Dr. Barbara Gilchrest is professor and head of the Department of Dermatology at Boston University School of Medicine.
Here’s a summary of her take on vitamin D deficiency and the risks and benefits of exposure to the sun. Continue reading The Gilchrest view of vitamin D and sun exposure
5-Loxin is a product made from Boswellia serrata (aka Salai guggal in Ayurvedic medicine).
It has anti-inflammatory action, and was used in this study to treat osteoarthritis of the knee. Continue reading Boswellia treatment of osteoarthritis
Pelargonium sidoides (aka EPs 7630 and Umckaloabo) is an herbal extract derived from the gerenium. It’s used to treat acute respiratory tract infections (ARIs) where antibiotics are unnecessary.
The Cochrane Library has reviewed the evidence, as has Prof. Ernst. Continue reading Pelargonium for treating acute respiratory infections
This study shows it can be done, with reductions that are relatively small. But read the comment to see what can be accomplished with diet, exercise, and omega-3.
Continue reading Lowering cholesterol with functional foods
Based on this safety review, the US Pharmacopeia may develop monographs about black cohosh (Actaea racemosa, formerly Cimicifuga racemosa). Continue reading Should we be warned about black cohosh liver toxicity?
 This meta-analysis concludes, “Hypnosis could be a clinically valuable intervention [to reduce] anticipatory and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in children with cancer.” Continue reading Hypnosis in children receiving cancer chemotherapy
The reviewers conclude, “There is insufficient evidence to support the use of injection therapy in subacute and chronic low-back pain.” Continue reading Cochrane reviews injection therapy for low back pain
Garlic preparations are better than placebo in reducing blood pressure in people with high blood pressure, according to this review by researchers from The University of Adelaide in Australia. Continue reading Effect of garlic on blood pressure
In this study, conventional physiotherapy was compared to physiotherapy with the addition of postural biofeedback. Continue reading Biofeedback for low back pain
Some studies suggest that cancer patients who take antioxidants are more likely to tolerate more full doses of chemotherapy. Continue reading Do antioxidants lower the side effects of chemotherapy?
The supporting evidence is marginal according to this Cochrane Library review. Continue reading Oxygen for migraine and cluster headaches
There appear to be beneficial effects on the skeleton. Continue reading Benefits of tea drinking in older women
As we age, zinc deficiency combined with impaired immunity increase our susceptibility to infection.
Now, a study hows that zinc supplementation raises zinc blood levels, and lowers circulating proteins that increase the risk of infection. Most importantly, it also lowered the rate of infection in the elderly.
Continue reading Fewer infections when older folks take zinc supplements
Teaching children to recognize stroke. Continue reading “Hip-Hop” Stroke
There’s so much interest in vitamin D it could use its own blog.
Here’s what I found for the first half of 2008. Continue reading Vitamin D research for 2008
In Connecticut, the elderly benefit when healthcare providers allocate a part of their patient care time to fall prevention. Continue reading Paying attention reduces falls in the elderly
The results of the Dietary Intervention Randomized Controlled Trial (DIRECT) Group have been published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Continue reading Comparing weight-loss diets after 2 years
Few treatments for back pain are supported by strong scientific evidence. Conventional treatments have limited success and often result in dissatisfied patients who turn to CAM.
A review from the Cochrane Collaboration concluded, “massage might be beneficial for patients with subacute and chronic non-specific low-back pain, especially when combined with exercises and education.”
Continue reading Evidence for massage to treat low-back pain
Since 1990 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings about botanical products and dietary supplements containing aristolochic acid.
Now, The Lancet reports a 30 year-old Chinese man who was diagnosed with a bladder tumor after taking the Chinese herb Longdan Xieganwan for at least 5 years. (Use this link if you are not a subscriber to The Lancet.)
It’s unclear whether killing the bacteria called Helicobacter pylori improves symptoms in patients with dyspepsia (ie, stomach pain with fullness, bloating, or nausea). But there is benefit in people with ulcers.
Here’s a review from American Family Physician that recommends that all of us with dyspepsia be tested and treated if H. pylori is found. Recommendations from the American College of Gastroenterology are here.
Is there a role for CAM?
Continue reading The poor record of CAM to treat H. pylori bacteria