Researchers from the University of Wollongong, in Australia, report positive results with seal oil. (more…)

Researchers from McGill University in Montreal reviewed the evidence. (more…)

The effects of folic acid-containing supplements may differ from natural sources of folate, according to the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. (more…)

During the Endocrine Society’s Annual Meeting, Researchers from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Sinai Hospital, in Baltimore, Maryland, reported an association between vitamin D deficiency and type 2 diabetes. (more…)

A valued reader of this site, Rachelle Holmes at Chicago Plastic Surgery Center, wrote to suggest the importance of understanding the adenosine A1 receptors in the mechanism of action of acupuncture for pain management.

Animal research is not usually covered here. However, considering that acupuncturists who read this site frequently tell me that conclusions in the literature (eg, fibromyalgia summarized here, here, and here) understate their experience, perhaps this latest study by researchers at the University of Rochester, in New York deserves mention.

First, the details.

• Peripheral inflammation was induced by injection of Freund’s complete (CFA) in the bottom of the right hind paw of mice.
  • An equal amount of saline (0.1 ml) was injected in the bottom left hind paw as a control.
• Neuropathic pain was induced by tying the right leg sciatic nerve in the anesthetized mice with polypropylene suture.
• Response to pain was measured using a radiant heat source focused on the hind paw, and the time to move the paw from the heat.
• A small acupuncture needle was gently inserted in a depth of 1.5 mm in the Zusanli point, and rotated every 5 minutes for 30 minutes.

And, the results.

• Adenosine, a neuromodulator with anti-pain properties, was released during acupuncture in mice.
  • Neuromodulators potentiate or inhibit the transmission of a nerve impulse but is not the actual means of transmission itself.
• Acupuncture’s anti-nociceptive actions required the presence of the adenosine A1 receptor.
• Direct injection of an adenosine A1 receptor agonist mimicked the pain relieving effect of acupuncture.
• Inhibition of enzymes involved in adenosine degradation increased the acupuncture-elicited increase in adenosine, as well as its anti-pain effect.

The bottom line?

The authors concluded, “These observations indicate that adenosine mediates the effects of acupuncture and that interfering with adenosine metabolism may prolong the clinical benefit of acupuncture.”

The study is important because it shows there’s a physiologic change in response to acupuncture that helps explain the pain relieving response.

It would be interesting to know whether sham acupuncture creates the same response.

6/21/10 19 JR

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that this instant coffee product, marketed as a dietary supplement for sexual enhancement, contains an active drug ingredient that can dangerously lower blood pressure.

Goodness! How could this happen? (more…)

Paying a premium for free-range eggs might not buy you healthier eating, according to researchers at the National Cheng Kung University, in Tainan, Taiwan. (more…)

Tai chi is becoming increasingly popular as an option to prevent falls.

Researchers at the University Medical Centre Rotterdam, in The Netherlands, reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Researchers at the University of Ottawa, in Ontario reviewed the evidence for improved control of diabetes in type 2 diabetes mellitus. (more…)

Researchers at the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System, in Prescott, Arizona report that no interaction occurred.

How should we consider these findings in light of other research showing an interaction? (more…)

The FDA is alerting parents and caregivers that some liquid Vitamin D supplement products are sold with droppers that could allow excessive dosing of Vitamin D to infants. (more…)

Dr. Moshe Frenkel (photo), who is medical director of the Integrative Medicine Program at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, in Houston, Texas, has reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in Baltimore, Maryland compare beta carotene to vitamin A. (more…)

Prolonged physical exertion and environmental stress may depress immune cell function and increase the risk of an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI).

Researchers from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia studied the response to vitamin C under these conditions. (more…)

Each has been practiced more than 50 years, in many countries, by thousands of students and teachers.

Here are the holistic highlights from an excellent comparative review written by researchers and clinicians in Champaign and Urbana, Illinois. (more…)

This is the first study of St. John’s wort + kava to treat major depressive disorder with underlying anxiety, according to researchers from The University of Queensland, Australia. (more…)

The SUNLIGHT (Study of Underlying Genetic Determinants of Vitamin D and Highly Related Traits) Consortium reports its results.

The abstract in The Lancet is poor, but here’s a summary of the details from Medical News Today. (more…)

Researchers at Aristotle University, in Thessaloniki, Greece, studied the effect of Greek traditional dances on quality of life. (more…)

Cardiovascular events, of course, include heart attack, stroke or death due to diseased heart and blood vessels.

Researchers from the US looked for evidence of benefit from Ginkgo biloba. (more…)

Researchers at Victoria University, in Melbourne, Australia reviewed the evidence.

But not everyone agrees with their conclusions. (more…)