Hormesis and homeopathy: The artificial twins

Abstract

Homeopathy claims a curative reaction from small doses of a substance, high doses of which cause symptoms similar to those the patient is suffering from. Hormesis is a concept of biphasic dose-response to different pharmacological and toxicological agents. According to this concept, a small dose of a noxious agent can exert a beneficial action. A hypothesis is defended here that hormesis as a general principle can be assumed only for the factors present in the natural environment thus having induced adaptation of living organisms. Generalizations of the hormesis phenomenon used in support of homeopathy are unfounded. Low-dose impacts may be associated with a higher risk in a state of organ sub-compensation or failure especially in the elderly patients. Practical recommendations should be based neither on the hormesis as a default approach nor on the postulates of homeopathy. All clinically relevant effects, hormetic or not, should be tested by the methods of evidence-based medicine.

Dose and dose-rate effectiveness of radiation: first objectivity then conclusions

“…The same applies to the data on the excess radiation-related cancer deaths occurring at doses below the current occupational limits [89]. In any case, the hormesis concept should be applied cautiously as hormetic stimuli may act without threshold upon pre-damaged or atrophic tissues, or act synergistically with other known or unknown noxious agents including carcinogens [90][91][92][93][94]. In this connection, the petition to remove the phrase "As low as reasonably achievable" (ALARA) from the radiation safety regulations [95] is hardly justified, as exposures are unpredictable while their effects may accumulate.…”

Placebo in the guise of evidence-based medications

“…Theoretically, hormesis as a general principle is conceivable only for factors that are present in the natural environment, having induced an evolutionary adaptation, so that a deviation in either direction from an optimum would be harmful. 3 So it is, for example, for light or atmospheric pressure, different kinds of stress, numerous chemical substances and elements 2,4 . However, there are no reasons to expect a hormetic (biphasic) doseresponse pattern a priori for factors that are absent in the natural environment.…”

The potential use of flavonoids as venoactive drugs and the role of citrus fruits

“…Certain Fls were reported to be toxic for insects or other organisms [5,33,34]. Presumably, Fls may act as mild toxin stimulating endogenous defense mechanisms [35], so that their abundant intake is not a priori beneficial especially for individuals with compromised defense mechanisms, e.g., in chronic diseases or advanced age [2].…”

“…It is known that substances with unproven efficiency are sometimes promoted as evidence-based medications. Besides, certain pharmaceuticals can be replaced by a diet modification [2,3].…”