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

Archive for December, 2007

The winner in CAM for 2007

Monday, December 31st, 2007

Omega-3 fatty acids, of course

There’s so much good stuff it’s hard to know where to start. (more…)

Biggest losers in CAM for 2007

Monday, December 31st, 2007

We’re talking about companies that manufacture, market, and sell adulterated “Natural” dietary supplements that are promoted to treat impotence. These unscrupulous individuals place unsuspecting users at risk of serious side effects.

Let’s shine light on the culprits in 2007. (more…)

A CAM success story for 2007

Monday, December 31st, 2007

That would have to be Polyphenon E. (more…)

Dietary resolution for the New Year

Sunday, December 30th, 2007

The H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute in Tampa, Florida recommends eating more fruit and veggies to help you be healthier and shed extra pounds.

Here are some highlights. (more…)

Is acupuncture a complement to or substitute for medical services?

Sunday, December 30th, 2007

It’s an important question for insurers, healthcare practitioners, and policy makers, say researchers from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in New York.

Here’s what they found. (more…)

Positive results using exercise to treat fibromyalgia

Sunday, December 30th, 2007

I’m piecing together the results of a study by Brazilian researchers presented at the recent meeting of the American College of Rheumatology. (more…)

Using a soy-based moisturizer to treat photoaging

Saturday, December 29th, 2007

The researchers from Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products show that “a moisturizer containing stabilized soy extracts is safe and effective.” (more…)

Complementary options to reduce falls in osteoporosis patients

Saturday, December 29th, 2007

According to Drs. Julie Lin and Joseph Lane from the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, “Nonmedical management of osteoporotic patients has a critical role in a comprehensive treatment plan.”

Here are the highlights from their Medscape article complemented by other sources. (more…)

Korean pine nut tree and weight loss

Friday, December 28th, 2007

The Korean pine nut (Pinus koraiensis), which is also known as PinnoThin was selected as the most innovative ingredient at the First International Conference on Innovations and Trends in Weight Loss and Weight Management (Slimming Germany)

It increases levels of the appetite-suppressing hormones (glucagon-like peptide-1) GLP-1 and cholecystokinin (CCK). But does this actually result in weight loss? (more…)

Peppermint oil is “probably effective”

Friday, December 28th, 2007

No consistent, good-quality patient-oriented evidence is available on peppermint oil (Mentha piperita). So, the authors based their conclusions on the criteria in the strength of recommendation taxonomy (SORT). (more…)

Recommended doses of omega-3 fatty acids for heart benefits

Thursday, December 27th, 2007

Dr. Michael Miller from the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore presents the latest recommendations. (more…)

Should all hospital patients receive a probiotic?

Thursday, December 27th, 2007

Maybe, based on these study results. (more…)

Finding a link for the proposed beneficial effects of omega-3 on Alzheimer’s disease

Thursday, December 27th, 2007

I usually shy away from animal data. After all, there’s a long road between the lab and the medicine chest.

However, in light of my nominee for CAM of the year (see 12/31/07 posts) the results published by researchers from California and Osaka are interesting. (more…)

Response to milk thistle among people with hepatitis C

Tuesday, December 25th, 2007

Researchers in the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment Against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) Trial looked at the use and response to silymarin (milk thistle extract) among the patients in the study. (more…)

Newfangled gadgets to prevent computer-related injuries

Tuesday, December 25th, 2007

Medical News Today reports on research by Dr. Alan Hedge from Cornell’s College of Human Ecology in New York.

It’s important because repetitive-motion injuries are associated with one-third to one-half of all compensatory injuries at work. (more…)

Lowering triglyceride levels HIV-infected patients

Monday, December 24th, 2007

The use of potent antiretroviral therapy significantly alters lipid profiles in HIV-infected patients.

It’s clear that fish oil reduces triglyceride blood levels in patients without HIV infection. Now, this study evaluates fish oil to control blood triglyceride levels in patients with HIV. (more…)

We don’t know if zinc prevents diabetes or not

Monday, December 24th, 2007

A review of the literature by the Cochrane Collaboration concludes there is no evidence that zinc can prevent type 2 diabetes.

In fact, there was little to review. Jaybee comments that the revised title to this post more accurately describes the state of the knowledge. I agree. (more…)

Buteyko therapy for asthma

Sunday, December 23rd, 2007

Buteyko is a specific form of breathing therapy (actually breathing restraint) that has been used in the management of asthma.

Here’s what we know. (more…)

Effect of prescription omega-3 on triglycerides and coronary heart disease

Sunday, December 23rd, 2007

Two old acquaintances, Drs. James McKenney and Domenic Sica from Virginia Commonwealth University, have reviewed the evidence. Here’s a summary. (more…)

A role for acupuncture in breast cancer treatment

Sunday, December 23rd, 2007

As many as one-half of patients with breast cancer experience chemotherapy-associated cognitive dysfunction (eg, perception, memory, judgment, and reasoning).

They are often interested in using acupuncture for symptom relief. But is it worth the effort? (more…)