The Canadian Gang of Naturopathic Four and Their Science Absurdity (c. 2008)

here, I cite from the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy - Naturopathy [BDDT-N] which claims the science-ejected survives scientific scrutiny [see 001., below]; then, I decode that science-ejected idea [see 002., below]; and mention that it is not science [see 003., below]; then I muse [see 004., below]:

001. the BDDT-N hosts the document "Submission to: Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council"(2008-11-12) [vsc 2011-02-18] which states [I'm not sure this document is permanently archived by the provincial government, but that is likely]:

"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 [...including principle #2] recognition and support of the inherent self-healing ability of the individual (the healing power of nature) [SHAI-HPN...] stimulate the self-healing mechanisms (vis medicatrix naturae) [SHM-VMN...or as #1] the healing power of nature: naturopathic medicine recognizes an inherent healing process [IHP] in the person that is ordered and intelligent. The body is capable of healing itself. The role of the naturopathic doctor is to identify and remove obstacles to healing and recovery and to facilitate and augment this inherent natural tendency of the body [...] stimulate the healing power of nature with therapies like homeopathy and hydrotherapy."

Note: what's fascinating is what isn't mentioned.  Nowhere in this document do I find the terms "vital", "force", or "spirit".  But, SHAI-SHM-HNP-VMN-IHP is claimed to survive scientific scrutiny, be objective fact, and obviously is essential to 'the naturopathic'.  The document states this is a "joint submission by CCNM, BDDT-N, OAND, CAND" and in fact has the signatures of the principals of those arms of Canadanian naturopathy within it.

There are further science claims upon 'the naturopathic', including:

"NDs have training in the clinical sciences [...] the first year curriculum stresses the basic sciences [...] in second year, clinical science is stressed [...] NPLEX Part II - Core Clinical Science Competencies [...] basic science related to IV therapy [...] basic science (anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology) [...] their scientific binomial name [...] program requirements for its degree or diploma of a minimum of 4,100 total hours in basic and clinical sciences [etc....] Part I of the NPLEX, the Basic Science Examinations [...] students are encouraged to take this portion of the examination as soon as they finish their basic science coursework [...] Part II, the Core Clinical Science Examination [...] beginning with the August 2007 NPLEX Exam administration, the Part II - Core Clinical Science Series will be integrated into a single examination that will include homeopathy [...] naturopathic medicine is a [...] science [...] naturopathic physicians are primary health care practitioners, whose diverse techniques include modern and traditional, scientific and empirical methods [...] Michael Traub, ND [...] he remains a member of the AANP’s Scientific Affairs Committee."

So, science science science.  Yes, that is the claim that homeopathy specifically is a "clinical science".  Let's decode SHAI-SHM-HNP-VMN-IHP via CAND's own 2009 publication, and see what it essentially is and what science says about it.

002. CAND and Lloyd, I. (ND CCNM 2002) write in "The History of Naturopathic Medicine: A Canadian Perspective" (ISBN 9781552787786, 2009)[available at Amazon.com for $40 about]:

"vitalism and holism represents the philosophy of naturopathic medicine [p.029...#2] the healing power of nature (vis medicatrix naturae) [...] the aim of naturopathic physicians is to treat the patient, not the disease, by directing the vital force and encouraging it with naturopathic therapeutics to stimulate the body’s own defenses [p.031]."

Note: so, there's the vitalism / vital force / HPN-VMN that is essential to naturopathy.  Truly, when they say "treat the cause" they are talking about a vitalistic context.  Truly, whatever language they choose -- and so often they choose to disguise their context in a crafty manner -- they are in the end vitalistically of context.

003. what science says about vitalism:

science says it is not science.

004. so, regarding this Canadian Gang of Naturopathic Four:

this is truly a feat of mislabeling on a grand scale [national!].  It is typical of the naturopathic.  How a hugely science-ejected sectarian claim supposedly survives scientific scrutiny as objective fact is truly a feat of cultic proportions.  Such is 'the science-ejected vitalism that dare not speak its name'.

Naturopathy's Dental Amalgam Mercury Cultism - Ontario's Stonetree Clinic vs. NCAHF

here, I excerpt from a recent blog post by NDs Gignac and Sonnenburg regarding the supposed dangers of the 'toxins' from dental mercury amalgam fillings [see 001., below]; then, I cite their 'science claim' and colon hydrotherapy crap [see 002., below]; then, some actual expertise via NCAHF and Wikipedia [see 003., below]; finally, I remind you of  'the essentially naturopathic' figmentatious [see 004., below]:

001. the blog page of Gignac, T. (ND CCNM) and Sonnenburg, L. (ND CCNM) states in "Mercury Amalgams: How Safe are Tooth Fillings?" [vsc 2011-01-14]:

"dental amalgams deliver a daily dose of mercury to the body [...and] are the single largest source of mercury exposure for the average Canadian. The link between mercury from tooth fillings and actual health problems, though, has been the subject of much debate [hmmm, really?...] in 2009, the FDA ruled mercury wasn’t harmful, but last month an FDA advisory panel urged them to reconsider. It would appear that the tide is slowly turning [hmmm, really?...] if you’re concerned about your fillings, we recommend a three step process: test for elevated levels of mercury in the body [testing! $$$; maybe by the 'provocation method' known to create false positive results]; help remove the mercury through IV chelation, supplementation, and inhalation treatments [treatment!$$$]; referral to a specialist for safe amalgam removal and replacement [treatment! $$$]. To learn more about testing for mercury and other toxins, contact the office [...for] a complimentary appointment."

Note: so, they're quite willing to entertain 'concerns', test -- and I'm going to hazard that the testing method is the quite deceptive 'provocation method' --  and treat. Such a detoxification regime may be so lucrative that the initial visit is free. But, what do experts say, as opposed to ideologues, about supposed dental amalgam mercury [see below]?

002. the NDs also state in "Frequently Asked Questions" [vsc 2011-01-14]:

"is naturopathy scientific? There is an enormous body of evidence supporting naturopathic medicine, [...] you’ll be surprised to discover just how practical and scientific our work at the clinic is. We rely a great deal on lab testing and logical, scientific analysis."

Note: so, we're led to believe that this is science, overall -- enormously!!!

Yes, their clinic is so ENORMOUSLY scientific that they do colonic cleanses on site, about which we're told:

"colon hydrotherapy (also called colonics, colon cleanses, or colonic irrigation) is a hygienic cleansing of the colon (large intestine) with filtered, temperature regulated water [...] it is a painless, safe and effective method of removing dried fecal matter and restoring the colon to optimal health and function, bringing with it a sense of well being [...] the therapy is useful for many different reasons, including restoring and/or regulating bowel functions and routines, reducing toxins built up in the colon and helping to detoxify the liver and lymphatic system [...] an ineffective digestive system makes it difficult for your kidneys and liver to properly flush toxins, which in turn can lead to a variety of health complaints [...their] state-of-the-art colon hydrotherapy suite in our Collingwood Naturopathic clinic offers regular treatment times."

But, these claims are bunk in terms of medical science.  Even Wikipedia's article states:

"the rationale for colon cleansing is the concept of 'auto-intoxication', the idea that food enters the intestine and rots. The ancient Egyptians believed that toxins formed as a result of decomposition within the intestines, and moved from there into the circulatory system causing fever and the development of pus. The ancient Greeks adopted and expanded the idea, applying their belief in the four humours [...] auto-intoxication enjoyed some favor in the medical community from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth century, but was discarded as advances in science failed to support its claims [...] despite this, 'auto-intoxication' persists in the public imagination. The practice of colon cleansing has undergone a resurgence in the alternative medical community, supported by testimonials and anecdotal evidence and promoted by manufacturers of colon cleansing products."

003. the National Council Against Health Fraud states in "Consumer Health Digest #10-52: False Dental Amalgam Toxicity Claims Slammed Again" (2010-12-30):

"a study of 56 patients who claimed to have symptoms caused by mercury in their amalgam fillings has found that none of the patients had significant levels of mercury in their blood or urine [...] 20 of the patients has previously been previously diagnosed with mercury toxicity by 'commercial practitioners using unconventional testing panels' [likely provocative testing...] a recent review by the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs concluded: 'studies continue to support the position that dental amalgam is a safe restorative option for both children and adults' [...] during the past few weeks, unjustified scare headlines have been generated by an anti-amalgam campaign that involved testimony at an FDA hearing [...] Robert S. Baratz, M.D., D.D.S., Ph.D. noted: 'the simple truth is that there is no significant risk because amalgam fillings are safe [...] the promotion of anti-amalgamism is regularly linked with fringe practitioners, people with financial interests in promoting something else [like naturopathy!], and pseudoscience [like naturopathy!...] the anti-amalgamists resemble more a religious cult [like naturopathy!] than a group of serious, objective scientists searching for the truth.'"

Note: oh snap!  Yes, it's a bunch of crap.

004. 'the essentially naturopathic' context and science:

[to get to this, since these Ontario NDs don't apparently explain the naturopathic context on their web site in any manner, we need to go to the OAND, the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors]:

004.a. OAND on vitalism-supernaturalism, the primary figmentatious context of naturopathy:

004.a1. in their publication Natural Path (Winter 2002) [vsc 2011-01-14]:

"Homeopathy: An ND's Perspective [by] Zorana Rose, BA in OT, ND [...] the remedy then stimulates the body to heal itself. It does this by supporting the 'vital force' of the person. Hanhemann described this vital force as the energy that animates all living things [...] when an imbalance occurs (Hahnemann refers to this as a disturbance in the person's vital force), symptoms, signs or susceptibilities appear. A homeopath will prescribe a remedy that will help the body return to balance [...] Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician and chemist, discovered and developed Homeopathy into a science [...] has homeopathy been scientifically proven? The short answer is yes."

Note: so, there is the vitalism context of naturopathy, there as it relates to their homeopathy.  Yes, that's an overarching label of science placed upon homeopathy, that is truly FALSE.

004.a2. in their publication The Pulse (Summer-2008) [vsc 2011-01-14]:

"Where's the Healing? by Paul Epstein, ND [...] being 'holistic' can go beyond finding the right supplement, botanical extract, homeopathic remedy or [acupuncture] point. It is being able to contact the deeper essence of a person, whether you call it the spirit, soul or vital force. In contacting this deeper essence, the holistic physician is to tap the person’s true source of healing."

Note: it's rare to get naturopathy's overall context of vitalistic supernaturalism so transparently communicated, as the above two definitions from OAND do, when amalgamated [a ha ha ha!].

For instance, OAND does say, quite opaquely otherwheres:

"the strategic approach to augment our body’s own innate defenses against metastasis is fully in line with our philosophy and the vis medicatrix naturae."

004.b. in all this, remember, "Danger, Will Robinson!":

because, believe it or not, OAND is not averse to falsely labeling naturopathy overall "science based."

Popularizing Pseudoscience & Opacity -- David Suzuki and the Ontario Naturopaths:

here, I reflect on the upcoming opening address that hyperscientist-biologist David Suzuki [see 001., below] will give at the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors [OAND] annual conference [see 002., below].  It doesn't get more absurd: 

001. Suzuki's 'hyperscience' credentials:

001.a. according to Wikipedia:

"Suzuki received his B.A. from Amherst College of Massachusetts in 1958, and his Ph.D. in zoology from the University of Chicago in 1961 [(so he is a biologist)...] for his work popularizing science and environmental issues, he has been presented with 22 honorary [science] degrees."

Note: the most common honorary science degree of those 22 that Suzuki has been awarded is the D.Sc.. According to Wikipedia:

"[a] Doctor of Science [...] usually abbreviated Sc.D., D.Sc., S.D. or Dr.Sc., is an academic research degree [...] Sc.D. (or D.Sc.) is recognized by both the United States Department of Education and the National Science Foundation to be equivalent to the more commonly awarded Ph.D."  So, to a large extent, Suzuki is a scientist of the 23rd doctoral degree!  A hyperscientist.

001.b. now, on Suzuki's own web site, apparently or supposedly, "Science Matters".

001.c. and apparently, Suzuki is held in high regard by large science-advocacy academic professional organizations, like the California Science Teachers Association,  who recommend him.

002. OAND's pseudoscience credentials & opacity, and DTS as their keynote:

002.a. the blatant pseudoscience that is naturopathy [once you peel away the facade]:

002.a1. naturopathy is obligated to science-ejected or 'exterior-to-science' ideas / premises which cannot truthfully be labeled science or scientific.  But, naturopathy does that anyway -- academically & clinically.  I have collected examples of naturopathy's essential vitalism premise usually stated as "healing power of nature" [HPN], and vitalism's not-science nature.  HPN is, overall, a supernatural premise being disguised in naturalistic & scientific language. I have collected examples of naturopathy's explicit supernaturalism.  And, I've collected naturopathy's self-labeling as science.

002.b. here's an example from a newspaper-published naturopath, Johnson, L. (ND ?) in the Alamogordo Daily News, who's article "What Is a Naturopath?" (2009-10-29) states:

"naturopathy draws from many modalities that promote the body's natural healing process [coded vitalism...] this health science has been recognized since the late 1800s [...] the following are fundamental principles that set naturopaths apart from conventional medicine. We believe in the healing power of nature [coded vitalism....I] will take you through knowledge of sciences that have been used for more than 5,000 years [...and her diagnostics and therapies include such gems as] iridology, live cell analysis, oxygen/ozone therapy, lymphatic decongestion, biological terrain analysis."

Note:  I'm exceptionally fascinated when an ND doesn't fully disclose the fundamental principle of naturopathy in easily understood language and then labels the whole nonscientific muddle science.  Iridology (and kind) is nonsense as a diagnostic tool, much like labeling the profoundly science-ejected as science is absurd.  Now, Johnson is apparently an ANMA type ND, not an AANP-CAND type.  But it doesn't matter: they all label the nonscientific science, from their academic institutions to the exam room to their political entities.

002.c. at OAND's web site, we are told in:

002.d. "About Us", four times that naturopathy is a profession, that OAND advocates for science, and seeks "to develop guidelines and standards of practice for excellence in patient-centred care".

Note: not sure how professionalism, science, and excellence can happen from a basis of absurdity and false-labeling.

002.e. "Frequently Asked Questions":

"naturopathic medicine is regulated and licensed in Ontario [...] naturopathic doctors are the only regulated health professionals in the field of natural medicine in Ontario [...] the Naturopathy Act will move the regulation of Naturopathic Doctors under the Regulated Health Professions Act, joining all other regulated health professions  [...] naturopathic doctors are highly educated  [...having] training in basic medical science courses [and] clinical sciences [...] NDs obtain comprehensive and rigorous training in an educational structure similar to that of medical doctors [...] following the completion of their program, NDs must successfully complete the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX) in order to qualify for licensing in Ontario. NPLEX is the standard examination used by all regulated provinces and states across North America [...] as outlined in the educational requirements above, becoming a Naturopathic Doctor requires intensive and rigorous training comparable to that of medical doctors."

Note: the NPLEX is so good that it labels homeopathy a "clinical science".  What is happening is that just as science is being turned upside down by naturopathy, professionalism is as well.  And the government of Ontario is party to this labeling of the absurd as science, professional, intensive and rigorous.

002.f. "Principles of Naturopathic Medicine":

"support the healing power of the body [coded vitalism]. The practice of naturopathic medicine recognizes an ordered and intelligent self-healing process that is inherent to every individual [coded vitalism]. NDs work to identify and remove obstacles to healing and recovery and to facilitate this natural self-healing process [coded vitalism...] acknowledge, respect and work with the individual self-healing process [coded vitalism]."

Note: that's all you get.  And that's not enough - because naturopathy's actual vitalistic nature isn't transparently revealed.

002.g. "Modalities of Naturopathic Medicine":

"homeopathy. Based on the principle of 'like cures like', homeopathic medicine uses minute amounts of natural substances to stimulate the self-healing abilities of the body [coded vitalism...] Asian medicine & acupuncture.  Based on balancing the flow of chi (energy) [vitalism] through the meridian pathways, Asian medicine includes the use of acupuncture and Oriental herbs."

Note: homeopathy is a joke, period -- presented to the patient as medicine when EMPTY essentially.  Chi, of course, is not energy in any scientific sense.  It doesn't exist.

002.h. "Dr. David Suzuki Event":

"this [electronic] presentation by Dr. David Suzuki will mark the opening of the [2009] OAND annual convention."

Note: well, overall, I find anyone's participation with these science charlatans ethically unacceptable.  Naturopaths are, after all, essentially out to destroy the domain of science, to increase their commerce by means of false science labels, and to disseminate in a very opaque manner their science-ejected belief system.  In that sense, in participating with them and therein promoting their agenda with his science status, Suzuki is implying that science doesn't matter -- that science can be anything, which is nonsense, and that the public doesn't deserve the truth from supposed professionals.  What's most absurd is that you have an eminent biologist lending support to vitalists and supernatualists who falsely label such overall as science, while biology and science ejected those ideas decades and hundreds of years ago, respectively.