The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point
  • About this web log

    This blog ran from 2006 to 2016 and was intended as an objective and dispassionate source of information on the latest CAM research. Since my background is in pharmacy and allopathic medicine, I view all CAM as advancing through the development pipeline to eventually become integrated into mainstream medical practice. Some will succeed while others fail. But all are treated fairly here.

  • About the author

    John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.

  • Common sense considerations

    The material on this weblog is for informational purposes. It is not medical advice or counsel. Be smart, consult your health professional before using CAM.

  • Recent Posts

  • Recent Comments

    Another review of CAM options for bipolar disorder

    St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) and S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAMe) top the list, according to this review from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pennsylvania.

    Omega-3 fatty acids has been studied in 2 controlled studies in bipolar disorder, while St. John’s wort, SAMe, and acupuncture have been studied in a series of randomized controlled trials in patients with major depression.

    The best evidence supports St. John’s wort for mild to moderate depression and SAMe for depression. Both products have the potential to induce mania, although the extent of this risk has not been quantified. St. John’s wort can also interact with a variety of medications.

    The benefits of omega-3 fatty acids or acupuncture are unclear. Other options such as aromatherapy massage, massage therapy, and yoga are supported by little if any evidence.

    The bottom line?
    For perspective, the authors’ conclusions regarding omega-3 indicate there has been no progress in advancing the role of omega-3 compared to 9 months and a year ago.

    Acupuncture is not very effective to treat major depression, as summarized here.

    And if that’s not enough for ya, these and other CAM options are summarized here.

    5/8/08 20:41 JR

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