naturopathic approach to als

1. Naturopathic Approach to als By Dr. Seth Yates BSc.

2. What is Naturopathic Medicine? Naturopathic medicine is a system of healing that blends modern research and diagnostic techniques with traditional healing concepts. Naturopathic doctors treat the underlying cause of the condition with the the following treatment modalities.

3. What is Naturopathic Medicine? Diet and Nutritional Supplementation Acupuncture and TCM Botanical Medicine Physical Medicine (Massage, Kinesiology, Chiropractic...)

4. What is Naturopathic Medicine? Homeopathy Hydrotherapy Exercise Lifestyle counseling

5. ALS Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a form of motor neuron disease. ALS, sometimes called Maladie de Charcot, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by the degeneration of motor neurons, the nerve cells in the central nervous system that control voluntary muscle movement.

6. ALS: Treatments With regards to treating ALS, very little is done in conventional medicine beyond watchful waiting and monitoring for a decline in physiological function.

7. ALS: Treatments I am in no way stating that Naturopathic medicine can cure ALS, but I am saying that it is better to try a safe alternative than do nothing at all. The treatment of any condition with Naturopathic medicine is very individualized, and it is of upmost importance to find the root cause.

8. ALS: Possible Causes I am going to discuss the proposed causal factors of ALS and discuss how the treatments are chosen based upon a Naturopathic framework, including: Homotoxicology and Detoxification Immune System Enhancement and Anti-Virals Diet and Nutrition Traditional Chinese Medicine

9. Homotoxicology & Detoxification There is a strong link between ALS and chemical exposure.

10. Homotoxicology & Detoxification Homotoxicology combines modern conventional medicine, or allopathic medicine, with a holistic approach. Patients are evaluated for presenting medical symptoms, diagnoses, history, lifestyle factors, and other issues related to body, mind, and spirit. After a comprehensive analysis, homeopathic remedies are recommended to treat acute symptoms, build internal functional strength, and ultimately cleanse the underlying toxicity causing the patient�s ailments.

11. Homotoxicology & the 6 Phases of Disease The progression of a disease state is viewed in six phases. As toxins penetrate and build in the body over time, the related physical ailments worsen in their severity and complexity. When accumulation of toxins occurs, the individual phases of disease progress into one another. Homotoxicology works to reverse this process and restore health. Some symptoms associated with each stage of disease progression are listed below each phase.

12. 1) Excretion Phase =Expulsion of toxic Products Intense sweating, difficulty concentrating, tears, joint pains, myalgia, coughing, sneezing, heartburn, diarrhea, polyuria, reticulocytosis, lymphedema, electrolyte shift, susceptibility to infection

13. 2) Inflammation = Turbo cleansing of the active immune system Acne, meningitis, conjunctivitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, epicondylitis, acute sprain, acute bronchitis, gastroenteritis, urinary tract infection, leucocytosis, lymphangitis, lipid metabolism disturbance, thyroiditis, acute infections, weak immune system

14. 3) Deposition = Storage of toxins in the extracellular space Nevi, chalazion, exostosis, myogelosis, nasal polyps, silicosis, arteriosclerosis, intestinal polyps, gallbladder or kidney stones, polycythaemia, lymph-node swelling, gout, obesity, goiter

15. Impregnation = Invasion of toxins into cell Allergies, asthma, rosacea, migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic bronchitis, hypertension, coronary heart disease, chronic gastritis, chronic urinary tract infection, insufficiency of the lymph system, metabolic syndrome, adrenal exhaustion, dyslipidemia, menopausal symptoms, recurrent vaginitis, hyperthyroidism, glucose intolerance, chronic infections, autoimmune disease.

16. Degeneration = Destruction of the cell by the toxins. Scleroderma, alzheimer�s disease, macular degeneration, spondylosis, osteoarthritis, ALS bronchiectasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, atrophic gastritis, renal atrophy, anemia, fibrosis, diabetes

17. Dedifferentiation = Neoplastic changes in the cell Tumours, Cancer

18. So Why ALS? After reviewing the six phases you may be wondering, why does someone get ALS as opposed to Scleroderma, or a cardio or pulmonary disease? The first factor is Genetic Constitution The second factor depends on the type of chemical exposure.

19. Genetic Constitution Genetic constitutions are very easy to observe and their concepts are also noted in homotoxicology. No different than the fact that some people and family lines are prone to gain weight, have allergies, heart disease or neurological disorders; some people have their weakness in the nervous system. The physiological system with a genetic weakness is the most susceptible to be damaged by chemical exposure.

20. Chemical Type The second factor is that some chemicals and toxins have a tendency to accumulate in different tissues of the body. We know that Aluminum has a tendency to be stored in the brain Mercury affects the nerves and salivary glands

21. Chemical Type Formaldehyde exposure has been linked with ALS so it is possible that it accumulates in the motor neurons. The problem is is that hundreds of new chemicals are being produced each year, and it is very difficult to understand all of their effects on the human body over a long term exposure. A study that investigated chemical toxicity in cadavers found that the average cadaver had over 250 synthetic chemicals found within the tissues of the body

22. Homotoxicology So Homotoxicology works by trying to remove these chemicals from the body. This removal process should be done in two phases: 1) Open the doors 2) Take out the garbage

23. Your body is like this apartment building

24. The DOORS refer to your bodies emunctories. These are the organs that eliminate waste from the body

25. But with all those rooms dumping out garbage, sometimes the chute gets blocked

26. Eventually every rooms is busting at the seams with garbage

27. Main Garbage Chutes: Liver/Colon, Kidney/BladderWindows: Lungs, Skin and MM�s

28. Detoxification So step #1 improve the function the primary emunctories, then the secondary emunctories Step #2 Detox the the rest of your body systems and cellular structures (brain, fat, bones, muscles, lymphatics).

29. Detoxification So how do you step #1 Increase water and fibre and good fats to maintain consistent BM�s (daily), Test transit time with the beet test ( eat 1-2 cooked beets and wait to see how long it takes to show up in stool) Castor oil packs, constitutional hydrotherapy and massages Herbal teas, supplements, tinctures, homeopathics. Example (Taraxacum root/leaf, Chelidonium, Arctium, Urtica urens, Solidago, UNDA#1, 20, 243, 258, Rosmarinus, Juniperus, Silybum, B1,B3, B5, B6, B12, Folic acid, Tissue Salts (Kali Sulph 6x, Nat. Phos 6x), choline, etc.

30. Detoxification Organic Vegetables - Because you are already exposed to such a high level of toxicity, you need to try to decrease your toxic load when eating.

31. Detox: Phase 2 Once the doors are open there are now things you can do to help eliminate the garbage Saunas, Detox diets, Fasting, Herbal Cleanses, Dry skin brushing, Alternating hot and cold showers, Rebounding, Breathing Exercises, Hot Yoga, Homeopathics/Gemmotherapies, Colonics, Neti Pots...

32. Detoxification & Tonification Traditionally detoxes were short in duration and often followed by a tonification protocol. However, they were not exposed to the types of chemicals and exposure levels you have.

33. Tonification Because detoxification is draining on your bodies, it is necessary to use tonics to keep up your energy and immune system. TCM- yin, yang, blood and qi tonics. Good diet and sleep are two of the best tonics that are often over looked. Tonics are best prescribed by a doctor to ensure balance. But if you want some more neutral tonics you can try Rhodiola, Astragulus, Shitaake Mushroom, Fo-Ti and Siberian Ginseng.

34. IMMUNE ENHANCEMENT These tonics have immunomodulating activities This brings us to our next topic of a possible ALS causal factor, which is Chronic Viral Infection.

35. Immune Enhancement Because of the possible links with some forms of ALS and Viral Infection it is necessary to modulate the immune system and take anti-virals. Specific herbs can be utilized that have can improve the immune function without the negative side effects.

36. Immune Tonic & Anti-Viral Zingiber officinale: Decreases inflammation, improves digestion, improves immune function improves circulation Curcuma longa- Significantly decreases inflammation, improves digestion and liver function, anti-oxidant, reduces muscle injury after trauma, improves immune function, inhibits carcinogens, prevents osteoarthritis decreases bruising.

37. Immune Tonic & Anti-Viral Ginseng- Improves energy and immune function, improves stamina, increases concentration, improves blood sugar regulation. Glycyrrhiza glabra - increase energy, improve immune and adrenal function, anti-inflammatory, improves ability to handle stress (adaptogen), improves healing to digestive tract, clears mucus Cordyceps- Significantly improves energy and lung function, improves immune function, anti-oxidant, used by Olympic athletes in China to improve performance.

38. Immune Tonic & Anti-Viral Siberian Ginseng: Increases resistance to stress, improves energy and performance, improves immune function Berberis sp.- Anti-bacterial, anti-viral Acer Campestre- Anti-viral Ficus carica- Anti-viral

39. Immune Tonic & Anti-Viral Aveena sativa- Nervous system tonic Medicago- Nervous system tonic Sorbus Domestica: Brain and nervous system tonic, help decrease toxicity affecting the brain and nervous system through lymphatic drainage.

40. Diet and Nutrition There are no specific diets for ALS, but it is important to eat food that is going to decrease toxicity, improve the immune function and nourish the nervous system. Naturopathic concepts to consider: No sugar, refined flour, stimulants. 1 tsp of sugar will decrease the function of macrophagic immune cells 25% for 4 hours.

41. Diet and Nutrition Sugar will also cause insulin to rise, leading to an increase in cortisol, which will further decrease immune function. Vegetables (organic): Vegetable need to be consumed in massive quantities. They have a very positive effect on immune function, are essential for any detoxification process and contain a vast array of vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants.

42. Diet and Nutrition VATA: Warm food, moderately heavy textures, added butter and fat. Salt, sour, and sweet tastes; Soothing and satisfying foods. All soothing foods are good for settling disturbed Vata. Use foods such as: warm milk, cream, butter, warm soups, stews, hot cereals, fresh baked bread. Since vata is a cold dry dosha, warm, nourishing foods such as these are good for stabilizing vata. On the other hand cold foods such as cold salads, iced drinks, raw vegetables and greens are not very good for persons with vata imbalance. Breakfast is highly recommended. Use hot cereals such as cream of rice or wheat or any other breakfast that is warm, milky, and sweet. Take a hot or herbal tea with snacks in the late afternoon. Avoid drinks with high caffeine as vata gets disturbed by it.

43. Diet and Nutrition Use spicy foods such as spicy Mexican or Indian foods that are cooked in oil. Use warm moist foods such as cooked grains and cereals, bowl of hot oatmeal or cup of steaming vegetable soup. Warm milk is good. You can add a little honey to it if you prefer. Avoid eating candies as it disturbs vata. Prefer salted nuts that are heavy and oily as opposed to dry salty snacks. All sweet fruits are Ok for vata. Avoid unripe fruits as they are astringent Take warm or hot water instead of ice water and drinks. Summary: Breakfast is usually desirable. Hot foods and sweet and sour tastes. Reduce dry foods and bitter tastes. Warm or hot water and drinks. Raw nuts and nut butters. Spices: cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, ginger, cloves in moderation.

44. Chinese Medicine Chinese Medicine views pathology based upon its energetic presentation. So the term ALS is not used in TCM, instead it is described by the energetic organ systems affected. No different than Western Medicine has described various possible causes for ALS, TCM has various causes for ALS as well.

45. Chinese Medicine Dryness-heat damaging liquid Main symptoms: forceless fingers, palm muscle atrophy, weakness with upper limbs(accompanied with muscle trembling), dry skin, thirsty, deranged speech, vexation, dry stool, red tongue, tongue fur dry yellow, fine pulse. Therapeutic principle:� Clearing away pathogenic heat, moisten the dryness, nourish yin and engender liquid.

46. Chinese Medicine Liver-kidney Yin vacuity Main symptoms:fatigue, muscle atrophy and trembling, sluggish movement, vexing heat in the five hearts, dry mouth and thirst, insomina, night sweat, dry stool, seminal emission or efflux, red tongue, feeble tongue body, fine and deep pulse. Therapeutic principle Nourish liver and kidney, strengthen sinew and bone

47. Chinese Medicine Spleen-kidney Yang Vacuity Main symptoms:fatigue and thin, muscle trembling, bad appetite, reduced food intake, short breath, pale complexion, fear of cold and cold limbs, clear-food diarrhea, urinary incontinence, impotence, pale tender-soft enlarged tongue, fine deep or slow deep pulse. Therapeutic principle:Warm and nourish spleen and kidney, strengthen sinew and bone

48. Chinese Medicine Qi Vacuity and blood stasis Main symptoms: fatigue and thin with body, painful and trembling muscle, numb muscle, tiredness and difficult speech, dark tongue body, stasis macule upon tongue fur, deep and fine and rough pulse. Therapeutic principleNourish qi and quicken blood, dispel stasis and open channels

49. Exercise Exercise has been shown to significantly improve quality of life in ALS patients. It is my personal opinion that exercises that build energy are crucial for healing in any chronic disease. This type of Exercise includes: Qi Gong, Tai Chi and Yoga.