LONDON, Ontario, Oct 2, 2001 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Use of herbal remedies and other alternative medicine modalities may have as much or more to do with cultural differences than dissatisfaction with conventional medicine, suggests a University of Miami study to be presented at the 2002 Caribbean Medical Cruise for Complementary/Alternative Therapies.

The survey by the university's Department of Family Medicine of 800 patients at 13 primary-care practices in South Florida found that herbal medicines are used by 31.6 percent of patients, while 59.2 percent acknowledged using other dietary supplements such as minerals and vitamins.

Principal investigator Dr. Bernd Wollschlaeger was surprised to find significant cultural differences in use of herbal remedies.

"For example, Hispanic patients are more likely to use home remedies than other patients, and patients with one or both parents born outside of the United States are more likely to use herbs and home remedies," Dr. Wollschlaeger said.

His findings will be presented during the 2002 Caribbean Medical Cruise for Complementary/Alternative Therapies, departing Fort Lauderdale on Feb. 3 and returning Feb. 10. The learning cruise is sponsored by The Institute of Integrated Medicine, Inc. of London, Ontario whose website can be accessed at www.doctorsteachingdoctors.com.

Dr. Wollschlaeger also reported that herbal sales fell 15 percent between 1999 and 2000, possibly attributable to negative publicity about potentially adverse effects and interactions with prescription drugs.

He nonetheless will report that about half of the herb-using patients surveyed were unaware of possible side effects or interactions.

Most patients had not advised their physician about their use of herbs or vitamins, but would volunteer such information if it was requested. Many indicated that they considered their physicians ill-informed about herbs and vitamins.

Comments Wollschlaeger: "Health care professionals need to be educated about the rational application of such remedies in the clinical practice to be able to engage in a meaningful interaction with their patients, who often prefer to seek guidance from a physician and not from a clerk in a health-food store."

Wollschlaeger is one of about 30 experts who will present on science-based complementary and alternative medicine topics during the seven-day learning cruise.

Other highlights:

- Dr. Jo-Anne Whitaker of Palm Harbor, Florida will discuss the controversy over diagnosis and treatment of Lyme Disease. Whitaker and colleagues at the Bowen Research and Training Institute have developed a new immunofluorescent test for rapid detection of the causative agent, Borrelia burgdorferi. This test, Whitaker says, helps demonstrate that Lyme disease is "the plague of the 21st century."

- Three speakers will address health hazards related to contemporary dentistry. Keynote speaker Boyd Haley, the controversial chair of chemistry at the University of Kentucky, will discuss the potential role of mercury in causing or exacerbating Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Tony McRedmond, a private-practice dentist from San Antonio, Texas, will talk about problems associated with root canal procedures and dental restoration materials, as well as toothpaste, mouthwashes, and other oral health products. Walter Clifford, president of Clifford Consulting and Research of Colorado Springs, Colorado, will discuss methods of testing to identify biocompatibility/reactivity with dental materials.

- Dr. Gunnar Heuser of UCLA School of Medicine will report on his research using mild hyperbaric oxygen to treat children with mild autism, cerebral palsy, and toxic encephalopathy.

- James Lavalle, coauthor of The Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion Handbook (Lexi-Comp Inc., 2001) and the Nutritional Cost of Prescription Drugs (Morton Publishing, 2000) will outline some of the more than 1,000 commonly prescribed prescription drugs that can cause nutrient depletions.

- Dr. Stephen Boyd, medical director of the Medical Research Department at Coppell, Texas-based Mannatech Inc., will talk about glycobiology -- a science dealing with the nature and role of carbohydrates (sugars) in biological events, described by some as the last scientific frontier.

For further information about the cruise or to arrange interviews with presenters, contact Gabriele Sutton at The Institute of Integrated Medicine at 519-451-9048 or gsutton2@sprint.ca

　　From Businesswire.com