Yi-Po Anthony Wu, MD, M.P.H.
Medical Director and founder of PCMC

• Western medical training at National Taiwan University, Worcester City Hospital, University of Massachusetts Medical Center
• Masters degree in Public Health, University of Hawaii
• Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine
• Acupuncture training in Taiwan and at New York University
• Director of Pacific Pain Clinic 1988-93
• Director of Pacific Complementary Medicine Center since 1999
  

In retrospect, it is only natural that Pacific Complementary Medicine Center has evolved from a pain clinic which in turn evolved from my solo practice as an internist, based on our constant quest for the true meaning of health and healing.

At PCMC, we share the vision of a healthier community, with our health care professionals forming a strong partnership with our patients. We aim to provide comprehensive health care by integrating the best of Eastern and Western medicine in a complementary, non-competitive manner, and to serve our clients the best quality care.

We would like to help shape a healthier community by educating ourselves, our patients, and the community at large about stress, diet, and environmental factors affecting our well-being, and the importance of prevention. We would also like to promote ultimate health by tapping into the healing power of the mind, body, and spirit. It is our goal to provide the setting and vehicle for practicing a way of healing which is at the same time holistic, naturalistic, and humanistic. We invite you to join us in our healing and learning journey.

 In Peace & Health,

          Yi-Po Anthony Wu, MD

"The doctors of tomorrow will not hand out medicine, but will interest their patients in the care of the human frame, diet, nutrition, and prevention of disease."

….. Thomas Alva Edison

TOPIC OF THE DAY -
A Healthy Immune System

Editor’s Note:

This is a synopsis of Dr. Wu’s presentation on August 27, 1997 in the Know Your Mind, Body, and Spirit series offered by the Sister Mary Pia Regional Cancer Center. Shown here are (l. to r.): Dr. Brian C. Loh, Dr. Teresa M. Chen, Jim Linderman, KMBS coordinator, Charlene Smith, and Dr. Yi-Po Anthony Wu.

A man with a mysterious illness checked out of the hospital and started his own regimen of watching funny movies and laughing his immunity back to normal. This seeming miracle is actually Norman Cousin’s proof that the mind has an effect upon the body. Positive emotions - hope, faith, love, happiness, playfulness, purpose, will to live, etc. - are powerful biochemical prescriptions.

In laboratory terms, the immune system is defined by the number of white blood cells and the immuniglobulins. Normally, the white blood cell count should fall within a range of four to ten thousand per unit, and, the immunoglobulin count should be constant. Modern medical science focuses on the structural and measurable, but the immune system is more functional and less structural.

The immune system is our body’s 24-hour security system. It is a defense system that searches and destroys harmful proteins such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi that get inside of our bodies. Deficiency of immunity will leave the body vulnerable to invasion. The body itself often produces mutated or abnormal cells, which are inside invaders. During an epidemic or flu season, though everyone is exposed to the pathogens, not everybody is afflicted. Infections from either bacteria or viruses hardly occur in a strong body. Likewise, abnormal cells are held at bay before they can develop into a mass, which is cancer. It is clear that a healthy immune system is the determining factor in preventing the occurrence of infection or cancer.

While the immune system may fail to respond in the face of an invasion, it may also over react, causing an allergic reaction such as a runny nose and bronchial spasms. When it is over reacting to one’s own body, it causes an auto immune disease. The list of auto immune diseases includes rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, erythematosis, scleredema, and some types of colitis.

When the immune system over reacts or under reacts, it is out of balance. What throws the immune system out of balance? Recent studies from Stanford University, by Dr. Speigel, revealed that depression actually speeds up the development of breast cancer. A study done by Dr. G. F. Soloman in 1981 revealed that rheumatoid arthritis is always related to a personality disorder and that it flares up when the person is under excessive stress. A study done on students of West Point Military Academy revealed that illness from infectious mononucleosis increased with greater academic pressure, stress, and depression. Depression and stress will weaken our immune system if we do not learn to manage them.

The increased rate of cancer, allergies, and auto immune diseases in the last few decades is probably the result of modern living. An epidemiological study shows the more chemicals used in a country, the higher the cancer rate. To be more specific, breast cancer rate is highest in developed countries and areas where more pesticides are used and more fat and animal products are consumed. It is suspected that chemicals, especially the synthetic hormones used in animal feed, increase the rate of breast cancer as well as prostate cancer. Most of the chemicals and hormones are fat soluble and will stay in the body (of cattle and poultry) for a long time. Human beings, at the top of the food chain, accumulate all the chemical and hormonal residue as we consume animal fat and products.

A generally healthy lifestyle is still the best way to maintain a good immune system. Meditative exercises, such as Tai Chi, and Yoga have been found to help with symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Accumulative exposure to chemicals, such as household cleaning supplies and food contaminated with chemical fertilizers or synthetic hormones, damages the immune system. We should first try to avoid contact with chemicals through the air, skin, or ingestion. Since there is an abundance of chemicals around us, and they cannot be totally avoided, caution is advised.

If we eat organic plants grown in good compost soil, the traces of mineral substances therein should be enough to maintain the balance of our immune system. If the soil is deplenished from the use of chemical fertilizers, we may need a small amount of mineral supplements, even though we eat vegetables and fruit. These supplements include zinc, magnesium, chromium, and selenium. For those whose diet may not be balanced or organic, vitamin supplements are also recommended. Vitamin B complex, specifically B1, B2, B6 and B12 are important. Another good supplement for adults is folic acid, 1 mg everyday, and vitamin E, 400 units everyday. Betacarotene is still very controversial in the capsule form. Recent studies in Europe and the U.S. showed that the natural source (e.g., carrots and yellow colored vegetables) is preferred. A discussion with your personal physician is necessary when taking supplements of mineral substances, betacarotene or vitamin B to avoid complications from overdose.

'TIS THE SEASON - Flu and cold

Consider these cases:

I. Jesse and Danny, ages 4 & 7, were active children, involved in soccer and plenty of other activities. Healthy most of the year, when the flu and cold season hit, their health was affected. Colds, ear infections, and bronchitis plagued them. A physician had prescribed antibiotics to no avail. Therefore, Jesse and Danny’s Mom sought other help. She was looking for something that would reinforce the boy’s immune systems and fend off the cold and flu viruses that are always present. She learned of an herb, Echinacea (purple coneflower), derived from the root of a native North American plant, that is non-toxic and can bolster the body’s immune system if taken when a virus hits. Along with daily doses of vitamin C and a reduction of milk products, Danny and Jesse had fewer problems with their repiratory outbreaks.

II. "Just plain miserable! Sore throat, headache, congestion, fever, runny nose! It’s embarrassing and annoying," thought Bob, a high school principal, who needed to be on his toes to function effectively at school. Not only was he feeling short tempered from his current symptoms, but he was also beginning to wonder if he was ever going to stop feeling so run down and stop having so many bouts with colds and flu.

The over-the-counter medications made him even more tired, and, he’d heard that the use of nasal sprays could cause side-effects that might contribute to cataracts. That was when Bob learned of the Pacific Complementary Medicine Center. By trying traditional Chinese medicine, he hoped to find at least some symptomatic relief.

Along with acupuncture treatments, Bob took a prescription of Chinese herbal tea. His overall condition increasingly improved. Not only has Bob recovered, his immune system seems to have been strengthened, so that cold viruses cannot take root in his body. He no longer dreads the cold and flu season.

HIERBAS BUENAS! -
Echinacea, Queen of the Immune Herbs

Echinacea purpurea, commonly known as purple coneflower, is the most popular immune herb in North America today. The Native Americans used it to treat snakebite, fever, and infections. In the late 19^th century, echinacea became popular after the eclectic pharmacist Dr. John Uri Lloyd endorsed its use. Since the 1950’s, many research studies have been conducted, mostly in Germany, China and Japan, showing that echinacea can improve the immune system naturally.

Echinacea builds up your natural defenses by increasing activity of T-cells, interferon, and natural killer cells. It also improves the body’s own resistance to bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In China, it is often used in an immune restorative formula, which has helped the bone marrow manufacture more immune cells. It is also being used in AIDS therapies.

Immune herbs function in two ways: 1) to reinforce the immune system in combating disease, thus restoring health; and 2) to enhance the immune system, thus helping to keep the entire body toned. Echinacea works both ways.

The most popular use of echinacea is in the treatment of the common cold. According to the "Botanical Report" in Health Counselor, Vol. 6, No. 5, clinical and experimental studies were cited to confirm validity of this use. Most of the clinical data have featured the stabilized fresh-pressed juice of Echinacea purpurea, providing a full range of active fructofuranosides compounds, including beta-l, 2.

To date, more than 300 echinacea products are available world-wide. Research from Germany shows that echinacea is non-toxic and extremely safe, especially for children. However, echinacea seems to work best as a preventive if taken at intervals (e.g., 2 weeks on, 1 week off) and in small doses (e.g., 2-5 ml of tincture or two 200 mg pills/capsules several times daily). Larger doses can be used in acute cases. As an example, 10 ml doses are recommended for food poisoning or snakebites, and three 200 mg capsules up to three times a day at the onset of acute infection. As in all cases, you should consult an herbalist for proper treatment and care.