Para aquellos que demandan evidencias científicas de la homeopatía [Editorial] / For those who demand scientific evidence of homeopathy [Editorial]

El dossier comienza con una revisión titulada "Homeopatía: una breve descripción de esta especialidad médica", que aborda los aspectos históricos, sociales y políticos de la institucionalización de la homeopatía en Brasil y su inclusión en los sistemas de atención médica. Además, describe las razones por las que los pacientes buscan este enfoque terapéutico. La revisión "Formación médica en la terapéutica no convencional en el mundo (homeopatía y acupuntura)" enfatiza la relevancia de la inclusión de la homeopatía y la acupuntura en el plan de estudios de las escuelas de medicina en muchos países alrededor del mundo. Tal inclusión ­ actualizada a través de distintas modalidades específicas para estudiantes de licenciatura y posgrado, médicos residentes y médicos en ejercicio ­ es resultado del creciente interés de los pacientes, el cual conduce a un interés similar entre los médicos por aprender sobre tales formas de medicina. Con el objetivo de proporcionar fundamentos científicos al principio de similitud terapéutica a través del estudio sistemático del efecto de rebote de los fármacos modernos, la revisión titulada "Bases científicas del principio de curación homeopática en la farmacología moderna" aborda cientos de estudios publicados en revistas científicas de alto impacto que demuestran una similitud conceptual y fenomenológica entre el efecto de rebote y la reacción vital (o acción secundaria) que desencadena el tratamiento homeopático. Para ampliar las implicaciones de dicha similitud, el autor describe el uso de los fármacos modernos con base en el principio de similitud terapéutica, conduciendo a la aplicación del efecto de rebote (reacción paradójica del cuerpo) con intención curativa. Para dar cuenta de la plausibilidad del uso homeopático de las diluciones altas (HD), el presente dossier incluye tres revisiones que describen los avances realizados en investigación fundamental a lo largo de las últimas décadas: "La solidez de la investigación homeopática fundamental", "Efectos de las diluciones homeopáticas altas sobre los modelos in vitro: revisión de la literatura" y "Efectos de las diluciones homeopáticas altas sobre las plantas: revisión de la literatura". Tales revisiones abordan cientos de experimentos y docenas de líneas de investigación que demuestran en conjunto los efectos de las diluciones altas (HD) en los modelos físico-químicos y biológicos (in vitro, en plantas y animales).

Bases científicas del principio de curación homeopática en la farmacología moderna / Scientific bases of the homeopathic healing principle in modern pharmacology

La homeopatía emplea el denominado 'principio de similares' como método terapéutico ­ el cual consiste en administrar medicamentos que provocan ciertos síntomas en individuos sanos para tratar síntomas similares en individuos enfermos (similia similibus curantur) - para inducir una reacción curativa secundaria del cuerpo en contra de sus propios trastornos. Esta reacción secundaria (vital, homeostática o paradójica) del cuerpo se basa en el 'efecto de rebote' de los fármacos modernos, un tipo de evento adverso que se produce después de interrumpir varias clases de fármacos prescritos según el 'principio de los contrarios' (contraria contrariis curantur). Objetivo: La presente revisión ha buscado justificar científicamente el principio de curación homeopática frente a la farmacología clínica y experimental a través de un estudio sistemático del efecto de rebote de los fármacos modernos o reacción paradójica del cuerpo. Métodos: Empleando como referencia estudios y revisiones sobre el tema publicados a partir de 1998, actualizamos los datos añadiendo estudios recientes incluidos en la base de datos PubMed. Resultados: El efecto de rebote se produce después de interrumpir varias clases de fármacos con acción contraria a los síntomas de las enfermedades, exacerbándolos a niveles superiores a aquellos previos al tratamiento. Independientemente de la enfermedad, fármaco, dosis y duración del tratamiento, el fenómeno del rebote se manifiesta en una pequeña proporción de los individuos susceptibles. Siguiendo las premisas homeopáticas, los fármacos modernos también podrían usarse según el principio de la similitud terapéutica, empleando entonces el efecto de rebote (reacción paradójica) con propósito curativo. Conclusiones: Evidenciado por cientos de estudios que constatan la similitud de conceptos y manifestaciones, el efecto de rebote de los fármacos modernos justifica científicamente el principio de la cura homeopática. Aunque el fenómeno de rebote es un evento adverso estudiado por la farmacología moderna, no es conocido por los profesionales de la atención médica, lo cual priva a los médicos de un conocimiento indispensable para el manejo seguro de los fármacos.

Homeopathy employs the so-called 'principle of similars' as therapeutic method - which consists in administering medicines that cause certain symptoms in healthy individuals to treat similar symptoms in sick individuals (similia similibus curantur) - to induce a secondary and healing reaction by the body against its own disorders. This secondary (vital, homeostatic or paradoxical) reaction of the body is based on the 'rebound effect' of modern drugs, a type of adverse event that occurs following discontinuation of several classes of drugs prescribed according to the 'principle of contraries' (contraria contrariis curantur). Aim: The present review sought to scientifically substantiate the homeopathic healing principle vis-à-vis experimental and clinical pharmacology through a systematic study of the rebound effect of modern drugs or paradoxical reaction of the body. Methods: Employing as reference studies and revisions on the subject published since 1998, we updated the data adding recent studies included in database PubMed. Results: The rebound effect occurs after discontinuation of several classes of drugs with action contrary to the symptoms of diseases, exacerbating them to levels above the ones before treatment. Regardless of disease, drug, dose and duration of treatment, the rebound phenomenon manifests in a small proportion of susceptible individuals. Following the homeopathic premises, modern drugs might also be used according to the principle of therapeutic similitude, thus employing the rebound effect (paradoxical reaction) with curative intent. Conclusions: Evidenced by hundreds of studies that attest to the similarity of concepts and manifestations, the rebound effect of modern drugs scientifically substantiates the principle of homeopathic cure. Although the rebound phenomenon is an adverse event studied by modern pharmacology, it is not known by health care professionals, thus depriving doctors of knowledge indispensable for safe management of drugs.

Efectos de las diluciones homeopáticas altas sobre las plantas: revisión de la literatura / Effects of high homeopathic dilutions on plants: a review of the literature

Entre los supuestos no convencionales de la homeopatía, el uso de medicamentos en diluciones altas (HD, por sus siglas en inglés) es una causa de objeciones y escepticismo entre la comunidad científica, formada dentro del paradigma de la dependencia de la dosis de la farmacología clásica. La investigación que busca evidenciar los efectos de las HD homeopáticas recurre a varios modelos experimentales (in vitro, plantas y animales). Objetivo: Describir los resultados de estudios con alta calidad metodológica que han demostrado los efectos positivos de las HD homeopáticas sobre las plantas. Métodos: Tomando como fuente de referencia las revisiones publicadas hasta 2015, actualizamos la información añadiendo datos de estudios recientes incluidos en la base de datos PubMed. Resultados: De los 167 estudios experimentales analizados, 48 cumplieron los criterios mínimos de calidad metodológica, de los cuales 29 detectaron efectos específicos de las diluciones homeopáticas altas sobre las plantas mediante la comparación con controles adecuados. Conclusiones: A pesar de que la mayor parte de los experimentos presentaba una calidad metodológica por debajo del estándar, los estudios que emplearon sistemáticamente reproducibilidad y controles negativos demostraron indiscutibles efectos significativos de las HD homeopáticas sobre las plantas.

Among the non-conventional assumptions of homeopathy, the use of medicines in high dilutions (HD) is a cause for objections and skepticism among the scientific community, trained within the dose-dependency paradigm of classic pharmacology. Research aiming at evidencing the effects of homeopathic HD has resource to several experimental models (in vitro, plants and animals). Aim: To describe the results of studies with high methodological quality that demonstrated positive effects of homeopathic HD on plants. Methods: Taking reviews published until 2015 as reference source, we updated the information through addition of data from recent studies included in database PubMed. Results: From 167 experimental studies analyzed, 48 met the minimum criteria of methodological quality, from which 29 detected specific effects of homeopathic high dilutions on plants through comparison to adequate controls. Conclusions: Despite the substandard methodological quality of most experiments, studies with systematic use of negative controls and reproducibility demonstrated significant indisputable effects of homeopathic HD on plants.

Formación médica en la terapéutica no convencional en el mundo (homeopatía y acupuntura) / Medical training in non-conventional therapeutics in the world (homeopathy and acupuncture)

Utilizadas de forma complementaria, alternada o integrada con la medicina convencional, la demanda de la población por las terapias no convencionales se ha incrementado considerablemente en las últimas décadas, requiriendo de los médicos un conocimiento de las nociones básicas de tales enfoques terapéuticos para orientar a sus pacientes en relación con tratamientos distintos a aquellos que suelen prescribir. Entre las mismas, la homeopatía y la acupuntura se han considerado especialidades médicas en Brasil durante varias décadas. Objetivo: Describir el estado actual de la formación médica en terapias no convencionales (homeopatía y acupuntura) alrededor del mundo. Métodos: Actualizamos los datos relacionados con los estudios y revisiones publicados hasta 2013 a través de una revisión de los estudios más recientes incluidos en la base de datos PubMed. Resultados: En todos los países, la enseñanza de terapias no convencionales se considera un tema relevante para la formación de médicos como una función del creciente interés de la población en su uso, con un amplia variedad de enfoques dirigidos a los estudiantes de licenciatura y posgrado, médicos residentes y profesionales con otras especialidades médicas. Conclusiones: Las escuelas brasileñas de medicina deben proporcionar a los estudiantes de licenciatura y posgrado, así como a los médicos residentes, un conocimiento preciso de los supuestos teóricos y enfoques clínico-terapéuticos propios de la homeopatía y la acupuntura, entre otras terapias no convencionales.

Used as complementary to, alternating or integrated with mainstream medicine, the population's demand for non-conventional therapies has substantially increased in the past decades, requiring from doctors knowledge on the basic notions of such therapeutics to orient their patients regarding treatments different to the ones they usually prescribe. Among them, homeopathy and acupuncture are considered medical specialties in Brazil for various decades. Aim: To describe the current state of medical education in non-conventional therapies (homeopathy and acupuncture) around the world. Methods: We updated data resulting from studies and reviews published until 2013 through a review of more recent studies included in database PubMed. Results: In all countries the teaching of non-conventional therapies is considered a relevant topic for the training of doctors as a function of the increasing interest of the population in their use, with a broad range of approaches targeting undergraduate and graduate students, medical residents and doctors from other medical specialties. Conclusions: The Brazilian medical schools must provide undergraduate and graduate students and medical residents accurate knowledge on the theoretical assumptions and clinical-therapeutic approaches proper to homeopathy and acupuncture, among other non-conventional therapies.

Estrógeno potenciado en el tratamiento homeopático del dolor pélvico asociado a endometriosis: un estudio aleatorizado, doble ciego, controlado con placebo, de 24 semanas / Potentiated estrogen in the homeopathic treatment of pelvic pain associated with endometriosis: a 24-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Evaluar la eficacia y seguridad del estrógeno potenciado en comparación con el placebo en el tratamiento homeopático del dolor pélvico asociado a endometriosis (EAPP, por sus siglas en inglés). Diseño del estudio: El presente fue un estudio clínico aleatorizado, doble ciego, controlado con placebo, de 24 semanas, el cual incluyó a 50 mujeres de entre 18 y 45 años de edad con diagnóstico de endometriosis infiltrante profunda con base en ultrasonido transvaginal o imágenes de resonancia magnética después de preparación intestinal, así como puntaje ≥ 5 en una escala visual analógica (VAS: rango de 0 a 10 puntos) para el dolor pélvico asociado con la endometriosis. Se administró estrógeno potenciado (12cH, 18cH y 24cH) o placebo dos veces al día por vía oral. La medida principal de resultado fue el cambio en la severidad de los puntajes parcial y global de EAPP (VAS) de la línea basal a la semana 24, determinada como la diferencia en el puntaje medio de cinco modalidades de dolor pélvico crónico (dismenorrea, dispareunia profunda, dolor pélvico no cíclico, dolor intestinal cíclico y/o dolor urinario cíclico). Las medidas secundarias de resultado fueron la diferencia media de puntaje para la calidad de vida evaluada con el Cuestionario de Salud SF-36, los síntomas de depresión en el Inventario de la Depresión de Beck (BDI) y los síntomas de ansiedad en el Inventario de Ansiedad de Beck (BAI). Resultados: El puntaje global de EAPP (VAS: rango de 0 a 50 puntos) se redujo en 12.82 (p < 0.001) en el grupo tratado con estrógeno potenciado de la línea basal a la semana 24. El grupo que utilizó estrógeno potenciado también presentó una reducción en el puntaje parcial (VAS: rango de 0 a 10 puntos) en tres modalidades de EAPP: dismenorrea (3.28; p < 0.001), dolor pélvico no cíclico (2.71; p = 0.009) y dolor intestinal cíclico (3.40; p < 0.001). El grupo de placebo no mostró cambio significativo alguno en los puntajes global o parcial de EAPP. Además, el grupo de estrógeno potenciado mostró un mejoramiento significativo en tres de ocho ámbitos de SF-36 (dolor de cuerpo, vitalidad y salud mental) y síntomas de depresión (BDI). El grupo de placebo no mostró un mejoramiento significativo a este respecto. Estos resultados demuestran la superioridad del estrógeno potenciado sobre el placebo. Se asociaron pocos eventos adversos con el estrógeno potenciado. Conclusiones: El estrógeno potenciado (12cH, 18cH y 24cH) en dosis de 3 gotas dos veces al día durante 24 semanas fue significativamente más efectivo que el placebo para reducir el dolor pélvico asociado con la endometriosis. Registro del estudio clínico: ClinicalTrials.gov Identificador: https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT02427386.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of potentized estrogen compared to placebo in homeopathic treatment of endometriosis-associated pelvic pain (EAPP). Study design: The present was a 24-week, randomized, doubleblind, placebocontrolled trial that included 50 women aged 18-45 years old with diagnosis of deeply infiltrating endometriosis based on magnetic resonance imaging or transvaginal ultrasound after bowel preparation, and score ≥ 5 on a visual analogue scale (VAS: range 0 to 10 points) for endometriosis-associated pelvic pain. Potentized estrogen (12cH, 18cH and 24cH) or placebo was administered twice daily per oral route. The primary outcome measure was change in the severity of EAPP global and partial scores (VAS) from baseline to week 24, determined as the difference in the mean score of five modalities of chronic pelvic pain (dysmenorrhea, deep dyspareunia, non-cyclic pelvic pain, cyclic bowel pain and/or cyclic urinary pain). The secondary outcome measures were mean score difference for quality of life assessed with SF-36 Health Survey Questionnaire, depression symptoms on Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and anxiety symptoms on Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Results: The EAPP global score (VAS: range 0 to 50 points) decreased by 12.82 (p < 0.001) in the group treated with potentized estrogen from baseline to week 24. Group that used potentized estrogen also exhibited partial score (VAS: range 0 to 10 points) reduction in three EAPP modalities: dysmenorrhea (3.28; p < 0.001), non-cyclic pelvic pain (2.71; p = 0.009), and cyclic bowel pain (3.40; p < 0.001). Placebo group did not show any significant changes in EAPP global or partial scores. In addition, the potentized estrogen group showed significant improvement in three of eight SF-36 domains (bodily pain, vitality and mental health) and depression symptoms (BDI). Placebo group showed no significant improvement in this regard. These results demonstrate superiority of potentized estrogen over placebo. Few adverse events were associated with potentized estrogen. Conclusions: Potentized estrogen (12cH, 18cH and 24cH) at a dose of 3 drops twice daily for 24 weeks was significantly more effective than placebo for reducing endometriosis-associated pelvic pain.

Saúde, Espiritualidade e Religiosidade segundo o Espiritismo / Health, Spirituality and Religiosity according to Spiritism

Nas últimas décadas, tem-se observado um número crescente de estudos evidenciando uma associação positiva do envolvimento espiritual e religioso com melhores indicadores de saúde física e mental. Nesse contexto, espiritualidade e religiosidade se relacionam a menores taxas de suicídio, depressão, ansiedade e uso de substâncias ilícitas; melhor recuperação nos casos de depressão e maior bem-estar geral, dentre outros benefícios que as caracterizam como fonte de força e resiliência para os pacientes. Assim sendo, espiritualidade e religiosidade passam a ser valorizadas como importantes contributos na atenção clínica e na promoção à saúde, sendo de fundamental importância sua incorporação às atividades de ensino, pesquisa e assistência dos currículos acadêmicos das diversas áreas da saúde. Analogamente, pela importância crescente dedicada à correlação entre saúde, espiritualidade e religiosidade, profissionais da saúde devem estar preparados para compreender as demandas espirituais e religiosas de seus pacientes, adquirindo informação e treinamento nos diversos aspectos e abordagens desse vasto campo de conhecimento. Atendendo a esse objetivo, propomos neste projeto de pós-doutorado sistematizar e disponibilizar as contribuições do Espiritismo no entendimento dessa correlação, em vista de ser um sistema ideológico de cunho científico, filosófico e religioso, disseminado mundialmente e seguido por 2% da população brasileira segundo o último censo demográfico (IBGE, 2010).

Objective: In recent decades, there has been an increasing number of studies showing a positive association between spiritual and religious involvement and better indicators of physical and mental health. In this context, spirituality and religiosity are related to lower rates of suicide, depression, anxiety and use of illicit substances; better recovery in cases of depression and greater general well-being, among other benefits that characterize them as a source of strength and resilience for patients. Therefore, spirituality and religiosity are now valued as important contributors to clinical care and health promotion, and their incorporation into teaching, research and assistance activities in the academic curricula of the various areas of health is of fundamental importance. Analogously, due to the growing importance dedicated to the correlation between health, spirituality and religiosity, health professionals must be prepared to understand the spiritual and religious demands of their patients, acquiring information and training in the different aspects and approaches of this vast field of knowledge. In order to meet this objective, we propose in this postdoctoral project to systematize and make available the contributions of the Spiritism in understanding this correlation, in view of being an ideological system of a scientific, philosophical and religious nature, disseminated worldwide and followed by 2% of the Brazilian population according to the last demographic census (IBGE, 2010).

Epidemiologia clínica homeopática: premissas e princípios para a elaboração da pesquisa clínica em homeopatia / Homeopathic clinical epidemiology: premises and principles for elaboration of clinical research in Homeopathy

A epidemiologia clínica se ocupa da prática clínica através do estudo da variação e dos determinantes da evolução das doenças, sendo indispensáveis os seus conhecimentos para o correto desenho, planejamento e execução dos diversos tipos de estudos clínicos. Dentre os pressupostos homeopáticos, a individualização do tratamento é uma condição indispensável para se atingir a eficácia e a efetividade da terapia, necessitando um período maior de acompanhamento para que os ajustes da similitude terapêutica globalizante sejam alcançados. A epidemiologia clínica homeopática associa as premissas e princípios da epidemiologia clínica aos da episteme homeopática, com o intuito de incrementar a qualidade metodológica da pesquisa clínica sem desrespeitar a racionalidade homeopática. Nessa revisão, abordamos as premissas e os princípios da epidemiologia clínica (homeopática), destacando os aspectos fundamentais para a elaboração de estudos epidemiológicos em homeopatia para os diversos tipos de doenças, incluindo as epidemias.

Clinical epidemiology deals with clinical practice through the study of variation and the determinants of the evolution of diseases, its knowledge being indispensable for the correct design, planning and execution of the different types of clinical studies. Among the homeopathic assumptions, the individualization of treatment is an indispensable condition to reach the efficacy and effectiveness of the therapy, requiring a longer period of follow-up so that the adjustments of the globalizing therapeutic similarity are achieved. Homeopathic clinical epidemiology associates the premises and principles of clinical epidemiology with those of homeopathic episteme, with the aim of increasing the methodological quality of clinical research without disrespecting homeopathic rationality. In this review, we discuss the premises and principles of (homeopathic) clinical epidemiology, highlighting the fundamental aspects for the elaboration of epidemiological studies in homeopathy for the different types of diseases, including epidemics.

Tratamento homeopático e prevenção da Covid-19: protocolo de pesquisa clínica para avaliar a eficácia e a segurança do medicamento do gênio epidêmico / Homeopathic treatment and prevention of Covid-19: clinical research protocol to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the epidemic genius medicine

Além da reconhecida aplicação nas doenças crônicas, a homeopatia individualizada também pode atuar de forma resolutiva ou complementar nos casos agudos, incluindo as doenças epidêmicas. No entanto, para atingir esse intento, apresenta uma metodologia semiológica e terapêutica específica que deve ser seguida e respeitada, com o risco de não apresentar a eficácia e a segurança desejada. No caso das doenças epidêmicas, que pela virulência dos seus agentes provoca um quadro sintomatológico comum na maioria dos indivíduos suscetíveis, o medicamento homeopático individualizado (medicamento homeopático do gênio epidêmico) deve apresentar semelhança com o conjunto de sinais e sintomas característicos dos pacientes acometidos nos diferentes estágios de cada surto epidêmico. Estudos evidenciam a eficácia e a segurança desta prática terapêutica e/ou profilática em diversas epidemias do passado. Assim sendo, após o levantamento dos possíveis medicamentos homeopáticos individualizados do gênio epidêmico de cada epidemia, sua aplicação terapêutica e/ou profilática em larga escala deve ser sustentada por ensaios clínicos prévios que demonstrem sua eficácia e segurança, em consonância com os aspectos éticos e bioéticos da pesquisa envolvendo seres humanos. Cumprindo essas premissas da boa prática clínica, elaboramos, em março de 2020, esse protocolo de pesquisa para investigar, em ensaio clínico randomizado, duplo-cego e placebo-controlado, a eficácia e a segurança de possíveis medicamentos homeopáticos individualizados do gênio epidêmico da COVID-19. Caso a eficácia e a segurança se confirmem, e tão somente nessa condição, o medicamento poderá ser utilizado de forma generalizada e coletiva no tratamento e na prevenção da atual epidemia. Com esse intuito, encaminhamos este projeto a médicos, pesquisadores e gestores de diversos hospitais públicos e privados, solicitando uma oportunidade para aplicar essa proposta em pacientes internados em enfermarias e/ou centros de terapia intensiva destinadas ao tratamento da COVID-19.

In addition to the recognized application in chronic diseases, individualized homeopathy can also act in a resolutive or complementary way in acute cases, including epidemic diseases. However, to achieve this intent, it presents a specific semiologic and therapeutic methodology that must be followed and respected, with the risk of not presenting the desired efficacy and safety. In the case of epidemic diseases, which due to the virulence of their agents causes a common symptomatological picture in most susceptible individuals, the individualized homeopathic medicine (homeopathic medicine of the epidemic genius) should present similarity with the set of characteristic symptoms and signs of the patients affected in the different stages of each epidemic outbreak. Studies show the efficacy and safety of this therapeutic and/or prophylactic practice in several epidemics of the past. Therefore, after the survey of possible individualized homeopathic medicine from the epidemic genius of each epidemic, its therapeutic and/or large-scale prophylactic application should be supported by previous clinical trials that demonstrate its effectiveness and safety, in line with the ethical and bioethical aspects of research involving human beings. Fulfilling these premises of good clinical practice, we developed, in March 2020, this research protocol to investigate, in a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial, the effectiveness and safety of possible individualized homeopathic medicines of epidemic genius of COVID-19. If effectiveness and safety are confirmed, and only in this condition, the medicine may be used in a generalized and collective manner in the treatment and prevention of the current epidemic. To this end, we refer this project to physicians, researchers and managers of several public and private hospitals, requesting an opportunity to apply this proposal to patients hospitalized in wards and/or intensive care units for the treatment of COVID-19.

Telomere length: biological marker of cellular vitality, aging, and health-disease process.

The aging process occurs due to the decline of vital physiological functions and adaptability of the body, being influenced by genetics and lifestyle. With advances in genetics, biological aging can be calculated by telomere length. Telomeres are regions at the ends of chromosomes that play a role in the maintenance and integrity of DNA. With biological aging, telomere shortening occurs, causing cellular senescence. Several studies show that shorter telomeres are associated with acute and chronic diseases, stress, addictions, and intoxications. Even in the current COVID-19 pandemic, telomere shortening is proposed as a marker of severity in individuals infected by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). On the other hand, healthy lifestyle habits increase telomere length and balance of various cellular functions, preventing diseases.

Telomere and Telomerase: Biological Markers of Organic Vital Force State and Homeopathic Treatment Effectiveness.

BACKGROUND: Philosophical-scientific correlations described in previous studies suggest that the genome can be the biological representation of the vital force, whilst the disease-promoting epigenetic alterations would be the biological representation of the chronic miasmas. In this study, we expand the functional correlation between vital force and chromosomes, describing the mechanism of action of the telomere-telomerase complex in the context of physiological balance. AIMS: The aim of the work is to study the role of the telomere-telomerase complex in cell vitality, biological aging, and the health-disease process, with the goal of proposing the use of telomere length as a biomarker of the vital force state and the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment. RESULTS: Similar to the vital force, telomere length and telomerase enzyme activity play an important role in maintaining cellular vitality, biological longevity, and physiological homeostasis. Telomere shortening functions as a biomarker of vital imbalance and is associated with numerous diseases and health disorders. On the other hand, health-promotion practices neutralize the pathological shortening of the telomeres, acting therapeutically in diseases or age-dependent health disorders. CONCLUSIONS: As a hypothetical biomarker of the vital force state, an intra-individual analysis of the mean leukocyte telomere length before, during, and after homeopathic treatment can be used as a biomarker of therapeutic effectiveness.