 Researchers from the University of L’Aquila, in Italy report it improves blood vessel reactivity, while reducing stiffness. Continue reading How might black tea protect against heart disease?
Category Archives: J. CONDITIONS TO TREAT
Behavior therapy for late-life anxiety
 Cognitive behavioral therapy can be useful for managing worry and associated symptoms among older patients, according to researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston, Texas. Continue reading Behavior therapy for late-life anxiety
Reparagen vs glucosamine sulfate for osteoarthritis
Yes, both were effective.
But, are they better than placebo? Continue reading Reparagen vs glucosamine sulfate for osteoarthritis
Dangers of Internet “natural” diet pills
 There’s a long list of contaminated diet pills, many with sibutramine (Meridia), that the FDA has ordered off the market in the US. It’s likely that many consumers see these products as a neat way to circumvent getting a prescription.
Now, doctors from the University of Freiburg in Germany have documented the problems encountered by some of these “smart” people. Continue reading Dangers of Internet “natural” diet pills
First support for zinc in diabetes
 Studies on the potential role for zinc to prevent diabetes in humans have been negative — until now. Continue reading First support for zinc in diabetes
Review of acupuncture for pain after surgery
Acupuncture around the time of surgery may reduce acute postoperative pain, according to this 2008 review by researchers at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. Continue reading Review of acupuncture for pain after surgery
Fenugreek to treat diabetes
Researchers from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, in Wuhan, China report improvement in fasting blood sugar levels and A1c when fenugreek was added to ongoing anti-diabetes (sulfonylurea) therapy. Continue reading Fenugreek to treat diabetes
Fenugreek to treat obesity?
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) is an ingredient in Indian-style spiced foods and a source of soluble fiber.
Researchers from the University of Minnesota, in St Paul studied its effects on satiety, blood sugar levels and insulin response, and energy intake in obese people. Continue reading Fenugreek to treat obesity?
CAM: A Sloan-Kettering perspective
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City has an active integrative medicine department. Entries on this blog related to studies and perspective by its faculty can be found here.
Now, researchers from Sloan-Kettering have categorized the beneficial and the potentially hazardous CAM options used by patients with cancer. Continue reading CAM: A Sloan-Kettering perspective
Conflicting data on the value of exercise in heart failure
Results from the HF-ACTION study were reported during the American Heart Association meeting in New Orleans. And now in JAMA here.
In both cases, the results were negative before the data were adjusted. Continue reading Conflicting data on the value of exercise in heart failure
Omega-3 to prevent macular degeneration
Researchers from Australia reviewed the medical literature and conclude omega-3 fatty acids and fatty fish might offer protection from age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Continue reading Omega-3 to prevent macular degeneration
Bright light, melatonin, and dementia
Researchers from the Netherlands set about to determine whether the progressive changes in symptoms seen in dementia might be affected by the 2 major synchronizers of the circadian timing system: bright light and melatonin. Continue reading Bright light, melatonin, and dementia
CAM for menopause?
The authors, from the University of New South Wales, in Sydney, Australia make a potentially important point that hadn’t been mentioned here before.
But, does it matter? Continue reading CAM for menopause?
Treating ADHD with supplements
Researchers from the University of Canterbury, at Christchurch, New Zealand reviewed the evidence supporting the use of nutritional and herbal supplements to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Continue reading Treating ADHD with supplements
Yoga for depression and anxiety in women
Researchers from Azad University, in Mashhad, Iran report that yoga reduced anxiety but not depression.
Here’s a summary of what they and others have found. Continue reading Yoga for depression and anxiety in women
Review of vitamin C supplementation on lipids
Dr. Marc McRae from the National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, Illinois reviewed the effect of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) supplementation on LDL (bad) and HDL (good) cholesterol, as well as triglycerides in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Continue reading Review of vitamin C supplementation on lipids
Biofeedback and gastrointestinal illness
A review of the literature by researchers from the University of Verona in Italy reveals that in the right patient, “For both incontinence and dyssynergic defecation, the benefits of biofeedback last at least 12 months.”
Dyssynergic defecation is one of the most common forms of functional constipation both in children and adults. Continue reading Biofeedback and gastrointestinal illness
Quality of life and well-being in HIV patients
Researchers from University of Zurich in Switzerland report that cognitive behavioral stress management (CBSM) improved both. Continue reading Quality of life and well-being in HIV patients
Probiotic treatment of allergic rhinitis
The Institute of Food Research in the UK reports that a milk drink containing Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) might be useful. Continue reading Probiotic treatment of allergic rhinitis
Effect of your mattress on low back pain
Waterbed and foam mattress seem to have a small positive effect on back symptoms, according to researchers in Denmark. Continue reading Effect of your mattress on low back pain