An article in the Annals of Internal Medicine reports, “Selenium supplementation does not seem to prevent type 2 diabetes, and it may increase risk for the disease.” Continue reading The long-term effect of selenium on diabetes risk
Monthly Archives: July 2007
Arnica: Not really par excellence
The website HealthWorld has an article on homeopathy that describes arnica (mountain daisy) as “par excellence” for the treatment of shock or trauma caused by any injury. Although the German Commission E Monograph lists herbal doses of arnica as approved for external use resulting from accidents, it questions arnica’s value in homeopathy, as discussed in this review.
Based on what we know, the frequent reference to arnica as “par excellence” is an overstatement. Continue reading Arnica: Not really par excellence
Da Cheng Qi Tang purges heat accumulation
In this study, it promoted recovery of gastrointestinal motility after abdominal surgery. Continue reading Da Cheng Qi Tang purges heat accumulation
Chiropractic now recognized in Thailand
Chiropractic treatment has been available in Thailand since 1993, with 21 local and foreign chiropractors — most practicing in Bangkok and Pattaya.
Now, 14 years later, Bangkok’s The Nation newspaper reports that testing for certification of chiropractors took place last week. Continue reading Chiropractic now recognized in Thailand
What to do about the high prevalence of insomnia
Patients with the highest risk for sleep disturbance are those with pain, mental illness, limited activity, and overall “poor physical and mental health.” Continue reading What to do about the high prevalence of insomnia
Caution when taking probiotics
There have been lots of posts on this blog about probiotics. None, however, on their safety.
Overall, they’re quite safe, but there is at least one group of patients where caution is advised. Continue reading Caution when taking probiotics
Using fish oil in treating phenylketonuria
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic disorder that can cause brain damage and mental retardation. Treatment is a low-protein diet.
Now, we learn that fish oil supplementation in children with PKU improved their motor skills (ie, writing, tying shoes, walking and kicking). Continue reading Using fish oil in treating phenylketonuria
Testing Hyponidd, an Ayurvedic compound, to treat type 2 diabetes
It lowered fasting and postprandial blood sugar levels and glycosylated hemoglobin (A1c) levels — but not significantly. Continue reading Testing Hyponidd, an Ayurvedic compound, to treat type 2 diabetes
The importance of exercise in any weight control program
In the short term, exercise alone or exercise plus diet result in more weight loss than diet alone (10 kg [4.5 lb] vs 2 kg [1 lb]).
Here are some other highlights from an article by Dr. John Jakicic, Director of the Physical Activity and Weight Management Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh.
Continue reading The importance of exercise in any weight control program
No difference between food from cloned and conventional livestock
The Food and Drug Administration has concluded, “Meat and milk from clones and their progeny is [sic] as safe to eat as corresponding products derived from animals produced using contemporary agricultural practices.”
The FDA scientists state that by the time clones reached 6 to 18 months of age, they were “virtually indistinguishable” from conventionally bred animals.
The usual groups are appalled. Libby Quaid has more on myway.com.
12/27/06 01:02 JR
Remember to change your diet when you start taking omega 3 capsules
Dr. Jennifer Malinowski, who is Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Nesbitt School of Pharmacy and Nursing in Pennsylvania, reports a patient who experienced an 75% increase in LDL (bad) cholesterol while taking 9 grams of fish oil capsules per day to lower her triglyceride levels. Obviously, it’s not desirable for LDL to go up.
What can we learn from this patient’s experience? Continue reading Remember to change your diet when you start taking omega 3 capsules
Moving to the next stage of research with probiotic treatment of diarrhea
Yes, probiotics are “generally regarded as safe,” say researchers from Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium.
But although most studies show “statistical shortening of the duration of diarrhea,” evidence that the results are really beneficial to patients is missing.
Here’s what we know. Continue reading Moving to the next stage of research with probiotic treatment of diarrhea
Should you tell your doctor you practice yoga?
Yes, according to Dr. Timothy McCall who is an editor on Yoga Journal.
Even though you doctor probably doesn’t know much about yoga, there are some safety issues that deserve discussion.
Continue reading Should you tell your doctor you practice yoga?
Prof. Ernst comes to the defense of CAM
During the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology Annual Meeting in Lyon, France, researchers from Cardiff University reported that women who used complementary therapies while undergoing invitro fertilization (IVF) were 30% less likely to become pregnant than those who used IVF alone. Continue reading Prof. Ernst comes to the defense of CAM
Measuring the effects of ylang-ylang oil
Cananga odorata (common name, ylang-ylang; pronounced ee-lang ee-lang) is among the most celebrated flowering trees in the world. It was made famous by Coco Chanel in 1923 with the introduction of Chanel No.5 perfume,
Read on to find out why ylang-ylang oil is more than just an expensive scent.
Pomegranate doesn’t improve erectile dysfunction
But, Dr. Harin Padma-Nathan from UCLA is a well-recognized researcher in this field, and he thinks more study is warranted. Continue reading Pomegranate doesn’t improve erectile dysfunction
The benefit of small amounts of dark chocolate on blood pressure
In a small group of people with above-optimal blood pressure, including “small amounts of polyphenol-rich dark chocolate as part of a usual diet efficiently reduced blood pressure,” according to researchers from the University Hospital of Cologne in Germany.
Unfortunately, the researchers could only postulate the long term benefit of blood pressure control, rather than actually show it in this group of volunteers. Continue reading The benefit of small amounts of dark chocolate on blood pressure
Update: China’s response to the food export scandal
Chinese exports have been under scrutiny since the discovery of melamine in shipments of feed and pet food sent to the US.
Ongoing inspections in China have revealed an alarming list of substances, include paraffin wax, dyes, and formaldehyde in biscuits, flour, and seafood, according to the Chinese newspaper, People’s Daily. Continue reading Update: China’s response to the food export scandal
The hypnosis primer
You’re growing tired. Your eyelids are getting heavy.
You’re feeling verrry sleepy.
“It has taken centuries for medical hypnosis to regain credibility,” says Penn State psychology professor William Ray.
Now, MayoClinic.com has posted a common sense article. Continue reading The hypnosis primer
Review of Chinese herbal medicine for dysfunctional uterine bleeding
Researchers from Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Chengdu, China concluded, “Due to the lack of trials comparing Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) with no treatment or placebo, it is impossible to evaluate the effectiveness of CHM.” Continue reading Review of Chinese herbal medicine for dysfunctional uterine bleeding