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

Archive for the 'H. CHEMICALS' Category

Static magnets and copper fail to improve arthritis

Tuesday, October 1st, 2013

MAGNETIC-BRACELET-150x150Folklore remedies for pain and inflammation support these bracelets to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Researchers at The University of York, in the UK studied their effects. (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…)

Does selenium reduce the risk for prostate cancer?

Wednesday, June 20th, 2012

About 15 years ago, researchers in the US published the results of a study showing that taking selenium supplements lowered the risk of prostate cancer.

Now, researchers in the UK have examined all the available evidence for selenium intake, selenium levels in the body, and prostate cancer risk. (more…)

Demographics and the risk for high mercury levels?

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

Using data from a study of pregnant women from an inland area in the US South, researchers at Duke University, in Durham, North Carolina, sought to understand the fish consumption habits and associated mercury levels. (more…)

Few skiers use sunscreen as directed

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

Researchers at Klein Buendel Inc, in Golden, Colotrado, examined compliance with sunscreen advice at ski areas in western North America. (more…)

Selenium supplements in adults with high cholesterol

Sunday, December 11th, 2011

Researchers in the US and UK investigated the effect of selenium on lipid blood levels. (more…)

Increasing popularity of dietary supplements

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

Dietary supplement use has steadily increased since the 1970s.

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health estimated dietary supplement use based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2006, a nationally representative survey. (more…)

Vitamin E and an increased risk of prostate cancer

Thursday, October 13th, 2011

The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) found no reduction in risk of prostate cancer with vitamin E supplements.

As a follow-up, researchers in the US determined the long-term effect of vitamin E and selenium in relatively healthy men. (more…)

Value of zinc to treat Wilson disease

Monday, September 26th, 2011

Wilson disease is a genetic disorder that affects copper storage, leading to liver failure and neurologic deterioration.

Researchers at the University Hospital of Heidelberg, in Germany, studied the long-term outcomes copper chelators vs zinc salts. (more…)

Adding tai chi improves antidepressant drug therapy

Saturday, June 25th, 2011

During the New Clinical Drug Evaluation Unit Meeting, researchers at David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, reported that adding tai chi to escitalopram (Lexapro, Cipralex, Seroplex) treatment further reduced the severity of depression. (more…)

Lack of effect of an Echinacea cocktail on exacerbations of COPD

Saturday, May 21st, 2011

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. (more…)

Vitamin E, selenium, + soy to treat prostate cancer?

Friday, May 6th, 2011

High-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) is a precursor of invasive prostate cancer (PCa). Some preliminary evidence suggests vitamin E, selenium, and soy protein may prevent progression of HGPIN to PCa.

Researchers at Princess Margaret Hospital, in Toronto, Ontario tested this hypothesis. (more…)

Improving alcohol-based hand wipes

Tuesday, April 19th, 2011

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines for hand hygiene state that alcohol-based hand wipes are not an effective substitute for alcohol-based hand rub or hand washing with an antimicrobial soap and water.

So, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, in Pennsylvania upped the alcohol content of the wipes. (more…)

CAM for major depressive therapy

Friday, April 15th, 2011

The American Psychiatric Association’s Task Force on Complementary and Alternative Medicine reviewed the evidence and report their findings.

Here are their findings. (more…)

CAM (not St John’s wort) to treat depression

Tuesday, April 12th, 2011

Researchers at Goulds Naturopathica, in Hobart TAS, Australia, reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Soap and water wipes reduce infections in wrestlers

Saturday, February 19th, 2011

Medscape reports from the 50th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy that researchers at the University of Minneapolis, in Minnesota, studied high school wrestlers who used skin wipes after each match during a marathon day of wrestling.

The objective was to compare soap and water to alcohol swabs. (more…)

Benefits of micronutrients in people with HIV

Sunday, January 9th, 2011

During the XVIII International AIDS Conference, researchers at Florida International University, in Miami, and other institutions in the US and Botswana reported the benefits of micronutrients. (more…)

Benefits of antioxidant treatment in patients with HIV

Saturday, January 8th, 2011

HIV infection and the long-term use of antiretroviral drugs are associated with increased mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress.

During the XVIII International AIDS Conference, researchers at Florida International University, in Miami, and other institutions in the US reported beneficial effects of antioxidant supplementation on immune function and reducing mitochondrial damage. (more…)

Use of CAM in patients with head and neck cancer

Sunday, November 7th, 2010

Researchers at the National University of Singapore surveyed the use of CAM in residents of Singapore who had head and neck cancer.

Here are their findings compared to other countries where similar studies have been conducted. (more…)

Review of CAM for behavioral health

Friday, November 5th, 2010

Evidence for CAM to treat depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been reviewed by researchers at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, in Kenner.

Here’s what we know. (more…)