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

Archive for February, 2013

Impact of dietary minerals on PMS

Thursday, February 28th, 2013

howtodealwithpms1Many dietary supplements are advocated to reduce certain symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). However, only one  — calcium — has been demonstrated to be of significant benefit.

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts, in Amherst, studied the effects of taking iron, potassium, zinc, and other minerals. (more…)

Topical sesame/rose geranium oil treats hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

Tuesday, February 26th, 2013

flashcard-body parts-nose-01People with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) have abnormalities in their blood vessels. The most common manifestation is spontaneous and recurrent nosebleeds (epistaxis). More on HHT is here.

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Sinus Center, in Baltimore, Maryland, studied the effects of sesame/rose geranium oil. (more…)

Self-acupuncture among people with beast cancer

Monday, February 25th, 2013

acupunctureMan11Maintenance acupuncture is recommended following successful clinic-based acupuncture.

Researchers at the University of Manchester, UK, assessed the effectiveness of self-maintenance acupuncture in the management of cancer-related fatigue (CRF). (more…)

Acupuncture for people with seasonal allergic rhinitis

Saturday, February 23rd, 2013

acupunctureMan1Researchers from the US, Germany, and China studied the proposed benefits.

The results offer an opportunity to compare acupuncture to other treatment options. (more…)

Using emollients to increase absorption of UV light in psoriasis

Monday, February 18th, 2013

ailmentPsoriasis-100x100Various topical emollients can affect the penetration of ultraviolet (UV) radiation during phototherapy of psoriasis.

Researchers at the University of Arizona, in Tucson, reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Here’s what we know about vitamin C and the common cold

Thursday, February 14th, 2013

150px-Ascorbic_acid_structureVitamin C (ascorbic acid) for preventing and treating the common cold has been a subject of controversy for 70 years.

Now, The Cochrane Library has reviewed the data. (more…)

More dangers of pot smoking reported

Wednesday, February 6th, 2013

MarijuanaTwo more research studies warn against having a cavalier approach to cannabis.

First, researchers at University of Sydney, in Australia, determined the prevalence of recent alcohol, nicotine, or cannabis use in young persons presenting for mental healthcare. (more…)

Clear benefits of a vegetarian diet on the risk of heart disease

Friday, February 1st, 2013

Few studies have examined differences in ischemic heart disease risk between vegetarians and nonvegetarians.

Now, researchers at the University of Oxford, in the UK fill that void. (more…)