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

Archive for November, 2009

Multivitamins, cancer, heart disease, and death

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

Millions of postmenopausal women use multivitamins.

Does it matter? (more…)

Vibrational medicine: Results of scientific research

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009

Vibrational medicine is based on the premise that human beings are essentially “dynamic energy systems” (aka spirits), and the path to good health is found through maintaining a health balance and flow of energy through the body. (more…)

Acupuncture to treat insomnia

Saturday, November 21st, 2009

acupunctureManIn China, acupuncture is commonly used to treat insomnia.

Researchers from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine reviewed the evidence. (more…)

The growing incidence of drug-supplement interactions

Saturday, November 21st, 2009

The combined use of supplements with prescription and non-prescription drugs is increasing along with the potential for significant interactions.

Here’s the evidence. (more…)

Green tea and the risk of depression

Friday, November 20th, 2009

green_teaResearchers from Japan studied the relationship between drinking green tea and depression in elderly Japanese adults. (more…)

The effect of selenium on cholesterol levels

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

seleniumResearchers at the University of Warwick Medical School, in Coventry, UK examined the association. (more…)

Losing weight: Does it take a village?

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

This study in The New England Journal of Medicine compared the effectiveness of 4 diets for weight loss and weight maintenance.

The results are interesting. The accompany editorial is even better. (more…)

Using TENS to increase the effectiveness of exercise after stroke

Monday, November 16th, 2009

tens7000Researchers from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University report benefit in hemiparetic (weakness on one side of the body) stroke survivors. (more…)

Does acupuncture have a role during pregnancy?

Sunday, November 15th, 2009

acupunctureManResearches from the University of Western Sydney, in New South Wales, Australia reviewed the effectiveness of acupuncture during pregnancy and birthing. (more…)

Acupuncture for hot flashes in peri- and postmenopausal women

Sunday, November 15th, 2009

acupunctureManResearchers from Kyung Hee University, in Seoul, South Korea report “marked clinical improvement.” (more…)

The evidence for probiotics in allergic disease

Saturday, November 14th, 2009

probioticsBeneficial bacterium found in the intestinal tract of healthy people (probiotics) play an important role in immune development and may play a role in the development of allergic disorders. Manipulation of these bacteria may therefore offer an approach to prevent or treat allergic diseases.

Prof. ML Tank from the Royal Children’s Hospital, in Melbourne, Australia reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Acupuncture for hot flushes in prostate cancer

Saturday, November 14th, 2009

Prof. Ernst and colleagues have reviewed the effects of acupuncture as treatment for hot flushes in prostate cancer patients. (more…)

Recommended doses of vitamin D

Friday, November 13th, 2009

picVitaminDAmerican Family Physician has published a review of vitamin D deficiency, with recommendations. (more…)

Exercise to prevent vision loss

Friday, November 13th, 2009

Dr. Paul Williams from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has published 2 studies on the effects of exercise on cataracts (here) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (here). (more…)

Ginkgo biloba for preventing migraine

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

migraine2Researchers from the Villa Margherita Neurology Clinic, in Vicenza, Italy studied the use of ginkgolide B — an herbal constituent extract from Ginkgo biloba tree leaves — in patients suffering from migraine with aura. (more…)

Obituary: Jeremy Morris

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

Jeremy MorrisAn epidemiologist from the UK, he proved the connection between exercise and heart health, and laid the scientific groundwork for the modern aerobics movement. (more…)

Soladek toxicity in a 60-year-old woman

Monday, November 9th, 2009

Medscape has published a case report of a woman from the Dominican Republic who was hospitalized with complaints of weakness, stomach pain, and frequent urination. (more…)

Treating kids with high cholesterol

Monday, November 9th, 2009

Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics published guidelines for screening children for high cholesterol blood levels.

Now, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia have estimated the number that might need treatment. (more…)

Pilates, and preventing neck and shoulder disorders

Sunday, November 8th, 2009

pilatesShoulder biomechanics and spine alignment are related to neck-shoulder pain.

Researchers from McGill University, in Montreal, Quebec studied the effects of Pilates. (more…)

Mediterranean diet and risk of stroke

Sunday, November 8th, 2009

Researchers from Boston report that it lowers the risk of stroke as well as coronary heart disease. (more…)