Researchers at the University of Helsinki, in Finland, examined whether the total daily dose of zinc might explain part of the variation in the results of previous studies. (more…)

Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are frequently given to children and adolescents for reputed benefits for hyperkinetic and concentration disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Researchers in Arizona and Australia assessed the evidence based on the results of studies providing an acceptable standard of evidence. (more…)

While rhinoviruses cause upto half of colds, up to 200 other viruses have been implicated.

Researchers at the University of Ottawa, in Ontario, reviewed the evidence for CAM to treat and prevent the common cold. (more…)

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…)

Dietary supplements are commonly taken to prevent chronic disease.

Researchers in Finland, Norway, and the Republic of Korea studied the long-term health consequences. (more…)

Zinc supplementation is a potential option to prevent acute lower respiratory infection, especially in developing countries.

Researchers at The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, in Baltimore, Maryland make sense of the discrepant research findings. (more…)

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…)

Low blood levels of vitamin A and zinc are common in tuberculosis patients. But do patients benefit from supplementation during treatment?

Researchers at the University of the Western Cape, in Cape Town, South Africa, looked for changes in adults with sputum smear–positive pulmonary tuberculosis. (more…)

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…)

Zinc is critical for immune function. However, zinc deficiency occurs in more than 50% of HIV-infected adults.

Researchers at Florida International University examined the effects of long-term zinc supplementation in relation to HIV disease. (more…)

Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, in Seattle, Washington, reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Are there benefits to offset the potential for side effects? (more…)

Otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear, usually caused by infection) affects people of all ages, but is particularly common in young children.

This Cochrane review evaluated studies of children younger than 5 years. (more…)

Adequate levels of zinc are critical for immune function.

During the XVIII International AIDS Conference, researchers at Florida International University, in Miami, and other institutions in the US reported the benefits and safety of zinc supplementation in nutritional doses to prevent immunologic failure. (more…)

Dr. Mark Moyad (photo) is Director of Preventive and Alternative Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor.

His recommendations. (more…)

Zytaze is a recently approved prescription drug that contains zinc and phytase (to improve zinc absorption).

During the American Society of Ophthalmic, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery meeting, researchers from The Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, will report that this combination improved the response to injections of botulinum toxin. (more…)

It’s a leading cause of visual loss in older adults and has limited treatment options.

Researchers from the National Institutes of Health, in Bethesda, Maryland reviewed the evidence for using nutritional supplementation to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD). (more…)

Zinc supplementation cut the episodes of diarrhea in half, according to researchers from Florida International University in Miami during the International AIDS Conference in Mexico City. (more…)

This study by researchers in Bangladesh shows that “children with cholera should be supplemented with zinc to reduce its duration and severity.” (more…)

 Researchers from Tanta University, in Egypt report improved asthma control.

Is this a breakthrough study? (more…)