The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point
  • About this web log

    This blog ran from 2006 to 2016 and was intended as an objective and dispassionate source of information on the latest CAM research. Since my background is in pharmacy and allopathic medicine, I view all CAM as advancing through the development pipeline to eventually become integrated into mainstream medical practice. Some will succeed while others fail. But all are treated fairly here.

  • About the author

    John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.

  • Common sense considerations

    The material on this weblog is for informational purposes. It is not medical advice or counsel. Be smart, consult your health professional before using CAM.

  • Recent Posts

  • Recent Comments

    Archive for the 'Caffeine' Category

    Acne treatments

    Saturday, July 11th, 2015

    The surest way to know that there is no truly effective treatment for a condition is to count the number of treatment recommendations. The more recommendations, the less likely it is that any of them have a significant effect. I’m not sure if there is a tipping point. Whether 6 or 12 or 20 recommended treatments guarantee that you will have less than complete cure.

    Here are some of the recommendations from just one article.

    (more…)

    Safety of energy drinks

    Wednesday, August 22nd, 2012

    Energy drinks are consumed by 30% to 50% of adolescents and young adults. The manufacturers claim they are safe.

    Researchers at the University of Miami, in Florida reviewed the evidence and came to a different conclusion. (more…)

    Coffee, caffeine, and the risk of depression

    Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

    The relationship between coffee or caffeine consumption and depression is not well defined.

    Researchers in Boston and New York report a connection. (more…)

    Caffeine and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease

    Sunday, August 7th, 2011

    One hundred years ago, German physician Alois Alzheimer described “eine eigenartige Erkrankung der Hirnrinde” (a peculiar disease of the cerebral cortex) in Auguste Deter, a 51-year-old woman who had severe memory, language, and behavior problems. His autopsy results revealed a dramatically shrunken brain and unusual abnormalities in and around brain cells (shown here in black).

    What’s this got to do with caffeine? (more…)

    Risk of curcumin-drug interactions

    Sunday, November 7th, 2010

    Researchers at Central South University, in Hunan, China studied the effect of curcumin (turmeric) on drug metabolizing enzymes.

    Their findings suggest a risk for curcumin-drug interactions. (more…)

    Effect of guarana on mental performance and fatigue

    Monday, September 6th, 2010

    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? (more…)

    Foods and supplements to help manage migraine

    Saturday, February 6th, 2010

    Reviewers from The New York Headache Center concluded, “The identification of food triggers, with the help of food diaries, is an inexpensive way to reduce migraine headaches.”

    Here’s their list of triggers and treatments. (more…)

    Coffee not associated with heart failure

    Monday, October 19th, 2009

    coffee-cupThese study results differ from past research, but it’s probably a better study. (more…)

    Consumer Alert: Hardcore Energize Bullet and New Whey

    Monday, July 6th, 2009

    The US Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to buy or use Hardcore Energize Bullet (photo) or New Whey liquid products  due to suspected product tampering.

    The products are sold in small test tube-like vials. (more…)

    Ephedra and caffeine in athletes

    Friday, April 3rd, 2009

    The results of this study do not support the contention these supplements enhance either muscle strength or anaerobic exercise performance.

    But a reader disputes the validity of the results. (more…)

    How much caffeine is in that decaf?

    Thursday, January 15th, 2009

    Trying to eliminate caffeine from your diet? Chances are you’ll have to try harder. Here’s a comparison of the caffeine content in a variety of coffees.

    (more…)

    The coffee (caffeine)/breast cancer relationship

    Saturday, January 10th, 2009

    This study by researchers at Malmö University in Sweden suggests that the development of breast cancer might be delayed in women who drink more than 2 cups of coffee each day and have a certain form of the enzyme CYP1A2.

    Before you drink more coffee, read on. (more…)

    Effect of ephedra and caffeine on resistance-trained athletes

    Saturday, September 6th, 2008

     The International Olympic Committee no longer bans caffeine and ephedrine-related alkaloids.

    So, what’s their effect on muscular strength and anaerobic power? (more…)

    Coffee and the risk of gout

    Thursday, March 20th, 2008

    Contrary to popular thinking, drinking more coffee appears to lower the risk. (more…)

    Clarifying the effects of caffeine on insulin and diabetes

    Sunday, February 3rd, 2008

    Here’s the latest information from 2 studies from Dartmouth University in New Hampshire and Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. (more…)

    Seizures associated with guarana in energy drinks

    Thursday, December 13th, 2007

    Recently, 4 patients experienced seizures multiple times following heavy consumption of energy drinks. The authors proposed that energy drinks rich in caffeine, taurine, and guarana seed extract could have provoked these seizures.

    Here’s what we know about guarana thanks to researchers from the University of Florida at Gainesville and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) in Amazonas, Brazil. (more…)

    Good news on ephedra-free weight loss products

    Thursday, September 27th, 2007

    They don’t contain ephedra.

    This might seem intuitive, but with supplements you can’t be sure until you test.
    (more…)

    Defining the effects of caffeine in exercising adults

    Monday, August 6th, 2007

    It’s commonly recommended that exercising adults and athletes avoid caffeine because it’s a diuretic, and might exacerbate dehydration and hyperthermia.

    Researchers from the University of Connecticut reviewed the literature. (more…)

    CDC reviews CAM options to minimize jet lag

    Monday, July 16th, 2007

    The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has released its biennial revision of “the yellow book,” a health guide for international travel.

    It’s comprehensive. The focus here is on Chapter 6: Jet Lag. (more…)

    Enviga burns a few extra calories, but will you lose weight?

    Tuesday, April 17th, 2007

    According to the manufacturer, this carbonated beverage, which contains green tea extract, calcium, and caffeine, burns about 100 calories for every three 12-ounce cans consumed. (more…)