I’m surprised by the position of the Alzheimer’s Association regarding huperzine A (shuangyiping). “Evidence from small studies shows that the effectiveness of huperzine A may be comparable to that of the approved drugs.”
Really? Continue reading Weak studies on huperzine A for Alzheimer’s disease
Red yeast rice can lower LDL (bad) cholesterol.
However, ConsumerLab tests reveal that the levels of cholesterol-lowering statin compounds in red yeast rice products vary by more than 100-fold — with some products having hardly any. Continue reading ConsumerLab rates red yeast rice supplements
In this study, noseless saddles made it easier for police officers to ride their bikes.
But, what about erectile dysfunction? Continue reading Defining the penile benefits of a no-nose saddle
In this time of MRSA (methacillin-resistant Staph aureus) skin infections, Medscape reviews 3 CAM wound treatment options.
Here are the highlights. Continue reading Maggots, and leeches, and honey, oh my!
Importantly, we are referring to people with mildly elevated cholesterol blood levels in this study by Australian researchers. Continue reading Inability of soy to lower LDL cholesterol
 Here are some CAM highlights for migraine and fibromyalgia from the American Academy of Pain Management (AAPM) 19th Annual Clinical Meeting. Continue reading Recommended CAM for chronic pain
Is it possible that infant feeding patterns can influence long-term changes in cholesterol metabolism?
An international group of researchers think it might. Continue reading Breastfeeding and cholesterol later in life
Researchers from Spain and Boston studied the relationship between age and cannabis use in patients with a first psychotic episode. Continue reading Effect of cannabis on the onset of psychosis
Researchers from West Park Healthcare Centre Toronto in Ontario ask, is there any benefit from one-legged exercise, at half the load of two-legged exercise in people with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD)? Continue reading One-legged exercise for COPD
Standardized extract SHR-5 of Rhodiola rosea L. rhizomes (Sedum roseum; rose root) was studied in patients suffering from a current episode of mild/moderate depression. Continue reading Rhodiola rosea treats depression
It was more effective than the benzodiazepine drug estazolam (ProSom, Eurodin) in this study by researchers at Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine in China.
But that’s not the entire story. Continue reading Acupuncture to treat insomnia
Among older adults, modest consumption of fish is associated with a lower prevalence of subclinical brain infarcts (“tiny” strokes) — changes in the brain consistent with a stroke, but without the usual outward signs and symptoms. Continue reading Fatty fish and the risk of “tiny” strokes
As you read this summary of a study conducted at Charité Medical Centre in Berlin, consider an earlier post that presents Prof. Ernst’s view of the A + B vs B study design. Continue reading New perspective on acupuncture for headache
Asian ginseng, Siberian ginseng, and the Indian Ayurvedic medicine Ashwagandha interfere with serum digoxin measurements obtained with commonly used fluorescent immunoassay tests.
Abbott Laboratories has marketed an alternative digoxin immunoassay, Digoxin III. Researchers at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston report on the risk of getting inaccurate digoxin levels in patients who take digoxin and one of these herbals at the same time. Continue reading Interference by ginseng with a new digoxin immunoassay
We’re talking about the soft-bodied legless grub that is the larva of certain flies. Their benefits include cleaning the wound and possibly speeding healing.
Medscape has a detailed review of the subject.
Continue reading Using maggots to clean wounds
Difficulty swallowing (dysphasia) after stroke occurs in up to 60% of patients, and is associated with other complications and death, particularly if it’s prolonged.
Acupuncture is used to treat this complication in China. Cochrane reviews the scientific support. Continue reading Acupuncture for dysphasia after stroke
The results from this study suggest that diet, rather than genetics, accounts for the two-fold lower coronary heart disease mortality in Japan than in the US. Continue reading Eating fatty fish and the risk of atherosclerosis
Researchers from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Florida report that adding lavender-scented bath oil to the infant bath results in lower stress in the mother and child, less crying, and better sleep. Continue reading Lavender baths lower stress in mother and child
The University of Maryland website has a review of omega-3 fatty acids.
Here are the essentials
Live probiotic bacteria and dietary prebiotic oligosaccharides (together termed synbiotics) are being used in infancy, but evidence of their long-term effects and safety is lacking.
Now, researchers from Helsinki University Central Hospital in Finland report their effects. Continue reading Feeding synbiotics to newborn infants