Guarana (Paullinia cupana) extracts are popular in energy drinks, teas, and capsules.
In this study, taking guarana improved mental performance and reduced the mental fatigue associated with tasks requiring a sustained mental effort.
How’d it do that? Continue reading Effect of guarana on mental performance and fatigue
Intermittent claudication is the classic complaint of people suffering from peripheral arterial disease. It’s associated with muscle pain in the leg, which occurs during walking and exercise.
Here’s a critical review from the Cochrane Library on the value of Ginkgo biloba treatment. Continue reading Ginkgo biloba for intermittent claudication?
Researchers from Concord Hospital, in New Hampshire reviewed the evidence and graciously provide us with succinct conclusions.
Here’s what we know. Continue reading Should you trust supplements to lower cholesterol levels?
This article by researchers at Freiburg University Medical Center in Germany reviews cocaine, ecstasy, and marijuana.
Let’s focus on the one purported CAM, marijuana. Continue reading Effects of recreational drugs on sleep
Researchers at the University of Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, hypothesized that cannabis use (or a cannabis use disorder) at a younger age relates to a high-risk symptoms at a younger age.
And a second study comes to rather odd conclusions about marijuana and schizophrenia severity. Continue reading Cannabis and the risk for developing psychosis
Researchers at the University Medical Centre Utrecht and De Hoogstraat, in The Netherlands surveyed the use of CAM in a large group of Dutch patients with spinal cord injury. Continue reading CAM for spinal cord injury pain
Researchers from the Netherlands report a patient whose HIV viral load increased with the development of drug resistance because ginkgo biloba interacted with efavirenz (Sustiva). Continue reading Ginkgo-efavirenz interaction in patients with HIV
Researchers from Mesa State College, in Grand Junction, Colorado used 2 different sources of ginkgo and came to 2 different conclusions. Continue reading Ginkgo biloba’s inconsistent effects on mountain sickness
Studies suggest that in one quarter of patients, symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may be caused or exacerbated by diet.
Researchers from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, at Chapel Hill, reviewed the data from a clinician’s perspective. Continue reading Effect of diet on irritable bowel syndrome
Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) is a liver enzyme responsible for the metabolism of approximately 30% of all drugs.
Researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock studied the effect of CYP2D6 on the metabolism of several herbal supplements and the risk of drug interactions. Continue reading CYP2D6-mediated herb-drug interactions
Not according to researchers at St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, in Bangalore, India. Continue reading Is there a role for hibiscus to lower cholesterol?
2 faculty at the University of California at San Francisco and the University of Utah reviewed the evidence and make recommendations for treatment.
Let’s focus on complementary options. Continue reading Managing nausea and vomiting in pregnancy
Milk thistle is often used to treat chemotherapy-associated liver toxicity.
Researchers from the US studied it in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Continue reading Is there a role for milk thistle treatment of liver toxicity in leukemia?
As part of the Charms & Harms series in the Journal of Primary Care, Dr. Joanne Barnes, from the University of Auckland, in New Zealand distilled the evidence.
Here’s what we know. Continue reading A quick review of Ginkgo
Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, in Seattle, Washington tell us, “There have been no prospective studies of the association between the long-term use of these supplements (omega-3 fatty acids and others] and breast cancer risk….” until now.
This and other recent breakthroughs are summarized below. Continue reading Fish oil lowers risk of breast of cancer
They’re among the cardinal signs of early pregnancy — experienced by 50% to 80% of women.
Let’s focus on CAM options from this review by researchers at the University of Utah and the University of California at San Francisco. Continue reading Managing nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy
Osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) occurs as cartilage breaks down and wears away. This causes the bones under the cartilage to rub together, resulting pain, swelling, and loss of joint motion.
Although glucosamine is increasingly used by these patients, researchers at Oslo University Hospital Outpatient Clinic in Norway tell us little was known about the effectiveness of glucosamine for this condition until now. Continue reading Glucosamine for chronic low back pain due to degenerative lumbar osteoarthritis
Researchers from Dalhousie University, in Halifax, Nova Scotia reviewed the evidence and make recommendations for women experiencing symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Continue reading Reviewing herbs, vitamins, and minerals in treating premenstrual syndrome
The Integrative Medicine Service, at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, in New York City offers their perspective. Continue reading Complementary therapies for patients with leukemia
Researchers from Italy studied the effect of a ginkgo biloba extract + hyaluronic acid ophthalmic solution (Trium, SOOFT, Italy) on seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eye). Continue reading Ginkgo biloba eye drops treat allergic conjunctivitis