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

Archive for February, 2012

Dietary fiber and the risk of breast cancer

Wednesday, February 29th, 2012

Researchers in North Carolina and in China reviewed the association between dietary fiber intake and risk of breast cancer. (more…)

Effect of the dose of zinc lozenges on the common cold

Wednesday, February 29th, 2012

Researchers at the University of Helsinki, in Finland, examined whether the total daily dose of zinc might explain part of the variation in the results of previous studies. (more…)

CBT and the risk for heart disease

Wednesday, February 29th, 2012

Psychosocial factors are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality, but the effects of psychosocial factor treatment on heart disease are uncertain.

Researchers at Uppsala University Hospital, in Sweden, studied the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on the recurrence of cardiovascular disease. (more…)

CAM use in the Manitoba IBD Cohort Study

Monday, February 27th, 2012

Researchers in Winnipeg, Manitoba surveyed the prevalence of CAM use in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. (more…)

Support for exercise to preserve cognitive function

Monday, February 27th, 2012

Researchers at the Foundation of Public Health, Mutuelle Generale de l’Education Nationale, in Paris, reanalyzed data from the Women’s Antioxidant Cardiovascular Study (WACS), a cohort of women with prevalent vascular disease or 3 cardiovascular risk factors. (more…)

Consumer Alert: Man Up Now capsules

Monday, February 27th, 2012

Man Up Now claims to be “herbal” and “all natural.” Consumers may mistakenly assume the product is harmless and poses no health risk. One consumer below thinks it no big deal.

Consumers who have Man Up Now capsules should stop using them, because the FDA determined it contains sulfoaildenafil, a chemical similar to sildenafil, and the active ingredient in Viagra. (more…)

Using compression stockings to treat sleep apnea

Monday, February 27th, 2012

Fluid accumulation in the legs and its redistribution into the neck appears to play a role in obstructive sleep apnea (pauses in breathing during sleep).

Researchers at Hopitaux de Paris, Groupe Hospitalier Pitie-Salpetriere, in Paris, France, studied the response to wearing compression stockings during the day. (more…)

Does Pilates improved balance?

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

Researchers at the University of Tasmania, in Launceston, evaluated the effects of a Pilates on balance and function in community-dwelling elderly adults. (more…)

Tai chi benefits in Parkinson’s disease

Monday, February 20th, 2012

Patients with Parkinson’s disease have impaired balance, which affects function and increases the risk of falling. Exercise is routinely encouraged by healthcare providers, but few programs have been proven effective.

Researchers at the Oregon Research Institute, in Eugene, studied whether a tailored tai chi program could improve postural control in patients with Parkinson’s disease. (more…)

Effect of an urban environment on cannabis psychosis risk

Monday, February 20th, 2012

Cannabis is considered a cause of psychotic illness, interacting with genetic and other environmental risk factors.

Researchers at Maastricht University Medical Center, in The Netherlands, investigated whether an urban environment contributes to the effects of adolescent cannabis use on psychosis risk. (more…)

Dangers of colon cleansing

Monday, February 20th, 2012

Colon cleansing (aka colonic irrigation or colonic hydrotherapy) works like an enema. The patient lies on a table and up to 60 liters of water (with or without herbs) are pumped through the rectum. Fluids and waste are expelled through a tube. The procedure may be repeated several times.

Researchers at Georgetown University School of Medicine, in Washington, DC, reviewed its use. (more…)

Omega-3 for cystic fibrosis

Sunday, February 19th, 2012

In this Cochrane review, researchers at the Sydney Children’s Hospital, in New South Wales, Australia, evaluated the evidence that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation reduces morbidity and mortality. (more…)

Does it matter if your tuna is packed in water or oil?

Sunday, February 19th, 2012

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, in Philadelphia, compared the fatty acid profiles of different commercially available US tuna products. (more…)

Exercise during pregnancy

Thursday, February 16th, 2012

Researchers at Norwegian University of Science and Technology, in Trondheim, assessed whether exercise during pregnancy might prevent gestational diabetes and improves insulin resistance. (more…)

Fruit, veggies, and the risk of death from ischemic heart disease

Thursday, February 16th, 2012

A higher intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with a lower risk of ischemic heart disease (reduced blood supply to the heart muscle).

Researchers at the University of Oxford, in the UK, assessed the relation between fruit and vegetable intake and risk of death from ischemic heart disease in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Heart study. (more…)

Music plus art therapy for dementia-related apathy

Thursday, February 16th, 2012

Apathy is prevalent among patients with Alzheimer’s disease and is associated with greater morbidity and worse outcomes.

Researchers in Spain report that the music+art combination reduced apathy in patients with mild or moderate dementia. (more…)

Yoga appears to be beneficial for people with pain

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012

Researchers at the University of Witten/Herdecke, in Germany, reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Influence of maternal DHA supplements on infant morbidity

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012

Researchers in the US and Mexico studied the effects of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on immune function and inflammation. (more…)

Potential benefits of yoga for fibromyalgia

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition with widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, depression, and low cortisol levels.

Researchers at York University, in Toronto, Ontario, evaluated women with fibromyalgia before and after a yoga class. (more…)

Linking vitamin D and depression

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

Researchers at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, in Dallas, investigated the association between vitamin D blood levels and depression. (more…)