For over 2 decades, cannabis (marijuana) has been the most widely used illicit drug by young people in high-income countries, and has become popular on a global scale.
Researchers from the University of Queensland, in Herston, Australia reviewed the adverse effects. Continue reading Adverse effects of non-medical cannabis
Most people with emphysema are older men.
Marijuana abuse should be considered as a reason for development of emphysema in young people, according to researchers from University Hospital Berne, in Switzerland. Continue reading Lung emphysema in marijuana smokers
Researchers from Mayo Clinic, in Scottsdale, Arizona reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Do cannabinoids reduce multiple sclerosis-related spasticity?
People with schizophrenia frequently report benefit from cannabis use. Yet, cannabis may be a risk factor for schizophrenia.
Researchers from the University of Bergen, in Norway reviewed the medical research for a connection. Continue reading Review: Cannabis use in schizophrenia
These are the results of a laboratory study by researchers at the University of Leicester, in the UK. Continue reading Cannabis alters DNA and might increase cancer risk
Researchers from Royal Hallamshire Hospital, in Sheffield, UK studied Sativex, a cannabis based medicinal extract. Continue reading Medicinal cannabis no different than placebo for painful diabetic neuropathy
Attorney General Eric Holder says the US Justice Department will no longer raid medical marijuana clubs. His declaration is a fulfillment of a campaign promise by Barack Obama, and marks a major shift from the previous administration.
In fact, there’s scant support for medical marijuana based on medical science. Here’s what’s been published in just the past 6 months. Continue reading Marijuana: Politics trumps reality
8 companies of over-the-counter (OTC) chelation products were told that they are selling unapproved drugs and devices and are violating federal law with respect to unproven claims about these products.
These products purport to treat a range of diseases by removing toxic metals from the body. Some also claim to treat autism spectrum disorder, cardiovascular diseases, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, and other serious conditions. Continue reading Consumer Alert: FDA warns about OTC chelation products
The FDA is taking action to prevent Rising Sun Health and The Center for Complimentary and Alternative Health of Livingston, Montana, from manufacturing and selling unapproved new drugs and adulterated or misbranded dietary supplements in violation of the law.
Rising Sun manufactured and distributed a variety of unapproved new drugs under names such as Black Salve, Cancema, and Can-Support. Continue reading Consumer Alert: Rising Sun Health
It might not be sufficient on its own to prevent heart disease, but Dr. Desiree Lie, writing on Medscape, discusses the benefits. Continue reading Do religion and spirituality protect against heart disease?
Obese people spend an additional $1429 a year — or 42% more — on healthcare than their normal-weight counterparts, according to research by RTI international and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Continue reading The cost of obesity
During the American College of Cardiology meeting, researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham reported there was no link between blood levels of vitamin D and the incidence of myalgias in patients treated with the statin drug, atorvastatin (Lipitor). Continue reading Is there a connection between vitamin D and muscle pain during statin therapy?
More than half of oncologists think that yoga might be beneficial, but research is scant.
Now, researchers at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, in Minneapolis, take a first baby step to fill that void. Continue reading Yoga for pediatric oncology patients and their patients
Overweight and obese subjects consumed glucose- or fructose-sweetened beverages, and researchers from the US and Japan compared the effects.
A new TV commercial in the US claims there’s no difference. Not so, according to these results. Here are the findings, and the potential significance of this research. Continue reading Comparing fructose- and glucose-sweetened beverages
Approximately 6.8 million Americans suffer from generalized anxiety disorder. It’s not surprising then that there’s interest in finding effective natural treatments.
The Global Neuroscience Initiative Foundation, in Los Angeles, California, reviewed the evidence for passionflower, lysine, magnesium, kava, and St John’s wort, alone or in combination. Continue reading Nutritional herbal supplements for treating anxiety
So good they had to name it “slimming” twice.
Unfortunately, Slimming Beauty contains the active pharmaceutical ingredient sibutramine (Meridia), a stimulant. And the marketer, Beautiful Health Inc., formerly LL Health and Beauty, failed to list it among the ingredients on the label. Continue reading Consumer Alert: Slimming Beauty Bitter Orange Slimming Capsules
Soy isoflavones sensitize prostate cancer cells to radiation. They also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, which might help prevent the side effects of radiation.
Researchers at Wayne State University, in Detroit, Michigan, studied the effects of soy isoflavone supplementation on the toxicity of external beam radiation therapy in patients with localized prostate cancer. Continue reading Combining soy isoflaones plus radiation for prostate cancer
Researchers from Sweden and India evaluated the effect of acupressure during the active phase of labor on nulliparous (first pregnancy) women’s ratings of labor pain. Continue reading Acupressure to reduce pain during labor
The risk of prostate cancer varies 60-fold depending on where in the world you are. This suggests a role for lifestyle and dietary factors in its cause.
Researchers at McGill University Health Centre, in Montreal, Quebec looked for evidence of an association with diet. Continue reading Searching for a connection between fish consumption and prostate cancer
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in Baltimore, Maryland reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Does vitamin D reduce the risk of falls in older adults?