In San Diego, CBS 8 reports that the Obama Administration is getting ready to ditch the Food Pyramid, a symbol of healthy eating for the last 2 decades. Continue reading End of the food pyramid
Monthly Archives: May 2011
Theater to improve quality of life in Parkinson’s disease
Medical treatments of Parkinson’s disease are intended reduce motor symptoms, but many patients still report a deterioration of their daily lives.
Researchers at IRCCS Neuromed, in Pozzilli, Italy hypothesized that participation in theater might reduce clinical disability and improve quality of life. Continue reading Theater to improve quality of life in Parkinson’s disease
Vitamin A supplements prevent morbidity and mortality in children
Vitamin A deficiency is a major public health problem in low and middle income countries and can lead to many adverse health consequences, including death.
This Cochrane review evaluated the effect of vitamin A supplementation in children aged 6 months to 5 years. Continue reading Vitamin A supplements prevent morbidity and mortality in children
Drinking green tea and the risk of depression
Green tea reportedly has various beneficial effects (eg, anti–stress and anti-inflammatory).
Japanese researchers conducted the first study designed to assess the relationship between green tea and depressive symptoms in a community population. Continue reading Drinking green tea and the risk of depression
Influence of prosody when speaking with persons who have Alzheimer’s
Prosody is the study of rhythm, intonation, stress, and related attributes in speech.
So, does the pitch and loudness of your voice influence your success in communicating with your demented grandmother? Researchers from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver wanted to know. Continue reading Influence of prosody when speaking with persons who have Alzheimer’s
Review: Herbal treatments for prementrual syndrome
Some herb remedies seem useful, according to researchers at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, in Italy. Continue reading Review: Herbal treatments for prementrual syndrome
Reducing the risk of heart disease in people with diabetes
Researchers at the University of Sydney, and Royal North Shore Hospital, in Australia reviewed the possible role of omega-3 fatty acids. Continue reading Reducing the risk of heart disease in people with diabetes
Treating mastitis with probiotics
Mastitis is an infection of breast tissue that results in breast pain, swelling, warmth, and redness of the breast. It’s a common infection during lactation.
Researchers at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, in Spain compared 2 lactobacilli strains isolated from breast milk to antibiotic therapy of lactational mastitis. Continue reading Treating mastitis with probiotics
Group music therapy for agitation in dementia
Researchers at Taipei Medical University, in Taiwan, explored the effectiveness of group music sessions to manage agitation in elderly persons with dementia. Continue reading Group music therapy for agitation in dementia
Omega-3 to treat major depression
This may be the largest study of its kind, according to the authors.
Researchers at the Université de Montréal, in Quebec, studied the short-term effect of omega-3 supplementation in reducing depressive symptoms in patients experiencing a major depressive episode. Continue reading Omega-3 to treat major depression
The value of nutritional supplements in older adults
We commonly take them, but studies show mixed results regarding their health benefits, according to researchers at Duke University Medical Center, in Durham, North Carolina. Continue reading The value of nutritional supplements in older adults
Lowering blood pressure with music-guided slow breathing
Bradypnea (slow breathing) was studied by researchers at the University of Florence, in Italy. Continue reading Lowering blood pressure with music-guided slow breathing
Synbiotics and the risk of common winter diseases in kids
Daily supplementation with a synbiotic preparation lowered this risk, according to researchers at Universita di Roma Tor Vergata, in Italy. Continue reading Synbiotics and the risk of common winter diseases in kids
Consumer Alert: Pentrexyl Forte Natural
FDA has recalled Pentrexyl Forte Natural because the packaging is believed to be misleading — causing it to be confused with an antibiotic.
Chiropractic care of infants with colic
Researchers in Pennsylvania and California reviewed the evidence on the chiropractic care of patients with infantile colic. Continue reading Chiropractic care of infants with colic
Benefits on cholesterol of eating nuts
Researchers at Loma Linda University, in California reviewed the effects of nut consumption on blood lipid levels and the ability of different factors to modify the response. Continue reading Benefits on cholesterol of eating nuts
Lack of effect of an Echinacea cocktail on exacerbations of COPD
Upper respiratory tract infections frequently exacerbate chronic-obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Researchers in Indonesia and Switzerland evaluated the effect of Echinacea purpurea + micronutrients in order to reduce the severity of these infections. Continue reading Lack of effect of an Echinacea cocktail on exacerbations of COPD
Fatty acids, vitamin D, and the risk of psychotic-like symptoms
Low intake of fish, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and vitamin D deficiency has been suggested to play a role in the development of schizophrenia.
Researchers from Scandinavia evaluated the association between the intake of different fish species, PUFA, and vitamin D, and the prevalence of psychotic-like symptoms in Swedish women. Continue reading Fatty acids, vitamin D, and the risk of psychotic-like symptoms
High percentage of supplements are contaminated
The New York Times reports, “Nearly all herbal dietary supplements tested in a Congressional investigation contained trace amounts of lead and other contaminants, and 16 of the 40 supplements tested contained pesticide residue that exceeded legal limits.
Here are the details of what the Government Accounting Office found. Continue reading High percentage of supplements are contaminated
Drug interactions with St John’s wort
It’s a long list compiled by researchers at RMIT University in Victoria, Australia. Continue reading Drug interactions with St John’s wort