Archive for November, 2008
Physical activity guidelines for Americans
Saturday, November 29th, 2008Should everyone get zinc?
Saturday, November 29th, 2008Inability to prevent back pain when lifting heavy objects
Friday, November 28th, 2008FDA warning on 2 weight loss products
Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 A company called Fashion Sanctuary is removing from the market all Zhen De Shou Fat Loss Capsules sold in 10-count blister cards.
In addition, Balanced Health Products, Inc. is voluntarily recalling Starcaps Diet System Dietary Supplement sold in 30-capsule plastic bottles. (more…)
More contaminated foods from China
Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 As an update to yesterday’s discussion about undeclared ingredients in medicine and other products from China, here’s the latest FDA advisory, warning the public not to consume certain dairy products because of possible melamine contamination.
A list of the products and a brief discussion of the dangers of melamine follows. (more…)
Tung Shueh Pills not legal in the US
Tuesday, November 25th, 2008 A reader who gets pain relief from this Chinese “herbal” product asks why it’s illegal in the US. (more…)
Smoking marijuana increases the risk of driving accidents
Tuesday, November 25th, 2008 Are you surprised? (more…)
Testing soy shakes for fibromyalgia
Saturday, November 22nd, 2008 Studies suggest that soy relieves neuropathic pain in animals and reduces pain and improves range of motion in people with osteoarthritis.
Based on this, researchers from the Mayo Clinic thought it reasonable to look for benefits of soy in people with fibromyalgia. (more…)
Making ayurveda an international medical system
Friday, November 21st, 2008 Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar is the former Director General of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research in India.
During the Second World Ayurveda Congress he shared his thoughts about bhasmas — the Ayurvedic “supplements” with the highest reported heavy metal (lead, tin, iron, arsenic) content. (more…)
Reviewing acupuncture to treat chronic headache
Friday, November 21st, 2008Risk factors for liver toxicity from kava
Friday, November 21st, 2008Black cohosh not associated with liver disease, again
Thursday, November 20th, 2008 This is the second review published this year, and the second to conclude “there is no evidence for a causal relationship between treatment by black cohosh and the observed liver disease.” (more…)
Benefits of biofeedback in older women with urge urinary incontinence
Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 It’s mostly in your head. (more…)
More evidence against intensive whiplash treatment
Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 Once again, less is more. (more…)
Does it make sense to take dietary supplements?
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008Skills of the healers
Monday, November 17th, 2008 It’s recognized that doctors’ relationships with their patients can have healing effects, but the skills in this area of medical practice are understudied.
How does one recognize a “healer?” (more…)
Is there a role for acupuncture to lower blood pressure?
Sunday, November 16th, 2008 “The notion that acupuncture may lower high blood pressure is inconclusive, according to reviewers from the Sangji University in Kangwondo, South Korea. (more…)
More tooth tunes? Music therapy during root canal
Sunday, November 16th, 2008 A while back, there was a toothbrush that played music to encourage kids to brush their teeth. That was fun.
Now, researchers from Tzu Chi University in Taiwan have studied the potential benefits of music therapy for a more serious activity — root canal treatment. (more…)