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

Archive for March, 2010

Does soy lower the risk of chronic disease?

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

Epidemiological studies suggest that soy might be associated with a lower risk of certain chronic diseases. This has lead health regulatory agencies worldwide to approve food-labeling health claim for soy proteins.

Dr. Chao Wu Xiao at the University of Ottawa in Canada finds the data lacking. (more…)

Review of ginkgo to treat dementia

Monday, March 29th, 2010

This one comes from researchers at Charite University Medicine, in Berlin, and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz University, in Hannover, Germany. (more…)

Might eating fish protect infants from eczema?

Sunday, March 28th, 2010

Researchers from Sweden studied the effects of foods and other factors on the risk of eczema at 1 year of age. (more…)

Acupuncture to treat dry eye

Saturday, March 27th, 2010

Prof. Ernst reviewed reviewed the evidence for treating xerophthalmia (Greek for dry eyes) or Sjögren syndrome (autoimmune disease were white blood cells attack moisture-producing glands). (more…)

Effect of magnesium on blood pressure

Saturday, March 27th, 2010

It lowered blood pressure in adults with hypertension, but not in people with normal blood pressure. (more…)

Risk of liver toxicity from kava formulations

Saturday, March 27th, 2010

Does it matter whether the kava formulation is an aqueous, ethanolic, or acetonic extract?

Researchers from the Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University of Frankfurt/Main, in Germany tell us the risk of liver toxicity exists with all forms of kava. (more…)

Vitamin D and the risk of heart disease

Friday, March 26th, 2010

Researchers at the Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, looked at Vitamin D levels and found that about two-thirds of patients had low levels.

And, an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, according to results presented during the 59th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology. (more…)

The red yeast rice alternative to statins

Friday, March 26th, 2010

Red yeast rice decreases LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.

Researchers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania studied it’s potential as an alternative treatment option in patients who cannot tolerate statins. (more…)

Arsenic, cadmium and lead in medicinal herbs

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

This study was conducted at the University of Sofia in Bulgaria using local herbals.

I don’t know the relevance to herbals in other parts of the world, but the results are disturbing. (more…)

Targeted exercise programs in geriatric institutionalized people

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

Researchers from Faculté des Sciences du Sport, in Bordeaux, France compared the response to 2 exercise programs vs usual care. (more…)

Consumer Alert: Zicam cold remedies

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

The FDA is advising people to discontinue using 3 Zicam Nasal Gel/Nasal Swab cold remedies because they’re associated with the loss of sense of smell that may be long-lasting or permanent. (more…)

Yoga to treat eating disorders

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

It holds promise in the overall management of eating disorders, according to researchers at Seattle Children’s Hospital, in Washington. (more…)

Worried about copper in your supplements?

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has ruled that within limits, copper oxide can be safely used in food supplements. (more…)

Soy food and breast cancer risk

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

Researchers from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, in Nashville, Tennessee report the results from the Shanghai Women’s Health Study. (more…)

Acupuncture for allergic rhinitis, reviewed

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

Prof. Ernst reviewed its value for treating or preventing allergic rhinitis. (more…)

Effect of vitamin D on weight loss

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

During the Endocrine Society’s 91st Annual Meeting, researchers from the University of Minnesota reported that higher blood levels of vitamin D were associated with greater weight lose in obese volunteers on a calorie-restricted diet. (more…)

Vitamin D of no benefit in older patients with heart failure?

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

Researchers from Ninewells Hospital, in Dundee, United Kingdom report no benefit from vitamin D in their patients. (more…)

Cupping in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

Cupping is a treatment in which evacuated cups are applied to the skin to draw blood through the surface.

Researchers from Immanuel Hospital Berlin, in Germany reported the response to this traditional method of treating musculoskeletal pain. (more…)

Melatonin treatment of insomnia in ADHD

Sunday, March 21st, 2010

Researchers from Duke University Hospital, in Durham, North Carolina found positive effects in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). (more…)

Herbal use and adherence to steroids during asthma treatment

Saturday, March 20th, 2010

Researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in New York, studied the association among herbal use, adherence to prescribed inhaled corticosteroids, and the effect on disease control. (more…)