CONTACT: Donna Stein
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NUTRITION AND ALTERNATIVE THERAPY IN DERMATOLOGY
ORLANDO, FL (February 27, 1998) - The American Academy of Dermatology recently approved the formation of a new task force, the Task Force on Nutrition and Alternative Therapy in Dermatology. One of the many rapidly expanding disciplines of dermatology, representing two quite different approaches to therapy, but with some areas that overlap and complement each other.
Speaking at the AADÃs 56th Annual Meeting in Orlando, Lenore Kakita, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Division of Dermatology, UCLA Medical Center, and Kenneth H. Neldner, M.D., of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Department of Dermatology, Lubbock,TX, explored the growing interest in nutritional factors and alternative therapy in dermatologic disorders.
Alternative medicine and therapy is a new paradigm throughout all of medicine. Recent polls have shown that nearly half of the population is using one of more forms of alternative therapy on a regular basis to prevent or treat disease. Much of the present interest in alternative medicine dates back hundreds of years to ancient Chinese medicine, which was 100% preventive.
Western allopathic medicine has evolved as the ëquest for the cureÃ. In dermatology, systemic and topical corticosteroids probably represented one of the first ëmagic bulletsà for dermatologic care. Penicillin was another, particularly as it essentially removed syphilis from dermatology clinics worldwide.
The use of these treatments depends, at least to some extent, on the physicianÃs personal belief in their efficacy as well as the patientÃs belief and desire to try some form of alternative therapy.
One of the most commonly reported benefits of herbal therapy is that of immune enhancement. Among other things, the HIV epidemic has taught about the highly predictable relationship between a number of cutaneous manifestations and the exact T4 lymphocyte count. Dermatologists are well acquainted with the effects of immunosuppression, auto immunity and the long list of immundeficiency disorders. "If any of the numerous, recommended herbal therapies are indeed potent immune enhancers, they should be tried and evaluated in as many disorders with impaired immunity as possible. This would seem to be one of the potentially most fertile areas for study in the dermatological scientific arena," both doctors concurred.
The science and the art of dermatology encompasses a large number of disorders that are the direct consequence of an overt nutrition deficiency or excess. Additionally, there are a number of conditions that dermatologists deal with which are perhaps not primary nutritional disorders but will often be accompanied by a deficit of one or more nutrients. It seems logical and reasonable that correction of these deficiencies would speed the healing process. But these situations are often not readily apparent, unless looked for and specific nutritional histories taken.
"Medical science appears to be approaching another potentially major crossroads. As magic bullets continue to be discovered each year and the technology for newer diagnostic and treatment devices literally explodes with new inventions, we are faced with such rapidly advancing cost for medical care, that society can no longer afford to pay for this growing technology," Dr. Neldner said.
One result is that many people around the world are turning to alternative medicine for both the treatment and prevention of almost every disorder known to science. "While most individuals still embrace allopathic medicine and its definite benefits, there is a growing desire by many to lead a more healthful lifestyle through a program of proper diet and exercise plus the use of reasonable preventive medical measures. The two ideologies can work quite successfully together," said Dr. Kakita.
Alternative therapy can be divided into at least two major categories: Herbal therapy and non-herbal therapy such as biofeedback, hypnosis, relaxation techniques, homeopathy, chelation, chiropractic , massage, acupuncture, acupuncture, and aromatherapy, to name a few. The FDA recently approved accupuncture as an officially approved form of therapy for certain conditions.
Alternative therapy covers a broad range of practices, nearly all of which are based on empirical and anecdotal results. It should be recognized that many of the claims for efficacy are based on many years of use--in some cases, hundreds of years of continued use and acceptance--despite the fact that their efficacy has never been tested by a scientific double-blind controlled study.
The American Academy of Dermatology is the worldÃs largest medical society with over 10,000 members worldwide.
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