Researchers from the US and The Netherlands reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Preventing fractures with vitamin D
Monthly Archives: September 2010
Effect of cranberry extract on lipids
Researchers from the Taichung Veterans General Hospital, in Taiwan examined the effect of cranberry ingestion on cholesterol in Type 2 diabetic patients taking anti-diabetes medicine. Continue reading Effect of cranberry extract on lipids
Options to treat nauesa and vomiting in early pregnancy
There are lots of options but little high-quality scientific support for any of them, according to this Cochrane review. Continue reading Options to treat nauesa and vomiting in early pregnancy
Krill oil vs fish oil to manage premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea
In this study, researchers at the University of Montreal, in Quebec, evaluated the response to alternative sources of omega-3 fatty acids (krill vs fish) in women with premenstrual syndrome.
A reader comments, and I reply. So, it’s back to the top of the queue for this post. Continue reading Krill oil vs fish oil to manage premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea
Update: Cannabis and the risk of psychosis
Dr. Cecile Henquet, of the Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology at the University of Maastricht, presented a summary of what we know during the 23rd European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress.
Here are the highlights of an interview on Medscape. Continue reading Update: Cannabis and the risk of psychosis
Relative importance of lifestyle changes on the risk of dementia
Researchers at INSERM (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Medicale), in Montpellier, France, tell us lifestyle changes can more than offset the risk posed by genetics, which, of course, can’t be changed. Continue reading Relative importance of lifestyle changes on the risk of dementia
Relaxation therapy to manage hot flushes
The Cochrane Library has reviewed allopathic and CAM nonhormonal options. Continue reading Relaxation therapy to manage hot flushes
Review: Cranberry and urinary tract infections in spinal cord injury patients
Urinary tract infections are the most common medical complication in people with spinal cord injury.
Researchers at the University of Guelph, in Ontario, reviewed the evidence for cranberry to prevent or treat these infections and found it lacking. Continue reading Review: Cranberry and urinary tract infections in spinal cord injury patients
Selenium and skin cancer risk
Researchers from Australia and the Netherlands conducted an 8-year follow-up study. Continue reading Selenium and skin cancer risk
Benefits of physical activity for fibromyalgia
Usually, it’s the last thing patients want to do.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in Baltimore, Maryland, let patients select their physical activity routine. Continue reading Benefits of physical activity for fibromyalgia
Benefits of balance and tone exercise in older women
Researchers at the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, Canada studied the effects on cognitive function. Continue reading Benefits of balance and tone exercise in older women
St. John’s wort interaction with oxycodone
Chronic pain is associated with depression.
Self-treatment of that depression with St John’s wort makes pain patients prone to a drug interaction with the potent pain drug, oxycodone (OxyContin), according to this study by researchers at the University of Turku, in Finland. Continue reading St. John’s wort interaction with oxycodone
Effect of guarana on mental performance and fatigue
Guarana (Paullinia cupana) extracts are popular in energy drinks, teas, and capsules.
In this study, taking guarana improved mental performance and reduced the mental fatigue associated with tasks requiring a sustained mental effort.
How’d it do that? Continue reading Effect of guarana on mental performance and fatigue
Giving sugar to infants to control pain
Researchers at the University College London, in the UK, tell us, “Many infants admitted to [the] hospital undergo repeated invasive procedures. Oral sucrose is frequently given to relieve procedural pain in neonates on the basis of its effect on behavioral and physiological pain scores.”
Here are the results of their study that measured brain activity during an acute painful procedure. Continue reading Giving sugar to infants to control pain
Vitamin D to reduce joint pain with aromatase inhibitors
Aromatase inhibitors (listed below) are a class of drugs used to treat breast cancer and ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women. Joint pain (arthralgia) is the main reason women stop taking this drug.
Researchers at the University of Barcelona, in Spain, used vitamin D to lower the risk of arthralgia. Continue reading Vitamin D to reduce joint pain with aromatase inhibitors
Ginkgo biloba for intermittent claudication?
Intermittent claudication is the classic complaint of people suffering from peripheral arterial disease. It’s associated with muscle pain in the leg, which occurs during walking and exercise.
Here’s a critical review from the Cochrane Library on the value of Ginkgo biloba treatment. Continue reading Ginkgo biloba for intermittent claudication?
Should you trust supplements to lower cholesterol levels?
Researchers from Concord Hospital, in New Hampshire reviewed the evidence and graciously provide us with succinct conclusions.
Here’s what we know. Continue reading Should you trust supplements to lower cholesterol levels?
Zinc improves the response to Botox
Zytaze is a recently approved prescription drug that contains zinc and phytase (to improve zinc absorption).
During the American Society of Ophthalmic, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery meeting, researchers from The Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, will report that this combination improved the response to injections of botulinum toxin. Continue reading Zinc improves the response to Botox
Indoor tanning and the risk of melanoma
Researchers at the University of Minnesota, in Minneapolis, report the risk.
And the tanning industry disputes the findings. Continue reading Indoor tanning and the risk of melanoma