An international research consortium has identified four common gene variants that are associated with blood levels of vitamin D and with an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency. The report from the SUNLIGHT consortium - involving investigators from six countries - will appear in The Lancet and is receiving early online release.
"We identified four common variants that contributed to the risk for vitamin D deficiency," says Thomas Wang, MD, of the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Heart Center, a co-corresponding author of the Lancet report. "Individuals inheriting several of these risk-associated variants had more than twice the risk of vitamin D deficiency as was seen in those without these variants."
Vitamin D's essential role in musculoskeletal health is well known, and in recent years epidemiologic evidence has suggested that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers. Naturally produced in the skin in response to sunlight, Vitamin D has been added to many types of food and is available in dietary supplements. But studies have shown that from one third to one half of healthy adults in developed countries have low levels of vitamin D. While reduced sun exposure is clearly associated with lower vitamin D levels, environmental and cultural factors - including dietary intake - cannot completely account for variations in vitamin levels. The fact that vitamin D status tends to cluster in families suggests a genetic contribution.
The SUNLIGHT (Study of Underlying Genetic Determinants of Vitamin D and Highly Related Traits) Consortium involved a research team from the U.S., U.K., Canada, Netherlands, Sweden and Finland who pooled data from 15 epidemiologic studies of almost 32,000 white individuals of European descent. Results of the comprehensive genetic screening were correlated with participants' serum vitamin D levels. Statistically significant associations were found for four common variants, all in genes coding enzymes involved with the synthesis, breakdown or transport of vitamin D. The risk association was independent of geographic or other environmental factors; and the more variants an individual inherited, the greater the risk of vitamin D deficiency.
"It's possible that these results could explain why some people respond well to vitamin D supplements and others don't, but that needs to be studied further since we didn't specifically examine response to supplementation," Wang explains. "We also need to investigate how genetic background can modify response to sunlight, whether these associations are seen in other populations, and if these gene variants have an impact in the chronic diseases that appear to be associated with vitamin D deficiency."
Co-corresponding authors of the Lancet report are Tim Spector, MD, King's College, and Elina Hypp?¶nen, PhD, UCL Institute of Child Health, both in London. Additional co-authors include Josee Dupuis, PhD, and Ramachandran Vasan, MD, Framingham Heart Study and Boston University; J. Brent Richards, MD, McGill University, Montreal; Douglas Kiel, MD, MPH, and David Karasik, PhD, Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston; Paul Jacques, ScD, and Sarah Booth, PhD, Tufts University; Jose Florez, MD, PhD, MGH Diabetes Unit; Bryan Kestenbaum, MD, University of Washington, Seattle; Myles Wolf, University of Miami; and John Todd, PhD, University of Cambridge, U.K. Funding agencies supporting this study included the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the Department of Agriculture and the American Heart Association, along with funding agencies in each of the countries involved.
пятница, 1 июля 2011 г.
четверг, 30 июня 2011 г.
HPC Makes Regulation Recommendation To Secretary Of State For Health, UK
The Health Professions Council (HPC) has made a formal recommendation to
the Secretary of State for Health advising that Medical Herbalists,
Acupuncturists and traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners should be
regulated.
This follows the 'Department of Health Steering Group on the Statutory
Regulation of Practitioners of Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Traditional
Chinese Medicine and Other Traditional Medicine Systems Practised in the
United Kingdom' report that was published in May 2008.
The report proposed that the HPC should be the statutory regulator for
acupuncturists, medical herbalists and traditional Chinese medicine
practitioners which are currently not statutorily regulated. In response to
the report, the Secretary of State for Health announced that a consultation
would be held on the report's recommendations.
HPC's Chief Executive, Marc Seale, said:
"The HPC has made a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Health
advocating the regulation of acupuncturists, medical herbalists and
traditional Chinese medicine practitioners.
"The HPC was set up in order to protect the public and we strongly believe
that statutory regulation can more effectively assure that practitioners
are meeting standards and are fit to practise."
1.Under article 3 (17) of the Health Professions Order 2001 it states the
Council may make recommendations to the Secretary of State concerning any
profession which in its opinion should regulated pursuant to section
60(1)(b) of the Health Act 1999.
2. The Health Professions Council is an independent, UK-wide health
regulator set up by the Health Professions Order (2001). The HPC keeps a
register for 13 different health professions and only registers people who
meet the standards it sets for their training, professional skills,
behaviour and health. The HPC will take action against people who do not
meet these standards or who use a protected title illegally.
3. For further information about the Health Professions Council and the
regulation of new professions please see the website hpc-uk
The HPC currently regulate the following 13 professions. Each of these
professions has one or more 'protected titles'. Anyone who uses one of
these titles must register with the HPC. To see the full list of protected
titles please see: hpc-uk/aboutregistration/protectedtitles
- Arts therapists
- Biomedical scientists
- Chiropodists / podiatrists
- Clinical scientists
- Dietitians
- Occupational therapists
- Operating department practitioners
- Orthoptists
- Paramedics
- Physiotherapists
- Prosthetists / orthotists
- Radiographers
- Speech and language therapists
The Health Professions Council
the Secretary of State for Health advising that Medical Herbalists,
Acupuncturists and traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners should be
regulated.
This follows the 'Department of Health Steering Group on the Statutory
Regulation of Practitioners of Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Traditional
Chinese Medicine and Other Traditional Medicine Systems Practised in the
United Kingdom' report that was published in May 2008.
The report proposed that the HPC should be the statutory regulator for
acupuncturists, medical herbalists and traditional Chinese medicine
practitioners which are currently not statutorily regulated. In response to
the report, the Secretary of State for Health announced that a consultation
would be held on the report's recommendations.
HPC's Chief Executive, Marc Seale, said:
"The HPC has made a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Health
advocating the regulation of acupuncturists, medical herbalists and
traditional Chinese medicine practitioners.
"The HPC was set up in order to protect the public and we strongly believe
that statutory regulation can more effectively assure that practitioners
are meeting standards and are fit to practise."
1.Under article 3 (17) of the Health Professions Order 2001 it states the
Council may make recommendations to the Secretary of State concerning any
profession which in its opinion should regulated pursuant to section
60(1)(b) of the Health Act 1999.
2. The Health Professions Council is an independent, UK-wide health
regulator set up by the Health Professions Order (2001). The HPC keeps a
register for 13 different health professions and only registers people who
meet the standards it sets for their training, professional skills,
behaviour and health. The HPC will take action against people who do not
meet these standards or who use a protected title illegally.
3. For further information about the Health Professions Council and the
regulation of new professions please see the website hpc-uk
The HPC currently regulate the following 13 professions. Each of these
professions has one or more 'protected titles'. Anyone who uses one of
these titles must register with the HPC. To see the full list of protected
titles please see: hpc-uk/aboutregistration/protectedtitles
- Arts therapists
- Biomedical scientists
- Chiropodists / podiatrists
- Clinical scientists
- Dietitians
- Occupational therapists
- Operating department practitioners
- Orthoptists
- Paramedics
- Physiotherapists
- Prosthetists / orthotists
- Radiographers
- Speech and language therapists
The Health Professions Council
среда, 29 июня 2011 г.
Estrogen Supplements Not As Effective As Claimed
Dietary supplements claiming to help postmenopausal women with bone health may not be doing what they say, according to new research from Purdue University.
"We found that some plant-derived isoflavones have a modest effect on suppressing bone loss during post-menopause, but more concerning is many dietary supplements that claim to have the power of estrogen do not," said Connie Weaver, distinguished professor of foods and nutrition. "It's buyer beware. Some of the supplements in our study claimed to be substitutes for estrogen, yet they weren't effective at all or weren't as effective as some of the current treatments for osteoporosis."
Women who are menopausal or postmenopausal produce less estrogen, and that leads to bone loss. More than 2 million women in the United States reach menopause each year, according to the National Women's Health Resource Center.
Estrogen hormone replacement therapy was the traditional treatment, but it is no longer recommended for the long term because of links to stroke, embolism and breast cancer. Some individuals have harmful side effects with long-term use of bisphosphonates, the current main class of osteoporosis treatment drugs.
"This is a reminder that it's better to build up a good healthy skeleton than to rely on a drug to fix it later," Weaver said. "Healthy bones can be maintained by a good diet that is rich in calcium and regular exercise that includes strength training."
Weaver, who also is co-director of the Botanicals Research Center for Age Related Diseases, and her team looked at four popular isoflavones: soy cotyledon, soy germ, red clover and kudzu. These plant-derived phytoestrogens are claimed to protect bone health from estrogen loss, which can lead to osteoporosis and even fractures.
The researchers compared the four isoflavones to a traditional bisphosphonate treatment, risedronate and estrogen plus progesterone. These traditional therapies decreased bone loss 22 percent to 24 percent, but only soy isoflavones from the cotyledon and germ significantly decreased bone loss by 9 percent and 5 percent, respectively. The findings are available online and will be published in the October edition of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
The findings also indicate that the soy cotyledon was more effective because of its higher genistein content. Weaver's team is currently evaluating the role of genistein more closely.
"Before, we might have assumed that any isoflavone was equally effective, but we found that for a supplement to work it was because of the genistein content specifically," she said.
This work was funded by the National Institutes of Health and supplements were supplied by the dietary and health companies Cognis, Frutarom and Novagen. Weaver also is on the advisory board of Pharmative and Wyeth Global Nutrition. The Botanicals Research Center for Age Related Diseases is a partnership between Purdue and the University of Alabama-Birmingham.
"We found that some plant-derived isoflavones have a modest effect on suppressing bone loss during post-menopause, but more concerning is many dietary supplements that claim to have the power of estrogen do not," said Connie Weaver, distinguished professor of foods and nutrition. "It's buyer beware. Some of the supplements in our study claimed to be substitutes for estrogen, yet they weren't effective at all or weren't as effective as some of the current treatments for osteoporosis."
Women who are menopausal or postmenopausal produce less estrogen, and that leads to bone loss. More than 2 million women in the United States reach menopause each year, according to the National Women's Health Resource Center.
Estrogen hormone replacement therapy was the traditional treatment, but it is no longer recommended for the long term because of links to stroke, embolism and breast cancer. Some individuals have harmful side effects with long-term use of bisphosphonates, the current main class of osteoporosis treatment drugs.
"This is a reminder that it's better to build up a good healthy skeleton than to rely on a drug to fix it later," Weaver said. "Healthy bones can be maintained by a good diet that is rich in calcium and regular exercise that includes strength training."
Weaver, who also is co-director of the Botanicals Research Center for Age Related Diseases, and her team looked at four popular isoflavones: soy cotyledon, soy germ, red clover and kudzu. These plant-derived phytoestrogens are claimed to protect bone health from estrogen loss, which can lead to osteoporosis and even fractures.
The researchers compared the four isoflavones to a traditional bisphosphonate treatment, risedronate and estrogen plus progesterone. These traditional therapies decreased bone loss 22 percent to 24 percent, but only soy isoflavones from the cotyledon and germ significantly decreased bone loss by 9 percent and 5 percent, respectively. The findings are available online and will be published in the October edition of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
The findings also indicate that the soy cotyledon was more effective because of its higher genistein content. Weaver's team is currently evaluating the role of genistein more closely.
"Before, we might have assumed that any isoflavone was equally effective, but we found that for a supplement to work it was because of the genistein content specifically," she said.
This work was funded by the National Institutes of Health and supplements were supplied by the dietary and health companies Cognis, Frutarom and Novagen. Weaver also is on the advisory board of Pharmative and Wyeth Global Nutrition. The Botanicals Research Center for Age Related Diseases is a partnership between Purdue and the University of Alabama-Birmingham.
вторник, 28 июня 2011 г.
Inflammatory Skin Diseases Could Be Treated With Green Tea In The Future
Green tea could hold promise as a new treatment for skin disorders such as psoriasis and dandruff, Medical College of Georgia researchers say.
Researchers studied an animal model for inflammatory skin diseases, which are often characterized by patches of dry, red, flaky skin caused by the inflammation and overproduction of skin cells. Those treated with green tea showed slower growth of skin cells and the presence of a gene that regulates the cells' life cycles.
"Psoriasis, an autoimmune disease, causes the skin to become thicker because the growth of skin cells is out of control," says Dr. Stephen Hsu, an oral biologist in the MCG School of Dentistry and lead investigator on the study published in the Aug. 18 edition of Experimental Dermatology. "In psoriasis, immune cells, which usually protect against infection, instead trigger the release of cytokines, which causes inflammation and the overproduction of skin cells."
Other autoimmune diseases with similar side effects include lupus, which can lead to skin lesions, and dandruff.
Green tea, already shown to suppress inflammation, helps by regulating the expression of Caspase-14, a protein in genes that regulates the life cycle of a skin cell.
"That marker guides cells by telling them when to differentiate, die off and form a skin barrier," Dr. Hsu says. "In people with psoriasis, that process is interrupted and the skin cells don't die before more are created and the resulting lesions form."
Animal models treated with green tea also showed reduced levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, a gene expressed when skin cells multiply. In psoriasis, the gene is over-expressed and speeds production of skin cells.
"Before treatment, the antigen, PCNA, was present in all layers of the skin," Dr. Hsu says. "Typically, PCNA is only found in the basal layer, the innermost layer where skin cells continually divide and new cells push the older ones to the skin surface, where they eventually slough off. After being treated with green tea, the animal models showed near-normal levels of PCNA in only the basal layers."
This research is important because some treatments for psoriasis and dandruff can have dangerous side effects, he says.
"The traditional treatment of ultraviolet light and medication, while it can control the lesions and be used long term, may cause squamous cell carcinoma -- the second most common form of skin cancer," Dr. Hsu says. "Some of the most effective anti-dandruff shampoos also have carcinogens in them. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows that in small amounts, the bottom line is that we don't know the long-term effects of using those products continuously."
Green tea, which is plant-derived, may be an alternative, he says. But scientists must work to overcome some barriers with the treatment.
The chemicals in green tea are so active that they are oxidized too quickly when mixed with other ingredients. They also dissolve in water, which cannot penetrate the skin's barrier.
Researchers are looking for a balanced formula that can dissolve in fats, which can permeate the skin, Dr. Hsu says.
"There are no cures for autoimmune diseases. But it is possible that this is a non-toxic way to regulate them. We need further study -- on humans -- to determine the full effects."
Researchers studied an animal model for inflammatory skin diseases, which are often characterized by patches of dry, red, flaky skin caused by the inflammation and overproduction of skin cells. Those treated with green tea showed slower growth of skin cells and the presence of a gene that regulates the cells' life cycles.
"Psoriasis, an autoimmune disease, causes the skin to become thicker because the growth of skin cells is out of control," says Dr. Stephen Hsu, an oral biologist in the MCG School of Dentistry and lead investigator on the study published in the Aug. 18 edition of Experimental Dermatology. "In psoriasis, immune cells, which usually protect against infection, instead trigger the release of cytokines, which causes inflammation and the overproduction of skin cells."
Other autoimmune diseases with similar side effects include lupus, which can lead to skin lesions, and dandruff.
Green tea, already shown to suppress inflammation, helps by regulating the expression of Caspase-14, a protein in genes that regulates the life cycle of a skin cell.
"That marker guides cells by telling them when to differentiate, die off and form a skin barrier," Dr. Hsu says. "In people with psoriasis, that process is interrupted and the skin cells don't die before more are created and the resulting lesions form."
Animal models treated with green tea also showed reduced levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, a gene expressed when skin cells multiply. In psoriasis, the gene is over-expressed and speeds production of skin cells.
"Before treatment, the antigen, PCNA, was present in all layers of the skin," Dr. Hsu says. "Typically, PCNA is only found in the basal layer, the innermost layer where skin cells continually divide and new cells push the older ones to the skin surface, where they eventually slough off. After being treated with green tea, the animal models showed near-normal levels of PCNA in only the basal layers."
This research is important because some treatments for psoriasis and dandruff can have dangerous side effects, he says.
"The traditional treatment of ultraviolet light and medication, while it can control the lesions and be used long term, may cause squamous cell carcinoma -- the second most common form of skin cancer," Dr. Hsu says. "Some of the most effective anti-dandruff shampoos also have carcinogens in them. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows that in small amounts, the bottom line is that we don't know the long-term effects of using those products continuously."
Green tea, which is plant-derived, may be an alternative, he says. But scientists must work to overcome some barriers with the treatment.
The chemicals in green tea are so active that they are oxidized too quickly when mixed with other ingredients. They also dissolve in water, which cannot penetrate the skin's barrier.
Researchers are looking for a balanced formula that can dissolve in fats, which can permeate the skin, Dr. Hsu says.
"There are no cures for autoimmune diseases. But it is possible that this is a non-toxic way to regulate them. We need further study -- on humans -- to determine the full effects."
понедельник, 27 июня 2011 г.
FDA Public Health Alert: Que She Weight Loss Capsules Contain Potentially Harmful Ingredients
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned that Que She, marketed as an herbal weight loss supplement, contains active pharmaceutical ingredients not listed on the product label that could harm consumers, especially those with cardiovascular conditions.
People who have purchased Que She should stop taking the product immediately and consult a health care professional.
Que She, advertised as "Slimming Factor Capsule" and as "an all-natural blend of Chinese herbs," has been widely distributed on Internet sites such as the Bouncing Bear Botanicals website, and at retail outlets, including Sacred Journey in Lawrence, Kan..
An FDA analysis of Que She found that it contains:
- fenfluramine - a stimulant drug withdrawn from the U.S. market in 1997 after studies demonstrated that it caused serious heart valve damage
- propranolol - a prescription beta blocker drug that can pose a risk to people with bronchial asthma and certain heart conditions
- sibutramine - a controlled substance and prescription weight loss drug, sibutramine was the subject of a recent study whose preliminary findings showed an association between sibutramine use and increased risk of heart attack and stroke in patients who have a history of heart disease
- ephedrine - a stimulant drug that is legally marketed over-the-counter for temporary relief of asthma but can pose a risk to people with certain cardiovascular conditions.
These active pharmaceutical ingredients also may interact with other medications and result in a serious adverse event.
Consumers and health care professionals are encouraged to report adverse events related to the use of Que She to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program: online.
People who have purchased Que She should stop taking the product immediately and consult a health care professional.
Que She, advertised as "Slimming Factor Capsule" and as "an all-natural blend of Chinese herbs," has been widely distributed on Internet sites such as the Bouncing Bear Botanicals website, and at retail outlets, including Sacred Journey in Lawrence, Kan..
An FDA analysis of Que She found that it contains:
- fenfluramine - a stimulant drug withdrawn from the U.S. market in 1997 after studies demonstrated that it caused serious heart valve damage
- propranolol - a prescription beta blocker drug that can pose a risk to people with bronchial asthma and certain heart conditions
- sibutramine - a controlled substance and prescription weight loss drug, sibutramine was the subject of a recent study whose preliminary findings showed an association between sibutramine use and increased risk of heart attack and stroke in patients who have a history of heart disease
- ephedrine - a stimulant drug that is legally marketed over-the-counter for temporary relief of asthma but can pose a risk to people with certain cardiovascular conditions.
These active pharmaceutical ingredients also may interact with other medications and result in a serious adverse event.
Consumers and health care professionals are encouraged to report adverse events related to the use of Que She to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program: online.
воскресенье, 26 июня 2011 г.
Expert Advice Online On Alternative Medicine
As alternative medicine becomes more popular, a growing number of people are accessing the internet for information. The problem is sifting through tons of web pages, and deciding what is reliable and what isn't. Hence the creation of safealternativemedicine.co.uk.
SafeAlternativeMedicine was created at the end of 2005. It is a unique reference point on safe alternative medicine. Their features and articles are written by experts and professional journalists who have a particular interest in this area.
There are several dedicated sections in the website, including:
-- Anti Ageing
-- Aromatherapy
-- Beauty and Skin Care
-- ComplementaryTherapies
-- Complementary Therapy
-- Heart Health
-- Helping with Cancer
-- Herbal Health
-- Massage
-- Men's Health
-- Mental Health
-- Mind & Body Health
-- Nutrition
-- Sports Health
-- Women's Health
Opinion of the Editor of us
I found it easy to navigate around this web site, the information is clear and useful. Of all the alternative medicine web sites I have seen on the internet, I would say this one, for me, is the best.
SafeAlternativeMedicine was created at the end of 2005. It is a unique reference point on safe alternative medicine. Their features and articles are written by experts and professional journalists who have a particular interest in this area.
There are several dedicated sections in the website, including:
-- Anti Ageing
-- Aromatherapy
-- Beauty and Skin Care
-- ComplementaryTherapies
-- Complementary Therapy
-- Heart Health
-- Helping with Cancer
-- Herbal Health
-- Massage
-- Men's Health
-- Mental Health
-- Mind & Body Health
-- Nutrition
-- Sports Health
-- Women's Health
Opinion of the Editor of us
I found it easy to navigate around this web site, the information is clear and useful. Of all the alternative medicine web sites I have seen on the internet, I would say this one, for me, is the best.
суббота, 25 июня 2011 г.
Reflexologists To Join Voluntary Register, UK
The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) opens its register to reflexology practitioners which means that members of the public will be able to choose their registered reflexologist in the knowledge that they meet national standards of conduct and competence.
Launched with government backing through the Department of Health who recently said, "if patients choose to use complementary or alternative therapy, the Government's advice is to choose a practitioner registered with a reputable voluntary registration body such as the CNHC", the register opened in January 2009. Members of the public who use complementary healthcare will for the first time be able to verify that their reflexologist is registered with the first UK wide regulator.
The voluntary register will open over the course of this year to a wide range of complementary and natural healthcare practitioners. Reflexology is the fourth discipline for which the register has opened this year, joining massage therapy, nutritional therapy and aromatherapy.
By registering with the CNHC, reflexology practitioners will be seen as meeting the 'gold standard' within their field and will be entitled to display the quality mark which is given to practitioners upon registration.
Maggie Dunn, CEO of the CNHC explained: "We are delighted that CNHC is today opening its register to reflexology practitioners. Members of the public who use or are interested in using reflexology will be able to check whether the practitioner they're seeing is registered with the CNHC."
Continues Maggie, "Public safety is paramount and it is vital that practitioners meet the CNHC minimum standards of qualification and/or experience and in addition, they are signed up to a rigorous code of conduct. Not only will people looking for a reflexologist have peace of mind but practitioners too will benefit through increased public confidence"
Reflexology is the physical act of applying pressure to the feet and hands using a variety of hand techniques. It is based on a system of zones and reflex areas that reflect an image of the body on the feet and hands. Reflexology practitioners believe that such work may bring about a physical change to the body, or improve general health.
Throughout the rest of 2009, the Register will be opened to further disciplines, as they become ready and wish to register, and include: Yoga therapy, Shiatsu, Alexander technique, Bowen technique, Cranial therapy, Naturopathy and Reiki.
For further information about registration, visit cnhc.uk
Notes
The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) was established as a voluntary register in April 2008 with the purpose of protecting the public by means of a voluntary register for complementary and natural healthcare practitioners.
The CNHC's function is:
To establish and maintain a voluntary register of complementary healthcare practitioners in the UK who meet its standards of competence and practice
To make the Register of practitioners available to the general public and to educate them about the CNHC quality mark as a quality standard
To operate a robust process for handling complaints about registered practitioners
To work with professional bodies in the complementary healthcare field to further develop and improve standards of professional practice
The Register has been launched with government backing through the Department of Health.
Source
Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council
Launched with government backing through the Department of Health who recently said, "if patients choose to use complementary or alternative therapy, the Government's advice is to choose a practitioner registered with a reputable voluntary registration body such as the CNHC", the register opened in January 2009. Members of the public who use complementary healthcare will for the first time be able to verify that their reflexologist is registered with the first UK wide regulator.
The voluntary register will open over the course of this year to a wide range of complementary and natural healthcare practitioners. Reflexology is the fourth discipline for which the register has opened this year, joining massage therapy, nutritional therapy and aromatherapy.
By registering with the CNHC, reflexology practitioners will be seen as meeting the 'gold standard' within their field and will be entitled to display the quality mark which is given to practitioners upon registration.
Maggie Dunn, CEO of the CNHC explained: "We are delighted that CNHC is today opening its register to reflexology practitioners. Members of the public who use or are interested in using reflexology will be able to check whether the practitioner they're seeing is registered with the CNHC."
Continues Maggie, "Public safety is paramount and it is vital that practitioners meet the CNHC minimum standards of qualification and/or experience and in addition, they are signed up to a rigorous code of conduct. Not only will people looking for a reflexologist have peace of mind but practitioners too will benefit through increased public confidence"
Reflexology is the physical act of applying pressure to the feet and hands using a variety of hand techniques. It is based on a system of zones and reflex areas that reflect an image of the body on the feet and hands. Reflexology practitioners believe that such work may bring about a physical change to the body, or improve general health.
Throughout the rest of 2009, the Register will be opened to further disciplines, as they become ready and wish to register, and include: Yoga therapy, Shiatsu, Alexander technique, Bowen technique, Cranial therapy, Naturopathy and Reiki.
For further information about registration, visit cnhc.uk
Notes
The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) was established as a voluntary register in April 2008 with the purpose of protecting the public by means of a voluntary register for complementary and natural healthcare practitioners.
The CNHC's function is:
To establish and maintain a voluntary register of complementary healthcare practitioners in the UK who meet its standards of competence and practice
To make the Register of practitioners available to the general public and to educate them about the CNHC quality mark as a quality standard
To operate a robust process for handling complaints about registered practitioners
To work with professional bodies in the complementary healthcare field to further develop and improve standards of professional practice
The Register has been launched with government backing through the Department of Health.
Source
Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council
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