VITALISM
Vitalism and vitamedicine
Bradley McEwen | PhD , MHSc ( Hum Nutr ), BHSc , ND ( Adv ), DBM , DNutr , DSM , M . ATMS , Naturopath , Nutritionist , and Mentor . Adjunct Senior Lecturer , Faculty of Health , Southern Cross University .
Abstract Vitalism is the doctrine that life originates in a vital principle that is distinct from other forces and is the belief that forces , properties , powers , and principles which are neither physical nor chemical are at work in living organisms . Vitamedicine is a personalised person-centred holistic system of health care with a core set of philosophies , principles , and practices . Vitamedicine looks at the whole person , physically , mentally , emotionally , socially , and environmentally , and focuses on the person ' s individual needs . The pillars of vitamedicine are : first , do no harm ; treat the whole person ; identify and treat the cause ; prevention and health promotion in all areas ; the healing powers of nature and the body ; the health professional is a teacher ; regular hydration ; nourish with wholefoods ; support with herbal medicines ; daily physical activity and regular movement ; mindfulness ; and sleep and rest .
Introduction
Vitalism is the doctrine that life originates in a vital principle that is distinct from other forces . There is a belief that there is a vital force operating in the living organism . 1 Vitality and the vital force are essential philosophical , fundamental , and integral elements of natural medicine . 1 Vitamedicine is a personalised person-centred holistic system of health care with a core set of philosophies , principles , and practices . Vitamedicine looks at the whole person , physically , mentally , emotionally , socially , and environmentally , and focuses on the person ' s individual needs . Vitamedicine is integrative in nature . This article aims to shed light on vitalism and vitamedicine , and briefly discusses the 12 pillars of vitamedicine .
Vitalism and the vital force
Life and living things are unique . 2
Vitalism is the doctrine that life originates in a vital principle that is distinct from other forces 1 , 3 and refers to a quality that animates all biological entities . 3 Vitalism is the belief that forces , properties , powers , and principles which are neither physical nor chemical are at work in , or are possessed by , living organisms . 4 Vitalism can be seen as free will , intuition , and recognition of a moral soul that influences physical being . 5
Vitality and the vital force have a long history that has been observed for thousands of years . 1 A paper published in 1896 discussed the view that proponents of vitalism generally believed that things went on in the living body as they do outside it and suggested that abnormalities occur in consequence of cells acting in obedience – not to physical laws but to vital ones – to internal laws which are special to themselves . 6 An early description of vitalism was likely to be animism . 4 Animism is a theory of existence that holds that all plants , animals , humans , inanimate objects , and natural phenomena ( e . g ., storms , floods , volcanos ) possess a spirit or soul . 4 All living things are sustained by a vital force , 1 , 4 there is a vital force within all living things , 1 and this vital force guides life . 7 There is a force that surrounds us . Matter in the form of living cells acts differently from the same matter in dead cells . 6 Living things can do what non-living things cannot do , that is , to evolve and adapt . 2 Albrecht von Haller ( 1708-1777 ) described properties that were inherent to living fibres but non-existent in lifeless matter , for example , contractility , sensitivity , and intrinsic force . 5 The vital force can be assimilative , reproductive , regenerative ,
200 | vol27 | no4 | JATMS