Mysore Ayurveda

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Response to heavy metals in Ayurvedic medicine

A study conducted “to determine the prevalence of Ayurvedic medicines available via the Internet containing detectable lead, mercury, or arsenic” has concluded that “one-fifth of both US-manufactured and Indian-manufactured Ayurvedic medicines purchased via the Internet contain detectable lead, mercury, or arsenic.” The article can be found in the August 27 issue of JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association (Vol 300, No.8 p915) titled “Lead, Mercury, and Arsenic in US- and Indian-Manufactured Ayurvedic Medicines Sold via the Internet.” The National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA), Ayurvedic Practitioners Association (APA) and Verband Europäischer Ayurveda-Mediziner und -Therapeuten (VEAT) welcome all efforts to
enhance quality and safety of Ayurvedic products but recommend that this study be interpreted with caution. We recognize and support the need for effective quality control in the use of all Ayurvedic products and promote the use of suppliers who use Good Manufacturing Practices. We agree that there is clearly a challenge with heavy metals throughout the food chain as a whole.“Metals,” “heavy metals” and “toxic metals” are all terms used for a group of elements which include lead, mercury, arsenic and others that are known or suspected to cause toxicity in certain forms and at certain doses. The detectable presence of these elements in dietary products and food or water is not the same as toxicity. These elements are present in many of our everyday foods and as shown in this study,
Ayurvedic dietary supplements. In the case of foods and herbal products their presence can occur because: 1) they are naturally occurring in the soil, water and air, 2) from pollution as a result of human activity where in both cases theses elements are taken up by the plants, 3) from contamination in the manufacturing process, and 4) these elements are intentionally added. Toxicity is the result of too much of the specific form of metal being ingested over time. In the U.S, there is no current national law precisely regulating the amount of lead, mercury and arsenic
in dietary supplements. There are various opinions on what the maximum safe daily limits for lead,mercury and arsenic in dietary supplements should be. For example, four authorities are, mentioned in
the JAMA article and their limits vary considerably. They are: the California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act (California Proposition 65) that gives a maximum level of 0.5 μg /day for lead
as a reproductive toxin; The American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) International Dietary Supplement Standard 173 that gives a maximum level for lead
at 20 μg /day, mercury at 20 μg /day and arsenic at 10 μg /day; the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) that gives a maximum level of 21 μg /day for inorganic mercury and 21 μg /day for
inorganic arsenic for a 70 kg adult; and The Food and Agricultural Organization / World Health Organization Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (FAO/WHO) that give total dietary intake
maximum levels of 250 μg /day for lead, 50 μg /day for mercury and 150 μg /day for arsenic for a 70 kg adult. In the absence of specific standards it is difficult for the dietary supplement industry and Ayurvedic community to know what limits to meet. NAMA, APA and VEAT welcome government guidelines for the industry. [μg = mcg = micrograms or one millionth of a gram = 0.000001 sometimes referred to as ppm or parts per million -- mg = milligrams or one thousandth of a gram = 0.001]
The JAMA article states that “one-fifth of both US-manufactured and Indian-manufactured Ayurvedic medicines purchased via the Internet contain detectable lead, mercury, or arsenic.” However, as
discussed above, the simple presence of any of these elements does not in and of itself translate to toxicity. This “one-fifth” (or 20%) was based simply on whether lead, mercury or arsenic was able to be detected in the product, not the specific forms of these metals that are of concern and without consideration of the resulting daily dose. More importantly, all these products were said to “cause ingestions exceeding at least 1 regulatory standard.” The “regulatory standard” with the lowest levels is
California’s Proposition 65, with a maximum level of 0.5 μg /day; the lowest by far of all of the limits cited in the article and one that does not take into consideration naturally occurring lead. It is important
to note that California Proposition 65 is not a regulation prohibiting sales of these products, but rather requires a specific warning to the consumer if a product contains these elements above its limits. If a different analysis were done using the daily dose limits of ANSI/NSF, USEPA and FAO/WHO, we would find that the percentage of products containing heavy metals and resulting in daily doses above their recommended amounts is approximately 8% of total products, not the 20% stated in the article. There is one more important issue to consider. Among the products tested, there were some traditional Ayurvedic products that intentionally contain specially prepared forms of lead, mercury and or arsenic. Although these products have been in use in India for hundreds of years with claims of efficacy and safety, they have not been proven by modern medical science to be either safe or effective. NAMA,
APA and VEAT recommend that practitioners and consumers should avoid the use of products in which lead, mercury and or arsenic have been intentionally added until these products are better
understood by modern science and medicine, and there are clear guidelines both from within the Ayurvedic community and national laws. Finally, if we were to count only those products that do not
have lead, mercury or arsenic intentionally added but would still result in daily doses above the authorities other than California Proposition 65, we find about 5%, not “one fifth” 20%. In order to adequately and effectively meet the existing challenge of heavy metal contamination in
Ayurvedic products, NAMA, APA and VEAT make the following recommendations: 1) That government and industry establish sound, scientific daily dose limits for lead, mercury and arsenic in all dietary supplements and establish Good Manufacturing Practices that all
manufacturers demonstrate compliance through independent third-party testing using validated preparation and testing methodologies, not just for Ayurvedic products and dietary supplements but also for conventional foods. 2) That manufacturers, marketers, practitioners and consumers of herbal products stop importing, manufacturing, distributing, selling, recommending and using any product for which lead, mercury
or arsenic have been intentionally added until such time as modern western science and medicine have proven the safety of such products.
3) We support those companies who adhere to the points in these recommendations, Good Manufacturing Practices, quality control and who are members of one or more recognized industry associations that are committed to safety and quality. 4) Until such time as government and industry can agree upon and establish scientifically sound daily
dose limits for lead, mercury and arsenic, we recommend that manufacturers and practitioners adhere to any government regulations currently in existence and at a minimum follow the lower of
the guidelines established by ANSI/NSF and FAO/WHO which are currently 20 μg /day for lead, 14 μg /day for mercury and 10 μg /day for arsenic. Consumers must make their own decisions on
what is safe for them based on sound scientific, medical and expert advice according to their own personal situation.
NAMA-APA-VEAT Joint Response to JAMA Article on Heavy Metals in Ayurvedic Medicines - September 2008

Music therapy

Today when people are scared of taking any medication the drugless therapies are becoming more popular and so is music therapy or some call it mantra chikitsa.A group of London based physicians have scientifically experimented on different aspects of music therapy. In their views, the shastric ragas could induce healing of all kinds of ailments. They argue that the immediate benefits these ragas offer is mental peace by alleviating tensions and providing an enchanting and creative diversion to the mind. Interpretation of the Vedic scriptures on Nada Vidya implies that Shastric Music helps synergetic augmentation of the panch pranas.Research studies have revealed that daily practice of japa yoga improves cardiac output and respiratory efficiency, lowers blood pressure, enhances alpha brain wave activity, and lowers serum cholesterol levels and levels of stress hormones such as lactate, cortisol and adrenaline in the bloodstream. These effects have led medical researchers to conduct further studies in which patients suffering from various disease conditions have been found to respond very favourably to japa yoga. In addition, psychologists have noted improved scores in parameters of emotional stability; anxiety and neuroticism indices; memory and concentration power; and antisocial, addictive, delinquent and criminal behaviours.so do we start music therapy or mantra japa ?It can help prevent diseases and keep us more creative and calm and in bliss.Do we need to worry if it is evaluated scientifically to just enjoy some soulful music ?

Can cancer be prevented ?

AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY AND ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY . Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins 1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size. <>

2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime. 3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumours. 4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors. 5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system. 6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc. 7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction. 9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications. 10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites. 11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply. WHAT CANCER CELLS FEED ON: a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells . Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal,Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt. b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk, cancer cells are being starved. c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer. d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C). e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it. 12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrified and leads to more toxic buildup. 13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells. 14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells. 15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life. 16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising da ily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.

Ayurveda prescribes satwik diet to prevent cancer.

Colon cleansing can it be harmful ?

Some other common ingredients in homemade colon cleansing recipes may seem a little out of the ordinary. Bentonite clay is used along with apple juice and fiber powder in some recipes. Magnesium oxide is a powder that is recommended to be taken mixed with water and a little citrus juice. Flaxseed meal, acidophilus and Green Magic are also ingredients used in many recipes. The most common ingredients in colon cleanse recipes are curacao and can aloe leaf, senna, cascara sagrada, barberry root bark, ginger rhizome, garlic bulb, turkey rhubarb, cayenne pepper, fennel and ginger. These all have different but important properties that help effectively cleanse the colon. Fiber is very important in all colon-cleansing recipes. Fiber helps to move out waste and produce timely bowel movements. Fiber is the indigestible part of foods that helps to move everything along through your digestive system. This valuable ingredient is found naturally in fruits and vegetables and synthetically in fiber powders. Fruit juice does not contain fiber unless it is juiced fresh and includes the pulp of the fruit.Can it be harmful?
Colon irrigation promotes no direct side effects. Utilizing unsterile instruments, lack of hygiene and knowledge will surely cause more harm than good. Excessive cleansing ,cleansing without the qualified person prescribing should not be encouraged as it may have deleteroius effect on over all health too.Anyone will agree with Harvard Medical School’s Intelihealth.com that colonic hydrotherapy, or colonic irrigation, can be dangerous if it not administered properly. It is an invasive intervention that is unregulated and, therefore, potentially unsafe.Frequent treatments may cause you to absorb too much water. This may lead to electrolyte imbalances in the blood, nausea, vomiting, heart failure, fluid in the lungs, abnormal heart rhythms or coma. Contaminated equipment can cause infection and there is a risk of bowel perforation.Colon cleansing at home is not advisable unless you have supervision of a qualified person while conducting it. It is advisable not to use senna regularly as it is habit forming and can have potential harmful effects Pregnant ladies, babies, infirm and the aged are not advised senna and never to be taken daily.
Some explored some unexplored herbs for cleansingAloe vera is one of the only known natural vegetarian sources of Vitamin B12, and it contains many minerals vital to the growth process and healthy function of all the body's systems. Numerous studies worldwide indicate that aloe vera is a general tonic for the immune system and is known for it’s anti-inflammatory, anti- bacterial, and anti-viral actions. The juice is said to soothe digestive tract irritations such as colitis, ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome. In one study, oral use of Aloe for six months helped mitigate asthma symptoms in almost half of the participants.Triphala the three Ayurvedic herbs has been under clinical trails since centuries and now again it has stood the test of time, it prevents aging, imparts immunity and improves mental faculties apart from acting as cleansers. It helps to detoxify the liver, restore digestion and purify blood. Triphala is widely used in a large number of medicinal preparations. This combination has been proved effective in clinical trails of cancer too.Ayurveda prescribes more than 600 herbal combinations to cleanse and this succeeds without harmful effects as it is highly individualized.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Heavy metals in Ayurvedic medicine a debate

Comments of the Department of Ayush on“Heavy Metals in Ayurvedic Medicines”

If you recall an article by Dr.Robert B. Saper of Department of family medicine, Boston Medical Center along with others had published an article in JAMA, December 15, 2004 “Heavy Metal Content of Ayurvedic herbal medicine Products” which on the basis of testing of 70 samples of herbal medicinal products collected from grocery stores of Boston Area for heavy metals concluded that one out of every 5 Ayurvedic Herbal Medicinal Products originating from south Asia and available in Boston south Asian grocery stores contains potentially harmful levels of lead, mercury and/or arsenic.

This article was repeatedly reported in all leading newspapers in India and abroad but was it the truth ? What is India doing about this false propoganda ?

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=42213

Find time to read the above link.