Alternative therapies--a moving target.

that is discovering how specific nutrients influence the activity of the phase 1 cytochrome P450 and phase 2 conjugation enzymes involved in detoxification. Following the theme of describing the emerging science that helps to better understand the safety and effectiveness of alternative therapies, our group in 1995 also authored an article in the journal entitled, “Psycho-nutritional medicine: an advancing paradigm,” where we advanced the concept that with the recognition that specific nutrients influence brain chemistry has come the development of a new biological-based psychology. In 1996, our group authored an article in the journal entitled, “Phytonutrition, phytotherapy, and phytopharmacology,” that described the scientific evolution of botanical-based medicines. In 1998, our group authored the article in the journal entitled, “The use of complementary medicine for healthy aging,” that described how the concepts incorporated within the scope of alternative medicine could be successfully applied to the reduction in prematurity of age-related chronic disease and therefore reduction in health care expenditures. We are now faced with a serious issue related to the management of chronic diseases, which constitute 78% of medical expenditures for their management. It was stated by Holman that presently, we do not have a satisfactory medical education system that trains doctors to deal successfully with chronic disease. In order to handle the burgeoning numbers of aging baby boomers, which will seek service for the management of chronic diseases, as well as the escalating number of younger adults with metabolic syndrome obesity and type 2 diabetes, a new model which incorporates “alternative” therapies is needed. Since its inception 10 years ago, Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine has been providing the structure and clinical tools for this new model. I have observed a re-enchantment with medicine for thousands of healthcare providers by integrating “alternative therapies” successfully into their practices over the past 10 years. They had become disenchanted with medicine because they had come to feel that over many years of practice, in the face of managed care, that they had become de facto “drug salespeople.” I have personally had conversations with hundreds of doctors who had become discouraged because patients with chronic illnesses just did not seem to be getting better utilizing the therapies that were considered “usual and customary.” The reenchantment with medicine came after they had what we call the Jeffrey Bland, PhD, FACN, FACB, is Chairman of the Institute for Functional Medicine and an editorial board member of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. (Altern Ther Health Med. 2005; 11(2):20-22.)