Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic disorder that can cause brain damage and mental retardation. Treatment is a low-protein diet.
Now, we learn that fish oil supplementation in children with PKU improved their motor skills (ie, writing, tying shoes, walking and kicking). Continue reading Using fish oil in treating phenylketonuria
In the short term, exercise alone or exercise plus diet result in more weight loss than diet alone (10 kg [4.5 lb] vs 2 kg [1 lb]).
Here are some other highlights from an article by Dr. John Jakicic, Director of the Physical Activity and Weight Management Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh.
Continue reading The importance of exercise in any weight control program
Dr. Jennifer Malinowski, who is Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Nesbitt School of Pharmacy and Nursing in Pennsylvania, reports a patient who experienced an 75% increase in LDL (bad) cholesterol while taking 9 grams of fish oil capsules per day to lower her triglyceride levels. Obviously, it’s not desirable for LDL to go up.
What can we learn from this patient’s experience? Continue reading Remember to change your diet when you start taking omega 3 capsules
Yes, probiotics are “generally regarded as safe,” say researchers from Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium.
But although most studies show “statistical shortening of the duration of diarrhea,” evidence that the results are really beneficial to patients is missing.
Here’s what we know. Continue reading Moving to the next stage of research with probiotic treatment of diarrhea
Cananga odorata (common name, ylang-ylang; pronounced ee-lang ee-lang) is among the most celebrated flowering trees in the world. It was made famous by Coco Chanel in 1923 with the introduction of Chanel No.5 perfume,
Read on to find out why ylang-ylang oil is more than just an expensive scent.
But, Dr. Harin Padma-Nathan from UCLA is a well-recognized researcher in this field, and he thinks more study is warranted. Continue reading Pomegranate doesn’t improve erectile dysfunction
In a small group of people with above-optimal blood pressure, including “small amounts of polyphenol-rich dark chocolate as part of a usual diet efficiently reduced blood pressure,” according to researchers from the University Hospital of Cologne in Germany.
Unfortunately, the researchers could only postulate the long term benefit of blood pressure control, rather than actually show it in this group of volunteers. Continue reading The benefit of small amounts of dark chocolate on blood pressure
Researchers from Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Chengdu, China concluded, “Due to the lack of trials comparing Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) with no treatment or placebo, it is impossible to evaluate the effectiveness of CHM.” Continue reading Review of Chinese herbal medicine for dysfunctional uterine bleeding
Lynda Lippin (photo) is a Pilates teacher and personal trainer. “I started practicing the method because of chronic back pain. After trying physical therapy and yoga, it was doing Pilates regularly that got me out of pain.”
She also mentions a study that supports her view. Continue reading Pilates for low back pain
There are doctors in Germany who are working overtime to convince us that black cohosh is a valuable treatment for menopausal symptoms.
I’m not buying it. But then, I’m not in menopause. Continue reading Trying hard to generate positive research results for black cohosh
These recommendations, from a group of experts, take a narrow view of Alzheimer’s disease. They focus on early detection and the use of existing prescription drugs.
That’s fine as far as it goes, but what about those with advanced Alzheimer’s? Why not develop a more comprehensive approach?
If I might quote Paul Harvey, “here’s the rest of the story.” Continue reading Dissapointing recommendations to treat Alzheimer’s disease
It’s is the third time this year the FDA has identified a “natural” product sold via the Internet for the treatment of impotence (erectile dysfunction) that was adulterated with the prescription drug tadalafil (Cialis). Continue reading Consumer alert: FDA recalls Long Weekend
This review was presented previously at the American College of Clinical Pharmacology meeting and is reported here. It’s now been published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
However, since there’s no abstract available, I’ve used the article published on Inthenews.co.uk. Continue reading A positive review for echinacea and the common cold
Drs. Victoria Catenacci and Holly Wyatt from the University of Colorado at Denver reviewed the literature and came to the following conclusions. Continue reading The contribution of physical activity to weight loss
SARS, of course, is severe acute respiratory syndrome — a viral pneumonia. There was one major epidemic in late 2002 where about 10% of those infected died.
In this study, a concoction of natural herbal medicines (NHM) plus routine western treatment appeared to be safe, with evidence of benefit over western treatment alone. Continue reading Natural herbal medicine used to complement SARS treatment
Time Magazine named the Himalayan Goji berry as the breakout superfruit of the year!
It’s promoted to
Wow! That’s enough for me..
An anal fissure is a painful condition affecting the far end of the intestines. The antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and pain relieving properties of clove oil provide a rationale for its use in this study. Continue reading Treating anal fistulas with clove oil
There’s growing interest in the potential effect of omega-3 fatty acids on depression and subsequent afflictions such as heart disease.
Here’s a study using the granddaddy of omega-3 formulations — cod-liver oil. Continue reading Using cod-liver oil to lower the risk of depression
So many options, so little success.
You can follow any program you want. But here are some common sense recommendations from NutritionData.com. Continue reading Sound advice for achieving weight loss
ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors are a group of drugs used to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. In most cases they are drugs of first choice.
Now, a study by Dr. Frank Flachskampf and colleagues concludes that acupuncture likely represents an attractive option. Continue reading Acupuncture is comparable to ACE inhibitors to lower blood pressure