Changelog 2012-07-22 and ND Video

here, I summarize this week's additions to my public naturopathy database.  I also link to an ND's video each changelog, quote from, and tag the video in some detail:

001. added:

the vitalism of:

ND Pyne; ND Pryce; ND Pun;

ND Powell; ND Pilgrim;

ND Picard; ND Park;
to Appendix B.05.i.f.;

the science claims of:

ND Zeitlin 

to Appendix I.05.p.;

the venerable 

State of Connecticut

to Appendix I.03.

002. video of the week link [not to pun]:

002.a. Duncan, L. (ND ?), whose bio. page doesn't tell us what school he went to [isn't that ODD?], states:

002.a1. in "Dr. Lindsey Catches himself on TV on the Plane" [vsc 2012-07-21]:

.

. 

tags: #naturopathiconcology #NDDuncan #DrOzwoo #promotionofnaturopathy

.

"[from the description] Dr. Lindsey Duncan flips the channel and sees himself on The Dr. Oz Show. It was a re-air of his segment, the best supplements to support cancer prevention";

Note: ah, the naturopath as oncologist.

002.a2. in "How Do I Cleanse My Body of Toxins?" [vsc 2012-07-21]:

.

.

tags: #cleanse #NDDuncan #fakeproblem

.

"[from the description] Dr. Lindsey Duncan explains his 3-7 day cleanse program to completely cleanse every organ in the body [...from the video] 3, 5, 7 -day cleanse [...] I take fiber, I take bentonite clay, I take super-fruit juices [...] I take pancreatic tablets, and I take greens [...] this is if you want to cleanse [...] if you are sick or you have a disease go talk to your doctor [...] if you are just tired and toxic, that is the best thing.  That will change your body so fast";

.

Note: promises, promises.  Meanwhile, the Wikipedia article has a 'big ouch' for fans and proponents of detox junk:

"body cleansing and detoxification have been referred to as an elaborate hoax used by con artists to cure nonexistent illnesses [...] medical experts state that body cleansing is unnecessary as the human body is naturally capable of maintaining itself, with several organs dedicated to cleansing the blood and gut. Professor Alan Boobis OBE, Toxicologist, Division of Medicine, Imperial College London states that:

'the body’s own detoxification systems are remarkably sophisticated and versatile [...] it is remarkable that people are prepared to risk seriously disrupting these systems with unproven ‘detox’ diets, which could well do more harm than good.'

The apparently satisfied testimonial and anecdotal accounts by customers can often be explained by disguised employees companies or individuals creating false anecdotes, legitimate customers who are experiencing the placebo effect after using the products, natural recovery from an actual illness that would have occurred without the use of the product [regression to the mean], psychological improvements on illnesses that are psychosomatic or the result of neurosis, or the lack of a larger number of dissatisfied customers not posting equally applicable anecdotes about their poorer experiences."

003. an ND Duncan page that really raises alarms:

003.a. in his "The Green Coffee Bean: Weight Loss Myth or Miracle? Plus Bonus Weight Loss Tips!", we're told:

"what has the media and the scientific community so excited about Green Coffee Bean Extract [GCBE] is that people don’t have to do anything different when taking this food supplement, they don’t need to exercise, they don’t need to diet, they just appear to drop pounds!"

Note: but, there has been quite a bit of GCBE debunking done by people-in-the-know.  at Science-Based Pharmacology, Scott Gavura writes in "Green Coffee Beans for weight loss: Dr. Oz loves it, but where’s the evidence?":

"green coffee bean supplements have the characteristics of a bogus weight loss product. The supplement lacks plausibility, the only published clinical trial is tiny, and it appears to have have some serious methodological problems. Ignoring all of this, Dr. Oz has instead embraced it as the newest panacea for weight loss. Obesity is a real health issue, yet Dr. Oz seems quite content touting unproven products instead of providing credible, science-based information. In the real world, permanent weight loss is difficult, and there are no quick fixes. But not in the Land of Oz."

003.b. and we are advised by the Federal Trade Commission, regarding diet scams:

"when it comes to evaluating claims for weight loss products, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends a healthy portion of skepticism. Before you spend money on products that promise fast and easy results, weigh the claims carefully. Think twice before wasting your money on products that make any of these false claims [...including] 'lose weight without diet or exercise!'"

Hulda Clark's "Quackery" Lives On This 2012, via ND Andrews of Connecticut

here, I cite from a LICENSED naturopath's web pages extolling the quite 'out-there ideas' of the late UNLICENSED naturopath Hulda Clark [see 001.a., below] and other 'therapies' [see 001.b., below]: then, I excerpt from criticism [see 002., below]; finally, I wonder what Connecticut licensure of naturopathy EVEN guarantees [see 003., below]:

001. Andrews, S. (ND UBCNM 2008) states:

001.a. in "Frequency Healing: Overview and History" [vsc 2012-07-14; my comments are in unquoted bold]:

"Dr. Hulda Clark [...] studied the principles of naturopathy at the Clayton College of Natural Health which offered a six-month study at home course.  Six years later she developed an electronic device for scanning the human body and detecting and treating diseases through frequency [...via] the 'zapper' [...]";

and thus was born a whole Clark industry.

"what is frequency healing and how does it work? [...it is] a type of treatment developed in the early 1900s [...] based on theories of resonance and vibration [...] frequency healing is a therapy associated with specific signature frequencies [...] signature frequencies of viruses, bacteria, disease states, healthy organs, bones, even thoughts and emotions have been identified [...] disrupting unwanted frequency occurs similarly to the way an opera singer breaks a glass [...] the same can be done with bacteria and virus by bombarding them with amplitude of resonant frequency beyond their ability to absorb [...and] optimal health can be supported by providing the desired frequency at the desired amplitude.  When the body resonates with this frequency it creates the optimal conditions for health [...]";

so, 'frequency, frequency, frequency.'  Quite frequently used.  The citation for these claims is ND Clark's "The Cure for All Diseases" (1995).  At Amazon.com, the book is, in my view, ridiculously priced still at $20 new (1st edition) and more, and there are, in the "sponsored links" section on the bottom, Clark Zappers for sale somewhere online to this day.  Sadly, the book has 4 out of 5 stars.  

"the western paradigm for health has been mechanistic [...]";

this is another way of saying that 'modern science requires evidence and rigor, but that's not fair.'  Bullshit.

"if you have two bodies side by side with all the systems intact and capable of functioning, yet one is alive and one is dead, what is the essential difference?  The difference is the absence or presence of life force. Scientists call it ‘factor X’ [...aka] vital energy, chi, prana, organizing principle [...]";

a life force is in fact science-ejected.  But, it is also the basis of naturopathy which falsely labels itself, while based upon this science-ejected premise, science-based.  More bullshit.

 "one example of a western energy healer is Franz Anton Mesmer [...] Mesmerism is the foundation of many modern day energy-healing systems [...]";

actually, what's really interesting about Mesmer is that he was debunked in the 1700s.  And that's a fact.  Between frequency, life force, Mesmer as a basis for this "frequency healing", I smell a heaping pile of bullshit.

"the foundations of frequency healing began in the 1920’s. The key pioneers were Dr. Albert Abrams, Dr. Ruth Drown, Royal Rife, and Dr. Hulda Clark [...] all the energy devices of the past 30 years stand on the shoulders of these four people [...] what these pioneers all have in common is a strong scientific background, conventional recognition, and scientific standing until the moment they moved outside of conventional knowledge [...]";

"conventional knowledge" is a euphemism for 'off the deep end', me thinks.   And here at least, the word energy is a euphemism for bullshit.  Quackwatch has a great article up titled "The Bizarre Claims of Hulda Clark."

001.b. in "Definitions" [vsc 2012--07-17]:

"energy balancing: energy refers to life force, a vital force that animates and organizes life.  There are three key structures that are involved in the flow and utilization of life force. Energy flows through channels in the body called meridians, is collected and transformed in energy centers called chakras, and radiates through a field of energy around the body called the aura.  Energy balancing assists the smooth flow of life force through all the energy structures and removes energetic obstacles to energy flow.  Energy flow is affected by injury, habitual tension, mental attitudes and beliefs and emotional upset. Energy therapies believe that energy patterns underlie physical conditions and that as energy is shifted, physical manifestation changes too.  There are a multitude of techniques used to balance energy including reiki, aura balancing, EMF, not to mention acupuncture, acupressure and chakra balancing [...] energy balancing is often incorporated into other bodywork sessions such as massage therapy [...]";

energy, energy, energy.  So, here's a great 'key' to decoding naturopathy's camouflaging of a very science-ejected concept, vitalism-figmentation, with science-sounding words like energy.

"homeopathy is an alternative medicine first defined by Samuel Hahnemann in the 1700’s.  Homeopathy believes disease and sickness are caused by a disturbance in the life force (energy) of the person [...] training in homeopathy is part of the training for naturopathic doctors [...] homeopathic remedies are inexpensive, easily obtained and very effective [...]";

homeopathic remedies ARE NOT "very effective".  We know this scientifically.  It is also part of the science-ejected junk that comprises a naturopathic degree.

"naturopathic medicine is a branch of medicine that uses natural interventions to promote health [...] teatment is individualized, treats the whole person (body, mind, emotions and spirit), and seeks to stimulate the bodies natural healing mechanisms. It uses lifestyle change, herbs, nutrition, homeopathy and other treatment options [...] licensed naturopathic physicians must pass comprehensive board exams [NPLEX] set by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE) after having completed four years of academic and clinical training at a post-graduate college certified by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME). Naturopaths are trained in conventional medical sciences, diagnosis and treatment of illness, pharmacology, minor surgery and natural therapeutic interventions [...] Connecticut has recognized and licensed naturopathic doctors since 1926.  Naturopathic physicians here are considered specialty care doctors as opposed to primary care doctors.  The scope of practice in Connecticut consists of diagnosis and treatment and includes a variety of treatment modalities such as acupuncture and oriental medicine,  botanical medicine, homeopathy [etc....]";

ye old natureopathy (how the CT statutes spell it) that labels as science (NPLEX) that which is nonsense (homeopathy and kind) aka specializing in nonsense.

"Chinese medicine [...] acupressure is the art of skillfully pressing key points (acupoints) that stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. Pressing acupoints in systematic combinations releases muscular tension, promotes circulation, stimulates the flow of chi and aids the body’s healing processes [...] a session may integrate meridian stretching and other bodywork therapies as well as healing imagery and emotional processing to eliminate the underlying causes of energy disturbance [...] acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical technique used to restore and maintain health.  Stimulation of acupoints unblocks the flow of chi (or qi) along meridian pathways to balance opposing internal forces.  There are more than 350 acupoints traveling on 12 main meridian pathways [...] treatment is aimed at restoring harmony; with harmony, chi flows freely within the body and a person is healthy. When a person is sick, diseased, or injured, there is an obstruction of chi along one of the meridians [...] modern acupuncturists utilize other modalities to stimulate the flow of chi such as herbal medicine, moxibustion, physical exercise, elemental nutrition, meditation, breathing exercise and more [...]";

the chi that does not exist that causes and cures.

"reflexology is the treatment of the whole body through reflex points located on the feet and hands.  This system divides the body into reflex zones; each zone ends at a specific location on both the front and back of the hands, wrists, feet and ankles.  Stimulating these points can have affects along the entire zone.  In this way the whole body can benefit from treatment to the hands and/or feet [...]";

simply nonsense.

"sound healing is a form of vibrational medicine. Everything in the universe is in a state of vibration. Resonance is the frequency that an object naturally vibrates at. Everything has resonant frequency including each organ, gland, tissue or structure of the body.  In fact the body can be considered an orchestra of harmonics [...]";

vibration, vibration, vibration.

"craniosacral therapy is a subtle modality which assists the body's natural capacity for self-repair [...] the rhythm of the breath, cerebral-spinal fluid, organ movement, cardiac rate and many more body rhythms are brought into synchronization in a craniosacral session [...]";

and more nonsense.

002. meanwhile, Orac, over at Science Blogs' Respectful Insolence states in "Requiem For a Quack, Part II: Hulda Clark, Author of The Cure for All Cancers, Died of Cancer" [saved 2012-07-17; these are rearranged excerpts]:

"über-quack Hulda Clark [...] let's review the titles of some of her books [...] The Cure for All Advanced Cancers [...] The Cure for All Cancers  [...and] The Cure for All Diseases [...] the woman who [obviously] said that she had the Cure for All Cancers [...] died on September 3, 2009 [at the age of 80]. I was criticized for entitling my post Requiem for a Quack, but [...] Clark’s quackery had [likely] contributed to the suffering and deaths of an unknown number of cancer patients [...]";

"I was curious what the cause of Dr. Clark’s death was [...] then, a reader sent me a scan of Hulda Clark’s death certificate, and this is what it listed as the cause of death: multiple myeloma, [a] cancer [...]  the woman whose quackery caused so much suffering among cancer patients during her life ultimately succumbed to the very disease she claimed to be able to cure but was not [...] ";

"I suspect that Hulda Clark really did believe that she had the cure for all cancers, even though it was clear from her own end that she didn’t have a clue about cancer [...] by rejecting science-based medicine in favor of her own quackery, Clark blew her best chance at treating her cancer and maintaining her quality of life for as long as possible [...]";

"the excuse used to explain why Clark died of cancer when she had spent so many years claiming that she could cure it is lame in the extreme [...that she couldn't treat herself because] she physically could not use her Syncrometer techniques to investigate it because her hands and arms did not work well enough [...]";

"ironically, Dr. Clark documented helping a multiple myeloma sufferer in The Cure For All Advanced Cancers [...]";

"Hulda Clark’s death teaches us something important about quackery [...] it tells us that many of the practitioners are just as deluded and misguided as those whom they lure away from scientific medicine and towards ineffective and even harmful quackery [...]";

003. note upon the pot calling the kettle black aka so, does licensure of naturopaths guarantee ANYTHING?  Yes.  Their protection:

003.a. the Wikipedia page for Clark [and the Quackwatch article too, in quoting Pizzorno, roughly] states (2012-07-17):

"Hulda Clark has been criticized because her claims lack scientific validity and consist of anecdotal evidence [...]";

agreed.

"Joseph Pizzorno, a prominent naturopathic physician, evaluated Clark's claims [...] Pizzorno concluded that Clark's treatments were ineffective and that treatments based on Clark's recommendations 'pose a substantive public health danger' [...]";

ha, that's a safe bet. ND Pizzorno is, though, quite a bit 'out there' as well so I'm not sure why his opinions matter at all.  I'm quite the expert in what Pizzorno has either written or overseen as editor.  His "Textbook of Natural Medicine" is a great example of pseudoscience.  His alma mater NCNM's claims, too.  I suspect, like Clark, such NCNM graduates and current students devour that NCNM nonsense page's intellectual swill like sows at the feed trough.

independently from that, we're told in the Wikipedia article, also: "there is no scientific basis for Hulda Clark's hypotheses and recommendations, including her suggested treatments."

Note: so, a licensed ND -- in terms of 'out there' non-science-supported ideas and therapeutics -- is like an unlicensed ND, often.  One difference: with the protection of the Seal of the State of Connecticut, the licensed ND has a lot less to worry about in terms of reprimand, sanction, interest, and penalty.

003.b. the State of Connecticut, regarding naturopathy licensure, tells us, in "Naturopathic Physician Licensing Requirements" [vsc 2012-07-19]:

"please familiarize yourself with the general licensing policies. In order to be eligible for licensure, an applicant must have: Completed two (2) years of pre-professional college education; graduated from a school of naturopathy approved by the Connecticut State Board of Naturopathic Examiners and Department of Public Health, with award of the doctor of naturopathy degree. Approved schools  include only those schools accredited or in candidate status with the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME); Successfully completed both the Basic Sciences (Part I) and Clinical Sciences Examination (Part II) of the Naturopathic Physician Licensing Examination (NPLEX) [...] official report of successful completion of the NPLEX Basic Sciences and Clinical Sciences examinations [...]";

likewise, one of those CNME schools is the University of Bridgeport which labels naturopathy "science" and contains required homeopathy and is based on ideas and obligations that are science-ejected and the NPLEX itself states that contents it labels "science" includes nonscientific crap like homeopathy.

"documentation requirements applicants shall arrange for submission of the following documents directly to this office from the source: A completed application form and fee of $565.00 in the form of a bank check or money order payable to, 'Treasurer, State of Connecticut' [...]";

and so the State of Connecticut is engaged in a kind of commerce and academic fraud itself.

"all supporting documents should be forwarded to: Connecticut Department of Public Health Naturopathic Physician Licensure 410 Capitol Ave., MS# 12 APPP.O. Box 340308Hartford, CT 06134Phone:  (860) 509-7603 Fax:  (860) 707-1931Email:  dph.healingarts@ct.gov Content Last Modified on 3/29/2012 3:21:52 PM [...]";

there they are if any Federal agency is interested in intervening.

Note: basically, naturopathic falsehood is licensed and shielded.

ND Rothenberg at HuffPo (2012-07): 'ND Roots' That Dare Not Speak Their Roots

here, I cite from a recent Huffington Post piece by ND Rothenberg of the New England School of Homeopathy and a graduate of National College of Natural Medicine who [supposedly] defines and describes naturopathy [see 001., below]; then, I go to the tenets web page of her alma mater and REALLY reveal naturopathy's 'core absurdism' [see 002., below]:

001. Rothenberg, A. (ND NCNM) writes in "Naturopathic Medicine Roots"(2012-07-10)[vsc 2012-07-10; my notes are in unquoted bold]:

"here's what naturopathic doctors believe: [#1] we should support the healing power of nature -- that the body's innate ability to heal is strong and that we can also capitalize on the healing energy of foods, plants, light, and other natural substances [...#2] we best identify and treat the root cause of illness whenever possible [...]";

are we REALLY told in this article "what naturopathic doctors believe"?  No, I don't think so!  It's interesting what this language LEAVES OUT [not to pun on all her tree talk within the article].  I'll fill in what is not provided in 002., below. 

"[#3] we ought to aim, like all physicians [...]";

dare I term the status of the naturopath METAphysician, as opposed to physician, when you get-right-down-to-it?  Yes.

"to uphold the classic tenet: first, do no harm [...]";

there is SUCH an interesting HIDDEN context to this idea-that-isn't-fleshed-out, which I talk about below in 002.

"we'd better educate patients. Knowledge is power, so we work to educate patients [...] we give good explanations as to why and how things work both with the body and with our approaches. We welcome questions from our patients. During this information age, we are often partners with patients who may come in quite well-informed [...]";

oh, how the irony is killing me: claiming to educate, inform, and explain without truly sharing / revealing naturopathy's beliefs clearly!  Knowledge IS power and even holding back facts is, in terms of successful marketing, A POWERFUL MODUS OPERANDI for naturopathy [there's some Latin for you, naturopaths-who-love-Latin].  Not mentioning in the Huffpo article naturopathy's absurd position of science subset nonscience IN NO WAY is a "good explanation".

"I love having a medical philosophy that is clear and consistent and that does not shift. I love being able to look at new approaches that may come along and to ask myself, 'is this within the bounds of the philosophy I so embrace?' And if not, to let it go' [...] my naturopathic medicine roots [...]";

I call this the 'ND sectarian creed'.   This type of stance, which here I applaud for its sectarian honesty, reminds me of a quote I often use from Popular Science published around the year 1900.  It states: "science is never sectarian; philosophy is never sectarian.  Sectarian teaching begins when you ask a man or a child to assume what can not be proved, for the sake of keeping within the dogmatic lines that fence round some particular creed."  At Phi Beta Kappa, I'm reminded that "for over two and a quarter centuries, the Society has embraced the principles of freedom of inquiry and liberty of thought and expression."  And I was a PBK long before I got snookered into naturopathy school.

"[a naturopath has] an elegant philosophy [...] one that leads to effective treatment [...]";

hmmm.  If naturopathy's philosophy is so elegant, why it is SO EASY to destroy with the information in middle school science textbooks?  And effective?  Since when are such things as homeopathy, craniosacral therapy, applied kinesiology, reiki, colonics, and chelation therapy for heart disease effective?

002. at NCNM's 'Rosetta Stone' ND tenets web page [this is the TRUNK of the naturopathic North American tree] we're told in "About Naturopathic Medicine" [vsc 2012-07-15]:

"[principle #1] the healing power of nature — vis medicatrix naturae: the body has the inherent ability to establish, maintain, and restore health. The healing process is ordered and intelligent; nature heals through the response of the life force. The physician’s role is to facilitate and augment this process [...]";

so there you go, HPN=VMN=LF.  This is a TRULY science-ejected idea.

"[principle #3] first do no harm — primum no nocere: the process of healing includes the generation of symptoms, which are, in fact, expressions of the life force attempting to heal itself [...aka] this healing process [...aka] vis medicatrix naturae [...aka] the practice of promoting health through stimulation of the vital force";

I do not believe that ALL PHYSICIANS believe that "first do no harm" involves a vitalistic figmentation that has been EJECTED from science.  So, here is naturalistic language HIDING the explicitly sectarian-naturopathic.  It's always good to add a little Latin to naturopathic camouflage, too, keeps people off-guard.  Symptoms are as "in fact" "life force" effects as the money under a child's pillow is "in fact" from the Tooth Fairy.  This is their "root cause", essentially: a "life force" that is impeded by whatever and needs unimpeded to 'work right' and govern the body properly.  Yet, it does not exist BIOLOGICALLY in the same way that scientifically speaking FIRE isn't phlogiston but is instead CHEMISTRY and PHYSICS.  The body simply DOESN'T work via a life force figmentation.

"[and overarching all this sectarian metaphysical nonsense, we're told] the practice of naturopathic medicine emerges from six principles of healing. These principles are based on the objective observation of the nature of health and disease and are examined continually in light of scientific analysis. These principles stand as the distinguishing marks of the profession [...]";

so, what kind of profession can be show to be full-of-falsehood using eighth grade science standards?  What kind of profession says that sectarian subjective figmentation survives continuous scientific rigor?

the naturopathillogic, of course, wherein, on this same NCNM page, homeopathy is labeled "powerful" [and the supernatural is also as-falsely-claimed to be within science, too].

Note: here is where ND Rothenberg, at her Connecticut practice, claims that homeopathy is a "science".  And what's even more interesting, compare her 'tenets' page to that of her alma mater.  Look at what isn't written on her page that claims to explain naturopathy!  Essential homeopathic and naturopathic vitalism, why-for-art-thou-so-coded?  What happened to the ethos claimed in the HuffPo article, wherein the ND's role was to 'educate, inform, and explain'?  Doesn't this throw informed consent out the window along with professionalism?

Changelog 2012-07-15 and ND Video:

here, I summarize this week's additions to my public naturopathy database.  I also link to an ND's video each changelog, quote from, and tag the video in some detail:

001. added:

the vitalism of:

ND Edge

to Appendix B.05.i.bbbb00.;

002. video of the week link [not to pun]:

Oxbro, K. (ND CCNM? 2008) states in "Dr. Kimberly Oxbro" [vsc 2012-07-08]:

.

.

"[from the description] Dr. Kimberly Oxbro, ND , Nova Health naturopathic centre [...from the video, she says] at the clinic we focus on looking at diseases of all types [...] such as heart disease and diabetes [...] one of our focus is to get patients off medications and really get at the root [...] things like type II diabetes can be easily treated [...] a lot of the focus is intravenous therapy [...] to reverse disease [...] things like cardiovascular disease can be easily treated by chelation therapy";

.

tags: #chelationtherapy #unapprovedexperimentation #unethicalexperimentation

.

Note: meanwhile, the very pedestrian Wikipedia states, in "Chelation Therapy":

"the American Heart Association states that there is 'no scientific evidence to demonstrate any benefit from this form of therapy' and that the 'United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the American College of Cardiology all agree with the American Heart Association' that 'there have been no adequate, controlled, published scientific studies using currently approved scientific methodology to support this therapy for cardiovascular disease' [...]";

what's new, naturopathy falsely claiming something works when it does not.  When is "easily" the same as 'bunk'?  Naturopathy.

Revealed: ND Runbeck Got $105,000 A Year to Head Arizona's ND "Public Safety Agency"

here, I cite from a recent piece at Arizona's The Republic regarding that State's naturopathy regulatory board drama [see 001., below]; and then, IRONICALLY, I wish I too could be paid six-figures a year to regulate nonsense [see 002., below]:

001. Yvonne Wingett Sanchez reports in "Arizona Naturopathic Board Head Clashes with Members, Resigns" [vsc 2012-07-13]:

"[ND Runbeck] the longtime executive director of the state board responsible for licensing about 700 naturopathic doctors abruptly resigned effective today [...a] $105,000-a-year post [...]";

there's gold in them there regulatories!

"he sped up his departure [...] after becoming aware of 'background conversations' by some board members to 'take over' the board [...and] that some board members may have repeatedly violated the state Open Meeting Law [...saying] 'I cannot in good conscience continue to serve' [...]"; 

it's always interesting to see the ND / NMD crowd go at each other.  Ironically, I LEFT NATUROPATHY due to my conscience, way back in 2002.   And to this day, I do not regret the decision in terms of ETHICS and what I learned in those four years and subsequent is why this blog exists: to illuminate what is unconscionable. 

"since January, Gov. Jan Brewer has appointed four people to the seven-member Arizona Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board. E-mails show Runbeck believes the governor's appointments of 'inexperienced' members is a disservice to the board and public [...]"; 

I'll talk more about how this licensed falsehood OVERALL is the key issue when it comes to disservice. 

Note: here's a copy of  the resignation letter [vsc 2012-07-13] which is written under the Seal of the State of Arizona.  Yes, the State endorses naturopathy with its seal and its '.gov' web address.  In part, it states:

"the Board has been warned by me and by Assistant Attorney General Monty Lee that communicating with one another outside of a properly agendized and noticed meeting about Board business is illegal. In addition these actions undermine confidence in us as a public safety agency."

ah, a CABAL!!! So, I've learned two things from this azcentral.com piece: there's BIG MONEY in State regulatory board positions and perhaps the ND / NMD board in Arizona will be mildly reprimanded.

002. and now for the big, overall, naturopathillogical:

002.a. it doesn't take much effort to get to the HEART of the naturopaTHICK:

ND Runbeck is an SCNM graduate [according to the video in 003., below], which is a school in Arizona.  And, I find SCNM's web pages very VERY enlightening.  Here's naturopathy's MO in a nutshell: claiming science (my compilation of naturopathy's 'science' marketing and academic label) upon what is patently not science (my compilation of the primary naturopathic vitalistic tenet {though there is much more in terms of what they DO yet to be documented; with all due respect to the departed}).  There you go: calling something which it is not.  In other words: all things are equal, science is the same as nonscience in terms of knowledge labels, nonsensical clinical diagnostics are the same as what science truly supports.

Note: you HAVE to wonder about ETHICS in all this.  How is it that the President and CEO of SCNM has no problem with applied kinesiology [though it is so bunk] while his school puts a broad label upon the naturopathic as a 'branch of medical science'?  Boggles the mind.

003. here is a 2009 video [the embedded link below is the same video at Youtube] with ND Runbeck in it, speaking of ethics -- and the FOUNDER of SCNM, ND Cronin [an NCNM graduate], whom I'd seen live in the mid 1990s and whose presentation in Stamford, CT then was a deciding factor in my going to ND school -- and I find the video's contents, in light of what truly is 'the essentially naturopathic', to be quite ironic:

.

.

tags: #posedfiduciaryduty #NDRunbeck #NDCronin

.

"[...ND Cronin, President of the AANP board, interviews ND Runbeck.  ND Cronin asks] 'what advice you would give to practitioners to say out of trouble and stay on the good side of the law?' [...ND Runbeck says things like] 'maintaining documentation on their continuing medical education [...and charting / SOAP] records [...to] follow the train of thought [...or that is] unprofessional conduct [...] a doctor has a certain position of privileged in our society.  We hold them to a high standard. We expect that individual to hold the highest ethical qualities [...in marketing] the consumer needs to be able to make an informed choice [...] the players [in commerce] are on an equal field.  Well that doesn't exist with a physician and a patient [because the relationship is fiduciary...] it's of special importance in the regulatory arena for physicians that you not take advantage of that [influence...] if someone files a complaint against you, if someone feels that you have acted unethically [...] if you always treat your patients like they're number one [...] the golden rule' [...]";

the IRONY is killing me.  Of course, if naturopaths stayed up to date with what is and isn't SCIENCE, their 'essentially naturopathic' stuff would evaporate.  And speaking of trains of thought, isn't falsely labeling what isn't science science quite the derailed thought train?  For the life of me, I can't see how professional conduct happens from an initial position that is of a foundation of falsehood [like ND Cronin's so excellent alma mater page].  How is nonsense, absurdity, and irrationality a basis for a) a profession and b) "highest ethical qualities" [and how is this public safety]?  How can fiduciary duty happen?  I truly believe huge advantage has been taken, that naturopathy is fake and unethical, and here we see how the foxes govern their own behavior as they watch the hen-house.

the Arizona Board's motto is "protecting the public's health."  But, what I see more than anything else, is naturopathy protecting itself.

Dubai's Gulf News Schwacks Homeopathy (2012-07)

here, I cite from an excellent recent piece from one of the largest English-language Persian Gulf news outlets regarding homeopathy bunkum in the light of modern scientific rigor [see 001., below]:

001. at Gulf News, Nidhal Guessoum, who "heads the physics department at the American University of Sharjah", writes (2012-07-12) in "Projecting Homeopathy as Medicine is Irrational" [saved 2012-07-12; my comments are in unquoted bold]:

"homeopathy [...] is not at all a ‘medicine’. We, scientists and educators, have long tried to convince the public that homeopathy makes no sense both in the theory it is based on and in the way that it is practiced [...]";

hear, hear.  Homeopathy is principally why I left naturopathy school here in Connecticut, and it is quite the bellwether when in comes to gauging the rationality of naturopathy -- to this day.

"in fact, when it is used for serious illnesses in lieu of proper medicine, it may be (indirectly) dangerous [...]";

yes, it can.

"let me first explain why any rational person would shun homeopathy. Homeopathy [...] is based on two ‘laws’ devised two centuries ago by Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician: the Law of Similars a.k.a. ‘like cures like’, and the Law of Infinitesimals. The first law posits that illnesses are cured by the same stuff that causes them (which is not true in modern medicine, except for vaccinations, which are not cures); the second law stipulates that one must dilute the potion which contains the ‘cure’ as many times as possible [...for homeopathy's] Oscillococcinum [product...] to get a single molecule [...] one would have to swallow many universes of that product [...]";

madness!!!

"when Sir John Beddington, the former chief scientist of England, was asked by a Commons committee whether homeopathy works, his answer was superbly clear: 'I have made it completely clear that there is no scientific basis for homeopathy beyond the placebo effect …' [...]";

yup.

"for any method to be declared a success, one must test it properly [...] homeopathic products are not subjected to the random controlled trials of rigorous medicine [...] it is indeed astounding and depressing to note the extent to which we have failed to explain to the public the basic idea of science: how to check if claims are true or false";

always an uphill battle, perhaps even Sisyphean.

A Google Web Search: "Naturopathy Scientifically Proven" (2012-07)

here, I cite 2 NDs from Google's first-page web results using the parameter "naturopathy scientifically proven" without the outside quotes [see 001., below]:

001. results [2012-07-05]:

001.a. California's ND Schenck, a Bastyr graduate, states in "Naturopathic Medicine" [vsc 2012-07-05]:

"naturopathic doctors are trained at accredited, four-year, post-graduate naturopathic medical schools. The comprehensive medical training includes studies in basic medical sciences, clinical and physical diagnosis, laboratory and diagnostic imaging studies, clinical medical sciences, naturopathic philosophy, pharmacology, and a wide variety of natural therapeutics. In order to become licensed practitioners, Naturopathic doctors are required to successfully pass national board exams in the basic and clinical medical sciences as well as all of the naturopathic therapeutics [...] the principles of naturopathic medicine include [...] doctor as teacher - docere, the Latin root for doctor means 'to teach'. A principle objective of naturopathic medicine is to educate the patient with current scientifically-proven information and clinically-valid therapeutics to promote self-responsibility for health and well-being [...including such things as] homeopathy [...and the] spiritual [...and the] the healing power of nature - naturopathic medicine respects the innate intelligence of the human body to heal. The vital force stimulates the physiological systems of the body to bring the organism into balance and equilibrium moving towards a state of optimal health."

Note: oh how the falsehood jumps out of from this page!  Can you find any better 'single-web-page' bundled nonsense?!?!?  As in science subset nonsense?!?!  I dare you!  There's: 'huge science claims' subset 'the scientifically invalid' [like homeopathy, the supernatural, the vitalistic].  Here is where the State of California places its seal of approval over this naturopathic nonsense.  Yes, that is a '.gov' site siding with false commerce claims [science subset 'the naturopathic'] and irrational healthcare practices.

the State of California endorses this pseudoscience with the publication "Bureau of Naturopathic Medicine: A Bureau of the California Department of Consumer Affairs: Findings and Recommendations Regarding the Prescribing and Furnishing Authority of a Naturopathic Doctor" [vsc 2012-07-08; permanently archived here]: "naturopathic medicine is distinguished by the principles which underlie and determine its practice. These principles are based upon the objective observation of the nature of health and disease, and are continually reexamined in the light of scientific advances."

so, the science ejected is falsely claimed to be supported by rigorous scientific analysis.  Truly this is quite 'an ultimate' abuse of the public trust.  And now that California has licensed falsehood, nobody deals with issues of consumer protection besides THE OFFENDERS!  So, if you have a problem with sectarian pseudomedical figmentations being falsely posed as scientific and you wish to complain about violation of consumer rights, they will not move on such.

here's a scan of a response I got from California's Department of Consumer Affairs in 2007 when I complained that naturopathy is "an unethical pseudoscience":

tags: #foxesguardinghenhouse #bureauofnaturopathicmedicine

actually, right in line with supporting this nonsense, the State of California continues to publish naturopathy's false claims and has even approved Bastyr's new campus within the State!

001.b. ND Collier, of Virginia, another Bastyr graduate, states:

001.b1. in "Naturopathic Medicine" [vsc 2012-07-08]:

"naturopathic medicine is distinguished by the principles which underlie and determine its practice. These principles are based upon the objective observation of the nature of health and disease, and are continually reexamined in the light of scientific advances [...with] a commitment to state-of-the-art scientific research [...] naturopathic medicine is a scientifically proven and tested system of (successful) healthcare [...including such things as] homeopathy [...]";

"principles of naturopathic medicine: [#1] the healing power of nature (vis medicatrix naturae): naturopathic medicine recognizes the body's inherent self-healing ability, which is ordered and intelligent. Naturopathic doctors identify and remove obstacles to recovery and facilitate and augment this healing ability [...]";

Note: again, that huge science claim upon what ain't. The essential vitalism of naturopathy is coded or masked on this page with naturalistic language, but not to worry, the ND Collier page below gets to it.

001.b2. in "Services" [vsc 2012-07-08]:

"homeopathy: this powerful system of medicine is more than 200 years old and is widely accepted in many countries. Homeopathy is based on the principle that Like cures Like. Homeopathic medicines are very small doses of natural substances that can stimulate the body's self-healing response. Homeopathic medicines, when properly prescribed, affect the body's 'vital force' and strengthen its innate ability to heal."

Note: empty sugar pills are not powerful and that has been quite scientifically decided.

ND Gagliardi's Ancient Chinese Prescientific Vitalistic Diagnostic Nonsense

here, I cite from a recent article by a Bastyr naturopath that tells us that "qi" and 'yin yang' problems are why we can be ill, while that ND's practice tells us naturopathy is largely 'of rigorous science expertise' [see 001., below]; yet, the vitalism that qi and 'yin yang' essentially are of is hugely 'of science-exterior figmentation' [see 002., below]:

001. Gagliardi, C. (ND Bastyr 2004) of Colorado states:

001.a. in "Revive Your 'Get Up and Go' Using Traditional Chinese Medicine" [vsc 2012-07-09; my comments are in unquoted bold]:

"if you experience fatigue, here are tips that lead to vibrant energy [...] from a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) perspective [...] are you 'wired and tired,' or 'passive and pooped?' [...such determines] the difference between a fatigue caused by an 'excess' condition versus one caused by a 'deficient' condition [...]";

so, we have a vague condition, a specifically posed 'mechanism', and promises of relief.  Naturopathy loves to market itself toward very subjectively determined, chronic, mild to moderate discomforts.

 "in TCM, a balance is always desired between qi (energy), blood (lubrication, warming, nurturing), yin (cooling, moistening, stillness) and yang (warming, drying and movement) [...] when a person’s qi, blood, yin and yang are in balance, she has abundant health and energy.  When any one of these is lacking or imbalanced, it can show up as physical, mental or emotional symptoms. The excess condition: qi stagnation. When discussing excess conditions causing fatigue, the most common pattern is 'qi stagnation' [...] deficient conditions: qi deficiency. A second common pattern relating to fatigue is 'qi deficiency' [...] yang deficiency. 'yang deficiency' fatigue may occur as we age [...] yin deficiency. 'yin deficiency' is another fatigue pattern [...]";

qi itself is not energy at all, in the modern sense of this-here-scientific-age because energy is a measurable property.  Yin and yang, like qi, are mere placeholders from the middle ages for actual knowledge.  You cannot measure qi, yin, or yang because they are metaphysical figmentations.

Note: and we are told "Dr. Gagliardi received her doctorate in naturopathic medicine from Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington, and her master’s degree in traditional Chinese medicine from the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Denver [...] Dr. Colleen Gagliardi is a licensed acupuncturist and naturopathic doctor at Whole Health Center in Highlands Ranch [...] Dr. Gagliardi uses natural modalities to address health issues, including: acupuncture, Western and Chinese herbal therapy, homeopathy, nutritional supplements, clinical nutrition, diet and lifestyle counseling and craniosacral therapy [CST]."  Lets go there.

002. at:

002.a. her place of practice, we're told in "Naturopathic Medicine" [vsc 2012-07-09]:

"naturopathic doctors (NDs) are the nation's leading experts in natural medicine and natural health care. A clinically-trained naturopathic doctor attends a rigorous, accredited, four-year post-graduate naturopathic medical school and is educated in all the basic and clinical sciences. [...]";

so, there's the promise of SCIENCE, RIGOR, EXPERTISE subset naturopathy.

"naturopathic training includes the following diagnostic and treatment modalities [...] detoxification [...] homeopathy [...]";

two things that are quite bunk, along with the CST.  So, now we're in the absurd position of science, rigor, expertise subset naturopathy subset nonsense.

002.b. the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, unbelievably, all the TCM degrees that they grant are titled "master's of science." 

Note: we are told on their financial aid page, "CSTCM is certified by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in the Title IV Student Aid Programs."  The government at hard work allowing students loans for quite absurd claims.

003. meanwhile, regarding TCM's claims, UK-Skeptics states:

003.a. in "Yin and Yang":

"the universal life force qi is believed to be composed of yin and yang; a system of opposites that must always be in balance [...] yin represents everything about the world that is dark, hidden, passive, receptive, yielding, cool, soft, and feminine. Yang represents everything about the world that is illuminated, evident, active, aggressive, controlling, hot, hard, and masculine [...] naturally, the masculine yin has to be present in a greater quantity than the feminine yang for perfectly-balanced harmony to be achieved. Masculine superiority is written into the life-force of the universe it seems. At least it is according to the men who most likely thought of the idea."

Note: bravo, because, inevitably, these ideas are ARCHAIC.

003.b. in "Qi, Chi, Ch'i":

"meaning: universal life force or energy. Qi is a metaphysical belief. It is meant to be the life force of the universe which permeates all matter. It is also believed to be the source of life. It has its roots in vitalism; the belief that life, the soul, or the spirit is separate from the physical form [dualism...] harmonizing the flow of qi, by balancing yin and yang, that is the theoretical basis of healing used in acupuncture in the body [...] qi has never been measured or shown to exist."

Note: but, being quite identical to the "vis medicatrix naturae" vitalistic figmentation of naturopathy [see page 114 of Bastyr's 2012 catalog which states "NM9118: Energetics of Natural Medicine [...] this course presents an analysis of the vital force, the emergence of shape, a redefinition of disease and a discussion of specific disorders"], it is understandable why qi / yin / yang too are similarly falsely labeled 'clinically useful', and even, scientifically vetted [Bastyr in fact states on page 004 "Bastyr University has played a key part in establishing the credibility of science-based natural medicine"].  Bastyr, too, has TCM degrees labeled "science."  In fact, the word 'Chinese' shows up in that catalog 174 times!

and nonsense marches on.

Changelog 2012-07-08 and ND Video:

here, I summarize this week's additions to my public naturopathy database.  I also link to an ND's video each changelog, quote from, and tag the video in some detail:

001. added:

the vitalism claims of:

ND Roland;

ND Rios-Young;

ND Rose;

to Appendix B.05.i.h.

[and added more bio.s to that appendix];

the science claims of:

 

ND Diana 

to Appendix I.05.d.;

 

Virginia Association of Naturopathic Physicians [VAANP]

to Appendix I.03.;

002. video of the week link [not to pun]:

002.a. Doran-Fisher, K. (ND NITE 2006) states in "Eyes, Nails & Tongue Give Health Warning Signs" (2012-07-2) [vsc 2012-07-03; my comments are in unquoted bold]:

.

[the video is not embeddable,
go to the link above]

.

#iridology #naturopathicdiagnosis #appliedkinesiology

.

"[host 1] your eyes, your tongue, even your finger nails may show signs that you have a major health problem [...host 2, Valerie Lego] it's a technique that's really been around for thousands of years [...]";

actually, the technique, specifically emphasized in the video as iridology but never named, is only about 200 years old.

"natural health stuff [...] naturopathic medicine is the diagnosis of health conditions [...] and it's all by simply looking into your eyes [...an iridology chart is shown] Kathryn Doran-Fisher is certified in naturopathic medicine [...] she diagnoses clients will all types of health issues [...shown storefront] Elder and Sage Herbs and Natural Remedies [...] Dr. Kathryn Doran-Fisher, ND [...iridology chart shown again and we're told] white spots on the nails indicate too much sugar in the body [...iridology chart shown again and the ND says, looking at the patient's nails] those moons have to do with metabolism.  So when we have moons on all of our fingernails, then that is associated with a good, high metabolism [...host 2] the diagnosis?  Jenn has digestive problems which is causing a build-up of toxins in her blood and clogging her lymph nodes, which is why she's so fatigued.  Doran-Fisher has the remedy [...]  naturopathic medicine is used in many ways even with cancer patients however it should not be substituted for going to your doctor.  It should be used as a compliment [...]";

notice how many times 'diagnose' was used. And then a treatment protocol is shown.

Note: I've never heard of the school she attended.  So, lets go to her web pages.

002.b. her web pages:

002.b1. in 'homepage' [vsc 2012-07-05] we're told:

"Elder & Sage is an herb and natural remedies shop offering products such as [...] supplements [...and] homeopathics [...]";

because 'natural' is better.  Natural, like EMPTY homeopathy remedies.

"Kathryn Doran-Fisher, a board certified naturopathic doctor offers health consultations and provides traditional naturopathic therapies on site. Naturopathy (also known as naturopathic medicine or natural medicine) is a health approach that focuses on natural remedies and the body's ability to heal and maintain itself. The traditional naturopath focuses on lifestyle changes that support the body's innate healing potential. Dr. Kathryn is not a licensed medical doctor. Traditional naturopaths do not diagnose or treat diseases but concentrate on whole body wellness and facilitating the body healing itself. Traditional Naturopaths neither prescribe nor engage in the use of drugs, surgery or disease specific treatments or otherwise practice conventional medicine";

that's fascinating considering what you're shown in the video: diagnosis and treatment of illness / unwellness.  How slimy.

"therapies and techniques used by traditional naturopaths include but are not limited to: herbs, homeopathics, aromatherapy, nutrition, iridology, and muscle response testing [applied kinesiology]";

ah, such good 'natural' company.

002.b2. in "Services & Therapies" [vsc 2012-07-05] we're told:

"forms of assessment: below you will find more detailed descriptions of just a few of the forms of assessment offered from Dr. Kathryn [...] iridology: the iris of the eye is analyzed for colorations and markings that  are associated with body system weaknesses.  Sclerology: analyzing the sclera *whites* of the eyes to determine the most current and pressing health concerns. Facial analysis: analyzing the face, tongue, and hands to determine body system weaknesses and potential problems. Muscle response testing: also known as kinesiology. Determining the body's nutritional needs and product preferences by testing the body's responses to stimuli."

no, they don't diagnose or treat.  They just assess what is wrong with you and tell you want to do about it by selling products from their own dispensary / store.

Is Naturopathic Education Title IV and 'Commerce Health Fraud' Akin to GlaxoSmithKline's?

here, I cite from a recent skeptic's post regarding GlaxoSmithKline's health fraud regulatory schwack (see 001., below); then, I extend that onto North American naturopathic education and naturopathy commerce in general (within my comments to 001., below):

Note:  oh, how many different ways can I iterate this obvious fact, that naturopathy is a licensed falsehood from its textbooks to its educational contents to its clinical operations, essentially?  I've been quite intimate with the racket since the mid 1990s, having been induced by false labels into attending a U.S. school from 1998-2002 using, since I am a simple person of simple means, primarily Title IV student loan monies which I will now owe to the grave.  This blog will continue, in spite of complete complicity in this racket by educational institutions, accreditors, and State and Federal education and commerce regulatory agencies.  To paraphrase Sartre, 'we each get the war we deserve.' 

001. at Neurologica, in "GSK Pays $3 Billion Fine" (2012-07-03), physician Steve Novella writes [my comments are in unquoted bold; the article has also been posted at Science-Based Medicine (2012-07-04)]:

"the pharmaceutical giant, GlaxoSmithKline, has agreed to pay three billion dollars in fines to settle three charges of fraud brought by the FDA. This is the largest health fraud settlement in US history [...]";

so, fraud.  I'm actually quite surprise at the justice that has been doled out.  It buoys me, somewhat.  By the way, regarding naturopathy, in "Consumer Health: Making Informed Decisions" (ISBN 9781449646455; 2012) naturopathy is described as "a pseudoscientific approach [...] it fails to meet the standards most people would require of the practice of medicine [...including being] based on scientific principles."  But, I won't gloat.

"GSK broke the law [...and] GSK held back data and made unsupported claims [...] according to the settlement GSK violated those rules, not to mention basic ethical behavior [...]";

hmmmm.  I've wondered, being that naturopathy is based on the science-ejected [yes, that is the government of Oregon promoting nonscience as science per 'the essentially naturopathic', and that is what all States licensing naturopathy are an accessory to], is it ILLEGAL for them to engage in commerce both educationally (archived here) and clinically that is marketed as "science-based"?

"the GSK settlement, in my opinion, is just the most recent evidence that industry cannot be left to their own devices without proper monitoring and regulation [...] the public largely expects that with health care issues the government will play some role in protecting the public from fraud, misinformation, unsafe and ineffective products and services. The stakes are just too high to make every consumer fend for themselves in a completely unregulated wild west of health care [...]";

has it become obvious that the naturopathic industry IS UNREGULATED and doing quite horrid things in terms of commerce?  And the government isn't protecting, it is promoting the racket / fraud / misinformation and such.  Homeopathy, by the way, is enmeshed with naturopathy, and it falls well-within the parameters of "ineffective."  I've often described the sweet situation what naturopathy is within as 'Tombstone City', meaning quite unregulated / unenforced and LAWLESS.  If I could, I'd sue them all, from the Federal education apparatus right down to the individual naturopathy practitioner.

"I hasten to add that everything I said above is also true of other private segments of the health care industry, including [...] the alternative medicine industry [...] supplements and CAM are big business. They routinely misrepresent scientific information, make unsupported claims for their treatments [and] ignore data about lack of safety or effectiveness [...] treatments that are scientifically dubious or even disproved [...] they have been remarkably successful in eliminating regulations designed to protect the public from their own fraud [...]";

oh, and sCAM is quite rightly an area of commerce / trade including its educational wing which is indirectly and directly Federally accredited and therein gets the sCAMsters rights to Federal loan monies.  Naturopathy does this by licensing their fraud, and therein they are a licensed falsehood that no enforcement branch wants to tangle with.

"I think we need fair and consistent science-based regulation across the board. No double standards, no false dichotomies. I agree that GSK should be heavily fined for making unsupported claims for its products. And so should every company selling herbs, supplements, fanciful treatment, and dubious products with unsupported claims. Instead they are shielded by industry friendly and anti-consumer laws crafted by the industry itself [...]";

brother, you said it.

002. overall note: 

by the way, according the University of Bridgeport, my alma mater that I left voluntarily due to the absurdity of being ethically bound to the unethical [the essentially naturopathic], as of 2012-07, UB states that the average amount of indebtedness for their 4-year naturopathic degree via STUDENT LOANS is $162,000 [vsc 2012-07-03].

that page also notes that one can carry as much as a quarter of a million dollars in aggregate debt, which I assume would be their ND program and loans previous to that.

and that falsehood indebtedness is not something that one can later slough-off with something like a bankruptcy filing.  It simply becomes part of your DNA.  Who are the parties involved?

I'd include: the AANP, the CAND, the CNME, NABNE, all the State and Provincial organizations and their members, all the regionally accredited schools and their accreditors, and the Federal educational system both in terms of irregulation and financial backing.

sounds like a RICO thing to me, with a racket being "engaged in the sale of a solution to a problem that the institution itself creates or perpetuates, with the specific intent to engender continual patronage."

one such false problem that naturopathy postures is the claim that they, and not regular medicine, "treat the cause" with regular medicine mainly "suppressing symptoms."  In other words, what naturopathy mainly claims is that they are helpful and effective, while regular medicine is exploitative and milking the public for financial gain.

truly, naturopathy is the ultimate reversal of values.