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

Archive for January, 2012

Ayurvedic treatments for diabetes mellitus

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

In this Cochrane review, researchers at the Child and Adolescent Care Centre, in Chennai, India, assessed the effects. (more…)

Enriched skim milk powder to prevent gout flares

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

Laboratory studies have identified two dairy fractions, glycomacropeptide (GMP) and G600 milk fat extract (G600), with anti-inflammatory effects in models of acute gout.

Researchers at the University of Auckland, in New Zealand, tested the concept in humans. (more…)

Treatments for dry mouth

Monday, January 30th, 2012

Xerostomia (the feeling of dry mouth) is common especially in older adults. Causes include medications, autoimmune disease (Sjögren’s Syndrome), radiotherapy or chemotherapy for cancer, hormone disorders, and infections.

This Cochrane review evaluated the evidence for topical treatments to reduce symptoms. (more…)

New vitamin D recommendations for menopausal women

Monday, January 30th, 2012

Here’s the new European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) position statement on the role of vitamin D after menopause. (more…)

Absorbability of arsenic and lead in traditional Ayurvedic medicines

Monday, January 30th, 2012

Researchers at the Royal Military College of Canada, tested 42 medicines. (more…)

Vitamin D and high blood sugar levels in the elderly

Sunday, January 29th, 2012

Researchers at the University College London, in the UK, investigated the association between vitamin D levels and hyperglycemia in older people. (more…)

Review: Qigong in patients with cancer

Sunday, January 29th, 2012

Qigong is often used by cancer patients to help manage their symptoms.

Researchers at The University of Hong Kong, in China, evaluated the effectiveness of qigong exercise in cancer care. (more…)

Spinal manipulation for chronic low back pain

Sunday, January 29th, 2012

Here are the findings of a Cochrane review. (more…)

Exergaming for older adults

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

At first, I was skeptical, but research suggests there are benefits.

Researchers at Skidmore College, at Saratoga Springs, New York, studied the effects of stationary cycling virtual reality tours (“cybercycle”) on executive function and clinical status. (more…)

Benefits in type 2 diabetes of eating fatty fish

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

Dietary advice is the basis of treatment of diabetes, but there’s uncertainty about the effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Researchers at Uppsala University, in Sweden, compared the effects of diets rich in omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids on glucose and lipoprotein metabolism in these patients. (more…)

CAM use among people with migraine

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, in Boston, Massachusetts, report patterns and reasons for its use.

It’s not what you think. (more…)

Reassessing fried foods and heart disease risk

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

Researchers in Spain assessed the association between eating fried foods and the risk of coronary heart disease. (more…)

Pomegranate seed oil and menopausal symptoms

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

Researchers at the Medical University of Vienna reported disappointing results. (more…)

Potential for berberine to cause drug interactions

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

Berberine is used to treat gastrointestinal infections, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol. Many studies report interactions between berberine-containing products and cytochrome P450, but little is known about whether berberine alters CYP activities in humans.

Researchers at the Xiang Ya School of Medicine, in the People’s Republic of China, studied the effects of berberine on a series of drugs and P450 enzymes after repeated dosing. (more…)

Blood pressure effects of low- and high-salt diets

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

In this Cochrane review, researchers at Copenhagen University Hospital, in Denmark, estimated the effects of low-sodium vs. high-sodium intake on blood pressure (BP), renin, aldosterone, catecholamines, and lipids. (more…)

Effect of eating frequency on adiposity

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

Researchers at the University of California, in Berkeley, studied girls, 9 to 20 years old. (more…)

Contributions of physical activity to ADHD care

Sunday, January 22nd, 2012

Researchers at the Universite de Montreal, in Quebec, explored the effects of physical activity programs on fitness, cognitive function, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-related behavior in children with ADHD. (more…)

Review: CAM options for carpel tunnel syndrome

Sunday, January 22nd, 2012

Aside from surgery, splinting, exercises, and other alternative therapies have been used.

Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Berberine to treat acute coronary syndrome

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

Acute coronary syndrome refers to any condition brought on by sudden, reduced blood flow to the heart causing chest pain during a heart attack or chest pain at rest or doing light physical activity (unstable angina).

Researchers at Shanghai Jiaotong University, School of Medicine, in China, tested berberine’s effects on ACS patients following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (aka angioplasty or stent placement). (more…)

Do fruit and veggies lower colorectal cancer risk?

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

It’s controversial.

Now, researchers at Imperial College, in London, UK, have reviewed the evidence. (more…)