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

Archive for the 'Iodine' Category

Iodine content of prenatal multivitamins

Thursday, May 7th, 2009

 Iodine deficiency in mothers can adversely affect fetuses and breast-fed infants, because it’s essential for normal thyroid function and development of the nervous system.

Yet, products vary greatly in iodine levels, according to researchers from Boston University Medical Center. (more…)

Arsenic poisoning from an herbal kelp supplement

Thursday, December 13th, 2007

It’s only one patient (not the one in the photo), but it might reflect a bigger problem.

Here’s what happened.

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Functional foods, nutraceuticals, and your local food store

Sunday, November 4th, 2007

Since Hippocrates advised “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food,” we have defined medicines and foods based on what is known about each substance in terms of efficacy, safety and the significance of its perceived contribution to health.

Over time, we redefine these substances as our experience and expectations change.

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Summarizing seafood recommendations during pregnancy

Friday, October 5th, 2007

The National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition has summarized the recommendations from official groups, worldwide. Their website should be essential reading for pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, and women thinking of becoming pregnant.

Let’s summarize their summary recommendations. (more…)

What should be the FDA’s role in regulating functional foods?

Sunday, November 12th, 2006

A public hearing is scheduled for December 5th to debate what role, if any, the agency should play in defining and regulating functional foods. Details are provided here.
(more…)