We’re talking about the soft-bodied legless grub that is the larva of certain flies. Their benefits include cleaning the wound and possibly speeding healing.
Medscape has a detailed review of the subject.
Continue reading Using maggots to clean wounds
Live probiotic bacteria and dietary prebiotic oligosaccharides (together termed synbiotics) are being used in infancy, but evidence of their long-term effects and safety is lacking.
Now, researchers from Helsinki University Central Hospital in Finland report their effects. Continue reading Feeding synbiotics to newborn infants
Some studies suggest that cancer patients who take antioxidants are more likely to tolerate more full doses of chemotherapy. Continue reading Do antioxidants lower the side effects of chemotherapy?
It’s unclear whether killing the bacteria called Helicobacter pylori improves symptoms in patients with dyspepsia (ie, stomach pain with fullness, bloating, or nausea). But there is benefit in people with ulcers.
Here’s a review from American Family Physician that recommends that all of us with dyspepsia be tested and treated if H. pylori is found. Recommendations from the American College of Gastroenterology are here.
Is there a role for CAM?
Continue reading The poor record of CAM to treat H. pylori bacteria
Recently, the use of tegaserod (Zelnorm) and alosetron (Lotronex) to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was restricted because of adverse events.
Here’s what we know about probiotics for the relief of symptoms of IBS. Continue reading A review of probiotics to treat IBS
Growing evidence suggests that probiotics might serve as a functional food in the treatment of diarrhea.
Here’s what we know.
Continue reading Updating what we know about probiotics and diarrhea
Resistance to antibiotics by bacteria is on the rise, both in the hospital and in the community. Could it be that herbals might increase the effectiveness of antibiotics?
This lab study suggests it’s possible.
Continue reading Using herbals to increase the activity of antibiotics
Your can see the products that passed for free. Others will require a subscription. Continue reading ConsumerLab tests probiotic products
Confusing? It won’t be after this.
The term, “probiotic” (meaning “for life”) was coined in the 1960’s, although the concept was introduced early in the 20th century. Probiotics are “good” bacteria that normally live in the intestines. They are found in foods such as yogurt, and in dietary supplements. Examples are Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium. The beneficial effects of probiotics are achieved by changing the microflora (numbers and types of bacteria) within the intestines.
Continue reading Probiotic, prebiotic, synbiotic: What’s the difference?
The FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition’s Adverse Event Reporting System (CAERS) represents one of the few existing surveillance mechanisms.
Here’s a list of the 6 most frequently used and how they rate for reports of adverse events. Continue reading CAERS reports on supplement safety
A couple of PharmDs from Ohio have published a review of 16 weight loss supplements (and 1 drug) used to help shed excess girth.
I’ll give just the bottom line on each supplement here. Continue reading Popular weight loss supplements reviewed
Researchers from Alfa Institute of Biomedical Sciences (AIBS) in Athens, Greece reviewed the evidence for probiotics in treating or preventing atopic dermatitis in children. Continue reading Probiotics and dermatitis: A review in infants and kids
A probiotic drink containing Lactobacillus reduced the incidence of diarrhea caused by the bacteria Clostridium difficile in older hospitalized patients who were receiving antibiotics. Continue reading Probiotics prevent diarrhea during antibiotic treatment
Two reports from the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany support the role of leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) to treat osteoarthritis of the knee. The first included 16 patients who, in addition to other treatments, received four medicinal leeches on the inflamed knee for 80 minutes. The response was compared to 6 patients given conventional pain treatment. The second study was of similar design in 51 patients.
Probiotics are increasingly being used for their health benefits and are advocated by many healthcare professionals.
So, what’s the problem? Continue reading Safety of probiotics and the translocation issue
Researchers from Curtin University of Technology in Perth, Australia evaluated a milk product containing probiotics and prebiotics (Cupday Milk) on the incidence of diarrhea in children in daycare centers. Continue reading Probiotics reduce diarrhea in children
If an elite athlete takes something that enhances the immune system, does that make it a performance enhancement drug? Continue reading The benefits of probiotics in endurance athletes
Researchers at the University Medical Center Utrecht in The Netherlands, reported more deaths when patients suffering from severe acute pancreatitis were treated with probiotics compared to placebo. Continue reading Bad results with probiotics reported during treatment of pancreatitis
In general, past entries on this topic were positive, although peppermint oil gets a “C” rating (inconsistent or limited-quality patient-oriented evidence) for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Maybe so, but here is another supportive study that tested the effectiveness of enteric-coated peppermint oil in a well-defined group of patients. Continue reading Positive results with peppermint oil to treat irritable bowel syndrome
The extent of the benefit is related to the person’s body mass index, according to researchers from the University of Toronto in Ontario. Continue reading The relationship between dietary phytoestrogen and breast cancer risk