H "Similia similibus curatur — Like cures like" Paracelsus (A.D. 1493-1541) G landular use can be traced back to the Papyrus of Elders, circa 1550 B.C. In this century, the Swiss physician Paul Niehans injected cells from a calf into a human dwarf, stimulating growth. Citings show the benefits of using glandular therapy to treat various conditions, i.e., stomach, kidney and liver tissues to treat pernicious anemia, thymic tissue used in those with lympho-cytic abnormalities. Why Use Glandulars? A gland is defined as a secretory organ. The internal secretory organs of the body are the endocrine glands. Other non-secretory organs,, such as the heart, spleen and brain, are also referred to as glandulars. Dr. Henry Harrower stated that there are two types of "organotherapy". The first, "Substitutional" or "Homosti-mulative" and the second "Pharmacody-namic". The Homostimulative approach is akin to giving an adrenal glandular to someone in a depleted state, exerting a tonifying effect on the gland. In this therapy, the enzymes, nutrients, precursors and peptides feed the gland to activate metabolic pathways. This is opposite from the allopathic Pharmacody-namic approach of isolating organ compounds, such as insulin. Medicine has used whole cell therapy, such as stem cells, bone marrow transplants, and utilization of brain and adrenal cells for use in Parkinson patients. Whole glandular therapy, therefore, can do what no other nutrient or isolated drug can. Not only do whole organs possess the nutrients required by the gland, but, also, the peptides present in the gland are thought to act as "cell signalers", initiating neurotrophic effects and establishing metabolic communication. Practitioners focusing upon single gland dysfunction, solely exhibited by myxe-dema, Addison's disease or gigantism, often miss subtle glandular interrelationships. Critics of gland therapy claim the active components are broken down in the bowel, but radioisotope studies show large molecular-sized particles, like insulin, are absorbed into the system. In any event, the gland's cellular chemical components are absorbed as precursor nutrition for processing and, utilization by the specific organ or organs pathways. Low energy invariably involves hypo-function of the adrenals and thyroids. This correlates to patients with high levels of calcium and magnesium. Conversely, hyper energetic individuals have a "hyper" function of these glands, with elevated sodium and potassium levels observed. If an individual's mineral ratios are abnormal, glandular therapy may be of benefit. Should glandular therapy not correct the problem, one should consider the presence of heavy metals as a possibility, since these heavy metals can compete. Practitioners wary of gland therapy's creating negative axis biofeedback and, thereby, establishing a dependency upon the gland should not be overly concerned, as long as they are utilizing whole glands that provide the Homostimulative effect, rather than isolated glandular com- pounds yielding Pharmacodynamic effects. Some individuals may have an allergic or sensitivity reaction to glandular substances. Specific sarcodes (homeopathic glandulars) can be utilized in these patients. In addition, these autoimmune conditions will usually be tied to immune compromise by pathogens, heavy metals, or xenobiotic toxic substances. Glandular Preparation The importance of country of origin and purity will be discussed, due to recent concerns in the media regarding "Mad Cow Disease". In addition to the country of origin, there is a vast difference in gland preparation, so it is important to know how the glands are processed. Azeotrophic—These substances are quick-frozen at 0°F and are, then, washed with a solvent, such as ethyl dichloride, to remove fatty tissues. The solvents can present their own toxic- ity issues. Salt Precipitation—These take fresh gland material and soak it in brine. This method will separate the fat- soluble material, but will end up be ing very high in sodium content. Predigestion method—Plant or animal enzymes are used. This method separates out the fat soluble and large molecules. There are individuals who may be sensi tive to these enzyme processes. Freeze Dried—Water is taken off in a freezing-vacuum method. This method retains fat-soluble compo nents. This is perhaps the closest method to using a "whole food". The table below compares the yield from the various processing methodologies. ■ NOTE-This comparison was done prior to the use of the 'predigeslion method' Component Azcotrophic Salt Precipitated Freeze Dried Adrenal (meg/dose) DHEA 2.26 7.26 27.0 Corticostcrone 12.10 45.30 146.00 Pancreas (units/dose) Amylasc <1.0 <1.0 21.29 Lipase 222 26.7 442 Protease 1.59 279 14,434 Liver (units/dose) SOD 3,749 600 3,^42 Current Concerns The press, worldwide, due to the exposure of Bovine Spongiform Encephal-opathy—aka Mad Cow Disease—has recently placed glandular therapy in disfavor. Ethical companies will seek out raw material sources from areas with a non-infection history, companies that practice organic methods and enforce stringent harvesting and processing controls. The professional market has traditionally utilized materials from the U.S., Canada, Europe or New Zealand. The professional market is primarily comprised of U.S. or New Zealand sources. Why does the professional market prefer to use New Zealand Freeze Dried glandular concentrates? The answer lies in their production practices and a traceable history that minimizes the risks. Any glandular source should have the following associated with it to provide the safest and most effective material for public consumption: Purity—Free of pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics. Animals should graze on natural grasslands. Safety—Veterinarian-inspected pre- and post-mortem. Certified BSE-free, with no solvents or salt residues used. Activity—Intact gland, naturally oc curring vitamins, minerals, fat-soluble nutrients, peptides, enzymes, hor monal precursors, and metabolic co- factors. The glandular source should attempt to meet an "organic source" definition, such as that set forth by the United Nations' FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization). To meet these standards, animals cannot be fed bone meal, must be fed on 100% organic feed, such as natural grasslands, and can never be given antibiotics or hormones. Inspection of the animals should be performed, preferably by a veterinarian, at the slaughterhouses pre- and post-mortem, for any evidence of disease prior to utilizing any component of the animal. Federal guidelines for processing in the USA (as reported by the Scripps Howard News Service) state the cow meat and organs are thought to be safe for consumption even in the presence of other glandular swellings, sores, infectious arthriti-des and intestinal parasites. It is worth noting that manufacturers of health supplements are not yet required to list the country of origin for their raw materials. One should request from vendors assays and country-of-origin certification of the glands being used. The recent concern surrounding Mad Cow has arisen over the use of MBM (Meat and Bone Meal) feed practices given to livestock. These practices were initiated in Britain, and are thought to have caused the onset of Mad Cow Disease (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopa-thy, aka BSE). As long as the supplement industry continues to utilize pesti-' cide, hormonal, antibiotic and MBM feed-free sources, there will quite likely never be a problem. New Zealand sourced glandular concentrates appear to be the purest organic-sources available today. Since the 1970's, professionals have been choosing these as their primary source for glandular therapy. There has never been a reported case of BSE in New Zealand. Currently, countries such as the United States and New Zealand do not import MBM feed from Britain. The USA, however, had previously imported 20 tons of feed from Britain during the 1988-1996 time-period, as compared to no importation to New Zealand and Australia. The USA had been using MBM feed-practices until 1997, when it banned feeding animal ruminants to other animals. Still, sheep in Vermont have recently been found with TSE (Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy). Japan and Korea ceased importation of Canadian beef after one cow, in 1999, was found to be infected. Factors Supporting New Zealand Glandular Use There has never been a case of Mad Cow in New Zealand, partially due to the strict manufacturing and importa tion laws. Due to the country's being isolated as it is, it is not expected to be a problem. The animals are treated humanely; specifically, they are "range fed" on the meadows of New Zealand, as com pared to being "grain fed" in a build ing full of stalls, in which the feed may include animal by-products. Being range fed, there are no added hormones or additives, and the ranges are free of pesticides. A veterinarian goes to the slaughter houses to inspect the herd and car casses for any sign of disease before harvesting of the glandular material is allowed. BSE-free certification is available from the New Zealand Minister of Agriculture. Continued on Page 50 ....from page 47 In closing, organotherapy offers therapeutic benefits that no other nutrient or drug can provide. Practitioners should take extra effort to assure a safe product is procured by questioning their vendors. Dosage requirements will vary among individuals. In order to provide a Homostimulative effect, the use of sarcodes and glandulars in low dose can impart the polypeptide cell-messaging properties. Using glandulars with sarcodes and other organ nutrition in the lower, more cost effective doses probably yields a fair cost-to-benefit ratio. A Clinical fact: Most chiropractic patients enter with deficiencies associated with the adrenals, thyroid, spleen or liver. If the practitioner is using gland therapy and the adjustments still refuse to hold, look for heavy metals, pathogens, toxins or deeper underlying emotional involvement. Dr. Stuart Wm. Russell attended Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA, and Heidelberg, Germany. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in the Natural Sciences and graduated from Los Angeles College of Chiropractic in 1980. He holds current Chiropractic licensure in California and Oregon. Dr. Russell was in private practice in Springfield/Eugene, OR, for J 5 years be- fore relocating to Northern California where he has resided for 8 years. He has taken numerous courses in Post-Graduate Orthopedics, EA V, Homeopathy, Herbal Medicine, Nutrition, Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Biofeed-back. Dr. Russell has written articles for various magazines and has been a guest speaker on national health-related radio programs. He taught homeopathy at the JET institute in Northern California, and is the originator of the RET (Reflex Emotional Therapy) technique. Stuart Wm. Russell, D.C. can be reached at 916-683-2233 or e-mail Drnatmed(a>,hotmail. com
