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

Archive for October, 2008

Unforeseen consequences of drinking wine

Friday, October 31st, 2008

The aim of this study was to review the literature in order to determine the levels of potentially harmful metals in table wines.

We know red wine is healthy, but is it safe? (more…)

Vitamin E and selenium didn’t prevent prostate cancer

Friday, October 31st, 2008

 Medscape reports that SELECT (Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial) is asking more than 35,000 adult men to stop taking these supplements because of an apparent lack of benefit and a possibility of harm.

But are we sure about this? (more…)

ConsumerLab reports on vitamin A

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

Among 17 products, 4 failed to measure up.

That’s almost 25%. (more…)

What you can do to lower your risk of hip fracture

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

Many risk factors can’t be changed, but a couple can. (more…)

Have you discovered Pallimed.org?

Tuesday, October 28th, 2008

 The authors review current palliative medicine, hospice, and end-of-life research. (more…)

Ayurvedic treatment for knee osteoarthritis

Monday, October 27th, 2008

 Reporting at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting, researchers from the Center For Rheumatic Diseases in Maharashtra, India concluded, Ayurvedic drugs may be safer and just as effective as glucosamine and celecoxib (Celebrex). (more…)

Biofeedback in children with voiding disorders

Sunday, October 26th, 2008

Urinary incontinence can lead to lower self-esteem and even kidney damage.

Researchers from Hopital Jeanne de Flandre in Lille, France evaluated the effect of a biofeedback-training program in children with a long history of voiding disorders. (more…)

Acupuncture for pelvic girdle pain in pregnant women

Sunday, October 26th, 2008

Pelvic girdle pain affects many activities of daily living such as housekeeping, walking, working, and sexual life.

Pregnant women who received acupuncture experienced “some improvement” compared to non-penetrating sham acupuncture in this study from the Sahlgrenska Academy, East Hospital in Goteborg, Sweden. (more…)

Acupuncture for nausea and vomiting in kids with cancer

Sunday, October 26th, 2008

 Researchers from Saarland University in Homburg, Germany report it “seems to be effective.” (more…)

Green tea and cancer prevention?

Saturday, October 25th, 2008

Green tea is made from the dried leaves of Camellia sinensis.

Here’s what we know about its use to prevent cancer. (more…)

Ayurvedic and the risk of heavy metal poisoning

Saturday, October 25th, 2008

What’s been published recently suggests there’s likely to be a problem.

Have we reached a tipping point? (more…)

The effects of tai chi on bone in postmenopausal women

Friday, October 24th, 2008

Base on the available data, it looks pretty good.

Researchers from the New England School of Acupuncture in Watertown, Massachusetts searched the medical literature and found 6 studies in women worth considering (the studies that is). (more…)

Yoga vs fluoxetine to treat premature ejaculation

Thursday, October 23rd, 2008

Fluoxetine (Prozac) is considered a useful treatment for this condition, which is thought to be due to psychological causes, although no one knows for sure. (more…)

Herbs used to treat liver toxicity due to tuberculosis therapy

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

Drugs to protect the liver are prescribed in some countries as a routine part of tuberculosis treatment.

But do they work? (more…)

Is there a role for probiotics to treat eczema?

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

This Cochrane review concludes, they’re “not an effective treatment for eczema.” (more…)

Childhood apraxia of speech

Monday, October 20th, 2008

 Apraxia is a disorder of the nervous system where there’s an inability to carry out learned purposeful movements such as speech, despite having the desire and physical ability.

Surprisingly, a lack of high quality studies makes it impossible to know which treatments are most effective in children or adolescents, according to this Cochrane review. (more…)

CAM and the chronic fatigue syndrome

Monday, October 20th, 2008

Medscape has published a review.

Here’s a summary of CAM options. (more…)

Integrative medicine at Stamford Hospital

Monday, October 20th, 2008

 Stamford Hospital in Connecticut has launched its Center for Integrative Medicine & Wellness at the Tully Health Center. (more…)

Active music engagement in kids with cancer

Sunday, October 19th, 2008

 Music therapy can be active or passive. In the active form, the therapist and patient are actively involved in playing music using instruments and voice. Passive music therapy is conducted with the patient at rest.

In this study, active music engagement was designed to counter the stress that confronts children with cancer while in the hospital. (more…)

Music to manage anxiety during palliative care

Sunday, October 19th, 2008

 Researchers from the Calvary Health Care Bethlehem in Melbourne, Australia studied the effectiveness of a single music therapy session in reducing anxiety among terminally ill patients. (more…)