Let’s see, since June last year this blog has summarized 8 reports on the effects of coffee and caffeine and health.
What should we make of all this?
Category Archives: J. CONDITIONS TO TREAT
Higher trans fat levels in red blood cells associated with greater risk of heart disease
Since we don’t synthesize trans fatty acids, any amount found in red blood cells was put there as a result of dietary choices.
It’s a poor choice. Continue reading Higher trans fat levels in red blood cells associated with greater risk of heart disease
What should IBS patients do after the loss of Zelnorm?
Novartis Pharmaceuticals will stop selling Zelnorm (tegaserod), which was used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The decision was made because of an increased risk for serious cardiovascular events.
Perhaps IBS sufferers should start at the beginning.
Continue reading What should IBS patients do after the loss of Zelnorm?
Update on cannabinoids to treat pain
Here are highlights from the American Academy of Pain Medicine 23rd Annual Meeting
Sativex Oromucosal Spray Continue reading Update on cannabinoids to treat pain
AARP offers a free pedometer
The link is How might omega-3 improve mood?
Of course we don’t know for sure if it does improve mood, but just in case, Dr. Sarah Conklin from the department of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh has a possible mechanism.
She presented the results of this study during the American Psychosomatic Society’s Annual Meeting in Budapest, Hungary.
Effect of diet during pregnancy on allergenicity of offspring
According to 2 studies summarized earlier, modifying the dietary intake of omega-3 and -6 fatty acids during early childhood does not change the risk of getting asthma later on.
Now, we have a study of fish, butter, and margarine consumption during pregnancy and development of allergy in the offspring.
Continue reading Effect of diet during pregnancy on allergenicity of offspring
Omega-3 effects on mood, personality, and behavior
There’s growing interest in the relationship between fatty acids and variability in mood, behavior, and personality.
Here are the findings of a study conducted by researchers at the department of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh in the US.
Continue reading Omega-3 effects on mood, personality, and behavior
Considering CAM with other options to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting
Dr. Sheila Wilhelm and two colleagues at the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Detroit have published a review in The Annals of Pharmacotherapy on preventing nausea and vomiting following surgery (ie, postoperative nausea and vomiting; PONY).
It’s nice to see CAM options considered along with pharmacological options. Continue reading Considering CAM with other options to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting
Fraudulent claims for diabetes treatments
The Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are cracking down on the online sale of dietary supplements for diabetes that make fraudulent claims to help or cure diabetes.
There are 24 companies receiving warning letters for many more products, which are listed here.
Check it out.
10/23/06 JR 22:45
Chinese herbal medicine therapy for chemotherapy-induced toxicity
Patients with early-stage breast or colon cancer who required postoperative chemotherapy were eligible for the study.
Continue reading Chinese herbal medicine therapy for chemotherapy-induced toxicity
Pycnogenol reduces pain of endometriosis
Long-term treatment with French maritime pine bark extract (pycnogenol) reduced symptoms of endometriosis, such as pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea, in a study reported in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine.
Medscape has a summary.
What to eat and not eat if you have inflammatory bowel disease
Dr. Richard MacDermott is head of the division of gastroenterology at Albany Medical College in New York. He has specialized in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) for 30 years and has an impressive resume.
Here are his dietary recommendations for people with IBS. My favorites are in italics.
Continue reading What to eat and not eat if you have inflammatory bowel disease
Another look at the effect of coffee on the risk of type 2 diabetes
Earlier studies on this topic suggested it’s necessary to drink 6 or 7 cups per day in order to lower the risk of diabetes.
Now, a study reports, “The amount of coffee consumption was not significantly predictive of incident diabetes.”
Continue reading Another look at the effect of coffee on the risk of type 2 diabetes
Biofeedback helps defecation, again
This is the second study in 2 months to report a positive effect with biofeedback to treat pelvic floor dyssynergia-type constipation.
Duct tape and the pesky common wart
It’s pretty easy to find recommendations for duct tape to remove common warts.
But this study concludes there is “no statistically significant difference between duct tape and moleskin for the treatment of warts in an adult population.”
Huge study supports fiber as a way to lower breast cancer risk
In pre-menopausal women, total fiber intake protects against breast cancer.
In fact, according to this study, those with the greatest intake of fiber cut their risk of breast cancer in half.
Details here.
Continue reading Huge study supports fiber as a way to lower breast cancer risk
FDA recalls V-Max and Rhino Max
V-Max advertises itself as “a totally natural product containing herbal preparations scientifically proven to increase sexual performance and pleasure.”
Apparently, one of the “natural” ingredients is aminotadalafil, similar to tadalafil (Cialis), an FDA-approved drug used to treat erectile dysfunction.
Changes in spirituality and religiousness during treatment of heavy drinking
Here’s a study of the change in spirituality and religiousness among alcoholics during treatment and the associated changes in drinking outcomes.
Half of the 10 measures of spirituality changed significantly in 154 adults who participated in an Alcoholics Anonymous treatment program over 6 months.
Continue reading Changes in spirituality and religiousness during treatment of heavy drinking
Soy formula vs cow’s milk formula to reduce allergies in infants and children
Infant formulas are designed to lower the chances of developing allergy or food intolerance.
But do they?
Continue reading Soy formula vs cow’s milk formula to reduce allergies in infants and children