Archive for May, 2008
Probiotic, prebiotic, synbiotic: What’s the difference?
Friday, May 30th, 2008 Confusing? It won’t be after this.
The term, “probiotic” (meaning “for life”) was coined in the 1960’s, although the concept was introduced early in the 20th century. Probiotics are “good” bacteria that normally live in the intestines. They are found in foods such as yogurt, and in dietary supplements. Examples are Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium. The beneficial effects of probiotics are achieved by changing the microflora (numbers and types of bacteria) within the intestines.
Treating insomnia with meditation plus CBT
Thursday, May 29th, 2008More on yoga and menopause
Wednesday, May 28th, 2008FDA wants to establish offices inside China and India
Wednesday, May 28th, 2008 Asia Food Journal reports that the US Food and Drug Administration has received approval from the US State Department to establish 8 full-time FDA positions at US diplomatic posts in the People’s Republic of China.
All this is depends on authorization from the Chinese government. (more…)
CAERS reports on supplement safety
Wednesday, May 28th, 2008Does this mean donuts are healthy?
Tuesday, May 27th, 2008Inositol to treat anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder
Tuesday, May 27th, 2008 Several nutritional supplements are purported to treat anxiety. However, only inositol has evidence of superiority vs placebo and comparability with the SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) fluvoxamine (Luvox; not available in the US).
That’s the conclusion from Dr. Sy Atezaz Saeed and 2 coauthors from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. (more…)
Red yeast rice review
Tuesday, May 27th, 2008Omega-3 to treat depression in Parkinson’s disease
Monday, May 26th, 2008Habit cough and the use of biofeedback
Monday, May 26th, 2008 Let’s start by stating that “habit” cough is rare. Don’t jump to the conclusion that a cough lasting a month or so is “just” habit cough. See your doctor.
Because it’s rare there are no large clinical studies of treatment options. Here’s a case report where biofeedback and cognitive coping was effective.
Survival in cancer patients receiving Kampo therapy
Sunday, May 25th, 2008 Researchers from The University of Tokushima in Japan initially used Kampo to reduce the side effects and improve the quality of life of patients with uterine cervical cancer being treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. (more…)
Barbers Against Prostate Cancer
Saturday, May 24th, 2008 In addition to cutting hair, barbers once performed surgery (blood letting) and dentistry. Today, they’re making a comeback as lay prostate educators.
Medscape reports on an abstract presented by researchers at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida during the Cancer, Culture & Literacy Conference. (more…)
More benefits of the traditional Mediterranean diet
Friday, May 23rd, 2008 People at high risk of heart disease or stroke who changed to the Traditional Mediterranean Diet (TMD) showed significant reductions in LDL (bad) cholesterol. (more…)
Acupuncture in patients with severe knee osteoarthritis awaiting knee replacement
Friday, May 23rd, 2008Thoughts on CAM from Czech pharmacy students
Thursday, May 22nd, 2008Reflecting on the value of reflexology
Thursday, May 22nd, 2008A final nail in the policosanol coffin
Thursday, May 22nd, 2008 Over the past 2 years, researchers from all over the world have failed to confirm the results of early studies in Cuba that reported a cholesterol-lowering effect with policosanol (a mixture of fatty alcohols from waxes of sugar cane).
Here’s the latest study from researchers at the McGill University in Montreal, Canada. (more…)