The Immunity Challenge

The Holistic Health Research Foundation of Canada, in association with the Ontario Society of Physicians for Complementary Medicine, proudly presented

The Immunity Challenge:
Surviving and Thriving with Evidence-Based Natural Approaches to Immune Health

An educational event for the public and health professionals

Saturday, October 28, 2006
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
University of Toronto

A possible avian flu pandemic. West Nile virus. Superbugs and other antibiotic-resistant viruses. The headlines are alarming and the threat is real. What can you do proactively to protect your health? Is there anything you can do to strengthen your immune system, prevent allergies or lessen the annual winter miseries of colds and flu? According to a recent Health Canada survey, approximately 71% of Canadians have used natural health products to complement the conventional health care they receive. What is the potential role of natural health approaches to help prevent, manage and treat these emerging public health concerns and strengthen your overall immune health for optimal wellness? What is the scientific evidence behind many of the popular - and some of the lesser known - natural health products being marketed for immune health? The Immunity Challenge brings together an impressive roster of some of Canada's leading physicians, immunologists, naturopaths and infectious disease control experts to discuss and debate these essential questions. This day-long educational event is designed for the public, as well as health professionals from across the spectrum of conventional and complementary/integrative health care. It is an important event you won't want to miss!

Silver Sponsor: Bronze Sponsor: Media Partner:

Proceeds from the event will support further educational and research initiatives of the Holistic Health Research Foundation of Canada.

• General public
• Physicians
• Pharmacists
• Infectious disease control specialists
• Nurses
• Case managers
• Public health officials and professionals
• Health policy makers
• Health insurance companies/underwriters
• Human resource professionals
• Naturopaths
• Homeopaths
• Herbalists
• All other allied health professionals (conventional and complementary)
• Business continuity planners
• HR wellness managers
• Health and safety managers

Time	Activity/Topic	Speaker
8:00 a.m.	Coffee and Registration
8:45 a.m.	Welcome and Introductory Remarks	Aileen Burford-Mason, PhD HHRFC President
Session 1	Chair: Dr. Linda Rapson, MD
9:00 a.m.	Preparation for a Pandemic: How is Ontario planning?	Dr. Shafiq Qaadri MD, MPP Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health Promotion, Government of Ontario
9:15 a.m.	The Immune System: An Owner's Guide	David Lescheid, ND, PhD Associate Professor, Basic Sciences, Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Toronto
10:15 a.m.	Wellness Break
Session 2	Chair: Dr. Paul Saunders ND
10:45 a.m.	The Well Fed Immune System: The role of vitamins, minerals and diet in the prevention of colds and flu	Aileen Burford-Mason, PhD Immunologist
11:45 p.m.	Homeopathy and Influenza - the Spanish Flu Experience	Stephen Malthouse, MD, Family Practitioner/Homeopath Victoria, BC
12:45 p.m.	LUNCH BREAK
Session 3	Chair: Professor Sheila Lewis RN, MHSc
1:45 p.m.	What is the Evidence? An in-depth look at the science behind popular natural health products for immune health	Paul Saunders, PhD, ND, Chair, Materia Medica, Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine
2:45 p.m.	Wellness Break
3:00 p.m.	Probiotics and Immunity	John Bienenstock, MD Professor, Medicine & Pathology and Molecular Science McMaster University, Hamilton
Session 4	Chair: Dr Linda Rapson MD
4:05 p.m.	Outwitting a Pandemic - How can we prepare? A lively panel discussion and debate about conventional, and complementary prevention and treatment options. Chair: Dr. Linda Rapson MD (Chair, Ontario Society of Physicians for Complementary Medicine)	Panelists: Fred Hui MD Integrative Eastern-Western Medicine Practice, Toronto David Lescheid, ND, PhD Naturopathic Doctor Stephen Malthouse MD Family Practioner/Homeopath Roberta Rothwell RN. DPHN, COCHN Public Health Nurse Marjorie Hammond BScN, MHScN Pain and Complementary Medicine Clinical Nurse Specialist
5:15 p.m.	Closing Remarks

Preparation for a Pandemic: How is Ontario planning?

There have been three deadly flu pandemics in the 20th century. In 1918-19, the Spanish Flu killed 21 million people worldwide. In 1957 the Asian flu killed about 3 million and the Hong Kong Flu of 1968 is estimated to have killed more than a million people. Although no one can predict when it will hit, public health officials have been warning for some time that we are overdue for another influenza pandemic.

This talk will describe how the health care system will respond in the event of a pandemic, how resources will be mobilized to minimize infection rates and disruption to the social and ecconomic life of Ontario, and what steps individuals can take to protect themselves and their families.

The Immune System: An Owner's Guide
David Lescheid PhD, ND

Most pathogens, including the influenza virus, must cross a mucosal membrane before they can cause an infection. Therefore, the mucosal membranes of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract provide first line barriers to infection. These barriers must function with some degree of "intelligence" and tolerate the presence of beneficial substances but react appropriately to potentially harmful substances. This seminar will discuss some of the structural and functional specializations of the cells and tissues of mucosal membranes that help make them selective barriers to infection.

One of the more recent understandings of the immune system is the role that different subclasses of T helper cells play in directing the immune response towards either cell-mediated or humoral immunity. Many of the signals that drive this T cell response are initiated in immune cells located at mucosal membrane surfaces. There is also increased understanding of how the practitioner can intervene to influence the direction and persistence of an appropriate T cell response.

The Well Fed Immune System: The role of vitamins, minerals and diet in the prevention of colds and flu
Aileen Burford-Mason PhD

Many nutritional supplements have been advocated for reducing the incidence and severity of infections like influenza and the common cold. However, results from clinical trials designed to test the effect of supplements in preventing colds and flu have been mixed, with some showing benefit while others suggested they were ineffective. In the 1960s Linus Pauling championed the use of high dose vitamin C. Zinc lozenges for the reduction of sneezing and sore throats became popular in the 1980's. More recently, the negative effect of reduced selenium intakes on the immune system have been reversed using selenium supplements (Proc Nutr Soc. 2004 Nov;63(4):513-7).

This presentation looks at the theoretical basis for taking additional vitamin C, zinc and selenium and other vitamins and minerals to reduce the incidence and severity of colds and flu, and reviews some recent studies which have attempted to clarify the effectiveness and safety of these and other nutritional supplements in modifying the response to infection. The role of a balanced diet in promoting sound nutritional health is emphasized, and evidence-based nutritional strategies for enhancing immune defenses against bacterial and viral infections described.

Herbal Medicines and the Immune System. What is the Evidence?
Paul Saunders ND, PhD

The use of herbal medicine, or phytomedicine, has increased in popularity and currently Canadians are among the foremost users of these therapies. In particular, there is increased public interest in the use of herbal medications for the treatment and prevention of allergy and infection. Such products as Echinacea, Glycyrrihiza (licorice), Allium (garlic), Hydrastis (goldenseal) and others are commonly being used by young and old.

However, there is also uncertainty about the safety and effectiveness of such products, and their potential for interaction with conventional (allopathic) medications and their appropriateness for their use in the young, and during pregnancy and lactation. This talk provides an in-depth examination of the scientific and clinical evidence for the use of herbal Natural Health Products (NHPs) as immune modulators. It will review the evidence for their safety and efficacy, as well as potential interactions with conventional medications. Attendees will develop an appreciation for which substances may or may not be beneficial and when and when not to use them.

Homeopathy and Influenza - the Spanish Flu Experience
Stephen Malthouse MD

Homeopathic physicians have kept records of mortality rates using homeopathy during many of the world's epidemics, including the Spanish Influenza of 1918. This pandemic killed an estimated 20-40 million people worldwide. Its virulence was remarkable: Frequently a person would go to work feeling well in the morning and be dead by nightfall. But records show that homeopathy produced some dramatic responses. In 24,000 recorded flu cases treated by conventional physicians in the USA, the death rate was 28.2% as compared to the fatality rate of 1.05% for 26,000 cases using homeopathy.

What evidence supports the use of homeopathy? How do microdoses of substances, many of which are potentially toxic in large doses, act to stimulate the defense mechanism of the patient? How do practitioners select the appropriate medicine? This presentation will review the evidence supporting homeopathy (past and present), explain the homeopathic approach to the ill patient and how microdoses may act to stimulate immune defenses. A possible plan for inclusion of homeopathy in treatment protocols for future pandemics will be proposed.

Probiotics and Immunity
Professor John Bienenstock, MD

The presentation will outline the definition of the term probiotic and its varied meaning according to use. The evidence for and against the use of probiotic in various clinical conditions, their efficacy, as well as what is currently known about their mechanism of action will be critically examined.

The problems of labeling of preparations available over the counter, the variation in content of preparations, the viability of organisms, etc., will also be discussed. Finally, the usefulness of specific preparations in the treatment and prevention of allergies, asthma, upper respiratory tract infections, travelers' diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease will be explored.

To view a list of presenters and their bios click here.

The Immunity Challenge will be held in the Sam Sorbara auditorium of Brennan Hall, located in the University of Toronto's St. Michael's College.

St. Michael's campus is located on the East side of the University of Toronto's St. George Campus at
81 St. Mary Street
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5S 1J4

• Take the Bloor Subway Line to Bay (Yorkville) Station. Walk south three blocks to St. Mary Street.
• Take the University/Spadina Subway Line to Museum Station. Walk south two blocks to St. Joseph Street.

• Approach St. Joseph Street from Queen's Park Circle or Bay Street.

• Exit 401 at Avenue Road
• Exit Gardner Expressway/QEW at Bay or University
• Exit 404/DVP at Bloor Street

• Parking lots are located south of St. Basil's Church or west of Alumni Hall.

Click here to see map.

The Holistic Health Research Foundation of Canada has made application for continuing education units (CEUs) from various health professional bodies. For updates/additions to the information provided below, please send an e-mail to kbrown@holistichealthresearch.ca.

College of Family Physicians of Canada:
This program meets the accreditation criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and has been accredited for up to 6.5 Mainpro-M1 credits.

College of Massage Therapists of Ontario:
CEUs have been granted for the following topics:

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Registration

Registration for this event is now closed. Please check back for further details about our 2007 education event.

Ticket prices: $129 each, $89 each for students and seniors (including lunch) {back}

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Sponsorship, Exhibitors and Advertising

Silver Sponsor:
Bronze Sponsor: Educational grant provided by:	Media Partners: Additional promotional support provided by:

For more information about sponsoring future educational events such as The Immunity Challenge, having an exhibitor table or advertising in our event program, please contact:

Sandra Pimpao, Fundraising and Communications Director
spimpao@holistichealthresearch.ca