Studien zur biologisch-dynamischen Rindviehzucht

In den ersten beiden Kapiteln werden Grundlagen für die Züchtungsarbeit besprochen: Es muss mit der Vererbung erworbener, in der Potenz der Art liegender Eigenschaften gerechnet werden. Welche Eigenschaften vom Tier erworben werden können, hängt von der Eigenaktivität der Tierart in der Auseinandersetzung mit den waltenden Lebensbedingungen ab. Die dargelegte alternative Genanschauung ist Voraussetzung für das Verständnis des Vererbungsgeschehens und den richtigen Umgang damit in der Züchtung. Die biologisch-dynamische Tierzucht soll möglichst artgemäß sein; d.h. es müssen zunächst Bedingungen im Haltungs-, Fütterung- und Betreuungsbereich geschaffen werden, die eine artgemäße Verkörperung der Tiere ermöglichen. Deshalb kann die biologisch-dynamische Zucht auch Bedingungszucht genannt werden. Diese Bedingungen werden im 3. Kapitel ausführlich besprochen mit Bezug auf den Landwirtschaftlichen Kurs von Rudolf Steiner. Zwei spezielle Abschnitte sind der Darstellung der Fütterung im Landwirtschaftlichen Kurs und der Bedeutung der Hörner beim Rindvieh gewidmet. Das Vorgehen in der Züchtungsarbeit und die in der "Austauschrunde" der Rindviehzüchter entwickelte Stallkarte für Kühe als Hilfsmittel werden im 4. Kapitel besprochen. Im letzten Kapitel werden die Reproduktionstechniken kritisch besprochen; daraus ergibt sich der Natursprung als einzige wesensgemäße Befruchtungsmethode für die biologisch-dynamische Rindviehzucht

Use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients presenting to a paediatric Emergency Department

Although the popularity of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has risen in the last decade, information about its use by paediatric patients presenting to an Emergency Department is still sparse. We report here the results of a cross-sectional survey of paediatric patients presenting to an urban, tertiary paediatric Emergency Department between October 2006 and March 2007. In total, 1143 questionnaires (68% of those distributed) were completed and available for analysis. Of these, 58% (n = 665) of all respondents admitted that their child had received some form of CAM therapy, while 25% (n = 291) admitted that their child was receiving CAM for the present illness. In 31% of the respondents (n = 354), CAM had been prescribed by a physician, while 50% (n = 575) used CAM as self-medication. Patients presented to the Emergency Department mostly because of an infection (42% of total; 29% of these used CAM) or a trauma (38% of total; 19% of these used CAM). Parents of CAM-users were significantly older, more often born in Switzerland and had significantly higher school education than those of the non-users. Nearly two-thirds of the administered CAM therapies were not prescribed by a physician, and 50% of the families using CAM did not discuss this with their general practitioner. Parental requirements implied that medical professionals on a paediatric Emergency Department should know the effects and side-effects of CAM therapies and even be able to recommend them. The study population, even trauma patients, frequently used CAM. The use of CAM is characterised by a high rate of self-medication and the exclusion of the physicians from the decision-making process. The parents of paediatric patients frequently demand that CAM be considered as a possible treatment option and wish to have an open discussion with the medical professionals on this topi

Milchprodukte aus biologisch-dynamischer Herkunft führen zu einer vorteilhafteren Fettzusammensetzung der menschlichen Muttermilch

In unserer früheren Studie konnten wir zeigen, dass der Verzeh biologischer Milchprodukte durch stillende Mütter zu einem erhöhten Gehalt an konjugierten Linolsäure-Isomeren in der Muttermilch führt, was sich positiv auf die Gesundheit des Säuglings auswirken kann. Nun wurde der Einfluss biologisch- dynamischer Milchprodukte in der Diät auf den konjugierten Linolsäure-Isomerengehalt in der menschlichen Muttermilch untersucht. Der Anteil an Rumensäure (das am meisten vorhandene Isomere) in der Muttermilch der Frauen, die biologisch-dynamische Milchprodukte zu sich nahmen, war statistisch signifikant höher (n = 64, 0,323% vom gesamten Fett) als derjenige der sich konventionell ernährenden Mütter (n = 175, 0,254%). Dabei zeigte die Muttermilch der Frauen, die biologische (aber nicht biologisch-dynamische) Milchprodukte zu sich nahmen, einen dazwischenliegenden Wert (n = 44, 0,279%). Die Varia- tionen in dem Rumensäuregehalten wurden von ähnlichen Schwankungen in den Gehalten der entsprechenden Vorstufe, der trans-Vaccensäure, begleitet. Der Gehalt an Elaidinsäure, die in teilgehärteten pflanzlichen Ölen in hohen Mengen vorkommt, verhielt sich umgekehrt. Ein möglicher Beitrag biologisch-dynamischer Milchprodukte zur Verbesserung der Gesundheit wird kurz besprochen

Influence of organic diet on the amount of conjugated linoleic acids in breast milk of lactating women in the Netherlands

The aim of the present study was to find out whether the incorporation of organic dairy and meat products in the maternal diet affects the contents of the conjugated linoleic acid isomers (CLA) and trans-vaccenic acid (TVA) in human breast milk. To this purpose, milk samples from 312 breastfeeding mothers participating in the KOALA Birth Cohort Study have been analysed. The participants had documented varying lifestyles in relation to the use of conventional or organic products. Breast milk samples were collected 1 month postpartum and analysed for fatty acid composition. The content of rumenic acid (the main CLA) increased in a statistically significant way while going from a conventional diet (no organic dairy/meat products, 0.25 weight % (wt%), n 186) to a moderately organic diet (50–90 % organic dairy/meat, 0·29 wt%, n 33, P=0.02) and to a strict organic diet (> 90 % organic dairy/meat, 0.34 wt%, n 37, P<=0.001). The levels of TVA were augmented among the participants with a moderately organic diet (0·54 wt%) and those with a strict organic diet (0.59 wt%, P<=0.001), in comparison with the conventional group (0·48 wt%). After adjusting for covariables (recruitment group, maternal age, maternal education, use of supplements and season), statistical significance was retained in the group of the strict organic dairy users (P<0.001 for rumenic acid). Hence, the levels of CLA and TVA in human milk can be modulated if breastfeeding mothers replace conventional dairy and/or meat products by organic ones. A potential contribution of CLA and TVA to health improvement is briefly discussed

Maternal dietary alpine butter intake affects human milk: Fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid isomers

Consumption of CLA by lactating women affects the composition of their milk, but the pattern of the different CLA isomers is still unknown. We determined the effects of short maternal supplementation with CLA-rich Alpine butter on the occurrence of FA and CLA isomers in human milk. In an open randomized controlled study with a two-period cross-over design, milk FA and CLA isomer concentrations were measured on postpartum days >-20 in two parallel groups of lactating women before, during, and after consumption of defined quantities of Alpine butter or margarine with comparable fat content (10 d of butter followed by 10 d of margarine for one group, and vice versa in the other). In the 16 women who completed the study (8/group), Alpine butter supplementation, increased the C16 and C18 FA, the sum of saturated FA, the 18∶1 trans FA, and the trans FA with CLA. The CLA isomer 18∶2 c9, t11 increased by 19.7%. Significant increases were also found for the isomers t9,t111, t7,c9,t11,c13, and t8,c10 18∶2. The remaining nine of the total 14 detectable isomers showed no changes, and concentrations were <5 mg/100g fat. A breastfeeding mother can therefore modulate the FA/CLA supply of her child by consuming Alpine butter. Further studies will show whether human milk containing this FA and CLA isomer pattern acts as a functional food for newborn

Influence of organic diet on the amount of conjugated linoleic acids in breast milk of lactating women in the Netherlands

The aim of the present study was to find out whether the incorporation of organic dairy and meat products in the maternal diet affects the contents of the conjugated linoleic acid isomers (CLA) and trans-vaccenic acid (TVA) in human breast milk. To this purpose, milk samples from 312 breastfeeding mothers participating in the KOALA Birth Cohort Study have been analysed. The participants had documented varying lifestyles in relation to the use of conventional or organic products. Breast milk samples were collected 1month postpartum and analysed for fatty acid composition. The content of rumenic acid (the main CLA) increased in a statistically significant way while going from a conventional diet (no organic dairy/meat products, 0·25 weight % (wt%), n 186) to a moderately organic diet (50-90% organic dairy/meat, 0·29wt%, n 33, P=0·02) and to a strict organic diet (>90% organic dairy/meat, 0·34wt%, n 37, P≤0·001). The levels of TVA were augmented among the participants with a moderately organic diet (0·54wt%) and those with a strict organic diet (0·59wt%, P≤0·001), in comparison with the conventional group (0·48wt%). After adjusting for covariables (recruitment group, maternal age, maternal education, use of supplements and season), statistical significance was retained in the group of the strict organic dairy users (P<0·001 for rumenic acid). Hence, the levels of CLA and TVA in human milk can be modulated if breastfeeding mothers replace conventional dairy and/or meat products by organic ones. A potential contribution of CLA and TVA to health improvement is briefly discusse

Mistletoe lectin is not the only cytotoxic component in fermented preparations of Viscum album from white fir (Abies pectinata)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Preparations of mistletoe (<it>Viscum album</it>) are the form of cancer treatment that is most frequently used in the complementary medicine. Previous work has shown that these preparations are able to exert cytotoxic effects on carcinoma cells, the extent of which might be influenced by the host tree species and by the content of mistletoe lectin.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using colorimetric assays, we have now compared the cytotoxic effects of <it>Viscum album </it>preparations (VAPs) obtained from mistletoe growing on oak (<it>Quercus robur </it>and <it>Q. petraea</it>, VAP-Qu), apple tree (<it>Malus domestica</it>,, VAP-M), pine (<it>Pinus sylvestris</it>, VAP-P) or white fir (<it>Abies pectinata</it>, VAP-A), on the <it>in vitro </it>growth of breast and bladder carcinoma cell lines. While MFM-223, KPL-1, MCF-7 and HCC-1937 were the breast carcinoma cell lines chosen, the panel of tested bladder carcinoma cells comprised the T-24, TCC-SUP, UM-UC-3 and J-82 cell lines.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Each of the VAPs inhibited cell growth, but the extent of this inhibition differed with the preparation and with the cell line. The concentrations of VAP-Qu, VAP-M and VAP-A which led to a 50 % reduction of cell growth (IC₅₀) varied between 0.6 and 0.03 mg/ml. Higher concentrations of VAP-P were required to obtain a comparable effect. Purified mistletoe lectin I (MLI) led to an inhibition of breast carcinoma cell growth at concentrations lower than those of VAPs, but the sensitivity towards purified MLI did not parallel that towards VAPs. Bladder carcinoma cells were in most cases more sensitive to VAPs treatment than breast carcinoma cells. The total mistletoe lectin content was very high in VAP-Qu (54 ng/mg extract), intermediate in VAP-M (25 ng/mg extract), and very low in VAP-P (1.3 ng/mg extract) and in VAP-A (1 ng/mg extract). As to be expected from the low content of mistletoe lectin, VAP-P led to relatively weak cytotoxic effects. Most remarkably, however, the lectin-poor VAP-A revealed a cytotoxic effect comparable to, or even stronger than, that of the lectin-rich VAP-Qu, on all tested bladder and breast carcinoma cell lines.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results suggest the existence of cytotoxic components other than mistletoe lectin in VAP-A and reveal an unexpected potential of this preparation for the treatment of breast and bladder cancer.</p

Biodynamische Milch und Muttermilch

In unserer früheren Studie konnten wir zeigen, dass der Verzehr biologischer Milchprodukte durch stillende Mütter zu einem erhöhten Gehalt an konjugierten Linolsäure-Isomeren in der Muttermilch führt, was sich positiv auf die Gesundheit des Säuglings auswirken kann. Nun wurde der Einfluss biologisch-dynamischer Milchprodukte in der Diät auf den konjugierten Linolsäure-Isomerengehalt in der menschlichen Muttermilch untersucht. Der Anteil an Rumensäure (das am meisten vorhandene Isomer)in der Milch der Frauen, die biologisch-dynamische Milchprodukte zu sich nahmen, war statistisch signifikant höher (n=64, 0,323% vom gesamten Fett) als derjenige der sich konventionell ernährenden Mütter (n=175, 0,254%). Dabei zeigte die Muttermilch der Frauen, die biologische (aber nicht biologisch-dynamische) Milchprodukte zu sich nahmen, einen dazwischen liegenden Wert (n=44, 0,279%). Die Variationen in den Rumensäuregehalten wurden von ähnlichen Schwankungen in den Gehalten der entsprechenden Vorstufe, der trans-Vaccensäure, begleitet. Der Gehalt an Elaidinsäure, die in teilgehärteten pflanzlichen Ölen in hohen Mengen vorkommt, verhielt sich umgekehrt. Ein möglicher Beitrag biologisch-dynamischer Milchprodukte zur Verbesserung der Gesundheit wird kurz besprochen