Category Archives: Alternative Medicine

CRESTONE, Colo. Philip Incao was about 6 years old when he asked his mother if it was true he would die. Yes, she replied. And what happens afterward? he asked.

Nothing, she said. You just die, thats all.

It was a profoundly unsatisfying answer, and one that Dr. Incao later identified as the starting point for a lifetime of study.

He pursued a path that wound through medical school, training in holistic healing and devotion to the early 20th-century esoteric Rudolf Steiner, a polymath who theorized that the spiritual world could be explored through scientific methods.

Decades of searching led him all the way to an unconventional decision about what would happen to his body after his death.

Before Dr. Incao died of prostate cancer on Feb. 28 at age 81, he arranged for a cremation in his adopted hometown, Crestone, Colo., at the countrys only public open-air funeral pyre.

All the old forms, all the old rituals, are being loosened up, he explained in interviews in the months before his death. And through this type of cremation, he planned to be a part of that shift.

He knew his body would be wrapped into a simple shroud, carried on a wooden stretcher into an enclosure, and placed on a platform a few feet from the ground. His sons and his wife would light the fire and watch his body burn for several hours. The next day, they would collect the ashes. He had attended several cremations at the pyre, and he was ready.

About 70 people have been cremated at the pyre in Crestone since it opened more than a decade ago. Its services are restricted to residents and landowners in Saguache County, with a population of less than 7,000 people spread across some 3,000 square miles.

Set inside a circular wooden fence a few miles out of town, with the Sangre de Cristo range of the Rocky Mountains looming in the background, the pyre itself is a utilitarian structure: two waist-high stuccoed concrete walls lined inside with firebrick, and spanned by a plain metal grate.

The simple design represents a defiant upending of American death rituals. Instead of a body being whisked away by a funeral home, it stays on view at home for several days. And rather than being chemically preserved and placed in a sealed coffin, it remains on ice, but otherwise in its natural state.

Burial as a practice in the U.S. is basically designed so that the American family doesnt have to deal with the dying, Dr. Incao reflected in December. By then, he was mostly confined to his bed, where he rested, met with friends, sorted through his belongings, and read books about reincarnation and near-death experiences.

More than half of Americans are cremated after death, a remarkable change from the 20th century, when it was completely against American sensibilities, said Gary Laderman, a professor in the department of religion at Emory University. But Crestones approach goes even further, defying one of traditional cremations core promises, to make the body disappear quickly and invisibly. A body on the pyre turns into ash and smoke while friends and family keep vigil for hours under the open sky.

Community cremation sites are commonplace in some parts of India, but they remain taboo in the United States. A Buddhist retreat center in northern Colorado maintains a private pyre, but efforts to open public sites like Crestones have faltered, running up against squeamish cultural sensibilities about death.

Folks who havent had direct experience of open-air cremation, whether its in Colorado or in Asia, can have some pretty strange associations, said Angela Lutzenberger, a hospice chaplain who bought 63 acres of land in Dresden, Maine, that she hopes to turn into a pyre site. They build up creepy ideas about what it could be.

It is not a coincidence that Crestone is the pyres home. About 200 miles south of Denver, the former gold mining town has attracted a population drawn to Eastern religious practices and wisdom traditions for decades. Its reputation solidified in the 1980s, when a Danish-born spiritual seeker and her oil magnate husband established a sprawling development just outside town that bills itself as the largest intentional, interreligious and sustainable living community in North America.

The winding roads around that development with street names like Serene Way and Jubilant Way lead to several towering Buddhist shrines, retreat centers and a spiral ziggurat commissioned in the 1970s by the father of Jordans Queen Noor. Some locals refer to a vortex of energy in the area.

Theres no other place quite like this in America, said Dr. Incaos son Sylvan, who visited his father there often over the years.

Sylvan had come to Crestone on a chilly week in March that would culminate in his fathers cremation. Fliers with information about the ceremony were posted at the health food store and the cafe next door, which function as the towns social center. Please carpool whenever possible, the flier read. Pyre lit at 8 AM.

Dr. Incao had moved to Crestone with his second wife, Jennifer, in 2006, after practicing anthroposophic medicine a Steiner-inspired holistic approach that many mainstream physicians characterize as pseudoscience in upstate New York and Denver.

Dr. Incao graduated from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, but his career radically changed course when he was introduced to alternative medicine and Steiners work. Steiner lectured widely on topics including philosophy, Christianity, finance, architecture and art. His ideas about education led to the Waldorf school movement; his thinking on agriculture inspired biodynamic farming.

Steiners view of medicine was a revelation for Dr. Incao. He went on to spend his life exploring the teachings of Steiner, whose work guided not just his interest in philosophy and spirituality but his medical career.

He believed in reincarnation, which he felt gave a sense of purpose to life. And he was devoted to the idea of what he considered a natural approach to medicine.

For Dr. Incao, that meant choices that would seem extreme to many, even some members of his family. He strongly opposed vaccination, publishing articles and offering testimony against childhood vaccines and eventually opposing the Covid-19 shots. When he became sick, he declined traditional treatments for his cancer, including chemotherapy. He was at home in Crestone, where many residents are skeptical of traditional medicine.

Dr. Incao believed that the moment of death was just the beginning of the process of separation of the human identity, which he said took about three days.

And why be cremated outdoors? You do it because it makes a lot more sense than the alternative, which is giving the body over to the undertaker, he said. He decided on cremation after moving to Crestone, and officially signed up about four years ago.

Sylvan, 49, and his brother Sebastian, 47, supported their fathers plans, which they saw as in keeping with his spiritual sensibility and nonconformist streak. He loved nature, said Sebastian, an acupuncturist in New York. It seemed like a very powerful way to liberate his spirit.

Their older brother, Quentin, 51, was not so sure. He knew his father was a nonconformist, but he was still shocked when Dr. Incao told him about his intentions, on one of Quentins visits from his home in Montana. It just didnt make sense to me, I couldnt understand it, he recalled. He had agreed to be a pallbearer, but he was dreading the action of physically placing his fathers body on the pyre.

At a memorial service a few days before the cremation, the three brothers, their families and others gathered in Jennifers backyard art studio for a ceremony and eulogy delivered by a priest from the Christian Community, a small religious movement inspired by Steiner.

Dr. Incaos body lay in repose at the front of the room, with wreaths of fresh carnations and other flowers on his body. Into the calm of soul being walks the soul of our dear Philip, the priest said, reading from a hand-transcribed book of sacred texts. He is now on the other side of the threshold but his love has not stopped. At the small outdoor reception afterward, deer grazed in the yard.

Its one of the most beautiful volunteer activities, said Fane Burman, who has assisted at about a dozen cremations, helping stack the wood and tending to it as it burns. The nonprofit that operates the pyre, the Crestone End of Life Project, provides about a dozen local volunteers for each cremation. Although Mr. Burman does not always know the person who has died, once the fire gets burning it brings tears to my eyes.

On a cool Saturday, the family gathered at 7 a.m. to accompany Dr. Incaos body from his home to the pyre about four miles west. A volunteer had wrapped the body in a shroud of sheets the night before and covered it in roses. The stretcher was carefully loaded into the back of Sylvans black pickup truck, and Quentin and Sebastian rode in the back with their father our last moments with him, Quentin said. The truck slowly turned right at a small hand-painted sign reading Pyre.

By 7:30 a.m., about 70 people lined the path into the pyre site. A volunteer rang a bell to signify the start of the ceremony, and another played a tune on his handmade flute as the procession wound its way to the inside of the fence. The pallbearers laid the stretcher on the metal grate.

Dr. Incaos ceremony began with family members and friends laying juniper branches and flowers on the body. Incense burned in a terra cotta pot tended by a volunteer, while others added logs until they were piled above the rim of the pyre. Then Jennifer and Dr. Incaos sons lit large sticks in the incense pot and ignited the pyre together.

As the fire started to burn, Sylvan put his arm around Sebastian. A harpist played a tune as the flames crackled. Quentin wiped tears from his eyes, from smoke or emotion or both.

Smoke billowed thickly for about 10 minutes, and died down. By then, fire was putting off enough heat to warm the circle. Flaky ashes swirled in the air, which smelled of incense.

A threshold choir, which specializes in singing for the dying, performed some of the tunes they had sung for Dr. Incao in his last few months. Safe passage, pilgrim of the spirit, they sang. We are all just walking each other home.

Sylvan spoke about how he had always teased his father about wearing so many layers, always being cold. With the fire going, hes warm enough, he concluded with a smile. Another friend performed a hallelujah another Steiner concept in which she solemnly circled the pyre, lifting and lowering her arms, moving forward and backward.

Quentin, who had questioned his fathers plans from the start, watched the ceremony quietly and intently. It was almost like a weight lifted, to know hes moved on, he said later, as the crowd dispersed and the ashes smoldered.

He knew, in the end, it was what his father had wanted.

He was looking forward to being the smoke.

View post:

One Mans Choice to Be Cremated Under the Open Sky - The New York Times

MAY 19 is celebrated across the globe as World Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The disease is chronic inflammatory condition of the intestine and is of two main types: Ulcerative Colitis and Crohns disease. IBD is increasing in India and this increase is largely driven by changes in the diet and westernization of lifestyle.

A recent editorial in Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology described South Asia (including India) as a new frontier of IBD. Some studies have shown that IBD is as common in North India as in the western world. Genetics, immune response, and changes in the dietary pattern also play a role in the causation of this disease. IBD can affect any age or gender. Usually, these patients have abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and bleeding in the stools. The diagnosis is often delayed because of the lack of awareness about the disease in the community, lack of access to colonoscopy, and confusion about other diseases like hemorrhoids, abdominal tuberculosis, and cancer.

The Department of Gastroenterology, PGI, celebrated the day to raise awareness about the condition and also to improve the care and treatment of patients living with IBD. Prof Usha Dutta, head, the Department of Gastroenterology, said that special lectures were organised where patients with IBD were educated about the disease, diagnostic tests, various treatment options, the role of diet, and health maintenance. Prof S K Sinha spoke about the nature and presentation of the disease, Dr Vishal Sharma spoke about the treatment options for the disease, and Prof Dutta spoke about the diet and lifestyle approaches for IBD.

The incidence of the disease is increasing steadily in India, and there are many factors that are responsible for the rise, like a Westernised diet, lack of fresh fruits and vegetables in our diet, pesticides, stress, lack of sun, adulterated food, contaminated water, highly refined oils, which affect our intestine lining and the balance of good bacteria in the body is affected. It is paramount that people do not ignore symptoms like loose motions, pain in the abdomen, and blood in the stool, which continue for more than two weeks. A specialist must be consulted and no painkillers, steroids, or over-the-counter drugs must be used, which can cause further complications. Only medicines prescribed by a specialist must be taken, and alternative medicine treatments must be avoided. Also, treatment must not be stopped and regular follow-ups are essential to pick up early cancer. Most patients respond well to treatment, and in our OPDs, we do a follow-up of more than 1500 patients, with new patients added every month, explains Prof Dutta.

As for the age group affected most by IBD, Prof Dutta adds, that it is seen across age groups, though the peak of IBD is seen in people between 20 and 40 years of age. Prof Dutta recommends early intervention by specialists, more awareness about the disease, changing our diets and adding more fresh and healthy food, use of natural probiotics like curd, lassi, and living an active and stress-free life.

On the occasion, an IBD card designed by the Department of Gastroenterology, in association with Colitis and Crohns Foundation, India was released. This card will provide a snapshot of the disease state and drug therapies with education material and will be helpful in improving various aspects of care including diet, preventive health, and medication. The card is designed with suggestions from other experts from AIIMS, Delhi, DMC, Ludhiana, and SGPGI, Lucknow. The card will be available to clinicians and gastroenterologists across the country for use and will be launched through a web meeting on World IBD Day.

Follow this link:

World Inflammatory Bowel Disease day: The incidence of IBD is increasing - The Indian Express

IV therapy is touted as an efficient way to deliver fluid and nutrients into the body, pumping them directly into the bloodstream. Oral therapies like vitamin pills, on the other hand, must first be absorbed and broken down by the stomach, which takes more time and can limit how much of the nutrients a person actually receives. Ali pointed out that IV therapies used in a nonhospital setting are not intended to treat anything, but rather act as a supplement.

But many health professionals are not fans of this relatively new wellness trend, citing a lack of federal regulation and sound clinical research, as well as potential health risks for some people, particularly those with certain medical conditions.

For Jenner, who has been open about her occasional use of IV vitamin therapy for several years now, it helps bring a sense of control over her health.

Literally since I can remember, Ive been a hypochondriac, and so I am obsessed with health right now, said Jenner, who has also been dealing with some weird post-COVID symptoms, too. Its been my number one priority, Id say. To the point where Im like eating myself alive thinking about my health.

Theres little proof that IV vitamin treatments work, said Dr. Joshua Septimus, associate professor of clinical medicine at the Houston Methodist Research Institute in Texas, who called the therapy nonsense.

It's the latest trend in functional or alternative medicine to kind of rip through the general community as a cure-all, Septimus told BuzzFeed News. It's just one more way to fleece people for money.

One of Septimuss biggest concerns is that IV vitamin therapies are not FDA regulated or approved, so what you get is going to depend on where you go and whos administering the snake oil, he said, adding that no mainstream physician would recommend the treatment for anyone unless medically necessary.

Companies that provide them sometimes make unsupported and deceptive health claims about their vitamin cocktails. In 2018, the Federal Trade Commission for the first time cracked down on a company making health claims about IV treatments without scientific evidence.

The company, called iV Bars, operated drip clinics in Texas and Colorado at the time and claimed its IV vitamin therapies could treat cancer, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, congestive heart failure, fibromyalgia, and neurodegenerative disorders. It also claimed its cocktails were more effective and better-tolerated than conventional medical therapies, the FTC said.

The research on these infusions is also scarce. A handful of studies show moderate benefits for asthma, inflammation, and fatigue, while a larger batch found the treatments have little to no impact, particularly for more serious health conditions like acute respiratory distress syndrome, cancer, sepsis, and stroke. However, in the studies, people were given a variety of different vitamin therapies in medical settings.

The majority of research on IV vitamin therapies show the treatments can be administered safely in certain groups (though keep in mind some studies have small sample sizes) but dont really have substantial benefits for specific conditions.

Ali of Beverly Hills said his clients typically feel better immediately after the vitamin infusion, which can last one to eight hours, depending on the chosen dosage.

While some people may certainly feel more refreshed after a treatment, Septimus is doubtful the vitamins are responsible.

Lying in a calm environment for a couple of hours while receiving the IV therapy will help anyone relax, he said, so there may be a placebo effect at play. (One 2009 study did conclude the placebo effect was likely a reason people with fibromyalgia felt relief after eight weeks of IV vitamin therapy.)

Not to mention if youre dehydrated, IV therapy may help you feel better by filling your blood vessels with the fluids they need.

However, just because a certain treatment seems biologically plausible, either theoretically or in a test tube, it doesnt mean the therapy actually works, Septimus said.

The first thing you learn in medical school is primum non nocere, which means first do no harm, Septimus said. But in order to first do no harm, you have to study something.

The risks of IV therapy treatments depend heavily on the mixture of nutrients you receive, some of which can be potentially hazardous for people with certain medical conditions. Because the vitamin cocktails are not FDA regulated, you may not really even know what youre getting.

For example, if your banana bag is brimming with calcium and you have an undiagnosed kidney insufficiency, you run the risk of developing blood clots in your arteries due to calcium deposits that can be life threatening, Septimus said.

Similarly, if you have any type of heart disease or condition, you should avoid IV vitamin treatments because the excess fluid may increase the risk of heart failure, a chronic condition where the heart struggles to pump enough blood.

If drip bags contain sugar solutions, people with diabetes should stay clear, Septimus added. Those with weakened immune systems should also never consider this kind of treatment (unless medically necessary) because in the event the needle isnt properly sanitized or inserted, you can develop a dangerous infection.

People with liver disease should avoid this therapy at all costs too, Septimus said.

The first question you should ask yourself before swiping your credit card at an IV drip clinic or lounge is, Do I really need these vitamins?

Generally, nutritional deficiencies in the US are rare outside of serious medical situations like gastric bypass surgery or extreme diets, so the fact is that most people dont need vitamins that theyre not already getting from their food, Septimus said.

For those who do have nutritional deficiencies, a multivitamin pill will usually suffice. And if you are so dehydrated that you need an IV drip, a nonmedical clinic may not be the best place to get treatment.

If you are volume depleted enough that you need IV fluids, you should be under the care of healthcare professionals, not that of a mobile IV clinic that's giving people sham treatments, Septimus said. You really should be seeing a physician to get a prescription for that fluid. And most of the time if someone is unwell enough that they need volume repletion, they can do it orally.

Even healthy people face some risks. Back in 2018, Jenner was hospitalized after experiencing a bad reaction to a vitamin IV drip, though the type of reaction or reason is unknown, People reported at the time.

Aside from possible infections from improper needle use (which can happen in both hospital and home settings), vitamin toxicity can occur. For example, if you take too much vitamin B6, which is associated with brain health and mood improvement, you can damage your nerves in a way that can lead to permanent numbness in your limbs.

Its also possible to overdo it. Ali said this hasnt happened to any of his clients, but that receiving IV vitamin therapy more than once a week would be too much, he said.

Your takeaway message, at least according to one physician: Don't waste your money. Get your nutrition from food. Get your hydration through your mouth, Septimus said. And if you're sick enough that you need an IV, you need to be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

See the original post here:

Whats Up With Those IV Therapy Treatments Kendall Jenner And Hailey Bieber Received? - BuzzFeed News

A 62-year-old one-horse amateur rider who has been eventing for 45 years was part of Switzerlands victorious Nations Cup team this week on a horse who has survived a splintered knee and came within hours of being put down owing to colic.

Beat Sax, a full-time chemist, and 14-year-old warmblood Secret IV topped the podium in Pratoni del Vivaro on Sunday (15 May), alongside teammates Robin Godel (Grandeur de Lully), Nadja Minder (Toblerone) and Melody Johner (Toubleu de Rueire).

Beat told H&H he took part in his first event, at novice level, when he was 16 or 17.

I came last! he said. Then I went back the next year and won.

Beat, who has only owned five horses, describes himself as 200% an amateur, working 50+ hours a week and doing everything himself, including driving the 1,000km to Italy for the Nations Cup.

I have a break during the day, when I do my horse, and I do everything in the stables, he said. Its amazing to have that time with my horse, in the fresh air, and clearing my head for the next part of the day.

Beat bought Secret as a four-year-old he has produced all his horses from a young age but with no great ambitions for the horses future.

I was 52 and I thought Im too old for eventing now; Id like a horse just for fun and for smaller competitions, then two years later, he won the six-year-old championship at Le Lion, and that was the career for him!

To start with, he was a bit crazy; he had his ideas about what he was doing and I had mine, and I was often sitting in the sand, but we came together and hes the best horse Ive ever had.

Secret has overcome huge issues; when he was seven, part of his kneecap splintered off when he got stuck on an oxer. An operation was successful and X-rays looked good but he was still lame. Thanks to osteopath and biomechanics expert Stefen Stammer, the horse eventually came right.

Its a wonder; no one thought it was possible that he could come back to how he was but hes better, said Beat. Its amazing.

The combination enjoyed more success but in 2019, Secret suffered from a severe bout of colic and needed surgery. This was a success but afterwards, when attempts were made to feed the horse, his intestines were not functioning. For 10 days, vets struggled to get Secrets bowels to function and Beat was told it was time to say goodbye.

Hed lost 100kg and his stomach wasnt working, Beat said. It really was a day before he was going.

But a friend who is experienced in alternative medicine helped save Beats heart horse. She massaged his spine and gradually, the intestines started working again. After a long period of rehab, they were back out, and catching the eye of the Swiss team coach.

Pratoni was absolutely amazing, Beat said. In March, I won a CCI4*-L, which was the biggest thing Id done in my life, my first four-star win. But this, with a team, some 30 or even 40 years younger than me as Im the old guy, was absolutely great. My heart was overflowing.

Beat now has hopes of returning to Pratoni to represent his country at the eventing World Championships, in September, for which he has qualified.

It would be a dream come true, he said. As an amateur and at my age, it would be amazing; I cant explain. But for me, every event is a dream. I go and have fun and have a good time with my horse, and for me, thats the important thing. This is my life and Secret is my life too.

You might also be interested in:

Ive always thought, I couldnt do that in a million years and I still actually think that!

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

View post:

'He's my life': 62-year-old amateur rider on winning Nations Cup team with horse who survived splintered knee and severe colic - Horse & Hound

From its humble beginnings in the 1990s, the creator economy has now grown into a massive industry. Part of the new economy, early creators included authors, journalists, actors, musicians, artists and others. But without an available marketplace infrastructure to enable them to monetize their knowledge and talents, many struggled to gain a significant following. This made being an independent creator extremely challenging, with most having to keep a day job or two to support their passion.

Then came platforms like Blogger, YouTube, MySpace and Soundcloud. Suddenly, ordinary people were racking up millions of followers and big bucks by sharing their talents on the newly created open markets. And thanks to these early pioneers, the creator economy is now worth a combined $104 billion.

In 2010, a new player stepped onto the creator scene and opened up a new channel for monetization. Kajabi changed the creator game by enabling people to monetize their knowledge. Before that, the creator economy was all about selling ones skills and talents. But thanks to Kajabi, knowledge about almost anything became a marketable asset too.

Kajabi is an innovative all-in-one platform that enables knowledge entrepreneurs and creators to share and monetize their skills, talents, and knowledge, saidAhad Khan, Kajabi CEO. With Kajabis robust product features, users have a single ecosystem in which they can publish, market, and sell knowledge products such as online courses, live coaching, products, newsletters, membership sites, and communities. Its the platform of choice for more than 55 million dynamic solopreneurs, teams, and businesses.

Kajabi is now the leading platform for creators and entrepreneurs to create, grow, and manage their content, products and services, offering the best way to turn knowledge into income. And recently, the company unveiled its inauguralState of the Creator Economy Report. The report reveals some of the biggest trends taking shape within the growing creator economy.

For the report, researchers incorporated both quantitative and qualitative data gathered from industry sources and the more than 50,000 creators that run their businesses on Kajabis platform. Insights include the pandemics impact on the creator economy, key monetization trends and the most popular and successful marketing tactics creators use. When asked about the kind of knowledge people share the most, Khan suggested that the list is nearly endless.

There are literally millions of amazing and imaginative use cases, he said. Weve got a creator that teaches people how to make pot pies, dog grooming experts, DJs, Scottish pipe drummers, knitting experts, alternative medicine practitioners, and much more.

According to the State of the Creator Economy report, Kajabi customers make an average of$30,000per year. And as ofMarch 2022, the total lifetime earnings of Kajabi customers surpassed$3.5 billion, which is up 350% since 2020. Current earnings projections for all Kajabi users in 2022 alone are estimated to be just under$2 billion.

Kajabis intuitive platform makes it easy for people to create, grow and manage courses, podcasts, memberships, 1-on-1 coaching and training sessions and more, said Khan. Basically, we offer the best way to turn your knowledge into income. We have an extensive knowledge base that customers can tap into for best practices. And our team of experts will even help onboard new customers. Regardless of experience, anyone can do it. Lawyers, artists, cooks you name it! Anyone with knowledge to share can make money with Kajabi. And best of all, unlike with other technologies on the market, entrepreneurs keep all of the revenue they make on the Kajabi platform.

When it came to the topics that creators promoted the most, personal development and health and fitness were the top two. Revenue for those topics alone grew by 94% and 101%, respectively, from 2020 to 2021. In addition, Kajabi customers in the academic space increased their earnings by 45% from 2020 to 2021, and by 253% inJanuary 2022compared toJanuary 2020.

The most popular and lucrative products for knowledge creators on Kajabi in 2021 were online courses and membership sites. And creators who incorporate podcasts into their services earned 26% more than those who do not.

Whats Next?

According to CB Insights, there are more than 50 million people participating in the creator economy.And that massive market size has investors betting big on platforms focused on creators. Membership platform Patreon recently raised a $155M Series F. But the big money seems to be betting on Kajabi. To date, the company has raised $550 million at a $2 billion valuation.

When asked about what was next for Kajabi, Khan responded, Our goal as a company is to lower the burden of creating and monetizing compelling content for our customers. All of our development and innovation are in support of that goal, and we will continue to focus on delivering a frictionless customer experience.

Image: Depositphotos

The rest is here:

The State of the Creator Economy is Thriving - Small Business Trends

Subscribe to ourTelegramchannel for the latest stories and updates.

England may officially license vaping as a medicine to help smokers curb the addiction. This move is in line with the British Medical Associations views to minimize the harmful effects of tobacco consumption.

The country is currently reviewing Smokefree 2030, an effort aimed towards making England a smoke-free country. The review was commissioned by the Department of Health and the report is predicted to recommend the use of vapes or e-cigarettes as a less harmful alternative to tobacco.

England is one of the first countries in the world to lead in tobacco harm reduction strategies.Tobacco remains the single largest cause of preventable illness and death in England despite numerous efforts at suppressing the addiction. Tobacco addiction is especially widespread in poorer areas of the country.

In 2019, at least a quarter of deaths from all cancers is estimated to be caused by smoking. Since 2017, the UK government has encouraged vaping as an alternative to smoking in hopes that the nation would develop their own tobacco control strategies.

While health professionals are still against any form of nicotine use, the argument stands that vaping does far less harm than cigarettes which kill around 7 million people a year.

Javed Khan, who is leading the review in England, has hinted that the report will promote vapes and e-cigarettes as an alternative when he said that he was considering a range of critical interventions that have the largest influence.

He also mentioned that he has looked at the promotion of vaping as a less harmful alternative.

The British Medical Association has also proposed to license e-cigarettes and vapes as medicine so that doctors can recommend them to those who want to kick the habit of smoking.

If such proposals are approved, it would likely be based upon the rising number of studies that suggest the effectiveness of e-cigarettes in helping people quit smoking.

Share your thoughts with us via TRPsFacebook,Twitter, andInstagram.

Follow this link:

England May Officially Recognise Vaping As A Safer Alternative To Cigarettes - The Rakyat Post

HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regencell Bioscience Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: RGC):

Results of EARTH efficacy trial

EARTH Efficacy Trials

Period of trial

30 January 2022 31 March 2022(EARTH-B Trial)

1 October 2021 31 January 2022(EARTH-A Trial)

1 October 2021 31 March 2022(EARTH-A andEARTH-B Trials,combined)

Number of patients

51

37

88

Complete symptoms elimination in 6 days (% of patients)

94.1

97.3

95.5

Elimination of one or more symptoms after 1 full dose of RGC-COV19TM (% of patients)

90.2

83.8

87.5

Testing negative in 6 days (% of patients)

23.5

43.5

29.7

Recovery period for patients who took RGC-COV19TM within 3 days of symptoms onset (days)

3.7

3.2

3.5

Recovery period for patients who took RGC-COV19TM between 4-5 days of symptoms onset (days)

2.3

3.6

3.4

No longer experienced difficulty breathing and/or persistent chest pain after 1 full dose of RGC-COV19TM (% of patients)

57.1

66.7

66.7

Regencell Bioscience Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: RGC) (Regencell or the Company) today announced the results from an analysis of a total of 51 individuals enrolled in its additional Evaluation and Assessment of RGC-COV19TM TCM through a Holistic approach efficacy trial (the EARTH-B Trial) conducted by Regencell Bioscience Asia Limited (Regencell Asia) of its novel COVID-19 oral TCM candidate RGC-COV19TM (Regencell Bioscience (RGCA-CV01) liquid formulation). These results are consistent with the earlier analysis announced in February 2022 (the EARTH-A Trial), showing RGC-COV19TM is effective in reducing and eliminating COVID-19 symptoms within 6 days, which in turn reduces the risk of hospitalization and death. The results have yet to be peer-reviewed.

Regencell is committed to delivering alternative treatments that are safe and effective through the use of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Rigorous trials have been conducted and results have shown noticeable improvement in COVID-19 symptoms among our trial participants following the administration of RGC-COV19TM. Following the EARTH-B Trials results corroborating the effectiveness of RGC-COV19TM, we believe RGC-COV19TM can be a potential treatment that helps rehabilitate COVID-19 patients, said Ji Yang Lee (Jay), CEO of Regencell Asia.

While emerging new COVID-19 variants continue to remain a threat to the public health, Regencell will continue to work in tandem with its R&D units to develop new breakthroughs designed to transform the way COVID-19 is being managed globally and provide safe and effective treatment for everyone.

About EARTH

The primary objective of EARTH is to evaluate and assess the efficacy of Regencells TCM RGC-COV19TM (Regencell Bioscience (RGCA-CV01) liquid formulation) in reducing and eliminating COVID-19 symptoms through a holistic approach within a 6-day period.

The EARTH B Trial was conducted in Malaysia from 30 January 2022 until 31 March 2022, when Omicron represented 80% of the COVID-19 cases in Malaysia since 10 January 2022, replacing Delta as the dominant COVID-19 strain. The eligibility criteria for enrolment remained the same as the earlier efficacy trial, requiring all patients to have laboratory confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 infection within 3 days prior to treatment and with symptoms onset within 5 days prior to treatment.

Based on the above-mentioned criteria, patients who were asymptomatic were rejected and a larger cohort of 51 random individuals qualified and were enrolled for the EARTH-B Trial, as compared to 37 random individuals in EARTH-A Trial. The enrolled patients were between the ages of 11 to 75 and of different races, ethnic backgrounds and socioeconomic backgrounds. All 51 individuals were based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 48 out of the 51 enrolled patients started taking RGC-COV19TM within 3 days of symptoms onset and the remaining 3 patients started taking RGC-COV19TM between 4 to 5 days of symptoms onset.

Regencell Asia set a maximum of 6 days of treatment per patient. Enrolled patients were required to report their COVID-19 symptoms every day according to 3 severity categories (mild, moderate and severe) and the list contained symptoms such as fever, fatigue, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, nausea, feeling hot, chills, drowsy, shortness of breath, persistent chest pain or pressure, muscle ache and abdominal discomfort. Patients were also asked to identify any other symptoms they were experiencing. Each patient received 2 days of treatment progressively while a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test was conducted every 2 days.

Whenever a patients RT-PCR test result turned negative or patients no longer had any COVID-19 symptoms (save for Sensory Dysfunction or occasional cough) within the 6-day treatment period, the treatment ended. While receiving the TCM treatment, 50 individuals were fully vaccinated and 1 child below 12 years old was not vaccinated. At the end of the treatment, the total number of patients whose symptoms were completely eliminated within the 6-day treatment period, save for Sensory Dysfunction and occasional cough, were recorded to determine the efficacy.

About the EARTH-B Trials Results

Efficacy of complete symptoms elimination within the 6-day treatment period

Results from this analysis of 51 trial participants build upon and corroborate previously released data and demonstrate the effectiveness of RGC-COV19TM in eliminating COVID-19 symptoms within 6 days.

Of the 51 patients, 48 patients (representing 94.1% of the patients) had all their mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms eliminated, save for Sensory Dysfunction and occasional cough, within the 6-day treatment period. 17 out of the 51 patients experienced Sensory Dysfunction and among those 17 patients, 11 recovered their sensory functions while the remaining 6 showed improvements at the end of the 6-day treatment period.

Out of the 48 patients, the number of days it took for all symptoms to be eliminated, save for Sensory Dysfunction and occasional cough, within the 6-day treatment period, was 1 day = 3 patients, 2 days = 14 patients, 3 days = 9 patients, 4 days = 13 patients, 5 days = 4 patients, and 6 days = 5 patients.

Symptoms elimination after 1 full dose of RGC-COV19TM

In this analysis, a higher percentage of COVID-19 patients (90.2% compared to the previous efficacy trial of 83.8%), reported the elimination of one or more symptoms after taking 1 full dose of RGC-COV19TM, with the largest number of symptoms eliminated after 1 day of treatment reported by a patient being 8. The average number of days it took from the start of treatment for all 51 patients to eliminate all symptoms, save for Sensory Dysfunction and occasional cough, was approximately 3.6 days. The largest number of different symptoms reported by patients was 16 and the average number of different symptoms reported was approximately 7.

Treatment leading to negative RT-PCR

12 patients (representing approximately 23.5%) tested negative RT-PCR within the 6 days treatment (Negative RT-PCR in 2 days = 6 patients, 4 days = 6 patients). Since the start of the treatment, the average days taken for these 12 patients to test negative were 3 days. The minimum and maximum days taken for patients to test negative were 2 and 4 days, respectively. 36 patients had all symptoms eliminated, save for Sensory Dysfunction and occasional cough, within 6 days (average approximately 3.4 days) and therefore was not further tested to obtain a negative RT-PCR result.

Taking the treatment within 3 days from symptoms onset vs within 4 to 5 days from symptoms onset

The recent analysis showed that 48 out of the 51 patients started taking RGC-COV19TM within 3 days from symptoms onset and they took an average of approximately 3.7 days for the elimination of all symptoms, save for Sensory Dysfunction and occasional cough, whereby the maximum number of different symptoms reported by any one individual was 16 and the average number of different symptoms reported was 8.

The remaining 3 patients who started taking RGC-COV19TM between 4 to 5 days from symptoms onset took an average of approximately 2.3 days for the elimination of all symptoms, save for Sensory Dysfunction and occasional cough, whereby the maximum number of different symptoms reported by any one individual was 8 and the average number of symptoms reported was 5.

Vaccination status

50 individuals were fully vaccinated and 1 child below 12 years old was not vaccinated. All 12 patients who tested negative RT-PCR in 4 days were fully vaccinated prior to taking the RGC-COV19TM treatment. All patients who were vaccinated received vaccine from either Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca or Sinovac-CoronaVac, which are the top 3 vaccines distributed in Malaysia.

High-risk patients

Out of the 51 patients, 15 patients experienced a combination of dyspnea (difficulty breathing) and/or persistent chest pain. 10 of these 15 patients no longer experienced difficulty breathing and/or persistent chest pain after 1 full dose of RGC-COV19TM.

No adverse side effects

Based on the patients self-reported data, there were no worsening of symptoms during and after consuming RGC-COV19TM and none of the patients experienced any unknown adverse side effects.

No treatment emergent adverse events

Among the patients with chronic conditions such as chronic migraine, eczema, asthma, thyroid disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, there were no treatment emergent adverse events and no discontinuation of RGC-COV19TM due to adverse results.

Death/Hospitalization

At the end of the EARTH-B Trial, none of the patients was hospitalized and there was no death. The efficacy of RGC-COV19TM was not affected by timing of symptom onset or underlying risk factors. Results were consistent across all ages, gender, races and ethnicity demographic among the enrolled patients.

More about EARTH

There are hundreds of millions of individuals who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 around the world, and some experience post-COVID symptoms such as extreme tiredness (fatigue), shortness of breath, problems with memory and concentration (brain fog), heart palpitations, dizziness, chest pain or tightness, joint pain which are now being classified as long-COVID symptoms.

As long-COVID symptoms have substantial effects on individuals quality of life and work capability, Regencell Asia is in the midst of conducting its studies for long-COVID patients using a natural and holistic formula - RGC-COV19TM (RGCA-LCV01).

About RGC-COV19TM

RGC-COV19TM (RGCA-CV01) is an investigational, natural, orally administered liquid formula which aims to reduce and eliminate COVID-19 symptoms.

RGC-COV19TM is a natural formula designed by the TCM Practitioner according to the TCM Practitioners brain theory known as Sik-Kee Au TCM Brain Theory and can be taken safely for two to three weeks. In conducting EARTH, the treatment was limited to 6 days in order to evaluate its efficacy in reducing and eliminating COVID-19 symptoms. The TCM Practitioner refers to our strategic TCM research partner, Sik-Kee Au, father of our founder and Chief Executive Officer.

According to the brain theory, brain functions depend on the oxygen level required for the brain to perform normal cognitive functions. For optimal brain performance, the heart needs to function normally to deliver sufficient oxygen to the brain. When the heart is weakened, the hearts ability to deliver enough blood to circulate oxygen throughout the body is impaired. When this happens, brain functions are suppressed, resulting in a person experiencing fatigue, nausea, disorientation and reduced immune response.

RGC-COV19TM is designed to strengthen the hearts functions. According to the brain theory, when the heart is strengthened, it increases blood flow and delivers more oxygen to the brain, resulting in reduced blood clots and restored brain functions. Regardless of the COVID-19 variant, the lungs and heart are where the coronavirus does much of its damage by setting off an inflammatory immune response that ravages infected and uninfected cells alike, leading to tissue scarring and oxygen deprivation which in turn suppress brain functions. RGC-COV19TM is formulated to generate more responsive cognitive functions which in turn stimulate the bodys own healing mechanism.

Regencell began its investigational approach towards COVID-19 treatment when a friend of Regencell contracted COVID-19 in March 2020. To treat his friend, the TCM Practitioner used his proprietary TCM formula which he has been using over the past 30 years to treat various cold and flu patients, including during the 2003 SARS outbreak. The TCM Practitioner subsequently treated 9 voluntary COVID-19 patients in the United States using the proprietary TCM formula.

Study results showed that the treatment was effective. As Regencell has a mission to save lives, improve patients well-being and address unmet needs in the market, Regencell aims to make its natural and holistic treatment available to everyone in need.

From March 2020 to August 2021, Regencell set up protocols and procedures to conduct the EARTH efficacy trial in Malaysia and the United States.

RGC-COV19TM is designed to reduce COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, fatigue, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, nausea, chills, drowsiness, shortness of breath, persistent chest pain and muscle ache as the medicine works to (i) reduce and clear the mucus and phlegm from the upper respiratory system; (ii) dispel exterior viral pathogen via heavy sweats, urine and excrement; (iii) clear endogenous and liver heat; (iv) detox the liver; and (v) improve body circulation. By applying the TCM Practitioners Sik-Kee Au TCM Brain Theory, RGC-COV19TM is also designed to remove blood clots from the brain and restore the patient's brain functions.

RGC-COV19TM (RGCA-CV01) is administered at 1 dose of RGCA-CV01-1Na (approximately 230ml) and 1 dose of RGCA-CV01-2Da (approximately 230ml) each time, with 1 dose of RGCA-CV01-1Na to be taken starting from the night of the first day of treatment and 1 dose of RGCA-CV01-2Da to be taken after lunch the next day, until symptoms are eliminated.

About Regencell Bioscience Holdings Limited and Regencell Bioscience Asia Limited: Breakthrough in TCM formulae designed to save and improve lives

For more than 30 years, the TCM Practitioner whom Regencell partners with has treated patients with neurological disorders and infectious diseases. The TCM Practitioners TCM formulae candidates are derived from a TCM base formula and an adjustable formula which is developed based on his TCM brain theory, known as the Sik-Kee Au TCM Brain Theory.

Both Regencell and the TCM Practitioner are committed in giving back to the society and demonstrates its CARE through Caring for patients, Accountability by maintaining a high standard of quality and integrity, Respect by valuing partnerships, teamwork and harmony and the Enthusiasm to improve the life of the underprivileged.

Since its listing, Regencell through a joint venture with Honor Epic Enterprises Limited, formed Regencell Bioscience Asia Limited to offer COVID-19 related treatments to patients in ASEAN countries, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, as Regencell aspires to be the global market leader for the provision of natural and holistic treatment for neurological disorders and infectious diseases. For more information, visit http://www.regencellbioscience.com and http://www.regencellasia.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains forwardlooking statements within the meaning of applicable laws, including U.S. federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements relating to our objectives, plans, and strategies; statements that contain projections of results of operations or of financial condition; statements relating to the research, development, and use of our platform technologies, technologies, products and product candidates, including with respect to our Investigational Liquid-Formula RGC-COV19TM; and all statements that address activities, events, or developments that we intend, expect, project, believe, or anticipate will or may occur in the future. The risks and uncertainties of our company include: our ability to obtain regulatory approval and ultimately commercialize our TCM formulae and/or products based on our TCM formulae; the outcome of our research study free from biases of parents or caregivers of patients because we relied on the data provided by them; difficulties enrolling patients in our research studies; any undesirable side effects caused by the TCM formulae candidates which could delay or prevent their regulatory approval or hinder commercialization; whether results of our earlier studies on personalized TCM formulae can be predictive of future research study results; failure of the research and development process; whether any TCM formulae candidates can be developed, manufactured, sold, marketed and distributed; the ability to successfully commercialize any future therapeutics; our ability to enhance our brand recognition; our ability to obtain and protect our intellectual property; and any adverse publicity associated with our TCM formulae candidates, ingredients or network marketing programs. We have based these forward-looking statements on assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments, and other factors they believe to be appropriate. We have also relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of all information available from public sources and makes no express or implied warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any such information. Even if our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which we operate are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this presentation, they may not be indicative of results or developments in future periods. For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, see our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended June 30, 2021, which is available on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and we undertake no duty to update this information unless required by law. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Read the rest here:

Regencell Bioscience Announces Additional EARTH Efficacy Trial Results Corroborating Effectiveness of its Investigational Liquid-Formula RGC-COV19TM...

CELEBRITY preacher Datuk Mohd Kazim Elias has denied trying to promote his upcoming film Zim Zim Ala Kazim by uploading pictures of his face and hands showing a skin illness said to be caused by black magic, Berita Harian reported.

Mohd Kazim said he did not need a gimmick to promote the film as his condition was real.

This is my condition right now and I am urging those who know how to cure peluru katak (black magic) for help, he said.

He also said he did not want to hide the illness which he has been suffering for the past eight months, adding that it had spread to his legs.

I cannot show the other parts of my body because I feel ashamed. I can only show my arms, which give a glimpse of my condition.

I need help, whether it is a doctor or alternative medicine (practitioner) to treat me. I feel itchy, anxiety, pain and many other things which I cannot hide anymore.

It has been months since I slept. I am worried that this will cause me to hide away from my preaching. These days, I lack confidence whenever I leave the house, he added.

Mohd Kazim said he no longer wanted to keep his condition hidden after seeing seven doctors for modern and traditional treatments.

He added that Zim Zim Ala Kazim director Asmawi Ani is using the film to talk about his condition.

> Host and actress Adriana Adnan has refuted claims her marriage is on the rocks just because she rarely shares pictures of her husband on social media, Kosmo! reported.

She said her husband did not like taking pictures and that her Instagram was used to share about her work, not her personal life.

We dont have to show how happy we are. The most important part of marriage takes place behind the scenes, those are more important, she said.

The above article is compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with this ' >'sign, it denotes a separate news item.

The rest is here:

Preacher says 'black magic' skin condition is real - The Star Online

World-renowned Health Experts to gather in London at Integrative and Personalised Medicine 2022 Congress

The largest event in the UK to focus on the benefits of a healthcare system that combines conventionalmedical treatment with integrative complementary methods attracts world-renowned speakers and doctors, therapists and complimentary health practitioners from around the globe.

London is to host the inaugural Integrative and Personalised Medicine (IPM) 2022 congress, the largest event in the UK focusing on the benefits of a patient-centred approach to healthcare that combines conventional treatment with integrative, functional, lifestyle, holistic and complementary methods, resulting in better patient outcomes.

Taking place in-person at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, London, from 16th to 18th June 2022, the IPM congress features an impressive line-up of speakers including BBC presenter and author, Dr Rangan Chatterjee; scientist and author, Prof Tim Spector; and neurologist Dr David Perlmutter, recognised as one of the USAs most influential physicians.

The three-day event combines a world-class international exhibition and three conferences: the already established College of Medicines Food on Prescription conference, a new Whole-Person Health conference and an Integrative Mental Health conference. It brings together medical and health practitioners from a variety of different fields to encourage the building of a multidisciplinary approach to healthcare where all practitioners involved work together as a team.

IPM2022 congress Chair and Chair of the College of Medicine, Dr Michael Dixon believes that, post Covid, there is a growing recognition that we need to look at a new way of approaching healthcare. He states:

Medicine, as we know it, is no longer affordable or sustainable, nor is it able to curb the increase in obesity, mental health problems, and most long-term disease. It is now time for Integrative Care to take centre stage. Combining the best of our current medicine with an approach that enhances our natural abilities to self-heal and stay healthy using lifestyle and a wider range of therapies.

It enables us to reconnect with ourselves, our patients and within our communities, and to recognise the potential of our social and physical environment to heal and enable us to live healthier and happier lives. This conference is a clarion call for Integrative and Personalised Medicine, and marks the dawn of a new era of Post Modern Medicine.

Research evidence into the health benefits of integrating different types of medical, lifestyle, holistic and complimentary interventions is growing. In September 2021, the UK Government published a report on the findings of Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England, Dr Keith Ridge, on over-prescribing in England. The report found that 10 percent of prescription items dispensed through primary care are either inappropriate for patients needs or that they could be better served with alternative treatments. As a consequence the College of Medicine launched its Beyond Pills initiative to reduce unnecessary drug prescribing, expand social prescribing, benefit patients' health, support patient empowerment and save money.It also benefits medical professionals, many of whom may have entered medicine to help patients recover but often find themselves in a position of symptom management that is dependent upon the culture of pills. An integrative and personalised approach to medicine provides them with additional treatment options to help their patients. The campaign will be explored in more detail during a panel discussion on day one of the conference.

Another key session of the IPMs Whole-Person Health Conference on day one, focuses on ways to enable our doctors and nurses to flourish. The Whole-Person Health Conference will be chaired by Dr Elizabeth Thomson, CEO of the National Centre for Integrative Medicine, and this session includes some of the leading names in integrative, personalised, functional and holistic medicine, such as Prof Dame Clare Gerada, President of the Royal College of General Practitioners, Dame Donna Kinnair, previous Director General of the Royal College of Nursing and Vice Chair of the College of Medicine, Dr Susanna Petche, Functional Medicine Doctor and GP, and Dr Ally Jaffee, NHS Junior Dr, Co-founder Nutritank, NHS Clinical Entrepreneur & 2021 Diana Award recipient. Together they will leave Prof Dame Gerada and Dame Kinnair will lead a discussion on keeping medical professionals themselves healthyto enable them to provide quality healthcare to others. Traditionally, the medical field has faced a culture where sacrifice is prioritised over self-care, leading to severe risk of burnout, but an integrative and personalised approach to medicine, with an emphasis on self-care and wellbeing, can also support the practitioners themselves.

During the Integrative Mental Health Conference on day two, the evidence and impact of integrative medicine on mental health is explored. The event will highlight the benefits of this growing approach to mental illness management that combines nutrition, social prescribing, psychotherapy, cannabinoids, psychedelics and a range of evidence-based complementary therapies to help address the worlds growing mental health crisis.

The Food on Prescription Conference takes place on day three of the congress, marking the fourth year for the College of Medicine's annual one-day conference. It is the leading UK event on food, lifestyle and medicine, and is a must attend for all healthcare professionals, who want to know how to create a healthier future for patients and the wider community.

The incredible line-up of speakers over the three days draws on experts from the conventional and integrative fields of healthcare from around the world. In addition to the aforementioned speakers, the event welcomes Dr Dean Ornish, Doctor, Author, Researcher and Advisor and Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco; Prof Robert Thomas, consultant Oncologist at Addenbrookes and Bedford Hospital; Dr William Li, world-renowned physician, scientist and author of EAT TO BEAT DISEASE The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself and Dr Aseem Malhotra, Consultant Cardiologist, best-selling author & Chair, Public Health Collaboration. The event also includes free exhibition and workshops.

The tide change towards a more holistic approach to restoring and maintaining health is growing, particularly among younger doctors and newly trained GPs, according to Dr Dixon:

"They have a new attitude towards healthcare. They are not interested in whether something is viewed as conventional, complementary, functional or lifestyle, they are just looking at what works for their patients. Through this conference, we aim to capture that sense of hope, open-mindedness, and patient-centred care. By sharing clinical experience, knowledge and ideas, we will see the start of a newrevolution that strips away the labels and focuses on whole-person, patient centred care. This congress will bring together some of the best talents, so we can pool our knowledge and resources and leave re- invigorated and inspired.

For further information and to register, visit:www.ipmcongress.com

The full line up of speakers can be found atwww.ipmcongress.com/conference/speakers

Follow this link:

World-renowned Health Experts to gather in London at Integrative and Personalised Medicine 2022 Congress - PharmiWeb.com

A retired gastroenterologist wrongly prescribed sex-change treatments to seven transgender patients, one of which was just nine years old, a tribunal has heard.

Dr Michael Webberley provided puberty blockers and hormones via GenderGP, an online gender clinic which he ran with his wife and fellow GP, Dr Helen Webberley.

A Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) panel found him guilty of various charges after he was accused of failing to provide good clinical care to seven patients between February 2017 and June 2019.

In a number of cases, he had attended to patients after restrictions had been placed on his wifes practice.

But several doctors raised concerns about his treatment with the General Medical Council (GMC) and he was later suspended.

With all seven patients, he was found guilty of providing or allowing treatment that was not clinically indicated or had been prescribed without adequate tests, examinations or assessments.

The tribunal found he had acted outside the limits of his expertise as a consultant gastroenterologist and without the necessary qualifications and training in general practice, transgender medicine or paediatrics.

It also ruled that he failed to adhere to a recognised training pathway in transgender medicine and to obtain consent for treatments.

Dr Webberley also neglected to establish an adequate multi-disciplinary team and had reached diagnoses of gender dysphoria, the condition of feeling one's psychological and emotional identity to be at variance with one's birth sex, based on inadequate assessments.

The tribunal heard about one instance involving a nine-year-old patient who had been born a female but identified as a boy.

Dr Webberley diagnosed the patient with gender dysphoria based on a questionnaire that was inadequate for the assessment of a minor and without performing an adequate mental or physical examination.

He then prescribed puberty blockers - which pause the physical changes of puberty - off-licence and without considering alternative treatments or adequately assessing the balance between the risks and benefits.

A 17-year-patient was transitioning from female to male and first contacted Dr Webberley in June 2018.

The patient had become unhappy at the long waiting lists for NHS treatment.

Dr Webberley diagnosed the patient with gender dysphoria without checking information with their GP.

The tribunal also found that he prescribed testosterone when it was not clinically indicated and without establishing whether the benefits of taking the hormone outweighed the risks to the patients mental and physical health.

The patient had been diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome and had complex and long-standing mental health issues but it did not appear that Dr Webberley was aware of them as he had failed to obtain the patients medical records, the tribunal concluded.

The patient took their own life just three months later.

Dr Webberley, who had faced 89 charges in total, was also found guilty of failures to provide good clinical care to 18 other patients who received androgen treatment for male hypogonadism - a condition when not enough sex hormones are produced by the body.

In summary, the tribunal found that on no occasion had Dr Webberley disagreed with the diagnosis sought by each patient.

Tribunal chair Tim Bradbury said that in every case the patient was prescribed the treatment which they had sought at the outset.

Dr Webberleys apparent intention was to prescribe according to the patients wishes, he said.

There was a pattern of substandard care which underlined Dr Webberleys lack of qualifications, training or experience, Mr Bradbury added.

But he acknowledged that the transgender patients felt let down by the NHS and due to inherent delays had sought private treatment.

The tribunal will now decide if Dr Webberleys fitness to practice has been impaired and, if so, what sanctions he will face.

GenderGP have been contacted for comment.

In April, an MPTS tribunal cleared Dr Webberly's wife of wrongly prescribing sex-change treatments to three young transgender patients.

The GMC had accused Dr Helen Webberley of acting beyond the limits of her competence as a GP with a special interest in gender dysphoria and of failing to follow professional guidelines.

She admitted several charges relating to her conviction in October 2018 for illegally running an unregistered clinic while treating 1,600 transgender patients and gender dysphoric children from her home in Wales.

Dr Webberley, from Abergavenny in Monmouthshire, was later fined 12,000 and suspended. She then moved Gender GP to Spain, where she now lives with her husband, but they are no longer listed as directors.

See more here:

Retired doctor wrongly prescribed sex-change treatments to patients as young as nine, tribunal hears - The Telegraph