Overview

A vitamin is an organic compound required as a nutrient in tiny amounts by an organism. A compound is called a vitamin when it cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantities by an organism, and must be obtained from the diet. Thus, the term is conditional both on the circumstances and the particular organism. For example, ascorbic acid functions as vitamin C for some animals but not others, and vitamins D and K are required in the human diet only in certain circumstances.

Vitamins are classified by their biological and chemical activity, not their structure. Thus, each "vitamin" actually refers to a number of vitamer compounds, which form a set of distinct chemical compounds that show the biological activity of a particular vitamin. Such a set of chemicals are grouped under an alphabetized vitamin "generic descriptor" title, such as "vitamin A," which (for example) includes retinal, retinol, and many carotenoids. Vitamers are often inter-convertible in the body. The term vitamin does not include other essential nutrients such as dietary minerals, essential fatty acids, or essential amino acids, nor does it encompass the large number of other nutrients that promote health but are otherwise required less often.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Conventional And Alternative Medicine - Two Different Concepts

Hospitals are now the third grate killer in Australia and more than one million people are seriously injured in American hospitals each year. Blood infections acquired in U.S. hospitals 62000 deaths per year and bypass surgery leads to 25000 strokes per year. Two million patients adverse drug reaction in hospitals in the United States each year and this, about 100000 die, so that hospital-induced adverse drug reactions the fourth leading cause of death after cardiovascular diseases, cancer and stroke.

No surprise then if the Americans made 400 million visits to their family doctor, while 775 million visits to specialists in alternative medicine. Between 1990 and 2004 the use of herbal medicines in the United States grew by 540 percent and the use of vitamin therapy of 268 percent.

Another spectacular statistics is that the growth from one side to the other is by 78% since 1990.This trend towards alternative medicine can also be found throughout the western world: Australia 877%, Germany 66%, and in France 69 % .

So, why do people increasingly prefer alternative to conventional medicine?

The reason is very simple. The people know that it is safe and that it works. There is no doubt that in case of emergency trauma medicine and traditional works very well, but it is also aware that it is much less efficient when it comes to prevention and chronic diseases or in solving confronted with mental or emotional needs of individuals . And these are the areas where alternative medicine is very good at.

In fact, for most of the world's population over 80 percent, to be precise, alternative medicine is not an "alternative" at all, but the basis of the health system.

So what exactly is alternative medicine versus traditional, or allopathic medicine?

  • alternative medicine is in the treatment of chronic diseases, while the conventional medicine in the treatment of trauma and disasters.
  • All alternative systems attempt to find and treat the cause of the disorder. Conventional medicine focuses on alleviating the symptoms and very rarely stresses in the prevention or treatment of the cause of an illness.
  • Alternative Medicine considers each person as a unique individual and uses a holistic approach to treatment. Conventional medicine is specific organ so that ophthalmologists, cardiologists, nephrologists, neurologists, etc.
  • Alternative Medicine believes in soft, long-term support so that the body's innate powers to heal itself. Conventional medicine believes in aggressive interventions for the treatment of diseases.
  • best alternative medicine, natural remedies and gentle, hands-on "treatments. Conventional medicine the most important methods consist of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and powerful pharmaceutical drugs.
  • Practitioners of alternative medicine to treat each patient as an individual and do what in their opinion, is best for each patient as a whole. Conventional medicine practitioners in their treatment follow strict rules determined by the college of physicians and surgeons. This often leads to a " One Size Fits All 'approach.
  • alternative medicine systems, almost without exception believe that the body suffused by a network of channels (meridians), introduces a subtle form of living energy. Imbalances or blockages of this energy, which leads to diseases and the clearing of the blockades and strengthening of energy is the ultimate goal of alternative medicine. Conventional medicine sees the body as a mechanical system (the heart is a pump and the kidneys are a filter) and is the Considers most circumstances, to chemical imbalances and therefore best treated with powerful chemicals (drugs).
  • both conventional and alternative medicine to ascribe to the principle of "do no harm." However, while alternative medicine is Essentially to achieve this objective, conventional medicine often loses sight of
  • The practice of conventional medicine is closely associated with the entire medical-pharmaceutical-industrial complex, whose first priority is to make a profit. Most conventional doctors find it increasingly difficult to cure the patient while working within the system with its pharmaceutical salesman, his rule, his fear of abuse suits, its endless paperwork to meet bureaucrats and insurance companies. Most alternative medicine practitioners have no such restrictions and burdens can give patients and their undivided attention.
  • conventional medicine generally resist the use of natural remedies long after their effectiveness has been scientifically proven (Germany is an exception to this). Most alternative Medical practitioners eagerly embrace new drugs and in many cases on an annual safe use.

How does complementary medicine fit?

Complementary medicine is a term first in Britain to describe the use of alternative medicine as complementary to and not primarily a substitute for conventional medicine. Taking the view that complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine, alternative medicine instead of conventional medicine. For example, complementary medicine is used together with chemotherapy whereas alternative medicine in place of chemotherapy

Complementary medicine is a term generally referring to professionals, practice and promote the use of natural medicine. medical practitioners, acupuncturists and Chinese herbalists are complementary health practitioners.

Nowadays, a growing number of medical researchers focus on natural remedies and supplements and publish their work in prestigious medical journals. The benefits of antioxidants have been thoroughly documented by researchers at Harvard Medical School and similar institutions. folic acid, a simple B vitamin, has also been extensively studied at Laboratory and the University has to be an effective means to prevent or improve heart attacks, stroke, angina pectoris, intermittent claudication, atherosclerosis, kidney disease, colon cancer, hearing loss and Alzheimer disease.

Ginkgo biloba is now the most prescribed drug in Germany and has been shown Effective in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Also in Germany The herb saw Palme is now in 90 percent of all cases of prostate vergraert, in the United States 300000 prostate surgery each year to resolve this problem.

In 21 Century, there is a continuous efforts for the integration of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in conventional medical practice. Conventional (allopathic) medicine is adapting to this trend. Both patients and doctors have been trying to open more alternative approaches.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Omar_Martinez

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