The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point

Archive for March, 2007

Update on cannabinoids to treat pain

Saturday, March 31st, 2007

Here are highlights from the American Academy of Pain Medicine 23rd Annual Meeting

Sativex Oromucosal Spray (more…)

AARP offers a free pedometer

Saturday, March 31st, 2007

The link is here, and here’s why this is important.

(more…)

How might omega-3 improve mood?

Friday, March 30th, 2007

Of course we don’t know for sure if it does improve mood, but just in case, Dr. Sarah Conklin from the department of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh has a possible mechanism.

She presented the results of this study during the American Psychosomatic Society’s Annual Meeting in Budapest, Hungary.

(more…)

Using the telephone to complement psychotherapy for depression

Thursday, March 29th, 2007

An study in the April issue of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology concludes that when people receive brief telephone-based psychotherapy soon after starting antidepressant medication, strong positive effects may continue 18 months after their first session.

(more…)

Effect of diet during pregnancy on allergenicity of offspring

Tuesday, March 27th, 2007

According to 2 studies summarized earlier, modifying the dietary intake of omega-3 and -6 fatty acids during early childhood does not change the risk of getting asthma later on.

Now, we have a study of fish, butter, and margarine consumption during pregnancy and development of allergy in the offspring.

(more…)

Omega-3 effects on mood, personality, and behavior

Tuesday, March 27th, 2007

There’s growing interest in the relationship between fatty acids and variability in mood, behavior, and personality.

Here are the findings of a study conducted by researchers at the department of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh in the US.

(more…)

Considering CAM with other options to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting

Tuesday, March 27th, 2007

Dr. Sheila Wilhelm and two colleagues at the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Detroit have published a review in The Annals of Pharmacotherapy on preventing nausea and vomiting following surgery (ie, postoperative nausea and vomiting; PONY).

It’s nice to see CAM options considered along with pharmacological options. (more…)

Fraudulent claims for diabetes treatments

Monday, March 26th, 2007

The Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are cracking down on the online sale of dietary supplements for diabetes that make fraudulent claims to help or cure diabetes.

There are 24 companies receiving warning letters for many more products, which are listed here.

Check it out.

10/23/06 JR 22:45

Chinese herbal medicine therapy for chemotherapy-induced toxicity

Monday, March 26th, 2007

Patients with early-stage breast or colon cancer who required postoperative chemotherapy were eligible for the study.

(more…)

Pycnogenol reduces pain of endometriosis

Sunday, March 25th, 2007

Long-term treatment with French maritime pine bark extract (pycnogenol) reduced symptoms of endometriosis, such as pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea, in a study reported in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine.

Medscape has a summary.

(more…)

Innovations and trends in weight loss and weight management

Sunday, March 25th, 2007

Two upcoming conferences in Germany and France will focus on ingredients, products, and trends in fighting obesity.

Slimming Germany has graciously permitted The C.A.M. Report to blog their meeting.
(more…)

What to eat and not eat if you have inflammatory bowel disease

Saturday, March 24th, 2007

Dr. Richard MacDermott is head of the division of gastroenterology at Albany Medical College in New York. He has specialized in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) for 30 years and has an impressive resume.

Here are his dietary recommendations for people with IBS. My favorites are in italics.
(more…)

From Nobel laurate to QVC in less than 10 years

Friday, March 23rd, 2007

Dr. Ferid Murad (he’s the one on the right) won the 1998 Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology.

In January 2007 he was selling his book, The Wellness Solution, on QVC, a home shopping television station.

(more…)

Another look at the effect of coffee on the risk of type 2 diabetes

Friday, March 23rd, 2007

Earlier studies on this topic suggested it’s necessary to drink 6 or 7 cups per day in order to lower the risk of diabetes.

Now, a study reports, “The amount of coffee consumption was not significantly predictive of incident diabetes.”

(more…)

CAM from a biblical perspective

Thursday, March 22nd, 2007

It claims to be “the most comprehensive, current, well-balanced, and trustworthy information available from both a scientific and a biblical perspective.”

Here’s the premise for Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook, by Donal O’Mathuna and Walt Larimore, MD

(more…)

Biofeedback helps defecation, again

Wednesday, March 21st, 2007

This is the second study in 2 months to report a positive effect with biofeedback to treat pelvic floor dyssynergia-type constipation.

(more…)

Duct tape and the pesky common wart

Tuesday, March 20th, 2007

It’s pretty easy to find recommendations for duct tape to remove common warts.

But this study concludes there is “no statistically significant difference between duct tape and moleskin for the treatment of warts in an adult population.”

(more…)

Huge study supports fiber as a way to lower breast cancer risk

Tuesday, March 20th, 2007

In pre-menopausal women, total fiber intake protects against breast cancer.

In fact, according to this study, those with the greatest intake of fiber cut their risk of breast cancer in half.

Details here.

(more…)

FDA recalls V-Max and Rhino Max

Tuesday, March 20th, 2007

V-Max advertises itself as “a totally natural product containing herbal preparations scientifically proven to increase sexual performance and pleasure.”

Apparently, one of the “natural” ingredients is aminotadalafil, similar to tadalafil (Cialis), an FDA-approved drug used to treat erectile dysfunction.

(more…)

Changes in spirituality and religiousness during treatment of heavy drinking

Monday, March 19th, 2007

Here’s a study of the change in spirituality and religiousness among alcoholics during treatment and the associated changes in drinking outcomes.

Half of the 10 measures of spirituality changed significantly in 154 adults who participated in an Alcoholics Anonymous treatment program over 6 months.

(more…)