Animal studies show beneficial effects, but studies in postmenopausal women are conflicting.
Researchers at Toronto, and McMaster University, in Hamilton, Ontario, studied whether whole body vibration improves bone density and structure. Continue reading Whole-body vibration therapy of bone
Researchers in the US and UK investigated the effect of selenium on lipid blood levels. Continue reading Selenium supplements in adults with high cholesterol
Researchers at the University of Oxford, in the UK, assessed the role of acupuncture for epidural pain. Continue reading Acupuncture for pain relief during labor
There are few effective treatments for hot flushes in post-menopausal breast cancer survivors.
During the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina reported the results from a pilot study. Continue reading St John’s wort and hot flushes in women with breast cancer history
It has been suggested that yoga has a positive effect on low back pain and function.
Now, Prof. Ernst and colleagues have reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Yoga to help ease low back pain
Researchers across the US combined their efforts to define the relationship between fitness and body mass index (BMI) with mortality. Continue reading The ultimate benefit of fitness
Researchers at the University of Uludag, in Bursa, Turkey, investigated the effects of Pilates on pain, functional status, and quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Continue reading Benefits of Pilates in ankylosing spondylitis
Obesity and its cardiovascular complications are common medical problems, but evidence on accomplishing weight loss in clinical practice is sparse.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore, Maryland, examined the effects of two behavioral weight-loss interventions. Continue reading Behavioral weight-loss in patients with cardiovascular risk
During the American Society of Nephrology Annual Meeting, researchers at Western Galilee Hospital in Nahariya, Israel, reported that patients on hemodialysis who drank moderate amounts of pomegranate juice saw improvement in lipids, blood pressure, and the number of antihypertensive medications required. Continue reading Pomegranate juice improves cardiovascular risk factors
Researchers at Harvard Medical School, in Boston, examined the effect of taking folic acid, vitamin B-12, and vitamin B-6 on cognitive change in women with cardiovascular disease or risk factors cardiovascular disease. Continue reading B vitamins and the risk of dementia
After more than 2 decades of warning us about the evils of too much salt in the diet, an international group of researchers looked for an association between estimated urinary sodium and potassium excretion (surrogates for intake) and cardiovascular events in patients with established cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus. Continue reading New view of the risks of sodium intake on health and disease
Researchers in Germany searched the records from almost 10,000 patients for predictors of a positive response. Continue reading Predictors of a positive response to acupuncture for chronic pain
Animal research suggests that a vitamin A deficiency adversely affects lung development and promotes airway hyper-responsiveness, which may predispose to asthma.
Now, researchers at Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, in Maryland, examined the long-term effects of vitamin A supplementation early in life on asthma risk. Continue reading Vitamin A and the risk of asthma
Acupuncture is often used in obstetrics and gynecology. But is it useful to treat premenstrual syndrome (PMS)?
Researchers at Kyung Hee University, in Seoul, Korea, reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Acupuncture as a treatment for PMS
Dr. Keith Wollen at Washington State University, in Port Angeles, has written a review of treatment options.
Let’s focus on CAM. Continue reading Review: CAM for treating Alzheimer’s disease
Cannabinoids and opioids share several pharmacologic properties. They might act synergistically to manage pain, but the safety of the combination isn’t known.
Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, undertook a study to answer these questions. Continue reading Interaction between inhaled cannabinoid and opioids
This relationship is potentially of high public health importance because of the adverse effect of both on well-being.
Researchers at the Royal Free and University College, London Medical School, in the UK, investigated the association. Continue reading The association between vitamin D and hyperglycemia in older people
The botanical extract silymarin (milk thistle,) has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties and is used by patients with chronic liver disease.
Researchers throughout the U.S. collaborated to evaluate the response to high doses of silymarin taken by mouth on disease activity in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The results were presented during the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases November Annual Meeting. Continue reading No benefit from milk thistle to treat hepatitis C
Almost everyone knows that moderation of salt intake might reduce cardiovascular events. Right?
Researchers in Europe studied whether 24-hour urinary sodium excretion predicts blood pressure and health outcomes. Continue reading Re-assessing the sodium-heart disease connection
Researchers at the University of Manchester, in the UK, studied the clinical impact of telephone-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exercise alone vs both for patients with chronic widespread pain. Continue reading Telephone-delivered CBT and exercise to treat chronic widespread pain