Almost half of older adults take vitamin D with or without calcium.
Researchers at the University of Tasmania, Hobart, in Australia, reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Review: Vitamin D supplements fail to change bone density
Category Archives: J. CONDITIONS TO TREAT
Cannabis effective in patients with Crohn’s disease?
Researchers at Tel Aviv University, in Israel, focus on the positive in this small study. Continue reading Cannabis effective in patients with Crohn’s disease?
Static magnets and copper fail to improve arthritis
Folklore remedies for pain and inflammation support these bracelets to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Researchers at The University of York, in the UK studied their effects. Continue reading Static magnets and copper fail to improve arthritis
NCB-02 to treat ulcerative colitis
NCB-02 is a standardized curcumin (a chemical in turmeric) preparation that has been used with positive results in an animal model of ulcerative colitis.
Now, researchers at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, in New Delhi, tested it in people. Continue reading NCB-02 to treat ulcerative colitis
Does water really improve health?
First lady, Michelle Obama tells us that drinking more water will improve the health of kids and all Americans.
Really? Here’s what we know. Continue reading Does water really improve health?
Interaction of Ginkgo biloba with antiplatelet drugs
Back in the ‘90s there were several reports of serious interactions in people who used Ginkgo biloba with other “blood thinners” to treat peripheral vascular disease (ie, dementia and claudication).
Researchers at Inje University College of Medicine, in Busan, Republic of Korea, evaluated the effects of G. biloba extracts on the pharmacokinetics of the antiplatelet drug cilostazol (Pletal) and its metabolites. Continue reading Interaction of Ginkgo biloba with antiplatelet drugs
TENS to reduce pain intensity in patients with tennis elbow
People with “tennis elbow” (lateral epicondylitis) experience pain over the outer side of the elbow, which may extend down the forearm.
Researchers at Keele University, in Staffordshire, UK, studied the response to TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) added to typical treatment. Continue reading TENS to reduce pain intensity in patients with tennis elbow
Effects of red ginseng extract on sleep in healthy volunteers
The ginseng root has been traditionally used as a sedative.
Researchers at Kwandong University, in Gangreung, Republic of Korea studied the response to red ginseng extract by human volunteers. Continue reading Effects of red ginseng extract on sleep in healthy volunteers
Use of tanning beds by Caucasian women
The tanning industry is a thriving, largely unregulated $2 billion industry.
Researchers on The New England Journal of Medicine Journal Watch Dermatology Board reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Use of tanning beds by Caucasian women
Profiling and assumed herb-induced liver toxicity
Alternative explanations are common in about 47% of suspected drug-induced liver injury.
Researchers in Germany raised the question of whether a similar frequency might prevail in cases of assumed herb-induced liver injury. Continue reading Profiling and assumed herb-induced liver toxicity
Is the risk of a cranberry juice and warfarin interaction significant?
A researcher from Bangalore, India, reviewed the evidence and sees a difference between what’s seen in the lab and what’s reported in practice.
Here’s what we know. Continue reading Is the risk of a cranberry juice and warfarin interaction significant?
Too fat to live in New Zealand
If campaigns to promote more healthful eating are ineffective, how else might society address the obesity epidemic?
MailOnline reports that deportation is an option. Continue reading Too fat to live in New Zealand
Does it matter how you stop smoking?
The typical way to stop smoking is to quit abruptly, but some smokers opt to reduce smoking before quitting as an alternative approach to cessation.
Researchers from the UK and Vermont reviewed the evidence in this Cochrane review. Continue reading Does it matter how you stop smoking?
Benefits of green tea to control blood sugar
Researchers in Chongqing, People’s Republic of China, evaluated the effect of green tea on glucose control and insulin sensitivity. Continue reading Benefits of green tea to control blood sugar
Belief in God and psychiatric treatment outcomes
Belief in God is common and tied to mental health and illness in the general population.
Researchers at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, in Belmont, Massachusetts, studied its relevance to psychiatric patients. Continue reading Belief in God and psychiatric treatment outcomes
Evening primrose oil and the risk of seizures
There’s a concern (here, here, and here) voiced by some reputable websites that taking evening primrose oil might make seizures more likely in some people.
Here’s what we know. Continue reading Evening primrose oil and the risk of seizures
Updated recommendations to prevent and treat osteoporosis
An expert committee of the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) with a multi-specialty council of medical experts in the field of bone health have updated recommendations.
Let’s focus on prevention, which emphasizes many of the CAM topics that dominate this website.
Continue reading Updated recommendations to prevent and treat osteoporosis
The last holdout for trans fat in fast food?
“Long John Silver’s Big Catch meal deserves to be buried 20,000 leagues under the sea,” said Michael F. Jacobson of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). Continue reading The last holdout for trans fat in fast food?
Is there a role for biofeedback to treat sleep bruxism?
Sleep bruxism (nocturnal tooth grinding) causes hypersensitive teeth, aching jaw muscles, and headaches. There may even be tooth damage and loss.
Researchers at Sichuan University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China, reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Is there a role for biofeedback to treat sleep bruxism?
Evidence for acupuncture to treat cancer-related fatigue
Researchers at the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea, reviewed the evidence for treatment.
And, researchers from the University of Manchester, in the UK reviewed the response to self-needling maintenance treatments. Continue reading Evidence for acupuncture to treat cancer-related fatigue