Integrative Medicine

Solid Evidence Is Key: Integrative Medicine

Integrative medicine is an approach to healthcare that acknowledges the benefits of combining conventional therapies, such as drugs and surgery, with complementary therapies like acupuncture, yoga, and specialized nutraceuticals that are safe and effective.

In recent years, the concept of “integrative medicine” has gained popularity as a treatment approach that combines traditional medical practices with evidence-based complementary and alternative remedies. This approach aims to treat the whole person rather than just addressing a specific disease.

Integrative medicine can also help strengthen your immune system.

Often referred to as “holistic medicine,” “complementary medicine,” or “complementary and alternative medicine” (CAM), integrative medicine was once considered a fringe approach. However, it has rapidly gained acceptance within the mainstream medical community.

Solid Evidence: A Critical Component of Integrative Medicine

Surveys conducted by the American Hospital Association indicate a significant increase in the number of U.S. hospitals offering complementary therapies, rising from 9% in 1998 to 42% in 2011.

Academic Health Centers

Over 60 academic and professional medical centers in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico have formed the Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine. This consortium aims to promote integrative medicine throughout North America and includes renowned institutions such as Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Duke, the University of Southern California (USC), and the University of Michigan.

Doctors’ Lingering Doubts

Despite the growing practice of integrative medicine, many doctors still have concerns. In a hospital survey, for instance, 44% of respondents identified “physician resistance” as one of the three main barriers to the adoption of integrative medicine programs.

Numerous doctors cite the lack of scientific evidence as a reason for their hesitance. Dr. Tom Delbanco of Harvard Medical School expressed this concern, stating, “I worry that people are making claims in the context of scientific medicine that they cannot really justify. There have been few rigorously controlled, scientifically sound studies in this area.”

The Importance of Solid Evidence in Integrative Medicine

While perspectives on integrative medicine may vary among doctors, there is a consensus on the necessity of thorough scientific research and reliable evidence. Here are some critical questions to consider:

• Was the testing controlled and double-blind?
• Was the sample group representative of the larger population?
• Were there biases present in the testing procedures?
• Were the conclusions drawn from the data appropriate and not overstated?
• If a mean result is reported, what is the confidence interval for that mean?
• What is the probability that any observed differences are due to chance?

It is entirely reasonable to ask these questions. When there is strong scientific evidence supporting a specific integrative therapy, doctors are more likely to consider it.

Unfortunately, much of the ongoing discussion surrounding integrative therapies focuses on treatments like herbs or meditation, which often lack solid evidence to support claims of effectiveness.

Considering the Specialty Nutraceuticals Option

Doctors who require evidence-based solutions have another option: specialty supplements. Although still unfamiliar to many in the healthcare field, these dietary products are designed to support specific physiological structures and functions. They are not substitutes for medications or traditional medical treatments; instead, they complement an integrative medical approach, safely and effectively addressing diseases and various health conditions.

Learn More

To gain more information about medical foods, please visit the FDA’s Dietary Supplements Guidance Documents and Regulatory Information.

Health & Wellness

While integrative medicine is rapidly gaining acceptance in the medical community, it remains a relatively new treatment approach. This method holds significant promise, but it also warrants some skepticism. The key challenge is to differentiate between effective options and those that may be ineffective or even harmful.

A good starting point for this evaluation is to consider options that have demonstrated their value and received FDA approval.

CortControl develops and markets patented specialty nutraceuticals, including Transfer Factor Ultra and Glutrasol. These products are designed to support fertility, immune health, and overall well-being.