by Michael Gerber, MD, HMD, MD (H)
Reprinted from the February/March 2006 Townsend Letter with permission
We are living during an exciting time in the evolution of medical practice. Building upon our medical school understanding of heart disease, drug therapeutics, and surgical interventions, we can now add a vast armamentarium of relatively non-toxic therapies to prevent and reverse our country’s number one killer: heart disease. Our medical world is made more difficult by insurance providers who restrict access to integrative medical care and by legislators and regulatory boards, who are becoming more responsive to the popular demand for complimentary care and yet are still unsure of what these practices mean in terms of patient safety and efficacy. It is now more important than ever to reach out to the medical community and promote a healthy dialog. Medical practitioners should all attend each other’s conventions and become more integrative for humanity’s sake.
A lot has happened in cardiovascular health since my first experience with EDTA chelation in 1976. After going to an American Academy of Medical Preventics convention – now called, the American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM) – and rubbing shoulders with the pioneering greats of Garry and Ross Gordon, Harold Harper, Robert Vance, Ed McDonaugh, and others, I went home, underwent a proper work-up for chelation by another AAMPS doctor, and began a series of intravenous (IV) chelations. I immediately felt sensations in my head as if I had more blood flow, and I noticed a big improvement in my memory. Names, phone numbers, scientific articles and their authors’ names jumped into my mind much more quickly. As time rolled on, I learned about heavy metals and their relationship to disease. Certainly the 13 large, mercury amalgam fillings (placed in my teeth when I was a college freshman) that out-gassed mercury with every sip of hot liquid and every bite of food weren’t helping my brain. Memories of my grandfather in four-point restraints in the state mental hospital during the last years of his life — swearing violence to the staff and his grandchildren, whom he’d taught to hunt and fish — filled me with worries about my genetic heritage of senile dementia. I soon learned that I was reversing the aging and disease process with chelation by removing the metals that led to arteriosclerosis. This was a revolutionary, evolutionary process, and it was just the beginning.
Thirty years later, after performing many thousands of chelation treatments, my respect for chelation therapy has only grown. Chelation therapy is clearly an indispensable part of a comprehensive vascular treatment program. The increase in our understanding of the importance of identifying and treating other sources of inflammation, toxicity, and infection that effect vascular disease has been dazzling. Treatments that support the vascular system health have emerged from a myriad of disciplines, including herbal therapy, homeopathy, nutrition, enzyme therapy, dental detoxification, Chinese medicine, neural therapy, isopathic therapy, far infrared sauna therapy, oxidative therapies, intravenous phospholipid exchange, new surgical approaches, umbilical cord blood stem cell therapy, RNA therapy, extracorporeal counterpulsation therapy (ECCP), Laser Energetic Detoxification, EMF avoidance and Bau Biology cleanup, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, blood rheology assessment, blood clotting assessment, genetic assessment, neurotransmitter assessment, exercise program supervision, cranial/sacral therapy, chiropractic therapy, mental/emotional detoxification, drug therapy and drug detoxification, organic diet counseling, toxic foods and products-avoidance counseling, water purification counseling, and many more.
Chelation History
Chelation therapy can be traced back to 1938, when a German chemist, identified as F. Munz, first synthesized ethylene diaminetetraacidic acid (EDTA). Herr Munz was working for Hochst, Farbwerke, Frankfort, a member company of the I.G. Farbenindustrie. He developed EDTA for the purpose of removing calcium from the water in textile plants so their mordant dyes wouldn’t stain when contacting hard water. Martin Rubin, et al, first used EDTA in the United States in 1950 for the treatment of patients with lead toxicity, who had been working in a battery factory in Michigan. When treating a patient with lead poisoning, who, coincidentally, also had coronary artery disease and angina pectoris, Norman E. Clarke observed that the patient’s symptoms of angina pectoris disappeared. In standard medical school curricula, EDTA is still the agent of choice in lead and other heavy metals poisoning as well as in the treatment of hypercalcemia. Norman E. Clarke, MD, conducted the first trials using intravenous EDTA for vascular disease in Detroit. He achieved good results, which he published in 1956 in the American Journal of Medical Science. He later published the results of 283 more patients in 1960.1-2 Like many medical innovators, he encountered resistance from the medical establishment over EDTA. Nevertheless, dozens of physicians were convinced of the efficacy of treating cardiovascular disease (CVD) with chelation. They spent years refining safe dosage protocols and established the aforementioned American Academy of Medical Preventics in 1973.
Human Studies in Chelation Therapy
Since that time many landmark studies have been published that provide data supporting the safety and benefits of using chelation therapy in humans. In 1993, Drs. L. Terry Chappell and John P. Stahl published their excellent paper of the meta-analysis of 22,765 patients who had taken EDTA chelation therapy. They had to leave out several highly positive papers because of the design of the study, and yet they found a .88 highly positive correlation coefficient. Eighty-seven percent of the patients included in the meta-analysis demonstrated clinical improvement by objective testing.3
Majid Ali, et. al, showed improved myocardial perfusion in a study of 26 patients with advanced ischemic heart disease, and a 91% overall improvement in their symptoms after chelation therapy with nutritional supplements and dietary counseling.4
C.J. Rudolph and E.W. McDonaugh, along with Emanuel Cheraskin, measured improvements in carotid artery stenosis by ultrasound measurements of 30 patients before and after 30 chelations. Patients with mild disease had an intra-arterial diameter increase of 20.9 % +/- 2.3%. Those with greater than 33% stenosis averaged 35.0% +/-4.3 % decreased obstruction. Applying Poiseuille’s Law of fluid dynamics, this improvement leads to an average of 620% improvement in blood flow. No side effects from the treatments were evident at follow up.5
Claus Hancke and KnuteFlytlie published a retrospective study of EDTA chelation in 470 patients and found through mostly objective measures an 80% to 91% improvement, depending on the parameter. Of 92 patients referred for surgical intervention, only ten required surgery after or during their chelation therapy. Of 65 patients referred for bypass, 58 did not require it after chelation therapy. In the claudication group, 24 of 27 patients scheduled for amputation were spared following chelation therapy. Of 207 patients using nitroglycerine, 189 reduced their consumption with most able to discontinue it altogether. Angina improved in 91% of patients and claudication patients walking distance improved an average of 88%. Some of these patients could walk several miles without pain. No morbidity or serious side effects due to the treatment were reported.6
In 1985, Efrain Olszewer, MD, and James Carter, MD, published a study in Medical Hypotheses of 2870 patients in Sao Paulo, Brazil treated with 81,000 chelations for their coronary artery disease. They found marked improvement in 76.89% of patients, with 16.58% having good improvement and 3.79% moderate improvement. Only 2.5% of patients were unchanged and .1% became worse, with associations of heart failure.7
H. Richard Casdorph and Charles Farr, both MD-PhD’s, published a little gem in 1983 that concerned four patients with gangrenous extremities scheduled for amputation. All four cases were resolved without amputation after chelation therapy. Two patients were diagnosed diabetics and suffered small vessel disease, and one patient was post-occlusion of a femoral-popliteal bypass graft.8 I will say that saving an extremity from amputation for the first time has a profound impact on the doctor as well as the patient.
For the convenience of the reader, I have collected these previous articles in their entirety and 15 other important articles on EDTA chelation therapy in humans. These articles contain more history, mechanisms of action, and extensive, invaluable bibliographies. These are available from my office and soon will be on my website.3-23 It is important to note one double-blind study done by Sloth-Nielsen and others, Danish cardiovascular surgeons, on peripheral vascular disease. This study shows a negative outcome of chelation therapy.29. Two rebuttals30-31 of this study were published noting that 29 of the patients studied were smokers (and most continued to smoke), and magnesium EDTA was not used. The patients were also given iron tablets, which would decrease the anti-oxidant value of the therapy. The outcome data also appeared to had been unfairly manipulated.
Causes of Vascular Disease
With proper counseling and treatment, we should be able to avoid vascular problems. We inherit heavy metals from our mothers and fathers and absorb them from the air we breathe and the foods and drugs we consume. We can minimize this damage by avoiding exposures and using the appropriate chelation substances such as EDTA, DMPS, DMSA, penicilliamine, and other non-drug chelators preventatively. The environmental and lifestyle causes of vascular disease are myriad and require a multifaceted approach for optimum prevention and treatment. Nutritionally depleted and toxic foods, including excessive sugar, refined foods and trans fat; tobacco, alcohol, and other stimulants; as well as undiagnosed food sensitivities, obesity, and unrelenting stress all prematurely age our vascular system. As the immune system becomes suppressed, the body makes more vulnerable plaque that can become infected with Chlamydia and viruses and are very dangerous in heart disease. The production of cellular energy at the mitochondrial level is subject to the same stressors, especially blockades from environmental toxins such as volatile organic hydrocarbons, plastics, heavy metals, pesticides, and PCBs, along with deficiencies of important micronutrients such as magnesium, CoEnzyme Q10, Lipoic Acid, L-carnitine. and ribose. The cardiac muscle contains 25 times more mitochrondria per cell than skeletal muscles and normally manufactures ten or twelve pounds of ATP per day. As ATP levels fall, so does heart health especially in those with congestive heart failure. Steven Sinatra in his book, The Sinatra Solution, gives an excellent review of mitochondrial dysfunction and how CoQ10 reduces LDL oxidation in heart disease.24
Far Infrared Sauna
A great toxicity primer is Detoxify or Die by Sherry Rogers, MD.25 At first I thought the title was a little dramatic but after a couple of years of experience with Far Infrared (FIR) saunas, I think it is right on. She makes the point that we are all toxic, containing hundreds of pollutants, many of which are extremely damaging to the cardiovascular system. She mentions a couple of studies from the Mayo Clinic that cite improvement in congestive heart failure (CHF) patients following FIR sauna therapy to sweat out environmental toxins. That got my attention because I have lost a number of wonderful patients over the years to end-stage CHF, despite the best efforts of local cardiologists and myself. Regular sauna is contraindicated in CHF patients, but low temperature (90o to 140o F), FIR sauna, gradually employed, is well tolerated and life-saving. This year I have had two tough CHF patients remarkably improve following FIR sauna therapy. Everyone needs to sweat out their environmental toxins, especially the phthalates found in our plastic food and beverage packaging, because they concentrate in the heart and thyroid and are not subject to removal by any other means. FIR sauna has also proven effective in eliminating heavy metals, and Dr. Rogers also reminds us that CHF patients have vastly more mercury in the heart than healthy young individuals and that cadmium is a particularly virulent cardio toxin.
Homeopathy and Herbs
Constitutional homeopathy is very helpful in vascular disease, especially for those with emotionally broken hearts. Acute remedies with special focus on the heart and vascular system can be very impressive. Remember Hawthorne Berry (Crataegus) and Cactus for chest pain, and Crotalus (Rattlesnake venom) for chest pains and bleeding problems. Herbal tinctures of Crataegus can be used for heart support as well as for angina and arrhythmias. Cayenne pepper is used for angina, stroke, bleeding, and hypertension. Peppermint oil is also wonderful for fainting, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
Neural Therapy
Neural therapy from Germany utilizes procaine, a local anesthetic, for many therapeutic needs. Injecting procaine intradermally in wheals over acupuncture points on the chest and neck, and over vertebral dermatomes that enervate the heart and tender scapular points, can relieve chest pain. Injecting scars, especially midline heart surgery scars, can relieve heart pain instantly and sometimes permanently. German Biological Dentistry relates the teeth to different body organs and structures. Injecting procaine next to the heart-related teeth (wisdom teeth, retro molar areas, and canines) with procaine has immediately relieved heart pain and improved congestive heart failure in a few minutes. Relief of distant pain by procaine injections is called the Hunecke Lightening Reaction. Procaine injections are also diagnostic in that they show which teeth may have chronic infections. Bone infections under the teeth can have profound influence on distant structures, like the heart, as well as promote cancer by suppressing P53 and P21 proteins. A new diagnostic instrument called the Cavitat (www.cavitat.com), an FDA-approved, ultrasound diagnostic device, can demonstrate these areas of soft or missing bone usually infected with bacteria and fungi that form many bacterial toxins. The NewTom cat scan of the maxilla, mandible, and sinuses can also pinpoint hidden infections. Digital X-rays and digital Panorex X-rays are helpful, but can miss some bone infections.
Dental Detoxification
Dental toxicity is almost always involved with chronic illness, and vascular disease is no exception. Periodontal disease, frequently the result of nutritional deficiencies, including subclinical scurvy (vitamin C deficiency), and niacin, B3, and CoQ10 deficiencies is known to cause vascular disease. Infected gum tissue has been well documented to shed bacteria, that can attach to heart valves, into the blood. Mercury vapor escaping from amalgam fillings, aggravated by electro-galvanism from neighboring metal restorations, can attack any nerve tissue in the body, and will also attach to inflamed tissue such as the heart and vessels. Likewise, the above-mentioned bone cavitations can cause inflammation of the vascular endothelium through the release of pathogens and other inflammatory factors that then attract mercury and other metals to the vascular endothelium. These infections can raise the C-reactive protein levels in my experience. Having the amalgams replaced with ceramic, porcelain. or gold restorations is worthwhile if done safely following IABDM (International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine) or IAOMT (International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology) protocols. Some patients cannot tolerate any metal restorations. After performing hundreds of DMPS (dimercaptopropanesulphonate) challenge tests, everyone, in my experience, has mercury toxicity. Whether or not this causes clinical symptoms varies from individual to individual, depending on the strength of their detoxification mechanisms. It is ideal to have a vitamin C IV going during amalgam removal or, as they do in German biological medicine clinics, a selenium IV. Since both are rarely available in most communities, it is important to have a drip as soon possible after amalgam replacement to minimize changing addresses of the mercury in the body. Using buffered vitamin C, GMS-Ribose buffered C, or Liposomal vitamin C is also very helpful to achieve higher plasma levels of vitamin C.
Phosphatidylcholine
Phosphatidylcholine makes up the bulk of cell membranes in young individuals. Young cell membranes contain six parts phosphatidylcholine to one part cholesterol/sphingomeyelin and, with aging, these ratios reverse. All our body’s business is done crossing cell membranes — getting nutrients in and toxins out — and this process depends on the health and integrity of membranes. Free radicals, and other toxic processes associated with aging, damage the cell membranes. This is especially true of the linings of our arteries. Studies in Switzerland and Germany are supportive of using intravenous phosphatidylcholine, especially when combined with EDTA Chelation therapy, to restore vascular cellular membrane integrity (see www.plaquex.ch).
Enzyme Therapy
Digestive and proteolytic enzyme therapy is important in vascular disease prevention and treatment. Pancreatic enzymes, lipases, proteases, trypsin, chemotrypsin, as well as bromelain and papain and Aspergillis sp. plant enzymes, all help reduce inflammation in the body and the vascular system. Serropeptase has been touted to digest plaque and nattokinase – derived from a ferment of soy and lumbrokinase – from earthworms digest fibrin. Lumbrokinase seems especially effective in reducing fibrin levels and the viscosity of blood. Urokinase, of course, is famous as a clot buster when used after heart attack and stroke.
Oxidative Therapies
Oxidative therapies, intravenous ozone, intravenous peroxide, and hyperbaric oxygen all have long histories of utility in vascular disease. Intravenous ozone infused in saline, and peroxide in saline with magnesium and manganese following IBOM (International Bioxidative Medical Association) protocols, change the red cell membranes and allow more oxygen to be released into the tissues, as well as pump up the immune system by stimulating white blood cells’ production of cytokines and lymphokines. Peroxide also reduces inflammation by killing viruses and bacteria that can live in infected plaque. Since most pathogens are anaerobic or partially anaerobic, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can also reduce inflammation, as well as enhance a number of other healing mechanisms, including rehabilitation after strokes.
Nutritional Support
Nutritional support for vascular disease is steadily improving. The anti-inflammatory effects of the EPA/DHA omega-3, -6 and -9 fatty acids are now known to protect against vascular disease. Several brands of “burpless” fish oils now exist, derived from deep sea fish that have had their fish proteins distilled off to avoid the fish burps and aftertaste that has deterred many patients over the years. Oils rich in omega-6, such as primrose, borage, and currant oils, have been shown to be efficient at reducing platelet aggregation.
Vitamin C, so critical for the connective tissue matrix of arteries and veins, is available in many new, more easily tolerated, forms. Buffered C, Tapioca C, Cassava C, and vitamin C combined with ribose and methyl sulfonyl methane provide better oral absorption and less intolerance than regular corn-based vitamin C. Tocotrienols, the other half of the vitamin E family, have proven their utility in lowering cholesterol levels along with Policosanol, derived from the wax of sugar cane. Significant positive data exists to indicate that the introduction of ribose, the central five-carbon sugar in the ATP molecule and the backbone of DNA and RNA, helps patients undergoing bypass surgery to recover from the stunning and hibernation due to poor energy metabolism in the heart muscle. Ribose is also effective in treating congestive heart failure and improving performance in elite athletes.
The greater bioavailability of CoQ10 suspensions helps all the body’s mitochondria, but especially the mitochondria-rich myocardium. Vitamins K1 and K2 not only help normalize clotting, but also move calcium in the body out of arterial plaque and joints into the bones and blood where it is needed. Magnesium malate seems to improve magnesium absorption and give greater anti-spasmodic protection for the vascular system, as well as provide a calming effect on the nervous system to help prevent sympathetic dominance.
Oral EDTA chelation has always been a helpful adjunct to intravenous chelation. Now oral EDTA chelation is available in a phosphatidylcholine, liposomal matrix that increases its oral absorption. This product is especially recommended for our patients who don’t have good veins. Rectal suppositories of EDTA are also a cost-effective and practical alternative to IV EDTA.
Bringing to light the homocysteine problem and its relationship to vascular disease and sticky blood is another milestone for cardiovascular health. This is a particular genetic “SNIP” – actually “SNP,” for single nucleotide polymorphism — that causes abnormal amounts of homocysteine to be made from cysteine in about 28% of patients and can be treated by adequate supplementation of folic acid, lysine, B6, and trimethylglycine. New glutathione preparations available for oral use, as well as the intravenous preparations, are of great help in removing toxic metals in vascular disease and in many neurological conditions. Elucidation of the role of nitric oxide (NO) in vascular endothelial health and as a vasodilator coupled with the importance of arginine, time-release arginine, and citruline and EDTA in boosting NO levels is another great advance. Vitamin D deficiency is also rampant in the population and is related to vascular disease as well as osteoporosis and joint disease. Don’t forget green tea, which has many uses in CVD. A nice review, providing many references for many of the above cardiovascular related nutrients, may be found in Sherry Rogers’ book, The High Blood Pressure Hoax.26
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Of the many advances in cardiovascular health in the last 30 years, perhaps none is more important as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Our hormones are important controllers of our vascular system. Hypothyroidism abounds, especially with borderline low blood levels. Hypothroidism is related to high cholesterol levels, low blood pressure, fatigue, and poor absorption of important heart nutrients like magnesium and chromium. Natural desiccated thyroid replacement therapy also helps with weight loss, mood, and constipation. Adrenal support with DHEA, 7-keto DHEA, pregnenelone, and adrenal cortex preparations keeps blood sugar steady, helps keep the body out of sympathetic dominance, and provides mild anabolic support to the heart. Progesterone is greatly protective for women in estrogen dominance, not only to avoid cancer but to prevent heart disease as well. Too much estrogen reduces oxygen utilization and creates hypoglycemia and weight gain. Testosterone is a big heart helper in both sexes. A greater relationship to cardiac events exists in patients over 70 who have low testosterone levels than with those who have high cholesterol levels. In this regard, I find it troubling to recall that none of the statin drugs have been studied longer than 12 weeks and that greatly inhibiting cholesterol synthesis also may cause a reduction in testosterone and other steroid hormone levels when taken over the long term.
A Case That Makes It All Worthwhile
This year we have had many greatly improved cardiovascular patients, but the progress of one in particular, whom we shall call Rocky, has been very heart-warming. Rocky is a 67-year-old retired Pan Am employee from Belgium. He was working as a security officer in a local casino when he collapsed in late July 2004. He was rushed to the hospital with shortness of breath. His electrocardiogram showed an old posterior wall infarct and rapid atrial fibrillation. A dual isotope myocardial perfusion study revealed a severe inferior wall defect from apex to base; a severe lateral wall defect from apex to base; a severe apical defect; and a moderate anterior wall defect. The mid-lateral wall was infracted. The left ventricle was massively dilated. There was akinesis of the inferior wall and significant hypokinesis of the anterolateral wall. Contraction was asynchronous. Ejection fraction was less than 10%. Angiography showed severe three vessel disease, a 70% occlusion of the left main, a subtotal occlusion of a large obtuse marginal artery, 70% stenosis of a diagonal, 50% stenosis of the left anterior descending and an occluded right with a posterior descending that filled by collaterals. He was hypertensive with kidney failure, liver failure, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure. With this presentation, the cardiovascular surgeon declined to do coronary bypass surgery and he was referred for medical management and cardioversion. He was discharged on enalapril, Coumadin, magnesium oxide, Sustane, Potassium chloride, Vistaril, Metoprolol, Aldactone, Lasix, amiodarone, Zocor, and testosterone gel.
In mid-September 2004, he appeared in my office, interested in chelation therapy and an integrative approach to his heart disease. After signing all the appropriate informed consent documents for each of the subsequent therapies, we began his treatment. His initial laboratory results showed a homocysteine of 27.4, C reactive protein 7.3, glucose 211, uric acid 10.9, creatinine 2.7, BUN 67, GGT 97, and triglycerides 330. He was on oxygen at night and was having weight fluctuations of several pounds per day from water retention related to his CHF. Rocky is a cheerful, highly motivated, and compliant person and began our program with enthusiasm. His physical exam was remarkable in that his heart sounds were very diminished to inaudible; he had mild ankle edema; and he had several mercury amalgam dental fillings. He gradually started far infrared saunas at 1000 for five minutes and worked up to 30 minutes at 1300 with no adverse effects. The saunas always made him feel better as he began to sweat out his toxic load of plastics, chemicals, and metals. On average, he went three to five times per week for nine months and then slowed down on the frequency of saunas as he felt better. After saunas, he took a detox cocktail of electrolytes, glutathione, vitamin C, and enzymes. He was able to sweat immediately, in contrast to some older patients who can’t sweat for months. He began a nutritional supplement program with multiple heart supportive nutrients with oral chelation, CoQ10 at 100 mg four times per day with vitamin E, mixed tocopherols, acetyl L carnitine, Cretaegus tincture (Hawthorne berry), desiccated thyroid, adrenal support, testosterone cream, B12, folic acid, Bucco herbal tonic for the kidneys, chromium, vanadium, Gemnemasilvestre for his blood sugar, peppermint oil drops for any shortness of breath, Nattokinase, vitamin K after Coumadin withdrawal, deodorized fish oil, primrose oil, B6, Lysine, time-release arginine, ribose with magnesium malate, proteolytic enzymes, and DMSA and chlorella for mercury detox after amalgam removal.
After several weeks of nutrient repletion, Rocky started chelation therapy with a low dose of disodium, magnesium EDTA to begin. His BUN and creatinine fell steadily to within normal limits during his therapy. He quickly was able to tolerate the full three grams of EDTA and completed 30 weekly chelation treatments and subsequently has had four more monthly treatments. Likewise, he completed 30 weekly intravenous infusions of phosphatidylcholine and four more monthly maintenance treatments. His diet counseling of a moderate protein, low simple carbohydrate, high-fiber diet paid off with a 35-pound weight loss from 225 to 190 lbs. Homocysteine is down to 16.1 (still working on this), C reactive protein is 1.68, glucose 91, uric acid 7.5, triglycerides 166, cholesterol 181, LDL 101, HDL 47, GGT 31, BUN 26, and creatinine 1.4.
In addition to the above treatments, we also used Laser Energetic Detoxification (LED), as taught by Lee Cowden, MD. LED is the application of low-power laser light modulated through homeopathic preparations of toxins, allergens, organs, hormones, and neurotransmitters to acupuncture points. Rocky was treated for sulfanilamide, Bactrim, and Septra (found in meats which putatively block sulfur metabolism in the whole body), 23 different mercury salts, cadmium Diazenon, DDT-DDE, insulin, pancreas, benzene, xylene, toluene, Dioxin, HGH, PCBs, Heptachlor, testosterone, formaldehyde-formic acid, petroleum, Atrazine, carbon tetrachloride, methyl ethyl ketone, glucagon, leptin, liver, and heart.
Repeat perfusion study in May 2005 showed an ejection fraction of 45% with good improvement in the left ventricular size. Many of the hypokinetic areas remained, but the study was of poor quality. Rocky has been working out with a personal trainer, rowing and lifting weights. He can walk several flights of stairs with no dyspnea and works ten hours per day, seven days per week as a checker in a large grocery chain (against medical advice) as a favor to a relative who manages the store. He has no chest pain or other vascular symptoms and is very happy with his newly found energy and endurance. He tires a little at the end of the day but, in general, says that he has never felt better in his life. He is off all medication except metoprolol and metformin, his nutrients, and hormones. His blood pressure is normal, and now you can actually hear his heart in normal sinus rhythm with a stethoscope and, as Rocky would say, “That’s a good thing.”
Moving Forward
Over the past 30 years, we have witnessed a huge burst of knowledge and treatments that have revolutionized our understanding of CVD. These treatments and scientific understanding of the basis of vascular disease are a great blessing for our patients and for us. The times are changing, and the safe harbors for integrative doctors are increasing. The Homeopathic Medical Boards in Nevada and Arizona have been in existence for over twenty years and have regulated homeopathic and integrative therapies successfully. An Investigational Review Board (IRB), created by the legislature in the State of Nevada to study and document alternative therapies, provides a great opportunity to gather the much-needed data to help support the safety and importance of integrative therapies. The California Business and Professions Code sec 2500 acknowledges the significant interest of physicians and patients alike in integrative approaches and holistic-based alternatives within the practice of medicine and charges the boards to establish specific policies, review statutes, and recommend modifications of law, to assure California consumers that the quality of medicine is the most advanced and innovative it can be, both in terms of preserving the health of California residents and providing effective diagnosis and treatment of illness for the residents of that state. With this in mind, it is time to expand our research and teach these advances to the next generation of physicians and healers.
Correspondence
Michael Gerber, MD, HMD, MD(H)
President, Nevada Homeopathic and Integrative Medical Association
Gerber Medical Clinic, Inc.
3670 Grant Drive
Reno, Nevada, 89509
Drmichael@gerbermedical.com
www.GerberMedical.com
References
1. Clarke NE, Clarke CN, Mosher RE. The “in vivo” dissolution of metastatic calcium: an approach to atherosclerosis. Am J Med Sci. 1955; 220: 142-149.
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