The latest edition of Yoga Journal tells us, “The social calendar we tend to keep at this time of year falls out of sync with the earth’s natural cycles. If you find quiet, more modest ways to celebrate, you’ll stay in tune with the season and have more time and energy to connect with close friends and family.”

Here are some options
(more…)

Winner: If you can stick a pin in it, researchers are eager to study acupuncture.

(more…)

Loser: Not only doesn’t it work, but governments all over the world are piling on black cohosh.
(more…)

Most disappointing: Why does policosanol reliably lower cholesterol in Cuba but nowhere else?

(more…)

Following the lead of Disney, Universal Studios will serve healthier side dishes and aims to eliminate trans-fats from its menus.

It started this Christmas eve. The goal is for all theme parks to be 100% free of trans fats by the end of 2007.

12/30/06 21:05 JR

Here is a profile of CAM users among patients with cancer who live in Washington State. The data come from an insurance survey. So, it’s limited to what people submit for reimbursement.

(more…)

Many studies show a correlation between n-3 fatty acids (FAs; aka omega-3 fatty acids) and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Now, a review of published studies in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition gets specific.

(more…)

When I first graduated from pharmacy school I worked for a short time at Columbus Hospital in Newark, NJ. There was nothing fancy about this hospital except that it had rugs on all the floors and original art hung on the walls. It was unlike anything I had seen in other New Jersey hospitals.

This small private hospital was apparently 30 years ahead of its time.

(more…)

Here’s a study that looked at the feasibility and clinical impact of prescribing several ayurvedic treatments in 60 people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

(more…)

North of the (US) border it’s possible to get medical marijuana from the government if you have a “grave or debilitating disease.”

Here’s a report on a group of such patients who reported relief from smoking or taking marijuana by mouth.

(more…)

Several years ago duct tape became popular as a treatment for warts (Verruca vulgaris) after it was reported that complete resolution occurred in 85% of patients treated with duct tape vs 60% of those treated with cryosurgery.

Now, another study disputes the value of duct tape.

(more…)

There’s nothing more complementary than removing a facial wrinkle. Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) is the gold standard for removing glabellar rhytids (forehead winkles). So, it’s not surprising when topical creams sold without a prescription purport to give similar or better outcomes.

Fat chance.

(more…)

Crain’s Chicago Business reports that McDonald’s is testing a new form of healthier fries at nearly 1200 US locations, and reportedly is making positive strides.

(more…)

There’s lots of interest in probiotics, so I guess it’s not surprising to see if Lactobacillus fermentum lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.

Unfortunately, there’s no effect. More info here if you’re interested.

12/24/06 21:19 JR

The results of the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) study were summarized here recently.

Now, Dr. Sally Shumaker, professor of public health sciences and associate dean for research at Wake Forest University Medical School, writes about the study’s implications in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

(more…)

I was surprised to learn of the popularity of homeopathy among today’s luminaries.

Here’s a list.

(more…)

A study from the University of Thessaloniki in Greece reports that administering a synbiotic formula has beneficial effects in critically ill trauma patients.

(more…)

Cannabis (marijuana) dependence is associated with an increased risk of panic attacks.

More than 4000 Colorado adults participated in a study of the lifetime associations between cannabis use, abuse, and dependence, and the risk of panic attacks.

(more…)

Rhinosinusitis refers to symptoms (nasal obstruction/discharge and loss of smell) of a cold or allergy that involve the nasal passages and the sinuses.

This study (written in German) in 144 patients with acute rhinosinusitis showed improvement in those receiving the homeopathic remedy compared to patients who received placebo.

(more…)

Another study reports that black cohosh is useless to prevent hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause.

Here are the results from the Herbal Alternatives (HALT) for Menopause Study, funded by the National Institutes of Health.

(more…)