View source for Live blood analysis

{{short description|Alternative medical diagnostic method}}
{{Infobox pseudoscience
|image       =
|image_width =
|caption     =
|claims      = Ability to diagnose disease from blood examined using [[dark field microscopy]]
|topics      = [[Microscopy]], [[dark field microscopy]]
|origyear    = ca. 1925
|origprop    = [[Günther Enderlein]]
|currentprop = [[Robert O. Young]]
}}
'''Live blood analysis''' ('''LBA'''), '''live cell analysis''', '''Hemaview''' or '''nutritional blood analysis''' is the use of high-resolution [[dark field microscopy]] to observe live blood cells. Live blood analysis is promoted by some [[alternative medicine]] practitioners, who assert that it can diagnose a range of diseases. There is no [[evidence-based medicine|scientific evidence]] that live blood analysis is reliable or effective, and it has been described as a fraudulent means of convincing people that they are ill and should purchase [[dietary supplement]]s.<ref name="ernst"/><ref name="freyer"/><ref name="weil"/>

Live blood analysis is not accepted in laboratory practice and its validity as a laboratory test has not been established.<ref name="CLIA">{{cite web | url = http://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-05-00-00250.pdf | title = CLIA regulation of unestablished laboratory tests | publisher = [[U.S. Department of Health and Human Services]] | date = July 2001 | access-date = January 26, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170428160641/https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-05-00-00250.pdf | archive-date = April 28, 2017 | url-status = dead }}</ref> There is no scientific evidence for the validity of live blood analysis,<ref name="CLIA"/> it has been described as a pseudoscientific, bogus and fraudulent medical test,<ref>{{cite journal |author=Brigden ML |title=Unproven (questionable) cancer therapies |journal=West. J. Med. |volume=163 |issue=5 |pages=463–9 |date=November 1995 |pmid=8533410 |pmc=1303171}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | author = Morris A | url = http://www.allergysa.org/journals/2006/march/review_comp_alt_tests.pdf | title = Complementary and alternative allergy tests | journal = Current Allergy and Clinical Immunology |date=March 2006 | volume= 19 | issue = 1}}</ref> and its practice has been dismissed by the medical profession as [[quackery]].<ref name=quackery/> The field of live blood microscopy is [[Regulation of therapeutic goods|unregulated]], there is no training requirement for practitioners and no recognised qualification, no recognised medical validity to the results, and proponents have made false claims about both medical [[blood test|blood pathology testing]] and their own services, which some have refused to amend when instructed by the [[Advertising Standards Authority (United Kingdom)|Advertising Standards Authority]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01d2l5j | work = You and Yours | title = Breast implant compensation, 'live' blood tests, and magic mirrors | publisher = BBC Radio 4 | date = March 15, 2012}}</ref>

It has its origins in the now-discarded theories of [[pleomorphism (microbiology)|pleomorphism]] promoted by [[Günther Enderlein]], notably in his 1925 book ''Bakterien-Cyklogenie''.

In January 2014 prominent live blood proponent and teacher [[Robert O. Young]] was arrested and charged for practising medicine without a license,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.10news.com/news/north-county-holistic-care-provider-robert-young-faces-charges-012414|title=North County holistic care provider Robert Young pleads not guilty to multiple charges|author=Steve Fiorina|work=[[KGTV|10News]]|access-date=24 December 2015}}</ref> and in March 2014 Errol Denton, a former student of his, a UK live blood practitioner, was convicted on nine counts in a rare prosecution under the [[Cancer Act 1939]],<ref name=quackery /> followed in May 2014 by another former student, Stephen Ferguson.{{cn|date=April 2022}}

==Overview==

Proponents claim that live blood analysis provides information "about the state of the immune system, possible vitamin deficiencies, amount of toxicity, pH and mineral imbalance, areas of concern and weaknesses, fungus and yeast." Some even claim it can "spot cancer and other degenerative immune system diseases up to two years before they would otherwise be detectable" or say they can diagnose "lack of oxygen in the blood, low trace minerals, lack of exercise, too much alcohol or yeast, weak kidneys, bladder or spleen."<ref name="ernst"/> Practitioners include alternative medicine providers such as nutritionists, herbologists, naturopaths, and chiropractors.<ref name="CLIA"/>

[[Dark field microscopy]] is useful to enhance contrast in unstained samples, but live blood analysis is not proven to be useful for any of its claimed indications. Two journal articles published in the alternative medical literature found that darkfield microscopy seemed unable to detect cancer, and that live blood analysis lacked reliability, [[Inter-rater reliability|reproducibility]], and [[sensitivity and specificity]].<ref name=El-Safadi2005>{{cite journal |vauthors=El-Safadi S, Tinneberg HR, von Georgi R, Münstedt K, Brück F |s2cid=178749587 |title=[Does dark field microscopy according to Enderlein allow for cancer diagnosis? A prospective study] |language=de |journal=Forsch Komplementärmed Klass Naturheilkd |volume=12 |issue=3 |pages=148–51 |date=June 2005 |pmid=15985779 |doi=10.1159/000085212 }}</ref><ref name=Teut2006>{{cite journal |vauthors=Teut M, Lüdtke R, Warning A |title=Reliability of Enderlein's darkfield analysis of live blood |journal=Altern Ther Health Med |volume=12 |issue=4 |pages=36–41 |year=2006 |pmid=16862741 }}</ref> [[Edzard Ernst]], professor of [[complementary medicine]] at the [[University of Exeter]] and [[University of Plymouth]], notes: "No credible scientific studies have demonstrated the reliability of LBA for detecting any of the above conditions." Ernst describes live blood analysis as a "fraudulent" means of convincing patients to buy [[dietary supplement]]s.<ref name="ernst">{{cite news | last = Ernst |first = Edzard |author-link = Edzard Ernst | date = 2005-07-12| url= https://www.theguardian.com/g2/story/0,,1526339,00.html | title = Intrigued by the spectacular claims made for Live Blood Analysis? Don't be. It doesn't work | work= [[The Guardian]] | access-date= 2008-11-17}}</ref>
[[Quackwatch]] has been critical of live blood analysis, noting dishonesty in the claims brought forward by its proponents.<ref name="lowell">{{cite web | last = Lowell | first = James | date = November 1986| url=http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Tests/livecell2.html | title = Live Cell Analysis: High-Tech Hokum | publisher = [[Quackwatch]]| access-date = 2008-11-17}}</ref> The alternative medicine popularizer [[Andrew Weil]] dismissed live blood analysis as "completely bogus", writing: "Dark-field microscopy combined with live blood analysis may sound like cutting-edge science, but it's old-fashioned hokum. Don't buy into it."<ref name="weil">{{cite news | first = Andrew | last = Weil | author-link = Andrew Weil | work = [[Arizona Daily Star]] | date = September 11, 2007 | access-date = November 9, 2009 | title = Ask Dr. Weil | url = http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/200252}}</ref>

==Common diagnoses==
There are several common diagnoses by the LBA practitioners that are actually based on observation of artifacts normally found in microscopy, and ignorance of basic biological science:<ref name=LBAclaims>{{cite journal|last1=Patterson|first1=Thomas|title=The Pseudoscience of Live Blood Cell Analysis|journal=Skeptical Inquirer|volume=36|issue=November/December|pages=43–45|year=2012}}</ref><ref name=MCrislip>{{cite web|url=http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/live-blood-analysis-the-modern-auguries/|title=Live Blood Analysis: The Modern Auguries|author=Crislip, Mark|author-link=Mark Crislip|publisher=Science-Based Medicine|date=13 February 2009|access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref>

Acid in the blood:  When the [[red blood cells]] stack on top of one another and appear like stacks of coins, it is called '[[rouleaux]]' formation.   By observation of the rouleaux, the LBA practitioners diagnose 'acid in the blood', while other practitioners suggest a weak pancreas.  Rouleaux of red blood cells under the microscope is an artifact which occurs when the blood sample at the edge of the coverslip<ref>{{Cite web |title=JSHD Cover Slips For Microscope Slides Suppliers China - Price - Huida Medical |url=https://www.huidainstrument.com/microscope-slides-cover-glass/jshd-cover-slips-for-microscope-slides.html |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=www.huidainstrument.com |language=en}}</ref> starts to dry out; where a large number of red blood cells clump together; or when the blood starts to clot when contacted with the glass.  These artifacts are observed in only small, selected areas on the slide, while near the center of the slide the red blood cells are free floating.  Blood [[acidosis]] is a severe illness and can not be diagnosed by observation of blood, nor treated by dietary supplements.<ref name="LBAclaims" /><ref name="MCrislip" />
* Uric acid crystals and/or cholesterol plaques:  Microscopic splinters of glass are often present when the slide is not cleaned thoroughly.  Observation of such shards is claimed by the LBA practitioners to be [[uric acid]] crystals or [[cholesterol]] plaques, and thus to be indicative of 'acid imbalance, [[stress (biology)|stress]] or poor lymphatic circulation' among other vague ailments.  Uric acid crystals and cholesterol plaques, if present, are not visible in the blood samples.<ref name="LBAclaims" /><ref name="MCrislip" />
* Parasites:  Particles of dirt and debris, commonly found on glass slides not cleaned thoroughly, or slightly deformed red blood cells are mistaken to be [[parasites]].  Patients with parasites in the blood stream would be very sick and in need of immediate medical care, not by nutritional or herbal supplements or life style change as often recommended by LBA practitioners.<ref name="LBAclaims" /><ref name="MCrislip" />
* Bacteria and yeast:  LBA practitioners observe small irregular shape on the red blood [[cell membrane]], a common artifact, and claim it represents [[bacteria]] or [[yeasts]] budding off the edge of the cell membrane.  This claim violates the basic principle of [[biology]] that each [[living organism]] is unique and can not be transformed from one into another.  Presence of bacteria or yeasts in the blood indicates the patient is in danger of developing [[sepsis]], a life-threatening condition.<ref name="LBAclaims" /><ref name="MCrislip" />
* Fermentations:  Light spots on some red blood cells are identified by LBA practitioners as fermentations caused by high [[sugar]] content in the blood.  [[Fermentation (food)|Fermentation]] is a chemical reaction of breaking down sugar into [[ethanol|alcohol]] and [[carbon dioxide]] [[catalysis|catalyzed]] by [[enzymes]] produced in yeast.  The red blood cells are not yeasts and cannot ferment sugar.<ref name="LBAclaims" /><ref name="MCrislip" /> 

==Regulatory issues==

In 1996, the Pennsylvania Department of Laboratories informed three Pennsylvania chiropractors that Infinity2's "Nutritional Blood Analysis" could not be used for diagnostic purposes unless they maintain a laboratory that has both state and federal certification for complex testing.<ref name="wlazelek">{{cite news| last = Wlazelek | first = A. | title = Chiropractors cease blood cell show and tell. State restricts the use of magnified images to sell vitamins, supplements | work= The Morning Call | date= 1996-04-12 | page= B6}}</ref>

In 2001, the [[Health and Human Services]] Office of the Inspector General issued a report on regulation of "unestablished laboratory tests" that focused on live blood cell analysis and the difficulty of regulating unestablished tests and laboratories.<ref name="CLIA"/>

In 2002, an Australian [[naturopath]] was convicted and fined for [[false advertising|falsely claiming]] that he could diagnose illness using live blood analysis<ref name="abc">{{cite news| publisher = [[Abc.net.au]] | title = Former Lismore naturopath fined over newspaper ads | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200205/s562909.htm | date = 2002-05-24 | access-date = 2008-11-17}}</ref> after the death of a patient. He was acquitted of [[manslaughter]]. He subsequently changed his name and was later banned from practice for life.<ref>[http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/national/court-orders-life-ban-on-naturopath/2008/04/03/1207249393632.html Court orders life ban on naturopath], Brisbane Times, April 4, 2008</ref>

In 2005, the [[Rhode Island]] Department of Health ordered a [[chiropractor]] to stop performing live blood analysis. An attorney for the State Board of Examiners in Chiropractic Medicine described the test as "useless" and a "money-making scheme... The point of it all is apparently to sell nutritional supplements." A state medical board official said that live blood analysis has no discernible value, and that the public "should be very suspicious of any practitioner who offers this test."<ref name="freyer">{{cite news|last=Freyer |first=Felice |date=2005-06-21 |title=Chiropractor ordered to halt blood tests |work=[[Providence Journal]] |url=http://www.projo.com/news/content/projo_20050621_chiro21.2342042.html |access-date=2008-11-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060907103944/http://www.projo.com/news/content/projo_20050621_chiro21.2342042.html |archive-date=2006-09-07 }}</ref>

In 2011, the UK [[General Medical Council]] suspended a doctor's licence to practise after he used live blood analysis to diagnose patients with [[Lyme disease]]. The doctor accepted he had been practising "bad medicine".<ref>{{cite web|title=MPTS Fitness to Practise Panel, 17th Oct - 2nd Nov 2011 & 6th - 8th Aug 2012|url=http://www.mpts-uk.org/static/documents/content/Minutes_PUBLISHABLE_2825184_August_2012_Wright.pdf|work=Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service|access-date=3 June 2013}}{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In 2013, following several [[Advertising Standards Authority (United Kingdom)|Advertising Standards Authority]] adjudications <ref>{{cite web|title=ASA rulings on "live blood"| url=http://www.asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications.aspx?SearchTerms=%22live%20blood%22#results | access-date=7 July 2013}}</ref> against claims made by LBA practitioners, the [[Committee of Advertising Practice]] added new guidelines to their [http://cap.org.uk/Advice-Training-on-the-rules/Advice-Online-Database.aspx AdviceOnline] database advising what LBA marketers may claim in their advertising material. These state that "CAP is yet to see any evidence for the efficacy of this therapy which, without rigorous evidence to support it, should be advertised on an availability-only platform."<ref>{{cite web|title=Therapies: Live Blood Analysis | url=http://cap.org.uk/Advice-Training-on-the-rules/Advice-Online-Database/Therapies-Live-Blood-Analysis.aspx | date = 2013-07-03 | access-date=7 July 2013}}</ref>

One of these practitioners, Errol Denton, who practised out of a serviced office in Harley Street, was prosecuted in December 2013 under the [[Cancer Act 1939]], and chose to use a [[Freeman on the Land]] defence.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/10510345/Harley-Street-practitioner-claimed-he-could-cure-cancer-and-HIV-with-lifestyle-changes-and-herbs-court-hears.html Harley Street practitioner claimed he could cure cancer and HIV with lifestyle changes and herbs, court hears], [[Daily Telegraph]], Dec 11 2013</ref> On March 20, 2014, he was convicted on nine counts under the [[Cancer Act 1939]] and fined £9,000 plus around £10,000 in costs.<ref name=quackery>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/10732023/Duped-by-the-blood-analyst-who-says-he-can-cure-cancer.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331003551/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/10732023/Duped-by-the-blood-analyst-who-says-he-can-cure-cancer.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 March 2014 |title=Duped by the 'blood analyst' who says he can cure cancer |newspaper=Daily Telegraph |date=30 March 2014 |first=Robert |last=Mendick}}</ref><ref>[http://www.edp24.co.uk/mobile/news/crime/woodford_green_harley_street_worker_handed_19k_court_bill_after_claiming_he_could_cure_cancer_and_hiv_with_lifestyle_changes_1_3459178 Eastern Daily Press] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321025146/http://www.edp24.co.uk/mobile/news/crime/woodford_green_harley_street_worker_handed_19k_court_bill_after_claiming_he_could_cure_cancer_and_hiv_with_lifestyle_changes_1_3459178 |date=2014-03-21 }}, 20 March 2014</ref> In April 2018, Denton was further convicted of two counts of "engaging in unfair commercial practice" and one of "selling food not of the quality demanded", for selling a bottle of [[colloidal silver]] drink to an undercover [[trading standards]] officer in February 2016, after examining a drop of her blood and from it claiming that she had dislocated her shoulder.<ref name="Herbert">{{cite news|last1=Herbert|first1=Tom|title=Homeopath who claimed he could cure cancer with food faces jail|url=http://metro.co.uk/2018/04/03/homeopath-claimed-cure-cancer-food-faces-jail-7437803/|access-date=3 April 2018|work=Metro|date=3 April 2018}}</ref><ref name="CauseLIst">{{cite web|title=Blackfriars / T20160730|url=http://causelist.org/blackfriars/T20160730/|website=causelist.org|access-date=3 April 2018|language=en}}</ref> He was made the subject of a [[Criminal Behaviour Order]], fined £2,250, and ordered pay £15,000 in costs.<ref name="ASA-2018-04">{{cite web|title=ASA welcomes fine and Criminal Behaviour Order handed to Mr Errol Denton|url=https://www.asa.org.uk/news/asa-welcomes-fine-and-criminal-behaviour-order-handed-to-mr-errol-denton.html|publisher=[[Advertising Standards Authority (United Kingdom)|Advertising Standards Authority]]|access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of ineffective cancer treatments]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

{{pseudoscience}}
{{Fraud}}
{{Unproven and disproven cancer treatments}}

[[Category:Alternative cancer treatments]]
[[Category:Alternative medical diagnostic methods]]
[[Category:Alternative medicine]]
[[Category:Blood tests]]
[[Category:Health fraud]]
[[Category:Microscopy]]
[[Category:Pseudoscience]]
[[Category:Laboratory fraud]]