minimum charitable donation to AHHA of only $30.

Click here for more exciting details

Click here to make your $30 donation to honor AHHA’s 30 years and receive the gift eBook.

EXTRA ITEM
AHHA extending its Board of Directors
The American Holistic Health Association (AHHA) is interested in expanding its Board of Directors. Candidates need to value and have passion for supporting AHHA’s mission. While AHHA is seeking candidates with expertise in fund raising, grant writing, and social media and those who have grant foundation connections, all interested candidates are encouraged to apply. Email to mail@ahha.orga brief statement of what expertise you can offer. Also include your curriculum vitae or resume.


June 12, 2020

FEATURED RESEARCH
Save your eyes
There are many options for dealing with cataracts “combining the medical approaches of the East and West along with other alternative health modalities” to “achieve better health with less cost and greater success in helping patients preserve vision.” from a Townsend Letter research article, “Cataracts – An Integrative Medical Approach” by Marc Grossman, OD, LAc.

For other health conditions, check out the Evidence-based Research Articles database.

FEATURED ISSUE
Zinc and COVID-19
No matter what your approach to health is, everyone is paying attention to the various prevention and treatment options for COVID-19 being reported in the media. You may have noticed recently that zinc is being mentioned by both the pharmaceutical and natural medicine-based communities. There are COVID-19 treatment and preventionprotocols using zinc with hydroxychloroquine or quercetin, as the latter helpsthe zinc get inside the infected cells to destroy the virus. Study results note the decreased need for ventilation, decreased admission to the ICU, and decreased mortality. In addition, zinc itself is one of many dietary supplements recommended to boost your immune system, whose key function is to destroy viruses or bacteria during an acute infection.

Are you familiar with how zinc functions as part of your immune system? Are you prepared to evaluate whether you and your healthcare team might want to consider zinc as part of your personal COVID-19 prevention and/or treatment program? Now might be a good time to expand your zinc education.

Issue: Understanding the role of zinc in relation to COVID-19

AHHA strives to maintain a neutral position on issues and viewsknowledge as power. For those interested in this month’s issue and wanting to learn more about this topic, the articles cited below were selected to offer you some resources to begin your research on what might impact you and your loved ones.

Zinc-hydroxychloroquine found effective in some COVID-19 patients: study (5/11/20)
France24

Hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin plus zinc vs hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin alone: outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients (5/8/20)
by Philip Carlucci, Tania Ahuja, Christopher M Petrilli, Harish Rajagopalan, Simon Jones, and Joseph Rahimian
medRxiv

Chloroquine, Zinc Tested to Block COVID Infection (4/9/20)
by Karen Weintraub
WebMD

People, Nature, and Data (4/7/20)
by Peter D’Adamo

Does Zinc protect you from Covid-19 or boost immune system? (3/31/20)
Drugs.com

Potential Role of Zinc Supplementation in Prophylaxis and Treatment of COVID-19 (5/25/20)
by Amit Kumar, Yuichi Kubota, Mikhail Chernov, and Hidetoshi Kasuya
National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine

Covid 411 (4/17/20)
Alliance for Natural Health USA

The 15 Best Supplements to Boost Your Immune System Right Now (5/8/20)
by Jillian Kubala, MS, RD
healthline

We encourage you to go to our blog at https://ahha.org/blog and post your comments.

FEATURED AHHA RESOURCE
Considering a health care career?
More and more people are contacting AHHA for information about a healthcare career that includes the holistic health approach. In response to these queries, AHHA has compiled a special section on our website, Career Research, with considerations and resources to support those researching their career options. You can share this resource with those friends who may be contemplating a career change to healthcare.

AHHA IS 30 YEARS OLD
30th Anniversary eBook
The special eBook compiled to celebrate AHHA’s 30th anniversary contains inspiring essays written by thirty thought leaders in the fields of holistic health, integrative medicine, and wellness. One example is “Making Room for Falling Apart” by Kelly Brogan, MD, which states, “Let the energy move through and look for the teaching.”

AHHA is honored to give this eBook to you as a gift in exchange for a minimum charitable donation to AHHA of only $30.

Click here for more exciting details

Click here to make your $30 donation to honor AHHA’s 30 years and receive the gift eBook.

EXTRA ITEM
AHHA extending its Board of Directors
The American Holistic Health Association (AHHA) is interested in expanding its Board of Directors. Candidates need to value and have passion for supporting AHHA’s mission. While AHHA is seeking candidates with expertise in fund raising, grant writing, and social media and those who have grant foundation connections, all interested candidates are encouraged to apply. Email to mail@ahha.orga brief statement of what expertise you can offer. Also include your curriculum vitae or resume.


May 8, 2020

FEATURED RESEARCH
Be informed about intravenous vitamin C
In a Townsend Letter evidence-based article titled “Hospital-Based Intravenous Vitamin C Treatment for Coronavirus and Related Illnesses,” Andrew W. Saul and Atsuo Yanagisawa, MD, PhD, reports that “No matter which hospital a coronavirus patient may seek help from, the question is, will they be able to leave walking out the front door, or end up being wheeled out the basement backdoor? Prompt administration of intravenous vitamin C, in high doses, can make the difference.”

For other health conditions, check out the Evidence-based Research Articles database.

FEATURED ISSUE
RoundUp has a replacement
This is an alert for those of you who are sensitive and avoid residual toxins in your food. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the pesticide isoxaflutole to be used on selected, genetically-engineered soybean crops. This will be a significant help for the farmers to be able to control damaging weeds, as their crops have become resistant to a number of other pesticides.

While the EPA has done considerable analysis regarding the safety of isoxaflutoleto humans and the environment, there remain hazard warnings that this pesticide is a likely human carcinogen and inhibits a human liver enzyme.

Issue: Are you comfortable with your food being grown with a pesticide labeled likely carcinogenic?

AHHA strives to maintain a neutral position on issues and viewsknowledge as power. For those interested in this month’s issue and learning more about this topic, the articles cited below were selected to offer you some resources to begin your research for what might impact you and your loved ones.

PRO
EPA Announces New Tool for Soybean Growers to Combat Weeds (3/30/20)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

LL GT27 Beans Get a Herbicide (4/2/20)
by Emily Unglesbee
Progressive Farmer

FSANZ Says New GM Soybeans Safe, Invites Public for Comments (4/15/20)
International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA)

CON
EPA sidesteps normal public process to approve BASF’s cancer-linked pesticide (4/3/20)
by Johnathan Hettinger
Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting

EPA Approves Known Carcinogen (4/30/20)
Alliance for Natural Health USA

EPA Approves Probable Carcinogenic Herbicide for Soybean use Without Proper Public Review (4/10/20)
by Kristina Martin
Organic Lifestyle

We encourage you to go to our blog at https://ahha.org/blog and post your comments.

FEATURED AHHA RESOURCE
Do you have any treatment questions?
Perhaps the most important resource created by AHHA is the Treatment Researchers list. This unique list includes organizations whose experts can answer your health questions and research treatment options for any health condition using conventional medicine and/or alternative approaches. If you know of someone dealing with a life-threatening or debilitating diagnosis, it is vital for you to inform him or her of this valuable support option.

AHHA IS 30 YEARS OLD
30th Anniversary eBook
The special eBook compiled to celebrate AHHA’s 30thanniversary contains inspiring essays written by thirty thought leaders in the fields of holistic health, integrative medicine, and wellness. One example is “Reflections on Thirty Years: The Paradox” by John Weeks, in which he writes, “I have a paradoxical response on looking over the thirty years—excitement with the accomplishments and dismay with the continuing state of the care people receive.”

AHHA is honored to give this eBook to you as a gift in exchange for a minimum charitable donation to AHHA of only $30.

Click here for more exciting details

Click here to make your $30 donation to honor AHHA’s 30 years and receive the gift eBook.

EXTRA ITEM
AHHA extending its Board of Directors
The American Holistic Health Association (AHHA) is interested in expanding its Board of Directors. Candidates need to value and have passion for supporting AHHA’s mission. While AHHA is seeking candidates with expertise in fund raising, grant writing, and social media and those who have grant foundation connections, all interested candidates are encouraged to apply. Email to mail@ahha.orga brief statement of what expertise you can offer. Also include your curriculum vitae or resume.


April 3, 2020

FEATURED RESEARCH
Nutritional options for reversing depression
In a Townsend Letter evidence-based article titled “Depression, Amino Acids, and Rubidium,” by Jonathan V. Wright, MD (Hon. ND), reports, “For over 40 years, my observation has been that low levels of essential amino acids are one major cause of depression. If essential amino acids are low, then neurotransmitters are very likely to be low also, and depression is a frequent result … Our nerve cells and other cells use specialized enzymes to transform the essential amino acid phenylalanine and its derivative tyrosine into noradrenalin, adrenalin, dopamine, and other naturally occurring stimulatory catecholamines. Without enough phenylalanine and/or tyrosine, our bodies can’t make nearly as much of these catecholamines, and many of us become depressed.”

For other health conditions, check out the Evidence-based Research Articles database.

FEATURED ISSUE
There is something you can do
During the COVID-19 pandemic, please remember that you get to choose how you respond to what is happening. When things get too negative or troubling, what do you personally need to do to find a way to not sink into despair, but rather feel solid enough to find out what you CAN do for a positive, healthy outcome. Here are a few suggestions to consider. Call a friend who will let you vent your fears. Meditate to reach your calm inner self. Stand in the sunshine to feel its nurturing energy. Set a goal, such as being robustly healthy six months from now. You can review the CDC recommendations for not picking up the virus and then examine your current lifestyle choices related to diet, sleep, exercise, and social communications. You can also research changes you can make in your life that might actually improve your body’s immune system to successfully fight the viral invasion. Consider how to reduce or stop what might limit your immune system from working, such as reducing stress, sugar, and alcohol and stopping smoking or vaping. As you do all this research, however, be aware that you may discover contradictory information online. When this happens regarding something you are especially interest in, be sure to search out multiple articles on each side of the discussion so that you uncover all the nuances. You will, of course, decide for yourself what positions seem well researched and logical for you. Also be sure to double-check with your personal physician and/or healthcare team that the changes you are contemplating are appropriate for you. Stay safe and healthy!

Issue: Which immune system support options make sense for you?

AHHA strives to maintain a neutral position on issues and viewsknowledge as power. For those interested in this month’s issue and learning more about this topic, the articles cited below were selected to offer you some resources to begin your research for what might impact you and your loved ones.

General COVID-19 information…
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Coronavirus (COVID-19)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)

How to Protect Yourself (3/18/20)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Against supplements for prevention…
Vitamin D and Influenza—Prevention or Therapy? (2018)
by Beata M. Gruber-Bzura
National Center for Biotechnology Information

Why vitamin C won’t ‘boost’ your immune system against the coronavirus (3/8/20)
by Nicoletta Lanese
Consumer Reports

Fears Of The COVID-19 Coronavirus Provide More Opportunity For Misinformation About ‘Miracle Cures’ (3/1/20)
by Nina Shapiro
Forbes

For supplements for prevention…
Vitamin D and Immune Function (2013)
by Barbara Prietl, Gerlies Treiber, Thomas R. Pieber, Karin Amrein
National Center for Biotechnology Information

With the growing fears of coronavirus COVID-19 where is vitamin C? (3/2/20)
by Walter Lemmo, ND
Lemmo

The effectiveness of vitamin C in preventing and relieving the symptoms of virus-induced respiratory infections (1999)
by HC Gorton, K Jarvis
National Center for Biotechnology Information

We encourage you to go to our blog at https://ahha.org/blog and post your comments. You are invited to share additional resources you have found relating to this issue.

FEATURED AHHA RESOURCE
Unique video blurbs
You are invited to view brief educational health-related video clips created by AHHA members in our Self-Help Videos section. These clips, which give tips on health and wellness, are offered to support your journey toward a higher level of wellness.

AHHA IS 30 YEARS OLD
30th Anniversary eBook
The special eBook compiled to celebrate AHHA’s 30thanniversary contains inspiring essays from thirty thought leaders in the fields of holistic health, integrative medicine, and wellness.

One example is “Homeopathy: True Holistic Medicine” by Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman, ND, MSW, DHANP. I know of no other healing modality that is as safe,” she writes, “as effective, as deeply healing, and as affordable. Selecting the one best remedy for all of an individual’s complaints, out of over 4000, is nothing short of remarkable.”

AHHA is honored to provide this eBook to you as a gift in exchange for a minimum charitable donation to AHHA of only $30.

Click here for more exciting details

Click here to make your $30 donation to honor AHHA’s 30 years and receive the gift eBook.

EXTRA ITEM
AHHA extending its Board of Directors
The American Holistic Health Association (AHHA) is interested in expanding its Board of Directors. Candidates need to value and have passion for supporting AHHA’s mission. While AHHA is seeking candidates with expertise in fund raising, grant writing, and social media and those who have grant foundation connections, all interested candidates are encouraged to apply. Email to mail@ahha.org a brief statement of what expertise you can offer. Also include your curriculum vitae or resume.


March 6, 2020

FEATURED RESEARCH
Mobilize healing capacity
“Qigong and yoga are ancient methodologies developed and refined over thousands of years, designed to sustain the inherent healing systems of the body by maximizing restorative energies… The efficacy of these techniques can now be explained through our scientific understanding of the body’s basic self-regulatory mechanisms… Applied in the management of chronic disease, therapeutic exercise could potentially reduce the burden of illness… ”says a Townsend Letter evidence-based article, “Physiology of Qigong and Yoga” by Roger Jahnke, OMDand Nancy Faass, MSW, MPH.

For other health conditions, check out the Evidence-based Research Articles database.

FEATURED ISSUE
Healthcare decisions being made by children, not their parents
Although parents are responsible for their children until the age of 18, including providing consent or refusal of treatment for theirminorchild, the parens patriae doctrine gives state governments the right to intervene when a parent’s decisionis deemed to be contrary to the best interest of the child’s well-being. States are increasingly invoking this privilege by enforcing mandatory vaccinations. As serious as parents having their child’s healthcare decisions preempted by the state is, there is another legislative trend that further reduces parental authority. Children are increasingly gaining their right of consent for their own healthcare decisions. Many states are lowering the age of a child’sown consent. The age of consent vary by state and range from ages 12 to 17, depending on the situation. Personal healthcare decisions made by children that are being legislatively legalized can include mental health and substance abuse treatment; vaccinations; diagnosis and treatment of infectious, contagious, or communicable diseases; surgery; pharmaceutical prescriptions;and abortion.

Issue: Does your state have regulations that grant minor children the rights to make healthcare decisions?

AHHA strives to maintain a neutral position on issues and viewsknowledge as power. For those interested in this month’s issue and learning more about this topic the articles cited below were selected to offer you some resources to begin your research for what might impact you and your children.

State Laws on Minor Consent for Routine Medical Care (11/12/19)
SchoolHouse Connection

Alabama Health and Environmental Control Generally; When minor may give consent generally. (2013) [age 14]
Justia US Law

New CA Minor Consent Law Increases Teens’ Access to Mental Health Care (9/29/19) [age 15]
National Center for Youth Law

Colorado Lowers Age of Consent for Psychotherapy Services to 12 Years Old (7/16/19) [age 12]
The National Law Review

Michigan Laws Related to Right of a Minor to Obtain Health Care Without Consent or Knowledge of Parents (2016)  [age 14]
The Network for Public Health Law

Right to medical or dental treatment without parental consent (2017) [age 15]
OregonLaws.org

Age of consent for behavioral health treatment in Washington [age 13]
Washington State Health Care Authority

We encourage you to go to our blog at https://ahha.org/blog and post your comments. You are invited to share additional resources you have found relating to this issue.

FEATURED AHHA RESOURCE
How do YOU define “holistic”? 
Have you discovered that others are not defining the term “holistic” the same way you are? AHHA has always recommended that when you’re talking about holistic concepts, it’s wise to define terms and make sure you and the person you are talking to agree on those definitions. AHHA offers articles on this important topic. See the What is Holistic? category in our Self-Help Articles Collection. Perhaps these articles will also help you clarify your own thinking about what “holistic” really means.

HOMEOPATHY UPDATE
FDA extending comment period
In AHHA’s December 2019 Special Updates Report, the Featured Issue was about the progress of the FDA toward handling homeopathic remedies as drugs and viewing any homeopathic product currently being marketed as illegal. The FDA has extended the public comment period (from January 23, 2020 to March 23, 2020) for the finalization of the proposed policy that would dramatically impact future access to homeopathic products in the U.S. See Drug Products Labeled as Homeopathic; Draft Guidance for Food and Drug Administration Staff and Industry; Extension of Comment Period.

AHHA IS 30 YEARS OLD
30th Anniversary eBook
The special eBook compiled to celebrate AHHA’s 30thanniversary contains inspiring essays from thirty thought leaders in the fields of holistic health, integrative medicine, and wellness.

One example is “A Revolution in Brain Health” by Daniel G. Amen, MD. Based on our brain imaging work,” Amen writes, “it has become clear that we’re not dealing with mental healthissues, rather we’re dealing with brain healthissues.”

AHHA is honored to provide this eBook to you as a gift in exchange for a minimum charitable donation to AHHA of only $30.

Click here for more exciting details

Click here to make your $30 donation to honor AHHA’s 30 years and receive the gift eBook.

EXTRA ITEM
AHHA extending its Board of Directors
The American Holistic Health Association (AHHA) is interested in expanding its Board of Directors. Candidates need to value and have passion for supporting AHHA’s mission. While AHHA is seeking candidates with expertise in fund raising, grant writing, and social media and those who have grant foundation connections, all interested candidates are encouraged to apply. Email to mail@ahha.org a brief statement of what expertise you can offer. Also include your curriculum vitae or resume.


February 14, 2020

FEATURED RESEARCH
Simple lifestyle changes
Many common conditions can be treated with simple lifestyle changes, such as premenopausal women who had at last three urinary tract infections during the previous year and who reported a daily fluid intake of less than about six cups of water per day. According to a Townsend Letterarticle, “Lifestyle habits that matter” by Tori Hudson, ND, these women had significant improvement by doubling their water intake.

For other health conditions, check out the Evidence-based Research Articles database.

FEATURED ISSUE
Navigating the nutrition landscape
Healthful daily nutrition is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. When you need support in improving the dietary choices you make each day, who can you go to for help? If you are confused about the roles of dietitians, nutritionists, and health coaches, you are probably not alone. Part of the confusion may lie in the fact that there are different criteria for what each can tell you, depending on the state in which you live. Furthermore, many states are making new changes to their laws and regulations related to licensing, registration, and certification of any healthcare professional practicing nutrition. Because proposed laws don’t receive a lot of media coverage, their passage and enactment can come as a jolting surprise to both consumers and healthcare practitioners.

For example, as of mid-January, 2020, New Jersey enacted a new law requiring that dietitians and nutritionist be licensed. The new law also usedthe terms “dietitian” and “nutritionist” interchangeably. As the licensing board will not be organized for a year, their state licensing will not be implemented until then. Most observers are interpreting this new law to saythat in New Jersey only registered dietitians (RDs), Certified Nutrition Specialists® (CNSs), or any individual practicing medical nutrition therapymust obtain this license in order to continue doing so. Those delivering nutrition advice without an advanced degree and the RD or CNS credential will still be able to do so only as long as they do not target a medical condition.

A sampling of the variety of regulations among states…

  • Florida requires that both nutritionists and dietitians be licensed to practice.
  • California does require a dietitian to be licensed, but not a nutritionist.
  • North Carolina requires that nutritionists be licensed only for advice related to medical conditions.
  • Arizona has expanded regulations to include a new title, registered dietitian nutritionist, for practitioners who must meet the qualifications of the credentialing agency for the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
  • Iowa is removing from its laws the word “dietetics” and related licensing requirements.

 

Because of the ever-changing regulatory landscape, healthcare consumers and healthcare practitioners are both encouraged to research the current regulations of their home state, keeping in mind that the information found online may not reflect themost recent changes.If you are relocating to a different state, it would be unwise for you to assume that the regulations will be the same as they were in your old location.

As you review information on state regulations regarding the sharing of nutritional information, you will note that there tend to be two general approaches: (1) healthcare professionals must be licensed to share nutritional information, and (2) healthcare professionals must be licensed to share nutritional information as medical therapy, while licensing is not required of those who share lifestyle nutritional information. There are critics who say that regulations are too restrictive. Others feel there are not enough regulations. As your state may be the next to propose changes, you may want to stay abreast of trends in nutrition regulations.

Issue: Differing laws related to access to nutritional information.

AHHA strives to maintain a neutral position on issues and viewsknowledge as power. For those interested in this month’s issue and learning more about this topic the articles cited below were selected to offer you some resources to begin your research.

New JerseyAssembly Bill 1582 (1/13/20)
LegiScan

Licensure for Registered Dietitian/Nutritionists Now Law (1/15/20
by New Jersey Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
AHHearald.com

New Jersey
American Nutrition Association

Key Active State Legislation/ Active State Bills 2020
American Nutrition Association

MNT Versus Nutrition Education
EatRightPro Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Who gets to give dietary advice? Health coach fights law (5/30/19)
by Candice Choi
AP News

Nutrition Practice Laws: Overview
Council of Holistic Health Educators

Nutritionist, Licensed Nutritionist, and Registered Dietitian Requirements By State [not entirely up-to-date]
NutritionED.org

We encourage you to go to our blog at https://ahha.org/blog and post your comments. You are invited to share additional resources you have found relating to this issue.

FEATURED AHHA RESOURCE
Your spiritual self
The holistic, or whole person, approach sees “the whole as more than just the sum of its parts.” This means that the whole of you is an integrated union of your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual selves. AHHA’s website offers a list of books that can support you in developing a richer connection with your spiritual self. Take a look at the books in the Connecting to Your Spirituality database to find the books that will speak to you. Then visit your local library or bookstore to borrow or buy those inspiring books.

EXTRA ITEM
30th Anniversary eBook
The special eBook compiled to celebrate AHHA’s 30thanniversary contains inspiring essays from thirty thought leaders in the fields of holistic health, integrative medicine, and wellness. On example is Introducing “Gastrophase”by Jonathan V. Wright, MD, ND (hon), which states that “There’s a third important ‘pause’ that occurs later in life that significantly lowers our chances of healthy longevity—gastropause!”

AHHA is honored to provide this eBook to you as a gift in exchange for a minimum charitable donation to AHHA of only $30.

Click here for more exciting details

Click here to make your $30 donation to honor AHHA’s 30 years and receive the gift eBook.


January 10, 2020

FEATURED RESEARCH
Mood support naturally
“A comprehensive, integrative approach to mood disorders works very well in clinical practice. This may include all or most of the following: lifestyle and dietary modifications, constitutional homeopathy, botanical medicines, nutraceutical support, psychotherapy, and occasionally pharmaceutical interventions.” from a Townsend Letter research article, “Safe, Effective, Natural Solutions to Mood Disorders” by Todd Born, ND, CNS.

For other health conditions, check out the Evidence-based Research Articles database.

FEATURED ISSUE
Controversy about 5G
There is building excitement that 5G (fifth generation) cell phone coverage is predicted to reach full nationwide coverage during 2020-2021. While there are many technical advantages to 5G, some consumers have voiced concern about a number of potential health hazards, including the impact of RFR(radio frequency radiation),SAR (specific absorption rate), and EMF (electromagnetic field), as well as the density and proximity of cell phone antennas. As each concern carries its own complex issues, we will address them in separate AHHA Featured Issues.

In 1996, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) set RFR safe exposure guidelines for field strength and power density of transmitters operating at frequencies of 300 kHz to 100 GHz. At that time, the FCC adopted the recommendations of the Radiation Emergency Medical Management (NCRP) for Maximum Permissible Exposure limits. These limits were based upon a behavioral change in rats—not human beings—exposed to microwave radiation and were designed to protect us from short-term heating risks due to RFR exposure. These guidelines have not been revised in more than 23 years.

Two key studies being cited on the impact of RFR are: (1) a study by theNational Toxicology Program(NTP), an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services, demonstrating that high exposure to 3G RFR resulted in cancerous heart tumors, brain tumors, and adrenal tumors of male rats and (2) a study at the Ramazzini Institute in Italy that replicated the key findings of the NTP study, but used a different carrier frequency and much lower exposure to cell phone radiation over the life of the rats. As you read the articles below, note the two contradictory interpretations.
* Those championing the opinion that RFR does not indicate a danger to humans—interpret the study results as saying that the number of tumors detected could statistically have occurred by chance. While there were tumors in the test rats, they considered that these results would not be relevant to humans. At the 5G millimeter wave frequencies, they feltthat RFR would not penetrate deep enough into the human body to reach the organ tissues.This group states that without replicable, concrete proof that radiation from cellphones or wireless networks causes serious adverse health effects in humans, there’s no reason to stop the rollout of 5G.
* Those championing the opinion that RFR does indicate a danger to humans—interpret the study results to show that the RFR exposure was associated with an increase in DNA damage in test rats.DNA damage and cancer tumors in the test rats could indicate possible RFR harm to humans. RFR dissipates with distance, so 5G antennas must be closer to each other, which means there will be many more of them, and so the antennas will be closer to humans, thus will increase human exposure to RFR. This group thinks there’s enough evidence to put a moratorium on the rollout of new technologies like the proposed 5G infrastructure build-out until more research has been done.

There have been ten years and $30 million spent on RFR research protocols…
* but the tested lab rats did not provide results that could be translated to possible impact on humans. “The exposures used in the studies cannot be compared directly to the exposure that humans experience when using a cellphone.”
* that didn’t look for RFR-caused neurological disorders and reproductive harm in lab rats, then possibly in humans.
* that did not clarify exactly how human exposure to RFR will change.
* and future lab rat research protocols are being developed as “if scientists can better understand biological changes in animals, they will know more about what to look for in humans.”

Missing items include
* mention of the studies of human use of cell phones that found DNA damage indicators in hair follicle cells in the ear canal that were higher in the RFR exposure groups than in the control subjects.
* adapting studies to advances in RFR-related technologies, such as Wi-Fi and 5G.

ISSUE: Credibility of research proving 5G safety related to RFR

AHHA strives to maintain a neutral position on issues and views knowledge as power. For those interested in the RVR concern with 5G and want to learn more about this topic, the articles below were selected to offer you some resources to begin your research. As you review articles, you are encouraged to keep in mind the matters noted above. Other concerns will be addressed in future issues.

FCC Policy on Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (1996):
Chairman Pai Proposes To Maintain Current Radiofrequency Exposure Safety Standards (8/8/19)
Federal Communications Commission

Radio Frequency Safety
Federal Communications Commission

RF Safety FAQ (11/25/15)
Federal Communications Commission

FOR position on RFR safety research adaptable to 5G:
NTP scientist weighs in on 5G technology (Jan 2020)
by Sheena Scruggs
Environmental Factor

5G Dangers: What the Experts Say About Health Risks (10/27/19)
by Caitlin McGarry
Tom’s Guide

Cell Phone Radio Frequency Radiation (May 1999)
National Toxicology Program

AGAINST position on RFR safety research adaptable to 5G:
We Have No Reason to Believe 5G Is Safe (9/27/19)
by Joel M. Moskowitz
Scientific American

5G: The Unreported Global Threat (5/18/19)
by Devra Davis
Medium Tips

Comments on the US National Toxicology Program technical reports on toxicology and carcinogenesis study in rats exposed to whole-body radiofrequency radiation at 900 MHz and in mice exposed to whole-body radiofrequency radiation at 1,900 MHz (10/24/18)
by Lennart Hardell & Michael Carlberg
International Journal of Oncology

We encourage you to go to our blog at https://ahha.org/blog and post your comments. You are invited to share additional resources you have found relating to this issue.

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