“Several studies have pointed to vitamin E as possibly protective against … dementia,” according to Dr. Neil Buckholtz who is head of the Dementias of Aging Branch at the National Institute on Aging. “The only way this association can really be tested is through clinical studies and trials.”
Now, one of those studies is published. Continue reading Negative news on vitamin E supplements and memory loss
Actually, they reviewed more than CAM, but that’s what will be covered here.
Continue reading British Association for Psychopharmacology rates CAM for dementia
Researchers at Rutgers University in New Jersey report that overweight premenopausal women don’t lose bone when they diet if they take the recommended amount of calcium.
Here are the details. Continue reading The value of calcium when premenopausal women diet
The American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association each published guidelines for cardiovascular disease prevention.
Now, they have combined their guidelines, and here are highlights from the recommended lifestyle modifications. Continue reading Recommendations to prevent heart disease in diabetics
Peripheral neuropathy is the most common neurological complication in HIV, and it’s often associated with antiretroviral therapy. Patients experience muscle weakness and atrophy, pain, and numbness.
Here’s what people use to manage the discomfort. Continue reading Self-care for peripheral neuropathy in HIV/AIDS
There is evidence for a protective role of vitamin E treatment in the prevention of heart disease. But is it for everyone?
This GISSI-Prevenzione study advises caution.
That’s right. Treatment with beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E might increase mortality. The potential roles of vitamin C and selenium on mortality need further study.
These are the findings from the latest literature review and analysis published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
Continue reading Food for thought: Antioxidants might increase mortality
Quercetin (kwur’-si-tin) is a naturally occurring anti-oxidant in red wine, red apples, green tea, and broccoli.
The average person consumes 25 to 50 mg of quercetin a day. In this double-blind study, 20 cyclists took 1,000 mg of quercetin a day or placebo for five weeks.
Continue reading Using quercetin to reduce illness and maintain mental performance
During the most recent meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians Dr. Paul Blanc from the University of California at San Francisco reported that half of all people with asthma use CAM.
Here are the highlights from Medscape.
In 1993, Senator Orrin Hatch said, “most of these [herbal remedies] have been on the market for 4,000 years, and the real issue is risk. And there is not much risk in any of these products.”
Now, the American Association of Poison Control Centers defines that risk after more than 20 years of data collection.
Continue reading Poison control centers report on the safety of supplements
MayoClinic.com has reviewed cold remedies that work and don’t.
Here’s a summary of useful CAM options.
Dr. Steven Thomas and his team from the University of Bristol in the U.K. found that neither dietary modifications nor nutritional supplements such as vitamins, antioxidants, retinol, and garlic alter the disease course of patients with cancer or preinvasive (precancerous) lesions. Their conclusion is based on an analysis of 59 generally low quality trials.
“We should not,” Dr. Thomas concluded, “maintain the notion that nutritional interventions can be promoted because at least they will do no harm.”
Continue reading Lowering expectations for dietary supplements in patients with cancer
A review of 13 randomized controlled studies reported, “supplementation with phytonadione and menaquinone-4 reduces bone loss. In the case of the latter, there’s a strong effect on incident fractures among Japanese patients.”
Here’s some background and then the facts.
The FDA is cracking down on companies that sell quinine-containing products such as Qualaquin for non-approved uses. Their concern is over the risks of quinine to treat leg cramps.
What’s the risk?
Continue reading FDA warns against using quinine to treat leg cramps. Options, please?
Functional Foods & Nutraceuticals has looked into the future and sees … new functional foods and nutraceuticals, of course.
Examples
Continue reading New calorie-burning and satiety foods for 2007
Vitamin E is the second most commonly used supplement after mutivitamins. About 10% of people in the US take vitamin E supplements every day.
Well, they’re about to get some bad news.
Continue reading Long-term vitamin E study shows no brain benefits
The Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide warns, “The daily multivitamin pill is no substitute for a good diet. But none of us is perfect when it comes to healthful eating … The multivitamin is partial protection from our lapses.”
Their value is debated, but here’s the bottom line.
During a seminar at the American Heart Association 2006 meeting titled “The Science Behind Popular Nutrition Claims,” medical researchers summarized the research on a number of complementary options to “help maintain a healthy heart.”
Here is a summary of the Medscape article. Links to more info are highlighted.
Continue reading CAM for heart disease: Current state of the evidence
A study in northern India shows that milk fortified with specific micronutrients lowers the risk of diarrhea and acute lower respiratory illness in children.
Here’s a list of what was added to the milk.
Continue reading Adding micronutrients to milk reduces diarrhea and respiratory illness in children
High blood levels of the amino acid called homocysteine are thought to increase the risk for heart disease by damaging the lining of blood vessels and increasing blood clotting.
Despite this, the American Heart Association doesn’t recommend widespread use of folic acid to lower homocysteine blood levels.
Does this make sense?
Here’s the latest information.
Continue reading Measuring the effect of folic acid on homocysteine and the risk of heart disease
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