This review by Professor Edzard Ernst from the Universities of Exeter & Plymouth in the UK is an outspoken negative critique. Continue reading Prof. Ernst’s negative view of chiropractic
Category Archives: J. CONDITIONS TO TREAT
Glucosamine sulfate on hip osteoarthritis
After 2 years of treatment, glucosamine sulfate had no effect on the symptoms and the progression of hip osteoarthritis, according to researchers from the Netherlands. Continue reading Glucosamine sulfate on hip osteoarthritis
Hip protectors fail to protect the elderly from fracture
That’s the finding from a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association by Dr. Douglas Kiel of Hebrew SeniorLife and Harvard Medical School in Boston. Continue reading Hip protectors fail to protect the elderly from fracture
Using zinc to treat diarrhea
Giving zinc tablets reduces the duration and severity of diarrhea in children, according to researchers from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. Continue reading Using zinc to treat diarrhea
Evaluating the role for omega 3 to treat Crohn’s disease
Here’s what the Cochrane Review reports. Continue reading Evaluating the role for omega 3 to treat Crohn’s disease
Which is more important: fitness or fatness?
 Researchers studied the relationship among fitness, adiposity, and mortality in older adults. Continue reading Which is more important: fitness or fatness?
CAM benefits in cancer patients
Dr. Brent Bauer (photo) who practices in the Division of General Internal Medicine and is Director of the Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program at Mayo Clinic was interviewed as part of their ongoing series of podcasts.
Here are the highpoints. Continue reading CAM benefits in cancer patients
Soy isoflavones in the elderly
 The benefits of isoflavone depend on converting soy foods and supplements to biologically active compounds such as equol, which occurs in the intestines and is altered by age-associated conditions.
Researchers from the University of Wisconsin in Madison studied the effects of soy in older nondemented men and women. Continue reading Soy isoflavones in the elderly
Breathing training for asthma patients
 Researchers at the University of Aberdeen in the UK report that it has benefits, but doesn’t change the underlying disease. Continue reading Breathing training for asthma patients
Benefits of omega-3 in Alzheimer’s disease
 An omega-3 fatty acid supplement enriched with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may positively affect weight and appetite in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, according to researchers at the Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge in Stockholm, Sweden. Continue reading Benefits of omega-3 in Alzheimer’s disease
Garlic and the risk of cancer
 The FDA has evaluated the scientific evidence for garlic intake with respect to the risk of different types of cancer. Continue reading Garlic and the risk of cancer
Negative effects of marijuana in multiple sclerosis
In contrast to the anecdotal reports of benefit with cannabis, this study from researchers at the University of Toronto in Canada uncovers the downside of street cannabis in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Continue reading Negative effects of marijuana in multiple sclerosis
Can you pay people to lose weight?
Yes, “economic incentives produced significant weight loss” short-term, according to researchers in Pennsylvania. Continue reading Can you pay people to lose weight?
Ginseng’s effect on the immune system
The first two months of the official 2008 (October to mid-May) U.S. flu season show low activity so far.
But that’s not likely to curtail sales of ginseng. It’s is the most popular herbal product in the U.S., according to a survey in 2002, published here and reviewed here. Continue reading Ginseng’s effect on the immune system
Should air travel be restricted during flu season?
A detailed analysis of influenza patterns indicates that the sharp dip in air travel after September 11, 2001 slowed the spread of the flu and delayed the onset of the 2001-2002 U.S. flu season.
I almost always develop flu-like symptoms following air travel. Researchers at the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology program show I’m not alone.
Continue reading Should air travel be restricted during flu season?
Nasal irrigation to treat rhinosinusitis
Rhinosinusitis is an inflammation of the nose (rhinositis) and the sinuses (sinusitis).
The Cochrane Collaboration states, “The use of nasal irrigation for the treatment of nose and sinus complaints has its foundations in yogic and homeopathic traditions. It is often prescribed as an adjunct to other treatments such as intranasal steroids or antibiotics.” Continue reading Nasal irrigation to treat rhinosinusitis
Biofeedback complements stroke patients’ rehabilitation
In this study, researchers from the University of São Paulo School of Medicine, in Brazil combined electromyographic biofeedback with occupational therapy and functional electrical stimulation in hemiplegic patients. Continue reading Biofeedback complements stroke patients’ rehabilitation
Marijuana and the onset in psychotic disorders
 Early onset of psychosis is associated with a history of lifetime cannabis abuse or dependence, according to researchers at Harvard Medical School in Boston. Continue reading Marijuana and the onset in psychotic disorders
Slow-release garlic for cholesterol
 Researchers from the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences report positive effects on lipid blood levels when people with mild hypercholesterolemia were treated with a slow-release garlic product called Allicor. Continue reading Slow-release garlic for cholesterol
Herbal alternative to control intestinal spasm
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is used to diagnose and treat conditions of the bile ducts, including gallstones, inflammatory strictures (scars), leaks (from trauma and surgery), and cancer.
Researchers from Chiba University in Japan used shakuyaku-kanzo-to (TJ-68) to suppress spasms of the small intestine during ERCP procedures. Continue reading Herbal alternative to control intestinal spasm