Archive for May, 2007
China sentences former drug regulator to death
Wednesday, May 30th, 2007Transplant patients are cautioned about taking Schisandra
Tuesday, May 29th, 2007 Schisandra sphenanthera (Nan Wu Wei Zi, lemon-wood) is “commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs.” I found no clinical study in humans to support the many claims for this Chinese herbal medicine.
Now, there’s a report of a drug interaction with tacrolimus (Prograf) — a drug used to suppress the immune system in order to prevent organ rejection of liver, kidney, or heart transplants. (more…)
Using probiotics to lessen diarrhea after radiation therapy
Sunday, May 27th, 2007 Radiation therapy can disturb bacterial colonies in the intestines and cause radiation-induced enteritis and colitis, leading to diarrhea in cancer patients.
In this study, researchers at the San Camillo Hospital in Rome, Italy used probiotics to reduce this complication. (more…)
Zoft Menopause Gum
Saturday, May 26th, 2007 The Zoft Gum Company, which makes several herbal supplement chewing gums (eg, breast enlargement, weight reduction) has introduced a new gum to help manage the symptoms of menopause.
There are no studies of this gum for treating menopausal symptoms in women. And the discussion of the gum’s ingredients on the Zoft website is misleading.
This summary should provide balance. (more…)
LipidShield: The rest of the story
Saturday, May 26th, 2007The Myers’ formula treats what ails ya
Saturday, May 26th, 2007 It’s used to treat a broad range of diseases, but nobody believes enough in the formula to do a controlled clinical study.
Why not? (more…)
Using creatine to treat dermatomyositis and polymyositis
Friday, May 25th, 2007 The former produces skin inflammation and muscle weakness. People with the later condition get weakness of limb and neck muscles, with muscle pain and swelling. (more…)
Making chiropractic care benefits available to vets
Friday, May 25th, 2007 The US House of Representatives has passed legislation to expedite expansion of chiropractic benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system. The bill was approved 421:1. (more…)
Consumer alert: More bad food from China
Thursday, May 24th, 2007 A frozen product labeled monkfish is being recalled after 2 people in the Chicago area ate it and became ill. (more…)
Ganging up on homeopathy in the UK
Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007 Here is an update to an earlier post where many scientists and advocates of evidence-based medicine claimed that giving homeopathy scientific status in the UK is unjustified.
An article in The Guardian reports an intensified effort to stop homeopathic treatment from being funded by the NHS (National Health Service) in the UK. (more…)
A silly study of anthroposophic medical therapy in chronic disease
Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007 The premise of this study is that longer consultation times — as is typical of anthroposophic care — will improve the health of patients with chronic diseases.
Why is it a silly study? (more…)
Are physicians prepared to educate patients about dietary supplements?
Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007 An article in Mayo Clinic Proceedings recently reported a disconnect between consumers’ use of herbals to treat certain conditions and the scientific support for their use.
The authors suggested that healthcare professionals take a proactive role in educating their patients. The results from this survey suggest doctors are not prepared for this responsibility without further training. (more…)
Mindfulness does not have a reliable effect on depression and anxiety
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007 That’s the conclusion from two researchers who reviewed 15 studies.
Here’s what they found.
- Evidence for a beneficial effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on depression and anxiety was equivocal.
- When active control groups were used, MBSR did not show an effect on depression and anxiety.
- Adherence to the MBSR program was infrequently assessed. When it was, the relation between practicing mindfulness and changes in depression and anxiety was equivocal.
Dr. Irene asks, “What was included with the MBSR? MBSR is not used in isolation of other treatments ” Unfortunately, the abstract doesn’t say.
If you’re interested, here’s a link with background on mindfulness therapies.
5/22/07 20:48 JR
Australia and New Zealand move toward combined drug/herbal regulation
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007Good manufacturing practices for dietary supplements approved by the President
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007Disconnect between the uses vs the scientific evidence supporting herbals
Monday, May 21st, 2007Consumer alert: Shark cartilage recall
Sunday, May 20th, 2007Motivational interviewing helps obese women with diabetes lose weight
Sunday, May 20th, 2007 Motivational interviewing is designed to help people explore and resolve ambivalence.
In this study, it appeared to help manage obesity in women with type 2 diabetes. (more…)