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

Archive for November, 2010

AHA endorses Nintendo Wii gaming system

Sunday, November 28th, 2010

The AHA logo will soon appear on the Nintendo Wii video gaming system.

“We have to engage consumers and citizens and the public where they are,” says Dr. Clyde Yancy, president of the American Heart Association (AHA). “The burden of heart disease and stroke is too much.”

But will the Wii really make a difference in heart health? (more…)

More support for omega-3 to slow age-related cognitive decline

Saturday, November 27th, 2010

Researchers at Martek Biosciences Corporation, in Columbia, Maryland, studied the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (an essential fatty acid) on improving cognitive functions in healthy older adults with age-related cognitive decline. (more…)

Herbal formula fails to prevent menopausal vasomotor symptoms

Monday, November 22nd, 2010

menopauseResearchers from the University of Western Sydney, in Australia report no benefit after 16 weeks of treatment. (more…)

Consumer Alert: Vigor-25

Friday, November 19th, 2010

The FDA tells us that Vigor-25, a product marketed as a natural dietary supplement to enhance male sexual performance, should not be purchased or used because it contains sildenafil, the active ingredient in the prescription drug Viagra.

The FDA is investigating the reported death of a 26-year old man, possibly associated with the use of Vigor-25. (more…)

Food Allergy Herbal Formulation (FAHF-2)

Thursday, November 18th, 2010

During the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), researchers discussed how herbal treatments may be integrated into conventional allergy treatments, including this Chinese herbal formula.

Here’s what we know about FAHF-2, a Chinese herbal formula being tested to treat food allergies. (more…)

Alcoholic energy drinks being banned by FDA

Tuesday, November 16th, 2010

Deaths and hospitalizations have been reported in young people, according to New York Senator Charles Schumer. (more…)

Heinz Ketchup reduces sodium 25%

Sunday, November 14th, 2010

H. J. Heinz Company has reformulated its world-famous ketchup to comply with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s National Salt Reduction Initiative.

It’s the latest salvo in the food wars. (more…)

Predictors of yoga use among patients with breast cancer

Friday, November 12th, 2010

Research suggests that yoga may reduce symptoms and improve quality of life among breast cancer patients.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania Health System, in Philadelphia, identified their characteristics. (more…)

Pilates for low back pain?

Friday, November 12th, 2010

In 2004, Prof. Chris Maher from The University of Sydney, in Australia concluded, “Physical treatments, such as… Pilates therapy… [is] either of unknown value or ineffective and so should not be considered.”

Now, researchers from Pilates Core Kinesis, in Madrid, Spain have published an updated review of the state of the art. (more…)

Does vitamin D reduce progression of knee osteoarthritis?

Thursday, November 11th, 2010

During the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting, researchers in Boston reported (abstract 706) that adding vitamin D as a supplement did not lessen the symptoms or slow the progression of knee osteoarthritis. (more…)

Might vitamin D deficiency make you chubby?

Thursday, November 11th, 2010

Less vitamin D means more adiposity, according to researchers in the US and Bogota, Columbia. (more…)

Effects of Tai Chi on psychological well-being

Thursday, November 11th, 2010

Researchers from Tufts University School of Medicine, in Boston, reviewed the evidence supporting this low impact mind-body exercise. (more…)

Sweet solutions help infants tolerate immunizations

Wednesday, November 10th, 2010

Researchers from The Hospital for Sick Children, in Toronto, Canada reviewed the evidence for giving sweet solutions to infants before immunization. (more…)

Vitamins E and C and the risk of age-related cataract

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical, in Boston, studied the long-term effects. (more…)

Self-worth and the benefits of physical activity in menopause

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010

menopausePhysical activity enhances quality of life (QOL). Researchers from The Pennsylvania State University, in University Park evaluated the influence of physical self-worth and positive affect on this relationship. (more…)

Art therapy for children with asthma

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010

Researchers at the National Jewish Health, in Denver, Colorado are the first to report that children with asthma benefit from art therapy. (more…)

Tai chi on psychological well-being

Monday, November 8th, 2010

Physical activity and exercise appear to improve psychological health.

Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine, in Boston review the evidence for tai chi. (more…)

Vitamin D and bone loss in older men

Monday, November 8th, 2010

vitamind2 Researchers from the VA Medical Center Minneapolis, Minnesota report that men with 25(OH)D levels below 20 ng/mL had greater rates of hip bone loss. (more…)

Use of CAM in patients with head and neck cancer

Sunday, November 7th, 2010

Researchers at the National University of Singapore surveyed the use of CAM in residents of Singapore who had head and neck cancer.

Here are their findings compared to other countries where similar studies have been conducted. (more…)

Risk of curcumin-drug interactions

Sunday, November 7th, 2010

Researchers at Central South University, in Hunan, China studied the effect of curcumin (turmeric) on drug metabolizing enzymes.

Their findings suggest a risk for curcumin-drug interactions. (more…)