Higher dietary intake of folate was associated with a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms in Japanese men but not women, according to researchers at the International Medical Center of Japan in Tokyo. Continue reading Effect of folate on depression in Japanese adults
Category Archives: J. CONDITIONS TO TREAT
Implanting gold beads to treat knee osteoarthritis
Despite negative results, researchers from Denmark think another, larger study is needed. Continue reading Implanting gold beads to treat knee osteoarthritis
Using probiotics to protect kids from infection
 Researchers from Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital in Hualien, Taiwan report that long-term administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus T cell-1 decreased the incidence of bacterial infection in children.
Well, maybe it did… but maybe it didn’t. Continue reading Using probiotics to protect kids from infection
Another review of acupuncture for neck pain
 Yes, it’s effective short term, according to researchers at Southern California University of Health Sciences at Whittier.
It’s the latest in a series of reviews (here, here, and here) on this topic in the past few years. Continue reading Another review of acupuncture for neck pain
Rebuttal to the AHA omega-6 advisory
The American Heart Association (AHA) advisory on the benefits of omega-6 fatty acids is summarized here. Considering all the press about omega-6 and the negative effects of the typical US diet on the omega-3:-6 ratio it was surprising to see.
Ms. Evelyn Tribole (photo), a registered dietitian from Newport Beach, California, emailed her thoughts about the AHA advisory. They’re reprinted below. Continue reading Rebuttal to the AHA omega-6 advisory
Augmentation therapy for resistant depression
When a second antidepressant drug is added to an existing antidepressant, it’s called “combination pharmacotherapy.”
When a non-antidepressant agent is added, it’s “augmentation treatment.”
Examples of augmentation therapy… Continue reading Augmentation therapy for resistant depression
Physical activity lowers colon cancer risk
 “What’s really compelling is that we see the association between exercise and lower colon cancer risk regardless of how physical activity was measured in the studies,” say researchers at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Continue reading Physical activity lowers colon cancer risk
Yoga of Awareness in breast cancer survivors
 Yoga of Awareness is an 8-week program that includes gentle yoga poses, meditation, and breathing exercises.
Researchers from Oregon Health & Science University in Portland studied its effects on menopausal symptoms in breast cancer survivors. Continue reading Yoga of Awareness in breast cancer survivors
Heavy marijuana use leads to high triglyceride levels
 ApoC-III is a risk factor for heart disease. The increased levels observed in marijuana users might explain, in part, the heart and cerebral abnormalities seen in tokers. Continue reading Heavy marijuana use leads to high triglyceride levels
Soy and prostate cancer risk
 Protection from prostate cancer may be associated with the type of soy foods consumed, according to this review by researchers at the Washington University in St Louis, Missouri. Continue reading Soy and prostate cancer risk
Lack of uniformity in acupuncture for back pain
 For non-specific low back pain, what is the appropriate number of acupoints and how many acupuncture sessions are needed?
Researchers from the University of Ulster in the UK have documented wide variability. Continue reading Lack of uniformity in acupuncture for back pain
Effects of acupuncture on cardiac arrhythmias
 Researchers from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis have reviewed the literature.
There’s good news and a challenge to future researchers. Continue reading Effects of acupuncture on cardiac arrhythmias
Music during colonoscopy
 Researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine in Columbia reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Music during colonoscopy
Benefits of omega-6 fatty acids
 There are those who recommend substantial reductions in omega-6 fatty acid intake. Now, the American Heart Association (AHA) says, “enough already.” Continue reading Benefits of omega-6 fatty acids
Echinacea, placebo and upper respiratory tract symptoms
This is the latest study to compare the frequency of upper respiratory tract symptoms in people receiving E. purpurea capsules vs placebo. Continue reading Echinacea, placebo and upper respiratory tract symptoms
Capsaicin reported safe in a long-term study
Last year, Prof. Ernst reviewed CAM for neuropathic and neurologic pain and reported that topically applied capsaicin was more effective than placebo.
Now, study results presented during the American Academy of Pain Medicine meeting support its safety during long-term use for post-herpetic neuralgia and HIV-related neuropathy. Continue reading Capsaicin reported safe in a long-term study
Long-term effects of soy in diabetics
There were positive effects on predictors of heart and kidney complications in diabetics with kidney disease. Continue reading Long-term effects of soy in diabetics
Lowering cholesterol with phytosterols
 Researchers from Wageningen University in The Netherlands reviewed the research on the LDL (bad) cholesterol–lowering effects of different phytosterol doses. Continue reading Lowering cholesterol with phytosterols
Omega-3 and insulin resistance: Reviewing the evidence
 Insulin resistance occurs when cells in the body no longer respond to insulin. The cause in most cases isn’t known but appears to be linked to obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels.
Researchers from the University of California at Davis reviewed the evidence on the potential for omega-3 fatty acids to prevent insulin resistance. Continue reading Omega-3 and insulin resistance: Reviewing the evidence
Marijuana and the risk of oral cancer
 Researchers from Washington State and Illinois report no association between marijuana use and increased oral-cancer risk. Continue reading Marijuana and the risk of oral cancer