Chapter 18: Where to Look for Help
You now have many tools to help you achieve vibrant health, including
books, newsletters, and websites. You can subscribe to my free e-letter
on drcass.com, where you will find the latest health updates.
Contents:
- How to Find an Understanding Doctor
- Practitioner Organizations
- Diagnostic Testing Laboratories
- Specialized Labs
- Compounding Pharmacies
- Products
- Suppliers
- Informational Websites
- Cancer Information
- Newsletters and Journals
How
to Find an Understanding Doctor
An ever-growing number of doctors in all specialties
are coming to realize the role that nutrient deficiencies and toxicities
can play in your health. If you are looking for one who shares this
point of view, we have listed organizations of alternative physicians
later in this chapter. If you are considering natural hormone therapy,
be sure your doctor is familiar (and skilled) with its use.
You would need an M.D. (doctor of medicine) or D.O.
(doctor of osteopathy) to write prescriptions for certain lab tests
and for medications such as bio-identical hormones. Laboratories
such as Life Extension allow you to order blood tests through their
physicians, who are also available to help you interpret the tests.
(Other tests — saliva, urine, and blood spot — can be
ordered directly from the various labs listed later in this chapter.)
Besides medical doctors, these are some of the health
care practitioners that you might consider consulting. Some of the
more common alternative medicine practitioners may be covered by
your medical insurance.
Osteopathic physicians (D.O.s)
learn spinal-manipulation techniques and nutrition along with
conventional medical training. However, many prefer to practice
as conventional medical doctors, so ask before you make any assumptions.
See osteopathic.org.
Naturopaths (N.D.s) study natural
medicine in four-year accredited programs, which are making an
enormous contribution to research and education in the field of
natural medicine. Unfortunately, naturopaths are not yet licensed
in all states. See naturopathic.org.
Be aware that there are nonlicensed naturopaths
from correspondence programs. While they can also be helpful with
your nutritional needs, their lack of licensing leaves you to
determine their quality.
Doctors of Oriental medicine (O.M.D.s)
are licensed in all states to practice herbal medicine and acupuncture.
Acupuncture can be an excellent way of regulating imbalances.
See acupuncture.com.
Chiropractors (doctors of chiropractic,
or D.C.s) can also be helpful--not simply in dealing with spines,
bones, and muscles, either. Many are skilled in clinical nutrition
as well as subtler forms of healing. See amerchiro.org.
Nutritionists are varied in their
training and experience and should each be taken on their own
skills, the recommendations of others, and their affiliation with
medical practitioners to whom they refer patients when appropriate.
Herbalists, like nutritionists,
vary in their training and skills. Their background is more grass
roots, based in traditional folk medicine. The American Herbalists
Guild is a well-respected organization whose membership is by
invitation and peer review (americanherbalistsguild.com).
It is of greatest importance that you like and trust
your health care professional. You should feel both free to ask
questions and confident that you are being taken seriously. The
relationship is a sacred one, based on the ancient tradition of
priest-healer, and is the basis for your healing process. Trust
your own intuition, both in terms of who you choose to work with
and the direction in which they take you.
A good doctor will pay attention to your ideas and
be willing to learn from you as well. This is a new model, a partnership
in healing. Your doctor is the resource, the expert, in medical
information and practice, and you are the expert in how you feel.
The idea is to respect each other's roles in this relationship and
to each do your part in your path to vibrant health.
Practitioner Organizations |
- American Academy of Environmental Medicine
aaem.org
(800) 884-2236
- American Association of Naturopathic Physicians
naturopathic.org
(866) 538-2267
- American Association of Oriental Medicine
aaom.org
(888) 500-7999
- American Chiropractic Association
amerchiro.org
(800) 986-4636
- American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM)
acam.org
(800) 532-3688
- American Herbalists Guild
americanherbalistsguild.com
(770) 751-6021
- American Holistic Health Association
ahha.org
(714) 779-6152
For physician referrals, go to "Medical"
section at ahha.org/ahhaprs.htm.
- American Holistic Medical Association
holisticmedicine.org
- American Osteopathic Association
osteopathic.org
(800) 621-1773
- The Center for the Improvement of Human Functioning
(Director: Hugh Riordan, M.D.)
3100 North Hillside Avenue, Wichita, KS 67219
brightspot.org
(316) 682-3100
- International Society for Orthomolecular Medicine
orthomed.org
(416) 733-2117
The ISOM is an organization of doctors
and osteopaths who practice orthomolecular medicine, chelation
therapy, and preventive medicine in the United States, Canada,
and abroad.
- NAET (Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination
Techniques)
naet.com
Find information, practitioners,
and professional training courses on a natural treatment
for allergies.
|
Diagnostic
Testing Laboratories |
- BioSafe Home Blood Testing Lab
ebiosafe.com
(800) 768-8446
Offers a variety of self-collected
laboratory blood tests such as a cholesterol panel that
measures the amount of total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and
triglyceride in your blood; TSH for thyroid function; and
hemoglobin A1c (glycosylated hemoglobin) for blood sugar
information.
- Life Extension Foundation
lef.org
(866) 660-3993
Has a complete line of lab tests
available. Take their test kits to a local laboratory that
will draw the blood and send it to LEF, which will then
send you the results.
- NuBasix
nubasix.com
Provides test kits for collecting
samples at home and for shipping them to the laboratory
for testing your biochemical imbalances and nutritional
insufficiencies. The Bone Resorption Wellness Screen measures
the bone turnover marker deoxypyridinoline (DPD), which
is released into the circulation during the bone resorption
process. The Estronex Wellness Screen is a urine test that
shows if your estrogen metabolism is increasing your risk
of breast cancer.
- Women's Health America
womenshealth.com
The "Restore" program provides
saliva testing to determine hormone levels, and urine testing
to measure rate of bone loss. Their pharmacy staff then
helps your doctor to analyze results and provides an individualized
prescription. The director is Marla Algrimm, pharmacist
and author of The HRT Solution.
|
Specialized
Labs
|
These are some of the specialized labs I use
in my practice. You will need a doctor's prescription.
- Doctor's Data
doctorsdata.com
(800) 323-2784
- Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory
gsdl.com
(800) 522-4762
- Immunosciences
immuno-sci-lab.com
(310) 657-1077
- Metametrix
metametrix.com
(800) 221-4640
|
Compounding
Pharmacies |
| Compounding pharmacies supply individualized
prescription items such as natural hormones not generally
carried by regular pharmacies. You can also contact them to
find practitioners in your area. They all do mail order.
- Apothecure Pharmacy in Dallas, TX
apothecure.com
(800) 969-6601
- College Pharmacy in Colorado Springs, CO
collegepharmacy.com
(800) 888-935
- HealthWorld Online
http://healthy.net/professionals/compound.asp
(800) 927-4227
- International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists
(IACP)
iacprx.org
- Kronos Pharmacy in Las Vegas, NV
kronospharmacy.com
(800) 723-7455
- Town Center in Palm Desert, CA
(760) 341-3984
- Women's International Pharmacy in Madison, WI
womensinternational.com
(800) 279-5708.
|
Products |
| Here are some supplements I consider highly
effective.
- Better Balance Formulas
CALM Formula is a unique blend of
nutrients that work throughout the day to keep you calm,
as well as an excellent after-work and bedtime relaxant.
ENERGY Formula is a blend of energizing nutrients including
adaptogens to help you maintain energy throughout the day.
Both formulas were developed by Dr. Cass and are available
only through drcass.com or by calling (800) 362-2950.
- Designs for Health
designsforhealth.com
(800) 847-8302
Fine line of supplements available
through health care professionals.
- Enzymatic Therapy
enzy.com
(800) 783-2286
Excellent line of supplements available
through health food stores.
- Jarrow
jarrow.com
(800) 726-0886
Manufacturer of supplements including
CholesTame, which helps to lower cholesterol levels, and
Glucose Optimizer, which helps balance blood sugar.
- Nature Made's SAM-e (s-adenosylmethionine)
sam-e.com
naturemade.com
(800) 276-2876
A high-quality, enteric-coated product
available in food, drug, and mass retail stores.
- New Chapter
new-chapter.com
(800) 543-7279
A quality brand of whole-food-based
supplements at health food stores. One favorite is Holy
Basil, which helps deal with stress in many ways including
balancing cortisol and enhancing mood. Another is InflaZyme,
which counters inflammation.
- Nordic Naturals
nordicnaturals.com
(800) 662 2544
High-quality, guaranteed pure fish
oils supplying omega-3 fatty acids.
- Pro-Gest
emerita.com
(800) 888-6041.
Natural progesterone and other hormone
creams by Emerita, a division of Transitions for Health,
whose Women's Institute is a resource for women's health
information.
- Tango (PriaPlex™)
puretango.com
(866) 77-TANGO
Special herbal formula developed
in China from traditional "essence herbs" that
are known to enhance libido and increase strength and duration
of orgasm for both men and women.
|
Suppliers |
- Allergy Research Group/NutriCology
nutricology.com
(800) 405-4274
Full catalog of high-quality, hypoallergenic
supplements. (You'll receive a discount if you mention this
book.)
- Life Extension Foundation
lef.org
(866) 660-3993
Carries a full line of supplements.
- Vital Choice Seafood
vitalchoice.com
(800) 608-4825
Carries canned and fresh frozen fish,
guaranteed high in omega-3 oils and low in toxins.
- Vitamin Research Products
vrp.com
(888) 401-0967
Full catalog of high-quality supplements.
Sign up for their complimentary prescriptions program (PIN
#215287).
|
Informational
Websites |
- Alternative Medicine
alternativemedicine.com
A comprehensive and up-to-date informational
site, free e-newsletter, and monthly publication.
- DoctorYourself.com
doctoryourself.com
This is Dr. Andrew Saul's excellent
self-health site.
- HealthWorld Online
healthy.net
Comprehensive information on complementary
and alternative medicine, books, practitioners, and products.
- Life Extension Foundation
lef.org
(866) 660-3993
Extensive and well-researched information
on specific disease conditions and treatments, and a full
line of lab tests and supplements.
- Mercola.com
mercola.com
This is Dr. Joseph Mercola's comprehensive
natural health website.
|
Cancer
Information |
- Cancer Options
canceroption.com
Cancer Options has developed specific
complementary therapies that assist in the prevention, recurrence,
and remission of cancer and also help extend the lives of
those who suffer from cancer.
- CANHELP
canhelp.com
(360) 437-2291
- The Moss Reports
cancerdecisions.com
(718) 636-4433
Created by Ralph Moss, Ph.D., for
general as well as individualized reports on specific cancers.
|
Newsletters
and Journals |
- Healthsmart Today: Impakt Health
impakt.com
$12 per year
- Let's Live Magazine
letsliveonline.com
(800) 676-4333
- The Nutrition Reporter Monthly
nutritionreporter.com
$26 per year
Newsletter that summarizes recent
medical research on vitamins, minerals, and herbs.
- Taste for Life Magazine
tasteforlife.com
(603) 924 7271
Free at health food stores
Dr. Cass is a member of the editorial advisory board.
- Total Health Magazine
totalhealthmagazine.com
(888) 316-6051
$16.95 per year
Dr. Cass is associate editor.
- Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients
townsendletter.com
(360) 385-6021
$54 per year
Excellent journal providing scientific
information on a wide variety of alternative medicine topics.
- Women's Health Letter
soundpub.com
(800) 728-2288
$39 per year; free e-letter
Excellent monthly newsletter edited
by Nan Fuchs, Ph.D., and published by Soundview Publications,
P.O. Box 467939, Atlanta, GA, 31146.
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