Nurturing Wellness: A Holistic Approach to the Holiday Season with Mondeor Centre for Integrative Medicine 🌲🌟

As we immerse ourselves in the festive spirit, let’s take a moment to reflect on what truly matters—our health and well-being. This holiday season, make a conscious decision to prioritise the gift of health. Mondeor Centre for Integrative Medicine is your partner on this wellness journey, providing support, guidance, and a holistic approach to cultivate joy, gratitude, and flourishing health throughout December and beyond.

Mindful Choices for a Merry and Healthy December 

In the midst of holiday festivities, it’s essential to make mindful choices that contribute to your overall well-being. From nourishing meals that fuel your body to incorporating moments of mindfulness into your daily routine, let this December be a month of intentional and health-conscious decisions. Embrace the joy of the season without compromising on your commitment to a healthy lifestyle.

Active Celebrations: Moving Towards Well-being 

This season, redefine the meaning of celebrations by incorporating activities that promote movement and vitality. Whether it’s a refreshing outdoor walk, engaging in a fitness class, or exploring new wellness practices, make December a time to celebrate not just the holidays but also your health. Physical activity contributes not only to your fitness but also to your mental well-being, creating a harmonious balance during this joyous time.

Wellness at Mondeor: A Seasonal Gift to Yourself 

At Mondeor Centre for Integrative Medicine, we understand the significance of a holistic approach to health. Our dedicated team is here to support you in achieving your wellness goals during this festive season. From acupuncture to personalized therapy, we offer a range of services that cater to your individual needs. Take the opportunity to gift yourself the care and attention you deserve, ensuring a healthy start to the upcoming year.

Contact Us for a Healthier You! 📞

Ready to embark on a journey towards a healthier you? Contact us at 011 433 0066 or 064 640 2647 to book your appointment at Mondeor Centre for Integrative Medicine. Our experienced practitioners are here to guide you, providing personalized care that aligns with your health and wellness objectives. Start the new year feeling revitalised, balanced, and ready to embrace the opportunities ahead.

#HealthIsWealth #VacationWithWellness #AcupunctureTherapy #MondeorMagic

In the spirit of the season, let’s redefine the holiday narrative and make December a month of well-being and warmth. Embrace the gift of health, celebrate with intention, and embark on a journey towards a healthier and happier you. Happy holidays from Mondeor Centre for Integrative Medicine!

Unveiling the Power of Live Blood Analysis at Mondeor Centre for Integrative Medicine

In the pursuit of holistic well-being, more people seek alternative therapies for a deeper understanding of their body’s internal dynamics. At the forefront of innovative services from the Mondeor Centre for Integrative Medicine is Live Blood Analysis. Let’s explore this transformative diagnostic tool and see how it aligns with the center’s commitment to overall health and vitality.

Understanding Live Blood Analysis

Live Blood Analysis, also known as Live Blood Cell Analysis or Darkfield Microscopy, is a diagnostic technique that involves examining a single drop of a patient’s blood under a high-powered microscope. Unlike traditional blood tests, which involve processed samples, Live Blood Analysis provides a real-time view of the blood’s vitality and overall health. Mondeor Centre recognises the invaluable insights this technique offers into an individual’s well-being.

The Process at Mondeor Centre

At Mondeor Centre, Live Blood Analysis is conducted by our experienced and certified practitioners using cutting-edge microscopy technology. During the analysis, a small blood sample is taken from the patient’s fingertip and placed on a microscope slide. The live blood cells are then observed in their natural state, allowing practitioners to identify various factors such as the condition of red and white blood cells, platelets, and the presence of any anomalies.

Holistic Health Assessment

Live Blood Analysis is integral to the center’s commitment to a holistic approach to health. By examining the live blood cells, practitioners gain insights into the body’s internal environment, including nutritional imbalances, immune system function, and the presence of toxins. This information serves as a foundation for developing personalised health plans tailored to address specific concerns and optimise overall well-being.

Nutritional Guidance

One of the key advantages of Live Blood Analysis is its ability to identify nutritional deficiencies and imbalances. The live blood cells reveal information about the body’s ability to absorb and utilise nutrients. Armed with this knowledge, Mondeor Centre’s practitioners can provide targeted nutritional guidance, recommending dietary adjustments and supplements to support the body’s natural healing processes.

Early Detection of Imbalances

Live Blood Analysis is a powerful tool for early detection of imbalances and potential health issues. By assessing the quality and behaviour of blood cells, practitioners can identify signs of oxidative stress, inflammation, and other factors that may precede the onset of chronic conditions. This proactive approach aligns with the center’s philosophy of addressing health concerns at their root, promoting prevention rather than just symptom management.

Empowering Patients

Mondeor Centre believes in empowering individuals to take an active role in their health journey. Live Blood Analysis serves as an educational tool, allowing patients to visually understand the state of their blood and the impact of lifestyle choices on their well-being. This firsthand knowledge encourages a sense of responsibility for one’s health and motivates positive lifestyle changes.

Embarking on Live Blood Analysis at Mondeor Centre for Integrative Medicine is a groundbreaking move towards holistic health assessment. This innovative diagnostic tool provides valuable insights, enabling the center to create personalized care plans tailored to individual needs. From nutritional guidance to early imbalance detection, Live Blood Analysis seamlessly aligns with the center’s commitment to overall well-being. For those eager to deepen their health understanding and take a proactive wellness approach, Mondeor Centre for Integrative Medicine unlocks a realm of possibilities.

Here are the answers to the most common queries about the Novel Coronavirus based on our discussion with the various experts from the reputed institutes and analysis of the CDC, WHO, and MoHFW guidelines.

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Berberine has been in great demand due to its Virucidal effect.

Anti-influenza Activity of Berberine Improves Prognosis by Reducing Viral Replication…

Berberine, a natural isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from the berberis species, has a wide array of biological properties such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and antihelminthic effects. We evaluated the antiviral effect of berberine against influenza A/FM1/1/47 (H1N1) in vivo and in vitro. The results showed that berberine strongly suppressed viral replication in A549 cells and in mouse lungs. Meanwhile, berberine relieved pulmonary inflammation and reduced necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, and pulmonary edema induced by viral infection in mice when compared with vehicle-treated mice.

Berberine suppressed the viral infection-induced up-regulation of TLR7 signaling pathway, such as TLR7, MyD88, and NF-κB (p65), at both the mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, berberine significantly inhibited the viral infection-induced increase in Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg ratios as well as the production of inflammatory cytokines. Our data provide new insight into the potential of berberine as a therapeutic agent for viral infection via its antiviral activity.

Reference

Anti-influenza Activity of Berberine Improves Prognosis by Reducing Viral Replication in Mice. Phytother Res, 32 (12), 2560-2567 Dec 2018 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6196

In Vivo and in Vitro Antiviral Effects of Berberine on Influenza Virus…

Berberine showed inhibitory effects on cytopathogenic effects and neuraminidase activity of virus, with the therapeutic index 9.69. In vivo, berberine decreased mice mortality from 90% to 55%, reduced virus titers in the lungs on day 2 postinfection (P<0.05). The lung histology scores were 1.50 ± 0.67, 4.50 ± 1.00, and 5.50 ± 1.00 in the berberine group on days 2, 4, and 6, respectively, which were significantly reduced compared to 2.17 ± 0.22, 6.83 ± 0.44, and 8.50 ± 0.33 in the infected group (P<0.05). The productions of NO and iNOS were repressed by berberine compared with those in the infected group (P<0.01). The transcription and expression of TNF-α were inhibited by berberine on day 4 (P<0.01) and day 6 (P<0.05), and those of MCP-1 were inhibited on day 6 (P<0.01) compared with the infected group.
Berberine exhibited antiviral effects on the influenza virus both in vitro and in vivo. The possible therapeutic mechanism of berberine on influenza-induced viral pneumonia might be inhibiting the virus infection, as well as improving the pathogenic changes by repressing inflammatory substances release.

Reference

In Vivo and in Vitro Antiviral Effects of Berberine on Influenza Virus. Chin J Integr Med, 17 (6), 444-52 Jun 2011 DOI: 10.1007/s11655-011-0640-3

Inhibition of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Replication and Virus-Induced p38 Kinase Activity by Berberine…

Recent studies have shown that p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity is implicated in infection by and replication of viruses such as RSV and the influenza virus. Because berberine has previously been implicated in modulating the activity of p38 MAPK, its effects on RSV infection and RSV-mediated p38 MAPK activation were examined. Replication of RSV in epithelial cells was significantly reduced by treatment with berberine.

Berberine treatment caused decrease in viral protein and mRNA syntheses. Similar to previously reported findings, RSV infection caused phosphorylation of p38 MAPK at a very early time point of infection, and phosphorylation was dramatically reduced by berberine treatment. In addition, production of interleukin-6 mRNA upon RSV infection was significantly suppressed by treatment with berberine, suggesting the anti-inflammatory role of berberine during RSV infection.

Taken together, Shin et al., (2015) showed that berberine, a natural compound already proven to be safe for human consumption, suppresses the replication of RSV. In addition, the current study suggests that inhibition of RSV-mediated early p38 MAPK activation, which has been implicated as an early step in viral infection, as a potential molecular mechanism.

Reference

Inhibition of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Replication and Virus-Induced p38 Kinase Activity by Berberine. Int Immunopharmacol, 27 (1), 65-8 Jul 2015 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2015.04.045

St. John’s wort, an herbal remedy readily available as a dietary supplement, may treat depression as effectively as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), but with fewer side effects compared to the prescription antidepressants.

Researchers in China conducted a meta-analysis — a study of prior studies — of studies conducted between 1966 and April 2015 comparing the efficacy and/or safety of St. John’s wort with SSRIs. A total of 27 such studies accounting for 3,127 people with depression were identified.

SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. Brand names include Prozac (fluoxetine), Paxil (paroxetine), Zoloft (sertraline) and Lexapro (escitalopram). Common side effects associated with SSRIs include insomnia, nausea and sexual dysfunction.

Overall, St. John’s wort was found to do as well as SSRIs in terms of reduction in depression symptoms, clinical response and remission of depression. However, St. John’s wort was associated with far fewer adverse events; the researchers wrote in the journal Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment.

Also, far fewer patients who were taking St. John’s wort withdrew from trials due to adverse events compared to those on SSRIs. The herbal supplement also had better safety in patients with depression compared to those on an antidepressant.

However, before you consider St. John’s wort as a potential treatment option, you should be aware it has side effects of its own. Combining St. John’s wort with antidepressants can cause dangerously high levels of serotonin in the body (a condition known as serotonin syndrome) that can lead to tremor, diarrhoea or severe confusion.

Also, psychosis is a rare, but possible, side effect of St. John’s wort. The supplement can also interact with many other drugs, including birth control pills, blood thinners and certain cancer medications.

“Given the low cost of treatment with St John’s wort extract versus SSRIs, its significant efficacy, and good safety profile, St John’s wort extract may be a preferred therapeutic choice in the management of depression,” the researchers conclude.

Acupuncture is establishing an ever-larger base of well-done medical research showing a lot of benefits.

Cancer Pain

Acupuncture outperformed “sham” acupuncture to address cancer pain in this review of 17 randomized clinical trials and meta-analysis of 14 trials in the current English-language and Chinese-language literature. The researchers determined that there is a “moderate” amount of evidence that acupuncture and/or acupressure is “significantly associated” with reducing pain intensity and patients using fewer opioids.

It was noted that “…the National Comprehensive Cancer Network [previously] published 11 recommendations for supportive care, and five of 11 include use of acupuncture for relief of cancer pain in adults as well as other cancer-associated symptoms. Authors of the conference report also cited a need for educational programs to train community acupuncturists for services in the oncology setting and to provide more education for primary care providers and oncologists about evidence supporting acupuncture for symptom management in patients with cancer.”

Clinical Evidence for Association of Acupuncture and Acupressure with Improved Cancer Pain – JAMA Oncology, Dec 19, 2019 

Dry mouth

Radiation can cause dry mouth (xerostoma) which sounds minor but has significant effect on the ability to swallow and on dental hygiene. A person with xerostoma must drink water with every bite in order to swallow and move the food down the oesophagus. Water is very filling, making it a challenge to eat enough (get enough calories and nutrition) at a time when keeping weight on is important. Lack of saliva leads to bad breath but worse, dental problems.

Acupuncture was tested against fake or sham acupuncture with good results for acupuncture.

Effect of True and Sham Acupuncture on Radiation-Induced Xerostomia among Patients with Head and Neck Cancer JAMA Complementary and Alternative Medicine Dec 6, 2019

Angina

Chronic stable angina is when you routinely experience pain, discomfort or pressure in your chest when your body is working hard and your heart isn’t getting enough oxygen. Resting makes it feel better. In a recent study a group of 404 people with chronic stable angina was divided into four groups, one including sham (fake) acupuncture, another group with no acupuncture and two groups with acupuncture but in different places — one a deliberately useless place, the other in the traditionally correct places.

All four groups received regular medicine for angina also. The study showed the group with appropriate acupuncture had a better outcome than any of the other three groups.

Clinical Trial in China on Acupuncture as Added Treatment for Chronic Stable Angina  – JAMA, July 29, 2019

https://medshadow.org/news-scan-7-30-2019-xeljanz-acupuncture-for-angina-and-aspirin/ 

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Acupuncture may provide a viable alternative to hormone replacement therapy for women suffering from menopause symptoms. A study enrolled 90 menopausal women who were randomly assigned to get acupuncture for six weeks or no acupuncture. For those in the former group, each session was weekly and lasted for 15 minutes. After six weeks, 80% of the women in the acupuncture group said they felt their symptoms had improved.

Compared to women who didn’t get acupuncture, those who did had significantly fewer day and night sweats, sleep problems, emotional symptoms and skin and hair problems. BMJ Open. – Feb 19, 2019

Breast Cancer Drug Side Effect Relief

Acupuncture is effective in relieving joint pain, a common side effect seen in a class of drugs used to treat breast cancer, according to a new study. Musculoskeletal symptoms are the most common adverse effects of aromatase inhibitors and can be so severe that they cause some women to stop using the treatment altogether.

Effect of Acupuncture vs Sham Acupuncture or Waitlist Control on Joint Pain Related to Aromatase Inhibitors among Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer – A Randomized Clinical Trial – Jama July 10, 2018 

On the 31st December 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) China country office reported a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. Most of the cases are currently experiencing mild to moderate symptoms. The risk of transmission remains low in South Africa as there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission or spread to healthcare workers. It is important to know that there must be a history of contact with a victim / health professional or traveler from China. Remember there are different strains (subspecies) of the Coronavirus and if it is contracted in South-Africa with no contact of a victim / health care professional or traveler to China, it may not be the same aggressive species.

How does the coronavirus spread?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in many different species of animals. This spread includes via camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Animal coronaviruses can infect people, although rarely and then between people such as with MERS, SARS, and now with the new 2019-nCoV originating from China.

Spread from person-to-person happens among close contacts (about within 6 feet). Person-to-person spread is thought to occur mainly via respiratory droplets (droplet spread) produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, like how influenza and other respiratory pathogens would spread. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Currently, it is unclear if a person can get 2019-nCoV by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

What are the clinical signs?

The main clinical signs and symptoms are

• Fever
• Coughing
• Difficulty in breathing
• Bilateral infiltrates (areas of infection) on chest X-rays.

What is the conventional treatment?

Treatment is supportive as no specific therapy has been shown to be effective. Oxygen therapy, chest physio, pain management, fever management, supportive ventilation, cortisone and if a secondary bacterial infection is proven, then an antibiotic will be added.

What could be suggestive integrative treatment be for viral infections as a whole?

• Olive leaf extract
  • Dose: 500 ‐ 1,000mg twice daily
  • Mechanism: it inhibits cell-to-cell membrane fusion that happen when virus’s replication in a cell. This suggests that there are interactions with the viral envelope
• Bitter melon extract
  • Dose: 250mg twice daily
  • Mechanism: Antiviral activity is its inhibitory effects on the virus integrating into host cells. Research has also demonstrated reduced rates of T lymphocyte infections and reduced viral replication in infected cells.
• Vitamin C
  • Dose: 300‐500mg three times per day (maximum of 10g / day)
  • Mechanism: it increases the production of the anti-viral cytokine, increased but production of anti-viral cytokine, interferon (IFN)-α/β, which has major anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. It is believed that the interferon (IFN)-α/β plays an important role in the regulation of optimal temperature for viral genes, and most likely would destabilize proteins at either suboptimal levels or hyperthermia levels as a possible therapeutic approach.
• Vitamin D3
  • Dose: 1,000‐2,000 IU daily
  • Mechanism: Though vitamin D’s anti-viral mechanism has not been fully established, it may be linked to vitamin D’s ability to up-regulate the anti-microbial peptides LL-37 (the combination of the anti-biofilm effect and wound-healing properties and immunological effect) and human beta defensin 2 (acts as an endogenous antimicrobial in the defence, among which the potential pathogenic microbes)
• A high‐quality antioxidant complexes, Spirulina/Chlorella (inhibits viral replication and plaque formation in a broad range of viruses) and Medi-Mushroom (it has cytopathic effect on the virus, is has immunostimulant effect and has inhibition of the reverse transcriptase via ribosome inactivation protein)
• Coriolus versicolor (PSK/PSP)
  • 3g daily po
  • Coriolus versicolor’s polysaccharide peptide (PSP) has been demonstrated to possess immunomodulatory properties with the ability to activate an innate immune response through Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) showing insignificant toxicity.
• Colloidal Silver
  • Dose: 10ml bd po
  • The presence of colloidal silver near a virus, fungi, bacterium or any other single celled pathogen like viruses disables its oxygen-metabolism enzyme and thereby induce apoptosis.
• Vitamin C in high dose with UV low level laser therapy has proven to be a strong antiviral combination.
• Intravenous Laser Therapy, especially blue and ultraviolet laser can be extremely beneficial in the treatment of any viral affliction.